#centralization

#centralization

For a long time, Social Security field offices were set up to handle claims on a local basis. But beginning on March 7, the SSA is shifting away from this model to a centralized system where claims are handled on a nationwide level. That's a problem, though, because field office employees tend to be more familiar with local rules and are therefore better equipped to help seniors in their jurisdiction.

The Syrian army and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, have taken part in clashes in Aleppo city this week. The violence reflects a deep rift between the two sides, and many rounds of talks have so far failed to reach common ground. The SDF seeks a decentralised system of government with areas under its control having a certain level of autonomy. But the government in Damascus wants to centralise power. So, what does it all mean for Syria's unity?

Its imperfections are human, visible, and correctable. You can see who edited what, when, and why. Grokipedia is its antithesis. It replaces deliberation with automation, transparency with opacity, and pluralism with personality. Its "editors" are algorithms trained under Musk's direction, generating rewritten entries that emphasize his favorite narratives and downplay those he disputes. It is a masterclass in how not to make an encyclopedia, a warning against confusing speed with wisdom.

The first browser wars were about speed and simplicity, the next one is about control. Every click, search and purchase is being absorbed into a closed ecosystem where algorithms decide what people see and how it is framed. Whoever owns that mediation layer owns the flow of information and the attention economy that depends on it. The goal this time is not faster browsing or better design, it's total dependency.