David Lidsky's Blog, page 29

‘I try to read 5 books a month’: How Cal Newport keeps his creative muscles strong

The author of ‘Deep Work’ and ‘Slow Productivity’ on where he goes to think, how he structures his day around ideas, and why he slows down to be more productive.

Much of author and Georgetown University computer science professor Cal Newport’s work is about preparation. His books Deep Work and Slow Productivity, among others, make the argument for intention around productivity, creativity, collaboration, innovation, rest, reflection, and recovery. 

Do Trump’s tariffs mean you’ll pay more for the iPhone 17 next month?

Here’s how much you’re likely to pay.

If 2025 is the year of anything, it is the year of the tariff. Ever since President Trump unleashed his “Liberation Day” tariffs on the world in April, consumer confidence has slumped, businesses have laid off workers, and economic uncertainty has risen sharply.

Palantir is mapping government data. What it means for governance

The partnership between Palantir and the federal government raises fundamental questions about accountability in a data-driven state.

When the U.S. government signs contracts with private technology companies, the fine print rarely reaches the public. Palantir Technologies, however, has attracted more and more attention over the past decade because of the size and scope of its contracts with the government.

1 in 3 hiring managers won’t hire workers who don’t have AI skills

Despite the lack of clarity around how much value AI adds to companies, a new study finds AI skills are in high demand.

Companies are investing heavily in AI, in spite of the fact that they aren’t yet seeing a big return. A recent report from MIT found that 95% of organizations that have adopted AI haven’t seen any return on the investment at all. (However, the 5% of companies who are seeing the return are “extracting millions in value,” according to the report.)

‘Time to dream up some new’: will.i.am believes AI could be the next hip-hop

The relentless creative and entrepreneur tells ‘Fast Company’ about his approach to AI, why he supports regulation, and how he urges people to embrace their own imagination.

While another person might worry about AI cannibalizing their industry, will.i.am sees enormous potential in AI to change everything: from how we create music to the way we work.

How robot rabbits are saving the Everglades

The high-tech bait can help track down invasive Burmese pythons that are devastating native wildlife in Florida.

Florida’s Everglades are teeming with gigantic, invasive snakes, but a fluffy, high-tech solution is poised to help.

Bitcoin’s drop wasn’t random, but the cause may surprise you

Bitcoin’s slide below $110,000 this week wasn’t just another blip—it was sparked by a single move that shook the market.

Bitcoin has doubled its value and soared to mind-boggling highs over the last year, but the king of cryptocurrency stumbled a bit in late August.

‘Workers Over Billionaires’ Labor Day protests planned for all 50 states: Here’s what to know

The nationwide events are being spearheaded by a coalition of labor unions, community organizations, women’s rights groups, and concerned citizens.

On Labor Day, hundreds of thousands of protesters are planning to demonstrate against the Trump administration and billionaires “taking over the U.S. government” in more than 1,000 nationwide rallies and events, according to May Day Strong, an advocacy group organizing the protests.

Bet on the big idea—the only way to change the world

Incremental pharmaceutical advances won’t cure the most complex diseases.

“By 2005 or so, it will become clear that the Internet’s impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine’s.”

The New York Times paywalled the Mini Crossword, and the internet is in shambles

Players are raging across TikTok, Reddit, and X after discovering the Mini is now paywalled.

Bad news for morning routines everywhere: The New York Times has put its Mini Crossword behind a paywall.