Friday, December 8, 2023

2:00PM Water Cooler 12/8/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Myanmar’s Instability Deepens as the World Watches Silently

Militants threaten Myanmar’s military government. But other non-state actors, as well as China, are vying for influence.

Links 12/8/2023

Texas v. Pfizer Alleges Extensive Misrepresentations About Covid Vaccine Efficacy, Censorship of Critics

The State of Texas sent a major shot across Pfizer’s bow via a suit alleging widespread misrepresentaitons about Covid vaccine effectiveness

Venezuela Takes a Step Closer to War With US

Following Sunday’s referendum, Venezuela’s Maduro government de facto “annexes” the oil-rich Essequibo region. Guyana calls for help from friends, including US Southern Command. Military exercises are already under way. 

Matt Taibbi – CTI Files #4: The Hamilton 68 Connection (or Russiagate Never Dies)

A new Taibbil deep dive on “The Cyber Threat Intelligence League” or CTI, another concerted effort to promote “Russian influence”fabrications.

2:00PM Water Cooler 12/7/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Tips Tricks Dampen Delivery Worker Celebration of New $18-an-Hour Wage

Delivery platforms DoorDash and UberEats immediately retaliated against a NYC-madated wage increase by redoing their apps to undermine tips.

Links 12/7/2023


The Debate Over Restricting Immigration

The Republicans look serious about restricting immigration or at least rolling back recent Biden moves. But are there any sound approaches?

Plastic Is Here to Stay. Can It Be Made More Sustainably?

Redesigning plastic requires making trade-offs between cost, scalability, emissions, toxicity, and more. But how about using less?

‘A Sick Joke’: Six Ways of Looking at a COP

Making sense of this COP means looking at optics and interests, and sadly not outcomes.

2:00PM Water Cooler 12/6/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Big Cons: How Consulting Firms Undermine Governments and Corporations

A new book by Mariana Mazzucato and Rosie Collington shows the damage big consulting firms do, particularly weakening client capabilities

Links 12/6/2023