What we’re reading (7/6)
“Gold Edges Lower As Investors Track US Trade Policy And Dollar” (Bloomberg). “Gold fell as traders sought to track shifts in US trade policy, with bullion edging lower as President Donald Trump signaled an additional 10% tariff would apply to countries aligned with the BRICS group of nations.”
“The Force-Feeding Of AI On An Unwilling Public” (The Honest Broker). “Before proceeding let me ask a simple question: Has there ever been a major innovation that helped society, but only 8% of the public would pay for it? That’s never happened before in human history. Everybody wanted electricity in their homes. Everybody wanted a radio. Everybody wanted a phone. Everybody wanted a refrigerator. Everybody wanted a TV set. Everybody wanted the Internet. They wanted it. They paid for it. They enjoyed it. AI isn’t like that. People distrust it or even hate it—and more so with each passing month. So the purveyors must bundle it into current offerings, and force usage that way.”
“What The Rise Of “Buy Now, Pay Later” Services Tells Us About The Economy” (Vox). “US consumers, especially Gen Z and millennial ones, have been embracing “buy now, pay later” services like Klarna and Afterpay with gusto the last few years. It’s not hard to see the attraction: Unlike a credit card, most BNPL plans don’t carry interest, and they generally don’t impact your credit score (though that is now changing).”
“Oil Drops As Larger OPEC+ Supply Increase Raises Glut Concerns” (Bloomberg). “Oil extended declines after OPEC+ agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase next month, raising concerns about oversupply just as US tariffs fan fears about the demand outlook.”
“Think Work-Life Balance Is Overrated? You’re Hired!” (Wall Street Journal). “In the tougher environment, many applicants find that managers are taking a harder line. They’re not just reining in flexible schedules, remote work and perks that became staples of the previously tight job market. They’re warning prospective and new employees to get ready for the grind—and they’re not afraid to say it out loud.”
