BoycottUnitedStates

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28700613

From their own internal metrics, tech giants have long known what independent research now continuously validates: that the content that is most likely to go viral is that which induces strong feelings such as outrage and disgust, regardless of its underlying veracity. Moreover, they also know that such content is heavily engaged with and most profitable. Far from acting against false, harmful content, they placed profits above its staggering—and damaging—social impact to implicitly encourage it while downplaying the massive costs.

Social media titans embrace essentially the same hypocrisy the tobacco industry embodied when they feigned concern over harm reduction while covertly pushing their product ever more aggressively. With the reelection of Trump, our tech giants now no longer even pretend to care.

Engagement is their business model, and doubt about the harms they cause is their product. Tobacco executives, and their bought-off scientists, once proclaimed uncertainty over links between cigarettes and lung cancer. Zuckerberg has likewise testified to Congress, “The existing body of scientific work has not shown a causal link between using social media and young people having worse mental health, ” even while studies find self-harm, eating disorder and misogynistic material spreads on these platform unimpeded. This equivocation echoes protestations of tobacco companies that there was no causal evidence of smoking harms, even as incontrovertible evidence to the contrary rapidly amassed.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28729671

Summary

A genuine backlash to Trump’s ethno-nationalist authoritarianism may be starting to take shape on its own terms.

The Washington Post-ABC News poll shows “Trump slipping underwater on immigration, which has been his best issue,” with 56% of independents disapproving of his handling.

Only 21% of independents want wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain imprisoned. These policies “raise basic issues of fundamental fairness, due process, and the rule of law.”

Trump’s lawlessness across the board is clearly a problem, reinforcing the view he’s engaged in rampant extralegal abuses of power.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28672950

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28715622

Summary

Tesla reported its worst quarterly results in four years, with Q1 income down 71% and EV sales falling 13%.

Elon Musk vowed to refocus on Tesla amid backlash over his political role in the Trump Administration’s DOGE program, but analysts doubt his return will fix worsening issues.

Tesla faces eroding market share, failed products like the Cybertruck, and a coming 145% tariff on imported Chinese battery cells set to hammer the company’s battery pack business, one of the only bright spots last quarter.

Musk’s pivot to robotaxis and humanoid robots lacks credibility, and critics say Tesla has no compelling new EVs to revive growth.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/42908924

The US has been bombing Yemen using two aircraft carriers in the region and B-2 bombers stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon has shared virtually no details about its war, which has not been authorized by Congress, but it's likely the bombing campaign has already cost billions in just over one month.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.nl/post/32912225

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/62370804

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/62256846

“The one thing that we have to watch is to make sure we don’t see more countries in a similar boat as where we are with China. We’re watching the EU,” Boeing CEO and President Kelly Ortberg said.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/42836393

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/27183289

This executive order makes sweeping changes to Civil Rights. This is the document that the EO is referencing 28 C.F.R. 42.104

Things that the regime hopes to do:

1. Centralize Power by Eliminating Checks and Balances

   • Meritocracy as a Smokescreen:
     • By framing the order as "restoring meritocracy," the regime could dismantle diversity initiatives that promote independent oversight (e.g., civil rights offices, diversity committees).
     • This weakens institutional resistance to authoritarianism by removing advocates for accountability.
   • Loyalty Over Competence:
     • In practice, "merit" could be redefined to prioritize political loyalty rather than objective qualifications.
     • Federal agencies could be purged of dissenting voices and replaced with loyalists, as seen in historical fascist regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany’s Gleichschaltung—coordination of institutions under party control).

2. Suppress Opposition and Marginalized Groups

   • Roll Back Protections for Minorities:
     • By eliminating race or gender-conscious policies, the regime could systematically exclude minority groups from federal employment and contracting.
     • This aligns with fascist tactics of scapegoating certain demographics (e.g., Jews in Nazi Germany, immigrants in other regimes).
   • Legalizing Discrimination:
     • The changes to 28 CFR § 42.104 could make it harder to challenge discriminatory practices in court, as "affirmative action" remedies are restricted.
     • This creates a legal veneer for exclusionary policies.

3. Control the Bureaucracy and Economy

   • Patronage Networks:
     • A fascist regime thrives on patronage—rewarding loyalists with jobs and contracts.
     • By removing diversity requirements, the government could funnel contracts to politically connected allies (e.g., corporate supporters of the regime).
   • Weaken Labor Protections:
     • Merit-based hiring could be used to break unions or activist groups by labeling them as "non-merit" influences.
     • This mirrors historical fascist suppression of labor movements (e.g., Mussolini’s corporatist state).

4. Propaganda and Ideological Control

   • Manufacture a "Pure" National Identity:
     • Fascist regimes often promote myths of national purity (e.g., Nazi "Aryan supremacy").
     • The executive order could be spun as "ending divisive identity politics" and promoting a homogenized national workforce.
   • Scapegoating "Elites" and "Diversity Advocates":
     • The regime might frame diversity initiatives as corrupt or anti-American, rallying supporters against perceived enemies.
     • This is a classic fascist tactic (e.g., Hitler’s attacks on "cultural Marxists").

5. Legal and Institutional Erosion

   • Undermine the Rule of Law:
     • The changes to 28 CFR § 42.104 weaken legal tools to fight discrimination, making it harder to prove systemic bias in court.
     • By altering regulations like 28 CFR § 42.104, the regime could normalize executive overreach—gradually eroding legal protections.
     • This paves the way for more extreme measures (e.g., suspending elections, militarizing law enforcement).
   • Preventing Future Resistance:
     • A workforce stripped of diversity and dissent is easier to control.
     • This aligns with historical fascist strategies of eliminating opposition within institutions (e.g., Nazi purges of "disloyal" civil servants).

Comparison to Historical Fascist Regimes

• Nazi Germany (1930s):
  • Hitler’s Civil Service Law (1933) banned Jews and political opponents from government jobs, framing it as "restoring professionalism."
  • The Enabling Act (1933) allowed Hitler to bypass the legislature—similar to how executive orders can bypass Congress.
• Mussolini’s Italy (1920s-30s):
  • The fascist syndicates replaced independent unions, ensuring loyalty to the state.
  • The Acerbo Law (1923) rigged elections to guarantee fascist dominance.

They should fuck off!

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/62263647

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/29020723

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/36568767

Feel free to pull this if it isn't appropriate for this community.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/42837833

By all criteria, this a concentration camp. Not “concentration camp” as rhetorical inflation, or emotionally manipulative shorthand, or edgy metaphor—but as in: literally.

As in: detention without trial, state control, inhumane living conditions, forced labor, dehumanization, brutal violence, isolation from accountability, psychological torture, and—by every available logical extension—murder.

That last one we can’t yet verify in the strict evidentiary sense, but the circumstances suggest it like smoke suggests fire, and they are already trying to hide their actions and deny what is occurring.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/42773920

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/42740975

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28561009

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28545627

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28547588

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28536129

Paywall? https://archive.is/i5P0v

cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/11118067

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/29006125

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.bestiver.se/post/338780

Comments

cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/39469940

• Trump’s approval has taken a substantial swing of 9.6 points, from a net positive of 6.2 points in late January to a net negative of 3.4 points in mid-April.
• Trump’s loss in support among Hispanic and young adults has been especially steep.
• The president has not persuaded Americans that foreign countries and producers will bear the burden of higher tariffs, or that the gain will be worth the pain.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28449242

Just had a couple of orders get cancelled as well.