Maybe youth isn't wasted on the young, after all. Having a full-time job, being financially independent, living on your own, getting married, having a child, quitting Twitter, and accepting the the results of presidential elections. Those are some of the milestones Americans associate with adulthood (OK, maybe I added a couple). Whatever your definition, it seems that young Americans are crossing the thresholds later than they used to. "In 2021, the most recent year with available data, 39% of 21-year-olds were working full time, compared with 64% in 1980. And only a quarter of people this age in 2021 were financially independent of their parents – meaning that their income was at least 150% of the poverty line – compared with 42% in 1980." Some of the data has to do with college attendance. Another driver, one assumes, has to do with the fact that living in your parents' house and Tik Toking all day is a hell of a lot better than the alternative. Pew: Young adults in the U.S. are reaching key life milestones later than in the past. (We have a clear agreement in my extended family. If my kids don't move out of my house, I'm moving back in with my mom.) 2We'll Leave the Light On for You"The public remains fascinated by the evocative beacons, which are popular tourist attractions, beloved local landmarks and the subject of countless photographers and artists, standing lonely but strong against tides and storms, day and night and flashing life-saving beams of light whatever the weather." But these days, thanks to GPS, lighthouses aren't as necessary for safety. That means, you can probably have one if you agree to take care of it. US to give away free lighthouses as GPS makes them unnecessary. (This kind of upkeep isn't for me. I can barely change a lightbulb, much less a lighthouse. Shoutout to my middle school teacher Ralph Shanks, author of the 1978 book, Lighthouses and Lifeboats on the Redwood Coast.) 3Mural ConundrumTaking ownership of a lighthouse and committing to its maintenance is something that one goes into knowingly. But what happens if the responsibility for an aspect of your property is thrust upon you? "Imagine one day you wake up and a famous artist has installed a mural on the side of your home—shooting up its value..." And also shooting up your blood pressure. Banksy Painted a Mural on a U.K. Couple’s Home. They Paid Nearly $250,000 to Get It Removed. 4Weekend WhatsWhat to Doc: From The Center for Investigative Reporting, Victim/Suspect on Netflix is a timely and extremely well-reported look at how young women who report sexual assaults actually end up getting arrested themselves. Right here, right now in America. The documentary is also an amazing look at what it takes to be a great investigative reporter. Please watch it and spread the word. 5Extra, ExtraSlave State: "Longstanding factors like conflict, repressive governments and supply chains are, in part, driving the worsening situation. But additional conditions — including the pandemic, climate-induced migration and rollbacks of women's rights — have also become major drivers as well." The number of people living in modern slavery is growing, reaching 50 million in 2021 — an increase of 10 million in less than six years. 6Feel Good Friday"The AI helped narrow down thousands of potential chemicals to a handful that could be tested in the laboratory. The result was a potent, experimental antibiotic called abaucin." New superbug-killing antibiotic discovered using AI. AI chat programs. Worrisome. AI health benefits. Amazing. Get a copy of my 📕, Please Scream Inside Your Heart, or grab a 👕 in the Store.
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