Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Nest Labs for Toilets, Dave Chappelle’s Return and More #Mustreads

Adult Swim’s “smart” toilet, Dave Chappelle’s glorious re-re-return and more.

JBryson via iStock

Hello there!

The Internet is a raging dumpster fire of content, and Re/code’s ready with the oven mitts:

  1. Previously, Adult Swim gave us the strange joy of Too Many Cooks. Now it’s taking on Silicon Valley with an 11-minute parody informercial on Smartpipe, a “smart” toilet. Please watch until the end.
  2. A decade ago, Dave Chappelle was at the height of his fame, with a hit TV show and sold-out stand-up shows wherever he went. Then, he disappeared from the public eye. Now he’s back, with some great stories to tell — including the time he met Toronto mayor Rob Ford — in an interview with GQ.
  3. Do you consider yourself a “disruptor?” Do you wear hoodies on all occasions, and can you say things like “game-changing content” and “self-innovate” without feeling your soul deaden? Visit this Tumblr, and let Shingy tell you what your job title could be in Silicon Valley.
  4. In an excellent bit of science journalism, the Verge’s Liz Lopatto has a great longish read about the thinning numbers of starfish, what this trend says about the health of the oceans and what marine biologists are doing to save a key part of oceanic ecosystems.
  5. Johannes Auvinen, a.k.a. “Tin Man,” makes top-quality ambient electronic music that’s hard to fit into conventional categories. This hour-long mix, hosted on the music site Resident Advisor, is soft and cool, perfect to listen to while working or avoiding your inbox.

If you see any stories you’d like to send our way (or have any questions/comments about stories we’ve recommended), feel free to shoot an email to noah@recode.net.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

See More:

More in Technology

Podcasts
Anthropic just made AI scarierAnthropic just made AI scarier
Podcast
Podcasts

Why the company’s new AI model is a cybersecurity nightmare.

By Dustin DeSoto and Sean Rameswaram
Politics
The Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track youThe Supreme Court will decide when the police can use your phone to track you
Politics

Chatrie v. United States asks what limits the Constitution places on the surveillance state in an age of cellphones.

By Ian Millhiser
Future Perfect
The simple question that could change your careerThe simple question that could change your career
Future Perfect

Making a difference in the world doesn’t require changing your job.

By Bryan Walsh
Technology
The case for AI realismThe case for AI realism
Technology

AI isn’t going to be the end of the world — no matter what this documentary sometimes argues.

By Shayna Korol
Politics
OpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agendaOpenAI’s oddly socialist, wildly hypocritical new economic agenda
Politics

The AI company released a set of highly progressive policy ideas. There’s just one small problem.

By Eric Levitz
Future Perfect
Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.Human bodies aren’t ready to travel to Mars. Space medicine can help.
Future Perfect

Protecting astronauts in space — and maybe even Mars — will help transform health on Earth.

By Shayna Korol