Michael Shellenberger $10 / month

Michael Shellenberger's Substack explores controversies in science, politics, and society, with a focus on COVID-19 origins, critiques of progressive politics, free speech, trans activism, and government surveillance. It challenges mainstream narratives, advocating for transparency, rationalism, and the protection of civil liberties amidst shifting political landscapes.

COVID-19 Origins Political Ideology Gender and Society Freedom of Speech Government Surveillance Trans Activism Science and Misinformation

The hottest Substack posts of Michael Shellenberger

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EXCLUSIVE: US To Deny Visas To Foreign Officials Who Try To Censor US Social Media Platforms

2214 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Foreign Policy Social media Government Policy
  1. The US is denying visas to foreign officials who try to censor American social media. This means that if someone from another country tries to limit free speech online, they may not be allowed into the US.
  2. This new policy also applies to the families of these officials. So, not only the person who censors but their immediate family could be affected.
  3. The US sees protecting free speech as an important part of its foreign policy. This move is part of a larger effort to fight against what they call the global censorship-industrial complex.

NEW: Biden Administration Labeled Opponents Of Covid Mandates As “Domestic Violent Extremists,” Newly Released Documents Show

1628 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law Civil Liberties Public Health Policy
  1. The Biden Administration labeled people against COVID-19 mandates as 'Domestic Violent Extremists'. This led to concerns about freedom of speech.
  2. Documents suggest that this label allows authorities to investigate these individuals, often starting with assessments by the FBI.
  3. Criticism of the mandates is linked to various conspiracy theories, which could influence actions by social media companies to remove related content.

EU Travel Ban On Three Journalists Is Flagrant Violation Of Human Rights

1019 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🌍 World Politics Human Rights Sanctions Freedom of Speech International relations Media censorship
  1. The EU has banned three journalists from entering its countries, claiming they spread pro-Russian propaganda. This action raises serious concerns about freedom of speech.
  2. Banning journalists and freezing their bank accounts seems extreme and threatens press freedom. It could set a dangerous precedent for how countries deal with dissenting voices.
  3. Many people believe it's important to allow diverse opinions, even those supporting foreign nations, as long as they don't involve illegal activities. Censorship could harm democracy and peaceful activism.

China Can Cause Blackouts In US And Europe Through Solar Inverter Technology, Suggest Officials

1105 implied HN points • 16 May 25
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Cybersecurity Renewable Energy International relations Military Strategy
  1. Chinese solar inverters can be remotely controlled, raising fears about their use in the US and Europe. This means they could shut down power systems unexpectedly.
  2. There are concerns that Chinese companies must cooperate with their government, which might expose critical infrastructure to risks. This includes sharing data or giving access to foreign authorities.
  3. The growth of solar energy could actually make the power grid more vulnerable to blackouts. More connections might create more weak points that could be targeted in a conflict.

Toxic Femininity And Wokeism Are Driving Men, Jews, Billionaires, and Muslims Away From Harris To Trump

2417 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Campaign Strategy Voting behavior
  1. There seems to be a shift in American politics with more people moving their support from Kamala Harris to Donald Trump. Many groups, including men and some minority communities, are showing more interest in Trump.
  2. Recent polls indicate that Harris and Trump are in a very close race. Despite being behind, Harris's supporters are concerned about her chances of winning and the strength of her appeals.
  3. Trump is gaining support from various community leaders, including some in the Muslim community, which may be surprising given his past positions. This suggests a potential change in how different voter groups align politically.
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Department Of Homeland Security Illegally Targeted Covid Dissent, New Documents Suggest

1354 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Censorship Surveillance Public Health Civil Rights
  1. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) might have illegally targeted people who disagreed with COVID-19 policies by pushing social media to censor certain opinions.
  2. New documents suggest that DHS started monitoring COVID-related speech as early as February 2020, raising concerns about overstepping its legal boundaries.
  3. This surveillance and censorship might violate laws that restrict government agencies from involving themselves in issues without clear permission from Congress.

Secrecy and Government Weaponization Behind Distrust Of FBI’s Investigation Into New Year’s Day Killings

1108 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigations Criminal Justice Military Public Trust
  1. Transparency from the government is needed to rebuild trust with the public. When people feel kept in the dark, they start to doubt the investigations that are supposed to protect them.
  2. There is a serious issue with military veterans committing extremist acts. The number of former service members involved in such crimes has noticeably increased in recent years.
  3. The circumstances surrounding a recent tragic incident involving a veteran raise many questions. Discrepancies in the manifesto he allegedly wrote and his emails suggest that there may be more to the story than what officials have presented.

Why California Took So Long To Crack Down On Crime

1582 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Policy Government Political Debate Social Issues Public Opinion
  1. California took a long time to address crime because many believed in being more lenient with laws and focusing on empathy for offenders. This approach aimed to reduce the number of people in prison and decriminalize certain actions.
  2. Over the years, the focus shifted from protecting victims to understanding and helping those who commit crimes, which some argue led to increased lawlessness.
  3. Now, there are signs that California might finally be changing its approach to crime, moving away from past policies that created challenges for public safety.

Media Spreads Dangerous Disinformation About Trump Rally

1659 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Disinformation Racism Crisis
  1. The media accused Trump of hosting a racist rally, but many claims about the event were misleading. No actual racist or anti-Semitic remarks were reported at the rally.
  2. Connections made between the rally, past events, and public figures don't prove anything racist or harmful. The mentions of historical rallies or comedians don't reflect the current situation accurately.
  3. Issues like Puerto Rico's trash problem were mentioned in a way intended to critique the island's waste management, not to offend its people. The humor in some comments can be taken out of context and misunderstood.

Narcissistic Wounding Behind Media Disinformation On Liz Cheney, Trump Rally, And Vaccines

1536 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Disinformation Public Trust Political Rhetoric Social media
  1. The media is increasingly deceptive, making false claims about events, like Trump's rally and vaccine issues. This creates distrust among the public.
  2. Legacy journalists seem angry about new voices on social media that challenge traditional narratives. They react negatively to this shift in authority.
  3. Accurate reporting is essential, but misinformation can spread quickly and impact public perception. It's important to verify facts before believing them.

Kamala Harris’ Hitler-Focused Closing Argument Is A Shameful Stain On Her Party

1598 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Commentary Campaign strategies Public Opinion Media Relations
  1. Kamala Harris made a strong statement accusing Trump of wanting military leaders like those from Hitler's time. This claim is meant to show concerns about Trump's leadership style.
  2. The idea that Trump admires dictators is a central argument in Harris' campaign. She uses this to warn voters about the dangers of his presidency.
  3. Critics argue that Harris' focus on Hitler to make her point could backfire. Many feel it distracts from broader issues and may not be the strongest way to motivate voters.

White House May Have Violated Presidential Records Act By Altering Biden’s “Garbage” Remark In Transcript

1123 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Political Commentary Media Public Opinion
  1. The White House may have changed Biden's words in a transcript, which could break the Presidential Records Act. It looks like they tried to soft-pedal a remark he made about Trump supporters.
  2. Biden was caught on video saying that the 'only garbage' he sees is related to Trump's supporters, despite attempts to clarify it afterward. This has led to mixed messages from the White House and media.
  3. Past Democratic leaders, like Obama and Clinton, have also made negative comments about Trump voters, indicating a pattern of disdain within the party towards those who support the opposite side.

UK Government And Media Spread Disinformation About Southport Killer, Evidence Suggests

862 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Disinformation Government Media Terrorism Islamophobia
  1. The UK media and government initially blamed far-right groups for spreading false information about a stabbing incident, claiming a Muslim migrant was the attacker. However, this was later disproven.
  2. The police have charged the suspect with producing a deadly poison and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual, suggesting a possible link to radical groups.
  3. There are questions about whether the UK government knew about the suspect's background earlier than they revealed, raising concerns about their handling of information during the incident.

Biden Administration Implicated In Brazilian Court’s Attack On Congressman Fighting Censorship And Corruption

923 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Corruption Censorship Political Power Legal issues
  1. A Brazilian congressman named Marcel Van Hattem is facing an investigation for speaking out against censorship and corruption. This marks a worrying trend of increased government control over free speech in Brazil.
  2. Van Hattem is well-known for exposing government corruption and has gathered a significant following on social media. His popularity highlights the public's desire for transparency and free expression.
  3. The investigation against Van Hattem challenges the tradition of protecting congressional speech in Brazil. Legal experts have raised concerns, suggesting this move could backlash against the government and strengthen demands for accountability.

The End Of The Transgender Craze Is Near

2186 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Politics
  1. Many people believe supporting "gender-affirming care" and transgender rights is being on the right side of history.
  2. There is a growing backlash against gender-affirming care, trans individuals in sports, and prisons.
  3. The belief that 'gender medicine' is on the wrong side of history is gaining traction.

FBI Claim That Alleged January 6 Pipe Bomb Was Left At Republican Headquarters Is False, New Evidence Suggests

1555 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Capitol Riot Allegations
  1. New evidence suggests that the FBI's claim of a pipe bomb being left at the Republican Headquarters on January 6 is false due to discrepancies in location and suspicious behavior of the discoverer.
  2. There are doubts about the FBI's investigation, including corrupted cell phone data, missing evidence, and questionable actions by security personnel.
  3. The person who claimed to discover the alleged bomb at the Republican National Committee headquarters had suspiciously calm behavior, raising concerns about the narrative presented by the FBI.

Biden Should Follow UK Government Lead And Ban Puberty Blockers

1370 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender identity Puberty Blockers Legislation
  1. The UK's National Health Service stopped prescribing puberty blockers to children, leading the way in reevaluating medical treatments for gender dysphoria
  2. There is a lack of long-term evidence for the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers in children, as per the independent review commissioned by NHS England
  3. Advocates are calling for the US, including President Biden, to ban puberty blockers for children and follow the UK's lead

What Happened to the Left?

2137 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology
  1. The ideology of the left may have shifted over time.
  2. Critics of state power can now come from unexpected political affiliations.
  3. Current political landscape is undergoing significant shifts and realignments.

Normies Of The World, Unite!

2066 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Social Issues Freedom of Speech Political Ideologies Medical Ethics
  1. Children are being rushed into gender-transitioning treatments without proper investigation, raising concerns about sterilization and medical abuse.
  2. Wokeism is compared to a powerful and dogmatic religion, uniting various social issues under one umbrella.
  3. There is a call for a united anti-Woke movement, bringing together liberal, libertarian, and conservative individuals to defend freedom of speech and reject harmful ideologies.

World On Cusp Of Woke Totalitarianism As Governments Act To End Freedom Of Speech

1653 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship Freedom of Speech Government Control Totalitarianism
  1. Governments worldwide are passing or considering laws to censor citizens on social media platforms.
  2. These laws claim to prevent harm but have vague definitions that may lead to abuse.
  3. The rise of these censorship laws poses a threat to freedom of speech and can establish a powerful form of totalitarianism.

Why Republicans and Democrats in Congress Are Working Together to Lift 400,000 Kids out of Poverty

563 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bipartisanship Congress Government aid Legislation
  1. Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together to lift 400,000 kids out of poverty through a new deal on the Child Tax Credit.
  2. Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith and Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden collaborated on this new tax credit package.
  3. The tax deal received significant Republican support in the House of Representatives and is expected to pass through the Senate as well.

First People Sickened By COVID-19 Were Chinese Scientists At Wuhan Institute Of Virology, Say US Government Sources

685 HN points • 13 Jun 23
📰 News Investigative Journalism Global Health Government Virology
  1. The first people sickened by COVID-19 were Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
  2. They were engaged in 'gain-of-function' research on SARS-like coronaviruses when they fell ill.
  3. Significant evidence points towards the accidental escape of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Wuhan lab.

CIA Had Foreign Allies Spy On Trump Team, Triggering Russia Collusion Hoax, Sources Say

7 HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigation Intelligence Scandal Surveillance
  1. The United States Intelligence Community, including the CIA, used foreign spy agencies to target Trump advisors before the alleged collusion with Russia.
  2. The FBI should not have begun its investigation into Trump and Russia collusion in 2016, according to a special prosecutor for the Department of Justice.
  3. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance was used to surveil Trump's associates, with 26 of them specifically targeted for contact and manipulation.