How Lucky Am I ...
Monday, January 27th, 2025
World Events — American Tariff on Colombia
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump announced he would impose 25% emergency tariffs on all Colombian imports (increasing to 50% within a week) and implement sanctions after Colombia refused to allow two U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants to land. The measures include travel restrictions on Colombian government officials, banking sanctions, and enhanced customs inspections. The dispute arose over flights carrying 160 people out of 350 Colombians scheduled for deportation, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro objecting to the use of military aircraft and the conditions of transport. This move has disrupted decades of warm relations between the two countries, rattled global markets, and could significantly impact Colombia's economy, particularly affecting major exports like oil, gold, coffee, and flowers.
Tech — Parents’ Have a Worse Relationship to Tech Than Their Kids
Bloomberg Weekend Edition
Parents are increasingly contributing to their children's technology-related challenges by modeling poor digital habits themselves, sacrificing social connections, and becoming overly dependent on their children. According to Danah Boyd, parents are now more problematic in their technology use than their children, spending excessive time on phones and demonstrating a lack of meaningful social interactions. This behavior not only sets a poor example for teenagers but also contributes to a toxic home environment that can negatively impact youth mental health, as recent CDC data suggests. By neglecting their own friendships and becoming consumed with managing their children's lives, parents are inadvertently creating a cycle of isolation and stress that drives young people to seek connection through technology, rather than addressing the underlying social disconnection.
Business — Trump and Crypto
The Economists
The Trump administration's embrace of cryptocurrency and digital assets is set to transform American finance, marking a stark departure from the Biden administration's cautious approach. The president-elect's promotion of his own meme cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, and the creation of a government department named after Dogecoin signal a new era of crypto-friendly policies. This shift is already impacting Wall Street, with regulators easing restrictions on banks' involvement in digital assets. The changes are expected to lead to new forms of risk-taking and potential clashes between traditional banks and digital upstarts. While this crypto-fication of mainstream finance presents opportunities for innovation and profit, it also raises concerns about increased volatility and vulnerability to market fluctuations. Critics, including former regulators, warn of the dangers of tying bank deposits to crypto prices, citing past failures like the collapses of Silvergate and Signature banks. As America embraces risk across various sectors, the merger of Wall Street and blockchain technology under the Trump administration's guidance could yield valuable innovations but also poses significant potential costs if managed poorly.
Health — Why Many Parents Can be OK With Hitting a Child, but Not a Pet?
Many parents justify spanking children as a form of discipline while rejecting the idea of hitting pets, revealing a troubling double standard in attitudes towards corporal punishment. A recent study found that 30% of American parents deemed hitting children acceptable, compared to only 17% for pets, highlighting a conflicted view of spanking as both a form of hitting and a less severe action. This inconsistency stems from outdated beliefs about child-rearing and the misconception that spanking serves an educational purpose. However, extensive research demonstrates that physical punishment leads to increased aggression, antisocial behavior, and mental health problems in children. The justification for spanking as "educational" or "cultural" often masks parents' inner conflict and awareness that it stems more from adult dysregulation than a conscious decision to teach a lesson. Recognizing this logical fallacy and embracing positive discipline strategies can help break the cycle of trauma and foster healthier parent-child relationships.
Smoothie Bar — Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie
All recipes
Song Rec — Spring Snow (10CM)
Quote of the Day
“I used to believe in forever, but forever’s too good to be true.” — Winnie the Pooh
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — Winnie the Pooh
Have a wonderful monday