Author Archives: Yves Smith
Tucker Slams Predatory Buy Now, Pay Later Loans as the Economist Celebrates This New Debt Slavery Device
A relatively new financial product, buy now pay later loans, is deepening the misery of already over-extended Americans, especially Gen Z
Read more...On Ukrainian Identity: Ukraine as a Buffer Zone
On the long process of Urkaine national identify formation and why, even with that, Ukraine was relatively late to become a state.
Read more...Data Centers Consume Massive Amounts of Water – Companies Rarely Tell the Public Exactly How Much
Data centers, with AI driving insatiable needs, not only hoover up tons of power but water as well. And water is already a contested resource
Read more...Links 8/19/2025
Can Putin Legally Stop the Ukraine Conflict Without First Controlling All the Disputed Territory?
The Trump team is still talking about Russia cedeing territory in Ukraine, aka land swaps. Some detail on why that is quite a stretch.
Read more...New Study Attempts to Candy-Coat Impact of Job Loss
A reader critical thinking exercise! Time to take a hard look at a study that argues that losing your job may not be all that terrible.
Read more...Boycott Lufthansa: Removed Passenger from Flight for Wearing a Medical Mask
Lufthansa behaves badly. Circulate to everyone you know who flies to Europe to warn them of what might be in store.
Read more...Fog of Summit and Neocon Backlash: Lindsey Graham Readies Threat of Designating Russia a Terrorist State
Zelensky, EU leaders, and neocons are loaded for bear in their effort to sabotage the Alaska summit. Lindsey Graham still leads that charge.
Read more...Links 8/16/2025
CBO Confirms Trump Budget Law Will Trigger Over $500 Billion in Automatic Medicare Cuts
Tax breaks for billionaires are set to force over half a trillion dollars in Medicare cuts.
Read more...How Much Energy Does ChatGPT’s Newest Model Consume?
ChatGPT’s environmental destructiveness is increasing by leaps and bounds.
Read more...‘Alternative Facts’ Aren’t a Reason To Skip Vaccines
Just because RFK, Jr. is wrong on vaccines does not make vaccine orthodoxy correct.
Read more...Peak Neoliberalism: Wall Street Journal Pearl-Clutches Over Lack of Mobility Due to High Housing Costs, Insufficient Pay
The Journal laments how mobility has fallien while averting its eyes from how neoliberalsm and rentierism are the drivers.
Read more...Exactly What Is in the Ivy League Deals with the Trump Administration – and How They Compare
Details on some of the Trump agreements with top universities, such as the gap between the antisemitism bludgeon and what Trump got.
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