From the loincloth to Thinx, a brief history of undies
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The COP25 climate summit broke up without taking action. Larger countries, including the US, China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, blocked efforts to create carbon markets that would reward projects that reduce emissions. Tuvalu's representative called their inaction a "crime against humanity."Reuters
Hong Kong protests take a toll on tourism
Have some historical perspective
We’ve been living in a post-truth world since propaganda was invented. John Huston's widely praised World War II "documentary," The Battle of San Pietro, harkens back to an era of truly fake news, when scenes were staged in service of a grander truth.JSTOR Daily
Our rules for gender, race, and sexuality are arbitrary. South Africa offers a convincing case study: British colonial authorities redefined African and Indian social practices as aberrant to uphold white settlers' power—and the legacies of these cultural battles extend into the present day.Quartz
Don't rewrite the history of walking just yet. A recently discovered ancient extinct ape may fill in a crucial evolutionary gap between upright Homo sapiens and our tree-swinging ancestors—but there are reasons to scrutinize this sweeping proposal.Quartz
If you thought Powerpoint was antiquated... scientists have dated the world's oldest visual story to 44,000 years ago. The cave painting in Sulawesi, Indonesia, may have been one prehistoric presenter's plan for an elaborate hunt.Quartz
If you enjoy an old-fashioned yarn, you might like this one about a 44,000 year old tale told on a cave wall in Indonesia. That is, if you don't mind an unhappy ending.
Pitching in action. Got to love the comparison with PowerPoint presentation.
Banks and fintechs battle behind the scenes
A Venmo glitch revealed the spat between banks and fintech companies. PNC Bank cut customers' access to Venmo, then suggested that they switch over to its rival payments platform Zelle.The Wall Street Journal
Getting open data/banking right will unlock tremendous values to consumers, businesses, and the financial industry as a whole. The key elements will be data governance and architecture, and consent management. Ultimately the rule of law must prevail.
Venmo is owned by PayPal, and it amazes me how PayPal has not started its own online bank company with interest rates for simple checking and savings accounts.
Taylor Swift vs. capitalist greed
Taylor Swift called out “the unregulated world of private equity” while accepting the award for Billboard's "Woman of the Decade." She singled out financial backers in the music industry for buying and selling artists' catalogues "as if it's an app or a shoe line."Quartz
Swift has always been vocal. But on the cusp of her 30th birthday she tackled a decidedly grown up topic.
I find it fascinating that she called out George Soros by name. There was a very dumb online patch maybe 18 months ago when she was tied to the alt right for completely made up reasons. Very stupid stuff. Yet bringing up George Soros name could see those same conversations re-opened. Ultimately I’m 100
I find it fascinating that she called out George Soros by name. There was a very dumb online patch maybe 18 months ago when she was tied to the alt right for completely made up reasons. Very stupid stuff. Yet bringing up George Soros name could see those same conversations re-opened. Ultimately I’m 100% with Taylor about this. Those people should be ignored and a public case is being made that private equity as its currently practiced in America (Toys R Us bankruptcy, etc) is completely indefensible.
While I certainly agree with the sentiment of artists owni their woks, the music and for that matter the entire entertainment industry is just that an industry driven by profit margins and ego. If an artist wants to keep control of their creations then the agent needs to include that in the contract
While I certainly agree with the sentiment of artists owni their woks, the music and for that matter the entire entertainment industry is just that an industry driven by profit margins and ego. If an artist wants to keep control of their creations then the agent needs to include that in the contract. ( this might work for established artists but for those starting out probably not)
The big name celebrities can't complain too much because it is the music industry that has made them rich.
A lot of private equity's methodology is very similar to the way successful startups build up:
Find the unexamined x-factors in an industry, and either acquire or build the ultimate solution.
In this case, owning song licenses have never been touched, with some arguments leaning towards creative commons
A lot of private equity's methodology is very similar to the way successful startups build up:
Find the unexamined x-factors in an industry, and either acquire or build the ultimate solution.
In this case, owning song licenses have never been touched, with some arguments leaning towards creative commons licenses (so others can also produce their own versions). But, and while I want to point out beforehand that it's ridiculous to paint the entire PE industry as these robbers, in this case, I'm with the singers and songwriters on this argument; they find other ways to make money off their music (concerts, festivals, merch, etc) because of their loose grips on their creations.
The bigger question is, will enough major musicians push their record companies to set riders where they own a majority or all of their music? Could another label rise up and offer that and make money though other means mentioned above?
Right now, I'm not optimistic, but Taylor's point is absolutely warranted.
Flying home for the holidays?
Leave your knives at home. A security team at Vilnius airport in Lithuania created a contraband Christmas tree made from all the scissors, boxcutters, lighters, nail clippers, and bullets they confiscated from holiday travelers.Quartz
Limitations can enhance creativity and inspiration can be found anywhere, even in a seemingly dull gig, as a team of airport security workers in Vilnius, Lithuania have just proven.
Their unique and artistic Christmas tree made of confiscated items is delightful, I think. Not everyone agrees.
Next time, make it the Iron Throne with scissors instead of swords
Trump gets his day in court
Why we love sleek interface designs
Drought strikes small Mexican farms
US and China de-escalate their trade war
Houston, we have a trade deal. US President Donald Trump and Chinese officials have approved a "phase one" trade agreement that will prevent further tariff increases and see Beijing increase purchases of American agricultural products. Trump also tweeted that "phase two" trade negotiations will begin immediately.CNBC
Boris Johnson the liberal?
The fashion pages
This was the year everyone wanted to dress like eboys and VSCO girls. More people than ever were interested in niche outfit inspiration this year, according to Google Trends. These very online aesthetics are a testament to the power social media and the internet now wield in defining fashion.Quartz
Well, that didn't take long. Less than a year after closing down its massive flagship location, Lord & Taylor is returning to New York just in time for the holidays with a pop-up store to showcase its new clothing rental service.CNN
It would be so interesting to see how this performs. It definitely makes me sad not to have the L&T windows this year - it really does mark the end of an era south of the NYPL.
That's the end of the runway—strut back soon!
Hong Kong International Airport lost nearly a million passengers in November
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Cultured or cell-based? The struggle to find the right name for lab-grown meat
Quartz
How the British Empire rewrote the rules for gender, race and sexuality in South Africa
Quartz Africa
One billion people worldwide stop breathing while they sleep
Quartz
We’ve been living in a post-truth world since propaganda was invented
Quartz
Taylor Swift calls out “the unregulated world of private equity”
Quartz
The world’s oldest visual tale was just dated—and it already faces oblivion
Quartz
Boris Johnson won. Now the Trump comparisons will be put to the test
Quartz
Holiday travelers, take note of this airport security art project
Quartz
SCOTUS grants Trump’s request for review in financial records cases
Quartz