Berkeley’s Boba Bubble and the Surplus of Drink Spots
The more matcha and boba shops open, the more each one struggles to survive. This oversaturation reflects more than just student demand, but a deeper set of economic, cultural, and aesthetic forces reshaping consumption habits and business survival in Berkeley. Read about it here.Continue Reading
Coming of Age: Outgrowing the Myth of Silicon Valley
As the world’s technological epicenter, Silicon Valley has an almost mythical allure to it. Yet as we trace back its history, clear parallels to our modern day reveal that we must rethink Silicon Valley as not just a place of technological progress, but as a stronghold for democracy and a driving force for good.Continue Reading
The Sweetest Strategy: Girl Scouts 101
The Girl Scouts, through innovations like the Digital Cookie app, drive-through booths, and diversity initiatives, have weathered pandemic disruptions and social controversies to remain a leading organization that empowers young women while sustaining their iconic cookie tradition.Continue Reading
Economic Diversification or Image Diversion? Saudi Arabia’s Takeover of Boxing and the Power of Sovereign Wealth Funds
Saudi Arabia has long faced scrutiny for their lack of women’s rights, labor rights, and other concerns, leading to them using boxing as a way to distract from the wrongdoings within the country. Ultimately, Saudi Arabia’s takeover of boxing is a reminder of how large sums of money, this time in the form of a sovereign wealth fund, can be used as a tool of international influence.Continue Reading
Saudi’s Trillion Dollar Idea: Diversification from an Oil Economy
With Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s domestic spending must yield new industry results or collapse due to global crises.Continue Reading
A Rocky Road for Ice Cream: The Inside Scoop on Private Equity’s Newest Bet
Boutique brands backed by private equity have emerged with premium flavors and inventive marketing strategies, while the traditional conglomerates are retreating altogether. But despite ice cream’s universal appeal, its economics remain stubbornly challenging.Continue Reading
The Weekly BluRB — November 10th, 2025
We’re back with the Weekly BluRB! This week, we take a look at the yield curve and explore President Trump’s beef bailout. Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping plays chess with the White House, while Sudan’s crisis hits disastrous levels. Continue Reading
Tropes over Talent: Cheap Literature is Replacing Deep Literature
While trope-driven marketing has democratized reading and made books relevant in popular culture again, it has also encouraged publishers to prioritize quick emotional payoff and recipe-following storytelling rather than literary innovation, turning a timeless form of art into more of an algorithm.Continue Reading
Trump’s AI-Generated Daytrading Graphic and The Disturbing Rise of Nationalization
An AI “day-trading” meme posted by President Trump coincided with the U.S. quietly taking a nearly 10% stake in Intel. The move signals a tilt toward state ownership, raising concerns over crony-capitalism and market integrity.Continue Reading
Reviving the California Dream, Rethinking the Lone Star: How SF Real Estate is Coming Back while Austin Cools
As a new mayor takes over and the AI industry booms, many businesses that were relocating their offices out of San Francisco to the South are once again finding the Bay Area a place of opportunity. The result is a slow re-emergence of the San Francisco real estate market while Austin begins to dry up. Continue Reading