CULTURE EDITOR'S PICK The Origin Of Christmas Trees Key Takeaways: The humble Christmas tree is emblematic of the growth of market economics and world trade. Who would have imagined that fir trees would be grown in Denmark especially for the export market, or that factories in China would produce plastic replicas? So, let’s climb on the sleigh and take a ride around this […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
CULTURE EDITOR'S PICK SOCIOLOGY Why TikTok Might Be A Threat To Music Key Takeaways: Viral TikTok videos have meant success for new and established artists alike. The short-form video service has earned US$12 billion (£10.5 billion) in advertising revenue in 2022. Many of its most popular videos feature music – available to use for free – through its audio library. TikTok pays the “Big Three” record labels […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
CULTURE EDITOR'S PICK PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY What’s Behind The Magic Of Live Music? For months, fans were relegated to watching their favorite singers and musicians over Zoom or via webcasts. Now, live shows – from festivals like Lollapalooza to Broadway musicals – are officially back. The songs that beamed into living rooms during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic may have featured an artist’s hits. But there’s just something magical about seeing music surrounded […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Signatures Of Alien Technology? Key Takeaways: If an alien were to look at Earth, many human technologies – from cell towers to fluorescent light bulbs – could be a beacon signifying the presence of life. It is possible to detect these molecules in the atmospheres of exoplanets with the same method the James Webb Space Telescope is using to […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY Can Gluttony Set You Free? Key Takeaways: On the question of excess—of too much food, drink, or anything else—poet William Blake wrote, “You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough.” Groaning boards hold particular appeal for Americans: After the Swedish smörgåsbord was introduced at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, it morphed into the […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK ENTREPRENEURSHIP STRATEGY The Science Of Product Placements: How To Get It Right In “The Variant,” an episode from the Disney+ hit streaming show “Loki,” it’s tough to miss the barrage of product placements, with fast-paced action and dialogue taking place in front of Charmin toilet paper, Dove soap and Arm & Hammer deodorant. At one point, Loki barrels down an aisle with vacuum cleaners and fights off […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK ENTREPRENEURSHIP Identity Play Or Meme? A friend of mine made me aware of a Facebook group called: a group where we all pretend to be ants in an ant colony. According to the group’s ‘About’ section, the members are ants, “worship The Queen and do ant stuff. ” Founded in June 2019, the group began to receive mainstream publicity after a viral tweet and has now over 1.9 […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
ART & DESIGN CULTURE EDITOR'S PICK The Story Of Issey Miyake Key Takeaways: Designer Issey Miyake has died aged 84, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion world. He sustained a serious leg injury and lost his mother to radiation sickness soon after, events which inspired him to “think of things that can be created, not destroyed”. Issey Miyake’s time in Paris after the student protests […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
ART & DESIGN EDITOR'S PICK POLITICS The Surprising Power Of Cartoons Key Takeaways: Cartoons can also make us feel anger and powerlessness, fear and loathing. Nobody knows what is it about cartoons, which are generally thought of as silly, trivial, and irrelevant that gives them the power to incite murder, worldwide protests, censorship, imprisonment, and all the rest. Like words, however, cartoons are supple enough to […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The Retail Revolution In China China’s dominance in manufacturing has made it the factory of the world. The subsequent economic growth enriched an ever-expanding middle class, and the country’s retail industry has quickly adapted to supply a growing appetite for consumption. Some of these developments in the way people spend their money, powered by the latest technology, will soon be appearing on […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
ENTREPRENEURSHIP The Balance of Nature This is the way a new universe is supposed to work, or at least, how the universe has to work, if it is supposed to. If all the things in the universe (like every single cell, tree, galaxy, star, planet, etc.) can only be understood if you accept that they were created in some very […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
PSYCHOLOGY The Equation Of A Happier Life Key Takeaway: I recently took a journey to Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom known for basing its national policy decisions on happiness. On my journey, I learned some important things about happiness, such as that it can be found in the everyday, that goals can be helpful, and that it is important to let go […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The Limits Of Computing Key Takeaway: A computer’s power is determined by the number of operations it can execute per second and the efficiency of the algorithms it runs. The modern notion of an algorithm, known as a Turing machine, was formulated in 1936 by British mathematician Alan Turing. Mathematicians and computer scientists attempt to determine whether a problem […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The EV Transition Isn’t Really About Cars Key Takeaway: The race to decarbonize passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. offers big economic and environmental benefits, but they’re not spread equitably. People who bear the most burdens in our current transportation systems often receive the fewest benefits. Bans on sales of new gas-powered vehicles won’t affect those that are already on […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The Future Of Taste Key Takeaway: In the past decade dining out has become a cultural touchstone and an essential form of entertainment. Gastronomy tourism continues to rise each year as people travel the world to seek out new dining experiences. After World War II, big shifts in transportation led to the emergence of new types of restaurants. TV, […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
ART & DESIGN EDITOR'S PICK Secrets Of The Oldest Art In The World Key Takeaway: Neanderthals lived in small, close-knit groups that were highly nomadic. Their behaviour varied culturally from group to group and over time. As early as 250,000 years ago, Neanderthals were mixing minerals such as manganese with fluids to make red and black paints. At least 65,000 years ago, Neanderthals used red pigments to paint […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY TECHNOLOGY How Will ChatGPT Transform Philosophy Key Takeaway: In 1950 English mathematician Alan Turing proposed an “imitation game” where a judge entered into a typed dialogue with an AI pretending to be human as a way of testing if the AI was intelligent. Lex.page is an AI-enabled writing tool that can generate text or answer questions. In 2018, Google unveiled Duplex, […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK FINANCE What Ancient Wisdom Can Teach Us About Finance Key Takeaway: The rate of species extinctions as a result of human activity is at least 1,000 times higher than the natural rate. The effects of business on our climate are also clear, with 71%of the world’s fossil fuel emissions coming from just 100 multinational corporations. They aim to work within the nature and limits […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY How Drones Will Change The Way Buildings Are Designed Key Takeaways: Drones are already shaping the face of our cities. They are being used for building planning, heritage, construction and safety enhancement. But many people have a limited understanding of how they might be practically used. We offer an overview of five ways drones will affect building design. Two research projects have been experimenting with drones […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Can Humans Finally Control Lightning? Key Takeaway: Swiss scientists have used a laser to direct the path of lightning. They did it near a telecommunications tower on the Säntis mountain in Switzerland. The tower is frequently struck by lightning – about 100 times a year, although its tower is protected by a lightning rod. Lightning can travel between clouds and […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY SCIENCE Does “Nothing” Actually Exist? Key Takeaway: When you look out at the night sky, you don’t see “nothing”, you see energy. This empty space is filled with energy, even if you cannot hold it in your hand. Even if you were looking into a completely empty room, there would still be things there. Energy never goes away and it […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How Will ChatGPT Transform Philosophy Key Takeaway: In 1950 English mathematician Alan Turing proposed an “imitation game” where a judge entered into a typed dialogue with an AI pretending to be human as a way of testing if the AI was intelligent. Lex.page is an AI-enabled writing tool that can generate text or answer questions. In 2018, Google unveiled Duplex, […] Written by Geoffrey Rockwell January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
What Ancient Wisdom Can Teach Us About Finance Key Takeaway: The rate of species extinctions as a result of human activity is at least 1,000 times higher than the natural rate. The effects of business on our climate are also clear, with 71%of the world’s fossil fuel emissions coming from just 100 multinational corporations. They aim to work within the nature and limits […] Written by Atul Shah January 24, 2023January 24, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Why Amazon Became So Successful Key Takeaway: Amazon with a market capitalization of over $1.5 trillion and net revenue of $386 billion in 2020. Customer Service and Convenience is one of the key factors that has contributed to its success. Amazon’s focus on customer service and convenience has played a major role in its success. Innovative Business Model is another […] Written by Andreas Lehmann January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
What The Art Of David Hockney Can Teach Us About Life Key Takeaways: David Hockney is the great modern mark-maker. He brings new joy and richness to the very act of seeing, writes art critic Richard Brinsley Wylie. David Hockney’s latest book, My Window, is a visual diary of what he observed from his bed. At the age of 72, he started using iPhone and iPad […] Written by Martin Kemp January 9, 2023January 9, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Cats In The Medieval Ages Key Takeaways: In the middle ages, men and women were often identified by the animals they kept. Keeping an animal that was lavished with attention, affection and high-quality food in return for no functional purpose – other than companionship – signified high status. Pets became part of the personal identity of the nobility. The 14th-century […] Written by Madeleine Killacky January 6, 2023January 6, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
A Look At The Global Economy In 2023 Key Takeaways: EU energy ministers have capped gas prices at €180 (£159) per megawatt hour (MWh) for this winter. The cap is an attempt to control the unruly market forces that saw gas prices spike to nearly €340/MWh last summer. Political intervention risks repeating mistakes made by the US during the 1970s oil price shocks. […] Written by Adi Imsirovic January 5, 2023January 5, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
What We Can Learn From Kanye West And Adidas Key Takeaways: Brand collaborations are strategic partnerships between two or more brands. When done well, the collaboration helps both partners grow their brands and amplify a shared message. But just like any marriage, it doesn’t always go well; recent examples include Yeezy’s breakups with Gap and Adidas. Adidas has ended its partnership with Yeezy after […] Written by Pankhuri Malhotra December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Rethinking Education Key Takeaways: The Industrial model of education that fueled the modern era and its dizzying reach did its job incredibly well. In his writing, Flynn illustrates study after study, spanning nations and decades, in which modern educational gift of abstraction — a transcendent sign of intelligence, as we saw in Raven’s Matrices — has been […] Written by Anthony Fieldman March 2, 2022October 19, 2022 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How China Is Transforming Its Economy Through Learning I highly recommend reading the McKinsey Global Institute’s new report, “Reskilling China: Transforming The World’s Largest Workforce Into Lifelong Learners”, which focuses on the country’s biggest employment challenge, re-training its workforce and the adoption of practices such as lifelong learning to address the growing digital transformation of its productive fabric. How to transform the country […] Written by Enrique Dans February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Why You’re Not Seeing Success With Influencer Marketing With the new year around the corner, now is a good time to re-evaluate your past marketing strategies and gear up for the year ahead. For some businesses, influencer marketing has simply not seemed to live up to its lofty promises of genuine engagement, credibility, and transparency. Some have claimed that it has been failing […] Written by Michael Tan January 14, 2021January 15, 2021 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
A New Philosophy of Business I’m about to ask you to take a mental leap. For the next 8 minutes, suspend your notions of what a business is, and I’ll propose a new lens for you to look through. There are a lot of questions asked around what “community” means for business. “Where should community fit in my organization?” and […] Written by Empirics Asia September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
