Monthly Archives: December 2016

Comparing Psychological & Ethical Egoism – Study.com

Posted: December 25, 2016 at 10:52 pm

In this lesson, you will explore two different ways of explaining the motivations of your actions. Discover what they have in common and how they are different, and test your understanding with a brief quiz.

My, what an ego you've got. No, don't worry, that's not an insult. I don't mean you're prideful or arrogant; I just mean that you're very self-interested. No, still not an insult. You see, many psychologists believe that self-interest is the basis for all human interactions. And many philosophers believe that even if self-interest isn't necessarily the basis for every action, well, then it should be.

But there's a big difference between what is and what should be. Here, let's take a look at that ego. I promise it's not an insult.

On one side of this is the simple belief about why we act the way we do. Psychological egoism states that human actions are based in self-interest. In this doctrine, we are making a factual claim about human behavior, with absolutely no moral judgments attached. See, I told you not to worry - no one's judging you here.

Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory, meaning that it describes something based on observation and leaves it at that. Descriptive doctrines don't try and describe actions as moral or immoral, good or bad; they simply observe and describe those actions. That also means that we are basing this doctrine in empirical, observable science. Those who believe in psychological egoism do so because their scientific research about human behavior, attitudes, and motivations supports it. And, for it to be a scientific fact, it has to apply to every person, all the time. So, according to this theory, this is just the way things are. People are motivated by self-interest.

Now, one important clarification we should make is that self-interest and selfishness are very different things. Your actions can be purely motivated by doing what's best for you, but sometimes it's in your best interest not to be selfish. In fact, psychologists have observed that selfishness is very commonly not in your best interest. For example, it's selfish to want to take something from a store without paying. But that would be theft, and stealing is against your best interest because you would be arrested. Also, people would treat you differently for being a thief; you could lose your job, and you'll end up in a state prison with face tattoos and fermenting wine in a toilet. It's in your best interest to avoid that.

All right, get the shrinks out of here. We're done talking about scientific facts; it's time to talk some philosophy. Philosophers don't necessarily believe that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, but many believe that they ought to be. Ethical egoism is the theory that a moral action is one that is based in self-interest. According to this doctrine, at the end of the day, the only real value to a person is their own welfare, so acting in your own best interest is always a moral choice.

See the difference between ethical and psychological egoism? While the psychologists state as a fact with no moral judgment that self-interest is the basis of all action, ethicists state that an action should be morally judged for being self-interested.

Get FREE access for 5 days, just create an account.

No obligation, cancel anytime.

Select a subject to preview related courses:

Since ethical egoism does not describe what is, but instead what should be, it is a normative theory. Normative doctrines state what is right and wrong and indicate how people should act, so they're not scientific theories, and therefore require philosophical, not scientific, evidence. But, just as with psychological egoism, ethical egoism also advises against being selfish. From a philosophical standpoint, being selfish can be against your best interest, and therefore is immoral.

Say that you have all the apples in town. You could be selfish and keep all the apples; you know you'll eat well, but if you don't share them, everybody in town will hate you. They like apples too, and now they aren't going to help you with other things that you need. So, you've got no friends and nothing but apples. Once again, we see that the moral action is the one that is least selfish, because sharing your apples is actually in your best interest. Turns out, taking an interest in yourself can really take you far.

What motivates our actions? What ought to motivate our actions? Even if the answer is the same, these are two different questions. Psychological egoism is the scientific theory that all human actions are motivated by self-interest. This does not judge any actions as right or wrong, but simply observes and describes them as fact, making this a descriptive doctrine.

On the other side is ethical egoism, the philosophical theory that judges the morality of actions based on their level of self-interest. According to this theory, a moral action is one that is in your best interest, so although people don't always act in their self-interest, they should. That's the difference - psychological egoism states what is; ethical egoism states what should be. But, they both agree that self-interest is in your best interest. See, I told you it wasn't an insult.

See original here:

Comparing Psychological & Ethical Egoism - Study.com

Posted in Ethical Egoism | Comments Off

Microbiome & Metabolome Human Longevity, Inc.

Posted: at 10:43 pm

Along with the genomic data gleaned from the sequencing complete human genomes, HLI will also be generating microbiome data for many of these individuals through its Biome Health division, under the leadership of Karen Nelson, Ph.D.

Nelson, who is also President of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), and her team led the first human microbiome study on the human gut which was published in the journal Science in 2006. Nelson and her team have gone on to publish numerous scientific papers on the microbiome. JCVI is also one of three large centers funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of its Human Microbiome Project (HMP) and has several federally funded projects focused on the human microbiome and disease underway.

There are 100 times more cells from bacteria, fungi, and viruses, in and on your body than there are human cells.

The microbiome consists of all of the microbes that live in and on the human body that contribute to the health and disease status of an individual. By better understanding a persons microbiome (gut, oral, skin, lung, and other body sites), the company anticipates developing improved probiotics, advanced diagnostics and therapeutic approaches to improve health and wellness.

Along with the microbiome data, HLI will capture and analyze metabolomic data from various cohorts. The metabolome includes the complete set of metabolites in a human genome. HLI has also signed an agreement with Metabolon Inc., a diagnostic products and services company located in Research Triangle Park, NC offering the biochemical profiling platform that will be used to capture this information from the HLI samples. Metabolomics is important because quantifying and understanding the full picture of circulating chemicals in the body can help researchers get a clearer picture of that individuals health status and map changes in the small molecules to end points of disease and gene mutations.

View post:
Microbiome & Metabolome Human Longevity, Inc.

Posted in Human Longevity | Comments Off

Robotics Engineer – Science Buddies

Posted: December 24, 2016 at 2:04 pm

Please ensure you have JavaScript enabled in your browser. If you leave JavaScript disabled, you will only access a portion of the content we are providing. Here's how. A robotics engineer could... Key Facts & Information Source: O*Net Training, Other Qualifications

The robotics-engineering industry is a broad and changing field of study. To keep their knowledge and skills up to date, robotics engineers will need to read research and trade journals, attend professional seminars and conferences, and work with colleagues on cutting-edge research.

New robotics engineers often begin their careers as assistants or junior engineers at a robotics firm, under the supervision of an established colleague.

A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is required for most entry-level positions in robotics engineering. Because robotics technology draws on the expertise of many different engineering disciplines, engineers who specialize in robotics often have degrees in mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, electronic, or industrial engineering. Some colleges and universities now offer robotics engineering degrees. Robotics courses typically include training in hydraulics and pneumatics, CADD/CAM systems, numerically controlled systems, microprocessors, integrated systems, and logic. It usually takes four to five years to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. Some colleges offer work-study programs in which students receive on-the-job training while still in school. Most universities that offer robotics courses have well-equipped labs with lasers and CADD/CAM equipment.

For some positions, and to advance in the field, you need a master's degree or PhD. A PhD is required to teach in this field as well as for most high-level research positions. A master's degree requires one to two years of additional schooling, while a PhD takes three to five additional years in school.

Robotics is a rapidly growing field that has applications in diverse industries. A robotics engineer designs robots, maintains robots, develops new applications for robots, and conducts research to expand the potential for robots. Robots can be used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, mining, and medicine. Robots are used to perform tasks too dangerous or dirty for humans to perform. Robotics engineers use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems to perform their tasks. Robotics research engineers design robotic systems and research methods to manufacture them economically. Robotics engineers who work for robot manufacturers are sometimes called robotics test engineers or automation system engineers. These engineers apply the robotic system to a particular use on a manufacturing assembly line. They also create an integrated environment between people and machinery. Leaders in this field work on creating experimental mobile robots for space research (like the Mars rovers) and medical uses.

Robotics engineers must be familiar with logic, microprocessors, and computer programming so that they can design the right robot for each application. They must also prepare specifications for the robot's capabilities as they relate to the work environment. In addition, robotics engineers are responsible for developing cost proposals, efficiency studies, and quality-control reports.

Most robotics engineers are employed by private robot manufacturers or robot users. Some engineers work in military and space programs. Others work for colleges and universities or vocational and trade schools.

Most robotics engineers go to work in offices, manufacturing plants, or laboratories. Manufacturing plants maybe noisy, depending on the industry. They may also work on a factory floor where they monitor or solve on-site problems. Many robotics engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring engineers to work longer hours.

Do you have a specific question about a career as a Robotics Engineer that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

We'd like to acknowledge the additional support of:

Continue reading here:

Robotics Engineer - Science Buddies

Posted in Robotics | Comments Off

What is Home Automation? | Home Automation Systems

Posted: at 1:59 pm

Home automation is The Internet of Things"The way that all of our devices and appliances will be networked together to provide us with a seamless control over all aspects of our home and more. Home automation has been around from many decades in terms of lighting and simple appliance control, and only recently has technology caught up for the idea of the interconnected world, allowing full control of your home from anywhere, to become a reality. With home automation, you dictate how a device should react, when it should react, and why it should react. You set the schedule and the rest is automated and based off of your personal preferences thus providing convenience, control, money savings, and an overall smarter home. Home automation can also alert you to events that you might want to know about right-away while you are gone like water leaks and unexpected access to your home, or any part of it. At any time, you can grab your iPhone, Android device or other remote control and change the settings in your house as desired.

Over the past few decades many companies have entered the home automation sector...

Control and automate just about every device and appliance within your home whether you are at home or far away. We've all gotten used to controlling our TV from the couch; just wait until you are able to dim the lights as well.

Imagine adjusting the temperature from your bed or controlling the volume of your whole-house audio system from any room. Or imagine the wall/ceiling heater in your bathroom coming on automatically on chilly mornings 5 minutes before your alarm clock goes off so that it is warm when you enter. Many Smarthome products also save energy -- we'll all agree that's a nice convenience.

Always on guard and at the ready, home automation provides security, safeguarding your home. From a security cameras peering eye to a water sensor that will alert you of a possible costly leak, an automated home keeps your property under surveillance so you can react at a moments notice.

We're all used to opening the garage door from the car, but you'll be surprised how much safer you'll feel coming home to a lit home and even turning on more lights from your keyfob remote upon your arrival. With a couple of basic products you can have your whole house light up like Fort Knox when there is motion detected at any corner of your house. Imagine your house sending you an email if there is motion where there shouldn't be any. Or you can have your security system call you if there is an alarm, which might include your typical security alarm or even a low or high temperature or water in the laundry room or basement.

Home automation works efficiently for you, saving money on your utilities and providing overall convenience.

Home automation gets you involved. Set your personal preferences and actions, then sit back and enjoy using the latest in home automation technology. Though such technology is quite complex, it remains completely flexible and user friendly making for a fun experience.High-tech products for the home are fun to use and share with others. Whether viewing visitors at your front door on your TV or tuning your stereo by using voice recognition, you'll find home automation surprisingly enjoyable. And when it comes to impressing the friends, you'll be happy to show off your newfound applications.

With the broad selection of home automation products offered by Smarthome, you can control just about anything you wish in your home. If you have questions about a particular product please contact our expert technical support team - they're happy to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Read the rest here:

What is Home Automation? | Home Automation Systems

Posted in Automation | Comments Off

The Best Home Automation Systems of 2016 | Top Ten Reviews

Posted: at 1:59 pm

Why Buy a Home Automation System?

Editor's note: ADT recently announced the completion of a merger with Protection 1. Although the two companies currently operate independently, both will eventually operate exclusively under the ADT brand. When ADT and Protection 1 complete this brand integration, we will update our home automation system reviews to reflect that information.

The top performers in our review are Crestron, the Gold Award winner; Control4, the Silver Award winner; andSavant, the Bronze Award winner. Heres more on choosing a provider to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 systems.

With home automation systems, you can forever banish concerns of overly expensive utility bills and stop wondering whether or not you locked the front door. These high-tech solutions can help make your home into a smart home. In fact, a smart home system can control every light, appliance and compatible peripheral in your home.

This burgeoning industry offers a choice selection of products from respected manufacturers. Weve compiled a list of the best home automation systems available and ranked them based on their offerings in a variety of categories. Our evaluation focuses exclusively on professionally installed automation systems, sometimes called smart home as a service or SHaaS. However, if you want a more-affordable, less-complete option, check out our DIY home automation review. For additional information, see our articles on home automation systems.

Professionally installed home automation is a serious investment, not a hobby or a gimmick. Getting a home automation system is on the same level as remodeling your home in cost and complexity. Our research revealed a few ways you can rein in your expectations so you can find a system that works best for you.

Types of Systems There are two kinds of professional home automation systems in our review: whole-house automation and home security systems. Whole-house automation systems from Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI, Savant and URC tend to be more expensive but have more features and connectivity, especially in terms of home theaters. Whole-home automation usually requires custom wiring and programming, which can take weeks to prepare in some cases.

Home security systems such as ADT, MONI, Protection 1 and Vivint, primarily focus on home security but offer home automation upgrades. These upgrades do not approach the same level of complexity or customization that whole-house automation companies offer, notably with a lack of home theater integration. This professional solution is usually more affordable and includes home security monitoring. Mobile apps are common in both system types.

A Stable Market with Local Dealers Home automation has existed since the 1970s in one form or another, almost always in luxury homes, businesses and schools. Whole-home systems rely on local dealers, also called integrators, in most states. These dealers act as resellers and install and set up equipment. Home security systems are more widespread with larger installer networks. Only in the last decade have DIY systems appeared, but these havent found traction in many homes.

Worry-Free Compatibility Unlike DIY home automation, equipment compatibility is one less thing to think about when you work with a dealer. The dealer figures out which products work together ahead of time and then offers a variety of solutions that provide the features you want for your home. On the manufacturer side of things, most companies offer every piece of equipment you could want while also supporting hundreds of third-party products.

A Big Price Tag Professional automation systems are a luxury, which should give you an idea of how much they cost. According to CE Pro, a publication for home automation integrators, the average whole-home automation system installation costs around $25,000. Much of this cost comes from hardware such as home theater components and security camera systems.

For simpler projects, you can expect to spend between $2,000 and $5,000 to add smart locks, lighting, thermostats and sensors to a modest home. The cost comes from a combination of an expensive home automation controller and the sheer number of less-expensive devices that can add up quickly. Many home control systems also require custom programming on a home-by-home basis, since few smart homes are alike. A home automation system adds value to your home but not without upfront investment.

Home Theater Integration This is the single most expensive part of a whole-home automation system. This is because of the controllers that allow you to send audio and video to rooms throughout your home. The rest of the cost associated with home theaters comes from audio equipment, such as speakers and amplifiers, and video equipment such as projectors, TVs and AV receivers.

The cost and complexity of the systems in this category limit the amount of hands-on testing we can do. We approach our evaluations from the point of view of a potential customer starting research. Our evaluations are based on discussions with dealers, manufacturer offerings, brochures and in-house research. Most of the differences in professional home automation systems are superficial, but we highlighted the biggest ones we could find.

Customer Education Resources The best home automation companies offer case studies, brochures and galleries. These showcase different projects in which the companys technology played a major role. We looked at the showcases offered by each company to get an idea of what each system can do. Companies with detailed descriptions and multiple examples did better than those that only showed photos of completed projects.

Ease of Finding a Dealer We visited the websites of the companies in our review and looked for ways to contact dealers near our office. The most effective companies have clear calls to action on their homepages. This is usually an interactive dealer map, a form or a phone number you can use to get information. Control4, for example, has a form on its homepage that helps you get a quote, and it is one of the clearest calls to action we saw.

Number of Hardware Partners We looked at each of the companies in our review to get a rough estimate of how many brands work with each automated home system. Manufacturers that support many brands score higher than those that support fewer since they give you more choices. The best home automation systems partner with hundreds of brands. This is important if you have a favorite brand like Bose or Sony that you want to include in your system.

Customer Support Options As a general rule, a dealer is going to be your first, and maybe only, point of contact with some home automation companies. Dealers have an advantage of being available to make service calls to your home but often charge a fee to do so. Since we cant evaluate all of the thousands of dealers across the U.S., we looked at the companies directly to see what they offer in terms of direct customer support. If theres even the faintest glimmer of direct customer support, we gave the company extra credit.

Our evaluation is designed to provide you with useful information that helps you decide which system to use in your home. For our home automation system evaluations, we researched each manufacturers offerings and looked at how the company communicates with its customers. The companies have no input on our evaluation methodology, and our rankings were not shared with them prior to publication.

When you decide you want a home automation system, aside from setting a reasonable budget, there are only two things you need to consider: what and who. Getting what you want is as simple as finding the right focus for your smart home. From there, decide who should install it. Here are a few tips to help you decide the what and who of your smart home system.

Determine Your Focus Focus only on features you want. As a general rule, whole-home automation has elements of control, security, utilities and entertainment. Home security companies offer the first three but have no support for entertainment. These categories are not mutually exclusive; for example, lighting plays a role in all four. Once you have a focus, you can go to a dealer and tell them what you want to do.

Control These devices add convenience by helping you create schedules, rules and smartphone controls. Common examples are light switches, garage door openers, thermostats and window treatments.

Security Technology in this category protects your family, belongings and property by monitoring for and deterring intruders. Examples are door sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, smart locks, security cameras and sirens.

Utilities Using these devices, you can improve your homes energy efficiency, which helps you save on gas, electric or water bills. Examples include thermostats, sprinkler controllers, leak detectors and window treatments.

Entertainment These are audio-video devices and home theater equipment. Universal remotes sometimes work with DIY smart homes to control TVs, home audio systems and streaming sticks.

Find a Local Dealer Most major cities have a few home automation dealers. To find the right one for you, its a good idea to get competing quotes from the integrators in your area. With quotes in hand, learn about each dealers certifications, setup process and whether it can help you get security monitoring services.

Certifications Look for dealers that are members of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, or CEDIA. CEDIA has a strong code of ethics and helps installers stay up to date with the latest technology certifications. In addition to CEDIA membership, make sure the dealer is certified to work with popular home automation products.

System Setup Choose a dealer only after it gives you a detailed explanation of the changes it needs to make to your home such as removing drywall and installing wiring. If the dealer doesnt give you a written contract of everything it plans to do before it starts, then find a dealer that will. A verbal contract is an invitation to overpriced installations that can bust your budget.

Monitoring Services Ask if the dealer offers home security monitoring or can connect you to a security company that monitors home automation systems. In general, if you dont have door sensors, motion sensors or security cameras, you probably dont need monitoring and shouldnt buy it if the dealer insists.

Whether you use your system as a universal remote or have automatic tasks that run in the background, you can expect to interact with it every day. Idle systems are a great way to underutilize your investment make them work for you. Here are a couple items every home automation system owner should know.

Learn the Ropes Take time to study the manual, mobile app and other tools you have access to. Look at all of the components that make up your system and see how mobile app controls them. By familiarizing yourself with the app, you can find lights, create presets and know where in the menu everything is. In most systems, you can set up schedules to control devices such as your thermostat and exterior lights.

When to Call the Dealer Aside from occasionally replacing batteries in a sensor or dusting off your equipment, there isnt much maintenance you can do on your own without voiding the warranty. If your system is under warranty, you should be able to replace your defective components at no cost. Its possible that you might pay a service fee, even with a warranty check with your dealer to see when they charge for service calls.

If you dont have a warranty, set priorities instead of calling the dealer any time a component stops working. Your highest priorities should fall under security and utilities, which should be fixed as soon as possible after they break. If a security camera fails, your home can become more vulnerable to thieves. Likewise, if the thermostat goes on the fritz, discomfort or high energy bills can result. Control and entertainment devices in the system may be inconvenient if they go offline, but if theres no threat to your security or comfort, you can get them fixed as your budget allows.

Warranty Coverage When you work with a dealer, keep in mind that it may offer a separate warranty from that of the manufacturer. Check to make sure the dealers warranty covers installation, labor and offers coverage for at least a year. For defective hardware, many dealers work with manufacturers to get replacement parts so you dont have to contact the manufacturer directly. The best home automation systems offer lifetime warranties or warranties around three years.

It can be hard to choose a home management system when there are so many good options on the market. Our recommendations come from each systems standout feature, since thats a good baseline to start from in your own research. Our top three home automation systems showcase the best the industry has to offer.

For our Gold Award winner, Crestron, theres literally no project too big. This system is compatible with thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers, more than any other company in our review. The systems software is fully customizable from top to bottom, which is one of the reasons it expands beyond residential installations into commercial applications at schools, hotels and businesses. It takes an experienced dealer and a lot of time to install a Crestron system.

Control4, our Silver Award winner, is the top residential brand in our review. The system integrates software and hardware seamlessly without the need for a dealer to do intensive programming. This helps bring down installation costs while also creating a capable system that can be expanded by the dealer as your needs change. Control4 offers a strong selection of in-house hardware as well as support for hundreds of other manufacturers. Control4s Composer Home Edition is home automation software that lets you create schedules and custom programs without calling the dealer.

Our Bronze Award winner, Savant, has a design with a lot of visual appeal. The sleek, glossy hardware evokes the same visual cues as Apple products. Not only does Savant Pro have a full line of professional products, but it also has a few DIY smart home products with an entertainment focus. For example, the Savant Remote comes with a high-resolution touchscreen, a simple button layout and voice control, something not found in many universal remotes. The advantage of the DIY remote is that you can get a feel for Savant systems before committing to a full professional installation.

Outside of the top three, RTI was the only other product in our review that had everything we looked for in a good home automation system, helping it earn a Top Ten Reviews Excellence Award. MONI, ADT and Vivint get honorable mention as home automation companies with extensive dealer networks, and they are the only products in our review with lifetime warranty coverage.

Finding the right verdict in this evaluation was tricky. Part of the appeal of professional home automation systems is that they can automate almost anything in your home, which is why we cant make solid recommendations on the hardware capabilities of a particular system over another. However, whole-house automation systems offer a more complete smart home experience than home security systems. Home security systems are a better way to get into professional automation for most people since they dont require complex installation and programming. In the end, the best advice we can give you is to use our reviews to choose the best smart home system for your needs.

Here is the original post:

The Best Home Automation Systems of 2016 | Top Ten Reviews

Posted in Automation | Comments Off

This may be the most politically incorrect Christmas show in …

Posted: at 1:45 pm

Well, folks. Ive gone off and done it.

Ive managed to create the most politically incorrect Christmas show in America. My two-hour Fox Radio extravaganza declares that Jesus is the reason for the season loud and proud.

Click here for a FREE subscription to Todds newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!

The Todd Starnes Christmas Show will air on hundreds of radio stations around the nation and FoxNews.com has a broadcast version which you can watch here.

The show includes a Living Nativity, flying angels, shepherds and the Christmas story delivered directly from the New Testament at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

We also have a stage full of line dancing Santa Clauses, celebrity singers like Jason Crabb, Meredith Andrews and the Mylon Hayes Family.

Oh, and theres a massive Christmas tree filled singing young people. You have to watch the video to truly appreciate the magnitude of 140,000 sparkling lights. It makes the Rockefeller Christmas Tree look like that scrawny Charlie Brown tree.

As you can tell, my show has high concentrations of cultural appropriation that could cause severe microaggressions among some millennials and free-thinkers. I posted a warning at the beginning of the program urging fragile snowflakes to seek shelter in a safe space until after the angels have harkened the herald.

It's beyond reason that a season celebrating peace on earth is so despised by secular humanists. Before grandpa can swipe the last piece of pumpkin pie, the atheists and agnostics and free-thinkers are waging battles over Santa Claus and reindeer, candy canes and Christmas Choirs.

This year, schools took issue with A Christmas Carol and A Charlie Brown Christmas and one university published a screed urging people to host all-inclusive holiday parties.

Meanwhile, the atheists and agnostics doubled down on their efforts to eradicate town square Nativities from sea to shining sea. And dont even get me started with the Satanists.

The motley crew of godless Grinches have shown no mercy to either the sacred or the secular.

But when it comes to protesting the holy days of other religions, the atheists and agnostics and Satanists are curiously quiet. I dont seem to recall the Satanists posting a Satanic pentagram outside a mosque.

Some call it a war on Christmas -- but it goes much deeper than just hating a holiday. It's a war on the very foundation of our nation -- the essence of who we are as a people.

We are one nation under God.

A God who sent his son to be born in the city of David -- a savior -- who is Christ the Lord. That is what Christmas is all about -- and that is why the secular humanists so despise this Yuletide season.

Todd Starnes is host of Fox News & Commentary, heard on hundreds of radio stations. His latest book is "God Less America: Real Stories From the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values." Follow Todd on Twitter@ToddStarnes and find him on Facebook.

Read this article:
This may be the most politically incorrect Christmas show in ...

Posted in Politically Incorrect | Comments Off

Socio-economic Collapse | Futurist Transhuman News Blog

Posted: December 23, 2016 at 5:14 pm

This book is based on the authors first hand experience of the 2001 Economic Collapse in Argentina. He offers a broad range of very practical advice for how to prepare yourself and your family for a large-scale emergency or survival situation in an urban environment.

(From Amazon) Fernando FerFAL Aguirre is a father, husband and survivalist that has lived through the Argentine socio-economic collapse of 2001, and the consequences such collapse had in the years that followed. Hes the author of numerous articles found on line and is recognized among the survival and preparedness community for his personal experience and no-nonsense approach to survivalism. Hes also the publisher and owner of Surviving in Argentina, a blog he keeps up with updated articles, posts as well as reports of the situation in Argentina.

The Author covers most aspects of survival in an urban environment starting with basic things such as physical fitness, and moving on to subjects such as vehicle preparation, food and water storage, self defense, weapons, survival kits, currency/gold/silver, and proper survival mindset and awareness. Aguirre has a very practical way of writing and his advice is simple and pragmatic. His experience living through an economic collapse in a first-world country gives him a unique insight into what sorts of problems that the average urban dweller might have to face in an emergency situation.

Aguirres discussion on guns is excellent. He summarizes some of the arguments and counter arguments in the survival world regarding guns, and his conclusions make a lot of practical sense. He believes that the pistol is the primary firearm in a survival situation and that other weapons such as assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, are of secondary importance.

Aguirre also has a great philosophy regarding knives. He carries a large serrated knife clipped to his front pocket, and he views this the most important piece of his first line survival gear. He carries another smaller knife in another pocket for every day tasks, and he prefers to leave the serrated knife unused so as to maintain the razor sharp edge. I thought that this was very smart and practical advice.

I also really enjoyed Aguirres first hand experiences in Buenos Aires during the crisis. He describes many issues that he dealt with on a daily basis such as finding working ATMs, relationships with neighbors, dealing with family and relatives, gold vs. cash, dogs and household pets, and other day to day issues. At the end of the book, his wife writes a list of her top survival recommendations from a womans perspective, which is very enlightening and refreshing.

Not too many. The author is very confident in his opinions which might rub some people the wrong way (For example: Stop debating pros and cons of the various pistols/rounds and just get yourself a Glock 9mm.) However, his real world experience and his well-structured arguments seem to back up his ideas and opinions.

This book is a great read, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who lives in an urban area, especially people with families. The end of 2010 saw record breaking rain and snow on the west coast, and huge snowstorms on the east coast that brought many major cities to a standstill. I walked away from this book with several new ideas of ways that I could better prepare myself and my family, and I have already implemented some of these ideas into my life. The guidance and the advice contained in this book will help you and your loved ones to prepare for these sorts of unforeseen emergencies.

If you wish to buy this book on Amazon (Click Here)

Also read 8 Common Mistakes of Wilderness Survival

Visit Our New Survival Gear Store Forge Survival Supply

Photo credits: economiccollapsesurvival.com James Dunnigan / Bud Wood

Read the rest here:

Modern Survival Manual Surviving the Economic Collapse

Read this article:

Socio-economic Collapse | Futurist Transhuman News Blog

Posted in Socio-economic Collapse | Comments Off

Gambling – The New York Times

Posted: at 5:13 pm

FijiTonga relations – Wikipedia

Posted: at 5:10 pm

FijiTonga relations are foreign relations between Fiji and Tonga. These neighbouring countries in the South Pacific have a history of bilateral relations going back several centuries.

Though relations between the two countries had been good since they both became independent in the 1970s, they deteriorated considerably in early 2011.[1]

By the early 13th century, Eastern Fiji(Lau group) was a province of the Tongan empire. The Empire subsequently declined, but Tonga remained an influential neighbour in Fiji affairs. In 1848, Tongan Prince Maafu settled in Lakeba, establishing a new foothold in Eastern Fiji. He was accompanied by Tongan Wesleyan missionaries, who consolidated the earlier introduction of Methodism to Fiji by English Wesleyan missionaries.[2][3] Today, Methodism is the primary religion of indigenous Fijians.[4]

Maafu's influence in Fiji expanded during the 1850s, threatening Seru Epenisa Cakobau's attempts to establish himself as king of all Fiji. Ultimately, Maafu and Tonga's support at the 1855 Battle of Kaba was instrumental in enabling Cakobau to cement his leadership over Fiji, temporarily consolidating the Tongan Prince's status and role in the country. Tonga's direct influence faded, however, after Cakobau ceded Fiji to British sovereignty in 1874.[5]

Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received "cheers and thunderous applause" from the Tongan public when he attended a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga in October 2007; the crowd's "enthusiastic reception" of Fiji's leader was likened to "that accorded to a rock star"[6]Radio Australia noted that he had been "the star of this year's meeting, for the people of Tonga",[7] while TVNZ reported that he had been "given a hero's welcome".[8]

In terms of inter-governmental relations, Tonga has generally avoided pressuring Fiji's "interim government" into holding democratic elections. However, Tongan Prime Minister Dr.Feleti Sevele has urged Bainimarama "to produce a credible roadmap to the election according to the Constitution and law of Fiji".[9]

Tonga's "soft"[10] approach to Fiji's unelected government during the regional meeting in October 2007 was in line with the approach chosen by other Pacific Island nations, but contrasted with the much harder stance adopted by Australia and New Zealand.[11] The Tongan government rejected "several [...] attempts by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark to lobby for Commodore Bainimarama's exclusion from the meeting".[12]

In August 2008, Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr Sevele said at a Pacific Islands Forum meeting [13]

Unfortunately, the Forums relationship with the interim government of Fiji has now deteriorated from the apparent, promising situation at the Forum last year in Tonga, to one of disappointment and of an uncertain future. As Forum Leaders, we are all extremely disappointed at the interim Prime Ministers decision not to attend this Forum meeting. As Chair of last years Forum Meeting in Tonga and Chair of the last 12 months, let me place on record the fact that the commitments that Commodore Bainimarama made at the Leaders Retreat were not forced on him, as has been claimed. He agreed with and accepted the 7-point communiqu on Fiji, and so told all the Leaders present at the Retreat. Sir Michael Somare and I certainly did not pressure him into making those commitments. We, and all the Leaders, were, and are, keen on helping Fiji move forward, but Fiji has to play its due part. The interim Prime Minister has an obligation to explain in person to the Forum Leaders as to why he could not fulfill those commitments, and we were all looking forward to his doing this at this Forum in Niue. That he chose not to do this is most unfortunate and most disappointing.

In May 2009, however, Sevele questioned the purpose of Fiji's suspension from the Forum (which had taken place on May 2), and suggested it was "pointless" to "ostracise" Fiji. TVNZ described Tonga's position as "a crack [...] in the hard line being taken against Fiji" by the Forum.[10]

In February 2011, Sevele's successor, Lord Tuivakan, stated that Australia and New Zealand's pressure on Fiji was counter-productive, and that the more they "bother[ed]" Bainimarama, the more likely he might be to do the opposite of what they sought. He added: "Maybe just go easy and they will come around. What you need to remember is that it is an opportunity for other countries, maybe China will step in. [...] There's a lot of other countries looking in and Fiji's said 'We don't want Australia, we don't want New Zealand, these are the people that's going to help us.'"[14]

In December 2005, Fiji welcomed Tonga's accession to the World Trade Organisation.[15]

In 2001, the Fijian Government banned the import of mutton flaps from Tonga.[16] The Tongan Ministry of Labour said in response on this issue that "Tongas experience with Fiji is an example of the difficulties encountered by small developing nations in protecting their interests". The Tongan Ministry said this "illustrates the difficulty and huge onus that the multilateral trading system places on small and vulnerable developing countries, which lack the necessary resources, capital and institutional means to fully implement the WTO agreements." [17]

In August 2007, the Fijian Government called for a review of the Fiji/Tonga Air Services Agreement to allow for increased capacity on the route from 350 to 1000 passengers in each direction.[18][19] By March 2008, a new aviation agreement had been reached. The Fijian Government said [20]

This has been factored into the agreement reached by the two states in March 2008 to increase the seat capacity from 350 to 1000 per week with no restrictions to aircraft types or frequencies and both countries had agreed to this. This new provision will certainly assist or facilitate the movement of tourist between Tonga and Fiji.

Beginning in late 2010, and escalating in early 2011, diplomatic tensions opposed Fiji and Tonga over two partially simultaneous issues. Though they are presented separately here for clarity, they were being referred to simultaneously by May 2011.

Both Fiji and Tonga lay claim to the Minerva Reefs, which lie between the two countries. Historically, the reefs are said to have lain in the fishing grounds of the people of Ono-i-Lau, in Fiji. In 1972, Tonga annexed the reefs, which had not formally been claimed by any State, but Fiji has not recognised the annexation, and has stated it considers the reefs to lie within its territory. In late 2010, Fiji responded to news that Tonga had begun construction of a lighthouse on one reef, by saying Fiji reserved the right to take any means necessary to preserve its territorial integrity.[21]

In February 2011 the Fiji government said there was "no official dispute" between the two countries on the issue, but that officials from the two sides were discussing the matter of the reefs' ownership and usage. A Fiji government official added: "The government of Fiji reiterates its position, that as far as its concerned Minerva Reef is a reef. And as such it lies within the economic, exclusive economic zone of Fiji. And the government of Fiji reserves its right within its directory."[22] Fiji Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Solo Mara clarified that there was no "conflict", but merely "overlapping claims" on the countries' maritime boundary, in the context of "claims for an extended continental shelf beyond the 200 mile Exclusive Economy Zone - as provided for under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea". Officials from the two countries would hold discussions to determine their maritime boundary.[23]

In late May 2011, during the tension over the Tevita Mara affair (see below), "Fiji navy vessels visited Minerva and ordered New Zealand bound yachts out of the lagoon. They then destroyed navigation beacons" which had been set up by Tonga. The Tongan government issued a statement in protest.[24] Fijis Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Sila Balawa subsequently told the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation that Tonga remained "one of Fijis closest friends", and that, although Fiji clearly owned the reef as it was located within the countrys exclusive economic zone, Fiji hoped the disagreement would be resolved through "peaceful dialogue".[25]

In early June, two Tongan Navy ships were sent to the Reef to replace navigational beacons destroyed by the Fijians, and to reassert Tonga's claim to the territory. A Fijian Navy ship in the vicinity reportedly withdrew as the Tongans approached, leading New Zealand's One News to comment that a military conflict between the two countries had narrowly been averted.[26][27] A press release from the Tongan government described Fiji's destruction of Tongan navigational beacons as "an act of vandalism" posing "real danger to international shipping", adding that Tonga and "the Fijian military junta" could and should resolve their territorial dispute "under International law for the settlement of disputes between civilized societies".[28] Simultaneously The People's Daily, citing "Fiji intelligence sources", reported on June 13 that "three Fijian naval ships" were "on their way to Minerva Reef" to confront the two Tongan navy ships there.[29]

In May 2011, Lieutenant-Colonel Tevita Mara, a former Fiji army officer, who had just been charged with plotting an attempt to overthrow Bainimarama, fled Fiji by boat, and was picked up by a Tongan patrol boat and taken to Tonga. The Tongan authorities issued a statement saying they had picked him up after responding to a distress signal, and that in Nuku'alofa "arrangements have been made for his accommodation by the royal household office in deference to his rank". Bainimarama issued a statement saying the Royal Tongan Navy ship had entered Fijian territorial waters without authorisation to carry out an "illegal extraction" of the wanted man; he added that his government took "strong exception to such breaches of Fiji's sovereignty". He announced he would issue a formal protest to Tongan Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano, and would seek Mara's extradition back to Fiji to face charges.[30] Tui'vakano replied that Tonga's independent judiciary would hear Fiji's case for extradition, without interference from the Tongan government, and added that Tonga had no wish to interfere in Fiji's domestic affairs.[31]

Akilisi Pohiva, leader of the Tongan opposition, described the entry of a Tongan Navy vessel into Fiji waters to pick up a fugitive as a clear breach of relations between the two countries, but added that it was justifiable on humanitarian grounds.[32]

On May 21, four days after the first reports on the incident, the Tongan government issued a statement saying it had received no request for Mara's extradition, only a note from the Fijian authorities containing what it called "unsubstantiated assertions" and "a personal statement by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama".[33] Subsequently, having acknowledged receipt of an extradition request, the Tongan government indicated "it will have to go through the proper channels for legal advice before we can proceed any further"; the authorities would not interfere with the judicial process. In early June, however, the authorities granted Mara Tongan citizenship, along with a passport.[34]

Radio Australia reported that relations between the two countries has "soured dramatically" as a result of the incident.[35]

On June 10 as Tongan Navy vessels moved to occupy the Minerva Reef, an unsigned press statement on the website of the Fiji government denounced "the presence of the Tongan Navy boats within Fijis EEZ at Minerva Reef", the "issue of Tongan passport" to Mara and "the Tongan Governments inaction on extradition papers", describing them as "a web of deceit, collusion and a complete lack of disregard [sic] of legal extradition processes". Blaming Australia and New Zealand, the statement said "the Tongans as seen with their presence at the Minerva Reef will be manipulated through offerings of gifts and aid to try and turn up the ante", adding: "As far as Fiji is concerned there is no Mara or Tonga/Fiji situation. It is a Rudd and McCully spreading their wings to save face situation", in reference to Australian and New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministers Kevin Rudd and Murray McCully.[36]Stuff.co.nz described the statement as an "unprecedented attack" on New Zealand, Tonga and Australia, remarking: "The statement on the website is so completely out of kilter with previous Fiji Government statements that it raises questions over who now is in control in Suva."[37]

In late June, the Tongan government formally informed the Fiji government that Tongan law made it impossible to extradite Mara.[38]

Go here to see the original:

FijiTonga relations - Wikipedia

Posted in Minerva Reefs | Comments Off

Ron Paul Wants a Spot on Federal Reserve Board of Governors

Posted: at 4:43 pm

Ron Paul's group, "Campaign for Liberty," is trying to get him a spot on the U.S. Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, a senior politics editor with the Huffington Post reports.

Paul, a former GOP member of Congress from Texas, earlier this week criticized the Federal Reserve, saying it was manipulating the economy.

"We do not work on a free-market principle, we do not have sound money, it's all manipulated," he told Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Network.

"Prices are going to go up and the money's going to be so bent according to political reasons and not because of business decisions, so we want the government out of it, we want people to save money, create capital, but capital cannot come from the Federal Reserve working with a computer, that's the fallacy and that's why zero rates of interest didn't work because they weren't realistic."

The Board of Governors oversees the work of the Federal Reserve Banks and plays a major role in crafting U.S. monetary policy. There are seven members, all appointed by the president of the United States.

Paul established "Campaign for Liberty," his nonprofit political organization, during his presidential run in 2008 with the purpose of spreading his idea that the government should be limited in its role.

Paul also has run for president as a Republican and as a Libertarian.

Go here to see the original:
Ron Paul Wants a Spot on Federal Reserve Board of Governors

Posted in Ron Paul | Comments Off

Monthly Archives: December 2016

Comparing Psychological & Ethical Egoism – Study.com

Microbiome & Metabolome Human Longevity, Inc.

Robotics Engineer – Science Buddies

What is Home Automation? | Home Automation Systems

The Best Home Automation Systems of 2016 | Top Ten Reviews

This may be the most politically incorrect Christmas show in …

Socio-economic Collapse | Futurist Transhuman News Blog

Gambling – The New York Times

FijiTonga relations – Wikipedia

Ron Paul Wants a Spot on Federal Reserve Board of Governors

The Prometheus League

Breaking News and Updates

Prometheism

Forbidden Fruit

The Evolutionary Perspective

Transtopia Menu

Library Updates

Library Books

Future Euvolution

Lucid Dreams from Childhood

Genetic Revolution

Speciation + Self-Directed Evolution