David Lidsky's Blog, page 82

AI can help e-commerce customers make sustainable choices

Consumers need to understand the environmental impact of one-day shipping.

E-commerce has become a powerful driver of global economic growth. In the wake of the pandemic, global online sales surged to an estimated $5.8 trillion USD in 2023—more than one-fifth of the total value of global financial services in 2023.

Full moon July 2025: Why is it called the ‘Buck Moon’ and when is the best time to see it?

This month’s full moon is named after a male deer, whose antlers typically reach their full size this time of year.

It’s that time of the month again when the moon eats too many carbs at its favorite delicatessen and becomes full. (Okay, that’s not the exact science behind it, but it’s a relatable metaphor.) What actually happens is the moon, Earth, and sun align, with the Earth becoming the sandwich meat.

Disney World is closing some classic rides to build its biggest land ever

Goodbye, Liberty Belle steamboat. Hello, Piston Peak. Disney is closing iconic attractions to construct the massive new parkland.

Several attractions at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park are now closed to guests in order to make room for a new land that’s being developed, Piston Peak National Park. The impacted attractions are located in Frontierland and Liberty Square. 

Who are the BRICS nations? Trump threatens extra 10% tariffs on countries sharing ‘anti-American’ policies

The president’s statement comes as the trading bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa is meeting in Rio de Janeiro this week.

President Donald Trump is threatening to add an additional 10% tariff on countries that align with the so-called “anti-American policies of BRICS,” after the group, which is currently meeting in Rio de Janeiro, issued a joint statement on Sunday criticizing Trump’s massive tariffs as “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.” The statement calls the tariffs “inconsistent with [World Trade Organization] WTO rules,” and it says they threaten to disrupt the global economy.

Your manager is probably using AI to decide whether to promote or fire you

According to a recent Resume Builder survey, 77% of managers have consulted AI to determine raises, as well as 66% for layoffs.

If you’re up for a raise anytime soon, chances are good that your manager will use AI to determine the amount in question—and, down the line, may even use AI to decide whether to fire you.

XBox exec suggests Microsoft laid off employees ask AI for help

In a deleted LinkedIn post Matt Turnbull suggested employees use AI to help with the “emotional load” of layoffs.

Last week, Microsoft laid off about 9,100 workers, which came just months after the company announced it would invest $80 billion in data centers for Artificial Intelligence. The impact of the job cuts was widely felt, particularly in the gaming sector of Microsoft. However, in the wake of the company axing thousands of workers, one executive gave some pretty ill-timed advice: he told the folks who lost their jobs to AI to, ya know, turn to AI to help them cope. Yikes.

This planet is drawing huge flares from its young star

The plight of HIP 67522 b illustrates the many circumstances under which exoplanets exist.

Scientists are tracking a large gas planet experiencing quite a quandary as it orbits extremely close to a young star—a predicament never previously observed.

Should you try a no-meeting week?

Five experts weigh in.

Knowledge‑workers spend roughly one working day every week, or 23% of their time, in a meeting. The weight of the workday often prevents employees from having uninterrupted time to concentrate, causing them to extend their hours well beyond the traditional 9-to-5. 

Plane yoga is going viral on EasyJet and Spirit Airlines

Some carriers are embracing midair yoga flows—and TikTok can’t get enough.

The last place you’d think of doing a downward dog? An airplane.

Real estate investors throw in the towel on hopes for lower 2025 mortgage rates

Among single-family investors, 57% believe mortgage rates will remain above 6.5% over the next 12 months—up sharply from 29% in Q4 2024.

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