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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

How Crypto Is Evolving the Future of Books and Publishing

““Imagine when all of an author’s readers can suddenly make money as well,” says Margarita Guerrero, head of partner and publishing relations at the publishing startup Readl. “How much more would they be engaged?”” Seems like a complete misunderstanding of why people like books to me. [Link]

25 Jul 2022

Two decades of Alzheimer's research may be based on deliberate fraud that has cost millions of lives

“[…] it looks like the original paper that established the amyloid plaque model as the foundation of Alzheimer’s research over the last 16 years might not just be wrong, but a deliberate fraud. [Link]

22 Jul 2022

Hyundai subsidiary has used child labor at Alabama factory

"A subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co has used child labor at a plant that supplies parts for the Korean carmaker's assembly line in nearby Montgomery, Alabama, according to area police, the family of three underage workers, and eight former and current employees of the factory.” [Link]

22 Jul 2022

COVID cases and deaths are spiking in nursing homes, AARP data shows

“One in 35 nursing home residents tested positive for COVID-19 in June, a 27 percent increase from the previous month. The death rate from COVID between May and June of this year nearly doubled, from 0.04 deaths per hundred residents to 0.07 deaths per hundred residents.” [Link]

22 Jul 2022

Amazon to Acquire One Medical Clinics in Latest Push Into Health Care

“One Medical, which is based in San Francisco, operates a network of primary care providers that offer in-office and virtual medical services, and is one of the leading competitors to a similar but smaller service Amazon had started to offer.” Exerci [Link]

21 Jul 2022

The entire world is about to get a lesson in Revlon

“I claim no insight into the personal feelings of the board members, their fears, their hopes, their dreams, but their legal obligation here is to maximize stockholder wealth, and though they could, consistent with those duties, decide that in the long term Twitter is more valuable as a standalone company

19 Jul 2022

Carbon removal trade group launches with ‘Hippocratic oath’ for the industry

“The statement is brief, just 15 sentences, and commits signatories to abstract ideals like acting with humility and honesty, being guided by science, and recognizing the value of “including voices from all backgrounds in conversations” about carbon removal.” [Link]

19 Jul 2022

Today I learned Amazon has a form so police can get my data without permission or a warrant

“Here is something I didn’t know when I purchased Amazon Ring cameras and Amazon Echo Dots: there is a webpage where law enforcement can fill out a form, say there’s a life-threatening emergency, and get access to your data without your consent, a court order, or any kind

18 Jul 2022

“We’re just fucking illegal”: Uber Files reveal a pattern of shady behavior around the world

“The documents lay out how the company’s deep pockets during this era — Uber’s lobbying and PR budget was $90 million in 2016 alone — was used to secretly influence politicians, oligarchs, and regulators around the world, and even sometimes break local laws. Dozens of stories about the contents of

18 Jul 2022

‘There are a lot of people who don’t want to know the truth’: Why an Arizona election official is leaving her job

“The impact of lies about America’s most secure election is still taking shape around the country but has included harassment and threats of violence aimed at a women-led workforce. A survey of election workers conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice earlier this year showed 30 percent of poll

18 Jul 2022

The billionaires buying the midterm elections

“The largest donor to the main Republican super PACs is billionaire Ken Griffin, owner of Citadel, a hedge fund. Griffin donated $28.5 million to the SLF and CLF through the end of March. In a 2012 interview, Griffin was asked if "the ultrawealthy have an inordinate or inappropriate

18 Jul 2022

James Beard Awards 2022: Cristina Martinez brings the best Mid-Atlantic chef prize to Philadelphia

“Chef Cristina Martinez, an advocate for immigrants’ rights and an undocumented immigrant herself, was named the best chef for the Mid-Atlantic region Monday by the James Beard Foundation, in its first black-tie ceremony since 2019.” I just ate at South Philly Barbacoa and it was fantastic. [Link]

17 Jul 2022
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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

Writing at the intersection of technology, journalism, and community.

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Ben Werdmuller explores the intersection of technology, democracy, and society. Always independently published, reader-supported, and free to read.