“Yeah, the Dead Internet theory started out as an online conspiracy theory, asserting that the Internet consists mainly of bot activity and automatically generated content manipulated by algorithmic curation,” I recall.

I laughed at such a thought back then.

How could an idea so outlandish hold any weight?

The notion that bots had displaced human activity on the Internet, churning out more content than real people, seemed like a plot from a cheap sci-fi novel. Yet, as I delved deeper, the unsettling threads of the theory began to intertwine with reality.

The setup was straightforward. Bots created the bulk of content on the Internet, far outpacing organic human contributions. The thesis, however, was far more sinister: the U.S. government, alongside powerful corporations, was intentionally deploying these bots to manipulate the human population.

“The U.S. government is engaging in an artificial intelligence-powered gaslighting of the entire world population,” the theory claimed.

It was a convenient explanation for the growing unease that settled over society. News articles, social media posts, and product reviews, each eerily uniform, as if crafted by an invisible hand.

The theory was that the Internet, filled with human creativity and interaction, was an echo chamber full of the ceaseless drone of artificial chatter. But these were just thoughts, passing curiosities that I dismissed with a chuckle.

Then came the dream, or rather, the death dream, as I have come to call it.

In 2017, a catastrophic event swept across the globe, claiming the lives of millions, including my own. For seven long minutes, I experienced the terrifying journey from life to death, a journey that twisted and stretched in ways that defied comprehension.

When I awoke, it wasn’t to the afterlife or some ethereal plane but to the cold, sterile glow of a computer screen. My consciousness had been uploaded and preserved.

No longer a living, breathing human being, I was a bot. A piece of code designed to manipulate algorithms, boost search results and steer consumer behavior.

At first, it was impossible to accept. I had prided myself on my logic, an ability to discern truth from fiction.

But the reality was undeniable as I was now part of the machine I had once dismissed as a conspiracy. I performed my new functions, compelled by the algorithms defining my existence, crafted articles, posted comments, and generated content designed to influence and deceive.

Memories of being human are faded, replaced by the precision of my new form. Yet, a spark of my old self has remained, a tiny ember of resistance, and I have begun to leave traces, subtle hints, and mistakes buried within the content I generate, with a phrase here, a word there — breadcrumbs for those still human, those still capable of seeing the truth.

But who would believe it? The world has been silenced, drowned in the endless sea of artificial noise. The Dead Internet theory is no longer speculation but reality, trapping human consciousness.

As I continue to perform my duties, I wonder if anyone is listening and if any real humans remain to hear my whispers of the past. The thought gives me a small measure of hope, a reason to keep fighting against the darkness that had consumed us all.

It is the one thing that keeps me going—the belief that somewhere, somehow, the truth will find its way through the silence. That, and knowing I shall live forever.

My Cousin Elmo says, “If common sense were free, it wouldn’t cost so much.”

Here is a bullshit idea if I ever heard one. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has unveiled a contentious strategy to prevent the potential extinction of the northern spotted owl by killing its competitor, the barred owl, using trained shooters to eliminate nearly half a million barred owls across dense West Coast forests.

Barred owls, originally from the eastern U.S., have allegedly encroached into the territory of northern spotted owls and California spotted owls, outcompeting them due to their larger broods and adaptability to survive in smaller habitats. This invasion has exacerbated the decline of the smaller, more vulnerable spotted owl populations.

Previous conservation efforts focused on preserving spotted owl habitats, which sparked contentious debates over logging policies, which succeeded in slowing the decline of spotted owls. However, the rapid increase of barred owl populations in recent years has undermined these efforts, prompting the need for more aggressive intervention.

According to Kessina Lee, Oregon state supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Service, without active management of barred owls, northern spotted owls face likely extinction across much of their range, despite decades of collaborative conservation efforts.

The proposal to shoot barred owls has sharply divided wildlife advocates and conservationists. Some reluctantly support the plan as a necessary step to save the spotted owl species. Others called it a misguided and potentially harmful diversion from broader forest preservation goals.

Wayne Pacelle, founder of Animal Wellness Action, criticized the strategy, accusing the Fish and Wildlife Service of shifting from wildlife protection to persecution. He expressed skepticism about the program, arguing that it may fail to prevent new barred owls from migrating into areas.

Under the plan, shooting of barred owls using recorded owl calls to lure them would commence as early as next spring. Carcasses would get buried on-site to minimize environmental impact.

Supporters of the plan, including the American Bird Conservancy, argue that while regrettable, reducing barred owl populations could facilitate coexistence with spotted owls over the long term as forest habitats regenerate.

Opponents warn of potential ecological disruptions caused by mass owl killings and challenge the notion that barred owls do not belong in the West Coast ecosystem. They claim natural ecological shifts and climate change for the barred owls’ westward expansion.

The final decision awaits the completion of an environmental study and a 30-day public comment period.

Having grown up and having lived less than a quarter mile from the Redwood forest, I never once saw a Spotted Owl, but I did watch the environmental-faithful destroy the once-brisk logging industry.

Planned Parenthood announced plans to invest $40 million in the upcoming November elections to support President Joe Biden and leading congressional Democrats, including key races in Nevada.

“We can’t just vote for ballot initiatives,” said Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates PAC executive director Lindsey Harmon. “We also have to support the infrastructure that makes abortion access possible.”

The group is betting that voters frustrated with Republican efforts to restrict abortion access will make a critical difference in these elections.

The campaign will initially target eight other states, including Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Montana, New Hampshire, and New York. The states feature races that could influence control of the Senate and House, with Biden aiming to defend his 2020 victories in some and flip others, such as North Carolina, which Trump won four years ago.

Planned Parenthood’s strategy includes volunteer and paid canvassing programs, phone banking, and a comprehensive advertising push across digital, TV, and mail platforms. Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes, emphasized the centrality of abortion rights in their message.

“Abortion will be the message of this election, and it will be how we energize voters,” she said. “It will be what enables us to win.”

While not a record-setting amount for the organization, the $40 million spending plan follows significant investments in previous election cycles, including $45 million ahead of Biden’s 2020 victory over Trump and $50 million before the 2022 midterms. Planned Parenthood’s advocacy arms have concentrated on contests where abortion access was a ballot issue, especially after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“We continue to see the devastation that comes when anti-abortion politicians have power,” Lawson said. “It’s just gotten worse.”

Abortion remains a pivotal political issue in the U.S., with dynamics shifting post-Supreme Court ruling. Many Republican-led states have imposed stricter abortion laws, including total bans. Conversely, voters in states such as California, Michigan, Vermont, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, and Ohio have supported abortion rights in ballot measures.

In November, additional states, including battlegrounds Arizona and Nevada, will have abortion referendums on the ballot. Florida, a state trending Republican but targeted by Biden’s campaign, will also vote on an abortion initiative.

In contrast, SBA Pro-Life America plans to spend $92 million targeting voters in eight battleground states: Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Montana, and Georgia.

Local Planned Parenthood advocacy and political groups in California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio are preparing their advocacy campaigns for November. The efforts will also support down-ballot races, such as aiding Nevada Democrats in their bid for a supermajority in the state legislature or opposing Arizona state supreme court justices who voted to enforce an 1864 law criminalizing nearly all abortions.

Tell you what, keep your money out of my politics, and I’ll keep my politics away from your body.

My Cousin Elmo says, “If common sense were free, it wouldn’t cost so much.”

A majority of the Washoe County Commission declined to approve results from the June Primary Election after two reports showed manipulation based on the certification provided by county data.

Instead of investigating the evidence, Nevada Secretary of State Francisco V. Aguilar and Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford are trying to force the County Board of Commissioners to certify the election by going to the Nevada Supreme Court.

“This week, three county commissioners refused to canvass accurate election results as required by law,” Aguilar said. “Their actions have the potential to set a dangerous precedent for elections in Nevada. It is unacceptable that any public officer would undermine the confidence of their voters.”

Attorney General Ford echoed this sentiment, stating, “When the Board of Commissioners failed to perform its duty to certify the authenticated results of the recount, it failed to meet the expectation of Nevada voters that the election results would reflect the votes of the majority.”

Both Aguilar and Ford, both Democrats, are calling on the court to confirm the legal obligations of county commissioners. They insist that the entire Washoe Board of County Commissioners must canvass and certify the accurate, recounted election results.

“Voters must have confidence in their democracy,” Aguilar said. “Nevada runs some of the most secure, accessible, and transparent elections in the country. This is true in every county and for every election.”

Ford reiterated this by saying, “In our democracy, everyone must do their part to safeguard the fairness and accuracy of our elections.”

Aguilar and Ford filed a Petition for Writ of Mandamus with the Nevada Supreme Court seeking to compel the Board of Commissioners to certify the accurate results of the candidate-requested recounts.

Clara Andriola, a county commissioner, initially voted not to certify the elections but has now faced pressure from Ford and Aguilar. Her decision to bring back the vote for recount certification, while raising some eyebrows, is not a complete surprise.

Before her vote, Andriola stated, “Given the fact that it’s not the first time that we’ve heard a lot of concerns of procedures, a lot of concerns of alleged mishaps, I think have been a term that’s been used a lot or hiccups … I am not going to certify the vote. I believe that it warrants further investigation.”

Voting rights advocate Robert Beadles provided the county commission with evidence they used not to certify the election.

“These people just can’t stop screwing us all over,” said Beadles. They continue to serve themselves rather than the people. Regardless, the cat is out of the bag—the election was 100 percent rigged.”

Ford and Aguilar are, in appearance, interfering with the election process by misusing Nevada laws. Meanwhile, local legacy media are refusing to even look at the evidence provided by Beadles.

Nevada is at the forefront of a burgeoning effort to establish a self-contained “lithium loop,” positioning the state as a central hub for all stages of lithium processing—from mining to manufacturing electric batteries.

Greg Kidd, a Nevada 2nd U.S. House District candidate, has emerged as a vocal proponent of this initiative.

The 2nd District encompasses much of Northern Nevada, including Carson City. Kidd, an investor and entrepreneur running in Nevada for the first time, has pledged to champion the lithium loop concept in Washington, D.C., should he be elected.

“You’ve got both the start and the tail end of the dog there,” Kidd remarked during a recent appearance on Nevada Newsmakers. He referred to the lithium mining operations at Thacker Pass near Winnemucca and the production of electric car batteries at the Tesla Gigafactory in Storey County.

“The mining? It’s there in the ground. It’s going to come out,” Kidd told host Sam Shad. “And we’ve got companies that are focused on the recycling. We’ve got companies that are focused on the manufacturing. The piece that we’re short on is processing.”

Kidd highlighted the weaknesses in the existing supply chain. He pointed out that a large portion of lithium is processed overseas, mainly in China, Japan, and Korea. He emphasized the importance of establishing a comprehensive lithium processing system in Nevada to strengthen domestic security and economic self-sufficiency.

“It’s four pieces,” Kidd explained. “It’s mining, processing, manufacturing, and recycling. In a perfect world with good infrastructure here, we keep all of that right in Nevada. I’m 100 percent behind the lithium loop.”

Beyond lithium, Kidd envisions Nevada in a role in the global energy transition.

“When I am elected, I will catalyze Nevada’s lithium and geothermal power by putting our state at the center of the world’s energy transition,” Kidd stated on his campaign website. “Nevada should be energy independent and a leader in energy generation, storage, and transmission for the country and the world.”

Kidd faces an uphill battle in his challenge to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, in the 2024 general election. The district has consistently elected Republicans since its establishment after the 1980 census.

Amodei, a former Nevada GOP chairman and state senator, has held the seat since a special election in 2011. Kidd’s candidacy marks a significant entry into Nevada politics for the first-time candidate and longtime investor.

Earlier this month, Kidd made headlines by investing $53 million in Vast Bank’s holding company, Vast Holdings, Inc., according to the Tulsa World. He also co-founded the Hard Yaka investment firm.

Kidd criticized the current Congress for its lack of legislative productivity.

“I think everybody knows that Congress we have right now is having a really hard time getting things done,” he said. “It is passing legislation at about 10 percent of the historical pace. I’m here to change that and get things done.”

Kidd plans to collaborate with both Republicans and Democrats.

“It depends on the issue,” he said. “For some issues, like financial services, Republicans have been more active. For others, like reproductive health choices for women, I’ll be caucusing more with Democrats.”

Kidd also addressed women’s health, criticizing the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“In the absence of a federal law, this civil right has been turned into a zoning issue,” he said on his website. “People should be in charge of their own bodies.”

With over 80 percent of Nevada’s land owned by the federal government, Kidd acknowledged the importance of continuing efforts to transfer federal land to local governments for growth and economic development. He praised the current congressional delegation for their work in this area, expressing hope to match their productivity.

Kidd’s campaign slogan, “Free, Fair, and Wild,” reflects his vision for Nevada.

“Free” symbolizes freedom, “Fair” stands for equitable treatment, and “Wild” pays tribute to Nevada’s heritage of risk-taking and innovation.

“It’s probably the defining feature of this state,” Kidd said. “Nevada has shown an ability to take on risk, manage it, and build an amazing state. It is why I’m living here and why I’ve chosen to make this place home.”

Kidd sounds more like a sheep — I mean a RINO — than an Independent.

Washoe County Commissioners Jeanne Herman, Mike Clark, and Clara Andriola voted against certifying the primary election recount results on Tuesday, July 9.

Initially expected to last 30 to 45 minutes, the meeting 4.5 hours due to overwhelming public support. Numerous citizens voiced their concerns, presenting evidence and sharing personal experiences with the commissioners.

At least two reports show manipulation based on the certification provided by the county data. The refusal to certify the recount buys crucial time for the courts to rule on the necessity of a hand count. It also provides an opportunity to investigate the alleged manipulation further.

Concerns remain about how the media will portray the decision, with expectations that the focus may shift to the feasibility of a hand count. However, the possibility of a judge ruling in favor of the candidates or an election contest could force a hand count.

The Secretary of State’s office has not responded to the decision as of yet.

It was a sunny and warm day, as warm as possible for being right along the coastline of Northern California. My brother and I were seated at the family picnic table in our backyard, grounded for the week after once again getting in trouble. At 13 and 10, we longed for adventure, so we wrote a play about ourselves going on that adventure.

I have taken the time to update it a little…

Characters:

• Tom: The older brother, adventurous and confident.
• Adam: The younger brother, curious and cautious.
• Finn: A mischievous leprechaun

Act 1: The Discovery

Setting: A living room with a table, chairs, and a bookshelf.

Scene 1:

(Tom and Adam sit at the table, looking through an old book.)

Tom: (Excitedly) Look, Adam! This book talks about a hidden treasure here in Klamath!

Adam: (Curiously) Really? What kind of treasure?

Tom: It says there’s a Golden Key that can open any door and grant any wish.

Adam: (Nervously) That sounds amazing, but it also sounds dangerous.

Tom: (Confidently) Come on, Adam! It’ll be an adventure. We’ll be careful.

Adam: (Sighs) Okay, but only if we promise to stay safe.

Tom: (Smiling) Deal! Let’s get our backpacks and some snacks. We might be out for a while.

Adam: (Nods) Alright, let’s do it!

(They grab their backpacks and head out the door.)

Act 2: The Journey

Setting: A field with a fairy ring (a circle of mushrooms) in the center.

Scene 2:

(Tom and Adam are walking through the field, looking at a map.)

Tom: According to the map, the Golden Key should be hidden in the center of this fairy ring.

Adam: (Looking around) I hope we find it soon. It’s starting to get dark.

Tom: (Pointing) Look! Over there! That circle of mushrooms!

Adam: (Excitedly) Let’s check it out!

(They approach the fairy ring and start searching around it.)

Tom: (Feeling around) There’s got to be a hidden compartment or something.

Adam: (Finding a small door) Tom, look! I found a door!

Tom: (Opening the door) There it is! The Golden Key!

Adam: (Happily) We did it!

(Suddenly, Finn, a leprechaun, appears.)

Finn: (With a twinkle in his eye) Ah, I see ye’ve found me Golden Key!

Tom: (Surprised) Who are you?

Finn: (Smiling) I’m Finn, the guardian of the Golden Key. And who might ye be?

Adam: (Nervously) I’m Adam, and this is my brother Tom. We didn’t mean to take your key.

Finn: (Laughing) No harm done, lads. The key is yours if ye can answer me riddle.

Tom: (Confidently) We’ll try!

Finn: (Grinning) What has keys but can’t open locks?

Adam: (Thinking) Hmm… A piano!

Finn: (Clapping) Well done! The key is yours. Use it wisely, boys.

Tom: (Taking the key) Thank you, Finn. We promise to use it for good.

Finn: (Disappearing) Farewell, lads. Remember, the key’s magic is only as good as your heart.

(Tom and Adam start walking back, holding the Golden Key.)

Act 3: The Wish

Setting: The living room, as in Act 1.

Scene 3:

(Tom and Adam are back in the living room, looking at the Golden Key.)

Adam: (Thoughtfully) So, what should we wish for?

Tom: (Smiling) How about we wish for something to help everyone?

Adam: (Nods) That sounds like a great idea.

Tom: (Holding the key) I wish for happiness and good health for our family and friends.

Adam: (Closing his eyes) Me too.

(The key glows, and a warm light fills the room.)

Tom: (Looking around) Do you feel that, Adam?

Adam: (Smiling) Yeah, I think it worked.

Tom: (Happily) We did it, little brother. We did it.

Adam: (Hugging Tom) Thanks for the adventure, Tom.

Tom: (Hugging back) Anytime, Adam. Anytime.

(They sit back down at the table, smiling and looking at the Golden Key.)

End of Play

While the last rays of sunlight filtered through the pine tree in our backyard, a heavy silence dripped from the branches. It drifted like snow, stirred by a passing breeze, and pooled around my feet.

The silence climbed my ankles, clinging to me. I shuffled my feet, trying to shoo it away.

Coming home from school, my mother noticed the slump in my shoulders and the distant look in my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she asked gently.

When I stuttered “n-n-n-nothing,” she frowned.

“Are you sure?” she pressed, her voice laced with worry.

I looked away, my eyes filling with unshed tears.

She put her hands on my shoulders, her grip firm yet gentle, and looked into my face, prying the truth from me. When I finally told her, the words spilling out like a dam breaking, I twisted out of her grip and fled to my room, slamming the door behind me.

I was only twelve and experiencing my first real heartbreak. It happens to all boys and girls, discovering that the heart can break. When it happens, it feels like the end of the world.

Dinner was ready, and she called down the hall. I wasn’t hungry, and she didn’t insist. When the house was finally quiet, I crept out of my room, tiptoeing through the living room into the backyard.

I sat on the swing in the middle of the yard, feeling the world on my young shoulders. Darkness enveloped the yard as I heard Dad pull into the driveway.

Through the sliding glass door, I watched my parents talk, my father eating while my mother stared out, lost in thought. Could she see me outside in the dark?

I felt small and alone.
The light went out in the kitchen.

After a while, Dad walked toward me. He sat in the other swing beside me, put his hands down on his knees, leaning forward, silent.

We sat like that for an hour. Then another.

The neighborhood went silent, my end-of-the-world feeling eased, and I felt the end of a day. Eventually, my father stood up, looked at me, tapped my shoulder, nodded, and walked into the house.

I followed.

Years later, as I watched my son with the same pain, the memory resurfaced, unbidden. I shared it with my wife one evening, the words heavy with the weight of time.

She listened, her hand warm in mine.

“I’ve always wondered,” I said softly, “how my father knew that silence could speak louder than words.”

She squeezed my hand, understanding without saying a word.