🔗 Literal Enshittification: ‘Smart’ Toilets Play Fast And Loose With Your Pooping Data | Techdirt
… I’m glad someone is reporting on the important shit. (Pun intended).
Remember when we so concerned that all our ‘house data’ from Roomba was being sent over to Google - without so much as a ‘by-your-leave’.
… and then onto 2022 when Amazon got involved …
Fast Forward to 2025 - and …
🔗 Roomba Maker iRobot Declares Bankruptcy, but Tries to Ease ‘Bricking’ Fears
Turns out all your data is now all wrapped up and safe and over in China.
The Amazon acquisition wasn’t anti-competitive — it was iRobot’s last chance to remain competitive.
💬 [Gruber](https://daringfireball.net/linked/2025/12/15/roomba-maker-irobot-declares-bankruptcy)
Im not saying that someone at the EU read 🔗 my post from yesterday - but I do wonder …
To save the click through …
Together, the EU countries hold more US debt than Japan and China put together - to the tune of $2 maybe 2.5 trillion. - well above twice that of China - and that doesn’t include the UK who is in the same ball park as China all by itself.
and then
No economist in this house - but I do wonder when a country - any country - will get to do something radical rather than putting up with this shit.
Ladies and Gentlemen - we have our answer »>
In other words, some of the factors that make a successful foreign war unlikely push towards the strategy of inviting turmoil into the United States and then seeking to use it.
💬 Timothy Snyder
Consider that in the wake of the national security announcement from Tяump and The Tяump Аппаратчик
What’s most striking to me about this document isn’t any specific policies, but what it reveals about values. Increasingly, the United States and Europe don’t share them. This reflects a change in America far more than a change in Europe. Trump sees a G-Zero world ruled by the law of the jungle, where might makes right and everything can be bought. For all its flaws, institutional quirks, and bureaucratic sclerosis, the European Union stands for something else: rule of law, liberal democracy, human rights, multilateralism. You can roll your eyes at that list all you want, but it’s the foundation of the entire European project. Heck, it’s why America built the transatlantic alliance in the first place. (The alternative, two world wars, didn’t work out too well for anyone.) And it’s now in direct tension with what Washington is selling.
💬 Ian Bremmer
🔗 Full Piece which also includes this reminder …
The only time NATO’s Article 5 has ever been invoked was by the United States, after September 11, 2001. Every European ally came to America’s defense despite different approaches to free speech, regulation, and countless other policy disagreements. They showed up, fought, and died alongside Americans in Afghanistan.
💬 Ian Bremmer
So … Europe is the enemy, China - despite rhetoric seem to be closer and Russia - with no cards but all the influence - blood brothers.
I would note that …
Together, the EU countries hold more US debt than Japan and China put together - to the tune of $2 maybe 2.5 trillion. - well above twice that of China - and that doesn’t include the UK who is in the same ball park as China all by itself.
All that wringing of hands a few months ago about China selling its debt and now we have this.
Of course - they didn’t.
No economist in this house - but I do wonder when a country - any country - will get to do something radical rather than putting up with this shit.
Good. Clean. Fast. Not yet in my navigation - already have @sod search there. Unclear why one and not the other.
I do like the clean look of PageFind. Maybe add PageFind to the Nav - with Search as a choice from that page. #Thinking
Talking about monopolies - from the 🔗 Mars website
Mars and Kellanova anticipate closing the pending transaction on December 11, 2025, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. Upon close, Kellanova’s portfolio of snacking brands, which includes Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR® and Kellogg’s international cereal brands, will join the existing Mars Snacking portfolio, which includes beloved brands like SNICKERS®, M&M’S®, TWIX®, SKITTLES®, EXTRA® and KIND®.
Following the close of the pending transaction, Mars expects the combined Snacking business to generate around $36 billion in annual revenues, with a portfolio that includes 9 billion-dollar brands. Mars Snacking will continue to be headquartered in Chicago, IL and will operate in more than 145 markets, serving millions of consumers. Powered by a team of more than 50,000 Associates, it will operate 80 global production facilities and more than 170 retail outlets like Hotel Chocolat and M&M’S World.
And another one from @benwerd
Whenever I see a good ‘why RSS’ post - I will share.
Which is why I am sharing the latest - from @benwerd 🔗 Why RSS matters
🖇️ If you want to follow most of my world with RSS - you can.