What I saw on the web on 2023.8.22

1. Declining Population Thru Lower Birth Rates Is GOOD, Mmmmkay?
   by Ian Welsh
   https://www.ianwelsh.net/declining-population-thru-lower-birth-rates-is-good-mmmmkay/
   looks like a solid argument to me
   via rss
   
   
2. as of 2022, the US birth rate is 0.63459 mph
   by Luna
   https://cohost.org/lunasorcery/post/2571815-as-of-2022-the-us-b
   apparently it is!
   via discord
   
   
3. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that as of August 12, COVID hospitalizations had increased by 21.6%.
   by the messenger, with commentary by wil
   https://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/post/726383887142567936/the-most-recent-data-from-the-centers-for-disease
   shared mostly for wil's comments: yes, we're tired of all of this. unfortunately, the virus isn't yet
   via rss
   
   
4. Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5
   by JS Bach, performed by Glenn Gould
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnS1uFlRIeo
   this is a fun one
   via rss
   
   
5. "As for "Illuminatus!" style conspiracy-mongering, it was fun the first time around...."
   by Charlie Stross
   http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2023/08/a-fistful-of-tropes.html#comment-2175689
   an excellent perspective on the difference between Illuminatus! back in the day and the stuff we get now.
   via checking back on that blogpost