The Daily Valet. - 5/28/21, Friday

✔️ Life Is a Highway

Friday, May 28th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Bring on the long weekend.

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

↦Programing Note: We’ll be off on Monday, but back to our regularly scheduled programming on Tuesday.

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Life Is a Highway

But “pandemic driving” is wreaking havoc on us all

Just in time for a long holiday weekend, let’s talk about driving.

Because a new study has just shed some light on why certain drivers can stay cool behind the wheel while others keep getting more and more frustrated. Perhaps driving just wears you out.

The researchers found that some drivers are genetically wired to experience a phenomenon called “accelerousal.” Arousal being a psychology term that describes stress. When data was crunched at the University of Houston, researchers found about half the participants consistently exhibited peaked stress during periods of commonplace acceleration, such as happens in stop-and-go progress through red lights.

Of course, maybe it’s just a reaction to how bad we’ve all got at driving during the time sheltering at home. In yet another example of the pandemic’s ripple effect across our lives, people are reporting that they’ve forgotten aspects of driving. Some no longer recall routes that were once muscle memories; others are nervous about driving in the dark or even operating at the speed limit.

Driving a car is an example of procedural memory, a type of long-term memory that involves motor and reflexive skills. Playing tennis is another example, and so is tying your shoes—things you do without much, if any, thought. These are harder memories to forget, but they’re very uncomfortable when we’rerusty at performing them.

And during Memorial Day weekend, you can expect much more drivers on the road. They will be eager, they may be rusty and they most likely will be distracted. So be careful out there.

↦ Check Your Mirrors: AAA reports that more than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend—a 60% jump compared to last year.

Cruises Are Back

But Florida’s “vaccine passport” ban creates ocean of confusion

After more than a year of an industry-wide shutdown, Royal Caribbean is ready to set sail again. The cruise company just received clearance from the CDC to conduct “mock cruises” with volunteer passengers, starting in June.

For eager travelers, the news is good. However the water is incredibly murky, so to speak. Policies vary from ship to ship, several cruise lines aren't even returning for months and the CDC still recommends that people don't take cruises, noting that “the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high, since the virus appears to spread more easily among people in close quarters aboard ships.”

But the biggest hiccup hinges on a vaccine requirement. Royal Caribbean will require 100% of crew members and 95% of passengers on board the ship to be fully vaccinated when sailing.

But that requirement is at odds with a Florida state law that bans vaccine passports, which goes into effect on July 1, and is also outlined in an executive order from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

↦ Meanwhile: Hundreds of thousands of cruise-loving human guinea pigs have signed up to take part in sailings designed to test new health and safety measures.

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Is it really spring if you don't have a fresh pair of white sneakers? SeaVees has just the pair for you.

Ready for Nintendo Switch Pro?

Rumors continue to dominate conversation, but it could be in your hands soon

Nintendo is planning to begin assembly of the much-rumored upgraded Switch console in July and will release the Switch Pro by September, sources told Bloomberg.

The new console, likely to be priced higher than the $299 original, will likely be announced ahead of the E3 conference starting June 12 to allow publishers to showcase their full range of Switch games at the global event.

The new—still unnamed console—will be sold alongside the $199 Switch Lite, with the standard Switch phased out over time.

WIRED says if it gets better visuals, extended battery life and Bluetooth support, the new Switch would go from a “Maybe” to a “Must-Buy.” However, CBR warns that the need for new games is even more important than flashy hardware upgrades.

↦ FYI: The original Nintendo Switch was first released in the Spring of 2017.

Genetically Modified Salmon Is Here

And it’s already sold out

Way back in 1995, biotech company AquaBounty began the process of seeking regulatory approval from the FDA to allow the company to sell its “AquAdvantage” genetically enhanced Atlantic salmon to U.S. consumers. Now, it's finally ready to be eaten.

The inaugural harvest of the GMO fish began this week after the pandemic delayed the sale of the first such altered animal to be cleared for human consumption.

How exactly does this work? By integrating a Pacific Chinook salmon growth hormone gene into the genome of an Atlantic salmon, AquaBounty created a fish that grows twice as fast. It's ready for market in just 18 months, down from three years.

The goal is to make it easier and more affordable to provide fresh fish, but several food service companies and retailers have committed to not selling such salmon—citing environmental concerns as well as potential impacts on Indigenous communities that harvest wild salmon. But the aquaculture company says with its on-land fish farms, as opposed to ocean cages, the company is taking necessary bio-security measures to protect native salmon.

↦ FYI: The company announced earlier this month that the first harvest of five metric tons of fish is already sold out.

In Other News

↦ QAnon Now As Popular in U.S. As Some Major Religions, Poll Suggests

↦ The Future of Remote Work Is a Lot Like Living in a Video Game

↦ $6 Billion in ‘Forgotten’ Luxury Watches Are Lurking in U.S. Homes, a New Survey Suggests

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

These sunglasses

MTV’s midlife crisis

Memorial Day facts

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A Classic Sneaker for Summer

SeaVee’s 66 sneakers are the warm weather staple you need

Is it really spring if you don't have a fresh pair of white sneakers? And you won't find a more classic pair, than these—a stitch for stitch re-creation of the original style shown in the ad campaigns for SeaVees in 1966. The white cotton canvas bluchers (which also come in three other colorways) are washed for instant softness, straight out of the box. They're the warm weather staple you leave by the door and slip into for any activity—be it work, the weekend or even a summer wedding. Or as SeaVees says, they're shoes “for all, for all time.” What's more, they come with the brand's exclusive cooling footbed system with perforations for breathability and cooling airflow channels for all-day comfort and breathability.

↦ Get It: Sixty Six classic sneakers, $58 by SeaVees

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Don’t Get Dad Another Necktie

Get him a custom tie rack, instead. Dapper Woodworks specializes in making organizational solutions and accessories for gentlemen who appreciate style and quality craftsmanship. Every item—from tie racks and organizers to shoe horns—is made to order and handcrafted in Texas from the finest hardwoods and hardware. Order by June 1st to ensure delivery by Father's Day.

↦ Get It: Custom tie rack, $120 by Dapper Woodworks