Let's Play This Friday Pianoforte, Yeah? |
Pianoforte, as we all know, is a French-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk produced locally at Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California. It is aged for a minimum of three weeks during which the flavor becomes quite strong, nutty, and mushroomy — just like this newsletter! The word also means "soft and loud" in Italian, which is how I plan to play today after yesterday's indulgence. Still, we've got the cheddlines for ya! Pianoforte! —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. We've got the obligatory turkey going up in flames on our Instagram. |
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"You absolutely have to name your elf. That's how it gets its magic." Christa Pitts. |
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1. Deep Inside the Musk / Trump Bromance |
Time Magazine's senior correspondent, Simon "Don't call me 'And'" Shuster, joined us to discuss the bromance between Elon Musk and President Trump. While seemingly beneficial for both parties, their alliance raises questions about its long-term implications and potential conflicts of interest, he said.
Shuster said Musk's endorsement of Trump following an assassination attempt during the campaign was a pivotal moment. Musk's active involvement, including substantial financial contributions and leading the ground game in key swing states, significantly impacted the election outcome.
"When the history books are written about this election, I think he will be really a key to the victory," Shuster said. Musk's appeal to young voters, particularly young white men, helped counter concerns about Trump's age and revitalized his campaign.
However, Shuster questioned the alignment of their agendas. While Musk's primary focus lies in space exploration and establishing a Mars colony, Trump's priorities appear more grounded in domestic policies like deporting illegal immigrants.
"Musk's ambitions are far bigger," Shuster said. "And it's not at all clear to me how they line up with Trump's goals."
One of the most pressing concerns is the potential conflict of interest arising from Musk's various business ventures. His involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while remaining outside the formal government structure raises questions about his influence on federal budgets and spending decisions.
Shuster highlighted the glaring conflicts of interest. "They're significant, and they're pretty obvious," he said. He emphasized the need for Musk to address these concerns transparently, and I'm sure that Elon Musk will listen because he's the world's richest man and really cares what journalists think about him.
Furthermore, the proposed $2 trillion in federal spending cuts advocated by DOGE raise concerns about their impact on social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which are popular among many Trump voters. Shuster also raised doubts about the longevity of the Musk–Trump alliance. He pointed out that Trump's history of not sharing the spotlight for long, even with family members, suggests potential challenges in maintaining this relationship.
"It's hard to see that relationship lasting through Trump's entire term," Shuster said. Differences in personality and potential clashes on policy issues could strain the alliance. "Get your popcorn ready. It's going to be an interesting four years," he said. Read More |
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2. NatGeo Reveals 2024 Pictures of the Year |
A young emperor penguin jumps off a 50-foot cliff for its first swim. Cicadas emerge from the ground after 17 years. A volcano erupts. A tiger patrols its reserve. These are just four of the 20 striking photos selected by National Geographic in its annual Pictures of the Year issue.
Now in its fifth year, the Pictures of the Year issue continues to captivate with images that not only depict our world in its raw beauty but also bring forth the profound stories behind each frame. Chosen painstakingly from a staggering pool of 2.3 million photographs — a significant increase from the previous year's submissions — each image in this selection of 20 has been curated to reflect the extraordinary talents of National Geographic's cadre of global photographers.
"These images are a fusion of art and storytelling, designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deeper connection with our globe," said National Geographic Editor-in-Chief Nathan "don't make a joke about my last name" Lump.
"The photos are a bridge connecting people across continents through the universal language of emotion and concern," Lump said.
If only he'd extended that same emotion and concern to my friend, a former National Geographic journalist, who he laid off along with all the publication's remaining staff writers, thanks to owner, the Walt Disney Company, last year...but, nope. The company has also slashed budgets for photography, presumably meaning that photographers are all the more incentivized to try to win a prize each year. I guess they just have to… Lump it, eh? Read More |
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| Thanksgiving has more home cooking fires than any other day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The good news is, they make for amazing videos... |
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3. Who is the #1 Pop Star of the 21st Century? |
Taylor Swift is number two. I don't mean she's the poop emoji; I mean she's second on Billboard's list of best pop stars of the 21st century. They're yet to announce number one, but it's evidently Beyonce.
Swift, meanwhile, placed before Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. Previously hailed as Billboard's top artist of 2023, Swift's journey from a country sweetheart to a globally revered pop sensation has been nothing short of spectacular. According to Billboard's Hannah Dailey, Swift's unique ability to "bend culture to her will" underscores her indomitable spirit and unmatched influence. Of course, she couldn't bend the election outcome to her will, but I don't mean to parse.
Will Swifties be okay with second place? Was Kamala Harris? Read More |
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4. Elf on the Shelf: A Global Phenomenon with 27 Million Elves And Counting |
The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the arrival of a beloved tradition for millions of families worldwide since 2005: the Elf on the Shelf.
The whimsical Christmas tradition has captured the hearts of children and adults alike — although I could take it or leave it, personally — and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
Christa Pitts, co-founder and co-CEO of the Lumistella Company (the makers of Elf on the Shelf), sat down for an interview to discuss the origins, growth, and magic of this global phenomenon. "When we were growing up, we had an elf in our home, and that elf worked for Santa," Christa said. "The elf would fly back and forth at Christmas time and report on everything that was happening in our home."
Years later, Pitts's mother and sister decided to share this tradition with the world. "My sister looked up and saw the elf and she said, 'Mom, we should talk to Santa, make sure he gives us permission, but we should write a book about our elf.' And that's how it started. And that was almost 20 years ago."
The Elf on the Shelf's popularity skyrocketed with the rise of social media. Pitts explained, "As social media came on the scene...we started seeing that every elf takes on the personality of its family," she said. "Some elves are very laid back, but a lot of them are funny and creative, and social media has allowed people to share that creativity."
With millions of posts on platforms like Instagram, the Elf on the Shelf has become a viral sensation. Pitts recalled a particular moment when she realized it had gone global: "A couple of years ago, celebrities like Elizabeth Banks and Tom Hanks started posting about their elves," she said. "And it became this thing."
"You cannot touch it once you name it...because it's Christmas magic, and it could go away," she said.
"You absolutely have to name your elf. That's how it gets its magic," she said.
"On Christmas Eve, the elf helps Santa deliver his presents, and then it goes back to the North Pole so it can come again next year," she said.
Inevitably, the Elf on the Shelf has expanded beyond the original book and toy. Pitts said: "We have come out now with the Santaverse, and the Santaverse is the world in which all of the elves and all of the characters in Santa's North Pole can live together."
This expansion includes a new balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and even a cookbook filled with festive recipes for families to enjoy. I think I've had enough of Christmas already. Read More |
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5. Subway CEO John Chidsey to Step Down |
Subway, the behemoth of sandwich chains, has announced a major leadership change. John Chidsey, who notably served as the first CEO from outside Subway's founding family, will retire at the close of the year. His departure echoes a broader trend within the fast-food industry, joining the ranks of CEOs from big names like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Wendy's, who have stepped down this year. In his stead, Carrie Walsh, previously serving as Subway's president of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (and its global chief marketing officer) will take the reins as interim CEO.
Chidsey's tenure at Subway was marked by significant challenges and decisive actions aimed at revitalizing the iconic brand. Despite operating under the umbrella of a private equity firm, which generally keeps business insights close to the vest — hey, Cheddar is also owned by a private equity firm! — it's no secret that Subway has grappled with maintaining its competitive edge.
The chain has seen a dwindling number of outlets, with a reduction of 400 U.S. stores last year alone, marking its lowest store count since 2005. The downsizing reflects the broader adversities facing the fast-food sector, with giants like McDonald's and Starbucks also feeling the pinch; however, under Chidsey's leadership, Subway embarked on a path of ambitious reforms. In a significant departure from its past practices, the company transitioned to freshly slicing deli meats in stores — an endeavor to directly compete with its fast-food counterparts. This move, coupled with a strengthened push towards digital ordering via Subway's app, underscored a strategic pivot towards modernization and customer engagement.
Subway's menu also underwent its most substantial overhaul to date under Chidsey's guidance, signaling a shift towards greater customization and digital integration.
Approximately 80% of Subway outlets, primarily owned by franchisees, were slated to showcase the new $6,000 slicers, a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. But the response from some franchise owners was tepid, pointing to the need for strategies that directly translate into tangible sales growth. The introduction of value deals, such as the $6.99 foot-long, featured as another component of Subway's revitalization efforts. Despite these initiatives, certain promotions have been curtailed ahead of schedule, indicating the challenges of navigating consumer expectations in a fiercely competitive landscape.
It's good that new CEO Carrie Walsh is an "interim" CEO then, eh? That always sets someone up for success. Remember: Play it pianoforte, Carrie! Read More |
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