From Twitter Trolls to $500 Million Lawsuit: Elon Musk's Latest Headache

Twitter Trolls Become Legal Titans: How a Profane Joke Spawned a $500 Million Lawsuit Against Elon Musk

Akiva Cohen, a lawyer who loves a good Twitter feud, built his entire litigation team from the sharpest, funniest commenters on the platform. From their online battles, he found legal minds, like Kathryn Tewson, a "self-described unemployed housewife," who became a fierce defender of truth and justice.

This ragtag group of legal warriors, united by their shared love for takedowns and legal debates, are now representing over 200 former Twitter employees in a $500 million lawsuit against Elon Musk.

Here's what you need to know:

• The Threadnought: This Twitter thread, born from a lawyer's bizarre legal arguments, became a battleground for legal minds to dissect cases and debate their merits. Cohen saw the potential in the thread's sharpest minds and started hiring them.

• From Trolls to Titans: Cohen and his team have proven themselves in court, winning a $16 million judgment against a company selling Destiny 2 cheat codes. They've become known for their unconventional legal strategies and knack for explaining complex concepts to non-lawyers.

• Taking on the Musk: The former Twitter employees are accusing Musk of not paying them the severance they were entitled to under the merger agreement. Cohen and his team are using their unique expertise and Twitter-forged connections to challenge the tech mogul.

• The Irony: After finding success on Twitter, Cohen's team is now suing the platform for its "deterioration" under Musk's leadership. This lawsuit, born from a series of bizarre online arguments, may be the perfect ending to their unique origin story.

This isn't your typical legal team. It's a group of unlikely heroes who are changing the face of litigation, proving that sometimes the sharpest minds can be found not in law school, but in the trenches of Twitter.

Source: NYTimes

Tortillas, Extortion, and the Rise of Mexico's New Cartel Economy

Hold the Guac, Hold the Chips, Hold Your Breath: Mexican cartels are no longer just peddling drugs. They're branching out into the food industry, shaking down tortilla makers across the country.

From Drugs to Dough: The cartels are diversifying, finding new ways to rake in cash. While they're still heavily involved in the drug trade, they're now running extortion rings that target everyone from fishermen to tortilla shops.

The Price of a Tortilla: The situation is so bad that at least 15% of Mexico's tortilla shops are regularly extorted, with the number skyrocketing in recent years. Refusing to pay can result in violence, including arson and shootings.

Beyond Tortillas: The cartel's reach extends far beyond the tortilla business, infiltrating everything from fuel distribution to lumber production.

The Spillover Effect: The cartel's grip on Mexico's economy is driving Mexicans to seek safety in the US. Detentions of Mexicans at the US border have tripled since 2019, with many citing violence and extortion as their reason for fleeing.

A Recipe for Disaster: Analysts warn that the cartels are becoming increasingly powerful, even embedding themselves in local governments.

It's Not Just About Drugs Anymore: Mexico's cartel problem is evolving, and the future is looking increasingly bleak.

Key Highlights:

• Mexican cartels are expanding beyond drugs, targeting small businesses and essential industries for extortion.

• Tortilla shops are particularly vulnerable, with many forced to pay protection money.

• The cartel's influence has created a climate of fear and violence in Mexico, driving many to flee to the US.

• The cartels' expansion is impacting the US border and posing a serious threat to Mexico's economy and stability.

In a nutshell: The cartels are turning Mexico into a war zone, and the tortilla industry is just one victim in this evolving conflict.

Source: Washington Post

South Africa's Election: A Test for Democracy and a Chance for Renewal

Ponder Road readers, get ready for a political thriller. South Africa's upcoming election on May 29th is a pivotal moment for the rainbow nation, facing an uncertain future with an increasingly unpopular ruling party, the ANC.

The ANC is facing its toughest challenge yet. After decades of power, their popularity has plummeted as voters grapple with rampant crime, economic stagnation, and corruption. While they're expected to win, it's likely they'll need to form a coalition for the first time, which could offer a chance for change.

But here's the catch: The potential partners for the ANC are a mixed bag. The moderate Democratic Alliance (DA) is a possible option, but the ANC's extremist offshoots, the EFF and MK, are also in the running, advocating for policies that could further destabilize the economy.

The stakes are high. South Africa's economy is in a precarious state, with unemployment soaring to a record 33% and GDP per person declining. The ANC's policies have failed to create jobs or attract investment, leaving many disillusioned and desperate.

But hope is not lost. There are strong institutions like a feisty press, a vibrant civil society, and independent judges that could help protect South Africa from the worst of the ANC's excesses.

The key takeaway? This election is a crossroads for South Africa. Will they continue down the path of decline, or will they embrace a bold new vision for the future? The moderate opposition parties need to present a compelling alternative to the ANC, appealing to the black majority and offering a brighter future for all South Africans.

Key Highlights:

• ANC's popularity is declining, but they're still likely to win the election.

• ANC's potential coalition partners include the moderate DA and the extremist EFF and MK.

• South Africa's economy is in a dire state, with record unemployment and declining GDP.

• Despite the challenges, there are strong institutions that could help safeguard the country.

• This election is a chance for South Africa to embrace a new vision for the future.

Stay tuned, Ponder Crew, as we follow this pivotal election and its impact on the future of South Africa.

Source: The Economist

Hummingbirds: Tiny, Mighty, and Full of Meaning 🐦️ 

Get ready to be amazed! This article dives into the fascinating world of hummingbirds, exploring their biology, cultural significance, and the profound impact they can have on our lives.

Key Highlights:

• These miniature marvels are the world's smallest birds, boasting a vibrant array of colors that surpasses any other bird species. And they can fly like nobody's business, zipping forward, backward, and even upside down!

• Hummingbirds hold a special place in mythology and folklore. From the Mayan creation myth to the symbolism of the Aztec sun god, these birds are seen as bringers of life, love, and the sun's power.

• But beyond the science and symbolism, hummingbirds are reminders of the beauty and wonder of nature. The author shares a personal story of how a tiny emerald hummingbird became a source of solace during a difficult time, showing that even the smallest creatures can have a profound impact.

This article is a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary things are found in the most unexpected places. So the next time you see a hummingbird flitting through your garden, take a moment to appreciate its grace, its power, and the magic it represents.

Bonus: Don't forget to check out the author's fascinating project where he captures hummingbirds in front of the sun, transforming them into miniature prisms of color.

Source: Plough

AI Gold Rush: Tech Workers Scramble for Skills, Jobs Remain Scarce

The AI boom is here, and it's leaving a trail of dust in its wake. Tech workers are desperately trying to upskill in the face of a rapidly evolving job market, but a perfect storm of layoffs, reshuffling, and fierce competition for coveted roles is making it a brutal landscape.

Here's the lowdown:

• The "AI-haves": Companies are clamoring for "tier-one" AI talent, those with expertise in large language models (LLMs) that power chatbots like ChatGPT. These folks are in high demand, but supply is low.

• The "AI-have-nots": Thousands of tech workers, laid off or facing constant change, are scrambling to acquire AI skills. They're flooding the market, making competition for jobs fiercer than ever.

• The "AI-wannabes": Even those with tech experience are feeling the heat. Many companies are shifting their focus to AI, prompting internal reorganizations and requiring employees to adapt.

• The "AI-curious": Large companies like Salesforce are realizing that everyone needs at least basic AI skills to survive. They're pouring resources into upskilling their entire workforce.

The takeaway? AI expertise is the new gold rush, but don't be fooled by the hype.

• Don't just chase buzzwords: Learning AI basics is good, but deep understanding is key.

• Target your skills: If you want an AI-specific job, you'll need to specialize, and even then, competition is fierce.

• Be adaptable: Companies are embracing AI across the board, so even if you're not an AI whiz, knowing the basics will be crucial.

The race is on, but remember, the future is not about replacing humans with AI - it's about humans using AI to do their jobs better.

Source: WSJ