The hard-luck Texas town that bet on Bitcoin—and lost

The Strange Saga of the Butt Plug Turned Research Device

How one scientist started with a butt plug from Amazon and ended up inventing an “anal pneumatic base” to measure orgasms.

air launch

Virgin Orbit Just Dropped a Rocket From a Boeing 747

By Daniel Oberhaus

Richard Branson's air-launch system is getting very close to opening for business after successfully completing one of its last big tests.

HBO's Years and Years Unlocks Sci-Fi's Ultimate Potential

By Adam Rogers

At its core, science fiction is a tool for building thought experiment machines. That's the game Russell T Davies' new show is playing so beautifully.

Judge Steve Young on his ranch in Milam County, Texas. The power lines feed the former Alcoa plant that was supposed to become a bitcoin gold mine.

Deep Hole

The Hard-Luck Texas Town That Bet on Bitcoin—and Lost

By Mark Dent

China's Bitmain said it would build the world's largest bitcoin mine in Rockdale, Texas. Then the price of bitcoin plunged, taking with it the town's hopes for a revival.

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red sports car flying through city street

Photo Gallery

Vintage Muscle Cars Take Flight in an Homage to Chase Scenes

By Laura Mallonee

With model cars, real-life backgrounds, and some deft Photoshop, photographer Matthew Porter conjures the visual excitement of classic car-chase cinema.

Autonomy

This Lidar Is So Cheap It Could Make Self-Driving a Reality

By Alex Davies

Luminar says its new lidar sensor will sell for as little as $500, compared with $75,000 for the industry leader.

Overheard

Who’s Listening When You Talk to Your Google Assistant?

By Tom Simonite

A Belgian broadcaster obtained recordings of more than 1,000 conversations with Google's automated assistant, some including personal details and medical information.