“u.n. calls for ‘anti-terror’ internet surveillance. – United Nations report calls for Internet surveillance, saying lack of ‘internationally agreed framework for retention of data’ is a problem, as are open Wi-Fi networks in airports, cafes, and libraries. The United Nations is calling for more surveillance of Internet users, saying it ... … Read entire article »

“Political language … is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectful, and give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” — George Orwell. With Election Day right around the corner, the propaganda machines are busily spinning political webs with which the candidates can lure voters. However, no matter how ... … Read entire article »

Hey buddy, I’m talking to you. Yes, you, the guy sitting in front of the television. Turn down the sound a bit, so that you can hear what I am saying. Now, try to concentrate on what I am going to say. I want to talk to you about your ... … Read entire article »

An old professor of mine once told me that the purpose of learning was to “escape.” He said that insight was the experience which would lead you beyond a system that was trapping your mind. He gave a very interesting informal lecture to a group of us about the dawning age of ... … Read entire article »

“Anybody who wants the presidency so much that he’ll spend two years organizing and campaigning for it is not to be trusted with the office.” — David Broder “If voting could actually change anything, it would be illegal.” — Noam Chomsky Generally, I tend not to comment on elections, as I consider ... … Read entire article »

Back in 2003, Oxford professor Nick Bostrom suggested that we may be living in a computer simulation. In his paper, Bostrom offered very little science to support his hypothesis — though he did calculate the computational requirements needed to pull off such a feat. And indeed, a philosophical claim is ... … Read entire article »

If we were to pinpoint the one pervasive emotion in society today, it would be fear. People all around you are fearful of almost everything. They fear the police. They fear the IRS, ATF, TSA and all the other “alphabet police”. They fear losing their job. They fear losing their ... … Read entire article »

All Great Catastrophes seem impossible until the day they become reality. If people took them seriously, they would act to avoid them. Did Caesar think his friend Brutus would join others one lovely day in Rome to cut him up? Did Romans think the Empire could finally fall? Did the Greatest ... … Read entire article »

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.” — John Lennon Despite the moving tributes that were paid to John Lennon’s lyrical vision of a world without war, racial or religious divisions or hunger at the conclusion of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, there’s really very little ... … Read entire article »

I love the word prosperity. Prosperity represents a fulfilling life encompassing not only material wealth but happiness and genuine fulfillment. I think of it as a state where abundance is free to flow uninhibited through all areas of one’s life. I think you could say most people long to live in ... … Read entire article »

“Fear is the foundation of most governments.” – John Adams. Turn on the TV or flip open the newspaper on any given day, and you will find yourself accosted by reports of government corruption, corporate malfeasance, militarized police and marauding SWAT teams. America is entering a new phase, one in which ... … Read entire article »

Although almost every democratic country suffers from bloated government, over-regulation, heavy taxation and enormous public debts, few people see a causal connection between these problems and the democratic system itself. For many, the solution to these problems is more democracy, not less. Democracy tends to be equated by many people with ... … Read entire article »

“A people should know when they are conquered.” Maximus responds, “Would you, would I?” – From the movie Gladiator. One hundred years ago the American republic was overthrown and captured by financial elites and money power during the Taft and Wilson administrations, the first Republican and the second Democrat. Both the ... … Read entire article »