Category Archives: Transhuman News

In September 2021, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos invested in longevity biotech startup, Altos Labs putting the spotlight on the field of anti-ageing. Pharma and biotech firms are investing in research that could prevent and reverse the ageing process in humans, but can novel therapies actually provide longevity? Let's find out.

Ageing is mostly associated with skin conditions like wrinkles, crows feet etc., and anti-ageing is considered a purview of the cosmetic industry, but its a much more complicated physiological process at a cellular and metabolic level categorised by telomere length, inflammation, oxidative stress, and slower cell metabolism.

While ageing isnt considered a disease or condition per se, companies are looking at bodily processes at the cellular level to see how ageing progresses and trying to find the right treatments that might slow these processes down.

Anti-ageing drug research

It is incredibly difficult to develop a single drug that can cure ageing not only because of the complexity, but because it shares similar traits - at a cellular level, with other age related diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Thats why many of the firms studying age-related diseases like cancer and Alzheimers are now collaborating with researchers looking at ageing more broadly and vice versa.

Metformin is the most promising anti-ageing drug candidate that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The drug has been used successfully to treat diabetes for over 60 years. Studies have already shown that Metformin can delay ageing in animals. It may also influence fundamental ageing factors that underlie multiple age-related conditions in humans.

The Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial, managed by the American Federation for Aging Research (TAFR), is testing whether those taking metformin experience delayed development or progression of age-related chronic diseasessuch as heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

Earlier studies found that people with type 2 diabetes who take metformin have lower death rates. Researchers have also observed that COVID-19 patients taking the drug had less hospitalisations and death rate.

Another drug being repurposed for anti-ageing studies is rapamycin. Rapamycin was initially discovered as an anti-fungal metabolite. Subsequently, rapamycin was found to possess immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative properties in mammalian cells, spurring an interest in identifying the mode of action of rapamycin.

It is the only pharmacological agent thus far shown to reproducibly extend lifespan and delay a subset of age-associated pathologies in multiple strains of mice. Swiss firm Novartis is researching rapamycin and its analog, everolimus, for potential anti-ageing effects in humans.

One of the most popular areas of research is around senolytics a class of drugs that target ageing (or senescent) cells and destroy them via induced cell death.

In 2018, US based startup Unity Biotechnology started the first human trial of its senolytic drug UBX0101.

In 2019, US Mayo Clinic published the positive results of its pilot study using dasatinib (cancer drug) and quercetin (cardiovascular drug) in combination as senolytics to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This was a small pilot study that points to feasibility of larger trials in age-related diseases.

Can pharma cure ageing?

Despite all the positive news and interest, anti-ageing is still at a nascent stage. Majority of the research currently being done is at a preclinical stage, it would be years, if not decades before we know drugs are a viable option to ageing or not.

We have seen tremendous interest in the anti-ageing space in the past six months that actually aligns with discoveries that happened about 25 years ago. Since discovering that ageing is a biological process, researchers have been conducting studies and publishing reports on what this means in practice. Some of these findings are gaining significant traction and reach human trial stages, which is likely the source of this renewed interest in the field. More researchers looking at ageing means a higher probability of having treatments ready for human trials and market entry, said Garri Zmudze, Executive Coordinator of the Longevity Science Foundation, Switzerland.

The Longevity Science Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organisation advancing the field of human longevity by funding research and development of medical technologies to extend the healthy human lifespan.

No single treatment or medicine will stop the bodys ageing or reverse all age-related conditions.

'While there may never be a definitive cure for ageing, we believe there are promising findings that can help us reconceptualise what ageing looks like in our lifetimes. In addition to the drugs/treatments, ageing interventions like nutrition and exercise show a lot of promise in increasing lifespan and health-span; we just need to figure out exactly which forms are most effective, said Garri.

Therapies to treat the hallmarks of ageing have already begun. A cure for ageing will be arrived at gradually, step by step, as we tackle the various aspects of this multifaceted process and do so better and better.

It will likely not be a single cure but a collection of therapies to address different aspects of ageing: telomere attrition, accumulation of senescent cells, mitochondrial mutation, extracellular and intracellular waste products, extracellular matrix stiffening and more. It will involve stem cell therapy, gene therapy, organ printing and replacement, supplements like NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and epigenetic clocks that help alter erroneous information that has arisen with time, said a spokesperson from BioViva, who dont want to be named. BioViva USA Inc is dedicated to improving healthy human longevity through gene therapy.

Regulatory challenges

Ageing is not yet classified as a disease by the FDA and other regulatory agencies and until then, there is a lack of context and regulatory support for such research.

How close we are to a treatment will also depend on grass-root movements that force regulatory bodies to change their endpoints from the diseases of ageing - like diabetes type 2, dementia etc. - to ageing itself as a disease. The regulatory bodies do not regard ageing as a disease and therefore do not fund cures for it. They fund cures for amyloid plaques but not research for the condition that causes amyloid plaques in the first place. Only grass-root movements can change the endpoints of the regulatory bodies. In other words, a cure for ageing requires people to understand that ageing can be cured, and therefore to demand that the old regulatory system adapts to current capabilities, said a spokesperson from BioViva.

Garri feels there are other challenges to overcome before we think about regulatory ecosystem for such research.

Right now, the key barrier in advancing longevity science is the lack of transparent, equity-free funding for early-stage longevity tech. Much of this tech is not yet eligible for venture funding but needs capital to define a distinguishable therapy/product. This is a fundamental challenge in developing treatments; until it is overcome, regulatory barriers will be a problem that we will need to address in the future when specific treatments are ready for international introduction, said Garri.

The global anti-ageing market is predicted to skyrocket from around $191.5 billion in 2019 to a whopping $421.4 billion by 2030, according to a report by P&S Intelligence. As the research evolves, there will be a better understanding of the science of ageing and longevity. All this will open a new frontier and will certainly translate to a better and healthier life.

Ayesha Siddiqui

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Seeking the 'Fountain of Youth' - BSA bureau

St. Lukes Parish is found in Church Hill, Maryland. Its parishioners are proud of their church, for its age, its beauty, and for the fellowship shared there.

St. Lukes was founded in 1728 and is constructed of brick. I think of these bricks, and the many country folk who have passed through the doors, sat in the pews, and who have offered up their prayers and worship within the space defined by these bricks. These are surely special bricks, due to the multitude who have silently shared their best and their worst.

When people talk of church, they may be speaking of the tangible structure, the image found on Christmas cards. Or alternatively, they may be speaking of the intangible church; the gathering for sharing a common purpose.

I recall the words of Jesus, that He would rebuild a destroyed church in just three days time. He was speaking of the three days He would spend in the grave, and referring to an intangible church, with its all so real and growing congregation of the faithful.

I ponder the significance of these bricks, the mortar that binds them, and the intangible church.

First, to the bricks. Bricks serve as building blocks; they are sourced from clay, shaped in molds, and fired in furnaces. Although their origin is lowly, their destiny may be highly honorable. Like rocks they are strong, well suited for their purpose and are long lasting. When joined, bricks can build just about anything, from walkways to cathedrals.

I think people are very much like bricks. They too are sourced from humble beginnings.

In his story of creation, Moses equates the origin of people to that of dust. People are shaped by nature and nurture, and the extremes of this life are at times as hot as a furnace. Whats important is less to do with the experiences we have had, and more to do with how we react to them. If we keep focus on our purpose, then chances are good that we may become dependable building blocks and can be of great utility to the builder, our creator, and to each other.

The builder carefully selects his bricks.

Now to the mortar. Mortar serves as glue; it holds things together and permits bricks to take shape. Its the quality of mortar to maintain its adhesion for extended periods of time. Mortar makes bricks functional so to yield the realization of the builders vision. Without mortar, there is just a pile of bricks.

I think mortar may be very much like the Holy Spirit. It is this spirit that draws people, permits them to join, stay together, take shape, and serve the purpose-filled vision of the builder. What is this substance that serves as glue?

I find the Holy Spirit very challenging to conceptualize. Some refer to this spirit as the Holy Ghost. When I think of ghosts, I think of the dead. But my lifes journey has proven to me that our God is a living God. So again, I look to the Word, to help me add shape to this ghost.

The most recurring term found was love.

In Pauls letter to Corinth, he attempted to clarify. I filtered it down to charity the giving of ones self. I think this may be Gods giving of Himself true charity from a true God, to give without reservation, expectation, or limitation.

Other terms found include Wonderful Counselor; Dwelling in us; Working in us; Our peace; Our advocate; Equipping us; Providing us angels; Leading us in the way we should go; Anointing us for service; Giving us revelation knowledge; A rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So, I found several terms attributable to the Holy Spirit, but I like the simplest one the best. The Holy Spirit is the love of God. And as with people, love cant be seen, but the evidence of loves presence can be very tangible. Although the Holy Ghost is not seen, the evidence of its adhesive qualities is readily apparent.

The intangible church is the result of the adhesion of human spirits by the love of God. The tangible church is the bricks held together by the mortar consistent with the vision and purpose of the builder.

What is that purpose? The answer I found in St. Matthews gospel, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. I am. The great I Am found in the midst of those who gather. That is the purpose for the mortar to bind the bricks.

In my family, the members are held together by a strong matriarch. Initially it was my great-grandmother, then it was my grandmother who served as the glue, and now it has passed to my mother. When cupboards were empty, and when cupboards were full. Through global events and personal tragedies. I thank God for the glue that holds families together, and for the mortar that binds bricks allowing churches to stand for hundreds of years so that thousands of people may share the presence of the great I Am.

The beauty and longevity of assembled bricks is due to the adhesive quality of the mortar. Just as the shape, strength, and longevity of human relationships is due to the love that holds them together. Perhaps all people should work towards becoming chosen bricks. And to look for the mortar that binds for purpose.

Bobby Gallion grew up in the northern part of Queen Annes County, attended schools there and has been a parishioner at St. Lukes for 30 years.

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Of Bricks and Mortar | | news-journal.com - Longview News-Journal

St. Lukes Parish is found in Church Hill, Maryland. Its parishioners are proud of their church, for its age, its beauty, and for the fellowship shared there.

St. Lukes was founded in 1728 and is constructed of brick. I think of these bricks, and the many country folk who have passed through the doors, sat in the pews, and who have offered up their prayers and worship within the space defined by these bricks. These are surely special bricks, due to the multitude who have silently shared their best and their worst.

When people talk of church, they may be speaking of the tangible structure, the image found on Christmas cards. Or alternatively, they may be speaking of the intangible church; the gathering for sharing a common purpose.

I recall the words of Jesus, that He would rebuild a destroyed church in just three days time. He was speaking of the three days He would spend in the grave, and referring to an intangible church, with its all so real and growing congregation of the faithful.

I ponder the significance of these bricks, the mortar that binds them, and the intangible church.

First, to the bricks. Bricks serve as building blocks; they are sourced from clay, shaped in molds, and fired in furnaces. Although their origin is lowly, their destiny may be highly honorable. Like rocks they are strong, well suited for their purpose and are long lasting. When joined, bricks can build just about anything, from walkways to cathedrals.

I think people are very much like bricks. They too are sourced from humble beginnings.

In his story of creation, Moses equates the origin of people to that of dust. People are shaped by nature and nurture, and the extremes of this life are at times as hot as a furnace. Whats important is less to do with the experiences we have had, and more to do with how we react to them. If we keep focus on our purpose, then chances are good that we may become dependable building blocks and can be of great utility to the builder, our creator, and to each other.

The builder carefully selects his bricks.

Now to the mortar. Mortar serves as glue; it holds things together and permits bricks to take shape. Its the quality of mortar to maintain its adhesion for extended periods of time. Mortar makes bricks functional so to yield the realization of the builders vision. Without mortar, there is just a pile of bricks.

I think mortar may be very much like the Holy Spirit. It is this spirit that draws people, permits them to join, stay together, take shape, and serve the purpose-filled vision of the builder. What is this substance that serves as glue?

I find the Holy Spirit very challenging to conceptualize. Some refer to this spirit as the Holy Ghost. When I think of ghosts, I think of the dead. But my lifes journey has proven to me that our God is a living God. So again, I look to the Word, to help me add shape to this ghost.

The most recurring term found was love.

In Pauls letter to Corinth, he attempted to clarify. I filtered it down to charity the giving of ones self. I think this may be Gods giving of Himself true charity from a true God, to give without reservation, expectation, or limitation.

Other terms found include Wonderful Counselor; Dwelling in us; Working in us; Our peace; Our advocate; Equipping us; Providing us angels; Leading us in the way we should go; Anointing us for service; Giving us revelation knowledge; A rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So, I found several terms attributable to the Holy Spirit, but I like the simplest one the best. The Holy Spirit is the love of God. And as with people, love cant be seen, but the evidence of loves presence can be very tangible. Although the Holy Ghost is not seen, the evidence of its adhesive qualities is readily apparent.

The intangible church is the result of the adhesion of human spirits by the love of God. The tangible church is the bricks held together by the mortar consistent with the vision and purpose of the builder.

What is that purpose? The answer I found in St. Matthews gospel, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. I am. The great I Am found in the midst of those who gather. That is the purpose for the mortar to bind the bricks.

In my family, the members are held together by a strong matriarch. Initially it was my great-grandmother, then it was my grandmother who served as the glue, and now it has passed to my mother. When cupboards were empty, and when cupboards were full. Through global events and personal tragedies. I thank God for the glue that holds families together, and for the mortar that binds bricks allowing churches to stand for hundreds of years so that thousands of people may share the presence of the great I Am.

The beauty and longevity of assembled bricks is due to the adhesive quality of the mortar. Just as the shape, strength, and longevity of human relationships is due to the love that holds them together. Perhaps all people should work towards becoming chosen bricks. And to look for the mortar that binds for purpose.

Bobby Gallion grew up in the northern part of Queen Annes County, attended schools there and has been a parishioner at St. Lukes for 30 years.

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Of Bricks and Mortar | | kilgorenewsherald.com - Kilgore News Herald

Humankinds thirst for infinite existence has taken a new turn with ideas springing from theoretical assumptions that future tech can turn practical to real-life experiments, with mice that is.

Transhumanism

A movement called transhumanism is now devoted to using science and technology to augment our bodies and our minds, and toallow humans to merge with machines, eradicating old age as a cause of death.

Mind uploading describes a hypothetical process of separating a persons consciousness (which involves their emotions, thought processes, and experiences), then converting it into a digital format, and finally transferring the digital consciousness into a different substrate, like a machine.

The process would conceivably incorporate different steps, like mind copying, mind transfer, mind preservation, and whole brain emulation (WBE).

Overview of how mind uploading can actually work

Step 1: Getting theinformationfrom the brain

The human brain regularly performs complex processes with the help of its86 billion neuronsthat function simultaneously in a large neural network. There aremore than 125 trillion synapsesjust in the cerebral cortex alone. That is a lot of information and storage capacity.

Mind uploadingadvocates claimthat noninvasive brain scans can provide sufficient resolution for copying the brain. The information stored in our brain would then be used tocreate aconnectome, a complete map of the neural connections in the brain, created using incredibly precise scanning of the neurons and the synapses.

However, to date, we only have a complete connectome for a 1.5-millimeter roundworm calledCaenorhabditis elegans, which has just 302 neurons and about seven thousand synaptic connections.In 2014, theOpenWorm projectwhich mapped the brain replicated it as software and installed it in a Lego robot that was capable of the same sensory and motor actions as the biological model.

Building a human connectome is clearly a much more complicated process needing huge amounts of time and resources forthe identificationof about 86 billion neurons, determination of their precise location, and tracing and cataloging of their projections on one another. This is inconceivable using existing technologies.

Another proposed method of getting information from the brain is through a brain-computer interface (BCI). There are already existing implanted devices that can translate some types of neuronal information into commands and arecapable of controllingexternal software or hardware, such as a robotic arm.However, modern BCIs are only very slightly related to the theoretical BCIs which would be needed to allow us to transfer our brain states into a digital medium.

Some suggest that downloading consciousness would require technology capable of scanning human brains at a quantum particle level.

Elon Musks Neuralink is one company working on aspects of mind-uploading. They are designing a neural implant that would work like a Fitbit in your skull. But it is not close to the technology needed to upload an entire brain.

Meeting the challenges of step 1: Preserving the brain

Some wealthy individuals whowish to live foreverare opting to preserve their brains and sometimes bodies through cryopreservation. In theory, in the future when human connectome technology is fully developed, their consciousness could then be retrieved and uploaded. An American cryonics company Alcor Life Extension Foundationalready stores around180 cryopreserved human bodies.

However, some experts also claim that such cryonic techniquesmaydamagethe brain beyond repair.

Recently, an MIT graduate Robert McIntyre, rekindled the brain preservation hype when heannounced his Y-Combinatorbacked startup Nectome is building some next-generation tools to preserve brains in the microscopic detail needed to map the connectome.

Step 2: Reconstruction of the artificial brain

Once all the neural activity is mapped out and the connectome is ready, the next step would be to digitize it. According toa rough estimatepublished inScientific American, the memory storage capacity of the human brain could be around 2.5 Petabytes (2,500 TB).

Apart from the storage, we will require a computer architecture on which the brain can be reconstructed in the form of computable code. And there is the issue of power for that architecture.Today, a computer with the same memory and processing power as the human brain would require around 1 gigawatt of power, or basically a whole nuclear power station to run one computer that does what our computer does with 20 watts,according to Tom Bartol, a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute.

Step 3: Emulation in an external substrate

Once all the requirements are fulfilled and the artificial brain is ready, the mind can now be uploaded into a simulation, such as a virtual world,like the metaverse. Another transhumanist idea suggests that the mind can also be uploaded on ahumanoid robot.Uploading into a physical robot would require robots that are a lot more functional than any that currently exist.

However, if the consciousness is uploaded as a substrate-independent mind (SIM), and if the SIM is deemed to be conscious, then it will also need toexist in a place and be able to interact with things. This will require virtual reality that is identical to how humans experience actual reality. All of this will require yet more storage capacity, signal bandwidth, and power.

Senescent cells

Nowresearchers in Japan saythey may have taken a step toward boosting human longevity with successful trials of a vaccine against the cells that contribute to the ageing process.

In laboratory trials, a drug targeting a protein contained in senescent cells those which have naturally stopped reproducing themselves slowed the progression of frailty in older mice.

The vaccine also successfully targeted the senescent cells in fatty tissue and blood vessels.

We can expect that (the vaccine) will be applied to the treatment of arterial stiffening, diabetes and other aging-related diseases, Juntendo professor Toru Minamino told Japans Jiji news agency.

Cells become senescent when they stop duplicating themselves, often in response to naturally-occurring damage to their DNA.

In laboratory tests, preventing the build-up of senescent cells extended the lifespan of mice by 15%, Euronews reported. But researchers still dont know how much a living creatures lifespan can be extended.

Some believe there is a limit for the human lifespan of around 130 years as a current estimate.

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Immortality is showing life as a concept but also in the lab - AMEinfo

In the lead up to CES, I wrote a piece reflecting on top tech of CES 2012. It was an interesting exercise for a number of reasons not the least of which was recalling the buzzwords from 10 years ago.

That year, LTE and ultrabooks topped the list. One had a great run. The other one, not so much. That is to say that the strength of buzz at CES in any given year isnt predictive of longevity. By the middle of 2012, the stories around the death of the ultrabook had already begun in earnest.

This year, the halls of CES may have been fairly devoid of human life, but from the looks of things, one couldnt walk a few feet without tripping over the metaverse. Just over two months after Facebook rebranded to Meta, a little metsploitation is to be expected at a show like CES, where companies are every bit as invested in a good hook as good product. In a show like this, its understandable if youre not a company like, say, Samsung or Hyundai, its difficult standing out. Of course, both of those giant brands never met a that they didnt want to verse.

Ill spare you the specifics on the smaller companies. This thread is a pretty well versed in the aforementioned meta. Frankly, I dont want to blow up any startups for hoping they glean a little bit of that shine (though, if Im being honest, Goart Metaverse is a phrase that is going to wedge itself into my psyche until my body releases the DMT into my brain in my final moments on Earth).

What I will say, for sure, is that if you didnt know what a metaverse was prior to the start of CES, the show didnt do a particularly good job clarifying beyond the fact that it probably definitely includes some goofy looking Memojis and probably some VR equipment. And, actually, now that Im typing that, I recognize that its probably as good a description of metaverse as any.

Image Credits: Hyundai

Receiving a press release from Hyundai titled, Hyundai Motor Shares Vision of New Metamobility Concept, Expanding Human Reach through Robotics and the Metaverse at CES 2022 may have been what pushed me over the edge. Or maybe it was the accompanying video of Boston Dynamics Spot hanging out on Mars with a bunch of weird metaverse puppets. It was surreal to see a borderline sci-fi video that involved sending an actual robot to actual Mars that still revolved around the metaverse.

Hyundais concept is nothing if not interesting, using advanced robots like the ones from Boston Dynamics to serve as real-world avatars for our metaversial interactions, but it also speaks to how much even ostensibly automotive companies are banking on this concept for the future. Samsung, meanwhile, offered a kind of stopgap metaverse (betaverse?) while we sit down and wait for the real one to shake out. Here it was a virtual showcase of the companys wares, which, at very least, got around the very real irony of traveling to Las Vegas to get pitched the metaverse in-person.

The company notes:

Picture this: youve just been given the lifestyle TV youve always had on your wish list, home appliances that enhance your quality of life and the latest stylish smartphone. Now, what if we told you that you could use those innovative products to decorate your home?

Its an interesting scenario to think about, and it will become a reality once the metaverse is up and running. Samsung Electronics has been innovating with the metaverse in various ways, and has created an option for those interested in CES 2022 to experience the event online.

It must be a confusing time to be among the most bullish on the metaverse. Everyone from beauty brands to wearables. Its at once hopeful to see such excitement around the concept, but also frustrating to witness what may be an emerging metaverse of shit. That is to say, will the metaverse lose all meaning before theres a metaverse to metaverse in? Your metaverse is as good as mine (metaverse).

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At CES 2022, metaverses metaversed the metaverse - TechCrunch

It is an act of cruelty for the BBC to re-launch The Apprentice within days of the new year. Here we are, drawing up lists of resolutions and embarking on life laundries, when in barges the countrys most stubbornly static TV programme, one as dedicated to same-ness as we are to annual betterment. Considering its been on for nearly 20 years and shows no signs of trying to evolve, its probably a lot smarter than we are. And if were being honest, Alan Sugars groaning factory of capitalist delusion will probably outlive us all, too.

The key to the shows longevity remains its contestants, who run the gamut of mortifying to not quite as mortifying. The 16 entrepreneurs duking it out for Lord Sugars approval this year embody well-worn Apprentice types: the bolshy hun; the rugby lad; the harried mum; the wide-eyed eccentric. Standouts so far include financier Akeem, a petrified owl of a person whose brightest idea this week is a logo featuring a bizarre half-man, half-wave. It gets compared to everything from a rotten banana to human faeces. He must be protected at all costs.

Theres also shop owner Stephanie, who helpfully explains why she thinks a cruise ship emblem should be coloured blue (Because its a colour associated with the sea), and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid, a pharmacist whose anti-vax tweets had been unearthed before the series had even begun. Asked here why that aforementioned half-man logo is coloured like the contents of a toilet bowl, he too masters the art of pointing out the bleeding obvious: So you know trees? he asks a bemused marketing expert. Its brown, and then its green because of the leaves, and when it comes to healthy living and lifestyle, its all to do with greenery.

The task at hand is to film an advert for a new line of cruise ships, with the episode ticking off a host of classic Apprentice tropes as it trundles along. Unnecessarily shouty conflict? Check! Green screen errors? Check! Eerily upbeat American comparing themselves to Steven Spielberg? Check! Besides the gentle if bland presence of series one winner Tim Campbell as one of Lord Sugars advisors Claude Littner has had to sit this series out due to a bicycle accident youd be forgiven for wondering if this was a repeat from years ago.

But thats also this shows genius. You have to admire its eternal skill at finding budding moguls devoid of raw ability but overflowing with unearned hubris (Im so confident that some people think Im deluded, boasts a candidate nicknamed The AK-47). Likewise, the increasingly surreal Lord Sugar, whose signature gags have become as predictable (In this boardroom you dont get furloughed, you get fired!) as they are confusing (You sound like Donald Trump he was also a very collaborative leader!). No matter the state of the world, or however many genuinely monstrous people The Apprentice has foisted upon it over the years, theres something undeniably cosy about its lack of growth. Why fix whats always been broken?

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The Apprentice review: Alan Sugars groaning factory of capitalist delusion will outlive us all - Yahoo News

I attend this church, St. Lukes Parish, situated upon a hill in a town named for the church. Church Hill, Maryland, is found in the northwest quadrant of the Delmarva Peninsula, as defined by the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Its parishioners are proud of their church, for its age, its beauty, and for the fellowship shared there.

St. Lukes was founded in 1728, so nearly 300 years ago. It is constructed of brick, prepared in a Flemish bond fashion; a design that traces back to German masons. I find myself thinking of those bricks, and the many country folk who have passed through its doors, sat in its pews, and who have offered up their prayers and worship within the space defined by those bricks. These are surely special bricks, due to the multitude of valued parishioners who have silently shared their best and their worst, some of whom are known and many more are known only to history.

I ask myself of the relative significance of those bricks, and the mortar that binds them. When people talk about church, any church, they may be speaking about the tangible structure, the image of which may be found on Christmas greeting cards. Or alternatively, they may be speaking of the intangible church; the gathering of human creatures sharing a common objective.

I recall a passage recording the words of Jesus, that He would rebuild a destroyed church in just three days time. He was speaking of the three days He would spend in the grave, and He was referring to an intangible church, with its all so real and ever growing congregation of faithful believers. And so I ponder the relative significance of the bricks, the mortar, and the church not seen.

First, to the bricks: bricks serve as building blocks; they are sourced from selected clay, shaped in molds, and then fired in furnaces. Although their origin is lowly, their destiny may be highly honorable, and at times even stately. Like ROCKS they are strong, and can be depended upon to join and support other bricks. They are well suited for their purpose; they perform well, and are long lasting. When joined, bricks can build just about anything, from bridges to pyramids, from walkways to cathedrals.

I think people are very much like bricks. They too are sourced from humble beginnings. In his story of creation, Moses equates the origin of people to that of dust. People are shaped by nature and nurture. And the extremes of this earthly life are at times as hot as the fire of a furnace. I find that what is important is less to do with the experiences we have had, and more to do with how we react to them. If we keep focus on our purpose, then chances are good that we may become functional and dependable building blocks, and can be put to that purpose, to be contributory and flexible and of great utility to the builder, our creator, and to each other. The determined builder carefully selects his bricks.

And now to the mortar: mortar serves as glue; it holds things together. It is the essential ingredient that permits bricks to take shape, and further it is the quality of mortar to last, and maintain its adhesion for extended periods of time. Mortar makes bricks functional. It is the mortar that yields the realization of the builders vision. Without mortar, there is just a pile of bricks.

I think mortar may be very much like the Holy Spirit. It is this spirit that draws people, and permits them to join together, stay together, take shape, and to serve the purpose-filled vision of the builder.

So what is this substance that serves as glue? Of the three facets of the Holy Trinity, I find the Holy Spirit the most challenging to conceptualize. While the Father and the Son are overwhelmingly difficult to describe in terms of the scope, depth, and power of their roles, it is fairly easy for my mind to latch on to the image of the patriarch and his heir. It is the Holy Spirit that mystifies me. Some even refer to this spirit, as the Holy Ghost. And when I think of ghosts, I think of the essence of the dead. But my lifes journey has proven to me that God is alive. Without even the shadow of a doubt, I know that our God is a living God.

So again I look to the Word, to help me explain the unexplainable, and to add shape to that which is without form. So here are the terms that I found which I believe may assist my goal of adding substance to this ghost. The most recurring term found was love. And in Pauls first letter to the Corinthians, he attempted to clarify what is meant by the word love. I filtered it down to charity the giving of ones self. So I think this may be Gods giving of Himself true charity from a true God, to give without reservation, expectation or limitation.

Other terms found included: Wonderful Counselor; dwelling in us; a sure foundation; working in us; our peace; our advocate; equipping us; providing us angels; leading us in the way we should go; anointing us for service; giving us revelation knowledge; a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. So, I found a number of terms that I attribute to describing the Holy Spirit, but I like the simplest one the best. The Holy Spirit is the love of God. And just like with people, love cant be seen, but the evidence of loves presence can be very tangible.

So, although the Holy Ghost is not seen, the evidence of its adhesive qualities is readily apparent to the eye. And by extension, the tangible church is evidence of the presence of the spiritual church. And just as this intangible church is the result of the adhesion of human spirits by the love of God, the tangible church is the bricks held together by the mortar consistent with the vision and purpose of the builder.

And so what is that purpose? The answer I found in the gospel according to Saint Matthew, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. I am. The great I Am found in the midst of those who gather. That is the purpose for the mortar to bind the bricks.

On a personal level, the history of my familys structure, at least as measured within my experience, is that the members are held together by a strong matriarch. Initially, Bessie Glover, my great-grandmother served in that role. Then it was my grandmother, Pauline Rider, who served as the glue. And now it has passed to my mother, Wilma Stammer. When cupboards were empty, and when cupboards were full. Through global events that impacted every family, including the Great Depression, and two world wars; and the many personal tragedies that stemmed much closer to home including miscarriages, drug and alcohol abuse, disease, murder, suicide, and divorce; and balanced with the all too few but greatly welcomed events like weddings, and births. These greatly tested matriarchs held us all together and continue to do so in a very uncertain world.

Perhaps some people serve as instruments of the Father, and some as of the Son, and a select few serve as instruments of the Holy Ghost. I thank God for the glue that holds families together, and for the mortar that binds bricks allowing churches to stand for hundreds of years so that thousands of parishioners may share the presence of the great I Am.

The beauty of assembled bricks is due to the adhesion of the mortar. The longevity of the construction is due to the quality of the mortar. Just as the shape, strength, and longevity of human relationships is due to the love that holds them together. Perhaps all people should work toward becoming chosen bricks, and then to look for the mortar that binds for purpose.

Bobby Gallion writes from Centreville. Gallion grew up in the northern part of Queen Annes County, attended schools there and has been a parishioner at St. Lukes for 30 years.

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Pondering the significant truths of bricks and mortar - Kilgore News Herald