Remaking Agatha Christie

PRESENTED BY BOXABL

Happy Thursday, Future Party. Influencing can be dangerous — so dangerous, in fact, that a new study in Frontiers in Conservation Science found an increase in shark bites linked to, well, internet challenges. People are turning silly things like “go film yourself touching that shark” into viral stunts. So, here’s a general PSA for any creators reading this right now: please think twice before petting wild sharks.

BBC Studios has created a deepfake version of renowned mystery author Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile) to teach a BBC Maestro course.

The Big Twist: This isn’t the first time that a deceased celebrity has been resurrected for a performance… but it might be the first time it’s been done for education purposes instead of entertainment. If the course is a hit, it may launch a new form of learning — one that curates and condenses a person’s writing, interviews, interview appearances, etc., into one interactive class.

Behind the Course: Knowledge is forever… and, now, so is the knowledge giver.

Final Reveal: The BBC has a long relationship with the Christie estate, having adapted several of her stories into movies and shows. Also, the best-selling Christie is enjoying renewed interest, thanks to a Hollywood franchise centering on her most famous character, Hercule Poirot, directed by and starring beloved British thespian Kenneth Branagh. That may drive a record number of signups for the Christie class… and open up a new way to honor (or exploit, your mileage may vary) an artist’s legacy.

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Hydro Flask, one of the most popular beverage bottle brands on the market, is bucking trends by releasing a micro version of its insulated bottle… and has been selling out all year.

Why It Hits: 2024 was the year of the Stanley Cup, as people felt they needed to carry almost a full day’s worth of hydration wherever they went. But just like Newton’s Third Law of Motion, every trend will have an equal and opposite trend… which Hydro Flask hopes it can be the Stanley of.

Behind the Bottle: Is the trend of the “big dumb cups” (thanks, SNL) coming to an end?

Last Sip: People who purchased the Micros said they fill it with anything from coffee to matcha to alcohol — basically any tasty beverage they can take on the go and fit in a purse or jacket pocket. And yes, some do fill it with a little bit of water. Some people reported that the bottles are more in line with how people outside the US carry drinks (i.e., not something heavy that you’re lugging around).

Prepare for every streetwear brand, music festival, and maybe even trendy restaurant to roll out their own versions of small bottles as a fashionable brand perk. Small things can have a big impact.

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57.4% of you voted No in yesterday’s poll: Are you curious to see how AI could be used to make a movie?

“AI is built through plagiarism, ‘trained’ using stolen materials.”

“If it’s being used as a creative tool and not to replace humans in front of or behind the camera, then yes. What I’m not interested in is AI-generated scripts, digital replicas of human performers, or projects directed by prompts. But as a time- and money-saving workflow tool to enhance human creativity, I think it could be a game-changer.”

“We almost HAVE to be curious, because it’s inevitably going to happen. Someone like Natasha is going to make a really good, successful AI movie… and then everyone will follow, because it’s going to be a fraction of the cost and time.”

“If AI brings authenticity to a scene like an ancient battle, then absolutely.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🎮 A federal judge has ruled that Apple must finally put Fortnite back on the App Store.

🎧 Former TikTok Music head Ole Obermann and longtime Apple exec Rachel Newman are becoming the co-heads of Apple Music.

🎵 Jack Black’s 34-second song from A Minecraft Movie, “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” is now the shortest song ever to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

💳 Mastercard is rolling out a suite of tools to help AI agents safely handle customers’ credit cards.

👟 Nike is selling a version of brand new Air Force 1s that are already scuffed up and look dirty, so you don’t have to worry.

🤑 IPOs are down during tariff season, but SPACS are on the up.

📱 Snapchat says never mind to rolling out a simplified redesign of its flagship app.

💻 TikTok has beaten Twitch to become the second most-popular livestreaming app worldwide. (YouTube still holds the top spot.)

🤳 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hired agency Article 41 to help its student-athletes become social influencers.