BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK How Luxury Defies Economic Laws Key Takeaway: The law of demand, which states that as prices rise, demand generally falls, is a fundamental principle in economics. However, some goods, such as Veblen and Giffen goods, challenge this rule. Veblen goods, also known as “snob” goods, are valued for their prestige, exclusivity, and social standing. They are valued for their intrinsic […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE Xenolinguistics: The Key To Understanding Alien Language Key Takeaway: In the 2016 sci-fi film “Arrival,” humanity faces the challenge of deciphering an alien language composed of circular, palindromic symbols. AI research, known as “emergent communication,” allows researchers to study language formation within a controlled environment, mimicking how linguistic structures could emerge from scratch. AI agents, or digital “beings,” evolve ways to describe […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK SCIENCE The Hidden World Inside Cells Key Takeaway: Scientists have discovered that some organelles function perfectly without a membrane, introducing a new class called biomolecular condensates. These membraneless organelles create unique biochemical compartments within cells, attracting specific proteins and RNA molecules. Currently, scientists have identified around 30 different types of biomolecular condensates, compared to just over a dozen traditional, membrane-bound organelles. […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PHILOSOPHY The Philosophy Of Ghosts Key Takeaway: Philosophers like Henri Bergson and William James were drawn to the field of “psychical research,” which delved into supernatural phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance, and ghosts. These mysteries led to the development of theories on ghosts, life beyond death, and the strange powers exhibited by trance-induced mediums. C.D. Broad, a Cambridge professor, introduced the […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK PSYCHOLOGY Why We Crave Fear? The Science Of The Scare Key Takeaway: The fascination with fear is deeply rooted in human evolution, with emotions playing a critical role in survival. Controlled fear experiences, such as watching horror movies or navigating a haunted house, offer a safe way to engage with this powerful emotion. Exposure to intense fear reduces anxiety levels afterward, leaving people feeling more […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK The Flawed Theory Behind Why Nations Prosper Key Takeaway: Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson were awarded the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics for their book Why Nations Fail, which argued that countries succeed when they adopt inclusive institutions like democracy, while extractive institutions stifle growth by concentrating power and wealth in elites. However, their theory has faced criticism for […] 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
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The A.I. Energy Dilemma Key Takeaway: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries but also causing significant environmental costs. As AI systems require vast computational power, they increase greenhouse gas emissions, making it difficult for companies like Google to achieve net-zero goals by 2030. As traditional energy sources struggle with intermittency, tech leaders are exploring nuclear power, particularly nuclear fusion, […] Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
EDITOR'S PICK TECHNOLOGY The Everyday Risks Of Being Hacked Key Takeaway: Hackers exploit everyday habits, such as giving personal information in stores or connecting to unsecured networks, to steal personal information and steal login credentials. These actions can be exploited by phishing and email-delivered malware, which are the leading cyberattack vectors. To protect oneself, individuals should use VPNs, use anti-phishing systems, and take basic […] 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
Birkin Under Seige: Unlikely Challenge Of A Luxury Icon Key Takeaway: The “Wirkin” bag, a $78 imitation of Hermès’ Birkin bag, has gained popularity on TikTok, attracting millions of users. The bag, a clever portmanteau of “Walmart” and “Birkin,” allows everyday consumers to partake in high-end fashion without the exorbitant cost. The trend reflects a broader shift in societal values, where symbols of wealth […] Written by Empirics Asia January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Fusion: The Move Towards Unlimited Clean Energy Key Takeaway: In 2022, scientists achieved the “experiment of the century” at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, marking the first time a fusion reaction produced more energy than consumed. This achievement has attracted billions of dollars in private investment, particularly in the United States, to advance fusion technology. However, a myriad of engineering challenges remain before […] Written by Empirics Asia January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Biological Cost Of Loneliness Key Takeaway: A study by the University of Cambridge and Fudan University has found that loneliness is a significant health risk, with 25% of older adults and 15% of adolescents suffering from it. The research identified five proteins, including GFRA1, ADM, and FABP4, that are significantly elevated in individuals experiencing loneliness, which play key roles […] Written by Empirics Asia January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
How A Japanese Show Revolutionised Global Startup Culture Key Takeaway: The Japanese show “Money Tigers” revolutionized global startup culture by introducing a risk-averse economic culture to entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to wealthy angel investors. This format, inspired by “Dragons’ Den” and “Shark Tank,” has sparked 50 adaptations worldwide, with over $1 billion in investments reported by 2024. Before the global success of Dragons’ Den or Shark […] Written by Empirics Asia January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
What We Can Expect From Science In 2025 Key Takeaway: 2025 is expected to be a groundbreaking year with technological innovation, space exploration, and scientific discovery. Artificial intelligence is leading the charge, tackling challenges like antibiotic resistance and material design. Space exploration is also on track, with missions like NASA’s Artemis II and India’s Gaganyaan launching. Brain-machine interfaces, quantum computing, and nuclear fusion […] Written by Empirics Asia January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
The Device That Transformed Philosophy Forever Key Takeaway: Friedrich Nietzsche’s creative process was a transformation driven by technology, transforming his writing style and offering profound insights into how tools of expression influence thought. By 1881, Nietzsche turned to the Malling-Hansen writing ball, an advanced mechanical typewriter, which increased his productivity and influenced his writing style. This shift reflected a broader evolution […] Written by Empirics Asia January 2, 2025January 2, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Is A.I. Redefining Business Success? Key Takeaway: Generative AI is revolutionizing the business landscape by providing instant, high-quality results without high costs or delays. It allows small businesses to create professional menus, provide round-the-clock customer support, and analyze social media trends. AI also reduces infrastructure investments, making it more accessible and cost-effective. This shift has redefined the equation for success, […] Written by Empirics Asia December 31, 2024December 31, 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