Millions of words. Thousands of authors. The Morning Star of Lingao is barely known outside China—but it contains the secret to the country’s modernization and malaise.
Most Recent Articles
Jimmy Wales Will Never Edit Donald Trump’s Wikipedia Page: He ‘Makes Me Insane’
On this week’s episode of The Big Interview podcast, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales talks about maintaining neutrality in an online ecosystem increasingly hostile to facts.
Chinese EV Batteries Are Eating the World
China’s lithium batteries aren’t always “made in China.” Companies like BYD and CATL are building factories on nearly every continent.
He Went to Prison for Gene-Editing Babies. Now He’s Planning to Do It Again
Chinese scientist He Jiankui wants to end Alzheimer’s and thinks Silicon Valley is conducting a “Nazi eugenic experiment.”
How China’s ‘Crystal Capital’ Cornered the Market on a Western Obsession
Decades ago, Donghai was a backwater county. Today, thanks to an army of 24/7 livestreamers, it orchestrates a multibillion-dollar global industry.
23 Ways You’re Already Living in the Chinese Century
The robotics explosion. The energy revolution. The cultural takeover. It’s everything you wanted for the United States—but done better in China.
Thousands of Companies Are Driving China’s AI Boom. A Government Registry Tracks Them All
How the Cyberspace Administration of China inadvertently made a guide to the country’s homegrown AI revolution.
Your First Humanoid Robot Coworker Will Probably Be Chinese
Explosive acceleration, limited dexterity, eyes in the back of its head. What could possibly go wrong?
China’s AI Boyfriend Business Is Taking On a Life of Its Own
Gen Z women in China are all in on digital companionship—even setting up dates with real-world versions of their AI boyfriends.
China’s Renewable Energy Revolution Is a Huge Mess That Might Save the World
A global onslaught of cheap Chinese green power is upending everything in its path. No one is ready for its repercussions.
She Was Given Up by Her Chinese Parents—and Spent 14 Years Trying to Find a Way Back
More and more Chinese adoptees in the US are trying to reunite with their birth parents. For Youxue, it took more than a decade, and a remarkable coincidence.
Are DJI Drones Still Banned? (2026)
Can you still buy a DJI drone in the US? (Yes.) Will you be able to buy future drones? (Maybe.) Here are the current DJI dos and don’ts.
How to Clean Your Keurig (and When)
Your pod coffee maker can get gross over time. Here’s how to clean it up.
Dumbphone Owners Have Lost Their Minds
All my Gen Z friends want to ditch their smartphones. It’s cool. They’re cool. But there’s more at stake than they think.
The Search for Alien Artifacts Is Coming Into Focus
From surveys of the pre-Sputnik skies to analysis of interstellar visitors, scientists are rethinking how and where to look for physical traces of alien technology.
The Best Streaming Bundles and Streaming Deals of January 2026
Here are the current best bundles from the most popular services.
Capturing the Moment a White Dwarf Exploded
A research team has successfully imaged a nova in high resolution—and the images suggest that the nova was not a single, impulsive explosion.
The Race to Build the DeepSeek of Europe Is On
As Europe’s longstanding alliance with the US falters, its push to become a self-sufficient AI superpower has become more urgent.
15 Best Electric Bikes (2026), Tested and Reviewed: Commuting, Mountain Biking
We tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
5 Best Water Leak Detectors (2026), Tested and Reviewed
Don’t let busted pipes or an overflowing washing machine dampen your day. These WIRED-tested smart water sensors can help you catch problems quicker.
Jones Hovercraft 2.0 Snowboard Review: For Big Powder Days
Jeremy Jones’ sustainable snowboard is unbelievably fun in deep powder, steeps, and trees.