WIRED

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Living in the Immaterial World • Under turbo-capitalism, everyone’s a symbolic analyst.

CHARTGEIST

The Nerd Option • As I go all in on my climate change obsession, things are starting to look like Web 1.0. Let’s hope the potential for real progress doesn’t go the way of Pets.com.

China vs. Big Tech • Once regarded with national pride, companies like Alibaba, Didi, and Tencent are being slapped with fines and leashed with new regulations. The party is over—for the good of the Party.

Just the Two of Us • Can this startup be saved? The stresses of the pandemic are driving Silicon Valley cofounders to couples therapy.

READOUT • The world, quantified.

Ear Supply

WIRED RECOMMENDS • The latest picks from our reviews team.

DEAR CLOUD SUPPORT: Is It OK to Listen to Butt-Dial Voicemails?

ONBOARDING • A revealing first day

FEATURES

The Pain Algorithm • THE LATEST WEAPON IN THE WAR ON DRUGS IS A PREDICTIVE AI ON YOUR DOCTOR’S COMPUTER. IT CAN DETERMINE WHO RECEIVES TREATMENT FOR PAIN——AND WHO DOESN’T.

The Nature of Tides • LAST YEAR IN A SMALL BAYSIDE TOWN IN NOVA SCOTIA, 3-YEAR-OLD DYLAN EHLER VANISHED, LEAVING NOTHING BUT TWO RAIN BOOTS. IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS, THOUSANDS OF ONLINE SLEUTHS DESCENDED ON FACEBOOK GROUPS TO HELP WITH THE SEARCH. THEN THEY TURNED.

Looks that Quill • The African pygmy hedgehog may be the most Instagrammable pet ever. But behind the tiny top hats and miniature spa weekends, I discovered a sad tale of internet virality.

SPICE WORLD • AS THE LATEST TAKE ON DUNE HITS THE BIG SCREEN, WE TRACE THE LEGACY OF FRANK HERBERT’S COMPLEX, PRESCIENT MASTERPIECE.

LINES IN THE SAND • THE SECRET SCI-FI ORIGINS OF BURNING MAN

HOW TO MAKE A STILLSUIT • BUT NOT REALLY. BECAUSE ACTUAL FUNCTIONING STILLSUITS ARE STILL IMPOSSIBLE.

THE DUNE DOCTRINE • HOW FRANK HERBERT’S NOVEL FORESAW—AND INFLUENCED—HALF A CENTURY OF GLOBAL CONFLICT.

THE SPICE OF STRIFE

TO THE PIXEL AND BEYOND • Alvy Ray Smith is the little-known thinker who made Pixar possible (not to mention all the computer animation you’ve ever seen). Now he’s got a vision for where digital light will take us next.

Wired

IN SIX WORDS, WRITE A STORY ABOUT A SELF-AWARE SELF-DRIVING CAR: HE THINKS I’M TAKING HIM HOME.