Welcome to Bespoke Brunch Reads — a linkfest of the favorite things we read over the past week. The links are mostly market-related, but there are some other interesting subjects covered as well. We hope you enjoy the food for thought as a supplement to the research we provide you during the week.

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On This Day in History:

As Tesla’s fight with Sweden escalates, the EV firm is hiring a ‘hands-on’ Nordic expert with a knack for problem-solving (MSN)
Sympathy strikes across Nordic countries in reaction to Swedish Tesla employees’ demands for collective bargaining have forced the automaker to hire an expert in the region to help tame the escalating labor disputes. Tesla’s refusal to engage in standard collective bargaining practices in Sweden has led to operational disruptions, including halted services and deliveries. Tesla hopes its new hire can get the issues settled, especially with Elon Musk so outspoken about his opposition to unions. [Link]

E-scooter company Bird files for bankruptcy (Electrek)
Global e-scooter company Bird has filed for bankruptcy in the US but will continue its operations in Canada and Europe. Bird’s US operations have faced challenges, including a significant drop in its stock value and delisting from the NYSE. Bird has also faced tough competition and regulatory challenges in the e-scooter market. The industry overall is experiencing mixed fortunes, with some companies facing layoffs and others, like Lime, reporting growth. [Link]

U.S. Battery Production Is Going … Great, Actually? (Heatmap News)
The EPA’s new emissions stardards, set for 2032, imply that 67% of new vehicles will need to be electric by 2032, posing a challenge due to the Inflation Reduction Act’s restrictions on EV components from certain countries. Despite this, a report from the Environmental Defense Fund shows promising growth in US battery production, exceeding expected demand by 2028. This increase in domestic production could help automakers meet the standards and allow consumers to benefit from EV tax credits. [Link]

Economic Trends

AI gives birth to AI: Scientists say machine intelligence now capable of replicating without humans (Fox News)
Large AI models, like those behind ChatGPT, can now autonomously create smaller, specialized AI systems. To create self-evolving AI, large models are building smaller ones, without the help of humans. What researchers believe is that this process will help all models collaborate and build out an intelligence ecosystem, basically all autonomously. Right now, these AI-built models are good for practical tasks that humans can use in everyday life. Even your dishwasher and coffee maker could use AI! [Link]

Microsoft Agrees to Remain Neutral in Union Campaigns (NYT)
Microsoft declared its neutrality towards unionization efforts in the US, a group that includes about 100,000 workers. This decision follows a neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America, under which Microsoft’s video game workers unionized without a formal election. Now union leaders and Microsoft will discuss issues stemming from AI. AI experts from Microsoft will inform union leaders about AI developments at the company and attempt to mitigate concerns like job displacement as a result of the quickly evolving technology. [Link]

Rite Aid faces 5-year facial recognition ban after FTC accuses it of “reckless” use of AI tech (Axios)
With retail crime on the rise and of much discussion in the media lately, facial recognition has become popular to identify those they believe to be shoplifting and causing other issues in stores. An FTC complaint suggests that Rite Aid failed to use the technology responsibly, claiming that it “disproportionally impacted people of color.” Many of the alerted results of the facial recognition came back as false positives. Rite Aid says that it disagrees with the claims and only uses the technology in a limited capacity. [Link]

The City That’s Trying to Replace Politicians With Computers (It’s Working) (WSJ)
In Porto Alegre, Brazil, Councilman Ramiro Rosário pioneered the use of ChatGPT to draft a law, marking a significant shift in legislative processes. This law, aimed at preventing the local water company from charging for stolen water meters, was passed unanimously and was the country’s first to be entirely written by AI. This could be the start of a new direction in governance, suggesting increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness in public administration, but it also raises questions about ethical practices and the future role of human legislators in policymaking. There was certainly some pushback against Rosário when others found out he didn’t write any of it. [Link]

Christmas

Just How Rich Were the McCallisters in ‘Home Alone’? (NYT)
Home Alone, is a Christmas classic. The question that has been stirring on social media as the holiday season rolls around is, what exactly did Mr. McCallister and Mr. McCallister do to afford all that they had? The film takes place in a real house in Winnetka, Illinois, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country. The movie suggests Kevin’s mom is a fashion designer and his dad a businessman. The family’s wealth is further implied by their ability to accommodate a large number of people and the luxurious lifestyle they lead, despite not paying for their trip to Paris, which was funded by Uncle Rob. [Link]

The Ancient Origins of the Christmas Wreath (WSJ)
Wreaths are a Christmas Staple. The tradition dates back to ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and served various symbolic purposes. The Vikings introduced the Yuletide wreath as part of their winter solstice celebrations, which later evolved into the Christian Advent wreath. The practice of decorating doors with wreaths gained popularity in America in the 20th century, largely influenced by Louise B. Fisher’s creative designs at Colonial Williamsburg, leading to the widespread custom of decorating front doors with festive wreaths during the holiday season. [Link]

Billionaire Endeavors

Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk say human population not nearly big enough: ‘If we had a trillion humans, we would have at any given time a thousand Mozarts’ (Yahoo Finance)
Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, two prominent billionaires, share a vision for expanding human presence in space. Bezos, with Blue Origin, envisions a future with a trillion humans living across the solar system, facilitated by robust space infrastructure. Musk, leading SpaceX, emphasizes the need for humanity to become a multi-planet species, focusing on Mars colonization. Both stress the importance of population growth and space exploration for the future of civilization. [Link]

Immigration

A run-down motel became an accidental sanctuary for hundreds of migrants. In them, its owner found renewed purpose and meaning. (Denverite)
Yong Cha Prince planned to close her motel in Denver but found a new purpose when she sheltered Venezuelan migrants in need. The Western Motor Inn became a home for about 300 people seeking better lives in the US. It has made Prince happy to be able to care for those living at the motel, but the future of the community is uncertain due to the motel’s deteriorating condition and financial challenges. [Link]

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