Politics Is Fandom; Fascism Is Fanfic

From Zohran Mamdani’s campaign to the US government’s Halo memes, fandom has become the defining language of US politics.

Tech Disrupted Friendship. It’s Time to Bring It Back

Two decades ago social media promised to connect people with pals far and wide. Twenty years online has left us turning to AI for kinship. IRL companionship is the future.

People Are Paying to Get Their Chatbots High on ‘Drugs’

An online marketplace is selling code modules that simulate the effects of cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ayahuasca, and alcohol when they are uploaded to ChatGPT.

DEI Died This Year. Maybe It Was Supposed To

I’m a Black staffer at WIRED. My position feels more precarious than ever. There’s a reason for that.

Grindr Goes ‘AI-First’ as It Strives to Be an ‘Everything App for the Gay Guy’

After controlling shareholders failed to take Grindr private and controversies over data and the banning of the phrase “No Zionists,” Grindr’s CEO opens up about AI, privacy, and big expansion plans.