A classic bout of small talk might progress like this: What’s your name? Where are you from? What do you do? That last question carries a bit more baggage than the others, as it reflects our culture’s overall relationship to work — specifically, it’s an example of how we often define ourselves (and others) by what we “do” professionally. In a recent TED Talk, author Simone Stolzoff offered a reframing, suggesting we instead first ask people what they like to do. Read about how his philosophy on work can reduce burnout in Good Good Good.
Buckle Up! The Era of Flying Cars May (Actually) Be on the Horizon
Courtesy of Joby Aviation
You might soon hear your cab driver say: “Clear skies ahead and ready for takeoff.” Air taxis, along with other electric-powered aircrafts, are closer than ever to getting permission to fly. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration published a much-anticipated 880-page document on the final regulations for pilot training and operating requirementsfor “powered-lift” vehicles. That means an aircraft designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter (or the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future), but with fixed wings like a plane, per The Verge. “Powered lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years,”FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement, calling the new ruling “historic.” According to the agency, the vehicles can be used for cargo delivery, emergency rescue efforts, and simply taxiing people from point A to point B. While the rules aim to maintain safety and rigor, they also seek to address the realities of this nascent industry without setting overly strict standards. No air taxi company is currently certified for commercial operations, but some startups, like Joby Aviation and Archer, are in the process of making our sci-fi dreams a reality. Watch Joby’s aircraft fly over New York City last year.
Together With Pacaso
2 Zillow Execs’ New Venture Targets a $1.3 Trillion Market
Spencer Rascoff co-founded Zillow. Austin Allison sold his company to Zillow for $125 million. Now, they’ve teamed up to co-found Pacaso and transform the $1.3 trillion vacation home market. Pacaso is already a category leader in vacation home co-ownership. Their revolutionary model lets users buy 1/8 to 1/2 of a luxury home rather than the whole home. With $100 million in adjusted gross profits across over $1 billion in gross real estate transactions in about three years, it’s clear their vision has legs. And with properties throughout 40 markets and four countries, Pacaso is making vacation homes accessible worldwide. For the first time, you can invest in Pacaso and share in their growth. Learn more about adding Pacaso to your portfolio.
This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com.
Science
New Study on Chicken Emotions Pinpoints How They Cultivate “Optimism”
Sonja Filitz/ iStock
We know humans have the capacity to cultivate more positive outlooks, and it turns out we may share that beneficial ability with a much smaller, feathered species. According to a recent peer-reviewed paper, when Cornish cross chickens are given access to learning opportunities, their “optimism” increases. Previous research (as well as anecdotal evidence from anyone who’s kept them as pets) points to chickens being highly social, intelligent, and emotionally complex creatures. In the new study, titled “Pecking Up Optimism,” animal rescue and advocacy nonprofit Farm Sanctuary sought to better understand what influences the birds’ moods in an effort to further welfare protections. “Our findings revealed that much like humans who enjoy learning new things, Cornish cross chickens presented with learning opportunities experienced increased optimism,” Farm Sanctuary explained, adding: “This exciting achievement makes a new understanding of chicken emotion widely available to the public, animal advocates, and the scientific community.” Learn how the study’s findings can be applied to improve chickens’ welfare, and catch some adorable chicken content while you’re at it.
Culture
World’s Longest Suspension Bridge Could Link Sicily to “the Boot”
Julia Lavrinenko/ iStock
Sicily is just a couple miles from mainland Italy, aka “the boot.” That makes for a roughly 20-minute ferry ride, but officials want to allow for more modes of transport as a way to boost the island’s struggling economy. Thus, a bridge connecting Sicily with the mainland is set to begin construction as soon as later this year, per Euronews. Spanning just over 1.8 miles, it would be the world’s longest suspension bridge — and if all goes according to schedule, it could be ready for use by the early 2030s. The ambitious project was put on the back burner over a decade ago and revived in 2022, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she would work to get funding for the proposal. “This is the government and legislature that have the ambition to lay the first stone and start building this blessed project,” said Matteo Salvini, Italy’s infrastructure minister. He added that the benefits of building will outweigh the costs: “The transshipment of ferries, in addition to pollution and time wasting, costs people more in a year than it would cost to build the bridge.”
In Other News
In just four years, the U.S. power grid added an amount of battery storage comparable to 20 nuclear reactors (read more)
Philadelphia unveiled a “portal” where visitors can interact with people in cities thousands of miles away (read more)
An ancient tiny house filled with detailed frescoes was uncovered in Pompeii (read more)
The first vaccine protecting against norovirus, the common stomach bug, is entering the trial phase(read more)
Victory for red-cockaded woodpeckers! The iconic bird is no longer listed as endangered (read more)
Something We Love
MoMA Two-Tone Borosilicate Glass Straws I’ve purchased quite a few reusable straws — bamboo, metal, silicone — and these stylish glass ones sold by the Museum of Modern Art’s Design Store are by far my favorite. They’re dishwasher-safe and come with a handy little cleaning brush. Somehow, I think they make everything taste better, too. — Marika Spitulski, Writer
A “real-life Rosie the Riveter,” Jennifer McMullen is one of the millions of women who were recruited to work in factories amid staffing shortages during World War II. Last week, she celebrated her 100th birthday with loved ones, including her husband of nearly 80 years. When asked what’s next, the Los Angeles resident said, “Looking forward to my 150.”
Photo of the Day
Mohamed Elshahed/Anadolu via Getty Images
Egypt’s Giza Pyramids are a historic treasure — a true wonder of the world. And through Nov. 16, they’re also the site of a contemporary art museum. The art installation seen here is part of the fourth edition of Forever Is Now, an open-air museum exhibition. See some of the other artwork on display this year.
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