Tell it like it is

Good morning Staker! Here’s what’s cookin’ today: Balancing the high cost of keeping cool; The trends creating the economy’s big fat K shape; Meta wants to read your mind; What the heck’s in a hot dog, anyway; and fun facts about World Cup grass…⚽  

Let’s get into it!

Being able to read a person’s mind is something out of a sci-fi thriller—or used to be, at least.

Today, it’s looking more and more like Meta will soon have the ability to do so through a program it released the other day called Brain2Qwerty v2. The company says it can interpret the brain waves of people who are thinking something, and translate the waves into words that describe what the person is thinking.

The technology is by no means ready for commercial or medical use, but at some point could be a companion tool for those suffering from neurodegenerative conditions like anarthria, locked-in syndrome, or ALS.

These conditions make it difficult or impossible to communicate verbally, even though the person’s thoughts are fully formed and otherwise expressible. Today, they’re able to communicate with the assistance of tools that are often extremely expensive and invasive. The AI-driven Brain2Qwerty v2 algorithm could change that.

“We believe this research has the potential to make a real difference for the millions of people who suffer from brain lesions that prevent them from communicating,” Meta wrote in its announcement.

“Our hope is that this work, done in the open, advances neuroscience to identify, diagnose, and treat neurological disorders faster than in siloes.”

There’s probably no bigger weekend of the year for hot dogs, with Canada Day and the the Fourth of July acting as Christmas for the BBQ’s best friend.

While Joey Chestnut somehow wolfs down over 60 in minutes at this time of year, and even more miraculously survives doing so, it’s probably good to know what’s actually in a hot dog, despite nobody really wanting to.

Let’s be honest—hot dogs are as ultra processed as it gets, and according to a recent survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 90% of people who indulge in a tube steak aren’t aware of the health issues associated with them, including cardiovascular and cancer risks.

More specifically, the World Health Organization considers processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen—the category with the highest associated cancer-causing risk. However, 40% of those surveyed said they weren’t aware of any health risks associated with hot dogs, and just 11% were able to name three risks hot dogs are known for.

“On the bright side,” said registered dietician, Stephanie McBurnett,”there are a multitude of healthier hot dog alternatives available these days, from commercially prepared veggie dogs that can be found in most supermarkets, to tasty whole food homemade versions made from marinating carrots in soy sauce, liquid smoke, and spices.”

Fans of football (NFL style) can attest to the importance of grass, and those who cheer for teams that have seen players go down with knee injuries after playing on artificial turf can really attest to it.

FIFA spares no expense when it comes to grass quality, and that’s reflected in the meticulous planning and maintenance that went the grass used at the 16 stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup.

The grass quality has been lauded by players in this year’s tournament—almost unanimously. How did it get to be so beloved? Quite a bit of planning, according to John Sorochan, a University of Tennessee distinguished professor who was born in Calgary.

Sorochan and his team used high-speed cameras to measure the way the ball would bounce at certain angles, and created a machine that wore a 3D-printed foot to kick the ball, jump on the grass, and cut it like a player stopping rapidly and changing directions. They simulated the weight of 172 pounds running and jumping (the average weight of a World Cup player in 2022), and identified the optimal grass composition for every variable.

They even used different formulas based on whether the stadium was indoor or outdoor. Indoors, they crafted a hybrid 70% Kentucky bluegrass and 30% ryegrass; outdoors, they used Bermuda.

Book ‘em, Sean-O

Last time we saw Staker Sean he was hangin’ at the beach, somewhere along the California coast. Now he’s back and guess where he’s been?

If you guessed he was busy becoming an author, you nailed it. And the even greater news is from now until July 10th you can grab a free digital copy of his book, Far Side of the Comfort Zone: A Memoir.

It’s part confessional, part travel log, and part time capsule sprinkled with recognizable music and pop culture references that will make you feel right at home, Staker!

A direct line to ’89

We’re taking a look at major hits, headlines and stories that were goin’ down during this week in 1989, with today’s trivia! 😎