Author: Insights

The ascension of Donald Trump to the presidency for a second time again underscores the stark realities of an American society increasingly dominated by unchecked technology and social media. His reelection serves as an unflinching symbol of the fracturing social fabric. It is an environment in which the future of our youth, particularly Generation Alpha, is already being compromised by the overwhelming influence of digital devices and social media. The truth is inescapable: technology is decimating the most fundamental aspects of childhood, from the ability to engage in meaningful social interactions to the development of essential cognitive skills. In...

The latest push by Visa to hand off your credit card to artificial intelligence isn’t innovation. It’s exploitation. Under the banner of “convenience,” the company has partnered with several major AI firms to allow so-called “agents,” not real people, to make purchases on your behalf. This is not voice-to-text. This is not a calendar reminder. This is generative AI given open access to consumer credit with the authority to make purchases. This model is being sold to the public as a way to automate simple purchases like groceries, travel bookings, and holiday gifts. It is based on the flawed...

Wisconsin cities and villages saw a sharp rise in spending in 2023, a trend fueled in part by sustained inflation and the rising cost of core services such as police, fire protection, and street maintenance. According to data released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the average operating spending per resident increased by 7.1% last year, climbing from $1,112 in 2022 to $1,192 in 2023. The spike in municipal spending reflects a nationwide struggle to manage post-pandemic inflation while maintaining essential services. Local governments across the state have been forced to adapt to surging costs for labor, equipment, and fuel,...