Reading up on politics
100 deep · digging since nov 19, 25
- The American People Really Hate Data Centers
American opposition to data centers is driven less by their physical impacts and more by distrust of AI, big tech, and elites, fueled by bandwagon effects and rising AI visibility.
- How Big Tech Captured American Schools
The article argues that Google and Microsoft have leveraged their financial resources, market power, and extensive reach to dominate every stage of the U.S. education supply chain.
- Trump’s Summer of Fun Ends With IndyCar Race on Streets of D.C.
Trump completed a lap in an IndyCar on Washington, D.C. streets, marking the final major event of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.
- The Parents Are MAGA. The Kids Are Liberal. Can YouTube Help?
The YouTube show “The Necessary Conversation” demonstrates how families with MAGA‑aligned parents and liberal‑leaning children confront and discuss their political differences in a public forum.
- After Six Years, Harry and Meghan Are Coming Home. What Changed?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to return to the UK after six years abroad, reversing his earlier statement that he could never imagine bringing his family back to Britain.
- U.S. Debt Hits $40 Trillion as America’s Borrowing Binge Continues
U.S. national debt surpasses $40 trillion due to war spending, tax cuts, and tariff refunds, undermining promises of fiscal restraint.
- Mayor Mamdani Wears a Bike Helmet. Finally.
Mayor Mamdani has begun wearing a bike helmet while cycling, responding to New Yorkers' repeated advice for him to adopt safer biking habits.
- Years of Trump Support Came Undone in 15 Minutes in an Airport.
An immigrant with no criminal record was detained at an airport after years of supporting Trump, showing a new airport‑based deportation tactic.
- How the Polls Got It So Wrong in Wisconsin
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong lost Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor despite recent double-digit poll leads, revealing significant polling inaccuracies in the race.
- A Catering Truck and a Decoy Plane: How Trump’s Great Escape Unfolded
Trump used a catering truck and decoy plane to evade potential Iranian threats during a covert movement, part of long-standing security measures against assassination risks.
- Justin Trudeau, Katy Perry and the Look of the Celebrity Statesman
The article examines how Justin Trudeau's relationship with Katy Perry reflects a broader trend of politicians adopting celebrity aesthetics to merge politics and entertainment.
- Abdul El-Sayed’s Winning New Political Uniform
Abdul El-Sayed’s adoption of a black T-shirt and jeans as a political uniform signals a deliberate shift toward relatable, anti-establishment aesthetics in modern campaigning.
- Using a Gun to Defend Yourself? The Right to Kill Is Growing.
State legislatures are expanding self-defense statutes to allow lethal force in more situations, reflecting a growing trend in American gun-rights advocacy.
- Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
The New York Times website provides breaking news, multimedia, reviews, and opinion on topics ranging from politics and business to sports, movies, travel, and real estate.
- Editor of Washington Post Opinion Section Resigns After 1 Year
Adam O’Neal resigned as Washington Post opinion editor after one year, saying he was tasked by Jeff Bezos to steer the section toward personal liberties and free markets.
- How 50,000 People Surged Into a Spanish Exclave in Africa
Tens of thousands of Moroccans stormed Spain's Ceuta enclave seeking entry, but most withdrew by Friday after encountering scarce resources and disappointment.
- Hegseth Wants a ‘High-T’ Military. Could That Pose Risks to Soldiers, or Society?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push for a high‑testosterone military raises concerns that elevated hormone levels could increase aggression among troops, endangering both soldiers and civilian society.
- Their Dads Are Pals Despite Political Differences. They See a Lesson in That.
Ellie Gottheimer and Larra Mullin argue that bipartisanship can be modeled after friendship, using a picture book where dogs cooperate despite their owners' political differences.
- House Approves Bill Limiting Stock Trades for Congress
The House passed a bipartisan bill that would ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, though Democrats withdrew support after Republicans added a voter ID provision.
- There’s Nothing Casual About Andy Burnham’s Casual Style
Andy Burnham’s seemingly casual wardrobe signals a deliberate shift toward relaxed yet polished attire influencing Westminster’s dress culture among politicians.
- Opinion | Code Is Free Speech. Seriously.
The article argues that code should be protected as free speech, asserting that meaningful AI regulation depends on recognizing this right.
- The Podcasting Tech Investor Now Busy Hyping Trump Accounts - WSJ
Brad Gerstner, hedge‑fund manager and podcaster, champions Trump Accounts for children while highlighting his firm Altimeter’s strong returns and his crossover between Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Washington.
- The Hard-Line Activists Ramping Up for the War With AI - WSJ
The piece details how hard‑line anti‑AI activists, spurred by Sam Kirchner’s disappearance, are escalating protests and fearing extinction, while linked violent acts surge across the U.S.
- China, Russia and Others Seek to Inflame Debate Over A.I. Data Centers
State-linked actors from China, Russia, and Iran are amplifying U.S. debates about AI data centers to exploit public concerns over the technology's impacts.
- Wikipedia Is Battling for the Soul of the Internet
Wikipedia faces existential threats from political polarization, AI-generated content, and foreign interference, with a former ambassador leading its defense.
- Readers Pick the Definitive Films That Capture America
A reader poll generated a diverse list of films that capture America, with “Idiocracy” and “The Godfather” receiving the most votes.
- Nearly a Million Investors Lost a Total of $3.8 Billion on Trump Crypto Coin
A cryptocurrency analytics report found nearly a million investors lost $3.8 billion on the Trump memecoin, with retail investors bearing most losses while savvy traders profited.
- Fireworks and Trump Speech Cap Independence Day Celebrations
Extreme heat and storms disrupted some Fourth of July events, but President Trump delivered a weather-delayed speech in Washington, D.C., followed by a large fireworks display.
- A Nation Unites for a Day of Grand 250th Celebrations
Americans across the political divide are celebrating the 250th anniversary with events from big-city festivals to backyard barbecues.
- What Is the Definitive Movie About America?
A collection of ten writers each nominate a different film they believe best captures the essence of America's hopes, dreams, heartbreak, and hilarity as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
- Trump Finds His Presidential Alter Ego, the ‘He-Man’ Teddy Roosevelt
President Trump compared himself to Theodore Roosevelt while touring the Roosevelt library, calling him a 'great he-man' and framing him as his alter ego.
- Crypto Brought Trump a Huge Windfall, Even as Many Investors Lost Big
President Trump and his family gained massive financial profits from a memecoin while many investors suffered significant losses.
- OpenAI proposes U.S. government own 5% stake to address political blowback
OpenAI proposed giving the U.S. government a 5% stake worth $42.6 billion to ease political pressure, with Sam Altman arguing it shares AI benefits publicly.
- A Mayor Is Taking Maternity Leave in Japan. Some Men Are Furious.
Japan's first mayoral maternity leave, taken by Shoko Kawata, sparks backlash from men who argue it sets a bad precedent for governance.
- Obama Says He Occupies a ‘Suite’ in Trump’s Head
Former President Barack Obama asserts that President Trump is obsessed with him and would not say 'crazy stuff' directly to his face.
- California Will Vote on a Billionaire Tax. Billionaires Aren’t Happy.
A proposed California tax on billionaires faces two opposing ballot measures funded by wealthy individuals, highlighting political tensions over inequality.
- No-One Escapes the Permanent Underclass
If AI replaces all human labor, a permanent underclass results; even the rich and state are eventually disempowered by autonomous machines, making human autonomy obsolete.
- Waymo Premier | Hacker News
Waymo's vulnerability to being blocked by hostile drivers and pedestrians, combined with SF's permissive enforcement, creates a security gap that no remote override can currently address.
- The Many Founders of the United States
The essay argues that Americans must embrace both the famous few and the unsung many who built the nation to forge an honest, unifying patriotism for the semiquincentennial.
- Barack Obama Has Strong Opinions About Cheeseburgers
The Obama Presidential Center's restaurants feature Obama-approved dishes like a cheeseburger with yellow mustard and sharp Cheddar, reflecting the former first family's food philosophy.
- What Changed After Almost Four Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.
Analysts say that after nearly four months of war, the primary threats from Iran remain unresolved, despite the conflict or any agreement.
- A New Air Force One, via Qatar, Nears Its First Presidential Flight
Qatar's gift of a new Boeing 747 for Air Force One, displayed by President Trump, sparked bipartisan criticism from lawmakers before its July 4 flyover.
- Opinion | My Teenage Sons Love U.F.C. Here’s What We Saw at the White House Cage Match.
The author reflects on taking teenage sons to the White House for a U.F.C. event, feeling conflicted about cultural exposure amidst political imagery.
- ‘Tone-Deaf’ to ‘Very Cool’: What Young Men Thought of Trump’s U.F.C. Fight
Trump's UFC appearance drew mixed reactions from young men, with some dismissing it as tone-deaf and others finding it cool, amid efforts to win back drifting voters.
- Why Waymo’s Driverless Taxis Won’t Be on Your Streets Anytime Soon
Waymo's nationwide expansion of driverless taxis is stalled by political opposition from labor unions and safety concerns in major markets like New York, Illinois, and Washington D.C.
- Trump Demanded Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender.’ He Got a Surprise Instead.
The US-Iran ceasefire deal falls short of Trump's 'unconditional surrender' demand, allowing Iran to resume oil sales and negotiate nuclear limits later.
- Anthropic Employees Accuse Trump Administration of Targeting Them
Anthropic employees accuse the Trump administration of unfairly targeting their company by restricting access to its latest AI models, despite having called for regulation.
- Sam Bankman-Fried’s Desperate Campaign to Get Free
Sam Bankman-Fried, serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, resists prison life by maintaining his innocence and mounting a campaign for a presidential pardon.
- Opinion | Trump’s Fight Night Was as Absurd as Promised
The opinion piece contends that Trump's fight night event was predictably absurd and degraded American dignity.
- The Look of Patriotism at Trump’s U.F.C. Fight
The Freedom 250 Flag Day UFC event featured athletes and Octagon Girls in red, white, and blue attire as a display of patriotism.
- British Forces Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker
British forces independently seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker for the first time, targeting vessels Russia uses to evade sanctions on fuel transport.
- Switzerland Rejects Measure to Cap Its Population at 10 Million
Switzerland voters rejected a referendum to cap the population at 10 million, a measure framed around limiting migration and sustainability.
- Rich Californians Are Finding Creative Ways to Get Ahead of the Billionaire Tax - WSJ
California's proposed billionaire tax is prompting wealthy residents to use charitable giving and vacation-home purchases to reduce their net worth and tax liability.
- Trump Administration Reignites Its Feud With Anthropic Over Latest A.I. Models
The Trump administration's surprise restrictions cut off foreign access to Anthropic's latest AI models, reigniting a feud and sparking finger pointing.
- Everyone Wants to Tax A.I. The Big Disagreement: How?
Bernie Sanders, Trump, and AI companies all support taxing AI but propose radically different methods for redistributing the wealth.
- Germany and Japan Are Rearming Again, 80 Years After World War II
Germany and Japan are rebuilding their militaries and deepening defense ties 80 years after WWII, citing shifting geopolitical pressures.
- Should Switzerland Cap Its Population at 10 Million? Voters Will Decide.
Switzerland's upcoming referendum will let voters decide on a constitutional amendment capping the population at 10 million to curb migration.
- 6 Takeaways From the Story of How the Epstein Files Paralyzed the White House
The White House faced internal paralysis as senior officials clashed in crisis meetings over President Trump's refusal to release Epstein-related documents.
- For a Second Time, Trump Muses About Americans Sharing in A.I. Wealth
Trump again mused that average Americans should share in the tech industry's AI wealth, reflecting a growing Washington debate about equitable distribution.
- Why the Supreme Court Is Debating Which Founding Fathers Were Drunks - WSJ
Because of originalism, the Supreme Court now debates historical trivia such as whether Founding Fathers were drunks to decide cases on gun rights and voting.
- Drones Stray Into Neighboring Countries as Russia and Ukraine Battle
Drones from both Russia and Ukraine veer off course into neighboring countries, endangering civilians and forcing them to seek shelter.
- After Months of War, Iranians Sink Into Disillusionment and Despair
Iran's imploding economy after months of war has created widespread hopelessness and disillusionment, even among those who desired regime change.
- A ‘Miraculous Transformation’: How Kim Jong-un Fortified North Korea
Kim Jong-un used the pandemic to tighten control over North Korea and later boosted its economy by exploiting Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Obama Center’s Two Sides: A Lovely Park and a Forbidding Tower
The $850 million Obama Presidential Center in Chicago combines a 19.3-acre community park with a 225-foot museum tower, aiming to transform the surrounding neighborhood.
- https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2062189195041321191/video/1 (via @elonmusk)
President Trump announces the DOJ's Model Cities Initiative to reduce violent crime and restore law and order in major U.S. cities.
- In Her Memoir, Jill Biden Is a Watchful Spouse Who Didn’t Always Speak Up
Jill Biden's memoir portrays an insular White House where loyalty was prized and President Biden's feelings were prioritized over health concerns.
- Trump Signs Executive Order Seeking Oversight of A.I. Models
Trump signed an executive order to oversee AI models, shifting from a hands-off approach amid debates on balancing control and innovation.
- U.S. Is Said to Be Investigating George Santos Over Kalshi Betting
Federal investigators are probing former Congressman George Santos for betting on his own State of the Union attendance through Kalshi.
- It’s a Bone of Contention: Mexico and Brazil Are Arguing Over Dogs
Brazil and a Mexican state both claim the caramel-colored street dog as a national or regional symbol, sparking a cultural dispute.
- Fringe to Mainstream: The Movement to Split Alberta From Canada Gets Its Moment
A separatist movement in Alberta has gained enough traction to schedule a provincial referendum on leaving Canada, though the outcome may deepen political divisions.
- Opinion | Make America Read Again
The reading crisis is real, but existing approaches—not new inventions—can solve it.
- The Billionaire Coding Genius Making the Tough Decisions at OpenAI - WSJ
OpenAI president Greg Brockman, worth ~$30B, now leads product over 1,500 staff, merging ChatGPT, Codex, and API into a super app.
- Bill Gates Spent Years Crafting His Image. Now It’s Cracking. - WSJ
Newly released Justice Department files and employee accounts reveal Bill Gates's decades-long association with Jeffrey Epstein, including multiple meetings, affairs, and attempts by his staff to control media narratives, leading to severed ties with Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, and international engagements.
- Opinion | What the Meat Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
The pork industry is pushing a 'Save Our Bacon' provision in the farm bill to block state laws banning gestation crates, overriding voter-approved animal welfare measures.
- An Afternoon in Brooklyn with Mayor Mamdani and a Bar Full of Arsenal Fans
Zohran Mamdani watches Arsenal at a Brooklyn pub, experiencing a brief return to normal life amid his political ascent.
- Jill Biden’s New Memoir Shows Off a Sharp Eye, if Not a Sharp Elbow
Jill Biden's memoir focuses on the logistical and emotional details of being first lady, with only mild criticism of Donald Trump.
- How to convert between wealth and income tax
Graham's attempt to equate a 1% wealth tax with a 20% income tax hike is widely rejected as misleading because it ignores that wealthy income comes from capital gains, not labor, and that the wealthy often pay little income tax.
- Why Peter Thiel Is Decamping to the End of the World
Peter Thiel is moving to Argentina due to concerns about the U.S. future and alignment with President Javier Milei's right-wing policies.
- Jill Biden’s Reaction to Biden’s 2024 Debate: ‘He’s Having a Stroke’
Jill Biden said she had never seen Joe Biden in that state before or since, recounting his 2024 debate performance.
- China Is Testing Its State Surveillance Model Abroad
China is testing its state surveillance model abroad in a remote Pacific village, sparking backlash from locals.
- Self-driving, Tesla and the influence of brand
Tesla's brand halo causes overestimation of its self-driving lead, but competitors offer comparable Level 2 systems and the brand declines due to Musk's politics and competition.
- The Vatican Takes on Silicon Valley
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence warns Silicon Valley about ethical risks, but its power to slow the AI race remains uncertain.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Picking Up Snakes. Is He Doing It Right?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrangled two nonvenomous snakes during a Florida visit, prompting experts to evaluate his snake-handling technique for safety and correctness.
- The $255 Beach Shade Dividing America’s Coastal Towns - WSJ
A beach-shade product called Shibumis has sparked a divide in coastal towns, with some residents loving their simplicity and safety while others push for bans.
- Kennedy’s Push to Curb Antidepressants Has Shaken Psychiatry
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for curbing antidepressants at a psychiatric meeting, sparking fears that patients will be driven away from care.
- Confusion and Worry After Abrupt Change to Green Card Process
A new Trump administration rule requiring green card applicants to be physically present in their native country has caused confusion and worry among immigrants and their advocates.
- What’s an Encyclical? Here Are 5 That Mattered.
The article explains the history and significance of papal encyclicals, highlighting five key examples, and contextualizes Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical on artificial intelligence.
- 61% of Americans Said They Had to Cut Back on Groceries
A survey finds 61% of Americans cut back on groceries, and over 75% (including 55% of Republicans) blame Trump's policies for rising costs.
- Trump Is Setting His Sights on Restricting Legal Immigration
The Trump administration shifts focus from illegal to legal immigration, making it harder for legal migrants to stay, a risky pivot.
- Green Card Seekers Must Leave U.S. to Apply, Trump Administration Says
The Trump administration requires green card applicants to leave the U.S. and apply from abroad, ending adjustment of status except in extraordinary circumstances, impacting hundreds of thousands.
- Trump Cancels Signing of A.I. Executive Order
Trump canceled an AI executive order that would give government power to evaluate models before release, citing concerns about aspects of it.
- Jeff Bezos Praises Trump’s Second Term as ‘More Mature’
Jeff Bezos publicly praised Donald Trump's second term as 'more mature' and denied adjusting Amazon or Post policies to win presidential favor.
- Goodbye Visa and Mastercard: 130M Europeans switching to sovereign payment
European consumers are shifting to the sovereign payment system Wero, which redirects payments through banks, reducing reliance on Visa and Mastercard, but commenters debate the risks of central bank control.
- Elon Musk and Friends in the Den of Oakland’s Literary Lion
Ishmael Reed critiques Elon Musk and Silicon Valley billionaires, challenging their power and influence in Oakland's literary scene.
- U.S. Debt Is Now Bigger Than the Economy. That’s Not the Real Problem.
The U.S. national debt exceeds GDP, but the real risk is rising interest costs that crowd out other spending and slow growth.
- In Italy, Princess Catherine Puts Her Wardrobe to Work
Catherine, Princess of Wales, strategically uses her clothing choices to communicate diplomacy, respect, and political solidarity during official visits to Italy.
- Trump Was Flattering, Xi Was Resolute. The Difference Spoke Volumes.
Trump's conciliatory tone with Xi Jinping contrasted sharply with his anti-China rhetoric at home, revealing a significant diplomatic difference.
- Why So Many Men Are Obsessed With Testosterone
Testosterone is being promoted by right-wing figures and influencers as a biological fix for a perceived crisis in masculinity, driving a surge in supplements and clinics.