thinking is bad for you

It turns out that thinking too much is bad for you, and may even shorten your life.

Yup.

A new study from Nature found that people who lived extremely long lives (beyond their mid-80s) had higher levels of a protein called REST, which essentially tells the genes that spark brain activity to chill out.

This is bad news for a lot of CBI newsletter subscribers, who def tend to think a lot.

I’m sorry.

On a slightly related note, here’s some research on machine-brain interfaces and neuroprosthetics if you’re into that sort of thing.

Gradually, then suddenly

Tech companies are coming for healthcare. Are incumbents ready to fend off disruption?

We look at what healthcare incumbents should be watching for and analyze the impact of failing to respond. Take a look here.

Innovation in wearables

This is what they call “thinking inside the box.”

The global fashion industry generates an enormous amount of waste, but new tech could help it boost sustainability.

We dig into how innovations like regenerative farming and automated manufacturing are transforming the $2.4T fashion industry. Check it out.

For all the potential benefits of AI, some caution that the increasingly pervasive tech is a danger to the world.

From political instability to robot overlords, here is how 52 experts think AI will go out of control.

Invest vs. acquire vs. partner

Members of CB Insights’ Growth Collective want to drive greater urgency around growth.

When we look across different industries, we can see that the top 10 companies by market cap are frequently looking to investments and partnerships to drive growth.

Agtech startups raked in more than $1B in the first three quarters of 2019 as more companies look to disrupt the $5T+ agriculture industry.

From wearable sensors for cows to autonomous crop harvesting, Expert Intelligence clients can see 75+ startups using tech to transform farming.

Fast Company. Ruth Reader (@RuthReader) reports on Bose’s move into healthcare and quotes Bose Health general manager John Roselli speaking at CB Insights’ Future of Health conference.

CNBC. Saheli Roy Choudhury (@sahelirc) writes about Gojek’s new co-CEOs and cites CB Insights research.

Financial Times. Rana Foroohar (@RanaForoohar) discusses the risk of a second tech bubble and cites data from PwC and CB Insights’ MoneyTree report.

I love you.

Anand
@asanwal

P.S. Want to help lead CB Insights research? We’re hiring a director of technology research.

Ponder this (gently). The key to living longer may be using your brain less.
The Washington Post

It’s a bug’s life. People are making thousands of dollars selling live worms and roaches on eBay.
VICE

The new Schoolhouse Rock. Teachers are using 15-second videos to help educate high schoolers.
The New York Times

Ghost food. The popularity of food delivery apps is giving rise to more virtual restaurants.
Associated Press

Tinder for bags. An “anti-shop” is using an app-based bartering system to allow people to swap bags.
Fast Company