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Hello, everyone.
Elon Musk has been making the news again — or never left the headlines, whichever. In any case, Cathleen Jeanty has taken to task [ [link removed] ] some of the billionaire’s comments from earlier this year, when he claimed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that empathy is the West’s biggest weakness.
Meanwhile, some stories in Indian-administered Kashmir never die. That’s why Muhammad Nadeem has written a deep-dive review [ [link removed] ] of journalist Ipsita Chakravarty’s new book, Dapaan: a thoughtful and human exploration that examines the political salience of the ghost stories, rumors, radio plays, and humor that inform Kashmiri life.
That’s not all we’ve got at Inkstick. And if you’re not already, please follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ], Threads [ [link removed] ], Facebook [ [link removed] ], Instagram [ [link removed] ], Bluesky [ [link removed] ], and YouTube [ [link removed] ].
“Postcard from Gaza: Resilience in the Face of Israel’s War [ [link removed] ]” by Shahad Ali (July 14)
Across Gaza, life has become both a struggle to survive and a fight to live with dignity in a reality where even basic human rights are scarce. Israel’s relentless war has taken everything people once cherished — homes, livelihoods, and dreams.
Bluesky this [ [link removed] ]. Link this [ [link removed] ].
“Elon Musk Said Empathy is the West’s Weakness. He is Half Right [ [link removed] ]” by Cathleen Jeanty (July 15)
In a February 2025 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk went viral when he stated that “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” He is half right. Empathy is America’s weakness — not because it has too much of it, but because it does not have nearly enough.
Bluesky this [ [link removed] ]. Link this [ [link removed] ].
“Dapaan: The Stories of Kashmir that Refuse to Die [ [link removed] ]” by Muhammad Nadeem (July 16)
In Dapaan: Tales from Kashmir’s Conflict, journalist and author Ipsita Chakravarty turns away from official scripts to listen instead to whispers, rumors, elegies, and satire that have shaped how Kashmiris live with conflict. Through oral memory, folklore, and grounded reportage, she reconstructs a Kashmir that resists state-imposed narratives.
Bluesky this [ [link removed] ]. Link this [ [link removed] ].
“Europe is Preparing for War — But Not for Protecting Civilians [ [link removed] ]” by Lauren Spink & Alex Grif (July 17)
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured NATO member states to increase their defense spending. Now, the rush to expand Europe’s arsenals and armies risks leaving behind one critical priority: civilian protections.
Bluesky this [ [link removed] ]. Link this [ [link removed] ].
“Deep Dive: The Latest Attack on US Civil Servants [ [link removed] ]” by Inkstick (July 18)
The Project on Government Oversight’s new report details how in June 2025, the Office of Personnel Management proposed a sweeping rule that would dramatically alter how federal employees are disciplined and removed.
Bluesky this [ [link removed] ]. Link this [ [link removed] ].
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