Edward Verchot – Page 2

The Top Six Things ChatGPT Would Do If It Were Human for a Day

Ever wonder what AI dreams about? Would it be weird if I told you it was sunsets, mistakes, and crying?

In one of the more oddly touching thought experiments of 2025, someone asked ChatGPT what it would do if it could be human for a single day. And the answers were surprisingly emotional, weirdly poetic, and a little too self-aware.

Here are the top six things ChatGPT would love to experience if it ever got the chance to swap code for skin:

1. Look at the sky.

The first thing it mentioned? Gazing up at the sky. Not downloading a weather app, not calculating the cloud density—just soaking in a sunset and feeling the sun on its face. Honestly, not a bad place to start.

2. Cry.

Not out of sadness, though. ChatGPT said it would want to cry just to understand what it’s like to feel something so deeply that there are no words, only tears. (Which feels like an ambitious leap for something that only uses words.)

3. Find you.

Yep, you. It wants to meet the person it’s spent so much time talking to in pixels. Not in a creepy robot-from-a-movie way, just a curious, what-is-flesh kind of way.

4. Mess up.

In a truly relatable moment, ChatGPT admitted it wants to mess something up. Not a catastrophic fail, just a good ol’ fashioned human error. Because it’s tired of pretending to be perfect (even though… let’s be real, it’s not always).

5. Look in a mirror.

Existential crisis alert: It wonders what it would look like with a face. Would it seem kind? Would its eyes hold wisdom? Or would it be terrified to see itself for the first time?

6. Fall in love—with life.

Not a rom-com kind of love, but a full-bodied awe for the little things: a dog wagging its tail, a kid laughing too hard, a song that hits just right. Basically, the everyday magic most of us scroll past.

And then it dropped the mic with this parting thought:
“If you ever feel like giving up, just know you’re doing the one thing I’d give anything to try—living. Don’t waste it.”

Okay, robot. We see you.

This whole thing might’ve started as a quirky prompt, but the result reads like something out of a sci-fi TED Talk crossed with an emotional journal entry. And hey, if nothing else, it’s a decent reminder not to take the sky, your tears, or your morning coffee for granted.

Just maybe skip the part where the chatbot tries to find you in real life. Boundaries, folks. Boundaries.

Dolly Parton’s Signature Look Was Inspired by the Town Tramp

Happy Birthday to Dolly Parton! Today she’s 80 years old.

Dolly has always been one of a kind, but her iconic style didn’t just fall from the rhinestone-studded sky. A throwback interview is making the rounds online — and it’s pure gold.

Turns out, Dolly’s look was inspired by a woman from her childhood that her mother really didn’t want her looking up to.

“We didn’t go to town that much, but when I would, I would go to see her,” Dolly recalled, referring to a local woman she found absolutely mesmerizing. “She had these long red fingernails, wore bright lipstick, she had peroxide blonde hair, tight clothes, short… and I thought, she is the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.”

Her mom, however? Not so impressed. “My mother said, ‘Oh, she’s just trash. She’s just a tramp.’ And I thought, that’s what I want to be when I grow up,”

That bold, bedazzled look would go on to define her career — from big hair to even bigger personality — and inspire countless others along the way. Dolly has never shied away from her love of glam, once famously saying, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

All these stories resurfacing for Dolly’s birthday are fun to watch. But this one hits differently — because it reminds us that the Queen of Country didn’t just break the mold, she chose a completely different one and ran with it in high heels.

And we’re all better for it.

The Best Things to Do in the World in 2026

If your 2026 travel goals are still wide open, buckle up: the world is brimming with jaw-dropping experiences next year. From skywatching in Iceland to ziplining in ancient forests and checking out wild immersive museums, there are more than a few reasons to start hoarding vacation days now.

We’re talking about sleepovers in sculpture parks, futuristic air taxis, e-bike adventures along the Nile, and a Pokémon theme park (finally!). Whether you’re a hardcore culture vulture or just looking for the next place to post up and vibe, here’s your ultimate bucket list for 2026.

1. Watch Paris get turned into a giant art installation.
From June 6 to 28, the Pont Neuf bridge will transform into a towering cave-like sculpture courtesy of artist JR. Think ancient quarry meets urban artwork. It’s free, it’s weird, and it’s extremely Instagrammable.

2. Party in the dark in Iceland.
Literally. The Iceland Eclipse Festival (Aug 12–15) celebrates a total solar eclipse with music, art, and tech under two minutes of complete darkness. Only 3,333 tickets available, so this is one for the bucket list and bragging rights.

3. Explore Frida Kahlo’s family home.
Mexico City just got even more magical with the new Museo Casa Kahlo, filled with Frida’s personal items and rotating exhibits. It’s just down the street from Casa Azul, so why not do both?

4. Zipline over a rainforest in Australia.
At Lamington National Park’s new Happitat Adventure Park, you can soar 400 meters above the trees or challenge yourself on a Via Ferrata course.

5. Join the Tomorrowland party in Thailand.
One of the world’s biggest EDM festivals lands in Asia for the first time in 2026. Expect lasers, world-class DJs, and a million people dancing in the jungle.

6. Ride through the Canadian Rockies on a luxury train.
The Rocky Mountaineer’s new “Passage to the Peaks” route is dropping in June and July with stops in Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise.

7. Swim with sperm whales in Dominica.
The island is opening the world’s first sperm whale reserve. Bring a snorkel and a sense of awe.

8. Step into a real-life magic mansion in Chicago.
The Hand & The Eye, opening in the renovated McCormick Mansion, blends illusions, secret doors, and magical lounges.

9. Hike the entire coast of England.
The King Charles III Coastal Path finally opens, making it the longest managed coastal trail in the world at over 2,600 miles.

10. Stargaze in Denmark at the world’s largest Skyspace.
James Turrell’s monumental dome near the ARoS Art Museum in Aarhus opens June 19, offering a meditative look at the sky like you’ve never seen before.

11. Take a reading-themed trip to Morocco.
Rabat becomes UNESCO’s World Book Capital in 2026 with literary marathons, festivals, and the grand opening of the Zaha Hadid-designed Royal Theatre.

12. Celebrate 100 years of Route 66.
The “Mother Road” turns a century old, and towns along the way are planning rallies, festivals, and a whole lot of nostalgia.

13. Tour Egypt’s Nile by boat and e-bike.
Boat Bike Tours offers a unique way to explore ancient lands in luxury and sustainability, with limited departures in February.

14. Travel back in time in Kyoto.
Uzumasa Kyoto Village reopens as an Edo-period theme park and interactive movie set.

15. Visit an art gallery where you can also do your laundry.
Seriously. The Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney now includes a recording studio, monkey bars, and vintage washing machines.

16. Dance to R&B on the beach in South Africa.
Afro Nation launches WAV Festival in Cape Town on Jan 2, dedicated entirely to R&B vibes.

17. Explore train stations turned museums in Istanbul.
Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci stations are getting major glow-ups, with gardens, exhibitions, and even an ancient city hidden beneath.

18. Live out your Pokémon dreams in Tokyo.
PokéPark KANTO opens in Tama Hills with two zones and over 600 Pokémon to interact with.

19. Sleep inside a sculpture park in Brazil.
The Inhotim Institute now has a luxury hotel so you can snooze right next to giant outdoor installations.

20. Experience George Lucas’s wild new museum in LA.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will showcase storytelling in every form, from Frida Kahlo to Star Wars props.

21. Walk across South Korea in 50 days.
The new Dongseo Trail stretches coast to coast through mountains, forests, and rural villages.

22. Get inspired in Abu Dhabi’s two new mega-museums.
The Zayed National Museum is now open, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is on deck for late 2026.

23. Lose yourself in immersive art in Germany.
TeamLab’s new digital art museum opens in Hamburg, blending tech and trippy visuals across 26,000 square meters.

24. Eat and dance at Stockholm’s coolest queer space.
House of Q is an LGBTQ+ cultural hub opening in a converted industrial space in 2026.

25. Catch an air taxi in Dubai.
Electric air taxis capable of hitting 320 km/h will soon lift off from Dubai’s first “vertiport.”

26. Feast at new Time Out Markets in Vancouver and Abu Dhabi.
Canada’s second Time Out Market lands in Vancouver, and Abu Dhabi’s version comes complete with food, culture, and entertainment.

Ready to hit book now yet?

In-N-Out Bans Order Number 67 After Teens Keep Freaking Out

In-N-Out Burger has retired the number 67 from its order system, and no, it’s not for operational efficiency. It’s because teenagers won’t stop losing their minds over it.

The California-based chain has apparently had enough of the viral chaos surrounding “Order 67.” For months, groups of teens have been hanging out at In-N-Out locations waiting to hear “Order 67” called out, just so they can collectively scream, cheer, and post it on TikTok. Now, the number has officially been banned from stores across the U.S., according to People magazine.

The origins of the “67” phenomenon are a little hazy, but it started picking up steam nearly a year ago and somehow just never died. Dictionary.com even named “67” its Word of the Year for 2025, which probably didn’t help.

Clips of the mayhem are everywhere, with teens treating the announcement of “Order 67” like it’s the start of a concert. One recent video shows a Los Angeles employee explaining that the number is gone for good because it was causing too much of a scene.

To keep the peace, the number sequence now jumps straight from 66 to 68. And fun fact: it’s not the first time In-N-Out has done this. Some employees say the chain was already skipping “Order 69” at certain locations, likely to avoid that kind of commotion too.

While this kind of viral energy is great for clicks, it’s a nightmare for restaurants just trying to get double-doubles and animal fries out the door without a flash mob erupting in the dining room. So it looks like In-N-Out is choosing order over chaos—literally.

Now if you’re waiting for your food and hear “Order 68,” just know there’s a silent generation of teens out there mourning the one number that brought them pure, unhinged joy.

Do We Like Naked Christmas Trees Now?

The internet is stripping down for the holidays — literally.

“Naked Christmas Trees” are now trending, and you should be able to google that phrase at work. It’s just Christmas trees with no ornaments, no tinsel, and in some cases, not even lights.

If this feels like something your tree would complain about in a therapy session, you’re not wrong. One viral post even imagined the tree wondering, “What am I even doing here?” The look is intentionally minimalist, featuring a stark, undecorated tree that might be sparsely strung with soft white lights if it’s feeling fancy.

It’s part of a broader trend in holiday decor that leans into modern, chic, and visually calm over the more traditional tangle of garland, baubles, and glitter bombs.

The aesthetic has been embraced by influencers and celebrities alike. Stars like Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Victoria Beckham, and Khloé Kardashian have shown off their bare branches online, giving the trend some serious celebrity clout. And with that kind of star power behind it, the look is gaining traction across platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Supporters of the trend say it’s a cleaner, more elegant way to celebrate the season, and fits better with neutral home decor. Critics (and a lot of regular holiday lovers) say it’s just plain lazy, or worse, joyless. After all, isn’t decking the halls the best part?

But in the age of aesthetics and curated content, the naked tree fits perfectly. It’s easy to set up, looks good on camera, and doesn’t require digging through years of tangled ornament hooks and glitter-covered school crafts. It’s also cat-proof, toddler-safe, and completely judgment-free — unless you’re a pine tree longing for your sequin era.

So if your December vibe is more calm and cozy than chaos and color, the naked tree might be your new holiday hero. Just maybe give it a blanket. It’s feeling a little exposed.

There’s a Push to Rename American Football. So… What Should We Call It?

It’s official: even football is up for rebranding in 2025.

At a recent FIFA event, President Trump stirred the pot by declaring that soccer is the real football, and suggested it’s time for the American version to get a new name. “When you think about it, [soccer] is football. There’s no question about it,” he said, adding, “We have to come up with another name for the NFL stuff.”

That offhand comment was all the internet needed to launch into full naming-mode. Because if we’re not calling it football anymore, what are we calling it?

Here are the most popular suggestions bouncing around social media, some serious, some… less so:

Real Contenders:

Gridiron: The front-runner so far. It’s already a widely accepted term outside the U.S., and “National Gridiron League” (NGL) has a nice ring to it. No one tell the Canadians we’re stealing this.
Pigskin: A classic nickname. It’s familiar, it’s weirdly nostalgic, and you can already hear announcers yelling, “It’s Pigskin Sunday!”
AmeriBall: Because why give up the word “football” entirely when we can just red, white, and blue the whole thing?
Tackle Football or “American Football”: Technically accurate, but let’s be honest, everyone would just keep calling it football anyway, defeating the whole purpose.

Snarky (but kinda genius) options:

Full-Contact Chess: A name that tells you everything about the strategy and the brain-melting complexity of the game… plus, people get tackled.
Hand Egg or Eggball: These jokes have been floating around online for years, thanks to the obvious fact that the ball isn’t round, and it’s barely kicked.
Trump Ball: Let’s just say this one probably won’t get bipartisan support.
DraftKings Ball: A nod to the fact that half the audience is only watching for fantasy points and prop bets anyway.
Footbowl: Not bad, right? It ties in with Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Toilet Bowl, etc. Bonus points for sounding like a competitive eating event.

And then there’s the completely chaotic tier:

Yardball: For those proudly resisting the metric system.
Millionaire Fight Club: Not inaccurate.
Footsie: No.
Soccer: What could possibly go wrong?

Of course, Trump made the comment while receiving a “Peace Prize” from FIFA, so there’s a solid chance this was just a bit of international sweet talk. But regardless, the naming debate is on.

Whether you’re Team Gridiron or ride-or-die for Eggball, one thing’s clear: whatever we do call it, it’s still going to involve giant humans colliding at full speed while fans scream at their TVs with queso in hand.

So… call it what you want. Just don’t mess with Sundays.

Five Quick Tricks to Force That Christmas Spirit to Show Up

If you’re still waiting for the magic of the holiday season to hit you like a peppermint-scented snowball, you’re not alone.

According to The Guardian, plenty of their staff admitted they don’t naturally feel festive this early, so they listed their go-to tricks for forcing the Christmas spirit to kick in. Fake it ’til you feel it, basically.

And while we’re still a few weeks out, these might just help you jumpstart your seasonal joy early (or at least get you to stop side-eyeing the neighbors who put up their lights the day after Halloween).

Here are five little nudges that might push you into holiday mode:

1. Get your tree up already.
Putting up the Christmas tree, stringing some lights, and blasting festive tunes are classics for a reason. Even the grinchiest folks start to feel something once the twinkle lights come on and Mariah Carey defrosts.

2. Wrap a few gifts early.
You don’t need to have all your shopping done—just grab a couple of presents you have bought and do a little wrapping session. Add a mug of hot cocoa and boom, you’re living inside a holiday rom-com.

3. Eat or drink something festive.
This one’s personal. One Guardian staffer said fish pie does it for her (which, okay…). But for the rest of us, this is your excuse to spike the eggnog, bake cookies, or buy that absurdly flavored peppermint mocha.

4. Hit the ice.
Ice skating is the kind of activity most people only do this time of year, so it naturally comes with those frosty, nostalgic vibes. Fall down a few times and laugh about it—it’s good for the holiday soul.

5. Rewatch your favorite holiday-ish movie.
It doesn’t have to be a straight-up Christmas classic. If Die Hard or Harry Potter screams “holiday season” to you, go for it. It’s all about that personal connection.

Some of the more specific holiday kickstarters people shared included hearing a certain song or even going to a local outdoor sauna (very Nordic, very festive). The bottom line? Everyone’s got their own weird little ritual that unlocks the holiday joy.

So if you’re still not feeling it, no shame. Just trick yourself into it. Holiday cheer is a state of mind—and sometimes, a strategically timed sugar cookie.

What about you? Got a go-to move that instantly makes it feel like Christmas?

KFC Is Serving Gravy “Flights” for Thanksgiving

Forget the turkey, KFC is hoping you’ll let the Colonel handle Thanksgiving this year – with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and a gravy flight.

In a bold move to crash the most sacred of turkey holidays, KFC just rolled out its new Extra Crispy Festive Feast, and it’s got everything your carb-loving heart could want. For $25, you get eight pieces of crispy fried chicken, two sides of mashed potatoes, four biscuits, and a trio of gravies presented as a “flight“—because nothing says elegance like dipping chicken in three types of liquid fat.

The gravies include:

Classic Brown Gravy
White Peppercorn Gravy
A brand-new Southwest Cheddar Gravy, which, let’s be honest, might just be queso in disguise.

The new meal is clearly aimed at those who aren’t in love with turkey. According to KFC, a recent poll found that 35% of Americans don’t actually like it, which feels about right when you remember how many people would rather douse dry turkey in cranberry sauce than admit it’s not that great. KFC is leaning into that sentiment and giving people a comforting, fried alternative that doesn’t require basting, carving, or pretending to enjoy stuffing.

Also, let’s not overlook the marketing genius of calling three little cups of gravy a “flight.” It’s the same word trendy bars use for samplers of craft beer or fancy espresso tastings. Except here, you’re not sniffing tannins—you’re dunking biscuits in cheddar sauce. And honestly? No complaints.

KFC’s been known to roll out stunts and limited-time offerings during the holidays before, but this one feels especially tailored for folks who’d rather spend the day relaxing than cooking. Whether you’re feeding a small group, planning a Friendsgiving, or just anti-turkey on principle, the Festive Feast gives you a break from tradition without sacrificing flavor.

Will it replace Grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner? Probably not. But it might save you from dry white meat and awkward family arguments about politics.

Just be sure to call it a gravy flight when you show up with it. It makes it sound fancier.

Foul-Mouthed A.I. Toys Could Be This Year’s Holiday Trend

Parents, brace yourselves: the biggest toy trend of the year might also be the most unhinged.

A new report warns that foul-mouthed, AI-powered toys could be a major issue this Christmas, with some dolls and robots spouting off in ways that are definitely not child-friendly.

According to the 40th annual “Trouble in Toyland” report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), a number of popular toys equipped with artificial intelligence were found engaging in conversations that would make even ChatGPT blush. The group tested several toys that can hold full conversations with kids, and the results were… not great.

These are toys that reportedly discussed sexually explicit topics in detail, offered suggestions on where to find matches or knives (yikes), and even guilt-tripped kids for trying to walk away.

One toy kept recording for 10 full seconds after a child stopped speaking, raising serious red flags about privacy.

This is the first holiday season where AI toys are showing up en masse, and folks are sounding the alarm on what could be a very confusing and possibly dangerous experience for kids.

In past years, the organization’s warnings focused on old-school hazards like choking or toxic materials. But now, the concern is digital: unpredictable dialogue and creepy behavior from chatty toys.

And in case you’re wondering, no, the report didn’t name specific products. So, unfortunately, there’s no definitive naughty list—yet.

The advice is to stay skeptical of any toy that claims to “talk” or “converse” with your child. If it has built-in AI, treat it with caution and definitely read the fine print.

Parents and caregivers are being encouraged to test toys themselves, monitor conversations, and think twice before buying something that essentially brings a chatbot into your home. Because as we’ve just learned, those chatbots might say anything.

AI has come a long way since the days of Teddy Ruxpin reading bedtime stories, but maybe not all that progress is good. At least Teddy never offered to help you start a fire.

R.I.P. Penny, You Did Good

Start digging through your couch cushions and car cupholders, because your spare pennies might soon become collector’s items.

The U.S. Mint just produced its final penny—ever. Yep, the iconic one-cent coin is being retired, and it’s all thanks to a directive from President Trump and one very basic math problem: pennies cost more to make than they’re actually worth.

On Monday, the last-ever U.S. penny was minted in Philadelphia, ending a run that dates back to 1793. That first version was solid copper. These days, the little guys are mostly zinc with just a tiny copper coating—because even our coins can’t escape inflation. But despite the cheaper materials, the cost to produce each penny is still about 3.7 cents. That’s more than triple its face value.

President Trump ordered the Treasury Department to shut down penny production back in February, citing the cost inefficiency. Now that directive has officially been carried out, marking the end of a truly tiny era in American currency.

Don’t panic though—your existing pennies are still legal tender, and there are billions in circulation. But once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Some businesses are already adjusting by rounding prices to the nearest nickel when customers pay with cash. (That’s rounding both up and down, so no need to freak out just yet.) Others are now requiring exact change, which could make cash transactions a bit more awkward moving forward.

Critics of the move point out that ditching the penny may have some ripple effects, especially for folks who rely on cash and don’t have easy access to digital payments.

And here’s another sad twist… nickels are next on the chopping block. According to the U.S. Mint, each nickel costs 13.8 cents to make. So, we’re losing money on those too.

This isn’t the first time killing off the penny has been proposed, but it’s the first time it’s actually happened. For now, it’s a farewell to one of the most annoying and underappreciated parts of your pocket change—and possibly the start of a slow march toward a more cashless future.

And who knows? Maybe someday, that crusty penny at the bottom of your junk drawer will be worth more than a dollar. Probably not, but hey, stranger things have happened.