wakingtimes--2020-02-17--Coronavirus: run, here come the experimental drugs

As I ’ ve shown in recent articles ( archive here ) , the virus hunters have fallen far short of proving a coronavirus is causing this “ outbreak.
” But here come the antiviral drugs .
They ’ re ordinarily used for other diseases ( malaria , HIV ) or , in one case , no disease yet ( unapproved , unlicensed ) .
But it ’ s time for “ heroic measures.
” A better term would be “ reckless experimentation.
” Public health officials are expressing a mixture of hope and…vampire-ish worry that the epidemic may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficacy of the drugs .
—Characterizing the remarks of a Harvard professor of medicine , the Times author writes : “ The lack of certainty surrounding treatment for coronaviruses is partly due to the boom-and-bust nature of outbreaks — they can spread like wildfire and then disappear… Although that is good for the public ’ s health , it also means scientists sometimes don ’ t have the time or the means to thoroughly test a treatment in humans.
” Tsk , tsk , what a shame .
Among the drugs suddenly being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Kaletra ( anti-HIV ) ; chloroquine ( anti-malaria ) ; remdesivir ( unapproved , anti-Ebola ) .
rxlist.com provides a list of adverse effects of Kaletra : * diarrhea * headache * weakness * nausea * vomiting * stomach upset * drowsiness * dizziness * a bad taste in the mouth * trouble sleeping * skin rash * changes in the shape or location of body fat ( especially in your arms , legs , face , neck , breasts , and waist ) * unexplained weight loss * persistent muscle aches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs * severe tiredness * vision changes * severe or persistent headaches * signs of infection ( such as fever , chills , trouble breathing , cough , non-healing skin sores ) * signs of an overactive thyroid ( such as irritability , nervousness , heat intolerance , fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat , bulging eyes , unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter ) * signs of a nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome ( such as difficulty breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes , drooping face , paralysis , slurred speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ * confusion * persistent nausea or vomiting * stomach or abdominal pain * yellowing eyes or skin * dark urine * anxiety * attempts at killing oneself * back , leg , or stomach pains * black , tarry stools * bleeding gums * blistering , peeling , or loosening of the skin * blood in the urine or stools * blurred or decreased vision * change in near or distance vision * chest discomfort or pain * chills * cold sweats * confusion * continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urine * diarrhea * difficulty in focusing the eyes * difficulty with speaking * difficulty with swallowing * disturbed color perception * dizziness * dizziness , faintness , or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position * double vision * drooling * fast , slow , irregular , or pounding heartbeat * feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior * feeling that others can hear your thoughts * feeling , seeing , or hearing things that are not there * fever * general tiredness and weakness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing loss * inability to move the eyes * increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid * joint or muscle pain * large , hive-like swelling on the face , eyelids , lips , tongue , throat , hands , legs , feet , or sex organs * light-colored stools * loss of balance control * lower back or side pain * muscle trembling , jerking , or stiffness * muscular pain , tenderness , wasting , or weakness * night blindness * nausea * overbright appearance of lights * painful or difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots on the skin * puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes , face , lips , or tongue * red skin lesions , often with a purple center * red , irritated eyes * restlessness * shuffling walk * skin rash , hives , or itching * sore throat * sores , ulcers , or white spots on the lips or in the mouth * sticking out of the tongue * stiffness of the limbs * sweating * swollen or painful glands * tightness in the chest * trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twisting , or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue , lips , face , arms , or legs * uncontrolled movements , especially of the face , neck , and back * unusual bleeding or bruising * unusual tiredness or weakness * upper right abdominal or stomach pain * vomiting * yellow eyes and skin Adverse effects of remdesivir—the drug has not been approved for public use .
I find at least one human clinical trial has been done on people “ infected by the Ebola virus , ” and another clinical trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I see no published list of adverse effects—probably because the drug is still in the test phase .
Using this drug on “ coronavirus patients ” would certainly be experimental .
This is what I ’ m sitting here picturing : A person in Wuhan , who is having respiratory problems , owing to the unprecedented mixture of toxic pollutants in the air of the city , enters a clinic .
He is given a chest CT Scan .
He ’ s told he has a lung infection—pneumonia .
Because a CT Scan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ epidemic coronavirus , ” he is given that label .
NO test for the purported coronavirus is done .
The person is shunted into a treatment room , and a doctor tells him his condition is quite serious , and he will be treated with a drug : chloroquine .
Go back and read the list of adverse effects again .
Suppose this patient tells his doctor he has a relative who lives out in the country , where the air is much better , and he wants to stay with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , tell the patient this is not possible .
The city is locked down .
If the patient left Wuhan , he could “ spread the virus to others.
” He will be given the drug .
What about informed consent ?
Will the doctor read the patient the complete list of adverse effects ?
Are you kidding ?
Wouldn ’ t that be “ counter-productive ?
” We can only hope and pray the “ epidemic ” is SAID TO LAST long enough so these benevolent corporations can complete their testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human guinea pigs for ?
It all works out for the best , doesn ’ t it ?
We haven ’ t even gotten to the coronavirus vaccine yet .
The professionals are working hard on cooking one up .
When they do , there will be no danger of an interruption in their work , if “ the virus disappears.
” The vaccine will be injected into healthy people .
If and when some of these people keel over , all sorts of reasons can be trotted out : underlying genetic condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly activated ; undisclosed immune-system deficiency ; an unrelated disease ; allergic cross-reaction ; and , of course , “ a rare and unavoidable adverse effect among all the life-saving injections given , at no charge , to the global population… ” I ’ m looking through mainstream articles .
I ’ m trying to find one that publishes the complete lists of adverse effects of the experimental drugs now being deployed on “ coronavirus ” patients .
Odd .
I can ’ t find one .
I wonder what that means .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He would possibly be able to set me straight .
Perhaps I should query a public communications pro at a pharmaceutical company .
Certainly , he could contact major press outlets and urge them to print the adverse-effect lists , in the interest of full disclosure .
Jon Rappoport is the author of three explosive collections , THE MATRIX REVEALED , EXIT FROM THE MATRIX , and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX , Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California .
He maintains a consulting practice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the expansion of personal creative power .
Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize , he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years , writing articles on politics , medicine , and health for CBS Healthwatch , LA Weekly , Spin Magazine , Stern , and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe .
Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics , health , logic , and creative power to audiences around the world .
You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waking Times on Twitter .

Coronavirus: run, here come the experimental drugs
Jon Rappoport, Guest
Waking Times
As I’ve shown in recent articles (archive here), the virus hunters have fallen far short of proving a coronavirus is causing this “outbreak.” But here come the antiviral drugs.
They’re ordinarily used for other diseases (malaria, HIV) or, in one case, no disease yet (unapproved, unlicensed). But it’s time for “heroic measures.” A better term would be “reckless experimentation.”
Public health officials are expressing a mixture of hope and…vampire-ish worry that the epidemic may not last long enough to properly test the efficacy of the drugs.
LA Times, 2/13/2020, “Doctors fight coronavirus outbreak with drugs that target HIV, malaria and Ebola”:
—Characterizing the remarks of a Harvard professor of medicine, the Times author writes: “The lack of certainty surrounding treatment for coronaviruses is partly due to the boom-and-bust nature of outbreaks — they can spread like wildfire and then disappear… Although that is good for the public’s health, it also means scientists sometimes don’t have the time or the means to thoroughly test a treatment in humans.” Tsk, tsk, what a shame.
Here’s another telling quote from the Times article: “The ramp-up in [drug] research and investments into outbreaks can wreak havoc on private drug companies, especially if the virus disappears at some point, as SARS did, said Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The federal government helps offset these costs through initiatives…” What do you know about that? The SARS virus “disappeared.” And pity the poor drug companies. Their research was interrupted.
Among the drugs suddenly being used on people diagnosed with the coronavirus: Kaletra (anti-HIV); chloroquine (anti-malaria); remdesivir (unapproved, anti-Ebola).
rxlist.com provides a list of adverse effects of Kaletra:
* diarrhea
* headache
* weakness
* nausea
* vomiting
* stomach upset
* drowsiness
* dizziness
* a bad taste in the mouth
* trouble sleeping
* skin rash
* changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist)
“Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Kaletra including”:
* unexplained weight loss
* persistent muscle aches or weakness
* joint pain
* numbness or tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs
* severe tiredness
* vision changes
* severe or persistent headaches
* signs of infection (such as fever, chills, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores)
* signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter)
* signs of a nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (such as difficulty breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes, drooping face, paralysis, slurred speech)
* increased thirst
* increased urination
* confusion
* persistent nausea or vomiting
* stomach or abdominal pain
* yellowing eyes or skin
* dark urine
Chloroquine adverse effects (from Drugs.com)—“Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chloroquine”:
* anxiety
* attempts at killing oneself
* back, leg, or stomach pains
* black, tarry stools
* bleeding gums
* blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
* blood in the urine or stools
* blurred or decreased vision
* change in near or distance vision
* chest discomfort or pain
* chills
* cold sweats
* confusion
* continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
* cough
* dark urine
* diarrhea
* difficulty in focusing the eyes
* difficulty with speaking
* difficulty with swallowing
* disturbed color perception
* dizziness
* dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
* double vision
* drooling
* fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
* feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
* feeling that others can hear your thoughts
* feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
* fever
* general tiredness and weakness
* halos around lights
* headache
* hearing loss
* inability to move the eyes
* increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
* joint or muscle pain
* large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
* light-colored stools
* loss of balance control
* lower back or side pain
* muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
* muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness
* night blindness
* nausea
* overbright appearance of lights
* painful or difficult urination
* pale skin
* pinpoint red spots on the skin
* puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
* red skin lesions, often with a purple center
* red, irritated eyes
* restlessness
* shuffling walk
* skin rash, hives, or itching
* sore throat
* sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
* sticking out of the tongue
* stiffness of the limbs
* sweating
* swollen or painful glands
* tightness in the chest
* trouble breathing
* tunnel vision
* twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
* uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* unusual tiredness or weakness
* upper right abdominal or stomach pain
* vomiting
* yellow eyes and skin
Adverse effects of remdesivir—the drug has not been approved for public use. I find at least one human clinical trial has been done on people “infected by the Ebola virus,” and another clinical trial is underway now. So far, I see no published list of adverse effects—probably because the drug is still in the test phase. Using this drug on “coronavirus patients” would certainly be experimental.
This is what I’m sitting here picturing: A person in Wuhan, who is having respiratory problems, owing to the unprecedented mixture of toxic pollutants in the air of the city, enters a clinic. He is given a chest CT Scan. He’s told he has a lung infection—pneumonia. Because a CT Scan is now absurdly sufficient for a diagnosis of “epidemic coronavirus,” he is given that label. NO test for the purported coronavirus is done. The person is shunted into a treatment room, and a doctor tells him his condition is quite serious, and he will be treated with a drug: chloroquine.
Go back and read the list of adverse effects again.
Suppose this patient tells his doctor he has a relative who lives out in the country, where the air is much better, and he wants to stay with her.
The doctor will, of course, tell the patient this is not possible. The city is locked down. If the patient left Wuhan, he could “spread the virus to others.”
He will be given the drug. What about informed consent? Will the doctor read the patient the complete list of adverse effects? Are you kidding? Wouldn’t that be “counter-productive?”
Mustn’t interrupt the “research” of pharmaceutical companies.
We can only hope and pray the “epidemic” is SAID TO LAST long enough so these benevolent corporations can complete their testing. What else is a pool of human guinea pigs for?
And worry not, the pill kings have their bases covered. When “test subjects” become sicker or die, the kings can simply say, “The coronavirus was responsible.”
It all works out for the best, doesn’t it?
We haven’t even gotten to the coronavirus vaccine yet. The professionals are working hard on cooking one up. When they do, there will be no danger of an interruption in their work, if “the virus disappears.” The vaccine will be injected into healthy people. If and when some of these people keel over, all sorts of reasons can be trotted out: underlying genetic condition; the coronavirus hidden in their cells suddenly activated; undisclosed immune-system deficiency; an unrelated disease; allergic cross-reaction; and, of course, “a rare and unavoidable adverse effect among all the life-saving injections given, at no charge, to the global population…”
I’m looking through mainstream articles. I’m trying to find one that publishes the complete lists of adverse effects of the experimental drugs now being deployed on “coronavirus” patients. Odd. I can’t find one. I wonder what that means. Maybe I should ask a doctor. He would possibly be able to set me straight. Perhaps I should query a public communications pro at a pharmaceutical company. Certainly, he could contact major press outlets and urge them to print the adverse-effect lists, in the interest of full disclosure.
Right?
Right?
About the Author
Jon Rappoport is the author of three explosive collections, THE MATRIX REVEALED, EXIT FROM THE MATRIX, and POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29thDistrict of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free emails at NoMoreFakeNews.com or OutsideTheRealityMachine.
(To read about Jon’s mega-collection, Exit From The Matrix, click here.)


wakingtimes--2020-02-17--85,000 Marijuana Convictions Expunged in California

Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced that she had secured the automated dismissal of 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County alone .
In total , the State Attorney ’ s office announced that there have now been 85,000 cases expunged in all of California .
According to the LA Times , Lacey filed the motion asking a judge to erase 62,000 felony convictions dating back to 1961 and 4,000 misdemeanor convictions in a total of 10 cities across the county on Thursday .
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta signed off on the order Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry felonies on their records in California and 15,000 no longer have a criminal record at all .
Of the 53,000 people who received the relief , 32 % are black , 45 % are Latino , and 20 % are white according to the Associated Press .
In 2016 , Proposition 64 legalized the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis and allowed people to grow as many as six plants for personal use .
And then in 2018 , state legislation ordered California prosecutors to review past marijuana cases eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether to challenge any claims by July of this year , NPR reported .
The expungement effort was a part of a partnership with Code For America , a nonprofit organization that developed a computer algorithm to quickly analyze county data to determine which cases were eligible to be cleared .
Code For America was involved with the effort last year to expunge the records of 9,000 San Francisco residents for marijuana offenses .
Code For America ’ s Clear My Record technology is free to all 58 California district attorneys and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proposition 64 eligible convictions across five counties the State Attorney ’ s office said , according to USA Today .
Lacey stated that her office even exceeded what the law requires and further fully dismissed felony convictions for cultivating , possession , transporting , or selling marijuana for people who are over 50 or under 21 .
However , there were stipulations that those convicted couldn ’ t have had a felony conviction in the last 10 years or have completed probation for cannabis convictions .
Efforts by multiple U.S. states to pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing .
Last year , TMU reported that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker granted over 11,000 pardons to people convicted of low-level marijuana convictions after cannabis was legalized in the state .
According to PEW Research in 2017 , the states eligible for scrubbing former marijuana convictions were Colorado , Maryland , New Hampshire , and Oregon .
Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has expressed that if he is elected all past marijuana convictions would be expunged .
Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level , but 11 states including Alaska , California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan , Nevada , Oregon , Vermont , Washington , and the District of Columbia have laws on the books legalizing marijuana for recreational use .
Ten states also allow for the regulated sale of the plant .
Nearly 90 percent of American adults support marijuana legalization , according to a recent poll .
In 2020 , legalization efforts appear to be more likely with an additional 19 states , that want to push for legalization .
Los Angeles pardoning 66,000 is a big step in the right direction in allowing non-violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war on drugs to rebuild their lives .
So far California , Illinois , and New York have passed laws that demand officials to clear the records of their citizens while a total of 12 states have enacted laws that allow residents to manually seek the erasure of low-level cannabis convictions a much more lengthy process .

85,000 Marijuana Convictions Expunged in California
Aaron Kesel, The Mind Unleashed
Waking Times
Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced that she had secured the automated dismissal of 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County alone. In total, the State Attorney’s office announced that there have now been 85,000 cases expunged in all of California.
According to the LA Times, Lacey filed the motion asking a judge to erase 62,000 felony convictions dating back to 1961 and 4,000 misdemeanor convictions in a total of 10 cities across the county on Thursday. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta signed off on the order Tuesday.
That means 22,000 civilians will no longer carry felonies on their records in California and 15,000 no longer have a criminal record at all. Of the 53,000 people who received the relief, 32% are black, 45% are Latino, and 20% are white according to the Associated Press.
In 2016, Proposition 64 legalized the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis and allowed people to grow as many as six plants for personal use. And then in 2018, state legislation ordered California prosecutors to review past marijuana cases eligible for dismissal under Proposition 64 and decide whether to challenge any claims by July of this year, NPR reported.
The expungement effort was a part of a partnership with Code For America, a nonprofit organization that developed a computer algorithm to quickly analyze county data to determine which cases were eligible to be cleared. Code For America was involved with the effort last year to expunge the records of 9,000 San Francisco residents for marijuana offenses.
Code For America’s Clear My Record technology is free to all 58 California district attorneys and has helped reduce or dismiss more than 85,000 Proposition 64 eligible convictions across five counties the State Attorney’s office said, according to USA Today.
“On average it takes 15 minutes for an attorney to review just one record,” said Evonne Silva, senior program director for Code for America. “The fact that we can review thousands of records in minutes really unlocks the potential for this to apply to other marijuana legalization efforts in other states.”
Lacey stated that her office even exceeded what the law requires and further fully dismissed felony convictions for cultivating, possession, transporting, or selling marijuana for people who are over 50 or under 21. However, there were stipulations that those convicted couldn’t have had a felony conviction in the last 10 years or have completed probation for cannabis convictions.
Efforts by multiple U.S. states to pardon past marijuana convictions using automated technology are increasing. Last year, TMU reported that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker granted over 11,000 pardons to people convicted of low-level marijuana convictions after cannabis was legalized in the state.
According to PEW Research in 2017, the states eligible for scrubbing former marijuana convictions were Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has expressed that if he is elected all past marijuana convictions would be expunged.
“Sanders administration we will review all marijuana convictions – both federal and state – for expungement and re-sentencing. All past convictions will be expunged,” the Sanders campaign wrote.
Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, but 11 states including Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia have laws on the books legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Ten states also allow for the regulated sale of the plant. Nearly 90 percent of American adults support marijuana legalization, according to a recent poll.
In 2020, legalization efforts appear to be more likely with an additional 19 states, that want to push for legalization.
Los Angeles pardoning 66,000 is a big step in the right direction in allowing non-violent offenders who are a victim of the war on drugs to rebuild their lives. So far California, Illinois, and New York have passed laws that demand officials to clear the records of their citizens while a total of 12 states have enacted laws that allow residents to manually seek the erasure of low-level cannabis convictions a much more lengthy process.
By Aaron Kesel | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com


wakingtimes--2020-02-19--New Device Can Generate Renewable Energy ‘Out of Thin Air’

Imagine painting your home with a special paint that also powers your lights using renewable energy drawn from the air .
That might sound too good to be true , but researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst think it could be one of many future uses for a new technology they have developed — a device called the Air-gen that can , as its name suggests , generate electricity from moisture in the air .
The device , explained in a Nature article published Monday , is a unique collaboration between engineering and biology , according to the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microbe called Geobacter that study coauthor Derek Lovley discovered in the mud of the Potomac River more than 30 years ago .
After studying the microbe , Lovley realized that it could produce protein nanowires that conduct electricity .
Lovley and Yao then joined forces to see if there were practical applications for the microbe ’ s power .
It was one of Yao ’ s PhD students who discovered the key was moisture .
“ I saw that when the nanowires were contacted with electrodes in a specific way the devices generated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to atmospheric humidity was essential and that protein nanowires adsorbed water , producing a voltage gradient across the device , ” Xiaomeng Liu said in the press release .
Science Alert explained how the device is designed : The Air-gen consists of a thin film of the protein nanowires measuring just 7 micrometres thick , positioned between two electrodes , but also exposed to the air .
Because of that exposure , the nanowire film is able to adsorb water vapour that exists in the atmosphere , enabling the device to generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two electrodes .
Currently , 17 of these devices linked together can generate enough electricity to power a cell phone , Science Magazine explained .
While it requires some humidity , it can work in places as dry as the Sahara Desert .
Guo Wanlin , a materials scientist at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics who wasn ’ t involved with the study , told Science Magazine it was a “ milestone advance ” in the study of hydrovoltaics , the molecular generation of electricity from water .
The researchers hope to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , Lovley argued in the press release , has major advantages over other sources of renewable energy like wind or solar since it can be used anywhere , even indoors .
Shorter term uses would include an Air-gen “ patch ” that would power Fitbits or smart watches , or a device that would power cell phones , eliminating the need for re-charging .
These would include the power-generating house paint , or a generator that would produce off-the-grid electricity .
All that needs to happen is to find a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is headed in that direction with his successful genetic engineering of the fast-growing E. coli bacteria to produce the nanowires , Science Magazine reported .
However , Dirk de Beer of the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology , who was not involved with the research , expressed reservations .
He told Science Magazine that the paper made him “ a bit concerned ” because he wasn ’ t sure where the electrons powering the Air-gen were coming from .

New Device Can Generate Renewable Energy ‘Out of Thin Air’
Olivia Rosane, EcoWatch
Waking Times
Imagine painting your home with a special paint that also powers your lights using renewable energy drawn from the air.
That might sound too good to be true, but researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst think it could be one of many future uses for a new technology they have developed — a device called the Air-gen that can, as its name suggests, generate electricity from moisture in the air.
“We are literally making electricity out of thin air,” Amherst electrical engineer Jun Yao explained in a university press release. “The Air-gen generates clean energy 24/7.”
The device, explained in a Nature article published Monday, is a unique collaboration between engineering and biology, according to the press release. Its origins lie within a microbe called Geobacter that study coauthor Derek Lovley discovered in the mud of the Potomac River more than 30 years ago. After studying the microbe, Lovley realized that it could produce protein nanowires that conduct electricity. Lovley and Yao then joined forces to see if there were practical applications for the microbe’s power.
It was one of Yao’s PhD students who discovered the key was moisture.
“I saw that when the nanowires were contacted with electrodes in a specific way the devices generated a current. I found that that exposure to atmospheric humidity was essential and that protein nanowires adsorbed water, producing a voltage gradient across the device,” Xiaomeng Liu said in the press release.
Science Alert explained how the device is designed:
The Air-gen consists of a thin film of the protein nanowires measuring just 7 micrometres thick, positioned between two electrodes, but also exposed to the air. Because of that exposure, the nanowire film is able to adsorb water vapour that exists in the atmosphere, enabling the device to generate a continuous electrical current conducted between the two electrodes.
Currently, 17 of these devices linked together can generate enough electricity to power a cell phone, Science Magazine explained. While it requires some humidity, it can work in places as dry as the Sahara Desert.
Guo Wanlin, a materials scientist at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics who wasn’t involved with the study, told Science Magazine it was a “milestone advance” in the study of hydrovoltaics, the molecular generation of electricity from water.
The researchers hope to develop commercial applications for their device, which, Lovley argued in the press release, has major advantages over other sources of renewable energy like wind or solar since it can be used anywhere, even indoors.
Shorter term uses would include an Air-gen “patch” that would power Fitbits or smart watches, or a device that would power cell phones, eliminating the need for re-charging.
“The ultimate goal is to make large-scale systems,” Yao said.
These would include the power-generating house paint, or a generator that would produce off-the-grid electricity. All that needs to happen is to find a way to mass produce the wires, and Lovley is headed in that direction with his successful genetic engineering of the fast-growing E. coli bacteria to produce the nanowires, Science Magazine reported.
“Once we get to an industrial scale for wire production, I fully expect that we can make large systems that will make a major contribution to sustainable energy production,” Yao said in the press release.
However, Dirk de Beer of the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, who was not involved with the research, expressed reservations. He told Science Magazine that the paper made him “a bit concerned” because he wasn’t sure where the electrons powering the Air-gen were coming from.
“I think a deeper understanding… is needed,” he said.
About the Author
Olivia is a freelance reporter for EcoWatch.


wakingtimes--2020-02-19--Bayer and BASF Ordered to Pay $265 Million to U.S. Peach Farmer in Weedkiller Suit

A jury in Missouri awarded a farmer $ 265 million in a lawsuit that claimed Bayer and BASF ’ s weedkiller destroyed his peach orchard , as Reuters reported .
The lawsuit is ominous for Bayer , which bought Monsanto in 2018 and now faces nearly 140 similar lawsuits in U.S. courts , plus thousands of other suits that claim health damage from Monsanto ’ s glyphosate-based Roundup .
The jury in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau , Missouri awarded peach farmer , Bill Bader , $ 15 million in actual damages and $ 250 million in punitive damages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a herbicide the two German companies produced drifted onto his orchard from nearby farms and irreparably damaged his 1,000 acre peach-tree orchard , according to Reuters .
Bader Farms is one of the largest peach tree farms in Missouri .
As the AP reported , Bader ’ s attorneys argued that dicamba , which is present in herbicides made by Bayer and BASF , is so potent that there was no way for Bader ’ s trees to recover from the exposure .
The generous award paves the way for a large spate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their crops destroyed by inadvertent exposure to dicamba-based products .
Like Roundup , dicamba was developed and distributed by Monsanto .
Farmers across the country have claimed that dicamba turns into vapor and drifts for miles when used in certain weather conditions , as Reuters reported .
They have alleged that it has destroyed millions of acres of U.S. cropland , according to The Associated Press .
Attorneys for Bayer said they plan to appeal the decision .
“ We want our customers to know that , as this legal matter continues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering them the effective and sustainable tools they need in the field , ” Bayer said in a statement , as The Associated Press reported .
In court , they argued that Bader Farms trees were damaged by root fungus and bad weather .
The lawyers also claimed that the decision was not based on facts , saying “ there was no competent evidence presented which showed that Monsanto ’ s products were present ” on the Missouri farm and were responsible for the farmer ’ s losses , according to Bloomberg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ surely opens the door for many more lawsuits , heaps an enormous amount of pressure on Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann , who staked his career on the $ 63 billion takeover of Monsanto .
He became the first CEO of a major German company in decades to lose a shareholder confidence vote last spring , as Bloomberg reported .
Dicamba is not a new product .
Farmers have been using it for nearly half a century .
However , Monsanto developed a dicamba-resistant strain of cotton and soybeans .
That opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which led to complaints from neighboring farms who claimed that their crops were getting killed by the dicamba drift , as The Associated Press reported .
In response to those concerns , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created tighter restrictions on dicamba usage .
Some states have taken additional steps , requiring training and putting in place firm dates dictating when dicamba can and can not be sprayed , according to The Associated Press .
The legal cases from Monsanto continue to pile up for Bayer .
Not only are Roundup and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company also faces litigation from several cities that claim Monsanto dumped toxic PCBs into waterways , as Bloomberg reported .

Bayer and BASF Ordered to Pay $265 Million to U.S. Peach Farmer in Weedkiller Suit
Jordan Davidson, EcoWatch
Waking Times
A jury in Missouri awarded a farmer $265 million in a lawsuit that claimed Bayer and BASF’s weedkiller destroyed his peach orchard, as Reuters reported.
The lawsuit is ominous for Bayer, which bought Monsanto in 2018 and now faces nearly 140 similar lawsuits in U.S. courts, plus thousands of other suits that claim health damage from Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup.
The jury in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau, Missouri awarded peach farmer, Bill Bader, $15 million in actual damages and $250 million in punitive damages, after agreeing with his claim that a herbicide the two German companies produced drifted onto his orchard from nearby farms and irreparably damaged his 1,000 acre peach-tree orchard, according to Reuters.
Bader Farms is one of the largest peach tree farms in Missouri.
As the AP reported, Bader’s attorneys argued that dicamba, which is present in herbicides made by Bayer and BASF, is so potent that there was no way for Bader’s trees to recover from the exposure. The generous award paves the way for a large spate of lawsuits from farmers who have seen their crops destroyed by inadvertent exposure to dicamba-based products.
Like Roundup, dicamba was developed and distributed by Monsanto. Farmers across the country have claimed that dicamba turns into vapor and drifts for miles when used in certain weather conditions, as Reuters reported. They have alleged that it has destroyed millions of acres of U.S. cropland, according to The Associated Press.
Attorneys for Bayer said they plan to appeal the decision. “We want our customers to know that, as this legal matter continues, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering them the effective and sustainable tools they need in the field,” Bayer said in a statement, as The Associated Press reported. In court, they argued that Bader Farms trees were damaged by root fungus and bad weather.
The lawyers also claimed that the decision was not based on facts, saying “there was no competent evidence presented which showed that Monsanto’s products were present” on the Missouri farm and were responsible for the farmer’s losses, according to Bloomberg.
The loss in this trial, which surely opens the door for many more lawsuits, heaps an enormous amount of pressure on Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann, who staked his career on the $63 billion takeover of Monsanto. He became the first CEO of a major German company in decades to lose a shareholder confidence vote last spring, as Bloomberg reported.
Dicamba is not a new product. Farmers have been using it for nearly half a century. However, Monsanto developed a dicamba-resistant strain of cotton and soybeans. That opened the door for widespread use of dicamba, which led to complaints from neighboring farms who claimed that their crops were getting killed by the dicamba drift, as The Associated Press reported.
In response to those concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created tighter restrictions on dicamba usage. Some states have taken additional steps, requiring training and putting in place firm dates dictating when dicamba can and cannot be sprayed, according to The Associated Press.
The legal cases from Monsanto continue to pile up for Bayer. Not only are Roundup and dicamba suits in the pipeline, the company also faces litigation from several cities that claim Monsanto dumped toxic PCBs into waterways, as Bloomberg reported.
By Jordan Davidson | Creative Commons | EcoWatch


wakingtimes--2020-02-19--Bald Eagles Are Still Dying From Lead Poisoning

America ’ s national bird is threatened by hunters .
Not that hunters are taking aim at the iconic bald eagle , but bald eagles are dying after eating lead bullets , as CNN reported .
The Cape Fear Raptor Center , North Carolina ’ s largest eagle rehab facility , has recently treated seven eagles for lead poisoning , executive director Dr. Joni Shimp told CNN .
The center also said that 80 percent of the eagles it has had to euthanize since November were because of lead poisoning .
Similarly , officials from the Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 percent of the eagles they treat have high levels of lead in their system , and the effects are devastating , according to WTKR in North Carolina and coastal Virginia .
As CNN explained , hunters use lead bullets to kill deer and other animals .
When the eagles feast upon the dead animals , they are indirectly exposed to toxic levels of lead .
Shimp also explained some of the neurological problems that result from lead exposure to eagles .
She told CNN that the eagles will show a “ lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inability to take flight quickly resulting in being hit by cars , seizures and death.
” The bullets hunters use often scatter into tiny fragments that travel through an animal ’ s body .
Hunters and bird advocates agree that changes in ammunition would go a long way to solving the problem .
That small change makes a big impact for eagles .
“ The most direct thing would be to switch to copper bullets instead of lead , ” Browning said to WTKR .
Similarly , David Trahan , the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Maine said that education and outreach are essential to prevent the problem , according to to NECN .
He also advocates using copper bullets , especially for big animals like moose where pieces of meat are often left behind .
Trahan also felt that outreach could protect people as well , since lead is toxic to us as well .
According to the American Bird Conservancy , millions of birds every year die from lead poisoning , as CNN reported .
She too suggests that large stores should sell copper bullets .

Bald Eagles Are Still Dying From Lead Poisoning
Jordan Davidson, EcoWatch
Waking Times
America’s national bird is threatened by hunters. Not that hunters are taking aim at the iconic bald eagle, but bald eagles are dying after eating lead bullets, as CNN reported.
The Cape Fear Raptor Center, North Carolina’s largest eagle rehab facility, has recently treated seven eagles for lead poisoning, executive director Dr. Joni Shimp told CNN. The center also said that 80 percent of the eagles it has had to euthanize since November were because of lead poisoning.
Similarly, officials from the Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation in North Carolina said that 70 to 80 percent of the eagles they treat have high levels of lead in their system, and the effects are devastating, according to WTKR in North Carolina and coastal Virginia.
“The bird is lethargic, it’s limp, it may have vision problems, staggering, legs not working correctly,” explained Lou Browning of Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation to WTKR.
As CNN explained, hunters use lead bullets to kill deer and other animals. When the eagles feast upon the dead animals, they are indirectly exposed to toxic levels of lead.
“Hunters in no way, shape or form intentionally try to kill an eagle, vulture or any other species,” Shimp said to CNN. “If the deer isn’t killed immediately and runs and the hunter can’t find the deer, the eagles and vultures find it and ingest the lead.”
Shimp also explained some of the neurological problems that result from lead exposure to eagles. She told CNN that the eagles will show a “lack of judgment when flying across roadways, the inability to take flight quickly resulting in being hit by cars, seizures and death.”
The bullets hunters use often scatter into tiny fragments that travel through an animal’s body.
“It’s often said a piece of lead the size of a grain of rice is enough to take down an eagle,” Doug Hitchcox, a naturalist from Maine Audubon, said. Maine had five cases of eagles dying from lead poisoning in January alone, according to NECN in New England.
Hunters and bird advocates agree that changes in ammunition would go a long way to solving the problem. That small change makes a big impact for eagles. “The most direct thing would be to switch to copper bullets instead of lead,” Browning said to WTKR.
Similarly, David Trahan, the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine said that education and outreach are essential to prevent the problem, according to to NECN. He also advocates using copper bullets, especially for big animals like moose where pieces of meat are often left behind.
“If you’re going to kill an animal and leave it in the woods like that, let’s use a copper bullet,” Trahan said to NECN. He added, “I know of no hunter who wants to hunt an animal and knowingly kill a bald eagle.”
Trahan also felt that outreach could protect people as well, since lead is toxic to us as well.
“If I give meat to kids, to family, I want to make sure I’m not providing something to them that could be harmful,” he explained to NECN, suggesting that lead bullets be used in training and at gun ranges, where it won’t come into contact with wildlife.
According to the American Bird Conservancy, millions of birds every year die from lead poisoning, as CNN reported.
“It’s an overall US problem. The lead poisoning increases during deer season but we see it all year,” Shimp said to CNN. “Some times it’s chronic low-grade exposure over time that also brings them down.”
She too suggests that large stores should sell copper bullets.
“We need to target the big chain stores and get them to carry copper bullets,” Shimp said to CNN. “Then I can set up education days at these stores, with a vulture, red tail (hawk) or eagle and show the hunters and point them to the copper ammo. Then we can start to win this war … the war on lead, not on hunters.”
By Jordan Davidson | Creative Commons | EcoWatch


wakingtimes--2020-02-18--Super Bowl Control: You’re Not Paranoid. Google is Watching You.

Google is undoubtedly one of the largest , most powerful businesses in the world .
The company achieved this by focusing on more than one market — such as search and advertising — to make their product appear indispensable .
In 2017 the company garnered 90 % of the search market based on the user data they control .
Years of planning , researching and data mining went into the development of this company , now worth three-quarters of a trillion dollars , according to CBS News .
Nothing was by accident .
The search engine was originally conceived of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in their college dorm .
A Sun-Microsystems co-founder was the first angel investor , whose 1998 check helped the pair raise $ 1 million , including an investment from Jeff Bezos , founder of Amazon.com .
In 22 short years the company went from having a general understanding of your needs to knowing and nearly predicting your next thought .
In fact , as much as a decade ago , Eric Schmidt , Google CEO from 2001 to 2015 , said in an interview at the Washington Ideas Forum : The technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked about in 2010 has only continued to grow , aided by scientists at DeepMind .
This artificial intelligence startup was acquired by Google in 2014 and has the knowledge and power to sort through data and detect patterns .
Each decision in this massive machine-learning company is made with the goal of growth , acquisition and power .
Behavioral persuasion comes in many forms , but Google has perfected the art of understanding your focus and serving ideas that meet their needs .
Under the guise of providing more accurate search results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including your search history .
Jeffrey Pfeffer from Stanford University ’ s graduate school of business talked about power and influence at a NextGen CMO Academy , saying that the idea that “ … you ’ re going to resolve everything just on the basis of data is a myth — everybody has different data and a different perspective about that data.
” However , as Amy Bucher , Ph.D. , writes , persuasion may not be required to change your behavior : Google has become an expert at understanding what you care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your search results that persuades you to make decisions in which they may have a financial interest .
Be Wary of Heartstring Tugs in Advertisements Google leveraged its understanding of Americans ’ preferences and proclivities by specific , targeted advertising during this year ’ s Super Bowl .
Just like horses and puppies make for great Budweiser commercials but have nothing to do with beer , the stories and imagery embedded in Google Super Bowl commercials were designed to pull at your heartstrings as they sell you on their corporate brand .
Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The problem is real .
You may know someone whose family member struggles with this , or you may fear this gut-wrenching disease that steals your memories might strike you .
Wouldn ’ t it be helpful to be reminded of your past and the things you hold inherently true — those things that make you , well , you ?
One short and wildly expensive ad that played during the Super Bowl promises you that Google can do just that .
Sports Illustrated reported that the cost of ads during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( adjusted for inflation ) in 1985 to an astounding $ 5.6 million for 30 seconds in January 2020 .
You can bet no company , no matter how deep their pockets , is spending $ 186,666 per second on an ad without a return on their investment .
The return Google is counting on is your loyalty and their subsequent ability to use surveillance data to build responses to your searches and influence your opinion .
I wrote about Google ’ s behind-the-scenes control in , “ Google — A Dictator Unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The article includes an interview I did with Robert Epstein , a Harvard-educated psychologist , who exposed how the manipulation is being done , the techniques that haven ’ t been available before AI development and how those techniques don ’ t leave a paper trail .
Two Ads Designed to Entice You to Hand Over Your Private Data Along another heartstring-tugging line , Facebook released its first-ever Super Bowl ad , a 60-second blitz that zeroed in on the “ rock ” hard strength and power of muscles , people and fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all rolled up into the various ways you can utilize Facebook groups .
On MSN , Business Insider speculated that Facebook spent more than $ 10 million on this ad , based on the fact that a 30-second commercial cost around $ 5.6 million .
And for what ?
In a feel-good last image , even “ Rocky ” actor Sylvester Stallone is there to “ rock ” you into wanting to join a Facebook group .
So , what does Facebook — which charges you nothing to join — get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of groups ?
The answer is : They get YOU — you and all the data on yourself , your work , your friends and your family that you willingly share when you join groups and post your photos and written comments , on their site .
Using that data , Facebook even has the ability to access your computer or smartphone ’ s microphone without your knowledge .
And with all that information they can design ads targeted specifically at you , in real time .
No wonder Facebook is willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lure you in !
Not to be undone , Amazon ’ s Super Bowl ad starring Ellen DeGeneres quickly became the bowl ’ s most-watched on YouTube .
For a full minute-and-a-half , Amazon extolled its voice-activated Alexa , which you can use for everything from ordering products sold on Amazon to using it to run your “ smart ” home .
And what did Amazon get in return ?
As revealed by The Washington Post , “ When Alexa runs your home , Amazon tracks you in more ways than you want.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spying includes more than just what movie you ordered last week : From snippets of “ spaghetti-timer requests ” to sensitive family conversations and more , Alexa keeps records on everything it hears .
Put plainly , Alexa is a bugging device you invite to spy on you .
Another short , $ 11.2 million Super Bowl ad also tapped into those things you hold dear , drawing a connection between 5G and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect you and me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpful to first responders , it actually is a threat to public health , surpassing the level of low frequency microwave radiation that 4G emits .
The “ G ” stands for generation of mobile network technology .
5G is the fifth generation , and LTE is part of the fourth generation .
The mobile networks are promising that 5G offers greater speed than its predecessors .
The improved speed and reduced latency offered by 5G are quite alluring : CNN reports that while 4G made apps for Lyft and Uber possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a human driver .
But , is this worth the health problems that come with it ?
Unfortunately , you may not get to choose .
The current 4G network relies on large masts placed several miles apart , but 5G masts will be on streetlights and the sides of buildings very close to one another .
Persistent proximity to electromagnetic fields ( EMF ) like those found from your cell phones , Wi-Fi and 4G towers can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and nuclear DNA damage .
As I talk about in “ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exposure has been linked to chronic disease , depression , Alzheimer ’ s and infertility .
In the article you ’ ll also find an explanation of how the damage happens at the cellular level .
It ’ s not pretty .
Unfortunately , you may not even know of the damage being done until it ’ s too late .
And , since exposure is so ubiquitous it is difficult to link exposure to your health .
Is It Real or Is It Google ?
Just after Trump became president the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news.
” Google whistleblower Zach Vorhies began collecting documents that were so explosive he knew Google would remove them when word got out .
In his private investigation into what was real and what was fake , he discovered other disturbing projects .
One of these was a program Google calls Machine Learning Fairness .
Vorhies explained the program is a relatively new , small part of artificial intelligence ( AI ) designed to simulate the brain , which could be used to play a programmed game of chess .
Vorhies found it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
AI decides , based on input from Google , if the content is “ fair ” or “ not fair.
” Fair content rises to the top of the search results , while not fair sinks out of sight .
Ultimately , this results in a twisted view of your world .
As I recount in “ Why the World Needs a Google Detox , ” in mid-2019 Vorhies resigned from Google and was attacked through the legal system in an attempt to destroy him financially .
In response , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As you consider how Google manipulates data and helps you draw conclusions based on their knowledge of your beliefs , it ’ s much easier to see how their multimillion-dollar Super Bowl advertisement is subtly altering your perception of their intentions .
Changing long-term behavior is much easier when you start with children ; this is why Google ’ s influence over them has long been a concern .
In mid-2014 a journalist from the International Business Times wrote an article titled , “ How Google Took Over the American Classroom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he wrote : In the past five years the number of students using Google Chromebooks has grown , as has the database of information Google has mined from them .
For comparison , in 2012 Chromebooks accounted for less than 1 % of shipments to the educational market but by 2017 this number had risen to 60 % .
In May of 2017 The New York Times succinctly described the long-term plan : Take Steps to Protect Your Privacy The bottom line is , you need to ask yourself what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed ?
Or privacy ?
Just remember , if you give up your privacy in the interest of convenience , Google , Facebook , Amazon and mobile networks will learn and then draw a line connecting what you want to what they have to offer .
They have spent decades learning how to discern your movements , track them and use the data for their own good .
You ’ ll find what they are raking in , how they ’ re using it and simple steps you can use to protect your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Largest Monopolies in the World.
” Also , consider how you might protect your health from EMF exposure generated through your phones , Wi-Fi , clocks and microwave ovens .
In “ A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation ” I discuss what it is , how it harms your health and some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family .

Super Bowl Control: You’re Not Paranoid. Google is Watching You.
Dr. Mercola, Guest
Waking Times
Google is undoubtedly one of the largest, most powerful businesses in the world. The company achieved this by focusing on more than one market — such as search and advertising — to make their product appear indispensable. In 2017 the company garnered 90% of the search market based on the user data they control.
Years of planning, researching and data mining went into the development of this company, now worth three-quarters of a trillion dollars, according to CBS News. Nothing was by accident.
The search engine was originally conceived of and built by two Stanford University students working in their college dorm. A Sun-Microsystems co-founder was the first angel investor, whose 1998 check helped the pair raise $1 million, including an investment from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com.
In 22 short years the company went from having a general understanding of your needs to knowing and nearly predicting your next thought. In fact, as much as a decade ago, Eric Schmidt, Google CEO from 2001 to 2015, said in an interview at the Washington Ideas Forum:
“With your permission you give us more information about who some of your friends are. We can probably use some of that information again with your permission to improve the quality of your searches … So one of the things that eventually happens in that preceded lot of reasoning is that we don’t need you to type at all because we know where you are … we know where you’ve been … we can more or less guess what you’re thinking about.”
The technology behind Google’s ability that Schmidt talked about in 2010 has only continued to grow, aided by scientists at DeepMind. This artificial intelligence startup was acquired by Google in 2014 and has the knowledge and power to sort through data and detect patterns.
Patterns + Data = Persuasion, Conditioning and Manipulation
Each decision in this massive machine-learning company is made with the goal of growth, acquisition and power. Behavioral persuasion comes in many forms, but Google has perfected the art of understanding your focus and serving ideas that meet their needs. Under the guise of providing more accurate search results, they track multiple data points, including your search history.
Jeffrey Pfeffer from Stanford University’s graduate school of business talked about power and influence at a NextGen CMO Academy, saying that the idea that “ … you’re going to resolve everything just on the basis of data is a myth — everybody has different data and a different perspective about that data.” However, as Amy Bucher, Ph.D., writes, persuasion may not be required to change your behavior:
“It’s not about making someone share your rationales and motivators. It’s about understanding theirs and helping them to see the desired behavior as a mechanism to get there. So next time you want to work on changing someone’s behavior, start by asking them what they really care about, and then draw a connection for them.”
Google has become an expert at understanding what you care about and then drawing a connection through your search results that persuades you to make decisions in which they may have a financial interest.
Be Wary of Heartstring Tugs in Advertisements
http://youtu.be/6xSxXiHwMrg
Google leveraged its understanding of Americans’ preferences and proclivities by specific, targeted advertising during this year’s Super Bowl. Just like horses and puppies make for great Budweiser commercials but have nothing to do with beer, the stories and imagery embedded in Google Super Bowl commercials were designed to pull at your heartstrings as they sell you on their corporate brand.
Take Alzheimer’s disease, for instance. The problem is real. You may know someone whose family member struggles with this, or you may fear this gut-wrenching disease that steals your memories might strike you. Wouldn’t it be helpful to be reminded of your past and the things you hold inherently true — those things that make you, well, you?
One short and wildly expensive ad that played during the Super Bowl promises you that Google can do just that. Sports Illustrated reported that the cost of ads during the Super Bowl jumped from $1.2 million (adjusted for inflation) in 1985 to an astounding $5.6 million for 30 seconds in January 2020.
You can bet no company, no matter how deep their pockets, is spending $186,666 per second on an ad without a return on their investment. The return Google is counting on is your loyalty and their subsequent ability to use surveillance data to build responses to your searches and influence your opinion.
I wrote about Google’s behind-the-scenes control in, “Google — A Dictator Unlike Anything the World Has Ever Known.” The article includes an interview I did with Robert Epstein, a Harvard-educated psychologist, who exposed how the manipulation is being done, the techniques that haven’t been available before AI development and how those techniques don’t leave a paper trail.
Two Ads Designed to Entice You to Hand Over Your Private Data
Along another heartstring-tugging line, Facebook released its first-ever Super Bowl ad, a 60-second blitz that zeroed in on the “rock” hard strength and power of muscles, people and fun (think: comedian Chris Rock), all rolled up into the various ways you can utilize Facebook groups. On MSN, Business Insider speculated that Facebook spent more than $10 million on this ad, based on the fact that a 30-second commercial cost around $5.6 million.
And for what? In a feel-good last image, even “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone is there to “rock” you into wanting to join a Facebook group. So, what does Facebook — which charges you nothing to join — get back once you climb onboard and join lots of groups? The answer is: They get YOU — you and all the data on yourself, your work, your friends and your family that you willingly share when you join groups and post your photos and written comments, on their site.
Using that data, Facebook even has the ability to access your computer or smartphone’s microphone without your knowledge. And with all that information they can design ads targeted specifically at you, in real time. No wonder Facebook is willing to spend more than $10 million to lure you in!
Not to be undone, Amazon’s Super Bowl ad starring Ellen DeGeneres quickly became the bowl’s most-watched on YouTube. For a full minute-and-a-half, Amazon extolled its voice-activated Alexa, which you can use for everything from ordering products sold on Amazon to using it to run your “smart” home.
And what did Amazon get in return? As revealed by The Washington Post, “When Alexa runs your home, Amazon tracks you in more ways than you want.” As the Post found out, the spying includes more than just what movie you ordered last week: From snippets of “spaghetti-timer requests” to sensitive family conversations and more, Alexa keeps records on everything it hears. Put plainly, Alexa is a bugging device you invite to spy on you.
5G Isn’t a Hero to Your Health
http://youtu.be/RhgJFsjBoN0
Another short, $11.2 million Super Bowl ad also tapped into those things you hold dear, drawing a connection between 5G and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect you and me.
Although the video portrays 5G as being helpful to first responders, it actually is a threat to public health, surpassing the level of low frequency microwave radiation that 4G emits. The “G” stands for generation of mobile network technology. 5G is the fifth generation, and LTE is part of the fourth generation. The mobile networks are promising that 5G offers greater speed than its predecessors.
The improved speed and reduced latency offered by 5G are quite alluring: CNN reports that while 4G made apps for Lyft and Uber possible, with 5G a rideshare may not require a human driver.
But, is this worth the health problems that come with it? Unfortunately, you may not get to choose. The current 4G network relies on large masts placed several miles apart, but 5G masts will be on streetlights and the sides of buildings very close to one another.
Persistent proximity to electromagnetic fields (EMF) like those found from your cell phones, Wi-Fi and 4G towers can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and nuclear DNA damage. As I talk about in “A Film About the Impending 5G Apocalypse” the exposure has been linked to chronic disease, depression, Alzheimer’s and infertility.
In the article you’ll also find an explanation of how the damage happens at the cellular level. It’s not pretty. Unfortunately, you may not even know of the damage being done until it’s too late. And, since exposure is so ubiquitous it is difficult to link exposure to your health.
Is It Real or Is It Google?
Just after Trump became president the media began carrying stories of “fake news.” Google whistleblower Zach Vorhies began collecting documents that were so explosive he knew Google would remove them when word got out. In his private investigation into what was real and what was fake, he discovered other disturbing projects.
One of these was a program Google calls Machine Learning Fairness. Vorhies explained the program is a relatively new, small part of artificial intelligence (AI) designed to simulate the brain, which could be used to play a programmed game of chess. Vorhies found it can also classify content and then rank it.
AI decides, based on input from Google, if the content is “fair” or “not fair.” Fair content rises to the top of the search results, while not fair sinks out of sight. Ultimately, this results in a twisted view of your world.
As I recount in “Why the World Needs a Google Detox,” in mid-2019 Vorhies resigned from Google and was attacked through the legal system in an attempt to destroy him financially. In response, he went completely public with his documented information.
As you consider how Google manipulates data and helps you draw conclusions based on their knowledge of your beliefs, it’s much easier to see how their multimillion-dollar Super Bowl advertisement is subtly altering your perception of their intentions.
Google Instills Brand Loyalty Raising the Next Generation
Changing long-term behavior is much easier when you start with children; this is why Google’s influence over them has long been a concern. In mid-2014 a journalist from the International Business Times wrote an article titled, “How Google Took Over the American Classroom and Is Creating a Gmail Generation,” in which he wrote:
“Google apps, services and increasingly, Chromebooks, have become ubiquitous in the American classroom and it’s not hard to understand why: they require no expensive hardware, they never need to be updated, and they’re free, an important consideration for cash-strapped districts … South Carolina’s Richland School District 2 boasts 22,000 Chromebooks, which covers a student populace nearing 27,000, who also use Google Apps. That makes for a sizeable student population that will become accustomed to utilizing Google services.”
In the past five years the number of students using Google Chromebooks has grown, as has the database of information Google has mined from them. For comparison, in 2012 Chromebooks accounted for less than 1% of shipments to the educational market but by 2017 this number had risen to 60%. In May of 2017 The New York Times succinctly described the long-term plan:
“Schools may be giving Google more than they are getting: generations of future customers. Google makes $30 per device by selling management services for the millions of Chromebooks that ship to schools. But by habituating students to its offerings at a young age, Google obtains something much more valuable. Every year, several million American students graduate from high school. And not only does Google make it easy for those who have school Google accounts to upload their trove of school Gmail, Docs and other files to regular Google consumer accounts — but schools encourage them to do so.”
Take Steps to Protect Your Privacy
The bottom line is, you need to ask yourself what is it you want. Knowledge? Digital speed? Or privacy? Just remember, if you give up your privacy in the interest of convenience, Google, Facebook, Amazon and mobile networks will learn and then draw a line connecting what you want to what they have to offer.
They have spent decades learning how to discern your movements, track them and use the data for their own good. You’ll find what they are raking in, how they’re using it and simple steps you can use to protect your privacy in “Google — One of the Largest Monopolies in the World.”
Also, consider how you might protect your health from EMF exposure generated through your phones, Wi-Fi, clocks and microwave ovens. In “A Practical Guide to EMF Mitigation” I discuss what it is, how it harms your health and some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.


wakingtimes--2020-02-18--Groundbreaking Measure in Washington State Would Ban Bottled Water Production

Advocacy groups are encouraging voters in the state of Washington to pressure legislators to back a measure that would effectively ban commercial bottled water production .
The legislation , SB 6278 , would declare that “ use of water for the commercial production of bottled water ” is “ detrimental to the public welfare and the public interest.
” Last week it was placed on second reading by the Rules Committee .
According to the Washington Senate Democrats , the “ bipartisan effort ” would help “ protect one the most precious commodities ” in the state .
The Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Americans Rivers , Audubon , and Sierra Club Washington State , last week put the legislation on its highest priorities list , saying it would stop “ new water bottling plants from proliferating in Washington state , effecting small rural community water supplies necessary for both agriculture and threatened salmon species.
” “ Washington ’ s waters belong to the people of Washington , ” said the Center for Environmental Law & Policy .
“ There has been an increasing number of proposals to locate commercial water bottling plants in Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ water to be taken for the benefit of corporations and users outside of the local area , perhaps out-of-state.
” One such proposal was bottled water company Crystal Geyser ’ s plan to suck 400 gallons per minute from springs in Randle , Washington .
As Stateline reported , residents ’ fears about the project were amplified when a leaked email exposed the company ’ s plan to sue the nearby subdivision in response to neighbor opposition , then conduct an underground public relations campaign to gain support for the project .
[ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Last month , Crystal Geyser pled guilty to storing arsenic-contaminated wastewater at a California facility , and then illegally dumping the water into a sewer after being confronted by authorities .
The company did not respond to a Stateline request for comment .
National advocacy group Food & Water Action , which praised the measure after its Feb. 6 passage out of the Agriculture , Water , Natural Resources & Parks Committee , said SB 6278 would provide needed safeguards .
“ This legislation is breaking new ground and should be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Food & Water Action ’ s Public Water For All campaign director Mary Grant .
“ Bottled water companies should not be allowed to extract an essential public resource and sell it for private profit .
This bill is an important policy that would help keep Washington ’ s water in the state and keep it clean , abundant , and accessible for everyone.
” “ We urge all members of the legislature and Governor Inslee to support this bill to protect Washington ’ s water for generations to come.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Common Dreams , where this article ( Groundbreaking Measure in Washington State Would Ban Bottled Water Production ) was originally published .

Groundbreaking Measure in Washington State Would Ban Bottled Water Production
Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams
Waking Times
Advocacy groups are encouraging voters in the state of Washington to pressure legislators to back a measure that would effectively ban commercial bottled water production.
The legislation, SB 6278, would declare that “use of water for the commercial production of bottled water” is “detrimental to the public welfare and the public interest.” Last week it was placed on second reading by the Rules Committee.
According to the Washington Senate Democrats, the “bipartisan effort” would help “protect one the most precious commodities” in the state.
The Environmental Priorities Coalition, a network of groups including Americans Rivers, Audubon, and Sierra Club Washington State, last week put the legislation on its highest priorities list, saying it would stop “new water bottling plants from proliferating in Washington state, effecting small rural community water supplies necessary for both agriculture and threatened salmon species.” “Washington’s waters belong to the people of Washington,” said the Center for Environmental Law & Policy. “There has been an increasing number of proposals to locate commercial water bottling plants in Washington. These plants would allow Washington’s water to be taken for the benefit of corporations and users outside of the local area, perhaps out-of-state.”
One such proposal was bottled water company Crystal Geyser’s plan to suck 400 gallons per minute from springs in Randle, Washington. As Stateline reported, residents’ fears about the project were amplified
when a leaked email exposed the company’s plan to sue the nearby subdivision in response to neighbor opposition, then conduct an underground public relations campaign to gain support for the project. […] Recent news increased the concerns: Last month, Crystal Geyser pled guilty to storing arsenic-contaminated wastewater at a California facility, and then illegally dumping the water into a sewer after being confronted by authorities. The company did not respond to a Stateline request for comment.
National advocacy group Food & Water Action, which praised the measure after its Feb. 6 passage out of the Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee, said SB 6278 would provide needed safeguards.
“This legislation is breaking new ground and should be seen as a model for the country,” said Food & Water Action’s Public Water For All campaign director Mary Grant. “Bottled water companies should not be allowed to extract an essential public resource and sell it for private profit. This bill is an important policy that would help keep Washington’s water in the state and keep it clean, abundant, and accessible for everyone.” “We urge all members of the legislature and Governor Inslee to support this bill to protect Washington’s water for generations to come.”
About the Autor
Andrea Germanos is a staff writer for Common Dreams, where this article (Groundbreaking Measure in Washington State Would Ban Bottled Water Production) was originally published.