Arianna Huffington Launches Thrive App to Combat Tech Addiction
Thrive Global launched a new mobile app geared to improve people's relationship with technology. The company's co-founder and CEO Arianna Huffington explains how it helps people combat their smartphone addiction.
"Let's admit it we are all addicted," says Huffington. "Now we are realizing its not all good." The Thrive App helps people re-calibrate your relationship with your phone by going into "Thrive Mode."
"There's absolutely no reason to be receiving twelve different notifications giving you the latest Trump tweets," Huffington said. The app is currently only available on Samsung's Galaxy Note 8, but Thrive Global plans to roll this out on other smartphone devices in the future.
Parallel Systems has been selected to receive $4.5 million from the Department of Energy for an advanced testing program of its autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles. The startup, which has raised more than $53 million to date, was founded by former SpaceX engineers to reimagine the rail system by creating a more efficient, decarbonized freight network. Matt Soule, Co-founder & CEO of Parallel Systems, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss what the company hopes to achieve.
A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) aims to tackle the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, as well as the addictive nature of the sites and negative mental health impacts they have on users. The 'Nudge Act' would require studies to find and compile potential interventions that platforms could use to encourage people to think before they share a post, or log off after spending too much time on an app. The FTC would create rules based on these findings, and hold the platforms accountable. But will it work? Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, joins Closing Bell to discuss the bill, whether real results and regulations could come from it, and more.
