Why Tech Industry Layoffs Aren’t Going Away

A man organizing paper at his desk in an office.

Will tech industry layoffs slow down this year? Why are companies cutting jobs? What can tech workers do to navigate the rocky landscape? Thousands of tech professionals are out of work as industry layoffs persist in 2024, raising concerns about the sector’s stability. Big tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have announced more layoffs for the future, prompted by post-pandemic hiring corrections and strategic pivots to focus on AI. Here’s a closer look at who’s getting laid off and why.

What the Houthi Red Sea Attacks Mean for Global Trade

A cargo ship parting the ocean.

What do the Houthi Red Sea attacks mean for global trade? What sparked the attacks? Will there be long-term effects on the world economy? Houthi rebels’ targeted attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have disrupted one of the world’s busiest trade routes. To avoid the assaults, more commercial vessels are taking detours, which is raising shippers’ operational costs and disrupting the global supply chain. Keep reading for a background on the Houthi attacks and how they may affect the world economy.

How the Great Wealth Transfer Might Disrupt the Economy

A woman smiling while holding a document titled "Will & Testament."

Who will benefit from the upcoming Great Wealth Transfer? How could it possibly destabilize the entire economy? A significant financial shift called the Great Wealth Transfer is anticipated in the coming decades as baby boomers pass down their capital to millennials and Gen Zers. However, experts predict these inheritances will disproportionately favor those who are already wealthy.  Here’s a look at who might benefit from the wealth transfer and how it could disrupt the economy.

The World Economic Forum 2024: Takeaways & Critiques

The logo for the World Economic Forum.

What was discussed at the World Economic Forum 2024? What are the biggest critiques around the gathering of elites? In January, global leaders in the public and private sectors converged at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland to talk about issues like the economy, geopolitical conflicts, and the environment. While it’s brought about some meaningful change, its participants are often skittish around sensitive topics. Here’s a background on what Davos is and this year’s key takeaways.

APEC Meeting 2023: Counterbalancing China (NPR News Now)

A scale balancing United States and Vietnam flag

Where did the APEC meeting (2023) take place? What national leaders did President Biden meet with? What signal might this send to China? President Biden’s recent meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in San Francisco holds significant implications for US-Mexico relations. The meeting coincided with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Continue reading for a summary of this podcast episode from NPR News Now.

Whatever Works: The Satisficing Model of Decision-Making

A man trying to make a decision

How does perfectionism go against our unconscious mind? How do we innately seek safety and minimize failure? In Alchemy, Rory Sutherland suggests that to solve economic and political problems, we should leverage people’s illogical—and even magical—ways of thinking. One of these is our unconscious desire to go with whatever works rather than the best possible solution. Keep reading to learn about the satisficing model of decision-making and how to make it work for you.

How Assumptions in Economics and Business Miss the Mark

An arrow missing a giant target bullseye

What’s wrong with the math and statistics that go into economic and business models? How effective are market questionnaires? Rory Sutherland insists that, for the most part, the study of economics is completely detached from the realities of human behavior. In his book Alchemy, he provides advice on how economists and business leaders should go about truly understanding what drives consumer choices. Continue reading to learn why Sutherland believes that significant assumptions in economics and business are faulty.

The Limitations of Logic: How It Fails to Decode Human Behavior

A Logic Limit Ahead road sign in front of mountains

In what disciplines does logic come up short? When does unreason triumph over logic? To be clear, Rory Sutherland doesn’t attack logic as a tool for scientific understanding, but he warns against using pure rationalism as the only method for guiding policy and business decisions. Humans are illogical beings, so any solution to human-centered problems must factor unreason into the equation. Continue reading to understand the limitations of logic.

The US Rail System Wants to Upgrade to High-Speed Trains

A train going at high speed next to a field

What’s the history of the US rail system? Why has the US long failed to prioritize high-speed rail construction? Will there ever be a high-speed train in the US? The US Department of Transportation’s recent commitment of $6 billion to high-speed rail, fueled by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, could ignite further development in domestic rail service. Despite the government’s renewed focus on high-speed rail, serious challenges remain. Here’s an overview of the conversation about the US rail system.