Memes are few and far between in 2025, but there are still some good ones.

Why are memes so rare? Simply put: TikTok. The heart of digital culture has migrated to TikTok, which is a short-form video platform. So there remain memes of a sort — they're mostly called TikTok trends — but the text-and-image-based memes of years past? Those are harder to come by.

Another reason for that? Twitter (RIP). When Elon Musk bought the app and then reimagined it as X, well, that fractured the central text-based social platform. Previously, a meme was born on Twitter, then worked its way to Reddit, then Instagram, then, weeks later, Facebook. With X becoming increasingly difficult to use and less popular, that lifecycle has mostly disappeared.

But memes, to some extent, persist. On TikTok, Bluesky, Instagram, and, yes, even X. We've tracked them closely and collected 12 of the best memes of 2025.

1. The endless 6-7 of it all

I personally cannot wait until we exit the era of 6-7. Dictionary.com made it their word of the year, for better or worse (worse...definitely worse). In case you missed it, we explained the origins and meaning, but the TL;DR is that it means nothing. It's just a fun thing to say. And kids, especially, find it hilarious. It's so prevalent that it made it onto South Park.

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2. Trump take egg

Just before President Donald Trump's extreme tariffs sent the U.S. economy into a tailspin, the internet had jokes...jokes about egg. It was a bit of classic internet absurdism, poking fun at people who voted for Trump for lower egg prices...as egg prices skyrocketed.

3. The Anthropologie rock

The internet collectively created a bit that the famously pricey retailer Anthropologie was selling rocks for four figures. It was all based on a joke from TikTokker @phoebeadams112, who pranked their boyfriend by claiming she paid $150 for a rock from Anthropologie. It eventually grew so large that the brand itself began joking about it.

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4. The Duke-White Lotus debacle

It was the (missed) shot heard round the world: Duke crashed out of 2025's March Madness in a stunning chokejob. It was kismet: In this year's season of HBO's The White Lotus, Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) spirals out of control, often in a Duke t-shirt. The memes practically made themselves.

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5. Get me to God's country

Morgan Wallen inspired one of the best memes of 2025 after he stormed off the stage at Saturday Night Live as the credits rolled. He later, hilariously, posted an image of a private jet to his Instagram stories, captioning it, "Get me to God's country."

It was assumed that country star Wallen, who had a previous SNL appearance cancelled for violating COVID protocols and, soon after, faced major ire when footage of him saying the N-word surfaced, was signaling to his fans he was ready to leave the liberal big city. People mostly poked fun at the idea, since, you know, the super-rich guy was leaving NYC in a private jet.

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6. The little French fish

There was a period of time in 2025 when FYPs everywhere were dominated by a little French fish. It was just a little orange fish named Steve. That was really it. But it ruled.

7. The conclave memes

There were few bigger internet moments in 2025 than the conclave to decide the new pope. That seems odd, and it was. But the memes and jokes about the conclave were hilarious and constant. We got Brat edits, fancams, and breathless coverage online. It was great and quite strange.

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8. Holy airball

To keep things on the holy side, TikTok had lots of memes about holy f-ing airballs in 2025. In essence, posters would use the phrase to subvert people's expectations — often in a braggy way.

9. 100 men vs. 1 gorilla

And, finally, we have perhaps the biggest meme of 2025: 100 men vs. one gorilla. The internet has long loved to imagine silly, man vs. animal fights. And in 2025, we really focused on 100 dudes taking on a gorilla. Real scientists even weighed in, which is fantastic. (In general, if the guys stay organized and selfless, they'd win.) It became a meme for days.

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The whole gorilla debate was unserious and funny, just how memes should be.

10. The Weapons run

Not to spoil the movie Weapons — but to mildly spoil Weapons — a scene features kids running in a very specific manner. People quickly started copying the run, making it an IRL meme in no time at all. People also posted images of the scene, adding funny or relatable captions.

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11. The Group 7 fad

Speaking of memes involving the number seven, remember the whole Group 7 thing? It stemmed from the promotion of the song "So Unfair" by singer Sophia James. She posted seven promotional videos, grouping folks by which video they saw. Weirdly, the Group 7 TikTok took off, and people made jokes about how elite that group was.

It was random and an interesting flash in the pan.

"I was just trying to promote my song. That's all it was," James told Mashable over email.

12. Bobby Hill's wabi-sabi

There's beauty in imperfection, and there's beauty in Bobby Hill's voice. It's no wonder a clip from King of the Hill featuring Bobby waxing about wabi-sabi took off. It became a meme on TikTok to use that sound and show off the imperfect things in life, such as crooked teeth or bad haircuts.

So sure, we didn't get as many memes this year, but we certainly had a decent amount of fun online. And as Bobby Hill taught us, perfection is overrated.

Jimmy Kimmel has called out President Donald Trump for his recent comments on immigration, stating they "might be the worst thing he's ever said." Considering Kimmel's history of criticising Trump, that's not an insignificant claim.

Speaking to a crowd in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Trump complained that many immigrants to the U.S. are from what he considers "shithole countries." The president further expressed a desire for "nice people" from countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to immigrate to the U.S. instead.

"We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right?" said Trump. "Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. The only thing they're good at is going after ships."

"You know, I always suspected he got his opinion of Somalia from watching Captain Phillips on TNT, and now I know that that's true," Kimmel quipped. "Wow, that was racist. I mean, he put the three whitest countries in the world on the guest list. Black country? Lock the doors. That was extra Trumpy."

Trump also mentioned Kimmel in his speech, the U.S. president continuing his vocal dislike of the talk show host.

"You've mentioned me three times now in four days," said Kimmel, addressing Trump. "I just want you to know I'm thinking about you too, girl."

It's the Third Quarter tonight, which basically means there's only half of the moon on show. Third Quarter is also the second half moon of the lunar cycle, where the left side of the moon is illuminated (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere)

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Dec. 11, the moon phase is Third Quarter. This means 53% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you don't have any visual aids, there's still lots for you to spot tonight, including the likes of the Tycho and Kepler Craters and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, Clavius Crater, and the Alps Mountains. With a telescope, the Caucasus Mountains, Apollo 15 and the Rima Ariadaeus all come into sight.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA says the Moon goes through a cycle of about 29.5 days, and during that time we see its different phases. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the sunlight hitting it changes as it orbits Earth. That’s what makes it look full, half-lit, or sometimes completely hidden. The cycle has eight main phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 11 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 11 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this green space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 11 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this green space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-0 placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love outdoor decor.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Found outside a home

• Green: Rearranged

• Blue: Alphabetical

• Purple: Dirty

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Things seen in a yard

• Green: Anagrams

• Blue: Letter homophones

• Purple: Dust ___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #914 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things seen in a yard: GNOME, GRILL, SHED, SPRINKLER

• Anagrams: ARES, EARS, SEAR, SERA

• Letter homophones: ARE, ELLE, QUE, QUEUE

• Dust ___: BOWL, BUNNY, DEVIL, JACKET

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love add-ons.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Let me elaborate...

The words are related to writing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe written additions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is And Furthermore.

NYT Strands word list for December 10

• Postrscript

• Addendum

• And Furthermore

• Footnote

• Epilogue

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always in the ballpark.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To estimate.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GUESS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Worn while painting.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SMOCK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A seat option at a restaurant.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BOOTH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A copier brand.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

XEROX

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Trending.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

VIRAL

Final Hurdle hint

A soldier.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

TROOP

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $16: A 22-treatment box of Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects is on sale at Amazon for $29.99, down from the standard price of $45.99. That's a 35% discount that matches the lowest price we've seen this year.

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Credit: Crest

Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects (22 Treatments)

$29.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $16.00

 

Get Deal

We're in the frenzy period of shopping for last-minute holiday gifts. It's now a battle of searching for presents that'll arrive on time. But while you hunt for that perfect gift, consider stocking up on some essentials that are also seeing holiday discounts.

As of Dec. 10, a 22-treatment box of Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects is on sale at Amazon for $29.99, down from the standard price of $45.99. That's a 35% discount that matches the lowest price we've seen this year.

Crest Whitestrips are something we look forward to buying at a sale price each Black Friday. This year was no exception and they dipped back to their all-time low price. But if you missed out on the savings, you're still in good shape because they're currently 35% off.

Each box of Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects has 22 treatments for 44 strips in total. Crest says this 22-day plan will turn teeth 19 levels whiter while also being safe for enamel. They're easy to apply and the directions instruct wearing the strips for 45 minutes per session, so it's a quick process.

The Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects are also part of an Amazon P&G promotion that'll save you $5 if you purchase two eligible items. Stock up on toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and more during this promotion and you'll save an extra $5.

Since the Crest Whitestrips Professional Effects are back at a Black Friday price of $29.99, stock up for 2026. This year has taught us raising prices and shrinkflation are never-ending, so it's worth securing this deal today.

SAVE OVER $1,000: As of Dec. 10, the Jackery HomePower 3600 portable power station is down to $1,699 at Amazon — a saving of $1,100 that matches its Black Friday price.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery HomePower 3600

$1,699 at Amazon
$2,799 Save $1,100

 

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With a huge surge in camping and off-grid living, plus a threat of extreme weather looming, portable power stations are really having a moment. Sometimes referred to as solar generators or home backup power, they're basically reliable and movable power sources that can keep everything from your phone and laptop to your refrigerator and CPAP machine up and running when you don't have access to standard wall power.

These gadgets come with hefty price tags, but you can often find great deals if you dig. For instance, as of Dec. 10, the Jackery HomePower 3600 portable power station is down to just $1,699 at Amazon. That's $1,100 or 39% off its usual list price of $2,799 and matches its Black Friday discount.

The HomePower 3600 weighs about 77 pounds, which pushes the limits of what we would consider portable, but it has built-in wheels and a handle. So you can roll it around like a suitcase. That bulk translates to some serious power. It delivers 3,600W output (7,200W in parallel) to run heaters, dryers, and refrigerators with ease. It offers dual voltage (120V and 240V in parallel) and 3,584Wh capacity, which is enough to keep your fridge running for two weeks. It's also expandable to 21kWh per unit or 43kWh with multiple units, which could keep your entire household running for the same amount of time.

The HomePower 3600 packs four AC outputs, a TT-30 RV port, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports on board and there's no complex installation required. Just plug it in and power it up and you're ready to rock and roll. When it runs out of juice, there are four convenient ways to charge it back up — a typical AC outlet, solar power, gas generator, or AC plus solar dual charging.

Whether you need a home backup or a way to power a full campsite, the Jackery HomePower 3600 goes above and beyond — snag it while it's over $1,000 off.

TL;DR: Internxt is offering a lifetime 100TB cloud storage plan with end-to-end encryption for $974.97, a nearly 90% discount from its usual price.

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Credit: Internxt

Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB

$974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03

 

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Backing up files is one of those things everyone knows they should do — but it rarely sits at the top of the to-do list. Physical storage doesn’t help much either. Hard drives fail, USBs fade into obscurity, and laptops die at the worst possible time. Cloud storage remains the most practical long-term option, and Internxt offers encrypted cloud storage with a one-time lifetime plan instead of ongoing monthly fees. Right now, those plans are heavily discounted.

Right now, you can score a lifetime subscription to Internxt’s 100TB plan for $974.97 through Dec. 14 (it usually costs $9,900).

Internxt separates itself from most mainstream cloud platforms by putting privacy at the center of its design. It uses end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, meaning your files are encrypted on your device before they’re uploaded, and only you can access them — not even Internxt. The service also employs post-quantum cryptography, which is designed to protect data against future quantum-computing threats.

In practical terms, Internxt still works like a standard cloud service — just with stronger security layered on top. You can upload, store, share, and send files across devices with a straightforward interface. Apps are available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, along with a browser-based web app for access anywhere. File organization is simple, and sharing tools allow you to move large files without relying on email attachments or external drives.

Performance isn’t a problem either. Internxt is built to take full advantage of your internet connection for uploads and downloads. The platform is also GDPR-compliant and has undergone third-party security auditing by Securitum, a European cybersecurity firm.

While nearly $1,000 is a pretty steep upfront cost, the scale of the storage is equally significant. 100TB is enough space for an estimated 20 million songs or roughly 20,000 HD movies, making it suitable for long-term photo archives, video libraries, creative projects, and business backups — all without worrying about expanding storage later.

For a limited time, you can purchase a lifetime subscription to Internxt’s 100TB encrypted cloud storage plan for $974.97 through Dec. 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Lifetime access to over 1,000 StackSkills courses — covering IT, design, coding, finance, marketing, and more — is now just $19.97 for a limited time.

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Credit: StackSkills

EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access

$19.97
$600 Save $580.03

 

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A fresh year always brings a sense of possibility, and having the right tools makes it much easier to follow through on big goals. That’s why lifetime access to EDU Unlimited by StackSkills is such a standout offer right now.

For $19.97, you get a permanent learning library filled with 1,000+ online courses — all organized, professionally produced, and easy to explore at your own pace.

EDU Unlimited covers an impressive range of subjects. Tech skills? Check out courses on cloud computing, Python, ethical hacking, UI/UX design, or data analytics. Creative passions? There’s photography, character design, animation, music production, and YouTube strategy.

Professional development? You’ll find communication, marketing, business strategy, finance, leadership, and plenty more. The variety makes it simple to jump between career-focused paths and personal-interest topics whenever inspiration hits.

The platform is powered by 350+ experienced instructors, many of whom teach from real-world expertise — startup founders, engineers, designers, marketers, analysts, and creators who’ve tried, failed, succeeded, and are ready to share the whole journey. Progress tracking tools, course certifications, and quarterly Q&A webinars help keep things structured without feeling rigid.

One of the biggest advantages is flexibility. Courses cover beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so you can build a foundation or refine the skills you already use every day. New courses are added monthly, meaning the library grows along with your goals.

For anyone looking to make professional progress, switch career paths, explore a side hustle, or simply learn for the joy of learning, lifetime access for this price is tough to beat.

Get a lifetime of EDU Unlimited by StackSkills while it’s just $19.97 (reg. $600) ahead of the holidays.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Normally, a brand would be thrilled if its new holiday commercial went viral, but a new McDonald's Netherlands ad has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Originally posted to YouTube on Dec. 6, the holiday commercial was clearly made using generative AI, and it also features a label disclosing it as "AI-generated." The commercial's theme is "The most terrible time of the year," and it features a montage of short clips depicting holiday traditions descending into chaos. The clips bear the hallmarks of generative AI video — generic-looking actors, exaggerated movements, strange inconsistencies, and a flat, artless aesthetic.

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After the video gained mainstream attention, the backlash from AI haters was overwhelming. While the "most terrible time of the year" theme may have been intended as tongue-in-cheek, many viewers found the idea cynical. By Dec. 9, McDonald's Netherlands pulled the holiday commercial, or advert.

McDonald's provided Mashable with the following statement from McDonald's Netherlands:

"McDonald’s Netherlands has decided to remove our AI-generated Christmas advert. It was intended to reflect the stressful moments that can occur during the holidays in the Netherlands, but we recognize that for many of our guests, the season is 'the most wonderful time of the year'. We respect that and remain committed to creating experiences that offer Good Times and Good Food for everyone."

Recently, Coca-Cola published its own AI-generated holiday commercial, made in partnership with the AI studio Secret Level. Though Coca-Cola also faced backlash for its ad, the company has continued playing the ad throughout the holiday season, undeterred by critics.

The BBC reports that the McDonald's Netherlands commercial was made by the Dutch company TBWA\Neboko and the U.S. company The Sweetshop. Speaking to Futurism, the CEO of Sweetshop emphasized that a lot of human labor went into the final product.

"We generated what felt like dailies — thousands of takes — then shaped them in the edit just as we would on any high-craft production,” the CEO reportedly said. "This wasn’t an AI trick. It was a film."

But for AI critics, any amount of AI in filmmaking or advertising is unacceptable, full stop. Likewise, writers and actors' unions have fought against expanding the use of generative AI. Even so, Hollywood and Madison Avenue leaders appear eager to adopt the new technology.

SAVE $20: As of Dec. 10, the new Amazon Echo Dot Max is on sale for $79.99. That's 20% off its list price and its lowest price to date.

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One of Amazon's most popular smart home speakers got a boost earlier this fall. The Echo Dot Max is one of four new Echo devices built specifically for Alexa+, the superpowered AI assistant that can do more than ever before. And it just got its biggest discount since launch.

As of Dec. 10, you can grab the new Amazon Echo Dot Max for just $79.99 instead of $99.99. That's 20% off its list price and beats its Black Friday price by $10. For a speaker just over a month old, that's a pretty solid discount.

While it's just slightly bigger than the Echo Dot, the Dot Max features nearly three times the bass. It's powerful enough to fill large spaces with its 0.8-inch tweeter and a 2.5-inch woofer that support lossless, high-definition audio. It can even adapt to its environment to provide the best sound possible. Now that the original Echo is obsolete, the Dot Max seems to be taking its place, with a similar look and the exact price point.

Just like other Echo smart speakers, you can use it to control lights, locks, and other smart home devices, set routines, ask it for the weather, and so much more without needing a separate hub. And since it was built for Alexa+, you'll get access to a more natural and conversational voice assistant that's wildly advanced.

Whether you're in the market for a new smart home speaker or you're looking for a gift for someone on your list, the brand-new Echo Dot Max has a lot to offer — especially at its lowest price to date.

TikTok is expanding its role in music and creator-driven content with the launch of a new live podcast series, TikTok In The Mix, according to a report from Variety. The series will debut Thursday, Dec. 11, with Demi Lovato as its first featured guest.

The podcast is structured as a four-episode season of live, 30-minute conversations with major artists and will stream directly on TikTok’s official account. According to Variety, the project will be produced and sponsored by T-Mobile.

Lovato’s episode will be hosted by Trackstar founder Jack Coyne and will include a discussion about the making of her latest album, It's Not That Deep. The appearance will also feature a segment called the "Booth of Truth," where Lovato breaks down the meaning behind select lyrics, as well as a moment addressing speculation about a potential collaboration with Zara Larsson. TikTok executives speaking to Variety say that the new series is designed to strengthen the platform’s connection between artists and fans.

The live podcast push also aligns with TikTok’s broader effort to keep users engaged for longer periods by expanding beyond short-form video. In recent months, the company introduced a range of new features designed to enhance retention and user experience, including well-being tools such as an in-app affirmation journal, guided breathing exercises, meditation prompts, and soothing background sounds.

TikTok has framed these updates as part of an effort to improve user safety and mental health — particularly for younger users — while encouraging people to spend more time within the app’s ecosystem rather than turning to outside platforms.

It may be a cliché, but it's true: There's an app for everything, including praying to God.

One such app is Hallow, a popular Catholic prayer subscription service downloaded by millions of users, including celebrity partners like Gwen Stefani.

Stefani has been a Hallow app partner for the last year, but its only recently that her social media promotion gained enough traction to incur the ire of fans and fellow celebrities en masse. In a Dec. 1 Instagram post, the No Doubt singer once again plugged the app for the start of this year's advent season, urging followers to join her in its daily prayer challenges. In follow up responses, podcast host Matt Bernstein, reality TV star Chrishell Stause, and other social media commenters pointed out what Stefani didn't: That many of the app's prayerful messages suggest a thinly-veiled conservative agenda, including suggesting anti-abortion pleas to users.

Despite the possibility of a tarnished brand — and the confusing reversal in public image for an artist that used be the preeminent "cool girl" — the "Hallow-back girl" (as one Redditor user called her) hasn't backed off. She's not the only one.

What is the Hallow app?

Referred to as a "pay-to-pray" app by its critics, Hallow was developed in 2018 by founder and CEO Alex Jones (no, not that Alex Jones). The subscription-based app combines audio-guided Catholic prayer routines with "mindfulness" practices and challenges, pitched as a solution to daily stress. It's accessible for the monthly price of $9.99, or $69.99 for the year — there are family plans, too.

Hallow even offers partnerships with schools, providing free subscriptions to students at religious institutions, as well as content for kids and families. It ran ads during the Super Bowl.

Jones is on record saying the company courts famously religious celebrities, including action stars like Mark Wahlberg and Chris Pratt and Hollywood icons like Mario Lopez, as a way to "reach fallen-away Catholics or those who are not particularly religious" on the social media platforms they most frequent. "They're just incredible Christians, they're great people of faith," said Jones in a 2024 interview about app partners Stefani and actor Kevin James. "It is awesome for us to get to partner with them, to use their platforms to invite people into prayer."

Why is Hallow controversial?

Fellow Catholics, even those with more conservative beliefs, have been skeptical of the app's model, marketing tactics, and reliance on celebrities since its launch. Jones backed off from a partnership with actor Liam Neeson, for example, after conservative Catholics rejected the platforming of Neeson's pro-choice views. He was then criticized for platforming figures from the Catholic right, including anti-abortion figure Lila Rose and QAnon proponent Jim Caviezel.

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In addition to ambassador controversies, including a partnership with actor Russell Brand that ended after accusations of sexual assault, Hallow has increasingly been associated with far-right figures and conservative financial backers.

In 2024, election reporting by the Guardian discovered that Vice President JD Vance had invested tens of thousands of dollars into the app. Other notable funders include ultra-conservative PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who participated in a $40 million round of funding for Hallow in 2021.

Hallow was banned from EU markets earlier this year, with many suspecting regulators shut down app access due to data privacy concerns. Sensitive data used for ad targeting, including religious affiliation, is highly regulated under the EU's Digital Services Act.

Following Stefani's promotion and other advent advertisements including Chris Pratt, Hallow climbed the Apple App Store charts, which Jones celebrated in a recent X post. "Feels like God's just getting started."

Le Wand is one of the most well-known names in the wand vibrator market. The company’s known for its luxe, high-performance designs and innovative tech. Of course, premium quality comes with a premium price, but Le Wand’s been doing the most to keep costs down (when tariffs are running rampant).

In August, the brand launched its most affordable line yet: the Glow Collection. Each vibrator in the lineup (the Le Wand Flat Top Fusion G, Le Wand Thrust, Le Wand Hither, and Le Wand Lick) is under $100 — this move made the brand’s advanced tech more accessible.

Now, the brand’s serving up its signature design with a twist (and an even better price point) with the launch of its Classique Collection, and every single wand comes with a freebie and a three-year warranty.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new collection:

Le Wand Classique Mini Rechargeable Vibrating Massager, $54.99

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Le Wand Classique Mini Rechargeable Vibrating Massager

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The most affordable wand in the Classique lineup is the Le Wand Classique Mini Rechargeable Vibrating Massager. This little guy is super cute (it's the smallest wand in the bunch), travel-friendly, and comes with a free storage bag. In addition to its compact design, which is def a plus (especially with holiday travel coming up for many of us), it has 10 vibration intensities, a travel lock (which is super handy; nothing's worse than pretending your suitcase isn't buzzing when it clearly is), and can run for 90 minutes on a single charge. It's also IPX7 waterproof, so you can take it in the shower. (Sometimes, that's the only place I can get some alone time myself, so I get it.)

Classique Rechargeable Petite, $84.99

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Le Wand Classique Cordless Petite Rechargeable Vibrating Massager

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If you're looking for something that's a little bit bigger but not too big, the Le Wand Classique Cordless Petite Rechargeable Vibrating Massager is the second-most-affordable wand in the Classique Collection. It's $84.99 and comes with a free storage bag and a hands-free massager holder. (This device is ideal for people with mobility issues, arthritis, or for those of you who are ready to experiment with new positions.) Like the Mini, this wand has 10 vibration intensities, and it's rechargeable via a USB-C cable. (Of course, the charging cable comes with it.) You'll get two hours of playtime after a 90-minute charge. It's also IPX7 waterproof and has a travel lock.

Classique Plug-In, $89.99

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Le Wand Classique Plug-In Original Full-Body Vibrating Massager

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Next up is the Le Wand Classique Plug-In Original Full-Body Vibrating Massager. This wand vibe is what I like to call a "traditional wand vibe" because it plugs into the wall. It's $89.99 and comes with a free storage bag and a hands-free massager holder. The wand also features 10 vibration intensities and a travel lock. It's plug-and-play with an eight-inch cord, so it'll literally never die as long as it's plugged in. (A pretty nifty feature for anyone interested in edging.)

Classique Rechargeable Original, $139.99

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Le Wand Classique Cordless Original Rechargeable Vibrating Massager

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The Le Wand Classique Cordless Original Rechargeable Vibrating Massager is the last vibe in the Classique lineup, and it's also the most expensive, but for good reason. With 8800 RPM power, this wand vibrator was built for deep relaxation. It has a flat, soft head with a flexible neck so you can really reach every spot. And, with this one, you'll get four hours of playtime on a single charge. Just note: this vibe isn't waterproof; it's IPX6 splash-proof, which means you probably shouldn't take it in the bathtub. Like the other wands on this list, it has a travel lock and 10 vibration intensities.

A lot has changed in Hawkins since the last installment of Stranger Things aired in 2022, but one familiar touchstone remains in Season 5: the Kate Bush ballad "Running Up That Hill."

It's the song that Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) plays for Max (Sadie Sink) as she lays comatose in a hospital bed. He hopes the tune, which Max played on repeat in Season 4, will somehow bring her back from the physical and mental limbo she's trapped in. She was put there by the villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), and it's unclear if she'll ever return.

Season 4 brimmed with gut-punch moments: the humiliation of Eleven by a relentless bully, terrifying encounters with Vecna, and the final reveal of that character's origin story. But arguably the most emotionally powerful scene of the season's first volume arrives in episode 4, when Max is held psychologically captive by Vecna, a serial killer from the Upside Down who entrances and then tortures his victims with their worst fears and experiences before murdering them.

The showdown between Vecna and Max unfolds to the soundtrack of Bush's '80s hit "Running Up That Hill," a percussion and synth-driven ballad about making a deal with God that happens to be Max's favorite song.

Max's past experience with trauma — namely, watching the Mind Flayer brutally kill her stepbrother Billy (Dacre Montgomery) in Season 3 — makes her a target for Vecna's manipulation. She's become withdrawn and adrift, pulling away from her friends and sinking deeper into what looks like depression. While sitting at Billy's grave, she weeps over the loss, trembling as she says aloud how and why he died, and confessing she can't share those details with anyone else.

When Vecna appears at the gravesite, it's first as Billy, mutilated, bloody, and eager to deepen the emotional wound that is Max's survivor's guilt. Vecna as Billy tells Max: "[L]ate at night, you have sometimes wished to follow me. Follow me into death. That is why I am here, Max, to end your suffering once and for all" — alluding perhaps to suicidal feelings Max hasn't mentioned.

Max tries to outrun Vecna when he materializes as himself, but finds herself in the Upside Down. While caught in Vecna's grip, a tear in the dark dimension reveals her friends on the other side, desperately trying to save her from Vecna's curse. Of course, it's "Running Up That Hill," blasted into Max's headphones that breaks Vecna's hold on her.

As Vecna prepares to take her life, Max closes her eyes and sees joyful memories: laughing with El, dressing up as a Ghostbuster for Halloween, dancing with Lucas (and kissing him). She breaks free, momentarily incapacitates Vecna, and runs with the determination to live toward her friends, dodging debris that Vecna throws in her path. Max hurls herself through the portal, awakes from the trance, and is held by Lucas. "I thought we lost you," he cries. "I'm still here. I'm still here," she says.

For some fans who've experienced depression and suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide, the lengthy scene reads as more than just a classic psychological thriller. Instead, it feels like a metaphor about the difficulty of overcoming suicidal thoughts and feelings. That interpretation resonated with numerous commenters in a Stranger Things subreddit post about Max's escape from Vecna, even though the words "suicide" and "depression" are never uttered in the show.

"This episode hit me hard too, because when I was at my most depressed, I found my favourite band, and that made me cling onto life," one commenter wrote. Another said: "I cried watching this scene because it captured so well what it was like to go through a major depressive episode and convince myself to keep going."

Netflix declined to comment on the scene, but those fans' interpretation might not be far off. The show's music supervisor, Nora Felder, told Variety: "In some ways, this scene can be understood as alluding more broadly to the inner struggles with private demons that many teens wrestle with during troubled times, especially when feeling alone and estranged from others."

From the Upside Down, Max can see her friends trying to save her as "Running Up That Hill" plays on her headphones. Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Brett Wean, director of writing and entertainment outreach for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, felt similarly.

"While I’m not certain what the Duffer Brothers intended with this sequence in terms of it being an allegory for someone facing depression or suicidal thoughts, it certainly tells me something that people are assigning meaning to it in this way," he wrote in an email. "I think viewers' interpretation...speaks to where people are at right now, particularly young people, as many of them face adversity and isolation as a result of the pandemic."

Protective factors against suicide include connections to friends, family, and community support. Isolation and adverse childhood experiences, including verbal and physical abuse of the kind that Vecna's other victims appeared to endure, are among the risk factors.

Vic Welle, a mental health peer support trainer who has planned but not carried out suicide attempts, told Mashable that they found the scene powerful.

"The depiction of what it's like to be at that point of despair is really captured well," Welle said. "The Upside Down as this place of distortion and a place of almost hopelessness where Vecna is saying the worst things, the worst fears you might have about yourself...and what if they're true? That's what it's like to be in that place of feeling completely worthless."

Yet what makes the scene so memorable is not just its portrayal of psychological and emotional crisis, but the swift, heartfelt efforts from Max's friends to save her life. They don't flinch at trying to rescue her. They know which song to play because they've been paying attention, and they don't give up, even as Max is the one who ultimately makes the choice to survive.

"The really hopeful piece is the role of connection to community and reminders of meaning and purpose," said Welle.

While the scene is no blueprint for how to help someone in a mental health crisis — the show is still just a sci-fi/horror series, after all — the spirit of Max's friends' intervention may be worth drawing on in real life.

For those experiencing suicidal thoughts and behavior who also feel like they lack emotional support, Welle said the scene can instead point to finding community elsewhere. In the absence of trusted, close friends and family, Welle recommends Alternatives to Suicide support groups like the Massachusetts-based Wildflower Alliance, which offers virtual meetings and has a directory of support groups people can explore. Welle has participated in peer support groups when they felt unable to talk to their loved ones.

And while the foreboding sense that vulnerable youth are doomed by Vecna works for the show's narrative arc this season, Welle noted that experiencing trauma doesn't always lead to depression or suicidal feelings and behavior.

"If you have something really huge happen to you and you are surrounded with compassion, resources, and the ability to process and make meaning of that and integrate that into your overall life story, I think that's really different from having to carry that in isolation," said Welle, who describes themselves as a trauma and psychiatric survivor.

In the end, Stranger Things didn't need to spell any of this out. Between the profound writing, Sink's masterful performance, and the impeccable song choice, it was all there, waiting for viewers who would understand.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 10:28 a.m. PST This story was originally published on June 12, 2022. It has been updated to reflect events from "Stranger Things" Season 5.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

The long-awaited foldable iPhone — rumored to be called the iPhone Fold — could be here soon.

Tech enthusiasts and early adopters already love foldable phones — and they have plenty of options — but Apple's been notably absent from the genre. But that's reportedly due to change in 2026, when Apple is expected to release the iPhone Fold. Here's everything we know about the future addition to the iPhone lineup, including the latest rumors and pricing information.

When will the iPhone Fold be released?

We think the iPhone Fold is coming in 2026. Chinese site UDN (via MacRumors) reported last month that the phone was coming next year and that it would, indeed, be called the iPhone Fold. That's far from a guarantee, but as Mashable's Stan Schroeder wrote, it is a bit of comfort for Apple fans who'd seen other reports that it could be pushed to 2027.

That's also in line with new rumors that hit the internet this week, suggesting Apple had purchased about 11 million OLED panels from Samsung Display — a much higher than expected figure — for its new foldable. That bit of rumored news could be misleading, however, because the original report — from a Korean site called ET News — has since been deleted.

How much will the iPhone Fold cost, and will people buy it?

The iPhone Fold is likely to be expensive. A recent estimate from research analyst Arthur Liao suggested the price tag for the Fold — gulp — could come in around $2,399. That's in line with expectations in a new report from International Data Corporation (IDC). I

Despite the sizable cost (the flagship Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is priced at $1,999.99), sales expectations remain high. The IDC report estimated Apple would siphon one-third of the spending in the foldable market in 2026.

"But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400,” read the report.

What will the iPhone Fold specs look like?

The iPhone Fold remains a mystery to some extent, of course, but we do have a very rough idea of what it could offer. The report from UDN noted the iPhone Fold could be creaseless, which means you wouldn't see that awkward line when it was folded open.

In August, Mashable also reported on predictions from Apple reporter Mark Gurman, who said that the foldable iPhone would be a book-style foldable with four cameras — two on the back, one on the inside, and one front selfie camera. Gurman also predicted it would use Touch ID, even though iPhones typically use Face ID.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported earlier this year that the iPhone Fold would have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, and measure in at just 9 to 9.5mm of thickness. We heard another rumor in September, which claimed the iPhone Fold would look like two iPhone Airs put together, with a similar thickness of 5.6mm. Why the discrepancy between the two reports? It could be the difference between the device's thickness when folded and unfolded.

Mashable's Alex Perry also compared the potential specs of the iPhone Fold with the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, which we know a lot more about. Obviously, the Samsung trifold will be larger and thicker than the iPhone Fold. Otherwise, we're still waiting on official details. But if recent rumors prove true, the wait shouldn't be too much longer.

YouTube Rewind may have ended back in 2019, but it seems like YouTube has finally put the nail in the coffin by just unlisting every single one of its annual recap videos.

On Tuesday evening, YouTube users in the r/YouTube community on Reddit noticed something odd. YouTube's official channel had marked every single one of its previous YouTube Rewind videos as "unlisted." This basically means that unless you have the actual link to the specific video, the YouTube Rewind videos are now much harder to find on the YouTube platform. They do not show up on the channel page or in YouTube search results, though we did find a user playlist with links to all of the Rewind videos.

Why did YouTube do this? It's unclear, especially given that it's been six years since the last YouTube Rewind. However, YouTube creators have been speculating about the change. 

Spotify reinvented the yearly recap with Spotify Wrapped, which gives each individual user a highly personalized look back at their year on the app. Other apps, like YouTube, have since followed that path and provide users with their own personal year-in-review.

However, way back in 2011, YouTube arguably started the whole social media recap trend with its annual series of highly-produced annual recap videos called YouTube Rewind. The last YouTube Rewind video was in 2019, with the company opting not to make one in 2020. 

From 2011 to 2018, YouTube Rewind videos looked back at the biggest memes, videos, creators, and anything else that defined YouTuber culture that year. The company produced original content for these videos with breakout YouTube stars celebrating the year in YouTube. 

While the videos were popular for a time, the 2018 edition of YouTube Rewind became the most disliked video on the platform at the time after blowback from YouTube users. Many popular and somewhat controversial YouTube creators were not included in the recap, which included more mainstream YouTube stars. 

The company dropped its long-running format in 2019, instead creating a countdown montage of the year's top moments, before dropping YouTube Rewind completely.

In response to a question from Mashable, a YouTube spokesperson provided the following statement regarding the company unlisting its YouTube Rewind videos.

"As our 20th birthday year comes to a close, we've decided to blow out our Rewind candles," YouTube said. "It was a great tradition, but we have new ways to close out the year in style."

But there's also speculation online regarding the timing of YouTube's change.

Former YouTuber turned Twitch streamer Ryan ‘NigaHiga’ Higa recently shared on a stream that YouTube had previously "lied" to him regarding his involvement in a YouTube Rewind video he took part in. He was originally asked to dance in a YouTube Rewind video, which he turned down. YouTube still brought Higa in to film other segments, but then, according to Higa, the company tried to pressure him into performing the dance once he was on set. Higa says he walked out on the shoot at the time. Higa last posted on YouTube in 2020, leaving behind his more than 20.8 million subscribers to stream daily on Twitch to his 860,000 followers.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 4:31 p.m. EST This article has been updated with a statement from YouTube.