late stage capitalism That billionaire who paid off a graduating class's student loans also supports the hedge-fundie's favorite tax loophole Cory Doctorow

smithsonian The origin story of that all-American toy, Slip 'N Slide Andrea James

art How a Black woman turned quilting into a surprisingly radical art form Thom Dunn

new york city Legendary East Village corner store, Gem Spa, closes its doors Gareth Branwyn

tabloids Coronavirus cured (again), Britain’s Royals clash (again) and the woman who pees alcohol (unprecedented) in this week’s dubious tabloids Peter Sheridan

politics Roger Stone leaves jury selection early, food poisoning blamed Xeni Jardin

books Rage Inside the Machine: an insightful, brilliant critique of AI's computer science, sociology, philosophy and economics Cory Doctorow

books Rage Inside the Machine: an insightful, brilliant critique of AI's computer science, sociology, philosophy and economics Cory Doctorow

poetry Joy Harjo named 23rd Poet Laureate, first Native American to serve in U.S. position of honor Xeni Jardin

art Fantastic minimalist embroidery portraits of musicians, writers, and artists David Pescovitz

music Watch The Cure's Robert Smith brilliant start to a red carpet interview David Pescovitz

scams FTC fines four robocallers behind “billions” of US calls Xeni Jardin

Amazon reviews [UPDATE] Herbal company fined $12.8 million after paying for fake Amazon reviews Carla Sinclair

Business Blizzard/Activision celebrates record revenues by laying off 800 employees Cory Doctorow

Copyfight Happy Public Domain day: for real, for the first time in 20 years! Cory Doctorow

Copyfight Only weeks remain until America's Public Domain begins to grow again, for the first time in 21 years! Cory Doctorow

politics Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigns at request of Donald Trump, forced out less than 24 hours after midterm elections Xeni Jardin

fake news Royal wedding bombshell, the CIA’s Trump assassination plot, and the stars really are like us, in this week’s dubious tabloids Peter Sheridan

music Enchanting mix of experimental, minimalist, and ambient cassette music David Pescovitz

happy mutants 2017 Hugo nominees announced Cory Doctorow