2023 Year In Review: The Biggest Stories and Stories You Forgot
Dec 29, 2023
34:04
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The hosts reflect on 2023's biggest stories including AI impact, rising interest rates, a popular song's political co-option, a failed Titan submersible, shocking airplane incidents, the WeWork memorial flop, and the hype around a room temperature superconductor.
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Quick takeaways
The rise of AI in 2023 was the biggest business news story, with potential to transform industries, but also raised concerns about its impact and job displacement.
The Federal Reserve's decision to hike interest rates to their highest levels in 22 years had significant economic implications, impacting daily lives, inflation, and aiming for stability.
Surges in labor organizing and strikes resulted in historic gains for workers, reflecting the impact of a tight labor market on pushing for better rights and compensation.
Deep dives
Biggest Business News Story of the Year: AI and its Impact
According to Morning Brew's Golden Mug Awards, the biggest business news story of the year was the rise of AI, particularly chat GPT and AI's potential to transform various industries. Major investments were made in AI development, and it was seen as a game-changing technology with the power to revolutionize work, communication, and art. However, there were also concerns about the unchecked impact of AI, with governments and tech leaders warning about potential harm and job displacement. Overall, the monetary investments and the fear surrounding AI indicate that it is not just a passing trend, but a significant development that will continue to shape various sectors.
Fed Hiking Interest Rates and Economic Impact
The runner-up for the biggest business news story of the year was the Federal Reserve's decision to hike interest rates to their highest levels in 22 years. This had significant economic implications, impacting mortgage rates, treasury bond yields, and potentially pushing the economy towards a recession. The decision raised concerns about inflation and had a direct impact on consumers' daily lives, affecting 401(k) accounts, housing affordability, and credit card loans. Despite the potential risks, the Fed's actions aimed to control inflation and maintain economic stability.
Labor Organizing and Strikes Surge
One of the captains' picks for the biggest business story of the year was the surge in labor organizing and strikes, with various industries witnessing significant worker actions. Hollywood actors, auto workers, pharmaceutical staff, hotel workers, and others took to the picket lines, resulting in historic gains for workers. The tight labor market and improved leverage led to wage increases and improved working conditions. This surge in labor activity reflected the cyclical nature of worker strikes and highlighted the impact of a tight labor market on pushing for better rights and compensation.
The Viral Moment of the Year: Barb and Hymer Craze
As per the Golden Mug Awards, the viral moment of the year was the Barb and Hymer phenomenon. This viral mix combined A-list movie stars, endless meme potential, marketing budgets, and a unique juxtaposition of topics that resonated with people. The craze around this event showcased the power of pop culture and social media in fueling viral trends and capturing the attention of millions. Barb and Hymer generated widespread engagement and showed the influence and impact of online communities in shaping viral moments.
The News Story You Most Forgot About: The Canadian Wildfire Smoke
The winner in the category of the news story you most forgot about was the smoke from Canadian wildfires that blanketed cities in the northeastern United States, including New York. This unexpected environmental event led to orange hazy skies and a strong smell of fire, causing concerns about air quality and health. The story highlighted the interconnectivity of environmental disasters and the impact they can have even in urban areas. It served as a wake-up call for people to recognize the effects of climate change and the need for environmental sustainability.
WeWork Memorial Flop of the Year Award: Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk Cage Match
The winner of the WeWork Memorial Flop of the Year award was the highly anticipated cage match between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. The feud started on social media and generated months of speculation and trash talk, leading to a highly anticipated showdown. However, the match never happened, with Elon Musk providing various excuses for its cancellation. This flop highlighted the public's fascination with the different personas and reputations of these two tech moguls, as well as the general unpredictability of such events.
Episode 224: Neal and Toby reflect on a year of news in 2023 and break down the biggest headlines, most viral moments, and maybe look back at some stories you forgot.