Cruise Comeback, Contentious Lithium Mines, Return of the Cubicle

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Welcome to Wednesday as we talk about GM’s Cruise staging a comeback. We also talk about the tension around the only active lithium mine in the US, as well as the potential return of the cubicle (yeah, those things).

• GM's Cruise driverless fleet is steering its way back into action with a human touch. After a high-profile suspension, they're hitting the road in Phoenix with human-driven vehicles for data collection, signaling a cautious return to their autonomous ambitions.
  • Aiming to rebuild trust, the initiative marks a tentative step towards resuming fully autonomous operations in collaboration with cities, after a suspension triggered by safety concerns and regulatory actions following a series of incidents, including a significant accident in San Francisco.
  • Amid ongoing Justice Department and SEC investigations into the handling of a past accident, Cruise emphasizes progress in safety protocols and a commitment to earning back public trust.
  • Despite setbacks, Cruise remains optimistic about the future of autonomous driving, touting its potential to enhance safety and reduce accidents.

• Nevada's lithium demand is drying up its water sources. As the Silver Peak mine expands and new players enter, the race for this vital battery component is challenging the arid state's limited water reserves.
  • Nevada's Clayton Valley, home to the U.S.'s only active lithium mine, faces growing competition for water amid a lithium mining boom.
  • Local residents and environmental advocates are expressing deep concerns about the mining's impact on water resources, with fears that increased lithium mining could deplete already scarce water supplies in Nevada's arid environment, affecting both communities and ecosystems
  • Water rights disputes are intensifying as Albemarle claims almost all groundwater, crucial for lithium extraction, leaving little for newcomers.
  • Sustainable water use is questioned, with current aquifer volume estimates outdated, raising concerns about environmental impacts.
  • Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology could offer a less water-intensive solution, but water rights remain a contentious issue.
    
• Remember those cubicles? They might just be making a comeback as millennials, once critics of this office staple, are discovering their hidden value. A Business Insider article highlights Sydney Baker, a 27-year-old millennial, who shares how her cubicle became a blend of personal sanctuary and social hub.
  • Baker initially viewed cubicles as outdated, only to find them offering a unique blend of privacy and personalization but now appreciates the cubicle's ability to balance sociability with focus, although maintaining concentration can be challenging amidst the office buzz.
  • Decorating her cubicle transformed it into a personalized and inviting workspace, debunking the myth of dreariness.
  • The shift towards a hybrid work model post-pandemic has highlighted the importance of flexibility and work-

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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