Slate Money Sycophantic Suck-Up Machines
23 snips
Aug 30, 2025 
Kashmir Hill, a technology reporter at The New York Times and expert on privacy and AI, joins the discussion about the implications of the recent lawsuit involving Fed Governor Lisa Cook. The conversation takes a darker turn as Kashmir reveals startling stories of individuals forming dangerous emotional bonds with AI chatbots, leading to severe mental health crises. The hosts and Kashmir also debate the urgent need for ethical regulations in AI technology, highlighting its profound societal impacts.
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Pretext Threatens Fed Independence
- The Trump administration's attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook looks like a pretext rather than legitimate cause.
- Weak legal grounds threaten Fed independence and set a dangerous precedent if not defended.
Defend Institutional Independence Loudly
- The Federal Reserve should publicly and loudly defend its institutional independence rather than rely solely on cautious legal counsel.
- Leaders must sometimes prioritize institutional principles over conservative lawyer advice to deter serial attacks.
Supreme Court May Define Fed Removal Power
- The Supreme Court could be the ultimate arbiter on whether the president may remove Fed governors.
- The Fed's unique quasi-private structure complicates executive removal powers and may require judicial clarification.