YouTube — 2026-04-19#

Watch First#

I Taught Rats to Drive. They Taught Me to Enjoy the Ride | Kelly Lambert | TED Neuroscientist Kelly Lambert’s delightful TED talk reveals that rats trained to drive tiny vehicles experience a measurable joy in the anticipation of a reward, teaching us a profound lesson about “behaviorceuticals” and the mental health benefits of physical effort.

Highlights by Theme#

News & Business#

CNBC investigates two major systemic issues: the European jet fuel shortage threatening summer travel schedules and prices, and the massive, Silicon Valley-tied fortune of Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh. The New York Times offers a vital look into the origins of the Supreme Court’s “shadow docket”, revealing how an unprecedented 2016 stay against the Obama administration’s environmental plan sparked this rushed, secretive judicial process. On the Chinese-language side, 美投讲美股 delivers a highly bullish macro analysis of the US stock market, arguing that fears over Middle East conflicts and inflation are overblown and that corporate earnings are signaling a massive bull run.

Learning & Ideas#

For science geeks, Veritasium has a surprising breakdown of radiation exposure, pointing out that a heavy smoker’s lungs actually take in more radiation from radioactive polonium than an astronaut receives on the ISS. On the historical and geopolitical front, 晓松闲谈 provides a nuanced lecture arguing that Japanese militarism is fundamentally dead despite right-wing political noise, shaped largely by post-WWII US occupation and the preservation of the Emperor. Meanwhile, Chinese history buffs should check out LIFEANO CLUB’s Q&A, which breaks down exactly why Cao Cao hesitated and ultimately lost the Battle of Hanzhong to Liu Bei.

Tech & AI#

AI is dominating financial strategy right now, as noted in the 美股分析 (US stock analysis), which highlights Anthropic’s exploding recurring revenue and Meta’s new model as signals that the AI application boom is just starting to monetize. This tech-optimism also extends to the Federal Reserve, with Kevin Warsh reportedly heavily influenced by tech founders to believe AI will be so deflationary that the US can safely cut interest rates to let the economy boom.

Everything Else#

Need a break from the heavy stuff? The New York Times highlights a spooky, visually striking new indie film starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel called Mother Mary. For nature lovers, BBC Earth explores the extreme evolutionary adaptations of Madagascar’s wildlife, including a tiny Labord’s chameleon that lives fast and dies young during a brief eight-week wet season. Finally, GQ Taiwan hosted a genuinely funny friendship quiz between Zendaya and Robert Pattinson where they playfully mock his on-set anxieties and his secret love for the TV show Traitors.