Gallery: Photos Poke Fun at the Rules You Blindly Follow Every Day
Frauke Thielking01thielking-2
In 'Ready, Steady, Go,' photographer Frauke Thielking portrays people mimicking the various patterns that shape society, like cars in traffic in this case.
Frauke Thielking02thielking-1
"Directions." Each photo in 'Ready, Steady, Go," is half of a diptych, a pair of complementary images. One shows the people acting out a societal system, the other an architectural image that compliments the staged photo in color and form.
Frauke Thielking03thielking-13
Windmills for energy.
Frauke Thielking04thielking-12
"Buoyancy"
05thielking-10
People bending over like tractors, an image that comments on the vast system of manufacturing that shapes all of our lives.
Frauke Thielking06thielking-9
"Regrouping"
Frauke Thielking07thielking-7
Thielking generally didn't venture farm from home to make the photos, but some came about by chance while she was traveling. Like this one, with people crawling around like ants, which was inspired by the traffic pattern in the next photo which she spotted on a trip through China.
Frauke Thielking08thielking-8
"Reorientation"
Frauke Thielking09thielking-6
These people are lined up in a manner that suggests how we orient ourselves to one another in space.
Frauke Thielking10thielking-5
"Spaces"
Frauke Thielking11thielking-3
Despite the somewhat heavy topic, the photos reflect a sense of humor, like this one in which people rather ridiculously mimic runner's hurdles.
Frauke Thielking12thielking-4
"Immovability"
What’s Worse Than Romance Scams? Adoption Scams
This week in WIRED Book Club, we recap the final chapters of The Yahoo Boys.
Kate Knibbs
Beatbot’s New Pool Robot Cleans Itself (Mostly)
The AquaSense X brings self-cleaning technology to pool robots for the first time, but is it worth nearly twice the price of Beatbot’s flagship cleaner?
Christopher Null
Skylight’s Touchscreen Calendar Got my Whole Family on the Same Page
The Skylight has become the informational and organizational hub of my household. My touchscreen-native kids have also gained more agency over our family activities.
Jaclyn Greenberg
The Samsung Micro RGB R95H Is a Good, Not Great TV
There’s a new fleet of TVs using new mini and micro RBG display tech, and Samsung’s R95H model isn’t as impressive as it should be.
John Brandon
AI Found a Root Bug in Linux That Everyone Missed for 15 Years
Plus: The Pentagon is training amateurs to become part of its hacker army, a Flock license plate reader error led to cops surrounding a car reviewer, and more.
Dell Cameron
We Make Lovely Home-Cooked Meals for Ourselves. Why Not Do the Same for Our Dogs?
More dog owners have begun cooking for their canine companions in recent years. When my own dog fell ill, I became part of this growing group.
Alicia Kennedy
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon
The probe sent back the first pictures of the asteroid Kamo’oalewa. Next step: landing on the surface and collecting samples to send back to Earth.
Ritsuko Kawai
El Niño Is Already Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries
As the climate phenomenon sends warm water surging across the eastern Pacific, some parts of the fishing industry are suffering—but other regions are seeing a windfall.
Joseph Winters
Exclusive: How Jay-Z Pulled Off a Surprise-Filled Show During New York’s Wildest Summer
Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut Reasonable Doubt. To honor it, he put on a massive concert at Yankee Stadium—complete with performances from Beyoncé, Nas, and Alicia Keys.
Angela Watercutter
OpenAI’s Head of Safety Is Leaving the Company
Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.
Maxwell Zeff
Microsoft Reports a Massive 25 Percent Jump in Emissions
Data centers are driving up the company’s use of electricity—and carbon pollution.
Molly Taft