What can be done to manage the risks of artificial intelligence?
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Holiday Schedule and a Sort of Comments Holiday
A note on holiday hours.
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/21/2018
Today’s Water Cooler: Trade policy, 2020 Democrat debates, Mattis hagiography and reactions, Pelosi cripples Green New Deal, DSA and racism, GDP, personal income and outlays, durable goods, manufacturing, CLOs, Amazon, Uber, antibiotics, Xmas phishing, biological and artificial intelligence
Media’s Russia Obsession Obscures How Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Benefits Turkey Most
A dose of sanity from Patrick Cockburn on Syria.
Marshall Auerback: All of Our Bets on China Have Been Wrong
Due to Western misperceptions and China’s rising authoritarianism, the current trade war is evolving dangerously into Cold War 2.0.
CalPERS’ Bill Slaton (Again) Embarrasses Himself and the CalPERS Board
CalPERS board member Bill Slaton demonstrates why he needs to go sooner rather than later.
How Immoral Are Laissez Faire Ideologues? Ask About Drones.
Drones illustrate why lack of regulation isn’t such a hot idea.
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/20/2018
Today’s Water Cooler: Harris, Brown, Beto, AOC, attacking “our democracy,” leading indicators, jobless claims, business outlook, Elon’s tunnel, Amtrak, Zuckerberg, Nissan, human extinction, de-growth, squillionaire vanity projects, hot peppers, Facebook tips
Advertising Trade Association Presses for Federal Data Privacy Regulation
Advertising trade group calls for federal data privac regulationy, in an obvious attempt bet that Washington won’t toughen standards nearly as much as California has done and other states are also considering.
Fracking in 2018: Another Year of Pretending to Make Money
The latest in Justin Mikulka’s excellent series on the fracking beat. The industry lacks even the excuse of profit to justify the environmental costs it inflicts – yet this is a story too little told in the rest of the media, which instead promotes further investments in this sector.
The UK’s Reform of Limited Partnership Law: Dead on Arrival (II)
Commentary on the inadequacy of the UK’s proposed Limited Partnership Reforms
Short-Term Rentals and the Housing Market: Evidence from Airbnb in Los Angeles
Confirming Airbnb’s effects on rentals and home prices.
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/19/2018
Today’s Water Cooler: Young presidential contenders, Beto, Sanders, Mueller, PAYGO, Michelle Obama and George Bush, current account, existing home sales, architectural billings, fish fraud, Elon Musk, scooters, National Parks, trees, mutual aid, quantum computing, radical mycology
