What’s old is new: Apple’s latest MacBook Pro proves that novelty is overrated

Apple’s 2021 MacBook Pro is basically its 2008 MacBook Pro. That’s a good thing. I work every day on a $2,600 MacBook Pro. And the fact of the matter is that I like this MacBook less than I liked any of my previous MacBooks, all the way back to my first one in 2005.Read Full Story

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How an 1862 law could revitalize rural America

Revisiting the Homestead Act could could support rural communities in decline—and help mitigate climate change in the process. Southern Italy’s rural Calabria region announced an innovative project in 2021 to breathe new life into its small towns. It plans to offer young professionals thousands of dollars if they move in and commit to launch a business,...

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A humanitarian crisis plagues the U.S.–Mexico border. See just how deadly it is

The reality of undocumented migrant deaths has long been shrouded in an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. A new exhibit in North Adams, Massachusetts, is here to bring the issue well into sight. The white wall is awash with yellow toe tags. Over 1,500 of them, scattered along a line of the U.S.–Mexico border. Each tag represents an immigrant who...

14h

Dress like a Lego figurine with Target’s latest fashion collection

The new collaboration features 300 brightly colored clothing and accessories items. As we head into the holidays, many of us are looking forward to sitting by the fire with our families and building elaborate Lego sets together. And this year, we can dress like Lego figures while we do it.Read Full Story

15h

UX design has a dirty secret

Too often, designers are asked to perform UX Theatre, which doesn’t actually center the user at all. There is a strange phenomenon in the world of user experience design.Read Full Story

17h

How food trucks and farmers markets can spell doom for affordable housing

Food can spearhead gentrification. Just look at the City Heights neighborhood in San Diego, where home prices have risen 58% over the past three years. Everybody, it seems, welcomes the arrival of new restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and farmers markets.Read Full Story

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‘A lot less inventory and a lot less choice’: The harsh reality of holiday shopping this year

Don’t worry, though. You’ll still be able to get something for everyone on your list. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it may already be too late to buy holiday presents for your friends and family.Read Full Story

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Everything you thought you knew about ‘feminine design’ is wrong

The new book ‘Woman Made’ is here to shatter all your stereotypes about women in design. What does a piece of furniture that is designed by a woman look like? Whatever stereotypes you can think of, a new book is here to shatter them.Read Full Story

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How this activewear unicorn got profitable, while direct-to-consumer rivals are still bleeding red

Vuori has been profitable since 2017 and is now valued at $4 billion. Founder and CEO Joe Kudla reveals how he has succeeded where many others have failed. Times are rough for direct-to-consumer retailers, at least if the financials disclosed in their recent initial public offering filings are any guide. Allbirds? Net losses are growing, and its IPO...

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See NYC’s bold new subway map, inspired by Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 classic

It may be a less accurate representation of the city’s shape, but it’s far easier to understand at a glance. New York City’s subway system has a new map with a very old design concept.Read Full Story

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