The Trump administration is planning to cut NASA's science budget nearly in half, according to an early budget proposal to Congress.As the Washington Post reports, NASA's Science Mission Directorate's current $7.3 billion budget could be cut down to a mere $3.9 billion.While the proposal has yet to be formally submitted to Congress, the slashed budget would deal a devastating blow to the space agency's ongoing and future missions, including its next major space telescope and Mars Sample Return mission.NASA's $2.2 billion Earth Science budget would be more than halved under the budget proposal, while planetary science would drop from $2.7 billion to $1.9 billion.It wouldn't just be a major step back; the move could prove to be counterintuitively expensive."This is an extinction-level event for NASA science," said space advocacy group Planetary Society chief of space policy Casey Dreier in a statement. "It needlessly terminates functional, productive science missions and cancels new missions currently being built, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars in the process.""This is neither efficient nor smart budgeting," he added.The latest budget doesn't include funding for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the follow-up to its groundbreaking Hubble and Webb space telescopes, which would continue to be funded under the proposed budget.That's despite the development of the telescope already being well underway. Hardware is already being tested at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, per WaPo. It's currently scheduled to be launched as early as September 2026.It's important to note that the Trump administration's budget proposal is far from being set in stone. It's an early draft, called a "passback," ahead of Trump's full 2026 fiscal year budget request.In other words, Congress can still stop NASA's science program from being set ablaze."NASA has received the fiscal year 2026 budget passback from the Office of Management and Budget and has begun the deliberative process," the agency wrote in a statement.Unsurprisingly, former NASA leaders are appalled at the mere suggestion of cutting the Science Mission Directorate nearly in half."They’re going to run NASA into a very deep ditch if they proceed with this kind of savagery," former NASA administrator Bill Nelson told WaPo.Nelson also argued that the proposed budget could deal a devastating hit to Trump's signature space exploration program. Both the president and his top henchman Elon Musk have repeatedly vowed to take astronauts to the surface of Mars.Though Musk has tweeted repeatedly since the budget came out, he's had nothing to say about its slash-and-burn attack on NASA."If you savage NASA science, you have savaged our entire exploration program, and that will affect the human exploration program as well," Nelson told the newspaper.Apart from shocking former NASA leads, Congress will likely have plenty of bones to pick if such a budget were to be proposed.Representative Zoe Lofren (D-CA), top member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, eviscerated Trump's approach."Effectuating these absurd cuts would destroy NASA's ability to carry out its fundamental objectives, cut off their societal benefits, and spell catastrophe for the U.S. Earth and space science enterprise by throwing billions in already-made taxpayer investments into the trash heap," she said in a statement."I will do everything in my power to ensure these reckless proposals never come to fruition," she added."This massive cut to NASA Science will not stand," representative George Whitesides (D-CA) told Ars Technica. "I will work alongside my colleagues on the Science Committee to make clear how this would decimate American leadership in space and inflict great damage to NASA centers across the country.""I think there’ll be very strong bipartisan resistance in Congress to cutting missions that are the foundation of our space program," senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MA) told the WaPo. "This is like eating your seed corn, and it will have very damaging impacts on our space program, on national security programs, and it will undermine our leadership in the area of technical innovation and scientific research."Share This Article

🌟 Leasing CoordinatorTurn interest into action. Help people find home. Fuel our growth.🤩 Your “HELL YEAH” MomentWhen you turn a hesitant prospect into a happy new resident — and know your follow-up, your professionalism, and your hustle made the difference — that’s a HELL YEAH moment.You're the reason that unit got leased. You're the reason they found home. You're the reason we win.📌 The Role: Leasing CoordinatorAs our Leasing Coordinator, your job is to turn leads into leases - and deliver an experience that makes every prospect feel seen, heard, and ready to apply.You’ll love this role if you enjoy:Following up fast with leads and guide them to book a showingListening deeply to prospects and match their needs with the right homeProviding thoughtful, timely feedback to our property managersOwning your numbers — and improve them every monthWorking your system (CRM, leasing tools, workflows) like a pro💎 Traits of a High-Achiever We WantYou're our person if you:Obsess over follow-up and never drop the ballAre persuasive without being pushy — and always professionalLove a fast-paced rhythm with clear targets to crushHandle rejection like a champ and keep bringing the energySee the small details others missTake radical ownership of your role, your results, and your impact📋 Position DetailsRole: Leasing CoordinatorLocation: RemoteHours: Full-time | Monday–Friday | U.S. Pacific Time Hours (8 AM – 5 PM PST)Employment Type: Full employee status in your home country (not a contractor)Monthly Compensation: $1,600 - $1,800 USD/month (based on experience)🎯 Ready to Apply?Here’s your next step (all required):Take the DISC Assessment and save your resultsComplete our Team QuestionnaireRecord a 2–3 minute video introducing yourself in English(Tell us who you are, your accounting experience, and whether you’ve worked in property management/leasing.)Email [email protected] Subject: Remote Leasing Coordinator Include a copy of your resume/CV, the DISC results, link to your video (youtube/vimeo/loom) and let her know you completed the team questionnaire. ✨ Final WordThis isn’t a gig. It’s a career. You’ll be a valued part of our mission — not just helping us grow, but growing with us.If you’re dependable, detail-driven, and ready to build something meaningful, we’d love to meet you.

We may yet see Siri improvements this fall, but how far they go is still unknown.

The best teak outdoor furniture is a mainstay in the outdoor furniture space for its hardiness against the elements, its easy-to-clean surfaces, and the natural patina that it develops over time—from a warm honey to a weathered gray. The wood isn’t as readily known for its style chops, though we’ve noted in the past that it can unexpectedly elevate everything from bathtubs (see the carved wood beauty in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s brownstone) to sofas with its coastal-leaning charm.With origins in Southeast Asia, teak pieces are also generally low-maintenance, and our editors have a few weatherproofing tips on how to preserve their look and quality (Hint: You may need to add teak oil or sealer to your cart ASAP).Our favorite outdoor furniture retailers offer a wide selection of teak silhouettes for your patio, porch, or backyard, including best-selling outdoor sectionals, loveseats, accent chairs, dining sets, and more. Many of these are even paired with plush cushioning and weather-resistant covers. Below, see more handsome teak designs that embody craftsmanship and functionality for your outdoor space.Our Top Picks for the Best Teak Outdoor Furniture:Best Customizable Options: Neighbor Haven Sofa, $3,290Best For Indoors or Outdoors: Castlery Rio Outdoor 3-Seater Sofa, $1,999Best Set For Large Spaces: Yardbird Winnie Outdoor Sofa Set, $5,800 $4,350Best Set For Small Spaces: Christopher Knight Home Wesley Chaise Lounge Set, $667Best Modular Design: Anthropologie Sonoma Woven Teak Armless Chair, $1,098Neighbor Haven SofaIf your taste leans modern and minimalist, consider Neighbor your design destination. The brand calls its best-selling teak sofa the “Haven Sofa,” which is a fitting name for its cozy, quick-drying foam cushions and modern Scandi-style bones. We think it would look just as nice inside or outside your home. Customize your piece by choosing between a cushioned or teak armrest, and a range of fadeproof Sunbrella upholstery colors. (And if you want more hands-on research, Neighbor will ship a free swatch kit right to your door.)Castlery Rio Outdoor 3 Seater SofaCastlery’s Rio sofa was the first outdoor furniture item AD ever tested, and we still stand by our glowing review of it today. Senior SEO analyst Stewart Savin was particularly impressed by its looks and how well it held up over time. “It’s gorgeous—if I had room I’d be tempted to use it inside,” she wrote. “This sofa has withstood pollen, snowstorms, thunderstorms, and even a hurricane! Plus our pup enjoys lounging on it as much as we do.” Keep it as a standalone piece in your porch, or combine it with the matching lounge chairs and table to fully furnish a corner of your backyard.Yardbird Winnie Outdoor Sofa SetIf your outdoor space allows, consider bringing in Yardbird’s eco-friendly outdoor sofa set. Coastal dwellers or dreamers will appreciate the rounded corners that add charm to an otherwise simple set. The company also prides itself on its sustainably-made furnishings, with their responsibly-sourced, grade A teak as proof.Sunnydaze Solid Teak Outdoor Bar ChairWe’d be remiss not to call out Amazon’s vast selection of outdoor furniture, including these weatherproof stools from Sunnydaze. Perch them at your outdoor bar for poolside cocktail hour or even pair a duo with a tall table for an outdoor bistro set.Utoplike Teak Outdoor Side TableIf your poolside furniture setup already includes a low-profile teak chaise lounger that you love, create your own patio set with this compact side table that will withstand icy drinks and any out-of-bounds splashing.Sonoma Woven Teak Armless ChairAnthropologie’s home section is extensive, but don’t sleep on their outdoor furniture. The woven detailing around the back of this armless chair gives it some earthy texture, while the neutral sunproof fabric feels at home in all kinds of outdoor oases. It can easily stand on its own, or you could line up multiple of them together to create a makeshift modular sofa. If you’re working with a smaller space, style it with a side table and decorative pillow to liven up the blank slate white cushion.CB2 Sunset Teak Outdoor LoveseatCB2 puts a midcentury-modern twist on this teak loveseat, which features a dramatically angled base topped with weather-resistant cushion covers. We could easily see this posted up next to a fire feature or garden. The brand notes that it will weather to a silvery grey if left untreated, but to give you an idea of how that patina will look, the brand also provides imagery forecasting what you’ll see at one month, two months, and six months post-delivery.Burrow Dunes Teak Dining SetEveryone will want to pull up a chair at this teak dining table, which comes with four chairs and a teak bench (though you can also purchase seating separately). Drawing inspiration from surfboards, it’s a laid-back addition to your coastal outdoor space that feels warm and refined, from your beach house to your backyard.Outer Teak Outdoor Armless Chair Conversation SetKnown for sustainable, Forest Stewardship Council–certified outdoor patio furniture, Outer offers an entire modular sofa system for a spacious backyard. Each piece can operate as standalone chairs, a loveseat, or as a component to a sectional. Nab a side table to place in between and you’ll have a comfortable conversation set for a porch or oversized balcony.Outer Teak Outdoor OttomanFor an even more modular outdoor living space, purchase one of these neutral teak ottomans. Use it as a footrest for your conversation set chairs or as an extension of the sofa system.Hi NeighborNeighbor Low ChairThis isn’t your grandma’s Adirondack chair. Neighbor’s update to an all-time camp-side classic features a solid teak wood frame with slats on the back and seat and an angled seat and back that lets you recline with a bevvy in hand. Purchase them individually or with a complementary ottoman to kick up your feet even more comfortably (PS: There’s a version made with recycled plastic too.)

Why do AI company logos look like buttholes?April 10th, 2025 If you pay attention to AI company branding, you'll notice a pattern: Circular shape (often with a gradient) Central opening or focal point Radiating elements from the center Soft, organic curves Sound familiar? It should, because it's also an apt description of... well, you know. A butthole. The circular AI logo epidemic If you ever thought that AI company logos look like buttholes, you're not alone. FastCompany noticed this trend in 2023 and published an article about it, but (I could only presume) their editors and lawyers didn't let them title the article the way the wanted it to title, so it got published with a more safe for work title: The AI boom is creating a new logo trend: the swirling hexagon. They also were careful not to mention anything anatomical. I don't have editors or lawyers, so let's take a closer look at some examples: OpenAI's logo evolution OpenAI's original logo was a simple, text-based mark. Then came the redesign: a perfect circle with a subtle gradient and central void. OpenAI's official explanation is a masterclass in corporate euphemism: "The Blossom logo is more than just a visual symbol; it represents the core philosophy that guides our approach to design and innovation. At its heart, the logo captures the dynamic intersection between humanity and technology—two forces that shape our world and inspire our work. The design embodies the fluidity and warmth of human-centered thinking through the use of circles, while right angles introduce the precision and structure that technology demands." Sure, Sam. Translation: "We made a circular shape with some angles because it looked nice, then wrote flowery language to justify why our butthole-adjacent design is actually profound." The fluidity and warmth of human-centered thinking through the use of circles is perhaps the most elegant way anyone has ever described making a logo that resembles an anus. The Big AI companies Looking at the logos of the Big AI companies, you can see that they almost all of them have a circular or snowflake-like shape and a central opening. Only DeepSeek and DeepMind don't follow the trend. Interestingly, both are sea-related. Smoking gun: Anthropic's Claude Up until this point, the logos have been subtle. You might say that the logos are simply circular and there's not much more to it. But Anthropic's Claude takes it to the next level. Here's a side-by-side comparison with a drawing from Kurt Vonnegut's book "Breakfast of Champions". I added Claude's logo below for easy comparison. Both the drawing and the description in the book are unambiguous. This is not just "a circular shape with a gradient" anymore, is it? It's not just AI companies Even traditional companies aren't immune. Here are a few notable or funny examples. But the percentage of AI company logos that look like buttholes is still significanly higher than than any other industry. I especially like the Electrolux one. It's simple, memorable, and once you see a butt and bikini, you can't unsee it. Why does this keep happening? There are several factors at play: Circular design psychology Circles represent wholeness, completion, and infinity—concepts that align with AI's promise. They're also friendly and non-threatening, qualities companies desperately want to project when selling potentially job-replacing technology. Unintentional biomimicry The human brain finds familiar patterns in random shapes (pareidolia), like a face on Mars, taken by the Viking 1 orbiter and released by NASA in 1976. But sometimes, designers inadvertently recreate biological forms without realizing the... anatomical implications. The copycat effect Once a few major players adopted the circular sphincter aesthetic, everyone followed suit. Now we have an industry where standing out means looking exactly like everyone else's butthole. Basically, the same reason why so many brands change their logos and look like everyone else. Design by committee Another factor is how these logos are created. Important corporate decisions involve many stakeholders. The result is often the safest, most inoffensive option, the average of everyone's opinions. In design meetings at AI companies, conversations probably sound like: Can we make it more futuristic? It needs to feel advanced but approachable. Let's add a subtle gradient to convey intelligence. No single person suggests making a logo that resembles an anus, but when everyone's feedback gets incorporated, that's what often emerges. Risk aversion in corporate environments naturally pushes designs toward familiar, "safe" territory, which apparently means anatomical openings. What this says about tech branding This phenomenon reveals something deeper about the tech industry: the fear of standing out too much. Despite claims of innovation and disruption, there's tremendous pressure to look legitimate by conforming to established visual language. When OpenAI's sphincter-like logo became successful, it created a template that said, "This is what serious AI looks like." Now, any new AI company that doesn't resemble a colorful anatomical opening risks being seen as unserious or unprofessional. Tech design trends through history This isn't the first time tech design has gone through a conformity phase. Consider these previous waves: 1990s-2000s: 3D and Glossy - Remember when every logo needed a drop shadow and a glassy shine? Apple's aqua interface set the standard. 2010-2013: Skeuomorphism - Digital designs mimicking physical objects, with stitched leather textures and realistic dials. 2013-2018: Flat Design - Reaction to skeuomorphism brought minimal, clean interfaces with bright colors and no shadows. 2018-2022: Neomorphism - Soft shadows and semi-flat design creating subtle, "touchable" interfaces. 2022-Present: The Butthole Era - Circular gradients with central focal points dominating AI branding. Each era started with innovations that were quickly copied until the industry reached saturation point and moved on to the next trend. Logos become increasingly interchangeable (one of the bags is real, but they all look the same) Historic logo disasters: You're not alone AI companies can take some comfort in knowing they're not the first to face unintended anatomical comparisons. Logo history is filled with disasters but to keep this consistent with the theme of the article, here's a couple of them. Zune logo, when flipped, says something different. Maybe that's one of the reasons why iPod won? Brazilian Institute of Oriental Studies is a stylized pagoda sillhouetted against the setting sun. Or so the designers wanted it to look. The final result was much more... anatomical. They since changed it to something less suggestive. Maybe companies should have a panel of "middle schoolers" on their payroll to review logos before launch. They'll find every possible inappropriate interpretation with ruthless efficiency. Breaking free from the butthole For companies brave enough to differentiate, here are some alternatives: Embrace sharp angles - geometric shapes with defined edges create a distinct visual identity Use negative space creatively - think FedEx arrow, not biological openings Avoid radial symmetry - not everything needs to be perfectly circular Skip the gradient - flat design still works Test with diverse audiences - if five different people independently say "that looks like a butthole," it probably does (show it to teenagers if you want to uncover even the most subtle anatomical implications) Conclusion Does this mean AI companies should change their branding? Not necessarily. The familiarity clearly works in building trust. But perhaps the next wave of AI innovation could be accompanied by some visual innovation too. For companies looking to break the mold, consider these approaches that successful tech brands have used: Embrace meaningful abstraction - Slack's hashtag-inspired logo communicates collaboration without circular clichés Leverage letterforms - Netflix's simple "N" has become instantly recognizable without anatomical confusion Tell a story - Stripe's distinctive parallel lines reflect payment flows moving seamlessly Use distinctive color combinations - Twitch's purple branding stands out in a sea of blue tech logos The challenge for the next generation of AI companies isn't just technological - it's finding visual language that communicates innovation without resorting to the same tired sphincter-inspired patterns. PS. This post is meant to be humorous, but let's not pretend there isn't a serious point here about the depressing sameness in modern design. No actual anuses were consulted during this research, though several designers were clearly thinking about them.If you like what you see, you'll find more stuff like this on my Twitter.

Most units from Vietnam are apparently being shipped to America.A new report from Bloomberg states that Nintendo has the potential to build up "a stockpile of millions of consoles" from Vietnam ahead of the Switch 2's launch on 5th June 2025.The article (paywalled) states that Hosiden Corp., which is one of the three main assemblers for the console and based in the Southeast Asian country, apparently shipped more units of the new console in February of this year than the previous six months combined — around 725,000. This is according to customs data provided to Bloomberg by the NBD.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Thirteen years ago, Forerunner Ventures began helping to usher in a new era of consumer startups, including Warby Parker, Bonobos, and Glossier. None has gone through a traditional IPO process. Warby Parker was taken public through a special purpose acquisition vehicle. Bonobos was acquired by Walmart. Glossier is still privately held, along with many other design-forward brands in Forerunner’s portfolio.  That’s not a failure, according to Forerunner founder Kirsten Green. In today’s landscape, nearly every alternative to the traditional IPO has become the new norm. Consider that companies like fintech Chime and smart ring outfit Ōura, founded in 2012 and 2013, respectively, were also early bets for Forerunner and have achieved valuations north of $5 billion, proving their staying power in crowded markets. But while Chime has confidentially filed to go public, Ōura’s CEO has said there are no immediate plans for an IPO.  At TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC evening late last week, Green made it clear she doesn’t mind. Asked specifically whether she is bothered by Ōura’s CEO, Tom Hale, repeatedly telling the media the company is not preparing an IPO anytime soon despite strong sales, she called the outfit an “off-the-charts phenomenal company,” adding that “we haven’t even gotten to the thought around our table about selling, because we’re here for the growth that’s happening.” She suggested instead that investors long ago adapted to a world with fewer conventional public offerings, including by turning increasingly to the once-secondary secondary market to manage liquidity and exposure. “We’re engaged in the secondary market, buying and selling,” Green said of Forerunner’s team, characterizing the shift as both practical and strategic. “Companies are waiting so long to go public. The venture model is generally 10-year fund lifecycles. If you now need to be a double-digit billion-dollar company to [stage] a successful IPO or [become traded] in the public markets, it takes time to get there.” The secondary market is “continuing to drive the industry” and allowing “people to unlock returns and liquidity.” For longtime industry watchers, it’s a remarkable shift. In the past, firms could expect a major liquidity event within a few years: an acquisition, a classic stock market debut. Yet the growing reliance on the secondary market isn’t just a response to public markets that reward scale and favor already high-performing companies. Another major benefit, Green suggested last week, is that price discovery is more efficient when there are more participants involved — even if it ultimately means a discount to one of her deals. Green addressed, for example, Chime, the neobank that became a household name during the fintech boom. Its valuation has zigzagged wildly in recent years, from $25 billion in 2021 when it last closed a primary round of funding from a small group of venture investors, down to a reported $6 billion valuation last year on the secondary market, which typically features many more participants. More recently, it reportedly climbed again to $11 billion. “In terms of the prices,” Green said, “if you think about it, the round that gets done, the Series D, that was a negotiation between the company and an investor. With the secondary market, you’ve got more people in the mix, right? And then when you [eventually] go to the public markets, you’ve got everybody” setting the price for what they perceive to be the value of a company. Green can afford to be a little less invested, so to speak, in those later valuations. While it’s always nice to be associated with eye-popping numbers, the firm’s strategy of partnering as early as possible with startups gives it more wiggle room than other venture firms might enjoy. “We try to be early,” Green said, pointing to the firm’s framework of identifying major shifts in consumer behavior and pairing them with emerging business models.  It worked in the early 2010s, when DTC brands like Bonobos and Glossier rode the mobile-social wave to breakout success. It worked again with subscription-first plays like another Forerunner company, The Farmer’s Dog, which sells gourmet dog food and is reportedly both profitable and seeing $1 billion in annualized revenue. And it’s what the firm is betting on now, with a focus on the intersection of invention and culture, as Green describes it. Great companies, Green noted, need time to develop and not all growth paths look the same. Venture capital, once eager for exits, is learning to wait and, when necessary, to trade. (You can listen to our conversation with Green from this same sit-down right here, via the StrictlyVC Download podcast; new episodes are published each Tuesday morning.)

Looking for help with today's NYT Mini Crossword puzzle? Here are some hints and answers for the puzzle.

With Record Store Day just a day away, you might be thinking about a new turntable to spin all your excellent new wax. But if you’re an on-the-go type, you might also be wondering if there’s a portable record player that you can tote around so you can show them off anywhere. Well, road-trippers, you’re in luck because Toshiba just announced the Aurex AX-RP10, a compact Bluetooth turntable that will help you do just that. OK, so you’re not slipping it into your jeans pocket like an old Walkman — it measures 11 x 6 x 3 inches and 2.6 pounds — but Toshiba’s thrown in a shoulder bag so you can bring that sweet sound of analog to the park, picnic, or your next rooftop party. Toshiba Very similar to Audio-Technica’s famous Sound Burger, the Aurex AX-RP10 is a belt-driven turntable with a MM (Moving Magnet) style cartridge that spins both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records, and features a 2,000mAh battery that’ll keep things spinning for up to 10 hours. There are no built-in speakers, though, so you’ll need to plug in your headphones or connect to your sound system via the 3.5mm input. Or, as advertised, you can pair it with a Bluetooth speaker or Bluetooth headphones. Audiophiles, need not apply as the SBC codec support sadly means no hi-res playback — this will mainly just be for fun and portability, which is OK too. Recommended Videos You’ll obviously have to throw a handful of records into a tote or throw a milk crate or twin into your trunk if you want he party to go longer, but whatever it is you’re playing will get top billing with what I think it the funnest feature of the AX-RP10 — its “jacket holder” that props your record’s sleeve for all to see. Toshiba Toshiba’s playing coy with the pricing (the Sound Burger runs for $200), but the AX-RP10 is expected to be available sometime this month. Now make sure to head out for Record Store Day and support your local indie record stores. Editors’ Recommendations

The iPhone-maker, a pioneer of globalization that helped build China’s manufacturing economy, now faces a steep profit hit from tariffs.