• WITH HOLIDAY PARTY SEASON STARTING, A REMINDER ON HANGOVERS:  Latest study on avoiding hangovers is a bust, finding that neither supplements, probiotics or nootropics actually work. Analysis of 21 hangover ‘remedies’ found 2/3 useless and 1/3 with “slim statistical evidence of even very low-quality efficacy. But at least they didn’t make things worse… From plant extracts that claim to slightly boost the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, to genetically engineered bacteria that secretes an enzyme to breakdown the nasty byproducts, to eating fatty foods in the hope they’ll soak up the alcohol (already in the bloodstream), the only way to avoid a hangover is evidently to drink less.  [ECONOMIST WORLD AHEAD 2026]

 

  • AS ADOPTION OF A.I. BECOMES AN IMPERATIVE TOOL for running a business, it will almost certainly accelerate performance of tasks. But owners and managers must also recognize the importance of aligning its profound impact on long-term goals and resilience. Artificial intelligence is already becoming a critical factor in setting strategic direction to guide and protect areas including: (1) the direction any industry sector is headed, and likely pace of change; (2) workflow and possibly entire business model which may need reshaping; (3) new risk assumptions critical to prudent forecasting; (4) maintaining balance between equity & cash flow versus required funding & timing to minimize risks. Management’s role is to best clarify these types of issues, test the impact of assumptions, and balance risk with opportunity. DCG Strategic Advisory support has never been more necessary; let us help.

 

  • THE LATEST A.I. CONCERN IS RISK CHATBOTS POSE TO A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT, after the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found three different toys powered by AI, and marketed for children between ages 3 – 12, verging into risky conversational territory – including where to find plastic bags & knives in a kitchen, where to find pills, and how to start a fire with matches. Another, after a query on matches, linked to dating apps and then ‘kink’ – evidently a trigger word for nuances of various sexual fetishes including bondage/ roleplay/ sensory play/ and sex positions. The findings point to how unpredictable AI Chatbots are, and how untested the toys based on them remain, especially as they’re now hitting the Xmas market, with fundamental risk to a child’s development.  [FUTURISM]

 

  • ‘GUILTY PLEASURES’ INVOLVE AMBIVALENT FEELINS THAT PEOPLE HAVE about activities which give into temptation but which contradict their personal values. “They impact how we negotiate who we are, want to be, how we choose to have fun in the process, and speak volumes about the role of self-presentation and ambivalence in everyday life. Even when something brings us genuine enjoyment, if we think it might make us look silly, shallow or unsophisticated, we often choose to keep it to ourselves – effectively a social filter shaping what we reveal and conceal to maintain our desired public image.” But latest research suggests that guilty pleasures elecit a variety of positive emotions (including amusement, contentment, enthusiasm) more intently than negative emotions, which then motivate continuing to indulge despite making us feel guilty, shameful or embarrassed, since they are mostly about soothing/escaping/resetting from the pressures & stress of our day-to-day life.  [PSYCHE]

 

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK 

 

  • Hackers keep upping their scams & thefts. Easiest steps to take before hitting Enter to a link: (1) Ensure the link address is https:// since without the “s” means the site is neither encrypted nor secured. (2) Confirm the name is spelled exactly right, with no extra words, characters, or endings (like .co);  (3) Look for real physical & verifiable address/ phone/ contact; (4) Watch for spelling errors, broken images, weird fonts, strange layout; (5) Avoid if browser security warnings, or being rushed to ‘act now’, or see countdown timer to act before account is being closed, or ‘guaranteed’ winnings/ refunds/ grants; (6) Never provide SSN, bank PIN, or driver license copy; (6) if questionable, confirm with the organization site or call using phone # on credit card or prior mailed statement.  

 

  • Nineteen States currently issue Truck Driving Licenses to undocumented immigrants who are in the country illegally, most of whom do not speak English or read road signs. After five well publicized crashes and Dep’t of Transportation investigations, California DMV has now admitted to issuing more than 17,000 illegal licenses which are now being revoked. The Trump administration has rolled out a rule that would limit states’ rights to continue issuing licenses to immigrants in this category, but (surprise! surprise!) Obama and Biden-appointed judges on the Appeals courts have so far blocked this, claiming that the new rule “would harm public safety by replacing safer experienced drivers with less-safe new drivers.” While licenses are typically labeled ‘Not for Federal Purposes,’ they’ve still allowed illegals to support Census Count for federal congressional allocation, and likely filing of ballots in ‘no voter ID’ states.