AI routinely fails to increase corporate productivity. Using it to get rid of workers is a big reason why.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Iran War: Iran, Ansar Allah Keep Up Attacks on Ships as Trump Insists He Controls Strait of Hormuz, Will Break Iran Economically; Press Highlights Trump Cowardice in Catering Truck Escape From Ankara
Today’s Iran war news: Trump holds fast momentarily as his humiliation becomes more visible and Iran and Ansar Allah keep attacking.
Notes on Discovery in Biology
I was able to work for five weeks of the summer of 2011 at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. This is the one place that all biologists should want to spend time, whatever the focus of their interests and research. Alas, too many don’t. I learned much that summer as MBL lived up […]
Concierges, Adjunct Professors, Potato Chip Tasters: US Employers Are Relying More and More on ‘Disposable’ Workers
No wonder workers have so little bargaining power. The boss class has gotten better at making them disposable.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – The Iran War, China, and the Future of Sea Power
The Iran war exposed a potential weakness in the architecture of American sea power. Precision strike can threaten the forward bases that sustain expeditionary fleets while distributed weapons and sensors can contest maritime access without command of the sea. If Iran demonstrated the problem, China presents it a fortiori.
Mamdani Backs Proposal to End Amazon’s ‘Exploitative’ Delivery Model in New York City
If passed, the Delivery Protection Act would be first to regulate Amazon’s vast network of subcontractors that handle its deliveries.
Is the Recent Explosion in Sports Gambling Another Sign of US Imperial Decline?
Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the federal ban on sports gambling, the response from punters has been beyond the wildest dreams of gambling companies.
Hoisted from the Inbox: China Wobbles or Worse in Store?
China is going through a difficult patch, but how deep might the downside be?
The AI Boom Runs on an Even More Dangerous Machine (Part 1)
How AI runs on a flawed, decades-old corporate operating system that redirects gains away from workers.
Atheism, Nationalism, and the Conductor of the American Christianity Crazy Train
On the practical and political impact of American Christianity turning against Jesus’ message of the duty to help the poor and disadvantaged.
Iran War: Trump Impotence – WSJ Reports Desire to Exit if Strait Opened, Netanyahu Rejects Gaza “Deal”, Pentagon Issues 21-Day Demand for Plans for More Weapons as Iran and Ansar Allah Keep Attacking
Todays’ Iran war news: Trump is visibly stymied on multiple Middle East fronts. So how long before he lashes out?
Architectural Answers to an Overheating World
Inspiration is all around us, but requires a shift in priorities.
