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The 50 US states ranked from most to least healthy

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every state ranked by healthiness 2018 map

  • United Health Foundation has ranked America's 50 states based on how healthy they are. 
  • The group used criteria including obesity and smoking as well as environmental factors like child poverty and air pollution.
  • Hawaii was declared the healthiest state of 2018, while Louisiana was the unhealthiest. 

Not all states are created equal when it comes to health. 

To get a better sense of how healthy each state in the US is, for the 29th year in a row, the United Health Foundation has ranked America's states.

Hawaii made the top of the list as America's healthiest state, while Louisiana was declared the unhealthiest.

Looking at data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, and the Census Bureau, the rankings took into account everything from obesity and smoking to community and environmental factors, such as child poverty and air pollution, to public policies like immunizations, and health outcomes like cancer deaths and diabetes.

Here are all 50 states, ranked from healthiest to least healthy. 

1. Hawaii has a low prevalence of obesity and smoking, and low air pollution, helping it clinch the top spot for the ninth time since the rankings began in 1990.



2. Massachusetts held the spot as the healthiest state in 2017 but dropped down in 2018. The state has among the highest immunization rates and the lowest uninsured rate.



3. Connecticut has one of the lowest rates of smoking in the country and has one of the lower percentages of uninsured people. But the state does have a higher rate of drug overdose deaths.



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The 18 biggest tech scandals of 2018 (FB, TWTR, GOOGL, TSLA, AAPL)

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  • From Facebook's Cambridge Analytica debacle to Google's sexual misconduct investigations, 2018 has been a year rocked by scandal in tech industry. 
  • Here are the 18 biggest tech scandals that happened this year.

In the tech world, 2018 was rocked by scandal. 

Over the last 12 months, many tech companies have found themselves at the center of our country's most pressing social and political issues. 

Facebook provided Cambridge Analytica — a data firm used by President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign to target voters — with 87 million users' personal information without obtaining proper consent. 

Google reportedly paid an executive tens of millions of dollars after he was let go over a sexual misconduct investigation.

And WhatsApp became a hotbed of misinformation, influencing political elections and costing people their lives. 

What follows are the 18 biggest scandals in the tech industry over the course of the last year:

February: Uber and Waymo go to court over stolen trade secrets regarding self-driving car technology.

In February, Uber and Google's self-driving car spinoff, Waymo, went to court over allegations that Uber stole trade secrets relating to Waymo's self-driving-car technology.

The case centered around Anthony Levandowski, a high-profile engineer who was accused of taking information with him when leaving Google and bringing that information to Uber when he joined the company.

The trial was hugely anticipated among those in tech, as it included two of Silicon Valley’s largest companies, and even featured testimony from Uber's former CEO, Travis Kalanick.

Ultimately, Uber agreed to pay Waymo $245 million in equity.



March: Google’s Project Maven contract to partner with the Department of Defense on AI technology is revealed.

In March, a report by Gizmodo revealed that Google had a contract in place with the US Department of Defense for the use of artificial intelligence technology, known internally as Project Maven.

Critics of the AI tech — which speeds up the process of analyzing video images — believed it could be used for increasing the accuracy of drone-missile strikes, which often result in civilian casualties. As a result, thousands of Google employees signed a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, urging the company to end the contract, saying: "We believe that Google should not be in the business of war."

In June, after facing intense internal and external pressures, Google announced it would not renew its current contract with the DoD, which expires in 2019.



March: A self-driving Uber car hits and kills a woman in Arizona.

In March, a woman in Tempe, Arizona, was killed by a self-driving car operated by Uber. It was the first time a pedestrian had been killed by an autonomous vehicle.

Uber, which had been competing with companies like Waymo and GM to bring self-driving services to market, subsequently paused all of its autonomous vehicle testing.

Now, as the company prepares to return its cars to the roads, new reports from Business Insider have revealed the internal debates and dysfunction leading up to March’s tragic accident.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

From Elon Musk to Satya Nadella: Here are the 29 top tech CEOs of 2018, according to employees

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Best tech CEOs 2018

  • This week, Comparably— a website that rates companies across a number of different areas — released its list of Best CEOs of 2018.
  • Of the 50 chief executives on that list, 29 were from tech companies.
  • Below, we've compiled the list of best tech CEOs of the year. 

For tech, 2018 was a year full of scandal

From Facebook's dealings with Cambridge Analytica, to Elon Musk smoking weed on-air, the tech industry had its share of controversy in 2018. 

When tech executives weren't being questioned on Capitol Hill, however, some were being praised by employees for their leadership and the companies they've helped create. 

This week, Comparablya website that rates companies across a number of different areas — released its 2018 list of Best CEOs. Of the 50 chief execs on that list, 29 were from tech companies.

Here are the 29 best large tech company CEOs of the year: 

SEE ALSO: The 29 tech companies with the best company culture in 2018

29. Bill McDermott, SAP

Headquarters: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Year they became CEO: 2002

What their company does: Enterprise software for business operations and customer management



28. Scott Wagner, GoDaddy

Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

Year they became CEO: 2018

What their company does: Internet domain registry and website hosting 



27. Daniel Schulman, PayPal

Headquarters: San Jose, California

Year they became CEO: 2014

What their company does: Online payments 



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An iconic NYC hotel is throwing an extravagant black-tie New Year's Eve masquerade ball complete with aerialists and an open bar, and tickets start at $600

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  • The Plaza, a five-star hotel overlooking Central Park, is one of the city's most legendary and luxurious hotels.
  • The hotel is throwing a lavish New Year's Eve bash that will include aerialists, decadent desserts and hors d'oeuvres, live music, and of course, plenty of Champagne at an open bar.
  • Tickets start at $1,200 for two people.

 

One of New York City's most iconic hotels is hosting a New Year's Eve party to remember.

The Plaza, a five-star hotel that overlooks Central Park, is holding a lavish black-tie masquerade ball on December 31, and it will include aerialists, live music, a decadent dinner and dessert, and of course, free-flowing Champagne. Tickets start at $1,200 for two people.

"Welcome 2019 with an evening fete unlike you've seen before," reads the Plaza's description of the event. "Just steps from the comfort of your room, embrace a black tie affair complete with delectable hors d'oeuvres, a decadent dinner and an evening of dancing under the legendary laylight in the selection of Fine Wines and Champagne."

The Plaza promises glitz, glamour, and a midnight balloon drop.

Read more: A luxury hotel in Times Square hosts a rooftop New Year's Eve party where guests are only 150 feet from the ball drop and box seats cost up to $125,000

The party will take place at the hotel's glamorous and iconic Palm Court, with its palm trees and soaring ceilings.

Everyone has a Plaza story, and we’d love to hear yours! What’s your favorite memory from The Palm Court? 📷: @rachelannjensen

A post shared by The Plaza Hotel (@theplazahotel) on Jun 8, 2018 at 11:17am PDT on

Tickets to the party start at $1,200 for two people, according to the Plaza's website. But it appears that you'll need to book a room at the Plaza to attend. As of the time of publication, New Year's Eve packages in the hotel's booking system start at $2,767, which includes a night in a deluxe king room, one admission to the Palm Court party (with each additional ticket costing $900), and a $100 in-room dining credit.

SEE ALSO: Rich people can now celebrate New Year's Eve twice with a private jet company that flies them around the world in a Gulfstream G550 for $250,000

DON'T MISS: I stayed at New York’s most iconic luxury hotel that charges up to $50,000 a night and was once owned by Donald Trump

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: History of the Christmas tree: Evergreens were sacred to ancient Egyptians. Then people started decorating them.

The Nintendo Switch is the hottest game system this holiday — here are its 20 best games

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Super Mario Odyssey

The Nintendo Switch is approaching its second birthday, and there's already a killer line-up of games available.

Whether you're looking for Nintendo staples like "Mario" and "Zelda," fast-paced first-person shooters like "DOOM", or narrative-driven indie RPGs like "Golf Story," there's something for everyone on the Switch.

Good news! We've put together a list of the best games to enjoy on Nintendo's latest console:

SEE ALSO: The 31 best Nintendo Switch games under $20

1. "Super Mario Odyssey"

The pure joy of playing "Odyssey" is hard to convey. It's the best Mario game in years, and easily one of the best Mario games ever made. It's certainly the best game on the Nintendo Switch, which is really saying something.

Read our review of "Super Mario Odyssey" right here.



Check it out in action right here:

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2. "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild"

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is a rare gem.

It's the kind of game that changes player expectations — what they expect of themselves and what they expect from games.

Read our review of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" right here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Why are Apple Pay, Starbucks’ app, and Samsung Pay so much more successful than other wallet providers?

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mobile payments lumiscapeThis is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about Business Insider Intelligence, click here.

In the US, the in-store mobile wallet space is becoming increasingly crowded. Most customers have an option provided by their smartphone vendor, like Apple, Android, or Samsung Pay. But those are often supplemented by a myriad of options from other players, ranging from tech firms like PayPal, to banks and card issuers, to major retailers and restaurants.

With that proliferation of options, one would expect to see a surge in adoption. But that’s not the case — though Business Insider Intelligence projects that US in-store mobile payments volume will quintuple in the next five years, usage is consistently lagging below expectations, with estimates for 2019 falling far below what we expected just two years ago. 

As such, despite promising factors driving gains, including the normalization of NFC technology and improved incentive programs to encourage adoption and engagement, it’s important for wallet providers and groups trying to break into the space to address the problems still holding mobile wallets back. These issues include customer satisfaction with current payment methods, limited repeat purchasing, and consumer confusion stemming from fragmentation. But several wallets, like Apple Pay, Starbucks’ app, and Samsung Pay, are outperforming their peers, and by delving into why, firms can begin to develop best practices and see better results.

A new report from Business Insider Intelligence addresses how in-store mobile payments volume will grow through 2021, why that’s below past expectations, and what successful cases can teach other players in the space. It also issues actionable recommendations that various providers can take to improve their performance and better compete.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • US in-store mobile payments will advance steadily at a 40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to hit $128 billion in 2021. That’s suppressed by major headwinds, though — this is the second year running that Business Insider Intelligence has halved its projected growth rate.
  • To power ahead, US wallets should look at pockets of success. Banks, merchants, and tech providers could each benefit from implementing strategies that have worked for early leaders, including eliminating fragmentation, improving the purchase journey, and building repeat purchasing.
  • Building multiple layers of value is key to getting ahead. Adding value to the user experience and making wallets as simple and frictionless as possible are critical to encouraging adoption and keeping consumers engaged. 

In full, the report:

  • Sizes the US in-store mobile payments market and examines growth drivers.
  • Analyzes headwinds that have suppressed adoption.
  • Identifies three strategic changes providers can make to improve their results.
  • Evaluates pockets of success in the market.
  • Provides actionable insights that providers can implement to improve results.

Subscribe to an All-Access membership to Business Insider Intelligence and gain immediate access to:

This report and more than 250 other expertly researched reports
Access to all future reports and daily newsletters
Forecasts of new and emerging technologies in your industry
And more!
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Purchase & download the full report from our research store

 

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Watch Lady Gaga break down in tears as she performs 'Shallow' for the first time live at her 'Enigma' Vegas residency

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lady gaga vegas enigma

  • Lady Gaga's highly-anticipated Las Vegas residency "Enigma" kicked off on December 28.
  • The show includes many costume changes, references to her music videos, and 21 songs — including the Grammy-nominated hit from "A Star Is Born,""Shallow."
  • "Shallow" is the show's final song, and while performing it live for the first time, Gaga got emotional and appeared to start crying. Her fans can be heard encouraging her to continue.
  • Gaga has been very open about how much her role in "A Star Is Born" affected her, so it's not a shock that the song would conjure up strong emotions.
  • Watch the performance below. The song begins at 1:42.

 

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 things you shouldn't buy on Black Friday

The 3 best places to travel every month of 2019

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  • Business Insider has spent a year finding the best best places to visit in the world for each month of the year.
  • Now, we've taken the top destinations and compiled them into a travel guide for each month of 2019.
  • The best places to visit in 2019 include tropical paradises, rugged outdoor playgrounds, and vibrant cultural hubs.

The new year is right around the corner, which means there's no better time to start thinking about where you want to visit in 2019.

Over the course of 2018, I've compiled Business Insider's "Best Places to Visit" series, highlighting 13 destinations that are best for holiday travel for every month of the year.

Business Insider considered everything from airfare trends and climate data to local cultural events to determine the optimal month to travel to each destination. February, for example, offers the cheapest airfare to Hawaii, with November coming in a close second.

Related:See the entire "Best Places to Visit" series, highlighting 13 destinations each month

Now, as 2019 approaches, I'm taking three of the best destinations from each month and presenting them below. The following guide can help you plan a year's worth of vacations and cover everything on your traveler's checklist, from famed historic sites to vibrant nightlife, tropical paradises to icy wonderlands.

Check out the best places to travel each month of 2019, and enjoy planning.

SEE ALSO: 13 places to visit in January for every type of traveler

DON'T MISS: 13 of the best places to visit if you're planning a vacation in February

January — Aspen, Colorado

What we said:"More than 200 inches of snow lure winter sports lovers to scenic Aspen, Colorado, each winter.

"Although December through February are the most expensive months to travel to this powdery haven, early January is when rates for hotels and ski lifts are the most affordable of the season. That's the sweet spot on the calendar between December holidays and the start of the annual X Games, which start in late January."

Find other places to travel in January here»



January — Harbin, China

What we said:"Winter temperatures plunge below zero in Harbin, China's northernmost major city. But there's a reason more than 10 million travelers flock there each December, January, and February — the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.

"The festival — the largest of its kind in the world — centers on a surreal, neon-lit theme park with castles, sculptures, and replicas of monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Sphinx, all carved from ice. It's a scene that needs to be witnessed to be believed — just make sure you bring your warmest jacket."

Find other places to travel in January here»



January — Wanaka, New Zealand

What we said:"Wanaka is a picturesque town on New Zealand's South Island, and it's the perfect place for outdoor adventure. The town's mountain and lakeside setting, as well as its proximity to Mt. Aspiring National Park, make it the ultimate base for outdoor activities like hiking, bicycling, rock climbing and skydiving. Remember, January means warm weather in this part of the world.

"Back in town, you can take in the magnificent scenery from viewpoints, go wine-tasting, and while away the hours at quirky places like Puzzling World and the National Transport and Toy Museum."

Find other places to travel in January here»



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I visited what's possibly the world's most polluted city, and realized Americans have no idea how good they have it

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  • Cairo, Egypt, is one of the world's most polluted cities, if not No.1.
  • I recently visited and found that, even after just a day in the city, I could feel the effects on my breathing, sleep, and skin.
  • The experience reminded me of how lucky I, as an American, am to have the air quality in the country I live. I think most Americans have no conception of what it is like to live in a heavily polluted city like much of the world in Egypt, China, and India.
  • The Egyptian government is taking steps to improve air quality, with a plan to reduce air pollution by half by 2023.

I don't think I understood what it was like to live in a truly polluted city until I went to one.

As an American, I'd never really experienced a place choked with smog. New York, my home, is the 21st most polluted city, according to a recent study by Eco Experts, which combines data on air quality, noise pollution, and light pollution. Los Angeles, which I've been to a few times, comes in 10th.

That's a far cry from the cities that top the list, where checking particulate matter levels, or PM, is as routine as checking the weather.

I got my first taste of the smog life in April, when I visited Shanghai and Beijing (7th and 3rd on the Eco Experts' list).

While the pollution was noticeable — I saw a blue sky only a few times on that entire trip — I was in town during what was comparatively the best time of the year, pollution-wise. The winter in Beijing, when millions are burning coal for heat, is when the real pollution rolls in.

Cairo is one of the most polluted cities — you can feel it

I rode in a taxi from the Cairo airport this past week, it hit me that I'd entered the big leagues.

As a city of more than 20 million people, Cairo is the most populous city in the Middle East and the second most populous in Africa. And it feels like it.

Every highway, road, and alleyway is clogged with cars and motorbikes spewing fumes into the air. The honking never stops: long honks, short beeps, and everything in between. The cars, and their drivers, are in every kind of conversation imaginable. Other noises proliferate, from street-side shouts to the rumble of construction. Every street seems to have a construction site and a building under renovation or being built.

Cairo is the most polluted city in the world, according to the Eco Experts' report. The World Health Organization's Global Ambient Air Quality Database, which focuses on measures of air quality, ranks Cairo second worst for PM10, or particulate matter that is 10 micrometers in diameter or less. When judging by PM2.5, or particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less — the worst kind of pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency — Cairo is not quite as bad, but still near the bottom.

Particulate pollution is made up a mix of solid and liquid droplets in the air, including sulfates, nitrates, and carbon. It's largely caused by energy used by homes, automobile traffic, manufacturing, and power plants. Sand or desert dust can add to the air pollution. In Cairo's case, the city is in a valley and has a large industrial sector, tons of traffic, poor waste management, and a dusty climate, according to the Arab News.

“Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the brunt of the burden,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director general, said in a statement regarding its most recent report.

On average, residents of Cairo breathe in air suffused with 11.7 times the WHO recommended safe level of PM2.5 and 14.2 times the safe level of PM10. Translation: The air is really bad and you can feel it.

Dry mouth, itchy eyes, and rashes: Bad pollution has immediate effects

CairoPollution

Within a day of being in Cairo, the effects started to settle in. When I woke in the morning to look out the window the first few days, a thick haze lay over the city.

After a few hours walking around in even one of the more green neighborhoods — the embassy-populated, moderately wealthy island of Zamalek — I found myself severely dehydrated despite having a water bottle by my side the whole time. The taste in my mouth was bitter, my nostrils felt caked in dust, and my eyes had grown itchy. It feels like you're constantly at a construction site, with sawdust or concrete dust in the air. After a few days, I'd found that my skin, unused to the pollution, was breaking out in hives on my face.

And that's just the air pollution.

Cairo's noise pollution is arguably worse, though it is rarely talked about. Eco Experts' research found that Cairo is the third loudest city, after Guangzhou, China, and Delhi, India. A report by the Egyptian National Research Center found noise pollution in Cairo reaches a daily average of 85 decibels or, in the words of Eco Experts, “like spending all day inside a factory.” Even at 3 a.m., the honking doesn't stop.

facewipecairo

The honking, shouting, and construction noises are ever present, no matter where you are in the city. It literally leaves your ears ringing. Even as a New Yorker who lived for years above bars in the rambunctious East Village, I found the noise shocking.

Combine that with the light pollution — Eco Experts reported Cairo the third-brightest city, with artificial light 85 times as bright as the natural sky — and it all makes for a bad night's sleep.

Every night, I slept with blackout curtains drawn and earplugs in. And still I found myself to be getting terrible sleep. Every day, I overslept and woke up groggy. Before you assume jet lag, I was in the region for three weeks and slept fine while in the United Arab Emirates.

Over time, pollution has devastating effects

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All of this after a week. Imagine living in it for a few months, a year, or your whole life.

My partner, who has more sensitive lungs than I do, contracted pneumonia and a respiratory infection halfway through a semester studying in Shanghai. When we visited Shanghai in April, she'd contracted a wheezing cough after a day in the city.

Researchers and scientists are still studying the effects of pollution on humans, but it has been connected to health conditions like asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, according to WHO and the EPA. Researchers suspect that pollution is connected to obesity, insomnia, depression, as well as effects on the immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

One recent study out of Beijing Normal University's school of statistics found that long-term exposure to particulate matter was correlated with cognitive declines in study participants as they aged.

The Egyptian government pushed back on the Eco Experts report shortly after it was published, criticizing the methodology of the study. But there's no denying the pollution in Cairo. It would appear the Egyptian government agrees with that much.

Earlier this year, the government announced a plan to reduce air pollution by half by 2023, and began an initiative to plant 1 million fruit trees in public spaces throughout the country.

A major pollution issue for Egypt since 1997 has been farmers' yearly burning of leftover rice straw from September to November, which can create a "dark cloud" over Cairo. To tackle the issue, the government has offered to buy the straw from farmers for $3 a ton, Mohamed Salah, head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, said in October.

"Today, the dark cloud season is over and all citizens in Egypt are saying that they have not sensed any problem relating to this, unlike what had happened in previous years," Salah said.

But, for this American in Cairo, I found the city to be stark reminder of how lucky the US is when it comes to air quality and pollution and how little we bear the burden of global manufacturing and other polluting industries around the world.

When I told one Beijing resident in April that I head to the countryside outside New York City when I want fresh air, he looked at me incredulously. He said: "You have to understand: We think of New York City air as pristine."

SEE ALSO: Dubai has the world's largest, completely automated, driverless metro line — and it shows how far behind the US really is

DON'T MISS: If you've ever wanted to visit Dubai, there's likely never been a better time than right now. Here's why.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: An undercover investigation reveals air quality on a cruise ship deck could be worse than the world’s most polluted cities

I didn't think the $1 billion hotel considered 'the most luxurious in the world' could possibly live up to the hype. I was very wrong.

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Dubai Burj Al Arab Most Luxurious Hotel (1 of 74)

  • One of the most decorated luxury hotels in the world, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, was recently named the "best hotel in the world" by the Ultratravel Awards. The Burj has frequently been called "the world's first seven-star hotel" and "the most luxurious hotel in the world" by travel writers and critics.
  • I recently stayed at the hotel on a trip to Dubai to see if the Burj Al Arab could possibly live up to the hype.
  • Adorned with more gold and marble than any reasonable person would choose, the Burj Al Arab impresses through the sheer force of its vision of luxury.
  • A guest's every whim is attended to, the architecture and design astounds with color, patterns, and vertigo, and extravagances like caviar and truffles find their way into numerous dishes at the hotel's restaurants. It's like living in the dream world of an Emirati royal or President Donald Trump.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to vacation like a billionaire, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is likely the closest we normies will ever get. 

Shaped like the sail of an Arabian dhow ship and built for $1 billion, the hotel is full of extravagances like a Rolls-Royce chauffeur, a 14-piece set of Hermès toiletries, personal butlers — Burj says the staff-to-guest ratio is 6:1 — and 24-karat gold everything. 

Since the hotel opened nearly 20 years ago, the Burj Al Arab has won accolade after accolade for its bonkers approach to luxury.

In just the last year, it was named the Best Hotel in the World by The Telegraph's ULTRA Awards and given a Five-Star Award by Forbes Travel Guide. When it first opened, a journalist was supposedly so enamored with the Burj that she exclaimed that it must be a seven-star hotel, a rating that does not exist.

Gold-plated luxury usually makes me roll my eyes, making me think something along the lines of, This is what the richest people in the world waste their money on? 

I certainly had that reaction when I stayed at the Burj Al Arab on a recent trip to Dubai, but I also found myself overwhelmed by the sheer audacity of the hotel's luxurious vision. 

While I can't condone spending the $1,500 a night minimum it costs to stay there, I can say that staying the night inside the dreamworld of an Emirati royal is a very interesting trip.

Keep reading to see what it was like:

SEE ALSO: I stayed at Robert De Niro's ridiculously swanky new hotel in Ibiza — and it makes you feel like a celebrity, if you can afford it

SEE ALSO: I stayed at New York’s most iconic luxury hotel that charges up to $50,000 a night and was once owned by Donald Trump

The Burj's vision of luxury starts with its location. The hotel was built on a tiny man-made island a few hundred meters off the Dubai coastline. That means any would-be visitors must enter via guard-monitored bridge.



Most people arrive via complimentary chauffeured Rolls-Royce pick up. Your other option is to arrive in a private helicopter — to a private helipad, of course.



Compared to the rest of the Burj, the lobby is nothing to write home about, with low ceilings and a pared-back design. But that's by design. The lobby is mostly used to corral tourists coming to marvel at the structure, not guests.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The CEO who took over Burger King at age 32 learned that any major problem at work usually boils down to one of 3 reasons

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  • As the CEO of Restaurant Brands International, Daniel Schwartz oversees Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes.
  • Schwartz started as CFO at Burger King in his late 20s before becoming CEO at 32.
  • He said the most important management lesson he learned was to realize that in business, bad execution is the result of either the wrong owner, the wrong people in roles, or the wrong strategy.

When he was 29 years old, Daniel Schwartz went from managing a single person at the investment firm 3G Capital to becoming the chief financial officer of Burger King. A few years later, he was CEO of the brand, and then that role soon turned to CEO of a fast food conglomerate, Restaurant Brands International.

It was the highest level of learning through experience, and while it could have gone terribly, Schwartz adapted to his new roles and has been successfully growing his three brands: Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes. In an episode of Business Insider's podcast "This Is Success," Schwartz said that the most important management insight he had growing into his CEO position was one that's both simple but easily overlooked.

"The biggest lesson is to always realize that if something's not working, you either have the wrong owner, the wrong person managing it, or the wrong strategy, and you need to be pretty sure which one that is," he said.

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For example, when 3G bought Burger King in 2010, the brand was far behind its rival, McDonald's. At the time of the sale, Reuters noted that Burger King suffered from decreasing demand among its core audience and a lack of adaptation to changes in consumer trends that McDonald's and other brands had latched onto. After 3G put Schwartz in charge, he gave the brand a new look and voice, and updated its menu.

Those were the result of ownership and strategy, but Schwartz told us the most common cause of problems is with assigning roles. He noted that most often, "it's a people issue and we need to make sure that we have the right people in the right places."

Laughing, he said that even though some outlets (including Business Insider) liked to portray him as a "whiz kid" due to his unusually young age for his position in the industry, he wasn't a "prodigy." Rather, he explained, his two greatest skills were spotting talent and assigning employees to roles where they can flourish. The key to this, and to the entirety of his greatest management insight, is moving quickly.

It sounds straightforward, but it's not easy. Employees are human beings, not numbers on a spreadsheet, and on top of that, it can be difficult to abandon even a failing plan for a new one when people become personally invested in it.

"But if you could be honest with yourself and you always put the business before any of these other personal situations, that allows you to be more nimble and to fix things quickly," Schwartz said.

Subscribe to "This Is Success" on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen. And listen to the full Daniel Schwartz episode below.

SEE ALSO: The CEO who took over Burger King at age 32 says his 2 greatest skills have helped the company grow quickly

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We tried Burger King in Japan — where you can order hot dogs and beer

How the retail industry will top $5.5 trillion by 2020 (TGT, WMT, AMZN)

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The future of retail is looking bright.The future of mobile commerce

So bright that Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider’s premium research service, expects the industry to top $5.5 trillion by 2020!

While in-store and desktop purchases are certainly helping the retail industry boom, the biggest factor for this incredible growth is in your pocket.

Find out why the smartphone will be crucial for retailers in 2018 and beyond with the first part of a brand new slide deck from Business Insider Intelligence called The Future of Retail: Mobile Commerce.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • US retail is growing $200 billion year-over-year
  • In-store retail is still dwarfing e-commerce
  • But e-commerce is growing almost 4x faster than in-store
  • Mobile commerce is driving most of that growth
  • And much more

To get your copy of the first part of this FREE slide deck, simply click here.

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Early adopters of AI in transportation and logistics already enjoy profit margins greater than 5% — while non-adopters are in the red

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AI Drive Revenue

This is a preview of a research report from BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about BI Intelligence, click here.

Major logistics providers have long relied on analytics and research teams to make sense of the data they generate from their operations.

But with volumes of data growing, and the insights that can be gleaned becoming increasingly varied and granular, these companies are starting to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) computing techniques, like machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, to streamline and automate various processes. These techniques teach computers to parse data in a contextual manner to provide requested information, supply analysis, or trigger an event based on their findings. They are also uniquely well suited to rapidly analyzing huge data sets, and have a wide array of applications in different aspects of supply chain and logistics operations.

AI’s ability to streamline so many supply chain and logistics functions is already delivering a competitive advantage for early adopters by cutting shipping times and costs. A cross-industry study on AI adoption conducted in early 2017 by McKinsey found that early adopters with a proactive AI strategy in the transportation and logistics sector enjoyed profit margins greater than 5%. Meanwhile, respondents in the sector that had not adopted AI were in the red.

However, these crucial benefits have yet to drive widespread adoption. Only 21% of the transportation and logistics firms in McKinsey’s survey had moved beyond the initial testing phase to deploy AI solutions at scale or in a core part of their business. The challenges to AI adoption in the field of supply chain and logistics are numerous and require major capital investments and organizational changes to overcome.

In a new report, BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, explores the vast impact that AI techniques like machine learning will have on the supply chain and logistics space. We detail the myriad applications for these computational techniques in the industry, and the adoption of those different applications. We also share some examples of companies that have demonstrated success with AI in their supply chain and logistics operations. Lastly, we break down the many factors that are holding organizations back from implementing AI projects and gaining the full benefits of this disruptive technology.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:

  • The current interest in and early adoption of AI systems is being driven by several key factors, including increased demands from shippers, recent technological breakthroughs, and significant investments in data visibility by the industry’s largest players.
  • AI can deliver enormous benefits to supply chain and logistics operations, including cost reductions through reduced redundancies and risk mitigation, improved forecasting, faster deliveries through more optimized routes, improved customer service, and more.
  • Legacy players face many substantial obstacles to deploying and reaping the benefits of AI systems, though, including data accessibility and workforce challenges.
  • AI adoption in the logistics industry is strongly skewed toward the biggest players, because overcoming these major challenges requires costly investments in updating IT systems and breaking down data silos, as well as hiring expensive teams of data scientists.
  • Although AI implementations are unlikely to result in large-scale workforce reductions in the near term, companies still need to develop strategies to address how workers' roles will change as AI systems automate specific functions.

 In full, the report:

  • Details the factors driving adoption of AI systems in the supply chain and logistics field.
  • Examines the benefits that AI can deliver in reducing costs and shipping times for supply chain and logistics operations.
  • Explains the many challenges companies face in implementing AI in their supply chain and logistics operations to reap the benefits of this transformational technology.

Interested in getting the full report? Here are two ways to access it:

  1. Subscribe to an All-Access pass to BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report and over 100 other expertly researched reports. As an added bonus, you'll also gain access to all future reports and daily newsletters to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and benefit personally and professionally. >>Learn More Now
  2. Purchase & download the full report from our research store. >> Purchase & Download Now

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There will be more than 55 billion IoT devices by 2025 — these are the biggest drivers for adoption

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This is a preview of the Internet of Things (2018) research report from Business Insider Intelligence. To learn more about the IoT ecosystem, tech trends and industry forecasts, click here.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how companies and consumers go about their days around the world. The technology that underlies this whole segment is evolving quickly, whether it’s the rapid rise of the Amazon Echo and voice assistants upending the consumer space, or growth of AI-powered analytics platforms for the enterprise market.

Investments into Internet of Things solutions

And Business Insider Intelligence is keeping its finger on the pulse of this ongoing revolution by conducting our second annual Global IoT Executive Survey, which provides us with critical insights on new developments within the IoT and explains how top-level perspectives are changing year-to-year. Our survey includes more than 400 responses from key executives around the world, including C-suite and director-level respondents.

Through this exclusive study and in-depth research into the field, Business Insider Intelligence details the components that make up the IoT ecosystem. We size the IoT market and use exclusive data to identify key trends in device installations and investment. And we profile the enterprise and consumer IoT segments individually, drilling down into the drivers and characteristics that are shaping each market.

Here are some key takeaways from the report:

  • We project that there will be more than 55 billion IoT devices by 2025, up from about 9 billion in 2017.
  • We forecast that there will be nearly $15 trillion in aggregate IoT investment between 2017 and 2025, with survey data showing that companies' plans to invest in IoT solutions are accelerating.
  • The report highlights the opinions and experiences of IoT decision-makers on topics that include: drivers for adoption; major challenges and pain points; deployment and maturity of IoT implementations; investment in and utilization of devices; the decision-making process; and forward- looking plans.

In full, the report:

  • Provides a primer on the basics of the IoT ecosystem.
  • Offers forecasts for the IoT moving forward, and highlights areas of interest in the coming years.
  • Looks at who is and is not adopting the IoT, and why.
  • Highlights drivers and challenges facing companies that are implementing IoT solutions.

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The AmEx Business Platinum's annual fee is increasing to $595 a year — we break down whether it's still worth the cost

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amex business

  • The annual fee for the Business Platinum® Card from American Express is going up from $450 to $595 per year.
  • New benefits include credits at WeWork and Dell and increased benefits from hotel stays.
  • With the higher fee, the card may be even more valuable to some cardholders, but others may want to look elsewhere for a rewards card with great benefits and a lower cost.

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express is a longtime leader in both the business and personal rewards card spaces, but a newly increased fee may be enough for you to cancel that Business Platinum card.

An update to the Business Platinum card goes into effect soon. Once it does, should it still earn a slot in your wallet?

Let's take a look at the new costs and benefits to help you decide.

Higher annual costs

Let's start with the big downside. The Business Platinum card annual fee is going up by $145 per year. That comes out to a new $595 annual fee compared to the old $450 fee.

The increase in fee is not a shock to anyone with the personal version of the card, which had a similar fee increase last year. The new annual fee for the personal Platinum Card® from American Express is $550 per year.

At $595 per year, the cost of the card averages out to just under $50 per month. With the new benefits (more on them below) and value from existing benefits, including a $200 annual airline fee credit, lounge access, and Membership Rewards points, you may still find the AmEx Business Platinum to be worth keeping.

New WeWork and Dell benefits

With new costs, you do get new benefits. That is not always the case in the finance industry, but the new benefits from the Business Platinum card may be very valuable for some independent workers and small businesses.

First, AmEx will give you a free year of access to WeWork coworking spaces around the world. The package you get from American Express is valued at $2,700 per year, when looking at comparable WeWork plans. If you have been considering coworking or moving your business to WeWork, this more than pays for the annual fee of the credit card.

If you use Dell for computers, printers, or anything else, the card also comes with a new $200 annual statement credit for qualifying Dell purchases. If you need to buy a new laptop or desktop computer every year for a staff member of your small business team, this benefit might come in very handy.

Increased Hotel Collection credit

This credit card has offered a $75 benefit for each stay at the Hotel Collection, which is now going up to $100. I don't put much value in The Hotel Collection myself, so I rarely focus on it in AmEx reviews. But with the new $100 benefit, it is worth taking a second look at how The Hotel Collection and this benefit works.

The Hotel Collection is a group of hotels you can book through American Express Travel. These are generally higher-end properties, and Business Platinum cardholders get a few perks when staying at The Hotel Collection hotels. Those include 5x points per dollar on prepaid bookings, free room upgrades when available, and a hotel/resort credit each stay.

The newly increased credit will give you $100 per stay for qualifying in-hotel purchases including dining, spas, and resort activities like tennis or golf. Depending on the hotel, $100 may get you a message, breakfasts during your stay, or a discount on a big day on the golf course.

Alternatives to the AmEx Business Platinum

If a $595 annual fee is more than you can or want to pay, you have other options available too. AmEx has a wide range of business cards. I'm personally looking to downgrade my Business Platinum to the Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express.

While it has far fewer benefits, I get lounge access from my personal Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Blue Business Plus doesn't charge an annual fee. The Blue Business Plus offers 2x points per dollar on all purchases up to $50,000 per year (then 1x).

Other good options include the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card ($95 annual fee), Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card (no annual fee), or Ink Business Cash Credit Card (no annual fee) from Chase.

Choosing the right rewards card

The right rewards card requires finding the right balance between cost and benefits from your card. If you choose a card with a near $600 annual fee, you should get at least $600 in benefits per year from the card.

Between all of the travel, work, and purchase rewards and protections, you may very well get that from the AmEx Business Platinum. If not, it may be time to move on to something new for your small business credit card needs.

Click here to learn more about the AmEx Business Platinum from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

DON'T MISS: Every small business owner should consider signing up for this Chase card — even freelancers

SEE ALSO: Changes are coming to the AmEx Business Platinum in 2019 that will increase its value for some, but not all, cardholders

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The top 5 startups disrupting healthcare using AI, digital therapeutics, health insurance, and genomics

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bii top 5 startups to watch in digital health

The healthcare industry is facing disruption due to accelerating technological innovation and growing demand for improved delivery of healthcare and lower costs. Tech startups are leading the way by seizing opportunities in the areas of the industry that are most vulnerable to disruption, including genomics, pharmaceuticals, administration, clinical operations, and insurance.

Venture funds and businesses are taking notice of these startups' potential. In the US, digital health funding reached $1.6 billion in Q1 2018, according to Rock Health — the largest first quarter on record, surpassing the $1.4 billion in venture funding seen in Q1 2016. These high-potential startups provide a glimpse into the future of the healthcare space and demonstrate how we’ll get there.

In this report, a compilation of various notes, Business Insider Intelligence will look at the top startups disrupting US healthcare in four key areas: artificial intelligence (AI), digital therapeutics, health insurance, and genomics. Startups in this report were selected based on the funding they've received over the past year, notable investors, the products they offer, and leadership in their functional area.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:

  • Tech startups are entering the market by applying the “Silicon Valley” approach. They're targeting shortcomings and legacy systems that are no longer efficient.
  • AI is being applied across five areas of healthcare to improve clinical operation workflows, cut costs, and foster preventative medicine. These areas include administration, big data analysis, clinical decision support, remote patient monitoring, and care provision.
  • Health tech startups, insurers, and drug makers are rapidly exploring new ways to apply digital therapeutics to the broader healthcare market that replace or complement the existing treatment of a disease.
  • Health insurance startups are taking advantage of the consumerization of healthcare to threaten the status quo of legacy players. 
  • Genomics is becoming an increasingly common tool within the healthcare system as health organizations better understand how to extract the value from patients’ genetic data. 

 In full, the report:

  • Details the areas of the US health industry that show the greatest potential for disruption.
  • Forecasts the industry adoption of bleeding edge technology and how it will transform how healthcare organizations operate.
  • Unveils the top five startups in AI, digital therapeutics, health insurance, and genomics, and how they're positioned to solve big issues that key players in healthcare face. 
  • Explores what's next for the leading startups, providing a glimpse into the future of the healthcare space and demonstrating how we’ll get there.

Subscribe to an All-Access pass to Business Insider Intelligence and gain immediate access to:

This report and more than 250 other expertly researched reports
Access to all future reports and daily newsletters
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And more!
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State and FBI investigators are reportedly probing allegations that Trump's golf club gave fake green cards to undocumented workers

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trump national new jersey

  • The FBI and New Jersey prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether management at President Donald Trump's New Jersey golf club provided unauthorized immigrants with fake green cards.
  • An attorney representing two women who said they worked illegally at Trump's club has shared evidence with prosecutors and federal agents, according to the New York Daily News. 
  • The women's allegations were first reported by The New York Times earlier this month. They said managers were aware of their immigration status and willing to produce fake documents.

The FBI and New Jersey prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether management at President Donald Trump's New Jersey golf club provided unauthorized immigrants with fake documents, according to the New York Daily News.

Two women recently came forward publicly to declare they had worked illegally at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, when both were undocumented.

The women's attorney, Anibal Romero, told the Daily News on Friday that he met with investigators from the state attorney general's office and handed over fraudulent green cards and Social Security numbers that management officials at the club gave to his clients, Victorina Morales and Sandra Diaz.

Romero also said met with FBI agents after reaching out to the office of the special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Romero said Mueller's office told him the matter wasn't in its jurisdiction, but FBI agents in New Jersey soon reached out, telling him they had received a referral from Mueller's office.

Read more: An unauthorized immigrant who makes Trump's bed at his Bedminster golf resort says 'we are tired of the abuse, the insults, the way he talks about us'

victorina morales trump bedminster golf club

The allegations from Morales and Diaz were first reported by The New York Times earlier this month.

In an interview with The Times, Morales said she knew she wasn't the only unauthorized immigrant who works for the president. She said she found Trump's rhetoric about immigrants offensive.

"We are tired of the abuse, the insults, and the way he talks about us when he knows that we are here helping him make money," she said. "We sweat it out to attend to his every need and have to put up with his humiliation."

Morales also said managers at the golf resort tried to implement new "immigration compliance" rules after Trump launched his presidential campaign in 2015, but that she was just told to obtain new forged documents.

The Trump organization did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Read more: Step inside Trump's private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey

victorina morales sandra diaz bedminster trump golf

But the organization previously responded to Morales and Diaz's comments in The Times, saying in a statement that the company uses "very strict hiring practices."

"If an employee submitted false documentation in an attempt to circumvent the law, they will be terminated immediately," said Amanda Miller, the Trump Organization's senior vice president for marketing and corporate communications.

Romero said Morales and Diaz were afraid to speak out for fear of retribution, but any punishment against them for the practices would be an incorrect response.

"This was a practice and pattern," Romero said. "My clients felt like they were trapped and they felt like the fake documents could be used against them."

Trump's businesses have come under scrutiny for hiring practices before. Legal documents and first-hand accounts describe the regular hiring of unauthorized immigrants at Trump Tower in New York City and at his modeling agency.

Michelle Mark contributed reporting.

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

How consumers rank the top delivery services in the US — and how they stack up against the growing threat of Amazon (AMZN, FDX, USD)

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The transportation and logistics industry is undergoing a massive shift as a result of surging deliveries. Daily parcel volumes are higher than ever before — but so are customers’ expectations for cheap and fast fulfillment. 

UPS Leads the Pack with the Best Tracking Features

To keep up with mounting demand, retailers and their logistics partners have been racing to develop more efficient processes with experimental supply chain models like crowdsourced delivery — the Uber model in which customers use mobile apps to connect directly with local couriers for on-demand or same-day fulfillment.

And it’s not just startups like Deliv and Postmates getting in on the action. This year Amazon not only launched its own shipping service to deliver packages for other businesses (“Shipping with Amazon”) but also announced its “Delivery Service Partner” program, which provides capital incentives for people to launch their own delivery companies fulfilling orders on behalf of Amazon itself.

With emerging delivery models like these aggressively stealing away customers, the pressure is on for legacy players like FedEx, UPS, the USPS, and the thousands of businesses who depend on them every day, to respond. But it will take more than just material resources or a large fleet of vehicles to truly compete. These companies need to earn the trust of consumers.

Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider’s premium research service, has obtained exclusive survey data to paint the 2018 delivery landscape and the trends of its major players. The findings comprise the team’s latest Enterprise Edge Report, The 2018 Delivery Trust Report, and give transportation, supply chain, and logistics companies the tools they’ll need to win back customers.

Enterprise Edge Reports are the very best research Business Insider Intelligence has to offer in terms of actionable recommendations and proprietary data, and they are only available to Enterprise clients.

In full, the study:

  • Uses proprietary consumer survey data to evaluate how the largest delivery companies in the US stack up on customer service, package tracking, package protection, and timeliness of delivery.
  • Assesses how at risk these providers are to new challengers entering the space.
  • Shares strategies on how delivery companies can achieve feature parity and, ideally, differentiation, in customer experience.

So, which delivery features do consumers care about?

First and foremost, speed. It makes sense that consumers value fast delivery, but did you know just how many of them prioritize this feature? According to a recent survey from Dropoff, it’s 99%. And with millions of packages delivered nationwide every single day, that’s a lot customers with high expectations.

But customers don’t just want their packages delivered quickly; they want to follow the journey from store to doorstep. Another one of the most important offerings delivery companies boast is real-time tracking, with nearly 90% of consumers noting it in the Dropoff survey.

Amazon package

If they can get it right, tracking is a twofold advantage for delivery companies; it entices consumers who want to know when their packages are coming, and it appeals to merchant partners who might be willing to switch delivery service providers for the added visibility and customer benefit.

And the field is still wide open for companies to differentiate on this feature. Among those who had a package delivered from UPS, FedEx, USPS, or DHL in the last year, nearly 30% of Business Insider Intelligence survey respondents couldn't actually say which company offered the best tracking features. Whether it means using mobile apps, SMS texting, or chatbots to communicate with customers, there’s plenty of opportunity for logistics companies to hone and become known for this feature.

Want to learn more?

This is just a snapshot of the Business Insider Intelligence 2018 Delivery Trust Report, which compiles the complete survey findings to dive deeper into the opportunities delivery companies have to engage and delight customers.

The multi-part report also presents actionable insights that transportation and logistics companies can use to fight back against Amazon’s continuous push into deliveries.

 

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Hungryroot, a popular plant-based meal delivery service, makes it possible for vegans and meat eaters like me to assemble healthy meals in under 10 minutes

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  • Hungryroot sends healthy meals to your doorstep that you can make in under 10 minutes.
  • Each meal is packed with nutrients, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, and is free of gluten, dairy, preservatives and trans-fats.
  • Meals break down to about $7 or $6 each, though your first week is less expensive.
  • I tried Hungryroot and was impressed by the taste, quantity, and how easy it made eating healthy. I'm not a vegan or vegetarian, but I enjoyed every meal without feeling like I was "eating healthy" and it required zero free time or grocery shopping.

When it comes right down to it, my biggest hurdle to healthy eating is convenience. 

I love neither grocery shopping nor cooking, and I don't want to spend my limited free time deep diving into (often contentious) online nutritional resources to construct balanced meals each week.

But, I do want to eat healthy foods that are good for me. So when I heard about Hungryroot through a colleague, I was intrigued.

Hungryroot is a meal subscription service that sends healthy, nearly-ready meals to your door, with ingredients and sauces that you essentially just heat and mix together. Each serving costs about $6-$7 when you do the math, and they take fewer than 10 minutes to prepare. 

Hungryroot meals solve the problems caused by a lack of cooking expertise or time to dedicate to figuring it out. The foods sent are 100% vegan and gluten-free, and they're packed with nutrients, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, cashews, almonds, and avocados) and complex carbs (sweet potatoes, cauliflower, quinoa, beans, and oats) keep you energized and satisfied without the pitfalls of "bad" fats and carbs, which can raise your cholesterol and spike your blood sugar, among other concerns. 

Generally, I’m willing to spend a bit more than I would on the ingredients for the convenience. Hungryroot is more expensive than buying these ingredients in bulk, but you could make the argument that anyone buying single-person groceries may find that— with shelf life of fresh ingredients factored in — it's not altogether that much pricier.

What I personally appreciate about Hungryroot is that it aims to make truly healthy foods convenient and inexpensive, since affordability and convenience are what make people (myself included) settle for unhealthy options packed with trans fats, sodium, and preservatives.

And this sounded pretty hard to beat: simple, delicious meals that were pretty much already made by the time they got to my doorstep.

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How Hungryroot works:

Choose between The Starter Set or The Good Life

  • The Starter Setis four meals (two servings each) and two sides, snacks, or sweets. The weekly box is $69 typically, but $59 for your first. Including the sides, snacks, or sweets, each serving comes out to about $7.
  • The Good Life is five meals (two servings each) and five sides, snacks, or sweets. The weekly box is $99 typically, but $79 for your first. Including the sides, snacks, or sweets, each serving comes out to a little over $6.50.

Shipping is free for both plans, and you can skip or cancel any time in your account online.

Once you select your plan and make an account, you can view what meals your shipment will include. If your meal is set to arrive Monday, August 27, you'll have until 5 p.m. the Friday before (in this case, the 24th) to edit it. Since it’s all fresh food, you may get an email prior to shipment that one meal has been altered due to stock (not enough high-quality cauliflower one week, for instance).

If you want to change delivery dates, it's as easy as clicking the "Manage Schedule" icon on the upper right and selecting a new date. 

Screen Shot 2018 08 21 at 1.39.52 PM

What Hungryroot is like in person:

Shipping was fast and my box arrived as scheduled. Inside, I was happy to find it included biodegradable insulation.

I was surprised by how much I liked what Hungryroot sent. I let the company auto-generate the first shipment, and my box included ingredients for the following foods:

  1. Southwestern Quinoa Tofu Scramble
  2. Cherry Chia Maple Oatmeal
  3. Green Goddess Lentil Salad
  4. Italian Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
  5. Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Tagine
  6. Kohlrabi Peanut Takeout Noodles
  7. Ginger Brussels Yuba Lo Mein
  8. Pad Thai Fried Rice
  9. Black Bean Brownie Batter
  10. Almond Chickpea Cookie Dough

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The box is supposed to include an instructional recipe booklet but I may have thrown mine away in a primitive hunger-driven craze. Thankfully, you can find everything you need to know online and by clicking on a select meal in the email Hungryroot sends detailing what's in your box.

The meals were delicious, easy to make, and the entrees filled me up. I'm not a vegan, and I balance an interest in taste over an interest in strictly healthy food, but I enjoyed everything as meals. It didn't feel like I was eating "healthy" in the sense that I was making compromises. And while I do eat meat, I enjoyed the tofu included. If you really wanted to, though, you could easily substitute and make the recipe with your own choice of meat. 

I typically wind up eating more than one serving for meal plans that I've tried, but Hungryroot delivered enough ingredients and variety where I ended up making most entrees last for dinner and for lunch. Having said that, the ingredients initially seemed small and few when unpacking, and I'm still not willing to say I'm entirely confident all future plant-based meals would entirely stave off hunger, though these actually did.

The standouts were the delicious (and pretty big) Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Tagine, both the ridiculously tasty black bean brownie batter and almond chickpea cookie dough (both ok to eat as is or after baking), and Pad Thai Fried Rice. To be honest, though, everything was really good.

True to promise, each meal took under 10 minutes to make — and that's probably the only reason I finished the fresh food before it went bad and ate healthy meals all week. I don’t like cooking, and my schedule usually allows only 30 minutes to cook and eat. For me, Hungryroot succeeded in making it possible to eat healthy in a convenient, fast, and pretty affordable way.

Who should get it:

If you like the sound of healthy, tasty food you can make in under 10 minutes, you’re probably going to like Hungryroot. It's more expensive than buying the ingredients yourself, but I probably wouldn't do the research and grocery shopping if left to my own devices. If you want convenience and consistency, this is a good tool.

The biggest upsides for me were convenience, time-saving (no research, minimal prep), and the ability to learn more about eating healthy if I wished. The company sends emails (not too many) about your upcoming shipment as well as "Nutrition 101." They also include succinct, healthy eating insight under your prep instructions so you can learn as you go.

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If you don’t have a reliable way to pick up packages day-of, you may want to steer clear. The food is fresh and doesn't include preservatives, so it likely won’t keep for longer than a day or so. And if you'd prefer to be more involved in cooking the meals rather than mixing ingredients together, you'll be better suited to a Blue Apron, Sun Basket, Hello Fresh or anothermeal kit delivery service. If you just need help with constructing healthy meal plans, you should check out PlateJoy

Another thing to consider is that the snacks are not meal replacements, so it's not necessarily fair to say each part of the box is worth its respective $6-$7 equally. But, if the other pros are worth it to you (or you get more snacks and greater variety with the Good Life Plan), then it may even out for you anyway. 

All in all, Hungryroot is a great option for anyone looking to eat healthier or learn by doing. In my experience, meals were delicious, filling, and extremely simple to make. It helped me with consistency, provided useful tidbits, and was just enough personalization and minimal effort. If you're looking to make healthy eating convenient or despise cooking, grocery shopping, and are willing to pay a few bucks more for someone else to do the legwork, Hungryroot is worth looking into. 

Sign up for Hungryroot here.

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A physicist developed a simple formula he says explains ‘the key to long-term success’

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Albert Laszlo Barabasi

  • In a new book, physicist and network scientist Albert-László Barabási gives a simple formula that describes how successful a given endeavor will be.
  • His research suggests that success is a combination of a good idea and the talent and skill needed to bring that idea to fruition.

The key to success comes down to a mix of finding what you are good at and sticking with it.

Physicist and network scientist Albert-László Barabási recently published a book, "The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success," laying out his and his colleagues' research into the nature of success.

In an excerpt from the book at TED, Barabási describes his basic findings in the form of a simple equation. The degree of success for a given product, scientific paper, artwork, or other endeavor, denoted "S," is broken down into two components: The essentially random quality of the underlying idea, symbolized by "r," and the ability of the creator behind the project to actually bring ideas in a given field to fruition, which Barabási calls the "Q-factor."

With that framework in mind, success is the product of the random initial idea and the Q-factor of the creator: S = Qr.

As an example of the importance of both components of the success formula, Barabási points out that Steve Jobs — someone with an undoubtedly high Q-factor in the realm of designing consumer electronics — had a list of unsuccessful products to his name as well. Barabási wrote, "Think AppleLisa, NeXT, the G-4 Cube, MobileMe. Never heard of them? They're in the graveyard of Jobs's many failures. If an idea has a small r value, no matter how high the Q, the product will be cheapened."

Of course, Barabási also noted that a strong combination of a capable, high-Q-factor creator with a really good initial idea can create extremely successful results: "When the Q-factor and r are both high, they enhance each other, leading to a career-defining breakthrough. Think of the iPhone — a fantastic idea with brilliant execution, resulting in the product that defined Jobs's legacy."

Read more: A Wall Streeter turned venture capitalist uses a strategy from his investing career to make the personal decisions that stress him out most

One perhaps surprising result Barabási and his colleagues found was that a given individual's Q-factor in a particular field tended to stay more or less constant over time. That is, they found that a creator's ability to take advantage of good ideas in their field neither improved with experience nor atrophied with age.

That presents a double-edged sword to anyone trying to find success in their career. On the one hand, repeated struggles in a particular field could suggest an underlying lack of talent in that field. Barabási wrote, "if our Q-factor isn't resonating with our job, we should consider if we've pinned our hopes on the wrong career path."

On the other hand, Barabási noted that the relative constancy of a Q-factor in a given field means that one's best work can happen at any point in their career. Barabási gave the example of the physicist John Fenn, who after a long and fairly low-impact scientific career developed a revolutionary technique for measuring the masses of large molecules at the age of 67. Fenn would later go on to win the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his late-career work, Barabási noted.

Barabási's research suggests that a good way to succeed is to find what you are good at and then keep trying new things in that field. "The key to long-term success from a creator's perspective is straightforward: let the qualities that give you your Q-factor do their job by giving them a chance to deliver success over and over," he wrote.

Read the full excerpt at TED here »

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