Author: Harper Lane

Early-career engineers should be cautious about specializing too early, according to Philip Su, a former engineer at Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI, and founder of the podcast player Superphonic. Su emphasizes the need for self-awareness in making career decisions, especially when it comes to choosing between being a generalist or diving deep into a specific niche. He notes that while some exceptional individuals, like chess prodigies, are born with unique talents that justify early specialization, most people face risks with a narrow focus, particularly in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. He warns that a chosen specialization could become obsolete. For instance, if…

I reached Mexico’s Happy Coast feeling stressed, anxious, and quite frankly, unhappy. Upon my arrival in Puerto Vallarta, I found myself at the rental car company, utterly bewildered. After an unexpected $300 expense, I embarked on a three-hour drive along a bumpy road to my first resort in Costalegre. As I navigated behind slow mopeds and endured countless speed bumps, I couldn’t shake off the nausea from the winding roads and the scratchy throat from nearby wildfires. Was all this discomfort really worth it? I began to question how a place could earn a name like the Happy Coast when…

Banks are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance efficiency for their analysts and better serve client needs. Bank of America employs “Banker Assist” to compile information, delivering tailored insights for each client. On the other hand, Goldman Sachs has introduced the “GS AI Assistant,” an in-house ChatGPT-like tool designed to assist staff with various tasks. Swiss bank UBS is pushing boundaries further by creating AI avatars of analysts who present their research to clients. The bank began this initiative in January, with 36 analysts, approximately 5% of its workforce, volunteering to participate, covering sectors such as technology, consumer goods, and energy.…

JPMorgan’s CEO Jamie Dimon acknowledged China’s significant progress in improving the living standards of its citizens. In a recent interview with Bloomberg in Shanghai, Dimon stated, “They have done an enormous job over the last 20 years lifting up their people.” While he identifies as an “American patriot capitalist,” he appreciates China’s ability to develop its economy. Dimon pointed out that China has pursued a more comprehensive economic strategy than the U.S. over the last two decades, crafting policies that have positioned it as one of the world’s largest economies. He wrote in his recent annual letter to shareholders that…

Chelsea Atkinson knew that her father’s house might eventually belong to her, though she didn’t expect that day to come so soon. The sudden passing of her father in 2019 at just 58, after complications from earlier lung cancer, left her reeling. Atkinson was 28 and an only child, already settled into a home in Austin where she grew up. While inheriting her childhood home—mortgage-free—could have seemed like a stroke of luck, it soon revealed a host of challenges she wasn’t prepared for. Her relationship with her father had deteriorated in his later years, leaving her reluctant to return to…

Ukraine’s defense ministry has officially approved a new flamethrower robot, known as the Krampus, for deployment in military units. This uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is now part of a diverse fleet of over 80 ground drone designs available to Ukraine’s armed forces. The Krampus is designed for both offensive and defensive missions against infantry and light armor. It operates via remote control and is equipped with RPV-16 rounds, which are rocket-propelled thermobaric munitions developed in Ukraine for infantry use. This tracked vehicle is powered by two silent motors, making it compact enough to fit in the bed of a pickup…

Two years ago, Zechariah Osburn faced the daunting task of filling out the Common Application for college. Although he wasn’t excited about the traditional school structure and had always performed well academically, he felt immense pressure from his parents and society to pursue an undergraduate degree. However, late one night during his senior year, he had a realization: “I felt like a fraud,” he shared. Osburn was unsure about his career direction and lacked the financial resources to attend college. Instead of taking on student loans and spending time in a party atmosphere, he decided to develop his landscaping side…

Americans Turn to DIY Beauty Amid Rising Salon Costs As tariffs drive up the costs of salon services, many Americans are opting for DIY beauty treatments. A recent report reveals that 42% of regular salon-goers have decreased their visits in favor of home solutions, with 24% abandoning salon services altogether. This shift in behavior is notably more pronounced among millennials and Gen Zers. CivicScience data indicates that younger generations are cutting back on salon visits, driven largely by the increasing expenses resulting from tariff policies. Participants in the survey noted that 50% of at-home beauty consumers, such as users of…

The race for robotaxi services is intensifying. Tesla is set to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin next month, while Waymo continues its expansion across major U.S. cities. Both Tesla and Waymo rely on advanced technology for their robotaxis. Tesla calls its system Full Self-Driving (FSD), while Waymo uses the Waymo Driver. Business Insider’s Lloyd Lee and Alistair Barr recently tested these two autonomous systems in San Francisco, and the results were surprising. Initially, we anticipated minor distinctions between the two technologies, such as hesitations or unexpected lane changes. However, the Tesla made a significant mistake, leading to a…

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s R1 model, noting it as the first AI competitor he has encountered that rivals OpenAI’s offerings. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Nadella stated that OpenAI has historically been in a league of its own, and he described DeepSeek’s R1 as having made impressive advancements. DeepSeek gained attention in January when its free chatbot app topped the US App Store rankings. This success caused concern among investors, as DeepSeek’s competitively priced models led to a decline in AI-related stocks, raising questions about the future demand for AI hardware, particularly Nvidia…