Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Upon return from a family vacation three summers ago, economist Ike Brannon remarked at a subsequent lunch about an individual at the resort who was almost literally covered in tattoos. This was an expensive resort, and Brannon wondered how he and his family were sharing the same pool. To be clear, Brannon’s wonderment about the inked up vacationer wasn’t of the nose-upturned variety; rather he wanted to know what profession afforded so much individuality and disposable income. It turns out his poolmate was a chef. To younger readers, the mention of chef likely elicits a “so what?” response. For those born in the 1970s or earlier, the response is different. We remember . We remember when chef was a “dead end” job for, yes, people with tattoos. They were referred to as cooks then. It’s a long or short way of saying that the economic thinker in Brannon was celebrating a happy truth about prosperity: it elevates all manner of … [Read more...] about Book Review: Dana Brown’s Entertaining and Insightful Memoir of Vanity Fair, ‘Dilettante.’
Object lessons for sunday school
Cluttercore: What’s really behind Gen Z’s revolt against minimalism?
Have you heard maximalism is in and minimalism is out? Rooms bursting at the seams with clashing florals, colorful furniture and innumerable knick-knacks, this is what defines the new interiors trend cluttercore (or bricabracomania ). advertisement advertisement Some say it’s a war between Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and millennials (born 1981-1996), symptomatic of bigger differences. Others say it’s a pandemic response, where our domestic prisons became cuddly cocoons, stimulating our senses, connecting us with other people and places . But what really lays behind the choice to clutter or cull? Why do some people revel in collections of novelty eggcups? Or have so many framed pictures you can barely see the (ferociously busy) wallpaper? And why do those at the other end of the spectrum refuse to have even the essential stuff visible in the home, hiding it behind thousands of pounds’ of incognito cupboards? One important reason for the clash between … [Read more...] about Cluttercore: What’s really behind Gen Z’s revolt against minimalism?
Why Israel Drew 28 Times More Venture Capital Per Capita Than the U.S.
Despite the flourishing of work from anywhere during the pandemic , it still matters where a startup is located. That's because, as I wrote in Startup Cities , regions of the world differ in the vitality of their local Startup Commons -- a collection of regional resources that at best provide an irresistible attraction for capital and talent or at worst repel both. This comes to mind in considering the flow of venture capital around the world in 2021. A striking conclusion is that on a per capita basis, capital flows into Israel were a whopping 28 times more than those in the U.S. To be sure, 2021 venture capital flow into the U.S. was way larger than into Israel -- up at 154 percent in 2021 to $330 billion versus 136 percent higher to $25.4 billion, according to NoCamels But Israel's population of about nine million is a fraction of the U.S.'s 330 million people. Hence, Israel's $28,000 in venture capital invested per capita in 2021 is far above the … [Read more...] about Why Israel Drew 28 Times More Venture Capital Per Capita Than the U.S.
The US Needs More Immigrants To Care For Frail Older Adults
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The US desperately needs more direct care workers to provide personal assistance to frail older adults and younger people with disabilities. Many native-born Americans were unwilling to do this work even before the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, shortages are far worse . Yet, the US continues to bar entry to those who are willing and able to care for frail older adults and people with disabilities—immigrants. This week, I participated in a fascinating Brookings Institution panel discussion on immigrants and caregiving. Some panelists were immigration experts, two of us came from the long-term care world. Yet our conclusion was unanimous: Without a substantial increase in immigrant care workers, the shortage of people available to provide personal assistance will not abate anytime soon. Yet, even as President Biden slowly unwinds some of the Trump Administration’s highly restrictive immigration rules, many curbs remain in … [Read more...] about The US Needs More Immigrants To Care For Frail Older Adults
Why Tesla Could Become The Netflix Of The EV Market
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Netflix NFLX was a pioneer in the online streaming industry. This year, it became clear that the incumbents had finally caught up. What’s more, Netflix is not poised — as it was in 2007 — to enjoy rapid upward growth by creating a new industry that builds on its strengths. Now — after reporting a drop in subscribers — its stock trades 74% below its October 2021 peak. Could the same thing happen to Tesla? An MIT professor and a J.D. Power & Associates executive told me that Tesla — whose stock sits 43% below its high — will face considerable challenges from incumbents. However, by improving its vehicle design, offering a broader product selection, boosting manufacturing quality, and upgrading its customer service, they could envision Tesla sustaining its rapid growth by capturing more mainstream customers. How Netflix Lost Its Edge For years, Netflix defied analysts who said that the likes of Disney, … [Read more...] about Why Tesla Could Become The Netflix Of The EV Market
Should Mother’s Day Be a Company Holiday? According to Kendra Scott, Absolutely
Kendra Scott is making the day after Mother's Day a company holiday, and she thinks you should too. Starting this year, the Austin-based eponymous jewelry company will make Mother's Day a paid company holiday. Through the initiative, called "Take the Time," the company's retail and customer care teams working on Sunday will be paid an increased holiday rate, and the corporate office and distribution center will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. "Whether our employees are working moms themselves or they want to take the time to celebrate a parental figure in their life, we want to give them the time to do that," Scott says. By publicizing her company's initiative, Scott hopes to galvanize other leaders to follow suit in making Mother's Day a company holiday for all employees. It's a tactic that Reshma Saujani -- founder of Marshall Plan for Moms and Girls Who Code , and author of Pay Up -- says has real merit. "Working moms are struggling with … [Read more...] about Should Mother’s Day Be a Company Holiday? According to Kendra Scott, Absolutely
Visceral Gaze At Frieze New York: Woman Artists Command Our Attention
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Three topless women overlap, baring their ample breasts, pink washes over the breasts of the woman on the left, her nipples outlined in red. Pops of green, blue, and pink panties guide our gaze, red paint erupting from the lower left and less so from the lower right, contrasting with the shadowy light background that frames their faces. Their hands and fingernails exaggerated, their faces avoiding direct eye contact with the viewer. Oil paint and oil stick on linen enhance the sensuality and intimacy, encouraging us to wonder what the women are thinking or feeling. We’re drawn into their dialogue, yet they hold the secrets. The large-scale The Three Graces , a new painting by Cristina BanBan, passionately weds European figuration with gestural brushstrokes, varying in texture to create depth. Energy surges from the figures and the composition, exuding feminine might. Her monumental work invigorates the viewer who walks … [Read more...] about Visceral Gaze At Frieze New York: Woman Artists Command Our Attention