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Unsurprisingly, the big news that I’ve been focusing on this week was the SCOTUS draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. I’m tired of how hard even the most well-meaning individuals will say that something is impossible, until it suddenly (to them, at least) happens.

I don’t think that the Supreme Court is the best judge of what should authoritatively be considered law of the land. Finally, with this upcoming ruling, more people are starting to think the same thing.

I posited back in 2016 that the denial to even entertain the appointment of Merrick Garland to the court was a way to destabilize trust in the institution. I still think that’s even more important of an outcome for the right than getting rulings that they favor. The previous presidency made it clear that “nothing works, burn it all down” was a tantalizing platform.

Where does the tech world come in? Well, right now it’s likely that they are going to be caught just as off-guard as all of the people who knew that this would never happen. You should certainly be careful what you do online, and now you get to worry about things like what your phone is collecting from you that could be used against you as abortion is criminalized. Or even where it is still legal, do you want data on where you go before and after visiting Planned Parenthood to be sold to whoever wants it for pennies?

My concern is for everything else that is built upon a similar platform to Roe that is now in jeopardy. I’ve already had people tell me that there’s no way that the court would overturn Obergefell v. Hodges. It’s impossible because it is too landmark, and that would be too unpopular of a move.

It’s impossible, until it happens.

I know that I would not respect the legitimacy — or ruling — of a court that decided that my marriage is now illegal. I can see a further erosion of rights coming, and we have to decide when it is time to move beyond protest, and take up resistance.

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A Cage by Another Name – Sasha Plotnikova, Failed Architecture

I heard the idea of “tiny home communities as a temporary houselessness solution” and thought that it sounded like a positive step. Then I read about what kind of carceral nightmare they really are.

‘Pure propaganda’: inside Starbucks’ anti-union tactics – Nick Bowlin, The Guardian

There’s going to be more push-back from large companies using gross tactics to stop unionization efforts. Call out the abuses that your bosses are inflicting.

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The Dark Side Of Internet Detectives (Ft. Cadaber)

Crowds online can be organized to do some amazing things. But surprise: they can end up doing harm as well, even unintentionally, in pursuit of meaning and answers.

The Rise and Fall of Geek Culture

A nice deep-dive by Sarah Z on how geeks when from outcasts to cultural tastemakers, all while keeping a specific air of insufferability.

The Disturbing Childhood Trauma Iceberg Explained

I have been weirdly addicted to these iceberg explanation videos lately. At first I was annoyed at how they started taking over my YouTube recommendations. Then I watched a few and found that an interesting narrator can take the things that I remember from childhood, add in something that I’d never heard of, and keep me hooked for an hour.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – Official Teaser Trailer

Weird Al has been a force in music for over forty years, and it’s about time to get a fun biopic!

I also love that they used the same title as the fake Funny or Die trailer made 9 years ago with Weird Al.

Old Speckled Hen – Curiosity has its rewards

Commercials go much harder in Europe than America, including what we’d consider obvious furry bait 😂

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Self managed abortion is a tech issue – Stuff Mom Never Told You

People will still be able to get abortions. The real question is how can we make it easier and better, and how to avoid tech being used for criminalization (see main portion above).

Episode 52: Internet Art (feat. Rachel Winchester) – Underrepresented in Tech

Go find and support some internet artists!

How Religion Evolved with Robin Dunbar – Factually! with Adam Conover

I appreciate a look at religion and some benefits that it can confer other than just, “ancient people tried to find meaning in death”.

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