Happening Today - Monday: Earth Day, Passover begins. Earnings expected from Verizon, Albertsons, SAP, and Nucor
• Eating More Plant-Based Meats Could Save the Planet, You Say? Nah, We’re Good: Don't feel discouraged if you do not receive well-wishes for Earth Day today, as it may be due to the prevalence of indulging in cheeseburgers. In 2022, Boston Consulting Group published a significant report revealing that plant-based meat substitutes are the most effective environmental investment. Allocating $1 trillion towards transitioning individuals from conventional meats would have a profound impact. (The Hustle)
• Why Don’t Rich People Eat Anymore? : In 'Succession,' status is conveyed through characters' dietary choices. Tom Wambsgans' description of Cousin Greg's guest at Logan's birthday party as voraciously devouring canapés is an example of how social positioning interacts. Tom's attitude, exemplified in his enthusiasm for luxurious cuisine, exposes his bourgeois tendencies. (Dazeddigital)
• $300,000 Robotic Micro-Factories Pump Out Custom-Designed Homes: The construction sector is the largest industry globally, employing a significant portion of working-age adults and making a substantial contribution to the global GDP. Despite its size, the industry lags behind in digitalization and environmental impact. This necessitates urgent transformative measures to address economic challenges and sustainability concerns. Builders worldwide are confronted with fragmented digital tools and persistent supply chain issues, which are leading to shrinking profit margins and escalating pressures to adapt for long-term viability. (Newatlas)
• Investors Re-Engage With Gaming Startups : It is once again a pivotal time for gaming startups. Following a period of sluggish growth, funding towards companies in the gaming sector has shown signs of improvement this year. This progress is attributed to a resurgence in early-stage transactions and a sense of positivity regarding the potential of small studios to produce successful titles. Throughout the initial quarter of this year, investors injected $265 million into early-stage financing for gaming startups worldwide. This marks a 65% upsurge compared to Q4 of 2023, and a nearly fourfold rise from Q3, a period characterized by a significant decline in investments. (Crunchbase)
• The TikTok ‘Ban’ Just Got Very Real : After highlighting long-standing apprehensions regarding the widely used application, the United States has initiated its most significant action to remove TikTok from mobile devices within the nation. Recently, the House approved a legislation on Saturday that mandates the compulsory divestiture or prohibition of TikTok in the United States within a twelve-month period. It is highly probable that President Biden will endorse the legislation once it receives Senate approval, which may occur later this week. (Morning Brew)
• Google's Top Secret Camera Lab Is Like an Ikea for Pixel Testing : Instead of large calibration charts, industrial machines, and employees in white lab coats, there's a living room set, the aforementioned cafe, and employees wearing retro Jordan sneakers. The lab resembles a cluster of Ikea displays rather than a typical testing room. There are additional, private sections that were off-limits. (CNET)
• Measuring Personal Growth: Life should be experienced rather than quantified. As an individual with a keen interest in numbers, I believe that measurement and living can complement each other effectively. However, I understand the perspective that opposes this notion. The following text serves as a contemplative exercise rather than a precise scientific study. (Huyenchip)
• America's Produce has a Ton of Pesticides: Some popular produce items may have higher pesticide exposure risk than expected. Consumer Reports analysis indicates that approximately 20% of commonly purchased fruits and vegetables are vulnerable. Notable examples include bell peppers, watermelons, and blueberries. (Qz)
• How Many More Ozempic-like Drugs Are In the Pipeline — Here’s What Researchers Are Working On :Few medications have attained the level of prominence that semaglutide, known as Ozempic or Wegovy in the United States, enjoys currently. This synthetic, injectable form of an intestinal hormone represents a pioneering development within a novel class of medications primarily intended for diabetes treatment, yet it has garnered substantial recognition in both medical and public contexts as a potent tool in combating obesity. The overwhelming success of semaglutide has necessitated that Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company responsible for its production, to grapple with meeting the escalating demand for this product. (Inverse)
• Dig a Tunnel Through the Center of the Earth to… Where? :If one could drill a hole straight through the Earth, disregarding the molten core, the antipodal point's geographical coordinates are determined by adding or subtracting 180° to the original longitude and inverting the latitude. The latitudes are numerically equal but have opposite directions, while the longitudes differ by 180 degrees. (Atlas Obscura)
• Saudi Arabia Wants China to Help Fund its Struggling $500 Billion Neom Megaproject. Investors May Not be Too Excited : Saudi Arabia conducted its Neom roadshow in China to address speculation about the project's scope and finances. Neom officials engaged with investors in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong to provide clarity on the megacity. Although no agreements were finalized, the exhibition reportedly demystified Neom, according to an attendee. (Business Insider)
• When Will the Yen Carry Trade Break? : Decades of negative interest rate policy in Japan have concluded. This development may signify the cessation of the $20 trillion “yen carry trade,” previously one of the most favored transactions in foreign exchange markets. Consequently, a ripple effect could ensue in the global economy. The yen carry trade involves investors borrowing yen to acquire assets denominated in foreign currencies with higher yields, such as the USD, where interest rates are elevated. (Schiff Gold)
• Why African Tech Companies are Ditching Google for a Small Indian Competitor : When Nigerian edtech startup, Flexisaf, chose to optimize expenses earlier this year, it acknowledged the necessity of curtailing its technology expenditure. A significant cost area was the licensing fees paid to Google for its Workspace suite - encompassing Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Meet, and Docs. Flexisaf had been leveraging Google Workspace since 2010; however, given its current workforce of 100 employees, the cost had escalated beyond viable limits for the growing enterprise. (Rest of the World)
• Photo, Image / Video of the Day: David Rockefeller has over 100,000 names in his rolodex.
• Notable Statistics: Cities with the most billionaires in 2024
• YouTube Worth Watching: What's Really Happening At CERN
• Ken's Book Pick: Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
• Ken's Website / Tool Pick: Altern is an AI Directory with complete list of AI tools, products, chrome extensions, gpts and more.
15(ish) Things Worth Knowing About Coffee
Coffee, coffee, coffee! That’s pretty much all that runs through my mind in the morning. That and the best way to avoid people before I have had my daily dosage of caffeine (for their own safety).
But what do we really know about the brown liquid that so many of us consume? Where did it originate? Who was the first to discover it? And how much coffee is “too much,” if there is such a thing?
Well, this infographic has at least 15 answers to questions we have all asked at some point. What exactly does caffeine do, and why do I feel jittery after a few cups? Apparently, caffeine replaces something called adenosine in our brains, which sends out adrenaline and dopamine, making for a pretty good time. Physical benefits aside, caffeine also plays a big role in our economy as the second most traded commodity on Earth. And it has a very long journey when going from bean to latte, both geographically and in the coffee-making process.
Think about that the next time you’re sending back a mocha that isn’t “just above room temperature” as you requested and how long it took for all those coffee beans to make it into your cup.