Democracy Dies in Dumbness. How to Fight Loneliness. India Goes All In On iPhones. Inventing Women Headliners – Plus More! #189
Grüezi! I’m Adrian Monck – welcome!
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1️⃣ Democracy Dies in Dumbness
Is voting for populists that’s stupid or is it the stupid voting for populists?
Two studies out this week raise the question – should dumb people get to vote?
That’s not fair. They show that in advanced democracies, people with limited education levels like to vote for populist parties and populist issues.
Why? Because they’re more susceptible to misinformation.
First, FT data gurus looked at the success of Dutch far right party the PPV, led by grown-up Draco Malfoy Geert Wilders.
If there was one thing that made people vote populist, it was not having a university degree.
Another was living amongst immigrants in the countryside.
And lastly? Being young.
Meanwhile British researchers discovered a strong link between being smart (e.g. good memory, verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numerical reasoning) and voting to remain in the EU.
People with “lower cognitive abilities” were found to be more susceptible to misinformation and disinformation, and more likely to vote to leave.
Conclusions?
Underachievement in school and the economy, a sense of grievance, plus exposure to misinformation equals disaster for democracy.
These findings are more than just data points.
When democracies start producing anti-democratic parties it’s a wake-up call.
It underscores the importance of education and critical thinking in our democratic processes.
As leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens, it’s our responsibility to foster informed discussions and encourage well-informed public debate.
Let’s champion these values in our communities and networks.
⏭ #Democracy #Education #CriticalThinking
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2️⃣ Don’t Get Depressed By Climate Politics
Get impressed by climate action.
One of these gigantic turbines can be put up in a day. 40 of them can replace a regular coal power station.
With 5,000+ you could power a state like Texas.
One September day just passed, one of these mega-windmills produced nearly enough electricity in 24 hours to power the whole of the UK for about a minute.
So we can get there.
⏭ A history of climate talks: “The American way of life is not up for negotiation.”
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3️⃣ The Toxic Answer To Achieving Diversity
Invent women. That’s what one conference did...
Thinking about signing up for an online conference? Gergely Orosz was.
The conference did not have a call for papers and reached out to speakers directly. It featured several high-profile male speakers and three women speakers.
He did a little checking on one of them, the impressive-sounding Alina Prokhoda.
Unfortunately, she didn’t exist.
You read that right.
Faced with the ‘challenge’ of finding speakers for their conference the organisers made a decision. Rather than look for women and book them, they would create fake profiles.
Alina? Made up. Another of the three headliners, Anna? Fake too.
You can read the whole shocking rabbit hole that Gergely went down here.
⏭ The conference organisers said the profiles were “demo personas”...
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4️⃣ Are You Lonesome Tonight?
A new study of the modern epidemic.
A fascinating new study uses eavesdropping tech to shed new light on loneliness.
On average, people spend 66% of their waking hours alone.
That’s over 11 hours a day! But here’s the twist – it’s not just about being alone. It’s about how we feel about it.
📈 Loneliness: It’s Complicated 📈
Loneliness isn’t a straight line. People who spent a lot of time alone and those who spent very little time alone both reported higher levels of loneliness.
🔎 The Older, the Lonelier? 🔎
Younger people might be more resilient to loneliness when alone, but as we age, the link between time spent alone and feeling lonely is much stronger.
🌐 What This Means for Us 🌐
This study challenges us to rethink how we view loneliness and social isolation, especially as we age or navigate relationships.
🤝 What can we do? 🤝
Start conversations, build communities, and create connections, especially with those who might be feeling isolated.
Whether it’s reaching out to an older relative or checking in on a single friend, small actions count.
👇 Share your thoughts and experiences below! 👇
⏭ #SocialIsolation #Loneliness #CommunityBuilding #MentalHealthAwareness
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5️⃣ East iPhones East 🇨🇳🤝🇮🇳
Chinese management hits India’s factory floor.
Foxconn wants to make your next iPhone in India. But – as this fascinating story spells out – it’s not all smooth sailing.
The challenge? Adapting the blistering productivity of Chinese manufacturing to the Indian workscape.
“Foxconn has struggled to replicate the cut throat efficiency it is known for... the iPhones produced by Foxconn in Sunguvarchatram have always been less profitable than those made in China.”
It’s more than just tech – it’s about understanding cultural nuances and workforce dynamics. Resistance to overtime, frequent breaks, and days off are part of Indian work culture.
That’s not all bad, as Chinese managers have found.
Expat staff enjoy the Indian work culture of tea breaks, chatting with colleagues, and going home on time.
From language barriers to different work cultures, the story is a deep dive into cross-cultural management.
Foxconn’s experience is a real-life study on the importance of cultural sensitivity and adaptability in global business.
🔑 Key takeaway: Success in international expansion isn’t just about technology or processes. It’s about people, understanding, and respect.
📈🔍 The big picture? Apple is moving its manufacturing beyond China because Foxconn is being overtaken by new rivals, but it faces different struggles in India.
⏭ #GlobalBusiness #CrossCulturalChallenges #LeadershipLessons #TechInnovation #FoxconnInIndia 🌟📊🌐
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6️⃣ That Sugar Tax You Were Worrying About?
The price of sweet stuff is skyrocketing. Thank climate change.
⏭ India, the world’s biggest sugar producer, has been hard hit.
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7️⃣ Want To See An #AI Movie?
Ridley Scott isn’t about to go out of business yet – take a look.
⏭ If you want to get your head around AI, watch Yann LeCun here.
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Hope you enjoy this newsletter – please recommend it!
Best,
Adrian
