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A large number of people have come out saying VRChat has saved their lives — here’s what it’s like to experience the online meeting place of the 21st century

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VRChat

VRChat is a popular and free multiplayer online experience. As you may guess from the name, it’s compatible with the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets. But anybody can play, even if you don’t have that headgear — it’s accessible on your computer via Steam or the VRChat website.

VRChat is a transformative platform like nothing you've ever experienced. Calling it a video game would be a wild understatement.

In the simplest terms I can muster, VRChat is a surreal virtual meeting space that lets people socialize, attend events, take classes, create art, play games, perform for large crowds, and explore virtual environments — all from the comfort of their own homes.

In the same way that AOL and Yahoo chat rooms gave the world a peak into some of best and worst corners of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, VRChat has become the new virtual Wild West in 2018.

Users claim to have found a community unparalleled by real life there, and a surprisingly large group of people have come out saying that VRChat has saved their lives, as they battle with mental health issues like loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Unfortunately, like other places on the internet, harassment, trolling and hacking are present here, too. 

Above all else, VRChat's rapid growth in users and functionality are unprecedented, and we are only just beginning to see its potential.

Here's what it's like to use VRChat:

SEE ALSO: All the futuristic technologies in 'Black Panther,' and how close they are to becoming reality

DON'T MISS: How to use the new-look Snapchat like a pro, whether you're new to the app or you've been using it for years

THE WORLD

To truly understand what it's like to experience a community entirely based in virtual reality, one must first be willing to leave the physical, biological world behind.

In VRChat, you'll be entering a world where cartoon characters walk through the streets; where portals can transport you from a dungeon in a medieval castle to the holodeck of a spaceship, then to the set the popular 90s sitcom "Seinfeld," in a matter of seconds.



Here are some examples of various playable stages in VRChat.



In this world, the limits of physics, logic and science are no match for the human imagination, which runs rampant with little regard for consequences.

The makers of VRChat make a free software development kit (SDK) available to the public, so that anyone with enough computer storage and a handful of YouTube tutorials can create their own in-game avatars and stages. 

Thanks to the SDK, much of the virtual world in VRChat is user-generated, and awash with plenty of pop culture references. 

There is a downside, however: Since so much of the game design is crowdsourced, and since VR headset controllers and other hardware varies so widely, the graphics in VRChat do not compare to modern AAA video games. To be frank, navigating through the VRChat universe feels like walking through a bizarre, stiff, 8-bit dream. 

But what the platform lacks in design chops, it makes up for in community engagement.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 signs that it's time for you to move somewhere new

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moving day car boxes

  • Making the move to a new city can be scary.
  • Living somewhere that allows you to grow as a person is critical.
  • Follow your gut when it comes to the hard decisions.

When I made the decision to leave New York and move across the world,to Australia, I have no doubt that a lot of people thought I was pretty crazy. Here I was, living in the city of my dreams, finally done with college and able to fully enjoy it as a working adult. Yet I was choosing to leave only seven months after graduation.

In this instance, my decision to move had nothing to do with my feelings towards New York. I was still overwhelmingly in love with the city, but I had a strong desire to experience another place. Maybe you feel the same way, or maybe you've come to the realization that that city you're in is longer a fit for you.

Either way, if any of these sound like you, it may be time to pack your bags.

You find any excuse to complain about where you live.

Do you find that every little thing about where you live seems to get under your skin lately? When you're tired of something, it's typical to poke holes in it and find reasons for your change in opinion.

If you notice that everything about your chosen city really bothers you, it may be time to analyze why that is and see if there's somewhere else out there that's a better fit.



You feel trapped in your routine.

When you wake up in the morning do you know exactly how your day is going to go? Does it almost feel like you're living the same day over and over, without much — if any — differentiation?

Doing the same thing day in and day out can lead to you feeling trapped in your own life. Without flexibility and change, you are unable to explore new avenues or ideas. Moving to a new city is a great way to add spontaneity to your life and break out of your routine.



There's little opportunity for growth where you are.

Whether it's career or self-growth, living somewhere that supports your advancement as a person is extremely important. If you realize that your current city is making you stagnant, it may be time to make a change.

When I was living in Sydney, I was happy, but I became very lazy and wasn't growing in any way. Being aware of that helped me make the decision to try a new place.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Trump wax figure at Madame Tussauds is eerily lifelike

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trump wax

Wax figures of our favorite celebrities and politicians are usually a hit or miss. But Madame Tussauds portrayal of President Donald Trump may just be a little too real.

The Trump wax figure was unveiled last year in Washington, DC, days before the real Trump's inauguration. It has since been relocated to Tussauds' museum in London, where it is now permanently based.

Take a look at how real the faux Trump looks for yourself.

SEE ALSO: Step inside the brand new $1 billion US embassy in London — which Trump says is worse than the old one and refuses to visit

DON'T MISS: Inside the marriage of Donald and Melania Trump, who broke up once before, reportedly sleep in different bedrooms, and are weathering rumors of his affairs

Madame Tussauds is famous for its wax figure approximations of a wide range of celebrities and world leaders.



On January 18, 2017, Tussauds' designers unveiled their version of Trump.



The figure was met enthusiasm and awe.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Airbnb's lesser-known 'Experiences' section curates local events and tours so you'll always have something to do

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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  • Airbnb's 'Experiences' section is the hidden adventure gem I wish I had known about sooner.
  • It offers locally-led tours, workshops, experiences, and concerts that you can book for as little as $10. Ratings and reviews help you make sure you get directed to the best ones out there.
  • It's a fantastic tool for an unforgettable date, trip highlight, or fun new "staycation" with old friends in your home city. It's also a low-risk way to try out new hobbies.
  • I've curated a list of experiences in NYC for anyone looking to explore what the city has to offer.

If you're like me, you may be surprised to learn that Airbnb's best feature might not be offering rentals for travelers.

I'd wager that it might actually be their lesser-known and definitely under-utilized 'Airbnb Experiences' section.

'Experiences' lets you book excursions or other activities designed and led by local hosts. It could be as simple as an Insider Tokyo Ramen Tour, a horseback ride through a natural park, and a hidden jazz concert, or as involved as a three-day surfing trip. Thanks to Airbnb's review and rating system, you can make sure you get to the very best ones.

'Experiences' — be it used on a trip or in your home city — is an exciting way to round out your life on a shoestring budget. You don't have to go to the place that comes up first when you Google "fun tours" in X city —one that every other tourist will also be on. Instead, you'll get to actually experience a place as a local would.

You might scroll through the offerings and, like me, realize that a "live music crawl" sounds like an insane amount of fun, but something you'd never want to organize yourself. 'Experiences' is one way to make your life more rich and diverse, playing around with potential new hobbies in a low-risk way and learning new things alongside new people. It could be the perfect first date, the unexpected highlight of your next trip abroad, or a great way to get together with old friends and do new things in your home city. And it doesn't hurt that some experiences are as low as $10 a ticket.

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You can filter your search by dates, guests, and types (immersions which occur over multiple days, or experiences which last two or more hours) in categories that include classes and workshops, concerts, arts, food and drink, nature, sports, history, music, entertainment, health and wellness, nightlife, and social impact.

For example, this is what shows up when I look under "classes and workshops" without specifying which location:

Screen Shot 2018 03 01 at 3.35.56 PM

Below, I've curated a few experiences currently available in my native New York City — more than a few of which have made its way into a group chat for a couple fun "staycation" weekends to come.

Or, check out the Experiences you can book directly in your city here >

Workshops and classes: A BYOB pizza cooking class in Williamsburg

Description: You can't walk five feet in New York City without seeing a slice of pizza! With good reason: pizza is the heartbeat of New York's food culture. In this class, we'll explore the food science and cultural history behind one of the world's favorite foods. Together, we will make pizza from scratch and customize with toppings of your choosing. 

"Pizza: Circle of Life Cooking Class", $50 per person

Find what's available in Workshops & Classes in your city here >



Arts: Learn aerial moves with a circus star who has a BFA in dance

Description: We will meet at a local coffee house to get fueled up to take off into the air. I'll tell you about my experiences growing up in a traditional American circus and the current aerial circus community thriving in New York City. Next, we’ll head to a circus school where you will have a short yoga and core warm-up, and then get on the fabric to try your talents at aerial silks. Some things we will try are climbing the fabric, inversion practice, and various ways to lock into the fabric for sustained poses off the ground.

"Learn aerial moves with a circus star", $55 per person

Find what's available in Arts in your city here >



Food and drink: Brew craft beer in Harlem with the CEO of Harlem Brewing Co.

Description: I'll guide you step by step as we jump into a live Harlem home-brewing session, where you'll help create an original small-batch beer recipe. Be the "Master of the Brewniverse" for an afternoon while you learn how to cook up grains, mix ingredients, and prepare different styles. At the end, we'll enjoy a Harlem Brew Co. beer flight. Get ready to swing the brews, as you take time to smell the hops!

"Brew craft beer in Harlem", $69 per person

Find what's available in Food & Drink in your city here >



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Immortality,' 'disagree,' 'emigrate,' and 'personality cult' — here's every word and phrase China censored after criticism of Xi Jinping's potentially unending reign

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Xi Jinping china president sign billboard

Earlier this week China announced it would be ending term limits for its president.

That means President Xi Jinping, who was limited to two five-year terms like nearly all of his predecessors, can rule indefinitely.

The change sparked a backlash online, with criticism flooding local Weibo and WeChat platforms.

Unsurprisingly, popular phrases were soon being censored and searches for these terms turned up zero results.

But the amount of censored content has grown in the last few days, to encompass popular terms that are both positive and critical of Xi. Even the letter 'N' was banned at one point.

Here's nearly every phrase that's been banned so far:

SEE ALSO: 22 eerie photos show how China uses facial recognition to track its citizens as they travel, shop — and even use toilet paper

I oppose



Disagree



Personality cult



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2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT: Here's what the experts are predicting for all 32 first-round picks

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Sam Darnold

We are still two months from the 2018 NFL Draft, but players and teams are already jockeying for position, and experts are starting to weigh in on their early predictions with mock drafts.

We surveyed 14 NFL Draft experts who have released mock drafts recently to get a consensus prediction for which players teams might be considering with all 32 first-round picks. Under this format, it is possible for the same player to appear in multiple spots and for some players with first-round talent to not appear at all if there is no consensus on where they might land.

The experts: ESPN's Mel Kiper, ESPN's Todd McShay, NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, The Ringer's Danny Kelly, NFL.com's Charles Davis, NFL.com's Charley Casserly, NFL.com's Chad Reuter, Walter Football, USA Today's Luke Easterling, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, Rotoworld's Josh Norris, The Sports Xchange's Rob Rang, and DraftTek.

1. Cleveland Browns — Sam Darnold, QB

Experts: 12 out of 14

School: USC

Other notable possibilities: Josh Allen (1), Saquon Barkley (1)

Key expert quote: McShay: "I still believe the Browns need to address the QB position here ... Between off-field issues for Rosen and his tools and intangibles on the field, Darnold should be the pick. I understand why Kiper went with Josh Allen in his first mock, but Darnold is a little safer. He's the best of the bunch at this point."



2. New York Giants — Josh Rosen, QB

Experts: 7 out of 14

School: UCLA

Other notable possibilities: Saquon Barkley (5), Baker Mayfield (1), Quenton Nelson (1)

Key expert quote: Walter Football: "NFL coaches and owners are wary of the sort of things Rosen has discussed to the media, and his open views could hurt him. Scouts have told us that his teammates don't like him either, so that's a major strike against him. And for the cherry on top, even if his high school coach criticized him. Rosen has been prolific in some big games this year, so that could push him into the top spot."



3. Indianapolis Colts — Bradley Chubb, DE

Experts: 10 out of 14

School: North Carolina State

Other notable possibilities: Saquon Barkley (3), Quenton Nelson (1)

Key expert quote: Kiper: "The Colts don't need a quarterback and can grab the draft's best pass-rusher. They ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks (25) last season. Chubb had 46.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus came over from Dallas, where Rod Marinelli and the Cowboys ran a 4-3 defense. Chubb is a great fit in a 4-3 as an edge rusher."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

17 amazing photos show London transformed into a winter wonderland by the 'Beast from the East' snowstorm

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Britain has been brought to a standstill.

An icy Siberian weather system nicknamed the "Beast from the East" has collided with Storm Emma — plunging the nation into some of its worst winter weather in years.

At least ten people have died, thousands of schools have been closed, and the country is beginning to run low on gas. 

But it's not all bad: The country has turned into a stunning winter wonderland, and even London (where it rarely snows) is no exception. The iconic capital's landmarks and monuments have been carpeted in thick snow.

London has been momentarily transformed — and it's beautiful. Here are 17 of the best photos of the city right now.

SEE ALSO: Europe's most famous monuments have been covered by a blanket of snow — and they look amazing

London's most iconic landmarks have been covered in a thick blanket of snow.



The pond in Regents Park has frozen solid.



And the iconic fountains in Trafalgar Square in the centre of the capital are turning to ice.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

CITI: These 14 companies are ripe to be broken up — and history shows a 'highly effective strategy' for investors

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Lumberjack

Sometimes it makes more sense for a big company to break itself up. 

It's especially true when one segment of the business is underperforming. And when managements reach this decision — or are forced by activist shareholders — they provide an opening for investors to increase the valuation of the spun-off entities. 

"Spin-offs are good news for shareholders," Robert Buckland, an equity strategist at Citi, said in a note on Wednesday.

"Buying shares in companies that spin-off assets has been a highly effective strategy. Citi analysis shows that historically, both the parent and the spun-off company outperform in the year after the announcement."

Many spin-off candidates start outperforming before the announcements, Buckland said, as investors speculate on the news. 

Citi's analysts identified 14 US companies that could unlock more value in a spin-off, mostly in the industrials and information technology sectors. Here are the stocks to keep an eye on, ranked in ascending order by market cap. 

SEE ALSO: Global stocks end a winning streak that's never been seen before

NuStar GP Holdings

Ticker: NSH

Market Cap: $500 million

Sector: Energy

Comment:"The NuStar complex is expected to merge the two publicly traded vehicles, cut their distributions materially, and divest less core assets to raise capital to fund their capital expenditure requirements in 2018."



SemGroup

Ticker: SEMG

Market Cap: $1.8 billion

Sector: Energy

Comment:"After a series of large strategic acquisitions and divestitures in the last year, SemGroup is evaluating the sale of SemGas and SemLogistics in the near term and may consider the spin-off of their Canadian subsidiary named SemCAMS in the future after it grows further."



Orascom Construction

Ticker: ORSCY

Market Cap: $1.9 billion

Sector: Industrials

Comment:"The company has a valuable, overlooked 50% stake in a Belgium-based contractor which has a diversified business model with consistent dividend stream. While Orascom’s management explored the sale of this stake in the past, we believe it is still deeply undervalued."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The world's 21 best universities by subject — from biology to business management

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Sheffield_UniEach year QS produces a comprehensive ranking of the world's best universities, broken down by region and subject.

QS's latest ranking was released on Wednesday, tracking the best schools on the planet in 48 different subject areas, including standard subjects like business and history, all the way to more obscure degrees such as mining.

In total, 22 different universities are considered to be the best in the world in at least one of the 48 subjects, although 19 schools top only one, with three taking the top spot in a combined 34 different subjects.

The three highest scoring universities are all hugely prestige, but many of the other schools featured are less well known and specialize in one or two areas.

Check out the list below. The number in brackets represents the number of academic disciplines in which each university topped a QS ranking.

University of Sussex — Sussex may not be hugely well-known around the world, but it has an impact globally thanks to its world leading programme in development studies.



Sapienza University of Rome — Rome was once the centre of the ancient world, so it's hardly surprising that one of its universities leads the world for the study of classics and ancient history.



University of Sheffield — Located in Britain's steel producing capital, Sheffield University is the best in the world for the study of library and information management. It shares that crown with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 states that still haven't fully recovered more than a decade after the housing crash

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American households lost $16 trillion in net worth during because of the housing and credit crisis of the late 2000s, according to CoreLogic.

Since that crisis, there's been a long and slow slog to recovery. Compared to the peak of the national housing market in 2006, US home prices are about 1% higher on average.

But many states still have home prices in the red compared to where they were at the top.

To be clear, home prices at the pre-crash peak were far from normal — that's why a bubble formed and then popped. However, homeowners who bought at the market top and survived the crash would sell at a loss today. 

Below are the states where average home prices are still below their pre-crisis peak. It has the negative peak-to-current price change, reflecting how far underwater homeowners who bought at the top and held on still are, and the trough-to-current price change, showing how much prices have recovered from the worst point of the crisis.  

SEE ALSO: Homebuyers now have something else to be worried about besides the housing shortage

Mississippi

Pre-crisis peak date: November 2006

Peak-to-current price change: -1%

Trough-to-current price change: 21%

 



Alabama

Pre-crisis peak date: August 2007

Peak-to-current price change: -2%

Trough-to-current price change: 23%

 



West Virginia

Pre-crisis peak date: April 2006

Peak-to-current price change: -9%

Trough-to-current price change: 25%

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I've stayed in nearly 100 hostels on 4 continents — here are 9 red flags to look for before you unpack your suitcase

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hostel tips travelers

  • A hostel can be a great place to stay on your travels.
  • But it's hard to choose a good hostel before you arrive.
  • A traveler who's stayed in nearly 100 hostels, and worked in one, explains how to tell if the hostel you chose is safe, clean, and a good place to stay — or not.

For millions of travelers, hostels are the preferred choice of lodging.

The benefits are obvious: Hostels are generally inexpensive, conveniently located, and a great way to meet other travelers and share recommendations. As long as you don't mind sharing a bedroom and bathroom, they're the perfect place to stay when you're on vacation.

But hostels can range widely in quality. I would know — I've stayed in close to 100 hostels on four continents, from an uber-fancy, palace-like hostel in Paris to a $1-a-night gem in Hanoi, Vietnam. I even spent one summer working at a hostel in New York City.

While most hostel experiences went off without a hitch, I've also learned the red flags that scream "avoid this place."

Here are nine red flags to watch out for before you unpack your suitcase:

SEE ALSO: 12 things Europeans think are weird about the US

DON'T MISS: After traveling to 24 countries, I found people all around the world have the same 5 mistaken ideas about Americans

The hostel has a different name or address than it does on the website

It's a huge red flag if you show up to your hostel and find it operates under a different name than the one listed online.

The same thing goes if you make your booking online, only to receive an email instructing you to go to a different address than the one listed.

Both of those things could be an indicator that the hostel isn't actually a legitimate business, and is trying to skirt authorities by concealing its name and location.



The location seems sketchy

Safety is the most important factor in choosing a hostel, and you shouldn't settle for a hostel in a sketchy neighborhood just to save a few bucks.

When you arrive to check in, it's not a bad idea to explore the neighborhood surrounding the hostel to make sure it's in a a well-lit, high-trafficked area. If you are getting bad vibes from the area, there's no shame in switching hostels.



The doors aren't locked when you walk in

It's important for hostels to secure their entrances in some way, like requiring a key to get in or having guests buzz a doorbell from outside the front gate. Bonus points if there are security cameras outside the front door and in the reception area. The hostel I worked at required guests to enter a combination on a push-button lock to enter the lobby.

Even in good neighborhoods, hostels can be lucrative targets for criminals, and your hostel should take precautions to ensure the safety of its guests.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 truths about flying only flight attendants know

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  • Flight attendants tend to know more about flying than the average passenger.
  • To unearth their secrets, we turned to the experts and asked them what most people don't know about flying.
  • Among the secrets were that you can't actually open the plane door mid-flight (though some have tried) and that many flight attendants avoid drinking the coffee.

No one has more insider knowledge about flying than flight attendants.

By talking to these veteran globetrotters, we unearthed 11 secrets about flying.

Whether you want more attentive service or want to avoid getting kicked off your flight, read on for the inside scoop.

SEE ALSO: A day in the life of a United Airlines flight attendant, who woke up before 3 a.m. and ran circles around me for 9 hours

DON'T MISS: Most people only see part of a flight attendants' job — here are the behind-the-scenes secrets you never knew

READ MORE: A look inside the secret, crew-only lounge where flight attendants hang out when they're not flying

You can't physically open a door mid-flight — and trying could get you kicked off the plane.

Annette Long, a flight attendant with 17 years of experience, told Business Insider that though opening a door mid-flight is impossible, trying to do so would still get you into trouble.

As we've seen in previous incidents, passengers who try to make a jump for it while the plane is in the air usually wind up restrained during the flight and in handcuffs once the plane lands.

In some cases, pilots will make an emergency landing to get the passenger off the flight.

"I don't make those decisions," Long said. "I convey the information to the cockpit and the chief flight attendant, and they make the decision about whether or not we're going to land and get someone off the plane.

Long added: "Most of the pilots say to us, 'If you've got a problem with them, I've got a problem with them,' and they will back us up 100%."



The plane isn't getting cleaned as much as you'd hope.

"The dirtiest part of the plane has to be the tray tables — people constantly lay their heads on them, change babies' diapers, and rest their feet on them," a flight attendant for JetBlue told Business Insider. "I wouldn’t eat off of that even after sanitizing it."

What's more, Long said, "remember, they're using a rag to start row one, and when they end up in row 35, that rag has wiped a lot of tables."

Passengers rarely see or consider unsanitary incidents on the plane, like accidents in the lavatory or a passenger's seat.

"Just so you know, when you go to the bathroom and you're barefoot, or you're in your socks, that's not water on the floor," Long said, adding, "It's just not the cleanest environment."



Flight attendants aren't really supposed to help you lift your bags.

Flight attendants have told Business Insider that they get paid only for flight hours, not for time spent boarding or deplaning.

"So for example, your duty day could actually be 12 hours, but you only get paid for six hours of work," one flight attendant said.

Flight attendants' unions won't cover them if they get injured trying to lift your bags into the overhead bin. And since being out of work and out of money is no fun for anybody, you shouldn't expect flight attendants to take that risk for you.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I took a $400,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible on a road trip through New Jersey — here's what it was like

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Rolls Royce Dawn 29

  • Business Insider took a Rolls-Royce Dawn on a road trip through New Jersey.
  • The Dawn convertible shares a platform with the Ghost sedan and Wraith Coupe.
  • We were blown away by Dawn's power, smoothness, and unique driving experience.

Over the past 15 years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a company with more than a century's worth of heritage and brand equity, has completely reinvented itself under BMW ownership. This reinvention was not conducted in a way that abandons tradition — because that would be foolish— but rather by embracing it while injecting a heavy dose of modernity.

In other words, rather than slapping the brand's badge on a run-of-the-mill luxury car, they decided to build honest-to-God Rolls-Royce motor cars with the latest chassis, engine, and infotainment technology money can buy.

First, there was the flagship Phantom limo. Then came the "entry-level"Ghost sedan. That was followed by Wraith coupe. Now, with the arrival of the Dawn, it's safe to say the Rolls-Royce revolution is complete.

Rolls-Royce dropped off a brand new Dawn for Business Insider to check out at our top secret suburban New Jersey road test facility — the nerve center of our vast vehicle evaluation operation. Otherwise known as my colleague Matt DeBord's driveway.

Obviously, this was the perfect opportunity for a weekend drive through the wilds of New Jersey.

The Rolls-Royce Dawn starts at a lofty $335,000. However, our option-laden test car clad in Midnight Sapphire and Blue Ice livery cost a whopping $402,675.

Hollis Johnson contributed to this story.

SEE ALSO: We drove a $246,000 Bentley Bentayga SUV to see if it's worth the money — here's the verdict

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

I began the day at Business Insider's suburban test car facility located not too far from BMW/Rolls-Royce North America's headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.



The Dawn joins the flagship Phantom VIII, ...



... The Ghost, and...



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The best dog feeders you can buy for your pup

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

dog treats 4x3

The Insider Pick:

  • If your dog needs help with portion control or you want your pup to have food when you're away from home, you need an automatic dog feeder. For the best all-purpose dog feeder, our top pick is the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed for reliability, convenience, and function.

Do you have trouble keeping to a regular feeding schedule with your dog? Are you looking for a way to simplify your life without compromising your pet’s nutrition? If you are looking for a solution to automate your dog’s feeding to keep him happy and healthy, consider investing in an automatic dog feeder. Automatic dog feeders can be programmed to dispense a specific portion of food multiple times per day, taking the guesswork out of feeding your dog.

Automatic dog feeders come in many different forms. Some are designed solely for dry kibble while others can accommodate semi-moist or wet food. Feeders range in complexity with some units offering the convenience of smartphone operation while others are simpler with basic features and no-frills designs. If you’re in the market for an automatic dog feeder, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve done the work to find the best ones you cna buy.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed is our top pick and why we also recommend the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder, the Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder, the Petnet Smart Feeder, and the HoneyGuaridan A26 Automatic Feeder.

SEE ALSO: The best dog harness you can buy

The best dog feeder overall

Why you'll love it: For flexibility, convenience, and reliability, our top pick for the best overall dog feeder is the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed.

When it comes to an all-purpose dog feeder, you need something that offers a wide range of portion sizes, programming for multiple meals a day, a large food storage container, and reliable function. Though it may not be the fanciest feeder on the market, our top pick is the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed. This feeder offers portion sizes ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups with up to 12 meals per day. It also accommodates all kinds of dry food and semi-moist food.

The PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed features a large 24-cup storage container with programming that enables you to schedule up to 12 meals per day with great flexibility in terms of portion size. You can choose from multiple feeding modes including a slow feed mode that dispenses food over a 15-minute period to discourage fast eating.

The feeder is battery-powered, so you don’t have to worry about power outages, though there is an optional AC adapter you can purchase separately. Overall, the feeder is easy to use, durably constructed, and a great fit for dogs of all sizes.

Top Dog Tips and Breeding Business both recommend the feeder and it has more than 1,600 reviews on Amazon with a solid 4.3-star rating. This automatic feeder wows dog owners with its many options for customization and reliable function, though there are some comments that the programming may take time to get the hang of.

Pros: Easy operation and convenient function, pre-programmed feeding modes, slow feed mode for fast eaters, up to 12 meals per day, variety of portion sizes, battery-powered with optional AC adapter, anti-jam system keeps food flowing, stainless-steel bowl removable and dishwasher safe

Cons: Programming may take some getting used to, makes noise when food hits the bowl, AC power adapter sold separately, no Wi-fi connectivity option

Buy the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed on Amazon for $129.95



The best budget dog feeder

Why you'll love it: The Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder is very affordable for less than $100, and it has many great features.

Automatic dog feeders can be very complex in design, offering a wide range of portion sizes and programming options. Unfortunately, the more features, the higher the price tag. If you are looking for a simple, no-frills automatic feeder that;s affordable, we recommend the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder.

For less than $100, the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder has an excellent array of features including a bright LCD screen, ABS plastic construction, and a magnetic lid that keeps your dog’s food fresh and pest-free. Program up to four meals per day with up to 10 portions per meal and record a voice message up to 10 seconds long to call your dog at mealtime. The plastic bowl is removable for easy cleaning, and the unit runs on both DC power and batteries, so you never have to worry about power outages.

Labrador Training HQ praises the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder for being simple to operate and easy to clean. Hellow Dog likes the wide variety of portion sizes as well as the quality of the magnetic lid that keeps your dog’s food fresh and protected from pests.

With more than 300 reviews on Amazon, the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder has a 4-star rating and it's a Best Seller in automatic pet feeders. Dog owners love how convenient it is for everyday use as well as its simple operation.

Pros: Priced under $100, LCD display for easy programming, dispenses up to 10 portions per meal, program up to 4 meals per day, magnetic lid keeps food fresh, record a meal call up to 10 seconds long, runs on both battery and DC power, large 1.14 gallon capacity, removable bowl for easy cleaning

Cons: Components not as sturdy as some competitor’s models, dispenser can be a little noisy, may be prone to jamming with larger kibbles, plastic feeding bowl (not stainless steel)

Buy the Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder on Amazon for $89.99



The best circular dog feeder

Why you'll love it: Not only is the Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder surprisingly affordable, but it is simple to operate works with wet or dry food.

If you are looking for a feeder that can be used for wet food as well as dry, or you want to keep your dog’s food as fresh as possible, a circular feeder might be a better option. These feeders typically contain six to eight compartments that rotate on a timer. Our top pick for the best circular dog feeder is the Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder.

The Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder features six compartments that can be used with dry, semi-moist, or wet food and it can be programmed for up to six feedings within a 24-hour period. With a built-in clock and easy-to-read LCD screen, this feeder is simple to operate and reliable in terms of its function.

Additional features include a built-in voice recorder that enables you to record a greeting for your dog as well as a skid-proof bottom to keep the feeder from sliding while your dog eats.

K9 of Mine and Dog Struggles both recommend this feeder. With more than 1,500 reviews on Amazon, the Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder has a 3.5-star rating. It may not be as highly ranked as some of its competitors, but the reviews suggest that it is a little more reliable and the price can’t be beaten.

Pros: Reliable long-lasting function, six medium-sized compartments, works for all kinds of food, easy to operate, keeps wet food fresh up to 24 hours, skid-proof base keeps unit from sliding, affordable price

Cons: May not be ideal for very large dogs, only offers 6 meals per day, not as sturdy as some competitor models

Buy the Qpets 6-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder on Amazon for $34.95



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Our predictions of who will win at the 2018 Oscars on Sunday night — and who really should win

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Oscars Academy Awards

The 90th Academy Awards will finally be here Sunday after months of campaigning (and millions of dollars spent) by studios and independent distributors to get recognition for their best and brightest.

On paper, it could turn out to be a dull night. A few categories (like best actor and best supporting actress) seem to be a lock. And the odds-on favorites to win best picture — "The Shape of Water" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"— haven't been that popular with general audiences. The movies' combined domestic box office ($105 million) is about what "Wonder Woman" had in its opening weekend.

But if we learned anything from last year's Oscars, you never know what surprises could come. And the best-picture race is one of the most wide open in recent years.

Here are our predictions on who we think will win the major categories and who we think should win.

The Academy Awards air on ABC on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST.

SEE ALSO: The top 20 Marvel Cinematic Universe villains, ranked from worst to best

Best original score

What will win: "The Shape of Water"

This category has a lot of major talents gunning for the win, but it's going to be Alexandre Desplat's hypnotic score that comes out on top. It's a beautiful companion to the unique love story the director Guillermo del Toro weaves.



WHAT SHOULD WIN: "Dunkirk"

It would be great to see Hans Zimmer nab the Oscar, as the stopwatch rhythm of his score for "Dunkirk" is so vital to the movie. If "Dunkirk" does pull off the win, it could be a hint to how the night goes, as "The Shape of Water" and "Dunkirk" are up against each other in numerous categories, including best picture.



Best original song

What will win: "Remember Me" ("Coco")

Honestly, there really is no contest. When Miguel goes to Mama Coco at the end of the movie and sings the song to make her not forget the memory of Hector, it just brings the movie to an incredibly high emotional level.



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The Netherlands built a bridge that partially floods when it rains

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zalige bridge next architecture infrastructure netherlands

In low-lying Dutch city of Nijmegen, rising water levels from the nearby Waal River poses a real threat to communties. For centuries, dykes have helped manage severe flooding in the area. But as PRI notes, even those structures are starting to crack, putting the city's infrastructure at risk.

Instead of fighting the rising tides, architects have designed a bridge that adapts to rising sea levels in Nijmegen. Dutch design firms Next Architects and H+N+S Landscape Architects created the Zalige bridge, which is meant to partially flood after storms.

Even when water submerges the bridge, pedestrians can still use its stepping stones to cross it.

Check it out below.

SEE ALSO: Incredible images of Los Angeles when it was covered in wetlands

The Zalige bridge straddles the Waal river, located in the 2,000-year-old city of Nijmegen.

The region is known for its chronic flooding, when can damage roads, homes, and other infrastructure along the coast. 



Located in the floodplain, the bridge features stepping stones so that visitors can use it even when surrounding tides are high.



Next Architects describes the bridge as "the ultimate place to experience the high water."

Source: Next Architects



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Here are all the changes Amazon is making to Whole Foods (AMZN)

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Whole Foods

  • Amazon hasn't hesitated in making major changes at Whole Foods after acquiring the grocery chain for $13.7 billion. 
  • Changes have included price cuts, selling Amazon tech in grocery stores, and an upcoming switch to Amazon Prime as Whole Foods' new rewards program.
  • More changes are on the horizon. 

Whole Foods is swiftly transforming under Amazon's control. 

Amazon's $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods formally went through in August.

The changes began immediately, from cutting costs to internal restructuring. And, in the months since August, Amazon has only accelerated the pace of change. 

Here's what changes have been revealed so far — and how they'll affect Whole Foods shoppers. 

SEE ALSO: I visited Whole Foods on the day it was acquired by Amazon — and it's clear it'll never be the same

Amazon is testing two-hour delivery from Whole Foods.

In February, Amazon and Whole Foods launched a test to deliver groceries and other goods directly from Whole Foods in four cities across the US. The company plans to roll out the service through Prime Now to more cities this year. 

In the test, Whole Foods is basically used as an Amazon depot. Customers can order fresh produce, seafood, meat, flowers, baked goods, and dairy products for delivery, with items arriving at their doorstep within two hours.



Amazon credit-card holders now get 5% cash back at Whole Foods.

Later in February, Amazon extended its 5% cash-back benefit to Prime members shopping at Whole Foods with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. 

In 2017, the e-commerce giant began offering cardholders who are also Prime subscribers 5% back on all Amazon purchases. Cardholders who are not Prime subscribers now receive 3% cash back on purchases made at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. 



Whole Foods immediately slashed prices — and announced another round of price cuts in November.

The day the acquisition went through, prices of many Whole Foods staples immediately dropped. Some price tags decreased by up to 40%. 

An identical basket of items from a Whole Foods location in Brooklyn went from $97.76 pre-acquisition to $75.85 post-acquisition.

In November, the grocery chain announced that it had cut prices on more items, with a focus on holiday staples and best-sellers. Whole Foods cut prices on a number of brands, including Siggis Yogurt, Chobani, and Tom's of Maine, in addition to Whole Foods' private-label 365 line of products. 



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10 real life places that inspired your favorite Disney rides

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If you like Jungle Cruise...

... Head to the Amazon, Congo, Nile, and Mekong Rivers. Jungle Cruise, the classic ride located in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resorts, simulates a riverboat cruise down some of the major rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America. Park guests board a 1930s British explorers' lodge, and are then taken on a journey to see various faux jungle animals with the help of live Disney cast members keeping things light with scripted and ad-libbed narration for humor. The Amazon, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mekong are the four great rivers that inspired the scenery along the downstream voyage.

Find out all the things you need to book in advance before your trip to Disney.



If you like Grizzly River Run...

... Head to Redwood Creek and the Sacramento River, California. If you're looking for a little splash and a lot of laughs, Grizzly River Run, located at Disneyland's California Adventure, is a safe bet. The ride is meant to mimic a toned-down version of California's best white-water rafting with a free-floating river ride up, down, and through Grizzly Peak.



If you like Great Movie Ride...

... Head to Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, is a ride involving live actors, animatronic figures, special effects, and projections that create iconic scenes from 12 classic films. The ride is located inside a replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, which is famed for its hand and footprints of legendary actors and was named a historic-cultural landmark in 1968.



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28 nearly identical pairs of movies that came out around the same time

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sherlock gnomes gnome alone

Remember when "Finding Nemo" and "Shark Tale" were released around the same time? Or when "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Captain America: Civil War" came out just months apart? 

This month, there are two animated movies about garden gnomes coming to theaters. 

"Gnome Alone," in theaters March 2, is an adaptation of a book that follows a high school student who discovers her garden gnomes are alive and helps them fight an enemy. That film was delayed from an October release. Just three weeks later, we're getting "Sherlock Gnomes," a sequel to a 2011 movie where the spin on the classic detective will go on the hunt of some missing gnomes. 

If you're confused by why there are two gnome movies coming out in theaters in the same month, it's not the first time two movies with similar themes have come out around the same time.

This phenomenon of "twin" movies is actually somewhat common. Forbes contributor Mark Hughes explained in a 2011 Quora post that while sometimes the release of two similar films is just coincidence, it could be to piggyback off a competitor's potentially successful — or already successful — project. 

Read the rest of his explanation here, and keep scrolling to see more "twin" films that have come out months apart in theaters over the years.

1993/1994: "Tombstone" and "Wyatt Earp" are both centered around Western lawman Wyatt Earp.

Box Office
"Wyatt Earp": $25 million
"Tombstone": $56.5 million

Neither film did overwhelmingly great at the box office. "Tombstone," starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, edged out the Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid film from Warner Bros.



1997: "Dante's Peak" and "Volcano" both revolve around the cast outrunning erupting volcanoes.

Box Office
Dante's Peak": $178 million 
"Volcano": $122.8 million

Fox got a little excited with its over-the-top posters for "Volcano." The film did nowhere near as well as Pierce Brosnan's volcano epic in the states; however, the Los Angeles centered movie picked up overseas.



1998: The Earth was nearly destroyed in both "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact."

Box Office
Armageddon": $553.7 million
"Deep Impact": $349.5 million

Bruce Willis saves the world from an asteroid in the first film, while Robert Duvall tries to stop a massive comet from colliding with the planet.



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21 people and movies that completely don't deserve their Oscar wins — sorry

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Oscars undeserving winners

The mission statement of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is to "recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences, inspire imagination, and connect the world through the medium of motion pictures."

In giving out the Oscars every year, they often fail.

This year's nominations has its own problems, but it's far from the only time the Academy messed up. Year after year, the Academy rewards mediocrity in its ranks. It's still struggling to shed the reputation that it prefers middlebrow, inspiring dramas over all else.

Here are 21 times the Academy gave out Oscars to movies that were completely undeserving.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" was a misguided attempt to reward Cecil B. DeMille.

Sometimes the academy rewards filmmakers who they feel are overdue.

In 1953, Cecil B. DeMille had been cranking out epic after epic. As a producer and director, he reshaped Hollywood into a massive commercial enterprise. But he hadn't won a competitive Academy Award.

So, the theory goes, "The Greatest Show on Earth" was awarded the best picture prize to make up for all the times he didn't win it in the years before.

They should have waited a few more years. "The Greatest Show on Earth" is an overlong slog about a circus. Four years later, DeMille made one of his best movies, "The Ten Commandments," which lost the Oscar to another awful best picture winner, "Around the World in 80 Days." It's a massive failure all around.



People are still mad about "Crash" winning best picture.

In the 21st century, the worst best picture winner is, without a doubt, 2004's "Crash." It's a weepy, unconvincing drama about how racism is bad. It has the elegance of New York City's transportation system and, somehow, also won Oscars for editing and screenplay.

Even Paul Haggis, the movie's director, thought it didn't deserve the award.

"Was it the best film of the year? I don’t think so,"he told Hitfix in 2015. "There were great films that year. 'Good Night, and Good Luck' — amazing film. 'Capote' — terrific film. Ang Lee’s 'Brokeback Mountain,' great film. And Spielberg’s 'Munich.' I mean please, what a year."

 



The Bigfoot creature in "Harry and the Hendersons" looks awful.

The makeup category has a weird history of awarding terrible movies with admittedly good makeup, like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Suicide Squad."

But in "Harry and the Hendersons," the makeup isn't even good! The Sasquatch creature in the middle of the family comedy looks like vomit.



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