The Sunday Brew #46
In this brew - AI over last 8 decades | Diffusion of Innovation & Biohacking | X to charge every user, Neuralink under scanner and Bank of England holds base rate increase
Welcome to The Sunday Brew, weekly 1-2-3 newsletter by The Percolator. Every Sunday we drop in your inbox 1 story in a picture, 2 concepts, ideas or frameworks to expand your horizons and 3 news from the week, to keep you updated.
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ONE STORY IN A PICTURE
TWO IDEAS, FRAMEWORKS OR CONCEPTS
This week we bring to you two concepts - Diffusion of Innovation & Biohacking
Diffusion of Innovation
The Diffusion of Innovations theory, formulated by sociologist Everett Rogers, illuminates the journey of new concepts, technologies, or products as they spread through a population. This framework delineates how and why these innovations are embraced at varying paces by different groups.
At the forefront are the "Innovators," individuals or entities characterized by their proclivity for risk-taking and their eagerness to embrace novel ideas. Following closely are the "Early Adopters," esteemed opinion leaders within their communities who eagerly incorporate innovations into their lives.
The "Early Majority" constitutes the first substantial wave of adopters, discerning individuals who join the movement once they perceive concrete benefits. Subsequently, the "Late Majority" embraces the innovation after the societal average, often necessitating additional information and social validation. Lastly, the "Laggards" bring up the rear, displaying reluctance and a preference for tradition over change.
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Biohacking
Biohacking is a multifaceted approach to self-improvement that involves making deliberate, science-backed changes to one's lifestyle, habits, and environment in order to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It draws from a combination of disciplines, including biology, neuroscience, nutrition, and technology.
The goal of biohacking is to optimize various aspects of human performance, such as energy levels, cognitive function, sleep quality, and overall health. This can involve practices like personalized nutrition plans, targeted exercise regimens, mindfulness techniques, and the use of cutting-edge technologies or supplements.
Biohacking enthusiasts often track and analyse data related to their own physiology to fine-tune their approaches for optimal results. The overarching principle is to empower individuals to take an active role in their own health and performance, leveraging the latest scientific knowledge and technological advancements.
THREE NEWS FROM THE WEEK
X to charge every user, says Elon Musk
Elon Musk has said that he is considering charging all users of X, formerly known as Twitter, a monthly fee. He made this statement during a livestreamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 19, 2023.
Musk said that the fee would be "a few dollars or something" and that it would be necessary to deter the creation of bot accounts. It is not yet clear when or if Musk will implement this policy, but it has already generated a lot of discussion and debate. Read More »»»
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Human trials announced but Monkey death reported for Neuralink
Neuralink announced human trials on September 21, 2023. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, said that the first human trial could begin in six months. On the same day, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reported that Neuralink has killed at least 15 monkeys since 2017 in their trials. The report found that the monkeys died from a variety of causes, including brain haemorrhages, infections, and malnutrition.
The deaths of the monkeys have raised concerns not only about the readiness of the technology for human trials but also about the welfare of animals used in scientific research. Read More »»»
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BoE holds Base Rate first time in 15 months
Bank of England held base rate at 5.25% on September 21, 2023, after 15 successive raises. This was a surprise move to many economists, who had expected the Bank to raise rates by at least 0.25 percentage points.
The Bank said that it was holding rates steady because it wanted to assess the impact of its previous rate rises and because it was seeing some signs that inflation was slowing. However, the Bank also warned that inflation was still too high and that it would continue to monitor the situation closely. Read More »»»
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The Sunday Brew by The Percolator brings to you curated news on tech, business & entrepreneurship, from across the internet to give your week a perfect start.
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