We Don’t Have to Anthropomorphize Animals to Care About Them
Assigning human qualities to animals is dangerous for them — and for us.
Recent Stories
Trump’s Pick of ‘January 6 Bystander’ for BLS Commissioner Is a Win for America
Donald Trump wants to install a partisan hack as the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We applaud that move because the less credibility the incoming commissioner has, the more difficult it will be for the president and his administration to lie about the country’s economic situation.
Flash Flood of Nonsense
In a drought of support, pour on the bullshit.
Biodiversity Loss May Drive Climate Change, New Research Shows
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
State Dept’s Human Rights Report Omits Journalist Killings in Gaza
A new State Department report on human rights across the globe seems to absolve Donald Trump’s allies of serious abuses, and it makes no mention of the dozens of journalists killed in Gaza last year
AOL Will End Its Dial-Up Internet Service (Yes, It’s Still Operating)
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
How the Meat Industry Uses Environmentalists to Make Beef Seem Climate-Friendly
Expert says nonprofit partners provide a “fairy dust” of legitimacy to beef industry.
Trump, Chaos, Revenge, Skullduggery, War Crimes: Just Another Normal Week
Russ mulls a potpourri from the grab bag of consciousness.
Judge Rebukes Trump Admin, Rules to Keep Maxwell Grand Jury Documents Sealed
A federal judge on Monday ruled to keep materials sealed that were used to indict Ghislaine Maxwell. In his stinging opinion, the judge left little doubt that the administration’s effort to make them public was little more than a ploy to appear transparent.
Trump’s Takeover of DC’s Police Tells the Story of His Second Term
Both the federal takeover of the capital’s police force and the press conference where it was announced were classic Trump… and that’s not a good thing.
Fiery Meteorite That Punched Hole in Georgia Home’s Roof Is Older Than Earth
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Trump Goes After Wall Street Journal in Major Test of Press Freedom
Will the Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones, stand tall for journalistic integrity, as they have in the past?
Committee to Protect Journalists Blasts Israel Over Killing of Reporter
Israel claims a prominent reporter it killed on Sunday was a terrorist. The Committee to Protect Journalists says his death is part of a disturbing pattern of smearing journalists covering the war in Gaza.
JD Vance Undermines Trump’s Case for Burying the Epstein Files
What was meant to be a partisan attack from Vice President JD Vance will only make MAGA supporters want to see the Epstein files even more.
Without Facts on His Side, Trump Turns to Anecdotes to Justify Policies
With science, facts, and reality often not on their side, Donald Trump and his supporters turn to anecdotes to defend policies driven by sentiment rather than sense.
Donald Trump’s Tacky White House ‘Upgrades’ Embarrass the Nation
The president spends a lot of his time worrying about the tragic lack of gold ornaments on every surface in the White House.
For the Greater Good
Changing the world, one faceless statistic at a time.
Full Frontal Gerrymandering: Trump’s Roided Up Play to Hold the House
It seems we didn’t have enough chaos and blood on the national carpet.
Saturday Hashtag: #AuthenticityGrift
Welcome to Saturday Hashtag, a weekly place for broader context.
‘I Can’t Go Back’: Trump and the New American Brain Drain
Trump’s attacks on higher education are driving students to Europe and other welcoming countries.
NYC Utility Ramps Up Power Shut-Offs As It Seeks 11% Price Hike
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
When Democracy’s Operating System Crashes
When government systems collapse under complexity, democracy itself breaks down — fueling the populist frustration reshaping American politics today.
GOP Senator Celebrates the Weaponization of the FBI
The FBI is supposed to solve actual crimes, not harass state lawmakers who are standing up for democracy. Sadly, Director Kash Patel and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) seem to feel differently.
Giant Stick Insect Discovered in Rainforest May Be Australia’s Heaviest
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Oil and Gaslighting: How Trump and Corporations Manufacture ‘Pseudo-Realities’
Like MAGA, major fossil fuel polluters and their PR enablers evade accountability by spinning the world they want you to see.
Rejoice, Americans, Your Stuff Is Getting More Expensive
The Trump tariffs are finally here. While the president is celebrating, regular Americans should be prepared to start paying a lot more for the things they need.
Class-Action Lawsuit Could Force EPA to Reinstate $3B Climate Program
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Troubling Interview Shows Trump Lives in a Fantasy World of His Own Design
One of the key jobs of presidents is to face facts and make tough decisions based on them. But, since Donald Trump rejects any facts that run counter to the fake reality in which he lives, his decisions will invariably be tainted by madness.
Nations Gather in Geneva Again to Fight Spiraling Plastic Pollution Crisis
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
A Girl’s Grades Drop Every Summer — There’s an Alarming Explanation.
One family’s concern is a warning sign for kids around the world.
The Real Sydney Sweeney Scandal Is How Fox News Is Manipulating Its Audience
By manufacturing “controversies” to keep their audiences enraged instead of engaged, Fox News and right-wing influencers are trying to distract conservatives from issues that matter much more to them.
In Trumpworld, Irrationality Is the New Normal
With the current regime, what is especially disconcerting is our inability to predict anything — aside from Trump’s constant pivots for self-advantage.
Texas Governor Wants to Make Standing Up for Democracy a Felony
Top Republican officials in Texas want to impose draconian penalties on Democrats trying to prevent the GOP from further rigging the state’s congressional map.
A Country of One: The Government Only Serves Donald Trump
Every American is hurt because the US government currently seems to have only the interests of Donald Trump in mind.
Boeing Workers Who Build Fighter Jets Plan Midnight Strike
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
For the Greater Good
Changing the world, one faceless statistic at a time.
2026 Will Be an Election Like No Other
Telling Americans that the next election is the most important in their lifetimes isn’t being alarmist, it’s being realistic about the danger Donald Trump and his GOP pose to democracy.
Donald Trump Only Likes Winning Numbers
Numbers that make President Trump look like a loser drive him insane.
Something Doesn’t Add Up About the Financials of Trump’s Truth Social
While failing to generate even $1 million in revenue during the second quarter of the year, Donald Trump’s media company still managed to raise $2.4 billion during that time.
Saturday Hashtag: #SyntheticFraudCrisis
Welcome to Saturday Hashtag, a weekly place for broader context.
Faced with a Dismal Jobs Report, Trump Finds Comfort in a Conspiracy Theory
Donald Trump reacted to a terrible jobs report by firing the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which puts in question the nonpolitical work of the agency going forward.
A Very Good Summer for Butterflies or a Return to Average?
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
About Those (Modest) Job Gains Republicans Were Celebrating…
As it turns out, the (mediocre) jobs reports that Donald Trump and his allies were celebrating in May and June were way off. On Friday, more accurate figures painted a gloomy picture.
The Epstein Coverup: A Journalist’s Theory
The journalist who first published Epstein’s black book reveals a network of corruption and systemic coverup reaching the highest levels of power.
One Tech Tip: Can You Tell If That Song AI-Generated? Here Are Things To Check
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Trump Is Fast-Tracking New Coal Mines — Even When They Don’t Make Economic Sense
In Appalachian Tennessee, mines shut down and couldn’t pay their debts. Now a new one is opening under the guise of an “energy emergency.”
Trump’s Attack on Brazil Is an Indictment of His Authoritarian Actions Back Home
The executive order with which Donald Trump tries to justify punitive tariffs imposed on Brazil shows some striking similarities to the tactics the president is employing in the US.
Kennedy Center Horrors
It ain’t over ’til …
Republicans Hail GDP Growth, Trump Completes Takeover of US Economy
Now that he has claimed full credit for the economy after it grew 3 percent in the second quarter, Donald Trump and his allies will no longer be able to blame Joe Biden when things go south.
8 Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Future Despite Daunting Global Challenges
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.