New American Dream

Good morning, curious minds!

Even though it's not the brightest morning, we're here now, sharing a moment before the world encroaches. Here are stories that challenge old dreams, tweak big ambitions, and nudge us to see what's next, all without the usual noise. Let’s settle in and figure things out together.

Everything that’s worth your attention today:

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we defined the American Dream. You know, that classic vision: a steady job, a modest home, and the feeling that if you work hard, you can climb the ladder. But now, nearly a third of preteens say their top career goal is becoming an influencer.

It’s a wild shift—I’m talking about fashion hauling, product unboxing, and view-chasing internet stars. Think scholar Tara Isabella Burton’s research notes how the myth of being “self-made” has gone digital. Our factory line has been replaced by TikTok's "For You" page.

It’s easy to scoff, but I get the appeal. There's something strange and sad about it all. Whether we like it or not, gaining more followers, "likes," and brand deals has become America's narrative. Influencer hustle offers a new kind of American Dream—if you can handle the spotlight.

Politics vs. Prosecution

It’s a moment that once seemed unthinkable: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, sitting in his own corruption trial. He was charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—allegedly trading accolades and political clout for lavish gifts and sweeter media coverage—and finally took the stand after years of legal wrangling.

Netanyahu insisted he’s the victim of political persecution, painting the accusations as “absurd” and claiming his busy schedule—running a nation and managing a major conflict—leaves little time for shady deals. The public's reaction is deeply divided: supporters see a hero fighting a biased system; critics see a long-overdue reckoning.

The trial’s not over, and Netanyahu’s testimony may stretch for months. There is a hard truth behind all the sensational headlines: a sitting prime minister answering tough questions under oath.

U-Turn Ahead

After pouring over $10 billion into Cruise since 2016, GM is calling it quits on the robotaxi dream. They’re pulling the plug on Cruise’s standalone operations—no more chasing a fleet of driverless cabs—and folding that know-how into GM’s existing teams. GM claims it can save about $1 billion annually by focusing on advanced driver assistance systems (think beefed-up versions of today's Super Cruise).

This about-face follows Cruise's October 2023 dragging of a pedestrian, which resulted in fines, layoffs, and regulatory scrutiny. So, for now, GM’s putting its chips on tech that’s here and now—letting others ride off into the robotaxi sunset while focusing on what can hit the road sooner.

Granny Nightmare Mode

We've all dealt with annoying phone scammers trying to steal our secrets or drain our bank accounts. Well, British company O2 decided to fight fire with…grandma vibes. Seriously.

"Daisy," a chatty, feline-loving, AI-powered grandma, keeps scammers on the line for ages-sometimes 40 minutes or more. They waste their precious time listening to Daisy talk about her cat Fluffy or pretend to understand, getting nowhere.

Daisy was trained by a YouTube scam baiter with two goals: to free people from the creeps and expose their tactics. Imagine being a scammer expecting easy pickings, only to end up talking knitting patterns and imaginary grandkids. Yes, revenge really can be sweet—and served with a spot of tea.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Here's a look at the dead American malls.

🧮 Core Count: 7

Points on the Statue of Liberty's crown.

🗓️ Flashback:

1282 - During the Battle of Orewin Bridge, Edward I of England killed Llywelyn ab Gruffydd, the last native and independent Prince of Wales.

1792 - Louis XVI goes on trial for high treason and crimes against the state.

1913 - The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Jean Henri Dunant, founder of the Red Cross, and Frederic Passy, peace activist.

1936 - The "Mona Lisa" was recovered two years after being stolen from the Louvre.

1931 - The Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and Newfoundland (then outside Canada)

1946 - UNICEF was established by resolution 57(I) of the UN General Assembly.

1997 - UN climate conference in Kyoto, Japan, agrees to control heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

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

Fatih Taskiran