Stoic Times

May 20, 2026 | Informed, Not Afraid

We suffer more in imagination than in reality.

Seneca
❧ ❧ ❧

Recent Headlines

politics

Police seek charges for up to 57 people over Grenfell Tower disaster

72 People Died in Grenfell Tower. Seven Years Later, Accountability Moves Forward.

What Happened

The Metropolitan Police have recommended criminal charges against up to 57 individuals and organisations connected to the Grenfell Tower fire of June 2017, in which 72 people died. The case has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will make the final decision on whether charges a...

What's In Your Control

Whether you engage with the full inquiry report if you want to understand systemic housing safety failures in the UK. Whether you check the fire safety compliance of your own building — a practical...

Read full analysis
economy

Petrol hits highest price since start of Iran war

Petrol Costs More. Oil Has Always Followed Fear. The Price Will Move Again.

What Happened

Petrol prices have risen to their highest level since the outbreak of the Iran war, according to the BBC. The increase is tied to geopolitical tensions affecting global oil markets, as conflict in or involving Iran — a major oil-producing nation — typically disrupts supply expectations and trigge...

What's In Your Control

Whether you fill your tank now versus waiting. Whether you combine errands to reduce trips. Whether you accelerate aggressively (fuel efficiency drops up to 30% with aggressive driving). If you dri...

Read full analysis
politics

As a Weakened Putin Follows Trump to Beijing, Iran War Offers an Opening

Russia, China, and America Circle Iran. Great Powers Have Always Circled Things.

What Happened

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are both traveling to Beijing, where Xi Jinping hosts what amounts to a major geopolitical gathering. The visit coincides with ongoing tensions around Iran, which various parties appear to be positioning around. The NYT frames Putin as "weakened," signaling a shift...

What's In Your Control

Whether you read the NYT's geopolitical framing as analysis or as narrative. Whether you distinguish between "something is happening" and "catastrophe is imminent." If you have investments exposed ...

Read full analysis
environment

Military Bases Are Rife With ‘Forever Chemicals.’ New Mexico Wants Them Cleaned Up.

Decades of Military Contamination. New Mexico Asks for the Bill. The Wait Begins.

What Happened

New Mexico is pursuing action to compel cleanup of PFAS ("forever chemicals") contamination at military bases within the state. These synthetic compounds, used extensively in firefighting foam on military installations since the 1970s, have leached into groundwater near bases nationwide. The cont...

What's In Your Control

Whether you know if your own drinking water is affected — the EPA's "My Water's Health" tool and EWG's Tap Water Database let you check by zip code. Whether you filter your tap water (PFAS are sign...

Read full analysis
politics

Iran War Exposes Shortcomings in U.S. Military Industrial Base

America Fired Missiles at Iran. The Arsenal Has Limits. This Has Always Been True.

What Happened

The United States conducted military strikes against Iran, and the operation has revealed gaps and constraints in the U.S. military-industrial supply chain — including production capacity, munitions stockpiles, and manufacturing bottlenecks. The New York Times reports these shortcomings as a sign...

What's In Your Control

Whether you read the underlying defense policy debates. Whether you contact your congressional representative if defense procurement reform matters to you. Whether you distinguish between "the U.S....

Read full analysis
health

Ebola outbreak may be spreading faster than first thought, WHO doctor warns

An Ebola Outbreak Is Spreading. The WHO Is Watching. This Is Exactly Their Job.

What Happened

The World Health Organization has issued a warning that an ongoing Ebola outbreak may be spreading more rapidly than initial assessments suggested. A WHO doctor has raised the alarm, indicating that case counts or geographic spread may be outpacing early projections. Specific country, death toll,...

What's In Your Control

Checking whether you or anyone you know is in the affected region. If traveling to Central/West Africa, consulting your government's travel health advisories. Trusting that the WHO and MSF have pro...

Read full analysis
politics

A study investigates: Did the abrupt end of USAID have an impact on violence?

USAID Was Dismantled. Researchers Are Now Counting the Dead.

What Happened

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was abruptly shut down in early 2025 as part of the Trump administration's federal restructuring, cutting billions in foreign aid overnight. A new study has attempted to measure whether this sudden withdrawal of funding — which suppor...

What's In Your Control

Whether you understand the difference between "foreign aid" as charity and as strategic conflict-prevention infrastructure — they are not the same thing. Whether you contact your congressional repr...

Read full analysis
climate

Activity Slows in Sandy Fire in Simi Valley. Evacuation Orders Remain.

California Fire Slows in Simi Valley. Firefighters Gained Ground. The Waiting Continues.

What Happened

The Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley, California has shown reduced activity, suggesting firefighters are making progress in containment. Despite the slowdown, evacuation orders remain in place for residents in affected areas, meaning thousands are likely still displaced from their homes.

What's In Your Control

If you have family or friends in Simi Valley: check in. If you are an evacuee: monitor the Ventura County Fire Department's official updates rather than news headlines for the most accurate evacuat...

Read full analysis
climate

Uncontrolled California wildfires seen from space

California Burns Again. Satellites Watch. Firefighters Work. Thousands Displaced.

What Happened

Wildfires in California have grown large enough to be visible from space via satellite imagery, as reported by the BBC. The fires are described as "uncontrolled," indicating active firefighting efforts have not yet contained the blazes. Thousands of residents are likely under evacuation orders, w...

What's In Your Control

Whether you are in an affected evacuation zone (check cal.fire.ca.gov immediately if so). Whether you donate to verified wildfire relief organizations. Whether you have your own household emergency...

Read full analysis
politics via CNN, NY Times

Justices Hint at Strains as Supreme Court Comes Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court Has Internal Tensions. It Has Always Had Internal Tensions.

What Happened

The New York Times reports that Supreme Court justices are showing signs of strain amid ongoing public and political scrutiny of the institution. The headline suggests interpersonal or ideological friction among justices is becoming more visible, though no specific ruling, resignation, or structu...

What's In Your Control

Whether you read beyond the headline to find out if anything substantive actually changed. Whether you follow ongoing Court decisions that directly affect your rights, rather than speculation about...

Read full analysis
View Archive