Author: sparta

gifts priced below $50 for the gadget lover in your life has exciting updates for shoppers. Those with a membership should be aware of the upcoming changes before they start considering all the Costco tech products that could be worthwhile purchases.

In 2025, Costco introduced significant modifications that customers might have observed throughout the year, such as increasing its store locations, adding Coca-Cola to the food court, and enhancing the number of membership scanners at the entrances of its outlets. Nevertheless, the company has even more ambitious plans for 2026, which include further expansions, additional improvements to the food court and pharmacy, quicker lines and exit times, a broader range of potentially lower-priced signature merchandise, and improved wages for staff.

Few places offer an affordable smart TV that customers endorse, a slice of pizza, and an electric vehicle, which are likely two reasons why Costco remains a favored shopping choice. It’s worth noting while you read this that Costco’s fiscal year commences in September, so some of these updates may already be happening at a store near you. With that in mind, let’s explore this retailer’s upcoming developments.

If you’ve watched the Apple TV series “Severance,” you’re aware that there’s a lot of peculiar activity occurring both inside and outside the confines of Lumon Industries. Given that the whole concept of the series revolves around individuals literally dividing their consciousness in two just to attend work, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the show can be confounding and surreal at times. Nevertheless, prior to director and executive producer Ben Stiller reviewing the script, the show featured even more unusual aspects that didn’t make it into the final edit.

In a 2022 interview, series creator and writer Dan Erickson disclosed that certain initial concepts for “Severance” were a tad too eccentric for Stiller’s liking. During the conversation, Erickson brought up a few elements that were excluded from the show, such as Mark S. (Adam Scott) making a particular discovery at Lumon. Although it may not explain why it’s perpetually winter in the series, it’s still fascinating to consider the potential paths “Severance” might have explored.

Please note that we aren’t revealing any spoilers, as much of what Erickson talks about ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor — but we’re giving you a heads-up anyway, in case this is too much information for anyone who hasn’t started the series. If you’re all caught up, it’s likely you, like us, have several pressing questions that Season 3 is expected to clarify. Let’s examine what got cut from the series.

Severance reduced the peculiarity

During a Q&A with “Severance” creator Dan Erickson for Backstory Magazine, host Jeff Goldsmith inquired about some of Stiller’s feedback regarding the script before it was approved by Apple TV. “It was primarily about grounding it,” Erickson replied. “He believed that the concept itself was bizarre enough that it didn’t require a plethora of other, you know, Terry Gilliam-like embellishments.” The Gilliam reference is fitting, considering that the “Monty Python” veteran has directed numerous unconventional films, including the 1985 dystopian classic “Brazil.”

“Severance” is already strange enough – including the Greek mythology elements that might shed light on a specific Season 2 episode – so it’s easy to presume there were no creative constraints. Yet, Erickson discloses a few distinct ideas that didn’t proceed to production. “There was a pair of disembodied legs that scampered by at one point,” Erickson mentions. “In this version, there was another level that Mark would climb to. And it was sort of in ruins, as if there had been a conflict or something.” He adds that Mark would have discovered the whole floor scorched, and that someone trapped in a cubicle would have been pleading for assistance.

Erickson acknowledges that once Stiller got involved with the script, the “Zoolander” star would start questioning why more bizarre elements were occurring, toning down some of the more extravagant scenes to create a bigger impact. “He wouldn’t allow me to have things be odd just for the sake of being odd,” Erickson shares. However, considering what we observe on the show, it’s astonishing to consider that it’s actually restraining the oddity. Presently, Season 3 of “Severance” is anticipated to commence filming in spring 2026.

cheaper robotic vacuum cleaners may be more suitable for your residence.

Since the launch of the first commercially successful robotic vacuum cleaner in 2002, numerous brands and models have emerged in the marketplace. It’s quite easy to feel inundated by all the unfamiliar names and the various features that each robot offers. With significant advancements in sensor technology, larger motors, and improved software, you have the option to select an economical choice to keep things tidy, or invest in a powerful, feature-rich robot capable of managing all that pet hair. Regardless, there’s a robotic vacuum cleaner for every type of dwelling, and we are here to assist you in discovering the ideal choice. We assessed the most dependable brands that deliver the best value for the typical household, considering genuine user experiences to aid you in making an educated choice.

the canines of Chernobyl might be adapting at an alternative pace due to the radiation, showcasing the intricate character of radiation. However, other significant calamities like the Three Mile Island partial meltdown and the Fukushima event have also fueled society’s apprehension regarding nuclear energy.

Radiation possesses a distinct influence over our minds. Its effects are unseen, and its existence is persistent. Furthermore, we are unaware of all the enduring impacts it can impose on humans. This incites a profound, instinctual anxiety within us. We are raised with tales of meltdowns, contaminated ghost towns, and genetic alterations that shape our perceptions of nuclear calamities. Yet, when viewed against the larger backdrop of energy generation, nuclear energy results in fewer fatalities per electricity unit produced than many alternatives. Indeed, the fatality rate associated with nuclear power is exceptionally low, even considering the most severe incidents. However, nuclear mishaps and their repercussions are alarming, so they demand our attention.

The statistics are revealing. Coal results in approximately 24.6 fatalities per terawatt hour, oil approximately 18.4, while nuclear stands at merely 0.03. Energy derived from fossil fuels leads to deaths through ongoing air pollution, mining catastrophes, and long-lasting health effects, all of which nuclear energy avoids. Yet, it is radiation that frightens us. Perhaps because it seems like a menace from beyond, a menace over which we lack control. This inability to manage the situation is starkly evident in some of the most significant nuclear disasters in our history.

inconsistent electric vehicles are available, while reliable models remain a preferred option for environmentally conscious individuals who wish to decrease dependence on oil and conventional energy supplies. Opting for a pre-owned EV is advisable if you’re aiming to cut costs, but if you desire the most current technology, there are plenty of new vehicles to select from.

Manufacturers like Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and others now present a greater variety of EV choices than they did a few years back. With this abundance of models, the search for a new EV may feel daunting. To assist in this pursuit, we’ve selected five electric vehicles priced below $50,000 that have received favorable reviews from Consumer Reports, narrowing down the options for those on a budget.