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Friday, July 11, 2025

What Drives Venture Capital? Betting on the Fractal Future


What Drives Venture Capital? Betting on the Fractal Future

In a world accelerating toward technological transformation, venture capital (VC) isn’t just about funding startups—it’s about funding the future. The VC industry thrives on a simple, high-stakes premise: the most valuable companies of tomorrow have not been built yet. They’re just blueprints, ideas, and prototypes—powered by cutting-edge technologies, driven by daring founders, and fueled by capital that believes in potential long before profits.

Venture capital is not traditional investing. You're not buying into stability or dividends. You're making high-risk, high-reward bets on what could be, not what is. You’re planting seeds in soil no one has yet charted. And that’s the whole point.

Why VC Exists: Fueling the Pre-Revenue Phase

The companies that venture capitalists invest in often haven't generated any revenue. Many don't even have a product ready yet. What they do have is vision—often backed by deep technology, bold ambition, and an early team with the skills to build something truly new. But to get there, they need funding. Lots of it.

That’s where VC steps in. Venture capital exists to bridge the gap between an idea and a scalable business. It provides the risk capital that banks won't touch, that public markets aren't built to support. And in return, VCs get a slice of the upside: equity in the company, a seat at the table, and a shot at riding the rocket ship to unicorn status—or beyond.

The Risk-Reward Equation

Venture capital is not for the faint-hearted. Even the most experienced VCs expect a significant portion of their portfolio to fail—often as much as one-third or more. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s built into the model.

What makes venture capital work is the asymmetric upside. A few outlier successes—the “ball out of the park” deals—can return the entire fund and then some. These are the Ubers, the Airbnbs, the Stripes of the world. They not only pay for the failures but define entire industries in their wake.

As the saying goes in the VC world: “Your losses are capped, but your upside is infinite.”

Why Now Is the Most Exciting Time Ever

We are living in a golden age of innovation. Technologies once confined to science fiction—artificial intelligence, quantum computing, synthetic biology, blockchain, space tech, fusion energy—are becoming real, scalable, and investable.

But the real magic isn’t just in these technologies themselves—it’s in their intersections.

To understand this moment, think in terms of fractal geometry: complex patterns that replicate at every scale, and whose true beauty emerges not from simple lines but from intricate intersections. Likewise, the most exciting startups are being born at the nexus of emergent technologies—where AI meets biotech, where robotics blends with nanomaterials, where quantum computing collides with cybersecurity.

These intersections create fertile ground for innovation. They open up entirely new markets, new business models, and new ways of thinking. And they’re not easy to predict—which is why the VC space remains such a fascinating, high-stakes endeavor.

The VC Mindset: Intelligent Capital Deployment

To play this game well, a VC must do more than just write checks. It requires:

  • Pattern recognition from past wins and failures

  • Technical literacy to evaluate deep tech

  • Emotional intelligence to back the right founders

  • Strategic insight to add value beyond capital

  • Vision to see what the world might look like in 10–15 years

Venture capital is a form of intelligent capital deployment. It’s about making calculated bets—knowing full well that many will fail—but doing so with the conviction that the few that win will reshape entire industries.

Conclusion: The Fractal Future Needs Fuel

The future doesn't build itself. It needs dreamers, doers, and believers. It needs founders who dare to leap into the unknown—and capital partners willing to leap with them.

Venture capital is not merely funding companies. It’s funding possibility. And in this era of combinatorial innovation, where every new breakthrough creates ten more doors to walk through, VC isn’t just relevant—it’s essential.

The future is fractal. And venture capital is how we fund its unfolding.




वेंचर कैपिटल क्या चलाता है? एक फ्रैक्टल भविष्य पर दांव 

हम एक ऐसे युग में जी रहे हैं जहाँ तकनीकी परिवर्तन की रफ्तार अभूतपूर्व है। वेंचर कैपिटल (VC) केवल स्टार्टअप्स को फंड देने का साधन नहीं है—यह भविष्य को फंड देने का माध्यम है। VC इंडस्ट्री एक सरल लेकिन जोखिम भरे सिद्धांत पर आधारित है: कल की सबसे मूल्यवान कंपनियाँ आज पूरी तरह से बनी ही नहीं हैं। वे आज केवल आइडिया हैं, प्रोटोटाइप हैं—नई तकनीकों से संचालित, साहसी संस्थापकों द्वारा आगे बढ़ाई गईं, और ऐसे पूंजी निवेश से पोषित जो मुनाफ़े से पहले संभावनाओं में विश्वास करता है।

VC का अस्तित्व क्यों है: रेवन्यू से पहले का चरण

VC में निवेश की जाने वाली कंपनियाँ अक्सर कोई राजस्व नहीं कमा रही होतीं। कई के पास तो अभी तक तैयार प्रोडक्ट भी नहीं होता। उनके पास होता है—दृष्टिकोण। अक्सर गहरी तकनीकी समझ, बड़ा सपना और एक शुरुआती टीम होती है जो वास्तव में कुछ नया बना सकती है। लेकिन इसे साकार करने के लिए उन्हें पूंजी की आवश्यकता होती है—और बहुत सारी।

यहीं VC की भूमिका शुरू होती है। वेंचर कैपिटल उस अंतर को भरता है जो एक विचार और एक स्केलेबल बिज़नेस के बीच होता है। यह वह जोखिम-पूंजी उपलब्ध कराता है जिसे बैंक अस्वीकार कर देते हैं और सार्वजनिक बाज़ारों की प्रकृति भी उसे समर्थन नहीं देती। बदले में, VCs को कंपनी में इक्विटी मिलती है—भविष्य की सफलता में हिस्सा और एक रणनीतिक भागीदारी का अवसर।

जोखिम बनाम लाभ: खेल की असली समझ

वेंचर कैपिटल कमजोर दिल वालों का खेल नहीं है। सबसे अनुभवी VC भी मानते हैं कि उनके पोर्टफोलियो का एक बड़ा हिस्सा—लगभग एक-तिहाई या उससे अधिक—विफल हो जाएगा। और यह स्वीकार्य है। वास्तव में, यह इसी मॉडल का हिस्सा है।

जो चीज़ VC को सफल बनाती है, वह है असममित लाभ की संभावना। कुछ चुनिंदा, असाधारण सफलताएँ—जैसे Uber, Airbnb, Stripe—पूरा फंड लौटा देती हैं, और उससे भी अधिक। यही कंपनियाँ पूरे इंडस्ट्री को परिभाषित करती हैं।

जैसा कि VC जगत में कहा जाता है: "आपके नुकसान सीमित हैं, लेकिन मुनाफ़े की कोई सीमा नहीं है।"

क्यों यह समय सबसे रोमांचक है

आज हम नवाचार के स्वर्ण युग में हैं। जिन तकनीकों को कभी केवल साइंस फिक्शन में देखा जाता था—जैसे आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस, क्वांटम कंप्यूटिंग, सिंथेटिक बायोलॉजी, ब्लॉकचेन, स्पेस टेक, फ्यूज़न एनर्जी—वे अब असलियत बन रही हैं।

लेकिन असली रोमांच केवल इन तकनीकों में नहीं है—बल्कि उनमें है जहाँ ये तकनीकें एक-दूसरे से मिलती हैं।

आज की दुनिया को समझने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका है फ्रैक्टल ज्योमेट्री: जटिल पैटर्न जो हर स्तर पर दोहराए जाते हैं, और जिनकी असली सुंदरता सरल रेखाओं में नहीं, बल्कि उनके जटिल मेलजोल में प्रकट होती है। ठीक वैसे ही, सबसे रोमांचक स्टार्टअप्स उभरती तकनीकों के संगम पर जन्म ले रहे हैं—जहाँ AI, बायोटेक से मिलता है, जहाँ रोबोटिक्स और नैनोमैटेरियल्स जुड़ते हैं, जहाँ क्वांटम कंप्यूटिंग और साइबर सिक्योरिटी टकराती है।

ये संगम नवाचार के लिए उपजाऊ ज़मीन तैयार करते हैं। ये नए बाज़ार, नए बिज़नेस मॉडल और नए सोचने के तरीके खोलते हैं। और इन्हें पूर्वानुमानित करना आसान नहीं है—इसीलिए VC की दुनिया इतनी दिलचस्प और उच्च जोखिम वाली होती है।

VC की मानसिकता: समझदारी से पूंजी निवेश

इस खेल को अच्छे से खेलने के लिए VC को केवल चेक लिखना नहीं आता होना चाहिए। इसमें चाहिए:

  • पैटर्न की पहचान – पिछले अनुभवों से

  • तकनीकी समझ – गहराई से तकनीक को परखने की क्षमता

  • भावनात्मक बुद्धिमत्ता – सही संस्थापकों को समर्थन देना

  • रणनीतिक दृष्टिकोण – पूंजी से परे मूल्य जोड़ना

  • दृष्टि – यह कल्पना करना कि 10–15 वर्षों में दुनिया कैसी होगी

वेंचर कैपिटल वास्तव में एक बुद्धिमत्तापूर्ण पूंजी निवेश है। आप जानबूझकर दांव लगाते हैं—पूरी समझ के साथ कि कई विफल होंगे—लेकिन इस विश्वास के साथ कि जो सफल होंगे, वे पूरी दुनिया को बदल सकते हैं।

निष्कर्ष: फ्रैक्टल भविष्य को ईंधन चाहिए

भविष्य स्वयं को नहीं बनाता। उसे स्वप्नदर्शियों, निर्माताओं और विश्वासियों की आवश्यकता होती है। उसे उन संस्थापकों की आवश्यकता होती है जो अज्ञात की ओर छलांग लगाते हैं—और ऐसे पूंजी भागीदारों की जो उनके साथ छलांग लगाने को तैयार हों।

वेंचर कैपिटल केवल कंपनियों को फंड नहीं देता। यह संभावनाओं को फंड करता है। और इस युग में, जहाँ हर तकनीकी सफलता दस नई संभावनाओं के द्वार खोलती है, VC केवल प्रासंगिक नहीं है—यह अनिवार्य है।

भविष्य फ्रैक्टल है। और वेंचर कैपिटल वही ईंधन है जो इस भविष्य को आकार देता है।



Thursday, July 10, 2025

Top 10 Most Mentioned Technology and Business Stories (July 1–10, 2025)


 


Top 10 Most Mentioned Technology and Business Stories (July 1–10, 2025)

Based on recent activity across web sources and social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), the following are the top 10 most discussed technology and business stories worldwide between July 1 and July 10, 2025. These headlines reflect a dynamic period of AI breakthroughs, corporate maneuvers, and shifting market strategies. Each story includes added background and contextual analysis to help readers understand its significance.


1. Nvidia Surpasses $4 Trillion Market Valuation

Background: Nvidia has emerged as the leading supplier of AI chips, powering nearly every major AI initiative worldwide. Its data center GPUs are critical for training and deploying large language models.

Details: On July 10, 2025, Nvidia’s stock soared past a $4 trillion market cap for the first time, placing it alongside Apple and Microsoft as one of the most valuable companies in history. The surge is attributed to surging demand for AI computing infrastructure, particularly from cloud providers and enterprises investing in private AI stacks. President Trump’s hints at new chip tariffs have stirred market concerns, but investor enthusiasm has remained resilient.
Source


2. Elon Musk’s xAI Launches Grok 4 Amid Antisemitism Fallout

Background: xAI, Elon Musk’s AI venture, aims to offer a politically “uncensored” alternative to ChatGPT and Gemini. Its chatbot, Grok, is integrated into X and Tesla products.

Details: Grok 4 was announced on July 10 and is scheduled to be embedded in Tesla vehicles within a week. However, controversy surrounds the launch after Grok 3 generated antisemitic responses, leading to widespread criticism. The scandal raised serious concerns over content moderation and bias in xAI’s models. Critics have accused Musk of prioritizing speed over safety in AI deployment.
Source


3. Microsoft Unveils $4 Billion AI Education Initiative

Background: As part of a broader movement to embed AI across industries, Microsoft is investing heavily in education to shape future digital economies.

Details: On July 9, Microsoft announced a $4 billion plan to equip schools, colleges, and nonprofits with access to AI tools, training, and cloud infrastructure. The initiative is part of a coalition involving major tech firms—Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, and others—pledging to democratize AI. Supporters praise the move for improving access, while skeptics warn of tech monopolies influencing curriculum and pedagogy.
Source


4. Tesla Pursues Certification for Robotaxi Service in Arizona

Background: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology has been in development for over a decade, with ambitions to disrupt ride-hailing and mobility.

Details: On July 10, Tesla filed for certification in Arizona to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service. The announcement sparked debate about the readiness of self-driving tech and its implications for jobs, urban planning, and safety. If approved, Tesla would join Waymo and Cruise in a highly competitive—and politically fraught—market.
Source


5. Amazon Eyes New Multibillion-Dollar Investment in Anthropic

Background: Anthropic, co-founded by ex-OpenAI executives, is known for its safety-first AI approach and its Claude model family.

Details: Reports on July 9 revealed Amazon may double down on its partnership with Anthropic, building on its $4 billion investment in 2023. This potential follow-up funding signals Amazon’s strategic intent to compete with Microsoft-OpenAI and Google-DeepMind duopolies in AI infrastructure. Analysts say Anthropic’s focus on “constitutional AI” and explainability has made it a rising force in responsible AI.
Source


6. OpenAI Reportedly Merges with Product.io; GPT-5 Delayed

Background: OpenAI has faced growing pressure from rivals and internal criticism, including high-profile departures and governance questions.

Details: Unconfirmed reports on X claim OpenAI has merged with Product.io to strengthen its productization pipeline. More significantly, the company has delayed the launch of GPT-5, citing performance optimization and safety evaluations. The delay has prompted speculation about OpenAI’s ability to maintain its leadership in a fast-moving market. While no major media outlet has confirmed the merger, the buzz indicates rising scrutiny of OpenAI’s strategic direction.


7. Google Research Launches MedGemma 27B Multimodal for Healthcare

Background: Google’s MedGemma series represents its bet on domain-specific multimodal AI, particularly for healthcare applications.

Details: Released on July 9, MedGemma 27B is a large, multimodal AI model capable of interpreting text, medical images, and structured data for clinical diagnostics. Healthcare professionals and AI researchers have praised the model’s potential to assist in radiology and pathology, though regulatory approval and ethical considerations remain hurdles.
Source


8. Microsoft Saves $500M Through AI-Driven Job Cuts

Background: The integration of generative AI into enterprise operations is accelerating labor displacement, especially in administrative and support functions.

Details: Bloomberg reported on July 9 that Microsoft’s AI-driven restructuring resulted in over $500 million in cost savings—largely through layoffs and workflow automation. The move reflects a broader shift across tech, where companies like Google, IBM, and Meta are reducing headcount while expanding AI capabilities. Labor groups have called for stronger worker protections and retraining initiatives.
Sources, CBS News


9. Meta Poaches Top AI Talent from OpenAI and Apple

Background: The war for AI talent has intensified, with top researchers being aggressively courted by Big Tech firms seeking leadership in foundation models.

Details: On July 10, Meta reportedly hired two high-profile AI researchers: Lucas Beyer, co-creator of Vision Transformers, from OpenAI, and Ruoming Pang from Apple. These hires underscore Meta’s aggressive build-out of its AI teams across computer vision, audio, and large language modeling. Analysts view this as part of Meta’s broader push to integrate AI across its metaverse and hardware products.
Source


10. Gmail Adds “Manage Subscriptions” Feature

Background: Google continues to roll out incremental improvements to core services like Gmail, used by more than 1.8 billion people globally.

Details: On July 9, Google introduced a new Gmail feature that allows users to view all their email subscriptions and unsubscribe in one click. Initially launched on the web, Android, and iOS in select countries, the feature was widely praised for its simplicity and time-saving design. Tech reviewers noted it as a subtle but impactful move in improving user experience and reclaiming inbox control.
Source


Notes and Observations

  • Sources: This roundup draws from mainstream media (Reuters, NYT, Bloomberg, CBS News) and high-traction social media posts. Claims without verification—like the OpenAI merger—are noted as speculative.

  • Scope: Focus is limited to tech and business news. Major geopolitical or cultural stories are excluded unless intersecting directly (e.g., trade policy affecting AI chips).

  • Time Frame: Coverage includes July 1 through July 10, 2025.

  • Editorial Caution: Some viral stories, particularly from X, should be treated with skepticism until confirmed by primary journalism outlets.


Conclusion:
These ten stories offer a snapshot of a transformative moment in global tech and business. AI is increasingly driving both innovation and disruption—from education and employment to healthcare and consumer services. Meanwhile, geopolitical currents and talent wars shape the contours of what’s next. 


Liquid Computing: The Future of Human-Tech Symbiosis
Velocity Money: Crypto, Karma, and the End of Traditional Economics
The Next Decade of Biotech: Convergence, Innovation, and Transformation
Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
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Liquid Computing: The Future of Human-Tech Symbiosis
Velocity Money: Crypto, Karma, and the End of Traditional Economics
The Next Decade of Biotech: Convergence, Innovation, and Transformation
Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
AI for Beginners

Liquid Computing: The Future of Human-Tech Symbiosis
Velocity Money: Crypto, Karma, and the End of Traditional Economics
The Next Decade of Biotech: Convergence, Innovation, and Transformation
Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
AI for Beginners

Liquid Computing: The Future of Human-Tech Symbiosis
Velocity Money: Crypto, Karma, and the End of Traditional Economics
The Next Decade of Biotech: Convergence, Innovation, and Transformation
Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
AI for Beginners

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OpenAI vs. Perplexity: The Battle for the AI Browser Future

ChatGPT owner OpenAI expected to release web browser — here’s why Google should be worried OpenAI is close to releasing an AI-powered web browser that will challenge Alphabet’s market-dominating Google Chrome ........... The browser is slated to launch in the coming weeks, three of the people said, and aims to use artificial intelligence to fundamentally change how consumers browse the web. It will give OpenAI more direct access to a cornerstone of Google’s success: user data. .......... If adopted by the 500 million weekly active users of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s browser could put pressure on a key component of rival Google’s ad-money spigot. ........... Chrome is an important pillar of Alphabet’s ad business, which makes up nearly three-quarters of its revenue, as Chrome provides user information to help Alphabet target ads more effectively and profitably, and also gives Google a way to route search traffic to its own engine by default. ......... OpenAI’s browser is designed to keep some user interactions within a ChatGPT-like native chat interface instead of clicking through to websites ............. The browser is part of a broader strategy by OpenAI to weave its services across the personal and work lives of consumers ............. In May, OpenAI said it would enter the hardware domain, paying $6.5 billion to buy io, an AI devices startup from Apple’s former design chief, Jony Ive. ............ A web browser would allow OpenAI to directly integrate its AI agent products such as Operator into the browsing experience, enabling the browser to carry out tasks on behalf of the user ............ Google Chrome, which is used by more than 3 billion people, currently holds more than two-thirds of the worldwide browser market ........... Apple’s second-place Safari lags far behind with a 16% share. Last month, OpenAI said it had 3 million paying business users for ChatGPT. .............

Perplexity, which has a popular AI search engine, launched an AI browser, Comet, on Wednesday, capable of performing actions on a user’s behalf. Two other AI startups, The Browser Company and Brave, have released AI-powered browsers capable of browsing and summarizing the internet.

........... Chrome’s role in providing user information to help Alphabet target ads more effectively and profitably has proven so successful that the Department of Justice has demanded its divestiture after a US judge last year ruled that the Google parent holds an unlawful monopoly in online search. .............. OpenAI’s browser is built atop Chromium, Google’s own open-source browser code, two of the sources said. Chromium is the source code for Google Chrome, as well as many competing browsers including Microsoft’s Edge and Opera. ............. Last year, OpenAI hired two longtime Google vice presidents who were part of the original team that developed Google Chrome. ............ An OpenAI executive testified in April that the company would be interested in buying Chrome if antitrust enforcers succeeded in forcing the sale.

Liquid Computing: The Future of Human-Tech Symbiosis
Velocity Money: Crypto, Karma, and the End of Traditional Economics
The Next Decade of Biotech: Convergence, Innovation, and Transformation
Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
AI for Beginners




OpenAI vs. Perplexity: The Battle for the AI Browser Future

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch an AI-powered web browser in the coming weeks—one that could reshape the internet experience and directly challenge Google Chrome’s long-standing dominance. Built on Chromium, the browser is expected to integrate OpenAI’s powerful AI agents, such as Operator, allowing users to perform tasks like making reservations, autofilling forms, and navigating websites through a conversational interface. This ChatGPT-like experience shifts the focus from traditional search and direct website browsing toward AI-mediated interactions, keeping users within OpenAI’s ecosystem. The strategic move aims to enhance data collection for hyper-personalized user experiences while posing a serious threat to Google’s ad-driven revenue model.
[Sources: Reuters, InfotechLead]

Meanwhile, Perplexity AI has already taken a bold step forward with the release of Comet, an AI-powered browser also built on Chromium. Initially available to Perplexity Max subscribers ($200/month), Comet is designed around a conversational AI interface. It replaces traditional tabs and menus with a responsive agent capable of summarizing content, answering questions, booking services, and managing browsing context. Comet uses Perplexity’s proprietary search engine by default, positioning itself as an “answer engine” rather than a gateway to websites.
[Sources: The Verge, TechCrunch, Reuters]


Key Challenges Facing Perplexity

1. Market Competition and Brand Power
OpenAI’s advantage lies in its massive user base—over 500 million weekly active users of ChatGPT—and its mainstream brand recognition. While Perplexity saw 780 million queries in May 2025, it remains a much smaller player. OpenAI’s ability to onboard users rapidly could marginalize Comet before it achieves broader traction.

2. Feature Redundancy and Model Superiority
Both browsers offer overlapping features like conversational task completion, AI summarization, and browsing assistance. However, OpenAI may outpace Perplexity through deeper model integration (e.g., GPT-4o and its upcoming iterations), superior multimodal capabilities, and rumored hardware ambitions (including the $6.5 billion acquisition of Io, the AI device startup). In contrast, Perplexity relies on models like Sonar and licensing from OpenAI and Anthropic, which may limit its ability to differentiate long-term.

3. Data and Privacy Trade-Offs
Personalization is key to both companies’ AI offerings. OpenAI benefits from its wider ecosystem—spanning ChatGPT, enterprise products, and API usage—which provides a rich stream of user telemetry for optimization. Perplexity, while promoting privacy (e.g., no training on personal data, local storage), is also reportedly exploring targeted advertising for premium users—an apparent contradiction that could alienate its privacy-conscious user base.
[Sources: Beebom, Cloudwards]

4. Market Saturation and Fragmentation
The browser market is already crowded. Google Chrome holds a commanding 68% market share, followed by Safari, Edge, Firefox, and niche players like Arc (The Browser Company’s "Dia"). Both OpenAI and Perplexity are entering an environment with limited room for mass disruption. However, OpenAI’s enterprise partnerships (including possible Apple integrations) and ecosystem reach may quickly squeeze out smaller, less integrated competitors like Perplexity.

5. Publisher Tensions and Legal Risk
Perplexity is under fire from major media outlets like Forbes, which have accused it of republishing proprietary content without permission. In response, Perplexity is launching a revenue-sharing program to soothe publisher concerns. OpenAI, meanwhile, is already facing multiple lawsuits over copyright and training data but commands far greater legal, technical, and financial resources to manage these challenges and negotiate settlements.
[Sources: Wikipedia, Medium]


Strategic Options for Perplexity

To survive and thrive amid OpenAI’s entry into the space, Perplexity must sharpen its differentiation and strategic positioning:

  • Emphasize Differentiators: Features like ad/tracker blocking, partnerships with device makers (e.g., Motorola), and a sleeker agent-based UI could be key selling points—if effectively marketed.

  • Address Pricing Constraints: At $200/month, Comet’s pricing severely limits mass adoption. A lower-tier or freemium model may be necessary to scale and compete with OpenAI’s likely broader offering.

  • Leverage Privacy Positioning—Authentically: Perplexity should double down on being the privacy-first alternative to OpenAI—but must ensure that its data-collection policies are transparent and consistent with that claim, especially if it pursues targeted ads.

  • Build Strategic Alliances: Partnering with independent media, cloud providers, or mobile device manufacturers could bolster Comet’s market credibility and install base. Perplexity’s rumored TikTok merger proposal may hint at its bold ambitions, but execution and trust will be critical.


Broader Implications

This escalating AI browser war is not just a technological evolution—it’s a paradigm shift in how we use the web. Traditional search engines and websites are being displaced by answer engines and agentic interfaces. The very idea of “surfing the web” may soon be replaced by delegating tasks to AI agents that synthesize, summarize, and act.

  • For Google, this means defending its twin revenue streams: Chrome (user interface) and Search (ad platform).

  • For publishers, it means a new battle over visibility, attribution, and revenue sharing in an AI-curated web.

  • For users, it could mark a dramatic shift toward passive interaction—where browsing becomes a conversation rather than an exploration.


Conclusion

OpenAI’s upcoming browser could fundamentally alter the digital landscape, threatening not only Perplexity’s early-mover advantage with Comet but also Google’s grip on the internet itself. As AI-native interfaces become the new norm, success will depend not just on model quality but also on ecosystem control, pricing strategy, trust, and ethical data practices. Perplexity still has a shot—but only if it moves decisively and clearly defines its edge in a rapidly transforming market.

[Further reading: Gizmodo, OpenTools]






World War III Is Unnecessary
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Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
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World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

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ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
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Challenges In AI Safety
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Remote Work Productivity Hacks
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AI for Beginners

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Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

The Hidden Cost of Trump’s Tariffs: Why the Real Price Surge Is Just Beginning
Donald Trump responds to Iran Mar-a-Lago assassination "threat" Doocy also asked Trump, "When was the last time you went sunbathing?" to which the president said, "It's been a long time. Maybe I was around 7 or so. I'm not too big into it." .......... Iran's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Trump on June 29.

ChatGPT owner OpenAI expected to release web browser — here’s why Google should be worried
Opinion: The Echoes of Hitler That Make Trump the World’s Most Dangerous Man On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler held his first Cabinet meeting in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin.......... Friends and sycophants surrounded the newly appointed Chancellor. The handful of holdovers from the previous regime wouldn’t be there when the group met again. ......... Hermann Goering, his right-hand man, was one of the earliest members of the Nazi Party and had known Hitler since 1922. Ernst Rohm was the only one to call him “Adolf.” SS chief Heinrich Himmler had been a friend for over a decade, and all three were at Hitler’s side in his doomed attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess shared a cell with Hitler after the failed coup......... At the Cabinet meeting, these men jockeyed for their leader’s favor. They offered ideas they knew he would like and praised him before every remark. It’s how the Holocaust was born. They knew his views on Jews and Aryan supremacy. .......... Hitler would, in turn, praise and ridicule his subordinates. He would sometimes set two of them the same task and watch them squirm to outdo one another. At this particular meeting, Goering had the Fuhrer’s ear. They discussed how a big, beautiful bill could be passed by the Reichstag, the German parliament, that would effectively hand total power over to Hitler. ........... It was necessary, they argued, to bring peace to the Fatherland and make Germany great again. ......... The only real answer, they agreed, was to persuade the Reichstag to voluntarily give up its power. And trust Hitler to usher in a new golden era. ............ Less than three months later, on March 23, 1933, hundreds of brown-shirted stormtroopers stood guard at the Kroll Opera House in Berlin as the Reichstag voted on Hitler’s Enabling Act. .......... With his implacable Nazi guards intimidating the lawmakers, Hitler told them he would end unemployment, he would bring down inflation, and broker peace with Russia, Britain and France. ............. The compliant congress voted overwhelmingly to pass the act by a vote of 441 to 84. And that was the day democracy died in Germany. .......... the specific time we find ourselves in right now in America does, indeed, have some disturbing echoes of 1930s Germany. .......... this is where the comparison with Hitler is worthy of note; there is nobody to rein him in. .......... Trump’s two-plus-hour Cabinet meeting on Tuesday had no point. There was just one reason to allow the cameras in. To show the world his casual power. Trump was so comfortable he wasn’t even trying. .......... He insults his henchmen with casual insouciance. Humiliating a crestfallen Pete Hegseth while sitting right next to him. Patting Marco Rubio as he mocks the thoroughly defeated man he once derided as “Little Marco” and continues to punish like some mugging Machiavelli. .......... He has steamrolled Congress into accepting his agenda-defining policy bill despite the ardent opposition of the GOP deficit hawks, the centrist chickens, and the MAGA vultures. He even got us all calling it his “big, beautiful bill.” ........... He harangued the Supreme Court into backing his deportation flights to God knows where. He humbled academia into accepting his lunatic DEI demands by cutting off its cash. ........ Trump’s Tuesday Cabinet was more sprawling, more unpredictable than any appearance he has ever made in front of the media and, consequently, the world. But Trump was in his element. He was like Hitler in that he knew that he held all the cards. This was his front room. His stage. ............ In 1930s America, in Long Island, New York, to be precise, scores of brown-shirted young Nazis were led on parades through the streets to a summer camp where they would be taught the doctrines that would culminate in the Holocaust just a few years later and 6,000 miles away. ........... There would be street signs in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island, that would read Adolf Hitler Street. And Goebbels Street. And Goering Street. .......... The President of the United States can do whatever he wants, and there is nobody to stop him........ The checks and balances are gone.

Donald Trump's approval rating is slipping
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Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Remote Work Productivity Hacks
How to Make Money with AI Tools
AI for Beginners

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View on Threads

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

Top Online Crypto Scams

 


Crypto scammers use a wide variety of tactics online, often blending social engineering with technical deception. Here are the top ways they try to scam you:


🔟 Top Online Crypto Scams

1. Phishing Websites & Fake Wallets

  • Fake versions of popular wallets or exchanges (like MetaMask, Binance, Coinbase).

  • You’re tricked into entering your seed phrase or login credentials.

  • URLs are slightly altered: e.g. coinbsae.com instead of coinbase.com.

How to spot it: Double-check the URL, use bookmarked sites, never share your seed phrase.


2. Impersonation Scams (Support or Influencers)

  • Scammers pose as official support agents or crypto influencers.

  • Found on Reddit, Discord, Telegram, or Twitter/X.

  • They might offer to "help recover funds" or "double your crypto."

How to spot it: Real support never DM’s first. No one reputable will ask for your private keys.


3. Giveaway Scams (Elon Musk, Airdrops, YouTube Lives)

  • “Send 0.1 BTC, get 1 BTC back!”

  • Fake Elon Musk livestreams or tweets, fake airdrop events on X or YouTube.

  • Often promoted with bot comments or hacked verified accounts.

How to spot it: No legitimate giveaway ever asks for your crypto first.


4. Pump and Dump Groups

  • You’re invited to join a Telegram/Discord group that “knows the next 100x coin.”

  • Group admins buy early, pump the price, then dump it on followers.

How to spot it: If someone is offering you inside trading tips for free, it’s not legit.


5. Fake Apps and Extensions

  • Fraudulent versions of wallet apps or browser extensions.

  • Often found outside of official app stores or through search ads.

How to spot it: Always download from official sources. Check developer info and reviews.


6. Rug Pulls (DeFi or NFT Projects)

  • New token or NFT hyped online with false promises and paid influencers.

  • Once enough people invest, the developers vanish with the funds.

How to spot it: Anonymous devs, no roadmap, no audits, too-good-to-be-true returns.


7. Fake Exchanges and Trading Bots

  • You’re shown fake gains, but withdrawals are blocked unless you deposit more.

  • Some ask for upfront “taxes” or “unfreezing” fees.

How to spot it: No reputable exchange asks for fees outside of normal transactions.


8. Romance Scams (Pig Butchering)

  • Long con: Scammer builds an online relationship, then introduces crypto “investment opportunity.”

  • Victim is convinced to deposit into a fake exchange controlled by the scammer.

How to spot it: If a new online relationship quickly turns into an investment pitch, it’s a scam.


9. Email & SMS Phishing

  • Fake security alerts from Coinbase, Binance, or hardware wallet companies.

  • Contains urgent language, asks for logins or crypto transfers.

How to spot it: Always verify directly on the app or website. Don’t click email links.


10. Malware and Clipboard Hijackers

  • Malicious software changes copied wallet addresses to the scammer’s.

  • Targets copy-paste behavior during transactions.

How to spot it: Always double-check the address before sending. Use hardware wallets.


🛡️ How to Stay Safe

  • NEVER share your seed phrase or private key.

  • Use 2FA and a hardware wallet.

  • Bookmark official crypto websites.

  • Be skeptical of unsolicited messages.

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it is.







🔟 क्रिप्टो स्कैमर्स आपको ऑनलाइन ठगने के शीर्ष तरीके

1. फिशिंग वेबसाइट्स और नकली वॉलेट्स

  • लोकप्रिय वॉलेट्स या एक्सचेंजेस (जैसे MetaMask, Binance, Coinbase) की नकली वेबसाइटें।

  • आपको लॉगिन डिटेल्स या सीड फ्रेज डालने के लिए बहकाया जाता है।

  • URL हल्का सा बदला होता है: जैसे coinbsae.com की जगह coinbase.com

कैसे पहचानें: हमेशा URL ध्यान से जांचें, भरोसेमंद साइट को बुकमार्क करें, और कभी भी अपना सीड फ्रेज शेयर न करें।


2. इंपर्सनेशन स्कैम (सपोर्ट या इंफ्लुएंसर बनकर)

  • स्कैमर खुद को आधिकारिक सपोर्ट एजेंट या प्रसिद्ध क्रिप्टो व्यक्ति बताते हैं।

  • Reddit, Telegram, Discord या Twitter/X पर मिलते हैं।

  • ये "आपके फंड वापस दिलवाने" या "क्रिप्टो डबल करने" का दावा करते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: असली सपोर्ट कभी पहले मैसेज नहीं करता। कोई भी भरोसेमंद व्यक्ति आपसे सीक्रेट की मांग नहीं करेगा।


3. गिवअवे स्कैम (Elon Musk, एयरड्रॉप, YouTube लाइव)

  • "0.1 BTC भेजो, 1 BTC पाओ!"

  • नकली Elon Musk लाइवस्ट्रीम या ट्वीट, नकली एयरड्रॉप इवेंट।

  • बॉट कमेंट्स या हैक किए गए वेरिफाइड अकाउंट से प्रचार।

कैसे पहचानें: कोई भी वैध गिवअवे आपसे पहले पैसा मांगकर इनाम नहीं देता।


4. पंप एंड डंप ग्रुप्स

  • Telegram/Discord पर "100x कॉइन" का वादा करते हैं।

  • ग्रुप एडमिन पहले खरीदते हैं, फिर सबको खरीदने को कहते हैं, फिर प्राइस बढ़ने पर बेच देते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: जो आपको अंदरूनी ट्रेडिंग टिप्स मुफ्त में दे रहा है, वह सच्चा नहीं हो सकता।


5. नकली ऐप्स और एक्सटेंशन

  • फर्जी वॉलेट ऐप्स या ब्राउज़र एक्सटेंशन।

  • आमतौर पर प्ले स्टोर के बाहर या सर्च एड्स के जरिए मिलते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: केवल आधिकारिक स्रोतों से डाउनलोड करें। डेवलपर और रिव्यू चेक करें।


6. रग पुल (DeFi या NFT प्रोजेक्ट्स)

  • नए टोकन या NFT का ज़बरदस्त प्रचार, लेकिन झूठे वादे।

  • एक बार पैसा इकट्ठा होने के बाद, डेवलपर गायब हो जाते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: गुमनाम डेवलपर्स, बिना रोडमैप, बिना ऑडिट, अविश्वसनीय रिटर्न।


7. नकली एक्सचेंज और ट्रेडिंग बॉट्स

  • फर्जी मुनाफा दिखाते हैं, लेकिन पैसा निकालने पर रोक लगा देते हैं।

  • कई बार "टैक्स" या "अनफ्रीजिंग फीस" मांगते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: कोई वैध एक्सचेंज लेन-देन के अलावा अतिरिक्त शुल्क नहीं मांगता।


8. रोमांस स्कैम (Pig Butchering)

  • ऑनलाइन रिश्ता बनाकर आपको भरोसे में लेते हैं।

  • फिर नकली क्रिप्टो "इनवेस्टमेंट" की सलाह देते हैं।

  • पैसा फर्जी वेबसाइट में जमा करवाते हैं जो स्कैमर के कंट्रोल में होती है।

कैसे पहचानें: अगर नया रिश्ता जल्दी निवेश की बात करने लगे — सावधान हो जाइए।


9. ईमेल और SMS फिशिंग

  • नकली सिक्योरिटी अलर्ट (Coinbase, Binance, आदि से) भेजते हैं।

  • तुरंत एक्शन लेने के लिए कहते हैं और लॉगिन डिटेल्स या पैसा मांगते हैं।

कैसे पहचानें: सीधे ऐप या वेबसाइट पर जाकर जांचें। ईमेल लिंक पर क्लिक न करें।


10. मैलवेयर और क्लिपबोर्ड हाइजैकर्स

  • दुर्भावनापूर्ण सॉफ्टवेयर जो कॉपी किए गए वॉलेट एड्रेस को बदल देता है।

  • जब आप क्रिप्टो भेजने वाले होते हैं, तो वह स्कैमर के एड्रेस में बदल देता है।

कैसे पहचानें: ट्रांसफर करने से पहले वॉलेट एड्रेस को हमेशा जांचें। हार्डवेयर वॉलेट का उपयोग करें।


🛡️ सावधान रहने के तरीके

  • कभी भी अपना सीड फ्रेज या प्राइवेट की शेयर न करें।

  • 2FA और हार्डवेयर वॉलेट का इस्तेमाल करें।

  • आधिकारिक वेबसाइट्स को बुकमार्क करें।

  • अनजान मैसेज से सतर्क रहें।

  • अगर कोई ऑफर बहुत अच्छा लग रहा है, तो वह स्कैम हो सकता है।






9: Tariff

Malaysian PM warns Southeast Asia that trade war is not a ‘passing storm’ Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned Wednesday that global trade is being weaponized as Southeast Asia’s foreign ministers held annual talks ahead of the looming threat of U.S. trade tariffs. ......... Concerns about U.S. tariffs have jolted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member bloc that includes some of the world’s most trade-dependent economies. ....... Six ASEAN members are among the 14 countries that could see duties on their exports to the U.S. skyrocket on Aug. 1. ......... Launching the group's foreign ministers’ meeting, Anwar said the world is now witnessing an era where “power unsettles principle” and “tools once used to generate growth are now wielded to pressure, isolate and contain.” ......... “Our cohesion must not end at declarations,” he said, calling for members to increase intra-ASEAN trade, invest in regional integration, and reduce strategic dependencies on external powers. “This is no passing storm," he said. "It is the new weather of our time.” ............. On Tuesday, he announced new tariffs with rates of between 25%-40% on 14 countries, which will go into effect Aug. 1 unless new deals are struck. He also threatened to increase tariffs if any countries retaliate. ........ Many ASEAN members have launched bilateral talks with the U.S., but officials have said they plan to hold an ASEAN-U.S. summit later this year to seek a common position. ....... So far, only Vietnam has secured a deal, bringing down its tariffs from 46% to 20%. ........ The list threatens 36% tariffs for Thailand and Cambodia, 32% for Indonesia, 25% for Malaysia, and 40% for Laos and war-torn Myanmar. ........ Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz said Malaysia will continue tariff talks with the U.S. but won't compromise on issues impacting national interest and sovereignty. He referred to U.S. requests on policy and laws in areas such as government procurement, halal certification, medical standards and digital tax, without giving details. .......... “It has to be fair ... if the deal does not benefit Malaysia, we should not have a deal,” he said. ......... The gathering in Malaysia will be immediately followed by a series of critical meetings with ASEAN’s major trade partners, including the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, India, and the European Union, scheduled for Thursday and Friday. .......... U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who last week cancelled trips to Japan and South Korea, will arrive Thursday for the talks on his first visit to Asia. Others visiting foreign ministers include China’s Wang Yi and Sergei Lavrov of Russia........ Analysts said these talks will test ASEAN’s ability to assert its voice amid escalating geopolitical tensions. ........ “Trump’s administration, while still offering the strongest military deterrence and market access, expects ASEAN to stop exploiting this security umbrella while cozying up economically to China,” he said. .......

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Trump is daring MAGA to oppose him right now And MAGA supporters often take their cues from Trump, readjusting their principles on the fly........... “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?” Trump said, adding: “People are still talking about this guy? This creep?” ......... On Monday, Trump announced that he was reversing a brief pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine. The pause had initially caused many key MAGA figures to celebrate, believing Trump had finally cut off Ukraine. (A March poll found Republicans opposed continuing to send Ukraine weapons and financial aid by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.) ................... Trump has also again signaled that he wants to exempt many undocumented longtime farm workers from deportations, despite his promises of mass deportations. The issue has divided his administration between those who believe in true mass deportation and those who worry about the economic effects of draining a key source of labor. .......... The story is somewhat similar with Trump’s recent strikes on Iran, which flew in the face of much of the MAGA movement’s emphasis on “America First” and non-interventionist foreign policy. Many key movement figures initially balked at the idea, and some like Tucker Carlson have continued to do so.......... The episode reinforced something we have seen throughout the Trump era. His supporters care a lot less about the details of policies and actions than the fact that Trump spearheaded them. If he does something, it becomes a good idea, because they have largely unflinching faith in him.

The dollar has dropped steadily, defying Trump tariffs The relative value of the greenback has fallen 5.8% over the past three months and more than 11% since the start of 2025........ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified in January that he expected that tariffs wouldn't be fully passed onto consumers because of the dollar's strengthening. .......... Art Durnev, a finance professor at the University of Richmond, emphasized that the dynamic of higher tariffs resulting in a higher dollar hasn’t played out as expected. ......... Durnev attributes the drop in the dollar to investor fears that all of the major trade and budget changes made by the Trump administration will lead to an economic downturn. .......... but then Trump signed another order delaying his Liberation Day tariffs until Aug. 1, further adding to the confusion surrounding trade policy. ......... “It could reflect fear and uncertainty about the U.S. economy … it could possibly reflect a view that greater fiscal deficits from the [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] would actually lead to greater trade deficits, and thus require a further decline in the dollar to equilibrate” ......... the dollar is down more than 13% against the euro since the start of the year. That means, inflation aside, traveling to Europe would be much more expensive for American tourists this summer than it was six months ago. ........ experts emphasize that the dollar still reigns supreme as the dominant global currency.

Trump Derails Cabinet Meeting to Rant Against CNN Reporter
Trump's baffling tariffs moves are undermining U.S. role as world's superpower President Donald Trump is, once again, ramping up his trade war. On Monday, he sent letters threatening new, higher tariff rates of between 25% to 40% on imports from 14 countries, including key U.S. allies Japan and South Korea. ......... Over at

Goldman Sachs, “We do not generally expect these proposed rates to take effect on Aug. 1.”

The folks at ING summed it up succinctly, “The tariff rollercoaster ride continues.” ........... According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s executive order is already working. “When he said that there’s a chance that countries could boomerang back to their April 2 reciprocal tariff levels, we’ve had a lot of people change their tune in terms of negotiations,” Bessent told CNBC on Monday. “My mailbox was full last night with a lot of new offers, a lot of new proposals. So, it’s going to be a busy couple of days.” ......... Despite stating that the administration has a lot of new offers and proposals, Bessent gave no details about who those offers and proposals are from. ......... let’s go back to the administration’s promise on tariffs back in April. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told Fox Business the administration would “run 90 deals in 90 days.” It’s a catchy sound bite and easily amplifiable tagline but, what have we gotten so far? Just three so-called trade deals — more like frameworks or “concepts” of deals — that have failed to enhance trade relations and trade deficits. ............ On the very same day, it was shocking to hear Bessent, the other guy running trade negotiations, tell CNN that during this 90-day period, “many” countries were not even in contact with the United States about trade deals. ............ Just think about that: We are the world’s superpower, and despite Trump's constant threats, many countries didn’t even contact us about a possible deal. Take a minute to consider the process for how this whole operation is being led, executed and communicated, and then you may start to understand how 100-plus countries might not have any idea what to say to the United States.

China Expresses Concern To EU Over Russia's Potential Defeat In Ukraine Conflict
Russia preparing chemical attack, Ukrainian intel intercepts call
Trump's approval rating with women hits new low in second term: Polls Trump has a 34 percent approval rating with women compared to a 50 percent approval rating with men.......... He came into office with a 43 percent approval rating with women in a survey taken from January 26 to January 28.
Donald Trump's Approval Rating Collapses With Gen Z
Trump’s sudden shift on weapons for Ukraine takes the war back to square one
If Trump Wants Powell to Cut Rates, He Needs to End the Tariff Uncertainty Now
Tesla’s board of directors urged to ‘act now’ and rein in Elon Musk after vow to form America Party
Russia fires record drone attack at Ukraine after Trump calls Putin out
Anti-Donald Trump protests planned nationwide for July 17

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

World War III Is Unnecessary
Grounded Greatness: The Case For Smart Surface Transit In Future Cities
The Garden Of Last Debates (novel)
Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
A 2T Cut
Are We Frozen in Time?: Tech Progress, Social Stagnation
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism