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Stay Curious.
Make the most of your college experience.
Jeff Hulett
Curator, The Curiosity Vine
Stay Curious.
The Curiosity Vine is an idea incubator.
Our contributors have experience and interest in a variety of high-impact topics, such as science, technology, conservation, mathematics, data science, public policy, economics, and others. Our objective is to promote early-stage ideas, enable idea collaboration, and test idea purchase.
TCV platform is curated by Jeff Hulett.
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TCV's ideas are used to provide seminars, write books, build businesses, and especially to help people.
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Featured Posts
America's Mega Forces - Making the most in a time of change
In recent years, the United States has seen a significant intensification of immigration enforcement. According to data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There are a couple mega forces uniquely playing out in the United States. What are they and how do we adapt?
Do I need to be a data scientist in an AI-enabled world?
So, the short answer to the headline question is no, absolutely not...
Money, Math, and Mistakes: Training Sophisticated Neural Networks for the Realities of Banking
Introduction: Bridging the Gap at JMU This narrative is based on a program designed for undergraduate students in the James Madison University Business Analytics program. As you begin your journey into the world of data science, it is easy to focus entirely on the "how"—the code, the math, and the algorithms. However, in the world of banking, the "why" and the "where" are just as important. This session is intended to provide you with the professional context for how neural n
Beyond the Resumé: Decoding the Biological Signals of Leadership Success and Burnout
This article explores my leadership story through the lens of neurobiology. At the time, I was a young leader in my 30s. I lacked the vocabulary to describe my own neurodiversity, but I was acutely aware of my "differentness." I was fortunate to navigate those internal challenges in a way that eventually empowered my amazing teams and fueled our collective success. I offer these insights to help you connect your own unique neurobiology to your work environment; we all possess
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Mortgage Rates Update: January 22nd, 2026
The mortgage market for the week ending January 22, 2026, demonstrated a notable divergence between primary mortgage rates and secondary market yields. As an experienced economist, I find this week's data particularly revealing regarding lender sentiment and risk positioning. While the 30-year fixed mortgage rate experienced a modest increase of 3 basis points to settle at 6.09 percent, the underlying 10 Year Treasury rate surged by a more significant 9 basis points to 4.26 p
Bill Knudson
5 days ago1 min read
Treasury Rates Update: January 22nd, 2026
As we approach the critical Federal Reserve meeting on January 28th, the Treasury market has signaled a decisive shift. This past week, we observed a broad-based move higher in yields, suggesting that the market is recalibrating for a potentially more hawkish path than previously anticipated. The 10-year Treasury rate surged by 9 basis points (bp) over the last seven days. This brings the cumulative two-week increase to 11bp, effectively reversing the softening we saw in mid-
Bill Knudson
5 days ago1 min read
Treasury Rates Update: January 15th, 2026
The U.S. Treasury market showed signs of a tactical shift this week as the yield curve flattened slightly. While the headline 10-year rate appears stable, the internal dynamics of the market suggest investors are recalibrating their expectations for both short-term policy and long-term growth as we approach the next Federal Reserve meeting. The 10-year Treasury rate edged down by 1 basis point (bp) for the week, matching its cumulative 1bp decline over the past 14 days. Despi
Bill Knudson
Jan 171 min read
Mortgage Rates Update: January 15th, 2026
The mortgage market experienced a significant move toward improved affordability during the week ending January 15, 2026. As an economist who closely tracks market volatility, I find the latest data particularly encouraging because mortgage rates outpaced the downward movement of benchmark Treasury yields. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped by 10 basis points to settle at 6.06 percent. During the same period, the 10 Year Treasury rate saw a more modest decline of 2 basis
Bill Knudson
Jan 161 min read
Treasury Rates Update: January 8, 2026
Entering the first full week of 2026, the Treasury market is exhibiting a steady, albeit cautious, temperament as it digests the transition into the new year. We are observing a yield curve that continues to pivot into a more positive position, characterized by softening at the very short end and a marginal drift higher in longer-dated maturities. The 10-year Treasury rate concluded the week up a nominal 1 basis point (bp), mirroring its cumulative 1bp increase over the past
Bill Knudson
Jan 91 min read
Mortgage Rates Update: January 8th, 2026
As we open the first full week of 2026, the mortgage market has exhibited a remarkable degree of stability, characterized by a parallel shift in both primary and secondary market yields. For the week ending January 8, 2026, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased by a marginal 1 basis point to settle at 6.16 percent. This incremental move was mirrored precisely by the 10 Year Treasury rate, which also rose by 1 basis point to 4.19 percent. In my experience, such synchronize
Bill Knudson
Jan 91 min read
Mortgage Rates Update: December 31st, 2025
As we close out the year, the mortgage market has provided a final bit of positive news for prospective homeowners and those looking to refinance. For the week ending December 31, 2025, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreased by 3 basis points, settling at 6.15 percent. This drop is particularly noteworthy because it occurred while the 10 Year Treasury rate actually rose by 3 basis points to 4.18 percent. From my perspective as an economist, this inverse movement is a stron
Bill Knudson
Jan 21 min read
Treasury Rates Update: December 31st, 2025
As we close out the final week of 2025, the U.S. Treasury market has provided a clear signal of continued yield curve normalization. In what is typically a quiet holiday period, we observed a deliberate pivot in the curve toward a more positive position. This week’s activity was characterized by a modest rise in longer-term rates and a marginal decline in short-term yields, further easing the inversion that has dominated the landscape. The 10 Year Treasury rate concluded the
Bill Knudson
Jan 21 min read
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