Shadows on the Cave Wall

It shocks me how stupid educated people can be.

The USA released $9B of Iran’s money in exchange for American hostages. The agreement was the money could only be used for humanitarian relief. Here is the IQ test….. money is fungible. By releasing $9B into Iran’s hands thats $9B of their current money to spend on humanitarian aid. Its another joke from the Biden administration.

But the real Shadows on the Cave Wall are more insidious ….

While everyone is talking about $9B in “humanitarian aid” and releasing “Iran’s own money” the Biden administration has relaxed banking and trade sanctions on Iran starting the first day Biden took office. As a result, Iran’s oil revenues have skyrocketed over the last 3 years. The increased oil production and ability to sell oil to China, Russia, and other axis of evil has funded their weapons production and their ability to resume trade with the rest of the world.

Why is America in bed with Iran?

The world is truly a fucked up place.

Hamas attacks Israel in the most deadly attack since WWII killing thousands of Jews.

Babies beheaded.

Women raped.

Hundreds of civilian Jews captured.

Israel is fighting back.

The world is taking sides but once again, the pressure is aimed towards Israel. Negotiate. Don’t over do the response. But Israel has had enough and is telling the world to fuck off.

Its ok to cry now.

Totally Predicted This …..

T-Mobile just announced 5000 layoffs (7% of its workforce) focused on back office jobs.

The letter to employees (paragraph 7) includes a not-so-subtle reference to productivity gains from AI.

This is an example of how AI will impact corporations. 

One by one, companies will reduce costs (people) using AI.

How big will the total impact be …. we will see

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001283699/000119312523219679/d507613d8k.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1283699/000119312523219679/d507613dex991.htm

The summer is being quietly rocked by scandal and nobody really seems to care. Trump has been arraigned 4 times on various thought crimes. He spends 40% of his campaign dollars defending himself and more importantly countless days away from the campaign trail. This is of course all the left really wants; to derail his campaign. Sure if they can put him in jail they will but wasting his money and his time, and convincing Americans that he is the most evil man since Hitler is their immediate focus. The news coverage on the mainstream media is virtually nonstop Trump bashing. A lot of lies.

Meanwhile, a special counsel has been assigned to look into the corruption of the Biden family. Well, not exactly a special counsel. The DOJ calls it one, but it is being run from inside the DOJ, not outside, by a man who has already demonstrated his keen hatred for Trump and eagerness to protect the Biden family. So the innocent verdict will be very predictable despite all the hard evidence and witnesses against the Biden’s. More importantly, for the next 3 years (or more) the investigation will be used as air cover. “We cannot comment on an open investigation” will be the cry. “Everyone (except Trump) is considered innocent until proven guilty”. The immediate and unspoken goal will be to silence open discussion until after the 2024 election. When the investigation is over, nobody will comment further because of course…. it’s old news.

But the most disturbing thing to me is that the public don’t seem to care. Nobody says a thing. Nobody does anything. Including me by the way. And I don’t know why. We’ve become an overtly corrupt nation in my lifetime. We’ve been told to vote if you want to make a difference, but at age 67 I am now pretty sure that was just a placebo. Voting doesn’t bring about change of any consequence. Republican and Democratic representatives are interchangeable. Trump is different. He scares the establishment politicians and the federal bureaucracy. He really scares the DOJ. And he scares the war making machinery. But aside from Trump, as I look back, I don’t think my vote has ever made a difference. And now voting is so corrupt our vote truly is pointless now

The Critical Role of Property Ownership in Modern Society

Introduction

The right to own property has historically been recognized as a fundamental aspect of individual liberty and has played a pivotal role in shaping modern societies. Derived from Enlightenment philosopher John Locke’s influential ideas on natural rights, property ownership has been embraced by the Founding Fathers of the United States as a cornerstone of democratic principles. This essay examines the critical role of property ownership for citizens in modern society and underscores the reasons why it must be upheld as an essential right to ensure liberty.

I. John Locke’s Theory of Property Rights

John Locke’s seminal work, “Second Treatise of Government,” presents a comprehensive theory of property rights. According to Locke, individuals possess a natural right to acquire and own property through their labor and the application of their faculties. By mixing their labor with the resources of nature, individuals transform those resources into their private property, establishing a legitimate claim to it.^1 This concept emphasizes the link between human labor, property, and economic prosperity, aligning with modern notions of entrepreneurial pursuits, homeownership, and wealth accumulation.

II. The Founding Fathers’ Embrace of Property Rights

The Founding Fathers of the United States were profoundly influenced by Locke’s theories on property rights and individual liberty. Thomas Jefferson, a prominent proponent of the Enlightenment, expressed the recognition of property rights in a letter to James Madison, where he argued that the living hold rights to the earth, distinct from the deceased, and that these rights should be protected.^2 James Madison, one of the principal architects of the Constitution, incorporated property protections in the document, asserting that a just government should secure the rights of individuals to acquire and enjoy property without undue interference.^3

III. The Connection between Property and Personal Liberty

The right to own property and personal liberty are intricately intertwined in modern society. Property ownership affords individuals a degree of autonomy and control over their lives, reinforcing the principles of independence and self-determination.^4 The possession of real property, for instance, grants individuals a secure abode, enabling them to establish stable families and develop cohesive communities, bolstering social cohesion and civic engagement. The capacity to accumulate wealth through property ownership facilitates the exercise of personal choices and pursuits, preserving individual freedoms.

IV. Economic Prosperity and Innovation

Secure property rights are vital for fostering economic prosperity and stimulating innovation. When individuals possess confidence in the protection of their property, they are more inclined to invest in businesses, take calculated risks, and explore novel technologies.^5 The ability to reap the benefits of their labor and ideas incentivizes entrepreneurial activities, propelling overall economic growth and societal progress.

V. Protection against Tyranny and Arbitrary Rule

The historical significance of property rights lies in its capacity to serve as a bulwark against tyranny and arbitrary rule. In societies where property rights are undermined, citizens become susceptible to oppressive governance and economic exploitation.^6 In contrast, respect for property ownership acts as a safeguard against government encroachment and safeguards against abuses of power. The inclusion of property protections in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reflects the recognition of property rights as a critical barrier to arbitrary confiscation and serves to preserve individual liberties.

Conclusion

The right to own property stands as a vital pillar of modern society, underpinning individual liberty, economic prosperity, and protection against government encroachment. Rooted in the Enlightenment philosophy of John Locke, property ownership has been embraced by the Founding Fathers as an essential aspect of democratic principles in the United States. As a potent driver of economic growth and personal autonomy, property ownership remains a crucial element of a free and just society, safeguarding the liberty and prosperity of its citizens.

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Footnotes:

1. John Locke, “Second Treatise of Government,” (1689).

2. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, March 27, 1789.

3. James Madison, “Property,” essay, March 29, 1792.

4. Hansmann, Henry, and Reinier Kraakman, “Property, Contract, and Verification: The Numerus Clausus Problem and the Divisibility of Rights,” The Journal of Legal Studies 31, no. 2 (2002): 373-420.

5. De Soto, Hernando. “The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else.” Basic Books, 2003.

6. North, Douglass C. “Institutions, institutional change and economic performance.” Cambridge University Press, 1990.

When it comes to AI, I am reminded of the plethora of “How it’s Made” videos that go something like: Human feeds the raw material into the machine and the machine makes the thing. We’re already at this point in such an expansive way; it’s going to be more like that, not less.

My belief is there is a tipping point on unemployment which is closer than most people think; when government can no longer fund services and 10’s of millions cannot afford goods & services, basic shelter & sustenance …. that’s when this shit gets real. Even more concerning is such a prediction does not require AGI, or the singularity. This can start to happen now.

It strikes me that the predictable nature of humans to screw over fellow humans will make this and other malevolent impacts of AI inevitable.

UBI has a math problem. Show me the math and I will start to believe it’s possible. Since UBI is a form of rationing, UBI also has a problem vs the natural human value for individual liberty. I know we have lots of rationing already, so what’s a little bit more; right? I say a little bit of cyanide won’t kill you…. how much do we want?

There is also a crossover point where corporations cannot sell enough goods and services to be profitable because they drive up unemployment and we cannot afford to spend. Do corporations get UBI too?

Rinse, repeat.

In the end we most probably look like the world of Elysium.

The public is of 3 minds regarding AI. They are oblivious, afraid of the technology, or see it as the path to utopia. Few are considering the real impact of AI.

Companies will fire millions of people whose job can be done by AI. They must do it to remain competitive. High levels of unemployment will trigger a an economic super storm as government revenue (tax collection) falls and millions become homeless overnight. How will society function when this collapse happens? It is inevitable, yet nobody is discussing options.

My thoughts are surely not original but this topic is  dear to me so I am moved to share some semi random thoughts, albeit down the rabbit hole a bit.  The concept that happiness is controlled from within is so very critical to living a full life; I frequently remind myself and those dear to me of this fact.  The last thing we want to do is surrender our happiness to our environment.  With the recent birth of my 4th grandchild (go team Hills)  I have been reflecting on the question of our default way of being and the question of being ‘born with inner happiness’ as you say.  It seems clear we are born into innocence and peace of mind but I ponder the default (natural) ways we interact with our environment at birth.  For example, when an infant is uncomfortable why is it expressed as crying?  It sure as hell isn’t a learned behavior.   If we are born with inner happiness why don’t infants spend the day giggling?  My new grandson will lay alone in his crib and make meditation type noises for hours ….. a general state of bliss, but infants  laugh & smile most when they interact with with  people who  engage them with positive energy.  So the BIG question and distinction to me is the degree to which we depend on each other to achieve our happiest state.  Maybe we are only teaching infants “how to express” happiness;  but I  believe we cannot “be” our happiest without the love of others in our lives.  It’s an important distinction in light of trends that result in people being less social, more isolated.  We need the love of others to be our happiest.

The downward spiral of humanity is irreversible. Society cannot improve from where we are today.  This is the first installment on this theme…..

Without apologies, my view is based on observations of various American trends but argue the United States is generally in much better condition than the the rest of the planet where one third live in poverty, one third under the rule of totalitarianism, and the rest in ‘democracies’ headed towards one-party-rule Marxism or worse.  It is intended as broad survey of sociological conditions (not political).

Advances in innovation and information technology continue to accelerate.  Artificial intelligence and robotic automation are moving at breakneck speeds and will profoundly impact humanity.  It is happening now, today, not in the future.  As rapid as the last 70 years of automation has been, we have also seen massive perversions of the technology throughout society; private, corporate, and government.  Technology is now the weapon of choice and the costs to defend against its evil impact are enormous.  The rapid adoption of these new technologies will displace millions of workers from all walks of life, white and blue collar alike.  At the same time those with corrupt intent will exploit those same technologies to increase crime, monitoring, enforcement, and ultimately control over the growing proletariat.  In 5 years the concept of individual liberty will be a vague notion of former times known only to the eldest among us.  Only a handful of technologists understand the massive extent of illegal monitoring and data collection taking place today.  Most people are content to assume AI is about ‘marketing’ and that law enforcement is noble in its use of illegally collected data.  There is no place to hide and the data collected can be used to support any claim any time, without cause.

Specifically on the topic of AI; programs such as chat.openai.com are collecting more data than it gives out; the AI is learning from us more than we learn from it and we are learning a LOT.  Every human interaction with AI expands its knowledge of how humans think and before the end of 2024 AI will be able to pass the Turing Test.  As sentience AI approaches, the true value of AI will become apparent to the ruling elite and people with corrupt intent.  The result of this realization will be a lockdown on such technologies.  The cost of accessing AI for the common person will skyrocket; but it will be widely available and the tool of choice for the ruling elite, law enforcement, and the corrupt.  AI will be a weapon against the proletariat, not a tool for the advancement of humankind.  Even George Orwell‘s 1984 dystopian future, as bleak as it was, did not anticipate the added impact of Artificial Intelligence.  As AI grows, so will the proletariat.

Similar to AI, the advancement in robotics and automation are also increasing at record speeds.  Robots will be walking among us sooner than people think.  First as narrowly skilled replacements for blue collar workers but as AI is in increasingly integrated they will replace the endless sea of bureaucrats world wide.  100s of millions with no marketable skills will be displaced by the perfect machine version of themselves.  Soulless robots will obediently execute their tasks upon us. As perfect soldiers, robots will will feed the profitable business of war with a fury. There will be no peace.  Meanwhile, humans will be relegated to the ‘care and feeding’ of robots.  Watch any video on ‘how it’s made’ and you will see manufacturers  centered around mammoth mechanical machines literally being fed raw materials by humans.  It’s our job to keep up with them not the other way around. Driverless trucking and robotic farming will eliminate work for millions of people.  What transferable skills do they have? The proletariat population will continue to grow.  

In short AI and robotics will eliminate 100s of millions of jobs; far too many for society to absorb.  At the same time, the benefits of these technologies will be priced out of reach for the expanding proletariate.  The ruling class will become more powerful. 

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So I wrote about my visit to the blood lab but failed to mention an apparently key part of the story….. I complained. In retaliation for my complaint (instead of an apology for the miserable treatment) they sent me a letter threatening to block my medical care if I ever complain again.

This proves my original post, that they do not care. More importantly it shows the power of the bureaucrats and that they always win. If you complain you are black listed (or worse) …. even for medical care!