Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was not a customer of the insurer but targeted the company due to its size and his grievances against corporate greed, as outlined in his manifesto. The killing has sparked discussions about frustrations with the health insurance industry, leading to increased security for executives. Investigators are examining Mangione's motives, with evidence including a manifesto and items found along his escape route. Mangione is currently held in a Pennsylvania prison.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old from a wealthy Baltimore family, was arrested in Pennsylvania for the alleged assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Mangione, who was found with a 3D-printed pistol and silencer, reportedly acted out of anger towards corporate America, as indicated by a manifesto found in his possession. He faces multiple charges, including murder and possession of a forged document. Mangione's arrest followed a nationwide manhunt involving extensive video surveillance and detective work.
Investigators are probing the motive behind the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly by Luigi Mangione, who is resisting extradition from Pennsylvania to New York. Mangione's lawyer denies his involvement, and he plans to plead not guilty to charges related to a gun and fake ID found during his arrest. Evidence suggests Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, was driven by anger towards the health insurance industry, viewing the killing as a symbolic act against corporate greed. Authorities found a manifesto and notes detailing plans for the crime.
Chipotle has announced a 2% price increase, citing inflation and rising costs of key ingredients like dairy, beef, and avocado. This marks the first price hike in over a year for the chain. The decision has sparked backlash on social media, with many customers accusing the company of corporate greed. Despite the price rise, Chipotle promises to increase portion sizes to address previous complaints about shrinking servings.
Swen Vincke, director of Baldur's Gate 3 and founder of Larian Studios, criticized the gaming industry's state, attributing it to corporate greed and the pursuit of quarterly profits by publishers. He emphasized the need to prioritize people over greed and expressed frustration over ongoing industry-wide layoffs. Despite winning at the Game Developer's Conference, Vincke announced that Larian Studios will not be developing DLC for Baldur's Gate 3 or its sequel. The industry-wide layoffs were also criticized at the event, with developers speaking out against the impact on individuals and their families.
A study found that 35 major US companies, including Tesla, paid their top five executives more than they paid in federal income taxes between 2018 and 2022. Tesla, which earned $4.4 billion and paid its executives $2.5 billion, not only didn't pay any federal taxes but received $1 million in refunds. The study also revealed that 18 of these companies reported net profits over the five years but didn't pay a cent of federal income tax, with some receiving refunds. Notable companies like T-Mobile, Netflix, Ford Motor, and Match Group were also listed in the study, sparking outrage over corporate greed and the need for tax reform.
The entire staff at a Dollar General store in Wisconsin quit over seven-day work weeks and a "lack of appreciation," leading to a brief store closure. The employees left a handwritten sign on the door explaining their departure, citing issues with being overworked, underpaid, and witnessing the disposal of usable items. Dollar General stated that it works with Feeding America but has specific donation guidelines. The store quickly reopened with new staff, and the company had a hiring sign in the window prior to the mass resignation.
A journalist's article on declining workplace loyalty struck a chord with older workers, who expressed disillusionment with the broken "psychological contract" between employees and employers. They recounted experiences of corporate greed, broken promises, and a shift towards a hypertransactional relationship. While older workers have reluctantly adapted to the new reality, younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are vocal about their displeasure and believe they have the power to force employers to change. The article highlights the evolving attitudes towards workplace loyalty and the generational differences in how workers are responding to it.
Despite a year filled with successes including a D&D movie, TV channels, and the popular video game Baldur's Gate 3, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) faced significant challenges in 2023. The year began with backlash over plans to overhaul the Open Game License (OGL), which resulted in Wizards of the Coast retracting the new license and maintaining the original. Controversies continued with AI-generated artwork in a sourcebook, manufacturing issues with a supplement, and layoffs of 1,100 staff by parent company Hasbro. These events tarnished what should have been a golden era for D&D, highlighting corporate greed and the disregard for the workers who contributed to the game's success. As D&D looks towards its 50th anniversary and the next edition in 2024, it finds itself at a crossroads.
Senator Bernie Sanders addressed striking United Auto Workers (UAW) employees in Detroit, calling out automaker CEOs for their greed and arrogance. Sanders criticized General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, and Ford CEO Jim Farley, accusing them of benefiting at the expense of their workers. He called for fair negotiations and an end to corporate greed, emphasizing the need for decent wages, benefits, and working conditions. The strike, which demands higher pay and improved benefits, poses a challenge to the US economy and President Joe Biden's re-election prospects.
The National Union Solidarity Day rally took place in New York City, with hundreds of marchers forming a picket line outside the corporate offices of Amazon and HBO. Striking writers and actors were joined by unionized teachers, nurses, truckers, musicians, retail and hotel workers, receiving vocal support from union leaders. Actors Jesse Eisenberg, Carla Gugino, and others participated in the demonstration, which included union-themed karaoke and live music. The rally emphasized the solidarity between workers in the entertainment industry and other fields, with speakers denouncing corporate greed. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander warned studio chiefs that the strike could harm investor confidence, as pension funds invested in media companies are unhappy with the treatment of workers.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America picket lines in New York City, denouncing corporate greed and calling for solidarity among workers. She criticized executives like Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav for their insatiable greed and questioned the need for multiple private jets. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the importance of direct action and highlighted the common challenge of wealth concentration and corporate greed faced by workers across different sectors. Other actors, including Tatiana Maslany and Sandra Bernhard, also voiced their support for fair pay and better working conditions in the entertainment industry.
Senator Bernie Sanders and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher discussed the ongoing strike in the entertainment industry during an online event, highlighting the broader issue of corporate greed and worker marginalization. They criticized Disney CEO Bob Iger for his comments dismissing the actors' contract demands and emphasized the need for fair pay and protection in the face of technological changes and the shift to streaming. The event shed light on the struggles faced by actors and the importance of their voices in advocating for workers' rights.
The TV series "Mrs. Davis" is not really about artificial intelligence, but rather about what it can and cannot provide. The show explores how AI can be a tool for corporate greed and how it can manipulate human behavior. However, it also shows how AI can bring joy and meaning to people's lives. Ultimately, the show argues that caring is much more important than mere satisfaction, and that AI cannot substitute for genuine human connection.
Images have emerged of unopened boxes of Funko Pop! figures, worth $30 million, at dumps and landfills after the pop culture collectible company announced it was going to throw them away due to overstocking. Before being dumped, the boxes are shredded and sorted for recycling or landfill. Funko has been paying high rental fees to store additional stock in shipping containers until it can find space for them. The move to trash them is apparently cheaper than finding storage space. The wastefulness and corporate greed at the expense of consumers has been criticised.
