1. Stream-to-table.

Netflix is serving more than just content these days. They've opened a full-on restaurant at the MGM Grand, inspired by their most binge-worthy hits. Unlike the sold-out LA pop-up, this Vegas version is sticking around for a whole year. The menu is packed with playful nods to fan favorites: sip a “Too Hot to Handle” Bloody Mary with habanero vodka and candied cayenne bacon, then take a chance on the “Red Bite, Green Bite” chicken challenge where a spinning wheel decides your fate.

Other highlights include the “Hellfire Honey” pizza, straight out of Stranger Things, and a gummy battle royale on a chocolate mountain called “The Dessert Is Lava.” There’s even a “Love Is Blind” cocktail served in the show’s gold chalice, ready to be customized. I checked out the LA version back in 2023, and while the food was fine, the experience itself was a blast: clever, immersive, and just the right amount of over-the-top. If you’re in Vegas, it’s worth stopping by for a taste of streaming culture served hot.

2. Confessions of a recovering people pleaser.

Internet sensation Baron Ryan has taken his midnight mind spiral to the TED stage, turning insomnia into a two-person show starring himself and, well, himself. In this self-debate between his conscious brain and his endlessly chatty inner voice, Ryan tackles the familiar torment of late-night overthinking with sharp wit and perfect pacing.

From the false hope of melatonin gummies to the emotional hangover of people-pleasing, he lays bare the kind of thoughts that hit hardest just as you're trying to sleep. For a guy who recently published a novel called A Comedy of Nobodies, he has mastered the art of turning personal chaos into universal comedy. It feels like watching your own 3AM anxiety spiral, only this time there are punchlines, not just a groggy morning.

3. Shell-shocked (in a good way).

Japan’s most-consumed shellfish has found an unexpected second act: protecting human noggins. A Japanese company is turning discarded scallop shells, once considered ocean waste, into sleek safety helmets called Shellmets. Designed with the scallop’s natural ribbed structure in mind, these helmets are 33 percent stronger than typical models and cut carbon emissions in half thanks to their bioplastic material.

It’s a clever win for the circular economy. The shells that once protected sea creatures now protect cyclists and construction workers, and each helmet helps clean up Japanese waters in the process. The idea earned a coveted White Pencil at the 2024 D&AD Awards, proving that sustainability, style, and smart design can go hand in hand — or shell on head.