The Hustle Daily Show The ridiculous economy of Antfluencers
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Oct 1, 2025 Pet spending is ballooning, projected at $157 billion this year, reflecting a shift in how we treat our furry friends as family. Dive into the world of ant fluencers, including the fascinating rise of Mikey Bustos's Ants Canada channel, which has turned into a thriving business selling ant farms. Explore innovations in pet tech, from air-conditioned crates to recipe apps. Plus, learn about the changing dynamics of the job market and a futuristic windowless private jet concept. What’s next for niche pet influencers? Centipedes may be on the horizon!
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Pet Spending Has Ballooned
- U.S. pet spending surged to $157 billion in 2025, up from $90 billion in 2018, showing sustained growth post-pandemic.
- Job openings are flat at ~7.23 million while 7.4 million people seek work, softening labor demand compared to two years ago.
AI-Only Vertical Video App
- OpenAI plans a vertical-video app of only AI-generated clips that users cannot upload to, reshaping content creation norms.
- Users can still use their likeness, signalling new debates about synthetic media and identity use.
AR Recreates Historic Sites
- AR startup History's Portal overlays CGI reconstructions on real tourist sites to recreate historical scenes in situ.
- Target sites include the Colosseum, Acropolis, Pompeii, Normandy, Pearl Harbor, and the Alamo.