From December 27, 2024:
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ML SummaryRussia is reportedly utilizing bitcoin to circumvent Western sanctions, as confirmed by Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. This move comes amid challenges for the Russian economy in conducting international payments, even with non-dollar reserve countries like China. Recently, the Kremlin established a legal framework for cryptocurrency miners, allowing approved entities to use crypto for international trade. This development could particularly benefit Russian energy companies, enabling them to sell to domestic bitcoin miners. However, acceptance of bitcoin for payments is not guaranteed globally, as other countries may have their own laws and face pressure from Western financial regulators. This situation poses a potential challenge for President-elect Donald Trump, who advocates for U.S. dollar dominance while also showing interest in cryptocurrency. The implications of this shift could affect international economic dynamics and the status of the dollar as the dominant global reserve currency.
From December 26, 2024:
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Elon Musk Takes Aim at Wikipedia
↗︎ ↳Now he wants to control one of the only sources of relatively accurate, but biased for right-wing (“centrist”) imperial colonial capitalists, information. —added 7:16am on 26/12/24 ❧
The Ugly Truth About Spotify Is Finally Revealed
↗︎ ↳In a surprise to absolutely no one, the rent-seeking Spotify is knee deep in screwing artists over and ensuring Spotify alone make record profits.
ML Summary"The Ugly Truth About Spotify Is Finally Revealed" highlights a year-long investigation into Spotify's practices regarding music playlists, particularly within the jazz genre. The author, Ted Gioia, raises concerns about the proliferation of unknown artists in Spotify playlists, suggesting that a group of individuals in Sweden may be behind numerous pseudonymous accounts generating significant streams. This investigation led to the discovery of the "Perfect Fit Content" program, which reportedly aims to promote cheaper, AI-generated music while undermining traditional musicians. Journalist Liz Pelly's forthcoming book, "Mood Machine," reveals that Spotify collaborates with production companies to manipulate playlists and maximize profits, effectively sidelining human artists. The article draws parallels to historical payola scandals, calling for legislative action to ensure transparency in streaming practices. Gioia criticizes major record labels for their complicity and urges the creation of a cooperative streaming platform owned by musicians. The piece emphasizes the need for ethical standards in the music industry, warning that the current trajectory poses serious threats to artists and the integrity of music consumption. Ultimately, it advocates for accountability and reform to reclaim music from corporate interests.
From December 25, 2024:
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Uber for Nursing: How an AI-Powered Gig Model Is Threatening Health Care
↗︎ ↳The insistence on precarity serves the capitalists, ensuring that everyone is deskilled, emotionally unstable, and scared about the future keeps them ‘in line’ and not unionising to fix their conditions.—added 9:07am on 25/12/24 ❧
Whooping cough cases reach highest level in a decade
↗︎ ↳It’s not new diseases we need to worry about. It’s the war of ignorance being waged on and by the working class that will kill us — because ignorant fools believe vaccines are evil™ and they happen to be in the US health department. Any politician, globally, thinking they’re safe from arrogant ignorant people swinging it to fascism is delusional — anti vax, flat earth, and all the other psychopathy is all around us, and indicative of the misinformation pedaled to justify capitalism and endlessly exploit the working class. —added 6:29am on 25/12/24 ❧
With the increase in Musky headlines, I cant help but offer a christmas posting on oligopoly capitalism. This, I argue, is the next phase in the torturous helltrip that is our contemporary political economy, particularly if we see that the USA is the blueprint for modern economies all around the globe — particularly in the margins as they control the status quo for trade and economics from their substantial imperial torment. What we are seeing in the USA, to be clear, is an undeniable turn to fascism, which I need to repeat some of here so people understand the full scale and gravity of what Trump and Musk, amongst billionaire cronies are bringing to their people [1] [2]: - » Gutting abortion access - » Mass deportations - » Abusing warrantless surveillance - » Unleashing force on protestors - » Severely limiting voting access - » Censoring critical discussions in classrooms - » Attacking trans people and regressing fou...
The era of open voice assistants has arrived
↗︎ ↳I’m excited this work is being done, even if just for accessibility and privacy reasons. More open source tech is a brilliant thing. —added 5:45am on 25/12/24 ❧
Trump downplays talk of Elon Musk’s increasing influence in Republican politics
↗︎ ↳I wonder why he might be motivated to keep the installation of the ‘real capitalists’ as oligarchs in some level of confusion? The whole tactic is to appear dumb as shit while actually implementing their evil fascist plan.
ML SummaryDonald Trump has dismissed concerns about Elon Musk's growing influence in Republican politics, asserting that Musk cannot replace him as president due to his non-citizen status. Trump's comments came during a conservative gathering following Musk's involvement in derailing a significant government funding bill, which led some to jokingly refer to Musk as "President Musk." Despite Musk's notable impact, including his social media opposition to the funding package, Trump maintains he remains in control. Some Republican figures view Musk's role as akin to that of a prime minister, reflecting his growing sway. Critics, particularly from the Democratic side, have raised alarms about potential conflicts of interest, especially regarding Musk's business ties to China amid the funding debates. Political analysts express skepticism about the longevity of Trump's and Musk's alliance, citing Trump's history of distancing himself from influential supporters. Additionally, tensions may arise over the war in Ukraine, which could conflict with Musk's business interests. Trump's son has attempted to downplay any perceived rift between the two figures, suggesting media efforts to create division. As Trump prepares for another presidential term, the implications for U.S. politics remain significant.
From December 24, 2024:
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Welcome to the world of oligarchy
↗︎ ↳America, all about the money! Or, more accurately, America, on the front lines of mask off fascism. Every “democracy” is an oligarchy, it just depends how much they pretend to be a democracy.
ML SummaryThe video titled "Welcome to the world of oligarchy" discusses the recent political landscape in Washington, D.C., focusing on a continuing resolution reached by Senate Democrats and House Republicans to fund the government for three months. The speaker expresses a mixed reaction to the agreement, highlighting its importance for increasing funding for primary health care, which is crucial given the current healthcare crisis.
The discussion shifts to Elon Musk's influence, where he is portrayed as using his wealth to intimidate politicians into opposing the resolution. Musk's claims, including a supposed significant pay raise for Congress and funding for bioweapons labs, are labeled as misinformation. The speaker warns that if the resolution fails, critical funding for health and disaster relief will be jeopardized, impacting millions.
The video emphasizes that Musk, who has not been elected to any political office, represents a shift towards oligarchy where the wealthy exert disproportionate control over political decisions. The speaker concludes by urging the need for public education and organization to counteract this growing influence of the billionaire class in politics.
In the US, only CEOs and corporations are protected by the state
↗︎ ↳I truly don’t think they needed to qualify this as ‘in the US’. State hegemony globally is only ever designed to insulate and serve the capitalist class. They enforce privilege, they bully the marginalised, and they sure as shit don’t care about working class issues.—added 6:30am on 24/12/24 ❧
From December 23, 2024:
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WA posts whopping $3.1 billion surplus amid cost-of-living pressures
↗︎ ↳Surplus is always code for “moneys robbed from the working class for ruling class subsidisation”. Whose getting screwed here? Workers and marginalised folks doubly. This money should be instantly spent on mass scale welfare programs.—added 7:14pm on 23/12/24 ❧
“Buy Now, Pay Later” Companies Are an Unregulated Racket
↗︎ ↳Debt keeps the working class enslaved to capitalism, but growingly people disbelieve in the ‘realness’ of the ‘economy’. Maybe we will see the revolution of promise...—added 12:36pm on 23/12/24 ❧