Forbes October/November 2022

I’d put the 150-strong Forbes newsroom up against any in journalism. As you can see throughout this issue, we encourage our reporters to pursue impact, whether as investigative watchdogs, savvy storytellers or definitive Forbes list creators. Criticizing and championing, we’re a positive force for entrepreneurial capitalism, that engine of innovation and prosperity. Our ability to focus on deep-dive projects stems in part from our unique daily system. First, a couple dozen breaking-news reporters jump on whatever happens, in real time, with a Forbes take. Beyond that is our 2,400-plus network of contributors—Ph.D. economists, bestselling authors, hotshot gamers—who bring expertise to hundreds of topics. On any given day, some 300 contributor pieces shoot across our digital channels. Think of it as the world’s largest op-ed desk. Rather than curating each article one by…

For decades, the International Monetary Fund has been the scourge of countries that get into economic trouble, yet its authority has never been seriously challenged. Today, this is especially dangerous. The deadly combination of inflation and food shortages is putting numerous nations on the brink of disaster. A few, most notably Sri Lanka, are already in chaos. All too many countries are particularly vulnerable because they loaded themselves with debt during the easy-money years following the 2008-09 financial crisis, when interest rates were virtually nonexistent. Now, with the cost of money rising and open-ended central bank ATMs closing, scores of these governments will be hard-pressed to service their debts. For a number of poorer nations this means not only will the paltry incomes of people already living in real poverty shrink,…

The extreme heat waves that hit Europe and the U.S. this summer are leading to cries from some quarters that we must hasten the transition from oil, gas and coal to energy alternatives. The prospect of an expensive and ultracold winter in Europe, thanks to Vladimir Putin’s sharply reducing or cutting off Russia’s natural gas supplies to the continent, will likely increase demands for so-called renewables. Action is required, but on a practical and scientific basis First, a bit of context. As hard as it is to believe right now, heat waves are no more common today than they were in the early 1900s. Moreover, thanks to better and more timely warnings, better building structures, better transportation systems and better medical treatments, the number of deaths from weather-related catastrophes such as floods…

● Flex Mussels 1431 Third Ave., at 81st St. (Tel.: 212-717-7772) Shuttered by the pandemic and then a fire, this beloved 15-year-old seafood restaurant has reopened at a nearby location. Owners Bobby and Laura Shapiro and daughter Alexandra have pared down the menu, with delicious results—and amazing service. Start with the Ecuadorian ceviche of shrimp, tomato and corn; the tangy bluefin tuna; or the delicate hamachi with truffle, sea beans and yuzu koshu. Then have a glorious, creamy burrata or a straightforward Mediterranean salad. Crispy calamari served with Calabrian chili aioli is a must. The lobster roll is generous and rich. However, the mussels are the stars here—and in many kinds of delectable preparations: Classic, a simple sauce of garlic, butter and herbs; Thai, a subtle coconut curry, kaffir lime and lemongrass…

Before the Tennessee Titans kicked off their NFL season with a home game against the New York Giants, team owner Amy Adams Strunk spent nearly two hours with tailgaters outside Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. “Omigod, it’s her!” one young woman shouted, before asking for the requisite photos. The fans, Adams Strunk says, are her favorite part of owning the team, which her late father, Bud Adams, founded (as the Houston Oilers in 1960) and of which she has been the controlling shareholder since 2015. “Our fans, to me, are not a statistic,” she says. “I’m going to be the owner that comes up to you and thanks you.” At 66, Adams Strunk is worth $1.6 billion from her 50% stake in the Titans and is one of a growing number of women who…

Eric Ho 28 Andrew Myers 28 COFOUNDERS, RIPPLEMATCH Yale soccer buddies built a diversity-minded recruiting site to match undergrads with employers including eBay, GM and Nokia. RippleMatch has raised $79 million most recently at a $205 million valuation. Anna Wang 27 Kerry Wang 27 COFOUNDERS, SEARCHLIGHT Fueled by $20 million in funding, the twins claim their software can predict how long job seekers will stay with an employer by analyzing things like self-assessments and references. Jerry Lee 27 Jonathan Javier 27 COFOUNDERS, WONSULTING Finding a job is tougher for those who are poor, old or lack literacy. Wonsulting helps underserved communities—10,000 people so far—get work. 2022 revenue should hit $2 million. Danish Dhamani 27 Aasim Sani 24 Paritosh Gupta 26 COFOUNDERS, ORAI Always blathering “um” or “like”? Before a job interview, try this AI-powered app, with $2.3 million in financing and 7,000 monthly users. It records…