Best of 'More Signal, Less Noise' for the Week of March 23

These are the top 5 articles of the week.

This week on More Signal, Less Noise, we explored stories that highlight the tension between power, accountability, and the fragility of democracy. From Timothy Snyder’s timeless lessons on resisting authoritarianism to the unraveling of 23andMe’s biotech ambitions, each piece examines the consequences of unchecked authority, ethical lapses, and systemic double standards. Whether it’s the Signal security breach exposing the Trump administration’s disregard for protocol or the weaponization of legal tactics to suppress dissent, these stories underscore the importance of vigilance, truth, and accountability in turbulent times. Here’s a roundup of the week’s best.

5. On Tyranny: A Pocket Guide for Perilous Times

Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century delivers a powerful and urgent message in a compact, accessible format. Drawing on his expertise in authoritarianism and history, Snyder offers a practical guide to recognizing and resisting the signs of tyranny, emphasizing that democracy is a choice, not a guarantee. Through lessons on defending institutions, rejecting propaganda, resisting paramilitary groups, and standing up for truth, Snyder equips readers with tools to counter authoritarianism in both big and small ways. Originally written in response to the 2016 election, the book remains profoundly relevant today, serving as both a historical reflection and a call to action to safeguard freedom and democracy. > READ MORE

4. Signalgate and the Matt Gaetz Effect

The Signal security breach, where a journalist was accidentally added to a classified group chat discussing military operations, highlights the Trump administration’s refusal to hold officials accountable for serious lapses. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz admitted responsibility but faced no consequences, with Trump dismissing the incident as a harmless mistake. This reflects Trump’s broader strategy of deflecting blame, attacking critics, and avoiding accountability, a pattern reinforced by his past handling of controversies involving loyalists like Matt Gaetz. As Democrats push for investigations, the administration remains confident that scandals will fade, perpetuating a cycle of impunity and ensuring future breaches are inevitable. > READ MORE

3. 23andMe Unravels

The bankruptcy of 23andMe marks the fall of a once-celebrated biotech innovator that failed to transition from novelty to sustainability. Despite its early success with affordable DNA test kits and a vision to revolutionize healthcare through personalized medicine, the company struggled with a one-time purchase model, limited recurring revenue, and costly, high-risk ventures like drug development. Ethical concerns over data privacy and an inability to deliver on ambitious goals further alienated customers and investors. Ultimately, 23andMe’s collapse highlights the challenges of building a lasting business in an industry driven by hype but constrained by practical and financial realities. > READ MORE

2. First Thing, Kill All the Lawyers

Before his presidency, Donald Trump built a reputation as a real estate mogul and a master of leveraging lawsuits to achieve his goals, a tactic he learned from his mentor, Roy Cohn. Now, as president, Trump applies similar strategies to his policies, particularly targeting lawyers and firms opposing his administration. A recent memorandum directs federal agencies to sanction attorneys filing “frivolous” lawsuits against the government, a move critics see as an intimidation tactic to suppress dissent. While Trump frames these actions as protecting national security, legal experts argue they undermine the checks and balances essential to democracy. This approach reflects Trump’s broader pattern of using legal and political pressure to silence opposition, raising concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and the rule of law. > READ MORE

1. Clear Signal of Double Standards

In 2016, Donald Trump relentlessly criticized Hillary Clinton for using a private email server for government business, branding it a national security risk and fueling his infamous “Lock Her Up” chant. Fast forward to his second presidency, and Trump’s administration is now embroiled in its own security scandal. A classified group chat on Signal, involving top officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, was accidentally exposed to a journalist. While the administration downplays the incident, critics argue that using a commercial app for sensitive communications violates security protocols and potentially the law. Calls for accountability are growing, but the administration’s response so far suggests a familiar pattern: deflect, minimize, and move on. Once again, the double standard is glaring—rules for some, but not for others. > READ MORE

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