Odds and Ends — 1 August 2026

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2026-08-01 14:44

Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, AI, and Debt:

For Hive Power Up Day, I staked 110.42 HIVE.

https://x.com/Acyn/status/2083357579481366746

The Biggest Gamble in the U.S. Economy Looks Riskier

The finances of America’s technology stalwarts now look very different. To develop and deliver what the companies say is revolutionary artificial intelligence, they’re feeding every available dollar into the cash-incinerating maw of AI machines. Tech superstars that once had oodles of cash left over at the end of each year are now flipping into the red, with enormous stakes for every American and the wider economy.
To optimists in Silicon Valley, the White House and beyond, the big AI bet promises an even bigger payoff: huge corporate profits and a society-wide boost to wealth and well-being when AI delivers the promised transformation of life, work and the economy.
But questions about that AI vision are now growing more urgent: When, if ever, will this payoff arrive? And what will the fallout be for Americans if the titanic investment doesn’t quickly deliver?

https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/2083216259370348841

In an alternate universe, this state ownership of the means of production is called communism: Commerce Department quietly announces 7 new equity stakes in private companies

Coronavirus and Public Health:

https://x.com/BigBicNick/status/2082826622118351022

Iran:

Israel and US consider Iran land blockade

Yeah, that’ll work.

This May Be Trump’s Biggest Error in the Iran War

For 2,500 years, military commanders have heeded the injunction of Sun Tzu, the great Chinese military strategist: Know your enemy. Yet the Trump administration’s greatest mistake in the Iran war may be its persistent failure to understand Tehran’s priorities and motivations—and how much punishment the regime is willing to absorb to prevail.

https://x.com/atrupar/status/2083227466835873952

Politics:

Harris Says Supreme Court Should Expand to 13 Justices

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that the United States should consider expanding the Supreme Court to be made up of 13 justices, a popular idea among Democrats who have increasingly pushed for court reform.
Said Harris: “We need to revisit the point of expanding the court to 13 justices like we have 13 district courts.”

Court expansion is moving from a progressive cause to a possible litmus test in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. — Taegan Goddard

Earth’s Warming Primed France and Spain to Burn

Conditions as hot, dry and windy as those leading up to the giant wildfires in France and Spain this week have become more likely in those countries since humans began warming the planet, according to a new analysis.
A team of scientists examined weather records to see how often the regions around Bordeaux, in southwest France, and Madrid have been as parched and primed to burn as they have been in the past few weeks. The researchers’ findings are the latest evidence that parts of Southern Europe should expect huge fires to become a recurring threat.