The Silicon Valley Prepper Movement, Trump's Weekend of Lies, and Who Missed the March...
I used to always joke that the biggest difference between pro- and anti-gun activists is that one side is a lot better armed. Apparently, many people in the tech industry are starting to wonder if they really do need to be better prepared for the possibility that some of today’s economic and political battles will move from the tweets to the streets. In the past, the closest our industry has come to preparing for a society where the norms break down has been annual treks to Burning Man for a week of shirtless, molly-fueled hugs in front of customized RVs, retrofitted with subwoofers capable of blowing Dub techno beats across the Nevada desert. In the spirit of full disclosure, I fall into an even more unprepared camp. My family goes into a total panic if the WiFi gets spotty, and the contents of my go bag don’t amount to much more than a manual typewriter, a few confusingly ironic T-shirts, and a six-pack of La Croix. But believe me, there are plenty of people in Silicon Valley who have joined the prepper movement to evolve from code warriors to road warriors. The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos tracks the trend: Doomsday Prep For The Super-Rich. My favorite line comes from Marvin Liao who explained to Osnos that just having food and water won’t be enough: “‘What if someone comes and takes this?'” he asked me. To protect his wife and daughter, he said, ‘I don’t have guns, but I have a lot of other weaponry. I took classes in archery.'”
Trump’s Pacific Rim Job
President Trump made good on one of his campaign pledges by signing “an executive order formally ending the United States’ participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” Here’s the BBC on the TPP: What is it and why does it matter?
+ “If you go to another country, we are going to be imposing a very major border tax.” Trump also promised a border tax for companies that move US jobs abroad, and said regulations would be cut by 75% for those who do business in the US.
Lies
President Trump’s first weekend in office was marked by a bizarre series of lies. During a rambling and highly politicized speech at CIA headquarters, Trump made up stories about the number of attendees at his inauguration and falsely claimed the media has created the rift between him and the intelligence community (he had previously compared them to Nazi Germany). While the crowd cheered, there is some evidence that the cheering was led by supporters who arrived with the president. Later, press secretary Sean Spicer also lied about the inaugural attendance, and KellyAnne Conway lit the Internet on fire with her explanation that the administration has “alternate facts.” Here’s the NYT: White House Pushes Alternative Facts. Here Are the Real Ones.
+ From Politico: Trump’s Lies vs Your Brain. (Unfortunately, it’s no contest.)
+ Forget fact checkers. Today’s media needs lie trackers. My advice to journalists.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun(ctioning) Democracy
On Saturday, millions of women and girls led marches across the country in what could have been the largest one day protest in American history. Here is a pretty amazing collection of photos from Women’s Marches around the country.
+ My favorite march was the one in SF, which was attended by my wife and daughter (yup, I’m biased in their favor). A close second was the gathering in Sarasota, Fla. Take a look at the lead photo and you’ll see why.
+ While the march included millions of people, 1 in 5 American newspapers ignored it…
+ The lack of coverage by many outlets is another reminder that in today’s political and media environment, turnout is everything, and the only thing.
Gag Me With a Goon
The women who participated in the various events on Saturday might not want to take off their walking shoes just yet. In one of his first acts, President Trump reinstated the global gag rule; “a US policy preventing foreign nonprofit groups that receive federal funds from administering abortions or providing abortion counseling or referrals.” Here’s how that decision could increase dangerous abortions around the world.
+ To understand Trump’s seemingly odd decision to focus on this particular social issue, you need to understand the role and background of Mike Pence.
Whitefish Lox Out Hate
“It’s neighbors meeting face-to-face and coordinating plans to put their values out there. It’s pretty powerful stuff. Here in Montana, we might not have much say nationally. But we can make Whitefish a better town. And if we do that all around the country, I think the national narrative can change.” Andrew Romano with a very interesting look at how the town of Whitefish defeated its neo-Nazi trolls — and became a national model of resistance.
+ Only somewhat related: The gross reason you’ll be paying a lot more for salmon this year.
Offense Intended
Defense wins championships. That’s one of the NFL’s most consistent adages. But this year’s Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and the Falcons will be a clash of two high octane offenses.
Self Welp
“I had nothing against Dr. Chopra. I just found it surprising that moments before the dry run now underway, this beacon of enlightenment, a man supposedly above the trivialities of ego and self-doubt, had asked Bree if the khakis he was wearing made him look fat.” From Vox: I was a self-help guru. Here’s why you shouldn’t listen to people like me.
The HW Way
“One of their physicians, Dr. Amy Mynderse, told reporters that when she informed the 92-year-old former president she would be speaking at a news conference Monday, he replied: ‘About what?'” Barbara and George HW Bush, “the most humble people,” are both on the mend.
Bottom of the News
“Hey. I know it’s been a rough couple of years. Obama, Empire, Hamilton It’s just been hit after hit after hit. Star Wars movies where the only white characters are stormtroopers. I get it! It’s been rough! But you’ve got to stop.” It was not an easy time to deliver an SNL monologue. Aziz Ansari hit it out of the park with one of the best openings the show has ever seen.
+ The verdict is. And jade eggs should be kept out of your vagina.
+ AP: “A mysterious Skittles spill on a rural highway in Wisconsin is taking another twist, with Mars Inc. saying it doesn’t know why the discarded candy might have been headed to become cattle feed.” (I used this story to get my kids to drink more milk this morning.)
+ The new Star Wars movie has a name: The Last Jedi.
