The Navigator, Saturday, October 19, 2024
Homeowner climate risk, AI flood mapping, the new millionaire class, solo aging, abusive AI, autocracy— and more
Happy weekend, subscribers!
With just over two weeks left until Election Day in the U.S., it is nearly impossible to hide from political news coverage (and, we must admit, it’s exhausting). Almost every prominent pollster has Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in a dead heat, meaning the race will likely be won by wooing so-called independent voters through get-out-the-vote ground operations. Harris is buoyed by an impressive war chest worth over $1 billion; she’s outspending Trump.
We’ve covered misinformation extensively this election year. Here’s more about how it has kicked into high gear and hampered hurricane relief efforts. Yet, there’s some hope. Conservative podcast host Sean Ryan debunked a false claim made on his show this week about the federal government’s response, reaffirming that truth should trump everything, even in these sharply divided times.
This week, we’ve kept our sanity by listening to the viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso and watching Betches' hilarious Halloween-themed political satire.
As always, thank you for including us in your regular reads. In case you missed it, check out our pieces from this week: The Great Escape, a glimpse at how St. Petersburg is experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, and how 'resilience thinking' now needs to inform how we navigate climate change, and Peak Longevity, which discusses slowing life span gains and the economic implications.
Please keep the conversation going by leaving a comment below, and let us know the subjects you’d like us to cover next.
Where climate change poses the most and least risk to American homeowners (The Washington Post)
The Post’s year-long, in-depth investigation into how climate change is affecting homeowners, focusing on Cape Coral, Florida, with comparisons to several other areas in the nation.
America’s New Millionaire Class: Plumbers and HVAC Entrepreneurs (The Wall Street Journal)
Private equity is pouring money into skilled-trade small businesses; ‘Next thing you know, you’re running an empire.’
Autocracy Is in the Details (The Atlantic)
Autocracy is on the ballot in this fall’s critical election. “Making an outrageous claim is one common tactic of an autocrat,” says podcast host and scholar Anne Applebaum in the latest segment of Radio Atlantic. “So is sticking to it far beyond the time when it’s even remotely believable.” Learn to spot the signs.
Millions of Aging Americans Are Facing Dementia by Themselves (KFF Health News)
New studies show that at least 4.3 million people 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States.
AI enhances flood warnings but cannot erase risk of disaster (Reuters)
AI aids in forecasting but challenges in flood warnings remain.
The Man Who’s Sure That Harris Will Win (The Atlantic)
Allan Lichtman is known for correctly forecasting elections. Will he be correct in his unique forecasting model this time around?
How to prepare for growing older if you don’t have kids (Vox)
It’s normal to worry about who will care for you, but with a little advance planning, child-free seniors can thrive.
Millions of People Are Using Abusive AI ‘Nudify’ Bots on Telegram (WIRED)
Bots that “remove clothes” from images have run rampant on the messaging app, allowing people to create nonconsensual deepfake images even as lawmakers and tech companies try to crack down.
Dogs Are Entering a New Wave of Domestication (The Atlantic)
Humans need to breed and train more puppies like service animals.