The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.As an amateur historian, I can say with certainty that technology has never embedded itself into society as rapidly as it has in the last decade. Todays consumer relationship with technology is complicated and multifacetedunderstanding that intersection is at the heart of everything we do as a company, and personally for me as Verizons Consumer CEO.Given our focus on the consumer, we publish an annual view of insights and trends that shed light on these relationships and the evolving role of technology in our lives, and this years Consumer Connections Report does just that.The report reflects our commitment to understanding and supporting the ways technology shapes our relationships, empowers our families, and enriches our daily experiences. It explores the interplay between digital and physical shopping experiences, and the growing reliance on home connectivity, as people use more and more smart home devices. And for the second year in a row, we look at how NFL fans showed up for their favorite teams, alongside the events and moments from the past year that connected us most as a society. What we learned:Limits reign: Parents and caregivers are using tech to monitor techParents are motivated to keep on top of their childrens use of technology. Our report reveals that theyre focused on social media apps like Tumblr, Whisper, and Snapchat the most. Theyre also utilizing transitional options, like the Gizmo watch, which averages 3.3 million calls connecting parents and other caregivers with children each month. They can set content controls, block unwanted contacts, view text and call history, set usage limits, and more. That helps kids find their balancelearning to make smart, safe connectivity choices.Connectivity is where the heart isHome data use is on the rise. The average monthly data usage in 2024 across all Verizon Home Internet households was 656 GB, a 6% increase from 2023. People enjoy video and music streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and smart home technologies that bring convenience, energy savings, and security. We know that to be true given that 18 is the average number of devices per Verizon Internet household.Customer experience is on demandBrick-and-mortar retail is returning to growth after pandemic-era slowdowns, indicating that in-store shopping provides a social and sensory experience that appeals to many consumers. Were seeing the emergence of the phygital economy, which combines online and in-person in a single experience. Sixty-two percent of our customers purchases were made in a Verizon retail store. Most Verizon customers who use our in-store pickup service initiate their order online, and a growing number place the order over the phone.Go live from the gameits on 5GMy company provides the 5G infrastructure for the NFL, which gives us insights into how fans are using their phones at games.Fans are increasingly creating and sharing their own game experience. Theyre interacting with fellow fans via text, social media, and voice calls. Theyre analyzing fantasy football matchups and checking scores. And theyre embracing AR and VR for on-site entertainment.In fact, average mobility (wireless) usage per game was 3.6 TB this season, a 37% increase over last season. The game with the most mobility usage? Giants at Cowboys. Video accounted for 25% of consumer data usage at NFL stadiums. Thats a lot of footage of the action.Other ways consumers use connectivityDuring the holidays, Americans are generating an enormous volume of calls, texts, and data to reach out. We studied data use at the airports over the winter holiday season, and found it rose to 17.7 million GB, and 28% of that was video. At the same time, many of us are also focusing more on connecting in personand on balancing our access to the world around us with our attention to those in front of us. Indeed, on New Years Eve, the number of phone calls skyrocketedit was the top holiday for phone callswhile on Christmas and Hanukkah, the number was muted.And thats the point. Mobile devices connect us all to a world of opportunity, but dont replace the world. Recognizing that truth is one of the keys to a healthier life.Sowmyanarayan Sampath is the CEO of Verizon Consumer.

Not to be alarmist, but it really does feel like the entire planet is on the verge of a mental breakdown, doesnt it? The state of affairs feels a lot like a burning house, with us being that iconic dog casually sipping coffee with the most millisecond-away-from-meltdown expression, watching the world unravel while convincing ourselves its all perfectly fine. KC Greens This Is Fine comic has transcended internet meme status to become a coping mechanism, a way to acknowledge chaos without fully surrendering to it. And now, thanks to a clever LEGO Ideas submission, that quiet existential dread can sit proudly on your bookshelf, frozen in brick form.This LEGO build captures the scene with unsettling accuracy: a small yellow dog with wide, vacant eyes sits in a room engulfed in flames, coffee cup in hand, as if sheer willpower alone will keep reality from caving in. With 1,061 meticulously arranged pieces, the diorama is more than a meme tributeits a snapshot of modern existence. The walls are designed to resemble the original comics warm, hand-drawn aesthetic, while the flickering orange and red LEGO flames feel all too familiar. They frame the scene perfectly, a silent reminder of the ever-present fires weve all learned to live with.Designer: eat.sleep.build.repeat.The build functions as a book nook, sliding neatly onto a shelf like a tiny, burning corner of the world tucked between your favorite novels. But the attention to detail goes beyond mere display value. The table, chair, and coffee cup are all here, each one a faithful LEGO recreation of Greens original art. Even the expression on the dogs facesomewhere between blissful ignorance and deep-seated denialhas been captured with alarming accuracy. Its an eerie thing to see in three dimensions, as if the weight of the entire internets collective anxiety has been distilled into a handful of plastic bricks.LEGO has long been about escapism, building worlds where the biggest problem is running out of pieces, but this set leans into something different. It doesnt transport you away from reality so much as hold up a mirror to it. Inflation is climbing, social tensions are high, and every day seems to bring some new crisis. Yet, like the dog in the meme, most of us continue about our business, clutching our metaphorical coffee cups and insisting that everything is, indeed, fine. Theres something cathartic about seeing that experience immortalized in LEGO form, a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment that sometimes, all you can do is keep going.Beyond the existential weight it carries, this set is also an impressive piece of design. The flamesoften tricky to capture in LEGOare cleverly built to create a sense of depth and movement, licking up the sides of the tiny, doomed room. The builds compact size makes it perfect for desks, bookshelves, or anywhere you need a visual representation of your emotional state. And with its potential to double as a piggy bank or storage space, it offers both function and metaphor: a place to stash your spare change while the world figuratively burns around you.Memes have become a language of their own, a way to process the absurdity of life with a shared, collective shrug. This LEGO Ideas build is a brilliant homage to that, a small yet powerful reminder that even in the middle of chaos, you can take a deep breath, sip your coffee, and tell yourself that everything is fine. And if you really want to have that sentiment transcend beyond comic form into an actual LEGO set, go give this MOC (My Own Creation) a vote on the LEGO Ideas website!The post Build Your Own Existential Crisis With This LEGO This Is Fine Set first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Marrangaroo tiny house has been crafted to enable a small family to comfortably live off the grid. With a length of just 8.4 meters (27.6 feet), it boasts a thoughtfully designed interior layout that optimizes the limited space. Created by Australias Ridgeline Tiny Homes, the Marrangaroo is built on a double-axle trailer and features a durable black steel exterior. It is complemented by ample glazing, including double glass doors that seamlessly connect the indoor living space to the outdoors.Designer: Ridgeline Tiny HomesUpon entering the Marrangaroo tiny house, you are greeted by a cozy yet efficient living room. This inviting space features a comfortable sofa and a charming wood-burning stove, perfect for creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Transitioning from the living area, the kitchen takes center stage in the layout of the home. It is well-equipped for a tiny house and includes a full-size refrigerator, a propane-powered four-burner stove, an oven, and a sink. Despite its compact size, the kitchen also boasts a dishwasher, which is a touch of luxury not often seen in tiny homes. A breakfast bar with stool seating and ample cabinetry for storage further enhances the kitchens functionality and appeal.The bathroom is located at the opposite end of the living room on the ground floor. This multifunctional space also serves as a laundry room, maximizing utility without compromising on design. It features a well-sized shower, a sink, and a composting toilet. The inclusion of a washer/dryer unit further elevates the practicality of the bathroom.The tiny house is blessed with two bedrooms, both have been positioned on the upper level of the home. These sleeping areas are accessed via a cleverly designed staircase integrated with storage solutions, ensuring that no space goes to waste. The staircase leads to a practical walkway that bridges the two bedrooms, which are strategically located on opposite ends of the house. This separation is planned, and provides additional privacy for the occupants, making the home more comfortable for small families or guests.Each bedroom is designed in a classic loft style, equipped with low ceilings that create a cozy, intimate ambiance. Both bedrooms are equipped with comfortable double beds, and they also offer storage space to accommodate your belongings. One of the lofts is equipped with a skylight, which allows natural light to flood into the space and offers serene views of the night sky.The Marrangaroo is ingeniously self-sufficient, and it is powered by an array of solar panels. These panels harness renewable energy from the sun, which is stored in a series of batteries to provide a reliable power supply. The home is also equipped with tanks for freshwater and greywater, supporting an efficient off-grid lifestyle and showcasing the designs commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly living.The post This Solar-Powered Compact Sanctuary Is Designed For Sustainable Living first appeared on Yanko Design.

The cerebral cortex contains regions devoted to processing different types of sensory information, including visual and auditory input. Now researchers led by Robert Desimone, director of MITs McGovern Institute for Brain Research, and colleagues have developed the most comprehensive picture yet of what all these regions do. They achieved this by analyzing data collected as people performed a surprisingly complex task: watching a movie.Over the past few decades, scientists have identified many networks that are involved in this kind of processing, often using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity as subjects perform a single task (such as looking at faces) or do nothing. The problem is that while people are resting, many parts of the cortex may not be active at all.By using a rich stimulus like a movie, we can drive many regions of the cortex very efficiently. For example, sensory regions will be active to process different features of the movie, and high-level areas will be active to extract semantic and contextual information, says Reza Rajimehr, a research scientist in the McGovern Institute and the lead author of a paper on the work. By activating the brain in this way, now we can distinguish different areas or different networks based on their activation patterns.Using high-resolution fMRI data collected by an NIH-funded consortium, the researchers analyzed brain activity from 176 people as they watched a variety of movie clips. Then they used a machine-learning algorithm to analyze the activity patterns of each brain region. What they found was 24 networks with different activity patterns and functions. Some are located in sensory areas such as the visual or auditory cortex, while others respond to features such as actions, language, or social interactions. The researchers also identified networks that hadnt been seen before, including one in the prefrontal cortex that appears highly responsive to visual scenes. This network was most active in response to pictures of scenes within the movie frames.Three of the networks they found are involved in executive control and were most active during transitions between clips. The researchers also observed that when networks specific to a particular feature were very active, the executive control networks were mostly quiet, and vice versa.Whenever the activations in domain-specific areas are high, it looks like there is no need for the engagement of these high-level networks, Rajimehr says. But in situations where perhaps there is some ambiguity and complexity in the stimulus, and there is a need for the involvement of the executive control networks, then we see that these networks become highly active.The researchers hope that their new map will serve as a starting point for more precise study of what each of these networks is doing. For example, within the social processing network, they have found regions that are specific to processing social information about faces and bodies.This is a new approach that reveals something different from conventional approaches in neuroimaging, says Desimone. Its not going to give us all the answers, but it generates a lot of interesting ideas.

Although it is less abundant than carbon dioxide, methane gas contributes disproportionately to global warming. Its molecular structure of single carbon atoms bound to four hydrogen atoms makes it a potentially useful building block for products that could keep this carbon out of the atmosphere, but its hard to get it to react with other molecules under ordinary conditions.Now a catalyst designed by MIT chemical engineer Michael Strano and colleagues could help solve that problem.The catalyst has two components. The first, a mineral called a zeolite, converts methane to methanol. The second, a natural enzyme called alcohol oxidase, converts the methanol to formaldehyde. With the addition of urea, a nitrogen-containing molecule found in urine, the formaldehyde can be turned into a polymer used in particleboard, textiles, and other products.The researchers say this catalyst could act to seal cracks in pipes transporting natural gas, a common source of methane leakage. It could also be used to coat surfaces that are exposed to methane gas, producing polymers that could be collected for use in manufacturing.Other systems operate at high temperature and high pressure, says MIT postdoc Jimin Kim, lead author with Daniel Lundberg, PhD 24, of a paper on the work. That takes money and energy. But, she says, I think our system could be very cost-effective and scalable.

The Govee countertop ice maker is an easy way to keep your beverages cool with unique features and is the only model to support Matter and Apple Home.Govee countertop ice maker review: Govee has made the first ice maker to interface with Apple HomeCountertop nugget icemakers are having a bit of a moment right now. They're going viral online for their ease of use and relatively affordable price tags.Not to mention, they're a good alternative to the distressing state of in-fridge ice makers. We'd always heard that if you buy a fridge with one, it will be the first thing to break. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

In a sea of dark fantasy or historical fantasy inspired difficult action RPGs inspired by FromSoftwares Dark Souls series and its derivatives, it can certainly be difficult to stand out. Especially given that very few of these titles have actually managed to live up to the legendary pioneering games that inspired all of them we have the Nioh games, we have Lies of P, and more recently we have Black Myth: Wukong. And thats pretty much it. While all the other games of this ilk have their own merits, they all also come with their own sets of caveats and jank that keep them from achieving the sort of greatness that the best examples of this game style can deliver on.So The First Berserker: Khazan admittedly did (and still does) have a bit of an uphill climb. After all, with so many games like this being made and released these days, what sets this one apart?That is, ultimately, a very superficial and surface level assessment of the game, however. Nexon and Neople first formally unveiledThe First Berserker: Khazanto the world at The Game Awards in 2023, and right off the bat, the action RPG stood out. It certainly hit all the bullet point items youd expect to find on the back of the box of a game of this sort Souls style combat, grueling difficulty, brutal action, dark fantasy setting.But then there were the things about it that werent like other similar games, things that have only become more clear with each subsequent showing that the game has had its absolutely gorgeous art style, which makes it look like a graphic novel in motion and makes it pop, and which instantly stood out And of course, there is the emphasis on storytelling, with the premise being a flashy, revenge filled story, which, when combined with the brutality of the action on display, almost recalls the classic God of War titles, which were similarly brutal revenge plot driven action titles. The First Berserker: Khazans commitment to its strong storytelling is clear in the more cinematic bent the game clearly seems to imbibe, and increasingly, it seems like the story and storytelling side of the game may be strong enough to be a selling point all on its own.But ultimately what makes a game like this sink or swim will be the gameplay the prettiest art style or greatest story in the world will not be able to compensate for clumsy controls or poorly designed encounters, after all. And on this front, too The First Berserker: Khazan has distinguished itself, more and more with each showing.That first trailer showed off a lot of what you expect from a new dark fantasy action RPG gigantic bosses, stamina management in combat, and deliberate combat where the animations and wind up all matter. Its the showings since then that have really fleshed things out, though particularly when it has been clear exactly how much like Souls games The First Berserker: Khazan will not be. Dont misunderstand you will still be saving and levelling up at bonfire style checkpoints, you will still be using currency to level up attributes, enemies will respawn every time you rest, if you die, you will have to go and collect all your lost experience and currency, and enemies will hit hard and will punish you for playing carelessly. Thats all very Souls.But, for example, you have a whole skill tree. Actually, you have multiple skill trees, one for your character, and then one for each of the three weapon wields in the game, allowing a whole new dimension of build variation and diversity. But The First Berserker: Khazan doesnt stop there either, as it layers another progression and customization system on top, a gear based one that, combined with the attribute based levelling up and the skill trees, potentially promises a lot more player expression with its systems and mechanics than even veterans of this genre and game style might expect.In and of itself, all of that is enough to put the game on a lot of peoples radars. What can really sell everyone else on the game, however, and bring them on board, is once they get to play it and they realize how much the game appeals to them. Games such as Lies of P and Black Myth: Wukong are titles where the strong player sentiment and word of mouth was certainly crucial in driving their success, not just initially, but well after launch, when the games still continued to perform strongly and add to their sales totals.The First Berserker: Khazan has given itself a leg up here too. A demo for the game was released in January 2025, and it has become clear to anyone who has played it that Neople and Nexon are on to something here the controls are incredibly responsible and tight, and the combat has a stylistic and exaggerated flair (owing to the stylized aesthetic) that greatly elevates the flow and pacing of encounters. The visual style really does help here, intrinsically elevating the game feel thanks to the way the animations make each action flow into each other, from walking, running, jumping, lunging, slashing, dodging, rolling, and more and all while maintaining that distinctive stylistic flair we mentioned earlier.The demo has also made it clear that the narrative focus isnt just marketing at least based on the demo, it is something that the game is taking seriously, and hopefully we can get a satisfying story out of this game that can be understood without having to look up online wikis and fan theory videos on YouTube. Even lore and their hunters may have a lot to chew on, however, since the game is actually set in Nexons DNF universe, so it theoretically has a lot of lore and narrative context to draw from and frame itself against.Thanks to promising pre-launch showings and strong reception from those who have got a taste of the game courtesy of its demo release in January, many have high expectations from the game. And yet in spite of that, it feels like The First Berserker: Khazan is curiously under the radar right now. While in the games industry you can never look at any game as an absolute sure bet, based on everything that weve seen of it so far, it doeslook likeThe First Berserker: Khazanis taking promising shape, and may very well end up delivering a solid, core action RPG experience. Whether or not it can stick the landing remains to be seen. Nexon, after all, has not published a single player game on this scale previously, so it would be understandable, if crushingly disappointing, if they fumble the landing on some or many of the checks they are writing and the promises they are making.But at least for now, they have our attention. Lets see if the final game ends up substantiating it. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, what we have seen in the lead up to the final release gives reason to be optimistic, to say the very least.Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Depending on your perspective, the latest State of Play was either pretty good, containing announcements for multiple third-party titles or underwhelming due to the lack of big exclusives. The latter is somewhat understandable the year has only begun, but Sony has yet to flesh out its plans. Ghost of Yotei and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are the big titles, but neither received any updates (though Kojima Productions will have a special panel in March at SXSW 2025).Sure, we didnt see Fairgame$ or other live-service titles, and Housemarque unveiled its next project, Saros, but thats coming in 2026. Yes, there were plenty of other titles including the long-rumored Days Gone Remastered but you can sympathize with those seeking exclusives.On the bright side, if we have to focus on third-party titles, Tides of Annihilation offered a very nice surprise.Developed by Eclipse Glow Games, it presented one of the cooler premises weve seen in a character-driven action game. Long story short, London is under attack by some mysterious Outworld force causing all sorts of havoc. Who else to venture into the ruins and fight back by Gwendolyn (voiced by Jennifer English, best known for Shadowheart from Baldurs Gate 3) and King Arthurs Knights of the Roundtable?The twist is that the Knights arent exactly physically playable characters. Instead, theyre akin to the Spirits in Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights or, well, the Homunculi in Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. Gwendolyn attacks with a sword revealed to be Niniane, who may or may not be the Lady of the Lakes successor. However, she can call in the knights any time to follow up with their own attacks, chaining them together into combos.You can unleash long-range damage with arrows that burst after a short period, deal a heavy blunt blow, ravage threats with ice magic or rush forward and pierce them. But thats not all based on the extensive new gameplay, each Knight has different contextual abilities. Hold down on the archers attack, and it will create a swirling dome of attacks that constantly damages enemies within.If that wasnt enough, Gwendolyn executes enemies, whether smashing them into the ground with a gauntleted hand or taking ones axe to bash it to bits. This expands the options to juggle enemies, attacking mid-air and creating stylish combos, like freezing foes and shattering them to bits with a heavy attack. Keep in mind that there are more than six additional Knights that have yet to be showcased.There are plenty of questions like how Gwendolyn possesses this power, whether she can save her sister from the ongoing calamity and how Avalon, the same island from Arthurian legend, ties in. Of course, the development team confirmed other promising details in a roundtable Q&A (via WCCF Tech), like over thirty hours of gameplay on average.There are also more than thirty bosses with unique abilities (with some very challenging boss fights promised). Thus far, weve seen Mordred, a powerful counterpart to Gwendolyns fighting style and two other cool-looking bosses who unleash devastating melee attacks. Dodging and searching for the right windows to unleash skills is paramount, but the sheer sense of style and over-the-top action looks great.Its also worth noting that Gwendolyn will unlock three additional weapons fists, bows, and a mysterious fourth option. Two-handed swords, potentially leading to the use of Excalibur? Lances? One could certainly hope.It may have been enough if Tides of Annihilation had excellent combat, but there are some incredible visuals courtesy of Unreal Engine 5. The sense of scale is awe-inspiring, whether running for your life in a fold realm, watching a leviathan emerge from the water, or scaling the giant knights that roam London.The latter is especially intriguing because not only do you climb their giant structures and fight them, but also delve into their palatial depths and uncover the grand tales that define their existence. Over/under on this being the way to unlock new Knights or abilities? Whatever the case, its yet another incredible addition to whats already looking like a responsive, enjoyable hack-and-slash title.In some ways, the reveal and sudden buzz surrounding Tides of Annihilation is reminiscent of Game Sciences Black Myth: Wukong. Both came out of nowhere and immediately created an impression with their art direction and visual fidelity. Granted, their approaches to RPG elements differ Wukong offers more distinctive build crafting, loot and unlockables, while Tides has levels and skill trees but doesnt lean too much into it. But they both look incredibly responsive while touting some impressive boss fights.Intriguingly, thats not the only connection they share. Eclipse Glow revealed that the publisher invested in both projects with varying expectations. Black Myth: Wukong targeted the Chinese market, but for this project, we targeted a Western audience, so we chose the Arthurian legends. The origin of this project was when the producer came up with the concept surrounding knights, and then we made the connection with the Knights of the Round Table from Arthurian myths, said the developer. Thats also partly why Tides of Annihilation has been revealed at this stage the team is seeking feedback to improve on it.Though the Arthurian set-up is Western-focused, its all the more fitting given how popular and well-known it is worldwide. Look no further than the Fate franchise, which has created iconic characters based on King Arthur and Mordred. Tides offers its unique spin on the same while still connecting to those with some knowledge of the Arthurian legend. Having a great-looking character action game is just the icing on top.Fortunately, we wont have to wait too long between the games reveal and release. Tides of Annihilation entered the beta stage at the end of 2024, and though its in the early development changes with everything subject to change its targeting a 2026 launch. Certain areas could use more polish, especially when the screen is alight with particles and the frame rate suffers. However, when you consider how long it took for Black Myth: Wukong to release following its August 2020 reveal, its exciting to see so many other compelling titles to follow up on it.Theres plenty to talk about regarding Sonys approach to State of Plays or its presentation of first-party games, never mind the whole live-service fiasco. Some may even offer concerns that the company is coasting on third-party offerings now that the PS5 is a certified, established success, which has some credence. After all, the last quarter of 2024 was its weakest in first-party offerings (Astro Bot arrived in September), and yet, it still shipped over 9.5 million consoles, bringing its lifetime total to 75 million.However, if that approach means focusing the spotlight on games like Tides of Annihilation (and Lost Soul Aside, which finally received a release date), then maybe its not all that bad. Either way, were keen to see how the project develops and whether it can live up to the massive success of Black Myth: Wukong.Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Wangath temple complex is a group of Hindu temple monuments in Wangath, close to Naranag, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The current structure was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty in the 8th century CE but are now ruins. The temple is constructed out of local grey granite and consists of two complexes, dedicated respectively to Shiva Jyeshthesa and Shiva Bhuteshwara, with a central pavilion in between. The temple marks the starting point of pilgrimages to the Gangabal Lake, a high-altitude alpine lake in the Himalayas considered by Kashmiri Hindus to be an abode of Shiva. This photograph shows the main temple of the site's western complex.Photograph credit: Basavaraj K. Korkar; edited by UnpetitproleXRecently featured: GeorgeI RkcziNational Library of PolandWestern meadowlarkArchiveMore featured pictures

Framework launched new versions of its 12-inch and 13-inch laptops as well as a new desktop computer today -- all with repairable and upgradeable options.Read More