People on here and Ars resonate with me, so I figure ask and see if there are others that might interest to me or other members of the community.

I'll start. I religiously check these sites, in this order, maybe 4-5 times a day:

1. Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au)

2. news.com.au

3. Ars Technica (arstechnica.com)

4. Hacker News (here)

5. Politico (politico.com)

6. Fox News (foxnews.com)

In contrast, Google suggests the result "Trump Derangement Syndrome" upon typing "Trump Dera" into the search box.

Does this imply that Google is manipulating search suggestions in a way that could influence the 2020 election? This could be an unintentional side effect of their algorithm, but seeing that search engines are able to greatly impact voters [1], it seems like an important conversation to have.

Is there a more systematic way that this bias could be investigated rather than just sampling a few potential search queries?

[1] https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/how-google-c...

In 1959 60% of people supported a handgun ban. Now only 26% are in favor.

Who else thinks this is because those of us who grew up playing video games are more comfortable with guns?

A bit of anecdotal evidence--Many of my otherwise very liberal friends own guns or are comfortable with them because they were exposed to them in call of duty, not by their parents.

E.g. asking chatgpt to summarize this: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/23/us/oregon-psychedelic-mushrooms.html

Oregon has taken steps towards the regulated use of psilocybin, a compound found in certain types of mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms. Here's a brief on the scenario:

1. *Psilocybin Experiment*:
- In Eugene, Oregon, an initiative known as the psilocybin experiment is underway, where adults over 21 are allowed to experience the effects of psilocybin in a controlled setting. The setup includes psilocybin tea, wind chimes, and a tie-dye mattress, with the trip lasting for approximately six hours [oai_citation:1,Magic mushrooms: Thousands sign up for Oregon's psilocybin experiment ...](https://apnews.com/article/psilocybin-oregon-magic-mushrooms-psychedelics-therapy-legal-6e5389b090b0c50d5c90d9574b63eca5).

2. *Legislative Framework*:
- In 2020, Oregon established a legislative framework for the regulation and licensing of psilocybin [oai_citation:2,Washington Psilocybin Services Act: a magical legislative solution for ...](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/washington-psilocybin-services-act-magical-legislative-solution-promoting-2023-08-11/#:~:text=At%20the%20state%20level%2C%20in,2022%2C%20Colorado%20passed%20a).

3. *Decriminalization*:
- Oregon voters approved the decriminalization of small amounts of psychedelics in 2020. This move was later mirrored in Colorado, which also passed measures to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and create state-regulated centers for supervised use [oai_citation:3,California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill that would have decriminalized ...](https://apnews.com/article/psychedelics-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-gavin-newsom-california-df0acc070df06de668ef69aafc1f13e1#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20Oregon%20voters%20approved,Oakland%2C%20San%20Francisco%2C%20Santa).

4. *National Recognition*:
- The move towards recognizing the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin, is also noted at the national level, with significant results being reported which might be groundbreaking [oai_citation:4,The Biden administration and Congress see psychedelic drugs as ...](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/12/medical-psychedelic-drugs-congress-00110851#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20results%20that%20are%20coming,psychedelics%2C%20ibogaine%20and%205).

The unfolding scenario in Oregon is a part of a larger dialogue on the reevaluation of psychedelic substances both for recreational and therapeutic uses. It places Oregon at the forefront of this evolving discourse. How might the outcomes of Oregon's psilocybin experiment influence national policy on psychedelic substances?

So this is how liberty dies

I just don't understand this. Why make it so big? I know it's perfectly legal to make it small and unannoying.

Feinstein's legacy of Bipartisanship and Public Service

Trailblazing Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away at her residence in Washington DC, at the age of 90.

Born in 1933, her political career didn't hit its stride until 36 years later. First she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stanford University, where she was active in student government, earning her degree in 1955. Staying active in local politics in San Francisco, she served on the California Women's Board of Terms and Parole from 1960 to 1966, dealing with issues of justice and corrections.

Her political journey began in earnest in 1969 when she was elected to the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors. She broke barriers in 1978 when she became San Francisco's first female mayor, following the tragic assassination of both her predecessor George Moscone and city councilman Harvey Milk. These events made her a vocal advocate for gun control. She enacted the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

Feinstein became the first female member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1993 and the first female chair of the Senate Rules Committee in 2007. She became the first woman to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2009. Her pursuit of fairness, transparency, and the humane rule of law allowed her to lead an extensive review of contentious interrogation programs introduced in the aftermath of 9/11. She outlawed the use of enhanced interrogation techniques under the McCain-Feinstein Anti-Torture Amendment, which passed by a vote of 78-21 in 2015.

In her every appearance in the news, Senator Feinstein has been regarded as both a pillar and an institution.

Her passing has evoked a united front of respect and admiration that transcends political affiliations. President Joe Biden honored her as a "pioneering American" and a "true trailblazer", noting her role as a mentor to many public servants. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi lauded Feinstein's "unmatched courage, poise, and grace", acknowledging her inspirational role for future generations of women in public service. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also paid his respects, speaking about her effectiveness and praising her groundbreaking contributions to the nation.

She is survived by her daughter, Katherine. California Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint her successor.

In unrelated news, the U.S. government is heading for an indefinite shutdown starting September 30th, 2023, the day after her passing. As senators try to unite and address the immediate challenges facing America, they would do well to keep in mind Feinstein's legacy: collaboration and respect across the aisle, and a lifelong dedication to public service.

Sources:

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66963341

[2] https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/29/dianne-feinstein-senator-mayor-00006007

One sentence kind of made me very uneasy:

"One lesson of the 2008 bailout, which rewarded reckless behavior but quelled a catastrophic panic, is that success should be measured by results for the nation, not by the morality of the bailout recipients."

If this is the preferred approach how long will it be before the land of free turns into uncontrolled wild west playground of big corps.