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He could not speak. He could not move. Yet he was able to communicate.
I don’t know if you’ve been in the loop, but AI opened the way to real “Telepathy”. And that is beyond exciting!
In a recent breakthrough, a patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis used a brain implant from Neuralink to generate speech using only his thoughts. According to reporting from MobiHealthNews, the system allowed him to translate neural signals into text and voice, effectively restoring his ability to communicate despite advanced paralysis.
For decades, this kind of outcome belonged to science fiction. The idea that someone could “speak” without using their body was often described as telepathy. Today, it is becoming a clinical reality.
Let’s talk more about it and what that means for medicine, physicians, and patients.
Disclaimer: While these are general suggestions, it’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence when selecting AI tools. We do not endorse or promote any specific AI tools mentioned here. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, financial, or clinical advice. Always comply with HIPAA and institutional policies. For any decisions that impact patient care or finances, consult a qualified professional.
With so much noise out there, it’s hard to know who’s actually done what you’re trying to do.
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Real physician peers sharing proven strategies.
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What Neuralink Is and Why It Matters
Neuralink is developing a brain-computer interface (BCI), a device implanted into the brain that can detect neural activity and convert it into digital output. Electrodes placed in specific regions of the brain capture electrical signals, which are then interpreted using machine learning models. Without AI, these signals would remain too complex and noisy to translate.
With it, they can be converted into meaningful actions such as moving a cursor, typing, or generating speech.
This is what makes Neuralink different from earlier assistive technologies. It does not rely on residual physical movement, such as eye tracking or muscle control. Instead, it reads intent directly from the brain. Early clinical updates and demonstrations have shown patients using Neuralink implants to control computers and perform digital tasks through thought alone, marking a significant step forward in brain-computer interface research.
1. Restoring Communication in Severe Neurological Disease
One of the most immediate and impactful applications of Neuralink is in restoring communication. Patients with conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis often retain full cognitive function while losing the ability to speak or move. Traditional assistive technologies, such as eye-tracking systems, can be slow and mentally exhausting, limiting both speed and depth of communication.
Neuralink changes that dynamic by allowing communication to occur directly from neural signals. In the reported ALS case, the patient was able to generate speech more fluidly, significantly reducing the friction involved in expressing thoughts. This aligns with broader research in brain-computer interfaces, where studies published in journals like Nature have demonstrated the ability to decode neural activity into words and sentences with increasing accuracy.
For physicians, this represents more than convenience. It has the potential to improve clinical interactions, allowing patients to describe symptoms more precisely, participate more actively in decision-making, and maintain a stronger sense of identity and connection. For the average person, it reframes what loss of speech may mean in the future. Communication may no longer be permanently tied to physical ability.
2. Restoring Function and Expanding Independence
Beyond communication, Neuralink is also focused on restoring functional independence. Patients with paralysis have already demonstrated the ability to control digital interfaces, including moving cursors and interacting with software, using only their thoughts. Neuralink has publicly shown early users playing simple computer games and navigating interfaces without any physical input, indicating that the system can translate intention into action in real time.
This capability builds on decades of neuroscience research but represents a meaningful leap in usability. Earlier brain-computer interfaces required bulky equipment and highly controlled environments. Neuralink’s implantable design allows for more continuous and practical use.
For patients, this opens the door to regaining aspects of independence that were previously lost. Being able to control a computer, communicate quickly, or interact with digital systems can significantly improve quality of life. For physicians, this introduces a new category of intervention, one that does not directly treat the underlying disease but instead bypasses its functional limitations.
In everyday terms, this signals a broader shift. Technology is no longer just something we use externally. It is beginning to integrate with human capability in a way that reduces the impact of physical constraints.
3. A New Interface Between Humans and Technology
The long-term implications of Neuralink extend beyond medicine. At its core, the technology represents a new interface between humans and machines. Instead of interacting through keyboards, screens, or voice commands, users may eventually interact with technology directly through neural activity.
This concept is already being explored in research settings. Brain-computer interface studies have shown that neural signals can be decoded not only for movement and speech but also for more complex intentions. While current clinical applications remain focused on severe neurological conditions, the underlying technology suggests a future where communication with machines becomes faster and more seamless.
For physicians, this raises important questions about how technology will shape patient care, cognition, and even human behavior. The boundary between therapeutic use and enhancement may become less distinct over time. For the average person, it suggests a future where interacting with devices may feel less like using a tool and more like extending one’s own capabilities.
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Final Thoughts
Neuralink is still in its early stages, and there are legitimate concerns around safety, ethics, and long-term outcomes. Regulatory oversight, clinical validation, and real-world data will ultimately determine how widely this technology can be adopted.
However, the direction is as clear as day.
We are entering a phase where communication can be restored without speech, where interaction with technology does not require physical movement, and where some of the most limiting aspects of neurological disease may be partially bypassed rather than simply managed.
This would have been unthinkable many years ago.
For physicians, this is not about replacing clinical care. It is about expanding what is possible for patients who were previously limited by the tools available to them. And for patients, it represents something more… the ability to reconnect with the world, express themselves, and regain a sense of control.
The most important takeaway is not the technology itself. It is the shift it represents. Medicine is moving from adaptation to capability. AI is advancing so fast, and it’s the center of all of it.
For the first time, that shift is becoming visible in real patients, in real time. We’re witnessing it all happen.
But what do you think? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Download The Physician’s Starter Guide to AI – a free, easy-to-digest resource that walks you through smart ways to integrate tools like ChatGPT into your professional and personal life. Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this guide will save you time, stress, and maybe even a little sanity.
Want more tips to sharpen your AI skills? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights and practical advice. You’ll also get access to our free AI resource page, packed with AI tools and tutorials to help you have more in life outside of medicine. Let’s make life easier, one prompt at a time. Make it happen!
Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on available public data and may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. It’s recommended to contact the respective companies/individuals for detailed information on features, pricing, and availability.All screenshots are used under the principles of fair use for editorial, educational, or commentary purposes. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have had a rough go in 2026. The sector was likely due for a break after dominating the markets since 2023, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t compelling investment opportunities.
The reality is that the market may be tired of AI, but the growth will likely continue at its current pace (and maybe even greater) for some time, probably through 2030. This momentum means that once investors get used to all of this AI spending, some of the biggest names in the space could be ready to rocket higher.
One of the biggest bargains in the market right now is Microsoft(MSFT 1.40%). Microsoft is a huge player in AI, but its software is also a critical part in the day-to-day operations of countless businesses around the globe. Microsoft is a stalwart that isn’t going anywhere, but its stock has been slammed in recent weeks. I think investors should start pounding the table on this stock, as it has seldom been this cheap over the past decade.
Image source: Getty Images.
Microsoft looks like a huge bargain
The words “Microsoft” and “bargain” rarely end up in the same sentence, but I think investors are free to start using that terminology. While Microsoft has traded at a premium to the market over a long time frame, it has earned that through consistent execution and market-beating growth.
Today’s Change
(-1.40%) $-5.18
Current Price
$365.86
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$2.8T
Day’s Range
$365.19 – $374.69
52wk Range
$344.79 – $555.45
Volume
1.8M
Avg Vol
35M
Gross Margin
68.59%
Dividend Yield
0.94%
Nothing has changed on the execution side, and Microsoft is still the industry standard when it comes to how a business should operate. Microsoft posted 17% revenue growth in its most recent quarter, demonstrating that the business is still delivering strong results. On the more AI-focused side of Microsoft’s business, it delivered strong growth as well. Its cloud document segment, Azure, captures the majority of this revenue, as it’s a place where AI developers can build and train AI models for use. This segment saw 39% revenue growth, showcasing why Microsoft needs to spend billions of dollars to continue expanding its AI footprint.
None of the investment theses has changed over the past few months, yet its stock price has. After the latest bit of sell-offs, Microsoft is nearing a decade-low valuation.
MSFT Operating PE Ratio data by YCharts
I’m using the operating price-to-earnings ratio because it removes one-time accounting effects and investment gains (which Microsoft has a ton of, thanks to its OpenAI investment). Anytime you can snag shares at this low of a price tag has been a genius buying opportunity, and I think right now is no different.
From a more traditional valuation standpoint, Microsoft trades for 22.9 times trailing earnings. Considering the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.74%), trades for 23.8 times trailing earnings, I think it’s safe to say that Microsoft is an absolute bargain at these levels.
As a result, I think investors should scoop up Microsoft’s shares before they rebound, as this is a rare opportunity.
Cryptocurrency just became further entrenched in the mortgage world thanks to a new partnership between Better and Coinbase.
The two companies have collectively launched a “token-backed mortgage” that adheres to the standards of Fannie Mae.
That means it’s a conforming mortgage that enjoys favorable underwriting guidelines and lower mortgage rates versus typical token-backed loans.
Borrowers will be able to pledge their Bitcoin (BTC) or USDC as collateral to fund their cash down payment, without liquidation.
And all Coinbase One members are eligible for a rebate worth 1% of the loan amount, capped at $10,000 to cover closing costs.
Better + Coinbase Mortgages Backed by Fannie Mae
There has been a push for a while now to allow crypto in the mortgage world.
A handful of lenders have already started offering crypto mortgages, including Figure, Newrez, Milo, and Moon Mortgage.
But this latest offering involves two very big names in the business, Better Mortgage (NASDAQ: BETR) and Coinbase, which is a household leader in the crypto world.
Together, they are offering so-called “token-backed mortgages,” which allow the use of cryptocurrency while also adhering to the underwriting guidelines of Fannie Mae, an industry first.
This gives them conforming loan status, the most common type of mortgage on the market.
As such, they are more liquid and easily saleable to investors of mortgage-backed securities (MBS).
Being more liquid means mortgage rates can be lower, all else equal.
This contrasts some other crypto mortgages that allow for virtual currency usage, but might come with steeper costs.
How the Token-Backed Mortgage From Coinbase Works
Better says unlike traditional securities-backed loans used for down payment, mortgage borrowers will be able to pledge specific quantities and/or certain types of tokens, rather than their entire account value.
This is facilitated via Coinbase Custody, whereby the customer can pledge Bitcoin or USDC as collateral to fund their down payment in lieu of cash.
They say additional digital assets will be eligible over time, including tokenized equities, fixed income, and other tokenized real estate assets.
Instead of having to bring cash to the closing table, you pledge Bitcoin or USDC and receive two loans.
The first is a conforming mortgage backed by Fannie Mae, and the second mortgage is for the down payment, secured by the crypto that you pledge.
Eligible tokens are valued at 40% of market value for BTC and 80% for USDC, meaning $100,000 in BTC would give you $40,000 in down payment funds (or $80k for USDC).
The down payment loan (second mortgage) carries the same interest rate and repayment term as the token-backed first mortgage.
Better Crypto Mortgage Example
Here’s an example of a $400,000 home purchase with a 20% down payment (helpful to secure a lower interest rate and avoid PMI).
That would normally require an $80,000 down payment, but using a crypto pledge, you can only come out of pocket $40,000.
The other $40,000 comes via the pledge, requiring $100,000 in Bitcoin to get the loan.
As noted, you do pay interest on the loan and it’s the same interest rate as the first mortgage, which generally speaking is fairly attractive because second mortgages are typically priced a lot higher.
However, the pledge isn’t released until your mortgage is fully repaid or refinanced.
Both loans are originated by Better Mortgage, and until the loan is repaid, Better Mortgage retains custody of your crypto in its custodial account on the Coinbase platform.
A minimum 680 FICO is required, 15-year and 30-year fixed mortgage options are available, and any property type allowed by Fannie Mae works, including single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
There are no margin calls or top-ups associated with the pledge, and if BTC drops in value, the mortgage terms remain unchanged and no additional collateral is required by the borrower.
They say “market movements alone never trigger liquidation,” and that collateral is only at risk in the event of a 60-day loan delinquency, which they claim is similar to a conforming mortgage.
In addition, Better says those pledging USDC can “earns rewards that can help offset mortgage payments,” effectively reducing their mortgage interest rate in the process.
Coinbase One Members Get a 1% Lender Credit on Their Mortgage
To sweeten the deal, Better is also offering a rebate (lender credit) worth 1% of the mortgage loan amount to cover closing costs and fees.
It is capped at $10,000, meaning a borrower who takes out a $1 million mortgage would get $10,000 to use toward things like a loan origination fee, title insurance, or even a rate buydown.
Collectively, this means someone taking out a Better + Coinbase mortgage might be able to get approved more easily while not settling for a higher interest rate in return.
Nor will they potentially trigger a taxable event by selling their assets, an issue that has prevented some crypto holders from buying a home.
Interested borrowers can visit the Better website to register for early access to this new product.
As always, take the time to compare rates/fees and the total cost to other banks and lenders to ensure you don’t miss out on a superior deal, even after factoring in any special promos.
Before creating this site, I worked as an account executive for a wholesale mortgage lender in Los Angeles. My hands-on experience in the early 2000s inspired me to begin writing about mortgages 19 years ago to help prospective (and existing) home buyers better navigate the home loan process. Follow me on X for hot takes.
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Ankur Warikoo is an internet entrepreneur and India’s leading career mentor, reaching:
– 15Mn+ followers across YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
– 4X Bestselling author of Do Epic Shit (2021), Get Epic Shit Done (2022) Make Epic Money (2024), and Build an Epic Career (2025)
– Founder of WebVeda.com – an online school empowering young Indians, with 450,000+ career success stories and counting
– A career catalyst who’s been both the interviewer and interviewee, the founder and the funded, the mentor and the mentee.
– Having navigated multiple career pivots (from physicist to consultant to CEO to content creator), he’s now dedicated to helping you build an extraordinary career without making the same mistakes he did.
Featured in Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40 List for India, Forbes Top 100 Digital Creators list, and LinkedIn India’s Top Voices, he brings real-world insights from his MBA at Indian School of Business, his time as CEO of Groupon India and nearbuy.com, and his journey of building multiple successful ventures.
In this upcoming episode ofConversations with Frank Fabozzi, CFA,Mark Anson,CFA, they discuss how institutional investors are positioning portfolios in a less-synchronized global economy.
Key Talking Points:
Private credit’s evolution from shadow banking to mainstream allocation
Geographic diversification in a less-synchronized global economy
Applying the equity risk premium as a valuation discipline
Allocating to artificial intelligence across platforms, data centers, and power
What if play isn’t a distraction from meaningful work, but the very thing that makes it better? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch sits down with entrepreneur and Refinery29 co-founder Piera Gelardi to explore how a playful mindset can unlock creativity, strengthen relationships, and drive innovation in business and life.
Drawing from her new book The Playful Way, Gelardi explains why play is not something we earn after work, but a powerful tool that enhances how we work. From neuroscience insights to real-world business applications, this conversation reframes play as a strategic advantage rather than a frivolous activity.
Guest Bio
Piera Gelardi is an entrepreneur, speaker, and co-founder of Refinery29, a global media company focused on modern women’s lives across fashion, wellness, and culture. She helped grow the company from a small startup into a global brand with over $100M in revenue and 500+ employees. Gelardi is also the author of The Playful Way, where she explores how play can transform creativity, leadership, and resilience.
Key Takeaways
Play is a Performance Enhancer, Not a Reward Play isn’t something you earn after work. It is a mindset that improves creativity, problem solving, and relationships while you work.
Play Deprivation Has Real Consequences A lack of play leads to reduced resilience, limited perspective, and decreased intrinsic motivation, making work feel rigid and uninspiring.
Play Unlocks Innovation Through Divergent Thinking A playful mindset allows people to explore multiple possibilities instead of defaulting to safe, repetitive solutions.
There Are Multiple “Play Personalities” Play is not just humor or goofiness. It includes curiosity, imagination, movement, and visionary thinking, each valuable in different contexts.
The Playful Way vs. The Pressured Way Pressured means rigid, outcome focused, and driven by fear of failure. Playful means open, experimental, resilient, and idea generating.
Small Moments of Play Beat Forced Fun Integrating play into everyday work, not one off activities, builds authentic culture and engagement.
Experimentation is Play in Action Reframing initiatives as experiments lowers risk perception and encourages innovation, which is key to marketing and growth.
Leadership Sets the Tone for Play Leaders must model vulnerability and playfulness to create psychological safety for teams.
Great Moments (Timestamps)
00:01 – The Big Idea Why play might be the missing ingredient in meaningful work and creativity.
01:30 – A Playful Upbringing How Gelardi’s early life shaped her belief that play and productivity can coexist.
02:54 – The Science of Play Research on play deprivation and how play rewires the brain for growth and resilience.
04:32 – The Misconception of Play at Work Why play gets dismissed and how different forms of play show up in business.
06:57 – Innovation Through Play How a playful mindset leads to breakthrough ideas instead of recycled thinking.
09:32 – Practical Play Exercises Simple tools like shake breaks and curiosity questions to unlock team creativity.
12:28 – The Refinery29 Story From startup blog to global media brand and how experimentation fueled growth.
14:14 – Avoiding Forced Fun Culture Why play must be integrated into daily work, not treated as a gimmick.
16:56 – Play in Marketing How experimentation and low risk testing led to the viral success of 29 Rooms.
19:50 – Reconnecting With Play as Adults Why we lose playfulness and how to rediscover it through small actions.
Memorable Quotes
“Play is not the opposite of seriousness. It is what makes seriousness bearable.”
“When we think of something as an experiment, it stops feeling so high stakes, and that is when creativity opens up.”
“Playfulness creates the most innovative ideas, the best relationships, and the resilience to work through problems.”
Where to Learn More
Book:The Playful Way available at major booksellers
Availability: Nationwide (excludes NY & FL and any other state without a branch unless you have an existing relationship)
Direct deposit required: Yes
Additional requirements: None
Hard/soft pull: Soft
ChexSystems: Mixed data points
Credit card funding: Can fund up to $250 with a credit card
Monthly fees: $12, avoidable
Early account termination fee: None
Household limit: None
Expiration date: June 30, 2026
The Offer
Direct link to offer
U.S. Bank is offering state farm customers a $500 bonus when they open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
Use promo code SFAC26
Enroll in the U.S Bank Mobile App or online banking.
Complete at least two direct deposits totaling $5,000 or more
The Fine Print
To be eligible, the Primary Signer on your new Bank Smartly Checking account cannot have an existing U.S. Bank consumer checking account, had a U.S. Bank consumer checking account in the last 12 months or received other U.S. Bank consumer checking bonus offers within the past 12 months A minimum of $25 is required to open a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account.
To earn the $500 bonus offer, you must open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account through an authorized State Farm Agent or directly through usbank.com/sfbonus.
New checking account must be opened by June 30, 2026. Additionally, you must enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days of opening your account.
You must also complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days of opening your account that total: $5,000 or more and complete 2 or more debit card purchases tied to the account to earn the $500 bonus. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, from your employer or the government.
Other electronic deposits or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. Your checking bonus (“adjusted interest”) will be credited to your new checking account within 60 days of direct deposit verification, debit purchase verification, and verification of enrollment in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App as long as your account is open and has a positive balance. Bonus will be reported as interest earned on IRS form 1099-INT and recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes.
Current U.S. Bank employees are not eligible.
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
U.S. Bank Smartly has a $12 monthly fee, this is waived if you do any of the following:
Have at least $1,500 in monthly direct deposits.
Hold a minimum average account balance of $1,500.
Be an owner on an eligible small business checking account.
Belong to an eligible customer group2 such as youth, young adult, senior or military.
Qualify for Smart Rewards Gold Tier or above.
Be an owner on a Bank Smartly™️ Visa Signature® Card or personal State Farm credit card for Alliance clients.
Early Account Termination Fee
There is no early account termination fee to worry about
Our Verdict
Same as the $450 checking bonus, but exclusively for state farm customers. It does verify that your a state farm customer during application flow so keep that in mind. Will add a note to the best bank account bonus page so state farm customers don’t miss this.
Hat tip to reader Bockrr
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
Introduction To ChexSystems
Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
The U.S. military conflict with Iran is quietly draining the American labor market, with Goldman Sachs estimating that the oil price shock triggered by the war will suppress payroll growth by roughly 10,000 jobs per month through the end of the year — a toll that will be felt most acutely in restaurants, hotels, and retail stores across the country.
In a research note published Thursday, Goldman economist Pierfrancesco Mei laid out a detailed framework for how higher energy prices translate into labor market pain — and the picture isn’t pretty. As explained by the bank earlier in the week, its commodities strategists expect Brent crude to average $105 in March, spike to $115 in April, and then gradually retreat to $80 in the fourth quarter, assuming flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely disrupted for roughly six weeks. In an adverse scenario — one where the conflict deepens — Brent could peak as high as $140 a barrel, or $160 in a “severely adverse” scenario.
The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran shows no signs of imminent resolution, even as President Trump signals urgency to wrap it up. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has indicated the conflict is expected to last four to six weeks, in line with Goldman’s projections, while Trump told Fox Business that a deal could come as quickly as five days. But experts are far more skeptical: analysts at Brookings warn that without genuine regime change, Iran could rebuild its capabilities and fuel regional instability, while Maximilian Hess of Ementena Advisory told CNBC the situation is a “lose-lose for Washington,” with Iran’s drone advantage and Gulf pressure making a ground war increasingly likely.
Where the jobs are disappearing
The damage isn’t distributed evenly. Goldman’s sector-level analysis points to leisure and hospitality as the single hardest-hit industry, accounting for roughly 5,000 lost jobs per month, with retail trade shedding another 2,000. The logic is straightforward: when energy prices surge, consumers cut back on discretionary spending first — skipping vacations, eating out less, and trimming shopping trips — while continuing to pay for essentials like healthcare and housing. The oil shock, in other words, hits the working-class service economy well before it touches more insulated sectors.
That dynamic is hitting Gen Z especially hard. A recent Bank of America Institute report found that after nearly two years of lagging other generations in spending, Gen Z’s year-over-year spending growth had actually surpassed Baby Boomers’ by mid-2025 — fueled by slowing rent growth and wages rising roughly 9% year-over-year. But with national gas prices now up approximately 26% year-over-year as of March 23, BofA economists Joe Wadford and David Michael Tinsley warned that the recovery “could be snuffed out before it fully takes hold.” Gen Z carries the highest ratio of gasoline spending to discretionary spending of any generation — and many work in the very leisure and hospitality jobs Goldman now projects will see the steepest cuts. It’s a feedback loop that hits them from both sides: higher costs at the pump and fewer hours at work.
Shock weakened by shale — but not eliminated
Goldman is careful to note that the U.S. economy is far more resilient to oil price shocks than it was in the 1970s. The bank estimates that the effects of a 10% increase in oil prices on unemployment and payroll growth are now roughly one-third as large as they were between 1975 and 1999. Two structural shifts explain the change: the lower oil intensity of U.S. GDP, which reduces the drag on consumer spending and business investment, and the boom in domestic shale production since 2010, which creates an offsetting cushion of energy-sector jobs and capital expenditure.
That cushion, however, is thinner than it used to be. Dramatic productivity improvements in oil extraction mean that even if production ramps up in response to higher prices, the energy sector isn’t likely to add many new workers. Goldman does not expect a meaningful increase in energy capital expenditure, meaning support industries like pipeline construction, oil machinery manufacturing, and oil transportation will see little boost this time around.
Unemployment headed to 4.6%
The cumulative effect is showing up in Goldman’s macro forecasts, which were also adjusted earlier in the week. The bank said it expected the U.S. unemployment rate to climb 0.2 percentage points to 4.6% by the third quarter of 2026 — with the oil shock accounting for roughly half of that rise and the other half reflecting job growth that was already running too slowly to keep pace with labor supply before the conflict began.
Goldman noted that its unemployment projections align closely with simulations run through the Federal Reserve’s own FRB/US model, lending additional credibility to the estimates. In a severely adverse oil price scenario, however, the unemployment hit could reach 0.3 percentage points above the baseline — a scenario that would push joblessness meaningfully higher and potentially force the Fed’s hand on interest rates.
The findings, authored by Goldman’s U.S. Economics team led by chief economist Jan Hatzius, come as Wall Street is increasingly war-gaming the macroeconomic fallout of the Iran conflict — a crisis that has already prompted Goldman to cut its GDP growth forecast and raise its inflation outlook. For younger Americans — who just months ago were finally catching a financial break — the war’s economic cost may prove a particularly cruel twist. The 10,000-jobs-per-month drag is described as a net figure, accounting for any limited gains the energy sector manages to produce. The bottom line: for American workers, the war in Iran has an economic price tag — and it’s being paid every single month.
For this story, Fortune journalists used generative AI as a research tool. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
Here at FlexJobs, we loathe job search scams and are truly interested in helping job seekers identify and steer clear of “too good to be true” job opportunities.
FlexJobs’ CEO, Sara Sutton, started FlexJobs in 2007 to fight back against the frustrating — and often harmful — fraudulent scams in the work-at-home job market. That’s why we hand-screen every single job and company before it’s posted on our site: to help job seekers stay safe and avoid job search scams.
Work-at-home jobs have always been a target of scammers. However, they’ve recently become even larger targets amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Unfortunately, many people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. And given that many nonessential businesses in the U.S. have had to cut hours and reduce staff, finding a new job can be difficult.
Scammers are incredibly tuned into the fact that some job seekers are desperate to make money, and they will use this in recruiting new professionals who may not be accustomed to looking for work-from-home jobs.
Knowing how to differentiate legitimate work opportunities from harmful ones is the best way to protect yourself in your search for a remote job. And while job scams can pop up in any profession, we’ve got a list of the most common job search scams you should be aware of.
1. Data entry scams
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Data entry scams come in many forms, but the common theme is that they promise a lot of money for a job that does not require much skill.
Jobs in this category often require an upfront payment for processing or training and very rarely pay as well as advertised. There are legitimate data entry jobs out there, but they do not advertise extravagant wages, and they do not require an initial outlay of funds.
Actual job posting for a data entry scam:
“Numerous companies are looking for workers to submit information into online forms and they will pay you nicely in return. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme but a legitimate way to earn money from home. For Full Details please read the attached .html file.”
2. Pyramid marketing
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Pyramid marketing is illegal and has no basis in real commerce. Typically, there is no product involved in a pyramid marketing scheme, just the exchange of money.
Similar to chain letters, people invest in pyramid marketing because they believe they will benefit from investments made by people who follow them into the program. For someone to make money with a pyramid marketing scheme, someone else must lose funds.
Actual job posting for a pyramid marketing scam:
“My name is Michael. I’ve made it my job to help people succeed online. I’m constantly on the lookout for the best ways and means to make your job simpler, and I pass the good stuff on to you. I have developed the eBay Cash Machine – it allows everyone to make a great income on eBay 99% automatically. It only takes a few minutes to set up and once that is done you will have your own eBay Businesses that literally run on auto-pilot! You just wait for the money to come in!”
3. Stuffing envelopes
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Stuffing envelopes is a job scam that has been around for many years. Although variations exist, this scam typically involves signing up and paying a fee to “stuff envelopes from home.”
Once enrolled, you receive a document explaining how to get others to buy the same envelope-stuffing opportunity you did. You earn a small commission when someone else falls for the scam and pays the nonrefundable fee.
Actual job posting for an envelope stuffing scam:
“$550 to $3,000 weekly. Ten dollars for each circular you mail…Free postage…Free circulars…No newspaper ads…No magazine ads…No bulletin board ads! Paychecks mailed to you every week! Advance paycheck forms included in your package!”
4. Wire transfers
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Popular among thieves, wire transfer scams move money quickly from one account to another. These transactions are difficult to reverse, making it nearly impossible to recover lost funds.
Although sometimes the request for a money transfer may seem legitimate, it should always be thoroughly checked out. Scammers have been known to pose as company executives asking employees to fraudulently move money from one account to another.
Actual job posting for a wire transfer scam:
“We are small new firm engaged in export of goods to overseas outside my country. We have won various small exports contract at one time or the other, recently we were (engaged) contracted to supply financial programs for market analyzing, management project software in USA which was successfully done. We do not have so much time to accept wire transfers and can’t accept cashiers checks and money orders as well. So we need your help to accept this payments in your country faster. If you are looking to make additional profit we will accept you as our representative in your country. You will keep 10% of each deal we conduct.”
5. Unsolicited job offers
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Unsolicited job offers often come in the form of a job scam email. These offers are not sought out by the job seeker and offer either immediate employment or the opportunity to interview for a great job.
Some scammers will even pretend to be from a well-known company or job board (such as FlexJobs, ZipRecruiter, or Indeed) to convince a job seeker to interview. These offers may also come in through social media (like Facebook or Instagram).
Even LinkedIn is no stranger to job search and recruitment scams. It is possible that a legitimate recruiter is reaching out to you about a legitimate job. It’s also possible that it is a scam.
Scammers will use LinkedIn to reach out to targets, knowing you’re more likely to fall for the scam because the message is coming through LinkedIn. Treat every unsolicited offer as a job scam — no matter where it comes from.
Actual job posting for an unsolicited job offer scam:
“Our Worldwide Corporation is looking for new employees on various vacancies. We are already for a long time in the market and now we employ employees to work from home. Our supreme desire now is to enlarge our business level to more countries, so we are advertising here in hope of cooperating with you all. We highly appreciate honest and creative employers. You do not need to invest any sum of money and we do not ask you to give us with your bank account requisites! We are engaged in totally officially authorized activity and working in our corporation you can reach career growth at a permanent job.”
6. Online re-shipping
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Online re-shipping is a very serious job search scam because those who fall for it unintentionally become criminals.
Re-shipping jobs, also known as postal forwarding, are work-at-home jobs that involve repacking and forwarding stolen goods to customers outside the U.S.
Although promised a paycheck and reimbursement for shipping charges paid out of their own pocket, those who fall victim to this type of scam rarely receive any money.
Actual job posting for an online re-shipping scam:
“Honest workers needed for a package processing company located in NY, but any location in US are welcome! We have customers worldwide and started that position to suit they needs. We offer you 40$ for each processed package. The payment shall be made twice a month. The Company shall also bear all shipping expenses. Your salary is totaly depends on your ability to work fast and handy.”
7. Rebate processor
one photo / Shutterstock.com
Rebate processing jobs mislead job seekers by promising high income in exchange for processing rebates at home. A nonrefundable “training” fee is usually required to get started as a rebate processor.
Instead of simply processing rebates, this job involves creating ads for various products and posting them on the Internet. A small commission is earned when someone buys the products, part of which is sent back to the buyer as a rebate.
Actual job posting for a rebate processor scam:
“Make money simply by filling out online forms – Enter the data into the forms that we provide you, click submit, sit back and collect the money. You’ll earn $15 per rebate processed. Opportunities like this do not come by every day – act now!”
8. Assembling crafts/products
Stasique / Shutterstock.com
Work-at-home assembly jobs have been around a long time. Most companies offering these positions require you to pay an enrollment fee and purchase all supplies and materials from them as well.
Companies are known to reject finished products regardless of how closely they match the sample finished product. Or, you have to buy a list of companies looking for your assembly services. Once you pay for the list, however, you rarely find the work you thought you would.
Actual job posting for a craft assembly scam:
“The first thing that you’ll be receiving is a portfolio of all of our companies, their pay scales and the things you can assemble. That’s so you can pick out your job because there are about 85 different jobs for you to choose from and you are guaranteed any of those jobs. We do have a one-time, lifetime enrollment fee of only $38.95. Now, that enrollment fee is backed with a 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee. All we ask is that you participate in the program for 60 days.”
9. Career advancement grants
Atstock Productions / Shutterstock.com
This scam is geared toward job seekers who may want or need to gain extra education or certifications for their career. You’ll typically receive an email asking you to apply online for a career advancement grant that supposedly comes from the government and can be directly deposited into your account if approved.
Actual job posting for a career advancement grant scam:
“Hi, hope you are doing well. We were notified that you may be eligible for the new Career Advancement grant. If you have not taken advantage of this program, the deadline is approaching soon. $5,730 can be direct deposited into your account, should you qualify for the grant. Last week 71 members took advantage of this Career Advancement grant. This is a grant from the government and does not have to be paid back.”
10. Using fake URLs
Bacho / Shutterstock.com
You come across an online job listing from a well-known company offering work-from-home jobs. Is it too good to be true? Is the company really the company it claims to be?
Scammers will try to recreate the legitimate company’s website by slightly altering the web address. If you’re not looking closely, you may not realize that you’re on a scam website.
For example, a real company website might have the address companyname.com. But, when you’re looking at the fake website, the address is company-name.com.
It’s a subtle change, but it could indicate you’re not on the company’s real website.
11. Gaining access to personal financial information
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This could be the oldest and most well-known scam tactic in the books. Even the most tech-savvy job scammers use this method because it still works.
It is true that before you start a job, you need to give your employer your Social Security number. And since most companies pay salaries via direct deposit, you will eventually need to share your banking information, too.
However, if a company is asking you for this information early (like asking for your Social Security number on a job application, or wanting your banking information before they can offer you the job), the job is likely a scam.
12. Communicating through chat
fizkes / Shutterstock.com
Scammers use instant messaging services to communicate and conduct fake job interviewers with job seekers. Although convenient, it is rare to actually secure a job or conduct a job interview with a legitimate company through a chat platform.
If you are approached through chat, be sure to request that they give you a call, and do your research before interviewing to see if the results yield any red flags.
13. Lacking verifiable information
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You may have thought you found your dream job, but upon further inspection you can’t find any information about the company.
If you can’t verify a phone number, location, web address, or employees, you’re definitely looking at a scam. In this day and age, real companies will have an online presence and some social media engagement — if they don’t have a decent following, they may not be legitimate.
14. Phishing
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Emails, texts, phone calls, or instant messages — you name it, and there is a phishing scam.
If a job is requiring you to click on a specific link or is asking for detailed personal and financial information, someone is trying to collect your sensitive information for malicious use.
Phishing scams often look like they come from a trusted and well-known company, so always reach out to an employer directly through their legitimate website rather than respond to any “phish-y” looking communication.
How to identify job scams
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There are some telltale signs that indicate a job posting is probably a scam:
The ad uses words that are probably too good to be true: quick money, unlimited earning potential, free work-from-home jobs.
There is a sense of urgency, or the recruiter is pushing you to accept the job now. Any legitimate company won’t push you into accepting a job offer immediately.
The job post or email has obvious grammatical or spelling errors.
You’re offered the job without a recruiter verifying your work experience or asking for references.
The “company” has an email domain from Gmail or other popular providers.
The job description is unusually vague.
While anyone can fall prey to job scams, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe while you search online:
Do your homework. Research the company and the people who contact you. What results do you get when you search company name + scam?
Connect with the company. Go directly to the company website and see if the job is posted on their jobs page.
Trust your gut. If it feels like a scam, it probably is.
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