Part the First: Unintended Side Effects of Vaccines. From Science-Based Medicine this week: Unintended Side Effects HPV and Shingles Vaccines—Reason for Concern. This headline is genius in its indirection: Emerging trends in the peer-reviewed scientific literature show new evidence of unintended effects of two popular vaccines—the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and shingles vaccines. Surprising findings […]
Friday, September 12, 2025
Are We Offloading Critical Thinking to AI Chatbots?
Research, much of it by companies with deep investment in AI, suggests that chatbot interactions alter how users think.
As US’ Case Against Venezuela Unravels, Trump Administration Escalates Its War Footing Anyway
The escalation, as we’ve argued, has nothing to do with the drugs trade and everything to do with Venezuela’s huge deposits of oil, gas, gold and other minerals.
“Inflaming Tensions, Trump Threatens Political Left With Retribution Over Killing of Charlie Kirk”
Conservatives are baying for ritual sacrificies on the “radical left” over the murder of Charlie Kirk. How far will the blood lust go?
America’s Grid is Nearing Its Breaking Point
In another testament to lack of managerial competence, worries about US grid stabilty rise in the face of AI demand, yet little is being done
If There Is No Welfare State, What Will Europe’s Social Contract Be?
The welfare state is the underlying social contract that has kept Western European nation-states together since World War II. If it ends, as some politicians warn, what would replace it?
Milton Friedman: From Modern Monetary Theory to Monetarism
How Milton Friedman was an advocate of functional finance, the precursor to Monetary Monetary Theory before he wasn’t.
Major New Paper in Nature: Climate Change Increase; Intensity and Frequency of Heatwaves; 1/4 “Virtually Impossible” Otherwise; “Carbon Majors” Accounted for Half of Intensity Increase
A new paper in Nature analyzes extreme heatwaves, and not only identifies the human role but even particular perps.
Today’s Political Nihilism: NYC Mayor’s Race as a Case Study
How top Democrats’ posture towards NYC mayoral race leader Zohran Mamdani exemplifies the party’s nihilism.
Michael Hudson: Trump’s Economic War Against Europe, Korea and Japan
On the impact of Trump overplaying his hand with trade partners who aren’t all that dependent on the US.
Coffee Break: Silicon Valley Ideologies as a Lens for Viewing Current Events
Silicon Valley ideologies like transhumanism, effective altruism, and neoreaction drive the actions of billionaires like Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg.
MAHA Report Draws Fire as Critics Say Corporate Pressure Trumps Public Health
More proof that the Adminisration MAHA plans are all hat, no cattle, save for RFK, Jr. collecting licensing fees on the phrase.
