🐤 State of the art

Markets: Quarterly earnings season continues this week with reports expected from companies including Amazon, Boeing, Coca-Cola, and Tesla. Investors will also have new remarks from Federal Reserve officials to consider. In addition to statements from central bankers themselves, the Fed will be releasing its influential “Beige Book” report. New data reflecting inflation and housing market trends are among the other important upcoming market events.

Earning his keep: The New York Yankees are headed to the World Series, thanks in large part to the many contributions thus far this season by outfielder Juan Soto. And as the postseason heats up, he’s looking ahead to a potential free agency windfall. After chalking up the best single-season numbers of his career in runs, hits, and homers, some insiders suggest Soto could land a contract worth $600 million. If that is the case, it would make his the second-highest contract in MLB history behind Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

All in the family: Domain Money CEO Adam Dell is among the financial industry’s biggest proponents of artificial intelligence. He has expressed confidence that powerful emerging technologies will make financial planning more effective and accessible to people in various income groups. He seems to be on to something, considering evidence that a whopping 99% of industry leaders are already implementing AI tools. If his surname looks familiar, that’s because his brother founded Dell computers (and is also a big AI proponent, by the way).

Working it out: Some say Generation Z has been dealt a bad hand, with young adults hindered by the cost of college, an uncertain economy, and a nagging reputation for being unreliable at work. Many business leaders, however, say the backlash against recent college graduates is warranted. One poll found 3 in 4 companies had serious problems with their newest hires and well over half indicated that at least one recent grad was fired as a result of such issues. Common complaints included unprofessionalism and limited communication skills.

Bump in the road: Kevin Durant might be known for his athleticism on the basketball court, but these days he’s got his eyes on football — specifically at his alma mater. The Texas Longhorns recently lost their first game of the season, but the team still has a solid chance of making it to the SEC championship. And Durant thinks the school will make it. In a social media post, he gave Georgia credit for playing “some great ball,” he used an emoji representing the Longhorns and declared: “The bounce back will be special. Hook em.”

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The holidays are right around the corner and whether you’re buying gifts for others or shopping for yourself, there are likely at least a few techy items on your list. Before you start filling up your Amazon cart or trekking the aisles of your local Best Buy, do your homework.

Already here or coming soon

A recent article from The Verge provided a summary of several intriguing gadgets that have either already been released or will soon be available for purchase. From video games to e-readers, here are a few of the most highly anticipated items of the season:

• DJI Air 3S: If you’re in the market for a drone, this one has a lot to offer … from improved safety features to better image quality.
• Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: It might not be the best all-around e-reader, but if you enjoy comics this one might be right for you.
• New iPad Mini: Apple products tend to evolve over time, and with the latest iPad Mini, that means a device that is both modern and familiar.
• Analogue 3D Console: Nostalgic gamers will enjoy this Nintendo 64 reboot fitted with 4K resolution, available soon for preorder.

And there’s plenty of software buzz to complement the hardware hype.

Inform, educate, entertain

We turn to technology for assistance in almost every aspect of our lives these days, and there’s always something waiting to be added to the list. One of the most notable recent introductions is the Eater app for iOS, which can help iPhone users make informed dining selections. And those aforementioned Nintendo fans will likely get a kick out of the new Super Mario Party Jamboree game.

If you’re just looking for something to watch, consider the documentary “Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara” or the second season of “Shrinking.”

Netflix is excited to start airing NFL games, as evidenced by a video highlighting its Christmas Day schedule

Terms of the deal

As part of its bid to thoroughly disrupt traditional television broadcasting, Netflix spent a fortune on securing a certain number of live NFL games on its platform over the next few seasons.

As part of the arrangement, the streamer will air at least one holiday game each season until 2026. This year, however, the NFL was apparently feeling generous.

Netflix received two games to be played on December 25 between teams with a legitimate shot of making it into the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off the action at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by a 4:30 p.m. matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Spreading the message

A recently released video offers a sneak peek of the Christmas gridiron action is appropriately accompanied by “Feliz Navidad” as famously performed by Jose Feliciano. An action reel featuring star players from all four teams provides a glimpse of the players likely to be starting the doubleheader games.

Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, which makes the schedule especially notable. Only three previous games since 1948 have been played on a Wednesday — most recently in December 2020 to make up for a pandemic postponement.

Of the four teams scheduled to play, the Chiefs appear to be the favorites. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Kansas City is now one of just two NFL franchises still undefeated at this point in the season.

As Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria explained: “There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”

Boundaries are important in all types of relationships, but some people just seem unwilling or unable to abide by them.

This can cause embarrassing or infuriating experiences, but there are ways to navigate thorny situations such as being peppered with personal questions.

The joys of small talk

Unless you’re having a conversation with a confidante or trusted friend, there are probably a few topics you’d prefer to avoid in casual conversations. That’s why humans have developed generally inoffensive forms of small talk to feed our need for conversation without crossing the line into meddling.

Most of us instinctively abide by these social restrictions, but every once in a while you’re sure to be on the receiving end of a prying question. That’s where a little bit of preparation can go a long way.

Pithiness is important

As Slate writer Andrea Javor, a self-described extrovert, explained in a recent article, it’s become all too common for people to feel comfortable enough to ask her deeply personal questions — including about her recent divorce.

Over time, she has reacted to this trend by building up an arsenal of one-liners aimed at redirecting a conversation from nosy to neighborly.

According to Javor, the strategy has been effective on multiple fronts, such as helping to indirectly establish boundaries and keeping things loose in potentially tense situations.

Being asked for a loan, for example, might elicit this response: “I never discuss financial matters after 3 p.m.”

These remarks can be written and rehearsed, but the more you use them the more naturally they’ll start to sound in conversation.

“One-liners keep me centered, grounded, equipped,” she wrote. “This slant puts me back in charge and lets the person on the receiving end know they’ve crossed into personal territory without shaming them or letting the conversation wilt.”