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The United Nations was in a crisis: Elon Musk had taken control of the European Space Agency and all of its outposts in space to further the development of Starlink. Delegates to the U.N., already in a special committee discussing equitable ways to militarize outer space, discovered Musks plans. Hurriedly, the representatives from Japan, Germany, and Egypt came up with a way to rein in the rogue billionaire: kidnap him. Musk, ever noncompliant, hid out on the moon, took several ESA scientists hostage, and lobbed threats at the U.N. After a day-long stalemate, the delegates found a way to bring Musk safely down to Earth, regaining control of the ESA. The diplomats negotiating in this outlandish scenario werent professionals, and didnt have long and storied careers. Most of them werent even adults. They were high schoolers from around the world, and theyd come to Geneva, Switzerland, in mid-March for the 14th annual Yale Model United Nations Conference, Europe, looking to have a say in the future of global politics. But even in sessions where they role-played imagined, futuristic scenarios, this years Model U.N. attendees couldnt escape the present. The teen from New York who had played the role of the Egyptian delegate in the space-focused committee said it was funny that in their fictional world of outer space, which even included alien encounters, Elon Musk is still the corrupt figure, kind of pulling the strings behind an elected body that hes not really supposed to have control of. A common extracurricular for high school students with an interest in international relations, Model U.N. mirrors the procedure of real U.N. meetings. For the three-day YMUNE conference in March, hundreds of student delegates came from countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, traveling up to 6,000 miles with their schools to participate. Once there, students broke into committees, focusing on a topic of their choice for the duration of the conference. Some students attended General Assembly (GA) committees, exploring contemporary issues, such as nuclear energy, equitable internet access, and cryptocurrencies. Model U.N. deviates from the U.N. in that it often has faster-paced “crisis” committees that involve more direct action from participants; assassination attempts and other acts of sabotage are common. Other committees at this years YMUNE focused on historical and fictional events, like outer space colonization or the ethical struggles in Charlotte Brontės Wuthering Heights. I attended a specialized committee on the Paris Commune of 1871, where I worked with other delegates to create a stable and autonomous communist government. Delegates are expected to come to these conferences with some research done and a write-up of their assigned countries position. But once a committee starts, things tend to get chaotic, as teenagers in business attire fight for global influence. And this year, they were fighting for influence in the shadow cast by President Donald Trumps “America First” brand of diplomacy. The White House meeting heard round the world Model U.N. trains students to be the future of international diplomacy, an objective that feels more complex than ever. This year’s YMUNE conference took place two months after Trumps inauguration and just two weeks after his now infamous Oval Office meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trumps approach to politics spilled into many of the committees, no matter the topic, and lingered in the minds of the student delegates. When asked about Trumps approach to foreign policy, many of the international students I spoke with expressed concern and outrage over his treatment of Zelenskyy. A group of girls from Germany had strong opinions on the issue, saying that Trump was selfish and impeding on democracy. One of the girls called the Oval Office meeting horrible to watch, adding that all [Trump] wanted to do was belittle [Zelenskyy] and make a fool of him in front of international television. Trump clearly doesnt want to work with [any] country, she said. He lies and says he wants to work with them, but in the end, its just for his own benefit. She was aware of Elon Musks interaction with far-right political parties in Germany, such as the AFD, and noted it was scary to see how such a far-right party is slowly gaining popularity in Germany. All the German girls seemed to agree that the U.N. had a mandate to fight undue U.S. influence. Even students who admired Trump seemed put off by the Oval Office meeting. A Brazilian student who voiced support for Trumps firm approach to foreign policy and appreciated his strong persona said, Its a little bit too radical to just lash out on Zelenskyy in the White House. As many of the delegates at YMUNE were European, they were all too aware of Trumps disdain for established alliances and his desire to limit military funding to Europe. A different pair of German students said they had an initial interest in some of Trumps more moderate policies, as they were similar to reforms they would have liked to see implemented in Germany. But now, one said: Hes quite literally going against the entire EU. The cloud of America First nationalism At the same time that the space committee was negotiating with Musk over his hostages, a different group of delegates gathered in a GA committee to discuss the uses of science and technology in international development. As the delegates looked for funding to support their proposals for nuclear energy and expanded internet access, a theme emerged: They were all wary of making alliances with the United States. According to the delegate representing Malaysia (a classmate of mine from New York City), the students representing developing nations were afraid the U.S. would try to monopolize the funding for their projects to have outsize influence over their countries. If the U.S. paid for cell towers and satellites, they reasoned, it could try to wrest control of them in the future. The delegate representing Iran remarked that the allies should quickly try to make a deal with the U.S. before Trump attaches strings to the money, seizes control of projects, and capitalizes on all of our collaboration. The cloud of American nationalism hung over the room, threatening tenuous collaborations. The delegate of Malaysia told me that all the delegates were aware of a shifting world order, and were cracking jokes about current events without ever saying explicitly that Trump was the biggest threat to the success of their proposals. Throughout the entire conference, delegates were finding that Trump wasnt just affecting the substance of YMUNE negotiations, he was altering the style of them. Some attendees felt they were witnessing a cultural shift. The usual schmoozing between delegates trying to make alliances was turning into something more sinister, as some students took on the personas and negotiating tactics of Trump and his allies. The positions taken by delegates in Model U.N. are just assumed for a few days. We are all essentially just playing a role. But the tactics that work for politicians in the real world also work for these delegates. Many saw strongman personas to be less palatable, but more effective, in getting peers on their side. I spoke with a girl from India who observed that many delegates this year believed they had the power to act or behave like Trump. She saw them using his polices to take really radical action that we have not seen before as well, pushing for more extreme proposals in direct contradiction of the collaborative purpose of Model U.N. She said some sessions were more about showing your personality than working together. A group of girls from Franconia, Germany, also had thoughts about the way delegates personas were changing in response to these politicians. They sensed that delegates were becoming more entitled and assertive, and that normally collaborative committee sessions were turning into power struggles. Its interesting to see other delegates embody a persona that is similar to Trump, said one of the girls, who was originally from the United Kingdom. She saw people dropping some of the refinement that negotiations are supposed to have in favor of louder and more aggressive posturing. She called this a risky game. Usually in YMUNE, delegates try to balance the complexities of global politics, humanitarian crises, and the diverse perspectives of the other delegates with the goals of the country or person they are representing. Even delegates representing more politically contentious countries dont want to make real enemies. But this year, most of the students I spoke with seemed to believe that diplomatic niceties were being lost, and that Trump was the main reason why. Politics or Puns? YMUNE is traditionally a place where delegate-students can build their public speaking skills, develop their ability to compromise, practice formal academic writing, and meet new people from around the world. Its also a place where they can practice real diplomacy. I, like many students, joined Model U.N. because I care about global political issues and want to feel like I am making a difference to solve themand because I like the idea of a career as a diplomat. But some delegates felt the connection between Model U.N. and the real U.N. had been severed with Trump undermining the U.N.s work. The delegate from the committee on outer space, who joined Model U.N. because he appreciated the chance to address world issues and to work toward real change, remarked that Model U.N. has started to feel less like a simulation of the U.N., and more like a fun activity to do, influenced by the news but removed of its broader significance. He had started to lose faith in the real U.N., too. He told me that if a president can push aside decades of good will as easily as Trump has, then international relations begins to feel like a futile field. He seemed to think that learning how to participate in real diplomacy through Model U.N. was no longer possible. I agreed with him. During this years meeting, I often felt shut down in committee sessions by the kinds of delegates who like to imitate Trumps behavior, and was treated differently by some of them because of my gender. I still care passionately about global politics, but am unsure if I will continue doing Model U.N. in college. Its frustrating to put work into conferences and feel as though my research is pointless, that I wont be listened to simply because I refuse to adopt the brashness of other delegates. I feel like my time is better spent addressing politics in other wayslike by writing articles. One evening, during a break in the conference, I stepped out of the hotel where the sessions were being held to buy some food at a nearby grocery store. On my way out, I was confronted with a large crowd of students. In the middle stood a boy from Massachusetts, engaged in a spirited impression of Trump. I fought my way to the center of the circle and introduced myself, asking for his name. My name is Donald J. Trump, he replied in a perfect imitation of the presidents drawl. I asked him for his stance on international policy. No one knows international policy better than Donald Trump, he responded. We love policy, and we love internationals, too. The crowd tittered. The boy absorbed the energy of his audience, growing bolder, matching the cadence of the president. What a great question. We love these questions, he went on. He kept it up for a few more minutes, the audience hanging on to every word. For the moment, at least, no one seemed too concerned with what the real Trumps policies meant for their futures. And then it was over. The crowd dispersed, meandering through the misty night back to the hotel, ready to engage in another two hours of committee sessions.
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The web wasnt always like it is now. It used to be weirderin a good way. And it still can be. After all, we all occasionally need a tranquil break amidst a hectic daybe it a beautiful sunset, the sight of a cat falling asleep on a windowsill, or even just the landscape rolling by as you stare out the window. Thats what the tool we’re about to go over is all about. Its a way to look out a windowbut not your window. Another persons window. Right from your workday screen. On the surface, it may not appear practicalbut arguably, its the most practical thing in the world. Even just a few moments of staring into a virtual window can inject something invaluable into your day. Sometimes, theres nothing more practical than simply taking care of yourself. In that sense, its good for productivity, too. Place the window on a secondary monitoror keep it in one corner of your computer screenand it just might put you in the right mood to tackle the rest of your to-do list without any doomscrolling or other distractions. So, ready to find your favorite magical window? Unearth all sorts of little-known tech treasures with my free Cool Tools newsletter from The Intelligence. A spiffy new discovery in your inbox every Wednesday! Watch windows around the world This simple-as-can-be website lets you peer out someones window via video captured somewhere else in the worldand there’s no telling where, exactly, youll end up. Its random. The site is called WindowSwap, and its a brilliant brain-resetting resource you can use for free. And it couldn’t be much easier to get started with, either: Just open up the WindowSwap website and click (or tap) on Open a window somewhere in the world. You can keep clicking Open a window somewhere in the world as much as you want to randomly flip through different streams. The location of the videoand the time it was captured, likely in the last few monthswill appear at the top of the screen. Heres what the experience actually feels like in action: *click* Its the golden hour near sunset. Youre looking out a window from a high-up apartment at the soft glow of the sky, cars slowly cruising by on the calm street below. *click* Its night time in winter. Snow falls peacefully in a backyard somewhere. All is still. *click* Youre watching out an airplane window as an airplane makes a gradual descent through a clear blue sky, snowy mountains on the horizon. *click* Tropical foliage fills your view. A cockatoo flies toward the camera. *click* A cat faces away from you, staring out the window along with you. Beautiful views from all around the globe are never more than a click away with the free WindowSwap website. You get the idea. It goes on and on like that from there. You can stop wherever you like and take in the viewor maybe even leave it open while you work. WindowSwap is free, but the service will sometimes ask for your support. You can close any pop-ups requesting you subscribe if you aren’t interested in contributing. If you do end up contributing, the WindowSwap All Access subscription offers a handful of extra featureslike the ability to search for specific cameras rather than flipping through them randomlybut you really dont need any of that to enjoy the service. WindowSwap is available as a website for phones, PCs, Chromebooks, Macs, and any other device you may be using. This core service is completely free. And you dont have to create an account or provide any personal information to use it. Ready for more week-enhancing tech treats? Check out my free Cool Tools newsletter for an instant introduction to an incredible audio appand another off-the-beaten-path gem every Wednesday!
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On Monday, Starbucks rolled out a new dress code as part of its larger corporate overhaul. But union workers say the change is both restrictive and unproductiveand now, baristas are walking out. The dress code comes as new CEO Brian Niccol is on a mission to bring the brand back to basics, including by scaling back its menu, returning hand-written notes on cups, and introducing ceramic mugs in stores. Employees are now required to wear a more simplified palette of solid black tops along with khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms under the companys signature-green apron. However, in an email to supporters, Starbucks Workers Unitedthe union representing Starbucks baristascalled the dress code restrictive, adding that it was implemented without input from the baristas it affects. The union has been bargaining to reach a contract with Starbucks for over three years, with no end in sight. It says that the new dress code represents bad faith bargaining, alleging that the code undermines a tentative agreement about attire made at the bargaining table. A spokesperson from Workers United told Fast Company that, as of Wednesday evening, walkouts have occurred at more than 100 Starbucks locations and included more than 1,200 baristas. The strikes come in the wake of a lackluster financial report for Starbucks’s second quarter of 2025, during which revenue dipped below expectations, U.S. comparable store sales declined 2%, and U.S. comparable transactions were down 4%leaving some analysts wondering just how well Niccol’s “back to basics” plan is actually working. Union workers are frustrated with the new dress code According to a series of videos posted by Workers United, baristas are frustrated with the new dress code for a number of reasons. In one clip posted to Bluesky, a group of workers at a store in Dallas claim they were told their black sneakers were no longer acceptable under the dress code, and that they would have to buy new shoes before returning to work. The Workers United spokesperson explained that, in the past, waterproof shoes have always been a requirement. On Monday, though, several workers (including those in the aforementioned video) claim they were told their waterproof shoes couldnt have any mesh fabric, despite the fact that such a stipulation was not included in the new dress code. As this new dress code begins to be enforced, Starbucks didn't provide money for new shoes. The company would rather understaff stores than let us work in the shoes we've always worn during shifts. Customers don't care about what's on our feet![image or embed]— Starbucks Workers United (@sbworkersunited.org) May 13, 2025 at 7:50 AM The spokesperson also alleged that employees have been sent home for small details like the color of their blue jeans or the number of visible piercings. Managers are told that they have to enforce all these things; otherwise their own jobs are in jeopardy, the spokesperson said. It’s creating a lot of frustration and confusion, and making baristas feel like this really isn’t about what they’re wearing; it’s just about control. In another video of workers announcing their reasons for walking out, one barista shared: Now we have to purchase new shirts and shoes to be compliant with the new policy. Why doesnt Starbucks do the right thing and provide a stipend for these newly required items? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Starbucks Workers United (@sbworkersunited) Starbucks announced its dress code change on April 14. At the time, the company said it was also launching a line of company-branded T-shirts, adding that employees could receive two of these shirts at no cost. However, the Workers United spokesperson said theyd received several reports of the free shirts not being ready for baristas on Monday. Starbucks, on the other hand, claimed that, of the 18 styles available, only three were temporarily unavailable in a few sizes this week. In response to the recent walkouts, a Starbucks spokesperson said: The biggest update to our dress code is simple: wear a black shirteither your own or one we provide.While Workers United, which represents less than 5% of our workforce, attempted to create disruption in a handful of stores, the overwhelming majority of our 10,000 U.S. company-operated stores remain open and are serving customers as normal. The spokesperson noted that there haven’t been any changes to the shoes baristas can wear, other than the heel height, adding that footwear can be black, grey, navy, brown, tan, or white. However, they did not comment on baristas’ complaints about the inconsistent application of the dress code. The spokesperson added that it would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract. A broader issue Strikes due to the dress code are just the latest chapter in an ongoing battle between Workers United and Starbucksand union members say their concerns go far beyond what they’re supposed to wear. Over the past three and a half years, Workers United has been in a continuous bargaining process with Starbucks management, seeking a contract that includes higher wages, guaranteed hours, and better staffing in stores. Members reported that negotiations between the union and the company broke down in late February, which has led union members to increasingly engage in acts of civil disobedience, like sip-ins, walkouts, and picket lines. In the past, both the union and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have argued that Starbucks hasnt been bargaining in good faith. In December, Workers United filed an updated unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB outlining their concerns around the drawn-out bargaining process. And, recently, the union filed a new amendment with the NLRB alleging failure to bargain over the dress code. The amendment calls the dress code an example of bad faith bargaining for unilaterally implementing a new dress code policy . . . that materially differed from both the status quo and what the parties had tentatively agreed to at the bargaining table. A Starbucks spokesperson said they would “make sure any differences between our negotiations and store implementations are addressed lawfully and fairly.” Jasmine Leli is a barista from Buffalo, New York, whos worked at Starbucks for three years. Shes also one of the union bargaining delegates who ran the dress code working group that led to a tentative agreement about a future dress code. The unions proposed dress code, she says, included protections like allowing workers to wear union T-shirts to work and to keep their visible piercings. Leli calls the new dress code a distraction from fixing the real issues that we have in our stores. As partners, we don’t have guaranteed hours, Leli says. We don’t have enough people at work during the middle of the day and at night. I’m not getting all of the hours that I need. I’m not making a fair wageI got a 30cent raiseand now I’m being asked to go out and purchase a completely new wardrobe, including shoes, and our contract hasn’t been finalized. Ultimately, Leli says, Starbucks should be working to finish the contract and solve its staffing issuenot implementing a new dress code. Customers care more about the wait time for their latte than the shirt their barista is wearing, she adds. We’re more than mad because the changes that the company is making don’t address the issues that we’re facing in the stores, Leli says. Starbucks is iconic for their green apron. Customers know they’re walking into a Starbucks. It’s not a mystery. And with my regulars, I know their drink, and they know me, whether I’m in a purple shirt or a black shirt.
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