Elon Loses to Sam Altman & Are Smartphones to Blame for Falling Birth Rates?

Elon Musk’s high-stakes legal battle against Sam Altman and OpenAI ended in a stunning procedural defeat—not over the merits of AI governance, but due to a three-year delay in filing. The jury ruled Musk’s lawsuit invalid under the statute of limitations, effectively clearing the path for OpenAI’s IPO and leadership to survive. Behind the scenes, explosive revelations emerged: Altman was accused of lying by a co-founder, and Greg Brockman’s private diary revealed he viewed Altman’s loyalty-building moves behind Musk’s back as 'morally bankrupt.' Meanwhile, a provocative theory suggests smartphones—not housing or economics—are the real culprit behind the global fertility collapse, with birth rates plummeting in countries as soon as 4G rolled out. Researchers point to a sharp decline in in-person socializing, especially among youth, as digital distraction replaces romantic coupling. Yet critics argue the data is cherry-picked, noting fertility has been falling for over a century. In a twist, the podcast industry itself may be killing the dad book market, as men increasingly consume history and politics through 12-hour-long audio deep dives instead of 700-page biographies. And in a symbolic blow to ethical consumerism, Everlane’s sale to Shein—fast fashion’s most notorious player—has become a flashpoint for the death of 2010s idealism, exposing the fragility of brands built on transparency and sustainability.