The Christian Science Monitor

Was the reboot of an entertainment property a fresh start and jolt of excitement for an aging series? Or did it represent the unimaginative commitment to the status quo? Cultural commentator Kenton Makin writes for The Christian Science Monitor that the new “Fantastic Four” blends a retro sensibility with a type of optimism that is reflective of a reboot in the comic book movie industry itself. It offers a reminder that no matter how existential the threat, we can and should face it together. Writes Makin, "Before there were Avengers or Black Panther, there was The Fantastic Four. In fact, the Four was the first team crafted by the iconic artist Jack Kirby and editor Stan Lee. The two not only created a standard-bearer among superheroes, but a methodology for writing comics (the aptly-named “Marvel method”) that, decades later, would translate to billions of dollars in moviemaking revenue." Find the link to the full commentary from Makin in the comments. #movies #FantasticFour #superheros.

Under President Trump’s new AI plan, America’s strategy has moved from cautious to bold, though critics are concerned that key safeguards are missing.

Congress passed the first-ever major U.S. cryptocurrency legislation on Thursday, boosting the industry. But digital coins remain a risky investment.

Will digital money go mainstream? A House-passed cryptocurrency bill is now headed to the White House for signature. - The first of three bills, passed Thursday, would create a regulatory framework for a special kind of cryptocurrency, known as stablecoins. - The House also passed two other crypto-related bills Thursday, establishing new rules for the largely unregulated digital money. - The bill also banned the nation’s central bank from issuing its own version. - These bills now go to the Senate, while the stablecoin measure, already passed by the Senate, goes to President Donald Trump to sign. From Washington, The Christian Science Monitor's Laurent Belsie writes this could enhance the credibility of digital money and extend the dollar’s dominance with a new generation of currency. Dig deeper in our story, which you can find in the link in the comments 👉 #cyrptocurrency #stablecoins #congress #currency

https://lnkd.in/g2tCMT-b Great article about dam removal in Town of Yarmouth, Maine in The Christian Science Monitor. The article quotes three people whose support has been invaluable -- Landis Hudson (Maine Rivers) who has actively advocated for this project for many years, Michael Brandimarte who monitors fish passage and is studying the Royal River watershed holistically with support from Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, and Andrew Fisk (American Rivers) who is leading our grant writing effort. I am grateful to them and to the many other partners and stakeholders who appreciate the value of restoring the Royal. I'm glad to have played my part alongside Town Manager Scott LaFlamme to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers (NAD) which recommended dam removal after an extensive feasibility study, and to lead an public education campaign that led to consensus favoring dam removal. The only missing piece of the puzzle now is funding!

After ‘Severance,’ will we ever see work-life balance the same way? Is the Apple TV produced series - nominated for 27 Emmy awards Tuesday - the greatest exploration of work-life imbalance ever filmed? In its satirical moments, the series raises questions about what makes work – and, indeed, life – meaningful. Our cultural writer for The Christian Science Monitor views "Severance" as “Office Space” meets “Twin Peaks.” Stephen Humphries writes, "Perhaps the reason it resonates is that we’ve all felt like an “innie” at some point in our careers." Find the link to Stephen's story as well as a link to a chat with him about why the dark show has attracted such a large following in the comments. #severance #Emmys #TV #apple 

The U.S. economy has defied dire predictions so far this year. Even with inflation rising and the potential for growth slowing, a recession does not look inevitable.

Are we in the "Rasputin economy"? That's what one a Cornell economist is calling it, comparing it to the legend of the Russian mystic who survived poison and gun shots. The U.S. economy has defied dire predictions so far this year. Even with inflation rising and the potential for growth slowing, a recession does not look inevitable. - The U.S. added 147,000 jobs last month - The unemployment rate stayed the same. - Stock markets have pushed into record or near-record territory For months, the predictions have been flying: President Donald Trump’s controversial economic policies would drive the U.S. either into a recession or a period of low growth and high inflation, known as stagflation. But as Laurent Belsie writes for The Christian Science Monitor half a year into his second term, neither prediction has come true. The economy has proved resilient, the job market has expanded, and inflation hasn't surged, though has ticked up for the 2nd month. Find the full story with rich data in the link in comments. #inflation #unemployment #tariffs

President Donald Trump announced the tariffs Saturday on two of the United States' biggest trade partners in letters posted to his social media account.

“We need a new system to handle the generosity of the world." Just a few hours in Kerr County was enough to appreciate how much support the community has been getting. But still, only so many pickup trucks loaded with supplies can get down Highway 39 at a time. I rode with two of them to get a look at one of the biggest challenge facing the #TexasFloods recovery. https://lnkd.in/gCYAg8FZ