chuck kottke

Welcome to the board, Mieken! Enjoy the madness, and keep looking forward to a brighter future!!:)

In a very practical sense, neither gold nor silver are plentiful in the Earth's crust, so I don't see this is as a solution, but a reaction. We can either go & get squirrelly, or aim to really set things strait. It's time to chart a course for clean elections, and pressure the officials we currently have in office to do the right thing, lest the ship sink further. And perhaps not all the bonds are worthless - if for example I were to own bonds in let's say Siemens Electronics, as compared to US Treasury bonds, which one would be the safer bet?

It was a lovely -15F here (-26C), but the house was warm enough to enjoy the sunrise this morning while sitting at the kitchen table!!

To the Escapist (Bryce) I think God or whatever you wish to consider the consciousness we have, and thus the consciousness within the Universe, gave us the smarts to combat diseases, as there's no correlation between ethics and disease, except for the lack of incentives towards sanitation in the world, sometimes the result of neglect. Considering the indiscriminate nature of most diseases (Influenza, Polio, Malaria, Black Plague), the argument is not valid, except in the case of HIV, it is transmitted from person to person most commonly through various partners, but this can happen on a level of time where relationships often do change. Natural selection in the past may have favored a lessening of multiple partners if diseases like AIDS were present, but for a variety of other social reasons societies structure themselves in certain ways, so I wonder even about that. Today we need not ascribe such a horrible fate to anyone for any reason, as it's unnecessary and contrary to the real reasons these diseases exist - they, as we are, are simply part of the evolutionary process, and we have evolved with them for millions of years; in fact, viruses, probably many retroviruses, are permanently part of the structure of our DNA, and may have given us some of the traits we have, as yet another mechanism for the transmission of protein-coding DNA strands. Funny, if you think of it in the longer time frame - the viruses that threaten us today may be relatives of the bits of DNA we rely on for cellular mechanism for our very survival..:laugh3: Maybe the ultimate twist of fate!

Jay, it's quite an interesting thing to finally understand! So apparently a helper gene exists, that allows the Herpes simplex virus (cold sore version) to become active in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. I'm not sure how prevalent the gene is in people, but according to one article, roughly 80% of us carry the Herpes virus, laying dormant (latent) for long periods of time. Maybe stress is a factor as well - when we're under too much stress, the virus is triggered into activity (hence cold sores at times) and perhaps this could cause the same effect if the virus gets into people's brains as well. Hmm.. another argument for stress reduction, especially in older folks!

Jay, Alzheimer's being cause by Herpes?? Well, it could be true, but I haven't followed the progress on research with that disease - I'll have to check on that. My understanding was that the protein plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients were associated with aluminum compounds, but at the time nobody knew if it was the cause, or some side-effect - possibly the increased permeability of the barrier membrane for the brain, or aluminum compounds were simply adhering to the protein plaques. But the information stopped me from using aluminum cookware, and avoiding aluminum salts used in some baking powders. I've noticed they've discontinued using the aluminum compound (aluminum pyrophosphate I think) in most baking powders, and soluble form aluminum compounds are unusual in nature, so this may help reduce future cases of Alzheimers. But as far as Herpes causing Alzheimers, hmm.. Where did you read about it, Jay?

^^That's good advice, but what has been happening is that in African society, polygamy of sorts is not uncommon in some parts, and in those social groups it's a higher statistical probability that even if everyone is as trustworthy as they are anywhere else, the one or two untrustworthy people who are being dishonest with their partners are spreading the disease to those who are being faithful within the group. Polygamous groups statistically have a higher probability of connections outside a given group, and this has caused the disease to spread more rapidly. Also, since relationships change, people cannot determine a person's whole history so easily. But considering some of the sex is forced, it's a major factor contributing to the spread as well. Issues about preventing violence and women's rights are critical to combating the spread of the disease, as well as reducing poverty and dislocation in the continent. Monogamy as a concept is spreading too, and this does help reduce the ability of the disease to spread.

We must be the change we wish to see. Get organized, make the pressure real, and then Obama and Congress will do the right things.

Ricardo, I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to - drug wars over shipping and selling drugs in Mexico? Political executions? This thread is devoted to understanding AIDS, but I think poverty and desperation have an impact in both.

ABBA Rules! :laugh3: and instrumental music is cool!:cool:

I confess I still listen to ABBA:)

This breaking news... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLf-DC4HV6o]YouTube - Possible HIV Cure?[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSPk8K5zK3I&NR=1]YouTube - HIV/AIDS expert Helen Epstein on "The Invisible Cure"[/ame] It's worth the while to listen to Helen Epstein, as I believe she has a firm grasp of the real reasons for the disease's spread, and offers a more rational approach to control.

The Short List of Places to Check Out for Reform: Fair Elections Holding Power Accountable - Common Cause

**After listening to Helen Epstein, the problem is actually linked to multiple heterosexual partners, which is common in some African countries, and to men having sex outside of those partnerships. Combine that with economic frustrations (unemployment and economic upheaval), the changing status of relationships (from polygamous to monogamous), and arguments over fidelity within relationships, and a certain level of male aggression apparently has caused the spread, aided by the networks of these multiple partners. While rape is a component as well as childbirth infections, it's more important to recognise the social issues driving most of the infections. But the selling of bushmeat taken from the jungles presents the possibility of whole new strains being introduced into the human population. The virus may mutate to the point where transmission occurs through another carrier, such as mosquitoes or bacteria, or even other viruses, so even for those who practice safe sex or monogamy, a disease existing in the human population that shows a high propensity towards mutations could be a real problem in time. This is the case with Tuberculosis, and the same might be true for HIV. In terms of what it means to millions in the world's poorest areas, diseases like AIDS, malaria, dengue fever, and cholera sap the strength and ability of those people to rise out of poverty. So, to end poverty is also to help eradicate disease and to educate the people simultaneously.

I turned on the UCTV channel on my TV, and lo and behold, a professor explaining the difficulties with AIDS research! So, naturally with an interest in Biochemistry, I decided to sit and listen. What struck me is this: conventional vaccine approaches seem to be having difficulty curing the disease, or slowing its transmission. So, I began to wonder what else might work? Obviously prevention is #1 beyond all else, but that's not going to help those already infected, nor those who may become infected by other means (newborns, etc.). So, I began to ponder the possibilities. What if, instead of a vaccine that aims to get a smarter immune response, what if we engineered a virus that would infect the immune system and insert itself into the DNA, and simultaneously act as an ideal site for the retrovirus to insert, but also produce an excision protein to deactivate the retroviruses ability to jump out of the host cell's DNA? Another thought I had is this: HIV is probably not new, in as far as there must have been numerous retroviruses throughout history, and yet somehow the human population hasn't been wiped out. Pehaps that's because if any population did catch it, then they would be isolated enough that their disappearance would have spelled the end of that immune system retrovirus. Or maybe not - maybe some mechanism does exist that can control a retrovirus like HIV? Our DNA is chock full of viral DNA that has lost it's ability to jump back out of the DNA, and so ends up coming along for the ride for eons. Perhaps some of these are retroviruses that had the ability to attack the immune system, but got locked into our DNA and can no longer exit? It's an interesting question - immune system retroviruses cannot be new, but then what in nature held them in check?? And can we change DNA to nab the retroviral HIV DNA and thus capture it permenantly in the cells?

What's this? Lore has gone over to the Dark Side??:rolleyes:

Enjoy in moderation - believe me, it can be highly addictive!:rolleyes::laugh3: I'm contemplating a BLT sandwich, with some really good home-made bread..

A Pivotal Issue to fix a multitude of real problems, from economic justice & ecological responsibility to government accountability to Fair Trade, it all begins with an honest broker; and honest government. Here is the core matter that needs to be addressed - How we finance elections makes or breaks the decisions that impact us all; getting honest representation requires a level playing field, and to get that level playing field requires we have representation accountable to the will of the people, not just the will of the very wealthy and well-connected. Here's a YouTube bit on the progress being made, and I'll add another on what Obama has to say about the matter. Plus, a link to websites devoted to making this change (I'll add some in a bit). Feel free to add your own information and media links. As Thomas Paine famously remarked, "The right to vote, above all others, is the essential right through which all other rights are protected."

Some in the scientific community speculate that is the north Atlantic conveyor belt stops, then the northern hemisphere will be much cooler and drier, but I cannot say for certain.. Lots of simultaneous equations and variables that far out, and some we may not yet fully understand (like what humans might do to counteract it).. I think it's essential to correct the mistakes of the past, even if we slide further down the economic slope Rob, as it's really the money pouring in from the bad actors that's mucking up politics in general. But what to do, what to do.. How about advice from independent, non-partisan sources about which course to take with the economy? I'm no expert at it either, and seeing as the derivatives market was cooked up by some top-notch mathematicians and physicists, maybe it's time to get a new group together with a little more cautious approach to markets in order to "fix it". But yes, I think the economy is still very detached from ecology and reality, and a lot of citizens are left out of the whole thing. When something like 1 - 2 Billion people live on $2 per day or less, it's so imbalanced as to be absurd. And it's predicated on some scarce, and non-renewable resources that are used inefficiently, so it's inherently flawed in design at present. And yes, too much emphasis on competition and not enough on shared values and sharing in general. The idea that there is only one motivator is absurd - people are motivated by love, a sense of responsibility to others, creativity, the thrill of discovery, a sense of accomplishment at attaining a goal, etc. Money is but one of many motivators, and can sometimes be cold and harmful to humanity if not tempered by defense of the public's well-being. Obama's advisers are a mix, and unfortunately some are of the school of thought that brought us to the brink. Hopefully, they'll see the need for change and mend their ways, lest we sink further in the pit of the financial mess. Did you watch the PBS special on Money? I found it interesting, in that the investors trained by the ENRON method fled the company when it imploded, and brought their bad ideas to many of the Wall-Street firms. Having learned nothing from the failure, they ran the same ponzi schemes within these respectable investment firms that were part and parcel to the collapse. I think if we can get the big money out of politics, and get new representation, we might undo the damage. Regulation to prevent the practices that occured is necessary and good - there is a role for honest government to play, as markets are not so "self correcting" as some might assume. Oh perhaps they correct themselves, but after giant firms crash, and the stampeed mires us in deep recession, I'll take the government oversight, and get our government back in the hands of ordinary citizens. Yes, the middle east is like anywhere - when there's not enough employment and little outlook for a better future, young people turn to any number of things, some of which can be good (community service), and some of which not so good in their search for meaning and value in life. I've been wondering myself this: Some people think that there's limited 'resources' to go around, so therefore, some people will have to do without. Now, this is both an assumption that looks at things from a limited view of our ability to use common resources, and it assumes there will be shortages of even the common things, like food and water. But really, there's plenty if we use resources efficently, and make common elements into more and more things. Even water - what is wrong with the idea of solar desalination and irrigation of desert regions? Or using glass, ceramics, aluminum, silicon solar cells, natural fibers, etc. to supplant current demand for nickel, copper, coal, oil, and gas? What little is necessary can then be used efficiently, and I think the problems are quite solveable. Maybe I'm nuts, but if we remove the impediments in our minds, we ofen find we can solve these riddles and move towards a green future. Anyhow, just jabbering here! LOL with all the problems, and Obama's tendency to by too cautious. Write him a letter - he might respond!

Some in the scientific community speculate that is the north Atlantic conveyor belt stops, then the northern hemisphere will be much cooler and drier, but I cannot say for certain.. Lots of simultaneous equations and variables that far out, and some we may not yet fully understand (like what humans might do to counteract it).. I think it's essential to correct the mistakes of the past, even if we slide further down the economic slope Rob, as it's really the money pouring in from the bad actors that's mucking up politics in general. But what to do, what to do.. How about advice from independent, non-partisan sources about which course to take with the economy? I'm no expert at it either, and seeing as the derivatives market was cooked up by some top-notch mathematicians and physicists, maybe it's time to get a new group together with a little more cautious approach to markets in order to "fix it". But yes, I think the economy is still very detached from ecology and reality, and a lot of citizens are left out of the whole thing. When something like 1 - 2 Billion people live on $2 per day or less, it's so imbalanced as to be absurd. And it's predicated on some scarce, and non-renewable resources that are used inefficiently, so it's inherently flawed in design at present. And yes, too much emphasis on competition and not enough on shared values and sharing in general. The idea that there is only one motivator is absurd - people are motivated by love, a sense of responsibility to others, creativity, the thrill of discovery, a sense of accomplishment at attaining a goal, etc. Money is but one of many motivators, and can sometimes be cold and harmful to humanity if not tempered by defense of the public's well-being. Obama's advisers are a mix, and unfortunately some are of the school of thought that brought us to the brink. Hopefully, they'll see the need for change and mend their ways, lest we sink further in the pit of the financial mess. Did you watch the PBS special on Money? I found it interesting, in that the investors trained by the ENRON method fled the company when it imploded, and brought their bad ideas to many of the Wall-Street firms. Having learned nothing from the failure, they ran the same ponzi schemes within these respectable investment firms that were part and parcel to the collapse. I think if we can get the big money out of politics, and get new representation, we might undo the damage. Regulation to prevent the practices that occured is necessary and good - there is a role for honest government to play, as markets are not so "self correcting" as some might assume. Oh perhaps they correct themselves, but after giant firms crash, and the stampeed mires us in deep recession, I'll take the government oversight, and get our government back in the hands of ordinary citizens. Yes, the middle east is like anywhere - when there's not enough employment and little outlook for a better future, young people turn to any number of things, some of which can be good (community service), and some of which not so good in their search for meaning and value in life. I've been wondering myself this: Some people think that there's limited 'resources' to go around, so therefore, some people will have to do without. Now, this is both an assumption that looks at things from a limited view of our ability to use common resources, and it assumes there will be shortages of even the common things, like food and water. But really, there's plenty if we use resources efficently, and make common elements into more and more things. Even water - what is wrong with the idea of solar desalination and irrigation of desert regions? Or using glass, ceramics, aluminum, silicon solar cells, natural fibers, etc. to supplant current demand for nickel, copper, coal, oil, and gas? What little is necessary can then be used efficiently, and I think the problems are quite solveable. Maybe I'm nuts, but if we remove the impediments in our minds, we ofen find we can solve these riddles and move towards a green future. Anyhow, just jabbering here! LOL with all the problems, and Obama's tendency to by too cautious. Write him a letter - he might respond!

Will they have Willy Nelson this time too??;)

In some ways reminiscent of earlier works of theirs...

30 years behind schedule, America finally wakes up to energy efficiency.. Amory Lovins runs his house on 115 watts ave.? Hmm.. I suppose if everyone were strictly day people, and there was no need for an extra freezer.. Appliances are getting so much better though - maybe he's re-engineered the fridge' and it's super-insulated? Most home loads: heating & cooling > refrigerators and freezers > lights > TV's & Computers > everything else. 5-10% phantom loads reduced to near zero with switching solid-state power supplies..

The real-estate speculators might be dodo birds, but buying gold leads to higher prices & more gold mines which is incredibly environmentally destructive.. We need a better way forward.

Yes, so it seems - the Israeli government is trying to force change by extreme military means, using provocations to justify massive air assaults and shelling densely populated regions of Gaza. Looks like a repeat of Lebanon in 2006. I can understand you wanting you own government, independent of the Israeli government - it is you right, just as it is the right of Israel to have their own government. But I can understand the Israeli governments' concerns with Hamas, owing to the militant wing. To reduce tensions and move towards co-existence, one wins friends and encourages change through good-will and fairness with one's neighbors, not through sanctions & incredibly harsh retaliation. The whole idea of pressuring citizens of another country for change never works as far as I can see - it usually does the exact opposite, and fuels radicalism, as that would be anyone's reaction to being oppressed. Then, the militancy grows, launches weapons at Israel, and Israel's govenment responds not by targetting just the missile launchers, but by bombing and shelling civilian areas, and further tightening sanctions. One suggestions was that the Israeli government's policy was to appear to "go crazy" so that everyone would be afraid to resist their efforts to control the Palestinian people, but I cannot see such a mad policy ever working.. Yes, targetting a UN building and a school - that's just criminal. One cannot justify fighting 'terrorism' by doing just the same to unarmed, innocent civilians and aid workers! And I agree, the attacks will fuel hatred and resentment, and lead to more extremists joining Hama's militant wing - in many ways, making the lives of average Israeli's even more perilous. I can now see why we need in the U.S. to move towards publicly financed elections and strong limits on campaign donations, so that no lobbying groups & their interests can hold sway over our government here. The Israel lobby, the military-industrial complex, and others wind up promoting the arms shipments to a hard-line government that doesn't even serve the best interests of it's citizens in the long run. The average Israeli would be safer with a less militant government, as we would be too. Hopefully, we can change this - for everyone's sake.