Your neurons may surf the web someday, the ideal time to switch jobs, and more trending news

This week, the Daily Rundown is keeping you up to date with the world of work and the big ideas shaping 2018 (and beyond). Read on and join the conversation.

The best time to search for a new job? When you think you need it least. “There’s only so much you as an employee can control when it comes to your career path,” writes Lars Schmidt in Fast Company. What you do have control over, Schmidt says, is planning your next step — even if you don’t want to take it quite yet. Schmidt recommends making small moves to get your career on the right track, including building relationships with people in your chosen field, cultivating your existing network, and blogging to share your expertise.

Using our brains to talk to the internet may not be that far off. At least that’s according to brain surgeon Eric Leuthardt: He began testing the theory using patients with intractable epilepsy, who were already mandated to have “electrodes implanted on their cortex” so computers could track neural firing patterns. The results were encouraging — so much so that the scientist expects to see this idea come to fruition during his lifetime. “At the pace at which technology changes, it’s not inconceivable to think that in a 20-year time frame everything in a cell phone could be put into a grain of rice,” he says.

Companies aren't just giving lip service to "employee happiness" anymore. In a tightening job market, employees have many more options; compensation, flex time and ping pong only get part of the retention job done. Serial entrepreneur James Caan says he's noticed three signs a worker may be looking for the exits: a dramatic decline in productivity, a sudden spate of negativity, and a withdrawal from team activities. These could all be signs of trouble at home, of course — which itself would be a good enough reason to engage. But they might indicate a worker is on the verge of making a move. "Watch out for these warning signs and there will be less of a shock factor when it comes to having ‘the conversation,’" Cann says.  

Don’t rule out old coal mines as a low-carbon heat source. Unlike electricity, there are relatively few low-carbon alternatives for heating in homes and buildings. But geothermal heat produced in water running through dormant coal mines could one such source, according to Durham University's Charlotte Adams and Jon Gluyas. While mine water may not be quite warm enough for conventional use, electricity-powered heat pumps could bring temperatures up a notch to get things, er, cooking. It may give old mines a second lease on life, as a renewable energy conduit.

Idea of the Day: How does Richard Branson come up with ideas? He looks for them everywhere.

“I am constantly challenging myself and the people around me to come up with new ventures and adventures. I don't separate work and play — it's all just living — so new ideas can arrive at any moment. Then I carry a notebook and pen at all times, to ensure I write the ideas down and then turn them into reality.”

What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories in the comments.

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