Red Lobster's Bankruptcy and Private Equity Involvement

Red Lobster's bankruptcy and closure of almost 100 locations was not solely due to endless shrimp promotions, but also because of asset-stripping by a private equity firm, leading to increased debt and rent costs. This practice has been seen in other retail chain failures and bankruptcies involving hospitals and nursing homes. The impact of such financial actions on businesses and employees can have significant ripple effects on the economy and communities.

Life-Extension and Aging Research

The article discusses how the superrich are investing in life-extension therapies, focusing on the biology of aging and potential interventions. It addresses the distortion of priorities in aging research due to private equity investments and emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and sleep for longevity.

Impact of Wall Street on the Newspaper Industry

Journalism professor Margot Susca blames Wall Street for the collapse of the newspaper industry, citing private equity firms like Alden Global Capital as major culprits. These firms have prioritized profit over serving democracy, leading to layoffs, reduced coverage, and newspaper bankruptcies. Susca argues that if private investment funds had stayed away, the local newspaper ecosystem would be better off.