NextDraft

Bodyguards, Trill Seekers Most of the employment stories related to the AI-fueled tech boom are about the potential job losses. But the extreme wealth and social media-inflamed rage of the era has led to at least one area of significant job growth: Bodyguards. “Bodyguarding is at least as old as Alexander the Great’s somatophylakes, or ‘body guardians,’ and the Praetorian Guard, which emerged to protect Roman rulers as the Republic gave way to imperial rule around 27 BCE.

Belfast Burning, Billionaires’ Billions President Trump just signed a bill into law that “gives his immigration and deportation agenda a nearly $70 billion boost for the rest of his time in the White House … His signature ended a nearly six-month fight over Department of Homeland Security funding that began with the shooting deaths of deaths of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good.” Keeping outsiders out is a subject that is hardly limited to the White House, or even the United States.

Alcohol Risks, Curse of the Babyno The beer-loving character Norm on Cheers, known for his famous barroom scene entry lines, once offered this gem: “It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.” And that glass half-empty view on life was offered before the latest report on alcohol consumption. Long story short: BevMo? More like, BevLess. NYT (Gift Article): Health Risks of Alcohol Accelerate After One Drink a Day, Study Finds.

Turning 250, Meet the Meltdown Maybe it makes sense that the signature event of the country’s 250th birthday will be a UFC fight. What could better define today’s United States than enraged, veiny-necked, mouth-breathing fellow Americans beating the hell out of each other in a cage of our own making?

Holy Spirits, Improv for Scientists In his first miracle, he turned 120 gallons of water into wine. He was also seen walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee. With this kind of mastery over liquid, it was only a matter of time before Jesus got into the beverage business. While he was early to the miracle market, Jesus is hardly the first well-known name to back an energy drink.

Billionaire Bust, Scott Pelley Fired Money talks. The question is whether or not people will listen. In several high-profile Tuesday elections, the answer was no, as voters gave money a run for its money. “Tuesday’s primary night was a poor showing for California’s tech billionaires and founders who viewed statewide politics as the next frontier for their ambitions.” Politico: Big Tech’s big flop on primary night. Is this indicative of a larger trend?

Error Travel, YouTube Directors For your next trip, you might want to have an air sickness bag ready a little earlier than usual; like while you’re pricing out your itinerary. Let’s start with the good news about your summer travel plans: Because of airlines’ perpetual problems related to fuel waste, scheduling complexity, flight controller shortages, and outdated technology, your vacation was probably going to be a little rough anyway.

Interviewing a Computer, Fishing With Jimmy I spend most of my life alone in a room, talking to my laptop. So I can relate to Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s latest assignment: Writing a celebrity profile about Tilly Norwood. The subject identifies as a young woman, but you’d have to say Norwood’s pronoun is, it. After all, Tilly Norwood is a computer.

Tossing Tomatoes, Weekend Whats Hold the tomatoes.

The Mind Body Connection If you’re anything like me, when your mind boggles, your stomach gurgles. That’s why, when I’m suffering from anxiety, I’m just as likely to reach for the Imodium as the Xanax. The connection between your brain and body can often be felt in your gut. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that GLP-1 drugs are having a major impact on your head, your habits, your hunger, and your general health. These drugs were introduced as a tool to help control blood sugar.