“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear.
True Detective Season 5 is Coming
The fourth season of True Detective was divisive to say the least. The Jodie Foster led story set in the Arctic Circle was highly anticipated, and much of the discussion around the show centered around a True Detective mythology that may or may not really exist, perhaps leading viewers off course and less able to get sucked into the story. But no matter what we think of any individual season of True Detective, the concept is so strong, we always want more, and we got some details about the upcoming season 5 recently via Deadline. Issa Lopez is back as showrunner, and production is set to begin in earnest in the next few months. The big news though is that the setting of the show has been revealed as Jamaica Bay, New York, which of course will provide for a very different vibe than Alaska. The new season is expected to air in 2027.
The Into Thin Air Debate Rages On
Recently in Slate, writer Laura Miller dove into the most recent round of animus in the ongoing debate over what really happened on Mt. Everest in the famous 1996 expedition that resulted in the deaths of five climbers. Famously chronicled in Into Thin Air by John Krakauer, the specifics of that expedition, including where the blame ought to lie and the specific reason(s) for the catastrophe, have been the subject of debate for years between those on and off the mountain. For those who aren’t aware of the controversy, the Slate article is a fascinating primer and a window into an event that has and will continue to haunt many for decades. For Krakauer’s part, he has responded to criticism of his account with a series of YouTube posts – never afraid to step into the fray and defend his work.
Trakke Closes
For 15 years, Trakke has made some of the most highly regarded backpacks, messenger bags, and other carry items in recent memory. Specializing in bags made from waxed canvas, Trakke produced their bags by hand in Scotland, selling over 80,000 bags to 50,000 people in a decade and a half. To say they are beloved in the community is an understatement. Head over to their website for a chance to catch any remaining inventory, and check out their closing FAQ for more information on what’s next if you’re a Trakke customer.
Microsoft Claims to Have Created a New State of Matter
A provocative headline in this New York Times story leads to a discussion of the latest development in quantum computing. It details how Microsoft has apparently built a new state of matter, one distinct from a solid, liquid, or gas, in their creation of a topological cubit, a kind of combination of a semi and super conductor that in theory could power advanced quantum computers. It’s an advancement that could potentially put Microsoft well ahead of its rivals in the race to create a true quantum computer, something that many scientists believe is still decades away, but it could be much closer if Mircrosoft has succeeded here. The implications are enormous – quantum computing technology has the potential to solve many tech, health, and science related problems that traditional computing is ill equipped for.
A Fleet of Plymouth Prowlers Hits the Auction Block
The Drive reports that a total of six Plymouth Prowlers are set to hit the auction block at a Mecum’s sale soon. The Plymouth roadster has become a cult favorite, now seen by some as being both ahead of its time and delightfully retro. There was nothing else on the road quite like it when the vehicle debuted in the late 1990s, honestly there isn’t much like now, either. Of the six coming up for auction, no two are identical, and some are virtually undriven – one has fewer than 300 miles on the odometer. Most agree that the Prowler failed because of a lackluster engine and a price tag that put it in line with a BMW M3 of its day – not a great combination and certainly not a recipe for success. But now, years later, the Prowler seems to be accepted as the oddity it was by a certain type of automotive enthusiast, proof that eventually everything has its day to shine.
About that Asteroid…
It’s been a wild week for asteroid watchers. News broke around the world this week that an asteroid, known as 2024 YR4 and measuring up to 300 feet across, had a roughly 3% chance of striking earth in late December, 2032. Not a planet killer by any means, but if it were to hit at the right angle, and it was made out of the right material, and hit at exactly the right (or very wrong) place, it could perhaps level a city. Not exactly the Christmas gift anyone would be looking for. And while 3% is not a high percentage at all, it represents a greater likelihood than just about any other object like this in our collective memory. Well, if asteroid impacts have been stressing you out, some good news just in the last day from the Verge: the European Space Agency has now calculated the probability of impact at just 0.16 percent. That’s great news for the earth. The bad news? Well, it now has a greater chance of hitting the moon.
The post Watches, Stories, & Gear: Microsoft Makes a Big Quantum Computing Advancement, Saying Goodbye to Trakke, and Plymouth Prowlers Hit the Auction Block appeared first on Worn & Wound.
