This week, Insider’s Discourse team is looking into several fascinating stories that could make you rethink the way we live. We’re talking about the end of coding as we know it, the efficacy of a 4-day workweek, and wild designs from Kittyhawk. AI technology has changed the game for programming, and that means it’s time to reevaluate the jobs of software developers. Companies have embraced the possibilities of generative AI, recognizing its ability to turbocharge programming – and that marks the end of coding as we know it. Moving on, recent studies have raised questions about the necessity of the 5-day workweek – with a 4-day workweek potentially being more efficient. Finally, Insider got its hands on some of the wilder designs from Larry Page’s flying car company, Kittyhawk, including a ‘reverse Boba Fett Slave I ship.’
The other topics that are taking centre stage are the brutal reckoning for real-estate agents and the hidden addiction behind a housing shortage in the US. It’s no surprise that the increasing cost of buying homes is driving many people away, especially as the pool of listings shrink. There’s a lot of misinformation about real-estate agents too but Insider’s journalism can help cut through the fluff. The US also has more than two billion parking spots as a result of this hidden addiction, bankrupting cities and slowing development.
Social media is also seeing a huge backlash against those who shill for multi-level marketing (MLM). It’s important to recognize that it’s not always the people behind MLMs who are at fault – it’s the system itself which continues to undervalue the work of women in particular. Plus, the possibility that self-driving vehicles could soon become a reality means traffic ‘hacks’ may be necessary, so as to properly prepare our roads for them. We’re also discussing the importance of finding a balance between caring too much and too little about one’s job, as well as taking a look at the lives at stake in the battle over Ozempic – a weight-loss drug that many can’t access due to insurance.
Hallam Bullock is the editor of Insiders’s newsletter, based in London. He takes a deep dive into the day’s fascinating issues and ideas through Discourse journalism. Each week, we invite readers to share their perspectives on the topics covered and we always receive insightful responses. There’s new content every week, so make sure to check it out.
