
Good morning. This is 1% Better. Unbiased news and practical life advice that makes you a little better every day.
Today we're covering Trump’s trade war, James Cameron’s apocalypse, and why walking is actually about quality, not quantity.
Forwarded this email? Click here to join.
Top Headlines
Trade War Begins
President Trump's sweeping global tariffs took effect Thursday, though implementation remains fluid with ongoing exceptions and modifications. The trade deadline marked the beginning of continuous negotiations rather than a final settlement.
Trump imposed then doubled tariffs on India within a week, citing Russian oil purchases. He announced 100% semiconductor tariffs but promised carve-outs for U.S.-based manufacturers. European allies traveled to Washington seeking renegotiations before deals were finalized. Auto industry takes $12B hit from tariffs (WSJ).
Additional tariff investigations on lumber and pharmaceuticals are expected soon. The China trade truce expires August 12, with extension uncertain. Evercore ISI reported dozens more targeted tariff decisions expected in coming months on various products. Are Americans paying for this?
Employees Ignore AI Bans
Nearly half of employees are using banned AI tools at work, according to a new survey by security company Anagram. The study of 500 full-time U.S. workers found 58 percent have pasted sensitive company data into language models like ChatGPT.
The widespread covert AI use exposes organizations to cybersecurity and compliance risks, experts warned. Roughly 78 percent of respondents already use AI tools on the job, often without clear company policies governing their use.
Organizations are being urged to implement transparent AI training and guidelines rather than outright bans. HR consultant Bryan Driscoll said employees aren't using banned tools because they're reckless, but because employers haven't kept up with technology demands.
Zapier’s top AI tools for employees here.
Real Life Terminators
Director James Cameron warned that weaponizing artificial intelligence could lead to a Terminator-style apocalypse. Cameron said combining AI with nuclear weapons systems creates dangerous decision windows requiring super-intelligence processing.
The filmmaker identified three existential threats facing humanity:
climate crisis
nuclear weapons
super-intelligence
Cameron noted these threats are manifesting simultaneously at a critical point in human development, though suggested AI might also provide solutions. The original 1984 Terminator film depicted humanity ruled by an AI defense network called Skynet. Read more about a real life Skynet here.
Hire Better
In partnership with UpWork.
Your Team Needs Help Yesterday
You've been posting jobs for weeks. Endless interviews. Unqualified candidates. Meanwhile, deadlines slip and your team burns out covering the gaps.
Traditional hiring is broken—slow, expensive, and unreliable. But here's the solution: what if you could hire proven talent in hours, not weeks? That's where Upwork comes in.
Upwork connects you to 12+ million top-rated freelancers ready to start immediately. Post jobs and receive proposals within 24 hours. See real reviews, work history, and portfolios before you hire. Need something now? Browse pre-built packages and start immediately.
Get started for free – no credit card required. Only pay when you make a hire. With 4.9/5 ratings from 2.9M+ reviews, you're hiring talent that delivers.
Get 1% Better
Science Says Walk Faster, Live Longer
Forget expensive gym memberships—science just proved that walking faster for just 15 minutes daily can reduce mortality by 20 percent. A groundbreaking study from Vanderbilt University analyzed nearly 80,000 participants and found that quality beats quantity when it comes to walking.
While three hours of slow walking showed minimal benefits, a brief burst of brisk walking delivered massive health improvements. The faster pace acts as aerobic exercise, supercharging cardiovascular health and improving body composition.
Your 15-minute game plan:
Take a brisk lunch break walk instead of scrolling your phone
Choose stairs over elevators in high-rise buildings
Walk quickly to the store instead of driving short distances
Power-walk while taking work calls or listening to podcasts
How fast is "brisk"? Aim for 3-4 mph (about 100 steps per minute) where you can talk but can't sing. Most fitness trackers and smartwatches automatically measure your walking speed—no complex calculations needed. When it comes to steps, choose speed over distance.
Philosophy's Answer to Modern Exhaustion
Modern "achievement society" turns leisure into performative work, contributing to burnout. Aristotle argued true happiness requires ethical self-development through cultivating virtues like courage and temperance. Leisure is crucial because it provides time to decide what kind of person we become. Without genuine free time for reflection and moral growth, the good life remains elusive.
Market Pulse
> OpenAI launches GPT-5 to all 700 million ChatGPT users as AI industry seeks investment returns (More).
> White House fires former FBI director Brian Driscoll who refused to provide Jan. 6 agents list (More).
> Trump demands Intel CEO resign calling Lip-Bu Tan "highly conflicted" over $200M Chinese investments (More).
> Disney settles with fired Mandalorian actress Gina Carano over social media posts, terms undisclosed (More).
> Carville apologizes, pulls YouTube video after Melania Trump's lawyer demands retraction over Epstein comments (More).
Speed Read
The secret to buying fresh fruit.
Instagram adds “Repost” button.
13 surprisingly beautiful WWII shipwrecks.
There are only 2 types of haters.
A 3-second method to check Tequila quality.