David Lidsky's Blog, page 99

Optimize messaging to stand out during a chaotic news cycle

Four ways to break through the noise so your organization can be heard.

In today’s media environment, even the most compelling stories risk being drowned out by the sheer volume of breaking news, commentary, and developments. Each hour seems to bring a new wave of headlines and alerts. The pace and amount of information in this nonstop news cycle makes it increasingly difficult for mission-driven organizations to rise above the noise and make their voices heard.

The grid may fail, airports shouldn’t

Why we need new ways to keep power consistent at airports

The power always comes back on.

ICE’s new rules for Congress: 72 hours’ notice or risk arrest

The agency insists its field offices aren’t detention centers—but critics say the change keeps lawmakers in the dark.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed new restrictions on congressional visits, a policy change that is likely to escalate tensions between the controversial federal law enforcement agency and its critics.

How Windsurf turned its AI coding brand into something cool enough to wear

Following the reports of a $3 billion acquisition by OpenAI, Windsurf is showing off a new logo courtesy of Metalab.

​​Anshul Ramachandran knew they’d landed on something special when engineers started having opinions about color palettes. “Probably one of my favorite moments was when we showed other people at the company the brand book for the first time and I heard the audible ‘wows’ and ‘ahs,’” the head of product and strategy at Windsurf says. “If you can get a bunch of engineers in a room to do that about colors and lines, you probably did something that works.”

Windsurf, formerly known as Codeium, is an AI-based development environment reportedly bought last month by Open AI for $3 billion—30 times its valuation. Ramachandran’s clients are mainly engineers, and so any redesign needed to speak directly to them. So Windsurf enlisted Vancouver design agency Metalab to create a visual identity that looks more like athletic gear than business software. The result breaks every rule about how tech companies are supposed to look.

Late for work. Laid off. Office romance. What your dreams about work might really mean

The topics of your work dreams can give you important messages, but not in the way you might think.

Ever dream about work? Have nightmares? According to a survey by the mattress review site EachNight.com, nearly two-thirds of us have job-related dreams that cause us to wake up stressed out and worried. Instead of shrugging them off, you might want to take note. 

Forget chocolate! The world now envies Switzerland’s zero interest rates

The Swiss National Bank cut rates to zero to ease pressure from a surging franc, but stopped short of reentering negative territory.

The world envies Swiss chocolate, army knives, and now . . . interest rates?

Ear wax may hold the key to early Parkinson’s diagnosis

A Chinese study found four compounds in ear wax that could reliably signal Parkinson’s—and AI made the diagnosis.

An unlikely body byproduct may be able to help doctors diagnose Parkinson’s Disease early. 

You don’t need to accomplish things to matter

You are more than your to-do list.

Not long ago, a client of mine—let’s call her Maya—shared something that struck me.

How Cisco has been quietly retooling for the AI revolution

The networking giant is carving out key networking and security roles for itself within the AI technology stack.

Welcome to AI Decoded, Fast Company’s weekly newsletter that breaks down the most important news in the world of AI. You can sign up to receive this newsletter every week here.

Carnival is overhauling its cruise rewards program: Changes, launch dates to know

Bye-bye VIFP: Carnival joins a wave of brands tweaking loyalty programs to focus on dollars spent.

Rewards programs are getting revamps all over the place. Earlier this week, JPMorgan Chase announced major changes to its Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards credit card. That announcement came shortly after competitor American Express teased an upcoming overhaul to its premium Platinum rewards card.