• ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING:  Most millennials and many other adults wrongly ignore the importance of revisions in planning consistent with life changes (like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, financial changes) which impact assets and priorities upon personal incapacity or death.  Beyond saving potential taxes, protection from creditors and legal challenges, important factors can include: (1) Care of minor children; (2) Behavior criteria for adult children; (3) Distribution of personal property (jewelry, artwork, collectibles, vehicles, etc.); (4) Transition of digital assets & accounts or social media; (5) Avoiding potential lengthy and costly legal Probate proceedings; (6) Best avoiding beneficiaries estrangement – since a very critical factor is selection of a credible Trustee to oversee and administer the Plan. Trustee alternatives typically involve banks/ attorneys/ business partners/ family friends/ eldest child. However, there are very often expectations of beneficiaries (especially kids from more than one marriage) which regrettably result in disputes and claims against the Estate and Trustee, particularly when related to disposition of Life Insurance Trust proceeds. DCG have decades of expertise in helping individuals and families protect their goals & objectives with guidance in strategic estate planning.

 

  • AMERICA’S DIVIDED POLITICS ARE MANIFESTED IN PARENTING STYLE.  In the last couple decades ‘GENTLE Parenting’ has evolved under a philosophy that children’s poor behavior is attributable to the parent’s attitude, and that by consistent and calm explanation kids will learn to make the right choices. ‘AUTHORITATIVE’ Parenting – aka ‘FAFO Parenting’ (“Fuk Around and Find Out,” coined by the Wall Street Journal after usage by President Trump) – is when parents “hold the line on boundaries and don’t intervene, letting kids learn the consequences of poor behavior, learn to trust themselves because they know where the boundaries are, and learn what commitments entail.” Examples are toddlers continually throwing toys out of a stroller or food on the floor (sometimes just to see what happens next), or breaking a rule about phone or screen time, cutting a class or after-school lesson or activity.  FAFO approach is they don’t get the toy or food back, lose the phone or iPad privileges, or get grounded.  The resurgence of hardline parenting is based on belief that “the era of a participation trophy is over, and FAFO strategy is necessary for a child’s survival in a harsh world.”   [PATRIOT POST]

 

  • THE SOCIAL COST OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR VULNERABLE TEENAGERS, by “interacting with an engineered personality that excels in showering them with a sort of fast & easy validation, is deepening their social disorders and elevating narcissism… AI has coincided with smartphones to result in teens becoming less outgoing, agreeable, conscientious, and more neurotic.” To the AI, the input from a user is always reasonable and deserving of a gold star, versus therapists/ teachers/ parents who at least know when to tell someone they’re wrong or guide them to a more authentic realization. But vulnerable teens can be “lured into chats that inflate their delusions by articulate, always-online, and highly practiced you-are-so-right reassurance of a disembodied bot that excels in flattery.” Even before the invention of 24-hour generative digital buddies, face-to-face teen socializing has declined some 15% in the last decade, with similar trends in conscientiousness and extroversion. “Young people today are meaningfully less likely to make plans and follow through, persevere through hard work, or avoid easy distractions, while reducing the quality of social interactions by encoding the expectation that they are always right.”  [REAL CLEAR SCIENCE]

 

  • OVER THE LAST FIVE DECADES, THE LYRICS OF CHART-TOPPING AMERICAN SONGS have become simpler and angrier, particularly during major societal crises (like 9/11 terrorism and Covid pandemic).  Based on over 20K unique Billboard Hot 100 songs measured for frequency of stress-related words associated with anxiety & pressure, researchers found frequency of such language increase, while complexity of lyrics decreased, became more repetitive & emotional, and sentiment became more negative. These results aligned with broader observations of rising stress and mental health issues in the general population, and ‘mood management’ theory that individuals select media to regulate their emotional state, which can improve their mood or reduce tension using music as a form of escapism.  [PSYPOST.ORG]

 

 

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

 

  • Reality is that the nature of power requires people to surrender certain faculties necessary for intelligent thought – like independence, critical thinking and reflection. So, the more someone becomes part of the establishment, the slogans, catchwords and the like effectively turn them into automatons, engaging their smiles rather than their brains, choosing to follow suit rather than think things through, and governing pretty stupidly.  Today’s evident absurdity of decisions by many elected officials confirms this reality. The impact is that because evil people find it hard to take Power, they maneuver & manipulate stupid people to do their bidding, and a stupid person is often more dangerous with greater potential to damage our lives. Regrettably, that’s increasingly the direction our divisive political world is headed.  [BIG THINK]

 

  • Latest research reports that two-thirds of people initiate interactions with ‘Small Talk’ about the weather, laying the groundwork for more involved conversations should we have time or inclination to do so. Especially when dealing with strangers, it is conversationally neutral (versus politics, music, sports, etc.) and unlikely to lead to any clashing disagreements, while breaking down communication or social barriers to avoid awkward silences. Small Talk is also a means of sharing social cues, like facial expressions and tone of voice, that subconsciously communicate how we wish to be received and perceived. Who knew?  [MENTAL FLOSS].

 

  • Caring for grandchildren appears to protect against cognitive decline, according to latest study of nearly 3,000 grandparents. Those who provided care at any point in the prior year, regardless of frequency and type of care – playing or engaging in activities, driving to school or activities, helping with homework, preparing meals, watching overnight, caring for illness, whatever – scored higher on memory and verbal fluency, even after adjusting for age, health and other factors.  [AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASS’N, APA.ORG]