Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch an Xbox "next-generation handheld device" for the holiday season of 2027. The Xbox next-gen console, codename Project Helix, would then launch in the holidays of 2028, according to a new report from Fortune.
The report doesn't make it clear whether the handheld would be made by a manufacturer like Asus, or by Microsoft itself. Xbox teamed up with Asus for its Xbox Ally devices, which ran a modified version of Windows 11 with an Xbox mode enabled. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has also described Project Helix as a "family of devices," suggesting that Microsoft's next Xbox console may not be just one piece of …
AMD has just revealed that it's bringing its latest upscaling technology, FSR 4.1, to the Xbox Series S and X consoles, as well as laptops, 6000-series GPUs, and handhelds like the Xbox Ally X devices. FSR 4.1 will start appearing for Radeon RX 6000-series GPUs today, as well as Ryzen AI Max 300 and 400 series devices, and Ryzen AI 9 300 and 400 series devices.
AMD launched its FSR 4.1 update for Radeon RX 9000-series graphics cards in March, and promised to bring the technology to older GPUs and handhelds this year. FSR 4.1 can improve performance in more than 300 supported games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield 6, and Assassin's Cre …
Ghosting has no winners. The person left on read spends weeks replaying every text, wondering what the hell happened. And according to new research, the person who disappeared might not feel so great about their decision, either.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of California conducted three studies for a paper. They examined people’s past experiences, hypothetical situations, and live online conversations. Their finding? “People who are ghosted underestimate how bad their conversation partners feel about ghosting them,” the authors wrote.
People who ghosted reported feeling guilty afterward, and previous research has associated ghosting with depressive symptoms. Interestingly, the guilt was worse when the ghosting happened accidentally. Maybe you forgot to respond to someone, and by the time you remembered, too much time had passed to reply without feeling awkward. So you just…never did.
Of course, feeling guilty doesn’t help the person on the receiving end. Psychologist Jennice Vilhauer wrote in Psychology Today that ghosting “creates the ultimate scenario of ambiguity,” leaving people wondering whether to worry about someone or accept the relationship is over.
Ghosting Isn’t Just Painful for the Person Left Behind, Scientists Say
Some people are also more inclined to ghost than others. A study led by psychologist Gili Freedman found that people who believe relationships are either destined to work or doomed from the beginning were 31.8% more likely to have ghosted someone. So I guess believing in soulmates can make ignoring someone’s texts a little easier.
The Cambridge researchers found that even a short message, something as basic as “sorry, can’t talk,” helped reduce the misunderstanding. A few words could spare both people unnecessary anguish.
Personally, I think ghosting is a cop-out. You can call it “protecting your peace,” and sometimes that might be true. But if you’re ghosting someone you once had a solid relationship with, I’m sorry, but it’s selfish. It’s just an excuse to avoid a hard or uncomfortable conversation.
I’ve been ghosted by someone I thought would be in my life forever (a friend, not a romantic partner), and I would have much preferred they tell me to “f*ck off” to my face than disappear without a conversation. At least I’d have known where we stood. To this day, thinking about this person is incredibly painful because I have no idea what really happened.
Feeling guilty afterward is fine, I guess. Actually having the conversation would be better.
Being single past 30 comes with a standard set of questions from aunts and coworkers, usually some version of “Are you seeing anyone?” No one ever asks if you’re actually happy.
Researchers at the University of Toronto did. Lead author Elaine Hoan and her team examined 11 years of data on 2,930 never-married Germans for a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Participants entered the study around ages 18, 26, or 36 and had to report being single at every annual survey to qualify.
Roughly 90% maintained relatively high life satisfaction throughout the study. “Singles’ overall satisfaction with their lives remained remarkably robust,” Hoan told PsyPost. Earlier research using the same data had suggested long-term singles became less satisfied as they aged, partly because it lumped everyone into one average.
Researchers Found That Long-Term Singles Are Happier Than You Might Think
Of course, being happy with your life doesn’t mean you’re thrilled about your dating prospects. About two-thirds of the youngest participants enjoyed being single, while older participants were less enthusiastic. Sexual satisfaction varied, as well. People with higher education levels were more likely to fall into the least sexually satisfied groups. Researchers suggested that demanding academic pursuits could leave less time for sex. So, there’s another thing that isn’t mentioned when you sign up for grad school.
Most participants also expressed moderate to high interest in finding a partner. They could enjoy their lives and still want someone to share them with. The happiest singles generally scored lower in neuroticism and higher in extraversion.
The numbers aren’t much different in the U.S. A 2023 report found that 57% of single adults had no interest in dating or finding a relationship. Single men were more likely to be looking than single women. And when Pew asked singles who weren’t dating why, 72% said they enjoyed being single. That’s a lot of people who are perfectly happy spending their weekends however they damn well please.
Still, people have a hard time believing someone could be happy without a partner. Psychologist Bella DePaulo, author of Single at Heart, has studied this skepticism by asking participants to judge otherwise identical descriptions of single and married people. Even when the single person described a happy life, readers were less inclined to believe it. “If you are already happy, don’t expect marriage to make you even happier,” she wrote in Singled Out, as reported by The Christian Science Monitor.
At the next holiday dinner, “I’m good, thanks” should cover it. Assuming anyone believes you.
TikTok has yet another dating theory people treat like gospel: the 3-6-9 dating rule. This concept breaks the first nine months of dating into three stages, with only the strongest couples surviving…
What Is the 3-6-9 Dating Rule?
According to Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, the 3-6-9 dating rule is not a new concept, but it is gaining traction for its catchy name. The theory proposes the following three important stages of dating within the first year of a relationship:
0-3 Months: Honeymoon Phase
According to the 3-6-9 dating rule, a couple will remain in the honeymoon phase for the first three months of their relationship.
“The honeymoon phase is when everything is perfect, you get butterflies when you talk to this person, and nothing seems to be wrong,” Trombetti says.
3-6 Months: Conflict Stage
The 3-6-9 dating rule suggests the honeymoon phase ends after three months, starting the conflict stage. You might start to take your partner off a pedestal and acknowledge their humanness—and vice versa. This can reveal minor annoyances and potential incompatibilities. No relationship is perfect, and you’ll have arguments from time to time. But if you can learn to navigate conflict as a unit, you’ll likely survive this phase.
“The conflict stage is when you most likely will have an actual disagreement on something. Think of this as your first real fight,” Trombetti states. “This will show the other person how you communicate during conflict and how you will resolve it.”
6-9 Months: Long-Term Decision-Making Phase
By months 6-9, you should be assessing your long-term compatibility with your partner. If you have doubts, you might decide against wasting more time.
“Then the long-term decision-making stage is when you are actually deciding: Is this my person? Do I really see myself with them forever?” Trombetti explains. “This is when you start to really know if they are potentially the ‘one’ and worth pouring your time and heart into.”
Is the 3-6-9 Rule Credible?
According to Trombetti, the timing of the 3-6-9 rule does seem natural. However, she typically recommends waiting for three months before actually committing to someone, which she notes could delay the honeymoon phase.
“I do agree we typically see around 3 months to 6 months of larger conflict, and that really does show you a lot about the person,” she adds. “For 6-9 months, yes, you should know if you want to pursue someone long term, but this could happen earlier potentially if you knew the person prior or are working with someone like a matchmaker/dating coach. Timelines are relative depending on the work you have done on yourself. “
While this dating rule works in many relationships, it shouldn’t be treated as the end-all, be-all of dating advice.
“I would suggest using the timeline to your advantage as more of a check-in point for yourself,” Trombetti recommends. “For instance, I really like the 6-9 months time frame because at that stage you should start to really know if this is something you want to pursue long term. I am not saying get married right there and then, but I am saying it is a good time to recognize: Are there any red flags? Do I want this? And if you are not sure, that might be your answer right there.”
Mouth-breathing and constant sniffles don’t exactly scream “sexy time,” but you might want to reconsider. Some researchers think sex could help clear a stuffy nose for about an hour.
The research has been making the rounds again, although it was first published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal in 2021. It even won an Ig Nobel Prize, which recognizes scientific research that makes people laugh and then think. Researchers led by German ear, nose and throat doctor Olcay Cem Bulut recruited 18 heterosexual couples to measure their nasal breathing before and after sex. They repeated the experiment the next day using a decongestant nasal spray.
For the first hour after sex, participants experienced about the same relief they’d gotten from the nasal spray. Airflow increased by 214 milliliters per second immediately after sex, compared with 235 from the spray. Three hours later, however, their congestion had returned. The spray lasted longer, and the improvement after sex was limited to participants who were already significantly congested.
Bulut came up with the idea after noticing the effect himself. He told Insider that arousal, physical activity, and “the climax at the end can possibly help to improve nasal breathing.”
A Study Found That Having Sex Can Relieve a Stuffy Nose for Up to an Hour
There are some limitations, though. The study involved only 36 people, and researchers had usable airflow measurements from 16. Everyone also had an orgasm, so there’s no way to know if sex without one would have produced similar results.
Sex can also make a stuffy nose worse, depending on the person. There’s a condition called honeymoon rhinitis that causes people to sneeze or get a runny nose when they’re sexually aroused. Doctors have known about it since at least 1875, when one reported a patient who couldn’t think about sex without sneezing. Imagine having to explain that to someone you’re dating.
Decongestant sprays have their drawbacks, too. Don’t use products containing oxymetazoline for more than three days because they can actually make congestion worse. The researchers also suggested masturbation might produce similar relief, although they didn’t test that theory.
An orgasm and an hour of nasal relief? There are worse ways to deal with a cold.
L’exécutif a convoqué, ces dernières heures, les plateformes de e-commerce ainsi que Google, Facebook, Instagram et Snapchat pour leur demander de faire preuve de vigilance. D’abord, face aux pilleurs qui chercheraient à revendre des produits volés en ligne. Ensuite, pour demander aux réseaux sociaux de mieux contrôler leurs fonctionnalités, notamment les diffusions en direct. Elles sont accusées par les forces de l’ordre d’avoir servi aux casseurs à s’organiser efficacement. Mais avec quel effet? Marcelo en discute avec Tiphaine et Klara. Des questions? Des commentaires? Ecrivez-nous sur Whatsapp au +32 49 07 69 41
**Un message de GSK : Prévenir, soigner, innover : GSK appelle à investir dans la santé des Français pour accélérer l’accès aux innovations et atteindre un objectif : zéro perte de chance pour les patients, en renforçant la recherche et les investissements industriels en France.**
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Remember when billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump were supposedly enemies? At the start of Trump’s second term, the world’s richest man, was busy ripping through nearly every level of the U.S. government with the Trump-approved Department of Government Efficiency. But by June 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported the pair had “torched” their relationship, which amounted to a lot of social media slapfights and accusations about who was in the Epstein files. But the truth is, the two men have a storied on-off relationship that seems to fluctuate based on who’s grabbing the check.
Lately, Musk and Trump are back to acting like close pals. It was hard not to cringe watching the president award Musk the National Medal of Science on Oct. 8, the highest honor the U.S. can bestow on a scientist or engineer. I was probably reading too much into it, but I sensed some awareness on Musk’s part that it was an empty gesture, unless inflating stock prices is a scientific achievement. But maybe the pageantry is meant to distract from how many government grants Musk has been awarded. According to multiple reports, Tesla and SpaceX basically would not exist without the government giving Musk’s companies wads of cash.
At any rate, Musk is now stepping in to try to save Trump’s allies in the midterms, dumping hundreds of millions into races, with Axios reporting he is “single-handedly keeping the Republican Party afloat in some of its most vital races.” So far, he’s spent some $366 million in pro-GOP midterm TV spots and other campaign efforts, with $276 million donated since July alone. No other known donor comes close to dishing out more funding. But for Musk that’s a relatively trivial amount, even though his fluctuating trillionaire status is currently hovering below the threshold for designation.
Some of Musk’s money went to his own super PAC, but a good chunk also to the Senate Leadership Fund and the Lone Star Liberty PAC, both of which are backing Texas GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton’s endangered campaign for the U.S. Senate against state Rep. James Talarico. Right now polling indicates that statewide election results in the Lone Star State are going to be extremely tight, with new data from the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project released Wednesday indicating Democrats are statistically tied in key races. It’s not just Talarico, who leads Paxton 50% to 47%, but Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa holds a one-point lead over Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, which is effectively a tie. Trump is reportedly already searching for someone to blame if Democrats pick up their first Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
Across the country, other races indicate a high likelihood that Democrats will retake the House, while the Senate still looking like a tossup. With these numbers, Musk is likely to dump even more cash into the election before Nov. 3, but it increasingly smells like desperation. As Alex Gibney, director of the new documentary “Musk,” recently told Salon’s Melanie McFarland, Musk is “literally paying for political advantage.”
“He’s spending way more now than he did for the presidential campaign in 2024, and in part that’s to get more money for himself in the form of military contracts,” Gibney said. “But also, he knows that a reckoning is coming for him if the Democrats take over the House and the Senate, and there’s going to be a lot of investigations into him for corruption and abuse of power, taking our information, particularly possibly relating to DOGE, and doing God knows what with it.”
It remains to be seen if this midterm meddling will pay off for Musk. He got what he wanted out of the 2024 presidential election by propping up Trump’s campaign, but his attempts to financially sway results in other races haven’t worked. In 2025, Musk dumped more than $18 million into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, hoping to suborn the state’s redistricting efforts and regulations of car manufacturers and dealers. His influence made it the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, but that still didn’t get him the outcome he wanted.
Last Thursday, Musk settled a class action lawsuit alleging that his PAC had engaged in fraud in the 2024 presidential election by falsely telling voters they had a chance to randomly win $1 million when the winners were actually predetermined. He also dodged bribery charges in August for trying the same stunt in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
In the end, the results will all come down to voter appetites, and there are increasing indicators that the majority of Americans are fed up with the ultra-rich meddling in government. A recent Fox News poll indicates that corruption is the top concern among both Democratic and Republican voters, with 60% extremely concerned, a figure that outpaces inflation (58%), gas prices (50%), government leadership (49%) and healthcare (48%). Data from a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Sunday found roughly two in three Americans believe Trump is using the presidency to enrich himself, with most of the increase over the past year coming from people who lean Republican.
These numbers may indicate that people are starting to see through Musk’s ruse. He could probably pour even more money into politics, and probably will anyway, but there’s a glimmer of hope that it won’t accomplish much.
When Square Enix announced earlier this year that it was making its first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, I was beyond excited. While I’m a massive fan of the 3D era of the series, as a child of the ’90s, I’ve been yearning for the franchise to return to its roots. Thankfully, I can say that Final Fantasy Resonance is not only one of the best JRPGs I’ve played in years, but it fully captures the magic of the early Square Enix games that many have been nostalgic for.
Final Fantasy Resonance Goes Beyond Its Mobile origins
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
One of my biggest questions going into Final Fantasy Resonance was how it would separate itself from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. For those not in the know, Resonance is partly a reimagining of the 2015 mobile gacha game. However, my worries immediately melted away within the opening minutes of the game.
For starters, the new HD-2D graphics overhaul is a massive one. While Resonance largely follows Brave Exvius’ story, every scene has been completely re-created with new cinematic storytelling. So much so that the two games barely resemble each other visually or even narratively. As far as the graphics themselves go, I would actually go as far as to say this is Square Enix’s best-looking pixel game to date.
From the grand backdrops of massive cityscapes to dingy dungeons you explore throughout the region, Resonance is filled to the brim with gorgeously detailed levels that find a perfect balance between 3D and 2D retro graphics. It doesn’t just stop there, though. Square Enix has even crafted these new 3D-rendered, pixelated cutscenes that almost feel like early PlayStation-era CGI.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Suffice to say, if you missed the old-school Final Fantasy series, FF Resonance not only gives you that in spades, but it also presents it through a modern HD lens that is absolutely stunning.
Final Fantasy Resonance Recaptures the Magic of ’90s Turn-Based Combat
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
More importantly, though, Final Fantasy Resonance plays like a classic Square Enix JRPG from the ’90s with its return to turn-based combat. I know for many fans, this is specifically what they’ve been wanting from the franchise for over a decade now. And oh man, was it completely worth the wait.
In Resonance, you control a team of four party members on the battlefield at any given time. However, your team can actually expand to eight units, as each character can equip a Vision or Esper to join them in battle. Like classic Final Fantasy games, each encounter determines the attack order based on the player characters’ and enemies’ stats.
What adds a new twist is the action bar at the top that shows the attack order in real time. Because of this, players can strategically use elemental attacks to stagger enemies and prevent them from even having a turn. In Final Fantasy Resonance, the core gameplay loop centers around you filling up an enemy’s stagger meter. Staggering is based on enemy weaknesses, which you can exploit with elemental attacks.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
On paper, this is all a pretty standard classic JRPG formula. However, Square Enix has gone to great lengths to really make the battles feel epic with the new Vision mechanic. Vision attacks trigger a powerful spell that is accompanied by a 3D-pixel cutscene that is mind-blowing every time you see it. Then there are Limit Burst attacks, which feature full HD-2D pixel cutscenes that are just as breathtaking.
A Familiar Story That Keeps You Hooked
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
There are times when you can feel the echoes of Final Fantasy Resonance’s mobile roots. Specifically, the main story, which is an adaptation of the first story arc in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. However, I actually love this aspect of the game.
If you’ve played a gacha title like Genshin Impact, you know the drill. You discover a new region, spend an entire chapter resolving the story, and then move on to the next region. But I feel like this formula works really well in Resonance, as it almost has a TV-series quality to it.
For example, when you reach the end of each chapter, you are always left on a cliffhanger or a tease for the upcoming region. Which, yeah, makes sense for live-service mobile games that release new content in patch updates. But in Resonance, I found that it kept the story engaging throughout each section, and every arc had me hooked from beginning to end.
Visions Are Final Fantasy Resonance’s Best Feature
Screenshot: Square Enix
Final Fantasy Resonance’s Vision mechanic is its best feature. Throughout the game’s map are Sanctum of Lights locations, which you can enter to recruit heroes from previous Final Fantasy games. From Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud Strife to Final Fantasy X’s Tidus, you can literally add some of the franchise’s biggest characters to your party.
Although Visions are technically summons of previous heroes, they are equipped to each party member through an equipment slot. Interestingly, though, each Vision has its own class. For example, Lightning and Clive Rosfield are both Breakers, which means they are good for staggering enemy defenses.
There are around 26 Visions in Final Fantasy Resonance you can collect. They not only look flashy and are a nostalgia lover’s dream, but they add a lot of strategy to the game. When you equip a Vision, you actually add their powers and moves to the character they are attached to. So if, let’s say, Rain doesn’t have any ice attacks, you can equip a certain Vision to expand his arsenal of moves.
A Massive World With Plenty to Explore
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Thankfully, I can also say that Final Fantasy Resonance is a massive game. It took me around 45 hours just to beat the main story campaign. And I was missing a lot of side content. Square Enix has packed this game with a lot of interesting side quests that really flesh out the game’s lore and side characters.
For example, there is one quest that has you hunting down specific monster spawns across the entire map, which then lets you unlock new parts for a Chocobo mech that one character brings into battle. No, it’s seriously as awesome as it sounds.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Although the game is HD-2D, Final Fantasy Resonance has a sprawling map that can be explored on foot or by summoning your trusty Chocobo mount with the press of a button. However, without getting into spoilers, the JRPG opens up even further as you progress, once you unlock an airship that lets you fly around the entire overworld.
Final Fantasy Resonance Review Verdict
Final Fantasy Resonance is not only a return to Square Enix’s ’90s roots, it’s a beautiful reimagining of what a classic Final Fantasy game would look like in the modern age. This is the Final Fantasy project many fans have been desperately wanting for decades.
Verdict: Best In Its Class (10/10)
Screenshot: Square Enix
Pros
Final Fantasy Resonance brings the series back to turn-based combat, and it’s instantly addicting.
Square Enix has pushed the HD-2D genre to the next level with incredible 3D CGI cutscenes, vision attacks, and pixel animated battle sequences that are jaw dropping.
A massive map that features side quests, hidden items, and unlocks.
Vison’s are an incredible feature that will have you geeking out over recruiting your favorite Final Fantasy hero.
Cons
If you played Brave Exvius, some of the story beats might be too familiar. However, the levels of depth Square Enix has gone to reimagine the title, makes it stand out its own game.
Enemy encounters that trigger when walking around the overworld map can sometimes get fatiguing. Especially if you are higher level and don’t need the XP, but then fail to escape the battle.
Final Fantasy Resonancereleases on PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 24, 2026. A code was provided by Square Enix for the sake of review. Reviewed on PlayStation 5Pro.
STRASBOURG — The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) wants to scrap the directly elected European Parliament, shrink the European Commission and let Berlin opt out of common EU policies. That’s according to the party’s policy program, which party leader Alice Weidel will present at the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The AfD’s push comes as far-right parties look to gain ground across Europe. The party’s recent victories in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have given it fresh momentum.
Last week, Marine Le Pen was in Brussels to outline her plan for the EU if she becomes French president. She vowed to halve Paris’ contributions to the budget if she gets to power, and to turn the European Commission into a “secretariat” in the service of its member countries.
“I’m not fooled by what the European Commission wants to do. The European Commission wants to turn itself into a state; we do not. And so we will stand in its way,” Le Pen said.
The AfD policy paper, obtained by Brussels Playbook, says the AfD would not seek to leave the EU or eurozone at first. Instead, it wants to renegotiate the EU treaties and cut the bloc’s powers, institutions and budget. Weidel will present her strategy at an event on Wednesday afternoon entitled “Our new deal for Europe.”
The party wants to replace direct European Parliament elections with delegates appointed by national parliaments, reduce the Commission’s role to purely administrative and transfer decision-making to national capitals. It also wants to replace the EU’s top court with an arbitration tribunal.
The plan calls for slashing and capping the EU budget, freezing staffing numbers and abolishing agencies. The AfD would use its veto power to scrap revenue from VAT and plastics taxes, and threaten to halt Berlin’s contributions to the common budget to force through the reforms it demands.
“If Brussels refuses the path of reform, this veto will be used to block future EU financing legislation and drastically reduce Germany’s contributions,” the AfD plan says.
The AfD also wants to give larger eurozone economies more voting power at the European Central Bank — giving Germany a say in monetary policy — and reject the digital euro.
Berlin should seek exemptions from EU rules on migration, taxation, social policy, defense and common borrowing, the party argues. If the EU’s green policies are not scrapped, and no substantial changes take place to industrial, agriculture, and financial policies, an opt out in these areas would be sought too.
The paper identifies 2029 — when the next European Parliament and German federal elections will take place — as the moment to start implementing the reforms.
“In 2029, something we have scarcely dared to hope for may become reality: a patriotic, right-wing majority in the European Parliament is coming within reach.”
If its reforms fail, the AfD says it would put Germany’s EU membership to a referendum.
President Donald Trump announced this afternoon that Elon Musk's SpaceX shares for children will be given through Trump Accounts. Musk said earlier today that he would give one of his SpaceX shares to "every kid in America" sometime next year. Musk had thanked Trump Account booster Brad Gerstner for "helping enable this," and Trump appeared to confirm the plan in a post on Truth Social.
Given the value of SpaceX's stock on Friday, 72 million shares would be worth approximately $10.5 billion, according to CNBC. "This will be the first of many," Musk said.
Michael and Susan Dell, Ray and Barbara Dalio, Gerstner, and SpaceX president Gwynne …
Dating profiles can be generous with the truth. The guy who’s “always up for an adventure” could be going home to a mattress on the floor and a fridge with nothing in it but mustard and one Coors Light. You can learn a lot about a person once you see where they live, and sometimes you wish you hadn’t.
Matchmaking service Tawkify surveyed 500 single Americans over 40 to find out how much a date’s home affects attraction. Half admitted they’d lost interest after seeing where a potential partner lived. Women were quicker to change their minds, at 55% compared with 42% of men. And 13% said they’d formed an opinion within seconds of walking through the door.
In fact, 57% of respondents said they’d discovered something at a person’s home that turned them off after having missed it during previous dates. Unpacked moving boxes bothered 56%, followed by an empty fridge at 48% and dirty dishes at 42%. Another 36% weren’t thrilled by homes with zero personal touches. By your 40s, it’s probably time to have something on the walls besides the thermostat.
These Household Red Flags Could Make Someone Lose Interest in You
The bathroom was a major deciding factor. A clean one with an actual hand towel was the strongest second-date signal, according to 60% of respondents. One woman told Elite Daily that a filthy bathroom would be enough to put her off spending the night. Which seems completely understandable to me.
Another woman on Reddit described visiting a man’s house and finding a bathroom that “was visibly dirty and didn’t have any toilet paper, soap, or towels.” She ended up ghosting him and felt bad about it. Although I’m curious what he expected guests to do after using the toilet.
Living arrangements also came under scrutiny. The survey found that 41% considered living with parents a red flag. Having adult children or roommates at home bothered 21% each.
People did start to get a little ridiculous when it came to judging size. Another 41% said a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home was a turnoff for anybody over 40. Considering mortgage interest rates and the cost of rent these days, that seems very unfair.
Fortunately, the bar for impressing a date doesn’t involve owning a mansion. About 68% of respondents assumed a person with a well-kept home had their life together. Warm, traditional interiors appealed to 71%, with natural and neutral styles close behind at 69%. Industrial decor came in last at 49%. Sorry to anyone who spent a fortune making their apartment look like a new brewery.
Of course, if someone does have money, it doesn’t guarantee a pleasant visit. One woman in an AskReddit discussion recalled visiting a date’s gorgeous apartment in an expensive neighborhood, only to discover it was filthy.
A date-ready home costs about as much as a nice dinner out. Buy a decent hand towel and put something in the fridge besides condiments. Whoever comes over is going to look around, so make sure the bathroom passes inspection—aka, have toilet paper.
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone signed a letter of intent saying they're considering a joint bid for spectrum that would support European direct-to-device satellite competition for SpaceX's Starlink. The four telecom companies say they would handle the ground infrastructure while a separate, unannounced satellite partner provides the satellite constellation:
The joint initiative by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone has a clear ambition: to meet customer demand for universal coverage in underserved areas, strengthen the resilience of public networks, protect critical communications, and support the develop …
Elon Musk says he plans to give one of his SpaceX shares to every child in the US starting next year. With around 72 million children in the US as of July 2025, Musk would be giving away about $10.5 billion worth of shares, according to a report from CNBC.
Musk, who runs SpaceX and Tesla, appears to be giving away the shares through Trump Accounts, the tax-advantaged investment accounts for American children. Musk responded to a post from Brad Gerstner, who helped launch Trump Accounts, saying "Thanks for helping enable this." Musk adds that this giveaway "will be the first of many."
The move comes just months after SpaceX president Gwynne …
Musk's post came just a few hours after Anthropic promised to put 5% of its shares into a new "public benefit fund," which it intends to use to make "large donations to traditional nonprofits or direct distributions to specific populations" after its upcoming IPO.
I often hear this complaint online: Women spend hours prepping for a first date, curling their hair, doing their makeup, and choosing an outfit that’s both cute and casual. We hear conflicting advice: Don’t look like you’re trying too hard, but still look presentable. Don’t show too much skin, but don’t dress overly modest either. You want to appear cool, calm, and collected…but definitely not overly confident.
With all these rules, it’s no wonder so many women dread dating in the first place. As a result, some are going the opposite direction and testing what’s called the “Sweatpants Dating Theory.” This viral social media/TikTok trend removes the pressure to dress up and encourages women to embrace their natural beauty—while staying comfortable in sweatpants. The theory suggests that you’ll attract better matches.
What Is the Sweatpants Dating Theory?
Julie Nguyen, a certified dating coach at Hily Dating App, defines the sweatpants dating theory as “a viral dating trend on TikTok that says dressing comfortably in cozy clothes can actually increase your odds of meeting new people and attracting a higher-quality man because it signals confidence, genuineness, and being low-maintenance, which makes women seem more approachable.”
Is there any validity to this theory? Well, it depends on who you ask.
According to Dr. Dakari Quimby, PhD, MA, Clinical Advisor of Marietta Springs, a modern evidence-based treatment center located in Marietta, Georgia, “Sweatpants cannot attract higher-quality men in any reliable sense, and someone’s character is judged through respect, consistency, and whether words match behavior over time.”
However…
“If you’re looking to make connections with others, you may feel more relaxed and comfortable in casual clothing,” he adds. “In turn, others may perceive you as more relaxed and approachable as well. It will take the pressure off you and, ironically, make you more likable and less socially awkward.”
Why Might Wearing Sweatpants Attract More Genuine Connections
As stated above, wearing sweatpants to a first date can shift an otherwise anxiety-inducing or awkward interaction into a more lighthearted, casual affair.
“You seem more approachable, friendlier, and less intimidating,” Nguyen explains. “They’re seeing you in a more effortless, relaxed state.”
However, this doesn’t mean you should dress like a total slob with unwashed sweatpants and a stained T-shirt.
“It’s important to lean into cozy clothes where you feel more confident, but not too baggy or worn out where it can feel like a complete lack of effort,” Nguyen explains.
Therapists’ Opinions on the Theory
Therapists seem to have mixed opinions on this particular dating theory and its relevance in today’s dating scene.
“I totally agree [with the theory] because this is how I attracted my boyfriend,” says Nguyen. “I met him when I was dressed more casually in baggy jeans and a Yankees cap with no makeup. I brought a book to the coffee shop and felt like I was able to be more relaxed, which was attractive to him.”
On the other hand, Quimby has some notes on the idea.
“I agree with showing up authentically, but I disagree that one outfit improves your dating pool,” says Quimby. “So remind yourself to choose clothes that you feel good in. If you’re still stuck on what to wear, focus on choosing something that makes you feel good. However, it is human nature that we judge on ‘first’ impression.”
What the Sweatpants Theory Reveals About Modern Dating
According to Nguyen, this theory shows that “people are looking for someone they can imagine sitting on the couch with, laid-back, and being themselves.”
“There’s something incredibly attractive about someone who feels comfortable in their own skin and doesn’t feel the need to impress anyone,” she says.
Relationships aren’t always expensive date nights, luxurious outings, or fancy clothing. Letting someone see your more natural, casual side offers a level of intimacy most first dates lack.
However, this idea extends far beyond our external appearances. It’s all about showing up authentically, which can be done with or without sweatpants.
“The popularity of this idea reflects how much people want dating to feel less performative and more authentic, but clothing alone is not a reliable test of compatibility,” Quimby says.
Growing up as a Millennial, I’ve learned (and since unlearned) a ton of old-fashioned dating advice and expectations. One concept that’s always stuck with me is the idea of one partner “wearing the pants” in the relationship. Usually, this person is the more authoritative, dominant, and traditionally “masculine” partner—the “head of the house,” so to speak.
I’ve always thought the statement was silly and outdated. In fact, I remember my high school boyfriend’s friend spewing it at me as an insult. God forbid a woman wants some power in her relationship…I wear my pants with pride.
But I digress.
Though the phrase is a bit antiquated today, its underlying context does shed light on potentially unhealthy or unbalanced dynamics between partners. Here are four signs you “wear the pants” in your relationship—and should maybe delegate a bit of your responsibility and control.
1. You Make Most of the Decisions
Many relationships have one primary decision-maker and one go-with-the-flow partner. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can lead to imbalance and resentment on both ends.
“I’d look at who makes the plans and [whether] they check in with their partner first,” says April Davis, founder and celebrity matchmaker at LUMA Luxury Matchmaking and an accredited dating coach. “If someone books a vacation or agrees to host Thanksgiving without checking, they probably assume their partner will go along with it. That’s a sign that they wear the pants in the relationship.”
2. You Make and Manage Most of the Money
This is where the idiom gets a bit outdated, as it often refers to the money-maker as the one in control. However, that isn’t always the case.
“Money plays a huge part in relationship dynamics, especially when one person is supporting the other,” says Davis. “Being the higher earner doesn’t automatically mean you wear the pants, but if ‘I’m the one paying for it’ ends the argument, that probably means you wear the pants.”
It also probably means you use money as power, in which case, you should probably do some self-reflection.
3. You Usually Have the Final Say
In a healthy relationship, both individuals should feel they have an equal say on important decisions and compromises.
“Who gets their way after an argument can tell you who really wears the pants,” Davis points out. “Everyone gives in on things they don’t care much about. But if it’s the same person making concessions every time, even on things that matter to them, that’s a pretty good sign.”
4. Your Plans and Goals Come First
Look, I get it: we all want to respect our own plans and life goals. But relationships require (some) sacrifice. Neither partner should feel like the supporting character in the other’s life.
“Maybe you always spend the holidays with their family, or weekend plans depend on what they want to do. As a matchmaker, I’d want to know whether their partner likes that or has just stopped expressing their needs,” says Davis. “Some people are happy to let their partner take the lead. The problem is when one person feels they don’t get a say.”
Another day, another dating theory—and this one is a bit brutal, particularly to men. Coined by relationship counselor and author John Gray in his 1992 bestselling book, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, the “Rubber Band Theory” in dating suggests that men alternate between seeking closeness with and seeking space from a partner.
Like a rubber band, this push-and-pull pattern can greatly affect their ability to form a romantic connection. However, for the man, it’s a desire to maintain their independence within the relationship—not a sign of disinterest.
I spoke with a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist and relationship expert to learn more about this seemingly outdated theory.
What Is the Rubber Band Dating Theory?
The rubber band dating theory essentially compares men to a “rubber band” when it comes to intimacy.
“More specifically, they get close, then need to pull away, come back, and then feel stronger in their connection,” says Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, Harvard-trained clinical psychologist and relationship expert at Hily Dating App.
This back-and-forth dynamic can cause the other partner emotional whiplash while they’re simply trying to build a connection. But for the man, it’s believed to help him regain his sense of self.
Is There Truth to the Rubber Band Dating Theory?
According to Dr. Romanoff, this rubber-band dynamic is common in dating, particularly with men or anxious-avoidant partners.
“From the male perspective, getting close can feel threatening and scary because it may come with a loss of autonomy or independence,” says Dr. Romanoff. “Their partner’s response to their distance and lack of chase or pressure often guarantees that they will come back on their own terms. On the receiving end, this can feel disorienting, like abandonment, especially after experiences of closeness.”
“It’s common with people who are anxious or ambivalent about a new partner, or about the idea of getting back into a relationship,” Dr. Romanoff adds. “They may retreat, and in that space realize their concerns were out of proportion or irrational, which then prompts their return.”
Why Men Might Experience Intimacy Like a Rubber Band
This dating theory is often applied as a blanket statement to most male daters. However, men aren’t the only ones who can display this behavior or pattern. For example, many anxious or avoidant women engage in this push-and-pull dynamic with intimacy as well.
“Intimacy is scary for everyone. It often comes with vulnerability and the possibility of getting hurt or rejected,” says Dr. Romanoff. “People often need to ease into it to feel safe and secure. Attachment style also plays a role; people with more avoidant attachment tend to need more space and distance as they attach to romantic partners.”
While dating theories like this one can help us avoid pain, rejection, and confusion in the dating scene, they can also dehumanize individuals who are simply trying their best. Sure, someone might struggle with intimacy at the start of a relationship, but that doesn’t always mean they have malicious intent or will break your heart.
“Bank this pattern as information, but don’t act impulsively by writing them off or aggressively chasing them,” Dr. Romanoff states. “Give them time to come back to you, and recognize it as a data point.”
The October 28, 1995 episode of MADtv featured a parody trailer for a fictional horror movie called Apollo the 13th: Jason Takes NASA. This was, of course, referencing both Apollo 13 and the Friday the 13th films (the eighth entry of which was subtitled Jason Takes Manhattan). In the apparent crossover—that we’re told has been directed by Ron Howard—Jason Voorhees somehow ends up aboard a spaceship on its way to the cosmos. Predictably, this leads to plenty of bloodshed.
One by one, Jason picks off the ship’s other passengers, much like he would in a typical Friday the 13th sequel. “No American’s ever been hacked to pieces in space by a hockey mask wearing homicidal maniac, and it sure as hell isn’t gonna happen on my watch,” says the flight director, played by Artie Lange—who’s clearly spoofing Ed Harris’s character from Apollo 13. The two-minute “teaser” concludes with the narrator saying, “One small step for man, one giant slash for Jason.” Check it out for yourself below.
A 1995 ‘MADtv’ Sketch Basically Predicted the Entire Premise of ‘Jason X’
Hilariously enough, six years after MADtv aired that segment, the folks at New Line Cinema decided it was time to take Jason to outer space for real. 2001’s Jason X finds the beloved serial killer in pretty much the same exact situation as his Apollo the 13th counterpart. The plot of the film might not be identical to the skit, but the basic premise seems almost too close to be a coincidence: Jason gets brought into space, it unsurprisingly doesn’t curb his desire to murder people, and a rampage ensues.
It’s ironic that the movie even got made, considering that the whole point of the MADtv send-up was to show how ridiculous the idea was. As you probably could’ve guessed, Jason X wasn’t exactly well-received. Not that any of the Friday the 13th entries were ever critically acclaimed, but the earlier sequels are at least looked at as classics by some horror fans. At press time, Jason X has the second-lowest audience score out of the entire series on Rotten Tomatoes—putting it only slightly behind 1993’s Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday.
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