Financially Forward: Gerald Harris

Here is a shocking statistic: 92.7% of U.S. children and 86% of U.S. adults eat at least some junk food every day. This is shocking because it’s well-known that regular consumption of junk food has been linked to obesity, serious diseases, dental problems, and a host of other issues we’d like to avoid. Do you know what’s even more amazing? The government is paying for a significant amount of that.

There’s an old Yiddish expression that says “The problem is that the kallah (bride) is too pretty.” That came to mind when I was looking into the latest advances in AI. Of course, at this point everyone is aware that AI will introduce incredible, life-improving advances into our lives. The problem is that it will also create disruptions that most of us are not ready for.

To paraphrase a comment made by former Sen. Everett Dirksen: Add a few cents here and a few cents there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. If you don’t believe that, just look at what’s happening at the Post Office. On average, their loss on each letter and parcel delivered is insignificant, but multiply that billions of times and you’ve got a humongous and growing loss.

The internet has transformed daily life in countless ways, including how people consume information and entertainment. For millions, traditional reading has been replaced by online videos, movies, TV shows, and music. As a result, book sales declined for nearly two decades. Recently, however, signs point to a reversal: print book sales are rising, some bookstores are expanding, and new independent shops are opening. After years of struggle, is this resurgence real?

Developments in the war with Iran are unfolding at breakneck speed. Since February 28, the day the conflict broke out, almost everyone in the region has been impacted, if not directly then at least indirectly, and so have many people who live far from the fighting. Understandably, the world is focusing its attention on the reports from the front, but there’s a related story that is very important and it’s getting little attention. That’s unfortunate because it could have a major impact on global food supplies, their prices, inflation, the markets, and possibly even on important political developments in the U.S. and abroad. That story is about fertilizers.

Have you ever wondered which foods are the most healthful and which are to be avoided? This seemingly simple question actually is anything but, and the proof is that doctors, food experts, and nutritionists have pondered these questions for decades and still disagree.