Feed aggregator

What exactly is the three-body problem in '3 Body Problem'?

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 03:00

If you're the type of person who yells "wey-oh!" if someone in a TV show says the name of the TV show, you're in good company.

In Netflix's 3 Body Problem, based on Liu Cixin's novels, the actual title of the series plays a major part in the narrative. But what exactly is the three-body problem? It's a centuries-old scientific quandary that's famously difficult to solve, with the world's top mathematicians labouring over it — in fact, just last year they found 12,000 new solutions to it. In the 17th century, revolutionary research by Sir Isaac Newton would show the world how gravity holds the universe together, and in doing so, he unlocked the scientific dilemma that would perplex scientists to this day — and delight science-fiction writers like Cixin.

In a nutshell, it's been beautifully described as "the orbital dance of three celestial objects."

For those who don't study science or regularly read physics journals, showrunners David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo include some easy to follow explanations in the series — and it's all down to one of the best characters in the show: physicist Dr Jin Cheng (Jess Hong).

Where does the three-body problem come up in the Netflix show? Jin (Jess Hong) and Jack (John Bradley) must navigate Chaos or Stability. Credit: Netflix

The concept arises in the Netflix series from the mysterious, high-tech, alien-built VR game that Jin and her millionaire friend Jack Rooney (John Bradley) spend hours trying to solve. Jin pores over charts, measurements, and data on her whiteboard, trying to figure out what initially appears to be the main mission of the game: to predict the movements of the sun to determine whether a civilisation is about to enter into an era defined by Chaos or Stability.

In episode 3, Jin explains her theory to Pope Gregory, having measured the sun's size and luminosity, the sun's position relative to the planet, and the fact that she's seen multiple celestial bodies in the sky deemed "too bright to be a planet."

"The only explanation for these observations is that this planet is part of a three-body star system." she says.

Featured Video For You A sci-fi exhibition at London’s Science Museum explores what it means to be human

In a fittingly Sir Isaac Newton move, Jin gets out an apple and demonstrates by walking around three standing candelabras. "If our planet revolves around one of the suns in a stable orbit, that's a Stable era. However, if one of the other suns snatches our planet away, we wander through the gravitational fields of all three suns. That's a Chaotic era."

Proving that Jin has solved it, the child Follower (the one that shows up in every level) screams, "Three suns in the sky! The world is ending!" (it's basically the TL;DR of the whole thing, as subtle as Legolas elvesplaining Aragorn's whole Return of the King plan with "a diversion".) Then, with the world turned to red hot lava, the San-Ti warrior confirms this too, congratulating Jin for solving the basic structure of the star system.

How does the three-body problem work in the alien game? The human computer. Credit: Netflix

Solving the three-body problem might seem like the most pressing way to move through the game, but it's not the ultimate mission — nor is it even really possible. Jack and Jin advance to Level 3, set in Shangdu aka Xanadu, where they meet Kublai Khan, the fifth emperor of China's Yuan dynasty. Discussing the three-body problem, Jack notes there's "famously no general solution for it." Despite this, fellow players attempt to do so with a human computer made from an army holding changeable flags. But Jin refutes their claim, saying they'd "still need the starting parameters of all three bodies" to solve it.

Jin speeds up time, to see the three suns line up in what's known as syzygy, basically a three-way eclipse, which means the planet comes under the gravitational impulses of all three suns — and everything lifts into the air, horses, soldiers, even the Great Khan. It's described by the San-Ti warrior as "destroyed by the stacked gravitational attractions of a tri-solar syzygy." 

Wrong answer. Credit: Netflix

But the big turning point? Jin figures out their goal isn't actually to solve this three-body problem at all, it's about saving the people of the planet. "If one of us survives, we all survive," is a mantra that keeps being repeated throughout the series. "That's the object of the game, to help them survive," Jin says. But it's not just a game.

The three-body problem is an apocalyptic situation for the San-Ti. "You were right. There is no solution to the three-body problem." Credit: Netflix

The three-body problem exists beyond the VR game — it's the very real fate of the San-Ti themselves. The San-Ti hail from an unstable three-body star system four light years from Earth, where the fate of their people lies in flux. In fact, the aliens have been dubbed the San-Ti by the human followers of the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO) for their very predicament; as Tatiana explains, the term stems from the translation of "three-body people" in Mandarin. You can even see the ETO have adapted the moment of syzygy for their organisation logo:

Syzygy makes a good logo, but not a good gravitational situation for a home planet. Credit: Netflix

When Jin and Jack visit the wasteland civilisation of Level Four, the warrior says, "You were right. There is no solution to the three-body problem. No computer can predict the behaviour of three bodies indefinitely. With three suns in the sky, every civilisation ends in chaos. There will eventually be a cataclysm from which we cannot recover. Our planet will be ripped in half. Or pulled into one of the suns. Or expelled into space forever." After a sped-up montage of a civilisation rising and falling multiple times, it's clear Jack and Jin have just witnessed the doomed fate of the San-Ti's very real home world.

"And when you know your planet is doomed, what is the solution?" Jack and Jin are united in their answer: to flee and find a new home. The San-Ti have built a 1000-ship-strong interstellar fleet to travel to Earth, and Follower explains that some of the San-Ti have had to stay behind on their doomed home world, which is where the "if one of us survives, we all survive'" mantra comes from. 

"Our only chance of survival lies elsewhere. The moment we received the invitation to your world, we knew our destination."

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

How did the stars flicker in '3 Body Problem'? The global deepfake explained.

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 03:00

"Has the universe ever winked at you?"

It's the cryptic question alien-worshipper and Earth-Trisolaris Organization member Tatiana (Marlo Kelly) poses to Auggie (Eiza González) in Netflix's 3 Body Problem. And it's the one in the back of the nanotechnologist's mind when she and physicist Saul (Jovan Adepo) find themselves staring at a sky full of stars blinking in code across the world.

In episode 1 of David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo's sci-fi epic, the world sees the night sky flickering simultaneously, prompting widespread news coverage and watercooler chats the next day. As it's happening, Saul decodes the stars using a strange breakfast cereal toy code-cracker Tatiana gave to Auggie, finding it matches the numbers in Auggie's countdown.

But what exactly happened here, and how did the stars suddenly flicker?

It's flickering all over the world. Credit: Netflix The blinking stars are a worldwide deepfake

In episode 2 after the phenomenon, Saul tells Dr Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao) his theory about the blinking stars: "It's bullshit. It never happened." When Wenjie questions this, noting that the entire world witnessed the blinking lights, Saul doubles down. "Sure, everyone on Earth. But you know who didn't see it? Webb, Hubble, CHEOPS. None of the satellites saw it. You know why? Because it never happened. It was a deepfake."

Saul's bang on the money, though he hasn't figured out who created such an illusion. So, who did? It all comes down to the sophon, the technology deployed by the impending alien race, the San-Ti, who responded to Wenjie's transmission sent in 1968. In episode 5, when Jin and Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham) speak to the San-Ti AI warrior through the VR headsets, they tell them the aliens have created a sentient supercomputer by focusing energies on a single proton, then creating "a mind as large as a world".

In episode 5, the San-Ti demonstrate the sheer power of the sophon, reflecting the world upon itself and fashioning a giant eye in the middle of it all, informing the "bugs" of Earth they're under constant surveillance by an alien race. It's Christopher Nolan's Inception meets George Orwell's 1984 and it scares the shit out of the human race, as intended. The flickering stars seem like mere party tricks, a glimmer of the San-Ti's sinister intention to make humanity "learn how to fear again."

"In place of truth, we give you miracles," the San-Ti warrior explains. "We wrap your world in illusions. We make you see what we want you to see."

What's with the Toasty-O-Sters code-cracker?

This item, given to Auggie by Tatiana on their first meeting for the purposes of looking at the stars, is a strange one. Right out of a box of Toasty-O-Sters breakfast cereal, the code-cracker allows Saul to figure out the stars are flashing numbers that correspond with Auggie's countdown. It's not Morse code, as Saul explains, but instead he cracks an alien code using this tiny piece of plastic. Auggie mentions the cereal Toasty-O-Sters hasn't been made since 1963, which is five years before Wenjie sent her first message to the San-Ti.

So why on Earth are the San-Ti, a technologically advanced alien race, using an out-of-production 1960s cereal toy as their chief means of communication with one scientist on Earth?

But ANYWAY, now you and the world knows the blinking stars aren't just a cosmic phenomenon. They're a direct threat.

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

The best WiFi and mesh router deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 03:00

SAVE UP TO $170: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is taking up to 38% off WiFi routers, mesh systems, and other home networking equipment for a limited time.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale WiFi and mesh router deals at a glance: Best WiFi 6E router deal TP-Link Archer AXE75 $179.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best WiFi 7 router deal TP-Link Archer BE550 $249.99 at Amazon (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best mesh router deal Amazon eero mesh WiFi router $44.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best mesh system deal TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro (2-pack) $229.99 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal Best WiFi extender deal TP-Link RE315 $26.99 at Amazon (save $3) Get Deal

If you've been combing through Amazon's Big Spring deals at a snail's pace this week, consider adding some faster, more reliable internet to your cart before checkout. The retail giant's new seasonal savings event (which runs through Monday, March 25) is packed with deals on home networking gear, with discounts racking up as high as 38%.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here: Shop Apple devices, robot vacuums, outdoor security cameras, more

As of March 20, Amazon's spring sale selection covers a slew of TP-Link WiFi routers and mesh systems, including a WiFi 7 router for future-proofers. We've also spotted one sub-$50 Amazon eero option for bargain hunters. Here's an overview of the best WiFi and mesh router deals up for grabs.

WiFi router deals Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Archer AXE75 $179.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Archer AXE75 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router that offers speeds of up to 5400Mbps, built-in security features, and simple setup. It usually gets even cheaper in November and December — it's hit $159.99 around then the past two years, according to the Amazon price tracker camelcamelcamel — but this is its best price outside of the holidays.

More WiFi router dealsMesh router and system dealsWiFi extender deals

'3 Body Problem': What do the aliens actually look like?

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 03:00

Netflix's 3 Body Problem is a show that leaves us with a lot of questions at the end of its first season. How different are Liu Cixin's books, upon which the show's based? What does the joke that Dr Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao) tells Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo) really mean?

But one of the biggest question marks has to be over the San-Ti themselves — the alien race making their slow and steady way to Earth in order to find a (gulp) new home. Although we hear them speaking in the show (via a human voice and in their VR game), we never actually see their true forms. So what do the creatures coming to wipe out the human race actually look like? What clues are there in the show, and in Cixin's novel trilogy?

The first part of this article contains spoilers for Season 1, while the latter contains spoilers for Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy upon which any future season will be based. Tread carefully!

What are the San-Ti?

The San-Ti are a technologically advanced alien race that live on a chaotic, dying world. Their home is part of a system of three suns, resulting in the planet experiencing extreme weather conditions whenever it enters more than one orbit at a time. During these events, known as "Chaotic Eras", the San-Ti have the ability to dehydrate themselves in order to enter a kind of hibernation. When the planet is stable again the surviving San-Ti can wake the others from hibernation by popping them into a body of water so that they come back to life.

Some characters see a human-looking version of the San-Ti in a VR game. Credit: Netflix What do the San-Ti look like?

Although various characters in 3 Body Problem speak with and interact with the San-Ti via a virtual reality game, their true forms are kept hidden.

In episode 5, Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham) and Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) place on their alien VR headsets and are transported to a ruined desert world, where they're greeted by a warrior who appears as a representative for the San-Ti in the game world. When Wade asks who the warrior is, Jin responds, "An AI. Or one of them."

"They look like us?" asks Wade.

"We don't look anything like this," responds the warrior. "This is all for your benefit."

"What do you really look like?" asks Wade.

"You wouldn't like it," comes the reply.

This is one of the only clues we're given as to the San-Ti's true form. Basically, nothing like humans. So different, in fact, that even the sight of them might disturb us. We also know, from a conversation Mike Evans (Jonathan Pryce) has with the San-Ti in episode 4, that they communicate through thought. Maybe this means they don't have mouths, or perhaps any recognisable facial features at all?

The only other clue we have from the show is the dehydration element. The San-Ti are able to dehydrate and then rehydrate, which means they must have a physical body of some kind, right? Interestingly, there are actually some creatures on Earth that have a similar ability: Tardigrades, which are microscopic eight-legged creatures, are also able to survive for years in a state of suspended animation if they undergo extreme dehydration. Maybe the San-Ti look a bit like them?

This is a Tardigrade. It, too, can dehydrate into a kind of hibernation. Credit: Sebastian Kaulitzki / Science Photo Library What do Liu Cixin's novels tell us about what the aliens look like?

If you're hoping for an easy answer in Cixin's novels, you're going to be disappointed. Although there are a few hints dropped here and there about the aliens (known as Trisolarans in the books), they're never described explicitly. The best clue we get in the books, just like in Season 1, is their ability to dehydrate.

It seems as though Cixin went with the philosophy that something imagined is often more mysterious than something clearly described.

But if we are going to imagine them, then maybe the humble Tardigrade is the best place to start.

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

'3 Body Problem' ending: What does Dr Ye Wenjie's 'joke' about God really mean?

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 03:00

The issue with a show as mysterious as Netflix's 3 Body Problem is you want to know the answers now — and that feeling gets amplified with the knowledge we may have to wait another year to get them.

One of the biggest cliffhangers David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo's sci-fi epic leaves us on is actually a two-parter: What was the real meaning behind the "joke" told by Dr Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao) to Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo) on the park bench in Episode 7? And in what way could it help with Saul being made a "wallfacer" in the finale, one of three people tasked with plotting their own secret, internal scheme to best the approaching aliens?

SEE ALSO: Netflix's final '3 Body Problem' trailer promises 'they are coming'

We've poured over the clues to try and work it out. The first part of this article analyses the show itself, while the final part contains spoilers from Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past novel trilogy, on which the show is based (we'll mark it with a spoiler warning in case you want to bow out then).

What's the "joke" that Dr Ye Wenjie tells Saul?

In episode 7, Wenjie is released from custody, exposed as the spiritual leader of the alien-worshipping Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO). Now that she knows the aliens she initially contacted all those years ago aren't coming to play nice, Wenjie contacts Saul and tells him a long, strange joke about Albert Einstein and God. Here's the joke, in full:

"So Einstein dies. He finds himself in heaven, and he has his violin. He's overjoyed. He loves his violin more than physics. Even more than women. He's excited to find out how well he can play in heaven. He imagines he'll be pretty damn good. So he starts tuning up, and the angels rush at him.

'What are you doing?' they say.

'I'm getting ready to play.'

'Don't do that. God won't like it. He's a saxophonist.'

So Einstein stops. He doesn't play. But it's difficult. He loves music. And there's actually not much to do in heaven. And sure enough, from high above, he hears the saxophone. He's playing 'Take the 'A' Train', do you know that one? Einstein knows it too. And he thinks, I'm going to do it. I'm going to play with him. We're going to sound great together. So he starts playing 'Take the 'A' Train'. The saxophone stops, and God appears. He marches over to Einstein and kicks him in the balls, which hurts, even in heaven. Then he smashes Einstein's beloved violin to bits. Eternity without music. Heaven has become hell for Einstein. And as he writhes on the ground, holding his smashed balls, an angel comes over and says: 'We warned you: Never play with God.'"

Not exactly a rib-tickler, is it? But the point of the joke clearly isn't to make Saul laugh. There's a hidden meaning in there. The question is, what?

What does Wenjie's joke mean? Credit: Netflix

Once Wenjie realises the aliens are now afraid of humanity and want to wipe us out, she clearly makes a plan.

"I'm an old woman, whose old beliefs have led us down this terrible path," she says in episode 6, addressing the aliens directly. "But I still have an idea or two left in me. And centuries from now there may well be a fair fight — or no fight at all."

The next time we see Wenjie in episode 7, shortly before she calls Saul to meet, she looks at two books (both of which are actual, real books): K.H. Erickson's Game Theory: A Simple Introduction, and Michael Bodin's Fermi's Paradox: Cosmology and Life. Aside from the joke itself, these books are the biggest clues we have as to what Wenjie might be trying to communicate to Saul. The first book on Game Theory is essentially a social science book about strategy, while the second book addresses the question of life in the universe. In short, Fermi's Paradox poses a simple question: If there are other species in the universe, why haven't we encountered them yet?

Hidden somewhere in Wenjie's joke, it would seem, is a strategy for either fighting the aliens, or avoiding a fight with them altogether. Could the God in Wenjie's joke be a metaphor for the aliens travelling across the universe to destroy us? If that's the case, maybe Einstein represents humanity. By playing music, he alerts God to his presence. Is the joke a warning for humans not to draw attention to themselves? But if that's the case, isn't it a bit too late for that?

Warning: The following section contains spoilers from Liu Cixin's novel trilogy. We've tried to keep them light, but they will likely spoil some elements of the show's future seasons.

What do Liu Cixin's books tell us?

For anyone who can't wait, the answer to the joke lies in Liu Cixin's second novel in the trilogy, titled The Dark Forest. The title itself actually forms part of the answer. "The Dark Forest" is essentially a possible solution to Fermi's Paradox, suggesting that the reason we haven't encountered other alien races is because the universe is like a forest at night — everyone stays silent in order to remain unnoticed. Alien races don't broadcast their locations because they don't want other races to detect them — and potentially attack them.

With this in mind, Wenjie's "joke" suddenly makes a lot more sense. Einstein playing the trumpet and incurring the wrath of God isn't a warning — it's the dark forest analogy in code. A social strategy answer to Fermi's Paradox, and possibly something Saul could use in his role as wall-facer.

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

How to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad online for free

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 01:00

TL;DR: Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Cricket can sometimes be criticised for not delivering enough excitement, but the same can't be said of the IPL. This electric competition always seems to deliver big moments from big players, and we're expecting more of the same this season.

If you're interested in watching Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad?

Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad starts at 2 p.m. GMT on March 23. This fixture takes place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.

How to watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season on its app.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

  4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to sign up)

  5. Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals online for free

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 01:00

TL;DR: Watch Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The IPL brings together some of the best cricket players in the world, in a format and environment that delivers drama in abundance. It's an absolutely electric competition that could convince even the biggest cricket sceptics.

Want to give the IPL a chance? If you're interested in watching Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals?

Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals starts at 10 a.m. GMT on March 23. This fixture takes place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab.

How to watch Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals for free

JioCinema is offering free live streams of every IPL cricket match this season on its app.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

  4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to sign up)

  5. Watch Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

If you want permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming sport on JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals for free with ExpressVPN.

Get lifetime access to 1TB of cloud storage for under £110

Mashable - Thu, 03/21/2024 - 01:00

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage (1TB) is on sale for £102.03, saving you 84% on list price.

Keeping all your files in order is practically a job of its own, whether you're actually at work or just keeping up your files from school or managing your house. Important text documents, pictures, and videos all have to go somewhere, and if you don't have a large enough central file storage, that means spreading them out and potentially losing some of them. 

If you want to keep all your important files in one place, get some cloud storage that actually has room for all of them and doesn't depend on another monthly bill. Koofr has a 1TB lifetime cloud storage plan that you can use to keep all your important files together in one secure location, and you can get it for only £102.03 for just a little while longer. 

This cloud storage gives you 1TB to use as you please. Access it across devices, including your mobile, PC, or even WebDav platform. Koofr doesn't just give you tools to store all your files. When you have that much storage space, managing your files is important too. That's why Koofr comes with tools like the Duplicate Finder and a customisable link appearance to keep your files easy to navigate and always accessible. You can even set up encrypted file transfers and storage for that extra layer of protection.

Some cloud storage services cost every month. With Koofr, you pay for it once and it's yours. There aren't any hidden fees or recurring costs. You can even share access to files with others who don't have a Koofr account. 

Grab a Koofr Cloiud Storage 1TB lifetime plan for £102.03.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Cloud Storage Koofr Cloud Storage: 1TB (Lifetime Subscription) £102.03 at the Mashable Shop

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 21

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 22:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for March 21's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To diss a friend.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1006 is...

SHADE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 21

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 21:00

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 21's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Chit-chat

  • Green: Animals with two X chromosomes

  • Blue: Forward and backward words

  • Purple: Planets (short)

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Chat, Informally

  • Green: Female Animals

  • Blue: Palindromes

  • Purple: Starts of Planet Names

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #283 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Chat, Informally: GAB, JAW, YAK, YAP

  • Female Animals: COW, DOE, EWE, HEN

  • Palindromes: BIB, EYE, GAG, POP

  • Starts of Planet Names: EAR, MAR, MER, SAT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Condé Nast’s Owners Set to Reap a $1.4 Billion Windfall From Reddit

NYT Technology - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 18:37
The Newhouse family, which controls the Advance media empire, made a 2006 investment of $10 million in the social site, which plans to go public on Thursday.

Reddit Said to Price IPO at $34 a Share, in a Positive Sign for Tech

NYT Technology - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 18:30
The social media company raised $748 million in the offering. Its shares begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale brings iPads down to their lowest prices ever

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 17:28

You won't want to miss the iPad deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Here's a couple of our top picks as of March 20:

Top iPad deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) $449 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $150) Get Deal Best iPad accessory deal Apple Pencil 2 $79 at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy (Save $50) Get Deal

Amazon's first official Big Spring Sale is live — and bringing with it plenty of iPad deals.

We're only on day one of the sale, which runs from March 20 to 25, but we haven't been too impressed with the Apple deals. With that said, we are seeing a good range of iPad deals (even though most of them were live before the sale officially started).

SEE ALSO: The best tablet deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Apple, Samsung, and more

Not one to miss out on the fun, Walmart coincidentally kicked off a spring sale this week too, and already we're seeing price matching. Though Walmart often has lower iPad prices (like with the iPad Air), so far the retailers have the same deals. We haven't seen any brand new record low prices on any iPads either, but we have seen several returns to record low prices.

In any case, wherever or whenever iPad prices drop, we'll be sure to make note of it — so you'll want to check back often if you're in the market for a new Apple tablet. Below, we've gathered our favorite deals for you:

Best iPad deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) $449.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple iPad Air (2022).

Apple is reportedly set to release new iPad Airs very soon, but if you don't care too much about the latest specs, getting the 2022 Air on sale isn't a bad move. It's not as if you're settling for something all that dated — this iPad still runs an M1 chip and is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder called it the "sweet spot of Apple's tablets" for capturing higher-ended features of the Pro while retaining more of the price approachability of the standard iPad. At $449, Walmart and Amazon have brought this iPad back down to its lowest price ever.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

iPad mini

Apple Pencil

Need a new phone? The Samsung Galaxy A54 is $75 off during the Amazon sale.

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 16:55

SAVE $75: As of March 20, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is on sale for $374.99 at Amazon during the Big Spring Sale. That's a savings of 17%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy A54 5G $374.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $75.00 Get Deal

During the Big Spring Sale at Amazon, unlocked phones are having a moment.

If you're a budget buyer looking to upgrade your device, but don't want to wait until Prime Day to make your move, now's a great time to act.

Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is down to just $374.99 as of March 20, the first day of the official spring sale. Usually $449.99, that's a savings of $75 or 17% off Samsung's mid-range phone. While it's not the lowest price we've ever seen — that would be $325, which it dropped to on Black Friday in 2023 — it's still a helluva good price for a brand-new phone. The phone also comes unlocked, so you can choose your own carrier.

If you're new to the Android universe, Samsung has both the Galaxy S and Galaxy A series of phones. The S series is the more advanced, high-performance range with all the bells and whistles, while the A series is typically more affordable and simplified. The Galaxy A54 is essentially the budget-friendly version of the S23.

The A54 packs a 6.4-inch (slightly larger than the S23's) Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, an Exynos 1380 processor, multilayered Knox Security, and expandable storage.

It takes vivid photos with its 50MP main camera and can also snap macro shots and wide-angle shots with additional cameras.

It also comes in fun colors, but currently just the violet and black are left in stock at the sale price. It's not nearly as powerful performance-wise as the S23, but it's more than enough for your daily needs. And given that the S23 is nearly double the cost, the A54 is certainly worth a second look if you're in the market for a new Android phone.

Walmart is coming for Amazon with a competing spring sale: See the 24 best deals

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 16:50

Walmart isn't shy about hosting its own major sales events to directly compete with Amazon Prime Day. Though Amazon's Big Spring Sale isn't posing as a spring Prime Day, a week-long Walmart spring sale has conveniently kicked off on the same day — and with its own special new title.

Walmart's Super Spring Savings Event doesn't have a hard end date like Amazon's sale does (March 25), though the identical launch dates have us predicting a similar runtime through the weekend. No Walmart+ membership is needed to access these deals, just like Amazon isn't requiring a Prime membership to shop most of its savings. Walmart also dropped its spring deals without offering early access for Walmart+ members.

SEE ALSO: The 45+ best headphone and speaker deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Day One

Despite the more last minute feel, Walmart's spring sale is actually pretty solid. The main product categories are reminiscent of Black Friday (vacuums, kitchen appliances, headphones, cheap TVs), only the retailer is swapping holiday decorations and winter weather gear for patio furniture, bikes, and grills. Already, we're seeing Walmart match or beat a lot of Amazon's pricing, including on best sellers like the Apple Watch Series 9, the Fitbit Sense 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

We're tracking the best deals at Walmart's spring sale below. We'll be updating this list as more deals drop over the coming days, while simultaneously keeping tabs on any new Amazon Big Spring deals.

Best Walmart spring sale Apple deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C) $189.00 at Walmart
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro USB-C.

Walmart has matched Amazon's $189 price tag on the USB-C AirPods Pro, and it's the lowest price we've ever seen on this pair. In the latest upgrade, Apple kept all of the features people liked about the originals — namely the actually-good active noise cancellation and the fact that they actually stay in your ear — while ditching the Lightning port for a more universal USB-C port.

More Apple dealsBest Walmart spring sale vacuum deals Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute $499.99 at Walmart
$649.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We were already dubbing Dyson's V12 Detect Slim as Dyson's best bang for your buck when it was full price. Now that it's less than $500, this Mashable Choice winner should be a no brainer for most households.

The V12 Detect Slim rocks Dyson's best feature on a compact body that's 24% lighter than its bigger sibling, the V15 Detect. That feature is a dust-detecting laser that sets the Detect series apart from all other stick vacuums. For plush carpeting, a motorized cleaning head is also included, and all debris collected is sent through a HEPA filter. Other attachments include the mini motorized hair screw tool (a must for keeping up with shedding on furniture), a crevice tool, and a combination tool.

More vacuum deals

Robot vacuums

Cordless vacuums

Corded vacuums and carpet cleaners

Best Walmart spring sale fitness tracker deals Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $238.95 at Walmart
$299.95 Save $61.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable dug the original Fitbit Sense when it came out in 2020. The second version, which arrived two years later, features upgrades like a better EDA sensor and a physical button over the old haptic one. These add to the original features that make the Sense such a solid budget Apple Watch alternative, including a heart monitor and built-in GPS.

While we didn't choose the Fitbit Sense 2 as the best fitness tracker deal at Amazon's sale, we are highlighting it at Walmart — because it'll save you an extra $12 to $20 over buying at Amazon, depending on the color you choose.

Best Walmart spring sale gaming deals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PlayStation 5 "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" bundle $449.99 at Walmart
$499.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Walmart's MSRP on this Marvel's Spider-Man 2 PS5 Slim bundle is inflated a bit, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the bundle is still a complete steal. Buying the PS5 Slim by itself would run you $499.99 either way. $499.99 is also the regular asking price for this bundle — hence the value of a bundle — so Walmart's $449.99 price tag is technically an extra $50 discount tacked onto the already-free game.

The PS5 Slim, which hasn't even celebrated its first half birthday yet, squeezes the disc drive and 1TB of storage of the clunkier PS5 into a more practical, compact body. One DualSense controller is also included.

More gaming deals

Gaming monitors

Nintendo Switch games

Best Walmart spring sale TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: onn. onn. 43-inch 4K Roku TV $178.00 at Walmart
$248.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Walmart's own onn. TVs are often the cheapest 4K TVs during big multi-retailer sale events, and these spring sales are no different, apparently. This 43-inch onn. 4K TV beats Amazon's cheapest 43-inch TV by $21.99, despite both being Roku TVs. It's not a huge difference in price, but is enough to cover a few months of one of your streaming services.

More TV and projector deals

TVs

Projectors

How to watch Microsoft Surface event: New Surface Pro 10 expected

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:55

Wondering how to watch the Microsoft Surface event? I don't blame you. According to rumors, Microsoft is planning on unleashing some new laptops, including a Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and a Surface Laptop 6 refresh.

On top of that, the Redmond-based tech giant is unveiling some new features and perks to Windows 11 and Copilot, its ChatGPT rival.

Microsoft reportedly has a handful of goodies to share with us, so without further ado, here's how to watch the upcoming Surface event.

SEE ALSO: 7 new Windows 11 features coming soon, including phone-as-a-webcam perk When is the Microsoft Surface March 2024 event?

The Microsoft Surface event is on Wednesday, March 21, 2024 at 9 a.m. PT. For other time zones, check out the list below:

  • New York - 12 p.m. (noon)

  • Houston - 11 a.m.

  • Chicago - 11 a.m.

  • Toronto - 12 p.m. (noon)

  • London - 4 p.m.

  • Honolulu - 6 a.m.

  • Dubai - 8 p.m.

  • Lagos - 5 p.m.

  • Paris - 5 p.m.

  • Mumbai - 9:30 p.m.

How to watch the Microsoft Surface March 2024 event

There are two ways that you can watch the Surface March 2024 event: Microsoft's landing page or the Surface YouTube channel.

According to Windows Central, the Microsoft Surface event will unleash the Surface Pro 10 and the Surface Laptop 6. The former will come with a new OLED display, a new ultra-wide, front-facing webcam, and a built-in NFC reader. The latter will have a more striking design update, including slimmer display bezels, rounded corners, a new touchpad with haptic feedback, a dedicated Copilot key, and a new variety of ports.

Stay tuned for Mashable's coverage of Microsoft's new Surface PCs as well as any new developments regarding Copilot and Windows 11.

Every pair of AirPods is discounted during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:21

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is in full swing, and while it hasn't been the best event for Apple deals in general, it's still not bad — especially when it comes to AirPods. As of the time of this writing, all the latest AirPods iterations are discounted during the Amazon spring sale, including the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro. Take a look below to see all the offers we could find, and keep checking back, as Amazon has promised to keep dropping new deals through March 25.

SEE ALSO: The best tablet deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Apple, Samsung, and more

Not keen on picking up a pair of AirPods, but still in need of some new headphones? We've gathered up a list of the best headphones deals, too.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

In our review of these earbuds, we didn't equivocate: "The 2nd generation AirPods Pro are, by far, the best pair of AirPods out there. They sound great, fit comfortably in your ears (most ears, at least), and are resistant to dust, sweat, and water." Unfortunately, this $60 discount isn't anything we haven't seen before, and these earbuds frequently hit this price at Amazon. However, we've never seen them priced lower, so this really is the best price you'll find on the new AirPods Pro. Our review praised these buds for their impressive active noise cancellation, surround-sound spatial audio, and adaptive audio.

More AirPods deals

Members only: Prime shoppers save $30 on Kindle Paperwhite e-readers

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:10

SAVE $30: On the first day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, Prime members can get the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition for $159.99, a 16% discount from its usual price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) $159.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

During the Amazon Spring Sale 2024 shopping event, Prime members can score the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) for $159.95, a $30 discount from the full price of $189.99. Even better, this edition comes without any of those annoying lock screen ads, which inevitably end up showing you advertisements for trashy romance novels you’ll never read (and we say this with all due respect to trashy romance novels).

The Mashable Shopping team has reviewed every Kindle e-reader, and this exact model was our choice for the best Kindle overall. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition got our stamp of approval for offering the “best balance of features at a reasonable price,” and we loved its automatically adjusting display. So if you're a reader with a Prime membership, then jump on this members only deal.

There’s a lot for bibliophiles to love about Amazon’s e-reader. The 6.8-inch glare-free display. Adjustable warm light that’s easy on the eyes. A pool-friendly IPX8 waterproof rating. A generous 32GB of storage space. Best of all, it’s the only Kindle to offer wireless charging, which is a nice touch.

Still on the fence? Check out our full Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review for more details. Otherwise, head directly to Amazon and save $30 on this “near perfect” e-reader. And if you're looking for a new book to add to your reading list, may we suggest reading Dune?

Elon Musk's X suspends users who post alleged name of alt-right comic creator

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 14:44

When Elon Musk acquired X, then-known as Twitter, he proudly proclaimed that his social media platform would be a place where freedom of speech reigned. 

According to Musk, only content deemed illegal by government law would be removed. All other speech – including hate speech – would be fair game to publish on X.

With that being said, why are users now reporting that X is removing posts and suspending accounts who simply post the name "Hans Kristian Graebener?"

A far-right webcomic creator unmasked

Last week, Anonymous Comrades Collective, an online group that describe themselves as an "antifascist journalism collective dedicated to exposing Nazis, racists and fascists" published a new report alleging to have uncovered the person behind StoneToss, a webcomic popular among the far right.

SEE ALSO: Is Instagram shadowbanning LGBTQ and sex ed accounts?

According to Anonymous Comrades Collective, the group was able to tie numerous old online accounts, audio livestreams, and GamerGate-era photographs to StoneToss and his alleged real-life identity as a Texas-based IT consultant named Hans Kristian Graebener.

StoneToss was started in 2017 by an anonymous individual, allegedly Graebener, who clearly had far-right sympathies. However, as more comics have been published over the years, the ideologies espoused by StoneToss have included antisemitism, racism, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. One particularly infamous StoneToss comic, for example, engages in Holocaust denial.

The Anonymous Comrades Collective's report and a thread detailing it's finding on its X account @anoncommiestan quickly went spread among political activists familiar with StoneToss and its far-right comics.

Tweet may have been deleted

Anonymous Comrades Collective's tweet thread garnered tens of thousands of retweets and likes before its X account @anoncommiestan and their posts were suspended around a day and half after its StoneToss post was published.

Musk takes action at StoneToss' request

Anonymous Comrades Collective's investigation tied StoneToss and an older, even more overtly pro-Nazi webcomic called RedPanels, to a person named Hans Kristian Graebener. (Mashable has not independently confirmed the identity of StoneToss.)

A few days after the report, however, the official StoneToss account on X publicly pleaded for help from X-owner Elon Musk himself regarding users posting about his alleged identity. While not confirming the accuracy of the report, it had certainly provoked a reaction, both from the StoneToss account, and from X.

"One of you has a direct line to @elonmusk - and you need to use it," StoneToss posted to their nearly half a million followers. "If Elon's idea of a 'free speech' website is one where people can be intimidated into silence, the outcome will be a site where the Stasi will drive out all dissent." 

"If he needs a shortlist of the worst offenders, that can be easily provided," StoneToss said.

The StoneToss account did not deny ties to "Hans Kristian Graebener" or dispute any of the claims.

At that point, the only account that had been suspended on X was the Anonymous Comrades Collective's @anoncommiestan account, likely due to being mass reported to X by StoneToss' followers.

But suddenly, after the StoneToss account asked for help, any prominent account posting the name "Hans Kristian Graebener" was suspended and their posts removed.

Tweet may have been deleted

Alejandra Caraballo of Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic, for example, had her X account suspended for 12 hours after posting the name "Hans Kristian Graebener." After she was unsuspended, she shared screenshots of other suspended users' posts and was suspended again.

Caraballo provided screenshots of the suspensions to Mashable. According to Caraballo, the most recent violation, which resulted in a 7-day suspension from X, was dolled out after she changed her X account's profile name to "Hans Kristian Graebener is StoneToss" in reaction to users being suspended for including the name in their posts. She is able to access the X feed and DM her followers. However, she is unable to post to her account.

Others, such as extremism research Jared Holt, Texas Observer reporter Steven Monacelli, and Hannah Gais of the Southern Poverty Law Center, have been temporarily suspended and their posts removed for mentioning "Hans Kristian Graebener." Their accounts were reactivated after deleting the tweets with the name.

Tweet may have been deleted

Political YouTuber and Twitch streamer Lance of The Serfs has been actively following the mass suspension of individuals on X posting about StoneToss' unmasking.

"It sets a terrifying precedent if Elon Musk is going to actively interact and like posts by Chaya Raichek or Andy Ngo doxxing or deadnaming LGBTQ+ activists while attempting to protect a neo nazi cartoonist on his platform," Lance said in a statement to Mashable. "It tells you everything you need to know about the man if StoneToss' real name is more censored than the N-word on the platform."

Posting "Hans Kristian Graebener" is not officially against X policy

Elon Musk's X is used by figures on the right such as @libsoftiktok, also known as Chaya Raichek, someone who has made a career out of publicly shaming both public and private individuals. Raichek has used X to publicize identifying information that had been intentionally withheld by her target, without facing similar consequences.

StoneToss' supporters have argued that posting "Hans Kristian Graebener" is considered doxxing – the act of publishing sensitive private information about an individual on the internet without their consent. 

However, according to X's own official written policies on doxxing, posting "Hans Kristian Graebener" does not break the platform's rules. In fact, on X's official policy page titled "X's private information policy and doxxing" the company explicitly says posting an individual's name is not against the rules.

A screenshot showing the relevant section of X's doxxing policy, explicitly stating sharing an individual's name is not a violation. Credit: Mashable screenshot / X.com

According to X, its doxxing policies were last updated in December 2022. A heading on the relevant page reads, "What is not a violation of this policy?" It then lists several actions, followed by, "sharing information that we don’t consider to be private, including:" The first bulleted item on that list is "name."

In addition, news sites including BoingBoing and Wired have now publicized Graebener's name. X's policies on this topic say that posting information that some may argue counts as doxxing are not against the platform's policies if the info is "publicly available or is being covered by mainstream media."

Musk apparently changes rules to benefit far-right users

So what's the issue? Why the double-standard?

The answer to that question can be found with X-owner, Elon Musk.

Last month, some X users attempted to reveal the individual behind a far-right account that Musk frequently interacts with called @KanekoaTheGreat.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Any doxxing, which includes revealing real names, will result in account suspension," Musk said in a reply to @KanekoaTheGreat post about the attempts to uncover their identity.

Again, X's written policy does not reflect Musk's rule. In fact, Musk has interacted with posts from his favorite right-wing accounts that would violate Musk's personal definition of doxxing. Yet, as Lance of The Serfs pointed out, those users were not suspended.

Musk not only changes X policy on a whim, but also selectively enforces these very policies as well.

Tweet may have been deleted

In another similar example of this, Musk himself recently took action to change a newly written policy on X that claimed it would demote content that misgendered or dead-named (i.e. using a transgender persons former name) users on the platform.

Following complaints from his right-wing followers, Musk had the policy rewritten to specifically say this would only be the case in localities where the law required it.

If using a name that a trans person does not publicize and doesn't want used isn't against X policy, it certainly doesn't make sense that posting "Hans Kristian Graebener" is against X policy. And if the latter does fall under Musk's definition of doxxing, why doesn't the former?

Nearly one week after Alejandra Caraballo was suspended for posting "Hans Kristian Graebener," her account's public status was shifted from "locked," meaning you can still see a user's profile page and interact with it, to "suspended," which completely removes an account from public view.

Musk's right-wing followers noticed this change and inquired if Caraballo was permanently suspended.

"Yeah, the team just informed me that there were several doxxing violations by this account, despite repeated warnings," Musk said. "The suspension is just for a few days, but the suspension time will increase with each repeated violation."

Shortly after Musk's comment, Caraballo's profile was visible on X again.

Caraballo confirmed to Mashable that her account was activated again, switched back to its original locked status. However, she informed us that her suspension was just extended to another 7-days.

Musk's claim that Caraballo will only be suspended for "a few days" doesn't line up with what X's original suspension emails told her. It's unclear exactly when she'll be unsuspended.

"It's clear that Musk's X works to protect neo-nazis by inventing new rules that are not in the terms of service and arbitrarily suspending accounts who even mention the name behind the StoneToss account," Caraballo said in a statement provided to Mashable, referring to the comic creator's alleged identity. "The suspension is just another example of how Twitter protects extremists while applying arbitrary rules to accounts who call them out," she added.

'Alien: Romulus' trailer will give you face-hugging nightmares

Mashable - Wed, 03/20/2024 - 14:11

Get ready to tremble in fear at the teaser for Alien: Romulus, the latest film in the Alien franchise.

Directed by Fede Álvarez (Don't Breathe), Alien: Romulus introduces us to a group of young space colonizers on a scavenging mission in an abandoned space station. And since this is an Alien film, you can bet they're in for a frightening encounter with a Xenomorph — or several.

Our first look at Alien: Romulus teases a horde of facehuggers, some truly nasty tentacle moments, and star Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) channeling Sigourney Weaver's Ripley. Oh, and is that a Prometheus siren in the background? Consider me spooked.

Alien: Romulus hits theaters August 16.

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator