Wednesday, May 7
Robert Reich
The richest man in the world keeps moving toward authoritarianism. The dangers he poses to democracy are growing, and he must be restrained.
Friends,
Some people would like to believe that Elon Musk is no longer a danger to democracy because his polls are in the basement and he’s apparently on his way out of Trump’s White House.
They’re wrong. Musk still has Trump’s ear, and even after he leaves he’ll be back in the White House at least once a week. More troubling, Musk continues to expand his power in ways that pose growing threats to democracy in America and around the world.
Today I’d like to discuss these major dangers and get your input about which you believe is the most dangerous and requires most constraint.
At A Glance
What's on the menu in the papal conclave cafeteria?
Researchers make the case for a hypothetical ninth planet.
The Soviet-era spacecraft soon returning to Earth
The German Society for Nature Photography's award winners.
... and photos from inside musical instruments.
The story behind The Beatles' suit against Apple. (via YouTube)
How running with a stroller affects your form.
Boy uses mother's phone to buy 70,000 Dum-Dum lollipops.
Why learning cursive may be making a comeback.
Clickbait: A guide to new slang.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> President Donald Trump announces proposal to implement 100% tariff on films produced outside the US (More)
> The 2027 NFL Draft to be hosted in Washington, DC, on the National Mall (More) | ... and New York Islanders win NHL Draft Lottery, will get top pick in 2025 NHL draft (More) | Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker released from league amid NFL investigation into sexual misconduct allegations (More)
> NBA postseason continues with the conference semifinals; see latest bracket (More) | ... and NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs second round began yesterday; see latest schedule (More)
Science & Technology
> OpenAI cancels plans to spin out most of the organization into a for-profit company, will restructure as a for-profit public benefit corporation overseen by a nonprofit board (More) | See OpenAI overview (More)
> Physicists capture first-ever image of individual atoms floating through open space, confirming atomic interactions previously theorized but never before confirmed (More)
> James Webb Space Telescope makes most detailed measurement to date of the atmosphere of a "sub-Neptune" exoplanet, the most common type of planet outside of our solar system (More) | JWST explained (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.6%, Dow -0.2%, Nasdaq -0.7%); S&P 500 snaps nine-day winning streak (More)
> Skechers to be acquired for more than $9B by private equity firm 3G Capital, taking the shoemaker private after 26 years; Skechers shares close up 24% on the news (More)
> Ford suspends 2025 financial guidance due to expected $2.5B hit from US import tariffs, which it hopes to offset partially; comes after General Motors projected a $4B to $5B impact from tariffs (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Israel's security cabinet reportedly approves government plans to pursue a full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, moving Palestinians southward (More) | Israel strikes Yemen's Hodeidah Port; attack comes after a missile claimed by Houthi rebels lands near Israel's main international airport (More)
> Trump administration offers undocumented immigrants free airline tickets and $1K to leave the US (More) | Rwanda confirms it is in discussions with the US on accepting deported migrants (More) | ... and the US also reportedly in talks with Angola, Equatorial Guinea (More)
> Romania's nationalist-populist candidate George Simion wins first round of elections on platform of cutting aid to Ukraine, fighting corruption; runoff against Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan is set for May 18 (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Happiness
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When was the last time you considered yourself happy with your life, successes, accomplishments, or the goals you may have set for yourself when young?
So, let's unpack that statement... I am asking about:
1. your happiness relative to:
- your life
- your successes
- your accomplishments
- your goals
When you were in high school did you think about being happy?
- You were happy if you made the sport's team, unhappy if you didn't.
- You were happy if you had a date for the prom, unhappy if you didn't.
- You were happy if you made good grades, unhappy if you didn't.
There wasn't much to your life back then or your successes, accomplishments, and goals.
As you got older all these things sort of fell into place... but, as they did, were you consciously aware of your HAPPINESS?
Did we make any decisions to leave the city, or the county, or the state to increase your happiness?
Most of us decided that the last thing we wanted to do was go into the military and be told what to do all the time... instead, we remained a civilian where we were told what to do all the time... but did we think about our happiness?
Being happy is a state of mind, a conscious state of mind, that many of us have to work at, define and understand. We can set different parameters for being happy. Just because we are not wealthy does not mean we cannot be happy... if you believe happiness does not come from money.
How do you measure your happiness?
“Faster Than Anything Ever Seen”: Mind-Blowing Speed of Quantum Entanglement Measured for the First Time in Scientific History
- Scientists have measured the speed of quantum entanglement for the first time, marking a major milestone in quantum physics.
- The study uses attosecond precision to track electron motion, offering unprecedented insight into quantum dynamics.
- Quantum entanglement shows how particles can be interconnected over vast distances, defying traditional physics.
- These discoveries could revolutionize data security through quantum encryption and advance computational technologies.
Quantum physics continues to amaze us, challenging our understanding of the microscopic world. A groundbreaking study has recently measured, for the first time, the speed at which quantum entanglement occurs—a phenomenon previously believed to be instantaneous. This research, published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters, paves the way for significant advancements in quantum computing and encryption. By exploring these microscopic interactions, scientists are uncovering the intricacies of particles that could revolutionize the way we think about data security and computational processes.
Tuesday, May 6
Robert Reich
Keep demonstrating against Trump — but also for a better future.
The importance of progressive populism
Friends,
Demonstrations against Trump are getting larger and louder. Fabulous. This is absolutely essential.
But at some point we’ll need to demonstrate not just against Trump but also for the America we want.
Trump’s regressive populism — cruel, tyrannical, bigoted, authoritarian — must be met by a bold progressive populism that strengthens democracy and shares the wealth.
We can’t simply return to the path we were on before Trump. Even then, big money was taking over our democracy and siphoning off most of the economy’s gains.
Two of America’s most respected political scientists — Professors Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University — analyzed 1,799 policy issues decided between 1981 and 2002. They found that “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.”
At A Glance
Where US home prices are rising (and falling) the most.
Study reveals what makes people flourish. (w/charts)
Meet the girl who can't feel danger, hunger, or pain. (via YouTube)
What your grip strength says about your health.
IOC replaces Olympian's 10 medals lost in LA fires.
Researchers secretly used AI to sway Reddit users.
Frogs flex wild range of vocal sacs for their ribbits.
Airport bids farewell to Gandalf riding an eagle.
Clickbait: Yosemite's most dangerous animal.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Sovereignty edges race favorite Journalism to win 151st Kentucky Derby; the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, is set for May 17 (More) | See photos of this year's Derby hats (More)
> Jury selection begins today in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering; Combs turned down a plea deal last week (More)
> Bomb attack thwarted at free Lady Gaga concert at Rio de Janeiro's world-famous Copacabana Beach; concert drew a record crowd of more than 2 million attendees (More)
Science & Technology
> National Science Foundation to cap indirect costs—funding attached to research and development grants to support operations and administrative functions—at 15%; follows similar efforts at the Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health (More)
> Common gut fungus is found to help treat certain types of fatty liver disease; study sheds light on the complex influence of the gut microbiome on the body (More) | Gut microbiome 101 (More)
> Sperm cells switch to a hyperactive swimming state in warmer temperatures, new study finds; research may help lead to new fertility treatments (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher Friday (S&P 500 +1.5%, Dow +1.4%, Nasdaq +1.5%), with the S&P 500 notching its ninth consecutive day of gains, the longest winning streak since November 2004 (More)
> OPEC+ countries reportedly agree to hike oil output to nearly 1 million barrels per day in April, May, and June; decision comes despite oil prices reaching a four-year low last month amid concerns over a trade war and economic slowdown (More)
> Apple ends policy barring cryptocurrency apps from directing their users to off-app payment systems; decision follows judge's April 30 ruling the company's behavior violated a 2021 injunction (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Yemen's Houthi rebels fire missile at Israel's main international airport in Tel Aviv, wounding eight people; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to respond (More)
> Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of the center-left Labor Party, becomes the country's first prime minister to win reelection in 21 years; conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton loses parliamentary seat (More) | Singapore's People’s Action Party extends 66-year rule (More)
> Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey experiences air traffic control staffing issues, prompting hundreds of flight delays; United Airlines cancels all round-trip flights from the airport, impacting 35 flights per day (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Time & its passing
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How often do you think about time?
When you are late for work maybe or late for a date. When you are bored, but you cannot leave yet. Perhaps, you might think about time on the last day of your vacation or a cruise or the last hour of a party or the last time you will see someone.
There are instances that force us to think about time but outside of those influences we seldom, if ever think about TIME and the PASSING OF TIME.
But the fact remains, our lives constantly are revolving and evolving around time and once time is gone, you can never get it back.
What happened to you a minute ago or a second ago is GONE FOREVER.
When we are young, we usually think TIME moves too slow and as we get older and older, we perceive that TIME moves too fast.
Our entire transportation system is predicated on shortening time.
- walking
- riding in a wagon
- riding an animal
- riding in a train
- riding in a car
- riding in an airplane
- riding in a jet
When all is said and done and get to that age where we can retire, we wonder where all the time went - how fast our lives passed by - wishing we could do it all again - the changes we would make - the mistakes we would not make...
This happens to most of us and when we trying to pass that knowledge on to young people, they look at us as if we have our heads up our asses. They believe very little, if anything, regarding what we have tried to share.
All of this was told to me and I ignored it, just like you are ignoring me.
Lucid Dreaming Isn't Sleep or Wakefulness—It’s a New State of Consciousness, Scientists Find
Have you ever had a dream in which you realized you were dreaming?
When you become conscious of the fact that you are dreaming, you can take advantage of that knowledge and manipulate the dream. If you want to do something that is physically impossible in the real world, such as flying, you can leap into the air and take flight. Someone who realizes they are trapped in a nightmare can convince themselves to wake up.
The state known as lucid dreaming is an unquestionably surreal one, and it just got even more so. A team of researchers—led by Çağatay Demirel from the Donders Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands—has discovered that lucid dreaming has now been found to be a state of consciousness separate from both wakefulness and REM sleep (the state usually associated with dreams), and is in fact associated with its own unique type of brain activity. They published a study on their findings in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Monday, May 5
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