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Archive

Archives for December 2014

Business & Finance
Bitcoin has been one of the world’s worst currencies in 2014Bitcoin has been one of the world’s worst currencies in 2014
Business & Finance

So far in 2014, Bitcoin has lost more value than the Russian ruble.

By Timothy B. Lee
Science
No, this winter solstice wasn’t the longest ever. Scientists explain what we got wrong.No, this winter solstice wasn’t the longest ever. Scientists explain what we got wrong.
Science

How geologic activity, melting ice caps, wind patterns, and even the weather affect the earth’s rotation.

By Joseph Stromberg
Technology
Did North Korea really hack Sony?Did North Korea really hack Sony?
Technology

The FBI’s evidence for a North Korean connection is weak, but the US government might be holding back its strongest material.

By Timothy B. Lee
North Korea
You should have a very hard time believing that Anonymous hacked North KoreaYou should have a very hard time believing that Anonymous hacked North Korea
North Korea

The hacker group tried attacking North Korea twice before. Both were utter failures.

By Max Fisher
The 30 best TV shows of 2014
Culture

If we ran the world, these shows would be at the top of the Nielsens.

By Emily St. James
Life
The latecomer’s guide to catching up on SerialThe latecomer’s guide to catching up on Serial
Life

If you’re traveling today or tomorrow, it’s a great chance to figure out what all the fuss is about.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
US lifts ban on gay men donating blood — as long as they don’t have sex with other menUS lifts ban on gay men donating blood — as long as they don’t have sex with other men
Politics

The new policy will allow men who have sex with men to donate, but only if they abstain from sex for one year.

By Sarah Kliff and Julia Belluz
Culture
The Interview will be in theaters after allThe Interview will be in theaters after all
Culture

The movie North Korea doesn’t want you to see will play in Texas.

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
My favorite 2014 music video: hundreds of women with umbrellas filmed from a droneMy favorite 2014 music video: hundreds of women with umbrellas filmed from a drone
Culture

OK Go filmed a video Japan using a drone-mounted camera. Regulations could have made it difficult to make the same video here in the United States.

By Timothy B. Lee
Criminal Justice
You can put body cameras on police — but who controls the footage?You can put body cameras on police — but who controls the footage?
Criminal Justice

Seattle’s trying to protect civilians’ privacy — without giving abusive cops a chance to manipulate the tape

By Dara Lind
Technology
Google’s self-driving car has a new look. But will it ever catch on?Google’s self-driving car has a new look. But will it ever catch on?
Technology

Tesla, meanwhile, is taking a different approach to self-driving cars.

By Brad Plumer
Culture
The Flash was the best superhero show of 2014The Flash was the best superhero show of 2014
Culture

The Flash isn’t necessarily the best show of 2014, but it might be the one you like the most.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Life
7 fun board games that will make you smarter about economics7 fun board games that will make you smarter about economics
Life

Monopoly is an obvious pick, but Scrabble is up there as well...along with a few you may have never even heard of

By Danielle Kurtzleben and Dylan Matthews
archives
Rand Paul celebrates Festivus by airing his grievances on TwitterRand Paul celebrates Festivus by airing his grievances on Twitter
archives

“I’ve got a lot of problems with you people (mostly in DC), and today you’re going to hear about it!”

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
Healthcare.gov hits 6.4 million enrollees for plans beginning in JanuaryHealthcare.gov hits 6.4 million enrollees for plans beginning in January
Politics

Seventy percent of the consumers are people renewing policies they bought in 2014, and the other 30 percent are new customers.

By Sarah Kliff