TacoButtPlug

https://archive.ph/VQauU

https://archive.ph/VQauU

In summary:

• Media: Some major media outlets have been slow to respond, with scoops coming from unexpected sources. The Washington Post may be hampered by its owner's potential conflicts, and The New York Times is criticized for downplaying the gravity of the news.
• Academia: Academic institutions have been largely silent, though individual academics have raised concerns. There's a call for coordinated public pronouncements from university leadership, especially from law and medical schools, and for professional associations to sanction members in defense of the public sphere.
• Business: Business leaders have a history of misjudging the dangers of autocratic leaders and have been truckling to the new administration, possibly out of fear of reprisals. However, they may awaken to the economic dangers of executive overreach.
• Mass Mobilization: Mass mobilization is underway, but efforts may struggle if elites underplay the magnitude of the moment. Religious organizations have a role to play in combating Christian nationalism. Public opposition is smaller than it was during the first Trump administration.
• Coordination: Across all sectors of civil society, coordination is key, as individual objections do not carry the weight of joint action. Resistance to authoritarianism is a collective endeavor.

In summary:

• Media: Some major media outlets have been slow to respond, with scoops coming from unexpected sources. The Washington Post may be hampered by its owner's potential conflicts, and The New York Times is criticized for downplaying the gravity of the news.
• Academia: Academic institutions have been largely silent, though individual academics have raised concerns. There's a call for coordinated public pronouncements from university leadership, especially from law and medical schools, and for professional associations to sanction members in defense of the public sphere.
• Business: Business leaders have a history of misjudging the dangers of autocratic leaders and have been truckling to the new administration, possibly out of fear of reprisals. However, they may awaken to the economic dangers of executive overreach.
• Mass Mobilization: Mass mobilization is underway, but efforts may struggle if elites underplay the magnitude of the moment. Religious organizations have a role to play in combating Christian nationalism. Public opposition is smaller than it was during the first Trump administration.
• Coordination: Across all sectors of civil society, coordination is key, as individual objections do not carry the weight of joint action. Resistance to authoritarianism is a collective endeavor.

At this point I don't think the US has much credibility to salvage, Brookings.

At this point I don't think the US has much credibility to salvage, Brookings.

=o

Because it's heavily paywalled, here's th gist:

February 2025: A major AI infrastructure investment in the US. Here are the key points:

Scale and Participants:

• A $500 billion AI infrastructure investment announced by President Trump
• Joint venture called "Stargate" formed by three companies:
• • SoftBank Group (Japan)
• • OpenAI (US)
• • Oracle (US)

Financial Details:

• Initial commitment of $100 billion
• Plans to increase to $500 billion over four years
• SoftBank made an additional separate $100 billion investment pledge

Market Impact:

• SoftBank shares rose 11.6% to ¥10,325 (highest since July 2024)
• Oracle shares up 7.2% on Nasdaq
• Japanese chip stocks also rose (Advantest +4.5%, Tokyo Electron +2.9%)

First Project:

• Data center in Abilene, Texas
• Over 46,500 square meters
• Already under construction

Policy Context:

• Trump administration emphasizing AI investment and deregulation
• Trump rescinded Biden's 2023 executive order on AI regulation
• Positioned as keeping technology investment in US rather than China

The announcement involved high-profile executives including Masayoshi Son (SoftBank CEO), Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO), and Larry Ellison (Oracle Chairman/CTO), who appeared with Trump at the White House for the announcement.

This represents one of the largest technology infrastructure investments in history and signals a major shift in US AI policy and investment strategy.