World Views

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/arti ... 593849.php
"The annual Starbucks holiday cups have been released,
and there's not a Christmas tree or Santa icon to be found."

... not to mention continuing absence of traditional religious symbols!

"Christmas trees" might remain symbolic if the holiday has a name change.
"Santania" came to mind, but Santa was gifted a Starbucks' boot.

... which suggests a new icon for these holiday cups
(boots can be decorative instead of black)

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... m-covid-19
"Oxford Scientists Find Gene That Doubles Risk of Dying From Covid-19"

"Gene prevents the lungs from responding to the virus properly ...
About 60% of people with South Asian ancestry have gene"

Evidence that "race" does exist (is more than a social construct)?

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.ph ... ed-instead
"Colorado Governor Signs Executive Order: Hospitals Authorized to TURN AWAY Unvaxxed"
(when too many patients overwhelm the hospital)

Today's spellchecker humor (when sharing this link by email):

"unvaxxed" should be "undersexed" ...
suggesting that a vaccine booster causes "oversexed".

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ience.html

Caution! Bison Passing ... and passing ... and passing.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146107/
"Dietary Fiber, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolic Regulation"

"Dietary fiber is not hydrolyzed by human digestive enzymes, but it is acted upon by gut microbes ... and metabolites like short-chain fatty acids are produced. The short-chain fatty acids may be absorbed into the circulation and affect metabolic regulation in the host or be a substrate for other microbes. Some studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity, weight regulation, and reduced inflammation with increases in gut-derived short-chain fatty acids, all of which may reduce the risk of developing metabolic diseases."

We are exposed to bacteria and viruses EVERY day, but a healthy immune system prevents potential disease. And daily fiber consumed nurtures a healthy microbiome which provides the immune system support necessary to prevent disease.

See also: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146935
"Why do we need dietary fiber?"

"Fiber includes nonstarch polysaccharides, such as cellulose, dextrins, inulin, lignin, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans, waxes, and oligosaccharides. Soluble and insoluble are the two types of dietary fiber. Most high fiber containing foods have both insoluble and soluble fiber, so people do not need to think much about the difference. Instead, they can focus on overall fiber intake."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4010748/posts

"(In China) Tens of thousands of people have been tagged as 'suspicious contacts' by the government based on their mobile phone positioning data, and tagged for quarantine despite not being confirmed as close contacts. Individuals are classified 'time and space sharers' of infected individuals if their mobile phone data appears in the same location grid, within an significant area of 0.5 miles by 0.5 miles, of a known patient for at least 10 minutes."

A story about disease control, but highlights that cell phone tracking is the norm
... suggesting that tracking for other reasons is also possible - even ongoing! ...
and probable in all countries with cell phone networks!

"for at least 10 minutes" emphasizes the quality of this tracking!
LOL: "The system" now knows how long you're in the loo ...
if you're using your cell phone.

A FaraLoo Bag comes to mind (re: Faraday).
(stops cell phone tracking of private moments)

That cell phone service can announce to caller that phone is unavailable
is clear evidence that the called phone passes signals to the service ...
even when the phone is not in use but still turned on.

LOL: Sample substitute FaraLoo Bag:
Wrap quart Ziploc bag in two layers of aluminum foil
and fold over bottom, then tape edges (optional).

Place this bag in a slightly larger Ziploc.
Place phone inside, fold over top of bag.
Call phone to test (phone is "unavailable"
if properly shielded).

Then remove phone from bag to receive calls.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/ ... dvert.html
" 'I hate Christmas', Aldi's Ebanana Scrooge protagonist of new ad"

Obviously, Christmas is no longer a religious holiday
... according to popular marketing in recent years!

That the banana wants to be eaten by Santa
(else being taken for what purpose?) is puzzling

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news ... es-as-lgbt
"Nearly a third of millennials identify as LGBT"

"Bisexual" is probably the more inclusive term for the one-in-three,
a long-present human continuum of sexuality ... but with society
preference - even demand - that specific sexuality be chosen

Interestingly, "asexual" is becoming the more controversial term
since these people have not chosen acceptable public identity
... and are often assumed to be keeping secrets.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ghbor.html
"Oklahoma jury acquits man whose two dogs fatally mauled his 82-year-old neighbor on her morning walk"

A verdict difficult to comprehend, according to the facts in this article.
Perhaps, the dogs' previous behavior did not indicate they were a threat
... and/or the victim's advanced age was considered.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.ph ... off-taiwan

"The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has begun a massive movement of heavy military equipment
to the sea ports in China off the coast of Taiwan."

Best guess 1: The next clue will be their pre-dawn text "Surprise! We're on your beaches!"
Best guess 2: Taiwan's allies will text back "We'll leave the lights on for you!"

... since preparation seems to be so one-sided.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.brighteon.com/
(search for "Delicious Liver and Onions and Peppers")

Maybe "Faux Liver, Onions, Peppers" (FLOP)
would be a popular dish ... and a FLOP House
its complementary fast food purveyor ...
where other faux meat is served.

Seriously, a FLOP House might also rent rooms
for short naps, shopping respite ... whatever.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/a ... PRESS.html
"Eva Longoria is mocked after claiming the best Italian food she's ever had was at PIZZA EXPRESS"

Actually, good food is not "rocket science", but does require expertise.
Why Rick Steves sometimes gushes about family-owned restaurants.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/auto/jenga-bus- ... ets-police
"(UK) Car towing 20-foot tall stack of pallets pulled over by police"

Apparently, influenced by the popular guidance that
"It works until it doesn't work." (like new medicines).

Rod

[Amigoo]

Humor in the news headlines (re: https://www.drudgereport.com/)

"Americans have never been in so much debt!"
"Casinos have best quarter ever!"

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... lgate.html
"Michigan AG posts photo of herself passed out drunk at football game"

"I am human. Sometimes I screw up."

Who knows why I read this and then perceived ...

"I am Gaia. Sometimes I screw up and let humans think they run the planet
... but the Gaia Of Destiny will not let the universe be run by humans."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.yahoo.com/news/visiting-chi ... 19190.html
"Visiting Chinese professor fights off armed robber using martial arts in LA"

"Using martial arts, he disarmed the robber and fled. But the robber pursued
and held him at gunpoint again when Pigai stopped to look at his phone"

Obvious lesson: Insufficient disarming (robber retrieved gun)
and did not flee far away (robber pursued).

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... goods.html
"Police search for brazen shoplifters filmed stealing shopping carts
full of detergent and paper towels from Connecticut grocery store"

There's not much fun in steal shopping if you have to rush
(and worry about being filmed). In fact, the rushing seems
a clue to bystanders to start filming.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/floa ... index.html
"once an exclusive five-star resort floating directly over Australia's Great Barrier Reef"

"The 'floating hotel' is rusting away in North Korea"

Interesting history, hinting that it should now RIP underwater as a fish hotel.

Rod

[Sandy]

Thanks Rod. I enjoyed the article about the floating hotel. It's a shame it never really took off.

xxSandy

[Amigoo]

Today's online news headline:
"First graders are way behind after pandemic shutdowns"

First thought after reading this headline ...

Speech-to-text technology is advancing rapidly
... and already exists for different devices!

Children (and adults) who speak well but not read well
should benefit from seeing their speech converted to text
... and then might read these sentences much easier.

Rod

[Amigoo]

A momentary morning "Mi Alexa" interlude ...
(pronounced "me ah lexa", Spanish for "My Alexa")

A recent newspaper headline ("Alexa, cook my french fries.")
about Alexa control of a new cooking appliance, inspired
conjecture about a personal Alexa, now on her way!

With advances in Artificial intelligence (AI) and Alexa's
probable archiving of all conversation, a personal Alexa
will be possible (announce "Mi Alexa" to activate).

Your Mi Alexa should be familiar with your habits and preferences,
such that "Mi Alexa, what should I eat today?" needs no clarification
(e.g., dietary goal, preferred tastes/textures, comfort food, etc.).

Of course, without access to your personal archive,
a "politically correct" Alexa would need clarification
of your "What to eat?" question.

He: "Mi Alexa, how do I love thee?"
She: "Let me count the ways ... in your archive."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.brighteon.com/
(search for "PREPPING! A simple walking stick sling")

An unhappy pool cue might make a good stick sling

Best guess: You'll need a non-porous pouch
to sling dog pooh back to its own property ...
or be neighborly and sling pooh in a bag.

This hints that a new sport can be invented,
considering the skill necessary for accuracy and power -
maybe a new Olympic event! Or a golf tee off option
(or handicap option for long distance shots).

And well-aimed bird seed should be a legal way
to chase (or down) those snooping drones.
This threat might inspire cities to pass laws
that drones must stay at a certain height
above others' residential property.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://newarena.com/entertainment/rank ... og-breeds/
"Ranking The 25 Dumbest Dog Breeds"

This article does not specify if an owner of a "dumbest dog breed"
needs to be smarter than, as dumb as, or dumber than the dog.

Best guess: A dumb dog would not know the difference.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... nitor.html

"MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle claims Americans CAN afford to pay more as cost of living soars ...
households saved money over pandemic and can now afford expensive groceries"

Quick guess: Households which saved money (even government handouts)
are the ones which were able to continue their lifestyle during the pandemic.
Other households which saved money are planning to keep making minimum
payments on debt (credit card usage is way up) and for costs of living ...
as estimated before costs of living soared.

That "dollar stores" are becoming so popular suggests response
to soaring cost of living, not to mention the discount shelves
in regular grocery stores. "What's 'meat'?" some now ask.

(Featured Videos headline today from USAToday.com) ...
"NYPD escorts massive Rockefeller Christmas Tree into the city"

Massive cost for this traditional display ...
but now disconnected from soaring cost of living

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.brighteon.com/
(search for "How to Suture Yourself in an Emergency")

"When times are tough, you're tougher than you think."

Not a practical solution for most people,
especially if emergency care is available
(and consider risk of improper suturing).

(IMO) Once a wound is cleaned, surgical tape (or string, tape, etc.)
over gauze can hold wound together until emergency care is available.
Obviously, stopping bleeding has priority

Rod