Home Sweet Home

It turns out that staying home isn’t just a pandemic thing—it’s been a growing trend for years. A ​Princeton study found that since 2003, Americans have been spending 10% more time at home, and the pandemic has only fast-tracked this shift. More and more of our lives are spent indoors, whether it's work, school, or religious activities.

Interestingly, while spending more time with family, ​we also spend more time alone. And here's the kicker: younger generations lead the homebody movement. The problem is that experts raise red flags about loneliness and social isolation, along with serious health risks like heart disease and depression. Is all this solo time really good for us? While we're getting cozy at home, it's worth asking.

The Fear Behind Amazon's Bold Move

Speaking of staying at home, ​Amazon’s decision to bring employees back to the office full-time has stirred up quite a debate. CEO Andy Jassy's announcement caught many by surprise, but the company's leadership is concerned that new hires aren't fully absorbing the company's culture—known as "​The Amazon Way​." Due to Amazon's fast-paced, data-driven approach, they feel video calls aren't the best way to pass on this unique culture. ​Despite some pushback, Amazon argues that maintaining innovation and staying true to its values requires being in the office.

Milton's Fury

After Hurricane Helene devastates Florida, Hurricane Milton looms on the horizon. ​Milton has grown into a catastrophic Category 5​ hurricane with winds exceeding 180 mph, making it the most powerful storm of the season since 2005. Thousands of residents are being evacuated as the storm is set to land on Florida's already battered west coast.​

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency because Milton's path may devastate areas still reeling from Helene's floods. Two major hurricanes have hit Florida in just two weeks; experts fear the damage will last months. Hurricane ​Milton is barreling toward Tampa Bay, bringing power outages, collapsed homes, and dangerous storm surges.

With memories of Helene’s destruction still fresh, Florida is once again in survival mode. The government is urging residents to evacuate and seek higher ground, emphasizing that drowning deaths from storm surges can be prevented. The impact of Milton will be felt across the state, from power plants to citrus groves, as ​Mother Nature strikes yet again.

Real Heists, Bigger Secrets

Netflix’s latest hit, ​Tokyo Swindlers,​ isn't just another crime show; ​it exposes some real-life scandals in Japan. The show highlights a $37 million property scam that rocked a country's top developer, Sekisui House, in 2017.

Tokyo Swindlers is unique in exploring the darker side of Japan's corporate world power struggles, shady deals, and workers caught in the crossfire. ​There's more to Japan's small screen than meets the eye with this raw, no-holds-barred portrayal, which captivates audiences at home and abroad.

💡 Core Wisdom

🧮 Core Count: 2,500,000

Without realizing it, you travel around the Sun every day in kilometers.

🗓️ Flashback:

1769 - Captain ​James Cook lands in New Zealand for the first time.

1945 - Microwave oven patented by US inventor Percy Spencer

1971 - ​John Lennon​ releases his megahit single "Imagine"

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

Fatih Taskiran