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The fires, which the police said were intentionally set, are the latest in a series of attacks against Elon Musk’s company.

Google released a new AI tool this week, designed to identify animal species to help with wildlife monitoring.

On Monday, the tech giant announced the release of SpeciesNet, an open source model for wildlife biologists. SpeciesNet consists of a model for identifying objects in footage from cameras that monitor wildlife and a second model for classifying those objects into animal species.

Since 2019, wildlife biologists have had access to SpeciesNet though a Google Cloud-based tool called Wildlife Insights. On Monday, SpeciesNet was released to the public as an open source model.

Scientists use motion activated cameras to study wildlife in their habitats. But processing the camera footage is time-consuming because it involves sifting through massive amounts of images. "AI can accelerate that processing, helping conservation practitioners spend more time on conservation, and less time reviewing images," read the SpeciesNet repository hosted on GitHub.

Google says SpeciesNet was trained on a dataset of over 65 million images including camera trap images from Wildlife Insights users and publicly available datasets. SpeciesNet combines data gathered from its underlying models to make a prediction about each animal it identifies and labels the accuracy percentage.

SpeciesNet is 93% sure it's an animal, but we're 100% sure it's a prehistoric tank. Credit: Google / University of Minnesota

According to Google, SpeciesNet can "classify images into one of more than 2000 labels, covering diverse animal species, higher-level taxa (like 'mammalia' or 'felidae'), and non-animal classes ('blank', 'vehicle')."

SpeciesNet is available as an open source model on GitHub.

As Elon Musk’s X continues its transformation into a right-wing fever dream, the platform’s dwindling population of irony-poisoned meme enjoyers has found a new reason to be annoyed: an onslaught of Stake gambling ads.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

No matter where you lurk on X, it’s impossible to escape the flood of viral posts stamped with the Stake logo in the bottom right corner. Some of the biggest meme accounts, shamelessly recycling stolen content or churning out their own, have turned into walking billboards for the crypto-backed casino.

What is Stake?

Stake is an online sports betting and casino platform that lets users gamble with cryptocurrency. Founded in Australia in 2017 by Edward Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the company now operates out of Curaçao, a jurisdiction known for its lenient gaming regulations. But if you’ve heard of Stake, it’s probably not because of its product — it’s because of its relentless marketing machine.

The company has embedded itself deep in internet culture, striking lucrative deals with former Twitch stars like xQC and Adin Ross who now stream exclusively on Kick, the Stake-owned streaming platform. Beyond the gaming world, Stake is an official partner with the UFC, the main sponsor of Sauber Motorsport’s Formula One cars, and even has a deal with Drake, who's responsible for this recent Stake ad.

SEE ALSO: X will soon integrate sports gambling stats from BetMGM

In 2022, the company took its ambitions to the Premier League, slapping its name on Everton’s jerseys. That partnership didn’t last — by February 2025, according to The Athletic, Stake had pulled out of the UK entirely after the Gambling Commission launched an investigation into its advertising tactics.

The investigation was sparked by a Stake ad appearing on a video featuring English pornstar Bonnie Blue. A complaint filed with the Advertising Standards Authority argued that the placement violated UK regulations prohibiting gambling ads from being associated with "seduction" or designed to appeal to young audiences.

Why is its logo on all these memes?

First reported in late 2024 by 404 Media and Slate, Stake had struck deals with various content aggregators on X — paying them to slap its logo on all their posts. Thus, it's created a low-effort, high-visibility advertising campaign for the crypto casino as X's algorithm prioritizes content posted by subscribed users.

Making matters worse, Stake managed to squeeze even more free advertising out of X’s Community Notes system. Users attempting to call out the brand inadvertently boosted its visibility, as Notes explaining what Stake is — sometimes even linking directly to its website — spread across the platform.

The entire scheme appears to be a workaround for X’s own content policies, which explicitly ban undisclosed gambling ads and prohibit promotions for offshore casinos.

SEE ALSO: Leftist meme creators are undeterred by Meta’s rightward shift

According to Slate, X user @FearedBuck was “ground zero” for Stake’s latest ad blitz. Once a Milwaukee Bucks fan page, the account pivoted to reposting clips from Kick, before abruptly stopping when it started drawing scrutiny for potential FTC violations. Now, meme accounts still slapping the Stake watermark on their posts have added a thin layer of plausible deniability, tacking on disclaimers like "Gamble Responsibly" or #AD.

In December, Musk took a brief stand, warning and suspending several accounts accused of manipulating the platform to push Stake ads. But the crackdown was more of a speed bump than a deterrent, as new accounts continue to surface, keeping the cycle alive.

And now, it’s getting even worse. Meme pages that first flooded X with Stake-branded content are taking their hustle cross-platform, reposting the same viral images — watermark and all — onto Instagram Reels and Facebook, spreading the crypto casino’s reach far beyond Musk’s already compromised platform.

TL;DR: Get a PDF Converter Pro lifetime license for A$38 with code SAVE20 at checkout for a limited time (reg. A$160). This app works on Windows and Mac.

PDFs are supposed to make life easier, but anyone who’s ever touched one can testify the opposite. Whenever you need to convert a PDF for editing, more often than not the format turns into a jumbled mess, especially if you’re using those free online tools.

We know paying for a PDF tool probably isn’t what you had in mind when becoming an adult, but it’s a necessary evil. PDF Converter Pro keeps your file formats intact and gives you other essential features without recurring fees. Use code SAVE20 at the Mashable Shop to download this tool to your PC or Mac for life for just A$38 (reg. A$160).

No more PDF-related headaches

So, you’re back in the job market and found your old resume, but it’s saved as a PDF. Instead of wrestling with other tools or retyping your job experience in Word, just use PDF Converter Pro to convert the PDF to Word without losing formatting. Then, update your resume in peace.

Another option is to update your resume using the basic PDF editing tools instead of converting the format. You can edit text, add and remove images, and leave annotations.

Or maybe you have a paper resume you don’t feel like typing up. Scan it, upload it to PDF Converter Pro, and extract text using OCR technology. That means AI recognizes the text so you can copy and paste it into Word.

Get this all-in-one PDF converter software for A$38 with code SAVE20 at checkout (reg. A$160).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License A$38.03
A$160.00 Save A$121.97 Use code 'SAVE20' Get Deal

A Houston-based space company just released a tantalizing sneak preview — an image sequence of its robotic spacecraft flying over the moon's south pole, near its planned landing site.

The destination is Mons Mouton, one of NASA's potential landing locations for its Artemis astronauts. Intuitive Machines' Athena moon lander began circling the moon on March 3, just one day after a competitor, Firefly Aerospace, landed on the lunar surface without a hitch. 

This marks Intuitive Machines' second journey to the moon, following its success last year in becoming the first business — rather than a government space program — to touch down on the surface without crashing so badly it ended the mission. But telling the flight controllers to "break a leg" might not be the good-luck wish they want to hear ahead of Athena's descent: Even though its uncrewed Odysseus lander was able to send back some data in 2024, it damaged one of its struts and ended up on its side. 

The latest mission, referred to as IM-2 or PRIME-1, is slated for a moon landing at 11:32 a.m. CT on March 6. Intuitive Machines and NASA will provide live event coverage, starting at 10:30 a.m. CT. 

SEE ALSO: A company is returning to the moon. Here's how it will avoid tipping again

In the video above, the Athena lander can be seen flying over the lunar south pole near its intended landing site.

If it succeeds in getting to the surface, the company's mission will be among the first onsite demonstrations of resource detection on the moon. A drill and mass spectrometer, a device that identifies the kinds of elements or particles in a substance, will measure the potential presence of gasses in the lunar soil. A Laser Retroreflector Array on the top deck of the lander also will bounce laser light back at any orbiting or incoming spacecraft to give future missions a permanent reference point on the moon. Other instruments will test a surface communications system and deploy a drone that can hop along the lunar surface.

Athena is the second Commercial Lunar Payload Services-supported lander of the year. The NASA program has invested $2.6 billion in contracts with private-sector vendors to help deliver instruments to the moon and send back crucial data. 

Athena flies over the mid-latitudes of the moon in the above image sequence.

But landing on the moon remains onerous. The moon's exosphere provides virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down as it approaches the ground. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on the moon to help guide a craft to its landing spot.

A combination of gravity and inertia factors seemed to stymie Intuitive Machines' previous landing. Everything on the moon is "six times tippier," said Phil Metzger, a planetary scientist at the University of Florida, then in a post on X. The Japanese moon lander SLIM, short for Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, experienced a similar outcome.

"Why did we end up at a 30 degree angle? We know exactly why we did," Trent Martin, senior vice president of Intuitive Machines' space systems, told reporters during a news conference. "There was an issue with the laser altimeter that we used during the final operation just before landing that would have told us exactly how close we were to the surface."

When Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander touched down on the moon in 2024, landing gear had broken off from one of the robotic spacecraft's six struts. Credit: Intuitive Machines

Instead of using the laser altimeter, flight controllers actually were using the camera systems on board the spacecraft, which were less accurate, ultimately resulting in a harder landing than planned. Martin said an investigation into the spacecraft data resulted in 85 upgrades, including contingencies that should allow Athena to land up to 10 degrees off in any direction — perhaps more — and still complete the mission objectives. 

Meanwhile, NASA is trying to troubleshoot problems with another spacecraft that shared a rocket with Athena. Engineers were able to establish communication with NASA's Lunar Trailblazer in space the day of its launch, only to lose it the next morning, Feb. 27.

NASA said the team is working with ground stations to reestablish telemetry and assess power system issues to try to fix it. The space agency hasn't since provided an update on the spacecraft.

Freelancing isn’t all sweatpants and snooze buttons.

Well, sometimes it is. But most of the time, it’s cabin fever, caffeine withdrawal, fickle cash flows, and fierce competition for clients.

Being your own boss is really hard work — and no time is that more apparent than during tax season.

Compared to those with a typical 9-to-5 job, freelancers, independent contractors, and other self-employed workers face a unique set of challenges when it comes to filing an annual return. For one thing, you need to maintain year-round business records that are separate from your personal ones to make sure you’re organized once tax season rolls around. You’re also responsible for making and keeping track of estimated tax payments each quarter, since the money isn't automatically deducted from your paychecks throughout the year. Fail to pay enough tax by each payments' due date, and you might be penalized — even if you're owed a refund when you file your return.

SEE ALSO: How to manage quarterly taxes as a solopreneur

Oh, and don’t forget about the whopping 15.3% federal self-employment tax you’re required to pay if you earned at least $400 from your freelance work (maxing out at $168,600). Sure, it goes toward Social Security and Medicare which is cool for Future You — probably, maybe? — but not so fun for Current You.

Since tax evasion is sort of a felony, filing your return every year is in your best interest. However, simply filing your taxes is not enough. If you try to figure it all out on your own, you could still be hit with costly penalties and interest if you make a mistake. On the other hand, you could always go to a CPA and have them take care of your income tax return for you, but their fees could burn a hole in your pocket, too.

For a happy medium between the two, consider picking up some tax software.

What is tax software?

Tax software is a type of software program that’s designed to guide users through the process of preparing and filing their returns, helping them comply with tax laws while identifying any deductions and credits that may be available. Essentially, it’s software that makes it less taxing to do your own taxes.

SEE ALSO: Tax season is here: All the details on IRS Free File

Back in the day, tax software came in the form of a CD-ROM that could be downloaded to your desktop computer. (How retro.) Nowadays, you can just download a program from a trusted tax prep company’s website. Or, even better, some tax preparation tools are available completely online or via mobile app for maximum convenience.

What should you look for in a tax software program?

"Freelancer" is synonymous with "self-employed business owner" in the eyes of the IRS (more specifically, "sole proprietor" or "independent contractor"), so you'll be reporting your business income and expenses on a Schedule C and your self-employment tax on a Schedule SE; include both with your Form 1040, the standard individual tax filing form. The tax software you use will definitely need to support that paperwork along with Form 1099-NEC, the non-employee income document you get from your clients instead of a W-2.

You may also receive a Form 1099-K from a third-party payment network like Venmo or PayPal if your client(s) paid you at least $5,000 that way, though some states' thresholds are lower. Note that this doesn't apply to any transactions between you and your family or friends.

Other good-to-have features include:

• An intuitive e-filing process with straightforward questions and prompts

• Some sort of accuracy and maximum refund guarantees

• Solid customer support, with optional access to a real live tax expert in case of emergency

Don’t forget that you’ll also need to file your state taxes in addition to your federal taxes (unless you live somewhere with no income tax — see Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming). Some tax software providers will include one state for free, but most will charge you per state where you need to file.

Also, keep in mind that the cheapest tax software option isn’t necessarily the best tax software option. The program you choose should be robust enough to handle complicated tax situations and sniff out tons of possible deductions, and also willing to promise a high-ish level of protection in case you’re audited. In other words, now’s not the time to get stingy: You want to get your taxes done, but also done right. That’s not to say you should pay for features you don’t need, but just make sure your bases are covered.

What can freelancers write off on their taxes?

Speaking of deductions: The one big thing freelancers have going for them during tax season is the fact that they can write off way more work-related expenses than the average employee — that includes office supplies, mileage, a chunk of your internet bill, payment processing fees, and the portion of your rent that covers your home office. Don't get too brazen, though: These expenses must be "both ordinary and necessary" to your business, per the IRS. (So you couldn't write off a just-for-fun road trip, for example.)

Is it worth it to have an accountant do your taxes?

If you have a pretty straightforward tax situation, if you already have a few years of filing as a freelancer under your belt, and/or if you make under $84,000 a year, you may be able to get away with a free filing option through the IRS' Free File program. However, many freelancers are going to have complicated-enough tax situations to warrant a paid software solution with premium features and built-in support from seasoned tax professionals. Budget for around $105 for your federal return and about $50 for every state return.

SEE ALSO: These tax deductions for small business owners may surprise you

This is all to say that you probably don't need to splurge on a real, live CPA, but that's always an option if you don't feel great about filing on your own. "I’ve seen [small] business owners save thousands in taxes because a bookkeeper ensures everything is categorized properly and ready for the CPA to review," one financial planner told Mashable.

According to a National Society of Accountants survey, the standard U.S. firm charges an average of $343 for an itemized Form 1040 with a state return and $220 for a non-itemized Form 1040 with a state return, plus $192 for a Schedule C and $41 for a Schedule SE. Most will also bill you for 1099s ($67.72 on average) and disorganized or incomplete files ($165.82 on average).

What’s the best tax software for freelancers?

Here are the software options with Schedule C, Schedule SE, Form 1099-NEC, and Form 1099-K support that we recommend for the 2024 tax season (which gets filed in 2025).

SAVE $180 + FREE GALAXY BUDS3: As of March 3, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tablet for $1439.99, down from its usual price of $1619.99 at Samsung. Plus, get a free pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra $1,439.99 at Samsung
$1,619.99 Save $180.00 Get free Samsung Galaxy Buds3 with purchase. Get Deal

No matter which way you slice it, a larger screen will always trump a larger one. And if you're thinking about working or playing with a tablet instead of relying on your phone all the time, it's a good move to make, especially if you can get a new tablet for a great price and with a freebie at that.

As of March 4, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra for $1,439.99 at Samsung, down from it usual price of $1,619.99. That's $180 off its normal price. Plus, get a free pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 with your purchase. You must add the Galaxy Buds3 to your cart from the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra buy page to take advantage of this deal, as the fine print at the bottom of the page advises. That's a $179.99 value.

Powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ chip with an octa-core and Cortex-XR CPU, this 14.6-inch tablet is a portable powerhouse that's a significant upgrade for just about anything you might currently be using, save for an iPad. It's lightweight at just 2.35 lbs, and also has a 12 MP front camera with a camera array featuring 13 and 8 MP cameras in the back.

With a battery life of up to 16 hours and expandable storage, it's a fantastic pick for anything you want to do with it, especially if you want to game. Add a pair of extra earbuds to the mix, and you're in for a great deal. Snag it while you can from Samsung.

SAVE $24: As of March 4, get the Anker 9-in-1 Charging Station for $35.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker 9-in-1 charging station $35.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

Do you find that most of your electronic devices end up completely dead most of the time because you can't be bothered to find a charger? Tired of sifting through all your charging bricks and other items to power up your Kindle or that random USB-A device that really should have shifted to USB-C? You need a universal charger, particularly one that has a lot of options.

As of March 4, you can get the Anker 9-in-1 charging station for $35.99 at Amazon. That's $24 off its usual price and a discount of 40%. This price applies to both the black and white colorways so you can choose which one matches your decor.

This charger is small and manageable but features nine charging options, including four USB-C, two USB-A, and three AC outlets, so you can choose what you need to charge. It also has 300J surge protection, so you don't have to worry about an errant lightning storm destroying it or your devices.

For less than $50, this is a great and convenient way to make sure you've got options when traveling or if you just have a ton of devices that you can't keep up with all the bricks or cables for. You can simply connect them and move on with your life. And we absolutely love a bit of convenience, right?

Civil War director Alex Garland returns to the battlefield in 2025 with Warfare, which he co-wrote and co-directed with Ray Mendoza.

Mendoza, an Iraq War veteran, served as Garland's military advisor for Civil War. During the process of filming Civil War, the two talked about making Warfare, based on Mendoza's own experiences.

SEE ALSO: Every Alex Garland movie, ranked

"It's about a group of young SEALs in Iraq conducting an overwatch mission. In doing so, they came upon contact," Mendoza says in the first look above. "[The film is about] them having to come together and figure out a plan to get to safety."

Warfare plays out in real-time. "Reality doesn't let people off the hook," Garland says of the decision in the first look.

The first look also features interviews from the film's cast, including D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, and Cosmo Jarvis. They discuss the three-week SEAL bootcamp they attended before filming, as well as the film's personal connection to Mendoza, played by Woon-A-Tai in the film.

As Garland, Mendoza, and the actors discuss in the first look, Mendoza made Warfare for fellow veteran Elliot Miller (Jarvis), who was on the operation depicted in the film but does not recall it.

"It's just a love letter from Ray to Elliot," Melton says.

Warfare hits theaters Apr. 11.

GET $25.08 OFF: As of March 4th, the Aerogarden Harvest 2.0 is currently on sale for $45.31. Get it for 36% off and save $25.08.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aerogarden 2.0 Aerogarden Harvest 2.0 $45.31 at Amazon
$70.39 Save $25.08 Get Deal

Fresh basil, thyme, lettuce, and tomatoes: the Aerogarden Harvest 2.0 is equipped for growth. This simple hydroponic garden is the right size to live on a desk or tabletop, making it easy to grow a host of fresh plants.

Currently, the Aerogarden Harvest 2.0 is on sale at Amazon for only $45.31, saving you $25.08, or 36%.

SEE ALSO: Eyeing a Frame TV? Samsung just slashed prices for all sizes.

An intuitive design ensures that the Aerogarden is approachable for all... even those without the proverbial green thumb. Plugged in, an internal pump aerates the reservoir. The tray has space for six growths.

When the water is low, the Aerogarden logo on the front of the reservoir will turn red, letting you know it's time for a change. When its time for more fertilizer, a light on the top will flash red.

Made of food-grade plastics, the Harvest 2.0 is built for edible plants. But that doesn't mean it's only for food, flowers and house plants are fair game too.

While the Aerogarden is an excellent garden that focuses on simplicity, those who want a more customizable hydroponic garden experience might prefer the LetPot LPH-SE Hydroponics Growing System, which can grow larger plants, or yield up to 12 growths at a time. The LetPot has many more customization options, smart controls, and can even be set up with an automatic mode that draws water from a large jug. Currently it's on sale at Amazon, with a $25 on-screen coupon.

Still, the Harvest 2.0 is fantastic, and as of Mar. 4th, the Aerogarden Harvest 2.0 is on sale for $45.31, or 36% off, saving you $25.08.

Whether you're looking to improve your cooking with fresh herbs and veggies, or you want to cultivate new decorative plants for your garden, the Harvest 2.0 is a great buy.

It's not a good time to drive a Tesla Cybertruck — and not just because it's been the subject of seemingly endless recalls and issues. Folks seem to not be happy with Elon Musk and they're taking it out on Teslas, especially the impossible-to-miss Cybertruck.

Case in point: A Cybertruck got mercilessly and relentlessly booed at Mardi Gras in New Orleans this week. Video footage is pretty wild and, to be frank, a little funny.

Here’s a cybertruck getting booed at Orpheus to brighten your Lundi Gras:

[image or embed]

— Blair Hopkins (@hopkinsmsb.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM

As you can see and hear, the entire crowd rallies to boo the Cybertruck. This apparently happened at the Krewe of Orpheus parade during Lundi Gras on Monday, a day before Mardi Gras. Unconfirmed reports on Reddit and elsewhere claimed the trucks were bombarded with beads thrown in a not-so-friendly manner. It apparently got so aggressive that the a Cybertruck window broke despite Tesla claiming they're near indestructible.

initial overnight reports are that the bon temps have indeed been roulez'd. happy mardi gras

[image or embed]

— lauren (@lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com) March 4, 2025 at 7:33 AM Tweet may have been deleted

Cybertruck just rolled by with Orpheus on Saint Charles. In 36 years of coming to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, those were the first boos — long, sustained —I’ve ever heard for a parade.

— Matthew Rowley (@mbrowley.bsky.social) March 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM

here it is: it got a police escort out of the parade

[image or embed]

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog.lol) March 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM

Teslas, and Cybertrucks in particular, have become the subjects of ire lately. Owners of the car have shared stories online of being relentlessly mocked. It makes sense; no physical item better represents Elon Musk's whole deal than the Cybertruck. And a lot of people really don't like Musk. Apparently, even the good times of Mardi Gras didn't stop that hate. 

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is officially dropping on July 11, bringing back the legendary skateboarding franchise with a full remake. Developed by Iron Galaxy Studios in collaboration with Activision and Tony Hawk himself, the game builds on the success of THPS 1 + 2, delivering updated visuals, new skaters, and expanded online multiplayer.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation apologizes for major network outage with free Plus time for members

The remake keeps everything that made the originals a hit — tight controls, iconic levels, and a stacked soundtrack — while adding new tricks, fresh parks, and cross-platform multiplayer for up to eight players. The roster features classic pros like Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Elissa Steamer, alongside newcomers like Rayssa Leal and Yuto Horigome. And, of course, expect plenty of hidden surprises — because it wouldn’t be THPS without them.

Pre-orders unlock a June demo and a special Wireframe Tony Shader, while Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Editions include extra content, early access, and even a full-size Birdhouse skateboard deck.

It’s coming to PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (via Steam, Battle.net, and the Microsoft Store), and Nintendo Switch, with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers also getting access at launch.

SCORE ONE-WAY FLIGHTS FROM $49: Southwest's Spring Sale features select one-way flights starting at just $49, with travel valid from late March to early June. You'll want to book ASAP, though, as your last chance to score these flight deals is March 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Southwest Spring Sale Book flights for as low as $49 Get Deal

Just last week, Southwest Airlines ran a sale that dropped flight prices by up to 30%. If you missed out, don't fret. Another flight sale has arrived just a week later.

The Southwest Spring Sale runs through March 6 and features flights from as low as $49 one-way, with travel dates from late March to early June. Continental U.S. travel is valid between March 24 and June 11, while international travel (as well as Puerto Rico and continental U.S. to and from Hawaii) is valid between April 20 and May 21. As with any major travel sale, there is some fine print: Blackout dates may apply around Easter and Memorial Day, and the sale requires a 21-day advance purchase. Otherwise, with a little flexibility, you can book that much-needed vacation or weekender without spending a fortune.

SEE ALSO: The JetBlue Big Spring Sale has sale flights for just $49 each way

Certain seats and markets are limited, and this rate may apply to nonstop or connecting flights. For instance, I can fly from Nashville to Chicago or Atlanta for $49 or New York, Washington, DC, or Sarasota for $89. Check out the Southwest low fare calendar for an idea of what flights are available in your region.

One of our favorite sites for cheap flights, Southwest regularly holds sales with ultra-low fares. As long as you're willing to adapt your parameters to fit the Spring Sale mold, your next vacation could actually be affordable — something we don't take lightly in this economy.

On Monday, First Lady Melania Trump expressed her support for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which targets deepfakes.

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos and images. Many created are nonconsensual explicit images using someone's likeness. Last year, for example, explicit deepfakes of Taylor Swift went viral on X, but it's not just celebrities who are in danger of being deepfaked. Everyday people (typically women) are, too, and being a victim of deepfakes can be detrimental to someone's mental health.

SEE ALSO: Apple's child safety changes put more of the onus on app developers What is the TAKE IT DOWN Act?

As Mashable's Meera Navlakha wrote in 2024, some U.S. states have already taken action against deepfakes, though regulations vary by location. Last month, though, the Senate passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill that would make it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish explicit imagery without someone's consent, including AI-generated images, the Associated Press reported. TAKE IT DOWN is sponsored by members of both parties, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Social media platforms would also have 48 hours to remove such content and prevent duplicates from being posted. The Federal Trade Commission could sue non-compliant platforms, according to Axios.

In a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill on Monday, Melania Trump said, "Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm."

Despite the danger of deepfakes, many free speech organizations have concerns about the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

Why is the TAKE IT DOWN Act controversial?

Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation sent a letter to the Senate before the vote to express their reservations about the bill.

The letter argues that the goal of TAKE IT DOWN is laudable, but the current text would result in the takedown of consensual explicit images (aka porn) or even content like journalism or political speech.

"In its current form, the bill creates a notice and takedown (NTD) mechanism that would result in the removal of not just nonconsensual intimate imagery [NDII] but also speech that is neither illegal nor actually NDII," the letter states. "This mechanism is likely unconstitutional and will undoubtedly have a censorious impact on users' free expression."

Other concerns are that TAKE IT DOWN Act would incentivize automatic filters, which could inaccurately flag legal content, and could pose a danger to end-to-end encryption (no one can read a message except the people sending and receiving it). Platforms may not be able to comply with the bill if they cannot see messages that potentially violate it, and the fear is that platforms would abandon encryption.

The organizations call for the act to be modified to account for these issues. Despite this, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill soon.

SAVE $320: The Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $329.99, down from the usual price of $649.99. That's a 49% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $329.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $320.00 Get Deal

Vacuuming is something that's always on the to-do list. Even if you vacuum today, it's bound to need a refresh within the next week. If you'd prefer to only think about vacuuming once every two months, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of March 4, the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is on sale for $329.99, marked down from the standard price of $649.99. That's a 49% discount that takes $320 off the list price.

SEE ALSO: The roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $700 off. Yes, really.

With spring and summer weather ahead, the schedule gets more packed, leaving even less time for household chores. On top of that, spring pollen loves to float in from open windows and settle on the floor and furniture, which can be bothersome for those who deal with seasonal allergies.

Instead of dealing with a dirty floor, the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is here to save the day. With its included charging base, the robot vacuum can collect and store up to 60 days worth of debris. Boiled down, that means you can set the robot on a cleaning schedule and only need to carve out time once every two months to empty the base.

This model uses Shark's Matrix Clean Navigation, which cleans in a matrix pattern, rather than a quick once-over. Plus, the HEPA filtration system is great for grabbing pollen and other allergens that settle onto floors and carpets.

In the Shark app, you'll be able to set a schedule, create no-go zones, and monitor the vacuum's battery level. At full charge, the robot can clean for up to 120 minutes before it'll need to head back to the base to recharge.

If your to-do list could do with some relief, today's sale price on the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum is a great way to remove the vacuuming chore. At nearly half off, you'll score a powerful robot vacuum that'll assist with keeping your home free of spring pollen this coming season.

It's easy to poke fun at the melodramatic covers of '80s hits that end almost every episode of Paradise. (I'll never forget its weirdly sad take on Starship's "We Built This City.") But there's no denying that the closer for both the Season 1 premiere and finale — Phil Collins' "Another Day in Paradise" — is thematically right on the money.

The song urges listeners to think twice about the homeless people they pretend to ignore on the streets. That same ignorance of those far less fortunate is the fundamental basis for Paradise, which sees billionaires living in the idyllic underground city of Paradise while the survivors of a devastating apocalypse struggle above them.

SEE ALSO: 'Paradise's big twist is exactly why you need to watch it: Review

Those themes tend to get lost in the weeds during Paradise's middle stretch, as most episodes primarily focus on Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) trying to solve President Cal Bradford's (James Marsden) murder, then leading an uprising against Paradise head Sam "Sinatra" Redmond (Julianne Nicholson). However, these themes come roaring back in Season 1's devastating flashback episode "The Day," which shows us firsthand how Paradise's rich and powerful escaped doomsday and left the rest of the world to die.

Paradise's Season 1 finale, titled "The Man Who Kept the Secrets," keeps that thematic train chugging, emphasizing again and again the monstrosity of the Paradise project. But it wouldn't be Paradise without a few more jaw-dropping reveals. Let's break down the finale, starting with the most important question of all:

Who killed Cal Bradford in Paradise? James Marsden in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

In the end, it was the librarian, in Cal's bedroom, with a rotary drill bit.

That's right: Cal's murderer was none other than Paradise librarian Trent (Ian Merrigan), who we've met very briefly in prior library scenes. Yet "The Man Who Kept the Secrets" reveals that we've actually met Trent before. He was the man who attempted to shoot Cal on the White House lawn all the way back in episode 1.

Who is Trent, and why did he want to kill Cal?

Before Trent kicked off his career as a librarian and presidential murderer, he worked as a supervisor on the construction of Paradise. (The cover story for the large-scale construction was that they were building a recycling facility.)

During the building process, Trent found traces of arsenopyrite residue at the work site. The substance would sicken and kill any workers who came in contact with it, but it would dissipate by the time Paradise residents moved in. The fact that no resident would be harmed is all architect Anders (Erik Svedberg-Zelman) needs to push construction along, and Trent is removed from the project because of his knowledge.

SEE ALSO: 'Paradise's apocalypse episode is absolutely unforgettable

Trent knew that the recycling facility cover story was bogus, so he tried to tell the world about the construction in Colorado and the human toll it was taking. Nobody listened, which was why he resorted to trying to shoot Cal.

How did Trent end up in Paradise?

After his assassination attempt on Cal, Trent wound up in a prison in Colorado, not far from Paradise. It's fate! During the chaos of the initial stages of the apocalypse, he managed to escape and steal a guard's uniform. He then met Eli and Margaret Davis, a couple heading to Paradise. Trent deceived then killed them, disguising himself as librarian Eli in the process. He also recruited a young woman to pose as Margaret. You may recognize her as waitress Maggie (Michelle Meredith), who's always singing the praises of Paradise's cheese fries.

That love of Paradise's deep-fried potato dish, which is slathered in cashew cheese, winds up being a red flag for Dr. Gabriela Torabi (Sarah Shahi). Due to resident records, she knows that the real Maggie has a nut allergy and would never touch these particular cheese fries. Therefore, this Maggie must be a fake.

Trent and Maggie sneaking into Paradise is consistent with Sinatra's big reveal from the end of "The Day." She told Xavier that the DNA tied to Cal's murder didn't match any DNA within Paradise, meaning the killer came from outside. But the killer didn't sneak in after Paradise was up and running. He'd just been hiding in plain sight.

SEE ALSO: 'Running Point' review: Mindy Kaling's latest combines 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession,' and basketball

In the present, Trent reveals to Xavier that his time in Paradise made him complacent. He accepted that he belonged there and could make a brand new start. Yet all that went up in flames when Cal came to the library to make a mixtape. Renewed in his desire to get justice for his long-dead co-workers, Trent dressed up in one of the construction worker suits on display in the library, took a large rotary drill bit from the same display, and killed Cal once and for all.

That the workers who built Paradise come up so late in the season may first seem like oversight, with the finale's first few minutes coming out of left field and marking a shift in momentum from the propulsive action of "The Day." But that late introduction is the point: No one in Paradise truly acknowledges the people who made their safe haven possible. (A sanitized library exhibit doesn't count.) They certainly don't acknowledge the construction workers' deaths. And that's part of the horror of Paradise: It's the only stronghold in an apocalyptic future, yet it was designed to withhold the status quo.

As Trent says in his final speech to Xavier and Agent Robinson (Krys Marshall): "They had the chance to start over down here. Build a better world. Instead they chose more of the same. Loaded houses for the privileged few. Guns. Made this place a prison. It's the American fucking dream."

What was Cal's plan with his cigarette?

"The Man Who Kept the Secrets" doesn't just reveal Cal's killer. It also highlights what he was trying to communicate to his son Jeremy (Charlie Evans), starting with the meaning of the six-number code he wrote on one of his cigarettes.

The code was not a plane's serial number, as a foreshadowing close-up on a plane tail in episode 2 would have had us believe. Instead, it was a Dewey Decimal number.

Xavier heads to the Paradise library and tracks down the corresponding section. (Cal's mixtape for Jeremy also points him to the library.) There, he finds James Spada's book Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets, about actor Peter Lawford and his ties to the Kennedy family. Fitting, given the Bradfords' status as an influential dynasty themselves.

Hidden inside The Man Who Kept the Secrets are Cal's notes about the classified information on his tablet. These include how to open the external doors to Paradise and the details about the survivors on the surface. See, there's some useful information in the Paradise library! (Along with one murderer.)

Still, that's a risky plan, Cal. What if someone had really wanted to read The Man Who Kept the Secrets?

How does Paradise end for Xavier, Sinatra, and more? Julianne Nicholson in "Paradise." Credit: Disney / Brian Roedel

In addition to the case of Cal's murder and the cigarette code, Paradise wraps up some other major loose ends. While Agent Jane Robinson (Nicole Brydon Bloom) could have harmed Xavier's daughter Presley (Aliyah Mastin) on Sinatra's orders, she doesn't. Instead, she shoots Sinatra in the throat. The gunshot isn't fatal: Jane wants to keep Sinatra alive and under her thumb.

Meanwhile, Xavier still doesn't know Jane killed Agent Billy Pace (Jon Beavers), or that she was Sinatra's lackey. That spells trouble for next season, especially since Jane is a wild card whose only goal in life seems to be playing Wii games. (She's succeeded... for now.)

But the biggest development going into Paradise Season 2 is the fact that Xavier is flying out of the mountain, using Cal's notes as a guide as he searches for his wife and other survivors. That leaves us with several juicy possibilities to explore next season. What does the world look like outside Paradise? How will survivors react to the knowledge of a safe underground city? And is there truly a chance for a new beginning in this post-apocalyptic world, or is civilization doomed to repeat itself just as Paradise did?

Paradise Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu, with the Season 1 finale airing March 4.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of March 4: OUR TOP PICK Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) $849 (save $150 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $199.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST MONITOR DEAL ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor $99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST KIDS DEAL Amazon Echo Dot Kids (5th gen) $44.99 (save $15) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal

As we wait for the best big Amazon shopping event on the calendar, there are still plenty of opportunities to save on top products. Even on a random Tuesday in March, we've found huge discounts on brands like Apple, ASUS, and Amazon itself. We already did the hard part — all you have to do is add them to your cart.

Here are our picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on March 4. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check out our picks from yesterday. Many of those are still live, including a Google Pixel 9 at its best price ever.

Our top pick: Apple M4 iPad Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) $849.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $150.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The 2024 iPad Pro was the first Apple product to carry the M4 chip — and it blew us away. It's only 0.21 inches thick and weighs less than a pound, meaning it's the sleekest and lightest version to date. Plus, it's more powerful than most PCs and even many MacBooks on the market. That's why it's our top iPad pick for professionals. As Mashable's reviewer writes, "The iPad Pro has mind-blowing endurance on a single charge. On top of that, the new iPad Pro is as svelte as a haute couture model." Typically $999, you can grab the 11-inch model with 256GB and WiFi on sale for $849 at Amazon as of March 4 using the on-page coupon. That matches its best price ever from Black Friday.

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Pro.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Amazon's newest addition to its soundbar lineup, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus makes upgrading your home theater experience a breeze. It features a built-in subwoofer (unlike the basic Fire TV Soundbar), offers Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume support, and packs three full-range speakers, two woofers, and three tweeters to pump out sound in every direction. If you're looking for a simple, yet powerful all-in-one sound system, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a solid pick. And if you already own a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, you can even use the same remote to control the soundbar. Usually $249.99, it's on sale for $199.99 at Amazon as of March 4. That's 20% in savings.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (5th gen) Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot Kids $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

The fifth-generation Echo Dot Kids is identical to the latest-model Echo Dot, except it adds parental controls to keep things kid-friendly. For example, it filters out explicit content, only allows calls to specific contacts, and gives PG responses to questions — making it our favorite Echo device for kids. It comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+ as well, which is a digital subscription that gives kids access to interactive games, educational Alexa skills, kid-friendly audiobooks, bedtime stories, homework help, and more. It's only $44.99 as of March 4 — that's 25% off its usual cost at Amazon.

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor with kickstand $99.00 at Amazon
$149.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

No need to be confined to a measly laptop screen when you're working on the go. The ASUS ZenScreen allows you to bring an extra 15.6 inches of screen real estate with you wherever in a slim 10.5mm package. It plugs into your laptop's USB-C port, so you don't need to worry about charging it, and extends your workspace instantly. It even packs a built-in kickstand to make propping it up on any surface a breeze. Usually $149, you can slash $50 or 34% off as of March 4 at Amazon. That knocks it down to just $99, its lowest price on record.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Currently only $5 more than the basic Fire TV Stick HD, the 4K model is better in every way. As the name suggests, the Fire TV Stick 4K offers cinematic 4K Ultra HD, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and WiFi 6. It's powered by a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, which makes for faster app starts and more fluid navigation. And as a bonus, it also lets you play Xbox games now without a console. Regularly $49.99, it's down to just $29.99 at Amazon as of March 4. Save 40% for a limited time.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

PRE-ORDER NOW: On March 4, Apple dropped the new Apple iPad Air with M3 chip as well as the updated Apple iPad, now with an A16 chip. Both models are available for preorder and will ship on March 12.

Where to preorder the new iPad and iPad Air: The Apple Store Apple iPad Air 2025 Starting at $599 Pre-Order Here The Apple Store Apple iPad 2025 Starting at $349 Pre-Order Here The Apple Store Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air $269 at The Apple Store Shop Now

It's been less than a year since Apple debuted its 2024 iPad Air with M2 chip, and yet, they're already back with an upgraded model. On March 4, Apple introduced its latest model, the iPad Air with M3 chip. Apple CEO Tim Cook teased that a new product was coming earlier this week, and at Mashable we suspected it was the launch of the MacBook Air with M4 chip. However, it turns out we'll be waiting a little longer for that device.

However, this drop is more than just the iPad Air. The base iPad model, which hadn't seen an update since 2022, is finally getting a chip and storage upgrade, too. Both iPads are available now for preorder at The Apple Store, with plans to ship as soon as March 12.

The new iPad Air with M3 chip is a prime example of Apple doubling down on AI. With the upgraded chip, Apple Intelligence is being incorporated into every element of the tablet. In photos, users can now clean up unwanted distractions in the background. Plus, ChatGPT is built into Writing Tools and Siri, so users don't have to watch between applications. Apple seems to be getting around users privacy concerns with OpenAI. Users can use ChatGPT free and without an account, plus IP addresses are secured.

With all these new capabilities, the iPad Air might as well be a laptop. Apple thought of that and also delivered a new Magic Keyboard for both the 11- and 13-inch iPad Air models.

In addition to getting a new chip, the base Apple iPad, the most affordable model in the line-up, is also starting with double the storage. Now with an A16 chip, iPad users will notice a powerful boost in performance from the previous model's A14 chip. The 2022 model started at 64GB of storage, but the 2025 model now starts at 128GB of storage. However, it remains a great value, still starting at just $349.

Both the iPad and iPad Air are available for preorder now and will be released March 12.

Apple iPad 2025: Price and preorder details Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 2025 at The Apple Store
2025 iPad Air models starts at $599 Pre-Order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 2025 $349.00 at The Apple Store
2025 iPad models starts at $349. Pre-Order Here

SAVE $200: The Best Buy Drop of the Day for March 4 is the KitchenAid 5.5-quart Bowl Lift stand mixer for $199.99. That's more than 50% off its usual $449.99 when you buy it through the Best Buy app.

Opens in a new window Credit: KitchenAid KitchenAid 5.5-quart Bowl Lift stand mixer $199.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $250.00 via the Best Buy app Get Deal

Spring is inherently a motivational time for anyone who just can't do winter, arguably making it a better time than New Year's to start and stick to a new hobby.

If you're eyeing anything cooking related as your 2025 hobby, a KitchenAid mixer should definitely be in the mix. Best Buy's Drop of the day for March 4 just happens to be a Black Friday-worthy mixer deal: Get the $449.99 KitchenAid 5.5-quart bowl-lift stand mixer for $199.99. That's more than 50% off its usual $449.99 when you buy it through the Best Buy app. For reference, you'll be getting one of the most premium KitchenAid mixers for less than the Black Friday pricing of several smaller capacity mid-tier Artisan mixers.

SEE ALSO: Testing the Ninja Slushi by making a frozen version of every drink I can think of

To unlock this steal, all you have to do is check out in the "Drops" tab of the Best Buy mobile app. Drops only last for one day, but may be gone sooner than the official end of the day if inventory sells out — which it often does.

This particular KitchenAid has a bowl-lift design, which is sturdier and more ideal for large or thick batches than the less expensive tilt-head design. That durability also allows the bowl-lift models to harness double the power of the tilt-head ones, plus more flexibility when choosing a speed setting. If dough-intensive recipes like bagels or cinnamon rolls are high on your "to make from scratch" list, the bowl-lift is the way to go.

Past the mixer and stainless steel bowl, a dough hook, flat beater, and wire beater are also included with your purchase. There are a ton of attachments for KitchenAids, so consider putting your savings toward one of those. Think homemade pasta.

Scientists working to revive the woolly mammoth have accidentally created the cutest mice in the world. Introducing: the Colossal Woolly Mouse. I need at least 10 of these toasted marshmallows in my pocket right now.

Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences announced today that it has created almost 100 living cotton balls by genetically engineering mice to display cold adaptation traits similar to those in woolly mammoths. Such traits include fur which has been significantly altered in colour, texture, and thickness, as evidenced from the prodigious amount of fluff on these squeaky powder puffs.

SEE ALSO: These animals went extinct in 2023

Yet as cute as these critters are, the Colossal Woolly Mouse's aggressive adorableness wasn't the end goal. These mice are just the latest development in Colossal's quest to "de-extinct" the woolly mammoth. Crucially, the biotechnology company isn't resurrecting a woolly mammoth from a preserved woolly mammoth cell. Instead, Colossal intends to alter genes from the closely related Asian elephant to create a representative, or proxy, species.

How Colossal created the cutest mice to ever exist Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

To create the woolly mice, Colossal began by analysing 121 mammoth and elephant genomes, including those for Asian and African elephants. Comparing the genomes, the scientists identified the core mammoth genes which they believed were responsible for cold-adaptation traits such as fat metabolism and fur.

Colossal then refined this list to just 10 related genes related to fur and metabolising fat which were also compatible with mice, and used gene editing to modify seven of them in the rodents.

"Since there is more than 200 million years of genetic divergents from woolly mammoths to mice, we decided to look for similar pathways and edits in similar genes to ensure that the edits we were going to make in our our woolly mice would be compatible with life while driving the core genotype to phenotype relationships we were looking for," Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, told Mashable.

Fat little fuzzballs The Colossal Woolly Mouse and a normal mouse, next to the Colossal logo. Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

The woolly mouse's fluffy fur isn't the only alteration Colossal made. Genes associated with body weight and fat metabolism have also been edited in the mice to better mirror that in mammoths. These changes aren't as immediately observable as the satisfyingly spherical mice's fuzzy coats. Colossal's chief science officer Dr. Beth Shapiro told Mashable that they expect to have more information on the impact on the mice before the end of the year.

"We believe that these changes will impact fat metabolism in response to cold climates," said Shapiro. "These are experiments that will take some time, because we have to have age matched controls that we can feed different diets and explore behavioural responses to different temperatures."

Shapiro reports that all of the woolly mice are "happy and thriving," Colossal advising that the rotund clouds with feet are currently being cared for in a humane, secure facility. Lamm further noted that Colossal's gene editing hasn't had any unforeseen consequences on the mice thus far, "except for extreme cuteness which we did not intend for." 

Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

This reported clean bill of health extends to the woolly mice's reproductive systems, which Colossal says are fully intact and theoretically capable of creating even more of the fuzzballs. Even so, Colossal can't just allow these palm-sized pom poms to be fruitful and multiply — or at least not yet. The company is currently seeking approval to do so.

“[W]e have submitted to our external ethics panel a request for an amendment to our approved protocol so that we can allow them to breed, which will enable us to do the behavioural experiments to assess the impact of our edits in response to cold," said Lamm.

Even if Colossal does get approval, it's unlikely that any of us will ever have one of these tiny tribbles as a ridiculously cute pet. There's nothing stopping us from dreaming, though.

The mammoth task of de-extinction A diagram indicating that the creation of the Colossal Woolly Mouse involved editing genes related to a rough coat, curly hair, and lipid metabolism. Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

Genetically engineering miniature sheep for fairies wasn't Colossal Bioscience's main agenda. As adorable as the woolly mouse is, its creation is just a step in Colossal's larger goal of bringing back the woolly mammoth. 

Billing itself as "the world’s first and only de-extinction company," Colossal is working to modify existing animals to better resemble their extinct relatives, rather than attempt to clone long-gone species. In the case of the woolly mammoth, Colossal hopes to alter an Asian elephant's genome, as it is the pachyderm's closest living relative. 

The company aims to deliver its first woolly mammoth calf by the end of 2028, with Lamm stating that they're on track to have embryos ready in 2026 for a 22-month gestation period. Using mice allows Colossal to test its hypothesis and see the results of their experiments much more quickly, as the average gestation period of a mouse is around three weeks.

"The mouse is validation that our de-extinction pipeline — from genomic analysis, to mapping ancient DNA variants to physical traits, to engineering those genetic edits into an animal and observing the predicted changes — is successful," said Shapiro. 

Lamm notes that while Colossal is working on multiple parts of its woolly mammoth project in parallel, it's now mostly in the gene editing phase, having already successfully edited 25 genes in their Asian elephant cells.

"We currently expect to alter around 85 genes in the Asian elephant to de-extinct the core genes and cold-tolerant phenotypes but will know a better exact answer as we get closer to the completion of the project," said Lamm.

Skepticism about bringing back the woolly mammoth Two portrait images. On the left is a Colossal Woolly Mouse and a normal mouse being held in someone's gloved hands. On the right is a Colossal Woolly Mouse on someone's gloved hand. Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

Despite his and Shapiro's enthusiasm, there has been significant doubt amongst the scientific community regarding whether Colossal's ambition to revive extinct species is realistic or beneficial. Ethical concerns have also been raised, including fears that genetic editing could have an unintended detrimental impact on the health of the resultant animals. In 2015, Shapiro herself told NPR that gene editing tools would be better used to save current species than attempt to revive extinct ones, and that she "[didn't] want to see mammoths come back." 

Now a decade later, Shapiro appears to have changed her view, and hopes the apparent success of Colossal's woolly mouse project assuages at least some other people's concerns as well.

"[W]e only chose genes to edit that we already knew were compatible with healthy mice based on previous work and research," said Shapiro. "We carefully assessed the efficiency of our editing process and whether there were unintended edits before using cells to make living mice. And we’re doing everything we can to understand the potential impacts of our edits before we move to working with elephants."

Though she acknowledged that "there are always concerns about technologies that are new or not fully understood," Shapiro believes that it's also risky to shun these tools, or refuse to assess they can be used to protect endangered species.

"[I]t is clear that we need to be thinking of new ways to combat the extinction crisis underway today," Shapiro continued. "As we work toward the goal of a woolly mammoth, we will discover tools that are immediately useful to protect other species from becoming extinct… We can predict the outcome if we continue along the current path, and that is not an outcome that I want to see."

Why is reviving the woolly mammoth important? Credit: Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences

Though reviving the woolly mammoth is a mammoth task, Lamm and Shapiro claim that success would have a wider beneficial impact beyond just creating a close-representative of an extinct species. Lamm asserts that Colossal's work to de-extinct the woolly mammoth has already garnered increased attention and funding for the biodiversity crisis, and that all the technology the company creates is provided to its conservation partners. 

Shapiro further noted that woolly mammoths aerated soil, spread seeds, and removed snow, invigorating tundra ecosystems and increasing biodiversity. Even so, this is an incredibly distant benefit that currently seems unlikely to materialise before climate change threatens or destroys such habitats. It will be many years before Colossal is able to create and breed enough woolly mammoths to make such an impact, assuming this goal is ever achieved at all.

Instead, the greatest potential benefit to reviving the woolly mammoth is likely to be the inspiring impact such an accomplishment would have.

"The mammoth de-extinction project also provides a kind of moonshot goal that inspires people to come together and solve the hard problems that we need to solve in order to save other large megafauna (and smaller animals!) from becoming extinct," said Shapiro. "It’s also an optimistic story about biodiversity loss, at a time when we really need optimism."

We're still far from seeing the first genetically modified woolly mammoth calf take its first steps, and reasonable concerns remain about the endeavour. Yet regardless of your views on Colossal's woolly mammoth project, the need for more positivity and hope in the world is a sentiment most people can agree with.