Additional Coverage:
- ‘Quiet cracking’ is the latest buzzword to hit the workplace (businessinsider.com)
Sunday Briefing: Quiet Cracking, Scammers, and Sober Silicon Valley
Welcome back to our Sunday edition, a recap of the week’s most compelling stories. This week, we delve into the phenomenon of “quiet cracking,” explore a complex scam involving a climate advocate, and examine the growing trend of sobriety among Silicon Valley founders. Plus, we offer a sneak peek inside JPMorgan Chase’s opulent new headquarters.
This Week’s Dispatch: Forget Quiet Quitting, Here Comes Quiet Cracking
Move over, quiet quitting – there’s a new workplace trend in town. “Quiet cracking” describes the silent struggle of employees who feel deeply dissatisfied with their jobs but feel unable to leave. It’s a precursor to burnout, characterized by a lack of motivation, fatigue, and the pervasive feeling of being unheard.
My colleagues Sarah Jackson and Henry Chandonnet have been investigating this trend, interviewing several workers experiencing this phenomenon. Our own reader survey revealed that the vast majority of respondents have experienced “quiet cracking.”
Why aren’t these workers quitting? In the current economic climate, many feel fortunate to have any job at all.
Others are held back by financial constraints, fear of the unknown, or the belief that a new job won’t be any different.
This “Big Stay” contrasts sharply with the Great Resignation, when employees held more power and job-hopping was rampant. “Quiet cracking” reflects a broader shift in corporate America, with companies prioritizing efficiency and layoffs becoming increasingly common.
Are You My Scammer?
In a bizarre turn of events, over a dozen men from around the globe discovered they were victims of the same elaborate online scam. They were lured into relationships with a woman who convinced them to invest in a fraudulent asset, ultimately leading to devastating financial losses.
A mistake by the scammer connected the victims, who then uncovered the identity of a real person whose likeness was used in the scam – a climate change advocate with a substantial Instagram following. She, too, became a victim in this intricate scheme.
From AI to YOLO: Silicon Valley’s AI Apocalypse Preppers
A growing number of Silicon Valley residents believe AI will drastically reshape society in the near future. This belief has led them to make radical life changes, from divorces to spending their life savings on doomsday bunkers. Some are motivated by the potential for AI-driven human flourishing, while others fear an impending AI apocalypse and want to maximize their remaining time.
Going San Francisco-Sober: Silicon Valley Founders Ditch the Drinks
While alcohol consumption is declining nationwide, San Francisco’s sobriety trend is unique. We spoke with several young founders in Silicon Valley who have either given up alcohol entirely or significantly reduced their intake. Some attribute this to the city’s intense “grind mode” culture, choosing abstinence to signal their dedication to their startups.
JPMorgan Chase’s New HQ: A Look Inside
JPMorgan Chase is preparing to unveil its new headquarters at 270 Park Avenue in Manhattan. The 60-story skyscraper boasts an array of luxury amenities, including a state-of-the-art gym (membership required), an Irish pub, a food hall, and cutting-edge AI technology.
This Week’s Quote: “We’re accidentally training an entire generation to be workplace hermits.” – Clinical health psychologist Laura Greve on the potential downsides of workers developing unhealthy attachments to AI chatbots.
More Top Reads This Week: Microsoft’s poaching of Meta AI talent, the rise of AI usage metrics in the workplace, surging US bankruptcies, and the latest in DIY cage armor from Ukraine. Plus, the protein bros’ triumph, the waning buzz around THC drinks, and a look at alternative data sources for macro investors. And finally, a glimpse into Super City, USA.
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- ‘Quiet cracking’ is the latest buzzword to hit the workplace (businessinsider.com)