The Atlantic Out Loud I’m Not From the Government but I’m Here to Help
Jan 12, 2026
Curious about the impact of government cuts, Alexandra embarks on a quirky self-monitoring adventure. She buys a Geiger counter and attempts grassroots weather forecasting from a hot-air balloon. Visiting a Maryland farm, she inspects raw milk safety, while also using field-economist tactics to track egg prices in D.C. Her journey reveals the pressing gaps left by federal services, leading her to question the balance between government and individual responsibility in ensuring public safety and innovation.
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Geiger Counter Sparked A DIY Inspection Spree
- Alexandra Petri bought a $22.79 Geiger counter and began inspecting food and radiation herself.
- That purchase launched a months-long project of doing many government tasks personally.
Scaling Individual Responsibility Fails Fast
- As federal inspectors were cut, Petri compiled the expanding list of civic responsibilities falling to citizens.
- She realized that duplicating specialized government work alone often produces poor results.
Balloon Ride To “Forecast” Weather
- Petri took a hot-air balloon ride to gather weather data herself after NOAA cuts.
- Her DIY method failed when weather patterns shifted east-to-west, making the trip futile.