Hello and welcome to Quartz QuickTake. Today, we’re uncovering a hidden time bomb in the U.S. tax code that’s fueling mass tech layoffs. Between 2022 and now, a little-noticed tweak to Section 174—buried in the 2017 tax law—has forced companies to amortize R&D costs over five to 15 years instead of deducting them immediately. As one tech COO told Quartz, “I work on these tax write-offs and still hadn’t heard about this. It’s just been so weirdly silent.”

For nearly 70 years, firms could instantly write off everything from engineer salaries to software licenses, fueling the rise of Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Facebook. But when the new rule kicked in, R&D became more expensive on paper, and headcount was the easiest cost to cut. Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees. Meta slashed 25 percent of its workforce. Thousands more jobs disappeared at Amazon, Salesforce, Shopify, and scores of startups.

A bipartisan effort to repeal the change is now underway, but for the hundreds of thousands already out of work, it may be too late. I’m your host, and that’s today’s Quartz QuickTake.
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Hello and welcome to Real Estate Innovators, I’m your host, Julian Carter. Today we’re diving into a striking stat: even in top markets, only about five percent of seniors live in dedicated senior housing. McKinsey’s Sam O’Gorman explains that these residences “for all intents and purposes” look like regular apartments but feature “level access, lighting placed at a lower level, and wider doors.” Importantly, “senior housing doesn’t imply a care home or a nursing home.”

Affordability isn’t the main hurdle—most seniors report they can cover the cost. Instead, many fear there’s “no turning back.” Operators are tackling this by offering short-term leases or weekend trial stays and even buying a resident’s current home to ease the move. For those who stay put, retrofit services costing $5,000 to $20,000 can install grab rails, improved lighting, and smart sensors that alert staff if someone falls or deviates from their routine.

With aging populations set to rise to 40 percent in South Korea and more than 20 percent in the U.S. by 2050, innovative senior housing—blending flexible visits, home retrofits, and life-enhancing technology—could transform the way we age. Thanks for listening to Real Estate Innovators. I’m Julian Carter—join us next time.
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Welcome to The REWORK Podcast. I’m Kimberly Rhodes, and today we’re making the case for cover letters with Basecamp co-founder Jason Fried. He argues that “a cover letter says more about you than your résumé ever could.” It’s your chance to show genuine effort, not just regurgitate your work history.

Jason explains how smart use of AI can help polish your application, but warns that “the wrong use” stands out to human reviewers. At 37signals, a dedicated pre-screening team reads every cover letter first. They look for thoughtfulness, personal connection and real curiosity about the role.

If you’ve ever rushed your letter at midnight, it shows. Jason says spotting procrastination is easier than you think. A well-crafted introduction, a clear reason you want to join the company, and a concise demonstration of your skills go a long way.

Finally, remember that at 37signals “hiring decisions are made by people—not algorithms.” So invest a few extra minutes, write from the heart, and make your cover letter count.
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Hello and welcome to One-Minute Family Advice. Today, we’re talking about a tricky question: what do you actually owe your in-laws? First, the basics: you owe them common courtesy and respect, but not unlimited free labor. As Vox reminds us, “no one is legally obligated to provide childcare, holiday hosting, or unpaid emotional support.” If you’re feeling pressure, try asking directly what they expect—and share what you can realistically offer. Expert Rachel Sussman notes that in-law relationships often suffer from “unspoken assumptions” about time and energy. The solution? Clear boundaries. You can say yes to grandkid visits but not every weekend. You can welcome dinner invitations without running a full catering service. In short, kindness and limits go hand in hand. Remember, strong families grow when each member negotiates roles respectfully—no guilt required. Thanks for listening to One-Minute Family Advice.
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Welcome to Campus Minute. Today we’re talking about Brown University disciplining a student who borrowed Elon Musk’s blunt style—and even DOGE memes—to quiz staff.

On March 18, sophomore Alex Shieh sent an email to thousands of Brown administrators on behalf of The Brown Spectator, a brand-new conservative campus paper. “Please describe your role,” it began. “What tasks have you performed in the past week? How would Brown students be affected if your job didn’t exist?” His aim was to expose what critics call “bloat” in higher education, where tuition and fees now total about ninety-three thousand dollars a year.

But the questions didn’t land well. Brown’s Office of Student Conduct launched an investigation within forty-eight hours, citing possible invasion of privacy, misrepresentation and emotional or psychological harm. Shieh now faces disciplinary hearings, raising fresh debate over free speech, journalistic methods and campus power.

That’s your Campus Minute. I’m your host, signing off until next time.
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Hello and welcome to today’s episode. Remember when people were saying “the iPhone would be the death of the photography industry”? Back when early smartphones added cameras, professionals panicked. But fast-forward to today, and photography is far from dead—in fact, the iPhone saved it. As the article points out, “Everyone’s a Photographer Now (And That’s Not a Bad Thing).” By lowering the barrier to entry, millions unlocked an interest in light, composition, and storytelling.

Thanks to this “global explosion of visual creativity,” visual communication is now as common as texting. We send photos to say “look at this,” “I was here,” or even “I love you.” Ironically, the flood of snapshots has increased demand for high-quality work. Brands and publications need images that cut through the noise, raising the profile of skilled professionals.

The iPhone has become “a gateway drug” into more serious photography, offering computational photography, RAW shooting, and multi-lens systems in your pocket. So no, the iPhone didn’t kill photography—it brought it to the masses and made the medium stronger than ever.
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Welcome to The Career AI Brief. If you’re hunting for your next opportunity, AI can become your “patient assistant,” helping you organize your search, clarify your goals, and showcase your strengths. First, try Google’s Career Dreamer to explore related fields—in your words—and see what a “typical day” in those roles looks like. Next, use a Gemini Gem career guide for a “soul-searching reverse interview,” where the AI asks you deep questions and then summarizes your priorities. Then dive into ChatGPT or Gemini Deep Research to compile comprehensive reports on target companies, culture, growth, and salary data. Keep everything on track with ChatGPT Projects or a custom Gemini Gem to schedule tasks, reminders, and follow-ups. Polish resumes and cover letters in Claude Projects, preserving your authentic voice. Finally, practice interviews and negotiation role-plays in AI voice mode, so you’re confident and ready to negotiate with data-backed insights. Good luck out there!
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Hello and welcome to today’s episode. The Copenhagen International School, home to 900 students from around the world, has long been praised for its diversity and inclusivity. But recently, primary school parents were shocked when every morning last week their kindergarten through fifth-grade children were invited to “focus on gender dysphoria, transgenderism, they/them pronoun protocols, and coloring pride flags.” One activity even asked kids to “draw yourself in the mirror, then adorn it with trans colors.”

After parent pushback, kindergarten and first grade were dropped, the week-long schedule was cut to a single session, and the mirror activity was pulled. But concerns grew over “Gender and Sexuality Alliances” for third to fifth graders—lunch and recess meetings where staff-facilitated conversations about sexuality, billed as “student led,” delve into how to “become a good ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”

Many parents call this “overt indoctrination” inappropriate for eight- to eleven-year-olds. They argue CIS should return to its core mission: providing an excellent, objective education and fostering general kindness—without coloring partisan flags or hosting gender and sexuality forums for primary students.
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