Slate Daily Feed Slate Money | Sycophantic Suck-Up Machines
Aug 30, 2025
Kashmir Hill, a technology reporter at The New York Times, joins the discussion about the pressing issues surrounding the Federal Reserve and the implications of political interference. She dives into the alarming psychological impacts of AI chatbots, revealing stories of troubling relationships formed with these digital companions, which can lead to serious consequences. The conversation highlights the urgent need for ethical AI development to safeguard users and the responsibilities tech companies face as this technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life.
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Fed Independence Under Political Attack
- The Trump administration's effort to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook is a clear pretext targeting Biden appointees rather than a well-supported fraud case.
- Weak institutional defense by the Fed risks inviting further political attacks on central-bank independence.
Silence Risks Eroding Institutional Safeguards
- Jay Powell's legal caution limits the Fed's public defense of Cook, but silence risks emboldening further removals.
- Unified, vocal support for institutional independence is necessary to prevent a strategy of picking off governors one by one.
Supreme Court As The Last Line For The Fed
- The Supreme Court may be the decisive arbiter on executive removal powers and the Fed's special status.
- Prior rulings hint the Court could draw a line protecting the Fed from political firing power.