Bûche De Noël
Monday, December 16th, 2024
World Events and Politics — Han Dong-hoon Resigned
Han Dong-hoon stepped down as the leader of South Korea's ruling People Power Party after deciding to support the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday. Han acknowledged that his position had become untenable. He was among 12 PPP MPs who defected to vote with the opposition in favor of impeaching Yoon for his brief and contentious attempt to impose martial law.
Science and Technology — AI’s Emission Are About to Skyrocket Even Further
MIT Technology Review
The current AI boom is significantly increasing energy consumption, particularly in data centers. In the US, carbon emissions from these facilities have tripled since 2018, accounting for 105 million metric tons of CO2 and 4.59% of the country's energy usage. Data centers, which power AI models like ChatGPT and other cloud services, require substantial energy for server operation and cooling, often relying on "dirty" energy sources due to their location in coal-producing regions. As AI models transition from simple text generators to more complex image, video, and music generators, energy demand is expected to escalate further, with emissions likely to skyrocket. Researchers have developed a data portal to track these emissions, aiming to inform future regulatory efforts to curb the environmental impact, although significant regulatory changes are not anticipated in the near future.
Business and Finance — Winner and Loser of the Restaurant Industry in 2024
CNBC
In 2024, the restaurant industry experienced a challenging year marked by a significant drop in consumer visits, leading to fierce competition for a reduced customer base. This resulted in 26 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings, including notable chains like Red Lobster and TGI Fridays. However, some chains thrived by focusing on value, with Chili's leveraging savvy promotions to attract diners, and fast-casual eateries like Cava and Wingstop benefiting from the segment's growth. Fast-food chains struggled, with traffic declining nearly 2% despite value meal promotions, as consumers, particularly those with lower incomes, opted for cheaper alternatives or cooking at home. Meanwhile, chicken-focused chains like Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's saw success due to stable chicken prices and consumer health perceptions, while burger chains like McDonald's faced setbacks from an E. Coli outbreak but showed signs of recovery with new value offerings. Taco Bell emerged as a winner with consistent same-store sales growth, attributed to its value perception and innovative marketing, while casual dining chains like Chili's and Olive Garden managed to outperform despite the segment's overall decline.
Health and Wellness — Should You Drink in the Cold?
Health
Alcohol consumption in cold weather poses significant risks due to several physiological and behavioral effects. Firstly, alcohol creates a misleading sense of warmth by dilating blood vessels near the skin, which can actually lower your core body temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia—a condition where body temperature drops below 35°C, potentially leading to fatal outcomes if not treated promptly. Additionally, alcohol impairs judgment and decision-making, which might lead to risky behaviors like not wearing adequate clothing in freezing conditions or underestimating the cold. This 'beer jacket' effect can be particularly dangerous as it reduces the body's natural responses to cold, like shivering, making one more susceptible to the cold. Furthermore, alcohol affects balance and spatial awareness, heightening the chances of accidents on icy surfaces. To mitigate these risks, it's advisable to plan your journey home, stay with friends, wear warm clothing, and adhere to low-risk drinking guidelines, such as not exceeding 14 units of alcohol per week spread over several days, to minimize health risks associated with alcohol consumption in cold weather.
Baking — Buche De Noel
I'm excited to guide you through creating a stunning Yule Log, or Bûche De Noël, with a detailed recipe, step-by-step photos, and a full video tutorial. This classic Christmas dessert, designed to look like a log, begins with a rich cocoa sponge cake, which we'll then fill with a luscious cocoa hazelnut whipped cream. The cake is then adorned with a smooth chocolate ganache and can be further embellished with whimsical touches like meringue mushrooms, sugared cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for an enchanting, frosty effect. While this dessert might seem complex, it's entirely achievable in your own kitchen, promising to be a showstopper at your holiday table!
Song Recommendation — High On Life by Martin Garrix
Quote of the Day
“I love you sometimes foolishly and at these moments I do not understand that I could not, would not, and should not be so absorbing a thought for you as you are for me…” — Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt, born on October 22, 1811, in Raiding, Hungary, was a virtuoso pianist, composer, and teacher who became renowned throughout Europe for his technical brilliance and innovative compositions during the Romantic period. He developed the symphonic poem and was a pioneer in piano technique, influencing many future musicians with his works like the "Faust Symphony" and "Hungarian Rhapsodies". Liszt's later years were marked by a "tripartite existence," dividing his time between teaching in Weimar, composing in Rome, and directing the Hungarian Royal Academy of Music in Budapest.
enjoy the monday!