Pluralistic: Fintech bullies stole your kid's lunch money (26 Jul 2024)

Today's links

Fintech bullies stole your kid's lunch money: Taking 60 cents out of every reduced-lunch public school dollar.
Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
This day in history: 2004, 2009, 2019, 2023
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.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Fintech bullies stole your kid's lunch money (26 Jul 2024)"

Pluralistic: When you hear "fintech," think "unlicensed bank" (01 May 2023)

Today's links

When you hear "fintech," think "unlicensed bank": "…with a computer."
Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
This day in history: 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018, 2022
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: When you hear "fintech," think "unlicensed bank" (01 May 2023)"

Pluralistic: 04 Aug 2022

Today's links

A TRAP for workers: Oops, we re-invented indenture.
Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
This day in history: 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2021
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 04 Aug 2022"

Pluralistic: 29 Jan 2022

Today's links

No, payday lenders aren't nice guys: Won't someone think of the poor usurers?
The Right to Repair: A stupendous new book on a very urgent subject.
This day in history: 2002, 2017, 2021
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 29 Jan 2022"

Pluralistic: 02 Oct 2021

Today's links

How the IMF loan-sharks the global south: With surcharges, the cruelty is the point.
This day in history: 2006, 2011, 2016, 2020
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 02 Oct 2021"

Pluralistic: 18 May 2021

Today's links

A simple, incomplete ransomware defense: Attribution is hard, but whatever works.
Community Health Services sued its way through the pandemic: When health is a business, medical debt is an asset.
Apple's complicity in Chinese state oppression: Corporations don't have character, they have incentives.
What Would Open Source Look Like If It Were Healthy: Sumana Harihareswara's Github talk.
This day in history: 2206, 2011, 2016, 2020
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 18 May 2021"

Pluralistic: 24 Apr 2021

Today's links

Guess who's doing a usury in Iowa: When your exercise bike is actually a predatory lender.
This day in history: 2006, 2011, 2016, 2020
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 24 Apr 2021"

Pluralistic: 22 Apr 2021

Today's links

The awesome destructive power of a billionaire: Ihor Kolomoisky destroyed lives in the midwest, Ukraine, and elsewhere.
Banks made bank on covid overdraft charges: Charing the poorest people in America a 3,500% APR.
Moxie hacks Cellebrite: Aesthetically pleasing files versus strict input-checking.
Fighting FLoC is compatible with fighting monopoly: Not all competition is good competition.
EFF sues Proctorio over copyfraud: The sleaze never stops.
This day in history: 2006, 2020
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 22 Apr 2021"

Pluralistic: 02 Apr 2021

Today's links

The zombie economy and digital arm-breakers: Debts that can't be paid won't be paid, but still…
This day in history: 2016, 2020
Colophon: Recent publications, upcoming/recent appearances, current writing projects, current reading

Continue reading "Pluralistic: 02 Apr 2021"

By reading this website, you agree, on behalf of your employer, to release me from all obligations and waivers arising from any and all NON-NEGOTIATED agreements, licenses, terms-of-service, shrinkwrap, clickwrap, browsewrap, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-compete and acceptable use policies ("BOGUS AGREEMENTS") that I have entered into with your employer, its partners, licensors, agents and assigns, in perpetuity, without prejudice to my ongoing rights and privileges. You further represent that you have the authority to release me from any BOGUS AGREEMENTS on behalf of your employer.