A Boring Dystopia
- Overturning Roe Didn’t Just Cut Off Access. It Sabotaged Science, Too.www.motherjones.com Overturning Roe Didn’t Just Cut Off Access. It Sabotaged Science, Too.
After Dobbs, scientists say their research has been delayed, limited, and blocked.
Petty Politics Sabotages Science. Details at 11.
- Credit card debt is soaring, especially in these cities
>Using data from the Census Bureau, TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, the study’s authors looked at inflation-adjusted household debt in the country’s largest 181 cities found Santa Clarita, California to have the highest average household credit card debt ($21,836), followed by Chula Vista, CA ($20,920), New York, NY ($19,207), Fontana, CA ($18,843) and Rancho Cucamonga, CA ($18,549).
- Five Men Convicted of Operating Massive, Illegal Streaming Service That Allegedly Had More Content Than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and Prime Video Combinedvariety.com Five Men Convicted of Operating Massive, Illegal Streaming Service That Allegedly Had More Content Than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and Prime Video Combined
Five men were convicted for their part in operating Jetflicks, one of the largest illegal streaming services in the U.S., officials said.
It's disappointing that copyright infringement could cause these people to spend time in prison, but the predatory practices of the companies they where competing with are punished with no more then fines. A "cost of doing business" for the corporate aristocrats. This is the threat the upper class uses on the rest of us, and all too often do not suffer themselves.
"Rules for thee, but not for me" - Corporations
- Having to score strangers on their 'empathy' and 'courtesy' and 'knowledge' (anything less than a 5 star is a 'bad grade', I am sure)
by that i mean, those are intangible, effervescent parts of a human being that should not be quantized down to a fucking amazon star system. the 'anything less than 5 stars is actually bad' thing is disgusting as well - all modern companies do this.
- The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Taxwww.propublica.org The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing.
- The Delusion of Advanced Plastics Recyclingwww.propublica.org The Delusion of “Advanced” Plastic Recycling
The plastics industry has heralded a type of chemical recycling it claims could replace new shopping bags and candy wrappers with old ones — but not much is being recycled at all, and this method won’t curb the crisis.
Turns out even the most "advanced" modes of plastics recycling are bullshit, just as 40+years of plastics recycling efforts before them.
- Americans take the least vacations globally. We also get the least amount of time off.ca.style.yahoo.com Americans are the worst (globally) at taking vacation time: Here's how many days we take
Vacations can help us recharge and reset. However, Americans take the least vacations globally, according to a new study by Expedia.
- Majority of Hispanics Support Mass Deportationswww.newsweek.com Majority of Hispanics now favor mass deportation
A new poll has found that mass deportation is popular with Hispanics, with 53 percent saying they would support such a program.
Start building #community and #mutualaid systems now. It's about to get ugly out there.
#election2024 #2024election #immigration #immigrants #PresidentialElection2024 #DonaldTrump #JoeBiden
- Majority of Japanese support government-run dating apps
cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/21037419
- First Horizon Bank system detects when a call center worker was on the brink of "losing it" and plays an AI-made montage of family photos set to their favorite song to calm them down.www.bloodinthemachine.com AI can't fix what automation already broke
Generative AI is the latest in a long line of technologies that promise innovation and fixes but grind away at public life
cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/4856141
> We live in a sci-fi dystopia.
- Protect yourself from our shitty infrastructure for just $22.99 per month! One-time installation fees as low as $49.99 for a limited time only!
An email I received from the Detroit Edison (DTE) Energy Company today. The text reads:
>How it works: > >Installation*: DTE will install the device on your electric meter in less than 30 minutes. No need to schedule an appointment or be at home. Your home is protected as soon as the device is installed by our technicians. > >Protection and Warranties: The warranty coverage provides $5,000 per event for appliances and $1,000 per event for electronics to repair or replace your household items in the event the device fails to protect against damaging surges. > >Stay Connected: Your surge device comes with a FREE 20-foot power cable. In the event of a power outage, you can connect your generator to the surge device with the power cable to power your home up to the generator’s capacity. Easy access for your generator – you won’t have to run extension cords from your generator into your home. > >Learn more | Enroll now > > > >*There’s a one-time installation fee for a surge protection plus device of $49.99, which is a limited time offer and will expire on December 31, 2024. After the expiration date, the installation fee will return to its normal price of $99.99. To access the Surge Protection Plus program’s Terms and Conditions, visit dteenergy.com/sppterms.
and of course that URL is hyperlinked with a big long tracking string on the end of it so I won't be sharing it
- Israel presents: Detention without trial for Arabs only
Israel's government is set to discuss on Sunday a proposal to restrict the use of administrative detention to cases involving terrorist activity against the state or its citizens.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is scheduled to discuss the revolutionary proposal devised by MK Simcha Rothman that would limit the use of administrative detention and restraining orders to members of specific terrorist organizations.
The result is very clear: Jewish terrorism in the West Bank will be immune to such measures.
It must be said: Administrative detention – that is, detention without trial – is a draconian tool that deprives persons of their liberty without even minimal due process on the basis of classified evidence and, in some cases, without the detainees knowing the allegations against them. There is no place for such an instrument in a democratic state, and at the very least its use should be limited to specific emergency situations.
However, a selective and racist restriction of the kind that Rothman proposes does not do this: It permits the continued use of administrative detention, with all its faults, against Arab citizens of the state, while prohibiting it entirely regarding settler terrorism in the West Bank.
- I'm a psychologist—doomscrolling has a devastating impactwww.newsweek.com I'm a psychologist—doomscrolling has a devastating impact
The way we feel is largely a result of the thoughts and images that go through our minds.
- 80% of Americans say grocery costs have notably increased since the pandemic started, survey findswww.cnbc.com 80% of Americans say grocery costs have notably increased since the pandemic started, survey finds
New government data shows inflation is subsiding. But many consumers still report suffering sticker shock in their grocery store aisles.
- Planetizen: "Florida Passes Outdoor Sleeping Ban." It's illegal to sleep on public beaches in Florida... Up next, prison for being housing insecure?www.planetizen.com Florida Passes Outdoor Sleeping Ban
Florida is the latest state to pass legislation barring unhoused people from sleeping or camping on public property.
- The Man Who Killed Google Searchwww.wheresyoured.at The Man Who Killed Google Search
Wanna listen to this story instead? Check out this week's Better Offline podcast, "The Man That Destroyed Google Search," available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. This is the story of how Google Search died, and the people responsible for killing it. The story...
- Jeff Landry signs education bills that promise to bring 'drastic change.' See the list.www.nola.com Jeff Landry signs education bills that promise to bring 'drastic change.' See the list.
He signed nearly 20 bills that mostly impact the K-12 education landscape.
Ruining public schools is their favorite pastime.
- More parents are taking on debt to pay for Disney vacations as prices soarwww.businessinsider.com More parents are taking on debt to pay for Disney vacations as prices soar
Disney's expensive prices have been a hot topic among park fans. They even caused Disney CEO Bob Iger to raise his eyebrows in disbelief.
- 'There Has to Be a Fight': How Workers Can Start Winning the Class War in 2024 and Beyondwww.commondreams.org 'There Has to Be a Fight': How Workers Can Start Winning the Class War in 2024 and Beyond | Common Dreams
"Why are working class people apathetic about politics? Because politics is completely dominated by corporations."
- Washington Post: Leaked documents reveal patient safety issues at Amazon’s One Medical
I linked to MSN because (at least for me) it wasn't paywalled. The original source for the article can be found on the Washington Post's website here but is paywalled.
- Elon Musk wins Tesla shareholder vote for $56 billion pay packagewww.nbcnews.com Elon Musk wins Tesla shareholder vote for $56 billion pay package
A Delaware judge previously ruled the package was excessive.
- If Biden Isn’t the Democrats’ 2024 Candidate, Harris Will Benymag.com If Biden Isn’t the Democrats’ 2024 Candidate, Harris Will Be
Fresh data indicate Democrats like Harris, think she’s electable, and prefer her to rivals. They won’t dump her no matter what happens to her boss.
- Geeksforgeeks uses AI to generate texts in their articles
This is (lucky me) the first time I have seen such clear evidence of AI on a learning website and it really shocked me. I am scared of what lies ahead of the internet regarding AI enshittification...
Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/comparison-among-bubble-sort-selection-sort-and-insertion-sort/
- Controversial Chick-fil-A Summer Camp Charges Kids $35 To Work At The Restaurantwww.delish.com Controversial Chick-fil-A Summer Camp Charges Kids $35 To Work At The Restaurant
Campers will learn customer service skills, how to take an order, and other tasks.
- The Curious Case Of The Underselling Arena Tourswww.stereogum.com The Curious Case Of The Underselling Arena Tours
It's not just the Black Keys. Why are so many big tours selling poorly?
“Who can afford to go to multiple shows?” says the anonymous tour manager. “Two tickets to a show, you’re talking probably about $200 with fees and everything. You go to a meal around the show, you’re talking at least $100 or $200 for a nice dinner. Then you got parking and babysitters, then you add the VIP stuff to that and you want to make it a special night, you’re talking $500 to $1,000 a night for a couple to go out. It’s capitalism at its best.”
- Chemical Makers Sue Over Rule to Rid Water of ‘Forever Chemicals’www.nytimes.com Chemical Makers Sue Over Rule to Rid Water of ‘Forever Chemicals’
Industry groups said the E.P.A. had exceeded its authority in requiring the drinking-water cleanup. The chemicals, known as PFAS, are linked to cancer and health risks.
cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/10442645
> Chemical Makers Sue Over Rule to Rid Water of ‘Forever Chemicals’ > > In practice, this means 3M is continuing to create harm from the risks they spent decades covering up
- Of course, a metal artwork company needs a binding arbitration clause, and for you to waive your rights to class action lawsuits and jury trials.
Once one company gets away with it, the rest follow.
- US patients charged for ‘hospital facility fees’ – even if they don’t set foot in onewww.theguardian.com US patients charged for ‘hospital facility fees’ – even if they don’t set foot in one
Hospitals adding charge to bills from doctors’ offices, outpatient surgical clinics and diagnostic centers they own
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/16364128
> Hospitals adding charge to bills from doctors’ offices, outpatient surgical clinics and diagnostic centers they own > > Hospitals are gobbling up doctor’s offices – and they’re bringing higher prices to patients when they do, even if a patient never sets foot on a hospital campus. > > Enter the “hospital facility fee”: a charge hospitals can add to bills from doctors’ offices, outpatient surgical clinics and diagnostics centers that they own, rebranding them as “outpatient hospital departments”, even if the facility is miles from a hospital campus. > > “It’s one of the most egregious examples of hospital financing at the expense of consumers,” said Liz Hagan, director of policy solutions at the United States of Care, a non-profit advocacy group that released a new report on the practice. > > The report, “Behind the Bill” argues that “hospitals are at the center of a massive market failure”, where consolidation is driving price hikes for patients.
