A mid-November batch of links
Since the most recent batch of links went out, paying subscribers received a reflection on visiting urgent care, then a critique of the field of PR as it stands (mostly) today. This coming weekend, they’ll enjoy a meditation on diving back in.
Below, you’ll find a batch of links that represent the themes of this newsletter: career development, community building, and self care.
Why your health insurance is so expensive. This is a very good overview of how our crazy health insurance system works. It’s the kind of link that would be worthwhile to send to young people first setting out, as they have the same questions, surely, that we all did at the start. It’s only gotten harder since then to manage the money toward preserving good health.
What America’s Longest-Tenured Employees Say About Work—Then and Now.
🌻 don’t take the bait. Love this line: “Lots of talk of bubbles and energy use, which are half truth and half wishful thinking. From three Bay Area refugees: Silicon Valley now seems “valueless,” “like it died 15 years ago,” and “a little bit evil.” New York may be static and decadent, they implied, but at least it has shame.”
DoorDash makes its corporate staff moonlight as delivery workers. It’s led to big changes to the app.
The rise of sports betting is a growing public health crisis. I know that people are aware that this is a problem of ours times, opening the gates for young people to gamble with access and without restriction, but the size of this crisis is probably still vastly understated. My understanding is that many, many high schoolers are already addicted to sports gambling.
A Parent’s Guide to Paying for College — Without the Debt.
‘Get laid off with me’ vlogs are back on the rise. “The trend of documenting being laid off first emerged post-pandemic and gained traction as mass layoffs hit in 2023 and 2024. Now it is back, as a fresh wave of workers joins the ranks of the unemployed.” This is a trend that needs to go away and stay away. I can’t stomach the thought of these folks regretting later on that they got caught up in something that needn’t be a secret, but also not be broadcast with the intent to generate virality. It’s all so cringe.
How AI became the scapegoat for the current wave of mass layoffs.
Megayachts, dog poop, and NDAs.
A post-pandemic hiring spree has also created bidding wars within the industry, driving up salaries and perks. “There’s a very severe shortage across the board of elite staff,” Daniel says. “Oh, you need a place to stay? Here’s the guest house. Oh, you need a company car? Here you go. A 401k, guaranteed hours — I mean, they’re throwing in the kitchen sink.”
Where the Taste of Home Comes With a Tariff Charge.
Fruitful advice for getting the most from a refrigerator and making groceries last longer. Lots of good advice listed here about how to store and preserve food to make it last for longer. I had no idea that wine should be laid on its side, once opened. That sounds insane to me. But OK.
Millennials are piling into alternative assets. Here’s where they’re investing.
‘Ghost job’ postings are adding another layer of uncertainty to the stalling jobs picture. “Moreover, some companies will post jobs just to keep an inventory of potential workers for positions that may open in the future.” I’ve definitely heard about this practice over time, to keep the candidate pipeline open even if there’s nothing available just now to match. To review them later, if needed for additional, alternative roles.
Women didn’t ruin the workplace. They did change it—and that’s a conversation worth having.
Dental Cost Advice for New Retirees, From a New Retiree. This is yet another one of life’s transitions that people fail to plan around and to speak about, and could wind up with surprises after a status change. We’re so bad at anticipating what will come around, not from being delinquent, only as a result of living through an insane healthcare system that we hope will serve us well yet usually doesn’t.