Interesting to keep track of these things in terms of our historical timeline. Where will we be 5, 10, 20 years from now?
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Friday, June 23, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Excerpt from article: House Oversight plans UFO hearing after unconfirmed claims of crashed alien spacecraft
Sounds like they’re being very careful with what they’re saying. Not talking about people with surgery or genetic engineering to look like aliens. Not talking about other countries trying to spy on us or play mindgames to further their goals.
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"To date, AARO has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently," Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough told ABC News on Monday night.
The former intelligence official, David Grusch, had alleged on Monday that the U.S. government has a covert program focused on recovering debris from crashed, non-human origin spacecraft and is attempting to reverse-engineer the technology, the online tech outlet The Debrief reported.
There has been no public confirmation of Grusch's account, and a leading House Republican, intelligence chairman Mike Turner, also expressed skepticism about the idea that the U.S. government has recovered alien spacecraft.
Grusch has said he gave evidence of such a program to Congress and the Office of the Inspector General for the Intelligence Community, according to The Debrief.
Grusch said that for a little more than six months, until July 2022, he was assigned to a UAP task force that was a predecessor of AARO. He acknowledged to The Debrief that his task force did not have access to the alleged program related to crashed spacecraft but said he became aware of it through his work.
"Every decade there's been individuals who've said the United States has such pieces of unidentified flying objects that are from outer space," Rep. Turner of Ohio said when asked on Fox News about Grusch's claims. "There's no evidence of this and certainly it would be quite a conspiracy for this to be maintained, especially at this level."
In an April hearing, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of AARO, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that his agency was reviewing 650 incidents dating back decades but "found no credible evidence thus far of extraterrestrial activity, off-world technology, or objects that defy the known laws of physics."
Last week, Kirkpatrick said that the total number of incidents had grown to "well over 800 cases."
"The majority of unidentified objects reported to AARO demonstrate mundane characteristics of balloons, unmanned aerial systems, clutter, natural phenomena, or other readily explainable sources," Kirkpatrick told lawmakers in April.
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“Aliens” and Russia
An interesting theory on all this “alien” stuff going on in the news right now. The first part is a post on 4chan (known trolling/lying website) reposted to Reddit. The comments are what’s most interesting to me. I don’t really believe the part from 4chan (the first part with the green text and photos) but the explanation given by one of the commenters—that the “aliens” are people given surgery by the USSR/Russia—makes a lot of sense.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
“We care about the American people”
How can Republicans say they care about the American people entering a recession when they decide to cut Medicare and Social Security? So many people rely on them to get by. What they care about is the top 1% not paying their fair share of taxes. The middle class pays a higher percentage of taxes than the rich. The only thing they’d care about in a recession is the stock portfolios of their rich donors. Not “the American people.”
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Article:
US Congress approves debt-limit suspension, averting default
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation backed by President Joe Biden that lifts the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, averting what would have been a first-ever default.
The Senate voted 63-36 to approve the bill that was passed on Wednesday by the House of Representatives, as lawmakers raced against the clock following months of partisan bickering between Democrats and Republicans.
The Treasury Department had warned it would be unable to pay all its bills on June 5 if Congress failed to act by then.
"We are avoiding default tonight," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday as he steered the legislation through his 100-member chamber.
Biden praised Congress' timely action. "This bipartisan agreement is a big win for our economy and the American people," the Democratic president said in a statement, adding that he will sign it into law as soon as possible. He said he would make an additional statement on Friday.
Before the final vote, senators tore through nearly a dozen amendments - rejecting all of them during a late-night session in anticipation of Monday's deadline.
With this legislation, the statutory limit on federal borrowing will be suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. Unlike most other developed countries, the United States limits the amount of debt the government can borrow, regardless of any spending allocated by the legislature.
Schumer and his Republican counterpart Minority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered on their promise to do all they could to speed along the bill negotiated by Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
"America can breathe a sigh of relief," Schumer said in remarks to the Senate.
'TIME IS A LUXURY'
Republicans had blocked passage of any debt limit increase until they locked in some wide-ranging spending cuts in a move they said would begin addressing a rapidly escalating national debt.
Biden instead pushed for tax increases on the wealthy and corporations to help address the growing debt. Republicans refused to consider any sort of tax hikes.
Both parties walled off the sprawling Social Security and Medicare retirement and healthcare programs from cuts, and McCarthy refused to consider reducing spending on the military or veterans.
That left a somewhat narrow band of domestic "discretionary" programs to bear the brunt of spending cuts. In the end, Republicans won about $1.5 trillion in reductions over 10 years, which may or may not be fully realized. Their opening bid was for $4.8 trillion in savings over a decade.
Treasury technically hit its limit on borrowing in January. Since then it has been using "extraordinary measures" to patch together the money needed to pay the government's bills.
Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and congressional leaders all acknowledged that triggering a debt default for lack of funds would have serious ramifications. Those included sending shock waves through global financial markets, possibly triggering job losses and a recession in the United States and raising families' interest rates on everything from home mortgages to credit card debt.
Schumer drove that point home even as he steered the bill toward final passage.
A default, he said, "would almost certainly cause another recession. It would be a nightmare for our economy and millions of American families. It would take years, years to recover from."
The Republican-controlled House passed the bill on Wednesday evening in a 314-117 vote. Most of those who voted against the bill were Republicans.
"Time is a luxury the Senate does not have," Schumer said on Thursday. "Any needless delay or any last-minute holdups would be an unnecessary and even dangerous risk."
Among the amendments debated were ones to force deeper spending cuts than those contained in the House-passed bill and stopping the speedy final approval of a West Virginia energy pipeline.
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Work and school hours should be changed to night/early morning due to heat/climate change. Also, we should invest in lighting up the city at night.
We shouldn’t punish the people who have to work manual labor jobs and the people who can’t afford air-conditioning when we could instead move our schedules the way we do with Daylight Savings and try to do what we can to mitigate deaths due to heatstroke and related illnesses.
If we do this, we’ll need to invest on local, state, and nationwide levels in lighting everything up so it’s as safe as it is during the day to walk around at night.
Until legislation is passed, construction sites and other outdoor work sites should try to move their work hours and provide workers with standing or personal (like mining hats) lights. Local noise ordinances should also be looked at as soon as possible, as that kind of legislation is more likely to pass quicker than a nationwide movement to help those who cannot help but work in the heat brought about by climate change.
Parsons, L.A., Shindell, D., Tigchelaar, M. et al. Increased labor losses and decreased adaptation potential in a warmer world. Nat Commun 12, 7286 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27328-y
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Futurology: A Lot Could Still Happen
Commenter #1: This is facts, The US especially will not be having another revolution in any of our lifetimes, and anyone who believes otherwise is completely braindead. cough communists and anarchists cough
Commenter #2: Agree.
Anyone who would be willing and able to organize an American revolution quickly realizes that it’s easier to get a visa than a guillotine.
I know that just leaving isn’t a viable solution for most people, but even if a revolution was possible: Are you really willing to die so you don’t have to leave your home?
Me: A lot could still happen. There are some positives that almost no one could have predicted, like Obama and the BLM protests (not the incidents that inspired them). Things I’m personally waiting for: organizing activists through Neuralink and the next social media platform, new subcultures and celebrities/influencers that push things in the right direction, and movies/tv shows that show the type of future we could have if things started to go right as opposed to started to go wrong (utopias instead of dystopias).
Link to Discussion: https://reddit.com/r/CuratedTumblr/comments/12r2yg8/too_political/
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Asking ChatGPT-4 about UBI and the 2028 election
Me to ChatGPT-4: Write a step-by-step plan of what we should do now that AI is becoming more advanced in order to further the general goals of prosperity, equality, etc. Write it from a Democratic point of view, keeping in mind that choosing a Democratic candidate (United States) that supports UBI in 2028 might be a divisive issue, possibly costing Democrats the election. Should the President at any point make an executive order to start a UBI? If so, at what point would that be?
ChatGPT-4: As an AI language model, I remain impartial and do not take a political stance. However, I can provide you with a step-by-step plan that may be beneficial for furthering the general goals of prosperity, equality, etc. Here is a potential plan from a democratic perspective:
Invest in AI research and development: To ensure that AI technology benefits society as a whole, we must invest in research and development that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Focus on education and retraining: As AI technology changes the job market, we must focus on education and retraining programs to equip people with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
Promote entrepreneurship: Encourage entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that harness the power of AI to solve societal problems and create new opportunities.
Foster a culture of collaboration: Collaboration between governments, private industry, and civil society will help ensure that AI technology is developed and used in a way that benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.
Ensure that AI benefits all members of society: This means ensuring that AI is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status, and that it does not reinforce existing inequalities.
Regarding the issue of Universal Basic Income (UBI), it is a divisive issue that may cost Democrats the election. While UBI has the potential to alleviate poverty and promote equality, its implementation requires careful consideration and planning. It would be best to prioritize education and job training programs to equip people with the skills they need to succeed in the changing economy.
As for the executive order, implementing a UBI would require significant resources, and it is unlikely that a president could enact such a policy through executive order alone. The U.S. Constitution grants the power to allocate government funds to Congress, so any UBI program would require congressional approval. Therefore, implementing a UBI would require broad political support and careful planning.
Me: Write a step-by-step plan for this careful planning, including potential forks in the road and how they should be managed.
ChatGPT-4: Sure, here is a step-by-step plan for careful planning for implementing a UBI program:
Conduct research and analysis: Before implementing a UBI program, extensive research and analysis must be conducted to determine its feasibility and potential impact. This includes examining the costs and benefits of UBI, identifying potential sources of funding, and assessing its impact on the labor market, the economy, and social welfare.
Develop a comprehensive plan: Based on the research and analysis, a comprehensive plan must be developed, which includes program design, funding mechanisms, and implementation strategies. The plan must be transparent and open to public input and feedback.
Consult with stakeholders: It is essential to consult with various stakeholders, including economists, policymakers, civil society organizations, and affected communities, to ensure that the UBI program meets their needs and addresses their concerns. Stakeholder consultations can help identify potential forks in the road and strategies to address them.
Conduct pilot programs: Before scaling up the UBI program, it is advisable to conduct pilot programs to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the program design and implementation strategies. Pilot programs can also help identify any unforeseen challenges or roadblocks that may arise.
Implement the program: Once the UBI program has been thoroughly planned and tested, it can be implemented. Implementation should be gradual and phased, allowing for ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and making necessary adjustments as needed.
Potential forks in the road and how to manage them:
Funding challenges: One of the most significant potential forks in the road for UBI is funding. To manage this, the UBI program should have multiple sources of funding, including taxation, government savings from other programs, and revenue from a strong economy.
Public opposition: Implementing a UBI program may face opposition from those who do not believe in the concept of a basic income. To manage this, it is crucial to have a robust public education and awareness campaign to explain the benefits of the program and address any misconceptions.
Implementation challenges: UBI is a complex program that requires careful planning and implementation. To manage potential challenges, the program should be implemented gradually and phased, allowing for ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and making necessary adjustments as needed.
Political challenges: UBI is a divisive issue, and there may be political challenges to implementing the program. To manage this, it is important to build broad political support for the program by engaging with policymakers from both sides of the aisle and addressing any concerns they may have. Additionally, it may be necessary to compromise on some aspects of the program to build a coalition of support.
Me: How much should we compromise?
ChatGPT-4: The extent of compromise that is necessary will depend on the specific political climate and the goals of the UBI program. It is essential to strike a balance between achieving the primary objectives of the program while also building a coalition of political support.
It may be necessary to compromise on some aspects of the program to gain support from different political factions. For example, some policymakers may be more willing to support a UBI program that is targeted towards low-income households or is implemented as a pilot program before being scaled up. Others may prefer a UBI program that is funded through a combination of taxation and cuts to other government programs.
However, it is important not to compromise on the core principles and objectives of the UBI program, such as providing a basic income to all individuals regardless of their socioeconomic status. The UBI program should be designed to ensure that it achieves its primary goals of reducing poverty, promoting equality, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a decent life.
In summary, the level of compromise that is necessary will depend on the specific political climate and the goals of the UBI program. It is important to strike a balance between achieving the primary objectives of the program while also building a coalition of political support, and not to compromise on the core principles and objectives of the UBI program.
Me: What are signs that a bill for UBI would be passed? How can narcissistic people be persuaded to vote for the good of everyone? What about QAnon supporters?
ChatGPT-4: Signs that a bill for UBI would be passed:
There are several signs that a bill for UBI could be passed, including:
Broad public support for the concept of a basic income, as measured by public opinion polls and feedback from community engagement sessions.
Political support from influential politicians and political parties, including a clear commitment to the principles and objectives of the UBI program.
Robust policy research and analysis, including pilot programs that demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the UBI program.
A favorable economic climate, with low unemployment rates and a strong GDP growth.
Public awareness campaigns that explain the benefits of the UBI program and address misconceptions or misunderstandings.
How to persuade narcissistic people to vote for the good of everyone:
Narcissistic individuals are often focused on their own needs and interests and may be less concerned about the welfare of others.
However, here are some strategies that may help persuade them to vote for the good of everyone:
Frame the UBI program in terms of economic benefits: Narcissistic individuals may be more likely to support the UBI program if they perceive it as a means of boosting economic growth and reducing poverty rates, rather than as a social welfare program.
Highlight the positive effects of the UBI program on society as a whole: Emphasize the benefits that the UBI program would have on society as a whole, such as reducing income inequality and improving social cohesion. Narcissistic individuals may be more likely to support a program that they perceive as benefiting society as a whole, rather than specific individuals or groups.
Appeal to their sense of status and power: Narcissistic individuals may be more likely to support the UBI program if they perceive it as a means of promoting their own status and power, such as by reducing social unrest and increasing social stability.
How to persuade QAnon supporters to vote for the good of everyone:
QAnon supporters are individuals who believe in a conspiracy theory that posits that a group of powerful elites are engaged in child sex trafficking and other nefarious activities. Persuading them to vote for the good of everyone may be challenging, but here are some strategies that may be effective:
Focus on common ground: Identify areas of common ground between QAnon supporters and supporters of the UBI program, such as a belief in the need for social and economic change, or a desire to reduce income inequality.
Use trusted messengers: QAnon supporters may be more likely to trust information coming from sources they deem credible. Try to use messengers who they are more likely to trust, such as community leaders, religious figures, or family members.
Provide evidence-based information: QAnon supporters may be more likely to be persuaded by evidence-based information that contradicts their beliefs, rather than emotional appeals or rhetoric.
Address underlying concerns: QAnon supporters may be motivated by underlying concerns such as fear, anger, or a sense of disillusionment with the political system. Addressing these underlying concerns may be key to persuading them to vote for the good of everyone.
Me: How would one address disillusionment with the political system? When speaking with both QAnon supporters and other groups?
ChatGPT-4: Addressing disillusionment with the political system is an important aspect of persuading individuals to support a UBI program. Here are some strategies that can be used to address this issue:
Listen actively:
The first step in addressing disillusionment with the political system is to listen actively to the concerns of the individuals. This involves creating a safe space where individuals can express their opinions and feelings without fear of judgment or retaliation. Active listening involves paying attention to what the individuals are saying, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing their concerns to ensure that they feel heard and understood.
Acknowledge the problems:
It is important to acknowledge that there are real problems with the political system and that these problems are impacting people's lives in a negative way. Acknowledge that the political system is not perfect, and that there is room for improvement. It is important to empathize with the individuals and acknowledge their frustrations and concerns.
Provide evidence-based information:
Provide individuals with evidence-based information that explains how the UBI program can help address some of the problems with the political system. For example, explain how a UBI program can reduce income inequality, create economic stability, and promote social cohesion. Providing evidence-based information can help individuals understand the potential benefits of the UBI program and how it can address some of the problems with the political system.
Highlight successful initiatives:
Highlight successful initiatives that have been implemented in other countries or regions that have helped to address some of the problems with the political system. For example, highlight successful UBI pilot programs that have been implemented in different parts of the world, and how they have helped to reduce poverty rates and improve social and economic outcomes. By highlighting successful initiatives, individuals can see that there are viable solutions that can address the problems with the political system.
Encourage civic engagement:
Encourage individuals to get involved in the political process and become more engaged in their communities. Encourage individuals to vote, join community organizations, and participate in community events. Encourage individuals to be part of the solution rather than just complaining about the problem.
In summary, addressing disillusionment with the political system involves active listening, acknowledging the problems, providing evidence-based information, highlighting successful initiatives, and encouraging civic engagement. By addressing these issues, individuals can become more open to supporting a UBI program that can help address some of the problems with the political system.
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