Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Gift Card Scams Generate Billions for Fraudsters and Industry as Regulators Fail to Protect Consumers − How One Fell into the ‘Fear Bubble’
Remarkable detail of how a gift card scammer successfully worked a mark, even with a bank and police trying to intervene.
2:00PM Water Cooler 8/22/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; Shots fired, as Biden consigliere Anita Dunn lets loose on her way out; Coach, coach, coach! ; Trump steps outside the bulletproof glass to check on a fainting crowd member; On euphemisms. ~
The Death of the Engineer CEO: Evidence that Short-Termism and Financialization Had Become Ascendant
A look at how some turning points in the history of Corporate America, such as CEO changes of guard, explain how America hollowed itself out.
Patient Underwent One Surgery but Was Billed for Two. Even After Being Sued, She Refused To Pay
A patient stares down a fabricated surgery charge. But what does it say about the prevalence of billing fraud that this matter went to court?
The DNC Fiddles While the World Burns
The party convention demonstrates how dangerously disconnected the DNC is about our disastrous strategies in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Who Invented Syntax?
So how did language, and specifically syntax, develop?
2:00PM Water Cooler 8/21/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, pandemics; Democrat National Convention vignettes ; Sabato moves North Carolina to toss-up from Republican; new Boeing 777X and 787debacles; Covid, anosmia, and loss of executive function ~
“No One Has a Right to Limited Liability”
Limited liability has come to cover for not just incompetent but also criminal conduct. But what to do?
Kamala’s National Security Adviser Points to Continuation of Biden’s Russia Policy
The favorite to succeed Jake Sullivan is a diehard Russophobe who is critical of Germany for not launching Taurus missiles at Russia.
Can Plastic Waste Be Transformed Into Food for Humans?
Using bacteria to take a bite out of plastic pollution is not new. But can the same microbes be used as a food source?
State Greenlights NYC Evicting More Migrant Families From Shelters
Migrants in facilities overseen by the city Department of Homeless Services will start receiving notices they must leave after 60 days
2:00PM Water Cooler 8/20/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, Syndemics; Democrat National Convention vignettes; Highest Covid wave in two years; Stupid money and blood money ~
