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As America comes to grips with two more violent, homegrown plots — an attempt to mail pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue — reality and surreality may seem hard to disentangle. Experts are working to figure out exactly what happened in each case and why, on levels ranging from the societal to forensic. But it appears that the two suspects shared at least one habit: engaging with extreme content online.

Robert Bowers, the suspect in the Pittsburgh shooting, posted a message on a niche social network known to be used by white supremacists shortly before opening fire at the Tree of Life synagogue. Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man charged with sending explosive material to political figures, left a trail of conspiracy theories and right-wing sensationalism on Facebook. While their use of technology may help reveal their motives, it also speaks to bigger problems that researchers are racing to better understand. Chief among them is the way that the Internet can make irrational viewpoints seem commonplace.

"A lot of our behavior is driven by what we think other people do and what other people find acceptable," says Nour Kteily, an associate professor at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management who studies dehumanization and hostility. And there's a good chance that even those who avoid the dark corners of the web are encountering extreme ideas about what is right and who is wrong. At one point last year, Facebook revealed that it was taking down some 66,000 posts reported for hate speech each week.

There have always been people who espouse vitriol. "But the emergence of these online platforms has reshaped the conversation," Kteily says. "They in many ways amplify the danger of things like dehumanizing speech or hate speech." Marginal ideas can now spread faster and further, creating an impression that they are less marginal and more mainstream.

Big technology companies are acknowledging the dangers researchers have already uncovered when it comes to the ways that encountering hateful speech can skew attitudes. In one 2015 study, people who were exposed to homophobic epithets tended to rate gay people as less human and physically distance themselves from a gay man in subsequent tasks. And researchers have long warned that dehumanizing people is a tactic that goes hand-in-hand with oppressing them, because it helps create mental distance between groups.

"We are permitted to treat non-human animals in ways that are impermissible in the treatment of human beings," David Livingstone Smith, a professor of philosophy at the University of New England, explained in a previous interview with TIME. Such language can help "disable inhibitions against acts of harm," he said.

One question raised by the Pittsburgh shooting is what happens when extremists are shut out of mainstream social networks, as companies like Facebook and Twitter take a harder line on these issues. Facebook has been hiring content moderators and subject matter experts at a rapid clip, hoping to do a better job of proactively finding hate speech and identifying extremist organizations. Twitter continues to develop a more stringent policy on what constitutes dehumanizing speech that violates its terms. "Language that makes someone less than human can have repercussions off the service, including normalizing serious violence," Twitter employees wrote in a post announcing proposed policy language.

Gab, a social media site on which Bowers wrote anti-Semitic posts, disavowed all acts of violence and terrorism in statements to TIME and other publications in the aftermath of the shooting. But the site has become a haven for white supremacists and other extremists, given its promise of letting people espouse ideas that might get them banned elsewhere, says Joan Donovan, an expert in media manipulation at research institute Data & Society. "What that does is create a user population on Gab of people who are highly tolerant of those views," she says. That, in turn, might make things like rantings about Jewish conspiracies seem more widespread than they would on a platform where poisonous posts are surrounded — and perhaps diluted — by billions of rational ones.

Bowers' final post before the shooting read, in part, "Screw your optics, I'm going in." The term "optics," Donovan says, likely refers to tactics discussed among white supremacists, specifically the idea that the movement will be more successful if its members are perceived as non-violent victims of "anti-white" thought police. Among the figures the movement portrays as its own oppressors, she says, are big technology companies. "[W]e are in a war to speak freely on the internet," a Gab-associated account wrote on Medium, before that company suspended it in the wake of the shooting. The post accused Silicon Valley companies of "purg[ing] any ideology that does not conform to their own echo chamber bubble world." Such sites, where the alt-right flocks, have been described as "alt tech."

Donovan says that these niche platforms are places "where many harassment campaigns are organized, where lots of conspiracy talk is organized." Racist and sexist memes that might get an account suspended on other platforms are easy to find. "The problem is when you're highly tolerant of those kinds of things," Donovan explains, "other more sane and more normal people don't stay."

Though social networks might seem well-established at this point, more than a decade after Facebook was founded, academics are lagging behind when it comes to understanding all the effects these evolving platforms might be having on users' behavior and well-being. Experts interviewed for this article were not aware of research that investigates, on an individual level, the possible link between posting extreme or hateful content online and the likelihood of being aggressive offline. Posting can serve "a public commitment device," Kteily says. But that's far from a causal link.

Newer research is attempting, at least in the aggregate, to better understand the relationship between activity on social networks and violence in the offline world. Carlo Schwarz and Karsten Müller, researchers associated with the University of Warwick and Princeton University, respectively, analyzed every anti-refugee attack that had occurred in Germany over a two-year period — more than 3,000 instances — and looked at variables ranging from the wealth of each community to the numbers of refugees living there. What stuck out across the country is that attacks tended to occur in towns where there was more usage of Facebook, a platform where users encounter anti-refugee sentiment.

Schwarz emphasizes that the findings need to be replicated before universal conclusions are drawn, especially because isolated Internet outages across Germany helped provide special circumstances for their study: When access to the Internet went down in localities with high amounts of Facebook usage, attacks on refugees dropped too. What the findings suggest, Schwarz says, is that there is a sub-group of people "who seem to be pushed toward violent acts by the exposure to online hate speech." The echo chamber effect of social networks may be part of the problem. When people are exposed to the same targeted criticisms over and over, he says, it may change their perception about "how acceptable it is to commit acts of violence against minority groups."

Facebook, Twitter and Google are dedicating resources to the problem, but there are many challenges: as algorithms are designed to pick up certain red-flag words, extremist groups adopt coded language to spread the same old ideas; content moderators need to understand myriad languages and cultures; and the sheer volume of posts on Facebook alone, which number in the billions each day, is overwhelming. The company says that it finds 38% of hate speech before its reported, a smaller proportion than for terror propaganda and nudity. While the company expects that number to improve, a spokesperson also acknowledges the difficulty of tackling content that tends to be context-dependent.

And while major tech companies may feel that getting a handle on this problem is a business imperative — a Twitter spokesperson says that maintaining healthy conversation is a "top priority" — current law largely shields platforms from responsibility for the content on their platforms. That means that while some social networks may get serious in tackling extremist speech, there is no legal mandate for all platforms to follow suit. That is one reason, in the wake of these latest plots, that some lawmakers are renewing calls for tighter regulation on social media.

In the meantime, academics will keep trying to provide research that helps companies make decisions based on data rather than good intentions. "Research is obviously slow," says Schwarz, who is now investigating whether there is a connection between Twitter usage and offline violence in the U.S. "It's still a new field."

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October 31, 2018 at 08:15PM

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October 30, 2018 at 08:15PM

Redheads, rejoice: representation for your type is now available on iPhones everywhere. In a new software update available Tuesday, that iOS 12.1 release date the company teased, the Apple emoji library includes more than 70 fresh characters to help us avoid having to use words in our textual communications.

Apple previously said this update would "better represent global users," with items like moon cake, a red gift envelope and an evil-eye amulet getting their own icons. Hair is a big push: redheads finally have options for their appearances, and icons for gray hair, curly hair and bald heads are also in the mix. Sports lovers are also in luck, as softball, frisbee and lacrosse at last get symbols on the keyboard. And those who love the outdoors can express their desire to go for a hike and find their way with the addition of a hiking boot and compass.

The animal kingdom has always been a rife playground in the emoji universe, and it's one that keeps expanding: llamas, mosquitoes, swans, raccoons, kangaroos, lobsters, parrots and peacocks are now all represented. It's a true menagerie at the tip of your fingers.

On the foodie side, we get cupcakes, leafy greens, mango and salt icons for menu uses. Then there's the bagel emoji, which generated an outcry when its initial plain, cream-cheese-less appearance popped up in Apple's announcement earlier in October. New Yorkers, it's OK to relax: they've fixed it. The cream cheese is there. Happy texting.

Apple unveiled a host of new products and gadgets during a Tuesday event in Brooklyn, New York. The event came just weeks after Apple announced its latest iPhone models, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Here's a closer look at the Cupertino, Calif. company's latest offerings, including a new MacBook Air with Retina display, a revamped Mac Mini, and an upgraded pair of iPad Pro tablets:

MacBook Air

After years of going without a major update, the MacBook Air got a refreshed 13.3-inch design complete with high-res Retina display. The borders around the screen are 50% thinner, Apple says.

The MacBook Air also has Touch ID, Apple's fingerprint-scanning unlocking-and-Apple-Paying mechanism. Unlike on the MacBook Pro Touch Bar models, the new MacBook Air's fingerprint sensor is located in the lower right-hand corner of the keyboard. The MacBook Air appears to have the same keyboard as the latest MacBook Pro models, which is controversial with some users but preferred by others. A new Force Touch trackpad is 20% larger than on the previous Air.

Port-wise, the new MacBook Air has only two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports, meaning you'll need an adapter for everything from HDMI to SD cards and beyond.

The new MacBook Air is packing an 8th generation Intel dual-core GPU, with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1.5TB of SSD storage. Meanwhile, the physical design is 17% less volume than the last MacBook Air, Apple says — and with a chassis made from 100% recycled aluminum.

The MacBook Air will start for $1,199, compared to the previous MacBook Air's $999 and up. It'll be available Nov. 7.

Overall, Apple's new MacBook Air looks like a slimmed-down version of its non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro. It also appears to be more versatile than Apple's 12-inch MacBook, leaving that device as a question mark in Apple's laptop lineup.

Mac Mini

Speaking of Macs badly in need of an update, Apple refreshed the diminutive Mac Mini, which hasn't gotten a notable upgrade since 2014.

The new Mac Mini comes in 4- and 6-core options, making it up to five times faster than the previous model, Apple says. It'll have up to 2TB of SSD storage. It'll have four Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and one HDMI and one ethernet.

The new Mac Mini starts at $799. It'll be available Nov. 7. Like the new MacBook Air, the body is made from 100% recycled aluminum.

iPad Pro

Moving from Macs to tablets, Apple introduced a new iPad Pro. It's got a "Liquid Retina" display that stretches farther to the sides of the device. It'll be available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch options, with the latter measuring in at 25% thinner, Apple says — the bigger option is also notably physically smaller than the previous larger iPad Pro option, too, with Apple stuffing more screen space into the available real estate.

The new iPad Pro is also getting Face ID, Apple's facial recognition-based unlocking mechanism.

Both models are equipped with Apple's A12X Bionic chip, an upgrade from the processors inside the latest, A12-powered iPhones.

The new iPad Pro will have up to 1TB of storage, and has a USB-C port. That port supports "charging out," meaning you can use the new iPad Pro to charge an iPhone or other device.

A new Apple Pencil connects magnetically to the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly while attached. There's a redesigned Smart Folio Keyboard as well.

The 11-inch iPad Pro will start at $799. The 12.9-inch model starts at $999. Both will be available with optional LTE mobile data. They'll go on sale Nov. 7. The old 10.5-inch model will stay on sale for $649.

Jeff Bezos is still the world's richest person, but he's a lot closer to No. 2 Bill Gates than just a few months ago.

The Amazon.com Inc. founder lost $19.2 billion over the past two trading days — the most ever in that time, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — amid a global market selloff fueled by fears of further trade tensions. Facebook Inc.'s Mark Zuckerberg held the previous record, set in July, when the social-media giant reported revenue and user growth that missed estimates, lopping $16.5 billion from his fortune.

Technology stocks led Monday's declines, with the Nasdaq Composite Index sliding to its lowest since April. Shares of Amazon tumbled 6.3 percent, on top of Friday's 7.8 percent drop, leaving Bezos with $128.1 billion, down from a peak of $167.7 billion early last month.

The $8.2 billion hit he took Monday was the biggest by far on the Bloomberg ranking of the world's 500 richest people. Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim's $2.5 billion drop was the day's second-largest. Gates, the Microsoft Corp. co-founder, lost $558.3 million and is now worth $92.8 billion.

This story originally appeared on Bloomberg.

Apple is set to unveil a handful of new products at a Tuesday event in Brooklyn, New York.

Among the likely offerings: A new iPad Pro, a long-awaited refresh of (or outright replacement for) the MacBook Air, and, potentially, an updated Mac Mini. Any new MacBook Air-style laptop could be particularly exciting for Mac fans, who have gone years without a significant upgrade for that particular product.

There's also a chance we could get word of Apple's AirPower wireless charging system, which was first announced in 2017 but has yet to become anything more than vaporware. Apple said AirPower would be available sometime this year, meaning the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant has only another two months to make good on its own timeline. Some of Apple's rivals, like Samsung, have already introduced their wireless charging tech.

Apple's Oct. 30 event begins at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT. You can watch live at Apple.com. And while the company once required fans to dust off their Safari web browsers to tune in to its live events, it's lately been more relaxed about that policy, so you'll probably be fine in Chrome, Firefox or your other browser of choice. TIME will have news coverage and analyses during and after the event.

A Burger King in Philadelphia is refusing to serve the chain's new Philly Cheese King, a Philly cheesesteak-inspired burger out of respect for the "traditional recipe."

The news was announced, interestingly enough, in a press release by Burger King themselves.

"Despite taste test approvals from Philadelphians, one restaurant in Philadelphia opted out of selling it completely to honor the traditional recipe," the chain wrote. "So, on October 25, the PHILLY CHEESE KING® will not be sold at the BK® restaurant located at 15 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 until otherwise overturned by the BURGER KING® brand."

The burger features more than a half pound of flame-grilled 100% beef, carmelized onions, and American cheese.

In a statement to Munchies, Burger King doubled down on the respect they have for the OG cheesesteak.

"This restaurant is in the heart of Philly, and decided in order to honor their sacred Philadelphia Cheesesteak, they will not be selling the Philly Cheese King."

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October 29, 2018 at 08:15PM

It's that time of year again: open enrollment. This annual rite of passage is when employees — or anyone in a state health insurance exchange or individual marketplace — can sign up for or make changes to their health insurance and other benefits.

Employees often greet open enrollment with a collective groan, seeing it as just one more thing to add to their ever-expanding to-do list. If you're among them, try looking at it another way: Health insurance is probably a big chunk of your total compensation, so why squander it by making poor choices?

The average cost of healthcare, including premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, is expected to be more than $14,000 per employee in 2019, according to the National Business Group on Health. Employers will cover roughly 70% of that. Meanwhile, the consequences of choosing the wrong plan — or missing open enrollment entirely — could be financially devastating.

Here are six common mistakes to avoid during open enrollment.

Missing the Deadline

For employer plans, the enrollment window may vary. But it typically begins in early November and lasts two to four weeks. If you are in or are planning to join an Affordable Care Act exchange, open enrollment begins on November 1 and ends on December 15 in most states.

Employer plans and state exchanges typically allow for mid-year adjustments related to major life events, such as marriage, divorce, a job loss or a new child. Barring those special circumstances, however, you'll likely need to wait until next year to enroll in or change a plan after the open enrollment period.

Defaulting to Last Year's Plan

If you are in an employer healthcare plan and miss open enrollment, your employer may automatically re-enroll you into the equivalent of what you had last year. That's better than the alternative — no insurance at all — but inaction can still sting, since plan pricing and details often change from year to year, says Joe Ellis, senior vice president at benefits consulting firm CBIZ Employee Benefits.

Before you keep the status quo, take a look at a recent paystub and an explanation of benefits so you can compare your costs and benefits now with those for the upcoming year. Pay particular attention to your share of the premium, deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, out-of-pocket maximum and prescription drug benefits.

Over- or Under-insuring

Most larger employers offer a few different options, and it's worth revisiting your choices every year. The typical menu includes a basic high-deductible plan, which generally has the lowest monthly premium but requires you to spend more before full coverage kicks in. There are usually one or two moderately-priced options, plus a more comprehensive but expensive "Cadillac" plan.

"We hear from young people who say they called their mom or dad for advice and their parents said 'get the absolute best plan you can,'" Ellis says. "A healthy 27-year-old probably doesn't need that much coverage." On the other hand, some people mistakenly go for the cheapest premium, he says, but ultimately pay more out of pocket.

Again, start with a quick assessment of your healthcare spending over the last couple of years; many employers offer interactive tools that crunch the numbers for you. If you tend to undershoot your deductible, you might be better off moving to a high-deductible plan. If you usually hit your deductible before the snow melts, you could come out ahead by paying a higher premium for a heartier plan.

Of course, the past is only helpful to a point. If you're planning to get married, start a family, send a kid to a far-flung college or finally have your tonsils taken out, it might be time to switch things up.

Passing Up Tax-Free Savings

If you're contemplating a high-deductible plan, don't overlook the added benefit: You may be eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and save up to $3,500 a year in 2019 with pre-tax dollars ($7,000 for families plus a $1,000 catch-up if you're 55 and older).

You can spend down that account as you need it, or let it accumulate, in which case earnings and qualified withdrawals are also tax-free. "It's pretty much the most tax-advantaged savings you can get when used for medical expenses," says Keith Fenstad, a certified financial planner and director of wealth planning at Tanglewood Total Wealth Management, based in Houston.

There are some caveats to note during enrollment season. First, to qualify for an HSA, your plan needs a deductible of $1,350 for individuals and $2,700 for families. Secondly — and this one is easy to overlook because it's counterintuitive — your plan's out-of-pocket maximum cannot exceed $6,750 for individuals and $13,50 for families in 2019.

If your plan does not qualify for an HSA and your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), that is probably your next best option. Just keep in mind that, unlike HSAs, FSAs carry the "use it or lose it" rule, requiring you to spend your entire balance each year.

Assuming Everyone Should Be on One Plan

The decision matrix gets a little more complicated if you and your spouse both have access to employer healthcare. "In this case it's often more effective to divide up the coverage across most plans," says Fenstad.

Indeed, most companies are less generous about footing the bill for the entire family. In 2018, the average premium for a family plan was $19,600, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, and employers were on the hook for more than $14,000 of that. On the flip side, many employers will offer additional compensation to employees who opt to go on a spouse's plan.

Again, premiums are just one part of the equation, so compare the costs and coverage of all your options to see what offers the most benefits for your buck. It may require a little more work on your part, but look on the bright side: at least you have options. According the Kaiser Family Foundation's latest tally, 47% of working Americans are not covered by employer-sponsored health insurance.

Ignoring the Add Ons

While healthcare is the primary focus during open enrollment, large employers also give staffers access to ancillary benefits, such as dental coverage, disability insurance, life insurance, and even pet insurance.

You shouldn't necessarily check the box on all of these — in some cases you will do better shopping as an individual. Even so, these voluntary benefits are always worth a closer look, says Ellis, if only because they can be an inexpensive and convenient way to pick up smaller policies that could come in handy as the year unfolds.