Sour Note in the Salsa

Good morning, curious minds!

I guess you've got a million things on your plate, and the world isn't slowing down. Still, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s take a breath, settle in for a minute, and see what’s going on out there—no frills, just the stories worth knowing. Ready? Let’s do this.

Everything that’s worth your attention today:

Let’s be real: we all love guacamole and are used to fresh produce year-round—especially those creamy avocados from Mexico. But if the next administration imposes tough tariffs and deports masses, that weekend treat could become an expensive indulgence.

We import two-thirds of our veggies, half of our fruit and 90% of our avocados from Mexico. Guess who will feel the pinch if the U.S. slaps new tariffs on Mexican goods? Meanwhile, American farms rely heavily on immigrant workers—about 44% of crop farm labor has no legal status.

Immigration restrictions would make harvesting food even harder, pushing prices up even more. In addition, as the national debt rises, big federal subsidies might not be available as readily as before. Ultimately, whether you're a farmer, a produce lover, or a guac fan, these policy choices could hit us right in the taste buds.

2024 Curiosity Report

Our global and local curiosities are revealed in Google's "Year in Search 2024." Globally, we were obsessed with the Copa America and the UEFA European Championship—sports clearly provided some welcome distraction. We wanted clarity on the U.S. election and extreme weather events (hello, record heat and hurricanes). New iPhones and movies like "Inside Out 2" drew our attention

Americans asked many "why" and "what" questions, from credit card debt management to the dill pickle bread recipe. Deep dives into complex political issues and AI creativity tools caught our eye. And yes, everyday drama—from celebrity breakups to next-level “mob wife aesthetics”—kept us scrolling.

In the end, our searches reveal a year of global tensions and personal fascinations. Heavy topics were balanced with playful trends, hungry for new experiences, helpful guidance, and a break.

Your New Digital Butler

So, Google just showed off something pretty wild: an AI "agent" that can use websites and tools—without your guidance at every step. This thing (nicknamed Mariner) can browse, navigate, and interact with sites independently, powered by Google's next-level AI model, Gemini 2.0.

Let's say you type "Find me a new pair of running shoes" and watch the AI scan different shopping sites, choose a pair, fill your cart, and then wait for your "OK" to buy. I feel like I have a personal assistant who's always online. Sure, it’s not perfect yet—Google admits it can still mess up. It might be the next big step for doing things online if they can work out the kinks.

Plus, Google is showing off Astra, a smart assistant that handles images, text, and speech simultaneously. Pair that with Mariner’s web skills, and we’re looking at a future where AI quietly does the grunt work while we sip our coffee. Just remember: it's all experimental for now, and you're still in the driver's seat.

Fake Thunder Road

Oh, this one’s a gem. Picture this: a New Jersey politician trying to show off his musical taste with a Spotify Wrapped that’s—surprise!—nothing but the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

The problem is, folks online caught on quickly that something was off—the font was weird, the spacing was off, and the whole picture screamed "Photoshop." Gottheimer eventually fessed up that he made it himself, blaming it on the fact that he shares his account with his kids.

Even though his real Wrapped isn't all Bruce (some Drake and Taylor Swift are in it), it still crowns Springsteen as the top artist. He brushed off the fuss and quoted the Boss in true Jersey fashion. But hey, at least no one doubts he’s a Springsteen fan now—he even named his dog Rosalita.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Pictures of the famous Sycamore Gap tree.

🧮 Core Count: 9

Germany's border countries.

🗓️ Flashback:

1792 - Beethoven (22) receives his first lesson in music composition from Haydn (60).

1901 - Guglielmo Marconi sends the first transatlantic radio signal from Cornwall to Newfoundland.

1946 - The UN accepts six Manhattan blocks as a gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr.

1964 - Kenya becomes an independent republic with Jomo Kenyatta as its first President.

2000 - The US Supreme Court rules 5-4 in Bush v. Gore, handing George W. Bush the presidency over Al Gore in Florida's 2000 presidential election.

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

Fatih Taskiran