~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, pandemics, Michael Cohen’s “legal services,” surrealism, cave art ~
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
How Geopolitics Is Changing Trade
Western measures against Russia and China measures have affected global trade. But what of actual winners and losers?
Why Are Argentina’s Highest-Denomination Currency Bills Being Printed By a State-Owned Company in China?
Javier Milei on the campaign trail, eight months ago: “Not only am I not going to do business with China, I am not going to do business with any communist.”
Climate Change Is Affecting Mental Health Literally Everywhere
How climate change exacts a psychological toll, and what if anything to do.
The US, Israel, and the ‘Anti-Semitism’ Fraud
Since it clearly needs to be said early and often, the campaign to demonize opponents of Israel’s genocide as anti-Semites is a complete crock.
Apple’s “Crush” Ad, Rentierism, and the End of Capitalism?
Apple’s dystopian ode to rentierism.
2:00PM Water Cooler 5/13/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Semi-open thread ~
Where Have All the Babies Gone? Falling Birthrates All Over the World Alarm Leaders, Businessmen, Economists
On the baby bust/falling birthrates freakout.
Elections and Devaluations
Quelle surprise! Regimes facing elections often goose their economies, leading to currency appreciation pre-vote and devaluations afterwards.
In the Race for Space Metals, Companies Hope to Cash In
Mining asteroids could, in theory, reduce the burden on Earth’s resources. What could go wrong?
“Living in Netanyahu’s America” – In More Ways Than One
The economic components that have served as the dehumanizing foundation to Israel’s current “plausible” genocide share many similarities with poor Americans and migrant laborers who are treated as disposable in the US.
Their First Baby Came With Medical Debt. These Illinois Parents Won’t Have Another.
For millions of new parents, medical debt is now as much a hallmark of having children as long nights and dirty diapers.
