/
© 2026 RiffOn. All rights reserved.

Get your free personalized podcast brief

We scan new podcasts and send you the top 5 insights daily.

  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations
No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts · May 26, 2026

Murky US-Iran talks, the rise of agentic AI in China's super apps, and solving the mystery of ski lift-colliding grouse.

Animal Coloration May Evolve for Wavelengths Invisible to Its Own Species

The black grouse's red head patch is a poor visual signal for other grouse, as they are red-blind. However, the patch reflects ultraviolet light, which they can see. This reveals that visual communication in nature can rely on signals, like UV light, that are entirely outside the human visible spectrum.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations thumbnail

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts·4 days ago

Chinese Tech Giants Use Agentic AI to Lock Users into Existing E-Commerce Ecosystems

Unlike the Western focus on general AI assistants, Chinese firms like Alibaba and Tencent deploy agentic AI within their 'super apps.' The goal is not just user convenience but to direct consumers to their own vast networks of goods and services, boosting retention and monetization within a closed loop.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations thumbnail

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts·4 days ago

Political Ceasefires Don't Instantly Restore Commerce; Logistical Hurdles Create Lasting Uncertainty

Even if America and Iran sign a deal, the global supply chain won't snap back. Rerouted oil tankers and shut-down facilities mean it will take months to return to pre-war energy flows, creating a dilemma for companies who must invest without certainty of a final agreement.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations thumbnail

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts·4 days ago

China's Mobile-First Internet Structure Creates a Key Advantage for Deploying Agentic AI

China's internet is dominated by mobile super apps that already integrate digital services with physical networks like drivers and warehouses. This existing infrastructure makes it far easier to plug in agentic AI and deliver real-world outcomes, a structural advantage over the more fragmented, desktop-oriented West.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations thumbnail

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts·4 days ago

Solutions Based on Human Perception Fail When Applied to Other Species

Ski resorts used red signs to stop grouse from hitting ski lifts, assuming the birds' own red markings meant they could see the color. Scientific testing revealed grouse are virtually blind to red. This failure highlights how problem-solving based on human-centric assumptions can be completely ineffective for other species.

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations thumbnail

No big deal: murky Iran-war negotiations

Economist Podcasts·4 days ago