Author Archives: Yves Smith
Iran War: Iran Insists on All “Deal” Sequencing, Above All Israel Exit of Lebanon, as No Date for Talks Set; Israel Immediately Violates New Lebanon Ceasefire; Strait of Hormuz Open or Not?
Today’s Iran war news: The situation is particularly unsettled, so we will limit ourselves to bigger issues.
Read more...Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai: Iran Defeated The US Empire. What Happens Next?
A discussion of the plusses and minuses from the US loss against Iran, including possible major changes in the US.
Read more...The Mathematical Secrets Hidden at the Heart of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família
Is Gaudi’s tremendous Barcelona cathedra, the Sagrada Família. fractal? Or simply mathematically stylized?
Read more...People Are Marrying Holograms and Making Friends with Chatbots. But Can AI Bring True Happiness?
How AI companions enable the junk-food version of happiness sold by materialistic, externally-oriented societies.
Read more...Iran War: “Deal”Coming Unglued; Iran Suspends Start of Negotiations Due to Israel Attacks in Lebanon; Israel Openly Defying US on “Deal” Lebanon Commitments: Iran Reported to Close Strait of Hormuz
Today’s Iran war news: The “deal” goes pear shaped as Israel continues its attacks in southern Lebanon and Iran halts the talks as a result.
Read more...Report Details ‘Human Rights Crisis’ Wrought by Trump ICE Surge in Minnesota
Human Rights Watch published a blistering analysis of ICE abuses in its Minneapolis raid in late 2025.
Read more...How Local Communities Are Challenging Big Tech Data Centers’ Noise, Pollution and Rising Electricity Bills
Opposition to data centers and AI is rising, both at the community and the consumer level.
Read more...Iran War: Trump Capitulates in “Deal” Signed Thursday, Commits to Israel Withdrawal from Lebanon; Considerable Obstacles Remain to Agreement; Oil Cliff in Play, Increasing Iran Leverage
Today’s Iran war update: Trump surrenders to Iran, with Iran set to extract even more if negotiations progress.
Read more...‘It’s Like Hell’: 60 Lawsuits Detail Alleged Medical Neglect at ICE Detention Center
Medical and court records show ICE denied medical care to cancer patients, pregnant women and those with life-threatening chronic conditions.
Read more...“This Wealth Tax Won’t Work”
Sadly, trying to tax wealth directly is not what it is cracked up to be. But there are other approaches that are viable.
Read more...Many College Students Already Have Well‑Formed Cheating Habits – That, Not AI, Is the Real Problem
Cheating by students seems to have risen over time. Is that due to greater ease, falling values, or perceived competitive pressure?
Read more...Iran War: US Pundit Freakout Over “Deal,” Evidence of Disagreement Over Terms, Bodes Ill for Signing; More on Oil Cliff Risk Versus Hormuz Opening
Today’s Iran war news: Trump’s deal is starting to come unglued as more detail on the oil cliff shows the risk is very much in play.
Read more...Removing AI Spyware From Your Google Account
Concrete steps on how to reduce your exposure to Google spying and unauthorized/uncompensated use of your information.
Read more...How (And Why) AI is Eroding Democracy in the US
Big Tech elitists enlist AI for power grabs, from spying in our homes to profiting from militarism. Luckily, people are fighting back.
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