Category: Misc

Controversial Deal: El Salvador to House US Criminals

2025-02-04
Controversial Deal: El Salvador to House US Criminals

El Salvador has agreed to accept US deportees, including US citizens convicted of crimes, in a controversial deal announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This unprecedented agreement has sparked outrage from human rights groups and legal experts who cite potential violations of international law and concerns over inhumane prison conditions in El Salvador. While El Salvador's President Bukele claims it will combat gang violence and ensure the sustainability of his prison system, the deal's legality and humanity remain highly questionable.

Translation: It's More Than Just Words

2025-02-03
Translation: It's More Than Just Words

This article highlights the challenges of translating fiction, emphasizing that a word-for-word translation fails to capture the essence of the original. Using the Hungarian title of his book as an example, the author shows how cultural context is crucial. The English title references a well-known song, but the Hungarian translation uses lyrics from a popular Hungarian song to evoke a similar feeling. This underscores the need for human translators; machine translation lacks the cultural understanding to replicate this nuance, a key element in the appeal of fiction.

Stop Calling Kin Work 'Emotional Labor': It's 'F*cking Work'

2025-02-03
Stop Calling Kin Work 'Emotional Labor': It's 'F*cking Work'

The author challenges the common practice of labeling the work of maintaining family relationships, particularly that disproportionately done by women, as "emotional labor." She argues this term obscures the crucial importance of this work, which she calls "kin work." This isn't simply emotional management; it's essential labor for maintaining human social networks, ensuring survival and support. Dismissing it as "emotional labor" undervalues its significance and ignores its continued necessity in modern society. The author calls for shared responsibility in maintaining family connections, rather than viewing it as a solely female burden.

NYC Mayor's Rat War Shows Early Signs of Success

2025-02-03
NYC Mayor's Rat War Shows Early Signs of Success

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been unwell and absent for a week, facing a corruption trial in April and low poll numbers (6%). However, a pilot program in Harlem, requiring sealed trash containers and six-day-a-week collection, has shown early success in reducing rat populations, offering a small victory in his two-year-old "war on rats."

Phantom Time: When Centuries Vanish

2025-02-03

From questioning Shakespeare's authorship to doubting the existence of entire historical periods, conspiracy theories about history abound. 17th-century French priest Jean Hardouin took this to an extreme, claiming nearly all books before 1300 AD were forgeries, including the Gospels and most Greco-Roman literature. This sparked ongoing debates about historical truth, with some scholars even proposing entire centuries, such as 614-911 AD, were fabricated. The article explores the roots of these 'phantom time' theories and their potential dangers to historical research and societal understanding.

1840 London Street Views: A Detailed Record of Urban History

2025-02-03
1840 London Street Views: A Detailed Record of Urban History

The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection houses an 1840 collection of London street views, published by John Tallis & Co., comprising 88 detailed depictions of London streets. Created with illustrations by Charles Bigot and historical descriptions by William Gaspey, this composite view offers a glimpse into early 19th-century London, showcasing its urban landscape, roads, and tourism. It provides invaluable primary source material for studying London's urban development and is a testament to the printing techniques of the era.

Misc

Federal Grant Award Search Engine

2025-02-03
Federal Grant Award Search Engine

This website offers a search tool for active federal government grants. Users can search by EIN, UEI, or keywords; the system performs exact and prefix matching. For performance reasons, only the first 100 matching rows are displayed. This is a convenient tool for researchers and organizations seeking government funding.

Dan Brown's Inferno: A Bestselling Author's Worries and Triumphs

2025-02-02
Dan Brown's Inferno: A Bestselling Author's Worries and Triumphs

Bestselling author Dan Brown calls his agent, John, worried about the critical reception of his new book, Inferno. John reassures him, focusing on the millions of fans and the vast wealth his success has brought. Dan reflects on his accomplishments, including his prized Van Gogh painting and Shakespeare first edition. He returns to writing the Robert Langdon series, inspired by Dante's Inferno, with sequels already planned. He ends the day happily with his wife, even contemplating a future foray into romantic poetry.

Groundhog Day API: Predicting the Weather, One Groundhog at a Time

2025-02-02
Groundhog Day API: Predicting the Weather, One Groundhog at a Time

The GROUNDHOG-DAY.com API serves up all of North America's weather-predicting animals and their yearly forecasts. It boasts three simple GET endpoints: retrieve all groundhogs and predictions, fetch a single groundhog's data, and get predictions for a specific year. While data updates aren't handled through the API itself (you'll need to use the website for that), it's a quirky and surprisingly useful dataset for your next big idea. Ready to build your Groundhogs as a Platform (GaaP) strategy?

Gambling Addiction: A Stealthier Killer Than Drug Addiction

2025-02-02
Gambling Addiction: A Stealthier Killer Than Drug Addiction

The World Health Organization classifies gambling as an addiction, but treating it proves far more challenging than drug addiction. Gambling's appeal lies in the potential for high returns with low investment, stimulating the brain's reward system and leading to addiction. However, gambling addiction lacks a specific substance dependence, making it harder to detect and treat; a staggering 90% of cases go unreported. Unlike drug addiction, gambling's reward system is complex and unpredictable, making simple 'withdrawal' ineffective. The article explores the causes and treatment difficulties of gambling addiction, highlighting the importance of prevention and reducing exposure.

Infinite Memory: A Theoretical Proof Using Spaced Repetition

2025-02-02

This paper proves that using spaced repetition, an infinitely-lived but forgetful person can recall an infinite number of facts. By establishing a power-law relationship between forgetting and the number of reviews, and considering a finite daily study time, the author derives a model showing that with careful curation of review schedules, knowledge can accumulate indefinitely, ultimately leading to infinite memory. While the daily review load is finite, the cumulative knowledge grows without bound over time.

Cross-Country Killing Spree Linked to Online 'Death Cult'

2025-02-02
Cross-Country Killing Spree Linked to Online 'Death Cult'

A string of recent killings across the US has been linked to a fringe online group called the "Zizians," described as a death cult. The incidents include a samurai sword attack in Vallejo, California, and a deadly shootout with Border Patrol agents in Vermont. Investigations suggest a connection between the killings, with weapons possibly originating from an individual linked to the Vallejo homicide. The group, associated with the Rationalism movement, holds extreme views on AI and other topics. One individual warned a friend about the group, labeling them a "death cult."

Beyond Paris: Balzac's 'The Lily in the Valley'

2025-02-02
Beyond Paris: Balzac's 'The Lily in the Valley'

This article delves into Balzac's 'The Lily in the Valley', a novel that transcends its Parisian setting to offer profound insights into societal structures, environmental influences, and the complexities of human relationships. The epistolary novel unfolds a story of platonic love between the protagonist Félix and a married countess. The author analyzes the intricate characters and Balzac's masterful portrayal of their inner lives against the backdrop of French society, revealing a critical reflection on the era's social and economic forces. While Parisian settings feature, the novel's core lies in its exploration of love, human nature, and the transformative currents of society.

Rediscovering the Power of Poetry in a Fast-Paced World

2025-02-02
Rediscovering the Power of Poetry in a Fast-Paced World

In our fast-paced digital age, poetry might seem outdated. However, it offers a unique space for deep reflection, emotional exploration, and creative expression. This article explores the numerous benefits of writing poetry, including fostering self-expression, emotional healing, sharpening the mind, deepening human connection, boosting creativity, and improving communication skills. Accessible to all, poetry serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery and therapeutic release, regardless of writing experience.

Trump Admin's Illegal Purge of Inspectors General Sparks Outrage

2025-02-01
Trump Admin's Illegal Purge of Inspectors General Sparks Outrage

Last Friday, President Trump abruptly fired multiple agency inspectors general, including Phyllis Fong at the USDA. Fong, a 22-year veteran with numerous awards and key roles, was escorted from the building after refusing to comply with what she deemed an illegal order. The firings have sparked outrage, with CIGIE chairman Hannibal Ware stating they appear to violate federal law. Senator Adam Schiff called the actions illegal, and even Republican Senator Chuck Grassley expressed concern. However, Democrats' slow response raises questions about the effectiveness of checks and balances. This incident highlights the Trump administration's attack on oversight and the vulnerability of institutional safeguards.

USDA Inspector General Escorted Out After Refusal to Accept Dismissal

2025-02-01
USDA Inspector General Escorted Out After Refusal to Accept Dismissal

Security personnel escorted the USDA Inspector General, Phyllis Fong, from her office this week after she refused to comply with her dismissal by the Trump administration. Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, argued the administration hadn't followed proper procedure, citing a council that deemed the termination notices legally invalid. The White House defended the dismissals, claiming they were necessary to replace “rogue, partisan bureaucrats.” Fong oversaw a wide range of responsibilities, including investigations into Neuralink and animal abuse cases. Her dismissal was part of a larger purge of federal watchdogs, drawing criticism as a politically motivated act.

11 Million Strikers: A Phased Approach to the General Strike

2025-02-01

The General Strike is planned in three phases. Phase 1 (0-6 million signatures): Building a broad network of participants by connecting with organizations and individuals already taking action. Phase 2 (6-10 million signatures): Focusing on concrete demands, setting strike dates and event plans, and holding meetings to gather diverse perspectives. Phase 3 (10-11 million signatures): Finalizing demands, preparing for Strike Day, distributing funds, and conducting final events. The goal is to unite 11 million strikers to fight for racial, economic, gender, and environmental justice.

Beyond ADHD: How Upbringing Shapes Your Cognition

2025-02-01
Beyond ADHD: How Upbringing Shapes Your Cognition

After receiving an ADHD diagnosis, the author initially attempted to 'cure' it, only to discover the real pain stemmed from an incompatible upbringing. Strict parenting and suppression of individuality led to a long-term dependence on parental approval and self-doubt. The article argues that ADHD isn't a deficit, but a cognitive variation, mistaken for a problem in incompatible environments. The author calls for reflection on the impact of upbringing, a redefinition of success, and encourages rebuilding a life aligned with one's true self.

Bay Area Cult: Ziz and the AI Safety Movement

2025-02-01

This article exposes a secretive Bay Area online cult led by Ziz, who uses her blog to spread distorted ethical and decision theories, targeting AI risk researchers. Zizian doctrine promotes radical veganism and plans for post-singularity trials of the 'non-good'. Through manipulative techniques like unihemispheric sleep, Ziz isolates members, leading to tragic consequences including suicide. The article warns against Ziz's influence and involvement with this potentially dangerous group.

From Devil's Pact to Skeletal Remains: The Evolving Perceptions of Alcohol's Harm

2025-02-01

This article traces the evolution of perceptions surrounding alcohol's dangers in Western societies from the 17th to 19th centuries. Early views linked excessive drinking to supernatural consequences like pacts with the Devil and physical transformations. By the 18th century, the focus shifted to alcohol's physical damage, portraying it as a cause of premature aging, disease, and death, fueling temperance movements. However, the article also highlights a counter-narrative questioning the validity of these claims and the possibility of moderate alcohol consumption.

Small Plane Crash in Northeast Philly Causes Multiple Fires

2025-02-01
Small Plane Crash in Northeast Philly Causes Multiple Fires

A small plane crashed in a Northeast Philadelphia residential area shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, resulting in multiple casualties. The plane is believed to have struck several buildings and cars. The Learjet 55, carrying two people on a medical assignment, departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident.

Swiss Canton Buys Typo-Filled Domain to Fix 100k Flyer Error

2025-01-31
Swiss Canton Buys Typo-Filled Domain to Fix 100k Flyer Error

The Basel-Stadt canton in Switzerland accidentally omitted '.ch' from the URL printed on over 100,000 tax filing flyers, resulting in a '.bs' (Bahamas) domain. Instead of reprinting at a cost of roughly $100,000, they opted to purchase the erroneous domain for $1,000 and set up a redirect to the correct URL. The redirect is not yet live, pending domain registration completion.

Trump Admin Orders Federal Employees to Remove Pronouns from Email Signatures

2025-01-31
Trump Admin Orders Federal Employees to Remove Pronouns from Email Signatures

Multiple federal agencies ordered employees to remove pronouns from their email signatures by Friday afternoon, according to internal memos obtained by ABC News. The directive stems from two executive orders signed by President Trump on his first day in office, aiming to curb diversity and equity programs. Agencies including the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, and CDC received similar instructions. One CDC employee expressed frustration, stating this had never happened in their decade of service. The Office of Personnel Management also issued a memo directing agencies to review email systems and disable pronoun prompts. This action is the latest in the Trump administration's push to dismantle diversity and equity initiatives within the federal government.

DOJ Claims Money Isn't Property: A Legal Absurdity

2025-01-31
DOJ Claims Money Isn't Property: A Legal Absurdity

In a shocking legal argument, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that confiscating $50,000 from a small business owner, Chuck Saine, didn't violate his property rights because money isn't property. Their reasoning? The government creates money, can tax it, and the Constitution allows spending for the 'general welfare'. This absurd claim challenges fundamental property rights and has sparked outrage. The case will be decided in court, but the DOJ's argument raises serious concerns about governmental overreach.

Ambulance Chasing After a 911 Call: Capitalism's Dark Side?

2025-01-31
Ambulance Chasing After a 911 Call:  Capitalism's Dark Side?

A false alarm at 3 AM led to a fire department visit, ultimately revealing a faulty HVAC system. Hours later, a Servpro representative aggressively solicited cleanup services. The author suspects their 911 call information, likely accessible via platforms like PulsePoint, was used to generate a sales lead. This incident highlights a disturbing trend of exploiting emergencies for profit, raising concerns about consumer privacy and the ethical implications of data sharing.

Savile Row Tailors Face Ozempic-Induced Crisis

2025-01-31
Savile Row Tailors Face Ozempic-Induced Crisis

Savile Row, the home of bespoke tailoring, is facing an unprecedented crisis, not from high rents or taxes, but from the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. The drug's dramatic weight loss effects are forcing clients to have their expensive, custom-made suits drastically altered or remade. Tailors are facing a double challenge: time constraints and staffing shortages. Altering a suit can cost £1,600, while a replacement is £5,000-£7,000. Many clients own numerous suits and are reluctant to discard them, further increasing the tailors' workload. The issue extends beyond suits to shirts, which lack the internal space for adjustments. Tailors worry about weight rebound once clients stop using the drug, creating a potential 'Part 2' to this story.

Basel Tax Authority Buys Bahamian Web Address Due to Flyer Error

2025-01-31
Basel Tax Authority Buys Bahamian Web Address Due to Flyer Error

The Basel-Stadt tax authority had to purchase a web address in the Bahamas due to a mistake on an information flyer for digital tax returns. The flyer, sent to over 100,000 households, omitted the '.ch' from the web address, redirecting users to a '.bs' domain in the Bahamas. While the error has been addressed and the Bahamian address will redirect to the correct Swiss site, the mistake cost the authority CHF 900, significantly cheaper than the estimated CHF 100,000 to reprint the flyers. Taxpayers can still file their returns online, albeit with a brief Caribbean detour.

Misc tax error
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