Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. ~ Emerson

Economy

Small Business Resilience

According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll, more than 75% of small business owners in the United States believe their companies are well-prepared to weather economic instability like interest rates and inflation.

To cope with economic changes, small business owners have turned to various financial resources, like utilizing savings accounts and loans. On the other hand, it was found that 48% of those surveyed increased their prices by an average of 7% over the last six months. The report indicates that despite price increases, small businesses are experiencing growth in repeat business, sales, and the acquisition of new clients.

One notable trend seen is the increasing importance of an online presence for small businesses. As a response to the evolving landscape, 66% of respondents have ramped up their advertising and marketing efforts, while 58% have increased their digital presence.

Digital transformation has played a crucial role in this adaptability. A significant portion of small businesses has recognized the importance of digitizing aspects such as inventory management, while others have focused on enhancing their customer service through technology.

It is good to see small businesses navigating our economic challenges with a blend of financial savvy, resilience, and technology. Cheers to their success!

Entertainment

AI Assisted Final Beatles Track

Ringo Starr, the legendary Beatles drummer, unveiled his fourth EP, "Rewind Forward," on October 13. In a nod to the '60s, Starr expresses his love for EPs and embraces the modern trend of shorter musical releases.

The title, a classic "Ringoism," invites listeners to reflect without dwelling on the past. Starr, known for his wit, playfully suggests it's about realizing if you were a "better person then."

Collaborating with friends like Steve Lukather and Paul McCartney, the EP radiates positivity and optimism, a hallmark of Starr's solo work. His unrelenting passion for music is evident as he embarks on a fall tour, dismissing retirement rumors with humor.

Teasing future projects, Starr hints at more EP releases, with a focus on country music. Additionally, he addresses the upcoming release of a final Beatles recording using AI, assuring fans it's an authentic collaboration of all four Beatles.

In stark contrast to the article featured in yesterday’s newsletter, of AI infringing on artists' rights, Starr’s story highlights how AI can serve as a valuable tool for artists rather than exploiting their work.

World News

Building Block Discovered on Jupiter’s Europa Moon

Recent observations using the James Webb Space Telescope have unveiled a potential building block of life on Europa, Jupiter's icy moon. Two independent teams of astronomers studied the frozen surface of Europa and detected a significant presence of carbon dioxide in a specific region of its frigid terrain.

Geronimo Villanueva, the lead author of the first study and a planetary scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, underlines the crucial role of Europa's chemistry in assessing its potential for sustaining life. As one of the solar system's ocean worlds, Europa houses a subsurface global ocean beneath its thick ice shell. Despite the abundance of water, scientists stress the necessity of organic molecules and an energy source for life-friendly environments.

Carbon dioxide appears to be concentrated in a region known as Tara Regio, labeled as "chaos terrain," suggesting geological activity between the ocean and the surface. The unstable nature of carbon dioxide on Europa's surface indicates that it likely originated from the internal ocean.

Samantha Trumbo, lead author of the second study and a 51 Pegasi B Fellow at Cornell University, emphasizes the significance of the findings, stating, "We now think that we have observational evidence that the carbon we see on Europa’s surface came from the ocean. That’s not a trivial thing. Carbon is a biologically essential element."

It will be interesting to see what further studying might uncover. Check this article out if you want to know more or see some amazing photos.

p.s. The telescope photos at the top are amazing. The ones lower on the page of the moon itself are rather grainy, but still interesting.

Sports

Sole Success!

In sports, challenges often serve as opportunities for growth, and this holds true for Eric Kilburn Jr., a Michigan sophomore at Goodrich High School. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-10, Eric's growth rate has presented a challenge—finding shoes to accommodate what may be the largest feet ever recorded in a human teenager.

At the age of 15, Eric was already wearing size 22 shoes, a size that no sporting company had ever needed to manufacture. Faced with constant discomfort, blisters, and muscle deformations, Eric's mother, Rebecca, resorted to ordering specially-made orthopedic shoes at a staggering cost of $1,500 per pair.

Despite direct pleas to sporting goods companies, the need for customized footwear seemed impossible. However, a friend initiated a $3,500 fundraiser, drawing attention to Eric's story. The success of the fundraiser attracted the interest of PR firms from Puma and Under Armour, as well as basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal.

Representatives from the two companies donated four pairs of cleats and two pairs of trainers to Goodrich High School, gifted to Eric to maintain his amateur athlete status.

Inspired by the kindness shown to her son, Rebecca is now determined to pay it forward. She is in the process of establishing bigshoenetwork.org, aiming to assist other teens facing similar challenges in finding affordable, properly fitting shoes for sports.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.

Mind Stretchers

Q:What can you put in a bucket to make it weigh less?

Q: What tastes better than it smells?

Q: What has 13 hearts but no other organs?