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Wordle, the daily obsessions of millions
For millions of Americans, morning means breakfast, coffee and – most importantly – Wordle. “Some people, they play our puzzles the minute they come out,” said Everdeen Mason, the editorial director of The New York Times’ Games.
Wordle, the brainchild of software engineer Josh Wardle, was acquired by The New York Times in 2022. A year later, it was played 4.8 billion times. “Tens of millions of people are playing it every day,” said Zoe Bell, the game’s executive producer.
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If you’re late to the game, here’s how it works: Each day, there’s a five-letter mystery word. You get six chances to figure it out. With each guess, you learn if your letters are wrong, right, or right but in the wrong spot.
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So, what accounts for the game’s astonishing success? “With every guess in Wordle, you get new information. And I think that’s really compelling,” said Bell. “And then when you solve it, there’s a really big moment of satisfaction.”
Is there a foolproof strategy for winning? “Some people [start with] the same word every single day,” said Mason. Good idea? “It can be,” she replied, “especially if you pick one with a lot of vowels.”
ADIEU is the most popular first guess – all those vowels! – but here’s depressing news: statistically, ADIEU does not yield the best results.
Bell said, “I think that the starting word is important, but so is the second word. Because if you have a good starting word and then you blow it by not, you know, doing well with eliminating other letters in your second guess, then you’re gonna be at five or six (tries).”
But that is the genius of its design – a genius that has made Wordle a national phenomenon at breakfast tables everywhere.
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Story produced by Amiel Weisfogel. Editor: Remington Korper.
From Faith Salie:
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NEW YORK — Drones have been banned from flying over several New Jersey towns, the Federal Aviation Administration confirms to CBS News.
The FAA order covers nearly two dozen towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne and Camden. It will be in effect until Jan. 17.
The order says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 feet within one nautical mile of the airspace specified in each area. Additionally, it allows the government to use “deadly force” against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat.”
“Pilots of aircraft that do not adhere to the procedures in the national security requirements for aircraft operations contained in this section may be intercepted, and/or detained and interviewed by federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government personnel,” the order reads in part.
Several of the zones are centered around infrastructure, like power substations. Others cover areas like the Kearny, New Jersey port and airspace around military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, or airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Earlier this month, the Florham Park, New Jersey police chief told residents drone sightings had been reported above “water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations.”
Where are drones banned in New Jersey?
North Jersey:
- Cedar Grove
- Bridgewater
- North Brunswick
- Metuchen
- South Brunswick
- Edison
- Branchburg
- Sewaren
- Jersey City
- Harrison, Essex County
- Elizabeth
- Bayonne
- Clifton
- Kearny
Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
- Burlington
- Evesham
- Camden
- Gloucester City
- Westampton
- Winslow
- Hancocks Bridge, Salem County
See the full order from the FAA here.
Mysterious drones over New Jersey and beyond
Drones sightings have been reported all month long, first over Morris County, New Jersey and then over several other East Coast states.
Federal, state and local officials have been demanding more information about where they are coming from and what’s being done to stop them. The FBI is leading the investigation and tells CBS News it has received thousands of tips.
While the White House says there is no known threat, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more federal resources.
On Wednesday, a push from Sen. Chuck Schumer to give local law enforcement more ways to track drones was blocked in the Senate.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
contributed to this report.