š¤ Shiver my timbers!
Think you know a lot about pirate history? This expert might just prove you wrong.
Tuesday | January 2nd, 2024 | |
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Happy Tuesday, chirpers! Each new year is met with a host of predictions that should be taken with a sizable grain of salt. But what did one of the most renowned prognosticators in human history have to say about 2024? Well, it turns out he didnāt have an optimistic outlook. Among the interpretations of Nostradamusā forecast for this year are a devastating earthquake, the death of Pope Francis, and even another world war. Of course, his verses were so purposely vague that nobody really knows what the heck he was talking about. -Chris Agee Markets
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-$12.44 (-6.68%) š¦ Markets: Wall Street was closed for the first day of the year, but thereās plenty of speculation regarding what 2024 has in store for the stock market. Some analysts, like perennial pessimist Harry Dent, say this year could bring about a bigger crash than weāve seen in generations. But a look at historical trends suggests there could be even more good news coming. For example, over the course of more than 50 years, each time there was a recovery for the Nasdaq Composite (as there was in 2023), the index gained an average of 19% more during the following year. Together With Hero Bread
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Busting The Myths And Exploring The Realities Of Life On A 1600s Pirate ShipIt might not surprise you to learn that Hollywood gets a lot of details wrong.![]() As we get situated in 2024, itās obvious how much our society has changed over just the course of the past decade or so. But when we look much further back into history, itās difficult to accurately imagine what life was like. Art meets reality Weāre all vulnerable to sensationalized or wildly embellished depictions in popular culture that can give us a false sense of various periods. And one of the most notable examples involves the experience of living aboard a pirate ship in the 17th century. Sure, the āPirates of the Caribbeanā franchise might not come across as a documentary, but it reflects a lot of the assumptions many people have based on other, seemingly more accurate accounts. Thatās why historian Rebecca Simon researched her latest book, focusing on the āpirateās code,ā by studying historical biographies and reports ā¦ even though she acknowledged that these were also often ālargely fictionalized.ā Obeying the rules She came away with a clear belief that, unlike the carefree criminals we often see depicted in books and on screen, actual pirates understood the need for a clear set of guidelines. āYou had to be very organized,ā she said. āYou had to have very specific rules, because as a pirate youāre facing death every second of the day ā more so than if you are a merchant or a fisherman or a member of the Royal Navy.ā Simon noted that a well-run pirate ship had all the earmarks of a functioning community with everyone serving a specific role and expecting to be treated (at least by the standards of the time) fairly. Breaking the rules could lead to punishment, but it was up to the entire crew to decide on a just penalty. And if the captain got out of line, pirates could vote him out. Share this story:social
Is Artificial Intelligence Already Killing The Influencer Economy?Brands are increasingly willing to shell out big bucks to fake creators.![]() The rapid rise in artificial intelligence has sparked concern about its potential to replace millions of jobs around the world within the next few years. And one profession that seems to already be directly threatened by AI is one that hasnāt been around that long. Under the influence Since almost everyone spends a considerable portion of their day on social media, it is only natural that this has become the home for a new type of product promotion and advertising. Influencers have been able to leverage their respective audiences to get money from brands who want to feature their products and services. So far, thatās worked out pretty well for celebrities as well as ordinary folks who are just particularly good at cultivating a social media following. But the latest trend in AI signals some trouble ahead. Meet Aitana Lopez At first glance, the pink-haired woman sharing her perspective from inside a home or at an event might not be distinguishable from any number of other influencers. But thereās a big difference: Aitana Lopez is just a sophisticated code developed by a tech agency headquartered in Spain. She might not be real, but her appeal certainly is.
Itās just the beginning Many other companies are entering this āvirtual influencerā space, essentially allowing a robot to do all the work while commanding big bucks from advertisers. And with $21 billion up for grabs, this industry remains ripe for the picking. For the actual humans who have dedicated their lives to building an engaged audience, however, this represents a potentially endless stream of new competition. Share this story:meme
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A Few Reasons Why 2023 Might Go Down As The Year Of The Working-ClassSeveral successful strikes helped secure some significant gains.![]() Letās get something out of the way immediately: Inflation has been a huge burden to folks from all walks of life in recent years, making it difficult to afford lifeās necessities. But despite it all, last year was filled with some pleasant surprises for blue-collar workers, many of whom are entering 2024 in a much better position than a year ago. The union factor One major reason so many Americans made substantial gains during 2023 was the impact that strikes (or threats of strike) played in contract negotiations across multiple industries.
Despite pushback from the corporations themselves, unions were also able to gain a foothold in other workplaces, including a number of Starbucks locations. Workers have felt empowered since widespread labor shortages emerged during the pandemic shutdowns, and that helped fuel the unionization efforts behind some of the gains achieved over the course of the past 12 months. Economics 101 Of course, none of these strikes would have been successful if not for the robust economic landscape that defied most predictions. As 2023 began, analysts far and wide said it was only a matter of time before the unemployment rate started to spike and the U.S. would be mired in a recession. But those forecasts havenāt come true. Instead, the jobless rate has remained at historic lows not seen in nearly 60 years and the broad middle class has largely reaped the rewards. None of this should suggest that the rich arenāt still getting richer off the work of blue-collar Americans. Nevertheless, 2023 offered some hope that a rising economic tide will lift all boats. Share this story:World
The BreakdownA quick look around the world.![]() š On to the finals: A pair of College Football Playoff semifinal games to kick off 2024 paved the way for the national title game scheduled for next Monday. Top-ranked Michigan took on #4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, followed by a Sugar Bowl that matched up #2 Washington and #3 Texas. The winners were Michigan (in overtime) and Washington, respectively, and the top two teams are now on track to face off in Houston for the seasonās big game. šÆšµ Japanese tremors: A massive earthquake led to widespread destruction across much of western Japanās Noto peninsula early Monday. According to reports, the quake registered at a 7.6 magnitude, resulting in fires, power outages, tsunami warnings, and structural damage. A tally of casualties had not been confirmed as of the most recent updates available. Still, authorities said there were ānumerousā accounts of individuals who had been trapped under rubble or otherwise injured. š Homicide stats: There has been significant discussion about crime in communities across the U.S. in recent years. While some statistics have been moving in the wrong direction, 2023 saw far fewer of the most serious crimes. An early assessment from the firm AH Datalytics found that the past year likely recorded the sharpest decline in the homicide rate of any year on record. Nevertheless, 77% of respondents in a recent poll said they believe the overall crime rate will increase in 2023. š Blue pill backlash: In the years since Viagra came on the market, it has sparked a continuous interest among men (and their partners) in restoring that, shall we say, special spark. Despite the fact that itās a prescription drug, some dubious retailers have found ways to sell it directly to consumers. Thatās what the FDA found after it purchased āMens Maximum Energy Supplementā via Amazon and investigated its main ingredient, which was determined to be the same drug as Viagra. Share this issue: |
![]() Written by Chris Agee 90 N Church St, The Strathvale House Copyright Ā© 2022 Early Chirp. All rights reserved. |