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  1. BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
  2. EDITOR'S PICK

The Lithium Rush In Africa

Key Takeaway: The global demand for critical minerals, particularly lithium, is increasing rapidly to meet clean energy and de-carbonisation objectives. Africa hosts substantial resources of these minerals, leading foreign mining companies to invest in exploration and acquire mining licenses. The critical minerals market doubled in five years, reaching US$320 billion in 2022. The demand is […]
  1. BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
  2. EDITOR'S PICK
  3. POLITICS

The Future Of China’s Semiconductor Industry

Key Takeaway: China’s national champions for semiconductor design and manufacturing, HiSilicon and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), are making waves in Washington. Huawei’s launch of the Huawei Mate 60 smartphone in August 2023 showed that Chinese self-sufficiency in HiSilicon’s semiconductor design and SMIC’s manufacturing capabilities were catching up at an alarming pace. The US has […]
  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. SOCIOLOGY
  3. TECHNOLOGY

Decentralized Autonomous Communities

Key Takeaways: Community is experiencing a renaissance as new, blockchain-based “Decentralized Autonomous Communities.” The problem is that the nature of this demand is diffuse. They help us coordinate our shared values. Developing an Impact Market To illustrate how a Decentralized Autonomous Community might one day build an impact market, we can use plastics-free packaging as […]

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The Upcoming Revolution For Global Internet Access

Key Takeaway: High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) are emerging as a new frontier in communications technology, offering a unique blend of accessibility and affordability. Positioned between 4 and 30 miles above Earth, these stations bring telecommunications equipment closer to the surface than satellites, resulting in stronger, higher-capacity signals. Researchers have demonstrated that HAPS could provide high-speed […]
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The Mystery Of Horse Domestication

Key Takeaway: Horse domestication remains a mystery, despite its significant impact on human civilization. The Indo-European or “Kurgan hypothesis” suggests that horse domestication began on the steppes of western Asia, specifically among the Yamnaya people. However, recent advances in technology have revealed that the horses from the Botai culture were not the ancestors of today’s […]
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Top Picks

Quantum Physics Meets A.I.

Key Takeaway: Quantum tunnelling, a phenomenon from quantum mechanics, has been applied to artificial intelligence (AI) to create a neural network that mimics human perception of optical illusions. This neural network, trained to recognize optical illusions like the Necker cube and Rubin’s vase, exhibits a state of ambiguity, mirroring human ambiguity in perception. This finding […]
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The Power Of Small Changes: How Marginal Gains Lead To Extraordinary Success

Key Takeaway: The British cycling team’s 2008 Beijing Olympics victory was a result of a simple strategy: the pursuit of marginal gains. The team’s coach, Sir Dave Brailsford, believed that success could be achieved by making a series of 1% improvements across every aspect of the cyclists’ gear, stamina, and physical conditioning. This principle, known […]
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The Science Of Choosing The Perfect Bottle Of Wine

Key Takeaway: Wine is a popular choice for many cultures, but its value is subjective and influenced by personal taste. Wine reviews, such as the 100-point scale, are rated based on quality relative to similar grape varieties and regions. However, the integrity of these reviews is debated, with some arguing that financial arrangements can influence […]
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The Hidden Power Of Underwater Avalanches

Key Takeaway: A study examining an ancient underwater avalanche off the coast of Morocco has challenged our understanding of these powerful events and their potential to disrupt global communications and infrastructure. These avalanches, also known as turbidity currents, are difficult to observe and measure, but their impact is undeniable, particularly on the intricate web of […]
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Reviving State Power: The New Era of Industrial Policy

Key Takeaway: State intervention in global economics is gaining momentum, particularly since the 2010s, due to financial crises, geopolitical tensions, and the fragility of global supply chains. The relationship between exports and protectionism is complex, as successful industrial and trade policies often blend export promotion with elements of protectionism. South Korea and Taiwan have used […]
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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 […]
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