A protester stands on a US flag in Afghanistan (Image: AP)

AFGHANISTAN

Lessons unlearnt #1: the US government’s own report on its failures in Afghanistan. Lessons unlearnt #2: former joint chiefs head who advocated for surge and nation-building admits he was wrong (and Biden had it right).

Europe still has no plan for handling refugees, leaving it vulnerable to countries like Turkey and Belarus who will exploit them. TV commentators spruiking forever wars, strangely, don’t reveal their defence industry ties. From American Conservative: the reaction to Biden’s withdrawal shows the right and the media have learnt nothing.

And who paid the price for America’s disastrous policies? Not the perpetrators, not anyone in the US — except whistleblowers.

DISCOURSE

Why Critical Race Theory should be taught in law schools. (Colour me surprised the same things that turned me off law at Sydney University in the 1980s still seem to be at work.) Tucker Carlson and how the far right weaponises stupidity.

Jordan Klepper talks to New Yawk anti-vaxxers. How fascist die-hards have co-opted anti-vaxxers to become a serious threat in Italy. A taxonomy of vaccine denialism in the United States. Elsewhere, a close examination of the Plymouth “incel” killer’s digital life.

SCIENCE

How big does quantum physics go? It’s now up to tiny lumps of stuff. Physics Frontiers is one of the best physics podcasts and also one the most demanding. But recently hosts Randy and Jim looked at the growing gap between different estimates of what used to be called the Hubble Constant and what it might mean — and managed to do so in highly accessible terms. Well worth a listen for understanding a serious problem in how we comprehend the expansion of the universe.

A new book on astronomer Vera Rubin — who spotted that there must be some sort of dark matter making stars move as quickly in the outer part of the gallery as closer in — recounts her life and struggles in a male-dominated profession.

Writing book reviews is an important academic activity that has lost its status and funding. Internet of shit, part infinity: a flaw has made 83 million devices accessible to hackers.

CAPITALISM

The next automation revolution has already happened, and it hasn’t delivered the productivity boost we thought. Gig economy companies spent hundreds of millions buying a Californian law stating that their employees were not employees. A judge just threw it out.

(Image: LaPresse/SIPA)

Inequality in China is among the worst in the world (like America’s). Regulating our way to emissions abatement simply fuels greenwashing by corporations. The best way to achieve decarbonisation is a carbon price and letting markets lead, a US conservative argues.

FINALLY

Some levity amid our lockdown blues: when cats intrude on working from home: a compilation. And yep, there’s a dog one as well. Shout out to the dog at 2:35 who wins the prize for polite interruption.