David Lidsky's Blog, page 229

The rise of the sidepreneurs

How hourly workers are turning side hustles into success

In today’s evolving workforce, a growing number of individuals are embracing a new identity: the sidepreneur. These are people who, in addition to their traditional jobs, are launching entrepreneurial ventures on the side. They’re not just taking on additional work—they’re creating new opportunities to pursue passions, build wealth, and gain control over their financial futures. From moonlighting chefs to weekend photographers, tech consultants by day, and digital creators by night, sidepreneurs are the embodiment of resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The laziest revolution is dancing on graves

We voted for this healthcare system. Like it or not, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was doing what the system pushes—maximizing profits.

When the news first broke, I was appalled three times after hearing about the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. First, that this man was gunned down in the streets and his killer was at large. Second, when I learned that UnitedHealthcare rejects 33% of its claims, over five times that of competitors like Kaiser Permanente, which has a 6% claims rejection rate. Lastly, what shocked me most was seeing some people in a comedy Facebook group I’m in celebrating his death. One post featured a meme saying, “I hope he dies,” in response to news that he was shot.

‘We run the risk of another Great Recession’: People should be outraged by Trump’s efforts to kill CFPB

The financial watchdog, created in the wake of the financial crisis, gives consumers a direct outlet for complaints. It polls strongly with both parties.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is in the Trump administration’s crosshairs.

Meta’s AI randomly tried to throw a weird party for me—that I never asked for

After I made a quip on Facebook about a Super Bowl ad, Meta’s AI curiously created a party invitation for me—and Puppy Monkey Baby.

Everyone has a favorite moment from Super Bowl LIX. Eagles fans likely will long cherish the decisive victory over the Chiefs. Some will discuss Kendrick Lamar’s game-changing halftime show. Me? I was happy to see Puppy Monkey Baby again.

Hating on Chiefs, Taylor Swift booed, Kendrick Lamar’s victory rap: Why the Super Bowl was a big game of disses

From the football field to the halftime stage, New Orleans hosted a ‘hater bowl’ last night.

In the span of three plays in the second quarter of the most-watched event on television, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked multiple times before launching the football soaring through midair—only for it to be intercepted and returned for a touchdown by his team’s opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles. And as that series of unfortunate events unfolded for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, it seemed America rejoiced.

Winter weather warning: 3 storms forecast to dump snow on 40 states this week. Here’s where they’re hitting

Back-to-back winter storms are predicted to affect 29 million Americans across the country. Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Tuesday morning until Wednesday morning, as back-to-back winter storms are predicted to affect much of the nation this week.

OpenAI shouldn’t accept Elon Musk’s $97 billion bid to buy it

The eye-popping bid is a cheekily cheap bid, which should discount it from being taken seriously. But with Musk near the Trump White House, what happens next is anyone’s guess.

Let’s say you own one of the most valuable homes in a lush, gated community that has been earmarked as a future point of growth for decades to come. One day, a letter appears in your mailbox, offering to buy your property for between a third and two-thirds of its value on the open market.

How volunteers are tracking losses in the USAID freeze

Within days, they launched a website, USAID Stop-Work, and a survey to document how many U.S. jobs have been lost as a result of the freeze on foreign assistance.

When U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department told their contractors to pause all work, Sadie Healy expected the impact to be “horrendous.”

Elon Musk’s $97 billion OpenAI bid could give the DOGE chief even more power in the AI race

Ownership of the nonprofit side of the business could give a Musk-led group a significant stake in the for-profit company.

A group of investors led by Elon Musk has given OpenAI an unsolicited offer of $97.4 billion to buy the nonprofit part of OpenAI. An attorney for the group submitted the bid to OpenAI Monday, the Wall Street Journal reports.

OpenAI to Super Bowl fans: This technology is about to change your life

CMO Kate Rouch discusses OpenAI’s ambition to build an iconic brand, the creative direction of its first big ad, and why it suited up for the Super Bowl.

The challenge is formidable: Create an ad campaign that somehow shows a brand’s integral role in a pivotal moment of human history. But also, like, make it fun?