Le Journal

Producer Rick RubinDPA / Picture AllianceA version of this story originally appeared in the BI Tech Memo newsletter.Sign up for the weekly BI Tech Memo newsletter here.In Silicon Valley, AI is fueling the rise of the star individual contributor.Just take a look at what happened after The Browser Company was acquired by Anthropic. Josh Miller, CEO of this browser startup, recently described how Anthropic's Claude Code radically changed his hiring strategy.His post gets at something many creative orgs have struggled to name: there's a huge, underserved group of very senior designer ICs who want to stay close to the work, coach others, and shape direction — without becoming full-time people managers. The "Design Producer" role he describes feels like a credible answer to that gap.AI-native tools such as Claude Code make this role newly viable. When designers can prototype, ship code, and explore ideas directly, the leverage of a senior IC shifts. Their value isn't headcount management. Instead, it's taste, judgment, and the ability to help others move faster and aim higher. Coaching becomes embedded in the work itself.The record-label metaphor fits well here. Great music producers don't manage bands through org charts, they create the conditions for great work, give feedback at the right moments, and connect the right collaborators.For experienced tech designers who've hit the ceiling of traditional IC tracks, this feels like a genuinely new lane, not a consolation prize.Think of this like a legion of nerdy Rick Rubins. Coincidentally, Rubin created a digital book last year with Anthropic called The Way of Code. Here's a passage from the book:The Vibe Coder attends tothe inner, not the outer.He allows things to come and go.His heart is open as the sky.I couldn't agree more!Sign up for BI's Tech Memo newsletter here. Reach out to me via email at abarr@businessinsider.com.Read the original article on Business Insider

As a frequent traveler, I know all the best things to do as soon as you board a cruise ship.Sharon FisherAfter spending over 250 days at sea over the past decade, I have some tips for first-time cruisers.As soon as you board, it's important to review safety protocols and unpack your belongings.I like to explore the entire ship as soon as possible, so that I don't miss out on any amenities.When I went on my first cruise in 2016, I had no idea how much I'd grow to love this form of travel. But throughout the past decade, I've spent a total of over eight months at sea.Although I'm now a seasoned pro, I often think back to my first cruise, when I had no idea what to expect or how to take full advantage of the ship's amenities.Here are six things I think new cruisers should do as soon as they board the ship.It's important to review the safety protocols right away.Sharon FisherWhen it comes to cruising, safety is the most important thing. That's why I recommend finding the muster station — where passengers meet if there's a ship-wide emergency — as soon as possible.Some ships may also have other requirements, such as watching a safety video after boarding. If that's the case, it's a good idea to review this information as soon as possible.Plus, you'll want to find out where your life jackets are located — before you need them.The rooms on board can be small, so it's a good idea to unpack your belongings.Sharon FisherIt can be tempting to run out and enjoy everything the ship has to offer, but I always unpack as soon as my luggage has arrived.Unless I splurged on a larger room, it's likely the cabin won't be big enough to leave all my bags piled around.Plus, I never want to have to come back tired to find my bed covered with stuff.I also recommend meeting your room steward.Sharon FisherOn typical cruises, each cabin gets a room steward or attendant who's assigned to keep the room clean, grab extra towels and toiletries, and arrange to have anything that's broken fixed. When cruising, mine usually becomes my best friend. If they don't come to the room to introduce themselves, I like to keep an eye out for them in the hall.Knowing my steward has come in handy in the past, especially after I've locked myself out of my room, and my kind attendant helped me get back in.It's a good idea to walk the entire ship.Sharon FisherWhen I first started cruising, I figured out the ship's layout as I went along. However, this meant I missed out on some of the offerings and amenities on board.For example, I was on my fourth sailing on the same cruise line before I learned that most of the ships had a sauna — something I definitely would've gotten use out of on my Alaskan cruise.Now, my partner and I have a routine when we get on board: We walk the entire ship to make sure we know what's available. This also gives us the opportunity to pick out the best sections in the theater, choose the nicest bars, and locate the gym.Plus, it makes it easier to find each other later when we're off doing our own thing. It's easy to get lost on a ship, so taking some time to get acquainted with the layout is important.Scope out the best food options.Sharon FisherIn my opinion, one of the best parts of a cruise is definitely the food. Most ships have several options, some of which are free and others that cost extra. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the best options to fit your preferences and dietary restrictions.Plus, in my experience, the buffet tends to get crowded, so I like to look for alternative seating options by the pool or even on an upper deck ahead of time.Figure out how to get important information on board.Sharon FisherDuring your sailing, you'll likely receive announcements about onboard activities, special offers, and safety alerts.Depending on the cruise line, this information may come in the form of a daily…

I tried on similar pairs of leggings at Lululemon, Alo, and Athleta to see which would be best for working out.Chloe CaldwellI tried on similar pairs of leggings at Lululemon, Alo, and Athleta to see which were the best.The Alo leggings were nice, but I thought they'd be too constricting for a workout.I really liked the pair from Lululemon and thought they were comfortable and flattering.One of my major goals for 2026 is to increase my movement and establish a consistent exercise routine. I've committed to working out at least four days a week, so I was due for an athletic wardrobe upgrade.From yoga classes to weightlifting and daily walks, I needed something durable and fashionable — because there's nothing like a cute gym outfit to give me a boost of confidence during my workout.So, I turned to a few of the most raved about retailers, including Alo, Lululemon, and Athleta to find a great pair.Here's how my day of shopping went.I started my search for new leggings at Alo.Chloe CaldwellAlo Yoga is a high-end athleisure brand that was originally known for creating sleek, performance-driven activewear designed to suit yogis in the studio and in everyday life. Nowadays, the brand sells everything from leggings and athleisure to casual dresses and trousers.I used to visit my nearby Alo store regularly just to window shop, so I figured it would be a good place to start in my search for a great pair of leggings.Although the brand's line of trendy clothing is impressive (I wish I could buy it all, honestly), there were only a few true athletic options in-store. Between cargo jackets, matching sweatsuits, and accessories, it was a challenge just to find a single pair of workout-appropriate leggings.Eventually, I spotted the high-waist Airlift leggings in the limited edition "clover green" color. At first glance, I was drawn to the soft and shiny material, made from the brand's high-compression performance fabric (82% polyester and 18% elastane).However, I probably wouldn't wear these leggings to work out.Chloe CaldwellWhen I tried these leggings on, I could immediately tell they were flattering and well constructed. I loved the thick waistband and the fact that there were no side seams.However, they seemed to run a bit small. Plus, the compression element eliminated some of the stretchiness, comfort, and breathability, which are priorities for me during workouts.If I were to buy these, I'd most likely wear them for athleisure looks during casual outings, like running errands or going on coffee dates, rather than for exercising. For that reason, I couldn't justify the $134 price tag.Next, I stopped at Lululemon.Chloe CaldwellLululemon is a premium athletic brand known for its soft fabrics and flattering designs.I own a few pairs of Lululemon leggings that I bought at least five years ago, and I still wear them semi-regularly even after countless hot yoga classes, hikes, and gym sessions. So, I wanted to see if the quality was still up to par.Luckily, there were tons of options available in-store, including a full wall of leggings. I grabbed a sage-green pair of the Wunder Train no-line high-rise tight leggings to try on.I really liked the Lululemon leggings.Chloe CaldwellWhen I put these on, I could tell immediately how soft the material (made from 77% nylon and 23% Lycra elastane) was.The material was pretty thick, similar to the version from Alo, but it was still flexible. These felt more suitable for various kinds of workouts.I loved the actual design, too, especially because there was no center seam down the middle and an extra-thick waistband. They looked flattering on me, and I would feel confident wearing these at the gym or for casual outings.These leggings cost $108, which is definitely an investment. But considering that my other pairs have stood the test of time, I debated purchasing these as well.I closed out my shopping experience with a trip to Athleta.Chloe…

I visited the Mixue location in Midtown Manhattan's Herald Square.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderMixue has opened its first American locations: two in New York, and one in Los Angeles.I visited the Herald Square ice cream and boba shop to see if it was worth the hype.The options were wildly affordable, giving McDonald's menu a run for its money.New York City has a new ice cream shop. It just happens to be the biggest fast-food chain in the world.The Chinese chain Mixue has more than 46,000 stores globally. That now includes two New York locations and one in Los Angeles — its first in the United States.Mixue offers ice cream, coffee, and boba at ultra-affordable prices. It's one of a variety of Chinese chains, including Luckin Coffee and Chagee, looking to undercut traffic to American companies with their low costs.I visited the Herald Square location of Mixue to see if it lived up to the hype. (Spoiler alert: McDonald's should be worried.)It's official — Mixue, a titan of the Chinese fast food market, has landed on American soil.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderMixue's three US locations opened in December. Another New York location is currently being built.The Herald Square location stood out with its bright red exterior. Several passerbys stopped to take photos.At least 20 people lined up outside of the Herald Square location at 1:50 PM on a Friday.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderEven though it was two weeks out from Mixue's grand opening, the chain still had the red carpet rolled out — and the line was full. I counted over 20 people queueing up.While waiting in line, Mixue blasted its song on a loop. It was sweet at first; after 10 minutes in line, it became head-pounding.The line continued inside, where they were still celebrating the grand opening.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderThe line snaked inside, where it fed out to a set of tablets and a human cashier. On the other side, a pack of customers waited for their items.Across the ceiling hung a long banner, congratulating the store opening.Costs were low — but many items were sold out.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderI made it to one of the tablets, scrolling the menu of teas, coffees, and sundaes.Mixue has a fairly limited menu, and many of its items were unavailable. I spotted 10 sold out items. Of the fruit tea offerings, only three of nine could be purchased.But, among the items that were available, I was struck at how low the prices were.Placing my order was easy, and it immediately gave me a coupon.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderI ordered a cone of soft serve and an oolong tea with coconut jelly. The tablet prompted me to sign up for its rewards program, and I immediately got 15% off my order.With the discount, my total was a mere $3.63.My ice cream came first. It tasted… like ice cream.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderA Mixue employee quickly served up my cone of ice cream, while the tea took a bit longer.The soft serve tasted exactly as you'd expect. It was sweet, creamy, and I finished it within a few minutes. Nothing miraculous, but solid for the price.My cone had three solid swirls stacked on top of each other. While waiting for my tea, I noticed some customers — especially those who ordered matcha-flavored cones — had shorter stacks.The oolong tea was delicious and affordable.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderThe oolong tea came out a few minutes later. I popped the lid with the straw, gave it a big sip, and savored the coconut jellies inside. I had customized it just right: 70% sugar, less ice — delicious.There's a Gong Cha two blocks from the Mixue location. A similar tea at this location would cost $7.10 on Grubhub. That's almost three-times the price.The soft serve at McDonald's was over $2 more expensive.Henry Chandonnet/Business InsiderCould Mixue undercut the American market with its low prices? I walked two blocks over to a McDonald's,…