In February 2021, Morgan Wallen's future as country music's golden goose was hanging in the balance.First, there were the reports of drunken disorderly conduct during a night out in Nashville. Then, a video of Wallen flouting COVID protocols at a party in 2020 resulted in the postponement of his "Saturday Night Live" debut. But his then-latest incident, in which he was caught using a racial slur on camera, threatened to torpedo his career.As quickly as the industry had lifted him up as the genre's next global star, Wallen was disinvited from awards shows, criticized by peers, blocked from radio play, and suspended by his record label. Country music cable network CMT announced it would scrub his appearances from its platforms, saying Wallen's words and actions were "in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion."Then, something happened: People kept listening anyway.Four years later, Wallen, now 32, is bigger than ever. His 2023 album "One Thing at a Time" spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the longest reign ever for a country album. He went back on "Saturday Night Live," where his latest viral controversy, in which he walked offstage while the cameras were still rolling, garnered him enough defenders to launch a cheeky merch line. (It's now sold out.) His new album, "I'm the Problem," only needed one day to become Spotify's most-streamed country album of 2025.These days, it pays to be the problem.The making and marketing of a modern antihero Morgan Wallen released his fourth album, "I'm the Problem," on May 16, 2025. Spidey Smith Sonically, there's nothing particularly special about Wallen's brand of stadium country music. His signature Tennessee twang is pleasant enough, but it pales in comparison to the richness of Shaboozey's, for example, or the expressive texture of Chris Stapleton's. The melodies aren't any catchier than the average single by Luke Combs or Florida Georgia Line, and his lyrics are teeming with tropes: the word "whiskey" is sung no fewer than 18 times on "I'm the Problem." In a genre historically obsessed with first-person storytelling and narrative cohesion, Wallen also isn't distinguished by his songwriting: he's not listed as the sole songwriter on any "I'm the Problem" tracks, and on 15 out of 37, he's not credited at all. (Forty-nine other songwriters are credited throughout.)However, a closer look at the album's title track and opener offers insight into a core element of Wallen's appeal. On the taunting kiss-off, addressed to an ex who's equally flawed but can't bear to share the blame, Wallen is equal parts self-loathing and vindictive: "You hate that when you look at me, you halfway see yourself / And it got me thinkin' / If I'm the problem / You might be the reason." These themes are woven into the fabric of Wallen's songs, many of which double as sly implications. He often sings about drunken screw-ups and toxic relationships that paint his friends, lovers, and listeners as co-conspirators, or even instigators. "Don't Think Jesus," his first solo release after returning to the spotlight in 2022, makes this theme explicit: "World likes to rear back and throw a few stones / So boy wants to throw a few stones of his own." In his big hit from last year, the Post Malone duet "I Had Some Help," Wallen reasons, "It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself."John Malanga, a 21-year-old rising senior at James Madison University, said he likes Wallen more than other country stars because he sees him as authentic: the themes of his music align with his unpolished, unapologetic public persona."He recognizes his flaws and yeah, he's kind of like this young guy who's a little bit of a douchebag sometimes, but that's his character," Malanga said. "It seems like he's really not afraid of that."Devin Selvala, a Boston-based 27-year-old who said she's been in Wallen's top 1% of Spotify listeners for at least three years, agreed."Nowadays in the music industry, it's easy to be consumed by the machine," Selvala said. "He isn't one that's willing to be shape-shifted and evolved based on how the industry or how 'big music' wants him to be. I think he's very, 'Take me as I am or leave me.'"Still, not everybody has accepted Wallen's career rebound. When Tate McRae was announced as a feature on "I'm the Problem," some of her fans objected based on Wallen's reputation and presumed political views, describing their team-up online as tone-deaf and meme-ing McRae as a MAGA Republican.The Wallen fans I spoke to were well aware of the singer's slur scandal and didn't let it slide, either, calling his language "repulsive" and inexcusable. (Wallen, for his part, said much of the same at the time, instructing his supporters to stop defending him in a video shared online.) But none said the incident ultimately deterred them from enjoying and supporting Wallen's music, especially following his public apology."I know I've never called anybody the N-word, but I've called people other things and done really crappy things. I think everybody has," Laragh Thooft, a 32-year-old from Iowa, told me. "I would never stop listening to music that I like, or stop watching a movie that I like, because it's somebody doing really dumb and potentially hateful things if they're not seeming to me to be a dumb and hateful person.""If we start doing that," she added, "then we're just gonna have to listen to only AI music."Wallen doesn't innovate — he resonates Morgan Wallen performs during the "Dangerous" tour in Los Angeles. Getty/John Shearer Wallen's relatability is also bolstered by streaming-optimized savvy.His music is extremely popular on TikTok, a platform that rewards broad appeal and repetition to serve users content that echoes what they already know and love. To this end, Wallen and his collaborators are masters at integrating other sounds and genres into his well-worn country formula. His songs bear tones of '70s rock, radio-friendly pop, electronic, and hip-hop, and his duet partners are carefully selected to help legitimize those unions: Hardy ("Come Back as a Redneck"), Tate McRae ("What I Want"), Diplo ("Heartless"), Lil Durk ("Broadway Girls"). Wallen's most high-profile collaborator in recent years, Post Malone, has achieved similar success hopping between rap, pop, and country trends.Wallen also releases a lot of music. Like, a lot. "One Thing at a Time" had 36 songs on its tracklist, just one fewer than "I'm the Problem." Its predecessor, 2021's "Dangerous," was a double album with 32 songs total, including bonus tracks.Wallen is the ideal avatar for an attractive idea — a feeling of freedom, of open roads and judgment-free zones.Much has been written about the "more is more" strategy that excels in the streaming era, and Wallen is far from the only artist to take advantage of it. But he arguably does it better than anyone else. The proof is in the pudding, which is to say, his chart performances. As of Wednesday, tracks from "I'm the Problem" dominated nearly half of Spotify's Top 50 in the US, with four of the top five slots. "We see that the demand is there and we are happy to meet that demand," Wallen said in a press release for the album.In the process, Wallen avoids disappointing any fans who prefer specific flavors in his sound. It's a familiar failsafe — something for everyone — and it suits Wallen's creative process, which he has characterized as relatively directionless. "We just went with our gut. That's what we do a lot of times, we don't necessarily have a plan," he told Rolling Stone of his debut album, "If I Know Me," in 2018. "Hopefully it sounds good." Wallen may not be leading the writing or production of his songs, but there is something to be said for his sonic pliability. Paired with his everyman ease and nonconformist attitude, Wallen is the ideal avatar for an attractive idea — a feeling of freedom, of open roads and judgment-free zones.After all, Wallen was right: He had some help. His record label resumed promoting his music a few months after he apologized for the slur incident in 2021. Last year, he was nominated for male video of the year at the CMT Music Awards and won entertainer of the year at the CMAs. He's hitched a ride on a powerful pendulum, one that's swinging away from DEI initiatives and toward self-styled free thinkers and rebels against social etiquette.Consider "Working Man's Song," a track from Wallen's new album, which echoes recent anti-establishment, anti-elite hits like Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" and Jason Aldean's "Try That In a Small Town": "I punch the clock, wanna punch a ticket to New York and punch the boss," Wallen sings. Never mind that Wallen's 2023 tour grossed over $300 million, making it the highest-grossing country tour of all time. When he moans about the indignity of 9-to-5 jobs and "underpaid checks," it strikes a nerve.For a lot of Wallen's fans, Selvala theorized, "It's not just the music. It's the embodiment, the aesthetic of everything.""When I think of country music, I think of long drives, being with my friends, feet in the grass, sunny and 75, beers in the cooler," she said. "A lot of amazing memories I have over the years, just like being with people I love, have Morgan playing in the background.""I'm the Problem" concludes as it begins, with a double-edged confession. In the chorus of "I'm A Little Crazy," Wallen casts himself as a "coyote in a field of wolves" — scrappy, perhaps, and proud to stand out, yet no more wild than anyone else."Yeah, the only thing keeping these tracks on the train," Wallen sings, "Knowing I'm a little crazy, but the world's insane."

AMD RX 9060 XT Specs & Price, Threadripper 9980X, 9970X, 9960X, & R9700 GPUsMay 21, 2025Last Updated: 2025-05-21We go over AMD’s Computex 2025 announcements which include the company’s new RX 9060 XT GPUs, Threadripper CPUs, AI Pro workstation GPU, and moreThe HighlightsAMD’s RX 9060 XT will have 8 and 16GB modelsAMD announced new Threadripper CPUs that include the 9980X, 9970X, 9960X along with PRO 9000 WX-series CPUsAMD also revealed the 9995WX, its new AI Pro workstation GPU, which will come with 128 AI accelerators, 32GB of GDDR6 memory, up to 1531 TOPS, and a 300W TDPTable of ContentsAutoTOC Grab a GN Tear-Down Toolkit to support our AD-FREE reviews and IN-DEPTH testing while also getting a high-quality, highly portable 10-piece toolkit that was custom designed for use with video cards for repasting and water block installation. Includes a portable roll bag, hook hangers for pegboards, a storage compartment, and instructional GPU disassembly cards.IntroAMD just announced its RX 9060 XT GPUs (coming in two memory configurations). We already knew about these but the company just formally announced them. AMD also revealed its “Radeon AI Pro R9700” workstation GPU, and the company’s latest Threadripper 9000 series and Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-series of CPUs. Unlike NVIDIA, AMD actually wants people to know about its products rather than about anti-consumer, anti-free-press actions, so AMD not only announced the products and gave information on them, but will also be sending out review samples well in advance and without conditions - which normally isn’t worth mentioning, but is worth pointing out because of the recent NVIDIA issues.Editor's note: This was originally published on May 20, 2025 as a video. This content has been adapted to written format for this article and is unchanged from the original publication.CreditsHostSteve BurkeCamera, Video EditingMike GaglioneVitalii MakhnovetsWritingTannen WilliamsWeb EditingJimmy ThangThe 9060 XT 16GB will be $350 with the 8GB model at $300. They will release on June 5th. The GPU die is the same for both models, but new from the 9070 (read our review) and 9070 XT (read our review) (which also shared a GPU die). The new die is Navi 44 for the 9060 XTs and sized at 199mm^2, down from 357mm^2 on the 9070-class cards.The company didn’t provide as many first-party testing results as they typically have in the past. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because all of those results have to be taken with a grain of salt anyway, but we’ll mainly just be sticking to the specs today. We plan to review these cards once they launch. Our understanding is that, unlike the 5060, AMD plans to continue sampling GPUs as usual.Just a heads-up: The information in this article is from a pre-briefing, so this is based on conversations with AMD and not the live presentation itself.AMD Radeon RX 9060 XTThe 9060 XT will come in 16GB and 8GB versions. As for the features that will be shared between the two: Each will have 32 compute units, 32 hardware RT accelerators, 64 of what AMD calls its AI accelerators, and a 3.13 GHz boost clock. Both models will run PCIe gen 5.0 x16 slots, DisplayPort 2.1a, and HDMI 2.1b. AMD also lists a range of 150W-182W for board power, which explains the single PCIe 8-pin connector pictured in the rendering of the GPU. In speaking with AMD, the lower end of the range is for 8GB models.For reference, AMD’s 9070 XT has 64 compute units, 64 RT accelerators, and 128 AI accelerators, or double the amount of the 9060 XT’s CUs and accelerators. The 16GB 9060 XT matches the memory capacity of both the 9070 and 9070 XT, but with a weaker core. These 9060 XTs will be direct competitors to NVIDIA’s 5060 Ti cards, even mirroring the same VRAM configurations. Despite identical memory sizes, NVIDIA’s 50 series cards utilize a newer GDDR7 memory compared to AMD’s GDDR6. As for how much that matters, that depends on the architecture and how much it’s going to rely on the memory bandwidth and that extra speed. We’ll look at it in testing and see how it performs in the real world. Additional differences include the 9060 XT’s use of PCIe 5.0 x16 as opposed to the 5060 Ti’s (read our review) PCIe 5.0 x8 interface. In benchmarking at x8 vs x16 on gen 5, it’s not going to matter. The place where it might matter is socketing it into an older board where cutting the lane count in half is going to become a restriction in some configurations.AMD’s first-party benchmarks compared it against the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti, which we think is fair since it’s a price-parity comparison. We’ll do our own benchmarking pretty soon in our review. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 and PRO 9000 WX-Series CPUs Grab a GN15 Large Anti-Static Modmat to celebrate our 15th Anniversary and for a high-quality PC building work surface. The Modmat features useful PC building diagrams and is anti-static conductive. Purchases directly fund our work! (or consider a direct donation or a Patreon contribution!)AMD also announced its newest Threadripper 9000 Zen 5 CPUs, including the 9980X, 9970X, and 9960X, codenamed “Shimada Peak.” These have been upgraded with increased memory support and enhanced AVX-512 for more demanding tasks.We’ll start with the standard AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 CPUs. This series includes the 9980X, 9970X, and 9960X.The 9980X is a 64C/128T CPU at 3.2 GHz base clock and with 256 MB of L3 cache. The 9970X has 32 cores, 64 threads, a 4.0 GHz base clock, and 128 MB of L3 cache. And finally, the 9960X will come with 24 cores, 48 threads, a 4.2 GHz base clock, and also 128 MB of L3 cache. All of these CPUs will also feature an up to 5.4 GHz max boost clock, PCIe 5.0, the same sTR5 socket, and a 350W TDP.For AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-Series: The company announced six new CPUs, which include the 9945WX, 9955WX, 9965WX, 9975WX, 9985WX, and the flagship 9995WX. Starting with the 9945WX and working our way up, these chips will come with core counts of 12, 16, 24, 32, 64, and finally 96 cores for the 9995WX. This mirrors the existing and prior 7000 series CPU configurations just now on Zen 5. Both the PRO and non-PRO Threadripper CPUs seem to resemble the same basic specs as the 7000 series of Threadripper processors. In these spec sheets, with a higher max boost frequency for the 9000 series CPUs, but a lot of the rest is familiar. One notable difference between the PRO WX and the non-PRO series of Threadrippers is that the workstation series offers “AMD PRO technologies,” which AMD describes as, “a robust suite of enterprise-grade features including multilayered security, advanced remote manageability, and long-term platform stability.” Additionally, at least in the past, the PRO WX-series cards supported the WRX90 chipset in addition to the TRX50 chipset.AMD hasn’t announced any prices at this time, but the press-brief lists availability for July 2025, so we should be expecting to see these soon.AMD Radeon AI Pro R9700Finally, AMD introduced its latest AI Pro workstation GPU. Intel also just announced its new Pro GPUs this past week and we already have a tear-down up of the B60.For specs, this RDNA 4 card will come with 128 AI accelerators, 32GB of GDDR6 memory, up to 1531 TOPS claimed, and a 300W TDP.Compared to one of its predecessor, the Radeon Pro W7700, the new R9700 increases TFLOPS (FP16) from 56.54 to 96, increases AI accelerators from 96 to 128, upgrades to PCIe Gen 5 from Gen 4, and doubles the memory size from 16 to 32GB. Unfortunately, AMD’s press-brief didn’t include any CU, stream processors, or memory bandwidth info for the R9700, so we’ll have to wait to see those exact specs.Due to the R9700’s noticeable configuration improvements over its predecessor, the new GPU ends up being slightly more comparable to the Radeon Pro W7800 which has 140 AI accelerators, 32GB of GDDR6 memory, and 90.5 (FP16) TFLOPS. In its press-brief, AMD included a slide to illustrate how 32GB of VRAM gives users more options in their ability to load larger AI models by highlighting four models that would exceed 16GB of VRAM, but can be used with 32GB of VRAM instead. Additionally, due to the GPU’s ability to load models with larger parameters or that are less quantized, the GPU may also see an uplift in the accuracy of the model’s responses.To expand upon that point, AMD includes another chart labeled “Large AI Models Performance” where it compares an RTX 5080 (read our review) to its AI Pro R9700. Once again, this chart demonstrates how 32GB offers access to run larger models that 16GB just can’t handle. These results are expected. We think a more meaningful comparison might’ve been using the RTX 5090 that also has 32GB of VRAM. This would represent a more like-for-like scenario but we don’t do a lot of ML testing so we’ll leave that for someone else. AMD also shows off the card’s “Multi-GPU PCIe 5 platform” that allows users to connect 4 AI PRO R9700s for some extremely demanding models that need up to 128GB of combined VRAM and theoretically 4x the computing power.We didn’t receive a price for this card, but AMD lists an availability of July 2025. Conclusion Visit our Patreon page to contribute a few dollars toward this website's operation (or consider a direct donation or buying something from our GN Store!) Additionally, when you purchase through links to retailers on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.That’ll wrap it up for AMD’s announcements.Unfortunately, it’s a bit difficult to get an idea for performance based on the specs alone, and even harder to get an idea for the value for something without a price.Ideally, we’d be able to get our hands on some of these once they’re publicly available, which should be soon according to AMD’s press-brief.

It looks like even memory modules will soon come integrated with an LCD, as that is something that V-Color showed off at its booth. DDR5 Memory Modules With Integrated LCDs Are Coming Soon, V-Color First To Showcase New Design These days, you can find LCDs or some sort of display on almost every PC component. We have seen CPU coolers, graphics cards, motherboards, power supplies, cases, and even standalone fans with such designs, and it looks like the next component is going to be memory modules. At its Computex booth, V-Color was showcasing a lot of memory products since it's their primary business, and they are excellent at it. The company stated that they are securing high-quality SK Hynix ICs for their newest DDR5 UDIMM & CUDIMM modules, which will further push the performance to new levels. Furthermore, the company is also rolling out its high-capacity DDR5 memory modules, such as the RDIMM series. V-Color has already announced that it was the first to offer overclocked DDR5 RDIMMs with capacities of up to 256 GB. We saw this flagship module at the booth, which is rated at 6000 MT/s at a CL38 timing with 1.35V. There were also 128 GB and 96 GB kits. But the most interesting product at V-Color's booth is definitely their concept Manta Sky Xfinity module design, which integrates an LCD on the heatspreader while retaining the high-end heatsink and the large RGB diffuser on the top. This integrated LCD can be seen on the right-most DIMM and can display various useful stats such as the memory capacity, its voltage, frequency, the CPU, and what sort of BIOS mode the CPU is running in. In this case, the memory was running the 200S Boost, which optimizes memory on Arrow Lake CPUs to enhance performance. 2 of 9 Just like the filler RGB modules that V-Color has launched, the integrated LCD module will only have one piece in the kit, and that makes a lot of sense since you can't see the remaining LCDs when running a stack of modules. The design is still very much in prototype stages, but we will hear more about this new design in the coming months. Deal of the Day

In a nutshell: The latest leak suggests that the upcoming RTX 5080 Super could receive a significant upgrade in the memory department. If the information holds true, we're looking at a consumer graphics card featuring 24 GB of cutting-edge GDDR7 memory, 10,752 CUDA cores, and a power draw exceeding 400 watts. The RTX 5080 Super is likely to use denser 24 Gb (3 GB) GDDR7 modules, allowing Nvidia to maintain the same 256-bit memory bus as the standard RTX 5080 while fitting in 24 GB of VRAM. That's a 50 percent increase in capacity, which should be ideal for higher-resolution textures, demanding 3D workloads, and future-proofing against increasingly memory-intensive games. For additional context, the 24 GB configuration mirrors what we've already seen in the RTX 5090 Mobile GPU, which also uses these denser memory modules. And with memory clocked at 32 Gbps, the 5080 Super could reach a massive 1 TB/s of memory bandwidth – slightly faster than the vanilla 5080. Interestingly, the core specs might remain unchanged. Like the standard RTX 5080, the Super variant is rumored to use the GB203 die with the same 10,752 CUDA cores. That's unusual for a "Super" refresh, which traditionally boosts both memory and processing power. However, Nvidia may be reserving more substantial upgrades for future models or aiming to maintain clearer segmentation across its product lines. Some rumors suggest the RTX 5080 Super could deliver a performance uplift of seven percent to 15 percent over the base 5080, thanks primarily to faster memory and potentially higher clock speeds. According to sources from board partners, these Super models have been in testing for months, though pricing concerns may have delayed an official launch. // Related Stories No pricing or release date has been confirmed yet, but based on historical trends, the RTX 5080 Super could retail between $1,000 and $1,500 – assuming Nvidia doesn't surprise consumers with another MSRP hike. Then again, in today's GPU market, MSRP often feels more like a wish than a promise.

Google’s latest Android 16 beta adds a bunch of new wallpaper and lock screen options for Pixel phones, including live-updating weather animations and a feature that automatically frames subjects of photos within a variety of bubbly shapes.When you select an image to use as a wallpaper in the beta, you can tap the sparkly collection of starbursts that has become the de facto symbol for AI features to access the new effects. One of them, “Shape,” washes your screen in a solid color, with a punchout frame in the middle centered on the subject of your photo, be it a person, animal, or object. You can choose from five different shape options: a slanted oval, rounded rectangle, an arched opening, a flowery shape, and a hexagon. It’s a little like the iOS “Depth Effect” feature that partially obscures the clock on your lock screen with a person’s head.Android 16 automatically chooses a subject for its “Shapes” wallpaper effect. Screenshot: Dominic Preston / The VergeRight now, your phone picks what part of the image should be the subject, with no option to resize or reposition it. In a picture of two cats that my colleague Dominic Preston tried, the phone automatically centered the frame on one of the cats, with no option to use the other instead.A new “Weather” option interacts with the subject of your photo, like by pelting them with raindrops or wrapping them in fog. The default choice, “Local,” changes the effect depending on nearby weather conditions, but you can pick fog, rain, snow, or sun if you’d rather use one persistent effect. These options join the previous “Cinematic” wallpaper mode that automatically creates a parallax effect, moving your subject around the background of the image when you tilt your phone. That feature is now activated with a toggle labeled “Add 3D motion to this photo” and produced slightly different results when I tried it out with the same image.Google is also testing updates to the lock screen, including offering more control over what notifications appear there. For instance, the beta now has a toggle for “Show seen notifications” that, when turned off, will hide notifications you’ve already seen.Finally, 9to5Google spotted that a blog post from Google’s I/O conference offers a look at its “Live Updates” feature, which, like iOS’s Live Activities, presents live-updating lock screen elements showing you when, say, your Uber driver is arriving. In the GIF above, you can see what aspects like its progress bar and time estimates will look like.See More:

When Chelsea Riggs, CEO of Brooklyn-based haircare brand amika, envisioned a new workspace, she wanted it to be the antithesis of a standard business hub. “It’s intentionally designed to be the anti-office, a place where the boundaries between work and inspiration are fluid,” she says. CIVILIAN was selected to design the 19,000-square-foot open office, located at 25 Kent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The designers envisioned a space that was elevated yet still welcoming. It is a headquarters that enhances productivity, and encourages the staff of young creatives to re-engage with a physical office after the era of remote work – with an emphasis on collaboration. “We didn’t want it to be a typical corporate office, but a reflection of their energy and culture,” notes Ksenia Kagner, co-founder of CIVILIAN. The reception area sets an inviting tone, with a bespoke travertine desk with rounded edges. Beige tiles decorate the exposed columns, while strategically placed acoustic treatments minimize distracting noise. In the main work area, instead of assigned desks, employees tend to tasks at 25-foot-long communal tables that seat 20 people on each side, complete with outlets and linear lighting. This arrangement supports a dynamic environment and fosters interaction between teams. Many of the furnishings are custom-made items with gentle curves that echo organic forms. Ten upholstered nooks and private phone booths limit sight lines and are ideal for heads-down, focused work. The executive offices function as shared huddle rooms which feature soft seating and breakout areas of varying sizes. These areas democratize access and still allow for privacy when needed. A window-side lounge with views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline serves as a prime gathering spot for staff and visitors. The company’s signature colors are hot pink and vivid orange, found on packaging and printed collateral. Rather than highlight an accent wall with one of the bold hues, the team chose a sophisticated earthy palette of beige, gray, stone, and cream tints to serve as a backdrop for the vibrant shades and graphics. The interplay of plush fabrics, limewash finishes, and delicately painted surfaces invites exploration. White oak brings in a warmth that balances out the concrete elements. “There was a focus on texture and surface quality as a contrast, which really made the products and displays stand out,” says CIVILIAN co-founder Nicko Elliott. Flexible planning and the introduction of thoughtful design moments throughout improves the overall feeling within. The headquarters showcases the company’s unique identity while optimizing space and performance. It also now doubles as an event space in the evening, which exemplifies the studio’s holistic vision for the client. “The office is not just a place where people come to clock in and work, it has become a platform for amika as a haircare industry leader,” adds Kagner. For more information on CIVILIAN, visit civilianprojects.com. Photography by Sean Davidson.

In today’s ever more connected world, it’s fair to say that some of us receive nearly as much screen time as we do actual sunlight — if not more, depending on your job and the time of year.A growing body of research shows that the blue light that these screens emit might have effects on human health, whether it’s our vision, skin, or our sleep.“Blue light has an effect on skin health and even the retina in the eyes,” says Kseniya Kobets, an assistant professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.Blue Light ExposureBlue light sits in the light spectrum between ultraviolet, high-energy light, and other types of visible light that aren’t blue light and emit lower energy such as green, orange, and red light. About one third of all visible light falls into the blue light category, which is also called high-energy light (HEV).Most blue light we are exposed to comes directly from the sun. But LED lights and screens, whether it’s your television, computer, tablet, or smart phone, also emit blue light. While the amount screens emit is minimal compared to that from the sun, they are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in our lives, at all hours of the day. And some doctors are concerned that the way many hold their phones so close to their faces could also increase a negative effect.Read More: Does Blue Light Damage Skin?Is All Blue Light Bad for You?Blue light isn’t all bad. Some research has shown that low amounts of HEV can help decrease acne, for example, while other studies showed that limited exposure to the light may help some symptoms related to psoriasis and eczema, according to a review study.In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a wearable blue light device for the treatment of mild psoriasis.Some research has also found that blue light therapy might actually help treat certain types of skin cancer in a controlled treatment. But the relationship between blue light and cancer isn’t all beneficial.The Impact of Blue Light on Your SkinStudies on mice have shown that long-term exposure to blue light can also cause some of the conditions that lead to cancer, though the authors stated that more research is needed to confirm this.“Many of the effects of blue light on living organisms are unknown, and further research is required, including on methods of protection,” the authors stated. Blue light could cause some lesser skin problems as well, though. Kobets says that blue light can cause oxidative stress on the skin, which could cause premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation — a condition in which some skin patches become darker than others.“Most people want to avoid hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone,” Kobets says.Other Effects of Blue LightIt’s possible that our exposure to too much blue light — especially outside of daylight hours — can suppress our production of melatonin, the hormone our body uses to help set its inner clock, or circadian rhythm. This essentially means that too much blue light at night could affect healthy sleep, Kobets says.All light can affect melatonin production, but blue light suppresses it more effectively, according to Harvard Health Publishing.Our eyes also aren’t very good at filtering out blue light. As a result, it reaches our retina, where it may damage cells. Serious exposure could also contribute to conditions like cataracts and vision loss from age-related macular degeneration. Kids are more at risk since their eyes absorb more blue light than adults.Blue Light ProtectionsThe best way to limit blue light exposure is to lower your screen time — especially at night. But Kobets also says that people can take other steps to limit the potential damage of blue light. Sunscreen can help — even in the winter or indoors.“The oxidative stress from visible blue light and its effect on DNA damage and hyperpigmentation of the skin is one of the main reasons I recommend using [sun protection factor] daily,” she says.Even makeup might help, if it has the right components. “The best makeup is the one that offers tint cover-up which contains iron oxide plus has mineral [sun protection factor] to add to the protection,” Kobets says.Other steps to help reduce damage include face masks or glasses made to shield blue light, or just simply lowering the brightness of your phone. You can also use a shield on your phone or computer screen that decreases the amount of blue light displayed. This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Blue light protection, part II—Ingredients and performance testing methodsAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association. Can a wearable blue-light device clear psoriasis?Iowa Healthcare. Blue-light therapy warding off skin cancerHarvard Health. Blue light has a dark sideJoshua Rapp Learn is an award-winning D.C.-based science writer. An expat Albertan, he contributes to a number of science publications like National Geographic, The New York Times, The Guardian, New Scientist, Hakai, and others.

Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Spiral staircases are famously beautiful but notoriously tricky to design, particularly in section. (Ask any architect who’s ever tried!) Still, the payoff is worth it. Beyond their visual appeal, spiral stairs can save space, guide circulation, and even become striking centerpieces within a building. The projects below prove there’s more than one way to embrace the twist, using unexpected materials and creative details to shape spaces in offices, schools, restaurants and parks. Even when things get complicated, these nine stairs make a strong case for taking the spiral route. OFFICE @ 63 By Sanjay Puri Architects, Navi Mumbai, India Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.) A curved steel staircase rises through the center of this workplace, connecting three levels in one continuous movement. Perforated and matte-finished, it feels both solid and light. Its underside, lined with warm tones, softens the otherwise industrial palette. Set within a tall, multipurpose space used for exhibitions and gatherings, the stair becomes a quiet focal point. Surrounded by concrete, cork, glass and exposed metal, it stands out not just as a route between floors, but as an element that gives the entire space rhythm and focus. La Maison de Beauté Carita, L’Oréal-Luxe By Le studio REV, Paris, France At the center of Carita’s Paris beauty house, part of the L’Oréal portfolio, a curved staircase rises through what was once a closed courtyard. The space is now topped with a tall glass roof that brings in soft, natural light. Pale marble, pink onyx and brushed metal set a quiet, polished tone. The staircase is kept light with floating steps and slim supports. It connects the levels clearly and efficiently, without blocking views through arched openings. In a building designed around care and detail, the stair adds just the right touch of structure and calm movement. Sjustjärnan, New Nordic Headquarters for E.On By Kanozi Arkitekter, Malmö, Sweden A wide, open staircase connects the floors of E.ON’s Malmö headquarters, rising through a central glass atrium that joins the two curved volumes of the building. Designed to encourage movement and connection between departments, the stair is placed at the heart of shared circulation. Materials are simple and natural: light wood treads, glass balustrades and metal accents, chosen to support the building’s focus on well-being and daylight. Generous landings allow for pauses and casual interaction, reinforcing the workplace’s flexible layout. With no assigned desks and no divided entrances, the building encourages a sense of togetherness and the staircase plays a clear role in making that daily flow visible and accessible. The Learning Center at Quest By KSM Architecture, Chennai, India Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Learning A vivid red spiral staircase rises along the facade of this learning center in Chennai, connecting the top floor library to a rooftop cafeteria and terrace. Attached to the exterior, the stair adds a moment of surprise to the otherwise calm, ribbed concrete surface. Made from perforated metal, its bright finish contrasts with the muted palette of the building while echoing the colorful window frames scattered across the elevation. Inside, a separate metal stair winds through a central atrium, linking five stacked classrooms and open learning spaces. Together, the staircases reflect the school’s focus on movement, openness and curiosity — key principles in its interest-based approach to education. Varee Valley Restaurant : Jungle Junction By NPDA studio, Thailand Inside this forest-side restaurant in Northeast Thailand, a white spiral staircase rises slowly through the center of a light-filled dining area. Designed for pause and perspective, the stair leads visitors to a rooftop platform that opens up to the surrounding trees. Built with slender steel members and a delicate footprint, it reflects the lightness of the overall structure and mirrors the verticality of nearby tree trunks. The stair wraps around a central cylindrical column that also serves as a rainwater drain and light shaft, drawing daylight into the heart of the space. The Opera Park By Cobe, Copenhagen, Denmark Jury Winner, Public Parks & Green Spaces, 12th Annual A+Awards At the heart of this new harbor front park in Copenhagen, a spiral staircase descends through the center of a circular greenhouse, wrapping gently around a subtropical garden. The stair connects the café at park level with an underground parking facility, guiding visitors down through layers of greenery. Slim metal railings trace its curve, while the surrounding glass enclosure creates the feeling of walking through an open-air terrarium. The park itself spans six themed gardens across a former industrial island, offering paths, ponds and planting from around the world. In this setting, the staircase becomes part of a wider idea: architecture that supports slow movement, seasonal change and a close connection to nature. Balmy Palmy By CplusC Architects + Builders, Sydney, Australia In this compact holiday home raised above a rocky slope, a yellow spiral staircase links the natural ground to the open-air platform above. Built from powder-coated steel, it curves tightly between tree trunks and timber posts, bringing a sharp contrast to the greens and browns of the site. The stair leads into an outdoor area that connects the home’s simple rooms, with views of the treetops, the bay and the sky shifting between the leaves. Designed to limit excavation and preserve the forest setting, the staircase plays a clear role in the project’s minimal footprint — serving as a key access point and everyday reminder of the landscape it rises from. Dental Clinic By IFAgroup, Gdańsk, Poland Jury Winner, Hospitals and Healthcare Centers, 12th Annual A+Awards Jury Winner,  Architecture +Health, 12th Annual A+Awards Photos by Hanna Połczyńska This dental clinic, once a granary, is organized around a wide spiral staircase that rises through its three-story foyer. Clad in warm wood, the stair connects waiting areas, dental offices and training spaces while giving the interior a clear center. It’s surrounded by concrete, brick and steel surfaces that reflect the building’s industrial past. Live piano music and soft lighting help create a calm atmosphere, while sound-absorbing materials keep the space quiet and focused. Envisioned as more than a circulation route, the stair shapes how people move, wait and gather inside. Concept WRRF Yixing (Water Resource Recovery Facility) By SUP Atelier of THAD, China Inside this water treatment facility, a spiral staircase sits next to a café and community area. Built from metal with clean, simple details, it leads visitors through spaces designed to educate the public about recycling and sustainability. Large windows around the stair offer clear views of the nearby farmland and waterways, connecting visitors with the natural setting. As part of the facility’s open, welcoming design, the staircase makes it easy to see and understand how wastewater is turned into clean water and renewable energy. Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Top image: The Learning Center at Quest by KSM Architecture, Chennai, India The post 9 (Somewhat) Unconventional Takes on The Beloved Spiral Staircase appeared first on Journal.

As we reflect on the past year, we can’t help but be proud of all that the Unity community accomplished. From award-winning masterpieces and cult hits to the pure, unadulterated joy that Trombone Champ has brought to all of our lives. Case in point…Before we move into a new year, full of new possibilities, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of your biggest achievements from the past 12 months. Thank you for being part of our story; here’s to an even better 2023!To the best of our abilities, here’s a non-exhaustive list of Made with Unity games that you released in 2022, either into early access or full release. There have been so many great titles this year, so we’ve categorized them by genre to make this list a bit more digestible and hopefully inspire some of your future projects – though, of course, some titles defy easy genre categorization (*cough* Cult of the Lamb *cough*).See any on the list that have already become favorites or know of any that we missed? Tell us about it in the forums.Rollerdrome, Roll7 (August 16)Other action titles we love include:Sanabi, WONDER POTION (June 20) [Early Access]Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. (June 30)Midnight Fight Express, Jacob Dzwinel (August 23)Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef, Rogueside (October 20)Outshine, Fishing Cactus (November 3)SIGNALIS, rose-engine (October 27)Other horror titles we love include:The Mortuary Assistant, DarkStone Digital (August 2)Hell is Others, Strelka Games, Yonder (October 20)Bendy and the Dark Revival, Joey Drew Studios (November 15)TUNIC, TUNIC team (March 16)Other puzzle adventure titles we love include:FAR: Changing Tides, Okomotive (March 1)Syberia: The World Before, Microids Studio Paris (March 18)Lost in Play, Happy Juice Games (August 10)The Spirit and the Mouse, Albune Games (September 26)LEGO® Bricktales, ClockStone (October 12)The Past Within, Rusty Lake (November 2)How to Say Goodbye, Florian Veltman, Baptiste Portefaix, and ARTE France (November 3)Somerville, Jumpship (November 14)Ghost Song, Old Moon (November 3)Other metroidvania titles we love include:Infernax, Berzerk Studio (February 14)Haiku, the Robot, Mister Morris Games (April 28)HAAK, Blingame (August 24)Moonscars, Black Mermaid (September 27)Neon White, Angel Matrix (June 16)Other FPS titles we love include:Gloomwood, Dillon Rogers and David Szymanski (September 5) [Early Access]Isonzo, M2H and, Blackmill Games (September 13)Metal: Hellsinger, The Outsiders (September 15)Prodeus, Bounding Box Software Inc. (September 23)BONELAB, Stress Level Zero (September 29)CULTIC, Jasozz Games (October 13)Cult of the Lamb, Massive Monster (August 11)Other roguelike titles we love include:Have a Nice Death, Magic Design Studios (March 8) [Early Access]Across the Obelisk, Dreamsite Games (April 8) [Early Access]Rogue Legacy 2, Cellar Door Games (April 28)20 Minutes Till Dawn, flanne (June 8) [Early Access]Necrosmith, Alawar Premium (July 13)ORX, johnbell (August 30)Alina of the Arena, PINIX (October 13)I See Red, Whiteboard Games (October 24)Ship of Fools, Fika Productions (November 22)IMMORTALITY, Sam Barlow, Half Mermaid (August 30)Other narrative-focused titles we love include:NORCO, Geography of Robots (March 24)A Memoir Blue, Cloisters Interactive (March 24)As Dusk Falls, INTERIOR/NIGHT (July 19)Hindsight, Team Hindsight (August 4)Gerda: A Flame in Winter, PortaPlay (September 1)Beacon Pines, Hiding Spot (September 22)Pentiment, Obsidian Entertainment (November 15)Dortformantik, Toukana Interactive (April 28)Other city builder and strategy titles we love include:Diplomacy is Not an Option, Door 407 (February 9) [Early Access]Farthest Frontier, Crate Entertainment (August 9) [Early Access]The Wandering Village, Stray Fawn Studio (September 14) [Early Access]Terra Invicta, Pavonis Interactive (September 26) [Early Access]Moonbreaker, Unknown Worlds Entertainment (September 29) [Early Access]Stardeus, Kodo Linija, (October 12) [Early Access]Against the Storm, Eremite Games (November 1) [Early Access]IXION, Bulwark Studios (December 7)Citizen Sleeper, Jump Over The Age (May 2)Other RPG titles we love include:Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy, Ludomotion (May 27)Dungeon Munchies, maJAja (July 27)Backpack Hero, Jaspel (August 22) [Early Access]I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, Northway Games (August 25)Temtem, Crema (September 6)Lost Eidolons, Ocean Drive Studio (September 13)Gedonia, Kazakov Oleg (October 14)Chained Echoes,Matthias Linda (December 8)V Rising, Stunlock Studios (May 17)[Early Access]Other survival titles we love include:Arctico, Claudio Norori, Antonio Vargas (February 15)Core Keeper, Pugstorm (March 8)[Early Access]The Planet Crafter, Miju Games (May 24)Raft: The Final Chapter,Redbeet Interactive (June 20)Flat Eye, Monkey Moon (November 14)Other management titles we love include:Bear and Breakfast, Gummy Cat (July 28)PlateUp!, It’s happening (August 4)Two Point Campus, Two Point Studios (August 9)Arcade Paradise, Nosebleed Interactive (August 11)Dave the Diver, MINTROCKET (October 27) [Early Access]Aka, Cosmo Gatto (December 14)Other simulation titles we love include:Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Blackbird Interactive (May 24)Dinkum, James Bendon (July 14) [Early Access]PowerWash Simulator, FuturLab (July 14)CTRL ALT EGO, MindThunk (July 22)Disney Dreamlight Valley, Gameloft (September 6)Construction Simulator, weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH (September 20)Slime Rancher 2, Monomi Park (September 22) [Early Access]Turbo Golf Racing, Hugecalf Studios (August 4) [Early Access]Other sports or driving titles we love include:Olli Olli World, Roll7 (February 7)Shredders, FoamPunch (March 16)Blacktop Hoops, Vinci Games (April 19)[Early Access]Hot Lap League: Deluxe Edition, Ultimate Studio (August 23)You Suck at Parking, Happy Volcano (September 14)Trombone Champ, Holy Wow (September 15)Other funny titles we love include:Tentacular, Firepunchd Games UG (March 24)The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Crows Crows Crows (April 27)Cosmonious High, Owlchemy Labs (May 31)The Looker, Subcreation Studio (July 17)The Last Hero of Nostalgaia, Over The Moon (October 19)MARVEL SNAP, Second Dinner (October 18)Other card titles we love include:Stacklands, Sokpop Collective (April 8)Card Shark, Nerial (June 2)Card Crawl Adventure, Tinytouchtales (August 3)That’s a wrap for 2022! Want more community news as it happens? Don’t forget to follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitch.

In Park City, Utah, large estates dot world-class ski slopes on epic mountain ranges, locals are decked out in expensive winter sports gear, and the richest of residents have spas in their houses and more bathrooms than bedrooms.The 20-square-mile ski town east of Salt Lake City has 8,000 residents, many of whom live in luxury.According to a Realtor.com study published in April, 84060 (Park City) is the most expensive ZIP code in the state, with a median listing price of roughly $3.5 million.I spent one day in Park City in January to get a taste of how millionaires live and vacation in this popular ski hub. Wandering from the downtown streets to the slopes, I clocked five signs of wealth. Perhaps the most obvious sign of wealth in Park City, Utah, is the ski-in, ski-out housing. Homes sit on the slopes in Park City's Deer Valley neighborhood. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Park City's most expensive listing on Realtor.com is a $39 million mansion with 9 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and ski-in, ski-out access.Real-estate agent Derrik Carlson, who has lived in Park City for over 20 years and began selling homes in the area in 2012, told me that many of his clients buy houses in the Colony and Deer Valley, as well as the Canyons, located in Park City's 84098 ZIP code. All three neighborhoods are popular choices for incoming residents who want direct access to the slopes."You just go right out the door and pop on your skis, and you're on the slopes," he said.The luxury amenities in these homes go beyond skiing. Many have lap pools, spas with saunas and massage rooms, and even movie theaters. It might not scream wealth like a fleet of fancy cars, but the free public transit felt like a luxury you wouldn't find just anywhere. A funicular moves down the mountain in Deer Valley. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Living in NYC, free public transportation is a luxury I'm not used to. In addition to the city's free bus system, I found another costless ride that felt like an activity.At the St. Regis Deer Valley, a free funicular takes patrons to the slopes at Deer Valley Mountain Resort. And you don't have to be a hotel guest to use it.I marveled at the views as the wide-windowed car trekked up the mountain. At the top, there was an outdoor lounge overlooking the slopes. From the deck with firepits and glass walls, skiers sliding down the trails looked like toy action figures in the distance. In downtown Park City, I found more upscale public amenities. A communal fire pit sits in a courtyard in Park City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Downtown Park City was full of shops, restaurants, and public courtyards where I found large, electric lit firepits that were round and made of stone. Wide benches surrounded each pit.It was a pleasant place to warm up and rest.I also saw a public bathroom in downtown Park City — a rarity for a New Yorker. Although I didn't go inside, I checked Google Maps and found that most public restrooms in Park City have five-star reviews. I also saw private dining globes on outdoor restaurant decks. Alpenglobes at Butcher's Chop House & Bar in Park City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Winters are harsh in Park City, so it made sense to me that the wealthy would want to enjoy the views without the weather. Park City has many restaurants with private, heated igloos and Alpenglobes. These enclosed spaces are designed to give guests views of the mountains and night skies while feasting with friends and family.The experience isn't cheap. The Alpenglobes I saw at Butcher's Chop House & Bar cost about $100 to book, with a minimum dinner bill of $500, according to the restaurant's website.If dinner in a globe isn't your vibe, you'll find plenty of fine dining establishments along Main Street. The downtown area also housed luxury boutiques and celebrity-loved shops. Kemo Sabe and other shops in downtown Park City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The downtown streets were lined with art galleries and upscale boutique stores selling fashion lines from international designers, locally made goods, and luxury furniture and decor.The store I instantly recognized was Kemo Sabe — a celebrity-loved western apparel brand with other stores in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Texas.Kemo Sabe is best known for its hats that cost up to $900, as seen on icons from the Kardashians to Rihanna and Shania Twain. The hats can cost thousands with customizations like leather and diamond bands. In Park City, it's almost impossible to forget you're in a wealth enclave. The reporter enjoys a day in Park City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider After spending just one day in the affluent ski town, I found signs of wealth and luxury around nearly every corner.