More than four million people have been affected by floods across six countries in western and central Africa. / CBC
Heavy rainfall caused parts of the Saraha Desert to turn green. / nasa earth observatory
A global economy of spammers and entrepreneurs is using AI to fill the web with “slop.” / Intelligencer
New analysis suggests that one in seven scientific papers is at least partly fake. / Retraction Watch
Some findings from recent traffic analysis of right wing and mainstream conservative news websites. / TheRighting
Related: Men explain why they leave comments on pornography websites. / The Cut
Unrelated: A brief history of online fashion fandom. / Ssense
Today's political polling is said to be no more reliable than what we had a century ago. / The American Prospect
Photos from inside a high-status female leader's throne room in ancient Peru. / Colossal
A photographer makes composite images to depict the pressures of trying to be a “perfect” mother. / It's Nice That
Video of the first performance of an unknown Mozart piece recently discovered in the holdings of Germany's Leipzig Municipal Libraries. / Open Culture
Can you copyright a rhythm? A court is soon to decide. / Pitchfork
Billie Eilish is partnering with Google Maps to help fans find sustainable transport to her upcoming concerts. / NME
Cycling safety increases when bikes roll through stop signs and drivers are informed that this is okay. / electrek
For your weekly wanderlust: a north-to-south bike trip through Iceland. Also, where and when to see fall foliage this year in the US. / The Radavist, Smoky Mountains
If you carry a Nike Elite backpack, beware teenagers trying to steal your zippers. / Fast Company
The latest trend on TikTok? Young people going for silent strolls. “Gen Z thinks it just invented walking.” / The New York Times [+]