A Million Reasons
Thursday, March 6th, 2025
World Events — Mr. Trump, Make Up Your Mind Please
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump has announced a one-month exemption from the newly imposed 25% tariffs on vehicle imports from Canada and Mexico, following appeals from automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This temporary reprieve applies to vehicles and parts compliant with the USMCA trade agreement, aiming to give manufacturers time to adjust operations and potentially relocate production to the U.S. The decision comes amid concerns over rising vehicle prices, supply chain disruptions, and economic fallout for North American automakers. While this delay temporarily boosted automaker stocks, the tariffs are set to resume on April 2, unless further negotiations yield a permanent resolution.
Tech — Google to Test a New AI Model
Bloomberg
Google has announced the testing of a new AI-powered search feature called AI Mode, designed to handle complex, multipart queries. This experimental feature, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0, uses a "query fan-out" technique to run multiple related searches simultaneously and compile a comprehensive response. AI Mode will initially be available to Google One AI Premium subscribers through Search Labs, offering advanced reasoning capabilities and the ability to process text, images, and video inputs. The new feature aims to provide more in-depth and diverse results than the existing AI Overviews, which are already used by over a billion people. Google is also expanding AI Overviews with Gemini 2.0 to handle more challenging questions in areas like coding and advanced math.
Business — Xi’s Rehauling of the Chinese Economy
Bloomberg
In response to increased tariffs from the US, China is shifting its economic focus towards domestic consumption to reduce reliance on external demand and achieve long-term growth goals. Premier Li Qiang emphasized "vigorously boosting consumption" as the government's top priority for 2025, aiming for a 5% growth target. This strategic shift involves making domestic demand the main engine of economic growth and prioritizing technological and industrial innovation. However, challenges remain in implementing these changes, including resistance from local governments incentivized to prioritize investment, costly policy prescriptions like revamping the tax code and expanding social safety nets, and internal trade barriers. China aims to restructure its government to favor consumption over investment, expand benefits to migrant workers, and strengthen its social safety net to encourage citizens to spend more.
Health — Getting Coffee With Your Younger Self
Verywell Mind
The "getting coffee with your younger self" exercise is a reflective practice combining visualization, meditation, and journaling, encouraging self-compassion and healing. Originating from a poem by Jenna Cecilia, this trend involves imagining a meeting with a younger version of oneself to offer comfort, advice, and understanding. This exercise helps reduce self-criticism, boost confidence, and foster self-forgiveness by reframing past experiences and acknowledging personal growth. While it offers emotional and psychological benefits such as uncovering unresolved feelings and strengthening one's sense of identity, it also has limitations, including the potential to idealize the past or stir up regret. To engage in the exercise, individuals can visit a coffee shop or meditate, setting a timer to reflect on their journey, offering kindness, and focusing on growth rather than dwelling on mistakes.
Baking — Orange Cookies
Craving some citrus dessert, some here is a recipe of orange cookies.
Pretty Kitchen
Song Rec — A Million Reasons (Lady Gaga)
Quote of the Day
“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”- Roald Dahl, The Twits