Fifty years ago the actions of the Fed mattered. Today, as far the aggregate measures of America’s domestic economy go, they do not.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Bluesky: Exit, Voice, and Platform Loyalty
On some of the subtler forms of Bluesky censorship.
2:00PM Water Cooler 1/15/2025
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; Warren v. Hegseth, Ernst v. Hegseth; Biden-installed roadblocks to Schedule F; Democrat leadership crisis; RedNote’s cat tax ~
A Forgotten Farming Technique Is Making a Big Comeback – Here’s Why
How a traditional farming method, trap crops, is coming back into fashion as climate change works to the advantage of many pests.
Make America Healthy Again: Is MAHA a Trope or a Movement?
A look at MAHA’s recommendations, per the Casey Means book Good Energy, and why they are an affluent-focused, neoliberal prescription.
U.S. Sanctions on China’s Oil Firms Are Just the Beginning Under Trump
A discussion of some moves Trump is expected to take to try to contain China, starting with energy and avoiding use of the dollar.
Trump’s HUD Secretary and Our Reverse Robin Hood Housing System
A Trump-Turner housing agenda appears destined to continue the worst aspects of the US approach to affordable housing.
2:00PM Water Cooler 1/14/2025
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, Syndemics; Trump transition confirmation process; DOGE as procurement capture?; Tiktok users flee to RedNote; Boeing delivery woes ~
Wanting More for BRICS Than BRICS Wants for Itself
More realistic takes on BRICS, including by Michael Hudson.
Even in Switzerland’s Direct Democracy, There Is Little Room for Public Choice on Digital Identity
After two-thirds of Swiss voters rejected the government’s proposed e-ID system in 2021, a slightly revamped “Digital Passport Act (E-ID Act)” is back on the political agenda
Is Capitalism Falling Out of Favor? We Analyzed 400,000 News Stories to Find Out
On the fundamental flaws in a study meant to assess the popularity, or lack thereof, of capitalism in the US.
America’s Infrastructure Crisis: Covid’s Role in a Ticking Time Bomb
How falling levels of infrastructure maintenance are somewhat, perhaps significantly, due to Covid deaths and disability.
2:00PM Water Cooler 1/13/2025
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; Trump transition: Gabbard, Hegseth; “That’s quite an act. What do you call it?” LA fires; Tintin now in the public domain ~
