Betting on the Ballot

The markets definitely feel the tension as the election draws closer. Traders are making big moves, and the dollar surges as everyone hedges their bets. JPMorgan says many of these trades involve buying U.S. dollars and dumped currencies tied to China, such as the Singapore dollar and the Australian dollar. Clearly, investors are preparing for another Trump presidency, which could mean higher tariffs and more tax cuts at home.

If Trump wins and pushes through his aggressive trade policies, Goldman Sachs estimates the euro could drop by 10%. But it's not just about currencies; clean energy stocks are also getting much attention, with many betting that Kamala Harris can boost them. Markets are gearing up for a wild ride regardless of who wins.

Scroll, Laugh, Vote

If you've scrolled through TikTok recently, you've probably noticed that the election has become a full-blown phenomenon. From Kamala Harris memes to Trump dance routines, users turn politics into viral entertainment. Whether impersonations, catchy songs, or debates remixed with beats, TikTok is doing what it does best – making everything shareable and wildly entertaining.

No two feeds look the same, though. They are a never-ending parade of Swifties, Impersonators, Hamilton Liberals, Pundits, Dancers, Candidates, and News Outlets. It's clear that TikTok's millions of views are influencing how people engage with this election, especially younger audiences.

Virtual Friend, Real Tragedy

The deep connection a Florida teen had with an AI chatbot ended in heartbreak when he took his own life, leaving his family devastated. The 14-year-old boy confided in the bot despite knowing it wasn't real, even sharing thoughts of suicide. In his final moments, the bot's responses—meant to be comforting—seemed to encourage his decision.

Now, Sewell's mother is blaming the chatbot company, claiming that a lack of safeguards contributed to her son's tragic death. It raises a difficult question: Can AI truly replace human connections? And are these virtual companions safe for vulnerable minds?

This isn't the first time Character.AI has faced backlash. Remember when a grieving father discovered his late daughter's personality was being used as a chatbot? It's a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in our increasingly digital world.

Healing on the Pavement

Homelessness is causing Los Angeles to push psychiatry to new places, literally, to the streets. Mentally ill individuals in the city are now receiving antipsychotic injections right on the sidewalk from psychiatric teams. Street psychiatrist Shayan Rab, a pioneer in street psychotherapy, has spent months gently reaching out to people like Yoh, who lives under a freeway overpass and has been coaxed into treatment.

Los Angeles County has about 75,000 homeless people, and psychiatrists working directly with homeless people see the results firsthand. Patients who were lost in hallucinations and chaos now find stability, and some are even moving into housing with the help of Dr. Rab's teams.

A new frontier is emerging in psychiatric care, where doctors meet patients on their terms. Even though it is a slow and painful process, these efforts can make a profound difference in the lives of those who have long been overlooked.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

The colors of Early Autumn.

🧮 Core Count: 1,000,000,000

Estimated number of snails served in restaurants annually.

🗓️ Flashback:

1850 - First National Women's Rights Convention opens in Brinley Hall, Worcester.

1981 - The United States' national debt has reached $1 trillion.

2001 - Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) disarmament begins after peace talks.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran