Pocket Future

Pocket-Worthy Reads

Stories to fuel your mind

Homes & Gardens

7 Common Household Items That Are Polluting Your Air

Learn what household items are polluting the air around you in your home.

Narratively

As a Fugitive With a Fake Name, I Discovered the Real Me

I was arrested at an anti-war protest, jumped bail and went on the run. That’s when my story really began.

The Kitchn

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This curry dish benefits from the nice, long simmer—a slow cooker specialty.

MIT Press Reader

A Century of Science Fiction That Changed How We Think About the Environment

Even before the idea of climate change took hold, sci-fi began to think of the planet as something that preceded our species and could conceivably continue without us.

The War Zone

Modern Submarine Torpedo Attacks Are Nothing Like What You See In The Movies

Breaking down how modern torpedo attacks really go down and the types of torpedoes that are used to sink ships and other submarines.

The Conversation

Health Check: Is There an Optimal Time of Day to Work Out?

The best time is the time you’ll actually do it.

Popular Science

What the Heck Is a Time Crystal, and Why Are Physicists Obsessed With Them?

Some of today’s quantum physicists are tinkering with an esoteric phase of matter that seems to disobey some of our laws of physics.

Lifehacker

Stop Answering Your Kid’s Questions

It’ll help them gain a critical skill—and get you out of the hot seat.

Aeon

Anger Is Temporary Madness: The Stoics Knew How to Curb It

Anger is a complicated emotion, but one you can learn to control. Here’s how.

Quartz

It’s Enlightenment Philosophy’s Fault That Women Wear High Heels Instead of Men

Men wore them first as a symbol of status. Then times changed.

The Atlantic

The Mystery of Urban Psychosis

Why are paranoia and schizophrenia more common in cities?

Inc.

How to Remember Anything You Really Want to Remember, Backed by Science

A three-step process to commit important information to memory.

Popular Collections

Curated guides to the best reads on the web

Pocket Collections

The Art of Navigating Thorny Office Politics

From bad bosses to gossipy colleagues and, of course, office refrigerator drama.

Today’s Pocket Hits

Sunday, August 17

CBS News

This Car Ranks as America’s Most-Stolen Vehicle

Here’s why one Chevrolet model is the most-stolen type of car, according to a new report.

BBC

How Kentucky Bourbon Went From Boom to Bust

Tariffs, oversupply and teetotaling Gen-Zs have all contributed to the downfall of one of America’s most iconic liquors.

ESPN

The Predatory Web of Sextortion Increasingly Ensnares Young Athletes

A Michigan teen was goaded into sharing an intimate photo that scammers threatened to expose unless he paid up.

The Conversation

Can Air Conditioning Really Make You Sick? A Microbiologist Explains.

If an air conditioning system malfunctions or isn’t properly maintained, it can become contaminated with infectious microbes.

The New York Times

He Announced His Intention to Die. The Dinner Invitations Rolled In.

In early December, a 28-year-old Ghanaian artist and entrepreneur named Joseph Awuah-Darko announced on Instagram that he wanted to die.

The Associated Press

The Top Photos of the Week by AP’s Photojournalists

This photo gallery, curated by photo editor Anita Baca, highlights some of the most compelling images worldwide published in the past week.

The Guardian

‘The Forest Had Gone’: The Storm That Moved a Mountain

On a small ledge in the Swiss mountains, 200 people were enjoying a summer football tournament. As night fell, they had no idea what was coming.

Travis Kelce on His Upcoming Season, Post-NFL Ambitions, and Life With Taylor Swift

After a grueling Super Bowl loss, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end spent his summer vacation focused on coming back stronger than ever.

The Best Home Theater Ideas for Elevated Binge-Watching

Designers explain how to style a room for memorable movie nights.

NPR

Electricity Prices Are Climbing More Than Twice As Fast As Inflation

Electricity prices are rising more than twice as fast as overall inflation. That's especially costly during the dog days of summer when air conditioners are working hardest. In addition to hot weather, a variety of factors are causing power bills to climb, including the high cost of natural gas used to generate electricity and soaring demand from data centers.

CNET

Have a Headache? These Are the Best Foods to Help Relieve It

Dealing with headaches regularly? Your diet may be a factor. These foods can help.

Bustle

This Sleep App Helped Me Romanticize My Nighttime Routine

The Loóna app uses soothing games and unique ambient sounds to help you fall asleep.

Axios

Scoop: White House Loyalty Rating for Companies

The unusual scorecard fits this administration’s habit of micromanaging companies and administering loyalty tests.

The Hollywood Reporter

The 15 Best ‘Sex and the City’ Episodes of All Time, Ranked

As the world waves farewell to Carrie Bradshaw — for good, it seems — with the end of ‘And Just Like That,’ I couldn’t help but wonder... which episodes of ‘Sex and the City’ stand the test of time?