Independent Observer https://independentobserver.org/ Independent research, documentary work, and public reasoning about institutions, history, political economy, science, and technology. en Lawsuits Are Illusions: Where Institutional Power Actually Resides https://independentobserver.org/research/lawsuits-are-illusions-where-institutional-power-actually-resides/ https://independentobserver.org/research/lawsuits-are-illusions-where-institutional-power-actually-resides/ Law & Institutions A proposed analysis of the distance between formal legal remedies and the practical distribution of institutional power. Status: In editorial development. Research preview. The Welfare Paradox https://independentobserver.org/research/the-welfare-paradox/ https://independentobserver.org/research/the-welfare-paradox/ Political Economy A research concept examining why voters may reject public programs from which their own communities benefit. Status: Concept preview. Research preview. The Autonomous Illusion https://independentobserver.org/research/the-autonomous-illusion/ https://independentobserver.org/research/the-autonomous-illusion/ Science & Labor A proposed inquiry into technological forecasts, labor displacement, infrastructure, and the limits of automation narratives. Status: Concept preview. Research preview. Could America Leave NATO? https://independentobserver.org/documentaries/could-america-leave-nato/ https://independentobserver.org/documentaries/could-america-leave-nato/ Geopolitics A documentary concept mapping the legal, military, diplomatic, and economic consequences of a major alliance rupture. Status: In editorial development. Documentary preview. The Martian Illusion https://independentobserver.org/documentaries/the-martian-illusion/ https://independentobserver.org/documentaries/the-martian-illusion/ Science & Civilization A proposed documentary asking whether civilization should prioritize Earth systems, energy, and nearer-space infrastructure. Status: Concept preview. Documentary preview. Why Evidence Alone Is Not Enough https://independentobserver.org/videos/why-evidence-alone-is-not-enough/ https://independentobserver.org/videos/why-evidence-alone-is-not-enough/ Institutional Accountability A short-form editorial concept about the difference between possessing evidence and securing meaningful institutional review. Status: Concept preview. Video preview. The Cost of Looking Away https://independentobserver.org/videos/the-cost-of-looking-away/ https://independentobserver.org/videos/the-cost-of-looking-away/ Civic Culture A sample video entry showing how future episodes can be catalogued with a synopsis, topic, and publication status. Status: Concept preview. Video preview. Power, Procedure, and the Public Record https://independentobserver.org/videos/power-procedure-and-the-public-record/ https://independentobserver.org/videos/power-procedure-and-the-public-record/ Law & Institutions A placeholder for a future explainer on how procedure can determine whether facts ever receive substantive consideration. Status: Concept preview. Video preview.