Here I am posting once again after a long hiatus. I don’t mind confessing that my absence has a lot to do with getting COVID and suffering long term effects. It came pretty close to killing me and for a long time and even now I get tired and drained of all energy at odd moments during the day.
I have been blogging on a regular basis of Facebook. I have a site called Business Ethics, and every day I make witty, acidic and occasionally accurate observations on the news. It is not quite as serious as this web site.
Well, let’s get going. Each paragraph is followed by a link to the story. I hope you enjoy. JP
The Events of this Week.
The social media site formerly known as Twitter scored at the bottom of six social media companies when rated for how they handled climate disinformation. This is appalling. Surely the platform can do more to eliminate lies. I am certainly not a “free speech absolutist.” That kind of stance empowers the evil among us. Truth, fact seeking and the use of reason are hall marks of our civilization and we should rely on those values pressing forward.
It appears a man was directed onto a collapsed bridge by Google Maps. A law suit had been filed. Is the company responsible for providing safe and accurate maps? A lot of that will be determined by how the company advertises and its policies toward safety. I expect they will claim that they merely map and the consequences of an inaccuracy must fall upon the user. I will be watching this as it works its way through the courts. Strangely enough I halfway think the company will settle just to avoid the litigation, but that is just a random thought on my part.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/20/google-maps-collapsed-bridge-negligence-lawsuit
What does this resignation mean? My perception is that Murdoch has been gradually stepping down for the last decade and not much will change. But I can be wrong and I have been in the past. This prediction business even when well informed is pretty tricky. I am glad that he is gone. He was a dark cloud on our society, a curse upon the truth and well meaning people everywhere.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/sep/21/rupert-murdoch-stepping-down-chair-fox-news-corp
There are still pieces of good news even bordering on miracles in this day age. Here I present a case in point. A toddler wanders off with two family dogs in tow and is found safe and sound napping in the forest. Sounds like something out of the Brothers Grimm!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/21/lost-michigan-child-sleeping-dog-pillow
A Senator has been indicted. This story broke a few minutes ago. I don’t really want to comment until I get some more information but it is obviously a major story.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robert-menendez-indicted_n_650d98c2e4b04db03fdc1805?wef
There are many disgusting and pitiful men in Washington pretending to serve the nation. But one currently stands out for his cruelty and his overwhelming stupidity, Tommy Tuberville. The alleged Senator from Alabama has placed a hold on military promotions causing havoc among the officer corps. The following video editorial scorches him nicely and I suggest you listen.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lawrence-odonnell-disgraceful-senator_n_650d628ee4b0514b68958836
Pilant's Business Ethics Blog 