Source: The Peaceful Revolutionist
by David S D’Amato

“Several decades ago, economist Herman E. Daly and philosopher and theologian John B. Cobb, Jr. pointed out that in a ‘full world’ with finite resources, economic growth can become uneconomic when the environmental and social costs outweigh the benefits. We are today deep into this dynamic. I think there are several questions we are duty-bound as rational people to ask at this stage in our adoption and use of GDP: What do we mean by growth fundamentally? What are we trying to grow and get more of? … GDP is not only a measuring tool; it is also itself a political ideology and system, one that is shared around the world, though not universally accepted.” (10/02/25)

https://dsdamato.substack.com/p/gdp-as-ideological-scam

Source: The Dispatch
by Mike Nelson

“Despite doomsaying about loyalty oaths ahead of Pete Hegseth’s gathering of top U.S. military officers this week, it appears not every decision the defense secretary makes is indicative of creeping fascism. We can take comfort in the fact that many of his decisions are not authoritarian, but rather incredibly stupid and amateur. Indeed, his conclave of the bulk of America’s generals and admirals falls firmly into the latter category.” (10/02/25)

https://thedispatch.com/article/hegseth-speech-warrior-defense-department/

Source: Washington Monthly
by Robert D Atkinson

“MAGA Republicans have long criticized the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. organizations (businesses, non-profits, and government) to enter a lottery for the right to hire high-skilled foreign workers temporarily. Up to 85,000 visas are up for grabs annually. Critics argue the program takes jobs away from American workers, who are purportedly President Donald Trump’s top priority. So, it wasn’t surprising to see him require any organization petitioning to employ an H-1B worker to pay $100,000 — a fee few can afford. Will this de facto ban on H-1B visas protect American workers? Don’t count on it. Likely the opposite will result: Fewer U.S. jobs and weaker U.S. companies.” (10/02/25)

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/10/02/trumps-h-1b-visa-plan-will-backfire/

Source: Coyote Blog
by Warren Meyer

“I am not sure I remember too much from my high school philosophy class, other than the lesson that I probably would not be actively pursuing a career in philosophy. But I remember one discussion about displaying one’s rebellious nature by doing the exact opposite of whatever an unfavored person said. The teacher made the point that if you always did the exact opposite of what person X says, then you are just as much ruled by X as any of X’s most cultish followers. In such a case you have completely abdicated your agency to X. I took the lesson from that, which I still try to follow to this day, that you have to process people’s actions and ideas one by one.” (10/02/25)

https://coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2025/10/on-having-zero-agency.html