• As a frequent cruiser, I'm selective about how much I spend on onboard extras.
• But some things, like comfort, cute coffees, and crafted cocktails, warrant a splurge.
• As a parent, I'm also willing to pay up for some "me time" while at sea.

Cruises are so back, and they're only predicted to get more popular.

The global cruise market, valued at $7.25 billion in 2021, is expected to grow about 11% from 2022 to 2028, according to Forbes.

One huge perk of this travel style is that it's pretty all-inclusive. Things like Broadway-style shows, multicourse meals, buffets, pool access, and onboard activities are built into the price of a typical sailing.

But ships also upsell and charge extra add-ons, upgrades, and perks. As a frequent cruiser who's sailed alone over 50 times and with family more than 30, I've increasingly become less likely to pay for these upcharges.

Instead, I save my hard-earned money for the upgrades that are actually worth it. Here are upcharges my family thinks are worth the splurge.

I tend to book a cheaper cabin category, but I'm willing to pay a premium to choose a quiet stateroom location

I rarely pay extra for a balcony room as I find that I don't use this feature enough to warrant the added cost. Instead, I opt for porthole-view rooms, which are generally less expensive.

But when selecting a room category during the booking process, I will pay more for a cabin located in an ideal spot on the ship.

Modern cruise vessels are huge, and I like a room that's centrally located on the ship, giving me easy access to everything I want to see and do. I'm also willing to pay a little more to select a cabin far away from elevators and loud entertainment venues.

After all, I need a good night's sleep to make the most of my days at sea.

Room service offers a level of convenience that makes the delivery fee palatable

One of the best things about cruising is the food, and thankfully, most ships have tons of eateries onboard that don't cost extra. However, room service often comes with an additional fee.

Although I wish all cruise lines offered complimentary room service, it's so convenient I'm willing to pay extra for it — especially for an early breakfast or a snack after a long day of adventures.

I love bringing my son along, and paying for childcare allows me to make the most of my vacation

Cruise-ship kids' clubs are a great selling point for families, and access to them is almost always included in the cost of the trip.

However, the complimentary clubs are typically only open to potty-trained children. For younger kids, many cruise lines offer onboard nurseries for an added cost.

For my family, the nursery fees have proved well worth the investment. My son sailed on dozens of cruises as an infant and toddler, and these vacations produced some of my fondest travel memories.

By paying to use the onboard nursery, my husband and I were able to enjoy date nights and connect during our getaways.

I'm frugal when it comes to food, but I can't resist splurging on unique beverages

I'm not a fan of overpriced "all-inclusive" cruise drink packages, and I try to take advantage of included beverages like tea, juices, and enhanced water as much as possible.

Nonetheless, I'm happy to spend extra on premium cocktails, wine-tasting sessions with the onboard sommelier, and other unique drink experiences.

I'm a sucker for a concoction mixed up by a robot at Royal Caribbean's Bionic Bar or a latte with my favorite cartoon pal etched on top as served in Disney Cruise Line's Cove Café, and these liquid indulgencies often show up on my onboard cruise tab.

Onboard spa treatments get pricey, but the lush thermal suites are worth the added cost

Spa treatments can be far pricier at sea, so I'm particular about what I book.

I save basic treatments like massages and facials for when I'm back on land, where prices are more favorable, but I do try to book at least one day pass to the onboard thermal suite per cruise.

On many ships, these blissful retreats — which can have everything from heated loungers to aromatherapy showers — are a worthy investment for those seeking a quiet atmosphere.

They're the ideal spot to soak up some "me time."

As thrifty as I am, I never feel guilty blowing my budget on experiences in the cruise ports of call

By saving money at sea and not paying for unneeded extras, I can better allocate my vacation budget where it truly counts — in the cruise ports of call.

There's no shortage of memorable adventures to be found back on land: hiking in the Norwegian fjords, helicoptering to a glacier in Alaska, exploring Mayan ruins, and strolling through cobblestone streets in Italy

For my family, savoring authentic land-based experiences is our main priority, and I'm not afraid to spend a lot on these excursions.

• Cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) have risen suddenly in Japan this year.
• The rare and deadly bacterial infection affects blood and tissue.
• STSS is treated with antibiotics and sometimes surgery. There is no vaccine for the infection.

In Japan, cases of an uncommon but deadly bacterial infection have spiked in recent months, concerning health officials, the Washington Post reported.

Since January 2024, officials from Japan's Health Ministry have reported 1,019 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a bacterial infection without a vaccine and treated with antibiotics. At least 77 deaths have been reported due to these STSS infections, with most fatal cases occurring in people over 50.

Officials from Japan's Health Ministry said they are unsure what has caused the sudden increase in cases. But they find the surge alarming, considering that fewer than 1,000 cases of STSS were reported in the country in 2023.

STSS causes and symptoms

STSS is caused by bacteria called group-A Streptococcus (GAS), according to the CDC.

This particular bacteria also causes mild infections like strep throat since it is commonly found in the throat and on the skin.

But if GAS gets into a person's bloodstream or tissue through open wounds or sores, their organs may start to fail within 24 to 48 hours, as per the CDC website. GAS has also been linked to necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that causes a "flesh-eating" disease.

According to the CDC, three in 10 people who develop STSS are likely to die.

Flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, and muscle aches are often the first signs someone has STSS. More severe symptoms that signal organ failure due to STSS include:

• Low blood pressure signs include dizziness, blurred vision, weakness, nausea, and headaches.
• An abnormally rapid heart rate
• Abnormally rapid breathing

If someone has these symptoms, they should go to the hospital right away, according to the CDC.

Treatment typically involves replacing bodily fluids and antibiotics. According to the CDC, surgery may be needed to remove tissue infected by the GAS bacteria in some cases.

Infections like STSS are on the rise globally

Steer told the Washington Post that "we've had streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and invasive strep A infection in the US for decades and decades and decades, hundreds of years."

However, it's an uncommon infection, and healthcare providers should take the sudden uptick in STSS cases in Japan as a cue to increase their awareness of potential symptoms among their patients, said Andrew Steer, director of infection, immunity, and global health at Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, health officials worldwide have expressed concern about increasing bacterial and viral infection rates.

In 2022, UK health officials reported 19 child deaths due to group-A streptococcal infections, the same bacteria that causes STSS.

Vaccines could help prevent the spread of these rare but potentially deadly bacterial infections, health experts said. However, creating one has proven to be a decadeslong process that is still in progress due to financial and scientific hurdles.

• California fined Amazon $5.9 million, saying it failed to inform employees about work quotas.
• A state law requires written quota details to prevent pressure and injuries among workers.
• An Amazon spokesperson said it has disputed the allegations and appealed the fine.

California's Department of Industrial Relations announced Tuesday it had fined Amazon more than $5.9 million, saying the e-commerce giant had violated labor laws that require companies to inform warehouse employees of any quotas they must follow.

According to the state's Warehouse Quotas law, which went into effect in January 2022, those quotas must be provided to workers in written form. They could include things like the number of tasks employees are expected to perform in an hour and any potential consequences they could face if they do not meet expectations.

The fines center on Amazon's fulfillment centers in Moreno Valley and Redlands, where the state Labor Commissioner's Office found 59,017 violations between October 20, 2023, and March 9, 2024, it said in a press release.

"The peer-to-peer system that Amazon was using in these two warehouses is exactly the kind of system that the Warehouse Quotas law was put in place to prevent," California Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower said in the release. "Undisclosed quotas expose workers to increased pressure to work faster and can lead to higher injury rates and other violations by forcing workers to skip breaks."

Amazon spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel told Business Insider the company disagrees with the allegations and has appealed the fine. She added that Amazon does not have fixed quotas.

"Individual performance is evaluated over a long period of time, in relation to how the entire site's team is performing. Employees can — and are encouraged to — review their performance whenever they wish," she said. "They can always talk to a manager if they're having trouble finding the information."

Lynch Vogel also provided a link to an Amazon blog post that describes how it manages the performance of fulfillment center employees, including its communication of work expectations and its use of robots to improve worker safety.

Amazon operates a vast network of fulfillment centers where workers pick and pack orders before they are sent out to customers. Some are as large as 1 million square feet and employ more than 1,000 workers. The company has attracted the attention of regulators over allegations of low pay and stressful working conditions, and in 2022, workers at the company's fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York, voted to unionize.

• With the 2024 presidential race in full swing, both parties are eyeing their pathways to victory.
• The 2024 election is set to be a rematch of the 2020 contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
• A band of swing states in the Midwest and Sun Belt are at the top of the list for Biden and Trump.

Over the past two decades, the road to the White House — once dominated by Florida and Ohio — has evolved.

While bellwethers like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin remain a critical part of the calculus for Democratic and Republican presidential nominees in reaching the 270 electoral vote threshold for victory, the Sun Belt region has also grown in importance.

For President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who are set for a November rematch, every vote will be crucial in what is predicted to be a tight contest. And the campaigns of both men will target a narrow band of seven swing states to capture the White House: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Democrats — who defied conventional political wisdom in 2022 by retaining their Senate majority and minimizing major losses in the House despite losing control of the lower chamber — are working hard to reelect Biden as he continues to face voter unease over the economy and pushback over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Republicans believe Biden will be a liability for Democrats. However, the GOP's stewardship of the House has not exactly worked out how they had hoped. They elected a speaker (Kevin McCarthy of California) who was subsequently removed and have struggled to enact an agenda under a new speaker (Mike Johnson of Louisiana) with a razor-thin majority. The series of events created a "chaos" narrative around the party, which doesn't help at the top of the ticket.

The GOP must also contend with the toxicity of Trump's political brand among a sizable contingent of voters, especially among suburbanites and Independents who are likely to decide the election.

One major issue that has continued to weigh down Republican candidates is abortion rights, especially as voters in an array of states have rejected several anti-abortion measures following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Democrats have won big in urban and suburban districts over the issue — from congressional races to local elections — and they've even made inroads in some GOP-leaning areas where blocs of Republicans support some form of abortion rights. 

Trump has been eager to take credit for installing three conservative justices on the Supreme Court, and in April 2024 he stated that abortion was now an issue to be determined in the states, frustrating many conservatives who have sought a national abortion ban.

It's now set to be a defining issue of the 2024 race, especially in the battleground states.

Arizona

2012 margin: Romney +9.0%

2016 margin: Trump +3.5%

2020 margin: Biden +0.3%

Between 1952 and 2016, Arizona backed the Republican presidential nominee in every election except for 1996 — when then-President Bill Clinton won the state over former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole by a little over 2 points.

Long associated with Barry Goldwater, the conservative political icon who was the Republican presidential nominee in 1964, the Grand Canyon State for decades had a decidedly red lean in federal races.

But as the population of Arizona has swelled, its political orientation has also shifted.

In 2012, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney easily won the state over then-President Barack Obama, but former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton whittled the GOP margin of victory down to just under 4 points in 2016.

Biden, buoyed by gains among the state's burgeoning Latino population, narrowly won the state over Trump in 2020 by a little under 11,000 votes out of nearly 3.4 million ballots.

Democrats remain encouraged by their performance in Arizona in the 2022 midterms.

Not only did Secretary of State Katie Hobbs defeat MAGA-infused Kari Lake in the gubernatorial race, but Sen. Mark Kelly won a full six-year term over Republican Blake Masters. Adrian Fontes was also elected to succeed Hobbs over state Rep. Mark Finchem, who repeatedly questioned the 2020 presidential election results.

Biden must recreate a win in a state where Republicans have long been the dominant party. And Lake is now running in the state's marquee Senate race, where she's poised to face Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego should both candidates win their respective party primaries in August.

Georgia

2012 margin: Romney +7.8%

2016 margin: Trump +5.1%

2020 margin: Biden +0.2%

For decades, Republicans could easily depend on the Peach State's electoral votes falling into their column. No more.

While GOP politicians were enjoying double-digit wins in statewide races, former Democratic state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams — who saw the possibility of a more politically-competitive Georgia — worked behind the scenes to build a turnout organization that could rival that of the Republican Party.

In 2018, Abrams came within 55,000 votes of winning that year's gubernatorial election.

Two years later, Biden won the state by roughly 12,000 votes over Trump, followed by the dual 2021 runoff victories of Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff over Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively.

The exponential growth of the Atlanta suburbs, driven by new Black, Asian, and Latino residents, has given the state a purple veneer — but the 2022 midterms also showed the limitations of Democratic gains.

Warnock won a full six-year term in a December runoff after fending off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker, becoming the only Democrat to win statewide in the midterms. But Walker, aided by robust support in the state's rural counties, still won 48.6% of the vote in the runoff, despite a candidacy that some Republicans saw as deeply flawed.

And Republicans were victorious in every other statewide election, led by Gov. Brian Kemp, who defeated Abrams in a rematch of their 2018 contest by nearly 300,000 votes.

This year, both Biden and Trump are fighting hard to capture the state's 16 electoral votes: Biden is focused heavily on turning out Black voters and suburban voters in metro Atlanta, while Trump is looking to boost his support in the state's rural stretches.

Translation: Georgia will continue to be on everyone's mind this year.

Michigan

2012 margin: Obama +9.5%

2016 margin: Trump +0.2%

2020 margin: Biden +2.8%

Michigan has long been a critical part of the electoral calculus for Democrats, as they carried the state in every presidential race from 1992 to 2012 by appealing to voters in Detroit and its middle- and upper-middle-class suburbs, while also enjoying support among union households and moderates in the exurban and rural stretches of the state.

But the party was stunned by Trump's narrow 2016 win in the longtime blue state, as the Republican made significant inroads with the base of white working-class voters who had been slowly drifting away from Democrats cycle after cycle.

In 2020, the party put a premium on flipping the Wolverine State back into its column, which Biden did, winning by nearly 3 points over Trump.

And in November, Democrats in the state boasted some of their party's most impressive victories in the entire country.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won reelection by nearly 11 points, while state Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson easily won their races. The party also flipped control of both houses of the Michigan legislature, and a referendum enshrining reproductive rights into the state Constitution was approved by voters.

Still, despite the Democratic wins, the state's 15 electoral votes will be a sought-after prize for both parties in 2024.

A major caveat: Biden continues to face enormous pushback from the state's Arab American community over his handling of the conflict in Gaza, which led more than 100,000 Michiganders to vote "uncommitted" instead of selecting the president in the March Democratic primary.

Nevada

2012 margin: Obama +6.7%

2016 margin: Clinton +2.4%

2020 margin: Biden +2.4%

Democrats have been victorious on the presidential level in the Silver State since 2008, when Obama won by nearly 13 points, followed by his victory of nearly 7 points in 2012.

But Clinton and Biden both won the state by a little over 2 points, as Republicans have seen the fast-growing Western state as one that can be flipped into their column, especially if they can make inroads in Democratic-heavy Clark County.

In the 2022 midterms, Republicans got a huge boost in the state when their gubernatorial nominee, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak.

But Democrats also notched a major win by reelecting Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto to a second term over former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who had been strongly backed by Trump. And after state Democrats approved congressional maps that some in the party saw as especially risky in a GOP wave year, all three of the party's House incumbents — Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee — won their respective races.

The ticket-splitting in the midterms once again showed the critical nature of Nevada in national politics. Both Biden and Trump are looking to win the state in 2024, especially as the economy remains at the forefront of voters' minds.

North Carolina

2012 margin: Romney +2.04%

2016 margin: Trump +3.7%

2020 margin: Trump +1.3%

Since 1980, Republican presidential nominees have won North Carolina in virtually every election, with the exception being Obama's razor-thin 2008 victory over then-Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain.

And no presidential candidate has secured a majority of the vote in North Carolina since Romney won 50.4% of the vote in 2012, making this once solidly-red presidential state a real battleground.

The Biden campaign is focusing heavily on North Carolina this year, given the close nature of the results in 2020, as well as the fact that Democrats see the state as one where they can appeal to its suburban electorate — a critical part of the president's coalition four years ago.

However, the GOP is banking on Trump's popularity in the state's rural regions, which could sway the statewide tally in the former president's favor if he's able to effectively turn out his supporters.

And in the midst of the presidential race is the highly-competitive gubernatorial contest between Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, two well-known statewide figures who are angling to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Pennsylvania

2012 margin: Obama +5.4%

2016 margin: Trump +0.7%

2020 margin: Biden +1.2%

Biden's hometown of Scranton is dear to his heart so Pennsylvania was always going to be a key state for the party in 2024.

Democrats carried Pennsylvania in every presidential race from 1992 to 2012, until Trump narrowly edged out Clinton in 2016, gaining support among the white working-class voters who populate the exurban and rural communities across the state.

But Biden clawed back in 2020, boosted by strong returns in Philadelphia and its affluent suburbs, as well as a robust vote in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh.

And in 2022, Democrats had a huge year in the state, electing Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to the Senate to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Pat Toomey, while also electing state Attorney General Josh Shapiro in a landslide to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The party also regained control the state House of Representatives, winning back a majority they lost in the 2010 midterms.

Despite the GOP losses, the party — keen on winning back some suburban voters and improving their margins in the state's rural outposts — will again make a major play for Pennsylvania this fall.

Wisconsin

2012 margin: Obama +6.9%

2016 margin: Trump +0.8%

2020 margin: Biden +0.6%

Wisconsin is one of the most politically-divided states in the country.

Democratic presidential nominees Al Gore and John Kerry eked out statewide wins in 2000 and 2004, respectively, and Obama won the state easily in 2008 and 2012.

But Trump flipped Wisconsin to the GOP in 2016, the first time it had supported a Republican presidential nominee since 1984.

Democrats, stunned by the loss, regrouped and elected Tony Evers as governor in 2018 — knocking out onetime GOP star Scott Walker — while also reelecting Sen. Tammy Baldwin to a second term.

Biden went on to narrowly win the state over Trump in 2020.

And in November 2022, Evers was reelected to a second term over Republican businessman Tim Michels, while GOP Sen. Ron Johnson narrowly defeated then-Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes to earn a third term in the upper chamber.

Both parties are eyeing the Badger State — and looking to turn out their respective bases — in what will be another competitive race on the presidential level.

• I tried on similar linen-blend dresses at Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap. 
• All the dresses were made of the same material but varied greatly in price.
• I liked the fit of the Gap dress but thought the Old Navy version provided the best value.

I've always been a fan of feminine fashion, and dresses are a staple in my wardrobe. Linen dresses are my go-to summer ensemble because of their versatility and lightweight, comfortable feel. With the warm weather officially here, I went on the search for some new staple pieces for my summer wardrobe.

I visited Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy — all owned and operated by parent company Gap Inc. — to try on similar linen-blend dresses and find the best overall value.

Gap Inc. is the largest specialty retailer in the US, with 2,554 company-operated stores worldwide. I figured that if that many people were shopping at Gap Inc. stores, they'd likely have a good selection of options to choose from.

I evaluated each brand and dress based on the quality of materials, garment construction, fit and comfort, sizing, in-store experience, and price.

Here's the full breakdown of my shopping experience at Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy.

I started my journey at Banana Republic.

When I think of Banana Republic, I think of well-made, timeless styles.

The retailer, which has over 400 stores worldwide, was created to bring customers a sense of everyday luxury. However, that's not exactly what I found while shopping at my local outlet.

I picked a white linen-blend dress from the rack.

I picked out a linen-blend midi dress from the rack and immediately noticed how high-quality the materials felt.

The fabric (55% linen, 45% rayon) was thick, and there were several layers of lining, which made me think the dress would likely last for multiple seasons without tarnishing.

I also loved the design of the dress, which featured a pleated bust with a straight neckline and hemline. Plus, it had pockets, which are always an exciting and convenient addition.

However, the $150 price tag made me wonder whether it was really worth the investment.

Once I put the dress on, I was let down by the fit and sizing.

I tried on an extra small (I'm five-foot-two and typically wear either an extra small or a small), and the dress swallowed my figure. The straps were much too long, leaving the bodice loose and sagging, and I had to stand on my toes to keep the hem from dragging on the floor.

Banana Republic does offer petite sizing, but I couldn't find any petite options in-store. Since the regular sizing seemed off, I was apprehensive about ordering anything online. Plus, I didn't think the dress was worth the $150 price.

Next, I went to Old Navy.

I frequented Old Navy growing up because of its affordable styles that cater to budget-conscious families — most items I saw were under $50.

The retailer opened its first store in 1994 and now has over 1,200 locations worldwide.

The midi dress I found at Old Navy was made of the same fabric as the Banana Republic version.

Sifting through the racks of Old Navy made me nostalgic, but I was doubtful of how the quality of materials would hold up against its sister stores, considering the price differences.

Turns out, the dress I tried on at Banana Republic had the exact same fabric makeup (55% linen, 45% rayon) as the fit-and-flare linen-blend midi dress I found at Old Navy. But the latter option was one-third of the price — $45 vs $150.

This dress was comfortable and complimented my frame well.

While trying the Old Navy dress on, I realized it did have less substantial lining than the Banana Republic version. The shape and cut of the dress, especially around the sweetheart neckline, felt a bit flimsy.

However, I liked the shape of this style more than that of my first try-on. It fit comfortably and complimented my frame well.

Finally, I took a trip to Gap.

I made my final stop at Gap, which has over 700 locations across North America and Asia, to try on a linen-blend midi dress.

I ended up liking a lot of pieces from Gap.

I've never thought of Gap clothing as "trendy," so I was surprised to find styles that replicated what I've seen influencers wearing on social media — trench coats, chic dresses, relaxed denim, and everyday basics.

I ended up picking up a handful of pieces to try on along with the dress. While I didn't take any of them home with me, I'd consider going back to browse again.

The final linen-blend midi dress I tried on was $98 and made of the same material (55% linen, 45% rayon) as the options I tried on at Banana Republic and Old Navy.

I loved how the Gap dress fit me.

The dress felt well constructed, and I loved the front seams that lined the bodice. It looked effortless and feminine, like something I'd pack in my suitcase for a summer trip to Europe.

However, the sizing, similar to Banana Republic, ran slightly large. In order to buy it, I'd need to shop this dress from the petite-sizing options online, as they weren't available in-store.

Overall, I thought the Old Navy dress provided the best value.

All the dresses I tried on were made from the same 55% linen and 45% rayon combination. However, they ranged in price from $45 to $150.

With this in mind, I thought the dress from Old Navy offered the best value. However, I liked the fit of the Gap version best.

• The IMF released a lengthy report this week warning of massive labor disruption from generative AI.
• Business Insider then asked OpenAI's ChatGPT to summarize the report and highlight key findings.
• GPT-4 concluded that AI presents "significant risks" and that policymakers must remain flexible.

The International Monetary Fund on Monday released a lengthy report this week warning of "profound concerns about massive labor disruptions and rising inequality" from the increased use of generative artificial intelligence.

In a densely worded 43-page note, lead author Fernanda Brollo and colleagues seek to provide analysis and guidance for policymakers preparing for AI's economic impact.

IMF fiscal affairs deputy director and report co-author Era Dabla-Norris told the Financial Times that a shift to a more AI-powered economy "could be painful for workers."

"You want to be able to cushion this costly transition and maintain social cohesion in societies," she said.

The authors also note that many corporate tax incentives already encourage the displacement of workers, even as many countries rely more on taxes on labor than they do on the taxation of capital.

In January, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva predicted that AI will affect roughly 40% of jobs worldwide, with the figure reaching up to 60% in advanced economies.

To get generative AI's interpretation of the report, we uploaded a PDF of the document to the GPT-4o model and used the following simple prompt:

Please summarize this note from the IMF and highlight the most significant takeaways.

Here's what ChatGPT said:

The IMF Staff Discussion Note titled "Broadening the Gains from Generative AI: The Role of Fiscal Policies" explores the significant potential and challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence (gen AI). Here are the most significant takeaways:

Key Points:

1. Potential of Gen AI:

• Gen AI can substantially boost productivity and transform public service delivery, enhancing sectors like healthcare, education, public procurement, and social transfers.
• It offers significant opportunities for both businesses and governments, including cost savings, new revenue streams, and improved public service efficiency.

2. Challenges and Risks:

• Unlike previous disruptive technologies, gen AI's rapid diffusion could cause massive labor disruptions, affecting both low- and high-skilled jobs.
• This technology may exacerbate income and wealth inequality, as it could lead to job losses in cognitive occupations and further reduce the labor share in national income.

3. Fiscal Policy Recommendations:

• Tax Policies:

  • Special taxes on AI to reduce investment speed are not recommended due to operational difficulties and potential harm to productivity growth.
  • Existing corporate tax incentives that favor rapid labor displacement should be reconsidered.
  • General capital income taxes, which have declined over decades, should be strengthened to protect the tax base and address rising wealth inequality.

• Social Protection Systems:

  • Social protection systems should be expanded to cushion the negative labor market effects of gen AI.
  • Policies should include more generous and portable unemployment insurance, wage insurance, and active labor market policies to help workers transition and adapt.
  • Education and training programs need to focus on lifelong learning and sector-based training to prepare workers for future jobs.

• Public Funding:

  • Public investment should focus on fundamental research, necessary infrastructure, and public sector applications of AI, particularly in education and healthcare.

4. Agile Policymaking:

• Policymakers should adopt an agile approach to handle both routine and highly disruptive scenarios brought by gen AI.
• Fiscal policies should steer AI innovation and deployment to maximize societal benefits while cushioning transition costs and preventing rising inequality.

5. Impact on Inequality:

• The note emphasizes the potential of gen AI to reinforce market power for dominant firms, leading to increased economic rents and more unequal distribution of capital income.
• Policies should aim to mitigate these effects by ensuring a more equitable distribution of the gains from AI.

Conclusion:

The note concludes that while generative AI holds the promise of transformative productivity gains, it also presents significant risks of labor market disruptions and increased inequality. Fiscal policies must be carefully designed to support social protection systems, reconsider corporate tax incentives, and strengthen capital income taxation to ensure a more equitable distribution of the benefits from AI advancements. Policymakers must remain flexible and prepared for both incremental and highly disruptive impacts of gen AI.

• Business Insider spoke with former Disney World employees about their favorite places to eat.
• One restaurant offers attraction views, and another is themed after a classic Disney film. 
• Both sit-down and quick-service locations can offer high-quality cuisine and service. 

Disney World vacations aren't cheap. A weeklong trip to the parks costs at least $6,000 for a family of four if they stay on the property.

If you're shelling out all that money, you want to ensure you're getting the best value — especially when it comes to the plentiful dining options in the parks.

Business Insider spoke with former Disney World employees about their favorite places to eat on the property.

Here's what they said.

Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom is a must-try

For former Magic Kingdom employee Kaitlyn Cahalen, Flame Tree Barbecue is the main Animal Kingdom restaurant she frequents.

She specifically praised the quick-service location's baked mac and cheese with pulled pork.

"I have tried a couple of other restaurants in Animal Kingdom, but I always go back to Flame Tree Barbecue for this dish," she said.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ has great options for picky eaters

If you're traveling to Disney World with picky eaters, Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios can be a lifesaver.

Kalyn Breisch, a former Disney College Program participant who worked at Epcot, told Business Insider that she can be picky. But she appreciates the lengthy list of sides on the menu.

"Roundup Rodeo is the perfect place to mix sides that you know you will like such as mac and cheese, but also be able to try ones like street corn."

Le Cellier offers an elevated in-park dining experience

Josie Maida Aguirre, former Disney World employee turned writer and content creator, enjoys the fancy vibes and higher-quality menu offerings at Le Cellier in the Canada Pavilion at Epcot.

"The food is incredible — always amazing," she said. "Steaks are great, and the desserts just cannot be missed."

Be Our Guest restaurant offers a themed atmosphere and high-quality cuisine

Although Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom is on the pricier side, Joyce Wingate Boyden, a former merchandise employee at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, is a big fan of the "Beauty and the Beast"-themed restaurant.

"The decor and theming is amazing, and it is so fun to feel like you're eating delicious food inside a movie set," she told BI. "The 'Grey Stuff' is delicious."

You can watch an attraction in action while eating at Pinocchio's Village Haus

Pinocchio's Village Haus gives diners a front-row view of the iconic Magic Kingdom ride It's a Small World.

Wingate Boyden recommended ordering one of the flatbread pizzas and sitting near a window to get the best view of guests boarding the attraction.

"It's fun to wave to them as they are floating by," she told BI

Casey's Corner is a go-to for comfort food and parade views

If you're looking for a quick-service meal at Magic Kingdom but don't want to spend too much money, Casey's Corner on Main Street is a solid pick.

"The corn dog nuggets and fries will never let you down, and if you're lucky, you might get a table outside and catch a glimpse of the parade," Breisch said.

Hollywood & Vine hosts a lively character breakfast

As far as character-dining opportunities go, Wingate Boyden recommended Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios.

"I love the buffet options and the character meet and greets," she told BI. "It's a special bonus to get pictures with favorite Disney characters while seated at a table."

The Hollywood Brown Derby offers one of the best salads on the property

When it comes to quality salad, The Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios does not disappoint.

"I love their Cobb Salad. First, because it's always delicious, and second because it reminds me of very happy memories of when my parents came to Disney World." Wingate Boyden said. "The decor and ambiance of the restaurant are beautiful and very enjoyable."

• North Korea and Russia signed a strategic partnership upgrade on Wednesday.
• The agreement includes mutual defense clauses and guidelines for political and trade ties.
• The US has accused North Korea of arming Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to North Korea in 24 years on Wednesday, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un saying the two nations have upgraded their partnership to "a new high of alliance."

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim made the comment during a joint news conference following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement.

While the full text of the agreement has not yet been released, it suggests a strengthening of the relationship between the two countries, both of which are seen as major threats to the US.

It also shows the deepening of Kim and Putin's war bromance, which this week also saw the Russian leader once again gift his North Korean counterpart a luxury car.

State-run Russian news agency TASS reported that North Korea returned the favor by gifting Putin several pieces of art depicting his likeness.

According to the news agency, the new agreement includes a clause requiring the countries to come to each other's aid in the event of aggression against either of them.

It also sets guidelines for deepening ties in "political, trade and investment, cultural, and humanitarian fields, as well as the security sphere," TASS reported, with Putin mentioning the possibility of "military-technical cooperation," according to Yonhap.

Ramon Pacheco Pardo, KF-VUB Korea Chair at the Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, told BI that the agreement is significant, but largely confirms what we already knew about North Korea and Russia's intentions to cooperate.

The aggression clause, however, is the exception, he said.

"North Korea is supporting Russia right now," he added, "but I think more significant is that now, at least in theory, Russia will have to support North Korea."

"Until now, we wouldn't have assumed this was going to be the case," he said.

The new document replaces a previous treaty of friendship and mutual assistance, TASS reported, as well as a 2000 treaty on bilateral ties, and the 2000 and 2001 Moscow and Pyongyang declarations.

Russia and North Korea have developed closer ties since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine, the US, and the UN have accused North Korea of giving Russia millions of shells and other weapons that have been used in the fighting in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Russia was trying "in desperation, to develop and to strengthen relations with countries that can provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression that it started against Ukraine."

US intelligence officials told NBC News that the Biden administration is concerned that Russia might help North Korea develop its first submarine capable of launching a nuclear-armed missile.

The White House did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

South Korean media reported that Russia was also helping Pyongyang's space program.

CNN noted that while Putin did not explicitly describe the new agreement as an alliance, he acknowledged that ties between North Korea and Russia have reached a "new level."

Kim maintains that the agreement is "peaceful and defensive," according to TASS.

• Elon Musk says he wants Tesla's humanoid robot to be considered a friend.
• Musk also joked that the company wanted to make the robot "good-looking."
• Musk discussed the robot's potential at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Elon Musk wants you to think of Tesla's Optimus robot as a friend.

Speaking at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Musk discussed Tesla's ambitions for its humanoid robot.

"I think people will start to regard their personal Optimus robot as sort of a friend," he said, likening it to characters from pop culture like Star Wars' robot R2-D2.

While he clarified that Tesla was not currently planning to make Optimus look like a person, Musk joked that the company wanted to make the robot "good-looking."

The Tesla CEO said the fully functional bots would be capable of performing a wide range of tasks, acting as a sort of personal assistant for a household.

"You can just ask it to walk your dog, take care of your house, babysit the kids, cook dinner, play the piano — so it's a generalized humanoid robot," he said.

He believes that each person will have their own robot and there will be others working in different industries, suggesting that robots could outnumber humans in the future.

Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Musk has touted Tesla's Optimus robots as one of the company's most valuable assets.

"I think Optimus will be more valuable than everything else combined," Musk said during a Tesla earnings call in April.

"Because if you've got a sentient humanoid robot that is able to navigate reality and do tasks at request, there is no meaningful limit to the size of the economy," he said.

Tesla may have already put the robots to work on the factory floor.

In a rundown of the company's achievements since 2018 on X, Tesla said it had deployed two Optimus robots "performing tasks in the factory autonomously."

Musk has remained optimistic that Optimus will begin shipping next year. However, he's also acknowledged that it was "impossible to make a precise prediction."

• Plenty of movies get unnecessary sequels — we're looking at you, "Speed" and "Pitch Perfect."
• Yet there are many films that never became franchises or got stopped halfway through.
• Here are 11 films we wish had quit while they were ahead and nine sequels we're still pining for.

After Pixar's latest film, "Inside Out 2," was released on June 14, it scored the best opening weekend at the box office since "Barbie" last summer, with a domestic opening of $155 million.

Whether or not you think we needed "Inside Out 2" is a different matter.

The first "Inside Out," which introduced audiences to a pre-teen named Riley and her emotions, was a huge hit that culminated in the film winning the Oscar for best animated feature in 2016. A sequel, therefore, was what Business Insider's Jason Guerrasio called "a pretty safe bet for success." But after a neatly wrapped up original story, perhaps audiences could have been content with imagining what the rest of Riley's life was like.

Hollywood is a fickle place. Sometimes, sequels are made that absolutely no one cares about, while box-office smashes never get the chance to continue their stories. Here are some of the worst sequels we've seen, and some sequels we're still waiting for.

After two "Fantastic Beasts" sequels, we can definitively say we did not need them, and we don't need two more.

Was anyone really clamoring for the story of Newt Scamander, the Wizarding World's first magizoologist, when the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie was released back in 2016?

Not really.

But it had been five years since the final "Harry Potter" film, and as anyone living in the 21st century knows, intellectual property is everything.

But when the sequel, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," was released in 2018, fans were treated to a confusing story in which it felt like dozens of characters were introduced for no reason, there was no real plot, and it ended with a twist that potentially could have upended years of beloved canon. It has a dismal 36% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a slightly less dismal audience score of 53%.

In the six years since "Grindelwald," things have only gotten more uncomfortable in the Wizarding World between Johnny Depp's myriad controversies, creator JK Rowling's comments that many deemed transphobic, and Ezra Miller's criminal troubles.

"The Secrets of Dumbledore" was released in April 2022 to little fanfare with a still-low Rotten Tomatoes score of 46% and the lowest box-office receipts in the franchise's history, according to Games Radar.

Do we truly need two more of these movies that are ostensibly about Newt, who ends up feeling like an afterthought in his own story? Probably not, which is why not even Warner Bros. will commit to a sequel.

Apparently, even Lionsgate knew the "Divergent" sequels were a bust — the studio didn't even bother to finish the franchise.

In the wake of the mega-success of "The Hunger Games" franchise, every other dystopian young-adult saga was turned into a movie series ("Maze Runner," "Ender's Game," "The Host," etc.), but the only one that came relatively close to replicating that success was "Divergent," which was released in 2014.

"Divergent" starred Shailene Woodley as Beatrice, aka Tris, a 16-year-old who lives in a society that is divided into five factions based on personality traits — but, gasp, Tris has multiple traits and is known as "divergent." Confused? Understandably so, which is perhaps why the first film barely made a cultural impact and has a low 41% on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, two more sequels were produced (2015's "Insurgent," which has a 28%, and 2016's "Allegiant," which has an 11%). As was the 2010s custom, the last book of the series was to be split into two movies, "Allegiant" and "Ascendant," but the reception of "Allegiant" was so poor that the conclusion of the franchise was canceled.

So, we ask: Did we really need "Insurgent" and "Allegiant" if there wasn't going to be a fourth and final film? The answer is no.

"Dirty Dancing" did not need a sequel.

"Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" isn't technically a sequel, more of a spin-off or re-telling, but still: Why?

"Dirty Dancing," while beloved and an inarguable classic, hasn't aged in the best way when you think about the weird age gap between Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze), nor is the abortion plotline necessary in any way … but it's from the '80s, and we cut it some slack because of the electric chemistry between Grey and Swayze and its lovable cheesiness.

"Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" was released 17 years later, in 2004, and didn't really add anything to the plot to make it less problematic. In fact, it made it weirder by moving the story to Cuba, which added some political and racial tension that "Dirty Dancing 2" is simply not equipped to handle, as Roger Ebert pointed out.

Movie studios: Not every classic needs a remake or a sequel. Please, let some sleeping dogs lie.

Alas, the studios didn't listen. A "Dirty Dancing" legacy sequel is set for 2025.

Neither did "Pitch Perfect," and it got two.

There's no logical reason for a story about one girl's experience joining her college's a cappella group to turn into a trilogy of absolutely wild films … besides money.

"Pitch Perfect," released in 2012, is a charming enough comedy that introduced audiences to Rebel Wilson, Ben Platt, Skylar Astin, and Anna Kendrick as a movie star. Also, that song with the cups. It was funny and told a complete story.

Then, it made six times its budget, according to Box Office Mojo, and suddenly this a cappella comedy became a franchise that had no real reason for existing — by "Pitch Perfect 3" in 2017, the crew wasn't even in college anymore, eliminating any reason they had for singing a cappella at all.

Fans had been clamoring for it, but "Space Jam: A New Legacy" made us all reconsider.

To my fellow '90s kids out there: I'm sorry to tell you, but the 1996 sports comedy classic "Space Jam" isn't a good movie. Our nostalgia and love of Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes has clouded our judgment and made us think that the 2021 sequel would be a good idea.

We should've known that we had a real problem on our hands when the internet lost its mind regarding the redesign of Lola Bunny. We were warned again when the characters of "A Clockwork Orange" were visible in the background of this movie co-starring LeBron James and a cartoon bunny.

But the true nail in the coffin came when we found out that the villain, played by Don Cheadle, was named Al G. Rhythm … get it?

"The Mummy" is a classic, and "The Mummy 2" has some nostalgia attached to it, but the third "Mummy" movie is an abomination.

As clothing brand Super Yaki rightfully says, "'The Mummy' (1999) is perfect." Its sequel, 'The Mummy Returns," released in 2001, has its flaws, but the whole gang reunites for another romp in 1930s Egypt and it's a good time.

Seven years later, Universal trotted out Brendan Fraser's Rick O'Connell yet again for the 2008 film "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," which inexplicably leaves Egypt behind, recasts the inimitable Rachel Weisz with Maria Bello (no shade, but #NotMyEvie), and focuses on their son, Alex.

Do not even get us started on the 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise. In a word: No.

"Sex and the City 2" almost ruined the legacy of the entire show.

"Sex and the City 2" manages to be boring, racially insensitive, and extremely long, all while being a tourism ad for Abu Dhabi.

Any "SATC" fan should be so grateful that "And Just Like That" was released in 2021 — even if Miranda's character was essentially ruined, at least it's better than how we left our gals in 2010.

There was no need for a "Snow White" sequel without Snow White, as evidenced by "The Huntsman: Winter's War."

"Snow White and the Huntsman" co-starred Kristen Stewart as the titular princess and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman. The 2012 film was a modest box-office hit and received middling reviews, but a sequel was still greenlit.

But when pictures emerged of Stewart and the film's married director Rupert Sanders engaging in some PDA in Us Weekly, both were axed from the 2016 sequel.

"They should've put me in that movie! It would've been better," Stewart told The Independent in 2019. "They didn't put me in that movie because I went through such a highly publicized scandal, and so they were like scared of touching that."

So, that's how we ended up with "The Huntsman: A Winter's War," a prequel/sequel to the "Snow White" film that essentially doesn't exist.

The less we speak of "Speed 2: Cruise Control," the better.

There is no need for a sequel to 1994's "Speed" without Keanu Reeves.

Sandra Bullock is a charming movie star, but even she cannot overcome the gaping hole left behind by Reeves, especially not when he was replaced by Jason Patric in the 1997 sequel, who tries his best but is just … not Keanu Reeves.

"Jaws" is a perfect movie, so it hurts that much more to talk about "Jaws 2," "Jaws 3D," and "Jaws: The Revenge."

When "Jaws" was released in June 1975, it created the idea of a summer blockbuster, and the world has never been the same.

So it makes sense that Universal would want to capitalize on the success of the shark-hunting phenomenon — but when it became clear that director Steven Spielberg would not be directing the film, plans should've been scrapped.

Instead, we got "Jaws 2," which Rotten Tomatoes pointed out "has no reason to exist," "Jaws 3D," which the site also said had "no evident reason to exist," and "Jaws: The Revenge," which features a roaring shark — yes, an undersea animal that roars. It also has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Was anyone really asking for five sequels to 2013's "The Purge"?

Somehow, the premise of "What would happen if all crime were legal for a night" has spawned a multi-film franchise — four sequels, to be exact, plus one TV show — and a complex mythology. And don't worry — a sixth film is on the way, according to ComicBook.com.

There are plenty of other horror films, some on this list, in fact, that haven't gotten sequels yet. We'd trade at least one "Purge" film for one of those other ones.

On the other hand, please keep making "Escape Room" sequels forever, à la "Halloween" or "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Maybe it's just us, but the 2019 horror film "Escape Room" and its 2021 sequel "Tournament of Champions" were both interesting, visually inventive films that we'd like to see more of.

Is "Escape Room" the most prestige horror franchise of our time? Not exactly, but there's something satisfying about people solving (or not solving) puzzles. As many on X (formerly known as Twitter) have said, "I'd give anything for an 'escape room 3' movie."

It's wild that we still have barely any "Crazy Rich Asians" sequel news.

"Crazy Rich Asians" was a phenomenon when it was released in 2018, making over $200 million worldwide. It was the first major Hollywood film to have a predominantly Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993; it made stars out of Gemma Chan, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, and Constance Wu; and it made us all want to travel to Singapore immediately.

The film is based on a trilogy of novels by Kevin Kwan — the next two books are "China Rich Girlfriend" and "Rich People Problems" — so where are the sequels? It's been six years — we want more Michelle Yeoh sternly playing mahjong.

In May 2022, Deadline reported that a spin-off focusing on Gemma Chan's character and her teased on-screen love interest, played by Harry Shum Jr., was in early development.

Two years later, Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, told Variety that now a sequel TV series is in the works. Put these characters on the big screen!

When Nicolas Cage said that "National Treasure 3" wasn't happening, hearts everywhere broke a little bit.

Has a movie ever made you feel more patriotic than 2004's "National Treasure" or its (lesser, but still entertaining) 2007 sequel, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets"? If you're a '90s or 2000s kid, the answer is no.

Cage plays treasure hunter/American history expert/cryptographer/stealer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin Gates. Already, you can tell it's a perfect movie.

While the first two were both financially successful, and the second film ends with a perfect tease for a third installment, "National Treasure 3" has been pushed back many times. Finally, in 2022, Cage told The Hollywood Reporter that a third movie was not happening.

He might want to check again, though. Director Jon Turteltaub said on a podcast in May 2024 that a script for a third movie is being written. "There's a very, very good writer writing it right now who tends to write really good movies. If the script comes out close to good, and you can see the finish line from where you are, we're making the movie," he said.

Yes, a Disney+ series was released with Justin Bartha reprising his role as Riley Poole in 2022, but it was not the same without Cage and Diane Kruger. It was canceled after one season, Entertainment Weekly reported.

We're still waiting for official confirmation of a "Happy Death Day 3."

"Happy Death Day" is another horror franchise we'd like to see continue for at least one more movie. Both the original 2017 film and its 2019 sequel, "Happy Death 2U," were critically and financially successful, and they focused on a genre that has been fascinating to Hollywood for decades: "One of Those Infinite Time-Loop Situations You Might Have Heard About."

Director Christopher Landon has said he's ready to go on a third film, "Happy Death Day to Us," but is just waiting for the studio to get on board.

"It's a trilogy. I've got to make the third one. Maybe after 'Freaky' we'll figure it out. Both of us really want to do it. So hopefully we'll figure it out," he told Entertainment Tonight in 2020.

If Disney is going to give "Frozen" multiple sequels, "Tangled" deserves one too, not just an animated TV series.

Fourteen years on from the original, it's extremely unlikely that we'd get a sequel to the 2010 Disney film "Tangled," which focuses on the classic story of Rapunzel escaping her tower, with the help of thief-with-a-heart-of-gold Flynn Rider (real name Eugene Fitzherbert).

But if "Frozen," which arguably told a more complete story than "Tangled" did, is getting multiple sequels, there's no reason that "Tangled" shouldn't have gotten one, too. We want to see more of Flynn and Rapunzel's adventures! The (charming) animated series may tide you over, but we want a real, big-budget sequel, too.

It's rude that every other superhero movie got a sequel except for "Sky High."

"Sky High," released in 2005, was many kids' first exposure to superhero movies, as it was a little more child-friendly than the dark story of Batman in "Batman Begins" and not as scary as the horror-tinged "Spider-Man 2."

Instead "Sky High" told the story of Will Stronghold, the son of two iconic superheroes, who might have to contend with the fact that he's "only" a sidekick while attending a high school just for kids with superpowers.

If you've seen the movie — spoiler alert! — you know that Will comes into his own and gains the powers of both of his parents and even gets the girl by the end. But then what? Now that Will's a bona-fide superhero, what's his life like?

According to Gizmodo, there was a possibility of the film getting a college-set sequel, "Save U," but it never materialized, and we're still bitter about it.

Since we've all retroactively decided that Andrew Garfield was a perfect Spider-Man, where's "The Amazing Spider-Man 3"?

Unlike "Sky High," "The Amazing Spider-Man" did get a sequel: the extremely underwhelming "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," in 2014, two years after the original. And we thought that was that. Garfield, who went on to become a two-time Oscar nominee and Tony winner, and generally beloved movie star, moved on.

That all changed when Garfield, and OG Spidey Togey Maguire, were brought back for Tom Holland's third Spider-Man film, "Spider-Man: No Way Home." Arguably, Garfield gave the best performance in the film (we see you, Willem Dafoe fans, but we disagree), and fans began the campaign for "Amazing Spider-Man 3."

Sure, why not? Sony's clearly still looking for its universe's Spider-Man, and Garfield deserves another shot.

The creative forces behind "Edge of Tomorrow" promised us a sequel, but almost a decade later, we're still waiting.

At this point in Tom Cruise's career, this entry into his action-movie pantheon is underrated.

The 2014 sci-fi action film is another time-loop situation, this time with Cruise playing a public affairs officer in the US Army despite having no fighting experience whatsoever. Instead, he dies over and over again, reliving the same day, and picking up combat skills as he goes, along with the help of Emily Blunt's extremely capable Rita Vrataski.

In 2016, two years after its release, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie told Collider that the idea for a sequel was "locked and loaded," but he could "only say it's a going concern" without giving any details.

Ten years later, there has been no "Edge of Tomorrow 2," but there have been three more "Mission: Impossible" movies, and at least one more is on the way.

"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is the true seafaring adventure film from 2003 that deserved multiple sequels.

"Master and Commander" was released the same year as Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," in 2001. Clearly, only one became a giant franchise spawning multiple sequels … but we'd argue that perhaps it was the wrong one.

"Master and Commander" is based on the Aubrey–Maturin series of historical novels, with "Far Side of the World" taking elements from three of author Patrick O'Brian's series. Russell Crowe reunited with his "A Beautiful Mind" costar Paul Bettany, and they played Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin.

While it's not as "fun" as a classic pirate tale, "Master and Commander" is an entertaining and truly breathtaking spectacle. There are 20 Aubrey—Maturin novels in total — it's time to either reboot the series with a new cast or bring back Crowe and Bettany for a second installment on the high seas.