Hangin' it up

Flying high on the success of Airplane!, Robert Hays starred in 1981’s Take This Job and Shove It. Despite his rising star (and the nod to a beloved song), and lots of other stars in supporting roles, the movie tanked at the box office.

At some point in your life you’ve probably thought about telling your boss to shove it. Even if you hate your job, that can be tough. That’s what inspired Momuri. They’re a Tokyo-based resignation company. If you wanna quit, they’ll get the job done! 🤣

Turns out you could be quittin’ for a livin’ ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 eGift Card!)

WEEKLY POLL RESULTS

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TRAVEL TUESDAYS

Delta using AI to maximize prices

Yesterday, Stake covered a story about airlines using manipulative website design to get passengers to pay more. Today, we turn to Delta Airlines specifically, who’s now leveraging AI to set prices as high as customers are willing to pay.

This isn’t necessarily something a company might brag about, but in the transcript from Delta’s most recent earnings call, Fortune Magazine spotted it.

“We will have a price that’s available on that flight, on that time, to you, the individual,” Delta president Glen Hauenstein told investors in November, having started to test the technology on 1% of its ticket purchases.

Delta is now using AI to influence 3% of its ticket prices, according to last week’s earnings call, and is aiming to increase that to 20 percent by the end of this year.

“We’re in a heavy testing phase,” said Hauenstein. “We like what we see. We like it a lot, and we’re continuing to roll it out.”

SCIENCE

Can your memory max out?

Have you ever wondered if your memory can run out of space? According to neuroscientist Elizabeth Kensinger, the answer is a resounding no. And that’s because, contrary to popular belief, the human brain does not have a fixed limit to its memory capacity.

As Kensinger explains, “There isn't a meaningful limit to how much information the brain can store.” Unlike digital devices, which rely on discrete storage units, the brain encodes information through a vast network of interconnected neurons.

Consider the memory of a birthday party: the scent of candles, the music playing, and the sight of balloons are all processed in different areas of the brain. These regions form a pattern that collectively preserves the experience. It’s this distributed system that allows neurons to form countless combinations, substantially expanding the brain’s ability to store information.

Kensinger further emphasizes the brain’s tendency to generalize rather than store minute details.

“The brain will tend to store the details of specific drives only if they had something distinctive happen,” she says. Forgetting mundane information, like the location of a coffee cup, is your brain prioritizing and not a sign of a shortage of mental storage.

BUSINESS

PepsiCo strips the chips

PepsiCo is giving its iconic snack brands Lay’s and Tostitos a clean-label makeover, ditching artificial dyes and flavors in favor of simpler ingredients.

CEO Ramon Laguarta emphasized the shift toward “real food,” describing potato chips as the ultimate minimalist snack—just potatoes, oil, and salt. PepsiCo will also swap out canola and soybean oils for avocado and olive oils across its portfolio.

The company already offers dye-free versions under its Simply line, but consumer engagement has been lukewarm. By integrating cleaner ingredients into its flagship brands, PepsiCo hopes to win over health-conscious shoppers without sacrificing mass appeal.

Still, there’s a catch. With inflation squeezing wallets, analysts question whether consumers will pay more for these premium snacks. PepsiCo is hedging its bets by offering smaller pack sizes and affordable options, while also expanding into high-protein products like shakes and fortified snacks.

MUSIC

DEF-initely doesn’t bite

If you grew up blasting Pyromania and Hysteria from your radio, Def Leppard’s latest announcement might feel like a time machine.

The band is heading back to Las Vegas in 2026 for a 12-show residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace—a venue that’s hosted legends like Elton John and The Eagles. It’s their third Vegas run, following sold-out stints in 2013 and 2019, and frontman Joe Elliott says the city has always been a “main attraction” for the band.

The residency promises a deep dive into their catalog. In past Vegas shows, they’ve played Hysteria in full and even opened for themselves under the alias “Ded Flatbird,” performing rare tracks for die-hard fans. If you’ve ever wished they’d dust off the deeper cuts from High 'n' Dry or Adrenalize, this might be your chance.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 25 at 10 a.m. PT, with presales beginning July 22 for fan club members and Citi cardholders. Additional presales will be available through Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and Caesars Rewards.

STAKE TRIVIA

Yabba dabba do you know?

It’s National Hammock Day, Staker! You know who used to love lounging on the old hammock? The ultimate Stone Age dad, Fred Flintstone 😎 

Get ready to take a page right out of your own history as you remember your fave lunchtime show with today’s Flintstones trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified tomorrow afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great day ahead Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.