More realistic takes on BRICS, including by Michael Hudson.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
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 ~
Russia’s Difficult Ukraine End Game Choices and the Issue of “Imposing Terms”
Why Russia’s seeming high class problem of being able to secure a military victory in Ukraine really is a problem.
Musk, Meloni, and the AfD: Trump’s Plan for Reorganizing EU Vassals Comes into Focus
Meloni offers vassalage to the US under faux nationalist packaging. Musk’s support of the Alternative for Germany shows it might be prepared to do the same.
Rebuilding Rate for Santa Cruz Mountains Lightning Complex Fire Bodes Ill for Los Angeles Reconstruction, Even Before Getting to Insolvency of California State FAIR Plan Wildfire Insurance
The pace of rebuilding after the Santa Cruz Mountains wildfire in 2000 bodes ill for the likely speed of Los Angeles reconstruction.
The Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) Lacks Legal Structure and Promised Transparency
DOGE depends on Elon Musk’s charismatic authority. That’s a bad thing.
Health Care AI, Intended To Save Money, Turns Out To Require a Lot of Expensive Humans
Artificial intelligence systems require consistent monitoring and staffing to put in place and to keep them working well. In essence: You need people, and more machines, to make sure the new tools don’t mess up.
Weaponizing the US Dollar. Can It Work?
Michael Hudson refines and extends recent discussions on the future of the dollar, particularly under Trump, and finance-dominated capitalism
