The week in picks

Open-back headphones sound wider but leak like a sieve - never buy them for the office or a commute.

If you're upgrading from a lower-end NVIDIA GPU or considering a new build with an entry-level 4K monitor, the RTX 5070 Ti is worth a look. This card offers real 4K capability without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for those who want to stay within their budget while still getting access to NVIDIA's feature stack, including DLSS and CUDA.

If you're in town on September 14th, do yourself a favor and get tickets to The Great Gatsby - A New Musical at the historic Broadway Theatre in Manhattan. This critically-acclaimed production is bringing F Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel to life with all the opulence and excess of the Roaring Twenties. Trust us, you won't want to miss this lavish production that will transport you to the jazz age.

I've played Sprawlopolis three times, and each game has been a fun surprise. What I love about it is that every tile-laying decision feels like a puzzle to be solved in tandem with your fellow players. You're all trying to build the best city, but you have to balance competing goals: completing buildings, maximizing points, or just trying not to get left behind.

One of my favorite moments was when a player drew the "Bird Sanctuary" card and suddenly had to adjust their strategy on the fly. The auction that followed was intense, with players bidding up each other's tiles in an attempt to snatch the last needed piece for their sanctuary. If you're a solo player or a fan of cooperative games who likes a good challenge, Sprawlopolis is perfect for a long flight or a quick evening in.

_A game so compact it fits in your pocket, but not too small to pack a punch._

For a boss's housewarming gift, you want something that makes a statement without being too flashy. That's why I recommend the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2). This isn't just any smart glasses, it's a real upgrade over the usual default gifts in this category.

What sets it apart is its seamless integration with various devices and services, making it a practical choice for someone who values productivity. It also looks great, so you can be sure your boss will wear it past the demo phase.

_Timing is everything; consider adding a Meta subscription to make this gift even more special._

When it comes to generating short-form writing tasks such as social media posts or product descriptions, I've found Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Preview to be a solid choice. This model excels at producing coherent and engaging content within the 1000-2000 word range, making it a great fit for applications where brevity is key.

However, when working with longer-form content or tasks that require more in-depth research, I'd recommend sticking with Gemini's full-bodied counterpart or exploring other models. The trade-off here is context length, at 1048576 tokens, Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Preview has a relatively short maximum context length compared to its peers. This may lead to slower performance and potentially less accurate results for tasks that require a deeper understanding of the input.

_Short-form writing tasks just got a little easier with Gemini 3.1._

The market for "Will United Russia (ER) gain the most seats in the next Russian parliamentary election?" is currently trading at 79¢ with a volume of $9,940,980 on Polymarket. This level of interest in an outcome that's still several months away is notable given the ongoing economic uncertainty facing Russia due to Western sanctions.

The large volume traded on this market suggests that participants are taking a closer look at potential outcomes in Russia's parliamentary election, which could have significant implications for the country's economic policy and relationships with other nations. This heightened interest in Russian politics may be driven by concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on global markets.

While it's impossible to know exactly why participants are trading so heavily on this market, one possible explanation is that investors are seeking to capitalize on potential shifts in Russia's economic trajectory. Whether or not United Russia gains the most seats could have significant implications for the country's future economic policies, making it a key outcome to watch.

*Will OpenAI's impending IPO create new investment opportunities or risks for market participants?

In September's mild afternoons, a hearty dish like Osso Buco alla Milanese becomes even more appealing. This classic Italian recipe from our archives showcases the technique of braising, which allows tougher cuts of meat to tenderize in rich, flavorful liquids.

The choice of veal shanks here is notable - their marbling and firm texture hold up beautifully to slow cooking. The resulting dish is both comforting and refined, with a depth that rewards patience. The recipe page provides the details; this note merely encourages you to give it a try.

_Pair with a simple green salad or polenta for a well-rounded meal._