The 180 Pulse
With thought-provoking articles covering varied domains, 180DC SRCC aims to create student leaders through a holistic learning experience.
Read to take a deep dive into looking at world issues from the eyes of a consultant.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Pay Later, Pay More? The Hidden Costs and Risks of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Services
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has reshaped online shopping by making purchases feel lighter through small “interest-free” instalments. This reduces the immediate pain of paying and encourages impulse spending, especially among younger consumers influenced by peers and social media.
For many with irregular incomes, BNPL offers short-term flexibility, but often at a long-term price. Hidden fees, penalties for missed deadlines, and confusing terms can quietly turn convenience into debt. With inconsistent credit reporting and limited regulation, users may unknowingly harm their credit health.
BNPL isn’t inherently bad, but it demands caution. Before clicking “Pay Later”, pause and ask yourself: Do I truly need it and can I manage the instalments that follow? Read this article by Ridhima Dugar to discover the full story.
The AI Bubble: Why $2.8 Trillion in Spending Can’t Find a Profit
The AI boom raises a natural question: why has investment exploded so far ahead of real returns? Trillions are being poured into data centres and chips, yet revenue growth remains limited and most enterprise pilots fail to scale. This creates uncertainty about whether the moment reflects true technological progress or another speculative cycle similar to the late-1990s telecom overbuild.
Financial institutions now warn that valuations look overstretched and productivity gains remain modest. The conclusion that emerges is clear: only disciplined capital allocation, careful use-case selection, strong governance, and staged execution can convert AI’s potential into sustainable value.
Find out in Aviral Kapoor’s article how disciplined strategy, not speculation, will define AI’s real winners.
What if the real cost of convenience isn’t just financial, but societal?
What if the real cost of convenience isn’t just financial, but societal?
In a world where groceries arrive in 10 minutes, our patience is shrinking, and our expectations are skyrocketing. Platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart promise time saved, but at what cost?
This article explores the deeper implications of India’s ultrafast delivery model, ranging from environmental degradation and worker exploitation to unsustainable business practices and the gradual disappearance of local shops. Backed by hard numbers and real-world evidence, it challenges the assumption that faster is always better and asks whether our pursuit of convenience is rewiring the way we live, consume, and connect.
Find out in Kevika’s article whether it is time to slow down and rethink what “convenient” really means?
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DevOps: A Practice to Efficiency
DevOps and cloud computing are a dream team. Cloud’s on-demand resources and automation fuel DevOps’ agile software delivery. This dynamic duo streamlines processes, boosts development speed, and optimizes resource allocation. By embracing both, businesses unlock innovation and gain a competitive advantage. The future of DevOps is bright, with a projected market size of $25.5 billion by 2028. As cyber threats evolve, DevSecOps, which integrates security into the DevOps lifecycle, is gaining traction. Check out Aadi Jain’s article as he delves into the intricacies of DevOps.
Generative AI in the Workplace
Generative AI is expected to enhance the world economy by $4.4 trillion annually, according to McKinsey. However, ascent creates duality. Over the next ten years, Goldman Sachs predicts a 1.5% increase in productivity and a 7% increase in the GDP. On the other hand, by 2030 the ILO expects 12 million employment shifts, mostly in food, office, production, and customer service roles. the pattern? adaptation via upgrading one’s skills. Resounding effects of a revolutionary workplace are Accenture, Axios, and Gartner. However, moral conundrums, data privacy, and profound weaknesses in fakes loom, necessitating strict governance systems.”
Read more to find out Shreyansh Krishna’s take on the future of Gen AI in the workplace.
Use of Data Analytics in Sports
In a world where victory is often decided by the narrowest of margins, data has emerged as the ultimate weapon in the arsenal of athletes, coaches, and teams alike.
From tracking player movements to analyzing opponent tendencies, sports analytics is transforming the way the game is played and understood.
In this comprehensive article, we delve into the fascinating realm of sports analytics, exploring its impact on everything from player performance to team strategy.
Discover how data is being used to gain a competitive edge, and learn about the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of sports.
ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY
Has Sustainable Financing Stopped Going Green Under Trump?
The debate around sustainable financing took a sharp turn during the Trump administration as environmental priorities clashed with a renewed focus on traditional industries.
Many investors questioned whether green finance had lost its momentum as federal policies shifted towards deregulation, fossil fuel expansion and reduced climate oversight. Yet sustainable financing did not disappear.
Instead, it adapted by relying more heavily on market forces, shareholder activism and global commitments outside the federal sphere. While the pace slowed in some sectors, the broader transition towards responsible investment continued to gain strength, driven largely by long term risk assessments and investor expectations.
Read this article by Feuli Badoni to discover the full story.
How Shifting Immigration Policies Are Redrawing America’s Economic Future?
For centuries, the “American Dream”, fueled by immigrant labor and innovation was the bedrock of U.S. economic growth.
Now, a seismic policy shift is underway. With calls to “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), policies like stricter border enforcement and a proposed $100,000 fee for the crucial H-1B skilled visa are fundamentally challenging this history.
But at what cost? While proponents argue these restrictions protect American jobs, the truth is more complex. Is the U.S. sacrificing the younger workforce it desperately needs to support a rapidly ageing population? With sectors like healthcare heavily relying on foreign talent, will these changes lead to crippling labour shortages and stunt innovation?
Find out in Kabir’s article and discover the entire story.
The Shadow Economy: Unmasking the Global Mechanics of Money Laundering
Money laundering is often seen as a distant, sophisticated crime, but it silently shapes global finance, fuels terrorism, and distorts economies. From shell companies and crypto wallets to false invoicing and deepfake identities, the methods have become smarter, faster, and harder to trace.
Despite strong laws and global frameworks, only a tiny fraction of illicit flows are ever detected. Regulatory gaps, weak data systems, and cross-border loopholes keep the shadow economy alive.
Money laundering isn’t just a financial crime; it’s a threat to governance, stability, and everyday economic fairness. Explore the full analysis in Madhav’s article.
Philosophy and Psychology
The Halo and Horn Effects: How One Trait Shapes Our Judgments
Our initial impressions often hold more power than we realise. A firm handshake, articulate speech, or a confident introduction can lead us to overestimate a person’s abilities. Conversely, a single misstep may unfairly overshadow their true potential. These cognitive shortcuts, known as the Halo and Horn effects, deeply influence our decisions in workplaces, classrooms, and even the marketplace.
Such biases can result in unfair hiring, skewed evaluations, and poor consumer choices. But with greater awareness and structured methods like blind assessments, rotational reviews, and self-reflection, we can reduce their impact and make more objective, evidence-based judgments.
In this piece, Chinmay Chirag explores how one trait can shape our entire perception of a person and shares clear, actionable ways to overcome these hidden biases in high-stakes environments.
The Paradox of Choice: Does More Freedom Make Us Less Happy?
The Paradox of Choice: Is Too Much Freedom Making Us Unhappy?
We live in a world overflowing with options: internships, career paths, products, even identities. While this abundance promises freedom, it often leads to decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the Paradox of Choice: when having too many options makes us less happy, not more.
But what if the answer lies in thinking like a consultant? By using structured tools, frameworks and constraints, we can cut through the noise, make better choices and feel more confident.
Check out Aditya Duggal’s article as he delves deep into the Paradox of Choice and explores how applying consulting principles to everyday life can help navigate complexity and bring clarity.
Psycho-Strategists: Navigating Corporate Success through Consulting Psychology
Combining psychology and strategic thinking, a new breed of consultants is emerging: the psycho-strategists. These experts help organizations address challenges by understanding the psychological dynamics at play. They design interventions to improve employee well-being, manage talent effectively, and navigate change with greater ease. By leveraging psychological insights, psycho-strategists are shaping the future of organizational consulting.
Check out Sara Maheshwari’s article as she delves into the intricacies of Consulting Psychology.