AI is often misrepresented as a driver of growth, while in reality, it serves as a narrative for layoffs and value extraction in a stagnating economy.
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Rachdele writes critical essays on economics, tech, and culture, with interests in politics and literature.
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The blog post investigates the current state of Yosemite National Park, highlighting the challenges posed by budget cuts and staffing reductions at the National Park Service (NPS). It discusses the impact of these changes on park ...
The author reflects on the concept of the 'band-aid economy,' where quick fixes are used to address deeper societal issues, such as urban planning failures and economic inequalities. They argue that many modern solutions, like rid...
5Eurosummer
2025-07-10 • travel economics cultural criticism literary fiction
The author reflects on their recent experiences traveling in Europe, particularly in Paris, while contemplating the impact of overtourism and economic divides on local cultures. They discuss the allure of European destinations, th...
The blog post discusses the rising unemployment rates among new college graduates, particularly Generation Z, since the pandemic. It highlights the challenges they face in securing entry-level jobs due to a sluggish labor market, ...
The author combines a party invitation with reflections on love in San Francisco, highlighting the city's expensive lifestyle and the ongoing search for romance.
The text discusses the implications of fewer container shipments due to the trade war, leading to price increases and potential shortages of goods. It also highlights the impact on the economy and the need for a coherent vision fr...
The text discusses the impact of the tech industry on San Francisco, highlighting the city's reliance on tech, the growing political influence of tech leaders, and the economic disparities between the tech elite and the rest of th...
The author discusses the negative impact of smartphone use on mental health and attention span, and the benefits of taking an offline vacation. She describes her experience using a device called the Brick to limit her phone usage,...
The text discusses the potential impact of a trade war on the economy and everyday life, including the potential effects on food prices, job stability, and the availability of foreign goods. It also includes advice on how to prepa...
0What I'm bringing from 2024 to 2025
2025-01-06 •
The author reflects on their experiences in 2024, including reading, cooking, and traveling, and expresses a desire to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life in 2025.
The text discusses the dangers of the commercialization of prediction, including the rise of prediction markets, forecasting influencers, and data journalism. It highlights the risks and ethical hazards associated with these pract...
The text discusses the dichotomy between Americans feeling the economy is bad and economists saying it is good, focusing on structural affordability issues. It provides examples of the high costs of housing, healthcare, childcare,...
0is healthcare getting worse?
2024-08-23 •
The author shares her experience with the healthcare system in the US, highlighting inefficiencies and biases. She discusses the growing number of healthcare startups and the challenges of self-managing health. The post emphasizes...
The text discusses the impact of inflation on the author's life, particularly in terms of food and drink expenses. It also explores the concept of 'treatflation' and the effect of inflation on wages and the economy.
0where have i been?
2024-07-09 •
The author discusses their recent work on a review of a debut book, focusing on the relevance of economic metrics and human-centric analysis. They emphasize the impact of public conversations about policy and economics on decision...
0How to get an apartment in San Francisco
2024-05-31 •
The text discusses the challenges of finding an apartment in San Francisco, highlighting the high cost of living and the competitive rental market. The author shares personal experiences and insights into the housing market, inclu...
0not-so-clean energy
2024-05-03 •
The text discusses the author's consumption of caffeinated drinks and how they help her get through the day. It also explores the increasing popularity of energy drinks and the impact of modern life on people's need for energy. Th...
0what i've been up to, vol. 1
2024-04-19 •
The author shares what she's been up to, including reading, watching, planning, cooking, and thinking about various things. She talks about books she's reading, shows she's watching, trips she's planning, and activities she's doin...
0who's the critic now?
2024-04-11 •
The text discusses the role of literary criticism in the modern media environment, highlighting the decline of serious criticism in favor of shallow recommendations and clickbait. It also mentions the impact of internet algorithms...
0is the job market dying?
2024-03-20 •
The text discusses the challenges of the current job market, focusing on the difficulties of finding a job through online job aggregators and the impact of AI resume screening tools. The author also highlights the impact of the pa...
0talking about work
2024-02-28 •
The text discusses the significance of talking about work and the various ways the question 'What do you do for work?' can be asked. The author reflects on their own experiences and anxieties about discussing their job, and the im...
0the perfect date
2024-02-14 •
The author discusses the perfect date and how it is not about the place or the money spent, but about the comfort and excitement felt. The post also includes suggestions from friends on what makes a good date.
0what's the point of reading?
2024-02-07 •
The author discusses the importance of reading in the modern era, emphasizing the value of books in a world of short online content. They argue that books offer sophistication and endurance, and that reading trains the ability to ...