Vieux Corse, or "Old Corsica," is a square cheese made from sheep's milk and wrapped in three layers of wax paper. It has a salty, spicy taste, just like this newsletter. Corsicans eat it with bread and a glass of white wine or spirits, proving once again that, as we all know, Corsicans know a thing or two about how to live better than us. Meanwhile, today's cheddlines you Need2Know are full of competitive spirit. All I have ever dreamed of is smelling like a do(ugh)nut. "And Alexander wept for there were no more worlds to conquer." —Hans Grüber, Die Hard —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. The world's first electric rollerblades are all over our 'gram! |
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"The math isn't math-ing." —Megan Leonhardt |
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1. Dreams Do Come True: Now You Can Smell Like a Doughnut (On Purpose This Time) |
My favorite things from Dunkin' are the turkey sausage breakfast sandwich and a Boston cream do(ugh)nut. Sadly, only one of these is now going to be available as a deodorant. Can you guess which? Nope, try again.
Imagine waking up every day not just to the tantalizing aroma of fresh do(ugh)nuts but also carrying that delightful scent with you throughout the day, whether or not you have several do(ugh)nuts in your pocket. Yes. It sounds like an unachievable dream, a utopic hallucination, an aspiration from science fiction—the next best thing to jetpacks!—and yet? Dunkin' is teaming up with scent brand Native to make it a reality. In 1969 we put a man on the moon. In 2025 we took the next step in human evolution.
This otherworldly new collection offers a sweet array of products including deodorants, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, and hand and "body" lotions. The collaboration features four delightful fragrances that promise to leave you smelling delectable: Strawberry Frosted, Vanilla Sprinkle, Blueberry Cobbler, Ben Affleck and, of course, Turkey Sausage Boston Kreme (for the lovers of "richer, deeper scents"). I feel just a tad nauseous even typing that sentence. Actually, correction. I appear to have just voided my stomach all over my laptop. This must be like how people throw up before they get their visionary breakthroughs when they take ayahuasca. Yes, that must be it.
"Native has earned a reputation for creating unexpected, gourmand-inspired partnerships in fragrance, and our collaboration with Dunkin' brings the ultimate playful twist to your routine," said Chris Talbott, CEO of Native.
And there you were thinking a gourmand meant Julia Child, Jacques Pépin, or Guy Fieri. Buy this stuff at Walmart and introduce the world to a newer, better version of yourself. Read More |
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2. IRS Sending Out Automatic Stimulus Payments, But to Whomst? |
The Internal Revenue Service is once again in the spotlight, this time for dispatching automatic stimulus payments. But the looming question on everyone's mind is: Will I get one?
Well, about a million taxpayers could see a government stimulus check in their mailboxes or directly deposited into their bank account if they didn't claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. All you need to do is file your 2021 taxes if you didn't already, and if you didn't already, what the heck have you been doing? So busy replicating the scent of a doughnut that you completely forgot?
If you qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit, you don't have to take any action. The IRS plans to send letters to eligible taxpayers notifying them of the special payment. The payments will go out automatically this month and should arrive by direct deposit or check by late January. They'll be sent to the bank account listed on the taxpayer's 2023 return or to the address IRS has on file.
Happy New Year! Now, it's probably time to file your 2022 taxes, eh? A stitch in time! Read More |
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| Forget electric bikes and scooters. 🔥
@atmos.gear just unveiled the world's first electric rollerblades at @ces, powered by the world's smallest and most powerful motor hidden inside a 110mm wheel. With speeds up to 18 mph, a 16-mile range, and a hybrid design that recharges while you skate, these skates are a total game-changer. |
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3. L.A. Pro Sports Teams Join Forces to Help City By Selling T-Shirts |
As L.A.'s catastrophic wildfires continue to burn, the Los Angeles sports world, known for its competitiveness and spirit, has launched an "L.A. Strong" merchandise collection of 16 T-shirts, in conjunction with the logos of the local teams and organizations, including the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, Rams, Chargers, Kings, Ducks, Galaxy, LAFC, Angel City FC, Sparks, UCLA, USC, LA28, and the Los Angeles Golf Club of the nascent TGL golf league.
That's a lotta sports teams! 100% of profits will go to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
The fires, which have claimed lives, homes, and peace of mind, have left an indelible mark on the city, affecting countless individuals and families, including those within the sports community. Lakers coach JJ Redick and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, both personally impacted by the fire, have lent their voices and support to the campaign, underscoring the depth of the tragedy and the importance of community solidarity in response.
The postponement of games, including the Kings' and Lakers' home matches, and the relocation of the Rams' playoff game, are but a few examples of the immediate disruptions caused by the fires.
In an inspiring show of unity, Boston's professional sports teams — among them, the Celtics, known rivals of the Lakers — have put competition aside, expressing their support for Los Angeles through social media with the message "LOVE L.A." They've also pledged to lose any upcoming games with L.A. teams, but then that was going to happen anyway. Read More |
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4. California's Insurance Crisis: Another Looming Disaster |
As wildfires rage across California, the immediate loss of life and property is devastating. Yet, according to Megan Leonhardt, senior economic writer for Barron's, a secondary disaster looms: an insurance crisis that could leave much of the state uninsurable.
California's insurance woes predate the current fires. "Companies like Allstate, for example, moved out of this market years ago because many parts of it are just really uninsurable by the company standards," says Leonhardt. The state's reliance on "insurers of last resort" is now unsustainable, especially after a disaster of this magnitude, she said.
The insurance crisis isn't confined to California. Leonhardt warns, "This could spell big disaster for not only California but also other states that have been in a little bit more of a perilous situation," pointing to Florida's struggles with hurricane-related insurance issues.
Insurance companies are facing a harsh reality: "the severity and the frequency of these natural disasters" mean that "in many cases, the math isn't mathing," says Leonhardt. As a result, insurers are leaving high-risk markets, leaving homeowners with fewer options and higher premiums.
The complexities of the reinsurance market, where insurers get insurance, could further exacerbate the crisis. Leonhardt notes that this "secondary market" is "a little bit of a black box for most Americans," and its ripple effects could extend beyond the immediate headlines.
The economic consequences of the insurance crisis are substantial. Beyond property damage, job losses and broader economic implications could affect both the state and federal levels. The insurance crisis could reshape the demographics of states like California and Florida. As insurance becomes unaffordable, people may be forced to relocate, potentially impacting industries and the overall economy.
The aftermath of the fires will be a "long, slow process," says Leonhardt. Just like this newsletter. Read More |
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5. We Stuck Another Chip in Someone's Brain, Says Musk, and We Want to Do 30 More |
During a Las Vegas event streamed on his social media platform X, His Royal Xness shared that the three individuals now implanted with Neuralink's devices are experiencing "positive outcomes." Since the first implant, which took place roughly a year ago, the company has made upgrades to the number of electrodes, bandwidth capabilities, and battery life. Further ambitions for this year include implanting the experimental devices in an additional 20 to 30 individuals, and giving them doughnut-scented body wash.
Neuralink's second recipient, a person with a spinal cord injury who received their implant last summer, has since the surgery been able to engage with video games and learn computer-aided design software to create 3D objects. Similarly, the first patient reported the ability to play video games and chess, illustrating the significant quality-of-life improvements these devices can offer to those with severe mobility limitations.
While Neuralink is gaining media traction, it is one among many entities delving into brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Last year, studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighted how BCIs helped individuals with ALS enhance their communication capabilities. More than 45 BCI trials are currently active, aiming to address a range of applications from treating brain disorders to compensating for brain injuries. Companies like Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech, and Onward Medical are also making significant strides in the BCI space.
And yet guess who gets all the press, eh? Read More |
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