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Here's how to dress like the power couple from 'House of Cards'

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House of Cards season 3 is finally out.

We don't necessarily recommend acting like Frank and Claire Underwood, but we do suggest mimicking their professional wardrobes. They really nail it.

We've put together a style guide based on one of our favorite power couples. Check it out.


Frank Underwood:

house of cards

Frank Underwood isn't a flashy dresser — it wouldn't be appropriate for his job. But he always looks sharp.

Most professionals are in the same boat: you need to look good, and you don't want inappropriate clothing to detract from your ideas and work ethic.

So you'll want to stick to Frank's power wardrobe basics, which include a neutral suit, a crisp button-down shirt, a blue tie, and a basic watch.

Suit: $1,095$383.25
Tie: $68$51
Shirt: $79$39.50
Watch: Daniel Wellington, $199.00


Claire Underwood:

house of cards

If you want to exude confidence and professionalism in that interview, dress like Claire Underwood.

You'll never see Claire wearing frills or bright colors. She primarily sticks to structured dresses and coats — always in a neutral color like black, gray or white. Her handy work tote and black neutral pumps are the finishing touches to her power look. 

Structured dress: Ted Baker, $295; BOSS $595$446.25
Power coat: Calvin Klein $310$139.50; Calvin Klein $310 $217
Structured bag: $358
Black pumps: $325


 

 

SEE ALSO: Entrepreneurs and business owners will benefit from this 'Build-a-startup' course bundle [93% off]

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Larry David thinks reports about his massive net worth are 'absurd'

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Larry David 60 Minutes

In a new "60 Minutes" interview with Charlie Rose, "Seinfeld" cocreator, writer, and producer Larry David revealed the one big way in which the hit NBC comedy changed his life.

"It gave me money," David said of the sitcom that ran from 1989 to 1998. "It gave me something that I didn't have, but not in the way that people think it's a total transformation. I still, to this day, couldn't walk up to a woman at a bar and say hello."

Larry David Jerry SeinfeldToday, "Seinfeld" is still syndicated on many TV channels. After the show ended in 1998, Larry David created and starred in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" on HBO in 1999. The show went on to run for eight seasons and win a Golden Globe for best comedy TV series.

Between the two hit shows and a massive "Seinfeld" syndication deal (the sitcom has reportedly netted $3.1 billion in fees for reruns on US TV channels) it has been estimated that David's net worth was around $900 million.

When David and his wife of 14 years divorced in 2007, his fortune (no matter what it was exactly) was halved, thanks to California divorce laws. Today, the TV creator-comedian-actor's net worth is reported to be about $400 million. On Sunday's "60 Minutes," Charlie Rose said David's net worth is closer to $500 million.

But David vehemently disputed rumors of his net worth to Rose during the segment.

In a clip available only on the CBS website, David insists "the figures that I read about the amount of money that I've made are so ridiculous, and it's absurd. It's unseemly, I don't have that kind of money!"

"My wife took half of it in the divorce," David confirmed.

Larry David Laurie David

When Rose asked if that was because he is generous, David responded, "No, that's the law."

Rose then asked if he would have preferred to have given her less, to which he replied: "Perhaps, who knows. No, after what I put her through I want her to be happy. It's not an easy job to be with me. I don't think of other people."

Getting back to his net worth, David says he finds the reports of his finances "embarrassing."

While he says "I honestly don't know" how much "Seinfeld" has earned in syndication, David admits, "I have a lot of money" but still says "the figures out there are crazy."

Rose tried to press David on an exact amount, telling his interview subject that he was worth "more than $500 million."

"Are you talking about me personally? Are you kidding me? Again, that's just nuts," replied David. "No, it's not [$500M]. And mind your own goddamn business."

This isn't the first time David has publicly denied his alleged net worth.

In 2011, he told Rolling Stone:

I don’t have anything near what I’m reputed to have. My wife got half of it, the whole thing is ridiculous, and yet people are obsessed with the fact that I’ve made millions of dollars from syndication.

It's okay for all these other people you've interviewed to have it, but not me? Jerry's not getting asked about how much money he has. Only I am. It comes down to, 'Jerry deserves it, he starred in it, you got lucky!'… It doesn't suit me, that's why, it's uncharacteristic for a person with my personality to have it, that's what's askew, right? Something's off, and I agree with you. I shouldn't! It's an anomaly!

David said that as he grew richer he developed an allergy to caviar, which "was the perfect metaphor for my life."

Celebrity Net Worth notes of David's massive fortune:

The real windfall came when Seinfeld was sold in to syndication to Columbia Tristar. The day Seinfeld was sold into syndication Larry earned an estimated $650 million. Add to that his prior personal fortune of $30 million plus all the money he has earned since starring in Curb and Larry is a very happy man. Another great annuity for David has been the periodic releases of Seinfeld DVD box sets. Every few years a new season is unleashed to a frenzied public with a huge marketing blitz. DVD sales can easily add another $40-50 million to Larry's bottom line.

But before he was rolling in the bucks, David told "60 Minutes" he worked a number of odd jobs, including chauffeur, taxi driver, paralegal, and bra salesman, which ended up being the premise of a "Seinfeld" episode.

Seinfeld george costanza bras Watch Larry David discuss the rumors about his wealth below:


Now watch David's full interview with Charlie Rose on "60 Minutes."

SEE ALSO: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David stole the show on SNL's 40th-anniversary special

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Why Mark Zuckerberg thinks everyone can learn something from Pixar

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toy story

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's New Year's resolution for 2015 was to read a new book every two weeks, discussing them along the way with the Facebook community.

His first four picks for "A Year in Books" have been in-depth looks at sociological issues like violence and the debate over vaccination, but his fifth pick is much lighter.

He's chosen "Creativity, Inc." by Pixar cofounder Ed Catmull and author Amy Wallace.

It tells the story of how Pixar became an animation legend with films that have together accumulated over $8 billion in gross revenue and 27 Oscars, with Catmull's personal insight along the way.

Zuckerberg explains his latest book selection on his personal Facebook page:

This book is written by the founder of Pixar and is about his experience building a culture that fosters creativity.

His theory is that people are fundamentally creative, but many forces stand in the way of people being able to do their best work.

I love reading first-hand accounts about how people build great companies like Pixar and nurture innovation and creativity. This should be inspiring to anyone looking to do the same, and hopefully there will be lessons we can apply to connecting the world!

Catmull is an introspective guy, and the book is filled with valuable wisdom on entrepreneurialism and management in addition to plenty of fun facts about Pixar.

"A Year in Books" so far:

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants to help curb the anti-vaccination movement with his latest book club selection

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NOW WATCH: Watch Mark Zuckerberg In China Surprise The Audience By Speaking Fluent Mandarin








10 things every entrepreneur should know before going on 'Shark Tank'

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shark tank taaluma

Outside of ABC's "Shark Tank" or one of its international affiliates, entrepreneurs are not going to find themselves pitching their company to a panel of five charismatic investors competing against each other.

And while that made-for-TV situation may be unique, the principles for what makes a "Shark Tank" pitch successful apply to any more traditional setting, as well.

Author Michael Parrish DuDell asked the executive producers of "Shark Tank," Mark Burnett and Clay Newbill, what every entrepreneur should know before walking into the Tank and settled on 10 tips included in his book "Shark Tank Jump Start Your Business: How to Launch and Grow a Business from Concept to Cash."

We're explaining them below with additional insight from the Sharks themselves and other experts.

1. Clearly and succinctly explain what your business is.

Though a segment on the show lasts around 10 minutes, entrepreneurs typically spend about an hour with the investors. But they have under two minutes to hook the Sharks, investor Kevin O'Leary says.

You need to articulate that there's a problem your company is solving, and that there is an opportunity for an investor to make a ton of money after it shortly scales in size. You need to instill a "fear of missing out," as renowned Silicon Valley investor Chris Sacca puts it.

"If you look at the common thread in all of the companies that got financed...," O'Leary says, they're all "able to articulate the opportunity in 90 seconds or less."

2. Know your numbers.

O'Leary says that he's seen countless pitches fall apart as soon as an entrepreneur is asked about revenues, expenses, profits, manufacturing costs, projections, and everything in between.

"If you don't understand your basic numbers, you're going to fail," investor Robert Herjavec says.

3. Research each of the Sharks.

"Do your homework and uncover everything you can about each of their personal and professional histories," DuDell writes. "The more information you have, the more targeted your pitch can be."

Knowing, for example, that investors Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec are both extremely well-versed in tech development and prefer coaching to a hands-on approach to their investments, while Daymond John and Lori Greiner are retail experts who enjoy working directly on product and packaging design, can help you tailor your pitch to an ideal partner.

4. Prepare for all the potential questions you can think of.

Each of the Sharks have told us how much they admire entrepreneurs who can roll with the punches, and don't flinch at the most difficult questions.

Barbara Corcoran tells us that in six seasons of "Shark Tank," the best pitch she's seen has been from Cousins Maine Lobster cofounders Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis.

"They were smart enough before they came on 'Shark Tank' — I haven't seen it before and I haven't seen it since — they watched all four seasons of 'Shark Tank' before they came on," Corcoran says. "They role-played. They worked on every objection any Shark had ever asked an entrepreneur. Reams of paper. And they practiced the answers."

5. Be honest.

DuDell writes that being a conniving salesman is a guaranteed path to failure with the investors.

"If you don't have an answer to a particular question, it's better to be truthful and look unprepared than it is to make something up," he writes. "Don't forget, there's a lengthy due diligence process once the deal is made."

shark tank cast

6. Explain your growth plan.

A great product is not enough to win an investor over. An investment in a business isn't an act of charity, O'Leary explains, and investors need to know how exactly their money is going to make them even more.

While not every successful "Shark Tank" product has to be revolutionary, Cuban says that the best thing an entrepreneur can do to grab his attention is to have an "operating company that has started to get real traction in a new industry that has a ton of upside."

7. Point out your weaknesses.

Every business has a weakness, and if you pretend it doesn't exist, the investors will discover it and use it against you, DuDell writes. You can, however, embrace your weaknesses and failures in a strategic way.

It's related to honesty, John explains. "Tell me about the problems as much as you tell about the opportunities, and how you may have solved some of the problems," the Shark says.

8. Communicate why you are uniquely qualified to run the business and why it's better than the competition.

"We're not investing in companies," John says, "we're investing in people. There's nothing that we've seen, that you will ever see, that is brand new. It's always going to be a new form of delivery or a new angle on it."

The investors are looking for someone who is not disposable, at the head of a company that has a "compelling differentiator," DuDell writes. "What you must prove is that there's something special that sets your business apart."

9. Be confident.

"From the moment you walk into the room, be cognizant of how you're presenting yourself," DuDell writes.

Before giving your pitch, practice effective public speaking techniques, utilizing body language and voice inflection to engage the investors. And let your personality shine through.

Joshua Rinaldi, the president of the public speaking club, New York Toastmasters, says that the fear of presenting in front of an audience dissipates with consistent practice.

10. Be appreciative.

Whether you get a deal or not, be appreciative and grateful, DuDell writes. You'll eventually be in front of 10 million prime time viewers and have a shot at gaining a high-profile, well-networked investor onto your side.

O'Leary says that "the entrepreneur is standing in a very valuable spot when they're presenting," and he gets tremendously frustrated if they don't show this appreciation by being prepared and respectful.

SEE ALSO: The 12 biggest 'Shark Tank' success stories

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NOW WATCH: 'Shark Tank' Investor Reveals The One Big Regret Every Entrepreneur Has








Pussy Riot makes a bold cameo in 'House of Cards' season 3

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pussy riot house of cardsWarning: If you're not caught up with season 3, episode 3 of "House of Cards," there are spoilers ahead.

A big subplot in season three of Netflix’s "House of Cards" is Frank Underwood’s (Kevin Spacey) relationship with Russian president Victor Petrov (Lars Mikkelsen).

The first time the two cross paths is in episode 3 when Petrov visits the White House in an episode chock full of goodies like vodka shots, beer pong, and Petrov kissing Claire Underwood (in front of Frank!). But it’s the sudden appearance of the two members from feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot at the White House that perked our ears.

As the season progresses, more and more storylines from real headlines are sprinkled into the plot, but the appearance of the Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina is one of the most rewarding.

The punk rockers who served jail time for criticizing real Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2012 make for perfect casting, though their invite to that kind of presidential event is perhaps not as likely in real life

The ladies, along with a translator, are guests at a dinner President Underwood throws for Petrov and his colleagues.

Things start out okay as the duo shakes hands with Petrov.

pussy riot petrov house of cards

After asking Petrov if he discussed any of their issues and concerns with President Underwood, the mood slightly changes, and the group pose for an awkward press photo.

petrov pussy riot house of cards

When the ladies later go to make a toast, they instead voice their displeasure with Petrov. 

house of cards pussy riot

"To Viktor Petrov, whose loyalty runs so deep, he's given his friends half of the country." says Tolokonnikova

"Who's so open to criticism, that most of his critics are in prison," adds Alyokhina.

Another final comment toward Petrov from Tolokonnikova goes untranslated in the episode.

Petrov looks clearly bothered and annoyed by their outburst.

house of cards petrov

A request from the Russian leader to stop, sit down, and "drink and laugh, like true Russians do" causes the trio to pour out their drinks, drop their glassware, and storm out of the dinner.

pussy riot house of cards season 3

The stunt works perfectly for Underwood. Failing to find a middle ground with Petrov on anything, he uses their actions in his speech following the dinner as an “eye opening” moment to why he won’t corporate with Russia.

Along with the cameo, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina told Russian opposition magazine The New Times that "House of Cards" creator Beau Willimon wanted them to also write a song.

“We wrote for them an international English-language song ‘Don't Cry Genocide,’” said Tolokonnikova. “Which is devoted to the militarization of society and to American drones in particular."

She added, “It was hard as hell to learn all these English phrases.”

Here’s the music video from their “Don’t Cry Genocide” song that played during the end credits of episode 3.

SEE ALSO:  Stephen Colbert made a shockingly vicious appearance on 'House of Cards'

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5 deals that prove Netflix wants to be taken seriously in the movie business

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beasts of no nation netflix focus features

First Netflix made its mark on original television programing with shows like "Orange Is The New Black" and "House of Cards," finding rabid fans and critical acclaim. Now the company is setting its sights on feature films.

On Monday, reports came that Netflix was nearing a deal to nab the highly anticipated next film from Cary Fukunaga ("True Detective"), "Beasts Of No Nation."

The film stars Idris Elba and was shot in Ghana last year for $6 million

The news reveals Netflix's willingness to go up against the big boys, as reports say it outbid the likes of Fox Searchlight and Focus to acquire the film, paying nearly $12 million

Based on the novel by Uzodinma Iweala, the story follows a child soldier who joins a militant group from an unnamed West African country that is led by a brutal warlord (Elba). The story and talent behind it have all the makings for an awards-season contender, but Netflix would have to release the film theatrically before putting it on its streaming platform for it to be eligible for an Oscar. Netflix has not divulged its release plans for the film.

"Beasts Of No Nation" is only the latest movie acquisition from Netflix. Here is a breakdown of other first-run films you will be seeing from the streaming site in the coming years:

A 'Crouching Tiger' sequel

crouching tiger hidden dragon sequelNews broke in September that Netflix inked a deal to release a sequel to Ang Lee's Oscar-winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Titled "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend," the film will be released day-and-date in theaters and on Netflix on August 28. Details have not come out about the sequel, but we are planning for lots of swords and people floating on branches.

Adam Sandler movies

adam sandler blendedShortly after the "Crouching Tiger" news, Netflix announced it signed Adam Sandler to a four-picture deal exclusively for streaming. Sandler will both produce and star in the films, which are likely to be similar in budget to his past films (ranging from $40 million to $80 million).

Nothing is out on what zany storylines we will get from Sandler, but with this quote from the comedian the day the deal was announced we can bet it will be filled with his classic juvenile humor: "I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only. Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks. Let the streaming begin!!!"

Duplass Deal

duplassNetflix came out of this year's Sundance Film Festival making a deal with two of the fest's most successful alumni, Mark and Jay Duplass. Like Sandler the brothers got a four-picture deal, but their titles will stream and get limited theatrical windows. Given the Duplass' HBO series "Togetherness" or any of their intimate low-budget movies ("Jeff, Who Lives At Home," "Cyrus"), we're pretty confident their four films will cost as much as one of Sandler's. 

New Pee-wee movie

168599664After years of rumors of a new Pee-wee Herman movie, last October Paul Reubens began making the rounds confirming that a new movie was in the works and that Judd Apatow was producing it. Then in December came word that Netflix would be the home for the film. No word yet on when it will show up on the site, but if you need your Pee-wee fix, Netflix has everything from "Pee-wee's Playhouse" to his previous movies. So throw on your red bowtie and start the binge.

SEE ALSO: Netflix just announced a bunch of new premiere dates

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NOW WATCH: Mark Cuban: Here's Why Netflix Won't Kill TV








APPLY NOW: Business Insider is hiring evening news reporters

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business insider group shotBusiness Insider is hiring Evening News Reporters. 

We're looking for applicants who are news-obsessed, quick to learn, cool under pressure, careful, and appreciative of our approach to journalism.

This is an important position that will involve working closely with top editors and journalists across our team.

Responsibilities will include spotting and covering important breaking news stories as they unfold.

The news reporter will be on shift from 3pm EST to 1am EST, working alongside coworkers in our growing San Francisco office as well as colleagues in New York.

We will consider journalists of varying levels of experience for this position.

APPLY HERE with your resume, a cover letter, and links to several clips. 

Business Insider offers competitive compensation packages complete with benefits. This is a full-time position in our New York City headquarters.

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NOW WATCH: 7 smart questions to ask at the end of every job interview








Good news, PS4 owners: You'll be able to buy Sony’s virtual reality headset in the first half of next year

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project morpheus sony ps4 virtual reality headset prototypeSony took the stage at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) on Tuesday evening to show off the latest version of its virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 4, codenamed "Project Morpheus," and share more details about its launch.

Project Morpheus will be released in the first half of 2016, according to Sony. There's no word on pricing just yet.

The first version of Project Morpheus was unveiled at last year's GDC, but the hardware has been much improved since then. 

The new Morpheus features a 5.7-inch OLED display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, frame-rate options of 60 and 120 frames per second for smooth visuals, and 360-degree tracking to offer what Sony calls "super low latency" — in other words, a really small period of time between when the player makes a motion and when the motion is seen on screen. 

Sony says the new model has "less than half" the latency of the first-generation Morpheus.

Two other notable improvements: Morpheus can now be worn with glasses, and you can now slide the headgear over your head without needing to take it off entirely — good for a quick drink break. You can learn more from the company's press release. 

During its presentation, Sony showed off a few demos of the Morpheus software — a first-person shooter and a few basic games that let you explore some rooms and the ocean — but said we would see more at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June.

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NOW WATCH: Watch Henry Blodget Freak Out When He Tries Oculus Rift And Looks Down From A Virtual Skyscraper









This is where the expression 'throw shade' comes from

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rhianna throwin shade

The expression to "throw shade" at someone or "throwing shade" has seeped into mainstream culture in a big way, so it is time to talk about where it came from and what it means.

The term "throwing shade" comes from black and Latino gay communities.

The term's first significant step into straight culture was in the 1990 documentary about young, black, and Latino drag queens in New York City, "Paris is Burning." 

The central characters explain their culture and guide you through the underground world of parties and drag balls.

In one scene, a queen named Dorian Corey explains what "shade" is. 

"Shade is, I don't have to tell you you're ugly, because you know you're ugly," she says.

When someone insults you directly, that's called a "read." For example, if I were to tell you that your glasses are ugly. Point blank. That's a read. Reads can be long or short.

"Shade" comes from reading, as Corey explains.

If I were to say in a terribly condescending voice, "Oh honey, I'm so glad you saved up to buy those glasses," that's blatant shade. I didn't insult the glasses, or you, directly. It's implied by my voice and the context of what I said. You know they're ugly.

Sometimes people don't get that they're being "shaded" — this is always sad. 

To "throw shade" simply means you've said something shady to someone. If you want an example of someone who throws perfect shade in every way, that would be pop star Rihanna. She can shade you with her eyes. 

Watch Dorian Corey explain it in "Paris is Burning" below:

 

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Some of the biggest theater chains are refusing to show Netflix's upcoming movie

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beasts of no nation netflix focus features

Monday, Netflix announced it was purchasing the rights to "Beasts of No Nation" from director Cary Fukunaga ("True Detective"). 

The streaming site is expected to make a big Oscar campaign for the film. In order to do that, Netflix will need to release the film in theaters in addition to streaming; however, it looks like theaters won't make it easy. 

Four of the largest movie exhibitors in the U.S. have fired back stating they will not show the film

AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Carmine have decided to boycott the film since it will not adhere to the typical 90-day delay between theatrical debut and Blu-ray/streaming release.

Netflix mentioned in their announcement of the purchase that it plans to do an Oscar qualifying run of the film in select theaters later this year, but it will be interesting to see if it will end up being only arthouses that will show it.

One that has stood up and will definitely play the film is Alamo Drafthouse.

The Austin, Texas-based independent chain that also has theater houses in California and New York has never gone with the multiplexes in these kinds of situations. Last year, Drafthouse was one of the first chains to immediately screen "The Interview" after the film's initial pull from large chains Christmas Day following threats to attack theaters showing the film.

And forward-thinking distributors like Radius-TWC (the multi-platform distribution arm of The Weinstein Company) are also aware it's time for the major theater chains to get with the times. "No theater should play any film that doesn't work for their bottom line. By the same token though, if a film has earning potential it should be considered regardless of release strategy," Tom Quinn, co-president and founder of Radius told Business Insider earlier today. 

 

SEE ALSO: 5 deals that prove Netflix wants to be taken seriously in the movie business

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NOW WATCH: Mark Cuban: Here's Why Netflix Won't Kill TV








New 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' trailer gives a menacing look at the new villain

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avengers age of ultron

Marvel just released a new trailer for “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” 

The third full trailer for the “Avengers” sequel was set to debut on ABC Thursday evening during the premiere of new series “American Crime.” 

Wednesday, Marvel announced they would release the trailer early if enough fans tweet the hashtag #AvengersAssemble. 

“The Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be in theaters May 1. Advanced tickets for the film are currently on sale on Fandango.

SEE ALSO: The new "Avengers" trailer teases a brand new superhero

SEE ALSO: Look closely and you can see a new superhero in this "Avengers: Age of Ultron" poster

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13 podcasts that will make you smarter

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ira glass peabody

46 million Americans listen to a podcast every month.

Podcasts are gaining in popularity for a number of reasons: You can listen in the car or on the train to work, you can dig deep into a topic, and you don't have to burn your eyes out on a screen.

'Radiolab' will help you appreciate how mysterious science is.

While it may seem normal, existence is weird. 

WNYC's "Radiolab" — the brainchild of topflight journos Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich — investigates that weirdness with a blend of science, philosophy, and music. 

You probably want to start with the "Colors" episode.

Start listening here > 



'Invisibilia' will lead you on a journey to the frontier of psychology.

Radiolab spun off 'Invisibilia," whose name is Latin for all the invisible things.

It's a podcast about the unseen, unconscious forces that guide our lives: biases, dreams, quirks of perception.

The first episode tells the story of a boy who couldn't communicate for 12 years. His only company was his thoughts — until, one day, it wasn't. 

Start listening here > 

 

 



'StartUp' chronicles the glorious challenge of founding a company.

NPR veteran Alex Blumberg wanted to make a podcast startup. 

So he made a podcast about it.

The result is StartUp, and it's deliciously entrepreneurial listening.

Start listening here > 

 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider






Everyone is losing their minds over this new virtual reality headset

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htc vive virtual reality headsetEarlier this week, HTC surprised the crowd at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona with the HTC Vive, a new virtual reality headset borne out of a partnership with Valve, one of the most esteemed gaming companies in the industry. 

The first early reviews of the HTC Vive hit the web on Wednesday afternoon, and the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. By almost all accounts, HTC and Valve have created something truly special with the Vive, which many say is the first virtual reality headset that makes you truly believe you are somewhere else.

Just check out some of these headlines floating around the web.

The Verge:

htc vive

Engadget:

htc vive

TechCrunch:

htc vive

Gizmodo:

htc vive

CNET:

htc vive

And Business Insider:

htc vive

All of these reviews are worth reading, if only to pump you up about the future of virtual reality.

Though most critics said the actual visuals of HTC's device could improve, all of the reviewers were blown away by how well the Vive convinces you that you're in another world. It does this in several ways: The Vive has positional tracking, where you stick two sensors to your wall that can track the movement of your head, hands and body, and it comes with two "nunchuk-like" controllers with sensors that communicate with the sensors on your wall, and basically act as your "hands" that you can see right in the game.

The result is immersion unlike anything anyone has experienced: You can even freely walk around the room and you'll do so in your game — but don't worry, a grid will pop up on your display to let you know that you're approaching a physical wall or object in real life.

At Mobile World Congress, critics and journalists got to try a bunch of demos: A game where you prepare and cook virtual ingredients in a virtual kitchen; a demo of an underwater shipwreck populated by fish you could prod and touch; a game where you're a giant towering over some armies fighting each other, and you can crouch down to get a better look at the action; and, since it's Valve, a demo of one of the company's most popular games, "Portal," where you need to fix a malfunctioning door. 

Here's Business Insider's Steve Kovach:

Like the Oculus and other VR experiences, it's impossible to describe what it's like with mere words. It's simply one of those things you have to try to believe. In the short term, VR will bring on a new era of gaming. But there's so much more to it. Virtual travel. Shopping. Social networking. Movies. Porn. Fast forward a few years, once the hardware doesn't look like a bulky, geeky headset, and we'll wonder why we ever used a traditional flat screen for any of those things.

Of course, there's still a lot of work to do. During all the demos, HTC's hardware, including the headgear and the hand controllers, were hooked up to a PC — and HTC says it wants to make its wall-mounted sensors smaller before they start selling them to the public. But still, HTC and Valve are clearly putting a lot of pressure on other VR makers like Facebook-owned Oculus and Samsung: The Vive sounds like an extremely promising piece of hardware that might finally get people more excited about virtual reality.

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NOW WATCH: Watch Henry Blodget Freak Out When He Tries Oculus Rift And Looks Down From A Virtual Skyscraper








The new 'Avengers' trailer teases our first look at a new superhero

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Marvel debuted a new trailer for "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" Wednesday afternoon, and a big reveal came at the end.

Audiences finally saw the first glimpses of a new superhero.

vision avengers age of ultronpaul bettany vision

Who is that?

That's Vision, a human android. In the comics, he's created by Ultron (James Spader), the villain of the new film. 

In "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Vision will be played by Paul Bettany.

vision paul bettany

Longtime franchise fans may notice that Bettany has played a pretty significant behind-the-scenes role in previous Marvel movies including the "Iron Man" series. 

He has voiced Tony Stark's A.I. system J.A.R.V.I.S., an acronym which stands for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. J.A.R.V.I.S. 

J.A.R.V.I.S. has been described as a home computing system who can essentially be thought of as the ultimate virtual butler. (Bruce Wayne has an Alfred and Tony Stark has a J.A.R.V.I.S.)  

iron man jarvisOnce Stark builds the Iron Man suit J.A.R.V.I.S. is downloaded into the armor for communication purposes.  

tony stark iron man 3No spoilers here about how J.A.R.V.I.S. goes from being a virtual A.I. to a living, breathing physical character, but I'll let you guys connect the dots.

If you can't wait to see Vision until the film release in May, we got a sneak peek at the Vision action figures that will be in sale from Hasbro.

vision the avengers age of ultron toyvision toy fair

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that Marvel teased the character at the end of February in a new poster for the film.

vision avengers age of ultron poster

SEE ALSO: Watch the new trailer for "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

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NOW WATCH: Here's Why Stan Lee Says You Should Never Do Something Just For Money








Here's why Gigi Hadid is the hottest model in the fashion industry right now

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Gigi Hadid is only 19-years-old, but she's already climbed her way to the top of the modeling industry.

Gigi Hadid paparazziBut before she appeared on the cover of this month's Vogue Spain...

Gigi Hadid Vogue Espana coverOr on this month's Teen Vogue cover...

Gigi Hadid Teen VogueOr walked the runway for top designers at this weeks' London Fashion Week...

Gigi Hadid modelGigi was better known as Yolanda Foster's aspiring model-daughter on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

Gigi Hadid Yolanda Foster real housewives

Gigi's mother, Yolanda, is married to mega music producer David Foster.

Gigi Hadid David Foster Yolanda FosterHer biological father is Mohamed Hadid, a real estate entrepreneur who is estimated to be worth around $200 million.

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Gigi's younger sister, Bella, is also an up-and-coming model.

Gigi Hadid Bella HadidBut Gigi's modeling career goes back further than her famous family. She began modeling for Guess at age two.

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In 2011, Gigi signed with IMG Models and her career took off. By 2012, she was named the face of Guess.

Gigi Hadid GuessAnd still often appears in the brand's campaigns, posting this in January:

"Sneak peek, me n my custom denim! New @GUESS campaign coming out this month. Keep an eye out - so excited for you to see the new images as they're released! Going on 15 years as a Guess Girl, this may be my favorite campaign yet! Thank you @paulmarciano for always supporting me and my career, so much love for you and the whole team."

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In 2014, Gigi made her New York Fashion Week debut walking the catwalk in the Desigual show in February. 

"It was my debut. It was crazy; I got to walk with my idol Candice Swanepoel. She was in front of me in the lineup. It was just unbelievable," she said at the time.

Gigi Hadid model runwayThat same month, she appeared on the coveted cover of Carine Roitfeld's "CR Fashion Book."

"Gigi is a beautiful person on the outside and the inside too. She is a warm and kind-hearted soul," fashion icon and editirix Roitfeld told The Daily. "When Stephen Gan introduced her to me, we jointly send her to see [photographer] Bruce Weber, we knew she was a star about to be born."

Gigi Hadid Carien Roitfeld CR Fashion BookAlso in 2014, Gigi made her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue debut as a "rookie" model.

Gigi Hadid Sports IllustratedThis year, she was one of 16 top models featured in the annual issue.

Gigi Hadid Sports IllustratedAnd she's already BFF with her fellow SI models, like Lily Aldridge.

Gigi Hadid Lily AldridgeLast July, Gigi starred in a campaign for Tom Ford's fragrance, Velvet Orchid.

Gigi Hadid Tom FordShe also appeared in ads for Tom Ford's eyewear campaign, alongside fellow Hollywood offspring, Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Tom Ford Gigi Hadid Patrick SchwarzeneggerIn January, she was named the newest face of Maybelline, the number one cosmetics brand in the world, which counts models like Christy Turlington and Jourdan Dunn among other spokeswomen.

Gigi Hadid maybellineThat same month, Gigi was named Model of the Year at the Daily Front Row’s Fashion Awards.

Gigi HadidLast month, Gigi and her 18-year-old popstar boyfriend, Cody Simpson, stunned at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Gigi Hadid Cody Simpson

Previously, she starred in Simpson's 2014 "Surfboard" music video.

This month, Gigi graces THREE Vogue covers — Vogue's Spanish issue and two different Teen Vogue covers.

Gigi Hadid teen vogueThrough it all, she's kept her sense of humor.

And with 2.1 million Instagram followers, over 259,000 Twitter followers, and over 251,000 Facebook fans, looks like 19-year-old Gigi Hadid is just getting started.

Gigi Hadid Instagram

SEE ALSO: Here's what Sports Illustrated swimsuit models look like in real life

MORE: 14 photos that prove why Hannah Davis is a perfect choice for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue cover girl

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Pussy Riot says Putin is even worse than the Russian president on 'House of Cards'

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pussy riot

Punk rock activists Pussy Riot guest starred as themselves on an early episode of the newest season of "House of Cards," but they were not impressed with how the show's producers portrayed a character based on Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

In the third episode of season 3, Russian dissidents Nadezhda "Nadya" Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot — feminist punk rock protest group whose 2012 arrest in Moscow for protesting Putin's anti-gay regime drew considerable criticism from the West — are invited to a White House dinner party as guests of honor alongside fictional Russian President Victor Petrov, presumably in an attempt to diffuse tensions.

But the invitation has the opposite effect, as Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina use the opportunity to criticize Petrov in a scathing "toast" before walking out on the party in disgust. 

pussy riot russia

When asked in a recent interview how they thought Petrov measured up to the real Russian president, however, the activists said the character failed to capture Putin's callous nature, according to AFP

"I think they don't quite understand what a member of the KGB is," Alyokhina, 26, told the Russian opposition magazine New Times. "In the show Petrov is more of a little tsar."

"He is too jolly for Putin, of course," she added. 

Though the actor who plays Petrov, Lars Mikkelsen, bears a close resemblance to Putin, Tolokonnikova reportedly insisted that he is too tall. "And his face is too withered. This is an early Putin, before Botox."

Petrov's behavior is also more shameless — he drinks heavily, sings loudly, and kisses Underwood's wife Claire on the lips in front of everyone. Putin may be eccentric and combative, but he is still a public figure who abides by some kind of political decorum, Alyokhina explained. 

house of cards season 3 claire petrov

The show follows the ruthlessly pragmatic and manipulative the Underwoods as they seek to cultivate power and influence. The third season's subplot involving Russia has sparked controversy among those familiar with today's frosty global political climate.

One of Underwood's major initiatives once he takes office as president is to foment peace in the Middle East — a lofty objective which he hopes to achieve by sending US and Russian troops into the Jordan Valley, a buffer between Jordan and the Palestinian West Bank that is currently occupied by Israeli soldiers and has served as a major point of contention in peace talks.

When Underwood asks Petrov (who the show's producers wanted to have the same initials as real-life President Vladimir Putin) to back him up by sending Russian soldiers to the valley, Petrov refuses. Not even a lavish dinner party can change his mind.

"Russia has nothing to gain from peace in the Middle East," he says.

Sounds like something Putin would say.

SEE ALSO: FEMA is not happy with the new season of 'House of Cards'

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Leonardo DiCaprio is partnering up with Netflix

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catch me if you can leonardo dicaprio liar conman

NEW YORK (AP) — Leonardo DiCaprio is partnering with Netflix for a series of documentaries he will produce for the streaming service.

Netflix announced Wednesday that DiCaprio and his production company, Appian Way, have signed a first-look deal with Netflix for nonfiction projects. The company says DiCaprio and Netflix will seek to develop and acquire documentaries and docuseries "with partial focus on environmental and conservation themes."

DiCaprio teamed with Netflix last year to release the Oscar-nominated documentary "Virunga." In a statement, DiCaprio said "Virunga" ''sparked a shared vision" between him and the streaming service.

The deal adds to a growing stable of Hollywood talent Netflix has lured to its expanding original film operations. Along with an earlier deal with Adam Sandler, Netflix recently acquired "Beasts of No Nation" by "True Detective" director Cary Fukunaga.

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NOW WATCH: Watch Leonardo DiCaprio Rip Into Big Oil On The Floor Of The United Nations








Pixar's president on the one question successful people should never ask themselves

Size 22 model goes Photoshop-free in new ads for plus-size clothing store

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Plus-size model Tess Holliday is the latest woman to go Photoshop-free in her new campaign for retailer Torrid, a fashion line for sizes 12 to 28.

But unlike Beyoncé and Cindy Crawford, Holliday purposely avoided Photoshop for the new ads.

Tess Holliday plus size model Torrid

"I've learned through modeling that there were so many options with clothing in the plus-size community," Holliday said in a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot. "Years ago we were really limited, but now with companies like Torrid and other brands there are so many options to shop for your body."

Adds the model: "I'm a firm believer that everyone should dress how they want to dress and rock what they want to rock."

Tess Holliday Torrid

Holliday, who used to work under the name Tess Munster, has become one of the top plus-size models in the world after landing a contact in January with the U.K.’s Milk Modeling agency.

Plus-size agency models are generally taller than 5 feet 8 inches and U.S. size 8 to 16. At 5-feet-5 and size 22, the 29-year-old Mississippi native is the largest model repped by Milk.

"I think we're the only agency with a model of her size. She is by far the largest model I have in the (Curves) division," Anna Shillinglaw, the owner and director of MiLk Model Management, told NY Daily News.

"I started following her [on social media], and saw how many followers she had," says Shillinglaw. "More than most models. She's such an important role model for so many women."

Holliday boasts over nearly 766,000 Facebook fans and over 514,000 Instagram followers.

Tess Holliday Instagram

She isn't afraid to show off her fuller figure on Instagram.

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And shares behind-the-scenes modeling photos.

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As well as personal snapshots.

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Holliday encourages others to do the same using the hashtag #effyourbeautystandards, a campaign she started encouraging people to embrace body types of all shapes and sizes.

The hashtag has gained serious traction, currently with well over 563,000 posts:

effyourbeautystandards instagram hashtag

SEE ALSO: Spanish artist makes profound point by Photoshopping celebrities to look fat

MORE: People are freaking out over these leaked, unretouched Beyoncé photos

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NOW WATCH: This Sports Illustrated swimsuit rookie could become the next Kate Upton








Everything you need to know about 'House of Cards' season 3 in one chart

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