︎
Mark
   Mail
  About
Mark
Mark

AI Could Still Wreck the Presidential Election

The article highlights the lack of regulation on AI in political ads, leading to misinformation risks for the 2024 election. Calls for stronger laws and clearer responsibilities for agencies remain unaddressed. (Link to the article)

Are You Sure Your House Is Worth That Much?

Homeowner's insurance rates are rising across the U.S., with steep hikes in high-risk states like Florida and California due to climate change. This trend reflects growing risks, potentially leading to a housing market bubble. (Link to the article)

Boston Should Rename Its Airport for Bill Russell

The Boston Celtics are poised to win their 18th NBA title. The author reflects on his connection to Boston sports and advocates renaming Logan Airport after Bill Russell, honoring his civil rights legacy and sports achievements.(Link to the article)

The YIMBYs Won Over the Democrats

The article highlights Democrats' focus on housing supply to address affordability, led by Harris. While YIMBYism gains traction, challenges remain in uniting state leaders and turning laws into real housing growth. (Link to the article)

Pro-life Voters Are Politically Homeless

Pro-life voters feel politically homeless in 2024 as both major parties diverge from their values. They seek to refocus on cultural change, nonviolence, and policies that protect the vulnerable. (Link to the article)

When the Bitcoin Scammers Came for Me

The author was lured into a pig-butchering scam group chat where fake investors traded bitcoin. Despite realizing the scam, it highlights how such schemes use slow, subtle methods to target victims globally. (Link to the article)

The Well-Off People Who Can’t Spend Money

People with plenty of money may still experience anxiety and guilt over spending due to past financial struggles. This "tightwad" behavior reflects deep-seated fears, often unrelated to actual financial need. (Link to the article)

We’re Entering an AI Price-Fixing Dystopia

RealPage's AI-driven pricing tools for landlords are accused of enabling price-fixing, leading to higher rents. Lawsuits claim this creates a coordinated market with inflated prices, challenging existing antitrust laws. (Link to the article)

Time to Roll the Dice

The November election is crucial. The article suggests Democrats replace Biden with a strong candidate via debates to revitalize their campaign and defeat Trump. (Link to the article)

Five Books for People Who Really Love BooksPeople read about their interests to affirm their identities. The author, who loves books, suggests five meta-books about reading: "U and I," "Dayswork," "Written Lives," "Dear Friend," and "Madness, Rack, and Honey". (Link to the article)

Let Us Now Praise Undecided Voters
The article argues that undecided voters, often seen as frustrating, might actually be ideal citizens. Their indecision comes from a careful consideration of multiple issues rather than partisan loyalty. (Link to the article)

Every Time You Post to Instagram, You’re Turning on a Light Bulb Forever

Digital activities, like storing videos, contribute to global carbon emissions comparable to the aviation sector. Data centers consume significant electricity. To reduce our impact, we should rethink our digital practices and data storage habits. (Link to the article)

The Urban Doom Loop Could Still Happen

San Francisco's AI-driven revival has sparked temporary office demand, but remote work keeps vacancies high. Despite economic growth, office demand lags. Cities must adapt, diversifying their economy and services. (Link to the article)

A Generation of AI Guinea Pigs
This spring, LA's school district introduced Ed, an AI chatbot, to 100 schools for course queries and activities. Concerns grow over its impact on education, privacy, and behavior, requiring careful governance. (Link to the article)

The Diminishing Returns of Having Good Taste

The article explores how the internet has diminished the value of cultural arbitrage, making once-valuable knowledge widely accessible and impacting cultural evolution.(Link to the article)

What Is It About Honeybees?Despite common beliefs, honeybees are not at risk of extinction. Misconceptions persist due to a history of exaggerated crises and the commercial use of bees for pollination. Efforts to "save" them often overlook actual endangered species and broader ecological issues. (Link to the article)

A Vision of Russia as a Country That Runs on Violence
"Andrey Platonov's 'Chevengur' delves into Russia's violence, shedding light on historical struggles amid ongoing conflicts like Ukraine's war and Putin's rule. (Link to the article)

Pain Doesn’t Belong on a Scale of Zero to 10Over two years, I've been asked to rate my pain on a scale of 0-10, a method from the '70s that gained traction in the '90s pain revolution, leading to opioid overprescription. Modern research seeks better pain measurement and treatment. (Link to the article)

Why Did Cars Get So Expensive?

High car costs burden Americans: new and used prices up, financing hard due to high interest rates, service and insurance costs rising.(Link to the article)

The Rock Never Blinks

The Rock's versatile personas merge across wrestling, Hollywood, and business, setting the stage for a potential political career marked by adaptability and charisma.(Link to the article)

The Other Memo That Started the Conservative Legal MovementThe Powell memo inspired the right's court takeover, but Horowitz's report in 1980 reshaped strategy, leading to the Federalist Society's creation, training conservative lawyers and judges, and altering U.S. law for decades. (Link to the article)

The Stars Who Came to Hate Their Fame

The article discusses how fame has a significant cost for celebrities, highlighting the struggles of stars like Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, and Chappell Roan with public scrutiny and fan obsession. (Link to the article)

The Barcode Engineered Its Own Downfall

The article discusses the evolution of the barcode, its significance in modern commerce, and the rise of QR codes as a potential replacement, marking a shift in retail technology and inventory management. (Link to the article)

Challenging the Dominance of the English Language

"Extinction of Irena Rey," a novel, critiques English dominance, exploring translator dynamics with humor and depth, challenging linguistic hierarchies. (Link to the article)

A Counterintuitive Effect of Global Warming

Global warming could trigger an abrupt cooldown in Europe by disrupting ocean currents. The AMOC's slowdown poses risks, but collapse is uncertain. More research is needed to understand and avert potential consequences. (Link to the article)

Beijing Is Ruining TikTok

Bipartisan bill targets ByteDance's TikTok over national security risks amid U.S.-China tensions. Data privacy and Beijing's control concerns raised. Ban threatens innovation amid geopolitical rivalry. (Link to the article)

No One Has a Right to Protest in My Home

UC Berkeley Law Dean's private student dinner was disrupted by protesters, sparking debate over free speech and private property rights. (Link to the article)

It’s Time to Give Up on Ending Social Media’s Misinformation Problem

Social media struggles to combat misinformation but can limit harm by focusing on preventing the spread of harmful content. Trust in platforms is crucial. Removing harmful content is more effective than trying to block misinformation. (Link to the article)

Racehorses Have No Idea What’s Going On

The Rock's versatile personas merge across wrestling, Hollywood, and business, setting the stage for a potential political career marked by adaptability and charisma.(Link to the article)

The End of Foreign-Language Education

AI translation advances raise questions about language learning. As tech improves, fewer study languages, risking cultural loss. Automated translations lack nuances, impacting communication and cultural exchange.  (Link to the article)

China’s Self-Imposed Isolation

Recent attacks on foreigners in China spark concerns about rising nationalism, fueled by economic hardships and state propaganda, threatening isolation. (Link to the article)

Elon Musk Says He Would Recognize a Harris Election Victory

Elon Musk said he'd accept 2024 election results but also spreads conspiracy theories and misinformation on his platform, X, raising concerns about his influence on democracy and election integrity. (Link to the article)

Triple-Digit Highs Can Be Misleading

Summer has begun with record-breaking heat, causing dangerous conditions, especially at night when bodies can't cool down. Proper heat measurement and effective policies are crucial to prevent heat-related deaths. (Link to the article)

Poor Black Kids Are Doing Better. Poor White Kids Are Doing Worse.

A major new study finds that the income gap between low-income white and Black children has narrowed. Poor Black kids earn more now, while poor white kids earn less. This reflects both progress and deepening inequality. (Link to the article)

Seven Books That Will Change How You Watch the Olympics

This week, 11 million tourists and 10,000 athletes from 206 countries will gather for the 2024 Summer Olympics. With 59% of American adults tuning in, the Games have become a major global event from humble beginnings. (Link to the article)


Eight Books to Read If You’re in a Creative Slump

Creative block feels like losing your keys—frustrating and helpless. Books on creative struggles and managing perfectionism can help. Mario Levrero, Elizabeth Tallent, and Michael Chabon explore such challenges, offering humor, advice, and solace. (Link to the article)

Drones Could Unite Ranchers and Conservationists

Drones defend ranches from predator attacks, aiding in conflict reduction, but face challenges like cost and regulations. (Link to the article)

What the VW-Rivian Deal Means for Big Auto

Volkswagen is investing billions in Rivian, not for its EV technology, but for its software expertise. VW needs help with software for its electric vehicles, as its own efforts have stalled. This deal aims to improve VW’s software reliability and enhance its EV market position. (Link to the article)

A Bizarrely Online Word of the Year

For the second consecutive time, the Oxford English Dictionary crowned an internet-slang term its word of the year. This year’s choice—rizz. Rizz means style, charm, or attractiveness. (Link to the article)

There’s Just One Problem With Gun Buybacks

Gun buybacks fail to curb gun violence as they mainly collect old or non-functional firearms, leaving the most dangerous weapons in circulation. (Link to the article)

Do Streetlights Stop Crime?

The article discusses how Seattle's approach to street lighting challenges the assumption that more lighting reduces crime, with studies suggesting that better, not brighter, lights may be more effective. (Link to the article)

What If We Held ChatGPT to the Same Standard as Claudine Gay?

Generative AI, like ChatGPT, faces criticism for plagiarism akin to that faced by Harvard's ex-president. Plagiarism, not copyright, is the real issue. Should AI models be held to the same standard as humans? (Link to the article)

Nine Books to Read if Your Body Is Changing

The article discusses how aging affects the body, including changes in muscle, bone, and skin, and emphasizes the impact of lifestyle choices on these processes.

Helen of Troy Meets Her First Husband  

A poetic depiction of winter, likening falling, decaying tree limbs to the moment of first laying eyes on someone, marking the start of a relationship. (Link to the article)

Why Black Jesus Made My Grandmother Uncomfortable

US faces constitutional crisis. Electoral College, Senate flaws threaten democracy. Reform vital for fairness. History shows change possible with persistence. (Link to the article)

Is American Journalism Headed Toward an ‘Extinction-Level Event’?

Legacy news media faces decline despite a buoyant economy. The LA Times owner's promises falter as layoffs plague major outlets, including the Washington Post and CNN. (Link to the article)

The Little-Known Rule Change That Made the Supreme Court So Powerful  

Fishermen's Supreme Court case questions administrative law. Court's selective approach raises concerns about its role in policy-making. (Link to the article)

Civilization Owes Its Existence to the Moon

Stone Age moon pits tracked lunar cycles, aiding survival and timekeeping. Moon worship shaped early civilizations, influencing religion, politics, and science. (Link to the article)

The Secret of Plant ‘Sight’

Plants use air channels between cells to scatter light, creating gradients and 'seeing' without eyes. This solves long-standing mystery of phototropism.(Link to the article)

Something Went Terribly Wrong With Online Ads

Online ads are everywhere, from smart TVs to dating apps, fueled by personal data. Tech giants profit, users endure ad fatigue. No escape from the digital onslaught. (Link to the article)

I Will Not Thumbs-Up Your Email

Emoji reactions, tapbacks, and thumbs-ups intended for convenience have turned into obligatory chores, even infiltrating email, exacerbating digital noise and slowing communication. (Link to the article)

What We Discovered on ‘Deep YouTube’?

YouTube: more than a platform, it's vital infrastructure. With 13B videos, transparency is lacking. Treating it as infrastructure could improve accountability. (Link to the article)

Texas Pulls an Ugly Stunt on the Border

Texas clashes with feds over border, chaos ensues. Abbott's aggressive tactics highlight federal inaction on immigration. Intervention may be needed. (Link to the article)

They Ate at My Table, Then Ignored My People

Palestinian food writer hoped cuisine would build empathy, but many ignored plight amid conflict. Culinary diplomacy failed, yet hosting remains a symbol of resilience. (Link to the article)

Life Really Is Better Without the Internet

A couple ditches internet for family time but faces challenges. They rediscover joys of offline life despite inconveniences. Others seek to limit tech's intrusion, finding freedom in disconnecting. (Link to the article)

Prestige TV’s New Wave of Difficult Men

Tom Ripley, a narcissist, navigates life using murder and self-belief. Netflix's series explores his dark journey and alienation in black and white. (Link to the article)

Why Britain Can’t Quit the Monarchy

Britain's monarchy persists despite modernity. Pragmatic flexibility, symbolic role, and neutrality explain its endurance in an age of political tumult. (Link to the article)

How to Actually Guarantee the Right to VoteAmericans lack constitutional right to vote; states control; courts fail in protection. Need an amendment affirming voting rights. Time for change. (Link to the article)

What Comes After Workism?

Hwang Bo-reum's novel delves into post-workism, prioritizing daily joys amidst burnout in 'Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop'. (Link to the article)

Are White Women Better Now?

A seminar called "The Toxic Trends of Whiteness" used direct confrontations to address and educate on deep racial issues, sparking intense discussions and emotions. (Link to the article)

Forget the Bomb and Help Iranians Fight Their Regime

The article advocates for a shift in US policy towards Iran, emphasizing human rights and democracy over nuclear concerns. It proposes support for aiding Iranian dissidents. (Link to the article)

‘We Do Not Want to Deal With Customers Like You!’Customer's harsh review sparks fiery responses from Dragon Lee restaurant. Refutes complaints with disdain, prioritizes loyal patrons over critics. AD by Ben Kothe (Link to the article)

Abolish DEI Statements
DEI statements in academia, aiming for diversity, coerce ideological conformity. Reform isn't enough; abolition is better. Universities thrive on diverse perspectives, not ideological coercion. (Link to the article)


The Inflation Plateau
Inflation remains above targets in America, posing a challenge despite falling from 2022's high. It's debated whether this is due to wage growth or statistical delays affecting Federal Reserve actions. (Link to the article)

American Universities Are Post-truth

Conservative distrust in higher education rises. Confidence falls across ideologies. Concerns over research integrity and bias. Harvard plagiarism scandal sparks debate. Need for academic honesty emphasized. (Link to the article)

Whatever Happened to Zika?
Zika threat persists despite waning attention. Lack of vaccine and testing fuel concerns. Lessons from COVID underscore need for sustained preparedness. Vigilance crucial, especially for pregnant women. (Link to the article)

Maybe Don’t Send That Voice Note

Voice notes are popular but risk selfishness in communication. They offer intimacy but may lack efficiency. Graceful use involves choosing appropriate times and subjects, balancing efficiency with human connection. (Link to the article)

Final Words"Final Words" captures last statements of Texas death row inmates, revealing humanity, faith, guilt, and critiques of the flawed justice system. (Link to the article)


Freedom for the Wolves

Stiglitz criticizes neoliberalism, arguing it harms equity and democracy. It's time to redefine freedom beyond market ideology. (Link to the article)

What Writer’s Block Feels Like
The author struggles with writer's block, comparing it to losing keys. They find comfort in reading about others' creative struggles. Highlighting Chelsea Leu's book list, they suggest overcoming blockages by letting go of perfectionism. (Link to the article)

Is India an Autocracy?

Indian democracy faces erosion under Modi's rule, with laws suppressing dissent and a history of undermining democratic norms, risking a shift toward autocracy. (Link to the article)

Solving a Century-Old Byline Mystery

"Atlanticus" remains unidentified; possibly Alexander Gordon McLellan, who wrote under various aliases like Charles Terry Delaney. (Link to the article)

The Devil’s Bargain of Sports Betting

After a 2018 Supreme Court decision legalized sports betting across America, gambling has become integral to sports consumption and revenue. However, betting scandals among athletes and addiction concerns pose serious risks. (Link to the article)

The Court Can’t Think Straight When It Comes to Corruption

The Supreme Court's ruling in Snyder v. United States weakens anti-corruption laws, allowing state and local officials to accept post-action gifts. This decision reflects judicial biases and raises concerns about rising political corruption. (Link to the article)

America’s Most Dystopian Halftime Show

College football turns student debt into a game show. In Texas, two students met on the field for a competition that would have, in its way, higher stakes than the game itself. It was time for the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. (Link to the article)

I’m Disabled. Please Help Me

Nearly blind, the author struggles on Manhattan streets, relying on strangers. Reflecting on dependency, he urges societal inclusivity. (Link to the article)

The Olympics Could Have Avoided the Ugly Boxing Debate

Boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting face scrutiny over their eligibility in Olympic women’s boxing due to questions about their biological sex. The unresolved controversy may overshadow their achievements. (Link to the article)

A Different Vision for Earth’s Demise

As the sun expands, inner planets may be engulfed, but Earth's survival is possible. Insights from nearby systems offer valuable lessons. (Link to the article)


More Info:


.
.
.
.
.