I really didn't want to write about Epstein and the release of a tranche or emails with some juicy drops by Comer-fudd, but then Ross Douthat had to open his face-anus, and try to play the "nothing burger" card, and "be careful what you wish for"
This will be a geeking out sesh. I have been on the other side of the world supporting one of our flagship trade conferences. As such, I have been pretty busy supporting the mission, but Thursday I had a 100% free day. Al0ne, in South Melbourne, Australia, I tapped the
AI music is infecting the world, and it is getting well and truly scary how good it is. Here's a player demonstrating how to "write" a song with AI, and how terrifying this is for flesh and blood musicians.
MAGA's commitment to labor was always a fig leaf, the truth is that it, and the Republican party of the last 55 years has been excessively hostile to labor, and has ridden herd on the decimation of what once made America great. No surprise.
The right fucking suck, but watching MAGA eat its own is just delish. Pop a bottle of your favorite quaff, pop some popcorn, and tuck in.
A guest OpEd by Damon Linker explains why Trumpism is going to be the future of Republicanism even after Trump leaves the scene. A compelling read.
Enough about politics, how about religion? A grandmother is upset that her grandson is being raised without faith and wants permission to impose her beliefs. A really bad take follows but is saved by the comments
Some notes on business travel.
There's a flurry of bad takes from a session at the NatC conference and a following essay. This will make you lose faith in humanity
The transition to modern Republican doctrine was completed with the election of Reagan in 1980. We are still living with the shockwaves from that event.
After another failed election, the self-reflection of the consultant class is de riguer, and it is as cringy as ever. Decide to Win is no exception
A killer cover of a Floyd classic, this band nails the feel and the intent of the original. It is great to see the music being kept alive!
Music
And now, for something completely different, the glass harp!
Newsletter
A long shitty week at work didn't derail my reading a lot of different things. These are observations and my takes
Politics
David French's latest where he gets close to seeing that his tribe is not really what he thinks, and is really an extension of MAGA, hatred and all. Shame.
Tech
OpenAI announced ChatGPT would allow erotica and companion-style interactions for verified adults. This feels like a Hail Mary
Politics
Look The Bulwark: Your favorite Dems are unelectable in national elections, and you should stop fawning over them.
Politics
Gee, so much for America First and no more wars. This will not go well.
Newsletter
The latest round of mind boggling investment announcements around AI is really bonkers. This is round-tripping not unlike what brought Enron down, but on steroids. It is feeling like late-stage bubble behavior and FOMO in tech-bro land.
Music
A bad day at work, and some uplifting music to counter. Here's Rush, playing a medley of their most recognizable riffs.
Newsletter
Independent Media is important. But does it replace the legacy media? No. It is splintering attention, and continuing the ideological siloing. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Music
A young Japanese lady manhandles her axe in a tribute medley to honor one Eddie van Halen. A delightful diversion!
Politics
Too damn much going on this week, but some mixed topics.
Politics
Not to slag on Agriculture (yes, I am gonna), but they have a large hand in the inconsistencies in US immigration policies and play both sides. Don't pity those fuckers.