Behind Florida’s big boom

I’ve been fascinated by the debate around people doing “fake work” in Big Tech. These companies sucked up so much talent during the boom years that there wasn’t enough work to go around. So everyone filled their time with meetings. That’s the view of Keith Rabois, an investor who thinks thousands of employees at Google and Facebook do, well, nothing.

There’s some schadenfreude here. Now that (well-paid) tech workers are being laid off in droves, some might ask: What were you doing that was so great anyway? It seems as if tech exceptionalism is over. But what’s your view? Let me know: insidertoday@insider.com.

— Shona Ghosh

In today’s edition

• States are waging a battle for people — and Florida is winning.
• The war on TikTok is a giant distraction from how poorly the US protects your data.
• Capitalizing on market crashes is the key to retiring on time.

Tiger Woods, Bakhmut, & more

• Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend is asking a court to throw out an NDA she says he made her sign. She cited laws applying to cases of sexual harassment or assault. Get the full story.
• A Spanish woman was granted a $215,000 payout for 25 years of unpaid housework in a record divorce settlement. Find out more.
• Ukraine sees the battle for Bakhmut as a chance to wipe out the Wagner Group. More here.

Florida’s big boom

For over two decades, the dense metropolises of the Northeast, California, and the Pacific Northwest attracted people with jobs in high-growth industries like tech and finance. But that era has come to an end –– at least for now.

The flexibility of remote work, the boom in entrepreneurship, and the availability of gig work have led to a migration away from industrial centers, and people are seeking fair weather and affordable places.

This interstate battle for people is already taking shape — and Florida is schooling the competition. For other states to compete, they will need to pay attention to what the Sunshine State is doing right

War on TikTok, airplane etiquette, & more

• The war against TikTok is a giant distraction. TikTok is a particularly effective scapegoat in Washington’s anti-China rhetoric, but some politicians say there’s a larger issue: safeguarding Americans’ data across all apps. Go deeper.
• “I took an office-personality quiz — it turns out I’m a caged butterfly.” Insider’s Rebecca Knight says she “didn’t need The Times to remind me that I’m an extremely extroverted person who works all by herself all day,” but as a remote worker she’s willing to make that trade-off. Read more.
• Want to retire on time? Be sure to capitalize on market crashes. Stock-market declines can create bargain-buying opportunities for investors looking to generate long-term wealth. Many millennials are still looking for their first chance to do this — here are some tips.
• Flight attendants say it’s OK to recline your seat on a plane. Insider spoke with six flight attendants, who said it’s perfectly acceptable airplane etiquette. Why they’re more concerned about you removing your shoes.
• “I was a die-hard Apple iPad fan for over a decade. Not anymore.” Former Apple exec Michael Gartenberg’s iPad used to be his constant travel companion, more used than his laptop. But he’s grown frustrated and has mostly discarded it — and he’s not the only one.
• A man built a three-bedroom home out of two passenger airplanes. Joe Axline bought land in a private airport in Texas and two retired jets to create his dream home — and it costs only $200 a month to run. See inside.
• “I drove luxury Tesla rivals from BMW and Mercedes.” Insider’s Tim Levin test-drove big, new, battery-powered family haulers from the two high-end car companies. Why he’d buy the BMW iX over the competition.

A $425,000 tiny home

A chicken-and-egg problem

Why the US is considering vaccinating millions of chickens. A flu outbreak has killed 200 million birds since early 2022. It’s the biggest bird-flu outbreak in US history. Here’s how it’s affecting egg prices.

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