EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY Is Artificial Intelligence Inevitable? Key Takeaway: The hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is a long-standing belief in technological determinism, which suggests that once a technology is developed, its widespread adoption is unavoidable. However, this perspective is oversimplified and misleading when it comes to AI. Evidence of AI’s impact on productivity remains sparse, and there’s little consensus on its utility […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Insomnia: The Science Behind Sleep Patterns Key Takeaway: Night owls, who have energy and alertness peak in the evening, often struggle to align with societal demands like early work hours, family schedules, or morning meetings. This misalignment is rooted in biological differences known as “chronotypes,” which are the body’s internal rhythm that regulates various systems, including hormone release and body temperature. […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY PSYCHOLOGY How To Manage Existential Anxiety In The Age Of Constant Crises Key Takeaway: In a world filled with crises, existential anxiety is a growing concern. This anxiety often manifests as mental distress, with the brain responding with stress hormones. Doomscrolling, a cycle of anxiety, can intensify feelings of helplessness and vulnerability to conspiracy theories. To manage this, stress-reduction exercises, emotional and social connections, and problem-solving can […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SOCIOLOGY Extreme Weather Conspiracy Theories: What Is Really Happening? Key Takeaway: Hurricane Milton in Florida sparked a rise in extreme weather conspiracy theories, which often arise after catastrophic events. These theories aim to explain significant events by attributing them to the secret actions of powerful groups. However, these theories often require a plausible group capable of executing the secretive actions they propose. People embrace […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Can Music Be Bad For Us? Key Takeaway: Music can be a powerful tool for boosting focus and productivity, but its effectiveness depends on factors such as the person, task, and music type. Instrumental music is less distracting, while familiar tunes can help with memorization or problem-solving. However, high volumes can lead to hearing damage, as the hair-like cells inside the […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE How Science Is Redefining The Boundaries Of Life And Death Key Takeaway: Scientists have discovered a “third state” that blurs the line between life and death, revealing that cells can continue functioning even after death. This concept was first explored in frog embryos, where cells reorganized into xenobots and anthrobots, which can repair damaged neuron cells. The plasticity of cellular systems is believed to drive […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE The Dark Side Of No Sleep Key Takeaway: The “no-sleep challenge” has become a dangerous trend on social media, with some individuals trying to break world records for consecutive days without sleep. Sleep is essential for survival, as it helps the body repair itself and prevents health problems like depression, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and a shortened lifespan. Chronic sleep deprivation […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY 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 […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SOCIOLOGY Why Profit Alone Won’t Save Us Key Takeaway: A study by researchers has found that companies can make a difference without sacrificing financial performance by integrating social and environmental concerns into their business strategies. This approach, known as “social profit orientation,” places equal value on financial profits and positive social outcomes. Companies like Mastercard’s Girls4Tech initiative and World Central Kitchen’s Food […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE SOCIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY The Rise Of Robotic Kitchens Key Takeaway: The rise of robotic kitchens is transforming the way we prepare and consume meals, potentially altering the fabric of society. While these innovations are currently being adopted primarily by restaurants and food businesses, it’s only a matter of time before they make their way into homes. The convenience of robotic kitchens could bring […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Epic Odyssey Of Human Evolution Key Takeaway: The story of human evolution begins with the discovery of a child’s fossilized skull in South Africa 2.8 million years ago, and the remains of a small-brained female named Lucy in Ethiopia over 3 million years ago. The journey of human evolution is not a linear process, but a gradual dance with nature, […] Written by Empirics Asia November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Science Behind Alternative Meat Key Takeaway: Plant-based meat substitutes and lab-grown meat are gaining popularity due to environmental sustainability and healthier eating habits. Plant-based alternatives aim to recreate meat’s sensory and nutritional properties using plant ingredients. They rely on non-animal proteins, water, fats, and additives like flavor enhancers and binders. The texture of plant-based meats is a meticulous process, […] Written by Empirics Asia November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
When Reality Fractures Key Takeaway: Researchers have discovered that delusions, which are convictions that cling to a distorted view of reality, are a result of the same cognitive pathways that produce everyday beliefs. Delusions often defy common sense but emerge when the system of meaning-making veers off course. A case of postpartum psychosis revealed that a woman experienced […] Written by Empirics Asia November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Rise And Fall Of Volkswagen Key Takeaway: Volkswagen, once a symbol of German industry and co-management between shareholders and unions, is facing a crisis due to strategic missteps, a convoluted governance structure, and a culture that often prioritizes control over innovation. The company’s journey began in 1937 with the Beetle, which became the world’s largest carmaker in the 1980s and […] Written by Empirics Asia November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How The Moon Shapes Life On Earth Key Takeaway: The Moon’s silent pull shapes life on Earth in various ways, from orchestrating mass spawning events in coral reefs to guiding predators and prey’s nightly routines. For millennia, creatures have lived in tune with its phases, responding to its light and gravitational sway. The Moon’s influence extends beyond oceans, as its reflected light […] Written by Empirics Asia November 18, 2024November 18, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Inside Elon Musk’s Social Media Empire Key Takeaway: Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has become a dominant force in U.S. presidential politics, capturing unprecedented engagement and becoming a megaphone for President Trump’s campaign. Musk’s vision for transforming X into an “everything app” akin to China’s WeChat has been unveiled, with his net worth reaching $300 billion. However, challenges such as […] Written by Empirics Asia November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Rise Of “Even Money” Profits Key Takeaway: The origins of commercial gambling can be traced back to the mid-1600s when mathematical probability emerged. In 1713, mathematician brothers Johann and Jacob Bernoulli introduced the “Golden Theorem,” later known as the law of large numbers, or long averages. This led to a “probability revolution” in gambling, transforming the industry in Britain and […] Written by Empirics Asia November 14, 2024November 14, 2024 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