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People magazine mentions that during a conversation with host Michael Strahan (while addressing the smartphones produced by Apple), Cook stated, “I don’t want individuals to be overly reliant on them. I don’t want them gazing at their smartphones more than they gaze into another person’s eyes. This isn’t how you should spend your time. Go outside and enjoy nature.”

Cook may have a valid argument, even if he may be the least likely person to present it. Take into account one concerning statistic: As per Common Sense Media, from 2015 to 2021, the average American teenager aged between 13 and 18 spent more than eight hours daily interacting with screen-related media. Regrettably, as highlighted in a study published in the academic journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, dependence on smartphones can lead to considerable detrimental effects on both mental and physical well-being. Conversely, by recognizing the ways that excessive smartphone and digital device usage can be harmful, users might begin to value the true advantages of heeding Cook’s suggestion.

your computer has been damaged because you unintentionally relied on an expired surge protector to shield it during a heavy thunderstorm. It turns out that utilizing an expired surge protector is effectively equivalent to not having one at all.

Surge protectors function by employing metal oxide varistors (MOVs), which are resistors that depend on voltage and are prone to deterioration. They can fail over time or with repeated usage. Generally, these elements protect your devices by absorbing and directing excess voltage from electrical surges or other voltage irregularities (AI might even be causing some of these outages). However, your surge protector is considered expired once its MOVs have been fully depleted. Fortunately, there are clear indicators you can look for to establish whether your protective device is no longer functioning as intended. Functional surge protectors usually feature a status light indicator to confirm they are working; otherwise, their LED indicators may be off when they ought to be lit, or they could display a color different from what is usually expected.

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“Dungeons & Dragons” has transitioned from tabletop gameplay to film and television multiple times, with the 2023 movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” being the most notable instance to date. Additionally, a live-action “D&D” series is under development at Netflix, tentatively named “The Forgotten Realms,” which the company aims to broaden into a franchise if it finds success. A standout “D&D” adaptation thus far is an animated series on Prime Video, which does not explicitly brand itself as such.

“The Legend of Vox Machina” is inspired by the initial campaign of “Critical Role,” which began as a group of friends enjoying “D&D” privately and has since expanded into books, games, and a streaming platform, Beacon. Initially, the creators intended to produce a one-off special, but the immense success of the show’s record-breaking Kickstarter campaign permitted it to evolve into a comprehensive series.

Even though it doesn’t feature “D&D” in its title, “The Legend of Vox Machina” deserves to be viewed as essential for any enthusiast of the game or similar titles like “Baldur’s Gate 3.” It has maintained an impressive track record, holding a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes across all three seasons. Further content is also on the horizon, with Season 4 premiering on June 3, 2026, and a fifth and concluding season following.

The Legend of Vox Machina brings Critical Role’s inaugural D&D campaign to life

“The Legend of Vox Machina” depicts the titular adventuring group as they evolve from rowdy mercenaries to celebrated champions of Tal’Dorei. The ensemble includes revenge-driven gunslinger Percy (Taliesin Jaffe), shy druid Keyleth (Marisha Ray), flirtatious bard Scanlan (Sam Riegel), simple-minded barbarian Grog (Travis Willingham), conflicted cleric Pike (Ashley Johnson), pragmatic ranger Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), and nimble rogue Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien). Matthew Mercer, who acted as the campaign’s Dungeon Master, portrays various characters throughout the series, including Vex’s bear companion Trinket and the antagonist Sylas Briarwood in Season 1.

What makes “The Legend of Vox Machina” an enjoyable experience, particularly for D&D enthusiasts, is its masterful adaptation of the TTRPG experience into a more digestible format — 22-minute episodes instead of lengthy three-to-five-hour sessions. A D&D campaign contains its share of ups and downs. Sessions can shift between serious matters and lighthearted fun, with the narrative and world influenced by the players’ identities and their characters’ decisions.

Up to now, Vox Machina has defeated vampire lords, formed crucial alliances with the Tal’Dorei Council, and confronted dragons, though they have also endured some significant losses. Their greatest test is on the horizon, as the enigmatic “Whispered One” approaches to challenge the party for the series’ remainder. If that isn’t sufficient for you, Prime Video is also adapting “Critical Role” Campaign Two in “The Mighty Nein,” which similarly holds a 100% Tomatometer rating.