Mini Show #60: Big Tech, Ticketmaster, Wells Fargo, Saudi Relationship, Live Predictions, & More!
Oct 23, 2022
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Join worker organizer Jessie McCool, fighting for union rights at Wells Fargo, as she details the struggles employees face against corporate injustices. Congressman Ken Buck dives into the urgent need for antitrust legislation to combat Big Tech's monopoly. Khalid al-Jabri sheds light on the nuanced U.S.-Saudi relations, balancing diplomacy and human rights. Finally, James Lee discusses the rise of central bank digital currencies, weighing their potential benefits against privacy concerns. It's a lively mix of activism, politics, and finance!
An activist group is calling for the reversal of the Ticketmaster-LiveNation merger due to allegations of market power abuse and increased ticket prices.
Boston University researchers manipulated the Amacron variant spike protein, resulting in an 80% mortality rate on mice, raising concerns about the experiment's safety and government oversight.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) offer advantages such as increased resilience, safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other digital currencies, with 109 countries exploring CBDC development.
The implementation of CBDCs raises concerns about personal privacy and the concentration of power, with potential surveillance, control, and limitations on individual liberties by government entities.
Deep dives
Research on Ticketmaster/LiveNation Merger Calls for Unwinding
An activist group has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to unwind the merger between Ticketmaster and LiveNation, citing allegations of higher ticket prices and abuse of market power.
Boston University Researchers Manipulate Amacron Spike Protein
Researchers at Boston University have manipulated the spike protein from the Amacron variant of COVID-19 and attached it to a more deadly version for experiments on mice, resulting in an 80% mortality rate.
Controversy Surrounds Boston University Research
Boston University researchers claim their experiment reduced the virus replication's danger level, but critics argue it made the virus more pathogenic. The research was conducted without the knowledge of the government sponsors.
Gain of Function Research Criticized
The Boston University research project has attracted criticism for similarities to gain of function research, with concerns raised about insufficient oversight and possible violations of the terms of the research grant.
Advantages of Central Bank Digital Currencies
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) offer several advantages, including increased resilience, safety, availability, and lower costs compared to other digital currencies. CBDCs can provide a more efficient and secure form of digital payment for everyday transactions.
Global Trend and Interest in CBDCs
Numerous countries, including the US, are exploring the development of CBDCs, with 109 countries representing about 95% of the world's GDP currently evaluating or piloting CBDC projects. This global trend highlights the growing importance and potential impact of CBDCs in the future.
Privacy and Trust Concerns
While CBDCs offer potential benefits, there are concerns related to personal privacy and trust. A centralized CBDC controlled by the government raises questions about surveillance and control over financial transactions. Privacy advocates are concerned about the potential for increased tracking and monitoring of individuals' financial activities.
Impact on Personal and Financial Freedom
The implementation of a CBDC could potentially centralize power and control in the hands of a few government entities. This concentration of power may limit personal and financial freedom, as governments could potentially switch off digital accounts or restrict transactions for dissenters or regime critics. The need for decentralized decision-making and local community banks has been emphasized as a way to foster inclusion, equity, and protect individual liberties.
Krystal, Saagar, & friends give commentary on the midterms, 2024 possibilities, media landscape, Big Tech, Ticketmaster, Wells Fargo, Saudi Arabia, central bank digital currencies, & more!
