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Parents typically prepare their children to encounter a variety of risks and dangers in life. Now online safety experts say caregivers need to urgently add another threat to that list: sextortion.

The problem isn't new. Bad actors have long pressured teens into sending them sexually explicit imagery, then blackmailed them with it. But online safety experts say evolving tactics and tools, like deepfake software, have made it easier to ruthlessly go after teens for sextortion.

A number of victims have died by suicide after being targeted for financial sextortion by perpetrators in organized criminal groups originating from Nigeria or Cote d'Ivoire. Victims who thought they were talking to another teen were relentlessly pressured to pay the scammer money, or else they'd make the explicit picture public.

Melissa Stroebel, vice president of research and insights at Thorn, a nonprofit organization that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse, urges parents to talk candidly and frequently to their children about how to stay safe as soon as they get online. This should include discussing sextortion in age-appropriate ways.

SEE ALSO: Explicit deepfakes are traumatic. How to deal with the pain.

Unfortunately, Stroebel and other online safety experts say parents can't rely alone on platforms to keep their children safe from sextortion. In fact, there are no guaranteed strategies to avoid becoming a target of sextortion.

Even if a teen encounters a predator or scammer but declines to send an explicit image of themselves, the perpetrator can steal a photo from their social media account and create an explicit deepfake of the victim, then threaten to send it to everyone they know. But Stroebel says there are ways to reduce the risk of sextortion and defend yourself if it happens.

"These are hard conversations to start…they feel a little bit uncomfortable, for a lot of different reasons," Stroebel says. "The reality is, we have to have those conversations way before the moment arises."

Discussions should be judgment-free and focus on red flags rather than unrealistic expectations of a child's online behavior, Stroebel says. Additionally, they should help a young person know how to respond if they're extorted, and feel confident they can tell their parent or another trusted adult.

How to talk to kids about sextortion

It's not easy for parents to imagine their child taking an explicit picture of themselves, then giving it to a stranger online. But Stroebel wants parents to understand that while it's important to honestly discuss the risks of sharing nudes, many tweens and teens do so, even if they've been warned more than once about it.

Young people online also aren't as skeptical of unknown users, particularly if they can see an account is connected to a friend or peer, according to Thorn's research. In their minds, a so-called stranger could quickly become a friend if they share the same interests and online contacts. In other words, lecturing them about "stranger danger" may likely feel out of touch or irrelevant.

Stroebel says that bad actors and predators may use fake accounts featuring a teen user to help gain a victim's trust. They take advantage of young people's openness and curiosity through flirtatious comments and direct messaging. It's not long before the bad actor sends their own alleged explicit photo or video and asks for one in exchange, or just requests one.

Parents shouldn't use shame to discourage their child from engaging in online conversations or image-sharing. Instead, they should suspend judgment while explaining the risks of trusting anyone online.

Stroebel adds that ongoing discussions about sextortion should let children know that "even if they did something that maybe we told them not to do, they feel confident that their best option is to come to us, rather than trying to handle these events on their own."

How common is sextortion?

In an effort to stop sextortion scams, Meta recently announced that it had removed 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria that attempted to financially extort victims. The scams were highly coordinated and relied partly on thousands of since-removed Facebook assets, like accounts, pages, and groups, that sold scripts and guides for how to scam people using collections of photos to populate fake accounts.

But international criminal groups aren't alone in their efforts to manipulate and trick young people online. Sex offenders and predators, who are primarily interested in collecting and distributing child sexual abuse material, extort youth as well. Sextortion threats can also come from someone the victim knows in person, including acquaintances, romantic partners, and exes.

A 2018 survey of middle and high school students estimated that 5 percent of respondents experienced sextortion prior to adulthood. That figure may be higher today. In 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received nearly 27,000 reports of financial sextortion, more than double the number in 2022.

While sextortion has historically affected girls and young women, boys and young men are increasingly targets of financial sextortion, according a recent Thorn report.

How to respond to sextortion

Parents should help their child develop a plan to anticipate and respond to a sextortion attempt, Stroebel says.

First, if they've been talking to an online contact they've never met in person, they shouldn't trust they're authentically a "friend of a friend" just because they they seem to be connected online. Instead, they should talk to the person they know in real life to learn more about how the new contact is connected and how long their friend has known them. If the trusted contact hasn't actually met the individual, it's very possible the account is fraudulent or has malicious intentions.

Stroebel notes that asking to speak directly to the individual, on a phone or video call, isn't a surefire way to verify their identity, either. She says that bad actors increasingly use a variety of technical tools to conceal their true identity.

Jared Barnhart, customer experience team lead for the digital investigative firm Cellebrite, recommends young users take a "zero trust" approach to encounters that feel off, or make a young person feel uncomfortable. Don't engage further with the individual in those circumstances.

Parents should help children understand that if they're extorted, the perpetrator may have a script designed to terrify them. This can include threatening to make the imagery go viral, appear on the news, and simply ruin the child's life.

These interactions are designed to be high-pressure, never giving the child a moment to stop, ask for help, or think of alternative solutions, Stroebel says.

That's why they need a list of exit strategies in advance, she adds. In addition to telling a trusted adult immediately if anything like this happens, this can include reporting sextortion to the platform on which it's occurring; blocking and/or reporting the individual; and contacting a hotline like 1-800-THELOST for help with sextortion. Thorn has a list of these and other critical steps on its website.

As much as a teen might want to delete the conversation and imagery, Barnhart says it's important to keep everything for a law enforcement investigation. The digital files can contain information that may identify the perpetrator, or details about them.

Barnhart recommends reporting sextortion to NCMEC's CyberTipline and to local law enforcement. While the authorities' response depends on their resources and training, Barnhart says that some local agencies are prepared to investigate sextortion cases.

While some parents might perceive the threat of sextortion as minimal compared to everyday risks like getting into a car, they should still prepare their child for the possibility.

"[Bad actors] can spend their entire workday essentially trolling the internet looking for your kid," Barnhart says. "It only takes them choosing your kid... and now your child is the victim. There's not an easy way to avoid it."

If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children. Or ask for help directly at contactgethelp@ncmec.org or 1-800-THE-LOST. For those located outside of the U.S., use the InHope hotline directory to find your local hotline.

You might have playlists loaded up with your favourite artists on Spotify or Apple, but how much do you know about how the song was made, and why it was made? And what was happening in the world for the artist to need to create that particular track, or that concert that became a cultural moment? 

Whether you’re joining recording sessions with Taylor Swift, WHAM!, Lady Gaga, BLACKPINK, or Keith Richards, or sitting in on rehearsals for Beyoncé’s iconic Coachella performance, getting to know the process and context of an artist whose work has valiantly soundtracked your own life is an act that takes the music itself even further, giving you a greater appreciation for the tracks in your pocket. That's where documentaries come in. At the very least, you’ll have something smug to tell your friends about next time you’re listening to a song.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best documentaries on Netflix

Netflix has a bunch of strong music documentaries, with some particularly standout films ready to stream, from Martin Scorsese's spin on the shape-shifting of Bob Dylan to the much-talked-about Miss Americana. Each comes practically brimming with music, along with behind-the-scenes interviews and footage of some of the most prolific artists of our time.

Without leaving your house, here’s your ticket to the best documentary films about music that you can find on Netflix, in no particular order…

1. WHAM!  Making the sun shine brighter than Doris Day. Credit: Netflix

Despite the fact that you'll probably have that infernal holiday earworm "Last Christmas" stuck in your head for a month after watching this doc on the '80s British pop super two-some consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, it's still worth the risk! The latter name being the best reason why — we've all heard Michael's story by now, but Sr. director Chris Smith finally gives "the other one" Ridgeley the focus he deserves as the co-songwriter on all the duo's hits.

With the '80s feeling further away with every passing year (not to mention every passing superstar of the time), this doc will send you right back to those heady days of pegged jeans and puffy stickers. That "Careless Whisper" sax solo for the win. — Jason Adams, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: WHAM! is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Homecoming Bow down. Credit: Netflix

When you think of landmark concert films of the last ten years, Homecoming immediately springs to mind. Directed, written, and executive produced by Beyoncé, the electrifying two-hour film captures the creation and performance of the superstar’s unforgettable 2018 Coachella set, putting you both behind the scenes and centre stage of this historic cultural moment.

Set on a now-iconic bespoke pyramid stage, Beyoncé’s set pays tribute to the creative spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and features special guest appearances by Destiny's Child, Jay-Z, and Solange. Bow down, indeed.

How to watch: Homecoming is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Hate To Love: Nickelback

Canadians have a reputation for being incredibly nice people. So, how did the Canadian rock group Nickelback go from being chart-topping hitmakers selling 50 million records to a much-loathed punchline in basically the span of a decade? Hate To Love, the 2023 doc from filmmaker Leigh Brooks, takes a look at the band's career and tries to answer that question. Ultimately, it really seems beyond the group's control; sure, they make generic music, but so do 90 percent of the mainstream artists out there. Nickelback's problem is they became a meme, and there's really no coming back from that. But hey, it could be worse. They're rich as hell, and at least they're not Creed! — J.A.

How to watch: Hate To Love: Nickelback is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Miss Americana "Miss Americana" is not just for fans. Credit: Netflix

Whether you're a fan of Taylor Swift or just curious about her meteoric rise to fame, Miss Americana allows you a rare peek into the pop superstar's life. Director Lana Wilson crafts an intimate portrait of Swift, through plenty of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, taking you into the songwriting sessions of her album Lover, backstage on the spectacular Reputation tour, through her relatively short journey from teen country singer to global superstar, through the sexual assault lawsuit she won against radio host David Mueller, and the breaking of her political silence.

But more than anything, the film makes plain that our loud opinion is the last thing that matters to Swift. As Mashable's Angie Han writes, "Maybe it's not the movie everyone wanted. Maybe this latest reinvention of Taylor Swift, this time as a woman who's comfortable enough in her power to wield it fully, isn't for everyone, either. But maybe, also, that's the idea: Swift, Miss Americana tells us, is done worrying about what everyone else thinks."

When you're done, watch the Reputation tour film on Netflix, knowing the story behind the scenes.* — S.C.

How to watch: Miss Americana is now streaming on Netflix.

5. ReMastered: Tricky Dick and the Man in Black

Co-directed by Sara Dosa and legendary documentarian Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA), this is a look back at the 1970 White House performance by country music firebrand Johnny Cash. The president at the time was none other than Richard M. Nixon, making this meeting the equivalent of spraying gasoline on a freshly lit fire. It's not hard to see in retrospect that these two gentlemen would never in a million years get along, so how the heck did this happen?

This was all Nixon's brilliant idea; he saw similarities in their poor childhoods and, more importantly, a possible political goldmine in associating himself with the God-fearing, down-home crowd that Cash represented. Cash is, of course, a far more complicated figure, and his sympathy for the underdogs and the downtrodden mixed with the horrors of the Vietnam War were at that moment in history reaching a boiling point. What happened when Cash walked into the White House that day makes for some truly combustible historical entertainment. – J.A.

How to watch: ReMastered: Tricky Dick and the Man in Black is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Rolling Thunder Revue  Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg visit Jack Kerouac's grave. Credit: Netflix

Half-real and half-phony just like the musician that inspired it, Martin Scorsese’s 2019 pseudo-documentary Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (which is its full title) puts actual footage of Bob Dylan’s 1975 tour through the Northwest and Canada alongside faked interviews and footage, and leaves it up to the viewer to discern which is what. Did Dylan really put on white face after seeing KISS perform? Was Sharon Stone really a groupie turned costumer in her teenage years?

Add to this the fact that most of the real footage from the tour was filmed by Dylan himself for a semi-fictional and unreleased film called Renaldo and Clara, which complicates the original confusion further. Like the best Dylan song, this Revue contains meta multitudes. — J.A.

How to watch: Rolling Thunder Revue is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Quincy "Quincy" moves through the decades of music alongside Jones' own life story. Credit: Arnold Turner / Getty Images for Netflix

Over 2,900 songs and over 300 albums recorded. 51 film and TV scores. Over 1,000 original compositions. 79 Grammy nominations and 27 wins. You get it, yet? Quincy Jones has been busy for the last 70 years. Created by his daughter Rashida Jones with Alan Hicks, Quincy examines the immense impact the record producer, arranger, and musician has had on music over the last seven decades. It’s mostly narrated by Quincy himself, with archival audio from famous friends like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra, alongside a treasure trove of home footage and new material.

It’s fascinating to watch just how much of the history of modern music Jones has been a part of, and how many "firsts" he achieved as a Black musician and producer in America. Quincy moves through the decades of music alongside Jones' own life story — he discovered music amongst a hard childhood on the South Side of Chicago during the Great Depression in the '30s, before diving into the be-bop scene in New York in the ‘50s. Then, he moved through pop, funk, jazz, and disco in the ‘70s and ‘80s in Los Angeles, and through the hip hip explosion in the ‘90s. Keep an eye out for the short but powerful heart-to-heart between Quincy and Kendrick Lamar.— S.C.

How to watch: Quincy is now streaming on Netflix.

8. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Party after party, scene after scene, cake after cake. Credit: Caesar Sebastian / Netflix

Superstar EDM artist Steve Aoki once played 300 shows in a single year, and that’s the breathless spirit this 2016 doc from filmmaker Justin Krook aims to capture.

The son of the Japanese wrestler turned Benihana restaurant entrepreneur Rocky Aoki, Steve gives more than a hint that his entire propulsive career has been a rebuke to his father’s lackluster parenting skills. But the lulls between the chaos come few and far between — much like Aoki's life and much like he seems to prefer it. Like the documentary's title suggests, this is party after party, scene after scene, and cake after cake after cake smashed in his fans' eager faces, with sleep rendered an extreme afterthought. — J.A.

How to watch: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell Biggie with 50 Grand. Credit: George DuBose

A compelling, personal portrait of one of the greatest rappers of all time, Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell is an intimate look at the life of Christopher Wallace, AKA The Notorious B.I.G., whose death at 24 years old has also become the stuff of legend. But although the film starts at a tragic end, it actually concentrates more on Wallace's life through those who really knew him.

Directed by Emmett Malloy and made in collaboration with Biggie's estate, the documentary features a huge amount of backstage, onstage, and on-the-road footage filmed by his best friend Damion "D-Roc" Butler, alongside interviews with family, including his wife Faith Evans, mother Violetta Wallace, grandmother Gwendolyn Wallace, uncle Dave Wallace, and friends from both childhood and later years. It was co-executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, who also appears. Especially unique to this documentary is the short time spent on Wallace's visits to family in Jamaica, and unexpected musical influences — interviews with his neighbour, saxophonist Donald Harrison, about the impact of bebop and jazz on his rap techniques are a treat. — S.C.

How to watch: Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl It's your perogative to watch this. Credit: Jim Bennett / Getty Images

She’s still the one we run to! Taking a page from the book of Tina Turner is never a bad idea, and country/pop superstar Shania Twain seems to've lifted the best page of all, having moved to a gorgeous house set against the majestic scenery of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. That’s where she’s mainly interviewed for this 2022 doc on her career, and where she talks about many of such influences — the earliest being Dolly Parton, because of course. Still holding the title of the best-selling studio album by a solo female artist ever for Come On Over in 1997 (it’s the ninth best-selling album of all time), Shania, smart, grounded, and funny, still impresses us much. — J.A.

How to watch: Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl is now streaming on Netflix.

11. What Happened, Miss Simone? Nina Simone's life was not an easy one. Credit: Netflix

What do you know about Nina Simone? You’re about to learn a lot in this exceptional documentary about the singer, classical pianist, and Black Power activist, whose life was no easy path.

Directed by Liz Garbus and tightly woven with Simone's music, What Happened, Miss Simone? examines the star’s public career and private life, her childhood in segregated North Carolina, her survival of domestic abuse, her struggle with addiction, the experience of living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, revelations of abuse against her daughter, and her role in the civil rights movement and its impact on her career. This Best Documentary nominee will leave you with a complex picture of Miss Simone, and a thorough understanding of the impact of a song like "Mississippi Goddamn" on the music industry, on society, and on the artist herself. — S.C.

How to watch: What Happened Miss Simone? is now streaming on Netflix.

12. The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir Credit: Netflix

"You have to see it to see it," says Bob Weir, famed guitarist for legendary jam-band The Grateful Dead. And he’s not wrong — this 2014 doc from director Mike Fleiss (God Bless Ozzy Osbourne) trains its lens on the less famous member of the famous outfit in order to chart a lesser known voyage through rock history, and unearths all sorts of hidden gems from the road that was.

Running in at just 85 minutes, the film might be shorter than some of the Dead’s guitar solos, but it manages to capture that certain something that kept people coming back, and back, and back to the band for decades. Memories that are probably otherwise lost to many of the people who experienced it! — J.A.

How to watch: The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir is now streaming on Netflix.

13. BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky How much do you actually know about BLACKPINK? Credit: Netflix

You might have watched their videos, seen them live, or just watched this superstar K-pop group smash records all over the joint, but how much do you actually know about BLACKPINK? Directed by Caroline Suh, Light Up the Sky is a fascinating, fun, and sincere portrait of one of the biggest groups in the world right now.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2023 (so far)

Amid behind-the-scenes footage of early auditions, childhood home movies, recording sessions, and touring, including that historic Coachella performance, the documentary sits you down with Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie, and Rosé, the four members of YG Entertainment's wildly popular South Korean girl group. These frank solo interviews, along with their heartfelt reflections on each other's roles in the group, give insight into these talented, determined young women who worked incredibly hard for years in YG's rigorous training program, debuting with chart-smashing single "Whistle," and building their meteoric rise to fame (with all the perfectionist pressure that comes with it). — S.C.

How to watch: BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Duran Duran: There's Something You Should Know

Dubbed "Birmingham’s peacocks" by none other than Boy George himself, the members of Duran Duran strutted their way to enormous stadium-filling fame in the 1980s. Led by their sneeringly sexy frontman Simon Le Bon, this fab foursome from England — who took their name from the movie Barbarella, of all places — blew up the New Romantic scene thanks to their unforgettable made-for-MTV videos. Hits like "Girls on Film," "Rio," and "Hungry Like the Wolf" ended up defining the era. This 2018 doc from director Zoe Dobson watches as the boys, here in their sixties, look back on their career album by album, still peacocking as much as ever. — J.A. 

How to watch: Duran Duran: There's Something You Should Know is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Halftime J-Lo fans, assemble. Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez has been entertaining us for decades, so you should take a second for Halftime. The documentary is focused on Lopez's SuperBowl halftime show with Shakira (and her daughter Emme) in 2020 that made a public statement about the border crisis, but also takes in the artist's career over the decades, from her beginnings in the '90s as a Fly Girl on In Living Colour to her incredible performance as pop star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the lauded biopic, to her Grammy-winning music career and its eras, to her critically acclaimed and Golden Globe nominated role in Hustlers.

Directed by Amanda Micheli and edited by Carol Martori, Lopez maintains full control in this documentary, having not always felt this way across her career and speaking at length about being underestimated and not taken seriously. Halftime brings the receipts too, showing the unbridled racism and sexism she's endured from the press and entertainment industry. Despite it all, Lopez continues to kick every goal.

How to watch: Halftime is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of our Lives An idealized portrait but fascinating nonetheless. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

A hagiography can be just what the doctor ordered sometimes, when the subject demands such respect. And when it comes to the music industry, the legendary producer Clive Davis – the man behind Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, Alicia Keys, and his right-hand lady Whitney Houston, just to get us started — warrants a good old fashioned love-fest.

By all accounts a decent man (at least by all the accounts that they put on the screen here) blessed with a "golden ear", Davis knew how to find and nurture talent and take them to the top of the charts time and time and time again. And his story will make you long for the simplicity of his old-fashioned, personal, one-on-one approach, when everything wasn’t quite so soullessly corporate. — J.A.

How to watch: Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now A powerful portrait. Credit: Netflix

Scotland's celebrated and Grammy-nominated purveyor of fine sad songs, Lewis Capaldi's natural charm, candour, and signature cheeky humour make this documentary both an absolute treat and a deeply moving portrait. Directed by Joe Pearlman, How I'm Feeling Now checks in with Capaldi in Whitburn, Scotland, with 15 billion streams and sold out shows in 36 countries under his belt. He's writing his second album in his parents' shed, the follow-up to his incredibly successful debut Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, amid varying lockdowns around the world. Between reflections on fame, writing, and performing, the documentary paints a wonderful picture of Capaldi in his hometown; you'll meet Capaldi's parents, family, and friends, paired with plenty of sweet home movies and studio session recordings brimming with pure talent.

Notably, having filmed with Capaldi during his experience with anxiety, ticks, and being diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, Pearlman's documentary is an emotional, vulnerable, and powerful journey through some of the most challenging times in the artist's past few years. It's something Capaldi commented on after the film was released. "I didn’t realise how much my anxiety and Tourette's was taking over my life until I watched [the footage] back," he told The Independent. "When I saw the first draft, it was so depressing, I was surprised I didn’t die at the end! I mean, there’s always the sequel."

How to watch: Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Barbra: The Music The Mem'ries The Magic Barbra! Credit: Steve Jennings / WireImage for BSB

It's Barbra doing what Barbra does best: belting out big music while running a single fingernail through her hair. This concert film from Streisand’s 2015 string of nine shows was filmed in Miami and the Golden Girls vibes are strong with her shimmery black pantsuit and string of special guest stars. We see a little backstage footage — hey there’s James Brolin, hey there’s her pampered pup — but mostly it’s just Barbra hitting the stage, beginning right off the bat with “The Way We Were” and not stopping the hit parade for nearly two straight hours. She tells some stories, she disco-dances, she says she’s on a diet but she wants the ice cream anyway. It’s all the hits! — J.A.

How to watch: Barbra: The Music The Mem’ries The Magic is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Gaga: Five Foot Two Essential viewing for Gaga fans. Credit: Netflix

Head into the studio with Lady Gaga amid the making of her fifth album, Joanne, in this characteristically raw, compelling documentary released in 2017 — before the "Shallow" madness, though there’s a lovely fleeting moment when she gets the part in A Star Is Born in there, too. ahs

Directed by Chris Moukarbel, Gaga: Five Foot Two follows the superstar during the recording of her album with Mark Ronson (and for one excellent minute, "Hey Girl" collaborator Florence Welsh), and ahead of her Super Bowl halftime performance, all peppered with a stream of reflections on love, work, and self-confidence — all while living with chronic pain. But as Joanne is an album inspired by the death of her aunt Joanne, it also fittingly offers some moving glimpses into her family life.

How to watch: Gaga: Five Foot Two is now streaming on Netflix.

20. Keith Richards: Under the Influence Keith Richards: a happier bullshitter you will never see. Credit: Jane Rose / Netflix

In Metric’s song "Gimme Sympathy," the band asks the question: "Who would you rather be / The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?" Would you rather burn big and bright and fast, or long and steady, perhaps past your moment? This 2015 doc on Stones guitarist Keith Richards makes a good case for the latter.

Watching Richards in the process of making his first solo record in several decades, Under the Influence (directed by 20 Feet From Stardom director Morgan Neville) is mainly just for Stones fans — thankfully, that’s a not small percentage of the population. Richards more than lives up to his status as the hard-living rock star with a parade of well-worn tales entertainingly re-told — five decades into his career and a happier bullshitter you will never see. Did Richards ever tell you about the time Chuck Berry famously popped him one? "I was one of Chuck’s greatest hits," he laughs. — J.A.

How to watch: Keith Richards: Under the Influence is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You Ariana Grande's "Sweetener World Tour" at The O2 Arena on Aug. 17, 2019 in London. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for AG

Released during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, this one was a shining light for live music fans missing concerts at the time — and it remains a gorgeous example of how to film a live show. Shot at London's O2 Arena for Netflix during Ariana Grande's 2019 Sweetener World Tour, Excuse Me, I Love You is the concert film that'll remind you of those large-scale collective scream sessions many of us used to indulge in. As Mashable's Rachel Thompson writes, the film is "a love letter to the Time Before. A time when singers pointed their mics to packed arenas, giggling as ecstatic crowds chanted back their lyrics word for word. A time when we'd throw our arms in the air and yell "encore" before pouring our weary bodies onto the last train home."

Featuring pitch-perfect performances of tracks from Grande's hit-heavy albums including thank u, next, Dangerous Woman, and of course, Sweetener, the film also throws in some fun footage of Grande with her crew on the road.

How to watch: Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You is now streaming on Netflix.

22. The Greatest Night in Pop

Following the creation of the gargantuan 1985 charity single "We Are the World" from conception to total chart dominance, this 2024 doc from director Bao Nguyen takes us behind that inescapable music. Along the way, we get also get a peek at the massive musician egos that had to get in sync to make it happen. It's sweaty, riveting, and funny stuff. (So sweaty!)

The film mainly focuses on footage of the epic recording session that happened on the night of January 28th, 1985. Quincy Jones and co-writers Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie pounded out their ear-worm tune, then used their influence to strong-arm the singing roster — which included Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Bob Dylan, and many, many more — into spending their night making the world a better place. Promo and merch for the song, which was unavoidable that year, has ultimately raised over 80 million dollars for African famine relief. — J.A.

How to watch: The Greatest Night in Pop is now streaming on Netflix.

23. It's Only Life After All

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, better known as the Indigo Girls, began making music together as teens in Decatur, Georgia. Since releasing their first full-length album in 1987, they've been working together steadily and successfully for over forty years. Their songwriting prowess is second only to their frank political passion and acoustic guitar skills.

Director Alexandria Bombach somehow managed to whittle 1,000 hours of footage (!!!!) down into two fleeting hours — including home movies and present-day interviews — illustrating how (and perhaps more importantly, why) these mavericks gathered a profoundly loyal following that rivals that of the Grateful Dead. This doc will have you feeling much, much closer to fine. — J.A.

How to watch: It's Only Life After All is now streaming on Netflix.

24. The Black Godfather Credit: Netflix

"Life is about numbers. Nothing else." That was one of the catchphrases of Clarence Avant, the music executive who ultimately proved his catchphrase's truth through the sheer number of legends that director Reginald Hudlin was able to corral for this 2019 doc.

And it's not just iconic musicians like Bill Withers, Quincy Jones, Clive Davis, and Lionel Richie who speak glowingly about Avant's influence on their lives; it's politicians like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris too, since Avant was also a massive Democratic fundraiser. The footprint that Avant left on culture — he passed away in 2023 at the ripe young age of 92 — is immeasurable. This doc proves to be a vital portrait of a person who worked behind the scenes to actualize real and lasting change in the world. — J.A. 

How to watch: The Black Godfather is now streaming on Netflix.

25. Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

Sure, maybe it's weird to have various sound effects that come to mind when people hear your name, but Hans Zimmer doesn't give a "BRAAAM!" In case you're curious, that's the infamous sound from his score for Christopher Nolan's Inception, and it's become something of an aural meme. The German composer has been Nolan's go-to guy since The Dark Knight; he's also composed scores for everything from Twister and Cool Runnings to Rain Man (which won him his first Oscar nomination) and Dune: Part One (which got him his second Oscar). His career stretches all the way back to Stephen Frears' classic 1985 gay romance My Beautiful Laundrette, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, for goodness' sake. He was even in the first music video MTV ever aired!

Zimmer is very nearly as celebrated and iconic a cinematic sound-man as John Williams himself, and this hour-long doc does a grand job peering into his colorful and atypical process. And that's no "BRAAAM." — J.A.

How to watch: Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel is now streaming on Netflix.

UPDATE: Aug. 1, 2024, 6:02 p.m. UTC This list was originally published on Sept. 4, 2020. It has been updated to reflect the current streaming options.

Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Netflix Watch Now

The Times found an active trade in Nvidia chips in China despite U.S. national security restrictions, as well as unreported incidents of how the technology had been used to further defense research.

The U.S. is trying to stop China from getting Nvidia microchips to advance its military. The private sector is fighting back.

TL;DR: Get The 2024 Guitar Lessons Training Bundle for only £11.69 — a 96% discount only available through Aug. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dan Dresnok The 2024 Guitar Lessons Training Bundle £11.69 at the Mashable Shop
£374.83 Save £363.14 Get Deal

Playing guitar might look easy, but learning it can be a challenge. Trying to struggle through it on your own is a great way to turn a little mistake into a bad habit. Instead, try professional online guitar lessons from musician Dan Dresnok. This bundle of online guitar lessons might strike a chord while it's priced at just £11.69. 

Enjoy 77 hours of guitar training available for life 

This guitar bundle starts at the beginning, so don’t worry if you’re still learning the basics. There are courses for everything from finger placement to ear training, but if you’re still brand-new, you may want to hop into Guitar Lessons for the Curious Guitarist. This 30-hour intro shows you how to name notes, find chords, play solos, and strum to different patterns. It even has 10 guided guitar play-along videos to practice with.

Once you have the basics down, you can try the advanced course: Guitar Jam Method. That’s where you practice combining chords, your rhythm, and a lot more. 

When you’re ready to play some real music, this bundle has courses to show you the basics of blues, jazz, and other genres. There’s even a course just for children’s songs.

It might take some time to master the guitar, but don’t fret. All course materials are available for life. You decide how long you’re going to practice, whether you just want to strum along a few minutes a day or cram until you can really jam. 

Guitar lessons you can access online 

Don’t put off learning to play guitar because you can’t find a good teacher. These online guitar lessons give you everything you need to master this instrument — except the guitar itself, of course.

Get this guitar lessons training bundle while it’s on sale for £11.69 (reg. £374.83). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream the men's 400m final at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're expecting Paris 2024 to deliver some great athletics, with superhumans from all around the world competing for the chance of a gold medal. The finals are fast approaching, including the Men's 400m. It's set to be an incredibly entertaining race, and definitely one you'll want to watch.

If you want to watch the men's 400m final at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep on reading because we have all the information you need.

When is the 400m final at Paris 2024?

The men's 400m final at Paris 2024 takes place at 3:20 p.m. ET on Aug. 7. The event is hosted by the Stade de France.

How to watch the 400m final at Paris 2024 for free

The men's 400m final at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

While BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, anyone can access this streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the men's 400m final at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream men's 400m final at Paris 2024 (plus all the events that follow) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the men's 400m final at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for August 4's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 2 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Beneath.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LOWER.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 4

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In glove

The hint for the theme is that the words are a handful.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to parts of the hand.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is OnHand.

NYT Strands word list for August 4

• Cuticle

• Nail

• Middle

• Pointer

• Palm

• Ring

• Thumb

• OnHand

• Pinky

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 4's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Nicknames for kids

• Green: Wanna go out

• Blue: Doubled-up letters

• Purple: The sea

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

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

• Yellow: Kiddo

• Green: Up for It

• Blue: Beginning with Double Letters

• Purple: Nicknames for the Sea, with "The"

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #420 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kiddo: BUDDY, CHAMP, SPORT, TIGER

• Up for It: AMENABLE, DOWN, GAME, WILLING

• Beginning with Double Letters: AARDVARK, EERIE, LLAMA, OOZE

• Nicknames for the Sea, with "The": BLUE, BRINY, DEEP, DRINK

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

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

The head of Samsung apparently agrees with the online criticisms regarding the company's "Apple clones."

According to a new report from Korean news outlet Ajunews, Samsung's executive chairman Lee Jae-yong was unhappy with Samsung's mobile division, Samsung MX (Mobile eXperience), due to reactions on social media and in tech news outlets regarding the designs of Samsung's newest products.

Samsung's chairman reportedly demanded the division "reeexamine its plans" following online criticism that the designs of the company's newest devices look like Apple copies.

“The chairman (Lee) himself stepped in after the controversy over Apple's design plagiarism and quality issues surrounding the Buds 3 series and Galaxy Watch 7 released last month," an insider reportedly told the outlet. "The internal atmosphere is currently very bad.”

The report goes on to say that unspecific actions were taken against the head of Samsung MX as well as other employees in the company's mobile division.

SEE ALSO: I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days — and it upstaged my Apple Watch Series 9 Samsung's 'Apple clones'

Samsung was hit with a wave of criticism last month following its big annual Galaxy Unpacked event. Alongside its newest smartphones, the consumer electronics giant also announced two new products: the Galaxy Watch Ultra smartwatch and its new line of earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 series.

However, the celebratory Galaxy Unpacked event quickly turned negative online as smartphone reviewers, tech commentators, and even Samsung fans noted the uninspired Apple-like designs of the smartwatch and earbuds.

"Today was a huge L for Samsung," said Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs, a popular tech review channel on YouTube. "Watch Ultra is the most shameless copy of an Apple product in ages — and it’s hideous."

Tweet may have been deleted

"To see Samsung just release a bunch of Apple clones is disheartening," Apple Insider's Andrew O'Hara said following the event. "It’s boring and a massive fail compared to where Samsung used to be."

According to the Ajunews report, these criticisms were even heard among reporters who attended a media briefing held at the company's flagship Samsung Store in Seoul. Reporters that attended "constantly talked about Samsung's new devices looking exactly the same as Apple's" according to the report.

Recently published reviews of Samsung's newest products also can't help but mention the Apple-like design.

"Samsung built an Apple Watch Ultra of its own" reads the headline of Bloomberg's review. 

The Verge went with "If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em" for its own Galaxy Watch Ultra review, while noting how "disappointing" it was to see Samsung copy Apple in this way.

It's very likely that the next iteration of Samsung's Galaxy Ultra  smartwatch and wireless earbuds will look very different from the Apple clones that are out now. But, until then, Samsung is stuck with hearing the accusations that they copied one of their biggest competitors.

The start of August hasn't been great for Jimmy Donaldson a.k.a., MrBeast, as several participants from his upcoming Amazon MGM studios game show Beast Games, have accused the YouTube star of unsafe, borderline negligent filming conditions.

In a striking report from The New York Times, several contestants spoke with the outlet about the severe mismanagement of the show's production. These allegations include statements about the lack of food provided, inadequate medical care, and physical injuries contestants suffered competing in tasks for the show.

SEE ALSO: YouTube's war on ad blockers continues, now making ads truly unskippable

The first round of filming of the reality show took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where close to 2,000 participants gathered to compete for a grand prize of $5 million. Contestants ate, slept, and generally lived in the stadium during filming and had to give up their food, clothes, and — oddly — medication to staff.

Meals were described as tiny, with staff serving cold oatmeal, raw veggies, and a hard-boiled egg to participants. The only other type of food contestants were given was MrBeast-branded Feastable chocolate bars. Medicine that was handed over to staff was hard to get back promptly, with one participant claiming to have gone days without needed insulin. When another contestant told staff they needed to eat with their medication, they claimed that staff members were dismissive and reluctantly gave them "half a banana."

Several of the complaints given to the New York Times included sleep deprivation due to having to film at night, and having to sleep on the turf of the sun-soaked Las Vegas stadium during the day. Women who competed during the event also alleged sexism that caused some not to get underwear while menstruating because menstruation was said to be "not a medical emergency."

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about MrBeast's Prime Video game show

It was made clear during the report that anonymous contestants felt that the production team was not adequately prepared for the number of participants included in the event. In fact, from the start, several felt misled as many were told the initial number of contestants would be near 1,000. But according to an introductory video by Donaldson, the YouTube star claimed to have always intended to have 2,000 and then cut it down to half for the actual show.

"The MrBeast promotional video shoot, which included over 2,000 participants, was unfortunately complicated by the CrowdStrike incident, extreme weather, and other unexpected logistical and communications issues, which we are currently reviewing," said a MrBeast representative to the New York Times. "But we are grateful that virtually all of those invited to Toronto for our next production have enthusiastically accepted our invitation."

Mashable reached out to representatives for MrBeast and will update if we hear back.

Generative AI is in a bit of a hype bubble in the tech industry right now. As such, new and potentially interesting AI tools are regularly popping up, inviting everyday users to try out the latest new AI software.

However, just because AI is big right now, doesn't mean every AI tool that users come across is legitimate. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Bad actors regularly look to take advantage of whatever is popular at the moment. And the current AI trend makes potential AI consumers particularly vulnerable to hackers and scammers. 

SEE ALSO: Android users, beware! Text message stealing malware is targeting smartphones to gain access to users' data

Case in point, a new report from Trend Micro has found that bad actors are utilizing a tried and true method of weaponizing Facebook ads to lure AI users into downloading malware disguised as AI photo editing tools.

Malware hiding as AI software

Mashable has previously reported on how online criminals utilize hacked Facebook pages in order to scam victims. 

Scammers have used these Facebook ads to advertise products that they never send to buyers. Hackers have rebranded stolen Facebook pages to look like official accounts from companies like Google and even Facebook parent company Meta itself in order to trick users into downloading malware.

Bad actors are now updating this strategy and posing as AI image-editing tools to spread malware.

SEE ALSO: [Update: Meta responds] Scammers are using Meta's copyright takedown tool against influencers

According to the Trend Micro report, scammers are tricking page owners into handing over their login credentials through basic phishing campaigns. Once the scammers have access to an already established account, they rebrand the Facebook Page as an AI photo editing tool. In the case analyzed by Trend Micro, the scammers posed as Evoto, a real AI photo editing tool.

After rebranding the stolen pages as Evoto, the scammers then began running paid Facebook ads through those pages, sending users to a fake website where users could supposedly download the AI photo editing tool. Of course, the target isn't downloading AI software. In this case, the unaware victim is downloading endpoint management software which gives the attacker remote access to their device. From there, the hacker can steal the user's login credentials as well as other sensitive data.

Social media users should proceed with caution when it comes to any unknown downloadable software being promoted via advertisements on a platform. They could very well be malware in disguise.

Game Informer magazine, the gaming magazine with a publishing history spanning more than three decades, has evidently been shut down by its parent company, the brick-and-mortar video game chain and meme stock GameStop.

"After 33 thrilling years of bringing you the latest news, reviews, and insights from the ever-evolving world of gaming, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Game Informer," reads a statement posted on Game Informer's website and X account on Friday.

Tweet may have been deleted

"While our presses may stop, the passion for gaming that we've cultivated together will continue to live on," the statement continued.

SEE ALSO: 'Dumb Money' review: GameStop comedy tries and fails to be 'The Social Network'

However, along with the end of the longest running U.S. gaming print magazine, another aspect of Game Informer that won't live on is the video game publication's entire digital archive. The GameInformer.com domain name now forwards to a landing page which only displays the shut down announcement. All of the Game Informer website's internal links now also forward to the same page meaning previously published news articles, reviews, and other content can no longer be viewed.

Lost digital archives are becoming much too common

According to ex-Game Informer content director Kyle Hilliard, the magazine was more than halfway done with its next issue when it received the news that its parent company was shutting it down.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Game Informer has been closed down by GameStop and the entire, incredibly talented staff (including myself) have all been laid off," Hilliard posted on X on Friday.

The sudden decision to kill off the gaming magazine, which GameStop acquired in 2000, clearly caught Game Informer's employees off guard. As a result, employees likely did not have a chance to archive their own work before the company took the content on its website offline.

Unfortunately, the shutdown and removal of online archives is becoming all too common in the digital media industry as a whole, resulting in content being lost to time. Most recently, Paramount decided to take down the MTV News website along with its digital archives more than a year after the news organization shut down. Reporters as well as fans of the organization lamented the loss of years of interviews and other MTV news-related content. And while the Internet Archive likely has a good amount of Game Informer's content archived, Internet Archive documents are typically incomplete snapshots of the originals, with altered formatting and missing elements.

GameStop has struggled in recent years to keep up with the change within the video game industry from physical to digital media. While the meme stock craze in 2021 helped keep it afloat, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen recently called for "extreme frugality" as its troubles continue.

Mashable reached out to GameStop for confirmation that the archive is gone, and to ask if there were plans to make it available at any point. We will update if we hear back.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 3 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 3

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, August 3, 2024:

AcrossWith 1-Down, 2024 album in which Beyoncé is "reinventing American music in her own image," per Rolling Stone

• The answer is Cowboy.

Sewer entrance

• The answer is Manhole.

Brand that coined color names like Purple Pizzazz and Jazzberry Jam

• The answer is Crayola.

Lawyer: Abbr.

• The answer is ATT.

Baby fox or skunk

• The answer is Kit.

Dwellings made from animal hides

• The answer is Teepees.

Pours down

• The answer is Pours Down.

Size between small and large: Abbr.

• The answer is Med.

DownSee 1-Across

• The answer is Carter.

Like gymnasts and relay racers, at the Olympics

• The answer is On a team.

"How come?"

• The answer is Why.

One of a pair on a shelf

• The answer is Book end.

Simple skateboard tricks

• The answer is Ollies.

Poet William Butler ___

• The answer is Yeats.

Exam for a future doc

• The answer is MCAT.

Eight slices of pizza, typically

• The answer is Pie.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

TL;DR: Hurry and get the 2-in-1 keychain wireless charger for your Apple Watch and other devices while it's $16.97 through August 4 and stay powered up wherever you go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shenzhen Centralspot Innovation 2-in-1 Keychain Wireless Charger for Apple Watch w/ Additional USB-C Charging Port $16.97 at The Mashable Shop
$25.99 Save $9.02 Get Deal

Ever had your Apple Watch die right when you needed it most? Meet the 2-in-1 keychain wireless charger, the tiny gadget you can keep on you so you're never caught powerless again. Compact and incredibly handy, this charger fits right on your keyring, ready to keep your watch and other gadgets juiced up wherever your adventures take you.

Get the 2-in-1 keychain wireless charger for your Apple Watch and other devices on sale for just $16.97 (reg. $25.99) through August 4 and stay powered up wherever you go.

This sleek black keychain is more than just a stylish accessory. It doubles as a wireless charger for any generation Apple Watch and an emergency power bank for other devices with a USB-C port, making it perfect for those on the go. Whether you're running errands, traveling, or just out and about, you can keep your devices charged without the hassle of carrying bulky cables and adapters.

Simply place your device on the charger for a quick power boost, or use the USB port for wired charging when necessary.

Imagine the freedom of never having to worry about a dead battery again. With this keychain charger, you're always prepared. Its modern design and practical functionality make it a must-have gadget for tech enthusiasts and busy professionals alike.

Until August 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the 2-in-1 keychain wireless charger for your Apple Watch for just $16.97 (reg. $25).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Prep your summer meals with help from a Seido 8-piece Japanese Knife Set, on sale for $109.97 (reg. $429) until August 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Seido Knives Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set w Gift Box $109.97 at The Mashable Shop
$429.00 Save $319.03 Get Deal

Throwing a backyard bash this summer? Whip up all your party favorites with help from a Japanese knife set designed to cut through meats, fruits, veggies, and more with ease.

Take advantage of a major discount on an eight-piece Seido set with a gift box going for $109.97 (reg. $429) through August 4.

The Seido Japanese Master Chef Knife Set includes eight expertly crafted pieces designed for precision and versatility in the kitchen. With high-carbon stainless steel blades, each knife ensures sharpness and durability, making them capable of handling a variety of foods. Ergonomically designed handles provide a comfortable grip, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use.

Most Western-style knives typically feature edge angles of around 25 degrees, which provides a durable but relatively thicker cutting edge. In contrast, Seido Japanese knives are crafted with a more acute 15-degree edge angle. This sharper angle results in a noticeably finer cutting face, allowing for precision slicing and cleaner cuts. The acute angle enhances the knife's ability to effortlessly glide through ingredients, making tasks such as chopping vegetables, filleting fish, and slicing meat much easier and more efficient. This design choice reflects traditional Japanese knife-making techniques, emphasizing sharpness and precision.

What's in this knife set?

• 8-inch chef's knife

• 7-inch Santoku knife

• 8-inch bread knife

• 5-inch utility knife

• 3.5-inch paring knife

• Kitchen shears

• Honing rod

• Stylish wooden block for organized storage

Meticulously balanced, each knife offers optimal control and performance. This makes the set an ideal gift for culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs alike, especially with its elegant gift box — which also works as a way to store them.

Act fast before this deal on a Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set and gift box for $109.97 ends on August 4.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Pack light for your next trip with a 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad — a folding charging station with three wireless charging pads — on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99). 

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad $26.97 at The Mashable Shop
$69.99 Save $43.02 Get Deal

One dead battery in an airport is stressful. Two dead batteries is an emergency. Three is an event. Don't worry, you don't actually need to duke it out for three separate outlets to recharge. Just pop the three-in-one Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad out of your pocket and plug it in for quick and easy charging for three devices. 

Pack light for your next trip with a convenient 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad — a folding charging station with three wireless charging pads — on sale for $26.97 (reg. $69.99). 

Fold it up, charge your stuff on the go

Folded up, this wireless charger is about the size of a wallet. Unfolded, it's about nine inches long, and you can also snap it into a pyramid to work as a charging phone stand. 

This charging pad is compatible with a range of smartphones, headphones, and watches. It delivers a maximum power of 15W for phones, 5W for earbuds, and 2.5W for compatible smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

The phone charger can connect magnetically to iPhone models 12, 13, 14, and later, but the charger itself works all the way back through the iPhone 11 series. Apple Watches from the Series 2 on can power up on the watch charger, but this charging station doesn't support Samsung watches. Use the earbud charger for your AirPods or any other Qi-enabled device like Samsung Galaxy phones. 

Pack light and charge fast

Low batteries don't have to be part of your travel plans anymore. Get the 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad on sale for $26.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

It doesn't have the name recognition of Halley's Comet, but this enormous snowball zipping through space has fascinated at least one astronomer night after summer night for its shape-shifting tail. 

Dan Bartlett, an astrophotographer based in east-central California, caught Comet Olbers zigzagging across the night sky this week. But each time he looks up through binoculars or his camera, the comet takes a different form.

"This is the first time we've been able to witness this creature's behavior with modern day technology," Bartlett told Mashable. "And what a creature this comet has been." 

Comet experts say while the sharp kink in Olbers' tail may look strange to the average eye, the cause of its jagged appearance is a well-understood phenomenon. 

SEE ALSO: Astronaut snaps strange iridescent clouds at the edge of space

Comets are enormous balls of ice, dust, and rock that formed in the outer solar system, left over from the early days of planet formation about 4.6 billion years ago, according to NASA. Their ice starts to disintegrate as they get closer to the sun, converting instantly from a solid to a gas, skipping over the liquid phase. That process creates their signature tails, millions-of-miles-long trails of debris.

Hundreds of years ago, people considered comets bad omens. Today, scientists know these icy bodies as time capsules of the ancient solar system. Some astronomers believe comets brought water and organic compounds — aka the building blocks of life — to early Earth.

Along with their trails of dust, comets also drag plasma, sometimes bluish in color, across the sky. The plasma tail, which looks a bit like Harry Potter's lightning bolt scar in Bartlett's photo, is composed of ionized gas molecules. These charged particles are easily influenced by changes in the sun's activity, said Henry Hsieh, a Planetary Science Institute researcher. 

Comet Olbers' plasma tail takes a different form every night, says astrophotographer Dan Bartlett, who captured this image on July 4, 2024. Credit: Dan Bartlett

He compares the solar wind to a river constantly flowing away from the sun. 

"The ion tail is basically caught up in that river," Hsieh told Mashable. "You see a straight tail most of the time, but then every so often, you'll have this bit of a hiccup in the sun — these coronal mass ejection events — where it'll just kind of send a particularly large or denser bunch of material outward."

Coronal mass ejections, or plasma spewed from the outer layer of the sun's atmosphere, involve enormous solar explosions. Through a solar telescope, the ejection looks like a fan of gas flying into space. NASA likens these ejections to cannonballs hurtling in a single direction, only affecting a targeted area. 

"If this hits the comet, then it will cause a disruption to this nice flowing river," Hsieh said, "like a rock suddenly came loose, and the flow of the river suddenly got a little bit faster, but momentarily."

Comet Olbers appears to have a zigzagging plasma tail on July 29, 2024. Credit: Dan Bartlett

Right now the sun is near the height of its activity in the 11-year solar cycle, so its magnetic field is more chaotic. As the comet experiences these changes traveling through the inner solar system, the tail keeps trying to realign, resulting in these kinks and bends, said Tony Farnham, an astronomer at the University of Maryland.

"There are even occasions when the comet passes through a region where the magnetic field completely changes direction (called a sector boundary)," Farnham wrote in an email, "and the plasma tail will 'disconnect' from the comet, to be followed by the formation of a new tail over the next few days."  

The comet, officially dubbed 13P / Olbers, is named after German astronomer Heinrich Olbers, who first observed it in 1815. The comet was last seen from Earth in 1956.

Comet Olbers is now returning to the so-called Oort Cloud, thought to be a sphere of icy bodies on the outer edge of the solar system. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustration

Comet Olbers' closest approach to the sun was on June 30, but it's now on its way back toward the so-called Oort Cloud on the outer edge of the solar system. Though the weirdly distorted tail is probably just the result of a lively comet reacting to the sun's wild behavior, little is known about this particular visitor to rule out something else inherently unusual about it. 

This is essentially the first opportunity in contemporary times that astronomers have had to study the comet up close and during peak activity, Hsieh said. Astronomers will know more in the coming months as they complete their analyses.

"All comets are kind of like different beasts," he said. "They're all special, and that's what makes them fun to study."

Folks, have you thanked the moon lately?

The large, cratered orb — weighing in at some 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds — serves us greatly. Its potent gravity stabilizes Earth's wobble, so we don't spin chaotically over time (like on Mars), an unpleasant reality that would ignite climate chaos.

Yet beyond ensuring our planet is livable, creating tides, and appearing as a magnificent celestial object, scientists have proposed a novel idea for the moon: As wild species are increasingly threatened by a quintuple whammy of habitat destruction, exploitation, invasive species takeovers, pollution, and relentless climate change, they want to capitalize on extremely frigid lunar environs to naturally cryopreserve animal cells — a difficult thing to artificially sustain on our world.

"Such a biorepository would safeguard biodiversity and act as a hedge against its loss occurring because of natural disasters, climate change, overpopulation, resource depletion, wars, socioeconomic threats, and other causes on Earth," the researchers, which include Mary Hagedorn, a senior research scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, wrote in the journal BioScience.

"Our goal is to cryopreserve most animal species on Earth," they added.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

There are indeed some well-managed cryogenic vaults holding tissue samples — such as the Ambrose Monell Cryo Collection at the American Museum of Natural History. "Nevertheless, all these biorepositories require intensive human management, electrical power, and an ongoing supply of liquid nitrogen, which makes them susceptible to unpredictable natural and geopolitical disasters," the researchers note. "Today, many frozen collections are stored in urban centers, making them even more susceptible to destabilization threats."

"Our goal is to cryopreserve most animal species on Earth."

The moon, however, provides a solution. In the lunar south pole — where NASA intends to establish a permanent presence — there are permanently shadowed regions that stay at or below -196 degrees Celsius (-320 degrees Fahrenheit), the temperatures needed to completely stop cellular and molecular activity. The biodiversity vault would require neither power nor constant oversight.

The 13 proposed landing sites for NASA's Artemis III mission in the lunar south pole. Each area is some 9.3 by 9.3 miles in size. Credit: NASA Storing life on the moon

On Earth, there's a biorepository for seeds in Norway's Arctic Svalbard Global Seed Vault. It naturally stays at some - 18 C (about 0 F). But such an endeavor on the moon, while able to naturally preserve animal cells, comes with a host of hurdles.

To achieve such a lunar vault, cryopreserved cells will first be tested in space. For example, they would collect a species like the starry goby, a species important in coral reef habitats, take samples from their fins, and store them in a biorepository on Earth. The cells and packaging would be tested in space-like environs before actually launching up to a space station. Then the samples will return to Earth "for analysis of viability and changes to DNA."

But before truly journeying to a lunar vault, the researchers note these issues must be addressed:

- Packaging: They'll need to develop "robust packaging" capable of withstanding extreme space environs.

- Radiation: The moon's surface has a significantly higher level of background radiation than Earth — and like Mars is susceptible to solar storms. Introducing "antioxidant cocktails" to protect cells during the freezing process can help, as would building physical barriers (thick layers of moon regolith, walls of water, etc.).

- Temperature: Once on the lunar surface, transporting samples to the cryogenic vault will require rovers capable of maintaining cryogenic temperatures. That's because, in daylight, exposed parts of the moon can reach some 100 C (212 F).

- Competition for resources: The vault would exist in the south pole's permanently shadowed regions, which is home to invaluable stores of lunar ice (necessary for survival and likely the creation of rocket fuel). It may not be easy to utilize these areas for a repository, as such highly sought regions (that are also valued by different nations) "may be highly restricted and managed," the researchers said.

- Microgravity: In space, tissue samples may change when exposed to near weightlessness, and this effect on cryopreserved cells needs more study.

Stems cells frozen in nitrogen at -196 C. Credit: BSIP / UIG via Getty Images

The great decades-long payoff, however, is that, once stored, the samples wouldn't need power, and would have relatively little vulnerability to environmental and societal disruption. The first "class" of preserved animals would likely include endangered or threatened species, pollinators, culturally significant species, and others.

"Protecting Earth's life must be a top priority in the rush on the moon sites for industries and many types of science," the scientists conclude.

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