🔗 WWW
There are a lot of links out to different parts of the web on this site. I try to mark them all so they get listed here.
Bottoming out the story …
‘Poorer people pay taxes so that governments can subsidise richer people to build things that they then price outside what poorer people can afford.”
A Better Headline?
Subsidies for rich people’s infrastructure, paid by poor people’s taxes.
🔗 The thing about chess | Seth
… maybe there should be. I mean if they can muck around with Cricket - why not Chess?
the tools are only as good as the questions we ask them.
I like the line - but I particulalrly like the page he links to.
‘Web’ means something. It’s about creating networks between writers. When it’s allowed to work remarkable things can be accomplished. Most people who think they’re using the web have never used it. The original web is still very much here, ready for us to start building on it again.
And …
“Most people who have never heard of RSS use it every day.”
In Praise Of Drafts
Drafts, an app by Agile Tortoise, has been recognized as App of the Year for 2025 thirteen years after its release, showcasing its continued relevance and utility in writing. Reposting @ameripie - adding small thoughts. ( Thankyou @agiletoroise )
For your reading pleasure.
Paul Krugman on 🔗 MAGA, the Broligarchs and the Media - and inside he links to 🔗 The Authoritarian Stack
The Information Gets Its Facts Wrong - Again
Osborne’s appointment to OpenAI reflects a trend of organisations hiring political figures, despite their lousy records in public office - and Clegg didn’t even play a PM on TV - much less be one in real life.
🔗 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
Tяump and The Tяump Аппаратчик
When will any country with the leverage to do so finally call America’s bluff and recognize that a hollowed-out Amercia is trading its values for transactional brutalism and deserves to be abandoned by the allies it once took for granted and today arent even acknowledged.
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.
🔗 If your marketing isn’t working
If you’re struggling selling the thing you made, it’s worth reconsidering the audience, the promise and the change you seek to make–and then be honest with your team about whether your offering is actually remarkable, or just the best you could do with what you had.
💬 Seth Godin
🎥 I watched: 🔗 The Woman in Cabin 10 and was severely underwhelmed.