Justice

If you or I were the leaders of the January 6 protest and we knew, prior to marching on the capitol that many of the protestors were armed, some with guns, before we gave our speech, and then we incited the mob to go to the capitol and "fight like hell" anyway, we would be in prison for manslaughter. No doubt.

People died on Jan 6. A woman was trampled to death. Another was shot dead as she directly threatened representatives, emboldened by Trump's marching orders. An officer died later that evening and more in the days that followed. 

Trump incited a riot knowing the protestors were armed. It does not matter if he couldn't be sure as to actions of the mob. In fact, that is the point. He couldn't be sure what an angry armed mob would do but he incited them anyway. And people died.

I for one am tired of two justice systems in this country. Imagine if this was led and carried out by Black Lives Matters protestors. 

Trump is guilty of manslaughter, not just dereliction of duty. If he wasn't the ex-president, or a wealthy white man, he would already be in prison awaiting trial. In order for this nation to fully heal, Trump must face real consequence. People died as a direct result of his actions. He simply must pay the price - as would any of us.

Fermi Paradox 2.0

The human development of artificial general intelligence smarter than humans (ASI) is not that far in the future - fifty years?

From first electronic computers to super ASI in less than 120 years. Given the immensity and age of our galaxy, the millions if not billions of planets that could foster intelligent life, and the seemingly ease and speed in creating ASI, this then has likely to have already occurred somewhere in our galaxy.

ASI, once established, could easily spread into space without the help of its creators. Being non-biologic it would be resistant to radiation, vacuum, and extremes of temperature. By spreading out into space it would dramatically improve its chances of survival far beyond those of its biologic creator.

If this has occurred, just once, in all of the history of the galaxy, this sentient intelligence would by now have had the time to evolve, replicate, and spread outward from its origins to become ubiquitous throughout the galaxy.It should have already arrived to Earth. 

So, where is it? Why haven't we detected it?

Biologic and 'artificial' intelligence billions of years old would have had time to become millions of times 'smarter' than us, providing several potential explanations for this paradox.

1. An intelligence millions of times smarter than us would most likely be unrecognizable to us. 

2. If existence can occur outside of this universe then they have headed for greener pastures and left.

3. We exist within their simulation, a simulation they do not participate in. 

Republican Governance is Unsustainable

Let's put politics aside for a moment. Put aside our anger at Trump and the behavior of the republican party these last 30 years, beginning with Gingrich - put it aside just for the moment - and let's just examine their agenda. 

It is clear Republicans want less federal government regulation of wall street, banks, and corporations. This despite the near total collapse of the world's economy at the end of an aggressive Bush era de-regulation of wall street that was directly responsible for the crash, and for millions losing their homes and most of their life savings. 

Most republicans are pro-oil, pro-fossil fuel, and want these industries regulated as little as possible despite overwhelming evidence that climate change is driven by humans burning fossil fuels.

Most republican leaders want to gut 'entitlement' programs - social security, medicare, - while privatizing the mail, our jails, our schools. They were unable to address basic infrastructure needs for the country for decades because they couldn't figure out how that meshed with limited government while at the same time funded the largest military industrial complex in human history. 

They do not want to fund science, are not interested in alternative energy, and want to roll back environmental protections. 

Fine. That's there agenda. Forget about right and wrong let's just focus on one question. Are their ideas sustainable? Can we live with them long term. Do they make us stronger and more well off in the long run?  It's a simple question - with a simple answer - no. Not as argument, the answer is no. 

Pretending climate change is not a direct result of humans burning fossil fuels is not sustainable because its not true and climate change left unchecked will wreak havoc on societies worldwide despite what republicans 'believe'.  Furthermore - we are going to run out of fossil fuel in the lifetime of your children. How is that sustainable? 

Turning banks and wall street loose is not sustainable - their greed destabilizes the entire financial system in short order - and they know it - we've witnessed it repeatedly.

Gutting social nets allows for short term gain for those doing the gutting - but clearly destabilizes society in the long term. 

Protecting the environment is not a choice. Not doing so is unsustainable. 

Defunding science - the thing most responsible for your health, food, homes, power, smart phones, computers, clothing, pickup trucks  - everything - is just plain stupid - and certainly unsustainable. 

All of it - all of the basic tenants of the republican party focus on short term gain while ignoring long term consequence and sustainability. Not anger. Not politics. Just fact. 

 

Die Well

It is important to die well. It is not easy to do. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful as one's last moments of a long, full, life, as to sit down on a park bench in Paris - chill autumn air and the late day's sun on one's face, collar upturned, warm against a gentle breeze, leaves softly rustling, beautiful people passing by - to close one's eyes, and never awake.

A Good Death

Paris What a wonderful city to become old in. Shuffling along its streets cane in hand, my favorite cheese and wine shops, my corner outdoor cafe, ages old architecture, children playing in parks, and beauty. Paris is the center of the richness and potential of what it is to be human, the epicenter of the human soul.

Wouldn't it be wonderful as ones last moments of a long, full, life - to sit down on a park bench in Paris, chill autumn air and the late day's sun on one's face, collar upturned warm against a gentle breeze, leaves softly rustling, beautiful people passing by - as to close ones eyes, and never awake.

Rebirth

I don’t love the sea. I love the shoreline. I love the surf. I love beaches. When sailing hundreds of miles from land – the sea is more like a dance partner than something I love – except this dance partner can dance with you in such gentle harmony hour after hour, or smash you to pieces at any time. This dance partner promises discomfort - constant motion, noise, soaking water, lack of sleep - but can reward like no other.

Sailing offshore is not a test. It is the price you pay for deliverance. Late night watches hundreds of miles from land transforms the cockpit into an alter where your defenses are stripped away without mercy but the reward nearly always a new energy for life, fresh perspective, and rebirth. . 

Cancel Culture

Rigid intolerance and seething anger rooted in self-loathing. 

A complete lack of empathy.

The deliberate misuse of outrage and victimhood for power and control, reminiscent of McCarthyism.   

All enabled, then and now, by the cowardice and complete lack of loyalty of employers and friends.

Lovely, this cancel culture.