The Oasis

Essays discussing politics, technology and world affairs

The hottest Substack posts of The Oasis

And their main takeaways

The “Free and Open Internet” Hypocrites

9 HN points • 28 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Internet Privacy Tech Government Legislation
  1. There is hypocrisy in calls for a free and open internet while targeting TikTok for being a potential security threat.
  2. The controversy around TikTok seems to be more about competition and revenue loss for established tech giants.
  3. The focus on TikTok's alleged threat overlooks the existing privacy concerns and data collection practices of other major tech companies like Facebook.

The Kennedy Conundrum

0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Elections Policy Media
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised to release hidden data from health agencies about drug safety and vaccine effects. He believes the public deserves to know the real dangers of these products.
  2. He plans to investigate medical journals for possible corruption in research publishing. This includes looking into how studies are selected and how they promote drug companies' interests.
  3. Kennedy wants to stop prescription drug advertising on TV, something that's only allowed in the U.S. and New Zealand. This could shake up the media landscape, as many news outlets rely heavily on this advertising revenue.

Bring Back HUAC

0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideologies Committees Education
  1. The history of subversive ideologies in the United States continues today with Marxist concepts and calls to end Capitalism and the nuclear family.
  2. Consider reviving HUAC, a committee that worked to stop Soviet-sponsored Communism and anti-American activities.
  3. A new HUAC could provide checks and balances to identify harmful anti-American activities, such as Chinese agents and subversive teachings in schools.

The Freak Show

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political culture Media Social Issues Public Opinion Political parties
  1. TikTok has become a major platform that showcases a variety of eccentric behavior, giving a voice to those who may feel marginalized. It allows users to express themselves in ways that challenge traditional norms.
  2. The content on TikTok often reflects deeper cultural issues, revealing societal anxieties and the struggles of many individuals. People use the platform to share their experiences and frustrations with the world.
  3. The rise of TikTok highlights a shift in how we engage with media and culture, potentially affecting political landscapes. It allows for a normalization of what some consider odd or unconventional, which can confuse or alarm others.
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Abolish the Income Tax

0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Political History Government Structure Economic Theory Public Opinion
  1. Some people believe that income tax is a way to control the population and discourage hard work. They feel that the more you earn, the more you pay, which can be unfair.
  2. The history of income tax in the U.S. shows that it has changed a lot over time, especially during wars. Many believe that it was introduced to help fund wars, not necessarily to support the people.
  3. There are ideas about completely getting rid of the income tax and going back to a system before it was established. Some see this as a chance to rethink how taxes work and what they are used for.