Don't ignore crypto's role as a force for good

PLUS: The Best Holiday Movie Is the One You Want to Watch, and more

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 12.19.21   THE MONITOR | 2-MINUTE READ The Best Holiday Movie Is the One You Want to Watch BY ANGELA WATERCUTTER It's time to stop fighting over Die Hard vs. Home Alone vs. Love Actually. This year, just pick what you like—even if it's Carol, which totally counts.   UNDER COVER | 16-MINUTE READ 18 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear BY ADRIENNE SO Our tips and picks to up your mask game—whether you're heading back to the office in the new year or just want to stay safe and stylish.   PLAINTEXT | 7-MINUTE READ I Thought Tech Would Take a Pandemic Hit. I Was Wrong BY LAUREN GOODE The last 20 months have proven that technology is the connective tissue between all of our experiences.   CRYPTOPIAS | 5-MINUTE READ We All Need to Stop Only Seeing the Dark Side of Crypto BY BOAZ SOBRADO In some parts of the developing world, cryptocurrency is changing lives for the better. GET WIRED HOLIDAY SALE! Get WIRED for just $10 $5. Get the print edition and exclusive subscriber-only stories. Give yourself the gift of information. Subscribe now.   BEST OF 2021 STREAMING WARS | 4-MINUTE READ Netflix Is Losing Its Cool BY KATE KNIBBS Even as it dominates globally, the streaming giant no longer shines. HBO Max and Disney+, your move.   BUYING GUIDE | 6-MINUTE READ The 7 Best Cookbooks of 2021 BY JOE RAY From Black American barbecue to steaming bowls of Asian dumplings, these recipes are the best way to taste the world without leaving your kitchen.   APP FOR THAT | 3-MINUTE READ 5 Apps That Are Better on the Desktop Than in Your Browser BY DAVID NIELD Move these services out of your tabs for an optimal experience.   DOT PHYSICS | 9-MINUTE READ Can Your Gravitational Pull Affect Your Game of Pool? BY RHETT ALLAIN It's hard enough to predict the outcome of ball collisions in a game of billiards. Do you also have to factor in a player's effect on the cue ball?     Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.