Mega Projects in China

 

Being WOKE

 

A Side Effect of Entropy

It's impressive enough that our human brains are made up of the same 'star stuff' that forms the Universe, but a wild study published back in 2016 suggests that this might not be the only thing the two have in common.

Just like the Universe, our brains might be programmed to maximise disorder – similar to the principle of entropy – and our consciousness could simply be a side effect, the paper suggests.


The quest to understand human consciousness – our ability to be aware of ourselves and our surroundings – has been going on for centuries. Although consciousness is a crucial part of being human, researchers are still grappling with where it comes from, when it starts, and why we have it.


But the 2016 study, led by researchers from France and Canada, puts forward a new possibility: what if consciousness arises naturally as a result of our brains maximising their information content? In other words, what if consciousness is a side effect of our brain moving towards a state of entropy?


Entropy is basically the term used to describe the progression of a system from order to disorder. Picture an egg: when it's all perfectly separated into yolk and white, it has low entropy, but when you scramble it, it has high entropy - it's the most disordered it can be.   READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

 

The Sky is Falling

The name "Chicken Little" and the fable's central phrase The sky is falling! have been applied to people accused of being unreasonably afraid, or those trying to incite an unreasonable fear in those around them.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary shows 1895 as the first use of the name "Chicken Little" to refer to "one who warns of or predicts calamity, especially without justification".

For several months perhaps longer, I have been predicting that the USA is getting themselves into a huge mess if they continue with the policies of the current administration...  namely a push toward green energy and the elimination of fossil fuels and gasoline powered vehicles...

It not that we should not move in that direction, but we are moving in that direction TOO QUICKLY...

WHY?

Because of the following:

1. Roller Coaster Inflation
2. Insufficient Infrastructure
3. Crime and Violence
4. National Debt
5. Personal Debt
6. Devaluation of the dollar
7. Artificial Intelligence
8. Illegal Immigration
9. A Divided Population
10. Our Enemies
1. China
2. Russia
3. North Korea
4. Iran
5. BRICS

We are a country in search of its future that is having a difficult time finding its purpose in the world because of its internal division.  We are no longer united and that is dangerous for us because it gives our enemies leverage over us.

Do you really think we have the money to support two wars?  UKRAINE/RUSSIA and ISRAEL/HAMAS-HEZBOLLAH-IRAN

While at the same time we weaken our own economy because of this push towards GREEN energy...

All these illegal immigrants will be a drain on our resources as there are only a few jobs for them to fill...

And then we have AI which is moving forward at an accelerated pace, eliminating jobs...  although, we are job that just as many jobs will be created as lost...  if you believe that, I have some swamp land in Florida, I'd like to sell you...  lol

The sky is falling and it is doing so gradually...  and, we are all going to be perceived as BOILING FROGS...

Headlights

 

Local Currencies Needed to Buy Oil

Amid the recent BRICS expansion and the bloc’s de-dollarization approach, the US and Europe may soon require local currencies in order to buy oil. 

Indeed, the past several months have proven the dominance of the oil market that is maintained by the alliance. Moreover, the trajectory of purchases shows the bloc may soon require a move away from the greenback.

Saudi Arabia has recently embraced a sharp cut in its oil exports. Specifically, the figure has reached a 28-month low. Moreover, Russia has embraced a voluntary supply cut of 1.3 million bpd. 

That figure equates to around 1% of global demand, presenting a move that could tighten the market and unveil a clear power dynamic.

Subsequently, oil-purchasing nations are rightfully concerned about the market tactics of both countries. Yet, the development could present a chance for the BRICS to forward their own currency agenda. 

A reality that could align with alliance-wide interest in working towards multipolar progress.  READ MORE...

Don't Go To College

 

Killer Robot Soldiers

 Unless you have been completely out to lunch, you are aware that there is a global push towards artificial intelligence being incorporated into mechanical robots.  And, in some cases, businesses are already using robots to place and remove inventory from storage shelves, deliver food to customers in restaurants, and mix alcoholic drinks on cruise ships.

If you are like me, you are fascinated with this level of technology, and you cannot wait until autonomous vehicles have been perfected.  No longer will you have to sit behind the wheel of a car and play Russian Roulette with other drivers.  You will be able to sit back in your comfortable living room couch like seats, watching a movie on your tablet or taking a little nap on your way to work.

On the downside, robots with artificial intelligence are going to replace 80% of all jobs in less than 5 years or the expects say before 2030 arrives.  We have not yet thought through the repercussions of a such a transition, and I hope we do so before its too late.

From a military perspective and the general public who is of the age to join the military, having a robot with artificial intelligence army is simply a bold and brilliant idea.  Robots will fight our wars, not humans.  Humans will be able to do other things and there will be no need for them to join the military.  However, officers will still be necessary for a while.

NOW...  here's the POINT!!!

The first country to develop an robot with artificial intelligence soldier will have the advantage.  Bullets cannot stop a robot.  It may damage the circuitry so a bullet proof casing will need to be developed.

• A robot soldier does not get tired.  
• A robot soldier does not need food.
• A robot soldier does not need to think - just follow the installed program.
• A robot soldier will not get PTSD.
• A robot soldier will not need drugs to fight.
• A robot soldier will have no problems killing.
• A robot soldier will not be married.
• A robot soldier does not need rank promotions.
• A robot soldier does not need a clothing allowance.

Whether the NEWS talks about it or not, I would suspect that the USA and CHINA are in a race to see who will develop this technology first and quick it can be manufactured and deployed for use AGAINST THE OTHER COUNTRY.

THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE OR TWO...  if you've got nothing else to do...

Somewhat Political

 

Dragon Like Creature Found in Laos

Scientists found an ‘elusive,’ well-camouflaged animal living on a rocky peak in Laos and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo from Santi Xayyasith



A “dragon”-like creature climbed near the top of a rocky peak in Laos. The animal’s coloring blended seamlessly into the surrounding patchwork of sunlight and shadows. 

Well, almost seamlessly. 

A scientist was on a bird watching expedition in Khammouane Province in August 2022 when they spotted an “unusual”-looking lizard on the nearby karst rocks, according to a study published Oct. 10 in the journal Zoological Research.

Soon after, a tour guide leading tourists through a zip line course spotted another of these “unusual” lizards, and researchers captured it, the study said. Intrigued, researchers surveyed the area’s limestone karst rocks and captured a second similar-looking lizard. 

Taking a closer look, researchers realized they’d discovered a new species: Laodracon carsticola, or the Khammouane karst dragon.  READ MORE...

Under African Skies

 

My Monthly Chemo Treatments

 As you may recall from previous postings, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 15 years ago, and Melanoma 10 years ago.  In January of 2024, I begin my 16th year of treatments.

I have had chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation all of which has left me with a weakened immune system, anemia, a damaged thyroid, night sweats, occasional nausea, and constant fatigue.

At the present time, my Melanoma has no metabolic activity and I receive monthly infusions of OPDIVO in the hopes that it stays that way.

I am also taking daily pills twice a day, Calquence, for my Lymphoma which does show some minor metabolic activity.

I have dead melanoma cells in my groin which feel like a ginger root.  No surgery will be performed because groin surgery does not heal very well or very fast.  It is weird feeling that lump whenever I take a shower.

Each month, because of my low immunity and my anemia, I get an IVIG infusion which is supposed either improve my situation or prevent it from getting worse.

I need to walk because of my back fusion surgery a year ago, but fatigue has kept me from feeling like doing that and it is very difficult to force myself to walk when fatigued.

GOOD NEWS...  I AM FRIGGING ALIVE...  and right now that is all that really matters to me.  My mother lived to almost her 96 birthday, and I would like to beat her record.  My dad lived until 89.

Most of the time, I don't feel sick nor do I feel like I have cancers inside of me...

Somewhat Political

 

PACKAGES: 8 Hot Dogs to 10 Hot Dog Buns - LOL

If you’ve ever hosted a tailgate party or cookout, you’ve dealt with this frustrating mismatch: hot dogs are usually sold in a package of 10, while bags of hot dog buns are sold in 8-packs.


Now if you whip up homemade vegan carrot dogs instead, this is no big deal since you can customize your number of marinated and grilled carrots to match the amount of buns and the amount of diners. 

Or you could slice up the extra hot dogs to use in pigs in a blanket. But otherwise, every time you make a platter of these beloved baseball stadium snacks and street-cart treats, you have a couple dogs without a bun to call home.


A dog without a bun is certainly edible, true, but not nearly as amazing. So we couldn’t resist turning to the experts to inquire about why these packages don’t pair up. 

While we were at it, we asked Eric Mittenthal, the Washington, D.C.-based president of the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council to dish about his favorite fun facts about this family-friendly food. (Don’t worry, we saved the “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” debate for another day.)  READ MORE...

Chinese Robot Show

 

The Disappearing Middle Class

 

High Energy Scattering Data

Messenger from the dark side: Dark matter may interact with normal matter via a hypothetical particle known as a dark photon. (Courtesy: Shutterstock/80's Child)



A new analysis conducted by an international team of physicists suggests that dark photons – hypothetical particles that carry forces associated with dark matter – could explain certain data from high-energy scattering experiments. The analysis, which was led by,  Nicholas Hunt-Smith and colleagues at the University of Adelaide, Australia, could lead to new insights into the nature of dark matter, which remains a mystery even though standard models of cosmology suggest it makes up around 85% of the universe’s mass.

Dark matter gets its name because it does not absorb, reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation. This makes it extremely difficult to detect in the laboratory, and so far all attempts at doing so have come up empty-handed. “No particle beyond the Standard Model, which describes all the matter with which we are familiar, has ever been seen,” says Anthony Thomas, a physicist at Adelaide and a co-author of the analysis, which is published in the Journal of High Energy Physics. “We have no idea what dark matter is, although it seems likely to be [a] beyond standard model particle (or particles).”
The dark photon hypothesis

Though dark matter is poorly understood, it is nevertheless the leading explanation for why galaxies rotate faster than they should, given the amount of visible matter they contain. But although we can observe dark matter interacting with the universe, the mechanism for these interactions is unclear. According to Carlos Wagner, a particle physicist in the High Energy Physics (HEP) division of Argonne National Laboratory and a professor at the University of Chicago and the Enrico Fermi Institute, dark photons are one possibility.   READ MORE...

DID YOU KNOW?

Back In the Day

I am reminded of a time in the 60s when my innocence was both a blessing and a curse.  It was a blessing because I did not think anything bad would ever happen to me and it was a curse because I did not think anything bad would ever happen to me.

In 1962, I was the mature age of 15 and not only did I feel invincible, but I thought both my parents were dumber than shit.

Early that summer, we were at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and a friend and I were out body surfing in the ocean after a terrible storm passed through.  The waves were a good 10-12 feet high and I remember were some of the best waves I had experienced in my entire lifetime up to that point.

My buddy and I body surfed for about 2 hours before we decided to get out of the water and take a break.  When we got on the beach, we did not recognize anything and decided to walk out to he beach road and see if we recognized anything there.  We did not.

We started walking to the north and after about 10 minutes of walking, a car going south slammed on its breaks and the driver rolled down the window.  An angry driver yelled out.  "You two get the hell into this car now!"  It was out fathers.  Apparently, the waves had taken us over 10 miles down the beach.

Needless to say, we were not permitted to get out into the water without supervision until we left.

A couple of weeks later, my parents, my brother and I boarded a cruise ship on our way to the Mediterranean, our final destination being Cairo, Egypt.

A solarium for teenagers was on the top deck and it was there that I met a group of other teenagers all of whom were accompanying their parents to foreign embassies.  We formed a quick bond and when we got to an Italian port, we all left the ship together to rent scooters.  We spent the entire day scooting around the city and when we dropped off our scooter and caught a taxi back to the cruise ship, the ship was not there.

There was a cruise ship representative on the pier waiting for us.  The ship went out to sea to ride out a potentially bad storm.  We were bussed to a location twenty miles away where the ship would temporarily dock and pick us up.

Needless to say, all our parents were pissed off at us...  but, we had no way of knowing that bad weather was approaching.  However, our parents disagreed and told us that we should have paid attention to the sky.

I was not restricted but every time we stopped at a port my parents warned me to pay attention.  To tell you the truth, I am not sure if I ever did.