SWC’s Fast Five
The timeline and back story on our now 11 federal holidays is fascinating and why is it exactly that we can’t buy even one of the 15 million surplus Girl Scout cookies? Well, at least that is one choice – buy or not buy – you can eliminate from the other 35,000 decisions taking up your brain space while you contemplate the good, or bad, one you made to own, or not, the Peloton that is now spying on you. Another decision being made a lot – workers choosing quality of life as a record number quit their jobs.
So, here’s this week’s Fast Five:
1 The story behind the first new federal holiday in 40 years
In the 244-year history of the United States, the government has created 10 federal holidays. Juneteenth, to be marked on June 19, will become No. 11. Bipartisan legislation for the designation was introduced in 2020, taking one year for it to become law. By contrast, it took 20 years to establish Martin Luther King Day.
2 Workers’ great awakening is about more than unemployment benefits
Many politicians and business owners have said pandemic-era enhanced unemployment benefits are keeping would-be workers at home. But that’s a much too simplistic explanation of today’s employment situation. When jobs are hard to fill, a broader worker awakening over the past year is part of the reason.
3 Decision fatigue? Try these four tips to free up your brain space
You may not be the president of a company, but making decisions is something you can’t avoid. Research estimates the average person makes up to 35,000 decisions a day. Decision fatigue is a phenomenon that results from frequent decision-making. No matter how rational you try to be, you can’t make decision after decision without paying a price.
4 Hackers are watching you sweat
In a new report, security company McAfee says hackers can gain remote access to a Peloton bike’s camera and microphone and can monitor users. The attackers can also add apps disguised as Netflix and Spotify to encourage users to input login credentials for later malicious use.
5 No, you can’t buy any of the Girl Scouts’ 15 million extra cookie boxes
Due to the pandemic, the Girl Scouts have a surplus of unsold cookies worth roughly $60 million. If you’re thinking, “Why don’t they just sell ‘em next year?” Well, unfortunately, Girl Scout cookies have a 12-month shelf life.
