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Monday, February 16, 2026
The Kennedys – America's "Royal" Families
Sunday, February 15, 2026
The Epstein files cover-up: Botched or calculated? | The Listening Post
Horrors of the Dark Web
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Maktoums - Trillionaire Family That Built Dubai | 2025 Documentary
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Why Owning Nothing Is So Expensive
The video explains how companies are increasingly shifting towards subscription models, making it more expensive for consumers to access products and services they once owned outright (0:55). This trend, exemplified by companies like HP, Adobe, and Apple, generates recurring revenue for businesses and makes it difficult for consumers to cancel services due to "dark patterns" and hidden fees (6:26).
Key points highlighted in the video:
- The rise of subscriptions (1:58): The video traces the evolution of subscriptions from traditional print media and milk deliveries to modern digital services like Netflix and Spotify, enabled by technology like cable TV and smartphones.
- Company benefits from subscriptions (6:26): Subscriptions provide companies with stable, recurring revenue and are "sticky," meaning users are less likely to cancel due to automatic payments and difficult cancellation processes.
- Sneaky tactics and difficult cancellations (9:13): Companies often use free trials or misleading pricing to entice users, and then employ "dark patterns" (10:34) to make it hard to unsubscribe, leading to consumers paying more than they initially intended.
- The "own nothing" economy (13:39): The proliferation of subscriptions blurs the line between owning and accessing, as products like printers and cars increasingly limit features behind subscriptions, giving consumers less control over their purchases.
- Consumer resistance and the future (16:52): Some consumers are fighting back by embracing physical media like vinyl records and supporting companies that offer one-time purchases. However, the video concludes that the "own nothing" economy is likely to persist unless regulations are put in place to protect consumers from deceptive subscription practices.
The video explains that companies are incentivized to use subscription models primarily because they provide recurring revenue, which is highly valued by investors (6:36).
Additionally, the video highlights that subscriptions are "sticky," meaning they are effective at retaining users because payments are often automatic. Consumers are four times more likely to cancel if they have to make an active choice (6:41). This model allows companies to earn significantly more money—up to 200% more revenue—from "inattentive subscribers" than they would with more transparent pricing schemes (6:53). The industry has recognized this as a profitable business model and is adopting it to maximize profits (7:06).
The Olympics Make Billions…But The Athletes Are Broke
The video explains the complex financial model of the Olympics, highlighting how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) generates billions in revenue while host cities often face bankruptcy and most athletes struggle financially (0:00).
IOC Revenue Streams
- The IOC made $7.7 billion from 2021 to 2024 (0:36).
- Broadcast rights account for 55% of revenue, with NBC in the Americas being a major contributor (1:13).
- Sponsorships through the Olympic Partners (TOP) Program make up 36% of revenue (2:51). However, some long-term sponsors, like Toyota, have withdrawn due to concerns about the IOC's political stance and its distribution of funds (2:25).
- The remaining 9% comes from other activities like licensing deals (3:03).
Host Cities and Financial Struggles
- Host cities are primarily responsible for the non-OCOG budget, which covers construction and capital investments, leading to significant cost overruns (6:41).
- Since 1960, every Olympic Games has gone over budget, with an average overrun of 150% to 175% (7:14). Montreal in 1976 was 720% over budget, taking 30 years to pay off its debt (7:36).
- Host cities often incur massive expenses for "white elephant" structures like stadiums and train lines that are rarely used after the games (9:41).
- The financial burden largely falls on taxpayers (10:10).
- In 2019, the IOC changed its bidding process due to fewer cities wanting to host, aiming for a more financially stable approach (5:18). Paris 2024 aimed to mitigate costs by using 95% pre-existing or temporary venues and had established transportation (14:53).
Athlete Financial Instability
- Despite the billions in revenue, less than 6% of the IOC's revenue goes directly to athletes (10:50).
- The average US Olympian earns around $20,000 per year, often requiring them to work part-time jobs (10:55).
Olympic athletes primarily fund their participation through a combination of sources, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not directly pay them for competing (12:21-12:24, https://www.olympics.com/ioc/finance. The funding typically covers their extensive training, equipment, coaching, travel, and living expenses.
Here's how athletes typically secure funding:
- Stipends from Sporting Bodies Athletes may receive monthly payments from their sport's governing body, such as USA Track and Field. These stipends vary significantly by sport and are often based on an athlete's experience, past performance, and potential to win medals. For example, athletes in popular sports like gymnastics, swimming, or track might receive a few thousand dollars per month, while those in less prominent sports like fencing or rowing might only get a couple of hundred dollars (11:49-12:13).
- Prize Money from Home Countries The IOC does not offer prize money for winning medals (12:21-12:24). Instead, any monetary reward for medals comes from the athlete's home country. The amount varies widely; for instance, Singapore and Hong Kong might pay over $700,000 for a gold medal, while the US pays $38,000, and Great Britain offers no prize money (12:27-12:38).
- Sponsorships and Endorsements This is a significant source of income for many athletes, particularly those with high visibility. Major stars like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt can earn millions annually through sponsorships (12:44-12:59). However, sponsorship deals depend on an athlete's popularity, performance, and ability to generate a return on investment for brands. Less famous athletes, even if they are top in their field, often struggle to find sponsorships (13:00-13:23, https://www.investopedia.com/news/how-athletes-get-funding-olympics/.
- Personal Contributions and Fundraising Because the funding from other sources is often insufficient, many Olympians hold one or two part-time jobs while training (11:11-11:17, https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/what-do-olympic-medalists-get-medals-money-rewards. The video highlights that many athletes even have to fundraise within their communities to cover the cost of traveling to the Olympics (13:31-13:35).
- Olympic Solidarity Grants The IOC redistributes a portion of its revenue to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to support athlete development, training grants, and travel subsidies, especially for athletes from developing nations.
- Private Donations In recent developments, private donations have begun to offer more direct financial stability to athletes. For example, a recent $100 million donation is set to provide Team USA athletes with $200,000 each starting in 2026, regardless of medal wins.
Overall, while the Olympic movement generates billions, a very small percentage of the IOC's revenue (less than 6%) directly reaches the athletes (10:50-10:55), making financial stability a significant challenge for most Olympians.
- Only major stars like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps secure lucrative sponsorship deals (12:52). Most athletes struggle to find sponsorships and often have to fundraise to cover travel expenses (13:31).
The video concludes by questioning where the money goes, suggesting that the IOC takes no risk while cities and taxpayers bear the financial burden, and the athletes, who make the show possible, receive very little (13:53). The directors of the IOC, however, take home a combined $50 million (14:35). A long-term solution proposed by some analysts is to have permanent host cities for the Summer and Winter Games (15:23).
I watched Melania's movie so you don't have to.
This video offers a critical review of the Melania Trump movie, exploring Melania's public persona, her role as First Lady, and the perceptions surrounding her.
Here's a breakdown of the video's key points:
- The Melania Movie (0:10-2:24): The creator discusses watching the Melania movie, noting its direction by Brett Ratner, who was pushed out of Hollywood due to Me Too accusations. The film's rights were acquired by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos for $40 million. Despite the movie's intent to provide insight into Melania, the creator found it boring and felt it failed to reveal her true personality.
- Melania's Persona and Ambitions (2:44-3:43): The video highlights a promotional image of Melania that strikingly resembles Claire Underwood from House of Cards, and an old ad showing Melania as a "gobos" (boss) and President of the United States. These images contradict her public reputation as a submissive wife, suggesting her ambitions are more complex than commonly perceived.
- Early Life and Modeling Career (3:55-7:10): Melania Kavs was born in Slovenia in 1970. She started modeling as a teenager, leaving university to pursue it full-time. She worked in European fashion markets before moving to New York in 1996. The video discusses a controversial nude photoshoot she did for free with photographer Alexander Basville, which later resurfaced during her husband's presidential campaign.
- Relationship with Donald Trump and First Lady Role (7:12-11:47): Melania met Donald Trump in 1998 and they married in 2005. Her public profile rose significantly with Trump's 2015 presidential run. The video touches on reports that she cried upon learning Trump would become president and the controversy surrounding her 2016 Republican National Convention speech, which plagiarized parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 speech. The creator questions the actual purpose and influence of the First Lady role, referencing journalist Katy Martin's views that a First Lady's intelligence and engagement are crucial.
- Symbolism and Public Perception (12:11-15:20): The video notes Melania's strategic use of fashion, particularly her outfit at Trump's first inauguration, which echoed Jackie Kennedy's style to signal her fitness for the role. Her later 2024 inauguration outfit, with a black hat covering her eyes, was interpreted as a statement of setting her own terms and creating distance from her role and husband. The movie is criticized for focusing on her modeling experience and outfits rather than her stated desire to push the First Lady role beyond social duties.
- "Be Best" Campaign and Public Backlash (16:50-17:52): Melania's "Be Best" anti-bullying campaign launched in 2018 is discussed, highlighting the irony when her husband publicly mocked a 16-year-old climate activist. This led to public backlash and questions about the sincerity of her initiative, as she did not publicly scold him.
- Marital Speculation and Comparisons to Other Political Spouses (19:17-23:50): The video addresses the ongoing speculation about Melania's relationship with Donald Trump, especially after instances like the "hat incident" where she seemingly avoided his kiss. The creator explores two comparative stories of European political wives: Veronica Lario (ex-wife of Berlusconi), who divorced him due to his public behavior, and Carla Bruni (wife of Nicolas Sarkozy), who stayed by her husband's side despite corruption investigations. The creator concludes that the film doesn't question Melania's loyalty, suggesting she genuinely likes him and finds comfort in her wealthy life as First Lady.
- Final Critique of the Film (24:14-25:01): A Guardian critic is quoted, describing the film as having "not a single redeeming quality," a "designer taxidermy," and a "gilded trash remake" that distracts viewers while her husband and his cronies dismantle the constitution.
Why the US is almost always at war | DW Documentary
The video, "Why the US is almost always at war," explores the historical role of warfare in shaping American identity and political decisions throughout its 250-year existence (1:27). The United States has been almost constantly at war since its foundation (1:06-1:09).
Key aspects of the video include:
- Military Presence and Identity (0:38-1:10): The US military showcases its power globally, with hundreds of thousands of troops on continuous deployment. War has played a central role in shaping the nation's political course, and battle reenactments, memorials, museums, and uniformed ceremonies contribute to making war a key pillar of national identity.
- The Influence of War Movies (5:35-8:35): Hollywood war movies have been an effective method for anchoring military might in the population's hearts and minds. During World War II, dedicated motion picture units collaborated with the military, and prominent directors like George Stevens and John Ford participated in making films that showcased US dominance. These films encouraged patriotism and portrayed the US fighting for the "greater good."
- World Wars and Global Superpower Status (10:40-11:21): The World Wars transformed the United States from a regional power into a global superpower, dictating the new world order. World War II is particularly remembered as a war the US can "still get behind" due to the direct attack on the United States.
- US Military Infrastructure and Global Commitment (18:31-19:15): The US maintains a significant global military presence, with over 200,000 personnel stationed abroad at hundreds of bases. It possesses the most aircraft carriers and military aircraft globally, along with thousands of nuclear warheads.
- Historical Expansion and "Manifest Destiny" (51:49-56:00): The video highlights early US expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Florida and Oregon. The conquest of the West, particularly the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo, is presented as a key phase, though the narrative often overlooks the motivations of settlers to reintroduce slavery. The concept of "manifest destiny" was invented by media and politicians to justify the nation's expansion, using religion to frame it as a divine mission.
- The Impact of the Vietnam War (1:09:54-1:13:00): The Vietnam War marked a turning point, making the public question the US role as the "good guys." It was the first war shown on TV nightly, leading to a mass cultural counter-movement and the end of conscription, breaking the link between the military, politics, and society.
- "Endless Wars" and Foreign Policy Shifts (1:14:14-1:21:20): Interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq are described as "endless wars," difficult to win and end, suggesting the nation hadn't learned from past mistakes. The video discusses the current pendulum swing in US foreign policy, between isolationism and global interventionism.
- Donald Trump's Vision (1:21:39-1:24:20): Donald Trump's approach, similar to President McKinley, emphasizes American supremacy, primarily for economic interests. He aims to replace the old world order with a new system of American power, focusing on defeating enemies and ending wars.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Monday, January 12, 2026
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Wednesday, October 15, 2025
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