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<ul><li><keyword id="1377264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple-ceo-tim-cook" source="Orion">Apple CEO Tim Cook</keyword> revealed a personal detail in an interview</li><li>He has a name for his group chat with college friends</li><li>Cook also admitted he didn't know about the feature in the interview</li></ul> From waking up at 4:00 am to check emails to working out before sunrise, there are plenty aspects of <keyword id="145686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple-ceo" source="Orion">Apple CEO</keyword> <keyword id="19954680" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tim-Cook" source="keywords">Tim Cook</keyword>'s life that we have all read about. Cook is behind one of the most influential tech companies in the world which is why people are generally curious to know more and more about him. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal Magazine, Cook gave a rare glimpse into his personal life by sharing the name of his group chat with college friends. In a candid moment during an interview, Cook revealed that the chat is called “Roommates,” a nod to the close bond he still shares with his university friends after all these years. <h2>Tim Cook names his group chat with friends</h2>Even though Cook revealed the name of the group chat to the interviewer, he had earlier mentioned that he wasn't aware of the feature that you can name group chats in iMessage. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113599807" title="Elon Musk to Tim Cook: A morning in the lives of big tech CEOs" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Cook was asked, “What’s the best name for a group chat?”—a question that clearly caught him off guard. He admitted, with some bewilderment, “I don’t name them,” showing genuine surprise at the concept. The light-hearted exchange offered a rare look at the disconnect that sometimes exists between tech leaders and the finer points of everyday user experience. However, when Cook met the interviewer the next time, he revealed that he named a group chat with his college friends “Roommates.” <h2>Love for <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> and company's success mantra </h2> The interview also revealed that Cook, as you would expect, frequently switches between his MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac at work, depending on his task. Moreover, he prefers his iPad Pro while on the move. Cook’s relationship with the devices he oversees isn’t just professional—it’s personal, reinforcing his deep commitment to the brand. Cook also shared that the key to the company’s success lies in one word: focus. “The key for us is focus,” he explained, adding that saying no to good ideas is sometimes necessary to make room for great ones. It’s a mantra that has helped keep Apple at the cutting edge of innovation, making tough decisions to stay ahead in the fast-evolving tech world.

This is what Apple CEO Tim Cook named his group chat with college friends

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Department of Government Efficiency wouldn't be a department, but an outside advisory group.</li><li>Under current law, Congress needs to approve most budget changes, limiting the DOGE's power.</li></ul>President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new effort to slash what he sees as federal inefficiency, with Elon Musk as cost-cutter-in-chief.Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-trump-cabinet-election-x-2024-9">made good on a campaign promise</a> when he tapped Musk to co-lead the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE, alongside former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.Musk says he wants to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget to make it more efficient and effective. Beyond that, though, little is known about how the DOGE will function and how much power it — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-adopts-elon-musk-plan-cut-government-spending-efficiency-reform-2024-9">and Musk</a> — will have.Musk did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment for this article. A representative for Ramaswamy declined to comment.<h2 id="2dc0c03e-9977-4403-9201-3d55e844524d">What do we know about the DOGE?</h2>Despite its name, the DOGE will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-doge-gets-a-government-checkmark-on-x-2024-11">not actually be a government department</a>, as departments are permanent and can only be created by Congress. Instead, it will function "outside of the government" and disband by July 4, 2026, Trump said in a statement.<div type="image" title="Trump and Musk at a rally" height="2584" width="4184" msid="115360794" hostid="261" sizebytes="161264"></div>The name DOGE is an homage to Musk's preferred cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, which shot up in value after Trump won the election. Under current law, the DOGE might not be able to accomplish much, since Congress controls federal spending."They have no power. No power at all," Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Brookings Institute who led efforts to reform the federal government under former President Bill Clinton, told Business Insider. "They do make recommendations, and once they make recommendations, the expectation is that the government will act on them."There's no guarantee that a recommendation will turn into a policy, especially given that many of the DOGE's suggestions will likely require congressional approval, Kamarck said.<h2 id="0f11a880-6c1f-4025-a722-a860ae33d16c">The DOGE's $2 trillion goal is something of a pipe dream.</h2>Federal spending <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-department-government-efficiency-doge-2024-11">reached $6.75 trillion in 2024</a>. Multiple experts told BI that it's unlikely Musk will be able to cut his desired $2 trillion without sacrificing programs that have wide bipartisan support or fall under federal mandatory spending, like Medicare and Social Security. Kamarck called the $2 trillion goal the "most unrealistic" part of the whole DOGE plan.Trump has long been preoccupied with cutting what he sees as Washington's waste and fraud."The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will ultimately be staffed and dedicated to this mission," Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team, told BI in a statement.Quoting former Rep. Barney Frank, Kamarck said that excess federal spending is "marbled" <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-doge-government-efficiency-what-us-spends-2024-11">throughout the budget</a>, like fat throughout a steak, making the DOGE's desired $2 trillion in cuts tricky."It just doesn't work, unless you decide to start cutting Social Security benefits or Medicare, at which point all hell breaks loose," she told BI. "And you know, the bromance between Trump and Musk will end very quickly."Known for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-efficiency-companies-tesla-spacex-x-2024-11">streamlining efficiency at his companies</a>, Musk says he wants to cut bureaucracy, shrink the federal workforce, and trim the number of federal agencies down to no more than 99 (there are currently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies">more than 440</a>).Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former director of the Congressional Budget Office, told BI that he doubted that the loosely defined group would be able to accomplish much given its sprawling $2 trillion target."It is hard for me to get seriously ginned up about it until there's a real structure there that suggests that this makes some sense and has a purpose," he said. "If something is designed to do everything, it will do nothing."<h2 id="6bcaf431-1be5-4839-9b83-d0f24a7146cf">The DOGE will exist "outside of government."</h2>In one scenario, the DOGE could function as an advisory committee, which Trump can create through an executive order. The president-elect said the DOGE will work with the Office of Management and Budget, which prepares the president's budget request for Congress."They have made clear that this is a non-governmental department, which is not a familiar term, and so it's not really clear how the organization will operate because of that," Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the progressive nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen, told BI. "It might be an advisory committee of non-governmental actors, but even from that posture, it won't have the authority to alter budgets or fire employees or rescind regulations."<div type="image" title="Donald Trump and Elon Musk" height="1910" width="2707" msid="115360796" hostid="261" sizebytes="118134"></div>Kamarck said that there are specific rules laying out how much interaction external committees can have with the government, but it's not clear how Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy envision the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-hiring-staff-how-to-apply-2024-11">internal infrastructure of the DOGE</a>."How are they going to talk to each other? How are they going to meet with each other? Are they going to go talk to anybody in the government, or are they just going to make up things from 50 miles away?" she said.On November 14, the DOGE <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DOGE/status/1857076831104434289">said in a post on X</a> that it is seeking "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ per week on unglamorous cost-cutting." Musk said on his <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1857112441529700671">personal X account</a> that the positions will not be paid.<h2 id="4c25da3e-39de-44e2-a1c5-c7249f9fc728">Trump has talked about changing a key law that limits his federal spending power.</h2>Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy may try to circumvent the congressional obstacles standing in the way of their cost-cutting agenda. Last year, Trump expressed interest in going after the Impoundment Control Act, a 1974 provision that requires the president spend funds that Congress has appropriated."Bringing back Impoundment will give us a crucial tool with which to obliterate the Deep State, Drain the Swamp, and starve the Warmongers," the president-elect <a target="_blank" href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-using-impoundment-to-cut-waste-stop-inflation-and-crush-the-deep-state">said in a video</a> in June 2023.Holtz-Eakin said attempting to skirt the impoundment act would be like rewriting history, and Kamarck told BI that any attempt to not spend money that Congress has appropriated poses big Constitutional questions."If he tries to change the law so that he can impound funds, my guess is there'll be a fight in the Congress and he'll lose," she said.<h2 id="4956dc95-91da-4028-b1b3-d843a1509397">Musk could bump up against many conflicts of interest but likely wouldn't have to divest from his companies.</h2>If the DOGE is a federal advisory committee, Musk and Ramaswamy would likely be "special government employees," who are experts or consultants that can work for a federal agency or the White House for up to 130 days. They do not get paid and, crucially, would not have to divest from their companies."They've been clear also that they're staying in their roles as the heads of companies and in other places," Gilbert said. "Not being a part of government means they don't have to deconflict themselves."In a press release for Public Citizen, Gilbert said that Musk's "own businesses have regularly run afoul of the very rules he will be in position to attack" as the DOGE co-lead.<div type="image" title="Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy" height="5504" width="8256" msid="115360795" hostid="261" sizebytes="4296554"></div>In the role, Musk and Ramaswamy would still be bound to federal ethics laws and have to recuse themselves from conversations that affect them personally, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-14/doge-what-can-musk-do-with-the-department-of-government-efficiency?srnd=homepage-americas">Bloomberg</a> reported. With his companies under investigation from at least 20 federal regulatory agencies and SpaceX having more than $15 billion in federal contracts, Musk could face many such conflicts.Kamarck said that there's no "firm line" about when employees need to take themselves out of discussions, but that lawyers address questions on a case-by-case basis.Musk has expressed public frustration with what he views as overbearing federal oversight, which he said has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/us/politics/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-trump.html">slowed down his pace of business</a>.By law, meetings of advisory committees, like the kind the DOGE could be, need to be open, and Musk has no problem with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-leaderboard-federal-government-spending-trump-2024-11">transparency</a> — in fact, he seems to invite it. In a post on X, the billionaire promised to post all of the group's actions online <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-leaderboard-government-spending-marketing-genius-doge-donald-trump-2024-11">"for maximum transparency</a>" and said the public should chime in with their opinions.It's also possible the group might intentionally avoid becoming a federal committee because of the increased oversight and scrutiny, Holtz-Eakin said."It's not a federal committee as far as I can tell," he said. "I think that's deliberate. If you do that, then you're subject to lots of things like a conflict of interest you have to sign off on, and I think that would be a nightmare for Mr. Musk. And so they're not going to let it tiptoe toward federal jurisdiction."Until Trump actually forms the DOGE, if he ever does, the legal and bureaucratic details remain murky, and the experts BI spoke with aren't convinced that it will work well."It sounds a little screwy, frankly," Kamarck said.

How Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency could actually work

Actors <keyword id="23884528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ray-Romano" source="keywords">Ray Romano</keyword>, <keyword id="23170392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="John-Leguizamo" source="keywords">John Leguizamo</keyword>, and <keyword id="20069771" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Queen-Latifah" source="keywords">Queen Latifah</keyword> have shared an update with their fans about the sequel of the animated film franchise 'Ice Age', according to The Hollywood Reporter. The stars, who have lent their voices to the previous films, shared that '<keyword id="23170391" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ice-Age-6" source="keywords">Ice Age 6</keyword>' is in the works. In a video shown at D23 Brazil, which was shared on Disney's social media handle, Romano can be seen shivering in the cold and saying, "Ray Romano here with some big news! Wow, it's cold in here. Did the AC break or something?" At the same time, Latifah called Romano and said, "Hey Ray, ready to give the big announcement? I see you got my gift. I thought it would be fun," as snow began to fall on the soundstage. Romano then reveals that "Ice Age 6 is coming to theatres." Leguizamo added, "The Herd is back, baby! I gotta call everybody I know." 'Ice Age' is an American media franchise centring on a group of mammals surviving the Pleistocene ice age. It consists of computer-animated films, short films, TV specials and a series of video games. The five films that were released in theatres are 'Ice Age' in 2002, 'Ice Age: The Meltdown' in 2006, 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' in 2009, 'Ice Age: Continental Drift' in 2012, and 'Ice Age: Collision Course' in 2016. Disney has not yet shared the official release date for 'Ice Age 6', as per The Hollywood Reporter.

'Ice Age 6' in the works with Ray Romano, Queen Latifah returning

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My 8-year-old loves Lego blocks and has been asking for years to go to <keyword id="23618278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Legoland" source="keywords">Legoland</keyword>.</li><li>As a <keyword id="21623863" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="single-mom" source="keywords">single mom</keyword>, finances can be tight, and I needed to figure out how to make it happen.</li></ul>For years, my 8-year-old son has said he wants to be a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lego-master-builders-life-size-sculptures-2016-7">master builder for The Lego Group</a>. So many of our bedtime stories were about Legoland, and I wanted to take him there as badly as he wanted to visit. It reminded me of visiting SeaWorld as a teenager and being inspired to study marine biology. However, as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/having-cleaning-person-takes-up-budget-but-its-worth-it-2022-4">single mom, finances can be tight</a>, and I knew it would take some strategic planning and scrimping to make the trip happen. Although some parents are willing to go into debt for their dream vacations, I'm not. I've always valued experiences over material things, but not if it breaks the bank. <h2>We created a budget for our trip</h2>In the weeks leading up to our trip, I asked my son to help create our itinerary with one activity per day. The highlight of the weeklong <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-kid-friendly-city-travel-guide-2024-8">vacation would be Legoland</a>, and we put together a list of attractions in the San Diego area that ranged from free options like the beach or low-cost museum visits to the pricier attractions. As I worked on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-dont-pay-for-accommodations-traveling-trusted-housesitters-review-2024">big-picture budget</a>, I also helped my son create his own. He had been really excited to hear a friend describe how his savings account grew money over time. So when we sold his bike for $80 early in the summer, I set the money aside in my high-yield savings account for his spending money. As for the trip itself, there were a few things I could take advantage of. I was able to cash in a couple of bonds that my grandfather purchased for me decades ago, I had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-start-collecting-air-miles-2017-9">air miles I could use for the short trip</a> from Oregon to California, and we had access to a family timeshare. Had we not had some help with these expenses, I likely would have shortened the trip or continued saving for another year. I focused on finding deals for the rental car, food, and attractions and saved in those areas by visiting mid-week and buying tickets that included meals. My one splurge was an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/legoland-new-york-resort-hotel-family-review-2023-10">overnight stay at the Legoland hotel</a>, which was completely worth it when I saw my son's smile as we walked into our Ninjago-themed room and played with the Lego bricks in the pool. <h2>We talked about how much money we had to spend each day</h2>We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-new-yorker-found-surprising-about-visiting-california-photos-2021-12">landed in San Diego</a> early Monday afternoon, dropped off our bags, and headed to Trader Joe's to grab snacks and breakfast fixings for the week. My son was amazed by everything he saw — the palm trees, the playground we spotted across the street, and our big studio room. I thought back to the many trips I'd taken over the years while enjoying seeing the city through his eyes. My son had a nice sum to spend during the week. He'd been saving his allowance, and I matched the proceeds from the sale of his bike. He had earned a meager amount of interest in the savings account, and we talked about how, had the money stayed in the account longer, he would have earned more. He wanted a $150 Lego set at Legoland, so he knew he had limited funds to spend elsewhere. At the start of each day, we discussed how much he had to spend, and then he carefully made a decision at each attraction. Despite this, there were some additional requests for me to buy things, and although I stayed firm on most, I did give in to some, like Ninjago pajamas, which he needed anyway. He loved wearing them around the park the next day. Every place we went had souvenir penny machines. I've collected these since I was a kid and was excited when Noah asked to get them, happily contributing the 50 cents or a dollar it took for the little memento. I stood behind him and thought about which imprint I'd choose as he carefully picked his own, like the Komodo dragon at the San Diego Zoo or the dolphins at SeaWorld. <h2>We slowed down and enjoyed free things</h2>As our energy decreased in the waning days of our trip, we slowed down. At first, I'd really wanted to maximize our time and take in all that we could, hoping to "get our money's worth," but by Friday, we needed a break. A late start wouldn't hurt our visit to SeaWorld, which was open until 8 p.m. We hung out in our studio, eating breakfast and lunch there before heading out. It was a nice reminder that vacation doesn't always have to be about seeing and doing everything; it can also be about relaxing. We spent our last day with friends, enjoying a hike overlooking La Jolla and eventually moving closer to the beach to watch the waves and sea lions. Our activity that day was another beautiful reminder that nature is free and entertaining in its own right. In the days following the trip, I felt exhausted by the daily money decisions yet relieved and satisfied that I navigated them. Creating meaningful moments doesn't require going into debt; instead, it can be about intention and focus on what's important. My son will never know how much I spent on that trip. What he'll remember is seeing the panda at the San Diego Zoo and driving the cars at Legoland. And that's exactly what I want him to remember. Deborah Goldstein is a philanthropy advisor focused on supporting philanthropists on their giving journey. In her spare time she's working on a memoir about the meaningful moments of life.

As a single mom, finances can be tight. Taking my son to Legoland was a good way to teach him about money.  

Dear Reader, Another week draws to a close, and there’s much to discuss across the business and tech world. As <keyword id="19981455" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ratan-Tata" source="keywords">Ratan Tata</keyword>’s passing sends ripples of emotional reflection throughout India, former employees of <keyword id="20050933" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Cliq" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Cliq" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Cliq">Tata Cliq</keyword> opened up about how his leadership values shaped their careers. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle space saw turbulence as <keyword id="19897349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola-Electric" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ola Electric" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ola Electric">Ola Electric</keyword> faces rising customer complaints and a noticeable dip in market share—raising questions about the company’s once-stellar reputation. Additionally, with World <keyword id="19956983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="keywords">Mental Health</keyword> Day just behind us, we put the spotlight on the importance of mental well-being in high-pressure environments through insights from a former <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> employee. And something seems to be off with the GenZ folk as they begin showing off their <keyword id="23513751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartphone-pinkies" source="keywords">smartphone pinkies</keyword>. Join us as we dive into these stories and more, keeping you informed on the latest shifts in business and more. <h2>Top stories from the week </h2> ’My parents received a letter thanking them when I joined’: Ex-Tata Cliq employees recall Ratan Tata’s company culture Former employees of Tata Cliq recall how Ratan Tata’s compassionate leadership and values were ingrained in the company’s culture. Many employees never met him personally but felt his influence through practices that valued not only the workers but also their families. For instance, a former Cliq employee shared that her parents received a letter of thanks when she joined Tata Cliq, reflecting the deep respect the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> held for its employees. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/article/my-parents-received-a-letter-thanking-them-when-i-joined-ex-tata-cliq-employees-recall-ratan-tatas-company-culture/articleshow/114118229.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> The Ola Electric Saga: Are surge in complaints and declining market share a wake-up call for <keyword id="19914967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavish-Aggarwal" source="keywords">Bhavish Aggarwal</keyword>? Ola Electric, once dominating India’s electric two-wheeler market, is now facing a surge in customer complaints and a sharp decline in market share. The company has been under fire for long wait times, unresolved technical issues, and customer dissatisfaction. The government has also issued notices for potential violations. Once holding nearly half the market, Ola’s share has fallen to 27%, with competition from legacy automakers Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors rapidly increasing. Is this a wake-up call for Ola’s founder Bhavish Aggarwal? <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/the-ola-electric-saga-are-surge-in-complaints-and-declining-market-share-a-wake-up-call-for-bhavish-aggarwal/articleshow/114120828.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> <keyword id="19919711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gen-Z" source="keywords">Gen Z</keyword> folk are showing off their ‘smartphone pinkies’ — and the images are horrifying A new trend called “smartphone pinky” is gaining attention, with Gen Z users flaunting bent or dented pinkies caused by holding their phones for extended periods. This quirky phenomenon is becoming a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While some celebrate their “iPhone pinkies” as a badge of honour, medical experts warn that these habits could lead to more serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve damage. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/gen-z-folk-are-showing-off-their-smartphone-pinkies-and-the-images-are-horrifying/articleshow/114070817.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> The Nobel Prize-winning ‘godfather of AI’ says he’s glad one of his students had a hand in ousting Sam Altman from OpenAI Geoffrey Hinton, a newly awarded Nobel laureate in physics and the “godfather of AI,” expressed pride that his former student, <keyword id="21285071" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ilya-Sutskever" source="keywords">Ilya Sutskever</keyword>, played a role in ousting Sam Altman from OpenAI. Hinton noted that Altman prioritised profits over AI safety, diverging from the original vision of OpenAI. Though Sutskever later expressed regret for his decision, Hinton’s remarks highlight the growing tensions within the AI industry. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/artificial-intelligence/news/the-nobel-prize-winning-godfather-of-ai-says-hes-glad-one-of-his-students-had-a-hand-in-ousting-sam-altman-from-openai/articleshow/114077932.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> World Mental Health Day: Ex-Google employee shares tips on protecting mental health at the workplace, says he experienced stress and anxiety On World Mental Health Day earlier this week, former Google employee Nicholas Whitaker opened up about the stress and anxiety he faced during his 13-year tenure at the tech giant. He talked about the importance of setting boundaries, practising mindfulness, and aligning work with personal values to maintain mental well-being. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/article/world-mental-health-day-ex-google-employee-shares-tips-on-protecting-mental-health-at-workplace-says-he-experienced-stress-and-anxiety/articleshow/114072724.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Read more</a> <h2>Top web stories</h2> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/top-dussehra-getaways-from-delhi-escapes-for-the-festive-weekend/slidelist/114046437.cms">Top Dussehra getaways from Delhi: Escapes for the festive weekend</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/vande-bharat-sleeper-trains-first-glimpses-show-snazzy-colours-and-comfortable-furnishings/slidelist/114068864.cms">Vande Bharat sleeper train’s first glimpses show snazzy colours, comfortable interiors</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/food/webstories/9-ways-to-curb-your-sugar-cravings-for-a-healthier-lifestyle/slidelist/113851201.cms">9 ways to curb your sugar cravings for a healthier lifestyle</a>

Weekend wrap: Ratan Tata's legacy, Ola Electric's woes, smartphone pinkies and more

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple">Apple</a> Vision Pro is cool, but with its big price tag it's been lacking a "killer app."</li><li>Some people say its killer app might actually be using the Vision Pro to replace several monitors.</li></ul>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-killer-app-six-months-later-2024-8">Apple Vision Pro has been in need of a "killer app.</a>" Is that killer app just … being able to use it as a computer? I'm a little skeptical.Here's where we're at: Things have been meh for the Apple Vision Pro.It had a hotly anticipated launch and promising early reviews, but sales are lukewarm to disappointing. There were reports of people returning their headsets in the first month. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-sales-expected-under-half-million-this-year-2024-7">Sales projections</a> have been cut. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-production-weak-demand-2024-10">Production is reportedly slowing</a>. Business Insider's Jordan Hart's review of the device said that it was impressive, but after a week she found herself <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/apple-vision-pro-review">running out of reasons to use it</a>.With a $3,500 price tag, people need a reason beyond "gee whiz" to buy the Vision Pro. It needs a killer app. (Yes, a disclaimer that the device will improve and get cheaper, current meh-ness is not indicative of future wow-ness, etc., etc.)At <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-11-10/apple-s-expansion-plan-glasses-home-devices-mixed-reality-headsets-airpods-m3bncxeo">Bloomberg, Mark Gurman</a> recently made the argument that a newly improved feature that acts like an external monitor is the device's killer feature:In Tuesday's Stratechery <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://stratechery.com/2024/apple-earnings-ai-capex-and-r-the-vision-pro-gets-a-killer-app/">newsletter</a>, Ben Thompson doubles down:I fear this reveals I'm vibrating at a lower frequency, but … four monitors?! I mean, sure! Absolutely, if that's your preferred work setup, I am not going to yuck anyone's yum. I bet I would actually love four monitors. I'm over here with only two in my rig like a plebe.But what I'm thinking is that if the Apple Vision Pro's killer app is that it can replace four $1,600 monitors, which makes it more convenient for traveling … well, look. I'm not sure how many people are in that same boat.Yes, I know the monitor maximalists are out there, and I fear respect them as a group — Please do not email me if you use that many monitors; you are clearly more efficient than I am and I cannot handle my inbox — but is there a lot of demand for travel replacement set for your four monitors? Are there that many of you?Moreover, when you zoom out a little, what this means is that the $3,500 headset's killer app is just … a way to work on a computer. Which is fine, but also: Your computer does that. I'm vaguely reminded of the joke about how Silicon Valley keeps trying to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://jalopnik.com/silicon-valley-invents-bus-1796221702">reinvent the</a> <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/972243992153739265">concept of a bus</a>.So I'm not totally sold on the idea this is the killer app for the Vision Pro. It sounds cool. I wish anyone who is using it like this the best — please go on with love and light. But … I don't think this is case closed.

Apple Vision Pro's killer app is actually just working on your laptop?

<keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> chairman <keyword id="19981455" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ratan-Tata" source="keywords">Ratan Tata</keyword> left for his heavenly abode on Wednesday. Tata, aged 86, died on Wednesday evening at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after a brief illness. The industrialist was widely known for transforming the Tata Group into a global powerhouse and would often make headlines for his <keyword id="21072972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="philanthropic-efforts" source="keywords">philanthropic efforts</keyword>. Perhaps this is why, the death of the renowned industralist has struck a chord with the entire nation and beyond. The Maharashtra government also declared a day of mourning today in Ratan Tata's honour. From Reliance Industries MD <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mukesh-ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> and Adani Group chairman <keyword id="111343" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gautam-adani" source="Orion">Gautam Adani</keyword> to <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> CEO <keyword id="164502" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sundar-pichai" source="Orion">Sundar Pichai</keyword>, a lot of business tycoons have reacted to Ratan Tata's death. Let us take a look at some reactions. Industrialist Gautam Adani hailed Tata as a “giant” and a “visionary” who redefined modern India’s path. “He wasn’t just a business leader; he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good,” Adani said. His words echoed the sentiment of many who admired Tata for his values and leadership, which transformed the Tata Group into a global enterprise while maintaining its deep connection to Indian society. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also expressed his grief over Tata’s death, noting his deep commitment to India’s progress. “Ratan Tata deeply cared about making India better,” Pichai wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Reflecting on his last meeting with Tata at Google, where they discussed advancements in Waymo, Pichai added that Tata’s vision was inspiring. “He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy, having mentored and developed modern business leadership in India.” Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, shared his sorrow over the loss of a mentor whose guidance he believed was invaluable, particularly at a time when India’s economy is poised for significant growth. “Ratan’s life and work had much to do with our current position on the global stage,” Mahindra noted. “His example will continue to guide us, and legends like him never die.” Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed personal grief over the loss of a “dear friend.” Ambani described Tata as a visionary who took India to the world and brought global innovations to India. “With his passing, India has lost one of her most illustrious sons. His contributions will continue to inspire future generations,” Ambani said, adding that Tata’s legacy of humility, integrity, and compassion was one that would remain etched in memory. RPG Enterprises’ Harsh Goenka also paid tribute to Tata, describing him as a beacon of ethical leadership. “The clock has stopped ticking for the titan of Indian industry,” Goenka wrote, underscoring the indelible mark Tata left on both business and society. Other prominent figures, including Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> and Commerce Minister <keyword id="19895367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal" source="keywords">Piyush Goyal</keyword>, also expressed their sorrow. Sitharaman lauded Tata as a leader whose deep resolve for innovation and social responsibility transformed industries and uplifted communities. Goyal, meanwhile, referred to Tata as a “true nationalist” who brought immense pride to India through his global achievements. Apart from celebrities, politicians and business tycoons, Ratan Tata is also being remembered by millions of Indians on social media. Various people have shared heartfelt posts on platforms like Instagram and X, mourning the death of the Tata Group chairman. Tata, born in 1937 in Mumbai, led the Tata Group as Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. He was instrumental in expanding the group’s global footprint while staying true to the company’s founding principles of ethical business practices and social responsibility. His leadership extended far beyond the boardroom, as he dedicated much of his life to philanthropy, focusing on education, healthcare, and rural development. As India mourns the loss of a corporate icon, the tributes from business leaders paint a portrait of Ratan Tata as a visionary who transcended his role as an industrialist to become a symbol of India’s aspirations and values. His legacy, built on integrity, innovation, and a commitment to the greater good, will continue to inspire future generations. Tata’s mortal remains will be kept at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai for the public to pay their respects, before his final rites are performed later in the day.

‘Deeply cared about making India better’: Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Sundar Pichai and others react to Ratan Tata's death

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a> played it safe this election — deemphasizing politics on Meta's platforms.</li><li>Although Donald Trump has said he would like to put Zuckerberg in jail, that's highly unlikely.</li></ul>Mark Zuckerberg has been burned before. In the elections of 2016 and 2020, Facebook came under intense scrutiny. (And it's still going on: There was a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx">Supreme Court hearing</a> Wednesday over lingering issues from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-deposition-sec-facebook-user-data-cambridge-analytica-2022-12">Cambridge Analytica scandal</a>.)In 2024, Zuckerberg and Meta played it safe by trying to stay as far away from the election as possible. No more elaborate efforts to register voters on Facebook. No more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-attacks-mark-zuckerberg-in-an-angry-statement-2021-10">$400 million donations to get-out-the-vote efforts</a> like in 2020. No more promoting news pages or Facebook Groups that might do things like organize a large and dangerous rally.Meta nipped the whole thing in the bud by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/threads-twitter-politics-not-the-focus-adam-mosseri-2023-7">tamping down news and political content</a> recommendations across Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Sure, this was at least in part because user feedback told them we all wanted less political content — but it also happened to be quite convenient for a company that wanted out of the nightmare of continuous controversies anyway.The strategy paid off: On Tuesday, there's little talk of Meta's role in the election. Zuckerberg's would-be grappling partner, Elon Musk, did the exact opposite: He went all-in on Trump with both <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter-donald-trump-wealth-campaign-influence-2024-11">his own money and the heft of his social platform</a>. That turned out well for Musk — but it was a risk.So Meta made it through the election without half the country convinced that it helped cause the result. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is unlikely to be dragged in front of Congress to answer questions about his platform's perceived bias.What a Trump administration means for Meta, well, we'll see. There are some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-presidency-affect-big-tech-2024-11">potential downsides for Big Tech</a> — tariffs could hurt parts of their businesses, for example. And Meta is already facing a variety of legal battles with states. But any possible outcomes — good or bad — are more in the realm of normal ups and downs, not existential reckonings or crises. For Meta, it'll likely be broadly business as usual.As far as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-comments-about-facebook-mark-zuckerberg-feud-history-2024-7">Trump's threat to jail Zuckerberg</a>? I'll eat my hat and Trump's if that actually happens. It was part of the rhetoric from Trump grumbling about the 2020 election outcome. Now that he's won in a clear and decisive way, I think he'll move on.And Zuckerberg, like some other CEOs, seems to have figured out the most effective way to manage Trump: deal with him privately — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-had-undisclosed-dinner-donald-trump-2019-11">Zuckerberg met with Trump</a> at an undisclosed dinner in 2019 — and praise him publicly. After the assassination attempt on Trump in July, Zuckerberg referred to Trump as looking "badass."On Wednesday, Zuckerberg continued to play it safe. He posted a message to Threads congratulating Trump on his win. But he was apparently playing it truly safe: He didn't post his message until two hours after <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/business-leaders-react-donald-trump-winning-election-silicon-valley-2024-11">Jeff Bezos posted a congratulations message</a> of his own.

Mark Zuckerberg played it safe with Donald Trump this election. That strategy worked.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Andrew Middleton, 65, is not ready to quit working anytime soon.</li><li>The dad of three juggles consulting, mentoring, working as a TV extra, and wedding registrar.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Andrew Middleton, 65, of Southern England. It has been edited for length and clarity.I don't have a conventional retirement model. My father, who worked as a social worker, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/carpenter-saves-3-million-and-sent-33-teens-to-college-debt-free">became a carpenter </a>in later life. He was a wood-turner well into his 80s.At 76, My grandfather was still an"office messenger boy." He'd run up and down London delivery parcels.It had quite an impact on me. Now that I'm 65, I have no intention of slowing down. Sometimes, people say that I'm a boomer with the mentality of a millennial. I don't disagree with that.My motto is, "Have fun. Get Paid. Do some good." I no longer earn $160,000 a year in the corporate world — I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amex-salaries-open-roles-it-finance-engineering-2022-1">worked for American Express</a> and British Airways before entering the charity sector — but I make enough to get by on top of my investments.At the moment, I'm doing some consultancy work on reviving my local town center. My side hustles include paid and unpaid mentoring and officiating marriages as a registrar. I've also done <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-become-film-television-extra-work-enola-holmes-fantastic-beasts-2022-6">work as an extra</a> in films.<h2 id="15b208af-3c31-4ff7-8914-21c06e2baa0e">I mentor younger people</h2>One of my motivations is proving people wrong. A friend my age was made redundant from a finance position in London. He'd been quite a decent, professional manager but wound up working at a supermarket."There are no good, interesting jobs for those over 60 because you can't get them due to ageism," he told me. I thought for a moment. "I'm sure there are," I said. It's a case of knowing where to look and using your background to your advantage.I became a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-wedding-officiant-at-chapel-of-love-2022-9">wedding registrar</a> after seeing the position advertised in the newspaper. I'm employed by the government and bring experience to the role. People typically don't want to be married by someone in their early 20s.Public speaking comes easily to me. For example, I don't have a problem addressing 100 people at a hotel. Skills like effective communication never go away.It's one of the things about which I offer advice as a mentor. I'm mentoring a radio presenter in his 20s for no charge. It's rewarding. He doesn't see me as an old fogey and values my input after 46 years in various professions.<h2 id="670473c7-5865-45cf-800b-3bcb31a9d31a">I founded a digital support group for like-minded older people</h2>As for the extra work, I joke that my biggest role was "man walking past church." My second best role was "man pushing supermarket cart." I meet interesting people and operate at my own pace.I'm much happier pulling the strings I want to pull rather than having them pulled for me.There are a lot of mature, like-minded people out there. I set up an online networking group, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.imnotdoneyet.co.uk/">I'm Not Done Yet,</a> of 100 members who are all over 50. Some are in their late 70s. They share my philosophy; we have much to offer in our second careers, and enjoy the challenge.Meanwhile, I keep myself in shape by regularly exercising on the treadmill and following a vegetarian diet. I'm healthy, and if I continue on the right track, I feel like I have more than 15 good years as a worker in front of me.Do you have an interesting story about working in later life that you'd like to share with Business Insider? Please send details to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:jridley@insider.com">jridley@businessinsider.com</a>

I'm 65 and I refuse to retire. I work multiple jobs and have at least 15 years of work left in me.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Critics of guaranteed basic income often suggest that cash payments discourage work.</li><li>Experts say basic income can help participants afford job training and land higher-paying roles.</li></ul>Taniquewa Brewster is training to be a doula. The mom of five knows both how joyful and overwhelming a baby can be, and she wants to improve birth outcomes for pregnant Texans.While earning her <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-am-a-doula-this-is-what-i-do-2022-1">doula</a> certificate, Brewster is working full-time as an assistant property manager at an income-based housing unit. The 39-year-old said she earned the position after being promoted from her role as a leasing agent, a change she said was only possible because of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-pros-and-cons">guaranteed basic income.</a>She had previously been patching together <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-make-money-gig-worker-uber-lyft-doordash-delivery-driver-2023-12">low-paying part-time work</a> to get by."I was working as hard as I could, working overtime," Brewster said. "That's keeping me away from my family. That's keeping me away from things that I can be doing — even going back to school — because I have to work so hard to just cover rent."From September 2022 to August 2023, she received $1,000 monthly through <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/austin-basic-income-gbi-ubi-housing-homeless-parenting-rent-texas-2024-2">Austin's UpTogether pilot</a>. The cash payments gave her breathing room: she said the money helped her afford household bills, along with the real estate and doula training she needed to land higher paying jobs.Guaranteed basic income programs are gaining momentum across the US as an approach to poverty reduction. The model offers participants recurring <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-ubi">cash payments</a> for a set period of time, with no strings attached. Like in Austin's pilot, many programs are directed at households that live near the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/poverty-line-leaves-behind-low-income-americans-snap-medicare-wic-2024-6#:~:text=The%20current%20federal%20poverty%20line,up%2C%20it%20is%20too%20low.">federal poverty line</a>.Despite GBI's growing popularity with some policymakers and economic security experts, it continues to face opposition. Business Insider has covered basic income bans, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-program-lawsuit-houston-texas-ubi-gbi-ken-paxton-2024-9">lawsuits over GBI funding</a>, and criticism that giving people cash <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-ubi-dave-ramsey-show-karl-marx-playbook-2024-7">discourages participants from working</a> — one of the most common critiques.Some experts, however, have a different view: Financial support frequently offers participants a leg-up in their careers. This is in line with results from most of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-states-cities-have-guaranteed-basic-income-programs-low-income-2024-4">America's GBI pilots.</a>Since the Austin program ended and Brewster started her new role, she estimates her monthly income has increased by over $3,000. She said her <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigrants-new-mexico-basic-income-for-housing-healthcare-ubi-gbi2024-5">job stability</a> helped her afford essentials like groceries and healthcare, and allowed her to spend more time with her children."I know it's great to have that talent and to know how to do things," she said. "But when you have that certification behind it, it just helps you to move up in the company or in whatever you do."<h2 id="0c19f308-5bbe-47f6-a561-6c5d8e61a435">Basic income critics say cash discourages work</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-ubi-ray-dalio-cash-payments-harm-poverty-2024-7">Billionaires</a>, politicians, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-ubi-dave-ramsey-show-karl-marx-playbook-2024-7">financial leaders</a> have criticized basic income programs, saying that cash payments could encourage laziness among participants. Others add that having an extra monthly income could <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-17/south-dakota-texas-block-local-universal-basic-income-laws">dissuade people from having a job</a>."Do we just get born and get money from the government?" Arizona State Rep. John Gillette previously told BI. "I think the Founding Fathers would say that is very contrary to our capitalist system and encouraging people to work."Sometimes results do show that participants work fewer hours or drop multiple jobs during their GBI program. For example, in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-basic-income-study-results-2024-7">Illinois and Texas' OpenResearch study</a> — which examined the effects of two GBI programs that were funded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI — employment rates fell in the second and third years among the participants compared with the control group. The pilot gave 3,000 low-income families $1,000 a month for three years, beginning in 2019.When conducting guaranteed basic income pilots, researchers typically gather data on participant spending, housing outcomes, food access, mental health, job security, and weekly working hours. This data is gathered throughout a program's run and after its conclusion via participant surveys and is often compared to a control group of people not receiving cash payments.Sukhi Samra — the executive director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, a national advocacy network — told BI that measuring employment trends can be challenging because it doesn't capture the individualized benefits of GBI.It may look like participants are working fewer hours or fewer jobs, but often, Samra said those roles are more stable and higher-paying. Although job numbers declined in the OpenResearch case, the average participant income increased, researchers found. The study speculated the income boost could be due to participants having more flexibility over their employment choices."Sometimes being able to work less does have profound impacts for families," Samra said. "Especially when you're talking about parents being able to spend more time with their children, being able to obtain a professional license or degree, or take care of an elderly parent."More than a dozen guaranteed income pilots overseen by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, like in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stockton-basic-income-experiment-success-employment-wellbeing-2021-3#:~:text=In%20Stockton%2C%20California%2C%20125%20residents,launch%20more%20basic%2Dincome%20pilots.">Stockton</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/baltimore-basic-income-parents-afford-housing-get-jobs-ubi-gbi-2024-7#:~:text=Baltimore%20gave%20low%2Dincome%20parents,some%20lawmakers%20are%20fighting%20them.">Baltimore</a>, showed an overall increase in employment among participants. Other pilots, like one in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic-income-project-ubi-extended-homelessness-poverty-2024-1">Denver</a>, showed no statistically significant impact on employment rates. Few programs show negative job outcomes.BI has heard anecdotally from participants that cash payments helped them <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/post/preview?svapi&amp;post_id=66ab7d4d6550c8ac4ef862cd">pay for the childcare</a> they needed to be focused at work, leading to promotions. Others said $500 or $1,000 a month was the boost they needed to drop several lower-paying gigs in favor of one <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alabama-basic-income-single-mothers-afford-childcare-bills-birmingham-2024-8">higher-paying full-time job</a>, or reduce their working hours so they could pursue higher education or job training. Some leave their jobs to start <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-basic-income-study-results-starting-a-business-2024-7#:~:text=OpenResearch's%20study%20gave%20monthly%20stipends,essentials%20and%20considered%20starting%20businesses.">their own small businesses</a>."The benefits of that sort of compound over time, and aren't really captured in the nuances of the data," Samra said.Still, guaranteed basic income programs reflect short-term results. There is limited research on participant job outcomes in the months and years after their payments end. Participant employment — or unemployment — might also be impacted by outside factors, like the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hiring-picks-up-in-fall-low-openings-hurting-job-seekers-2024-9">changing labor market</a>, a person's family situation, or shifts to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-cost-of-living-what-is-middle-class-housing-market-2024-4">local cost of living</a>. Most GBI participants need to continue working to make ends meet.<h2 id="7292fcde-172d-457c-9073-cb15b2dc5747">Participants say basic income helped them afford job training, land higher-paying roles</h2>Cepia Harper, 41, just began her second year as a middle school English teacher. Her favorite lesson to teach is essay writing, helping students learn how to craft the perfect thesis statement.Harper began teaching shortly after enrolling in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/georgia-basic-income-afford-rent-daycare-single-mom-ubi-gbi-2024-6">Georgia-based guaranteed basic income program</a>, In Her Hands. The program offered 650 participants — who were all low-income Black women — $20,400 over two years, ending in spring 2024.Along with helping cover <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-orleans-guaranteed-basic-income-supports-opportunity-youth-school-work-2024-9">household bills and unexpected expenses</a>, Harper said the money allowed her to get her education credentials. She had previously been cobbling together a couple of retail jobs to make ends meet."I've never had it where I could just go home to my own kids, pick them up from practice," she said. "They all play sports, and I could never leave work to go to a game."More predictable hours means Harper can spend more time with her family. Her annual income has risen by about $13,000 since she began teaching, she said, so she no longer has to work multiple jobs.And, as participants use their cash payments to build careers, Asya Howlette said they are more likely to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-orleans-guaranteed-basic-income-supports-opportunity-youth-school-work-2024-9">boost local economies</a>. As the director of the New Orleans Mayor's Office of Youth and Families, Howlette has noticed the trend in her own city, where she helped oversee a recent GBI program focused on teenagers and young adults disconnected from work and school."It's improving our economy because all of the money that these young people were using is going right back into our economy," she previously told BI. "It's not like they're sitting on a lot of cash, they're spending it right back in our grocery stores, they're putting it right back in our small businesses."While GBI isn't meant to serve as a paycheck replacement, Samra said can be a financial safety net: "We are allowing folks to stabilize and to then plan for the future," she added.Being able to afford training for more lucrative jobs in real estate and maternal care gave Brewster — the mother of five — financial confidence."It really motivated me," she said of her GBI program. "Because I knew that, once the money stopped, what would I do afterward?"Have you participated in a guaranteed basic income program? Are you open to sharing your experience? If so, reach out to this reporter at <a target="_blank" class="" href="mailto:allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a>.

The basic income myth: cash discourages work

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A group of emerging countries are planning a payments platform to bypass the US dollar, Lavrov announced.</li><li>The initiative follows a BRICS summit call for trade in national currencies.</li></ul>A group of major emerging countries is working on a way around the dollar — but they face an uphill battle to diminish the greenback's dominance.On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said BRICS countries are developing a payments platform that will allow them to bypass the US dollar, per <a target="_blank" href="https://tass.com/economy/1801655">TASS,</a> a state news agency.The initiative came from a summit of the BRICS countries in Johannesburg last year where the group — which includes the key members of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — called for more trade and lending in <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/bonds/china-brics-bank-dedollarization-dollar-dominance-debt-local-currency-lending-2023-8">their national currencies.</a>Lavrov said on Monday that the platform will improve the international monetary system and allow payment in national currencies for mutual trade. Russia is keen to move its trading partners away from the dollar because it faces significant sanctions from the US and its allies.Details on the platform are scarce, including which countries could use it and when it could be adopted.Lavrov was speaking at the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, just days after Russia's flagship St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. There, <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/dollar-vs-ruble-dedollarization-russia-putin-brics-currency-dominance-trade-2024-6">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> doubled down on his call to phase out the use of the US dollar and other "toxic" currencies.There may be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dedollarization-brics-usd-dollar-central-banks-digital-currency-payments-mbridge-2024-5">more traction on this front</a> when the BRICS bloc meets in Kazan, Russia from October 22 to October 24, according to Christopher Granville, the managing director of global political research at GlobalData TS Lombard.The new BRICS payments system could come in the form of a digital-currency system that allows for central banks to deal with local currency transactions directly, Granville wrote in a May report.Lavrov himself touted a <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://tass.com/politics/1609601">digital-currency-based settlement system</a> to local media in April.<h2 id="13230f0c-65ae-4b2d-927d-49a99ad70dac">'Impossible to replace something with nothing'</h2>Countries around the world have been working at diversifying their assets and chipping away at the <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/de-dollarization-reasons-why-countries-move-away-us-dollar-2023-7">dominance of the US dollar</a> over fears that — like Russia — they could be shut out of the world's greenback-based financial system should sanctions hit.Russia, a commodities powerhouse, has been using more rubles for trade. Putin said last week that the ruble now accounts for 40% of Russia's import and export transactions.However, king dollar is so entrenched and pervasive in the world's financial system that <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/de-dollarization-dollar-war-currency-usd-dominance-china-yuan-economy-2024-5">very few people think it can be dethroned</a>.There are "real geoeconomic headwinds to the dollar," Jared Cohen, the president of global affairs at Goldman Sachs wrote in <a target="_blank" href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/10/brics-currency-dollar-yuan-united-states-economy/">Foreign Policy</a> on Monday.Cohen acknowledged a "marginal" move toward de-dollarization but wrote that the world is far from an inflection point where there's a concerted effort to change the dollar-based global financial system."The two most significant problems for those advocating wholesale de-dollarization are that it is impossible to replace something with nothing and the United States' competitors do not currently have the capability or will to replace the dollar, even if their rhetoric at times suggests otherwise," he wrote.Still, Cohen warned that the dollar's supremacy should not be taken for granted. He cited developments in the US, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-brinkmanship-can-have-dangerous-effects-on-the-economy-2023-5">fiscal brinksmanship</a> and "unnecessary tariffs," that could erode confidence in the greenback.On Monday, two American think tank analysts wrote in the <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.ft.com/content/293a7a58-3f14-426c-8b7f-fa0859054842">Financial Times</a> that <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/dedollarization-dollar-dominance-us-politics-economy-trade-fed-china-yuan-2024-6">"American dysfunction"</a> — political and fiscal — is the real threat to dollar dominance.

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