Inside Installer No. 126: The Verge's Ruthless Self-Promotion Week and What We're Building

A Week of Celebrating Our Own Work

Welcome to the 126th edition of Installer, your trusted guide to the most noteworthy and distinctly Verge-approved discoveries across technology, culture, and everyday life. For those joining us for the first time, we're glad to have you—and yes, you'll quickly notice that we have a soft spot for Calvin Klein skirts (we're currently eyeing 10 or 15 styles). If you'd like to catch up on past issues, you can explore the complete archive on the Installer homepage.

This week, we're embracing something special: Ruthless Self-Promotion Week. In this edition, we're turning the spotlight inward to share the projects, obsessions, and creative experiments that have been occupying our minds lately. From deep dives into niche history podcasts to robotic mishaps and elegant stationery, here's a look at what we've been building and exploring.

What's in Installer No. 126?

As always, this issue is packed with curated recommendations—but today's focus is personal. We're dedicating nearly the entire newsletter to the stuff we've been making and consuming recently. It's a mix of the quirky, the thoughtful, and the borderline obsessive, all reflecting the Verge's signature blend of curiosity and skepticism.

Personal Picks and Rabbit Holes

Every editor and writer has their own list of current fascinations. Here are a few highlights from our team that made it into this edition.

The Tesla Diner and Podcast Deep Dives

One of us has been reading extensively about the Tesla diner—the electric car company's rumored foray into retro-futuristic dining. Alongside that, there's been a steady diet of long-form podcasts: Dwarkesh Patel's deep interviews on technology and philosophy, and the endlessly absorbing The Rest Is History podcast, which turns historical anecdotes into gripping narratives. If you're a fan of intelligent conversations that wander across eras and disciplines, these are worth adding to your queue.

These aren't just passive listens—they inspire new ways of thinking about innovation and storytelling, themes that often ripple back into our own work at The Verge.

Ted Lasso Rewatch for Season 4

With season 4 officially confirmed, one of our staffers has started a full Ted Lasso rewatch. The series remains a masterclass in optimism and character development, and revisiting it from the beginning reveals new layers of foreshadowing and emotional payoff. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a longtime fan, the rewatch is proving to be a rewarding way to prepare for what's next in the Richmond universe.

A Robot, Joanna Stern, and a Stationery Obsession

In a lighter but equally engaging vein, we've been watching a robot injure Joanna Stern. For those unfamiliar, Stern is a technology columnist who regularly subjects herself to the quirky and sometimes hazardous side of tech. This latest gadget—a robotic helper—did not go as planned, and the resulting video is equal parts cringe and comedy.

Meanwhile, a separate rabbit hole has opened around gorgeous Japanese stationery. From fountain pens with intricate nibs to washi tapes that are works of art, the craftsmanship and design sensitivity in this niche are undeniable. One editor admits to spending hours browsing online stores, admiring the precision and aesthetics—thinking about how something as simple as a notebook can be elevated to an object of desire.

These pursuits remind us that technology isn't just about software and hardware; it's also about the tactile experiences and human moments that surround them.

Looking Ahead: Cool Shoes and More

Rounding out the personal picks is a lingering question about those cool shoes—the ones that seem to merge style, comfort, and innovation in a way that feels new. While we're not ready to reveal the exact brand or model yet, it's indicative of a broader trend: the intersection of fashion and technology is producing footwear that is as smart as it is sharp. Expect more coverage on this front in upcoming editions.

Of course, this is just a taste of Installer No. 126. For the full list of recommendations, deep dives, and hidden gems, read the complete story at The Verge.