5-minute Reset, The Silence, A Hot World 🫠

As the planet heats up, staying cool is becoming a serious challenge—especially if you’re working in high temperatures. But there's some good news: a team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed a new kind of clothing that's designed to keep you cool, even in the hottest conditions. And it’s not just any clothing—this stuff is smart, literally.

How It Works

Imagine clothes that know when it’s getting too hot and adjust themselves to keep you cool. That’s exactly what these soft robotic clothes do. 

• Inspired by pigeons (yep, pigeons!), which fluff their feathers to trap heat, this gear uses soft, stretchy actuators built into the fabric. When the temperature rises, these actuators expand, thickening the material to block heat. The result? Your clothes help keep you cool, even when things get steamy outside.
• The fabric is soft and flexible, unlike other high-tech clothes that can be stiff or heavy. It’s made from thermoplastic polyurethane, a material that’s tough but comfy against the skin. 
• The actuators are leak-proof and the fabric holds up even after rigorous washing. 
• No batteries or electric chips are needed either; these clothes do their job without any extra energy.

Why Do We Need This?

Traditional heat-resistant clothing, like what firefighters or outdoor workers wear, can be super uncomfortable. They’re often too hot for milder conditions and might not protect enough in extreme heat. The new clothing adapts on its own, providing just the right amount of insulation, and it’s much more comfortable to wear. 

Dr. Shou, team lead of this clothing, believes this technology could go beyond just workwear. He sees potential for everything from winter jackets to sustainable building insulation. His team is also working on puffy jackets that keep you warm in freezing temperatures.

The conversation around diversity in tech seems to be fading away. Advocacy groups like Women Who Code and Girls in Tech, once champions for inclusivity in Silicon Valley, are closing their doors as the industry pulls back from these efforts in response to right-wing backlash, according to The Washington Post. This shift puts years of hard work to make tech more inclusive at risk.

The buzz around DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in corporate America has quieted down compared to a few years ago. The lack of funding for these nonprofits suggests that companies are also tightening their wallets when it comes to supporting these important causes.

The latest TikTok trend: ’underconsumption core’

It’s all about minimalism, sustainability, and buying less—at least, in theory.

Much like other TikTok aesthetics such as cottagecore or Barbiecore, underconsumption core is rooted in a mix of visuals and ideals. Unlike its consumer-driven counterparts, this trend encourages spending less and resisting the influencer-driven urge to splurge. 

However, the name itself creates an interesting paradox: On a platform known for driving impulsive purchases—especially through the TikTok Shop—this trend challenges the very mechanics of consumerism that fuel it. You can say it’s like a meme response to consumerism and fast fashion. 

However, not everyone is convinced. Some critics argue that the trend might unintentionally glamorize poverty or class issues, and there’s skepticism that Gen Z might end up spending more in their quest to look like they’re spending less.

🥊 Epic & Apple - Fortnite maker Epic Games just launched its own app store on iPhones exclusively in Europe to get around Apple’s 30% fees.

😵‍💫 Paradoxical Numbers - Compared with four years ago, grocery prices are up about 20% and restaurant prices are up 27%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even though, the annual rate of inflation dropped to its lowest level since 2021.

👎 They Turned Down Money - Alaska Airlines flight attendants voted down a contract that promised them a 32% pay raise. 

☕ $20B+ Value in One Day - Starbuck's stock price rose 24.5%, the equivalent of $20B+ in value after news that current CEO at Chipotle and former exec at Taco Bell and Pizza Hut would be taking over the reins.

☀️ Radiation 101 - The obvious yet invisible problem with sending humans to Mars. 

👰‍♀️ Interesting Age News - In 2022, the average age gap between American husbands and wives was just 2.2 years — the narrowest it’s been in over 14 decades.