A mother was convicted of killing her babies—was it really mutant DNA?

PLUS: The Office Is an Efficiency Trap, and more [View this email in your browser]( | [Manage newsletter subscriptions](newsletter=wir) [WIRED logo and a robot carrying a WIRED magazine]( [12.09.21]( [Collage of images of historical assembly line, cubical filled office, and open office]( [IDEAS | 14-MINUTE READ]( [The Office Is an Efficiency Trap]( BY ANNE HELEN PETERSEN AND CHARLIE WARZEL [As office design evolved over the last century, one feature remained: the goal of filling your life with even more work.]( [Rock illuminated by fuchsia light and on a solid black background]( [DIGGING IN | 5-MINUTE READ]( [This New Tech Cuts Through Rock Without Grinding Into It]( BY KHARI JOHNSON [A startup called Petra uses super-hot gas to penetrate bedrock. The method could make it cheaper to move utilities underground—and make electric lines safer.]( [Sony Playstation Pulse 3D wireless gaming headsets in white and black]( [PRODUCT REVIEW | 4-MINUTE READ]( [Sony’s PS5 Headset Offers 3D Audio in a Plasticky, Cheap Body]( BY ERIC RAVENSCRAFT [The spatial audio that comes out of these gaming headphones is impressive, but cheap hardware makes it a tough sell.]( [collage with a portrait of Carola de Vinuesa and Kathleen Folbigg with a baby crib and stuffed animals]( [CASE CLOSED? | 27-MINUTE READ]( [4 Dead Infants, a Convicted Mother, and a Genetic Mystery]( BY OSCAR SCHWARTZ [Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of killing her babies. One scientist suspected the real culprit was mutant DNA—and went on a tireless quest to prove it.]( [[GET WIRED]( [Cyber Week Sale Has Been Extended! Get WIRED for just $10 $5, plus get free stickers!]( [Get the print edition]( and exclusive subscriber-only stories. Give yourself the gift of information. [Subscribe now.](]( [A geometric kaleidoscope pattern of bacon]( [GRAZE BOXES | 7-MINUTE READ]( [Who’s Buying and Selling Artfully Folded Ham on Facebook?]( BY AMELIA TAIT [The pandemic has spurred an explosion of home cooks selling dubiously edible, but Instagram-friendly “graze boxes.”]( [Solarwinds building]( [HACKING | 6-MINUTE READ]( [A Year After the SolarWinds Hack, Supply Chain Threats Still Loom]( BY LILY HAY NEWMAN [The Russia-led campaign was a wake-up call to the industry, but there's no one solution to the threat.]( [This image may contain Coffee Cup, Cup, Appliance, Drink, and Beverage]( [DEALS | 3-MINUTE READ]( [Our Favorite Breville Coffee Machines Are on Sale]( BY GEAR TEAM [They’re still spendy, but they’re a serious upgrade for anyone looking to make better espresso at home.]( [Collage of images of Taliban fighters, Pepe the frog, 9/11, and alt-right rioters]( [IDEAS | 7-MINUTE READ]( [An ‘Alt-Jihad’ Is Rising on Social Media]( BY MOUSTAFA AYAD [The playbook of the alt-right is guiding a new generation of fringe jihadists, showing just how complicated extremism is about to become online.]( [Condé Nast Spotlight | The breaking news and top stories everyone is talking about. All in one place. The most popular stories from Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, Architectural Digest and more. STAY INFORMED]( [(image) WIRED Logo]( [(image) WIRED on Facebook]( [(image) WIRED on Twitter]( [(image) WIRED on Instagram]( [(image) WIRED on LinkedIn]( [(image) WIRED on YouTube]( [Podcasts]( Have questions or comments? [Reply to this email](mailto:hello@wired.com?subject=WIRED%20Newsletter%20Questions,%20Comments%20or%20Feedback). 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](newsletter=wir) Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.