On the AI question: I use LLMs throughout the process. Research assistance (pulling threads together, checking claims against sources, summarizing industry reports), and editing passes. The reporting, arguments, and editorial judgment are mine. Every factual claim gets verified before it goes out. That's the standard I hold it to, and when I miss (like the DC Shoes paragraph refulgentis flagged), I fix it.

Speaking of which, I have updated that section with three sources: https://www.worseonpurpose.com/p/your-favorite-brands-got-wo...

On sourcing more broadly: you're right that the earlier essays need more inline citations. My first essay (backpack) especially is thin. I will go through to retrofit with sources asap.

Goal is what I said upthread: to create a public record of who owns what, and what ownership has done to the product. I hate that it has become impossible to track how quality has been eroded across industries. I hope Worse on Purpose can be an antidote to that trend.

Palantir is my day job. It is completely unrelated to this work.

It's a living document and has just been released - will be expanded quickly

Consumers have power to affect change with their dollars... providing they have the right information