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SAVE $85: As of Oct. 9, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $254.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on the list price of $339.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe (16 GB) $254.99 at AmazonIf reading and writing are your thing, then you'll love this October Prime Day deal. Combining reading and note-taking, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is an e-reader and a digital notebook all in one. And thanks to Prime Big Deal Days, this Kindle is at its lowest price in months.
The Kindle Scribe is the newest e-reader in Amazon's lineup. The Scribe comes with a stylus so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Besides its note-taking abilities, it has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display.
Its lightweight design also makes it portable and easy to carry around on your travels. And let's not forget the impressive battery life, lasting weeks on just a single charge.
SEE ALSO: 300+ October Prime Day deals selected by our shopping expertsThe bright display is perfect for reading in any light, indoors or outdoors, and you can store up to 16 GB of content. That means you can stock up on plenty of Prime Day e-book deals and barely make a dent in the storage.
Again, as of Oct. 9, the Kindle Scribe is marked down to $254.99, so you're saving $85 — all the more money for books. This is the final day of October Prime Day, but you can check out our Prime Day live blog to stay up to date on all the final deals, including a handful of deals on Kindle e-readers.
SAVE OVER $300: As of Oct. 9, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is on sale for $1,046.58 at Amazon. That's a saving of 26% on list price and it's lowest-ever price on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $1,046.58 at AmazonAmazon Prime Day is a great opportunity to upgrade your tech. With deals across Apple, Samsung, and more big names, you don't have to look far to grab a bargain. And if a new phone is on your horizon, check out this incredible discount on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Reduced by 21% to $1,046.58, this phone is now at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, and one of the best October Prime Day deals we've seen.
SEE ALSO: The best October Prime Day unlocked phone deals from Samsung, Google, and moreThe Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is an incredible smartphone and one of the top models in the Galaxy range. Upgrade for the eye-catching 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the 200MP main camera, the ultra-wide, telephoto, and periscope lenses, or even just for the super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
The 5,000 mAh battery will keep you going all day, even if you're streaming, working, gaming, or simply browsing. Plus, it supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, so when it’s time to charge, you won’t have to wait long.
Convinced yet? Grab this great Prime Day deal before it's too late.
Listen up, losers: We can tell when your posts are made with an audience in mind and we don't like it. It sounds like ChatGPT, it is the lowest possible denominator of posting, and, worst of all, it's boring.
I come to you with a solution: Delete your drafts.
It’s a strategy I learned with a fair bit of hesitance — why work so hard just to trash it all — but one that’s paid off.
My journey in deleting began in 2022 when I attended a writers workshop in need of a creative reset. I was paralyzed not with fear but with an obligation to an imagined reader. After years of getting paid to write, I had stopped writing it for the good of the story and started writing it for an audience — the Mashable audience, the NPR audience, or some other invented audience that might enjoy the piece, take something from the piece, and, importantly, give me money for writing the piece. Soon enough, a good idea had been reduced to something boring, watered-down from its initial promise.
The pressure creatives feel to constantly produce content for an audience — and ultimately for validation — can ruin our ability to actually create interesting work.
My mentor at the workshop recommended I try something new: Write the work and let my brain take it where it takes it, whether that's with an audience in mind or not, and when I felt it was perfected — that moment I would typically send it to an editor — delete it. Never read it again. Keep nothing. As a visual artist, I took that practice into my painting, too. The fear of perfection stopped me from starting altogether until I started each painting with the knowledge that it was bound for the trash.
It didn't happen immediately but, eventually, I stopped thinking about other people and my art got more courageous and exciting. It wasn't always better, but it was always weirder and riskier. The creation also kind of sucked, because when I did make something I loved, I still had to throw it away — if I didn't, the strategy wouldn't work.
Of course, writing is my job. So all the while, I was writing for public consumption to keep paying rent. But the flair I earned in my garbage writing bled into the pieces published for the world. I was no longer beholden to the anxiety of perfectionism that is so often tied to attention and monetary gain. I recognized that the risks I was taking in the trash pieces weren't actually that crazy — and it encouraged me to take more risks in my pieces I created for the public. Removing the external audience encouraged experimentation, play, and mistakes. Discarding completed work shifted my relationship with creativity and got rid of that nasty attachment to a story.
The real lesson it taught me? Think less. Just do the work.
There's some scientific backing to this idea as well. A 2020 study of jazz guitarists found that experienced guitarists playing better improvisations relied on mechanisms that "were largely automatic and unconscious, and they came from the left posterior part of the brain," the American Psychological Association wrote. In other words, they weren't thinking about what to create, they were just creating.
I've since taken this approach to social media, and, my god, I am in desperate need of you birdbrains to do it too. If you have to think about if you want to post something on X for more than 20 seconds, don't post it. If you have anything sitting in your drafts, delete them. It's a create and delete or create and immediately post kind of world now. Think of most of the best things you’ve seen online. They’re often in the moment and unique — something only that person could do — rather than someone squeezing the life from the latest trend. When Jools LeBron created “very demure, very mindful” it worked because it was her voice and her personality shining through. Then the world got ahold of it and, as the internet does, watered it down to a mind-numbing trend.
SEE ALSO: Which streaming service should you cancel? All of them (most of the time).The best things online aren’t the workshopped-to-death TikToks hoping to be the next viral sound or a tweet asking "name a '90s movie you loved as a kid." If you’re agonizing over a draft thinking of who it’s for, then it’s probably time to send it into the ether.
If you need to really lean into this, create a new account on your favorite social media site. Tie it to nothing personal. Follow no one. Keep it on private. Make everything auto-delete after 24 hours. Post the first thoughts that pop into your mind. And, when you're ready, the posts will eventually flow.
Not every piece needs to be destroyed or hidden from the world, but this approach can ultimately make your work more meaningful.
The pressure some artists have to constantly post content online, particularly if they need to maintain visibility, limits artistic risk-taking and encourages safe, boring, algorithm-friendly content. Disconnect from the cycle!!
Liberate yourself!!! Delete your drafts!!!
October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals
More on Prime Day: Here are all the best deals to shop so far
SAVE $49.96: As of Oct. 9, the Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $149.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $149.99 at AmazonBeats is one of the most recognizable names in the audio field, so you know that with these products comes great quality. There are few options as reliable when it comes to upgrading your sound quality. And is there any better excuse to upgrade than Amazon's October Prime Day?
As far as wireless earbuds go, there are plenty of incredible offers to be had over the remaining 24 hours, but as you can tell from our review, we're big fans of the Beats Fit Pro.
SEE ALSO: The all black Beats Studio Pro headphones are down by 51% on October Prime DayWith immersive sound quality, incredible noise cancellation, and a seriously impressive battery life (we're talking days, not hours), any deal on these earbuds is a win. The design is another big win, especially for fitness enthusiasts. The silicon tip slides into your ear seamlessly, staying put for all types of activity and all intensities — runners to Pilates lovers, you're all safe with these.
And as of Oct. 9, you can save 25% at Amazon and pick these up for just $149.99. But move quick, Prime Day is coming to an end.
Shop more headphones dealsSAVE $110: As of Oct. 9, the iRobot Roomba Q011 robot vacuum is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 44% on list price, and the lowest it's ever been on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roomba iRobot Roomba Q011 $139.99 at AmazonIf a robot vacuum is on your wish list, you'll probably have heard of Roomba. One of the top robot vacuum manufacturers, the devices are both useful and smart.
As of Oct. 9, you can shop the iRobot Roomba Q011 as part of Amazon's October Prime Day. Reduced by $110, you can swap out your manual model for just $139.99.
The Q011 features self-docking and has a power-lifting suction that adjusts based on the type of floor. But our favorite feature of this model is its compatibility with Alexa. With this, you can control the vacuum using simple voice commands so you can start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions without lifting a finger. Yes, you can boss around your vacuum.
SEE ALSO: Plenty of self-emptying robot vacuums are on sale this October Prime DayHowever, it's worth noting that this model does not have self-emptying capabilities nor does it map out your space with AI (rather, it uses basic navigation sensors to avoid bumping into obstacles), so this one requires slightly more upkeep. But for the low sale price, we reckon you can't go wrong.
Ready to remove vacuuming from your list of chores? Move fast before this deal runs out.
SAVE $110: As of Oct. 9, the iRobot Roomba Q011 robot vacuum is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 44% on list price, and the lowest it's ever been on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roomba iRobot Roomba Q011 $139.99 at AmazonIf a robot vacuum is on your wish list, you'll probably have heard of Roomba. One of the top robot vacuum manufacturers, the devices are both useful and smart.
As of Oct. 9, you can shop the iRobot Roomba Q011 as part of Amazon's October Prime Day. Reduced by $110, you can swap out your manual model for just $139.99.
The Q011 features self-docking and has a power-lifting suction that adjusts based on the type of floor. But our favorite feature of this model is its compatibility with Alexa. With this, you can control the vacuum using simple voice commands so you can start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions without lifting a finger. Yes, you can boss around your vacuum.
SEE ALSO: Plenty of self-emptying robot vacuums are on sale this October Prime DayHowever, it's worth noting that this model does not have self-emptying capabilities nor does it map out your space with AI (rather, it uses basic navigation sensors to avoid bumping into obstacles), so this one requires slightly more upkeep. But for the low sale price, we reckon you can't go wrong.
Ready to remove vacuuming from your list of chores? Move fast before this deal runs out.
SAVE $85: As of Oct. 9, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $254.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on the list price of $339.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe (16 GB) $254.99 at AmazonIf reading and writing are your thing, then you'll love this October Prime Day deal. Combining reading and note-taking, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is an e-reader and a digital notebook all in one. And thanks to Prime Big Deal Days, this Kindle is at its lowest price in months.
The Kindle Scribe is the newest e-reader in Amazon's lineup. The Scribe comes with a stylus so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Besides its note-taking abilities, it has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display.
Its lightweight design also makes it portable and easy to carry around on your travels. And let's not forget the impressive battery life, lasting weeks on just a single charge.
SEE ALSO: 300+ October Prime Day deals selected by our shopping expertsThe bright display is perfect for reading in any light, indoors or outdoors, and you can store up to 16 GB of content. That means you can stock up on plenty of Prime Day e-book deals and barely make a dent in the storage.
Again, as of Oct. 9, the Kindle Scribe is marked down to $254.99, so you're saving $85 — all the more money for books. This is the final day of October Prime Day, but you can check out our Prime Day live blog to stay up to date on all the final deals, including a handful of deals on Kindle e-readers.
SAVE $200: As of Oct. 9, the Breville Barista Express espresso maker is on sale for $549.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 27% on the regular list price of $749.95.
Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express $549.95 at AmazonIf there’s one thing guaranteed to improve that morning coffee — which, let’s be honest, is already a highlight of the day — it’s knowing that you got it for an absolute bargain. That’s what you’ll get with the Breville Barista Express, on sale for day two of Amazon’s October Prime Day. It’s a pro-level espresso machine that has a current markdown of $200.
Sure, you can find some bargain bin espresso makers on Amazon, but this is the type of appliance worthy of a more serious investment — at least if you care about your coffee. The Breville Barista Express is a luxe espresso machine with a brushed steel exterior, and it's marked down to $549.95 for a total savings of 27%. So, don’t miss your chance to pick up this professional-quality appliance while it's heavily discounted. Remember: Oct. 9 is the final day of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.
SEE ALSO: The new Apple AirPods Max 2 just got their first discount for October Prime DayThe Breville Barista Express has all the features you need to make high-quality coffee drinks at home, including a precision conical burr grinder, expertly tuned water pressure, digital temperature control, a powerful steam wand for milk, and lots more.
For coffee lovers, this is one of the best Prime Day deals we’ve seen so far. Don't miss your chance to get a superb, top-rated espresso machine at its lowest price of the year.
Want to stay up to date with all the latest savings? Follow our live blog with up-to-the-minute coverage on all of the latest October Prime Day deals at Amazon and beyond.
October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals
More on Prime Day: Here are all the best deals to shop so far
SAVE $49.96: As of Oct. 9, the Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $149.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $149.99 at AmazonBeats is one of the most recognizable names in the audio field, so you know that with these products comes great quality. There are few options as reliable when it comes to upgrading your sound quality. And is there any better excuse to upgrade than Amazon's October Prime Day?
As far as wireless earbuds go, there are plenty of incredible offers to be had over the remaining 24 hours, but as you can tell from our review, we're big fans of the Beats Fit Pro.
SEE ALSO: The all black Beats Studio Pro headphones are down by 51% on October Prime DayWith immersive sound quality, incredible noise cancellation, and a seriously impressive battery life (we're talking days, not hours), any deal on these earbuds is a win. The design is another big win, especially for fitness enthusiasts. The silicon tip slides into your ear seamlessly, staying put for all types of activity and all intensities — runners to Pilates lovers, you're all safe with these.
And as of Oct. 9, you can save 25% at Amazon and pick these up for just $149.99. But move quick, Prime Day is coming to an end.
Shop more headphones dealsSAVE OVER $300: As of Oct. 9, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is on sale for $1,046.58 at Amazon. That's a saving of 26% on list price and it's lowest-ever price on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $1,046.58 at AmazonAmazon Prime Day is a great opportunity to upgrade your tech. With deals across Apple, Samsung, and more big names, you don't have to look far to grab a bargain. And if a new phone is on your horizon, check out this incredible discount on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Reduced by 21% to $1,046.58, this phone is now at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, and one of the best October Prime Day deals we've seen.
SEE ALSO: The best October Prime Day unlocked phone deals from Samsung, Google, and moreThe Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is an incredible smartphone and one of the top models in the Galaxy range. Upgrade for the eye-catching 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the 200MP main camera, the ultra-wide, telephoto, and periscope lenses, or even just for the super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
The 5,000 mAh battery will keep you going all day, even if you're streaming, working, gaming, or simply browsing. Plus, it supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, so when it’s time to charge, you won’t have to wait long.
Convinced yet? Grab this great Prime Day deal before it's too late.
SAVE $300: As of Oct. 9, the ASUS ROG Strix gaming laptop is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 21% on list price — and its lowest-ever price at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix gaming laptop $1,099.99 at AmazonIf a new gaming laptop has been on your wishlist, now is the time to pounce. With 24 hours left of Amazon's October Prime Day, you'll find surprising deals on laptops of all sorts, including impressive gaming rigs.
The ASUS ROG Strix is a solid gaming laptop, with a sleek design and strong performance. It's a great option if you're new to the world of gaming. It's built with impressively powerful hardware, including high-end graphics cards and processors. The Strix series also has great cooling features, customizable RGB lighting, and plenty of ports for additional gear. Not to mention, it looks cool too. With a 17-inch screen and a 16:10 aspect ratio, you can enjoy high-quality and immersive gaming.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Prime Day laptop deals are ramping up: Shop record-low prices on Apple, LG, and AcerAs of Oct. 9, you can purchase this device for its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Down from £1,399.99, you can shop for $1,099.99 on Amazon. And even better, this discount is exclusive to the newer, 2024 model.
You deserve only the best for your gaming setup, so act fast before this deal runs out.
Ahoy, mateys! The Wendy's Krabby Patty, the real-world version of Bikini Bottom's most popular burger, is now available in restaurants nationwide as of Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The cartoon-turned-IRL burger consists of ground beef, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and a "super special secret sauce" served on a toasted bun — and the internet has thoughts, particularly SpongeBob SquarePants superfans.
Keep in mind that, according to a press release from Wendy's, the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger (as it's officially called) is "inspired" by the swashbuckling, under-the-sea animation. In other words, it's not meant to be an exact replica, but it still has Krusty Krab devotees in a tizzy.
SEE ALSO: SpongeBob SquarePants heads to Texas in 'Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie' trailer Wendy's Krabby Patty: Does it look like the cartoon version?When promo images of the Krabby Patty first hit the internet, some were disappointed that it didn't match the cartoon variant.
Tweet may have been deleted An X user hates to "be that guy," but pointed out the inaccurate order of the ingredients. Credit: @MrDylanKrug on X"What's different about this burger? Looks like a regular Wendy's cheeseburger," a Reddit user with the moniker @Blue_Wave_2020 said.
"Doesn't even have a sesame seed bun," another Reddit user said.
Several commenters in the official SpongeBob subreddit voiced dissatisfaction that it's not plant-based. Not necessarily because they're vegans, but according to SpongeBob SquarePants producer Vincent Waller, "there is absolutely no meat in the Krabby Patty; there is no animal product in there."
Others pointed out that, true to Wendy’s style, the meat inside the IRL Krabby Patty has a squarish shape. The Krabby Patty in Bikini Bottom, on the other hand, is round. "A square patty!?" said ConclusionDouble3962, who claims that they purchased the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger. "It was basically just an overhyped Dave's Single."
(For the uninitiated, a Dave's Single is a classic burger from Wendy's named after Dave Thomas, the chain's founder.)
Dave's Single at a Wendy's in Georgia, USA Credit: Deutschlandreform / Shutterstock.comAccording to a SpongeBob SquarePants fandom page, aside from the missing plant-based round patty and sesame seed buns, the IRL Krabby Patty has all the other ingredients found inside the cartoon burger.
Wendy's Krabby Patty has decent reviewsPerusing through X (formerly Twitter), many people who looked past the fact that it’s not an exact recreation of the Bikini Bottom burger seemed to enjoy it.
Credit: @Caylaisawesome on X"I'd get it again and that frosty was on another level," @Caylaisawesome said. This X user is referring to the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty that comes with the total Krabby Patty Kollab Meal. It has fries, too.
"Was good," @MORSxGAMING said.
Credit: @MORSxGAMING on XHowever, you can't please everyone. One X user wondered why the meal lacked a toy and a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed wrapper.
Credit: @KidKinsey on XAnother agreed with the aforementioned Redditor that it's "just a rebranded Dave's Single with special sauce," adding that it's "not bad, just not as spectacular."
Credit: @JoshGamnChannel on XAs for the "super special secret sauce" that accompanies the Wendy's Krabby Patty, several reviewers, including reporters from El Paso Times and Delaware Online, say that it simply tastes like Thousand Island dressing.
The Wendy's Krabby Patty Kollab Burger, in partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th anniversary. By the way, the burger won't be around for long — it's a limited-edition meal.
If you had a chance to try the new Krabby Patty, let us know what you think in the comments.
Cold, dry, and barren: Mars doesn't look like it could be a haven for life — at least not the kind humans are familiar with.
Despite the Red Planet's appearance, scientists have wondered for decades about the possibility of microbial life inhabiting Mars in the distant past. Now a new study, based on data collected by NASA's Curiosity rover, is peeling back another layer of the mystery. For the first time, researchers measured the isotopic composition of carbon-rich minerals found in Gale Crater, a region laced with dried rivers and gullies and being explored by the rover.
The findings Curiosity beamed millions of miles back to Earth were not optimistic, at least in terms of the potential for life above ground.
"Our samples are not consistent with an ancient environment with life (biosphere) on the surface of Mars," said David Burtt, lead author of the study, in a statement, "although this does not rule out the possibility of an underground biosphere or a surface biosphere that began and ended before these carbonates formed."
The new paper, published in the National Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday, suggests two possible ways carbon-rich minerals could have formed at Gale crater: a series of alternating wet and dry periods at the site or salty-ice conditions. These two different ancient climate scenarios could be summed up as bleak and bleaker when it comes to supporting life.
SEE ALSO: NASA's Mars rovers had a gangbusters summer of rocks NASA's Curiosity rover snaps a selfie image on lower Mount Sharp in Gale crater in August 2015. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSSIn an environment that swings like a pendulum from wet to dry, the region would intermittently shift from more habitable to less habitable, said Jennifer Stern, a co-author. In frigid temperatures near the planet's equator, the environment would be hostile for living things because most water would be frozen and inaccessible for chemistry or biology.
"And what is there is extremely salty and unpleasant for life," she added in a statement.
This isn't the first time scientists have theorized these possible climate scenarios for ancient Mars. Computer modeling of the planet, based on the presence of certain minerals and rock formations, have led scientists down this path before, but this is the first time they've had isotopic evidence from Martian rocks to bolster those ideas.
An artist interprets what Gale crater on Mars might have looked like during one of its ancient, wet periods. Credit: NASA illustrationScientists have sought life on Mars since the first spacecraft touched down on its surface in 1976. Mounting evidence from robotic explorers, especially from Curiosity and its twin Perseverance, has shown the Red Planet to have once been warmer and wetter, perhaps more than 3 billion years ago.
The rover pair had a highly productive summer, including Perseverance's discovery of a spotted rock with the most compelling signs of ancient dead Martian life yet, though a sample would need to be shipped back to Earth for confirmation. A research team also recently published more evidence of a vast ocean of water below the planet’s surface. And where there's water on Earth, there's often life.
Scientists are interested in Mars' carbon-rich rocks because they are like climate time capsules. Their minerals can hold onto clues about the environments in which they formed, such as the temperature and acidity of the water, and the ingredients within the water and air. Curiosity made the isotope measurements by heating the samples to over 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and analyzing the released gasses.
Isotopes are versions of an element with different masses. As water evaporates, light versions of carbon and oxygen are more likely to escape into the atmosphere, while heavier versions tend to remain and get incorporated into rocks.
The isotope values of the sampled materials indicate lots of evaporation, the team says, suggesting that they probably formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid water — that is, water that comes from melted ice when temperatures rise and the surface pressure is right.
The heavy isotope values in the samples are much higher than what’s seen on Earth for carbonate minerals. Furthermore, they are the heaviest carbon and oxygen isotope values recorded for any Martian materials. Although evaporation can cause oxygen isotope changes on Earth, the changes measured in the Martian samples were two to three times greater, Burtt said.
Astrobiologists believe caves like this one on Mars could potentially harbor life. Credit: NASA / JPL / Univ. of Arizona"The fact that these carbon and oxygen isotope values are higher than anything else measured on Earth or Mars points towards a process (or processes) being taken to an extreme," he said.
But this doesn't discount the possibility of life. The Red Planet appears to have a network of deep caves formed by ancient volcanic vents. Within them could be liquid water, traces of long-deceased bacteria or fungi, or, some scientists believe, perhaps even existing microbial life.
Caves can host complex ecosystems, inhabited by extremophiles that munch on rocks and convert the material into energy for life. Because of this, many astrobiologists want nothing more than to go spelunking on Mars.
Grief haunts a young boy and his stepmother in Daddy's Head, the second feature from director Benjamin Barfoot (Double Date).
SEE ALSO: Best horror movies to watch tonight: Scary movie pickerThe film premiered at 2024's Fantastic Fest, where attendees also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Jennifer Kent's The Babadook, and it's hard not to put the films in conversation. Both deal with grief over losing a father figure and a husband, both center on a woman struggling to raise a troubled boy, and both feature a terrifying creature who might as well have jumped straight out of a child's imagination. Yet Daddy's Head forges its own path too, mixing its Babadook influences with folk horror to create an unsettling portrait of how grief can rip us to shreds.
What's Daddy's Head about? Matthew Allen in "Daddy's Head." Credit: Courtesy of Rob Baker AshtonBefore Daddy's Head launches us into a nightmarish creature feature, it introduces us to a nightmare that's all too real. Young Isaac (Rupert Turnbull) must say goodbye to his father James (Charles Aitken), who's being taken off life support following a devastating car crash.
Isaac has already lost his mother, and since James had no next of kin, his legal guardian is now his stepmother Laura (Julia Brown). While Isaac and Laura aren't close, Daddy's Head sidesteps the evil stepmother trope. Instead, early glimpses of home video from back when James was still alive paint Laura as someone trying to understand Isaac, even as he processes the arrival of a new maternal figure. At one point, seeing how much he loves drawing, Laura gifts him a set of colored pencils. Isaac is less than thrilled. It's a quietly brutal moment, one in which you can empathize with both Laura and Isaac. She hopes for connection, while he is still struggling with massive life changes.
SEE ALSO: 'The Babadook' filmmaker Jennifer Kent on how her character became an LGBTQ+ icon, and why we will never see a sequelThe uneasy distance between Laura and Isaac becomes fraught in the wake of James' death. Laura was certainly not ready to lose her husband, let alone be the mother to his son. Every night, she numbs herself with wine and home videos, all while weighing the option of surrendering Isaac to social services. Unsure of his own fate, Isaac plays games and yearns for his father's return.
You might think that return impossible, given the fact the film opens with flashes of his bloodied, pulverized face. Yet somehow, some aspects of James follow Isaac and Laura back to their sleek, ultra-modern house, turning their grief into a literal horror show.
Daddy's Head finds horror in the grieving process. James Harper-Jones in "Daddy's Head." Credit: Courtesy of Rob Baker AshtonThe spooky occurrences in Daddy's Head start slow and disparate, with flashing lights reminiscent of police cars blasting through Laura and Isaac's windows, and unexplainable fires popping up in the forest that surrounds them. Here, the film falls into a pattern: day scenes that ramp up the tension between Laura and Isaac, then creepy night scenes where a wine-drunk Laura experiences these strange happenings. Between this pattern and a series of rote jump scares, Daddy's Head falls into a bland routine for a time.
Luckily, things pick up with the arrival of the titular monster, a scurrying, smiling replica of James' head. (Or could it even be the real thing?) It lurks in air vents and calls to Isaac from the forest with a raspy voice that, yes, recalls the Babadook. Of course, Laura believes the creature to be a figment of Isaac's imagination, especially given all the grotesque monsters he's drawn around his room. Even its form — and the film's own title — suggest a silly, childish monster.
However, as proof of the creature's existence quickly grows irrefutable, how Laura and Isaac choose to deal with it will define their relationship going forward. Will they give in to the monster? Will they continue to deny its existence? Or will they band together and find common ground in this shared, traumatic experience? In this, the monster becomes a stand-in for grief, and for the emotional limits it pushes us to. Both Brown and Turnbull deliver moving work as two people with very different routes to take through mourning. Brown is all unsureness and numbness, while Turnbull brings a vulnerable rage to Isaac's pain.
Barfoot wrings scares from areas besides grief as well, especially when it comes to atmosphere. James designed the house Laura and Isaac now suffer in, effectively trapping his family in a prison of his presence. An unsettling wooden structure Isaac discovers in the woods makes for a folk horror-tinged counterpoint to the main house, and an ideal lair for the monster that lurks within. The slightest flicker of James' smile in the structure's dark depths is enough to send you cowering back in your chair. Equally chilling is the fact that Isaac appears not frightened by this sight, but instead comforted, his very perception of the world warped by loss. Yes, he may be haunted by a disembodied head, but grief and its impact are the real monsters here.
TL;DR: For $39.99, get lifetime access to this CompTIA prep bundle and boost your IT career with courses in security, networking, and cloud computing.
If you’ve been thinking about leveling up your IT skills or diving into new fields like cybersecurity, networking, or cloud computing, this $40 CompTIA online learning package has you covered. With lifetime access to this training package, you can work at your own pace to master the essential skills needed for the most in-demand IT roles.
Start with IT Fundamentals, where you’ll learn the basics of computing, including hardware, software, and operating systems — perfect for building a strong foundation. From there, dive into specialized areas like networking and server administration, where you'll learn how to manage network infrastructures, configure servers, and troubleshoot systems like a pro. Whether you're just starting out or looking to boost your skills, you'll have a solid base to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.
Cloud computing continues to transform the way businesses operate. With the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ course, you'll gain expertise in cloud infrastructure and learn how to design, implement, and manage cloud solutions for modern businesses. This training will help you become a certified Cloud Engineer, one of the most in-demand roles in tech today.
Not to be overlooked, the bundle also includes data analysis training, helping you turn raw data into actionable insights — a key skill for any Data Analyst or business professional. You’ll dive into database structures, learn how to clean and manipulate datasets, and create reports to support better decision-making.
Immerse yourself into the world of IT fundamentals, networking, security, and more with these CompTIA certification prep courses — on sale for $39.99 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Oak Academy The 2024 All-in-One CompTIA Certification Prep Courses Bundle $39.99TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac for a one-time payment of $69.97 (reg. $219) and say goodbye to subscriptions.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $69.97Tired of paying for office software subscriptions? With Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021, you get a lifetime license on sale for $69.97, giving you access to all the essential productivity tools you need — without monthly fees.
This suite includes Word, perfect for creating documents, reports, and polished writing projects. Excel helps you manage data and finances with powerful spreadsheets, and PowerPoint makes building professional presentations a breeze. For business users, Outlook is included to streamline your emails, calendars, and contacts in one easy-to-use app.
The software is optimized for macOS and works with Apple’s Retina displays, so everything looks as crisp and clear as you’d expect. Plus, it's a one-time purchase — no subscriptions, no renewals, just lifetime access to the Microsoft programs you know and trust.
Whether you’re managing a small business, working remotely, or just need reliable software for personal projects, this lifetime license is an unbeatable deal.
Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021 today for $69.97 and never worry about subscriptions again.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: VideoProc's family license for Windows, available for $35.99, gives you pro-level video editing tools to make even your phone footage look Hollywood-worthy.
We’ve all got a collection of shaky, underwhelming phone videos sitting on our devices. But why settle for mediocre footage when VideoProc for Windows can give your videos the Hollywood treatment? You don’t need a fancy camera or pricey software to make your content shine — just VideoProc’s easy-to-use converting and editing tools on up to five devices for $35.99 (reg. $119).
VideoProc helps you elevate even the most basic footage with help from AI tools, offering features like stabilization for shaky shots and enhanced color correction to make your clips pop. From home movies to travel vlogs, you can take control of every detail. With VideoProc, you can cut, crop, merge, and transform your videos with just a few clicks.
It’s designed to be super user-friendly, so even if you’re not a pro, you can still create polished, professional-looking content. And if you're dealing with 4K or large file sizes, VideoProc handles it all with ease, so you can edit without worrying about your computer slowing down.
Plus, with the lifetime family license, you get access to all the features forever, no subscription fees attached. That means you can edit as many videos as you want, whenever you want, on up to five devices. Whether you’re a social media creator or just looking to upgrade your family videos, VideoProc has everything you need to take your content to the next level.
Get a pro-level editing suite that ensures even your phone footage looks red-carpet ready — a VideoProc Converter AI lifetime family license is on sale for $35.99 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Digiarty Software VideoProc Converter AI: Lifetime Family License (For Windows) $35.99TL;DR: Get this 5-in-1 Multi-Device Power Pack for $54.99 (reg. $119.99) and keep all your gadgets charged simultaneously, anywhere you go.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shenzhen Centralspot Innovation 5-in-1 Multi-Device 10,000mAh Power Pack $54.99It's a familiar scene: you're on the run, you're about to run out of power, and you have no options. Never face a blackout again with a 5-in-1 charging power pack on sale for 54% off.
For a limited time, score the 5-in-1 Multi-Device 10,000mAh Power Pack on sale for $54.99 and keep your devices charged anytime, anywhere.
What you get with the 5-in-1 Power Pack:Charges up to five devices simultaneously, including phones, tablets, and laptops
USB-C and USB-A compatibility so you can charge a wide range of devices
Wireless charging for compatible smartphones and accessories
10,000mAh high-capacity battery ensures long-lasting power, letting you charge multiple devices without frequent recharges
Lightweight and portable design that’s perfect for travel, work, or home use
Equipped with fast-charging technology for quicker power-ups on all your devices
Get the 5-in-1 Multi-Device 10,000mAh Power Pack on sale for $54.99 and stay juiced.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
SAVE $180: As of Oct. 9, the Beats Studio Pro headphones are on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 51% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at AmazonWe're 24 hours into Amazon's October Prime Day but there's still plenty of time for you to grab a great deal. Everything from tech to home goods are seeing huge discounts, so keep your eye out for a bargain. We've been watching the sales closely, and one of the best deals we've seen so far is on Beats Studio Pro headphones.
A truly well-known name when it comes to high-audio quality, these headphones offer premium sound quality with noise cancellation and spatial audio support. The battery life can last up to 40 hours and it has ideal connectivity with both Android and Apple devices. If you're going to listen to your favorite tunes, you might as well listen to them in great quality, right?
As of Oct. 9, 2024, you can score a huge discount on these Beats headphones at Amazon. Down from £349.99, enjoy a 51% saving and pick them up for just £169.99. There's a range of deals across all colorways, but for this low price, browse the black, sandstone, navy, and deep brown models.
Shop more headphones dealsThe Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 9 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Wednesday, October 9, 2024:
AcrossDocument type definitionThe answer is DTD.
The answer is Anseres.
The answer is MetLife.
The answer is Barista.
The answer is Erecter.
The answer is Rasters.
The answer is Tso.
It's October Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals
More on Prime Day: Here are all the best deals to shop so far
The answer is Delicto.
The answer is Triste.
The answer is Defter.
The answer is Amber.
The answer is NearAt.
The answer is Stress.
The answer is Sears.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
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