We’re happy to debut the member’s despatch, a weekly briefing on global current affairs, critical debates, timely books, new music, and more.

The idea of the despatch—which goes to the idea for The Signal as a whole—is to help our members stay oriented to what’s going on in the world, without having to subject themselves to the draining, algorithmic stream of content so much contemporary media has come to—and without having to spend their weekends doing homework to catch up.

Signal members are from all across the United States, all over the world—from London to Cape Town to Sydney—and all walks of life, yet something they share in common is a drive and need to be effective in life. They’re busy. Which means they can’t afford giving their time and energy to media designed to “engage” them as much as possible. Our members understand, the logic of this kind of engagement is the logic of addiction, and they count on The Signal as a companion in resisting it.

If you’re not yet among us as a member, allow us to suggest, as some initial perspective, that an annual Signal membership will cost you less than one good cup of coffee every two weeks. You’ll be supporting a new form of independent journalism. And you’ll be joining a growing community of independent thinkers and emerging leaders.

On the occasion of this debut, it’s our pleasure to offer a free one-month trial membership. To redeem, simply complete this contact form and we’ll get you set up.

—John Jamesen Gould

This week …

  • Developments: U.S. policy shifting on Ukraine; the M23 ravages Congo; a strange election in Ecuador; political unrest keeps Bangladesh on edge; the Trump administration challenges America’s own foreign-corruption laws in Washington; and something is happening in the Earth’s core. + Aquatic life returns to the Seine; corpse flowers are blooming in Australia; and 100,000 eggs are stolen in Pennsylvania.
  • A closer look: Why are so many countries around the world up in arms about Chinese steel and aluminum?
  • Contentions: What’s Elon Musk’s U.S. Department of Government Efficiency actually up to? Does Britain’s proposed euthanasia program have the right safeguards? + Does Donald Trump have the U.S. working class on his side?
  • 5 W Main: From crypto to Modern Monetary Theory, why has money “at last reentered political debate”? The currency of Stefan Eich’s 2023 book, The Currency of Politics: The Political Theory of Money from Aristotle to Keynes.
  • Features: What’s behind the wave of clandestine Russian attacks in Europe? Darrell Driver on the psychological campaign to change European hearts and minds about Ukraine. + Is there really an autocratic threat coming from inside American democracy? Daniel Bessner on the growth of U.S. presidential power and the resiliency of the remaining checks on it.
  • 111Mhz: Music from Fadi Tabbal, Bernardino Femminielli x Iueke, Auntie Flo x Ambasa Mandela, The Weather Station, and Pigs x7.
  • Weather report: Corinna, Tasmania …