Stories and links that are of interest or relevance to leaders, strategists, campaigners and organisers.
Inequality and the economy
Zohran Mamdani’s Millionaire Tax Is Extremely Popular
Taxing the rich in New York, as Zohran Mamdani has proposed, isn’t just right and necessary. New polling shows a strong majority support making the wealthy pay, suggesting that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s refusal to do so is political malpractice.
When economists brush with death
The journey of Irving Fisher shows disequilibrium ultimately rules in the marketplace, just as in ordinary life. Economists owe the world a model that reflects this. . Find out more at Eureka Report.
If unemployment is the cure for inflation, who pays the price?
In recent weeks, economists have argued that a certain level unemployment is a necessary condition for the economy to function. They have argued that the Reserve Bank of Australia may need to raise interest rates higher, to increase unemployment, which is currently too low, in order to bring inflation under control.
Google co-founder spends $45m in fight against California billionaire tax
Sergey Brin gives $25m on top of $20m he’s already given to Super Pac trying to block state’s proposed 5% wealth tax
Global affairs
U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for “Armageddon,” Return of Jesus
Advocacy group reports commanders giving similar messages at more than 30 installations in every branch of the military
Epstein’s Private Messages Speculated Trump Might ‘Bomb Iran’ If ‘Cornered Like a Rat’ — Seven Years Before He Did
Jeffrey Epstein’s 2018 iMessages reveal speculation about Trump’s military strategies, including a potential attack on Iran.
Middle East Conflict: an initial view for Australia and New Zealand
Using Oxford Economics’ global model, we assess the potential implications for growth and inflation of three different scenarios for the conflict.
Vincent Bevins (@northsouthnotes)
Ironically and tragically much human life now depends on Trump’s ability to believe that he can simply declare victory (to his supporters) and get away with it. Only conditions of post-truth can allow him to end the war in Iran.
In a sick way, the world must pray the United States really is as self-centered, insane and detached from reality as everyone suspects
In a sick way, the world must pray the United States really is as self-centered, insane and detached from reality as everyone suspects
Trump Abandonment Syndrome Is Spreading
Especially among the crucial voters that switched from Biden to Trump in 2024, the president’s coalition is weakening.
Hegseth Whines About Iran War Coverage, Demands “Patriotic Press” Instead
The Defense Secretary also claimed Iran’s leaders were “underground,” despite video evidence showing otherwise.
The Iran War Is Throwing Global Shipping Into Chaos
Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen says the conflict is stranding cargo and threatening inflation.
Search the Epstein Files
Ask anything about the Epstein case. AI searches 2.1M+ documents, flight logs, emails, and financial records. Every answer cited to source. Free.
Ex-GOP Strategist Forecasts ‘Misery, Humiliation, And Shame’ For Donald Trump
This might be the most dramatic takedown of the president that’s out there right now.
‘What Do You Mean?!’ Tucker Carlson Loses It on Interviewer Over Israel Questions
Tucker Carlson grew frustrated with an interviewer whose questions he repeatedly challenged.
The Coming Storm – the economic crisis resulting from the War on Iran
We can all see the tidal wave building just off shore. The U.S. and Israel waging war on Iran, and Iran’s predictable response to being viciously attacked are all beginning to have ripple effects far, far beyond any one region. The price of crude oil has already jumped
The Paraguay Scheme: Israel’s secret plan to deport Gazans in the ‘70s
A new podcast series lifts the veil on the Mossad’s failed attempt to expel 60,000 Palestinians soon after occupying the Gaza Strip. Almost six decades later, Israel’s methods and objectives remain eerily similar.
Unions
Cesar Chavez abused and raped women and girls, NYT investigation says
A New York Times investigation has revealed allegations that the late renowned labor leader abused girls and raped Dolores Huerta, his longtime organizing partner.
Let’s Not Confuse Labor’s Problems with White-Collar AI Doomerism
Labor is facing an existential crisis, but AI is not the source of it.
Workers’ rights
An Existential Threat to Organized Labor’s Ability to Help People
We are not afraid enough of AI’s pernicious dynamic.
Data, tech and privacy
Every Car Made After 2008 Has the Same Digital Security Risk
A recent study highlighted the cybersecurity risk in tire pressure monitoring systems—and it’s not the first time this has come up.
Revealed: Palantir deals with UK government amount to at least £670m – including £15m contract with nuclear weapons agency
Exclusive: Nerve investigation finds Trump ally Peter Thiel’s surveillance firm has won at least 34 contracts, including management services for Britain’s nuclear deterrent, with MPs warning of ‘gaping vulnerability’ as US president threatens Nato allies. Carole Cadwalladr reports
Palantir Demos Show How the Military Could Use AI Chatbots to Generate War Plans
Software demos and Pentagon records detail how chatbots like Anthropic’s Claude could help the Pentagon analyze intelligence and suggest next steps.
AI and the future of work
How cool is Every Cure?!
One thing that working from home has done is reduce my podcast listening time.
The Datacenter Bible – From Layman to Expert in 100 Pages
The definitive 100+ page guide to the thermodynamics, scarcity, and heavy assets powering the AI revolution.
AI Added ‘Basically Zero’ to US Economic Growth Last Year, Goldman Sachs Says
Imported chips and hardware mean the AI investments are translating into US GDP growth.
An Open Letter to Georgetown Students, In Response to Recent Announcements about “Generative AI”
An Open Letter to Georgetown Students, In Response to Recent Announcements by the University about “Generative AI” Image source: Bibliothèque nationale de France Dear students, As you know, in …
OpenAI admits AI hallucinations are mathematically inevitable, not just engineering flaws
In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits.
Campaigning, communications and social media
Meet the AI Rapper Working for the Far-Right
An AI-generated rapper called Danny Bones with links to far-right Reform splinter party Advance UK repeatedly intervened in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Harriet Williamson and Simon Childs report.
The organizing model that failed the Democrats
After record-breaking outreach in 2024, Democrats still lost. The problem isn’t effort—it’s an outdated playbook that no longer reaches real voters.
One Text After the Knock: The Simple Add-On That Boosts Voter Turnout
Every campaign manager running a canvassing program has asked the same question: would a text message make our door knocks work better? Our latest research from the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election puts real numbers behind the answer — and the results challenge a few common assumptions.
Society, media, news and culture
The Death of the Brahmin Left – The Vegemite version in Victoria
For twenty years, progressive politics was captured by the educated professional class.
There is one word that explains how so many men can be in the Epstein files. So why is no one saying it?
We talk endlessly about the factors that make rape easier, but never about the factors that cause rape in the first place.
I Tried To Tell You: Matt Yglesias Is a Shameless Liar
From gambling to Gaza, Matt Yglesias and the Democratic elite have engaged in a shameless lying campaign to protect their pockets and prestige. And they’ll only getting worse as we approach 2028.
Fake quotes, factual errors and ChatGTP links – my bizarre journey into Matt Goodwin’s new book
The Reform UK candidate’s new polemic Suicide of a Nation claims to expose a toxic elite leading Britain to annihilation, but my close reading revealed a mix of phantom sources and falsehoods. Then MattGPT answered back… By Andy Twelves
Climate Change
Data centre power emissions double over 5 years
Some of Australia’s top server space providers say big rises in their reported carbon output do not fully reflect their green energy aspirations.
Sunrise Movement, Founded to Fight Climate Change, Pivots to Fighting Trump
While Trump targets his critics on the left, Sunrise has decided that it can’t fight climate change without fighting authoritarianism.
