As we all know, Oasis is a hand-made goat's cheese from BoatShed Cheese in Melbourne, Australia. Coated with chives, garlic, and dried capsicum, it's got a light and fresh flavor — just like this newsletter. Meanwhile, you can rely on your Need2Know newsletter to help you keep your head when all about you are losing theirs; however, we've also got the attitude of a Manchester rock band from the 1990s, if necessary, and some might say today's cheddlines are a wonderwall of information: What's a 1,675th of your net worth? —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor |
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"European markets [were] rising with US markets, but then suddenly a little bit of fear crept in." — Axel Rudolph |
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1. Schoolin' Life: Yale Launches a Class on Beyoncé |
How long does it take the average Yale graduate to tell you they went to Yale? That's right; they usually tell you before they meet you.
In news that will give them more to feel smug about, Yale University has announced an exciting addition to its course offerings with a class wholly dedicated to Beyoncé. The class "Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics through Music" will be led by Daphne Brooks, a seasoned professor in African American studies and music.
The 32-time Grammy award winner will be the focal point in examining the socio-political shifts and intellectual evolutions marking the last decade of her work. The course aims to delve into how historical memory, Black feminist politics, and liberation philosophies are intertwined within her music and performance artistry. Particular attention will be given to her innovative album formats.
This new offering at Yale joins a growing trend in academia where pop culture icons are the subjects of scholarly examination. Institutions across the nation have hosted classes dedicated to other luminaries like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, reflecting a broader acceptance of popular music's role in cultural studies.
Professor Brooks noted a surge in excitement from both students and colleagues. The university required no persuasion to approve the course, signifying a recognition of Beyoncé's pivotal role in shaping contemporary culture.
Beyoncé's limited direct political engagements, such as performing at Barack Obama's inaugurations and supporting Kamala Harris's campaign, also demonstrate her nuanced approach to activism, leaning on her influential status to foster change subtly. It's so subtle you could almost gloss over the fact that her endorsement of Kamala Harris didn't, you know…work. That's not Beyoncé's fault! Is it? Read More |
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2. Understanding How Bitcoin Soared To $90,000 |
Never mind that crypto is the leading currency for the world's criminals, Bitcoin's unique characteristics position it as a potential reserve currency, said Robinhood VP Johann Kerbrat. A reserve currency is a foreign currency that is widely held by central banks and other monetary authorities as part of their foreign exchange reserves.
"I think it's going to be one of the reserve currencies," he said. "The way that it's done, the way that there is a limit on the number of Bitcoin. The way the technology is working with a consensus positions it well."
Kerbrat also addressed criticisms surrounding cryptocurrency's use cases, highlighting the success of stablecoins and the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize traditional finance. He also expressed optimism about the evolving regulatory landscape under the incoming administration, emphasizing Robinhood's commitment to compliance and its eagerness to work with policymakers. I think that means he's open to doing whatever it takes within the realm of the law to make more money out of crypto, which is a very unsurprising position for somebody who works for a company that helps people trade crypto.
Kerbrat also said Robinhood also got into election betting with considerable success. Robinhood offered a single contract focused on the presidential race, seeing significant customer engagement. "We definitely saw a lot of contracts being traded last week, especially towards election day," he said. It's not quite stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but who says a brand needs consistency? Read More |
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| Volkswagen's new Emergency Assist feature could be a game changer in the game of saving lives.
If the system detects no steering input for 20 seconds, it sends a reminder for the driver to re-engage. If there's still no response, the car activates small jolts through the brakes and seatbelt to alert the driver. If that doesn't work, Emergency Assist completely takes over, pulling the car to the side, turning on hazard lights, and honking the horn. If you hit a truck in the first 19 seconds, of course, then you're all out of luck. |
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3. Elon Musk's PAC Spent 1,675th of His Net Worth to Elect Trump |
Musk's Super PAC, America PAC, spent approximately $200 million to support Donald Trump's presidential campaign, according to the Associated Press. Musk's net worth today is $335 billion or 335,000,000,000. 200,000,000 is a 1,675th of that.
So, if your net worth is $400,000, that's like giving $238 to elect a President. Seems worth it, huh? Particularly if it comes with a free stay at his Florida golf club!
The PAC strategically targeted low-propensity and first-time voters, leveraging the recent Federal Election Commission ruling that allowed for heightened coordination between campaigns and Super PACs. That ruling enabled Trump's campaign to significantly extend its reach without the usual financial constraints, focusing on ad campaigns and outreach initiatives aimed at demographics traditionally seen as Democratic strongholds.
The collaboration between the Trump campaign and America PAC was credited with key turnout surges in battleground states, which ultimately contributed to Trump's victory. Trump himself acknowledged Musk's considerable influence in his election night speech, heralding him as a "new star" in political fundraising and campaigning.
Musk, beyond his financial contributions, also supported Trump through public appearances and his ownership of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which played a critical role by easing rules that had previously restricted Trump's social media engagement. Musk is expected to play a pivotal role in the next administration, particularly in leading a new government efficiency commission, given his portfolio that includes engagements with the defense department and intelligence agencies through his company SpaceX. I'm sure it's fine. Read More |
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4. How Markets Overseas Are Reacting to Trump's Victory |
"European markets [were] rising with US markets, but then suddenly a little bit of fear crept in," IG International technical analyst Axel Rudolph said, highlighting the risk of Donald Trump's promised tariffs. In fact, he expressed concerns about the potential for a "global economic slowdown" if Trump implements sweeping tariffs, as promised. He warned of a tit-for-tat scenario leading to increased inflation and higher consumer prices.
Rudolph also predicted a shift in market focus back to fundamentals like U.S. employment and inflation data over the coming months. "I believe the fundamentals will once again play a much more important role than they have done over the last week or so, where politics were much more important," he said.
Fundamentally, I think a "global economic slowdown" is something to be concerned about. #NotFinancialAdvice Read More |
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5. Don't Miss the Last Supermoon of the Year on Thursday! |
Stargazers, mark your calendars. The last supermoon of the year is set to grace our skies this week. Earth's satellite will look notably larger and shine brighter as it makes its close approach, roughly 225,000 miles away on Thursday.
The event wraps up a series of four supermoons that began in August, with each one stepping closer to our planet. The closest one, in October, was just over 222,000 miles from Earth.
Not just an astronomical wonder, the supermoon offers a brighter spectacle with the moon up to 30% more luminous than usual. While differences in size can be subtle to the unaided eye, the enhanced brightness is far more noticeable. Hit it...
Blue mooooooon. You left me standing alooooooooone. [Stop!—ed.] Read More |
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