Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Concierges, Adjunct Professors, Potato Chip Tasters: US Employers Are Relying More and More on ‘Disposable’ Workers

No wonder workers have so little bargaining power. The boss class has gotten better at making them disposable.

Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – The Iran War, China, and the Future of Sea Power

The Iran war exposed a potential weakness in the architecture of American sea power. Precision strike can threaten the forward bases that sustain expeditionary fleets while distributed weapons and sensors can contest maritime access without command of the sea. If Iran demonstrated the problem, China presents it a fortiori.

Mamdani Backs Proposal to End Amazon’s ‘Exploitative’ Delivery Model in New York City

If passed, the Delivery Protection Act would be first to regulate Amazon’s vast network of subcontractors that handle its deliveries.

Links 8/11/2026

Is the Recent Explosion in Sports Gambling Another Sign of US Imperial Decline?

Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the federal ban on sports gambling, the response from punters has been beyond the wildest dreams of gambling companies.

Hoisted from the Inbox: China Wobbles or Worse in Store?

China is going through a difficult patch, but how deep might the downside be?

The AI Boom Runs on an Even More Dangerous Machine (Part 1)

How AI runs on a flawed, decades-old corporate operating system that redirects gains away from workers.

Atheism, Nationalism, and the Conductor of the American Christianity Crazy Train

On the practical and political impact of American Christianity turning against Jesus’ message of the duty to help the poor and disadvantaged.

Links 8/10/2026

Iran War: Trump Impotence – WSJ Reports Desire to Exit if Strait Opened, Netanyahu Rejects Gaza “Deal”, Pentagon Issues 21-Day Demand for Plans for More Weapons as Iran and Ansar Allah Keep Attacking

Todays’ Iran war news: Trump is visibly stymied on multiple Middle East fronts. So how long before he lashes out?

Architectural Answers to an Overheating World 

Inspiration is all around us, but requires a shift in priorities. 

Democrats Have a Working‑Class Voter Problem That Progressives Like Abdul El‑Sayed Are Still Struggling to Solve

And the working class has a major representation problem it’s struggling to solve. 

Links 8/9/2026

The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: The Mattei Affair (1972) Run Time: 1H 50M Plus Bonuses!

The Mattei Affair is a movie about power and the individual.

The Moral Paradox of Extreme Wealth: Why People Oppose It Yet Are Reluctant to Take Steps to Reduce It

Does the fact that there’s debate over the morality of extreme wealth inequality further demonstrate the need to eradicate billionaires?