Harris Goes All-In

With the 2024 elections looming, Kamala Harris is in full media blitz mode. Her latest move? She hit up podcasts like Call Her Daddy in a bid to resonate with younger female voters. From women’s empowerment to reproductive rights, Harris used the racy podcast platform to highlight key issues Democrats are banking on.

But her media tour doesn’t stop there. She’s set to appear on 60 Minutes, The View, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a clear effort to reach voters on multiple fronts. The stakes are high—Harris is trailing behind Donald Trump, who’s been dominating conservative-friendly outlets and podcasts of his own, like personal finance guru Dave Ramsey’s show.

With Latino voters and key Sun Belt states still in play, this strategy could be make-or-break for Harris in what’s shaping up to be a razor-thin race.

Are We Nearing the End?

Medical and technological advancements have contributed to remarkable increases in human life expectancy for years, but new research suggests we might be hitting a ceiling. New study results covering 1990-2019 indicate that although more people live into their 80s and 90s, life expectancy increases have slowed significantly.

Dr. S. Jay Olshansky, the study's lead author, suggests we've already reached peak lifespan, with the average age around 87. While modern medicine has made it possible to live longer, the natural aging process still poses a challenge. Maybe we’re just not meant to live forever—and honestly, why would we even want to?

Breaking Up Big Tech?

One of the biggest antitrust actions in decades is being considered by the U.S. Department of Justice to break up parts of Google. This could force Google to sell off key business units, including Chrome, Android, and even its search engine, to prevent it from dominating the market with these platforms. Among the options the DOJ considers is requiring Google to share its search data and curbing its influence in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

This potential split has been compared to Microsoft's failed attempt to split in the 1990s, but with Google's vast digital presence, the impact could be far greater. Google is fighting back, warning that such a move could harm consumers and stifle innovation. It’s a battle worth watching—after all, it’s not every day you see one of the world’s biggest companies fighting for its future.

China’s Baby Drive

China's population crisis is forcing the government to take extreme measures, such as knocking on doors and asking couples about their plans for children. The government is now deeply involved in what used to be a personal decision, from giving free prenatal vitamins to tracking pregnancies.

President Xi Jinping has made boosting the birth rate a national priority. However, many women resist the pressure. “It's too intrusive,” says Yumi Yang, a young mother who found government workers at her door demanding a picture with her baby. Many resist government incentives due to rising living costs and personal ambitions. Is it possible to truly reverse China's declining birthrate with these efforts?

💡 Core Wisdom

🧮 Core Count: 4.20

The time is displayed on all the clocks in the movie “Pulp Fiction.”

🗓️ Flashback:

1941 - US President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves an atomic program (a.k.a. Manhattan Project)

1986 - Stage musical "The Phantom of the Opera" premieres in London.

2006 - North Korea conducts its first nuclear test.

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

Fatih Taskiran