This being the Bay Area, you likely have many friends who believe whole-heartedly that all technology and certain types of communication go to sh*t every time the planet Mercury goest into retrograde — which it does several times a year. Mercury is appears to be in retrograde motion now, but will start moving forward again tomorrow, September 22 — good news if you've been having consistent trouble with your phone/computer/car/dishwasher!

The above video explainer from Vox takes the phenomenon from a sober, astronomer's perspective, ignoring all the some-might-say-silly astrological implications. Take this information as you will.

[h/t: Laughing Squid]