David Lidsky's Blog, page 246

How Colorado’s formerly incarcerated people battled extreme weather behind bars

Exposure to extreme heat, and other hazards caused by climate change, are not unique to Colorado’s prisons and jails.

Incarcerated people in Colorado are exposed to climate-related extreme heat and cold, plus flooding and wildfires. Because they’re unable to escape these hazards, their health suffers and some die.

Feeling lonely? Here are 5 strategies to build meaningful connections

Despite being more digitally connected than ever, our society is experiencing record-breaking loneliness.

Natalie Kerr and Jaime Kurtz are social psychologists and colleagues in the department of psychology at James Madison University. Kerr’s work has been published in many academic journals, and she also writes for Psychology Today. Kurtz has also appeared in a variety of psychology journals, and previously authored The Happy Traveler, Positively Happy, and two Audible Original programs.

Why the future of talent recruitment is meritocratic

It’s common for investment companies like ours to look to the most prestigious schools, but the fact is, most of the world’s best talent is elsewhere.

In a world where innovation drives success, the most valuable asset a company can secure is exceptional people. Great talent is the common denominator across all successful companies. 

$TRUMP was just the beginning: The new administration is finding all sorts of ways to cash in

Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Mark Zuckerberg know that when a president chases a payday this hard, no one has to be shy about following his lead.

At President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell took the stage to pray for the incoming administration, peppering his remarks with ham-fisted allusions to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech from some six decades earlier. That same day, Sewell—a longtime Trump booster who spoke at the Republican National Convention and hosted the candidate at his church in June—took the logical next step in his quest for conservative influencer superstardom: launch a meme coin and watch rubes throw their hard-earned money at it.

Home price forecasts for 380 regional housing markets: Zillow Vs. Moody’s

Here’s where metro area home prices are expected to go in 380 housing markets, according to forecasts by Zillow and Moody’s.

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter.

How a century-old traffic policy made streets deadly for pedestrians

L.A.’s Traffic Ordinance quickly became the template across the country.

The city of Los Angeles has rightfully gripped the nation’s attention this month as wildfires rage on. While the devastation induced by our changing climate demands superhuman effort to squelch it, the transportation sector (stubbornly responsible for the greatest share of U.S. emissions) is ironically observing a significant milestone. January 24, 2025, marked the centennial of the implementation of the Traffic Ordinance for the City of Los Angeles. This 35-page bureaucratic document redefined the use of America’s streets, tailoring them to the benefit of the automotive industry.

Why tech in Congress lags behind the modern world

Congressional staff serve in thousands of district offices across the nation, and their communications technology doesn’t match that of most businesses and even many homes.

On a typical day, you can’t turn on the news without hearing someone say that Congress is broken. The implication is that this dereliction explains why the institution is inert and unresponsive to the American people.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may have health benefits, but they come with risks

With with GLP-1 drugs, gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are among the most common adverse effects.

Several years ago, a little-known drug named Ozempic—previously used only to treat diabetes—emerged as a promising new drug for weight management.

How Farmer’s Fridge took over U.S. airports

The company that put salads in a jar is eyeing sushi next.

If you have spent any time traveling in the U.S. over the past 10 years, you may have noticed a curious vending machine filled with jars. Instead of crinkle-cut chips or wired earbuds for that movie you want to watch on the plane, these vending machines sell freshly made apple pecan salads, blueberry chia overnight oats, and mediterranean bowls. They are run by a company called Farmer’s Fridge, and they are slowly taking over airports in the U.S.

How climate change is breaking insurance—and theatening the global economy

In a world impacted by increasing climate risk, traditional insurance models no longer apply.

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have made one threat very clear: Climate change is undermining the insurance systems American homeowners rely on to protect themselves from catastrophes. This breakdown is starting to become painfully clear as families and communities struggle to rebuild.