David Lidsky's Blog, page 43

4 tips to reduce the crazy costs of auto insurance for teen drivers

If you thought teaching your teenager how to drive was terrifying, you clearly haven’t seen their auto insurance premiums yet.

Learning to drive may be a major rite of passage for American teenagers, but it’s also the leading cause of stress eating for their parents–and for good reason. Compared to drivers who are 20 years old or older, teenagers’ crash rates per mile driven are nearly four times as high.

From ‘AI washing’ to ‘sloppers,’ 5 AI slang terms you need to know

The AI backlash is brewing.

While Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and other AI industry leaders can’t stop singing the praises of the technology, a growing number of average Americans are forming a different opinion. 

New study finds coffee is good for you, but there’s a catch

Researchers at Tufts University analyzed the coffee-drinking habits of more than 45,000 Americans. Here’s what they found.

Coffee drinking has been studied for decades as researchers have aimed to answer one burning question: Is it good for you? Or is it better to stick to joyless drinks like, you know, tap water and mint tea? While there have been cases for just about every argument, one recently published study in The Journal of Nutrition just added another check in the “healthy” column. 

How nonprofits should (and shouldn’t) be using tech

Technology could help solve the world’s largest problems, but nonprofits are slow to adapt it.

Businesses have long leaned on cutting-edge technology to maximize profits, while the nonprofit sector has traditionally been slower to incorporate innovations such as AI. But if we want to tackle the world’s most pressing social problems, that must change, says philanthropist and MacArthur Genius grant recipient Jim Fruchterman in a new book.  

America’s first needle-free, at-home flu vaccine is now available

FDA-approved FluMist Home brings a live, weakened flu virus to your nose—so you can keep the real thing out of your lungs.

There’s one less excuse to skip the flu shot this season. 

Who’s paying for Big Tech’s energy binge? You might be!

Technology giants are spending trillions on energy-hungry data centers—and everyday Americans are footing the bill.

If cooling your house down during this summer’s heat wave is costing you an arm and a leg, you can blame AI.

Americans are turning to solar panels that can fit on a balcony or deck

Small-scale solar systems could become attractive to more homeowners looking for affordable options after President Trump’s budget bill cut residential rooftop solar tax credits.

When Terrence Dwyer received a knock on his door and a flyer for a solar panel system small enough to fit on his deck, he was quickly sold. Solar systems that plug into regular wall outlets have been popular in Europe for years and are gaining traction in the U.S. for their affordability and simple installation.

This TikTok Trend will make you want to learn again—with a catch

From French cinema to baking cookies, a viral trend has adults building monthly lesson plans for the subjects they actually want to learn.

Back-to-school season is almost here—even for those who have already graduated to adulthood. 

The FDA is warning you not to use this cookware—it could be poisoning your food with lead

The alert came this week after tests showed certain cookware made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys was unsafe. Here’s what to look out for.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers and retailers not to sell or use certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead.

What really happens when workers learn the truth about salaries

Research finds that giving employees accurate pay reference points can correct inflated assumptions—and improve satisfaction.

At many companies, discussing salaries is considered a taboo that’s kept to whispered conversations around the watercooler or brief mentions during after-work drinks. But, according to a new study, a lack of pay transparency among peers in the workplace might be damaging employee morale.