Author Archives: Yves Smith

U.S. Government’s Witness Against Assange Admits He Lied

An informant publicly recanting critically important testimony against Julian Assange seems unlikely to change the trajectory of his trial.

How Policies Affect Beliefs and Preferences: The Example of Covid-19 Vaccination Willingness

Covid and other major political challenges show that devising policies isn’t the hard part: it’s getting the public to go along.

Musical Interlude (“On the Path of Decent Groove”): B Side Favorites

Some great songs lurk in what is normally the B side netherworld. Your picks?

Biden Administration Issues Interim Rule Barring Surprise Billing

The health care grift knows as surprise billing is about to be largely stamped out.

‘Megadrought’ Along Border Strains US-Mexico Water Relations

Conflicts over water are escalating. The US and Mexico are trying to mediate their claims over the Colorado River, but will that work?

Amazon Arrogance Backfires, Tries to Smear Incoming FTC Chair Lina Khan as Needing to Recuse Herself Because She Knows Them Too Well

Amazon looks to be having a meltdown over new FTC chief Lina Khan. Good.

Inflation Is Not What We Need to Worry About: the Risk of Major Collapse in the Private Sector Is What Should Be Troubling Us Right Now

Inflation may have you freaked out, but there are bigger threats on the horizon.

The Data Privacy Paradox and Digital Demand

Data privacy worrywarts appear to be the most promiscuous. What gives?

Health Insurance Tricks and Traps: Using Cheap at Home Colon Cancer Test Exposes Insureds to Big Colonoscopy Bill

Why colonoscopy testing looks an awful lot like neoliberal rent extraction, as least as practiced in the US.

Myths, Lobbies Foster Competitive International Corporate Tax Cutting

Bad ideology, kept alive by lobbying and PR, has fueled an unproductive corporte tax race to the bottom. Is the tide finally turning?

Biden Classifies Opposition to ‘Capitalism and Corporate Globalization’ As Extremism

The definition of what extremism amounts to becomes more, erm, inclusive as our elites feel more threatened. What are the possible end games?

Quick Comment on the Dismissal of Antitrust Suits Against Facebook

Facebook looks to have done well in having two high profile antitrust suits dismissed. But they should keep the campagne on ice.

Covid Vaccine Whack-a-Mole?

Vaccine enthusiasm has blinded people who should know better to Covid downside risks. And as Taleb warned, tails are fat.