Strictly Curious Newsletter №51

News

E-Commerce: Alibaba sets new Singles Day record with more than $30.8 billion in sales in 24 hours. That topped the $25.3 billion record set in 2017. Singles Day got off to a strong start with sales hitting $1 billion in one minute and 25 seconds. Link

History and organizational adaptation: How did organizations adapt to change in the 18th and 19th century? Lessons from the Bank of England Archives…. Link

Professional transitions: When getting fired is good for your career. Based on a 10-year study of 2,600 leaders. Link

Fashion: Can AI predict future trends? One system detects the colour, pattern, size and combination of clothes in social media images and e-commerce websites. The company behind it says AI can help work out what is popular in both local and global markets. The UK disposes of more than 300,000 tonnes of clothing every year, so by only producing what it is likely to sell, waste could also be reduced. Link

Leadership: Stressed? Your relationship with your boss may be playing a role. Link

Creativity: Why overthinkers are creative problem-solvers. Link

Retailing: North London supermarket has become Britain’s first to introduce plastic-free zones, in a move campaigners believe will spur the giant chains to follow suit. Thornton Budgens in Belsize Park has converted more than 1,700 product lines to non-plastic packaging over the past 10 weeks. Link

Social media: Facebook opens its first small pop-up stores inside Macy’s. Link

Restaurants and social media: How Instagram has changed the food we eat. Pop to a restaurant these days and you’ll undoubtedly spot a punter taking a photo of their plate. For some diners, in fact, a meal can’t start without first taking a snap of their food to share on Instagram, with accompanying hashtags like #delicious and #yum. Tea Terrace on Oxford Street, London, launched the “Selfieccino”. Link

Creativity: New research suggests the imaginary worlds of children reflect positive creativity. A study led by University of Oregon psychologist finds children who invent paracosms, or parallel worlds, are strong storytellers and often draw in their friends to help them. Link

Blog Posts

The backlash against screen time at school. Combining education and technology is great — until it’s not. Link

Why doctors hate their computers. Digitization promises to make medical care easier and more efficient. But are screens coming between doctors and patients? Link

Interesting Numbers

Retailing: Retailers shut 2,700 shops in the first half of the year. About 14 shops are closing every day, as UK High Streets face their toughest trading climate in five years. Link

Micromobility: When will scooter companies overtake car sharing companies in rides? Link. Out of 15 trillion miles/yr, half are likely addressable by micromobility. Link

Video: Elon Musk’s LA Boring Company tunnel is under construction

Detours

25+ ‘Terrible Maps’ that will give you nothing but a laugh. Link

China has developed a virtual anchor to deliver the news. Link

The Titanic plans to set sail again in 2022. Don’t call it a comeback! The iconic boat, which sank 100 years ago after colliding with an iceberg is being recreated with an identical build for $500 million. The replica ship could hold approximately 2,400 passengers, 900 crew members and will travel from Dubai to Southampton before making the journey across the Atlantic, the same as the original. Link

Fold’N Fly: A database of paper airplaneswith easy to follow folding instructions. Link

Retail Therapy

Scrabble: The space edition. An exclusive design specially crafted to be played with zero gravity. Link

Contemplation

“Hope is not a strategy, Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option.”

(James Cameron, Hollywood Director)