Author Archives: Yves Smith

Technotage on the Rise? More Efforts to Stymie Job-Threatening, Sometimes Hazardous “Innovations”

Ant-technology action, or technotage, seems to be increasing. Is this a trend or just coincidence?

Links 8/26/2023

Book Review: Two Critiques of America’s Ailing Health Care System

Two new books chronicle the shortcomings of the nation’s health care system, if you can call it that.

The NYT & WSJ’s Critical Articles About Kiev’s Counteroffensive Explain Why It Failed

It’s now in the open that US and Ukraine were at odds about the much vaunted counteroffensive, even when it was clear it would not get far

Despite 4 Indictments, Trump Will Still Be the GOP Nominee

Trump won’t be over until he is over, and that will not be before the Republican convention.

Links 8/25/2023

KFF Health News Publishes Shameful, Self-Serving Story Advocating Unrealistic “Social Media” Approach to Bogus Insurer Denials Instead of Pushing for External Appeal

KFF Health News advocated feel-good but largely ineffective approaches to insurer denials, as opposed to effectiive reforms.

Henry A. Kissinger at 100, Still a War Criminal

Some of the major entries in Kissinger’s rap sheet.

BRICS’ Expansion Is Beneficial But It Also Isn’t Without Strategic Challenges

BRICS is set to add important new members…but will their diversity complicate coming to common policy stances?

Medicare for All, Not Medicare Advantage

How Medicare Advantage plans raid taxpayer funds and routinely fail to deliver the care that patients expect and deserve.

Jonesing on Carbon

A reminder that the rich are grossly dispropirtionate carbon fuel users.

China And U.S. Lock Horns Over New 122.5% Steel Tariff

Yet another US/China trade row, this one over steel.

The Scourge of Corporate Financialization: Income Inequity, Employment Instability, Productive Fragility

Stock buybacks, aka corporate financialization, as a mode of predatory value extraction

China Schizophrenia: Jake Sullivan Makes Demands, Press Fulminates Its Ambitions as While Overhyping Current Economic Wobbles

The West’s discomfort over China’s influence and economic stature is sometimes a bit too obvious.

Ann Pettifor Explains Why Neoclassical Economists Are the Last People To Listen to on Climate Change

A well-warranted takedown of the irresponsible and destructive record of mainstream economists on climate change.