Over the past year, Ive taken calls from women Ive mentoredformerly incarcerated and working hard to rebuild their lives. These are the moments that remind me why I do this work. Their voices, full of hope, share the same story: theyve made it to the final stages of a job application. Theyve been upfront about their pasts, impressed in their interviews, and now they need one final thing: a reference from me, which I provide without hesitation.But the joy doesnt last. In six instances, these women were hired, start dates set, and IT equipment received, only to have their offers rescinded after a background check revealed the nature of their crimes. Their records werent hidden; they had disclosed everything upfront. Yet somewhere between a handshake and a start date, the companies got cold feet, unable to reconcile their second-chance philosophy with the reality of these womens stories.The weight of second chancesRescinding a job offer might seem like just a line item in HRs workflow. But for the person at the receiving end, its devastating. Its a setback that impacts families, communities, and the broader social fabric. How can we call ourselves second-chance advocates if we only extend that chance to those whose mistakes feel easy to forgive?I understand the discomfort some crimes can evoke. Ive felt it, too. When faced with the reality of someones past, its natural to react with hesitation. But heres what Ive learned: behind every crime, theres context. Context doesnt excuse actions, but it provides a fuller picture of who a person is and how they arrived at that moment. More importantly, it shows us that people are not staticthey can change, grow, and heal.When our government determines that someone has paid their debt to society, its not our place to act as a secondary judge and jury. Denying them the opportunity to rebuild their lives only perpetuates cycles of poverty, marginalization, and recidivism. We all pay the pricelosing their contributions, perspectives, and hard-earned resilience.When values are put to the testBelief in second chances isnt enough. Its a cultural commitment. Inevitably, employees may discover someones past through a Google search, raising concerns. Thats where education and leadership are essential. Employees need to understand and embrace what it means to work for a compassionate, inclusive company.This demands consistent reinforcement of values, open conversations about inclusion, and clear messaging that second chances are central to a companys identitynot just when its easy but especially when its hard. HR and hiring managers must work together to hire employees who truly believe in supporting individuals striving to rebuild their lives. Those unable to align with these values may signal they arent the right fit for your organization.Companies like JPMorgan Chase and Virgin embody this commitment. Jamie Dimon and Richard Branson champion second-chance hiring because its the right thing to do. They understand that redemption is powerful and talent comes from unexpected places. Their leadership reminds us that doing whats right often means challenging assumptions and stepping out of our comfort zones.Believing in futures, not pastsThe truth is second chances are messy. They require us to confront our biases and sit with our discomfort. But theyre also transformativefor the individuals we hire and the organizations we lead. When we create a culture of acceptance and growth, we become stronger, more innovative, and more human.At the end of the day, the question we need to ask isnt whether we feel comfortable with someones past; its whether we believe in their future. And if the answer is yes, then its on us to open the door and keep it opennot just for the ones whose mistakes we understand, but for everyone who has done the hard work of owning their past and building a better path forward.Being a second-chance employer is about courage. Its about committing to values that dont waver when tested. And its about remembering that the true measure of a company isnt how it treats the perfect candidateits how it uplifts the imperfect ones.

Its truly a toss-up who dreads Q&As more after a presentationthe presenter or the audience. Conventional wisdom dictates that it should be the presenter, but experience has taught me that its actually the audience who deserves our sympathy.Thats because every professional gathering that has opened the floor to audience questions throughout history has typically included one type of person. Im talking about the individual whose so-called question is really just a thinly veiled attempt to monologue, self-promote, or divert attention away from the topic they were supposed to be paying attention to.If youve managed to avoid them at a conference or industry event to date, consider yourself lucky. But unless you completely withdraw from social interactions, youre bound to encounter a bad question directed at you or others sooner or later. Job interviews, news broadcasts, team meetings, restaurants, and especially podcasts are fertile grounds for poorly phrased questions and awkward, disjointed conversations.It takes two to tango. But outside of mathematics, its just as true that two negatives dont make a positive. So, if you find yourself steering a one-on-one conversation or have unexpectedly become the focal point and lubricant of a group discussion, let me offer some guidance.Ive spent 12 years as a historian preparing, conducting, and analyzing hundreds of interviews on a range of topics. And no matter what your job might be, the following tips are helpful for anyone seeking relief in challenging social or professional situations, where keeping a conversation flowing smoothly is paramount.1. Make it a conversation, not a depositionOne of my most memorable moments before an interview even began happened earlier this year. As we were setting up to interview a prominent lawyer, our interviewee playfully remarked, Is this a deposition? Now, that person made the comment in jest, but it has since become the most valuable piece of advice I follow before meeting with individuals whove generously volunteered their time to speak with me.Forcing a rigid list of preprepared interview questions is the quickest way to alienate your conversation partner and turn the interview into a deposition. Instead, embrace flexibility within structure. That means preparing just a few key questions to kick things off or help navigate any lulls, while focusing on broader themes throughout the conversation.2. Prepare, but dont over-prepareProfessional interviewers will quickly tell you that the time and effort spent on preparing for an interview far outweighs the actual time spent conducting it.That is true. However, it is important to note that over-preparing in an attempt to appear more knowledgeable than the interviewee can backfire. Remember the purpose of an interview. Its to gather insights from someone who, whether you agree or not, knows more than you. At the very least, they offer a perspective different from your own.Dont let insecurity lead to role reversal. While its important to speak your interviewees language and familiarize yourself with their background, avoid overshadowing them or taking the spotlight.3. Dont hide your personalityWhen interviewing someone with a larger-than-life personality or an impressive rsum, its easy to fall into the wallflower trap. Giving the interviewee room to showcase their achievements and express their views shouldnt diminish your own presence in the conversation. Otherwise, you risk getting steamrolled, or worse, losing their interest altogether. Personal anecdotes, facial expressions, body language, and occasional humor can go a long way in reminding the interviewee that theyre engaging with a real person, not an AI chatbot.Instead of viewing your interactions with a senior figure as a zero-sum game or a needlessly deferential gesture, remind yourself that the most meaningful conversations are two-way streets, not one-way roads.4. Introduce time limitsLike perishable foods, every interview has an expiration date. At some point, the quality of the conversation begins to decline. While every interviewee has a different stamina for social interaction, its generally best to keep a single interview session under 90 minutes (the table limit in most North American restaurants for one to three people): 45 to 60 minutes is the ideal duration. Setting a time limit creates a creative constraint for both the interviewer and interviewee, encouraging them to sharpen their questions and responses.No one wants to linger in a social situation longer than necessary, and the same holds true for interviews. If your interviewee has more to share than a single session allows, consider scheduling a follow-up (or even a third). As an added benefit, the time between interviews often sparks fresh insights and deeper reflections.

While milk crates are good enough for ferrying records to local gigs, these Travel Heavy cases are aimed at the professional traveling DJ. The London-based manufacturer, also called Travel Heavy, says they qualify as hand luggage "on most airlines." The aluminum cases are lined with foam and can carry 45 12" LPs, "with room for your headphones," the company claims, (though they don't mention nor show where the headphones go, or if you can carry more records if you forego the headphones). The QR codes atop each case are unique and linked to your name through your purchase. The idea is that if you lose the case, and a good Samaritan scans the code, s/he is presumably placed in contact with the manufacturer, who can notify you. Note that the shiny case in the photos is a prototype version; the production version is the one with the matte finish. These run $267 a pop.

The iPhone has long been a favorite among content creators, thanks to its cutting-edge camera technology and the ability to capture cinematic-quality videos. This makes it a powerful tool for photographers and videographers who seek both convenience and high performance in their mobile devices. Recognizing this potential, Belkin is stepping in to enhance the iPhones capabilities with a new accessory that promises to transform the device into an analog-style shooter. This innovative gadget features an ergonomic grip and a dedicated shutter button, providing users with a tactile photography experience reminiscent of traditional cameras.The new accessory, aptly named the Stage PowerGrip, is tailored for Apple enthusiasts who appreciate both style and functionality. It features a certified MagSafe-compatible magnetic clip-on mechanism that ensures a snug and secure fit on the iPhone. This design innovation allows users to attach and detach the accessory with ease, providing flexibility in various shooting scenarios. The Stage PowerGrip is specifically crafted for the iPhone 16 setup, integrating seamlessly with the latest Camera Control button introduced with this years Apple smartphone.Designer: BelkinBelkin introduced this exciting accessory at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where it showcased a range of other intriguing products. These include the BoostCharge Compact USB-C Charger, designed for fast and efficient charging on the go; the BoostCharge Power Bank, which offers extended battery life for multiple devices; the Soundform Isolate over-ear headphones, providing immersive audio quality; and the Soundform Anywhere earbuds, which deliver convenience and superior sound for users on the move.In terms of aesthetics, the Stage PowerGrip is set to arrive in May and will be available in a palette of vibrant colors, including powder blue, sandbox, fresh yellow, pepper, and lavender. These options cater to diverse tastes, allowing users to personalize their devices while maintaining a sleek and modern appearance. Although the exact pricing has yet to be announced, Belkin has hinted at keeping the cost below $80, making it an affordable enhancement for iPhone users.Functionality is at the core of the Stage PowerGrips design. The Bluetooth-enabled accessory emulates the classic feel of a point-and-shoot camera, complete with a shutter button positioned on top for easy access. A small integrated screen offers users the ability to explore various shooting options, enhancing the overall photography experience. Additionally, the Stage PowerGrip doubles as a 10,000 mAh wireless power bank, equipped with a 7.5W magnetic charging option. This feature ensures that the iPhone Pro Max remains charged throughout the day, catering to the demands of active users who rely heavily on their devices.For those who prefer traditional charging methods, the Stage PowerGrip includes a USB-C cable, providing an alternative to wireless charging. Furthermore, the accessory functions as a sturdy stand, keeping the iPhone in landscape orientation. This is particularly useful for shooting timed photos or for binge-watching content, as it offers stability and convenience.The Stage PowerGrip is a versatile accessory that proves invaluable for anyone who enjoys mobile photography or videography. Its ergonomic design not only enhances the shooting experience by reducing camera shake but also provides superior handling for creative endeavors. The added benefit of a built-in power bank means users can forego carrying a separate charging device, streamlining their equipment and making it a practical choice for on-the-go creators.In an age where mobile is ruling content consumption, Belkins Stage PowerGrip is set to become an essential tool for iPhone users seeking to elevate their content creation capabilities. By combining traditional camera features with modern technology, it offers a unique and enhanced user experience. Whether youre a professional photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, this accessory is designed to meet your needs, offering both style and substance in a compact, user-friendly package.The post Belkin Stage PowerGrip MagSafe power bank turns your iPhone into an analog camera first appeared on Yanko Design.

Yes, there's a lightsaber.

It's the done thing these days.

Get live reports and photos of all the products, trends, and quirky stuff we're seeing this week at CES in Las Vegas.

Real-time language translation takes another step forward with these earbuds.

These portable heaters will heat a room quickly, quietly, and safely.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Introducing: MIT Technology Reviews 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025Each year, we spend months researching and discussing which technologies will make the cut for our 10 Breakthrough Technologies list. We try to highlight a mix of items that reflect innovations happening in various fields. We look at consumer technologies, large industrial-scale projects, biomedical advances, changes in computing, climate solutions, the latest in AI, and more.Weve been publishing this list every year since 2001 and, frankly, have a great track record of flagging things that are poised to hit a tipping point. Its hard to think of another industry that has as much of a hype machine behind it as tech does, so the real secret of the TR10 is really what we choose to leave off the list.Check out the full list of our 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025, which is front and center in our latest print issue. Its all about the exciting innovations happening in the world right now, and includes some fascinating stories, such as:+ How digital twins of human organs are set to transform medical treatment and shake up how we trial new drugs.+ What will it take for us to fully trust robots? The answer is a complicated one.+ Wind is an underutilized resource that has the potential to steer the notoriously dirty shipping industry toward a greener future. Read the full story.+ After decades of frustration, machine-learning tools are helping ecologists to unlock a treasure trove of acoustic bird dataand to shed much-needed light on their migration habits. Read the full story.+ How poop could help feed the planetyes, really. Read the full story.Roundtables: Unveiling the 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025Last week, Amy Nordrum, our executive editor, joined our news editor Charlotte Jee to unveil our 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025 in an exclusive Roundtable discussion. Subscribers can watch their conversation back here. And, if youre interested in previous discussions about topics ranging from mixed reality tech to gene editing to AIs climate impact, check out some of the highlights from the past years events.This international surveillance project aims to protect wheat from deadly diseasesFor as long as theres been domesticated wheat (about 8,000 years), there has been harvest-devastating rust. Breeding efforts in the mid-20th century led to rust-resistant wheat strains that boosted crop yields, and rust epidemics receded in much of the world.But now, after decades, rusts are considered a reemerging disease in Europe, at least partly due to climate change.An international initiative hopes to turn the tide by scaling up a system to track wheat diseases and forecast potential outbreaks to governments and farmers in close to real time. And by doing so, they hope to protect a crop that supplies about one-fifth of the worlds calories. Read the full story.Shaoni BhattacharyaThe must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Meta has taken down its creepy AI profilesFollowing a big backlash from unhappy users. (NBC News)+ Many of the profiles were likely to have been live from as far back as 2023. (404 Media)+ It also appears they were never very popular in the first place. (The Verge)2 Uber and Lyft are racing to catch up with their robotaxi rivalsAfter abandoning their own self-driving projects years ago. (WSJ $)+ Chinas Pony.ai is gearing up to expand to Hong Kong. (Reuters)3 Elon Musk is going after NASAHes largely veered away from criticising the space agency publiclyuntil now. (Wired $)+ SpaceXs Starship rocket has a legion of scientist fans. (The Guardian)+ Whats next for NASAs giant moon rocket? (MIT Technology Review)4 How Sam Altman actually runs OpenAIFeaturing three-hour meetings and a whole lot of Slack messages. (Bloomberg $)+ ChatGPT Pro is a pricey loss-maker, apparently. (MIT Technology Review)5 The dangerous allure of TikTokMigrants online portrayal of their experiences in America arent always reflective of their realities. (New Yorker $)6 Demand for electricity is skyrocketingAnd AI is only a part of it. (Economist $)+ AIs search for more energy is growing more urgent. (MIT Technology Review)7 The messy ethics of writing religious sermons using AISkeptics arent convinced the technology should be used to channel spirituality. (NYT $)8 How a wildlife app became an invaluable wildfire trackerWatch Duty has become a safeguarding sensation across the US west. (The Guardian)+ How AI can help spot wildfires. (MIT Technology Review)9 Computer scientists just love oracles Hypothetical devices are a surprisingly important part of computing. (Quanta Magazine)10 Pet tech is booming But not all gadgets are made equal. (FT $)+ These scientists are working to extend the lifespan of pet dogsand their owners. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the dayThe next kind of wave of this is like, well, what is AI doing for me right now other than telling me that I have AI?Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, tells Wired a lot of companies AI claims are overblown.The big storyBroadband funding for Native communities could finally connect some of Americas most isolated placesSeptember 2022Rural and Native communities in the US have long had lower rates of cellular and broadband connectivity than urban areas, where four out of every five Americans live. Outside the cities and suburbs, which occupy barely 3% of US land, reliable internet service can still be hard to come by.The covid-19 pandemic underscored the problem as Native communities locked down and moved school and other essential daily activities online. But it also kicked off an unprecedented surge of relief funding to solve it. Read the full story.Robert ChaneyWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Rollerskating Spice Girls is exactly what your Monday morning needs.+ Its not just you, some people really do look like their dogs!+ Im not sure if this is actually the worlds healthiest meal, but it sure looks tasty.+ Ah, the old bitten by a rabid fox chestnut.