CHEER UP, EVERYONE. We’ve got ’em right where we want ’em.
Still, I'd rather have Trump.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
SMART PILLS THAT ARE SWEEPING SILICON VALLEY: The powerful brain enhancers that powers big tech.
Yeah, it's one of those 'sponsored story' advertorials that clutter all the news web sites. I just posted it to note that if it were even marginally factual, they should be renamed 'Moron Pills' to be accurate....
Yeah, it's one of those 'sponsored story' advertorials that clutter all the news web sites. I just posted it to note that if it were even marginally factual, they should be renamed 'Moron Pills' to be accurate....
FROM MY EMAIL, the best explanation of 'gaslighting' I've ever seen:
When I was a kid, we called it lying! I guess that isn’t politically correct anymore. The term originates in the systematic manipulation of a victim by her husband in Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 stage play Gas Light, and the film adaptations released in 1940 and 1944.And now that the Democrats are back in power, expect the 'gaslight' to be turned up to high.
In the story, the husband attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes. The play's title alludes to how the abusive husband slowly dims the gas lights in their home while pretending nothing has changed, in an effort to make his wife doubt her own perceptions. The wife repeatedly asks her husband to confirm her perceptions about the dimming lights, but in defiance of reality, he keeps insisting that the lights are the same and instead it is she who is going insane!
Today we are living in a perpetual state of gaslighting. The reality that we are being told by the media is at complete odds with what we are seeing with our own two eyes. And when we question the false reality that we are being presented, or we claim that what we see is that actual reality, we are vilified as racist or bigots or just plain crazy. You’re not racist. You’re not crazy. You’re being gaslighted .
New York State has twice as many deaths from Covid-19 than any other state, and New York has accounted for one fifth of all Covid-19 deaths, but we are told that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has handled the pandemic better than any other governor. But if we support policies of Governors whose states had only a fraction of the infections and deaths as New York, we’re called anti-science and want people to die. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
We see mobs of people looting stores, smashing windows, setting cars on fire and burning down buildings, but we are told that these demonstrations are peaceful protests And when we call this destruction of our cities, riots, we are called racists. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
We see the major problem destroying many inner-cities is crime; murder, gang violence, drug dealing, drive-by shootings, armed robbery, but we are told that it is not crime, but the police that are the problem in the inner-cities. We are told we must defund the police and remove law enforcement from crime-riddled cities to make them safer But if we advocate for more policing in cities overrun by crime, we are accused of being white supremacists and racists. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
The United States of America accepts more immigrants than any other country in the world. The vast majority of the immigrants are “people of color”, and these immigrants are enjoying freedom and economic opportunity not available to them in their country of origin, but we are told that the United States is the most racist and oppressive country on the planet, and if we disagree, we are called racist and xenophobic. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
Capitalist countries are the most prosperous countries in the world. The standard of living is the highest in capitalist countries. We see more poor people move up the economic ladder to the middle and even the wealthy class through their effort and ability in capitalist countries than any other economic system in the world, but we are told capitalism is an oppressive system designed to keep people down. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
Communist countries killed over 100 million people in the 20th century. Communist countries strip their citizens of basic human rights, dictate every aspect of their lives, treat their citizens as slaves, and drive their economies into the ground, but we are told that Communism is the fairest, most equitable, freest, and most prosperous economic system in the world. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
The most egregious example of gaslighting is the concept of “white fragility”. You spend your life trying to be a good person, trying to treat people fairly and with respect. You disavow racism and bigotry in all its forms. You judge people solely on the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. You don’t discriminate based on race or ethnicity. But you are told you are a racist, not because of something you did or said, but solely because of the color of your skin. You know instinctively that charging someone with racism because of their skin color is itself racist. You know that you are not racist, so you defend yourself and your character, but you are told that your defense of yourself is proof of your racism. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted .
Gaslighting has become one of the most pervasive and destructive tactics in American politics. It is the exact opposite of what our political system was meant to be. It deals in lies and psychological coercion, and not the truth and intellectual discourse. If you ever ask yourself if you’re crazy, you are not. Crazy people aren’t sane enough to ask themselves if they’re crazy. So, trust yourself, believe what’s in your heart. Trust your eyes over what you are told. Never listen to the people who tell you that you are crazy, because you are not, you’re being gaslighted .
Sophocles said: "What people believe prevails over the truth."
And that's what the media are trying to exploit.
If you have read this far let me say one thing. I did not write the above and I am not sure who the author is.
I sent this to you because you are hopefully smart enough to understand what is being done to you on a daily basis from many directions. Just think through what you are being told. Don't listen with a deaf ear, or see with a blind eye. Question everything -- even things from people who you think you can trust. Question why you are being told whatever, by whoever. Question their motives. Question who benefits. Question if there is a hidden agenda behind the propaganda. Question, Question, Question. Then do your own research, and use some of your own critical thinking skills to get to the truth. Listen with your heart and with your mind.
Sadly, 95% of the masses don't even know that they are being gaslighted.
WHAT? YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU TOO? Georgia voters enraged after Democrats promise of '$2,000 checks' becomes $1,400.
RANDOM THOUGHT: Umm, all you Uber Woke Leftists, what happened to all those right-wing riots that you were so certain would break out in all 50 state capitols?
AMERICA'S NEWS OF RECORD REPORTS ACCURATELY: Study Finds Most Americans Support Making Wall Around Capitol Permanent To Keep Politicians In.
And -- I suspect -- the political Left supports a 'big, beautiful wall' to keep Americans out.
And -- I suspect -- the political Left supports a 'big, beautiful wall' to keep Americans out.
WUHAN FLU [CORONAVIRUS] UPDATE: January 19,2021. I've been away from blogging the last two weeks, mostly in disgust with the increasing -- and virulent -- insanity of the political Left and the total spinelessness of the political Right.
However ... flu season is upon us, and here are some thoughts on flu -- both seasonal and the Wuhan variety. Let's start the discussion with this chart taken from the CDC's very own web site (it's a bit dated, since I copied it a couple of weeks ago for another post, and am unwilling to further pollute myself by going back for an update:
This is what a flu season looks like -- a spike, starting a few weeks ago (black triangles) and lasting about 16 weeks (4 months -- December, January, February, and March).
This is what we can reasonably expect for the next several months. The seasonal flu (although the CDC refuses to track the flu -- especially now) and COVID-19 infections will rise dramatically because we're both indoors and in more crowded spaces, the number of deaths will increase, and the death rate will remain stable.
I've been tracking the coronavirus data daily since mid-March of 2000. Here's the most recent update on deaths since I started tracking:
The data is consistent with both prior posts and my expectations above: infections are increasing rapidly; deaths are increasing commiserate; and the death rate (not shown in this chart) remains stable and low.
Now for some thoughts on the entire pandemic. First note three things:
Here's the death rate (calculated as a percentage of confirmed and total cases) since testing became more routine in May. It has exponentially dropped (trend line) from about 5% to 1.6% of confirmed cases today. The data for total cases has been steadily about 1/10th of confirmed cases. And as predicted above, the rates have continued to decline exponentially (i.e., remain stable).
So, to me at least, here's the bottom line.
COVID arrived in the U.S. in early 2020, maybe as far back as late 2019. It spread rapidly, probably exposing the entire U.S. population by mid-year if it was as infectious as claimed by our esteemed HealthScareTM professionals.
The initial death rate was high, as might be expected, until the population adapted (meaning developed an immune response) to the new threat. Most (~90%) of the population simply ignored it (were preemptively immune); some (~10%) defeated it (i.e., got ill and recovered), and a very few (~ 0.1%) got ill and died.
Finally, an almost impossible -- and quite probably irrelevant -- short comparison of COVID-19 with seasonal flu. I say that based on the fact that data sets are quite honestly not directly comparable.
From the CDC website today, the 10-year average number of deaths from seasonal flu cases is about 35,900. Symptomatic illnesses, medical visits, and hospitalizations are categorized and estimated, not tracked, and it is unknown if the categories mutually exclusive. Moreover CDC estimates that something like 85% to 90% of seasonal flu cases are never reported. Based on their data, the CDC estimates a death rate of ~0.134% over the last 10 years.
Since January, there has been a total of 392,498 confirmed (and now probable) COVID-19 deaths. The rates I post (1.640% confirmed and 0.162% total) are probable underestimates since they're based on tests, not individuals, and there is no way to determine if an individual has been tested once or many times.
What can be said with some confidence is that COVID-19 is much more infectious (with caveats below) but no more deadly that the normal seasonal flu.
The caveats, of course, are masking and lockdowns, which do not show up in the CDC's seasonal flu data. Looking back at the data, though, it doesn't appear (to me, at least) that either has much effect on the course of the disease.
Lockdowns initially may have had some effect on preventing overcrowding of hospital ICUs, though looking back through my data I can't find any evidence that there was ever anything more than isolated and minor ICU capacity limitations at a few hospitals.
As far as limiting the spread of the disease, I think the evidence is mixed: states with the tightest lockdowns appear to have a fewer number than average confirmed coronavirus cases on a per-million population basis but a much higher number than average number of deaths on that same per-million basis. A case could be made, I think, that lockdowns may confined the spread somewhat but increased the severity of the disease.
The data I track doesn't directly address the efficacy of mask mandates, but given that the HealthScareTM professionals like Anthony Fauci have been all over the map on this one, I'd suggest that outside certain venues (medical facilities, etc.) face masks are mostly useful for virtue signaling.
Widespread vaccinations may have some effect, but it is way too early to tell in the daily data I consume. If done properly (and it clearly won't be), i.e., vaccinate those most at risk first, we may see a decline in the death rate, but it's already so low that any additional decline will be hard to detect. Once vaccination is widespread, we may see the number of new cases decline, but my suspicion is that will be more a result of warmer weather (and the fact that if the coronavirus is as infectious as postulated above the body populace has already begun to defend itself). We shall see as the data continues to come in.
Finally as a continuing reminder, I still believe the data I'm seeing is mostly smoke and mirrors, political pandering. I note that all my data sources are now tracking confirmed cases and 'possible confirmed cases' and deaths and 'possible deaths' ever since Election Day in November -- probably because the actual numbers I track aren't high enough to ensure control of the non-woke.
So take the data with a large grain of salt....
And I take solace that I predicted today as early as March 2020 ("All to prevent President Trump's reelection and keep the Deep State alive) and again in April 2020 (It sure seems to me that the Deep State is doing it's damnedest to retain control).
I'll continue to monitor the 'pandemic' for a while longer, but frankly I expect nothing but distortion of the data combined with outright lies.
However ... flu season is upon us, and here are some thoughts on flu -- both seasonal and the Wuhan variety. Let's start the discussion with this chart taken from the CDC's very own web site (it's a bit dated, since I copied it a couple of weeks ago for another post, and am unwilling to further pollute myself by going back for an update:
This is what we can reasonably expect for the next several months. The seasonal flu (although the CDC refuses to track the flu -- especially now) and COVID-19 infections will rise dramatically because we're both indoors and in more crowded spaces, the number of deaths will increase, and the death rate will remain stable.
I've been tracking the coronavirus data daily since mid-March of 2000. Here's the most recent update on deaths since I started tracking:
Now for some thoughts on the entire pandemic. First note three things:
(1) The first peak in April dates to when the coronavirus was first identified in the U.S. and spreading rapidly, so much so that according to news reports at the time the virus would expose (not infect, but expose) everyone in the U.S. by mid-year. That's my estimate, based on data published back in April.
(2) The initial lockdown (in Georgia, it was for the month of April) had no long-term effect as indicated above by the continuing growth curve. In fact, it was supposed to only keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. Remember that? It never happened; hospitals in Georgia and elsewhere were never overwhelmed. At most the lockdowns may have delayed the growth of coronavirus infections; they clearly did not stop it.
(3) The number of deaths began to rise again with the onset of flu season -- as expected -- in November. It isn't clear -- yet -- but the number of deaths seems to be stabilizing
So, to me at least, here's the bottom line.
COVID arrived in the U.S. in early 2020, maybe as far back as late 2019. It spread rapidly, probably exposing the entire U.S. population by mid-year if it was as infectious as claimed by our esteemed HealthScareTM professionals.
The initial death rate was high, as might be expected, until the population adapted (meaning developed an immune response) to the new threat. Most (~90%) of the population simply ignored it (were preemptively immune); some (~10%) defeated it (i.e., got ill and recovered), and a very few (~ 0.1%) got ill and died.
Finally, an almost impossible -- and quite probably irrelevant -- short comparison of COVID-19 with seasonal flu. I say that based on the fact that data sets are quite honestly not directly comparable.
From the CDC website today, the 10-year average number of deaths from seasonal flu cases is about 35,900. Symptomatic illnesses, medical visits, and hospitalizations are categorized and estimated, not tracked, and it is unknown if the categories mutually exclusive. Moreover CDC estimates that something like 85% to 90% of seasonal flu cases are never reported. Based on their data, the CDC estimates a death rate of ~0.134% over the last 10 years.
Since January, there has been a total of 392,498 confirmed (and now probable) COVID-19 deaths. The rates I post (1.640% confirmed and 0.162% total) are probable underestimates since they're based on tests, not individuals, and there is no way to determine if an individual has been tested once or many times.
What can be said with some confidence is that COVID-19 is much more infectious (with caveats below) but no more deadly that the normal seasonal flu.
The caveats, of course, are masking and lockdowns, which do not show up in the CDC's seasonal flu data. Looking back at the data, though, it doesn't appear (to me, at least) that either has much effect on the course of the disease.
Lockdowns initially may have had some effect on preventing overcrowding of hospital ICUs, though looking back through my data I can't find any evidence that there was ever anything more than isolated and minor ICU capacity limitations at a few hospitals.
As far as limiting the spread of the disease, I think the evidence is mixed: states with the tightest lockdowns appear to have a fewer number than average confirmed coronavirus cases on a per-million population basis but a much higher number than average number of deaths on that same per-million basis. A case could be made, I think, that lockdowns may confined the spread somewhat but increased the severity of the disease.
The data I track doesn't directly address the efficacy of mask mandates, but given that the HealthScareTM professionals like Anthony Fauci have been all over the map on this one, I'd suggest that outside certain venues (medical facilities, etc.) face masks are mostly useful for virtue signaling.
Widespread vaccinations may have some effect, but it is way too early to tell in the daily data I consume. If done properly (and it clearly won't be), i.e., vaccinate those most at risk first, we may see a decline in the death rate, but it's already so low that any additional decline will be hard to detect. Once vaccination is widespread, we may see the number of new cases decline, but my suspicion is that will be more a result of warmer weather (and the fact that if the coronavirus is as infectious as postulated above the body populace has already begun to defend itself). We shall see as the data continues to come in.
Finally as a continuing reminder, I still believe the data I'm seeing is mostly smoke and mirrors, political pandering. I note that all my data sources are now tracking confirmed cases and 'possible confirmed cases' and deaths and 'possible deaths' ever since Election Day in November -- probably because the actual numbers I track aren't high enough to ensure control of the non-woke.
So take the data with a large grain of salt....
And I take solace that I predicted today as early as March 2020 ("All to prevent President Trump's reelection and keep the Deep State alive) and again in April 2020 (It sure seems to me that the Deep State is doing it's damnedest to retain control).
I'll continue to monitor the 'pandemic' for a while longer, but frankly I expect nothing but distortion of the data combined with outright lies.
THE DIPLOMAD writes on Martin Luther King, the progressive rewrite of history, and some insight into the next four years.
God save us all.
God save us all.
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