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Matthew Denis
Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor

Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest and Latin America. Matt spent four years in Eugene, earning his journalism chops at the University of Oregon and in the Eugene Weekly’s alt pages before elevating the city’s creative scene with CAFE 541, an innovative new features section in The Register-Guard newspaper. Food, fiction, physical activity, and fine music take up his off time.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

A vodka martini with olives

These are the best potato vodkas on the market

Potato vodka is the "healthiest" of vodkas, due to its gluten-free and sugar-free make. Here are a few savory, versatile vodkas that are worth a taste.
weirdest things tsa found in luggage

Guns in chickens? The weirdest places TSA found illegal items last year

Guns in chickens? The weirdest places TSA found illegal items last year

Air travel is a challenge — from hustling to wait in line to packing, only to remove clothing. TSA's list of most shocking 2022 finds reminds us why.
Playin' Pickleball's YouTube page.

There’s a new way to play the game of pickleball right in your own living room

There’s a new way to play the game of pickleball right in your own living room

Virtual pickleball becomes a reality via the official launch of "Playin Pickleball," which simulates real-life gameplay with Meta Quest 2 VR Goggles.
Baseball food — chili dog and chili fries.

The best (and worst) stadium food in the US, ranked

The best (and worst) stadium food in the US, ranked

Betting.com collected over 100,000 reviews of food at major sports venues. The resulting list revealed the best and the worst eats across professional sports.
A 2016 blizzard in the United States.

You’re not imagining it: Winter weather is getting worse

You’re not imagining it: Winter weather is getting worse

The U.S. has recently got hit hard by severe winter storms, but is climate change making these occurrences more likely and frequent?
Player holding a padel paddle.

Forget pickleball — Padel is our new favorite weird sport

Padel, like pickleball, is sport that melds racquet games. Better outside the U.S., here's a padel tennis history and how to get into addicting game.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Winter blues getting you down? Our favorite warm places to escape to in December

From Caribbean seas to warm streets down under, here are some of the best alternative warm places visit in December to shake off the cold.
Health Crossfitter's silhouette. Lake, foothills, and sky in background.

These are the fittest (and most unhealthy) states in the U.S.

Total Shape's national survey looked at obesity rates in America, including the healthiest and unhealthiest states and the number of gyms per capita.
Dried legumes and plant produce.

Make the smart choice: These are the most sustainable foods you can consume

In response to rampant food inflation, we examine why grain is so important to feeding humans and what better alternatives exist to feed humanity.
Cars on I-70 in Missouri.

This is the impact EVs have on the environment, according to an expert

With the help of the University of Oregon's Steve Mital, we investigate electric vehicles' impact on Mother Earth — for better and worse.
2022 FIFA World Cup Korea Uruguay.

World Cup 2022: Results, standings, and scores

World Cup 2022: Results, standings, and scores

With upsets and upset teams, coaches, and citizenry after the first week of the World Cup 2022, here's a wrap of all the action in Qatar.
Fast food.

These are the most delicious food rewards programs delivering big savings

The Manual rounds up the best food rewards programs and the best bonuses on offer from some of the country's leading franchises.
First cultured hamburger being fried in 2013.

FDA approval of lab-grown meat signals major changes are coming to our tables

The FDA just approved production of lab-cultivated meats for the first time, giving Upside Foods the go-ahead to produce lab-grown meat.
Close-up shot of a model of Al Wakrah Stadium.

The weirdest, coolest facts about the Qatar World Cup stadiums

The Manual digs into the eight Qatar World Cup stadiums hosting the 2022 World Cup — their locations, cost, design, and facts, and what happens after.
Korea and Uruguay play in the 2022 World Cup.

World Cup 2022: The group stage highlights we can’t stop talking about

From bicycle kicks to improbably slick, deep shots on net, these are the highlights we at The Manual can’t stop talking about so far in the World Cup 2022.
Chris Hemsworth speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for Thor- Love and Thunder, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

Chris Hemsworth is stepping away from acting: These stars did the same thing

"Thor" star Chris Hemsworth is taking a career break after learning he's genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.
crypto platform blockfi bankruptcy

Crypto continues its freefall as another major company declares bankruptcy

Crypto trading platform BlockFi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, aiming to clear debt, repay creditors, and reestablish the platform's legitimacy.
Save the Words website from 2009.

8 weird websites from the ’90s that are still alive today

Believe it or not, some of the internet's earliest sites are still around. Here are some of our favorites to poke around on for a blast of nostalgia.
Historical annual U.S. inflation rate since 1914.

Myth vs. reality: This is what will actually drive down U.S. inflation

The Manual compares what Americans believe will help stem inflation with the historical policies and economic professional views on what actually works.
Beer bottles and a soccer ball.

Soccer fans are getting inventive when it comes to Qatar’s World Cup alcohol ban

How the Qatari ban on alcohol at 2022 World Cup venues is affecting fans foreign and domestic after the tournament's first week.
best states to own an electric vehicle charging modern car on the street which are

Dreaming about electric vehicles? These hidden costs may change your mind

The Manual uncovers the hidden costs you need to consider when you're thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle.
Poached egg with green asparagus and caviar.

Video: This ‘new’ way to poach eggs might be the best (and simplest) ever

How to cook a poached egg to a subtle, almost perfect delicacy — cooked, almost crispy white surrounded a lush, runny yolk.
Men Will Be Men NFT.

The best films to watch to understand the shadowy crypto and NFT world

The Manual is here to provide a guide on the best films demonstrating how digital tech like crypto and NFTs operate successfully — or sometimes not.
Line graph showing crashing prices.

Why experts say the FTX failure is a ‘turning point’ and not the end for crypto

Experts weigh in on what may happen to crypto after the fall of FTX and Luna bared catastrophic risk involved with the digital currency.
Michael Burry sketch.

Big Short’s Michael Burry reveals why crypto’s problems aren’t going away

In 2022, Burry followed his spot-on 2008 doomsday prophecy for real estate with another prediction: the crypto crash.
Mini Bowling Set Table Top Bowling Game — Mini Arcade Table Games

These are the 7 best white elephant gifts under $25

This holiday season, The Manual wraps up the best gifts for friends and relatives. With these best white elephant gifts, explore the best to bring under $25.
what happened to ftx

This is what really happened to FTX: A breakdown of the crypto crash

This is what really happened to FTX: A breakdown of the crypto crash

Facing an $8 billion shortfall, FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and its backing hedge fund, Alameda Research, filed for bankruptcy.
workplaces can be toxic to our health stressed man at work

How experts say we can fix the toxic work environments killing our mental health

Recommendations from a Mind Share Partners co-founder, Bernie Wong, on how organizations can establish better mental health culture for its staff.
Goodwill Superstore in Portland, Oregon.

Here are the best online thrift stores to find quality secondhand threads

With Goodwill launching its GoodwillFinds online thrift store, The Manual dives into the digital realm to unearth the best online shopping ventures.
Blood Moon during 2018 eclipse.

There’s a total lunar eclipse next week: Here are the best places to watch it

The Manual and Pitchup.com team up to investigate the best spots in the US to see the full moon lunar eclipse on November 8.
best states to own an electric vehicle charging modern car on the street which are

5 easy ways to increase the affordability of electric cars

The affordability of electric cars goes beyond gas and repairs. The Manual rounds up the secret and little-known ways to save money with your EV.
Vegan food on display.

Plant-based protein: How to figure out how much vegetarians really need

Plant-based protein: How to figure out how much vegetarians really need

Reddit’s Vegetarian community has a handy-dandy chart for all your plant-based protein needs. Unfortunately, it's not usable because of incorrect numbers.
Customers enjoy Columbus-style pizza.

Columbus-style pizza: You’ve had it, but you’ve probably never heard of it

The new Columbus Pizza Trail encourages visitors to explore this delicious, under-the-radar style of pizza one shop at a time.
guide to pickleball tournaments court

Want to level up? Register for these pickleball tournaments (for less than $100)

If you and your team believe that you can compete against the best, we’ve rounded up several upcoming pickleball tournaments near you.
Popeye Intimissimi shirt on a model

This season’s men’s fashion icon is Popeye the sailor man

Popeye, the animated sailor, is now an almost 100-year-old fashion icon after starring in recent international fashion collections from renowned designers.
tesla model 3

Climate change is coming for your Tesla

Electric car owners cut back charging to help grid operators during extreme heat. Is this a sign of things to come?
Los Angeles, CA - March 15, 2019: Cup of Starbucks Coffee on counter. Starbucks is the World's largest coffee shop

Where is the world’s most affordable Starbucks latte? Find out with this graph

SavingSpot research from an analysis of delivery apps reveal the cost of a Tall Starbuck Latte in every country where Starbucks exists. Here are the highlights.
EV charging station.

Buying an electric vehicle? Here’s how to install an EV charger in your home

Installing an EV charger at home can help electric vehicle owners avoid long waits, giant electricity bills, and other headaches that come with other options.
what is quiet firing two diverse business executive partners negotiating at board meeting  manager

Forget quiet quitting, your employer may be quiet firing you: Here’s how

A Gallup poll found that 50% of Americans are quiet quitting. Now, quiet firing has begun to gather steam. Here's how to tell if you're being quiet fired.
beckett simonon silva boots

Beckett Simonon’s new waterproof boots for men are amazing (and they’re on sale)

Beckett Simonon, a premium leather good maker and fashion sustainability advocate, unveiled the waterproof Silva Boot, made to look good and last a lifetime.
2023 Nissan Ariya

What to expect from Nissan’s first new EV in 10 years (Hint: You’ll like it)

The 2023 Ariya compact crossover is coming to Nissan Motor Co. showrooms soon, the Japanese car company’s first new electric vehicle in more than a decade.
Hikers wearing Jack Wolfskin tapeless jackets.

This waterproof jacket just might solve your rainy hike woes

The Tapeless Jacket, a more breathable shell, is the new waterproof jacket now available from Jack Wolfskin in select stores and on its website.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 3-Liter.

These are the most affordable electric cars on the market today

While prices remain aspirational, there are a number of EVs on the market around or under this $30,000 price tag. Here are some of the cheaper electric cars.
Late-Night Anchovy Spaghetti

Add these 6 incredible, easy Tastemade recipes to your dinner rotation today

Here with a preview for The Manual readers are six of the best recipes in Tastemade’s now available print edition on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.
Mug of beer outside on a table.

9 best fall beers and autumnal releases to drink this year

To help reader wade through the glut of autumnal beers now gracing grocery store shelves and bar taps, we offer up the best seasonal beer recommendations.
why 4 day work weeks are good for everyone making great decisions  young beautiful woman gesturing and discussing something

Study: The evidence overwhelmingly says 4-day work weeks are good for everyone

A four-day work week can not only benefit employees’ mental and physical health, but create a more efficient, productive workplace.
2024 Silverado EV RST

Electric vehicles get big boost from GM, Hertz, Massachusetts, and Washington

GM plans to add 175,000 electric vehicles to Hertz over the next five years. Massachusetts and Washington agreed to cease new gas vehicle sales by 2035.
Yvon Chouinard Patagonia

6 eco-friendly brands fighting climate change you can feel good about buying

These inspiring sustainable clothing brands are leading initiatives to ensure a natural world that can be enjoyed by future generations.
Asics' Gel-Lyte III

Asics’ new running shoes can actually help in the fight against climate change

Asics’ newest product launch is a true first for athletic shoes – a sneaker featuring the lowest construction carbon dioxide emissions released to date.
A clipboard with financial plan written on together with a bundle of dollar bills, accounts, a chart, a calculator, pen and glasses.

If you’re bad at financial planning, follow these TikTok influencers (really!)

A new analysis from CMS Markets reveals the top ten most influential finfluencers teaching Gen Z consumers and investors how to save money via TikTok.