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Q3 deliveries increased for first time in three quartersView the full article

The federal government is expected to again accept new applications for a program that grants some people without legal immigration status the ability to live and work in the United States. Lawyers for the federal government and immigrant advocates have presented plans before a federal judge that would open the door again to accepting applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, otherwise known as DACA. One state — Texas, where the case is being heard — however, would be exempted from providing work permits. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of people could be eligible to be enrolled in DACA, once a federal judge issues an order to formalize plans laid out by the Department of Justice in a legal filing made on Monday. The program, created under the Obama administration, grants people without legal immigration status who were brought into the country by their parents two-year, renewable permits to live and work in the U.S. legally. The program has allowed people who were brought to the United States as children to temporarily remain in the country and obtain work permits. It does not confer legal status but provides protection from deportation. Eligibility requirements include people who entered the country as children before their 16th birthday, were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012, and have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three misdemeanors. There would be restrictions related to work permits for those who reside in Texas, which filed a lawsuit against the DACA program in 2018. Nothing changes yet DOJ attorneys laid out the proposal before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen on Monday as part of the ongoing Texas lawsuit. It would allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to take new and renewal applications for DACA across the country, which it has not done for four years. In Texas, USCIS would take new and renewal applications for the DACA program but recipients residing in the state will not receive a work permit. Attorneys representing DACA recipients proposed adding a wind-down period that would allow Texas residents to keep their work authorization for one more renewal period. These proposals follow an earlier decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowing the program to continue with the work permit carveout in Texas. The federal government and attorneys for DACA recipients have two more opportunities in October to file responses to the proposals submitted this week. Hanen, based in Houston, will then decide what proposal or combination of proposals to implement in his order. Caution advised Immigrant advocates are not celebrating yet but believe thousands may be eligible for the program. Aside from the over 533,000 who are enrolled already in DACA, about 1.1 million people may be eligible across the country, according to a 2023 estimate from the Migration Policy Institute. People interested in applying were urged to start preparing. “While we are still waiting for an official decision, we believe our communities and families should be prepared and begin gathering the required documents,” Michelle Celleri, Legal Rights Director for Alliance San Diego, said in a statement. Other advocates are cautiously optimistic. Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, a spokesperson for United We Dream, pointed to a section in the government’s proposal that could hint at changes. “These proposals do not limit DHS from undertaking any future lawful changes to DACA,” the government’s proposal said in Monday’s filing. “We need to be able to look at this in a fuller picture than just this case, because we’re seeing the administration detain and deport DACA recipients,” Macedo do Nascimento said on Wednesday. —Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press View the full article

In an era where communication efficiency can make or break a small business, Google Pixel’s latest call features promise to enhance connectivity, streamline operations, and safeguard against potential pitfalls. The tech giant has rolled out a series of updates on the Pixel 10 that could greatly benefit small business owners looking for intuitive ways to manage calls effectively. One standout feature is Voice Translate, designed to bridge language barriers during phone conversations. This function utilizes AI to translate calls in real time while preserving the natural tone of each speaker’s voice. As small businesses often engage with a diverse clientele or suppliers globally, this feature can facilitate smoother, more productive communications without the need for a third-party translator. “Finding your way through a foreign country? Working with people who speak a different language?” Google emphasizes that this feature can be a game-changer for business owners dealing with international clients. The updates also enhance Call Screen and Scam Detection, now available in new markets including Australia, Canada, and Ireland. This feature empowers users to manually or automatically screen incoming calls, a critical tool for small businesses inundated with marketing and scam calls. For instance, Pixel 10 users in India will get a chance to experiment with a beta version of Manual Call Screen, which supports multiple languages including English and Hindi. As a small business, avoiding scams while ensuring you don’t miss important calls can be vital to your operations. Call Notes, another notable enhancement, now offers improved functionality by suggesting calendar events, tasks, and reminders based on your call discussions. This means that business owners can seamlessly track meeting minutes and strategic insights without scrambling for a notebook during conversations. The ability to initiate Call Notes automatically for all calls, with an easy option to opt-out, can ease the burden of note-taking and help maintain focus on the dialogue. Driving safety and connectivity have also been prioritized with the integration of Android Auto. Small business owners frequently on the go can rely on their Pixel devices to screen calls while driving. The upcoming availability of Call Notes on Android Auto will allow users to jot down important points without distractions, making it easier to stay productive while on the road. Another innovative feature is Take a Message, which distinguishes missed or declined calls from spam. With real-time transcripts and AI-filtered messages, business owners can quickly assess missed opportunities without wading through irrelevant spam, ultimately saving time and resources. For businesses requiring call documentation, Google has expanded its Call Recording capabilities. This feature will soon be available on all Pixel devices in supported countries, enabling owners to record important conversations while adhering to privacy guidelines. This can come in handy for various types of calls ranging from client check-ins to internal team discussions. However, while these updates are promising, small business owners should consider potential challenges. The reliance on advanced AI features may raise concerns regarding data privacy and security. Additionally, the effectiveness of features like Voice Translate might vary depending on dialects and accents, which could lead to communication mishaps if not used with care. To summarize, the Google Pixel 10’s newest call-related features provide small business owners with innovative tools to enhance communication, streamline note-taking, and protect against scams. Embracing these technologies could lead to substantial improvements in productivity and client interactions. For more details, you can check the original blog post from Google here. Image via Google This article, "Google Pixel Unveils AI-Powered Voice Translate and Enhanced Call Features" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where communication efficiency can make or break a small business, Google Pixel’s latest call features promise to enhance connectivity, streamline operations, and safeguard against potential pitfalls. The tech giant has rolled out a series of updates on the Pixel 10 that could greatly benefit small business owners looking for intuitive ways to manage calls effectively. One standout feature is Voice Translate, designed to bridge language barriers during phone conversations. This function utilizes AI to translate calls in real time while preserving the natural tone of each speaker’s voice. As small businesses often engage with a diverse clientele or suppliers globally, this feature can facilitate smoother, more productive communications without the need for a third-party translator. “Finding your way through a foreign country? Working with people who speak a different language?” Google emphasizes that this feature can be a game-changer for business owners dealing with international clients. The updates also enhance Call Screen and Scam Detection, now available in new markets including Australia, Canada, and Ireland. This feature empowers users to manually or automatically screen incoming calls, a critical tool for small businesses inundated with marketing and scam calls. For instance, Pixel 10 users in India will get a chance to experiment with a beta version of Manual Call Screen, which supports multiple languages including English and Hindi. As a small business, avoiding scams while ensuring you don’t miss important calls can be vital to your operations. Call Notes, another notable enhancement, now offers improved functionality by suggesting calendar events, tasks, and reminders based on your call discussions. This means that business owners can seamlessly track meeting minutes and strategic insights without scrambling for a notebook during conversations. The ability to initiate Call Notes automatically for all calls, with an easy option to opt-out, can ease the burden of note-taking and help maintain focus on the dialogue. Driving safety and connectivity have also been prioritized with the integration of Android Auto. Small business owners frequently on the go can rely on their Pixel devices to screen calls while driving. The upcoming availability of Call Notes on Android Auto will allow users to jot down important points without distractions, making it easier to stay productive while on the road. Another innovative feature is Take a Message, which distinguishes missed or declined calls from spam. With real-time transcripts and AI-filtered messages, business owners can quickly assess missed opportunities without wading through irrelevant spam, ultimately saving time and resources. For businesses requiring call documentation, Google has expanded its Call Recording capabilities. This feature will soon be available on all Pixel devices in supported countries, enabling owners to record important conversations while adhering to privacy guidelines. This can come in handy for various types of calls ranging from client check-ins to internal team discussions. However, while these updates are promising, small business owners should consider potential challenges. The reliance on advanced AI features may raise concerns regarding data privacy and security. Additionally, the effectiveness of features like Voice Translate might vary depending on dialects and accents, which could lead to communication mishaps if not used with care. To summarize, the Google Pixel 10’s newest call-related features provide small business owners with innovative tools to enhance communication, streamline note-taking, and protect against scams. Embracing these technologies could lead to substantial improvements in productivity and client interactions. For more details, you can check the original blog post from Google here. Image via Google This article, "Google Pixel Unveils AI-Powered Voice Translate and Enhanced Call Features" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Emergency investment in the technology does not amount to a long-term defence strategyView the full article

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued additional warnings related to possible Listeria contamination in pasta products. The warnings suggest that the Listeria outbreak, which has sickened at least 20 and killed four since last year, is far from over. Here’s what you need to know about the latest warnings and which foods are being recalled this time. What’s happened? On September 30, the FDA posted a new recall notice to its website, which adds 11 new items to the list of pasta products being recalled due to Listeria contamination fears. On the same day, the CDC updated its Listeria Outbreak page to note an additional pasta item that has now been recalled from Trader Joe’s. The same day, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) also updated its public health alert regarding ready-to-eat pasta meals to include the Trader Joe’s pasta product. These newly recalled products are just the latest ones believed to be possibly infected with Listeria, a potentially deadly bacterium. The CDC has traced this outbreak to as far back as August 2024. During the remainder of that year, there were five known cases of illness related to the outbreak. However, so far in 2025, the total from the previous year has tripled to 15, bringing the total number of illnesses linked to this outbreak to 20. Unfortunately, there have also been four fatalities linked to the outbreak. Of the 20 individuals made sick by the outbreak, 19 required hospitalization. What new products are being recalled? A number of new products are being recalled. Those include one product sold at Trader Joe’s: “Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettucine alfredo” The above product came in 16-oz. plastic tray packages and had the “best if used by” dates of 9/20/2025, 9/24/2025, or 9/27/2025. A separate recall is on a larger scale. This recall includes 11 bowtie pasta products sold by grocery giant Albertsons Companies. This recall includes the following products with select sell-through dates: Product NameUPCSizeSell Thru Dates (if applicable, Or Lot Code/Est. Number)Store BannersStatesREADY MEALS PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD27133000000LBSSEP 13 25 Thru SEP 29 25Albertsons, SafewayCO, NE, NM, SD, WYBASIL PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD29492100000LBSSEP 13 25 Thru SEP 29 25Albertsons, SafewayCO, NE, NM, SD, WYREADY MEALS PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD27133000000LBSSEP 8 25 Thru SEP 26 25Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, VonsAZ, CA, NV, NM, TX, UTBASIL PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD29492100000LBSSEP 8 25 Thru SEP 26 25Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, VonsAZ, CA, NV, NM, TX, UTREADY MEALS PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD27133000000LBSSEP 20 25 Thru SEP 29 25Albertsons, Randalls, Tom ThumbAR, LA, OK, TXBASIL PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD29492100000LBSSEP 20 25 Thru SEP 29 25Albertsons, Randalls, Tom ThumbAR, LA, OK, TXBASIL PESTO BOWTIE PASTA SALAD21649200000LBSSEP 11 25 Thru SEP 29 25Safeway, Andronico’s Community Markets, Vons, Pak ‘N SaveCA, HI, NVGRILLED CHICKEN & BASIL PASTA EXTRA LARGE21303500000LBSSEP 18 25 Thru SEP 29 25Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, SafewayAKREADY MEALS BASIL PESTO BOWTIE SALAD29130800000LBSSEP 18 25 Thru SEP 29 25Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, SafewayAKREADY MEALS SPINACH BOWTIE PASTA SALAD21142600000LBSSEP 16 25 Thru SEP 26 25United, Amigos, Market Street, Albertsons MarketNM, TXREADY MEALS BASIL BOWTIE PASTA SALAD21191300000LBSSEP 16 25 Thru SEP 29 25United, Amigos, Market Street, Alberstons MarketNM, TX In what stores were the products sold? The “Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettucine alfredo” was sold at: Trader Joe’s The other pasta products listed above were sold in a number of Albertsons Companies stores, according to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website, including: Albertsons Albertsons Market Amigos Andronico’s Community Markets Carrs-Safeway Eagle Pak ‘N Save Pavilions Market Street Randalls Safeway Tom Thumb Vons What states were the products sold in? According to the above notices, the “Trader Joe’s Cajun style blackened chicken breast fettucine alfredo” product was sold at Trader Joe’s locations in the following states: Arizona California Nevada New Mexico Utah The other pasta products listed above were sold by Albertsons Companies stores in the following states: Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Hawaii Louisiana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma South Dakota Texas Utah Wyoming What is Listeria and what are its symptoms? Listeria is a bacterium that can cause severe illness in people, according to the CDC. The illness can stay local to the intestines or spread to other parts of the body (invasive). In America, about 1,250 people contract a Listeria infection each year. Despite the relatively small number of infections, the illness has a high death rate. About 172 people in America die annually from the infection. Intestinal Listeria illness symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. Invasive Listeria illness includes fever and flu-like symptoms in pregnant individuals as well as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures in other individuals. While anyone can contract a listeria infection, the illness is particularly harmful for individuals who are aged 65 or older, and those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, or are newborns. What should I do if I have the recalled products? The FDA says anyone with the recalled products should not consume them. Instead, they should dispose of the product or return it to its place of purchase. Additionally, the FDA warns those who have the recalled products should “use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.” The agency notes that Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and spread to other food and surfaces with ease. You can read the complete details of the latest Listeria notices and warning updates here, here, and here. View the full article

As President Donald The President’s regulators revamp bank rules, big lenders expect their capital requirements could fall, in a stunning victory for the industry which faced a big hike under former President Joe Biden, according to senior industry executives. Aiming to cut red tape that The President’s agency picks say is hurting the U.S. economy, they are working on the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. capital rules since the global financial crisis of 2008. In addition to narrowing the “Basel Endgame” capital hikes which sparked unprecedented pushback from Wall Street banks, the Fed plans to reduce a capital surcharge levied on risky global banks, shrink a key leverage constraint, and overhaul annual tests that gauge whether lenders can withstand an economic shock. The country’s largest lenders, which have lobbied hard for the long-sought review, are optimistic that the changes combined will result in their capital levels remaining flat or falling, said six industry and regulatory sources, including three top bankers. That expected outcome, reported here for the first time, marks a dramatic turnaround for the industry which faced a 19% hike in 2023 under the draft Basel capital rules which proposed changes to how big banks gauge lending and trading risks. While the Fed last September said that hike would be halved, the plan was never finalized and died with The President’s election. Big banks have long complained that capital rules are excessive and poorly calibrated, and that some of that cash could better serve the economy through lending. They also argue that they weathered the COVID-19 economic shock just fine. Critics say efforts to chip away at the capital regime are dangerous, and could leave the industry vulnerable at a time when the outlook for the U.S. economy is growing cloudy. With big banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup together holding around $1 trillion in capital, even a small dip could free up billions of dollars for lending, trading, dividends and share buybacks. “You’re going to see here the most aggressive streamlining or easing of bank regulations that we’ve seen certainly since Dodd-Frank and probably sometime before that,” said Ian Katz, managing director at Capital Alpha Partners, referring to the landmark 2010 post-crisis law that overhauled bank rules. A spokesperson for the Fed’s new regulatory chief, Michelle Bowman, who is leading the overhaul, declined to comment. Bowman said last week that she wants the rules to “work well together” and did not necessarily expect capital to fall. Regulators will unveil a new Basel draft by early 2026, she added. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which are also working on the Basel draft, also declined to comment. “America’s largest banks are the strongest in the world,” said Amanda Eversole, CEO of the Financial Services Forum which represents the country’s eight biggest banks. “Modernizing capital rules will let them put that strength to work – fueling growth for consumers, small businesses, and the economy.” ‘EXTREMELY CONSEQUENTIAL’ The sources, who declined to be identified discussing confidential regulatory issues, said they expect the new Basel draft to be broadly “capital-neutral” at a minimum. That means it would neither increase nor decrease system-wide capital, but change how it is distributed. The President’s pick for FDIC chair, Travis Hill, in January said “roughly” capital-neutral would be a “prudent starting point.” To get there, regulators are expected to abandon a “dual stack” that would have required banks to comply with the stricter of two methods for measuring their risk capital which penalized banks with large trading businesses, and to ease a requirement to put capital aside for operational risks, like cyberattacks or lawsuits, two of the people said. Capital reductions could then come as the Fed updates the “GSIB” surcharge to better account for economic growth, and as regulators tailor the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio, a risk-blind capital safety net, to each individual bank, three of the sources said. After the industry sued the Fed in December, the central bank is also working to make its stress tests, which partly determine big lenders’ capital buffers, more transparent, likely helping them to optimize their results. Two of the sources cautioned, however, that the regulatory discussions are ongoing and that Democrats on the Fed board may oppose changes that are too favorable to the industry. Based on an analysis of industry materials, Washington-based group Better Markets, which advocates for tougher financial rules, estimates that banking system capital could fall by $200 billion if the industry secures all the relief it has been pushing for. “It’s huge and extremely consequential,” said Phillip Basil, director of economic growth and financial stability at Better Markets. “It’s going to take a lot less to bring down a big bank.” Additional reporting by Saeed Azhar —Lananh Nguyen, Nupur Anand, Pete Schroeder and Tatiana Bautzer, Reuters View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. One of the worst parts of reading anything is when you realize you zoned out, but your eyes kept moving over the words—now, you have to go back and reread everything. It happens to the best of us, but it's especially frustrating when you're trying to study—and that's why simply rereading material and notes won't cut it when you have a test coming up. Instead, tap into the power of active recall. This technique is all about actively retrieving content from your memory instead of just reviewing it passively. What is active recall?Active recall is exactly what it sounds like: You’re consciously forcing your brain to retrieve information. You're actively recalling it. This does two things for you: It helps you move the information into your long-term memory and identifies concepts you’re having a harder time with. Active recall has been the subject of a number of research studies, and they have found that actively engaging with retrieved memories, as opposed to passively reviewing content, helps you retain more information. That makes sense when you think about it. When you're taking a test, you'll need to pull that information out of your memory, right? Getting in the habit of doing that—of forcing yourself to focus on and recall something—can only help you during crunch time. How do you use active recall to study?We use active recall all the time in real life. For instance, when someone asks you what you did two days ago, you pause to retrieve the memory. When a website asks for your login password, you do the same thing. You consciously direct energy to the retrieval process, which makes it easier to get the info next time you need it, too. (Think about how, once you enter the same password in enough times, it starts to come automatically.) To engage in active recall while you study, try these methods: Use flashcards to quiz yourself, especially the Leitner method of flashcard review, which forces you to wait longer intervals between studying concepts you think you have a grasp on and tests if you really do have that grasp yet. Summarize chapters, notes, or lectures in your own words, either out loud or on paper. Known as blurting, this technique relies on your ability to remember material without checking your reference materials. You can check your summary against your notes and chapter when you're finished writing or saying it to see what you missed, but you'll need to go off-book to actively recall as much as you can first. Take a practice quiz. You can ask ChatGPT to generate one, but if you're going the AI route, I recommend Google's NotebookLM, which generates quizzes and flashcards, but only based on materials you upload. Input slide decks, PDFs, links, and YouTube videos from your professor to make sure you're only studying what you're supposed to be. Explain the concept you’re studying to a friend or family member who knows nothing about it. This is called the Feynman method and it'll put your active recall to the test. Not only do you have to repeat the content, but you have to explain it in a way that makes sense to someone unfamiliar, forcing you to make connections and drill down on key details. This works best when you give them the chance to ask you follow-up questions, which can further test how well you actually understand the material. Each of these tasks forces you to retrieve the information from your brain, think about it, and communicate it in some way, which is what active recall is all about. Like I said, taking a test is also an example of engaging in active recall—so practice doing this as many times as you can before your test to make it second nature by then. View the full article

Despite being under a year old and having no revenue, Fermi America had a very successful initial public offering (IPO) this week. The company, which aims to provide data and power centers for artificial intelligence, saw its shares (Nasdaq: FRMI) close at $32.53 on their first day of trading Wednesday, up nearly 55% from their IPO price of $21 per share. Fermi’s stock price continued to rise through after-hours and into premarket trading on Thursday, reaching $36. It reached a high of $39 per share overnight, before dropping closer to $37 ahead of the market opening. What is Fermi? The company was cofounded by Rick Perry, former Texas governor, a GOP presidential contender in 2012 and 2016, and U.S. Secretary of Energy for part of President The President’s first term. His cofounder, Toby Neugebauer, is a former co-managing partner at Quantum Energy. Since its founding in January 2025—yes, nine months ago—Fermi has done very little show and much more tell. It’s working on something called Project Matador, “a multi-gigawatt energy and data center development campus” that would be the world’s largest “HyperGrid.” In its final form, the center would exist as the Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus at Texas Tech University. According to Fermi, it would be “the only site with the potential to include safe, clean, new nuclear power, the nation’s biggest combined-cycle natural gas project, utility grid power, solar power, and battery energy storage at unprecedented scale.” Fermi aims to deliver up to 11 gigawatts of power to AI data centers by 2038, with 1.1 gigawatts online at the end of 2026. With that said, all Fermi currently has is a lease for 5,236 acres of land from Texas Tech University and a dream. It needs funding to start any construction on Project Matador, some of which could come from its successful IPO. So why has Fermi had such a prosperous IPO, despite being little more than a newborn idea? One theory is that investors see an uncertain startup as a lower cost to entry for investing in the AI boom, which is expected to require enormous power and data in the years ahead. The share prices for big AI players like Meta Platforms and Oracle Corp were $717.34 and $289.01, respectively, at close on Wednesday. That’s a lot less accessible than $20 or $30, which can still make someone feel included in the buzz. View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. One of the best ways to retain knowledge when studying for a test is to maintain a particularly strict study schedule. The technique is called “distributed practice,” and I won't pretend it is easy to set up, but it's much more efficient than trying to cram. Here's what to do so you actually remember what you're supposed to be learning. What is distributed practice?Distributed practice, like a number of the most common study techniques you can try, has its roots in the work of Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist who studied memory. Over 100 years ago, he studied nonsense syllables over and over to figure out the best way to get them to stick in his memory. He found that the frequency with which he studied them, as well as the order in which he studied them, had an impact on how well he retained them. Right now, we're going over the value of frequency, but if you're interested in the role order plays in helping you remember what you study, read this. Ultimately, his findings led to the development of what we now know as distributed practice, which is just a fancy name for spacing study sessions out in a specific way and studying the same thing every time. In essence, it’s the opposite of “massed practice,” which is more commonly known as cramming. Instead of studying everything in one block before your test, you study it in smaller bursts leading up to the test. How do you distribute the practice?The trick here is deciding how often to space out your study sessions. Ideally, set aside study time every day, like one hour, and leave a day for resting. (Breaks are crucial for productivity overall.) What you study on those days will depend largely on what tests you have coming up and when they are. Look ahead in your syllabi and mark all test dates in your planner. According to one study, your best bet for maximum retention is to study the same topic every 10% to 30% of the time you’ll need to retain it. That means if you have a test in 10 days, you’ll study from every one to three days from now until then. This is where retrieval practice comes in. During your first few study sessions, you’re just studying as normal, using a technique like SQ3R or KWL to engage in active reading. After that, though, you should be using active recall strategies to retrieve the information you already know during the study sessions. The best way to do this is using flashcards, especially following the Leitner system to review the content you already know on spaced intervals that depend on how well you’ve mastered it. The most important part of distributed practice, though, is repeatedly going over the content on a fixed schedule. Even if that means just rereading and reviewing it every four days, it will be more beneficial than cramming. It might be helpful to download an app, like My Study Life, to create a schedule for yourself so it's easier to stick to. This part boils down to willpower, but you can do it. View the full article

It’s not just Hollywood that’s been grappling with how to deal with AI-generated characters. Wikipedia editors are figuring all this out as they go along, too. Following reports this week that an AI “actress” named Tilly Norwood is attracting interest from talent agents and rattling real-life performers who make their living in movies and on TV, Wikipedia editors moved quickly to create a page for the character—and almost immediately began arguing over how to describe it. Is it a synthetic actress? Is it even a she? Can Tilly Norwood, despite having 45,000 followers on Instagram, be accurately described as doing anything? These are the types of questions that have been plaguing the dutiful volunteers who are tasked with editing the world’s largest crowd-sourced encyclopedia. While few would argue that the AI character doesn’t meet Wikipedia’s notability guidelines, no one seems quite sure what exactly to say about it. “I’m not comfortable with asserting that Tilly Norwood exists, actually,” one editor wrote on Tuesday, the day the page was created. “I’m also not comfortable with the article using gendered pronouns for the Tilly construct.” Do AI actresses dream of electric Oscars? The discussions this week among Wikipedia editors—which are visible via the website’s “talk” pages—offer a fascinating window into the semantic debates that our society is facing more broadly at a time when we’re sharing more and more of our screen time with AI-generated objects designed to look and act like us. An early revision of Tilly Norwood’s page described the character as an “artificial intelligence-generated actress” who “starred” in an AI-generated sketch comedy show. The current version of the page has toned down the anthropomorphic language, although the gendered pronouns remain intact: “Tilly Norwood is an artificial intelligence-generated character marketed as an actress.” A review of talk pages reveals that editors debated passionately about whether to refer to Tilly Norwood as an actress at all, with some arguing that Wikipedia’s language should merely reflect common usage. “‘Actress’ is how the vast majority of reliable sources describe her,” one person wrote. ‘Trained on the work of professional performers’ Tilly Norwood is the brainchild of Xicoia, an AI talent studio launched by Dutch comedian and producer Eline van der Velden. The studio is a division of production company Particle6. The character, whose social media feed includes a mix of AI-generated modeling shots, selfies, and epic movie scenes, made a splash recently at the Zurich Film Festival and has since sparked industry backlash. SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents screen actors, issued a blistering statement, calling Tilly Norwood a “computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers—without permission or compensation.” A report last year from consulting firm CVL Economics found that more than 203,000 entertainment-related jobs in the United States could be disrupted by generative AI technologies by 2026. Fortunately, where Wikipedia is concerned at least, this is not entirely new territory. After all, the site has hosted a page for Mickey Mouse since 2001. For the record, Mickey is described as a he. View the full article

The government shutdown that began Wednesday will deprive policymakers and investors of economic data vital to their decision-making at a time of unusual uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. The absence will be felt almost immediately, as the government’s monthly jobs report scheduled for release Friday will likely be delayed. A weekly report on the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits — a proxy for layoffs that is typically published on Thursdays — will also be postponed. If the shutdown is short-lived, it won’t be very disruptive. But if the release of economic data is delayed for several weeks or longer, it could pose challenges, particularly for the Federal Reserve. The Fed is grappling with where to set a key interest rate at a time of conflicting signals, with inflation running above its 2% target and hiring nearly ground to a halt, driving the unemployment rate higher in August. The Fed typically cuts this rate when unemployment rises, but raises it — or at least leaves it unchanged — when inflation is rising too quickly. It’s possible the Fed will have little new federal economic data to analyze by its next meeting on Oct. 28-29, when it is widely expected to reduce its rate again. “The job market had been a source of real strength in the economy but has been slowing down considerably the past few months,” said Michael Linden, senior policy fellow at the left-leaning Washington Center for Equitable Growth. “It would be very good to know if that slowdown was continuing, accelerating, or reversing.” The Fed cut its rate by a quarter-point earlier this month and signaled it was likely to do so twice more this year. Fed officials said they would keep a close eye on how inflation and unemployment evolve, but that depends on the data being available. A key inflation report is scheduled for Oct. 15 and the government’s monthly retail sales report is slated for release the next day. “We’re in a meeting-by-meeting situation, and we’re going to be looking at the data,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said during a news conference earlier this month. The economic picture has recently gotten cloudier. Despite slower hiring, there are signs that overall economic growth may be picking up. Consumers have stepped up their shopping and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta estimates the economy likely expanded at a healthy clip in the July-September quarter, after a large gain in the April-June period. A key question for the Fed is whether that growth can revive the job market, which this Friday’s report might have helped illustrate. Economists had forecast another month of weak hiring, with just 50,000 new positions added, according to a survey by FactSet. The unemployment rate was projected to stay at a still-low 4.3%. On Wall Street, investors obsess over the monthly jobs reports, typically issued the first Friday of every month. It’s a crucial indicator of the economy’s health and provides insights into how the Fed might adjust interest rates, which affects the cost of borrowing and influences how investors allocate their money. So far, investors don’t seem fazed by the shutdown. The broad S&P 500 stock index rose slightly Wednesday to an all-time high. Many businesses also rely on government data to gauge how the economy is faring. The Commerce Department’s monthly report on retail sales, for example, is a comprehensive look at the health of U.S. consumers and can influence whether companies make plans to expand or shrink their operations and workforces. For the time being, the Fed, economists, and investors will likely focus more on private data. On Wednesday, the payroll provider ADP issued its monthly employment data, which showed that businesses cut 32,000 jobs in September — a signal the economy is slowing. Still, ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said her firm’s report “was not intended to be a replacement” for government statistics. The ADP data does not capture what’s happening at government agencies, for example — an area of the economy that could be significantly affected by a lengthy shutdown. “Using a portfolio of private sector and government data gives you a better chance of capturing a very complicated economy in a complex world,” she said. The Fed will remain open no matter how long the shutdown lasts, because it funds itself from earnings on the government bonds and other securities it owns. It will continue to provide its monthly snapshots of industrial production, which includes mining, manufacturing, and utility output. The next industrial production report will be released Oct. 17. —Christopher Rugaber and Paul Wiseman, AP Economics Writers View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. Peloton announced this week, among other things, that all of its devices are getting a bit of an overhaul. While the Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+, and Row each got some improvements, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to upgrade your equipment just yet. Comparing old Peloton models with the new Cross Training SeriesFirst, the basics: Peloton unveiled all-new versions of its classic at-home fitness equipment Wednesday. Collectively, they're known as the Cross Training series—the equipment itself is the Cross Training Bike, the Cross Training Bike+, etc. Like before, there are still five models—two bikes, two treadmills, and a rowing machine—but the new versions have features that make them more compatible with cross training and are just a little better than their predecessors overall. Peloton Bike vs. Peloton Cross Training BikeWe'll start with the classic bike, Peloton's bread and butter. The original Bike retails for $1,145 and the new Cross Training Bike is $1,695. Like all the new models, the updated version of the base model Bike features a swiveling touchscreen designed to make it easier for you to segue from cardio on the machine to strength, stretching, yoga, or some other Peloton workout, all while still following along with an instructor on the screen. Otherwise, what this $200 price hike gets you is pretty basic: There is improved audio in the form of front-facing speakers, better wifi connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.2. It also has an upgraded seat, which Peloton describes as "an ergonomically redesigned saddle with enhanced cushioning and optimized weight distribution." A comfier seat is a bonus, but comfier seats were already available on the third-party market. There are more similarities between the old model and new than there are differences. Both have manual resistance knobs, a 21.5" touchscreen, a belt drive, and magnetic resistance. To be clear, Peloton didn't set out to reinvent the (fly)wheel here; all of these devices are functionally similar to their predecessors. You cycle on the Bike, run on the Tread, and row on the Row, just as you always did. Bike+ vs. Cross Training Bike+I liked the old Bike+ when I tested it out, but the new Bike+ has some significant upgrades over that one. The old-style Bike+ retails for $2,495 while the Cross Training Bike+ is $2,695. You get the swivel screen and the upgraded seat, but you also get a movement-tracking camera that uses AI to make suggestions and correct your form, Sonos audio with a woofer, AI-powered voice commands, a fan, a phone tray, and better software overall. Like the old Bike+, this one has a 23.8" HD touchscreen and the much-loved auto-resistance feature. I got the chance to play around with the new devices at Peloton Studios this week and, from what I experienced, the company's claims that the hardware and software have been enhanced to improve touchscreen responsiveness and audio quality are accurate. That's true for this new Bike+ and all the newer models announced. Tread vs. Cross Training TreadThe Cross Training Tread is $3,295 compared to the Tread's $2,995, though both get you a 23.8" HD touchscreen, a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour, and an incline up to 12.5%, as well as a soft-touch running belt. That price increase also covers the swivel screen, an upgraded processor, and better speakers and connectivity. Tread+ vs. Cross Training Tread+You're going to notice a theme here: The Plus models pack more upgraded features into their upgrades, period. That's true for the Cross Training Tread+, which sees one of the biggest price increases over its predecessor—it now retails for $6,495 compared to $5,995. The similarities are in the 32" screen, slatted running belt, and incline up to 15%. The differences mirror the differences between the Bike+ and Cross Training Bike+: It comes with the movement-tracking camera, swivel screen, Sonos speakers, voice control, fan, and upgraded tech and hardware. Row vs. Cross Training Row+The Row is the Peloton device that moved from plain-old equipment to Plus line. Now, the Cross Training Row+ retails for $3,495 instead of $3,195 and comes with all those Plus features, like the rotating screen, movement-tracking camera, Sonos speakers, voice control, fan, and upgraded processor. Should you upgrade your Peloton device?Let me start by saying I have only gotten to interact with the new devices for a brief time during a press event, so I haven't formed my opinion based on any extensive use. That said, what I saw at the event was impressive—especially from the Plus line, which is the line that features the much-touted movement-tracking camera. If you are considering upgrading, your best bet is to go all the way to Plus so you can make the most of all the new features Peloton announced. The movement-tracking camera and voice controls were really slick in the demos I participated in. The camera can correct your form or let you know when lifting a certain way is becoming too easy for you and you should consider moving to a higher weight, for instance. The Plus line also has the built-in fan, which is simply a nice touch. All of that said, while Peloton rolled out new classes and AI features to accompany these cross training devices, everything except the motion-tracking and voice control works fine on existing equipment. If you have a Bike or even older Bike+, you'll still be able to use the new customized workout scheduling feature, plus all the other features you've already had access to. If you're not in a rush to get rid of your old machine, you don't have to unless you really want the motion-tracking camera and voice commands. Upgrading to the Cross Training Bike or Cross Training Tread doesn't make sense to me right now, since the only real improvement you get with those is the swivel screen. If I were going to get a new device—and, after almost five years with my beloved Bike, I'm finally considering it—I'd opt for a Plus so I could take advantage of all the new tools and features. It's worth keeping in mind, though, that whether you upgrade hardware or not, you're going to be paying more as it is. Membership fees for Peloton's app, which allows you to take classes and follow programs on your phone as well as on the company's proprietary devices, are going up as of the new equipment release. The new prices for membership are: All-Access Membership goes up from $44 to $49.99 per month App+ Membership goes up from $24 to $28.99 App One Membership goes up from $12.99 to $15.99 Moreover, Peloton has done away with free installation, which we knew was coming. You'll have to spend $150 for assembly of your new device, unless you get a Cross Training Tread+, which will run you $299 in assembly fees. Accounting for all these extra fees is part of deciding if you need new equipment, so take it all in. Peloton will be rolling out deals for existing members who want to upgrade in the coming days and weeks. For now, don't forget that the company launched its own resale platform earlier this year and, depending on what kind of device you sell, not only do you get paid for the equipment itself, but you get a few hundred bucks off your future Peloton purchase. If you're considering a new device from this upgraded fleet, look into selling your old goods first so you have a better sense of how much money you have to work with. And if you don't have a Peloton device but want one, maybe think about waiting around a few weeks for all the older models to hit the resale site. Like I said, the new software upgrades work just fine on them, so this could be your moment to get a great deal. View the full article

In a landscape increasingly shaped by technology, Shopify is stepping up to redefine the shopping experience for small business owners. Today, the eCommerce giant announced a groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI that allows merchants to sell their products directly within AI-driven conversations, particularly those utilizing ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to seamlessly connect shoppers with millions of products, positioning Shopify as a leader in the quickly changing world of online retail. Vanessa Lee, Shopify’s VP of Product, highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative: “Shopping is changing fast. People are discovering products in AI conversations, not just through search or ads. This will let our merchants show up naturally in those moments and give shoppers a way to buy without breaking their flow.” For small businesses, this shift holds significant implications, expanding their reach into an arena where consumer attention is often fleeting. Through the integration of ChatGPT, Shopify merchants gain real-time access to essential product data, like pricing and inventory. When a user queries ChatGPT for shopping recommendations, their responses will automatically draw from Shopify’s vast network of merchants, enabling direct purchases. Colleen Waters, VP of eCommerce at Steve Madden, underscored this benefit, stating, “AI will fundamentally reshape how our customers shop. Being on Shopify means we can automatically be wherever our customers are shopping—including inside AI conversations.” For small business owners, the marriage of AI and commerce presents various practical advantages. With their store names prominently displayed, merchants maintain transparency and consumer trust, ensuring shoppers know exactly who they are buying from. From an administrative perspective, all orders will route through Shopify’s system, keeping merchants firmly in control of their brand identity and customer relationships. Additionally, Shopify specifies whether customers check out through a merchant’s site or via the Instant Checkout process. This flexibility allows small businesses to tailor their shopping experience without extra complexity. “Our goal is always to keep merchants on the cutting edge by default,” Lee remarked, emphasizing that the tools provided are designed to promote growth for businesses of all sizes. However, while the prospects of increased sales through AI interactions are exciting, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Adapting to a new sales channel can be daunting. Owners may need to familiarize themselves with the nuances of AI-driven commerce and ensure their online presence is optimized for these emerging platforms. The integration also necessitates a robust reliance on technology—something not every small business is equipped to handle, especially those without dedicated IT resources. Ultimately, with the rapid growth of AI influencing consumer behavior, the strategic move by Shopify positions small business owners to capitalize on “agentic commerce,” where transactions can occur fluidly within AI-driven dialogues. As Vanessa Lee puts it, “We’re making sure our merchants thrive in the era of agentic commerce.” This transition allows entrepreneurs to focus on their core competencies—developing their products and enhancing customer relationships—while Shopify manages the technical complexities. For small business owners looking to stay ahead in an evolving retail landscape, selling through AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT could become a vital component of their sales strategy. The future of commerce involves not just reacting to change but being prepared for it. As Shopify continues to innovate, it may provide a lifeline for businesses aiming to navigate the emerging digital terrain. For further information about this partnership and how it can enhance your business, visit the original announcement on Shopify’s website here. Image via Shopify This article, "Shopify Integrates With OpenAI to Transform AI-Driven Shopping Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a landscape increasingly shaped by technology, Shopify is stepping up to redefine the shopping experience for small business owners. Today, the eCommerce giant announced a groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI that allows merchants to sell their products directly within AI-driven conversations, particularly those utilizing ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to seamlessly connect shoppers with millions of products, positioning Shopify as a leader in the quickly changing world of online retail. Vanessa Lee, Shopify’s VP of Product, highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative: “Shopping is changing fast. People are discovering products in AI conversations, not just through search or ads. This will let our merchants show up naturally in those moments and give shoppers a way to buy without breaking their flow.” For small businesses, this shift holds significant implications, expanding their reach into an arena where consumer attention is often fleeting. Through the integration of ChatGPT, Shopify merchants gain real-time access to essential product data, like pricing and inventory. When a user queries ChatGPT for shopping recommendations, their responses will automatically draw from Shopify’s vast network of merchants, enabling direct purchases. Colleen Waters, VP of eCommerce at Steve Madden, underscored this benefit, stating, “AI will fundamentally reshape how our customers shop. Being on Shopify means we can automatically be wherever our customers are shopping—including inside AI conversations.” For small business owners, the marriage of AI and commerce presents various practical advantages. With their store names prominently displayed, merchants maintain transparency and consumer trust, ensuring shoppers know exactly who they are buying from. From an administrative perspective, all orders will route through Shopify’s system, keeping merchants firmly in control of their brand identity and customer relationships. Additionally, Shopify specifies whether customers check out through a merchant’s site or via the Instant Checkout process. This flexibility allows small businesses to tailor their shopping experience without extra complexity. “Our goal is always to keep merchants on the cutting edge by default,” Lee remarked, emphasizing that the tools provided are designed to promote growth for businesses of all sizes. However, while the prospects of increased sales through AI interactions are exciting, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Adapting to a new sales channel can be daunting. Owners may need to familiarize themselves with the nuances of AI-driven commerce and ensure their online presence is optimized for these emerging platforms. The integration also necessitates a robust reliance on technology—something not every small business is equipped to handle, especially those without dedicated IT resources. Ultimately, with the rapid growth of AI influencing consumer behavior, the strategic move by Shopify positions small business owners to capitalize on “agentic commerce,” where transactions can occur fluidly within AI-driven dialogues. As Vanessa Lee puts it, “We’re making sure our merchants thrive in the era of agentic commerce.” This transition allows entrepreneurs to focus on their core competencies—developing their products and enhancing customer relationships—while Shopify manages the technical complexities. For small business owners looking to stay ahead in an evolving retail landscape, selling through AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT could become a vital component of their sales strategy. The future of commerce involves not just reacting to change but being prepared for it. As Shopify continues to innovate, it may provide a lifeline for businesses aiming to navigate the emerging digital terrain. For further information about this partnership and how it can enhance your business, visit the original announcement on Shopify’s website here. Image via Shopify This article, "Shopify Integrates With OpenAI to Transform AI-Driven Shopping Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Instead of using your usual study methods (and getting the same results you always get, for better or worse) this is the year to level up. There are plenty of great ways to review and retain material, but to use them, you have to give up your bad habits first. Here's what to avoid and what to prioritize instead. Don't just rewrite your workRewriting is fine if you’re refining and condensing your material (and you should be rewriting your notes immediately after class for better retention), but it’s not the best strategy for remembering information if you’re simply recopying everything you’ve already written over and over. The writing center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests condensing notes to the point that they only include key concepts. After or instead of that, try using active recall, a method that requires you to dig information out of your short-term memory to help that information stick around longer. You can use flashcards (ideally by mastering the Leitner method), summarize your chapters and notes out loud (otherwise known as blurting), or take a practice quiz—and it’ll be more helpful than basic rewriting. If you're low on time or motivation, you can generate a custom practice quiz using Google's NotebookLM. That's what I've been doing while I've been reviewing for an upcoming certification exam. You just upload your own materials and the software will create flashcards and quizzes for you. Don't take linear notesWriting down what you hear during a lecture is important, but doing it in a productive and beneficial way is even better. And while this might seem like it’s not really “studying,” remember that it’s the first big step toward overall retention. Just jotting down key words and phrases or, worse, every single word, won’t help you identify main concepts or make connections between them. Instead, use a note-taking method like outlining or the Cornell method to actively listen and record the most pertinent information as you go. And don’t forget to revise them right away after class! The same goes for when you're reading materials on your own. Use a note-taking method designed to enhance your critical reading skills, like SQ3R or KWL, so you can take notes that make sense and serve the bigger purpose of helping you retain what you're learning. Don't cramCramming is an inevitable part of the school experience at some point or another, but it’s not an ideal way to study every single time you have a test. In fact, scholars and researchers have suggested it may even backfire, causing you to remember less for your big test. Instead, schedule your studying out across multiple days. Use the distributed practice technique to create the perfect schedule for your studying based on when your next test is. It takes more discipline, but it will help you remember more material for longer periods of time, which makes it ideal for cumulative finals as well as regular old quizzes. Don't work nonstopTake breaks when you study, even if you’re cramming. A key element of distributed practice is breaking the study sessions into chunks. Seriously, it's called chunking and it's a real study technique. You’re more productive when you take breaks, so try using the Pomodoro method to schedule those breaks consistently. Pomodoro is a method that calls on you to work for 25 minutes, take a five minute break, and get back to work four times before taking a bigger break. You can mess around with methods that work for you, too. For instance, try an app to help you stay focused and schedule your Pomodoro sessions. You can also fiddle with the timing of your sessions. Maybe longer work and break segments work for you or you need shorter time working. Pomodoro adaptations are abundant, so take some time to figure out what you prefer. Avoid being too granularIf you are really locked in on your content and start obsessing over every detail, you're going to miss the forest for the trees. The University of British Columbia warns its students against over-highlighting, and for good reason: When you make everything a key point, you don’t remember the pieces of information that really are. There are benefits to color-coding your texts and notes, but only if you do it intentionally and carefully—and colorful highlights aren't the only way this can become problematic. Consider the Pareto principle, which says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort. Use one of the reading techniques I mentioned—SQ3R or KWL—to break down your content until you have a good idea of the most crucial elements, then study from there. You don't need to know every single definition of every single word, but you'll need to know how the course material connects so you understand what it's all about. This is also where taking those breaks comes in. If you go too hard for too long, you'll get a little too worked up. Break up the chapter, break up your time, and don't get over-stressed to the point of losing the plot. If you're worried you're not grasping the overall concepts, try using the Feynman method to see how you're doing. It involves teaching the material to someone who is unfamiliar with it, relying on the idea that if you can teach something, then you understand it. Do this with a friend or a parent or even with ChatGPT. If you struggle explaining it—like if you've spent too much time trying to memorize every tiny detail but can't relay how they all work together big-picture—head back to the drawing board and break the material down more. View the full article

Sweeping tax commitments are foolish in an unpredictable world but abandoning them would be corrosive to democracyView the full article

It’s the dream: You finish a huge project that wins widespread acclaim—from your boss, your peers, your clients, your friends and family. You’re flying high. The world should be your oyster. And yet? You can’t find the inspiration to follow up. Your productivity dries up. You’re afraid lightning won’t strike twice. You fear being a one-hit wonder. Maybe not in the obsolete pop star sense—but in the professional, creative, successful sense. It’s a horrible, limiting feeling that kills your productivity, not to mention confidence. But according to research from the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands, there’s a cause for the feelings of inadequacy following a big accomplishment. And better understanding this phenomenon can help to break through that mental block. In this paid Premium story, you’ll: Better understand why success makes you scared How to trick your brain out of the paralyzing thought loop Learn how to knock it out of the park a second time Feeling marked by success The research points to something called a “creative identity threat,” in which you become so attached to your reputation for genius (or, well near genius), that you fear putting it at risk with another project. This paralyzes original thinking—making a sophomore slump almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. Dirk Deichmann, one of the researchers behind the Rotterdam study, says that the inspiration for this project was the product of living in a flat above a cookbook store. He was fascinated by the sheer variety of titles in their window. “You can do endless combinations with new categories [of cuisine], new techniques, and materials,” he says. So as a creativity researcher, he immediately started wondering what kinds of factors would influence a cookbook author’s success. Working with Markus Baer, a professor of organizational behavior at Washington University in St. Louis, he turned to data from the U.K.’s cookbook market, looking at detailed records of year-by-year sales. They found that around 50% of first-time authors fail to write another book in the five years following their debut. Now, this could occur for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the sales of the first book were dreadful. But in many cases, it was the opposite: It was often the people with the most original ideas and the greatest acclaim who failed to publish a second title. The phenomenon, they suspected, could be explained by an area of psychology known as “role identity theory”: how certain “roles” become embedded in our sense of who we are. If we have received extraordinary praise for our ingenuity, then our reputation for creativity may become central to our identity. We fear that crown slipping, and so we (counter-intuitively) avoid new creative adventures—in case we fail to meet the same acclaim a second time. Fear of a jeopardized reputation Deichmann and Baer decided to test this hypothesis and explore this phenomenon of self-sabotage. They measured how “novel” each cookbook on their list was (by analyzing publishers’ online descriptions of its contents), as well as how many awards each book received, if any. Sure enough, the more “creative” someone’s debut had been—and the more acclaimed they had received—the less likely they were to publish a sequel. Success, it seems, can be a poisoned chalice. For further evidence, Deichmann and Baer decided to recreate the phenomenon with participants in the lab. In one experiment, the participants were asked to come up with a concept for a new cookbook. Some were told that they had shown great originality, while the rest were told their idea was “solid and traditional.” These two groups were divided again, with roughly half from each receiving additional recognition by being told their idea was likely to “make a big splash”—leading them to be featured on the cover of the university’s magazine. Finally, all participants were offered the chance to pitch a second cookbook concept. As expected, the people who had been singled out for their creativity, and won the additional recognition of the magazine cover, were significantly less likely to propose a follow-up idea. Crucially, a questionnaire about their feelings confirmed that this reluctance stemmed from their fears of losing their creative identity. They were more likely to agree with the statement “the thought of coming up with a new idea for a second book makes me feel like I could jeopardize my reputation as a creative producer,” for instance. A creative identity threat may be prevalent in many domains, Deichmann suggests. Any time you allow your ego to depend on the acclaim you hope to receive for a project, be it a killer marketing campaign, an ingenious design or an outstanding product line, you could find yourself struggling to come up with more new ideas. Escaping the trap If you worry about suffering from creative identity threat, Deichmann has a couple of suggestions. The first is collaboration. Find someone, or a group of people, who might be able to contribute to your next project. “That way, the creative identity threat doesn’t lie so heavily on you, but you share it.” The second is to try to focus your mind on the creative process, rather than obsessing about the end goal, which inhibits the free-flowing thoughts that are essential for idea generation. This fits with research by Ella Miron-Spektor, professor of organizational behavior at the INSEAD business school in Fontainebleau, France. She’s examined how people’s “goal orientation” can influence their creativity. Some people are “performance oriented” (worried about how their results compare to their peers); others are “learning oriented” (focused on building skills). In one study, Miron-Spektor looked to seven years of data from a tech company that had introduced an innovation program asking employees to suggest ways to improve their processes or products, which were then judged by an expert panel. She found that learning-oriented people produced more ideas, and the quality of those ideas tended to grow over time. Meanwhile, the performance-oriented people tended to dry up quickly. Finally, Deichmann’s third piece of advice: Establish a creative routine. After a big success, you may feel especially anxious if you simply wait for your next “eureka!” moment to land by change. But you may feel greater confidence if you can find a systematic process to find and test ideas. An inventor or designer, for example, might start out by interviewing and observing their potential customers to suggest new markets to exploit: “You define a problem, you generate different ideas for that problem, and you prototype.” There is no guarantee that inspiration will strike the same mind twice—but a little courage, perseverance, and strategy can greatly enhance the chances that your genius will burn long into the future. View the full article

Think about the last piece of health advice you actually followed. Chances are, it wasn’t from a medical journal or even a doctor’s office. Most likely it was from a colleague, a neighbor, or a trusted friend—the kind of advice that feels personal and authentic. As humans, we’re wired to trust people we know or feel like we know. That’s why two-thirds of Americans now seek health information on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and other social platforms, where it’s easy to connect with others who have relatable voices or similar stories. The default ways we explored our symptoms in the past, i.e., by seeing a doctor or referencing a handful of known credible sources, are no longer the primary ways people are getting their health information. They’re following influencers to understand everything from “hormone balancing” hacks to what it’s like living with Type 1 diabetes or managing postpartum depression. These conversations can introduce potential risks like spreading misinformation, oversimplifying complex treatments, or turning serious health decisions into viral challenges. They can also be used to raise awareness and create supportive communities. With such high stakes, brands can’t afford to stay on the sidelines. Healthcare needs a different influencer playbook Healthcare has been slower to embrace influencer marketing as a tactic—and there are plenty of good reasons why. It’s inconvenient when a new lipstick advertised by your favorite beauty influencer disappoints. Maybe the experience hurts the brand’s reputation a bit, too. But when health advice goes wrong, it can prove outright dangerous. Netflix’s (Un)Well documentary series famously spotlighted influencers touting “miracle cures” that were later debunked as ineffective or even harmful. Yet, the reality is consumers are turning to peers, not professionals, for relatable health advice—whether brands join the conversation or not. Avoiding these spaces altogether means a missed opportunity to meet patients where they’re already seeking and sharing health information. The path forward isn’t about copying retail or lifestyle influencer tactics. It’s about creating approaches rooted in accuracy, empathy, and meaningful patient engagement—showing up as educators and trusted partners, not product pushers. 5 ways health brands can reimagine influencer marketing More than 8 in 10 people seeking health information on social media are concerned about incorrect or misleading medical information. For health brands, there’s an opportunity—and I would argue, a responsibility—to approach influencer marketing differently. Instead of chasing quick hits and conversions, influencer programs need to rethink the role of content creators as storytellers and community builders who can help make health information more accessible and actionable. Here are five tactics where I’m seeing success: Tap into peer-to-peer power Healthcare is deeply personal, and people trust advice from those who’ve lived similar experiences. Although medical experts like Sanjay Gupta or celebrity wellness figures like Gwyneth Paltrow hold substantial authority and reach, consumers are increasingly turning to patients, caregivers, and advocates for more tailored guidance. That could be a person sharing their chemotherapy journey on TikTok or a caregiver offering advice in a Facebook group about supporting elderly parents at home. Authentic voices like these help simplify complex topics, offer emotional support, and make care feel more accessible. Reflect audiences to earn trust Our health systems have historically underserved and excluded certain groups, and people in these communities maintain long-standing skepticism toward healthcare leaders. Acknowledging this reality is the first step toward driving more meaningful engagement online. Trusted peers can open doors brands alone can’t unlock, especially when they better represent or reflect the audiences we’re hoping to reach. Many of these voices already exist within clinical trial communities, patient advocacy groups, or condition-specific networks—and they’re eager to share what’s worked for them with others. Brands can equip these influencers with the tools, training, and information to responsibly educate and empower. Emphasize storytelling over hard sales On social media and elsewhere, our goal isn’t pushing products. Our focus is empowering people with accessible, credible information to make better decisions about their own lives. Influencer strategies must move away from transactional endorsements and prioritize authentic, accurate, and advocacy-driven storytelling. Overly polished or promotional messages feel disconnected from the emotional weight health decisions carry. It’s important to highlight real journeys and offer useful tips and resources consistently across channels. This approach lets audiences see how products fit into their bigger picture of living well. Think beyond ‘just another channel’ Influencer engagement isn’t “just another channel” in an omnichannel mix. That strategy is woefully outdated and won’t generate the desired ROI. Modern influencer marketing is authentic, creative content that meets people where they already are: on TikTok, yes, but also in local forums, community centers, or college campuses where health decisions are also shaped. Don’t force traditional campaigns into influencer spaces. Also, avoid relying on top-down advertising to enter peer-driven forums. Instead, build custom influencer marketing programs unique to where conversations naturally happen and empower credible voices to participate meaningfully in the discussions where they fit best. Build in governance without killing authenticity In such a highly regulated industry, health brands are understandably concerned that an influencer might say something off-script that could damage the brand or violate compliance standards. But we don’t need to sacrifice authenticity to manage these risks. The key is a proactive governance model that sets clear expectations for influencers, provides the necessary training, and establishes content guardrails, fact-checking, and formal review and approval processes. It’s also critical to put in place a response plan if something inaccurate, misleading, or off-brand is posted. This isn’t about over-policing content. It’s about giving brands and influencers the structure and support to engage confidently, knowing there’s a safety net in place. Join health and wellness conversations thoughtfully Health brands are no longer the only ones shaping narratives. They now share the space with patients, caregivers, advocates, and people seeking and sharing advice across Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and other online communities. Instead of trying to control these conversations, brands can contribute meaningfully through a more collaborative approach. When influencers are treated as allies rather than advertisements, brands earn trust, reduce misinformation, and ultimately help people make better, more informed health decisions. View the full article

The White House website has been updated to blame the government shutdown that began Wednesday on Democrats. The official White House homepage was topped on Wednesday by a red, scrolling banner with the all-caps message “DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN: DEMOCRATS’ [sic] IN THEIR OWN WORDS” along a countdown showing how long the shutdown has been going on. Users who clicked through were taken to a landing page with a livestreamed video of clips of Democratic lawmakers criticizing past shutdowns, integrating partisan messaging into its design. With a news ticker, countdown clock, and clips of politicians speaking on Capitol Hill, this is web design inspired by one of President Donald The President’s favorite pastimes: cable news. It’s just one way the The President administration is hoping to shift blame about the shutdown away from Republicans, who control the White House and both chambers of Congress, and who a plurality of Americans think deserve the blame. An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Tuesday found 38% of respondents blame Republicans for a shutdown, 31% blame both parties, 27% blame Democrats, and 4% blame neither. Federal blame game appears in several contexts Some federal agencies are finding ways to blame Democrats for the shutdown through official channels, too. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website added a pop-up and landing page messaging that says “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need” while the State Department’s website says “Due to the Democrat-led shutdown, website updates will be limited until full operations resume.” At the Small Business Administration (SBA), employees received language for a suggested out-of-office email that blamed Democrats, according to Wired. “I am out of office for the foreseeable future because Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal spending bill (HR 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the US Small Business Administration from serving America’s 36 million small businesses. Every day that Senate Democrats continue [to] oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding,” the suggested email language read. Potential legal implications of partisan messaging Richard Painter, former White House ethics lawyer for former President George W. Bush and a University of Minnesota professor of corporate law, says the White House website update isn’t a clear-cut violation of the Hatch Act, which restricts the political activities of federal employees, “unless the official statement mentions candidates, elections or campaign slogans,” though he says it may violate rules about lobbying. “I do think, however, this is probably part of a coordinated executive branch campaign to lobby Congress, and thus this in combination with the agency web pages and emails probably violates statutory restrictions on use of taxpayer money to lobby Congress,” Painter tells Fast Company. Donald Sherman, executive director and chief counsel at the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, said while it’s not a Hatch Act violation, “agency employees are legally bound to provide nonpartisan service to their constituents.” “A government shutdown causes stress for the public regardless of political affiliation; it is wildly inappropriate for agency leadership to politicize the situation and blame political enemies,” Sherman said. A civic institution meets cable news spin Other government agencies have communicated the shutdown online without partisan messaging, like NASA, which has a banner that reads “Due to the lapse in federal government funding, NASA is not updating this website. The White House took a far less neutral stance—though the website displayed toned-down rhetoric by Wednesday afternoon. The news ticker swapped out its messaging blaming Democrats for the shutdown with an update to watch the White House press briefing, during which Vice President JD Vance made a surprise cameo and said he doesn’t think the shutdown will be long. After the briefing, whitehouse.gov scrapped the news ticker. The countdown clock on the White House homepage reading “Democrats Have Shut Down The Government” above its top navigation, however, remains. View the full article

Data for September reveals continuing impact of payroll tax increases on hiring and employmentView the full article

Greater Manchester Police said four people were hit by car and also suffered stab woundsView the full article

As the government shutdown stalls key housing programs, lenders are shifting tactics to keep loans moving and preparing for bigger challenges ahead. View the full article

It looks like it could be sitting on the campus of any number of major universities across the country, but this sleek, glass-lined educational building is far from the conventional teaching space: It’s a new training facility for the Ironworkers Local 63 union in Chicago. The training facility is being used to give young ironworkers hands-on experience welding, climbing, and installing the essential elements that underlie buildings around the world. As anxiety snowballs over just which professions will survive the emergence of artificial intelligence, physical trades like ironwork are seeming more and more AI proof—the building itself a counterargument to the perception that a promising career path necessarily starts at a university. The building was designed by architecture and design firm Gensler and is located in the town of Broadview on the outskirts of Chicago. It’s a school of hopefully no hard knocks, where apprentice ironworkers will learn to move and weld multi-ton pieces of steel inside what is essentially a giant glass jewel box. Despite the role’s name, ironwork involves a wide range of construction processes that go far beyond welding massive metal beams. More than half the union’s work in recent years has been installing glass curtain walls­—the smooth facades that shimmer on skyscrapers the world over. Paul Wende saw the trendlines. He’s the union’s business manager, financial secretary, and treasurer, and he set out to give the unionworkers a place to refine those skills without having to learn on the job. “Everything we do has to line up. Everything from the floors to the ceilings tie into the horizontals on the windows. Everything goes off of that glass. So it’s got to be perfect. The architects really go over it with a fine-tooth comb,” he says. “Well, if you’ve got to be perfect, you better train on it.” “The West Point of training centers” Rather than just finding empty space in a workaday warehouse, Wende had a higher vision for the facility. “What I wanted to do was turn that school into the West Point of training centers,” he says. Wende might have had his mind on the upper echelons of the U.S. military, but it was another local trade union that became the true model to follow. In the mid-2010s, the Chicago Plumbers Union opened a state-of-the-art training facility that brought its apprentice workers out of a musty basement and into a clean, well-lit educational building. Gensler also designed that building, and Wende approached the firm’s Chicago office seeking a project suited to his own union’s trade. The building is a teaching tool for future IW 63 workers The design that emerged is an elegant three-story building wrapped in curving dark glass on its front side, and highlighted with a bright red “IW 63” sign on its corner. Inside, it’s specially outfitted with structures and tools that are used on a daily basis by ironworkers when they’re erecting buildings and installing their facades. “They can build and then disassemble an entire three-story building within the space that they can then install curtain wall on,” says Scott Hurst, a principal at Gensler who led the project. “The building itself is an instrument. It’s a teaching tool.” Hurst says the entire building was designed to offer educational opportunities. There’s a bridge crane at the top of the space that can move five-ton iron beams, and the structure that holds up that crane can also be used to practice rigging and panel installation. There’s a central spiral staircase (another ironworker installation task), revolving and sliding doors (ditto), operable skylights (ditto), and solar panels (ditto). “When you think of all of the things that you might find Local 63 performing out in the field, this building is really meant to embody those and demonstrate those in a kind of real way,” Hurst says. The exterior is also a reflection of the trade’s abilities. The shape of the glass facade, with its slight concave curvature, was inspired by a weld bead, and is meant to evoke the elegant side of what ironworkers can do. In an architecturally rich city like Chicago, Local 63 has had more than its share of high-profile projects, from the skyscraper thrill experience Tilt on the 94th floor of the John Hancock building to the mirrored polish of the Bean. For Wende, it was important that the training facility had some of the same architectural panache. “We do all this cool, ornate stuff and no one ever really knew who we were,” he says. “Until now.” The Gensler-designed training center is also a marketing tool The building has garnered its own kind of celebrity status, hosting local politicians, events, and training sessions for visiting ironworkers. Within the first week of the building’s opening it hosted an international ironworkers competition, where ironworkers were speed-climbing the columns inside the facility and rigging up cross beams. It’s also part of the way the union aims to attract new talent. Wende says there’s been consistent interest in the union for years, but the new building only broadens the trade’s appeal. “It is a marketing tool beyond belief for what we do and who we are,” Wende says. Making the building work for ironworkers and lure in the next generation became a major part of the design process. “As we think about Gen Z and their changing appetites towards what might be future-proof careers, recognizing that if we want people to take pride in the craftsmanship and the work that they do, they deserve facilities that fill them with that pride,” Hurst says. Beyond the trade, the building is beneficial to the architecture and development community. While ironworkers use the facility to train, builders and designers can use it to test out new ways of making buildings. “All the questions that a contractor might have when it comes to how to construct something, or the ease of construction, or even cost concerns, can be alleviated by taking them through a facility like this,” Hurst says. The facility had one extra benefit for the union itself. Local 63’s own union ironworkers helped build the project. Job security is literally built in. View the full article

David Droga was the face of Accenture Song even before it was called Accenture Song. The ad legend sold his agency Droga5 to Accenture’s creative advertising and marketing division then-called Accenture Interactive in 2019. He became CEO of that division in 2021, and rebranded Interactive as Accenture Song in 2022. So when he stepped down in May, the $20 billion company was not only losing its CEO, it was also losing the voice of the agency. Named to lead the new era was Ndidi Oteh, who comes from leading Song’s operations in the Americas, and has been at Accenture for about 14 years, where in her previous role she was the global account lead for Nike, and retail industry strategy and consulting lead for the West Coast. Earlier this month, Oteh officially sat down behind the CEO desk. Song is facing a lot of the same challenges as the rest of the advertising and marketing services industry: layoffs, restructuring, and shifting client budgets—all as AI wreaks havoc on the traditional ways of doing business. But its new CEO believes it has the tools and capabilities to thrive. Droga once told AdAge, “You either grow into the future or you’re shrinking into the past.” Oteh says that thanks to Droga’s vision of bringing creativity together with Accenture’s technology and business services, Song has had a head start in preparing for the future of marketing and advertising. Despite its size, Song is still just about 30% of Accenture’s overall business. The larger parent is a broad, global consultancy that specializes in digital transformation and operations efficiency. Not only does this give Song the opportunity to pair its capabilities with Accenture’s, it also shields it from some of the ebb and flow of the ad industry as those industries figure out how to navigate a world where success means more than producing great creative. “This isn’t a conversation about having a great Super Bowl ad, one could argue it never was,” she says. “The reality is now, we aren’t only talking about marketing. We’re talking about marketing, customer service, social commerce, sales, creating digital products, and how that should all be powered by AI. We have always had the right pieces, but we are now connecting all of it in a way that’s very different.” Industry of one In Accenture’s most recent earnings report, released last week, Song’s revenue was up by 8% to $20 billion. Despite the positive results, Song is not immune to the shifts in its business. As of September 1, Accenture bundled services including strategy, consulting, Song, technology, and operations into a single integrated business unit called Reinvention Services. Song’s parent company, which has a workforce of about 800,000, also laid off more than 11,000 employees over the last three months as part of a $865 million restructuring program. The holding company model is in a state of flux, with significant consolidation reflecting the need for greater efficiency. Omnicom and Interpublic are merging to create the world’s largest advertising and marketing services holding company. Publicis recently combined Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett into a single entity called Leo. The promise of the holding company model has always been to deliver world-class creative and strategy at scale, with technology, media, and everything else all under one roof. Traditionally, a major hurdle has been overcoming the fact that most of these capabilities are from separate companies, gradually acquired by the holding company, and silo’d from each other in a way that is both confusing and inefficient for the clients. Companies under the same parent have often been competing against each other more than collaborating, with clients complaining about workflow bottlenecks and a lack of consistency. All the recent consolidation is an effort to strip away these barriers. In 2022, Song itself consolidated a number of the creative agencies under its roof, moving all but Droga5 under one P&L. Song has made more acquisitions in the last few years. In August, it acquired social and influencer agency Superdigital. And in 2024, it bought consumer engagement firm Unlimited, digital design and tech agency Work & Co., and Brazilian creative shop Soko. Oteh says that Song approaches acquisitions through the lens of capability, building, and expansion. “In most cases, we either already have the capability, and we’re saying we want to do more, or we’re saying we see this is where the future is heading, and we want to make sure that we have it,” she says. The key is how it’s integrated into the company as a whole. “How do we embed it so all of us lift, not that there’s just this siloed organization?” she says. “If we can’t, that doesn’t help you drive reinvention. Our clients are asking for a company that understands how everything’s connected, how to bring people together, and how to bring different functions and capabilities to be able to drive those harmonized customer experiences.” Oteh says Song sits apart from the ad holding companies by virtue of its own parent company. “I don’t really think about where Accenture fits in comparison to holding companies,” says Oteh. “Song is powered by Accenture, and that means the foundation of technology. Actually understanding your data—what it takes to build an AI infrastructure—is what Accenture does every day. In many cases, Accenture is already helping them with the infrastructure, so that allows us to have different types of insights into what they need to do to really make sure they’re driving growth with their customers. I think that puts us in what feels a little bit like an industry of one.” Growth engine CMO A decade ago, Oteh says that many CMOs had given away a lot of the core components of their brands’ connections to the customer. The technology teams owned the consumer data, as well as the strategy around digital tools like e-commerce. In too many C-suites, the CMO was brand-only. Oteh says this has shifted dramatically. “They were spending a lot of time talking about what to build from a messaging and marketing perspective, but the other core components of what it takes to truly understand your customer had been given out,” she says. “Now, there’s not a CMO today who is not talking about two things: First, I have to do more with less. And second, getting better insight out of my customer data to drive forward.” For Oteh, CMOs should be the growth engine again for their company, instead of marketing being the first stop when cuts need to be made. “The CMO wants to be at the center again, and in order to do that, they have to really make sure that they’re modernizing the way in which they work,” she says. “Maybe gone are the days where you have 100 different agencies that you’re working with. Maybe gone are the days that you’re spending most of your time doing your operational tasks that truly can be done through AI. There has to be a transition, and every single CMO that we talk to today is saying, ‘How do you help us get there?'” Back in 2022, Droga told me the key to Song’s success was about making sure that it can effectively combine its strengths with those of the rest of Accenture’s capabilities. Now, Oteh says the real challenge is to do everything they’ve been doing, but faster. “So many of the opportunities that we’ve had over the past year are not just about marketing, but about sales, customer service, design, building a product, and connectivity to finance,” she says. “And that did not used to happen at the rate that is happening now.” View the full article