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It’s hard to believe that back in the early days of the internet, we were pretty sure that social media would be a unifying force that brought people together. It didn’t take long to realize that social media would instead divide us into rage-fueled silos of misinformed homogeneity. We’ve seen the divide when it comes to political parties and cultural issues, but thanks to the nature of social media, the nature of our political landscape, and maybe our own human nature, the all-inclusive, never-ending flashmob jamboree we thought we were building is gradually dividing us into smaller and smaller groups, online and off. “Some social scientists and cultural observers are increasingly considering [this] more extreme concept: atomization, or the scattering of people — not into two opposing factions but into countless smaller tribes. Like groups of atoms, those subsets can form — and dissolve — at quicksilver pace, leaving people in ever-tinier bubbles, devoid of connection with one another and the larger social fabric. Even subgroups have subgroups, dividing amoeba-like into combative factions, creating a nation of us vs. them and them and them.” NYT (Gift Article): America Is Atomizing. Don’t agree? That’s not a problem. Hardly anyone agrees with anyone on anything, so feel free to do your own research until you find your niche. “An atomized society provides community inside subcultures. Popular influencers, some with audiences far greater than those of traditional media outlets, have given voice to previously fringe interests, creating camaraderie for anyone who thought they were the only cat-loving gun owner. The palindrome enthusiast. A ‘hot’ girl with I.B.S. A knitting Swiftie. The constituencies start to sound like Mad Libs.” And if the socials shrank our groups, spending all day talking to a sycophantic AI agent will only accelerate the trend. My tribe is me, myself, and AI. What we thought would be one big party is morphing into a party of one.
2
Crazy AF
In what’s becoming a trend, a story that already seemed weird is turning out to be much weirder. We knew that Trump recently had to abandon his Qatar-gifted jet for the much safer old-school Air Force One during an international trip. But it turns out, even AF1 wasn’t considered safe enough, and we somehow find ourselves at the intersection of catering and dictatoring. Trump Said to Have Secretly Used Military Jet to Leave Turkey Amid Threats. “Instead of flying out aboard that older, powder blue, modified 747, Mr. Trump was whisked off that plane via a catering container that had been lifted to the opposite side of the plane from where the journalists traveling with him boarded, one of the U.S. officials said. The president was then taken to a third plane, which he flew in secret to Britain, the official with knowledge of the matter said. Reporters on the older plane were not told that Mr. Trump had not flown with them from Turkey to an air base in Britain, making them unwitting participants in the ruse and leaving them, along with some White House staff members, to serve as unknowing decoys.” (Unless that catering container was being used for Cheetos, I’m guessing there was a lot of cleanup required.)
3
Operation Warp Reality
“Speaking in the Oval Office before signing the executive order, Mr. Trump said he was motivated in part by concerns over whether vaccines were tied to autism, even though dozens of studies have found no link between the two.” Trump Signs Executive Order Calling for Fewer Childhood Vaccines. “It is unclear whether the order has any legal power. Vaccine recommendations in the United States are made by a committee of experts who advise the C.D.C., and are then adopted by the agency’s director. But only states can require vaccinations for children to enter school or day care.” (So it may not be legal, but it should provide enough misinformation to bring back some infectious diseases, because Trump now believes his own misinformation.)
+ At this point, it’s incredible how normal our news coverage makes absolute insanity seem. Here’s a headline from TNR that puts things more clearly. Trump Nods Off After Claiming Kids Get ‘Soda Bottle’ Worth of Vaccines.
+ WHO defends immunization schedules after Trump orders fewer childhood shots. “What comes out from WHO is science-based.” (Science? We’re not still clinging to mumpsimus nonsense like science, are we?)
4
That’s So Lit
Obama’s meteoric rise up the career ladder continues. Community organizer. Senator. President. And now... podcaster. “Former President Barack Obama has long shared what he is reading with the public. Now, he plans to delve into a collection of books that have influenced him in a new podcast that will debut in September.” Barack Obama to Host Podcast Exploring Influential Books. (I could definitely see Trump doing something lit-focused like this once at some point...)
5
Extra, Extra
The New Abnormal: “The conundrum highlights how the war has unleashed a more antagonistic Iran and left a region that is vital to the world’s energy security with no good option for countering it.” WSJ (Gift Article): Gulf States Accept a New Normal in Hormuz: Iran Is in Control.
+ Slurred Speech: “In several instances documented in court filings, federal agents referred to targets as ‘tonks’ — a derogatory term typically used to refer to Mexican immigrants and intended to echo the sound of agents’ flashlights striking their heads.” NYT(Gift Article): New Evidence Shows Agents Using Slurs, Bolstering Profiling Claims. (Ya think?)
+ The Clime Climb: Congratulations, everyone. The US just sweltered through the warmest month ever recorded. I’m guessing you’re not fooled by the politicians who downplay climate change. I’m sure business owners aren’t. NYT (Gift Article): Heat, Fire, Smoke and Storms Are Wreaking Havoc on the Economy.
+ Assad Excuse for a Human Being: “A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his brother in absentia for murder, torture and crimes against humanity committed before and during the country’s 14-year civil war that left about half a million people dead.” Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes. (Let’s hope he feels homesick soon.)
+ Abuse and Power: “Miller is accused of beating and burning his ex-wife Emily Moreno, fracturing his young daughter’s collarbone, holding her beloved stuffed bunny hostage, and sharing an inappropriate photo of her, among other numerous allegations.” Trump Shut Down Efforts to Get Alleged Abuser to Drop Out of Midterms.
+ Pocket Pool: “White House officials have asked the Justice Department to consider a new prosecution of a man accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to people familiar with the discussions, as President Trump fumes over U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s decision to drop the case.” WSJ (Gift Article): White House Asks Justice Department to Consider New Reflecting-Pool Prosecution. (I don’t know, maybe spend less time on false prosecutions against imaginary criminals and more time figuring out how to deal with Iran or defending our allies?) As we discussed last week, in a lot of ways, the Reflecting Pool story is a reflection of everything Trump: Dirty Pool.