That Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act...why limit it to just rental housing cartels? Why not just a broad act forbidding ALL algorithmic and AI cartel-making and price-fixing schemes that effectively eliminate competition?
If you have the means you can cheat and even get away with it, sometimes forever, sometimes just for a while. Look at all the millionaires that cheat on their taxes, while taxes at the bottom of the heap start at just 13 thousand dollars and change for single people, 15 thousand and change for married people.
It's much easier to steal from the poor than the rich, the rich have ways of objecting while poor people don't have the means. Take taxing Social Security for example. Whenever Congress and the President passed this law, they knew they wouldn't take a hit because they don't even need Social Security. But to people barely getting by, it means a goddam lot.
Bloody hell…I’m all for capitalism, for people who work hard to have a bit extra to spend on the things they enjoy. But not if your hard work makes other people poorer! Why can’t these fuckers be content with a reasonable profit, which allows them a comfortable, even very comfortable, life, while still allowing other people to thrive? Liz Warren, where are you?!?
You joke, but everything bought online from major retailers at least IS priced by AI. It adjusts in real-time to demand and to interest, even your personal interest. Haven’t you noticed that if you look at something a couple times, the price goes up?
And then decides what we're worth... it's not that hard to write the algorithms. Intellectual property litigation knows all about intangible asset valuation.
Or just ban secondary trade of shares. Only direct sales allowed, where the company creates the stock once, sells it once, and then it can never be sold again. So if a company wants people to buy the shares they need to pay out enough dividends to compensate for the opportunity cost of the investor. That way all investments go to productive investments instead of to buying already existing stock which does exactly nothing to increase productivity.
Or if banning sounds scary, progressively tax all sales of shares. First sales is 0% tax, then for each following sale tax it 1% more, capping at 50%. That way you can still sell it in emergencies, but you won't be trading it just for fun. This does require tracking shares, which probably means you have to use blockchain.
And and and... public transit! Period. Decent clean, safe, affordable, efficient public transit. Like in Europe. (I'm all about Europe these days). And to heck with the Koch family cartel.
Ta, Dok. The slumlord who bought our building a little over a year ago has been doing all kinds of illegal shit at many of the buildings he (and his wife) own. We had a great protest last month attended by our state Senator and several members of City Council, as well as a rep from the Public Advocate's office. We got decent press, and the DA's office called me last week. I told her I was on my honeymoon and would call her back. I shall do so soon. This shit has got to stop. Harris-Walz 2024!
Our Lord of our Land will not fix a GD thing on our 100 year old home. Falling apart it is. As the carpenter that I am, I have fixed... oh, EVERYthing myself. Front and back doors w/new stops, locksets, and thresholds. Bedroom door... the jamb was kicked-out by previous asshole tenant; New custom tub trim; new el cheapo-but-functional Ikea-style cabinets in the bathroom; putty and paint here and there; new screens. We've had to buy a new (used) gas range, and a used refrigerator. We paid for guys to come fix an electrical issue, and our heater, both of which are illegal to install these days. If we "bother" him, he'll either sell the damn house, or give it to his progeny. As per his "you don't bother me, I won't bother you" prime directive. Tomorrow we will be spending at least $300.00 to have the sewer de-rooted. Nothing else we can do about it. There oughta' be a law, with civil or criminal penalties, for such a bad attitude. But we're screwed because we are monthly, and this is what we can afford, and their ain't much else. Did I mention he's a dick?
I've been sounding the drumbeat on these guys for months now. Glad that they are getting SUED FOR REALS because in the markets where they operate, rents have gone UP UP UP UP! with no end in sight and apparently zero incentive for competition from landlords.
The code is written by a human, how does that differ from manual manipulation? This case should be a slam dunk unless the judge is completely computer illiterate.
More importantly, one of the requirements of using the software is that you accept the recommendations of the algorithm. If you see the suggestions and go "naw" and lower your rents to attract more clients, you get kicked out of the club.
"Adam Smith famously declared that 'People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the publick, or in some contrivance to raise prices'."
This is in the Wealth of Nations at the end of chapter 10, book 1.
That Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act...why limit it to just rental housing cartels? Why not just a broad act forbidding ALL algorithmic and AI cartel-making and price-fixing schemes that effectively eliminate competition?
Baby steps, man, baby steps.
If you have the means you can cheat and even get away with it, sometimes forever, sometimes just for a while. Look at all the millionaires that cheat on their taxes, while taxes at the bottom of the heap start at just 13 thousand dollars and change for single people, 15 thousand and change for married people.
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/lawmakers-want-irs-to-crack-down-on-wealthy-tax-cheats.
Bear in mind the Republicans radically reduced the amount of additional funds for the IRS Biden managed to get.
It's much easier to steal from the poor than the rich, the rich have ways of objecting while poor people don't have the means. Take taxing Social Security for example. Whenever Congress and the President passed this law, they knew they wouldn't take a hit because they don't even need Social Security. But to people barely getting by, it means a goddam lot.
Bloody hell…I’m all for capitalism, for people who work hard to have a bit extra to spend on the things they enjoy. But not if your hard work makes other people poorer! Why can’t these fuckers be content with a reasonable profit, which allows them a comfortable, even very comfortable, life, while still allowing other people to thrive? Liz Warren, where are you?!?
So after going after Back Pages the Feds are going after RealPage!
Let's hope they're just as effective as the last time.
"Filed in Texas". 5th circuit court, of course. Which is another thing that needs fixing: Judge shopping.
I thought you were going to say Texas.
Just wait until AI controls all prices for us.
Amazon is using AI to describe products, they can save money by not using real writers.
You joke, but everything bought online from major retailers at least IS priced by AI. It adjusts in real-time to demand and to interest, even your personal interest. Haven’t you noticed that if you look at something a couple times, the price goes up?
And then decides what we're worth... it's not that hard to write the algorithms. Intellectual property litigation knows all about intangible asset valuation.
Now do high frequency trading.
I'll go you one better - no company can be listed on ANY exchange that doesn't distribute dividends.
Or just ban secondary trade of shares. Only direct sales allowed, where the company creates the stock once, sells it once, and then it can never be sold again. So if a company wants people to buy the shares they need to pay out enough dividends to compensate for the opportunity cost of the investor. That way all investments go to productive investments instead of to buying already existing stock which does exactly nothing to increase productivity.
Or if banning sounds scary, progressively tax all sales of shares. First sales is 0% tax, then for each following sale tax it 1% more, capping at 50%. That way you can still sell it in emergencies, but you won't be trading it just for fun. This does require tracking shares, which probably means you have to use blockchain.
Damn, I like the cut of your jib!
I'm nominating you for some kind of position at the SEC, once I gain power that is.
Ewww, responsibility.
And ride sharing... killing public transit, for those too poor or too wheelchair to us those fucking apps.
And and and... public transit! Period. Decent clean, safe, affordable, efficient public transit. Like in Europe. (I'm all about Europe these days). And to heck with the Koch family cartel.
we're gonna need a wealth cap.
I am intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Ta, Dok. The slumlord who bought our building a little over a year ago has been doing all kinds of illegal shit at many of the buildings he (and his wife) own. We had a great protest last month attended by our state Senator and several members of City Council, as well as a rep from the Public Advocate's office. We got decent press, and the DA's office called me last week. I told her I was on my honeymoon and would call her back. I shall do so soon. This shit has got to stop. Harris-Walz 2024!
Our Lord of our Land will not fix a GD thing on our 100 year old home. Falling apart it is. As the carpenter that I am, I have fixed... oh, EVERYthing myself. Front and back doors w/new stops, locksets, and thresholds. Bedroom door... the jamb was kicked-out by previous asshole tenant; New custom tub trim; new el cheapo-but-functional Ikea-style cabinets in the bathroom; putty and paint here and there; new screens. We've had to buy a new (used) gas range, and a used refrigerator. We paid for guys to come fix an electrical issue, and our heater, both of which are illegal to install these days. If we "bother" him, he'll either sell the damn house, or give it to his progeny. As per his "you don't bother me, I won't bother you" prime directive. Tomorrow we will be spending at least $300.00 to have the sewer de-rooted. Nothing else we can do about it. There oughta' be a law, with civil or criminal penalties, for such a bad attitude. But we're screwed because we are monthly, and this is what we can afford, and their ain't much else. Did I mention he's a dick?
I hope you keep scrupulous receipts. At some point, if the relationship goes further south, you can sue him for reimbursement.
ProPublica is doing extraordinarily good work. Definitely worth a supporting contribution.
They are doing AMAZING work
I've been sounding the drumbeat on these guys for months now. Glad that they are getting SUED FOR REALS because in the markets where they operate, rents have gone UP UP UP UP! with no end in sight and apparently zero incentive for competition from landlords.
Very surprised to find out Merrick Garland can speak!
He speaks when he feels like it, is the thing
He needs to speak more
A lot more.
The code is written by a human, how does that differ from manual manipulation? This case should be a slam dunk unless the judge is completely computer illiterate.
Apparently we have judges who aren't even literate in law. The People point to Florida for their first exhibit...🙄
More importantly, one of the requirements of using the software is that you accept the recommendations of the algorithm. If you see the suggestions and go "naw" and lower your rents to attract more clients, you get kicked out of the club.
You mean "a combination in restraint of trade"? I think there's a law against that.
So if the judge decides to sentence the algorithm to death do they just pull the plug?
"Adam Smith famously declared that 'People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the publick, or in some contrivance to raise prices'."
This is in the Wealth of Nations at the end of chapter 10, book 1.
The right wing's favorite book next to the Bibble and the works of Ayn Rand.
And they deliberately misunderstand it just as much as the other two...
Do you think losing their sense of smells was a mercy for those who worked closely with Col. Fulldawers?