The evidence that the world has passed 'peak car'

Cars aren’t what they used to be. Sure, they have more horsepower, more features, and require less fuel — but they are losing their power over humanity. At least that’s the argument in a new book on the history of transportation by journalist Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist. In A Brief History of Motion: From the Wheel, to the Car, to What Comes Next, Standage argues the world may have already passed what he calls “peak car” — the point at which car ownership and use level off and start to decline.
Read more: https://grist.org/transportation/the-evidence-that-the-world-has-passed-peak-car/?source=Snapzu

North Korea’s Nuclear Family

When the Biden administration, following a months-long review, announced its North Korea policy this past April—“diplomacy, as well as stern deterrence”—the news barely registered. The question of how to deal with the nuclear-armed pariah state, a matter never resolved but never fully escalating into an existential threat, has dogged a long succession of U.S. administrations. The prevailing sense today, amid a pandemic and heightened great-power tension, seems to be that Washington has bigger fish to fry and more urgent crises to focus on.
Read more: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/north-korea/2021-08-24/north-koreas-nuclear-family?source=Snapzu

California updates lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, says game maker is interfering

California has expanded its anti-discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, adding temporary workers to the female full-time employees of whom it is suing on behalf. The state's Department of Fair Employment & Housing also alleges the game maker has interfered with its investigation.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/activision-blizzard-lawsuit-temporary-workers-4a8fa284-a003-4c56-819c-43c7c2d3f3ca.html?source=Snapzu

Delta Air Lines to add $200 monthly health insurance charge for unvaccinated staff

Delta Air Lines on Wednesday said employees will have to pay $200 more every month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan if they choose to not vaccinate against COVID-19.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/delta-add-200-monthly-health-insurance-charge-unvaccinated-staff-2021-08-25/?source=Snapzu

The case for a shorter workweek

More than ever, workers want to work fewer hours, saying they can be just as effective in less time – and happier, too. They may be on to something.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210819-the-case-for-a-shorter-workweek?source=Snapzu

Joe Biden Was Right to Pull Out of Afghanistan

The US may not be completely ending its military adventure in Afghanistan, but Joe Biden’s decision to pull out troops is a victory for democracy over national security authoritarianism.
Read more: https://jacobinmag.com/2021/08/joe-biden-afghanistan-taliban-us-military-foreign-policy-pullout?source=Snapzu

FDA approval will not change anti-vaxxers' minds — but it does make vaccine mandates possible

Trumpers were using the FDA as an excuse, not a reason. Only personal consequences will persuade them to vaccinate
Read more: https://www.salon.com/2021/08/24/fda-approval-will-not-change-anti-vaxxers-minds--but-it-does-make-vaccine-mandates-possible/?source=Snapzu