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Hey hey hey! 👋
Welcome back to another newsletter from the common thred. Hope you’re all hanging in there this week, because we’ve got a chonky selection of stories on the agenda ahead.
We’ll be discussing Trump’s war on late night TV, why science has never really been objective, unprecedented calls for a global AI laws, the students ditching their laptops, the incoming launch of NikeSKIMS, a looming two-state solution for Israel-Palestine, and more.
Let get this party started.
💬 Culture corner
Why is Trump so obsessed with Jimmy Kimmel and US late-night TV shows? – guardian
For decades, America’s late-night TV shows have served up a cultural perspective on politics, with hosts using comedy to shed light on the country’s many political absurdities. Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show became a national institution, shaping public opinion on figures like President Nixon and later hosts like David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Arsenio Hall welcomed Clinton, Bush, and Obama on screen to bolster their campaigns. Over the years, late-night scripts became more openly political and were generally accepted by political figures as something that came with their status in office. But Donald Trump, a former guest and easy target to poke at, isn’t taking it all so well. He’s repeatedly beefed with late-night hosts, framing them as partisan enemies, and has pressured major networks to permanently dismiss their top stars. With Jimmy Kimmel recently suspended for commenting on Charlie Kirk’s murder and Stephen Colbert canceled after the network paid Trump a large settlement to end a defamation lawsuit against him, it’s starting to feel like corporate and political forces are on a mission to silence satire in the media. This pattern isn’t going unnoticed, and many believe Trump’s war on culture is a serious threat to late-night’s role in delivering widely anticipated, tongue-in-cheek political commentary.
Cultural values and beliefs always influence science and the people who do it – the conversation
It is supposed to be objective, but the truth is, science has always been shaped by culture, politics, and the personal values of its researchers. Scientists, like everyone else, exist within cultural systems that shape the kinds of questions that seem worth asking… while leaving other assumptions unchallenged. Think about neuroscience, which has traditionally focused on the brain as ‘in charge’. This reinforces cultural hierarchies, viewing the need for something (or someone) to ‘be the boss’ instead of seeing the body as an interconnected, coordinated network. Similarly, research on sexuality, race, and other socially created categories have been riddled with taken-for-granted assumptions without questioning their validity. Blind spots like these can turn studies into self-fulfilling prophecies, which is a problem when some of today’s fiercest political debates, including information about vaccines, climate change, and abortion laws call science into question. Scientists of the future (and today!) should build objectivity by involving diverse communities who help shape research priorities. Honest, inclusive science may not be easy to achieve in practice, but – at the very least – it will be more accurate.
🤖 Tech talk
European lawmakers join widespread call for global AI ‘red lines’ – euronews
European lawmakers, Nobel laureates, former leaders, and top AI researchers are urging for new international laws to regulate the most dangerous applications of artificial intelligence. Over 200 influential figures and 70 organizations from politics, science, human rights, and industry have joined a call for global AI red lines, warning that a lack of global standards pretty much guarantees that humanity will face AI-driven risks such as engineered pandemics, disinformation, human rights abuses, and the potential loss of human control over systems like nuclear arsenals. Even tech leaders from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic have joined in support the initiative. Although many countries are already developing their own AI regulations, advocates say that only a worldwide agreement will be able ensure common standards are applied and enforced. And if that means saving the world from AI-launched nuclear war… it’s sort of hard to argue with their point.
Meet the students who don’t use laptops – dazed digital
YouTube and Instagram are always just a click away when using a laptop for educational reasons, as that’s part of why some university students are going back to taking notes and writing essays manually. Citing the initial need to ‘reclaim their attention spans’ and gain better focus, students told Dazed that they’ve gained additional unexpected benefits from switching back to good old pen and paper. They sense their thoughts flow more clearly and easily, feel less guilty about their social media use during their free time, and even retain information better than when using a laptop to work. These students might be onto something, as official research proves the latter statement to be true. Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that handwriting generates far more brain stimulation than typing, especially in the creative centres of the brain. This is because handwriting is much slower than typing, forces the listener to reason with what hearing before deciding to write it on the paper, reinforcing long-term memorisation. So, aside from the hand-ache, it seems that going back to old school ways is definitely worth it.
👠 Style + beauty session
Jaden Smith is the new men’s Creative Director at Louboutin – wwd
Gen Z rapper, actor, and environmental activist Jaden Smith is taking his career in an impressive new direction by becoming Louboutin’s first-ever Men’s creative director. Not only is he breaking ground in this brand new role, but Smith’s appointment marks the first time Christian Louboutin has ever handed out the title of creative director to anyone but himself. Despite mixed reactions from those in the fashion world, the official Instagram announcement of Smith’s appointment generated $5.4 million in media impact value over the course of just 48 hours, according to Launchmetrics. Jaden Smith’s previous experience in the includes collabs with big-name footwear brands like New Balance, and he started his own streetwear label named MSFTSrep back in 2021. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with for Louboutin, with his debut collection launching in January 2026.
NikeSkims is here. Will it reshape workout gear? – vogue business
Nike and Kim Kardashian‘s SKIMS have finally introduced the NikeSKIMS debut collection after many months of anticipation. Instead of being a collaboration, NikeSKIMS emerged as an entirely new brand. The sportswear line is geared toward the modern female athlete and will have multiple product drops per year, sold on the Nike and Skims websites, as well as in both brands’ stores. Designed for the transition from intense workouts to daily life, the line includes core and seasonal lines – named Matte, Shine, and Airy – with the brand claiming its debut 58 pieces can be combined to make 10,000 outfits. The partnership’s first campaign has tapped into women’s sports going mainstream, featuring snowboarder Chloe Kim, tennis player Serena Williams, gymnast Jordan Chiles, track and field athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, as well as a group of college athletes. Oh, and Kim K herself, of course!
🌎 World news
Indian workers seethe over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa hike – thred
President Trump recently announced he would be imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas… a 6,500% increase from the previous $1,500 fee. This move directly targets foreign professionals in tech, engineering, finance, and medicine, resulting in immediate market turmoil. India’s top IT firms, along with tech giants like Google, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Meta, and Amazon also had their share prices affected. Indian travellers canceled trips, thinking they’d face hefty bills upon re-entry. Although officials clarified that mass deportations are unlikely, concerns about broader restrictions remain. The US appears to be shifting toward a more protectionist stance in a tech world plagued by security concerns, but this could limit its international talent and innovation. The lack of transparency and the aggressive tone of the policy suggest it’s not about bureaucracy. It seems more like a strategic move to tighten control over immigration and technological influence… which could be the US’ achilles heel in the years to come.
Israel-Palestine two-state solution summit to be held as recognitions surge – al jazeera
France and Saudi Arabia are co-chairing a UN summit aimed at garnering support for a two-state solution as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues. The meeting is taking place as a growing number of countries declare their recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel and the US are unsurprisingly boycotting the event, dismissing it as ‘a circus’. Reports suggest Israeli’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government may consider annexing parts or all of the occupied West Bank in response to the summit, though this will requite the green light from the US – something Netanyahu is expected to seek. The UN hopes the summit will advance stalled peace efforts and pave a path toward a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, despite Israel’s firm resistance and continued aggressive bombardment on the Strip – and even amidst UN reports which concluded Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
