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Imagine a scenario where a tech company unveils a smartphone containing a biological chip made from lab-grown human neurons. This chip can adapt its internal structure based on user behavior, leading to remarkable efficiency gains.

Melbourne-based Cortical Labs has grown neurons on silicon chips, creating what the company calls “Dishbrain.” The neurons act as the system wiring, connecting different components. Dishbrain even learned to play the arcade game Pong faster than conventional AI systems. And yet, another startup, Koniku, believes their technology, computers made from lab-grown neurons, will revolutionize various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, and airport security.

Historically, we have seen unethical experiments in the past, now add to that a hybrid computer chip that could enable complex reasoning beyond what current AI achieves. Sounds frightening — and it should be.

That’s because there are ethical considerations like using human brain matter, generally known as organoids, in computers, growing neurons from ordinary skin cells using stem cell technologies, and reproducing human cells for energy production, challenging the sanctity of human life while raising concerns about exploitation and dignity. Then, there is the never-ending push to lower living standards and reduce consumption based on an environmental facade benefiting an illegitimate elite.

There is an unsurprising shift in focus from using human innovation to explore outer space to a more alarming proposition—the idea of sacrificing human brains to power energy-starved supercomputers, leading to the automation of “green” governance. It suggests that preserving life may require removing human involvement, reflecting a judgment that humanity cannot achieve justice independently while rejecting the notion of a divine source of justice.

There are recent headlines about a bio-processor that uses 16 human brain organoids and claims to consume significantly less power than traditional digital processors. The overarching idea is that the future lies in building superhuman machines that surpass human control, potentially utilizing humans as fuel.

This extreme approach raises concerns about the ethical implications and potential lack of salvation down this path of innovation. There’s a worry that scientists have overstepped ethical boundaries by using human stem cells to generate energy for AI. It feels like they are playing the role of a creator rather than a steward of technology.

Their logic leads straight to one conclusion: Without man, God, or nature to save us, our only hope, our duty, is to be found in building machines.

Historically, unethical experiments have taken place, such as the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and other wartime activities. While contemporary ethical frameworks and regulatory bodies are in place to ensure that scientific research and experimentation uphold fundamental ethical standards and respect for human dignity and rights, using stem cells derived from human embryos or fetuses raises ethical considerations questioned by these commissions.

Intentionally reproducing these cells in a laboratory environment to produce energy raises concerns about the sanctity of human life, the potential exploitation of human biological material, and questions surrounding the dignity and rights of the individuals from whom they derived the cells. Additionally, the consequences of manipulating and reproducing human cells for non-medical or non-therapeutic purposes violate ethical boundaries and societal values.

What could go wrong?

The Cobalt Belt in Idaho, a 34-mile-long stretch of ore beneath the Salmon River Mountains, has garnered global attention from mining companies. The region boasts abundant cobalt—a vital component in electric vehicle batteries.

On Friday, October 7, 2022, Jervois Global, an Australia-based company, inaugurated the sole cobalt mine in the U.S., generating significant buzz. The mine, projected to reach capacity by 2023, plays a role in the Western mineral rush, targeting “green metals” like cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements essential for clean energy technologies.

However, this mining boom comes at a cost. As demand for cobalt surges, water—already scarce in arid regions—is diverted from agriculture to support mining operations. Wheat and barley, nurtured with substantial investment, now risk total loss due to water scarcity.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) issued curtailment orders affecting 6,400 groundwater rights holders, potentially impacting up to 500,000 acres of farmland. The clash between green energy mining and essential farming practices underscores the dilemma faced by the state.

Driven partly by the Inflation Reduction Act, domestic cobalt mining aims to incentivize using locally sourced battery materials. Yet, despite the new mine in Idaho, supply chain security remains incomplete. Extracted cobalt still requires processing abroad due to inadequate U.S. facilities.

Mining operations pose environmental risks, including acid mine drainage that contaminates water supplies with heavy metals. The Blackbird Mine, now a Superfund site, is a cautionary tale from Idaho’s mining history.

Amidst these challenges, a broader agenda emerges. The Biden Administration, collaborating with the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocates for population reduction by 2050.

And no one has connected the dots yet.

My Cousin Elmo says, “When a spell is cast on one person, it’s called spell-casting, and when it’s on the masses, it’s broadcasting.”

Remember the mysterious monoliths that captured global attention in 2020? They are back, and this one is in the Nevada desert.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue team discovered the monolith near Gass Peak, just north of the Las Vegas Valley, over the weekend. They shared a photo on social media, sparking curiosity and speculation.

“We see a lot of weird things when people go hiking like not being prepared for the weather, not bringing enough water…but check this out!” the department posted, adding the pressing question: “HOW did it get up there??”

Monoliths began mysteriously appearing worldwide starting in November 2020. The first was found in a remote part of Utah near Moab on November 18, capturing global attention.

Less than ten days later, another appeared in Romania, followed by another in California. These strange structures even made it to Downtown Las Vegas in December 2020, with one in the middle of the Fremont Street Experience.

In total, 23 documented monoliths were found globally between Wednesday, November 18, and Tuesday, December 8, 2020, all compiled into a Google document. The phenomenon was as fleeting as it was fascinating, disappearing as quickly as it had started—until now.

As of Monday evening, the origin of the monolith near Gass Peak remains unknown.

While the mystery continues, the Las Vegas Police Department used the opportunity to share important safety tips for desert exploration. They advised hikers to inform someone about their plans, check the weather forecast, and bring sufficient water, food, a first aid kit, a light source, and a fully charged phone.

The recent discovery adds to the series of monoliths found in the U.S. in 2020, which included sightings in Utah, California, and near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Internationally, monoliths popped up in Romania and even at a Turkish World Heritage site, the latter — a gimmick by the Turkish government.

Most of these monoliths were either removed or destroyed shortly after their discovery, often due to concerns over the environmental impact of increased foot traffic.

In the twilight of our shared journey,
A reflection on our bond unfolds,
Of moments sweet and sorrows heavy,
Of love and pain as time grows old.

When it should be that I grow old, weak,
And pain withholds me from my sleep,
When I struggle to walk and cannot run,
Arrange what needs doing, to be done.

A plea, heartfelt and full of grace,
For selfless love in trying times,
To find strength in grief’s embrace,
And not let sorrow cloud our minds.

For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
Remembering the joy we’ve known,
And knowing fear I have never shown.

In kindness, my pain do you exorcise,
As tears fall gently from your eyes.
Take me where I will find the light,
Hold me close as day turns to night.

Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
Your voice a balm, your touch a guide,
In those last moments by your side.

Though pain is deep in your heart
Know your act is love’s true art.
And though my tail does not wag,
My pain and suffering do now flag.

Do not grieve too long, my friend,
For your final gift, my gentle end,
What you did was brave and true,
With the love that I feel from you.

Cherish the years shared, the bond,
Though I am gone, my spirit lives on,
In memories, that time dare not sever,
From the heart, yours and mine, forever.

Throughout history, numerous figures have been dismissed as irrational, only to be vindicated later. Ignaz Semmelweis faced skepticism when he emphasized the importance of handwashing in medical practice.

Today, concerns echoing past dismissals are emerging in the Washoe County electoral process, causing debate and distrust. Applying Occam’s Razor, which posits that the simplest explanation is often correct, can offer a straightforward yet profound examination of these concerns.

In recent elections, candidates seemingly lacking broad support have won by large margins, prompting suspicion. Washoe and Nevada election integrity has come under scrutiny for several reasons, including the lack of stringent voter identification protocols, which critics argue opens the door for potential fraud.

The ability for anyone to collect and submit multiple ballots raises questions about the authenticity of the votes. Additionally, the reliance on voting machines, which can connect to the internet, increases the risk of hacking or pre-programmed manipulation, and the official prohibition on public verification of machine counts further fuels these concerns.

Washoe County, for instance, spends tens of millions of dollars to count approximately 60,000 votes using machines, which used to be done by hand in a few hours at minimal cost. The discrepancy between cost and efficiency has become a focal point of the debate.

Another contentious issue is the extended voting period, now stretching over six weeks instead of a single Election Day. Critics argue that this elongated timeline increases opportunities for manipulation and dilutes the immediacy and integrity of the voting process.

The uniformity in the narratives propagated by media, election officials, and some candidates also raises red flags. The alignment between non-governmental organizations, unions, associations, and elite interests often results in the promotion of candidates who, according to critics, serve these entities rather than the electorate.

These candidates consistently garner the most votes, while those perceived as genuinely representing public interests receive fewer. When the interests of those controlling the levers of electoral power conflict with those of the general populace, it raises a critical question: Is the system designed to protect entrenched interests at the expense of representation?

Like Occam’s Razor, the solutions to these electoral integrity issues may lie in simple, straightforward reforms that enhance transparency and trust in the democratic process.

In the quiet corners of morning’s first light,
Nobody tells you how quickly dogs age.
One day, the sun rises, and there it is:
The gentle dusting of white upon their muzzle,
Eyes once bright, now softened by a haze,
And you, calling their name a touch louder,
To catch their gaze.
Parents caution against blinking with children,
To not miss their swift journey into adulthood.
Yet, who speaks of the dog,
Who was there before children were even a dream?
Who stood steadfast by your side,
Through loves found and lost, homes built, left behind.
Cherish the dog who knows your heart’s rhythm,
Who journeyed faithfully across every path you tread.
Lying by your side in silence,
Comforting your soul in the lonely hours,
Their breath, a constant whisper of loyalty.
One day, on a walk together, you’ll notice:
They tire a step sooner than they used to.
And in that stride, the weight of all the years,
They’ve padded beside you, steadfast and true.
Cherish them now, every wag of their tail,
Every nuzzle that seeks your touch,
Every bark sounds with unwavering love.
For their time with us is but a fleeting gift,
Deserving every cherished moment,
For the unconditional love they offer,
In quiet companionship, year after year.

The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to the discovery of 20 to 25 sticks of dynamite and a hand grenade near H Street in Hawthorne around 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team neutralizing the explosives.

The MCSO revealed that these explosives were remnants left behind by a man who passed away around 20 years ago. During the cleanup of the property, a person came across the sticks of dynamite and immediately notified the authorities. Along with the dynamite were several blasting caps.

The MCSO established an evacuation perimeter of 1,000 feet from the site, and the convention center in Hawthorne opened as a shelter for the evacuated residents.

It was nearly 8 p.m. when the MCSO announced the area was safe and residents could return home.

A crash on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain on Saturday, May 18, at approximately 1:30 p.m., resulted in the death of a passenger and left the driver in critical condition.

The Nevada State Police (NSP) say that a 2023 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was stopped on the outside paved shoulder of the westbound I-80, about three miles west of Battle Mountain. At the same time, a white Cadillac XT5 SUV was traveling west on the same route.

The driver of the Cadillac veered over the white-painted fog line and onto the paved shoulder, causing the right front of the SUV to collide with the left rear of the stationary Peterbilt. The impact was severe enough to kill the passenger of the Cadillac and leave the driver critically injured.

The NSP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has completed its environmental assessment for a prospective geothermal energy site near Yerington.

Jonathan Palma, acting Field Manager at the BLM, emphasized the significance of this project for Nevada’s energy future.

“This project will allow Nevada to diversify our energy portfolio,” Palma said. “Solar and wind power are weather-dependent, but geothermal energy, derived from underground reservoirs of hot water, is consistent and reliable.”

John Garry, the Mayor of Yerington, expressed his enthusiasm for the project.

“Certainly the future is energy, and we need a lot more of it,” Garry said. “It is going to be a vital part of our future, our growth, and our prosperity.”

While new power plants often face community resistance, Garry reported that Yerington residents support the geothermal project.

“I am in contact with the people of the community regularly, and we have council meetings where people can express their concerns,” Garry said. “The topic has not come up at all.”

The proposed Wabuska project, 12 miles north of Yerington, involves drilling and testing up to 11 geothermal wells and constructing access roads. The wells will be used for production, injection drilling, or geothermal fluid pipelines if the site is found viable for commercial production.