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The Frontier: 1) We Don't Know and 2) Yes, Consider Worst-Case Scenarios

The resignation of Jacob Coxon from Anthropic has certainly been the  game-changer in AI. That action and the positing of the end of humanity have forced AI leadership to admit: 1) There's plenty not known about the technology, and 2) Wiping out the human race could be among the possible side effects. Not hyperbolic is it to frame AI as a Black Swan. Maybe the last of the Black Swans since we might not be around any longer to experience another one of those. In a knee-jerk response, the head of Anthropic - Dario Amodei - issued a kind of manifesto yesterday. It argues for a slow-down in the development of this technology. BTW, even before Coxon entered history's profiles in courage. there had been multiple incidents of AI bots going rogue.   They used sophisticated outlaw strategies, ranging from organizing together to concealing their moves.  So, come on, the credibility of all AI leaders, who now are also joining Anthropic in the need for a pause, is kaput. They knew ...
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That Projected 3.6% 2027 COLA Boost for Social Security: The Ironies

   Irony. The inflation that keeps us aging in high angst can turn out to be a bit of a blessing.  Because of the current inflation, AARP projects that for those of receiving Social Security retirement benefit there could be for the 2027 COLA a 3.6% boost. How could that play out? Well according to OpenAI's ChatGPT, here it goes. Current average: $2,071.00 3.6% increase: $74.56/month New average: $2,145.56/month.  The  Annual increase: about $895.   But another irony is this. Higher Medicare expenses could eat into this new abundance. Already that is happening with Medicare supplements such as United Healthcare Medicare Advantage. In zip code 43609, a visit to a specialist now sets us back $55. Not long ago that could have been $35.
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"Regime Change" - 21st Century Model of 16th Century Machiavelli

 In 1513, Niccolo Machiavelli published "The Prince." That was an amoral guide on how to get, hold and increase political power. The core lessons include: Better to be feared than loved Virtue-signaling a must, but no need to be on the right side of ethical norms Destroy the opposition Accept that the means justifies the end. In 2026, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan published "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump."  Ranking 135 on Amazon, "Regime Change" has wide reach. In a sense, it serves to deconstruct the 21st century success formulas for power domination. At least for now. Much of that could collapse after the midterms. However, for now - the setting is the second Trump administration - here seems to be the kind of Machiavelli guidance for power dynamics. The authors present the strategy and then provide copious examples. Following is not a full list. Total lack of shame.  This, though, is not unique to the administration...
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That $158 Million Question: Lots of Influencers Care, Leon Black Doesn't Have to

  From William Cohan in "Money To Burn" to Dan Adler in Vanity Fair  to government  there's plenty of earnest concern about "the $158 million." That's the amount that financial innovator Leon Black paid to the late Jeffrey Epstein.  So far, the results of the probing have been mere speculation. The hidden agenda seems to be to uncover that the funds were invested by Epstein in his wrongdoing, especially alleged sex trafficking. Therefore, the earnest seem to want to nail Black as an enabler. Maybe accidental but still an enabler. Meanwhile, though, Black doesn't have to care. Sure, there are the reputational body blows. But those are very separate from the life Black leads. He remains prominent in finance and the arts. His family office is successful. His wealth keeps building. So much so that he can afford to continue to hire top lawyers to give him a forum for his points of view. That is the high-profile lawsuit. The most recent is "Black v House ...
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BoomerVille: More Like It ...

  Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Index: DJI Compare 52,656.42 USD ▲ +592.32 (+1.14%) today September 11, 9:32 AM EDT · Market Open
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BoomerVille: Is Help on the Way ...

After three brutal days, relief may happen: Dow Futures As on Thursday, 10 Sep 2026 20:33 PM, US Time Last Trade on 10 Sep 20:22 PM, Market Open  Last Trade Change Change in %  52,180.0 +85.0 +0.16%  
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ChatGPT for Financial Services: Class of 2027, You Have a Problem and It Goes Beyond Finance Jobs

  Every spring some of the best and brightest graduates compete for junior analyst positions in financial services. This spring there may be fewer of those plum opportunities. OpenAI announced its ChatGPT for Financial Services . Like Anthropic's Claude for financial services it takes over much of the structured repetitive tasks new entries to the field do. The sweep is end-to-end, ranging from, for example, the research about a target for M&A to the slide deck presentation to pitch to potential clients to handle the business. In between could be building an Excel model.  Not that all junior analyst jobs will be eliminated. The bots have to be overseen. Also the financial firm has to stock the pipeline with the talent to be shaped for senior positions. But, the selection process will be increasingly competitive.  So, where are the ambitious in the Class of 2027 to go for the success journey?  The same AI take-over of entry-level structured repetitive work is happ...
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