The Daily Valet. - 2/1/22, Tuesday

✔️ Listen and Learn

Tuesday, February 1st Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

How much time do you think you spend on social media?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Black History Month

There’s plenty to celebrate ... and still plenty to learn

Black History Month officially kicks off today. Did you know it has been celebrated in the United States for nearly a century now? Leaders like Carter G. Woodson created the annual observance to ensure that the history of Black people in America received the importance and scholarly attention it deserves.

As President Biden mentioned in his official proclamation on Monday, it’s “a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America—our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations.”

Yet Black history is often still a contentious subject today—whether in school board meetings, in state legislatures or even on library shelves. Several states, including Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina, have recently passed laws that restrict teaching about race and racism. The New York Times is asking students (past and present): What is your experience of learning about Black history in the United States?

To say that my own education in the ’90s and early aughts was overly simplified while in school would be an understatement. Which means, we’re now on our own: Resources like BlackPast.org and the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer several ways to expand on your knowledge.

Of course, there are other more entertaining (and just as enlightening) ways to learn and celebrate. Networks and streamers have an impressive lineup of TV series, movies, documentaries and specials rolling out over the course of February. Deadline has compiled a list of programming highlights, from live coverage of the NAACP Image Awards on BET to the documentary series Lincoln’s Dilemma and everything in between.

Meanwhile, Apple is spotlighting Black business and innovation, while amplifying Black voices with a variety of exclusive content and curated collections. Even Foot Locker is commemorating the month with its Sole List campaign, highlighting photographers who are positively impacting and uplifting Black people and their respective communities.

↦ Dig Deeper: The History Channel has an impressive timeline of Black history milestones in America, dating all the way back to the summer of 1619.

One Million Deaths

The hole the pandemic made in U.S. society

Two years into the pandemic, America's death toll is closing in on one million.

Federal authorities estimate that nearly 988,000 more people have died since early 2020 than would have otherwise been expected, based on long-term trends. People killed by COVID infections account for the overwhelming majority of cases. But thousands more died from derivative causes, like disruptions in their healthcare and a spike in overdoses.

According to the Wall Street Journal, COVID-19 has left the same proportion of the population dead—about 0.3%—as did World War II, and in less time. That's a chilling thought.

“It robbed society of grandparents, parents, spouses, sons and daughters, best friends, mentors, loyal employees and bosses.” The experts they spoke to said it could take years to fully realize the lasting social changes the pandemic and its human toll will yield. Major wars can redraw maps, shift the balance of global power and leave memorials in the nation’s capital. The pandemic is a reminder our biggest enemies are often too small to see.

↦ Meanwhile: Omicron has amped up concerns about long COVID and its causes.

Partner

Valentine's Day is a holiday to celebrate love. Like your birthday, but for the both of you. So why not upgrade your love making?

Social Media’s Effect on Productivity

The majority of workers mindlessly scroll for several hours a day

Today in less-than-shocking news: We're all on social media too much while working. Of course, we all want to use our time efficiently and productively, especially while on the clock. And yet, studies have shown that 77% of employees use social media when they should be focused on their work.

And we're talking about hours here, not minutes. To better understand why people fall into these sorts of rabbit holes (and how they can climb out and get back to work), Harvard conducted a series of studies.

Harvard Business Review reports that the researchers found that the promise of quick, bite-sized bits of videos and photos tricks us into thinking it'll only be a minute. But then we tap out of our surroundings and fixate on the device in front of us if we “view many photos or videos in a row, if we consume multiple pieces of similar content, and if we are uninterrupted while consuming that content.”

Of course, for me, the opposite is true. I need to be scanning social media for work (this is my story and I'm sticking to it). It's during my off hours that I try to steer clear of my phone to keep myself from falling down the rabbit hole.

↦ Make a Change: Want to stop mindlessly scrolling? Metro speaks with some experts for tips on how to break the habit once and for all.

Wordle Is Sold

New York Times spends “low seven figures” to buy our beloved game

The New York Times announced Monday that its Games division would be purchasing Wordle—everyone's favorite five-letter-word guessing game and emoji-square generator—for a number in the “low-seven figures.”

The game's founder, Josh Wardle, explained that as a one-man operation, Wordle's overnight success had become a bit overwhelming.

ArsTechnica reports that the meteoric rise led to multiple copycat apps that Apple removed from its App Store, and inevitably generated backlash from people who don't like it when other people have fun in public.

For now, the game will “initially remain free to new and existing players” once it moves over to the Times' site, and Wardle says that he's working with The New York Times to preserve players' existing wins and streak data once the game heads to its new home. (Phew!)

↦ FYI: Just how fast did it grow? On Nov. 1, 90 people played. By Jan. 1, just two months later, more than 300,000 people played.

In Other News

↦ Judge Rejects Federal Hate Crimes Plea Deal for at Least One of Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers

↦ Mexico Rated ‘Very High’ Risk for Travel by the CDC

↦ Another Huge Winter Storm Is Coming ... and About to Make Life Messy for Half the U.S.

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Body modifications

This clear Swatch

Carménère

Partner

The Key to Great Valentine’s Day Sex

Dial up the pleasure

It's a day for romance. It's a day for sweet gestures. And, with any luck, it's a day for sex. But not just run-of-the-mill action between the sheets. This is a holiday to celebrate love. Like your birthday, but for the both of you. So why not upgrade your love making? That's where Promescent comes in.

The modern sexual wellness brand's goal is to help you deliver plenty of bang in the bedroom. Dial up the pleasure with some of their best sellers. These products have all been created to ensure your sessions are fun, fulfilling and long-lasting.

Delay Spray

Clinically proven to help you have longer-lasting, more enjoyable intimacy, the bottle is designed to dole out a metered dose.

$22.95 / $19.51 by Promescent

Delay Wipes

These utilize all of the same delay spray technology, but in a simple-to-apply individually wrapped wipe that you can take anywhere and apply discreetly.

$19.95 / $16.96 by Promescent

Warming Female Arousal Gel

The long-lasting gel hybrid is silky and slippery—designed to be used with a partner or solo, provides a gentle buzzing sensation.

$19.95 / $16.96 by Promescent

VitaFlux

This popular supplement provides a myriad of benefits, from increased energy and cognitive function to faster recovery times from injury or illness.

$49.95 / $42.46 by Promescent

Vanilla Massage Oil

Supercharge senses with an aromatherapy massage. This blend contains pistachio, sweet almond, jojoba and passion fruit oils.

$14.95 / $12.71 by Promescent

Organic Aloe Lube

Formulated with aloe, hemp and oat extracts to rejuvenate skin and moisturize sensitive intimate areas.

$9.49 / $8.07 by Promescent

↦ Want more gifts?Shop Promescent’s Valentine’s Day gift guide

A Classic Sweater Is Back

Why not be in great company with guys like Brad Pitt and Pablo Picasso?

↦ Get It: Best V-neck sweaters in 2022

Partner

Cheeky Valentine’s Day Gifts

Looking for the perfect gift this Valentine's Day? Playboy's popular collection of merchandise has everything from fragrance and jewelry to vintage-inspired apparel and lingerie. Featuring Tokyo Club inspired hoodies, comfy loungewear with throwback graphics, and the best-selling Alpha Industries collaboration, everything is sensual without being over the top.