Media Bits and Bytes — July 7, 2026
- Data Centers: The Big Backlash
- How Distributing Zines Brought On an Inquisition
- Bernie on Tech
- Crypto, AI and Corporate Political Spending
- The Case Against Geofence Warrants
- Tribal Radio Needs Independence
- AI and Labor
- Luddites Get Down
- The Humanoid Cometh
- DePalma’s “Blow Out”, Timely After 45 Years
Data Centers: The Big Backlash
By Casey Newton, Platformer
Three and a half years after the launch of ChatGPT, the initial wonder that the world first felt about all-knowing answer boxes has increasingly curdled into anger, anxiety, and organized opposition. Tech giants have begun to confront the backlash directly, but the list of AI-generated headaches continues to grow.
How Distributing Zines Brought on an Inquisition
By Lex McMenamin, The Guardian
After a three-week trial, a jury found eight of nine protesters guilty of “providing material support to terrorists”, among other crimes. This “material support” included owning a “printing press” used to print anarchist zines and being part of a leftist book club. The federal government focused on the possession of leftwing literature, including zines, is alarming to activists.
By Katie Drummond, Wired
In March of this year, Sanders and his frequent collaborator, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, proposed legislation that would halt data center construction until a series of safeguards are implemented. In June, Sanders announced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would essentially tax AI’s richest companies and result in direct payments to American citizens.
Crypto, AI and Corporate Political Spending
By Rick Claypool, Public Citizen
In the 2026 midterm elections, corporate money is poised to play a bigger role than ever before in influencing how Americans vote. Cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, Big Tech and online betting corporations have collectively spent $294 million to influence federal elections in the 2026 midterm cycle, reflecting a strategic move to spend directly to influence federal elections.
The Case Against Geofence Warrants
By Jonathan Shorman, Maine Morning Star
Civil liberties advocates warned that geofence warrants ensnare people in digital dragnets, handing the government data on anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They argued that accessing data on anyone within a certain area — the geofence — amounts to a general warrant prohibited by the Constitution.
Tribal Radio Needs Independence
By Brian Bull, Buffalo’s Fire
Since 2004, Native Public Media has worked with stations owned by tribes, operated by tribal schools or led by nonprofits governed by tribal members. It encourages these licensees to adopt strong journalistic practices while remaining free of tribal government influence or that of a distant, consolidated media company.
AI and Labor
Digital Capitalism By Marga Ferré, transform! europe
Two Left Perspectives By Franz Schäfer and Josef Baum, transform! europe
By Vittoria Elliott, Wired
The Summer of Ludd is a weeklong series of talks and activities like how to flirt and date offline, mending, and learning to fight against data centers, all focused on getting people off their phones and into community.
By Oren Etzioni, GeekWire
In Shenzhen, the Chinese company UBTech unveiled the U1, a full-sized humanoid robot with silicone skin, blinking lashes, manicured nails, and an AI tuned to read your mood. It comes in male and female versions. “It will never betray you, will always be loyal to you, and will love you unconditionally,” promised Michael Tam, the executive running UBTech’s consumer brand.
DePalma’s “Blow Out”, Timely After 45 Years
By Coleman Spilde, Salon
American immorality is a rot that spreads quickly and kills without thought or remorse. It is the biological makeup of a country founded on slaughter. And as “Blow Out” reminds us, all it takes to be pulled into this vicious riptide is the squeal of a shot-out tire skidding against the asphalt.