Pluralistic: Code is a liability (not an asset) (06 Jan 2026)

Today's links

Code is a liability (not an asset): AI psychosis, tech boss edition.
Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
Object permanence: Coldplay CD DRM; Star Wars Wars; Digital manorialism vs neofeudalism; Transvaginal foetal sonic bombardment: woo-tunes for your hoo-hah.
Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
Recent appearances: Where I've been.
Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
Colophon: All the rest.

Reverse centaurs and the failure of AI: Turkers all the way down.
Gorgeous, slipcased editions of public domain classics: Dave McKean's Crime and Punishment.
This day in history: 2006, 2011, 2016
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Criti-Hype: Tech bros will settle for "evil genius."
Right to Repair is back for 2021: Will Apple sabotage this one too?
The free market and rent-seeking: Unauthorized bread and poor doors.
This day in history: 2011, 2016
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Full Employment, the podcast edition: There's no AI employment crisis, but there IS a climate emergency.
Life as a fake Amazon reviewer: A security economics case-study.
Don't talk about cancer on FB: Facebook greets cancer diagnoses with a torrent of quack remedy ads.
Privacy as a right, not a product: Putting a pricetag on your data makes you less private.
Primary Richie Neal [D-MA]: Meet the powerful "Democrat" who defends surprise billing and zero taxes for private equity.
This day in history: 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Walt's grandson calls for Disney execs' bonuses to be canceled: Brad Lund wants the money directed to furloughed workers.
The Lost Cause and MMT: The climate emergency and centuries of full employment.
Patent troll sues ventilator makers: Swirlate IP says anyone who uses LTE is violating its patents.
Private equity's healthcare playbook is terrifying: Biopsy reveals metastatic private equity tumors throughout US healthcare's every organ.
On Madame Leota's side-table: The evolution of a fine Haunted Mansion detail.
Black Americans' covid mortality is 2.5X white mortality: AKA, "Why Republicans no longer care about coronavirus."
Spotify's trying to kill podcasting: Another federated system facing monopolistic enclosure.
Monopolies killed corporate R&D;: And that killed productivity growth.
How spy agencies targeted Snowden journalists: Barton Gellman's Dark Mirror.
This day in history: 2010, 2015, 2019
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming appearances, current writing projects, current reading