The case that it’s about preparing for conflict with China.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
When Algorithms Take the Field – Inside MLB’s Robo-Umping Experiment
Whether robot umpires would be better for the game is debatable, but they’d be bad news for labor.
Book Review: How Our Digital Infatuation Undermines Discourse
A new take on the costs and dangers of digital device overuse and dependence.
Tightening the Screws: Columbia as Early Focus of Conservative Revenge on Universities
Trump and Vance have ratcheted up their war against universities in a big way.
Coffee Break: End-of-the-Week Thoughts on Science and Other Matters Arising
Today’s Coffee Break: Research universities and science advances at risk, along with healthcare. And is AI for the artificially intelligent?
Putin’s Nyet to US-Ukraine Ceasefire Scheme: More Than Meets the Western Eye?
More on the Russian rejection of the US-Ukraine ceasefire scheme, now from Putin himself.
Call Your Senators This Morning to Object to the Continuing Resolution That Will Enable Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Programs and More
The pending continuing resolution has provision that hand key Congressional spending and oversight to Trump. Call to oppose it.
Stablecoins vs CBDC — US and EU Are on Different Paths to the Same Destination: Programmable Money
While the programmability features of CBDCs have generated considerable alarm, it’s a very different story for the stablecoins that the US government seeks to regulate with its “GENIUS” act.
Leadership in the Senate: New Boss Same as the Old Boss?
Following the money shows why Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s shadow will last long beyond his tenure.
The Price of Monopoly and Oligopoly Power: Why Rising Markups Hurt Innovation and Widen Inequality
More evidence of the cost of monopoly and oligopoly power.
Russian Negotiator Reiterates “Nyet” on Ceasefire Even Before US Emissary Steve Witkoff Arrives in Moscow
Russia nixes the barmy US-Ukraine peace scheme faster and more directly than expected. What next?
Business Press Suddenly and Widely Reporting Damage Done by Trump Economic Policies
As the wheels start coming off the Trump economy, the president shows no sign of changing course.
