Ick or treat
The United States’s national debt reaches 100% of gross domestic product for the first time since 1946. / The Wall Street Journal [$]
Per-person fuel costs have risen more in the US than in any other country since the start of President Trump’s war on Iran. / Canary Media
Meanwhile, Israeli forces are demolishing memorials commemorating Palestinians killed by Israel. / The New Arab
The French economy contracted in the third quarter and may be "headed for a wall," says its Finance Minister. / France24
Beginning in 2018, France collected 200,000 “grievances” from its citizens in more than 20,000 notebooks—a selection of some of the writings. / The Dial
Different people detail what they can’t afford in Trump’s America. / The New York Times [$]
BlackRock is back in business in the Lone Star State thanks to lobbying, donations to GOP-friendly charities, and backtracking on climate. / Texas Observer
A ballot measure in California wants to allocate $4 billion of public money to a single research institute with three employees—an institute backed by the billionaire who wrote the measure. / CalMatters
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A survey of over 5,000 tweens and teens finds more than half of them use chatbots for companionship. / NPR
See also: Five teenagers share their screen time diaries. / Yahoo!
A reporter approaches two dozen non-student men associated with Cornell and/or the surrounding town and pretty much nobody will talk to her. / GQ
Priya Khanchandani says Tschabalala Self’s “Lady in Blue” sculpture in London’s Trafalgar Square is “as fitting a monument to our era as any I can imagine.” / Dezeen
A technical writer explains what it’s like trying to be successful on OnlyFans. “It became obvious pretty quickly that it’s really a marketing business.” / Laid Off
Paul Oakenfold bought a house overlooking the Hollywood Bowl and outfitted his yard with bleachers and a bar. / The New York Times [$]
Did you know? The original Star Wars films were adapted by NPR into a radio drama, with George Lucas selling the radio rights for one dollar. / Kottke, Open Culture
If you want to freak out somebody at a Halloween party this weekend, explain to them what exactly is “confectioner’s glaze.” / The Atlantic [$]