The Daily Valet. - 10/22/19, Tuesday

✔️ The Trolls Are Back

October 22, 2019

Tuesday, October 22nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

The drone should be here any minute with my order ...

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

And the Election Meddling Begins

Facebook discovers (and removes) foreign-backed social media accounts

Facebook revealed that multiple countries, including Russia and Iran, have already tried to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. The social media juggernaut said Monday it removed a network of Russian-backed accounts (both on Facebook and Instagram) that posed as locals weighing in on political issues in swing states, praising President Trump and attacking former Vice President Joe Biden, reports The Washington Post. Other posts included support for President Trump and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, while attacking former Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.

“Today, what we’re basically announcing is that we found a set of campaigns. They are highly sophisticated. They signal that these nation-states intend to be active in the upcoming elections,” Mark Zuckerberg told Lester Holt on the NBC Nightly News.

In September, a New York University study (PDF) found that Instagram was set to play the largest role of any social platform in 2020 disinformation campaigns, though it has received far less attention than outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. That's because memes and videos are becoming increasingly more dominant forms of getting people's attention.

Researchers said the efforts demonstrated how those seeking to interfere in US politics continue to exploit radioactive topics, including racial and religious fault lines. And they said it offered fresh evidence that foreign actors are pursuing new platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and even TikTok, that rely on a steady stream of images, making detection more difficult despite heightened investments in security.

As one expert put it: “We are seeing again that the aim of the Russians is not exclusively to favor one candidate over another but to create divisiveness within the electorate overall.” So, it seems, the best way to combat that on our end is to do your homework and not reflexively share or even comment on those kind of posts. We'll all be better off, right?

↦ A long way to go: There are 378 days until Election Day.

Could You Handle a 20-Hour Flight?

Exploring the final frontier of commercial aviation

Qantas just completed a record-breaking 19-hour, 16-minute nonstop flight from New York to Sydney. It’s one of three research flights to determine if the routes are safe enough to be made commercial. And, in the process, researchers are hoping to teach us how to avoid the dreaded jet lag.

The 10,100 mile flight is farther than any current aircraft can fly with a full load and beyond what current regulations allow. But Qantas is pushing toward launching nonstop service from both New York and London to Sydney. The idea being that people would pay a premium to avoid time-sucking connections. I'd definitely prefer a marathon flight over a few sprints. I love flying, but if I'm at airport too long, I just end up eating junk food.

On this test flight, four pilots took turns sleeping in shifts and the passengers all wore an EEG scanner on their heads to measure brain activity, a light meter to measure melatonin levels, and both their movements and reaction time were tested throughout the flight. Exercise was mandatory midway through to combat fatigue. And to help avoid jet lag, spicy food and bright lights were used to keep everyone awake until it was time to sleep. The flight was long enough that after the meals and exercise, there was still enough time to clock a full eight hours of sleep before landing.

↦ Crew Only: Tour the specialized, secret bunk areas on the plane where the pilots and flight attendants sleep.

Netanyahu Fails to Form a Government

Israel’s prime minister opens the door for his political rival

After nearly a month of fraught negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned his latest attempt to form a government on Monday, throwing Israel’s political future into deeper uncertainty. Netanyahu had 28 days to create the new government after last month's election, but could only gain the support of 54 of the 61 seats needed.

It opens a possible path to power for his rival, former army chief of staff Benny Gantz, according to The Washington Post. But Gantz’s success is far from certain. Israel’s complex political system all but ensures that the final outcome is not likely to be clear for weeks and that a third election in less than a year may be required. Netanyahu blamed Gantz for failing to negotiate after an inconclusive election left both parties short of the governing majority needed.

↦ In other election News: Canadians headed to the polls yesterday and while the results were close, Justin Trudeau won a second term.

Drone Deliveries Are Now a Real Thing

Look up! Because there’s more coming too.

Wing, the Google offshoot, officially launched its drone delivery service Friday, delivering a FedEx package through the air from a distribution center to a couple's home in Christiansburg, Virginia, according to the company's blog.

Wing was the first company to receive Federal Aviation Authority approval for door-to-door drone delivery, Business Wire reported Friday, beating Amazon's Prime Air, which is scheduled to begin deliveries on December 7, and Uber Eats' drone delivery program to market.

According to The Verge, the company hopes to replace deliveries that are typically made by car or truck in order to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. It also bills itself as an optimal delivery service for people with limited mobility options. I'm just wondering how present that whirling drone sound will be when there are dozens eventually flying around neighborhoods.

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

These expert travel tips

The benefits of good bacteria

The hole in the ozone is smaller than ever

Four Ways to Save and Spend More Wisely

The lazy man’s phone-based financial plan

Maybe you're the type that gets excited by saving money. But for the rest of us, dealing with finances can be a real drag. Thankfully, the Valet. team did some research and found that there's plenty of technological ways to kickstart your savings and help you spend more wisely.

Because while one in six millennials apparently have $100K saved (who are these people?!), a recent survey from LendingTree found that six out of 10 millennials don't have enough put away to handle a $1,000 emergency expense. And then there's our debt, which also makes saving a challenge. The average American owes about $38,000 (excluding home mortgages) according to Northwestern Mutual's recent Planning & Progress Study.

So consider one or more of these apps and put their services to good use.

↦ Say What? Alan Greenspan endorsed a theory that the sale of men's underwear can be an indicator of economic growth.

Sales We’re Eyeing

Denim Crosby button-down$125 / $62.50

Saturdays NYC is currently hosting a sale on their spring and pre-fall pieces. Which means you can get a handful of great shirts, from sophisticated textured tees and throwback rugby shirts to more refined button-downs appropriate for the office, all nearly half off now.