activistpost--2020-02-28--Judge Orders Assange Held in Glass Box During Extradition Trial

Shadowproof — Defendants in the United States sit with their counsel .
They are not held in a “ secure dock ” in a manner that physically removes them from proceedings .
Yet , in the United Kingdom , where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces extradition to the U.S. , a magistrate court judge decided he must remain isolated in a glass box at the back of the courtroom .
The first proceedings in Assange ’ s extradition hearing concluded on Thursday at the Woolwich courthouse in London , which is adjacent to Her Majesty ’ s Prison Belmarsh where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 17 counts of violating the U.S .
Espionage Act , and a computer crime offense , which contains language from the Espionage Act .
The defense requested that Judge Vanessa Baraitser allow Assange to sit with his attorneys in the “ well ” of the courtroom .
“ [ We ’ ve ] now been in court for four days , and Mr. Assange has dealt with those four days stoically , ” defense attorney Mark Summers declared .
Yet , there are “ cumulative problems ” for Assange that “ arise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised the issue of Assange ’ s health and noted that the glass box impinges on and prevents “ proper communication in a confidential way with legal representatives.
” The legal team can not see when Assange wants to communicate with them .
Due to the layout of the court , Assange ’ s ability to speak confidentially through “ glass slats is difficult.
” Conversations must happen in “ proximity of security guards ” [ and ] “ representatives of the U.S. government.
” What is said may be overheard by microphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ espionage operation that was conducted by a Spanish security company that targeted him on behalf of the CIA while he was in the Ecuador embassy .
Microphones were planted to eavesdrop on attorney-client privileged communications .
Summers encouraged the judge to permit Assange to sit with his legal team and enjoy “ free , uninterrupted unoverheard conversations with his lawyers ” about evidence that will be presented during an upcoming three-week extradition proceeding in May .
The judge flatly rejected this request .
She maintained Assange has had “ no difficulty at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit on the legal team ” in the back row of the well .
He communicated with them via notes during the week .
Attempts were made to deal with “ poor acoustics , ” according to Baraitser , including the noise from demonstrators outside the courthouse .
He was told to raise his hand so proceedings could be repeated .
Headphones were provided on the last day , yet he “ declined ” to say when he could not hear and simply chose not to wear them because the ambient sound was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has some “ psychiatric vulnerability ” that would require a change in security procedure .
She was willing to alter restrictions on passing notes , loosen limits on legal visits outside the courtroom , and address how to better protect confidential conversations so he can have “ proper adequate access.
” But she would not take the meaningful step of protecting his right to a fair trial by allowing him to be outside the glass box while in court .
The judge even proposed that the defense request more “ frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written communications ” during the next extradition hearing .
She would rather a three-week hearing turn into a six-week hearing than risk Assange being “ unable to participate.
” But this suggestion—that the court expend twice the resources and take double the time instead of upholding Assange ’ s rights—was understandably opposed by the defense .
It would jeopardize the ability of the defense to present their evidence “ coherently and in an uninterrupted manner.
” The episode was made even more absurd by the prosecutor , James Lewis , who remained neutral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers .
He mentioned to the judge that there were precedents where the accused had joined their legal team in the “ well , ” and the judge briefly argued with the prosecutor .
“ Mr .
Assange is having significant difficulties in participating in these proceedings .
He ’ s unable to pass notes in a confidential and secure way .
He ’ s unable to seek clarification from his legal team and give instructions during the course of the proceedings , ” stated Jen Robinson , one of Assange ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused his ability to leave the dock to be able to participate properly .
This is obviously raising serious concerns about his fair trial rights and his ability to properly participate and defend himself in these proceedings.
” Rebecca Vincent , the U.K. Bureau Director for Reporters Without Borders , indicated the organization was “ concerned by the magistrate ’ s decision to reject Mr. Assange ’ s request to leave the secure dock that he ’ s being held in at the back of this courtroom and to sit with his lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He ’ s been unable to follow proceedings properly , unable to confer with his lawyers , and is looking pretty unwell .
Also , the fact that he is being held in essentially a glass cage and treated like a violent criminal is completely inappropriate [ given ] the nature of the charges.
” No Requirement For The Dock , Simply Recommended Policy JUSTICE describes itself as an “ all-party law reform and human rights organization working to strengthen the justice system ” in the U.K .
In a 2015 report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of “ docks ” in the country ’ s courts , which were rarely used before the 1980s .
“ The reason for the modern widespread use of the dock is to prevent escape or violence .
Therefore , what started out as a mechanism of delineating places in the courtroom has , in our view , become a disproportionate solution to meeting this perceived threat.
” According to JUSTICE ’ s report , “ Research to date suggests that there is a paucity of rigorous data demonstrating that the threat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or attempts to escape the dock are regular problems .
Likewise , incidents of public harm towards defendants are rarely known.
” “ While there may have been localized security concerns that led to the development of secure docks , it is not easy to discern an ongoing justification for their blanket application .
There continues to be no statutory requirement or judicial authority demanding the use of docks in the courts in England and Wales.
” “ It is simply recommended policy that docks be available in the courtroom , ” JUSTICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , entirely within the discretion of the courts , upon application by the defendant , or upon their own volition to dispense with the dock in any trial and allow the defendant to sit with their legal representatives.
” JUSTICE contended the “ vast majority of defendants are put in the dock whether charged with minor or serious offenses.
” Another report from the Journal of Law and Society in 2017 noted the European Court of Human Rights has developed jurisprudence that deals with “ how security docks violate Article 3 ( a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 ( the right to a fair trial ) .
” “ The court has ruled that an inability to talk to one ’ s lawyer ‘ without being separated by a glass partition ’ constitutes a violation of the ‘ right to defense , ’ a defendant in a ‘ glass fronted dock ’ is denied a fair trial if he can not hear all the evidence against him , and placing an accused person in a ‘ cage ’ in the courtroom breaches Article 3 of the European Charter of Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American , European and Australian cases have relied on a principle that “ visible signs of confinement in the courtroom could influence decision-makers.
” Baraitser is likely aware of the struggles defendants have in the glass boxes of English courtrooms .
The JUSTICE report mentioned , “ It is often the judge who notices that the defendant wants to communicate with their lawyers , and must draw attention to it , ” which is exactly what happened several times in court .
A half-century ago , the United States completely did away with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison population in the world , yet defendants , even terrorism suspects , sit with their attorneys during trial .
As the JUSTICE report put it , “ The rejection of the dock is embedded in constitutional guarantees , indicative of the struggle against colonial powers , and due process abuses.
” The United States government may exhibit flagrant contempt for press freedom in pursuing a case against Assange , but if Assange is brought to the U.S. , he will not be secluded in a glass box during the trial .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow him across the pond .
Feature photo | Supporters of Julian Assange hold placards as they protest on the second day of a week of opening arguments in the extradition trail of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange outside Belmarsh Magistrates ’ Court in south east London , Feb. 25 , 2020 .
Matt Dunham | AP Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press .
He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast , “ Unauthorized Disclosure.
“ Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 per month at Patreon .
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By Kevin Gosztola
Shadowproof — Defendants in the United States sit with their counsel. They are not held in a “secure dock” in a manner that physically removes them from proceedings.
Yet, in the United Kingdom, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces extradition to the U.S., a magistrate court judge decided he must remain isolated in a glass box at the back of the courtroom.
The first proceedings in Assange’s extradition hearing concluded on Thursday at the Woolwich courthouse in London, which is adjacent to Her Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh where Assange is detained.
Assange is charged with 17 counts of violating the U.S. Espionage Act, and a computer crime offense, which contains language from the Espionage Act.
The defense requested that Judge Vanessa Baraitser allow Assange to sit with his attorneys in the “well” of the courtroom.
“[We’ve] now been in court for four days, and Mr. Assange has dealt with those four days stoically,” defense attorney Mark Summers declared. Yet, there are “cumulative problems” for Assange that “arise from a number of factors.”
Summers raised the issue of Assange’s health and noted that the glass box impinges on and prevents “proper communication in a confidential way with legal representatives.” The legal team cannot see when Assange wants to communicate with them.
Due to the layout of the court, Assange’s ability to speak confidentially through “glass slats is difficult.” Conversations must happen in “proximity of security guards” [and] “representatives of the U.S. government.”
What is said may be overheard by microphones, a concern for Assange given the espionage operation that was conducted by a Spanish security company that targeted him on behalf of the CIA while he was in the Ecuador embassy. Microphones were planted to eavesdrop on attorney-client privileged communications.
Summers encouraged the judge to permit Assange to sit with his legal team and enjoy “free, uninterrupted unoverheard conversations with his lawyers” about evidence that will be presented during an upcoming three-week extradition proceeding in May.
The judge flatly rejected this request. She maintained Assange has had “no difficulty at all in attracting the attention of those who sit on the legal team” in the back row of the well. He communicated with them via notes during the week.
Attempts were made to deal with “poor acoustics,” according to Baraitser, including the noise from demonstrators outside the courthouse. He was told to raise his hand so proceedings could be repeated. Headphones were provided on the last day, yet he “declined” to say when he could not hear and simply chose not to wear them because the ambient sound was too bothersome.
‘Serious Concerns About His Fair Trial Rights’
Baraitser dismissed the notion that he has some “psychiatric vulnerability” that would require a change in security procedure. She was willing to alter restrictions on passing notes, loosen limits on legal visits outside the courtroom, and address how to better protect confidential conversations so he can have “proper adequate access.” But she would not take the meaningful step of protecting his right to a fair trial by allowing him to be outside the glass box while in court.
The judge even proposed that the defense request more “frequent breaks” and ramp up their “written communications” during the next extradition hearing. She would rather a three-week hearing turn into a six-week hearing than risk Assange being “unable to participate.”
But this suggestion—that the court expend twice the resources and take double the time instead of upholding Assange’s rights—was understandably opposed by the defense. It would jeopardize the ability of the defense to present their evidence “coherently and in an uninterrupted manner.”
The episode was made even more absurd by the prosecutor, James Lewis, who remained neutral and unopposed to Assange sitting with his lawyers. He mentioned to the judge that there were precedents where the accused had joined their legal team in the “well,” and the judge briefly argued with the prosecutor.
“Mr. Assange is having significant difficulties in participating in these proceedings. He’s unable to pass notes in a confidential and secure way. He’s unable to seek clarification from his legal team and give instructions during the course of the proceedings,” stated Jen Robinson, one of Assange’s attorneys. “And the judge has refused his ability to leave the dock to be able to participate properly. This is obviously raising serious concerns about his fair trial rights and his ability to properly participate and defend himself in these proceedings.”
Rebecca Vincent, the U.K. Bureau Director for Reporters Without Borders, indicated the organization was “concerned by the magistrate’s decision to reject Mr. Assange’s request to leave the secure dock that he’s being held in at the back of this courtroom and to sit with his lawyers in the well of the court.”
“He’s been unable to follow proceedings properly, unable to confer with his lawyers, and is looking pretty unwell. Also, the fact that he is being held in essentially a glass cage and treated like a violent criminal is completely inappropriate [given] the nature of the charges.”
No Requirement For The Dock, Simply Recommended Policy JUSTICE describes itself as an “all-party law reform and human rights organization working to strengthen the justice system” in the U.K. In a 2015 report [PDF], they examined the use of “docks” in the country’s courts, which were rarely used before the 1980s. “The reason for the modern widespread use of the dock is to prevent escape or violence. Therefore, what started out as a mechanism of delineating places in the courtroom has, in our view, become a disproportionate solution to meeting this perceived threat.” According to JUSTICE’s report, “Research to date suggests that there is a paucity of rigorous data demonstrating that the threat of violence on the part of the defendant or attempts to escape the dock are regular problems. Likewise, incidents of public harm towards defendants are rarely known.” “While there may have been localized security concerns that led to the development of secure docks, it is not easy to discern an ongoing justification for their blanket application. There continues to be no statutory requirement or judicial authority demanding the use of docks in the courts in England and Wales.” “It is simply recommended policy that docks be available in the courtroom,” JUSTICE added. “It is, therefore, entirely within the discretion of the courts, upon application by the defendant, or upon their own volition to dispense with the dock in any trial and allow the defendant to sit with their legal representatives.” JUSTICE contended the “vast majority of defendants are put in the dock whether charged with minor or serious offenses.” Another report from the Journal of Law and Society in 2017 noted the European Court of Human Rights has developed jurisprudence that deals with “how security docks violate Article 3 (a prohibition on degrading treatment) and Article 6 (the right to a fair trial).” “The court has ruled that an inability to talk to one’s lawyer ‘without being separated by a glass partition’ constitutes a violation of the ‘right to defense,’ a defendant in a ‘glass fronted dock’ is denied a fair trial if he cannot hear all the evidence against him, and placing an accused person in a ‘cage’ in the courtroom breaches Article 3 of the European Charter of Human Rights,” the report added. American, European and Australian cases have relied on a principle that “visible signs of confinement in the courtroom could influence decision-makers.” Baraitser is likely aware of the struggles defendants have in the glass boxes of English courtrooms. The JUSTICE report mentioned, “It is often the judge who notices that the defendant wants to communicate with their lawyers, and must draw attention to it,” which is exactly what happened several times in court. A half-century ago, the United States completely did away with the dock. It has the largest prison population in the world, yet defendants, even terrorism suspects, sit with their attorneys during trial. As the JUSTICE report put it, “The rejection of the dock is embedded in constitutional guarantees, indicative of the struggle against colonial powers, and due process abuses.” The United States government may exhibit flagrant contempt for press freedom in pursuing a case against Assange, but if Assange is brought to the U.S., he will not be secluded in a glass box during the trial. That deplorable practice, fortunately, will not follow him across the pond. Feature photo | Supporters of Julian Assange hold placards as they protest on the second day of a week of opening arguments in the extradition trail of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange outside Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court in south east London, Feb. 25, 2020. Matt Dunham | AP Article source: MintPress News Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, “Unauthorized Disclosure.“
Stories published in our Daily Digests section are chosen based on the interest of our readers. They are republished from a number of sources, and are not produced by MintPress News. The views expressed in these articles are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect MintPress News editorial policy.
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activistpost--2020-02-28--We Are Watching The Stock Market Do Things That It Has Never Done Before

Stock prices are falling faster and harder than they ever have before .
If the financial markets are in this much chaos even though not a single American has died from the coronavirus yet , what are things going to look like if this outbreak starts sweeping across America like wildfire ?
The number of confirmed cases continues to explode all over the world , and the discovery of a case of “ unknown origin ” in northern California has really shaken up global financial markets .
It has become clear that efforts to contain this virus have failed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the fact that this crisis is just getting started .
We haven ’ t seen this much panic on Wall Street in a very long time , and on Thursday we actually witnessed the largest single day point decline in all of U.S. history… Overall , this is turning out to be an absolutely disastrous week for stocks .
The Dow fell more than 1,000 points on Monday , it fell another 879 points on Tuesday , and stock prices continued to drop on Wednesday .
But hardly anyone expected a brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , and now we will wait to see what happens on Friday ( down another 1,000 at 10:30 a.m. EST – Ed. )
.
Incredibly , the S & P 500 has already plunged into correction territory .
It only took six trading sessions for that to happen , and that is also a brand new record… We have never seen anything like this , and many are now wondering what is going to happen if this outbreak gets much , much worse .
Without a doubt , stocks could potentially fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a tremendous rally earlier this year , stock prices were pushed to the most overvalued levels that we have ever seen .
It was inevitable that prices would fall , and this coronavirus outbreak looks like it could greatly accelerate that process .
Meanwhile , analysts are increasingly coming to the realization that this virus is going to have very serious implications for the entire global economy .
For example , on Thursday David Kostin of Goldman Sachs warned that American companies “ will generate no earnings growth in 2020 ” … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more pessimistic… This virus is spreading great fear all over the planet , and it is going to be exceedingly difficult for the world economy to function normally when people are afraid to even leave their own homes .
At this point , the travel industry is being hit particularly hard… Up until recently , Wall Street had been acting as if this was a temporary problem that would soon fade .
But now it has become clear that we will be battling this virus for many months to come .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spanish Flu pandemic which lasted for three years ?
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income By the way , tens of millions of people died during the Spanish Flu pandemic .
Let us pray that the death toll will not be anything like that this time around .
Unfortunately , with each passing hour this virus makes even more headlines .
The Vice-President of Iran has become a confirmed case , and the Iranian Ambassador to the Vatican has actually died after catching the virus .
Speaking of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service “ after he was struck down with illness ” … I should be clear that so far there is absolutely no indication that Pope Francis has been infected by the coronavirus .
But hopefully he is getting tested for it .
In Italy this virus is now officially completely out of control .
On Thursday , we learned that it has now spread to ten different regions… Many communities are already in a near total state of shutdown , but that has not stopped the virus from spreading .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled in just 24 hours… In my entire lifetime , I have never seen anything like this .
And if the number of cases continues to rise at an exponential rate it is going to be absolutely devastating for the world economy and for global financial markets .
For a long time many have been watching for the “ trigger event ” that would burst the biggest financial bubble in the history of the planet .
That “ trigger event ” appears to have arrived , and nothing is ever going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About the Author : I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep .
My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog , End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News , and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe .
I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End , Get Prepared Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( # CommissionsEarned ) By purchasing those books you help to support my work .
I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites , but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “ About the Author ” section with each article .
In order to comply with those government regulations , I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain opinions on political matters , but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate .
The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only , and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal , business , financial or health decisions .
Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints , and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished .
I encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook and Twitter , and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Michael Snyder
Stock prices are falling faster and harder than they ever have before. If the financial markets are in this much chaos even though not a single American has died from the coronavirus yet, what are things going to look like if this outbreak starts sweeping across America like wildfire?
The number of confirmed cases continues to explode all over the world, and the discovery of a case of “unknown origin” in northern California has really shaken up global financial markets. It has become clear that efforts to contain this virus have failed, and investors are now coming to grips with the fact that this crisis is just getting started. We haven’t seen this much panic on Wall Street in a very long time, and on Thursday we actually witnessed the largest single day point decline in all of U.S. history…
Rising anxiety over the global coronavirus outbreak pushed the stock market into a new zone of fear Thursday. After falling sharply all week, the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 1,190.95 points to close at 25,766.64 – its worst one-day point drop in history.
Overall, this is turning out to be an absolutely disastrous week for stocks.
The Dow fell more than 1,000 points on Monday, it fell another 879 points on Tuesday, and stock prices continued to drop on Wednesday.
But hardly anyone expected a brand new all-time record to be set on Thursday, and now we will wait to see what happens on Friday (down another 1,000 at 10:30 a.m. EST – Ed.).
Incredibly, the S&P 500 has already plunged into correction territory. It only took six trading sessions for that to happen, and that is also a brand new record…
Six days. That’s all the time it took for the S&P 500 to fall more than 10% from a record into a correction. That’s the quickest turnaround of the sort ever, according to data from Deutsche Bank Global Research.
We have never seen anything like this, and many are now wondering what is going to happen if this outbreak gets much, much worse.
Without a doubt, stocks could potentially fall a long, long way. Thanks to a tremendous rally earlier this year, stock prices were pushed to the most overvalued levels that we have ever seen. It was inevitable that prices would fall, and this coronavirus outbreak looks like it could greatly accelerate that process.
Meanwhile, analysts are increasingly coming to the realization that this virus is going to have very serious implications for the entire global economy.
For example, on Thursday David Kostin of Goldman Sachs warned that American companies “will generate no earnings growth in 2020”…
“US companies will generate no earnings growth in 2020,” Goldman’s chief U.S. equity strategist, David Kostin, said in a note to clients Thursday. “We have updated our earnings model to incorporate the likelihood that the virus becomes widespread.”
And Guggenheim’s Scott Minerd is even more pessimistic…
Guggenheim’s Scott Minerd says the coronavirus crisis is possibly the worst thing he’s ever seen in his career: “This has the potential to reel into something extremely serious”
This virus is spreading great fear all over the planet, and it is going to be exceedingly difficult for the world economy to function normally when people are afraid to even leave their own homes.
At this point, the travel industry is being hit particularly hard…
“We don’t even need to wait for economic data to see how badly the economy is being hit. You can tell that the sales of airlines and hotels are already falling by a half or something like that,” said Tomoaki Shishido, senior economist at Nomura Securities.
Up until recently, Wall Street had been acting as if this was a temporary problem that would soon fade.
But now it has become clear that we will be battling this virus for many months to come.
And what happens if this crisis is like the Spanish Flu pandemic which lasted for three years?
By the way, tens of millions of people died during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Let us pray that the death toll will not be anything like that this time around.
Unfortunately, with each passing hour this virus makes even more headlines. The Vice-President of Iran has become a confirmed case, and the Iranian Ambassador to the Vatican has actually died after catching the virus.
Speaking of the Vatican, the Pope just cancelled a service “after he was struck down with illness”…
Pope Francis cancelled a church service today after he was struck down with illness. The 83-year-year-old pontiff was not well enough to attend the mass, although there is no suggestion at this stage he has coronavirus as the outbreak in Italy topped 500 cases.
I should be clear that so far there is absolutely no indication that Pope Francis has been infected by the coronavirus.
But hopefully he is getting tested for it.
In Italy this virus is now officially completely out of control. On Thursday, we learned that it has now spread to ten different regions…
Ten of Italy’s twenty regions are infected with coronavirus as of Wednesday, with Lombardy and Veneto the two most heavily affected regions in the nation. So far, 400 people have been confirmed to be infected with the virus, which has resulted in 12 deaths as of Wednesday, according to a report by La Repubblica.
Many communities are already in a near total state of shutdown, but that has not stopped the virus from spreading.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases in France actually doubled in just 24 hours…
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in France has more than doubled in 24 hours, the French Health minister said on Thursday, with the tally now at 38 from 18 on Wednesday. During a press conference, Olivier Veran said this “sharp increase” was due to the identification of so-called “contact persons” linked to previously known cases, adding France was “ready” for an epidemic.
In my entire lifetime, I have never seen anything like this.
And if the number of cases continues to rise at an exponential rate it is going to be absolutely devastating for the world economy and for global financial markets.
For a long time many have been watching for the “trigger event” that would burst the biggest financial bubble in the history of the planet.
That “trigger event” appears to have arrived, and nothing is ever going to be the same from this point forward.
About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-03-01--Humanity Is Making A Very Important Decision When It Comes To Assange

The propagandists have all gone dead silent on the WikiLeaks founder they previously were smearing with relentless viciousness , because they no longer have an argument .
The facts are all in , and yes , it turns out the US government is certainly and undeniably working to exploit legal loopholes to imprison a journalist for exposing its war crimes .
That is happening , and there is no justifying it .
So the narrative managers , by and large , have gone silent .
Which is good .
Because it gives us an opening to seize control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on the offensive with this .
Assange supporters have gotten so used to playing defense that it hasn ’ t fully occurred to us to go on a full-blown charge .
I ’ ve been guilty of this as well ; I ’ ll be letting myself get bogged down in some old , obsolete debate with someone about some obscure aspect of the Swedish case or something , not realizing that none of that matters anymore .
All the narrative manipulations that were used to get Assange to this point are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fact that we now have undeniable evidence that the US government is working to set a precedent which will allow it to jail any journalist who exposes its misdeeds , and we can now force Assange ’ s smearers to confront this reality .
“ Should journalists be jailed for exposing US war crimes ?
Yes or no ?
” That ’ s the debate now .
Not Russia .
Not Sweden .
Not whether he followed proper bail protocol or washed his dishes at the embassy .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s playing defense .
Now we play offense : “ Should journalists be jailed for exposing US war crimes ?
Yes or no ?
” Demand an answer .
Call attention to them and demand that they answer .
Dig them out of their hidey holes and make them answer this .
Drag them out into the light and make them answer this question in front of everyone .
Because that is all this is about now .
Don ’ t get sidetracked .
Don ’ t get tricked into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US government is trying to establish and normalize the practice of extraditing and imprisoning journalists for exposing its misdeeds .
That is the issue to focus on .
You will find that anyone who dares to stick their head above the parapet and smear Assange now gets very , very squirmy if you pin them down and force them to address this issue .
Because they can not answer without admitting that they are wrong .
And that they ’ ve been wrong this entire time .
It ’ s a completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a half months to prepare for the second half of Julian Assange ’ s extradition hearing : all of March , all of April , and half of May .
We ’ re going to need all that time to seize control of the narrative and make it very , very clear to the world that a very important decision is about to be made by the powerful on our behalf , if we don ’ t make that decision for them .
This really is do or die time , humans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imprison Julian Assange for practicing journalism , that ’ s it .
It ’ s over .
We might as well all stop caring what happens to the world and sit on our hands while the oligarchs drive us to ecological disaster , nuclear annihilation or authoritarian dystopia .
It ’ s impossible to hold power accountable if you ’ re not even allowed to see what it ’ s doing .
If we , the many , don ’ t have the spine to stand up against the few and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out facts about you bastards and use it to inform our worldview , you don ’ t get to criminalize that , ” then we certainly won ’ t have the spine it will take to wrest control of this world away from the hands of sociopathic plutocrats and take our fate into our own hands .
We are deciding , right now , what we are made of .
And what we want to become .
This is it .
This is the part of the movie where we collectively choose the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are collectively being asked a question here , and our answer to that question will determine the entire course we will take as a species .
So what ’ s it going to be , humanity ?
A world where we can hold power to account with the light of truth , or a world where power decides what ’ s true for us ?
A world with free speech and a free press , or a world where journalists are imprisoned whenever they expose the evils of the most powerful institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all actively fight to free Assange and get the job done , or a giant , irreversible leap toward the end of humanity as we know it ?
Or do we sit complacent with our Netflix and our KFC and trust the authority figures to do what ’ s best ?
Do we take the red pill ?
Or do we take the blue one ?
Thanks for reading !
The best way to get around the internet censors and make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will get you an email notification for everything I publish .
My work is entirely reader-supported , so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around , liking me on Facebook , following my antics on Twitter , checking out my podcast on either Youtube , soundcloud , Apple podcasts or Spotify , following me on Steemit , throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal , purchasing some of my sweet merchandise , buying my books Rogue Nation : Psychonautical Adventures With Caitlin Johnstone and Woke : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more info on who I am , where I stand , and what I ’ m trying to do with this platform , click here .
Everyone , racist platforms excluded , has my permission to republish , use or translate any part of this work ( or anything else I ’ ve written ) in any way they like free of charge .
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Op- Ed by Caitlin Johnstone
The propagandists have all gone dead silent on the WikiLeaks founder they previously were smearing with relentless viciousness, because they no longer have an argument. The facts are all in, and yes, it turns out the US government is certainly and undeniably working to exploit legal loopholes to imprison a journalist for exposing its war crimes. That is happening, and there is no justifying it.
So the narrative managers, by and large, have gone silent.
Which is good. Because it gives us an opening to seize control of the narrative.
It’s time to go on the offensive with this. Assange supporters have gotten so used to playing defense that it hasn’t fully occurred to us to go on a full-blown charge. I’ve been guilty of this as well; I’ll be letting myself get bogged down in some old, obsolete debate with someone about some obscure aspect of the Swedish case or something, not realizing that none of that matters anymore. All the narrative manipulations that were used to get Assange to this point are impotent, irrelevant expenditures of energy compared to the fact that we now have undeniable evidence that the US government is working to set a precedent which will allow it to jail any journalist who exposes its misdeeds, and we can now force Assange’s smearers to confront this reality.
“Should journalists be jailed for exposing US war crimes? Yes or no?”
That’s the debate now. Not Russia. Not Sweden. Not whether he followed proper bail protocol or washed his dishes at the embassy. That’s old stuff. That’s obsolete. That’s playing defense.
Now we play offense: “Should journalists be jailed for exposing US war crimes? Yes or no?”
Demand an answer. Call attention to them and demand that they answer. Dig them out of their hidey holes and make them answer this. Drag them out into the light and make them answer this question in front of everyone. Because that is all this is about now.
Don’t get sidetracked. Don’t get tricked into debating defensively. Force the issue: the US government is trying to establish and normalize the practice of extraditing and imprisoning journalists for exposing its misdeeds. That is the issue to focus on.
You will find that anyone who dares to stick their head above the parapet and smear Assange now gets very, very squirmy if you pin them down and force them to address this issue. Because they cannot answer without admitting that they are wrong. And that they’ve been wrong this entire time. It’s a completely unassailable argument.
We now have two and a half months to prepare for the second half of Julian Assange’s extradition hearing: all of March, all of April, and half of May. We’re going to need all that time to seize control of the narrative and make it very, very clear to the world that a very important decision is about to be made by the powerful on our behalf, if we don’t make that decision for them.
This really is do or die time, humans. If we allow them to extradite and imprison Julian Assange for practicing journalism, that’s it. It’s over. We might as well all stop caring what happens to the world and sit on our hands while the oligarchs drive us to ecological disaster, nuclear annihilation or authoritarian dystopia. It’s impossible to hold power accountable if you’re not even allowed to see what it’s doing.
If we, the many, don’t have the spine to stand up against the few and say “No, we get to find out facts about you bastards and use it to inform our worldview, you don’t get to criminalize that,” then we certainly won’t have the spine it will take to wrest control of this world away from the hands of sociopathic plutocrats and take our fate into our own hands. We are deciding, right now, what we are made of. And what we want to become.
This is it. This is the part of the movie where we collectively choose the red pill or the blue pill. We are collectively being asked a question here, and our answer to that question will determine the entire course we will take as a species.
So what’s it going to be, humanity?
Truth, or lies?
Light, or darkness?
A world where we can hold power to account with the light of truth, or a world where power decides what’s true for us?
A world with free speech and a free press, or a world where journalists are imprisoned whenever they expose the evils of the most powerful institutions on this planet?
A world where we all actively fight to free Assange and get the job done, or a giant, irreversible leap toward the end of humanity as we know it?
Do we free Assange?
Or do we sit complacent with our Netflix and our KFC and trust the authority figures to do what’s best?
Do we take the red pill?
Or do we take the blue one?
Choose your path, humans.
Choose wisely.
Thanks for reading! The best way to get around the internet censors and make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list for my website, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking me on Facebook, following my antics on Twitter, checking out my podcast on either Youtube, soundcloud, Apple podcasts or Spotify, following me on Steemit, throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal, purchasing some of my sweet merchandise, buying my books Rogue Nation: Psychonautical Adventures With Caitlin Johnstone and Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. For more info on who I am, where I stand, and what I’m trying to do with this platform, click here. Everyone, racist platforms excluded, has my permission to republish, use or translate any part of this work (or anything else I’ve written) in any way they like free of charge.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-03-01--Coronavirus End Game: The Economic Crisis & Roll Out of the New Digital Financial System

In this report , Spiro Skouras recaps the events leading up to the current global coronavirus outbreak , while looking ahead at the looming financial crisis and how the virus will likely be blamed , providing cover for the crimes committed by the central bankers .
Spiro also analyzes the potential outcomes of the current situation , which includes a major step towards a cashless society and global governance , as the current crisis seems to be playing right into the hands of the central bankers and the United Nations .
Did Bill Gates & World Economic Forum Predict Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You !
https : //www.activistpost.com/ 2020/01/did-bill-gates-world- economic-forum-predict- coronavirus-outbreak-an- inside-look-may-shock-you.html UN Troops Featured in Military World Games in Wuhan China Weeks Before Coronavirus Outbreak https : //www.activistpost.com/ 2020/02/un-troops-featured-in- world-military-games-in-wuhan- china-weeks-before- coronavirus-outbreak.html Nearly 10K Military Personnel From 110 Nations In Wuhan China Weeks Before Coronavirus Outbreak !
https : //www.activistpost.com/ 2020/02/nearly-10k-military- personnel-from-110-nations-in- wuhan-china-weeks-before- coronavirus-outbreak.html Can cryptocurrency become the UN money of the future ?
https : //finance.yahoo.com/ news/cryptocurrency-become-un- money-future-120035529.html Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Spiro Skouras
In this report, Spiro Skouras recaps the events leading up to the current global coronavirus outbreak, while looking ahead at the looming financial crisis and how the virus will likely be blamed, providing cover for the crimes committed by the central bankers.
Spiro also analyzes the potential outcomes of the current situation, which includes a major step towards a cashless society and global governance, as the current crisis seems to be playing right into the hands of the central bankers and the United Nations.

Links
The Banking Digital Arms Race
https://www.activistpost.com/2019/12/the-banking-digital-arms-race.html
The U.N. & Central Banks: A Rockefeller & Rothschild Coup
https://www.activistpost.com/ 2020/01/the-u-n-central-banks- a-rockefeller-rothschild-coup. html
Did Bill Gates & World Economic Forum Predict Coronavirus Outbreak? An Inside Look May Shock You!
https://www.activistpost.com/ 2020/01/did-bill-gates-world- economic-forum-predict- coronavirus-outbreak-an- inside-look-may-shock-you.html
US Biowarfare Act Author: Studies Confirm Coronavirus Weaponized
https://www.activistpost.com/ 2020/02/us-biowarfare-act- author-studies-confirm- coronavirus-weaponized.html
UN Troops Featured in Military World Games in Wuhan China Weeks Before Coronavirus Outbreak
https://www.activistpost.com/ 2020/02/un-troops-featured-in- world-military-games-in-wuhan- china-weeks-before- coronavirus-outbreak.html
Nearly 10K Military Personnel From 110 Nations In Wuhan China Weeks Before Coronavirus Outbreak!
https://www.activistpost.com/ 2020/02/nearly-10k-military- personnel-from-110-nations-in- wuhan-china-weeks-before- coronavirus-outbreak.html
Can cryptocurrency become the UN money of the future?
https://finance.yahoo.com/ news/cryptocurrency-become-un- money-future-120035529.html
UNICEF launches Cryptocurrency Fund
https://www.unicef.org/press- releases/unicef-launches- cryptocurrency-fund
NYSE Announces Disaster-Recovery Test Due To Virus Fears
https://www.zerohedge.com/ markets/nyse-announces- disaster-recovery-test-due- virus-fears
Follow Spiro on BitChute bitchute.com/channel/spiro/ Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/o_rips
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-03-01--Dog Tests “weak positive” For COVID-19 In Hong Kong; Trump Puts Pence In Charge Of Policing Informat

Dog Tests “weak positive” For COVID-19 In Hong Kong; Trump Puts Pence In Charge Of Policing Information

According to the Hong Kong government , a dog belonging to a coronavirus patient has tested “ weak positive ” for COVID-19 .
Meanwhile , U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to control the flow of information by putting Mike Pence in charge of what officials are allowed to say about the coronavirus .
According to officials , the preliminary evidence could be a result of contact with the owner ’ s bodily fluids on the dog ’ s mouth and nose , and does not necessarily mean the dog itself has contracted the disease .
A spokesman for Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservation Department told local media it had received a referral from the Health Department on Wednesday to take care of a dog belonging to one of the city ’ s 93 infected patients .
Department staff picked the dog up that evening from a residential flat at Tai Hang and took it to an animal holding facility at the Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge , where oral , nasal and rectal samples were collected for testing the virus .
The statement stressed that the dog had not shown any symptoms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pets could either contract coronavirus or pass it on to people , the South China Morning Post reported .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) confirmed the case stating that swabs of its nasal and oral cavities tested “ weak positive , ” CNBC reported .
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association earlier this month said it was highly unlikely owners could contract coronavirus from their dog or cat , or that their companion animal could transmit the virus to people or other animals .
“ Currently there is no evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected with this new coronavirus , ” the WSAVA ’ s official guidance says .
“ Additionally , there is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals might be a source of infection to people with the new coronavirus .
This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
” However , China has been burning dead animal carcasses with 40 new mobile incinerators deployed to Wuhan that its also no doubt using to burn bodies of humans as well that died from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be beating dogs and cats to death according to a report by Dailymail which showed a distressing and disturbing video .
Further , more than 100 wild animals were found dead in a Chinese megacity , and tests show that they were poisoned by the disinfectant that ’ s being used to combat the coronavirus according to Business Insider .
Chinese pet owners have been flocking to buy face masks for their dogs amid the coronavirus outbreak to prevent them from catching the disease , Dailymail reported .
China ’ s top expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously warned that pets might also be infected by the novel coronavirus , which has so far spread to 60 countries and regions and sickened more than 80,000 .
In this epidemic season , pet owners should strengthen their management of their pets .
If your dogs run around outside and come to contact with the outbreak or people infected with the virus , then your pets should also be put in quarantine .
Because the epidemic spreads between mammals , therefore we should take precaution against other mammals .
This has resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing them from buildings and abandoning them , according to reports .
Although , this latest case in Hong Kong with further tests will prove or disprove whether pets can catch the virus .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests pet owners should restrict contact with pets and other animals if the owner is infected with COVID-19 .
That includes “ petting , snuggling , being kissed or licked , and sharing food.
” Meanwhile , in the U.S. President Trump has tapped a man in charge for pandemic response who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , then-national security advisor John Bolton , presumably under orders of Trump , disbanded the global health response team in the U.S. after the lead official Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer quit .
According to a report by Dailymail , no health official can speak about the coronavirus without prior approval from Pence … absolute insanity .
However , Pence is only playing information police ; HHS Secretary Alex Azar , a former pharmaceutical exec , leads a coronavirus task force .
Trump claims the U.S. has the coronavirus under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are at least three cases of unknown origin in U.S. which could have spread vastly wider .
The U.S. government announced a $ 2.5 billion plan to help combat the illness which has so far infected at least 70 people in the United States at the time of this report .
There are also reports that officials mishandled the response by failing to use proper procedures and equipment according to a whistleblower , something that Activist Post noted in a prior report .
Chinese scientists have speculated that the virus may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far the origin has not been defined , Activist Post reported .
However , the story that the virus came from a Wuhan wet food market is debunked because researchers identified that patient zero and others infected had no connection to the markets .
At the time of this report , officially there are currently 86,986 cases , 2,979 deaths and 42,576 recovered according to the Johns Hopkins map .
Aaron Kesel writes for Activist Post .
Support us at Patreon .
Follow us on Minds , Steemit , SoMee , BitChute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
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Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Aaron Kesel
According to the Hong Kong government, a dog belonging to a coronavirus patient has tested “weak positive” for COVID-19. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to control the flow of information by putting Mike Pence in charge of what officials are allowed to say about the coronavirus.
According to officials, the preliminary evidence could be a result of contact with the owner’s bodily fluids on the dog’s mouth and nose, and does not necessarily mean the dog itself has contracted the disease.
A spokesman for Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department told local media it had received a referral from the Health Department on Wednesday to take care of a dog belonging to one of the city’s 93 infected patients.
Department staff picked the dog up that evening from a residential flat at Tai Hang and took it to an animal holding facility at the Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, where oral, nasal and rectal samples were collected for testing the virus.
The statement stressed that the dog had not shown any symptoms and there was no evidence so far that pets could either contract coronavirus or pass it on to people, the South China Morning Post reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the case stating that swabs of its nasal and oral cavities tested “weak positive,” CNBC reported.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association earlier this month said it was highly unlikely owners could contract coronavirus from their dog or cat, or that their companion animal could transmit the virus to people or other animals.
“Currently there is no evidence that pets or other domestic animals can be infected with this new coronavirus,” the WSAVA’s official guidance says. “Additionally, there is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals might be a source of infection to people with the new coronavirus. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.”
However, China has been burning dead animal carcasses with 40 new mobile incinerators deployed to Wuhan that its also no doubt using to burn bodies of humans as well that died from the coronavirus. Chinese officials are also said to be beating dogs and cats to death according to a report by Dailymail which showed a distressing and disturbing video.
Further, more than 100 wild animals were found dead in a Chinese megacity, and tests show that they were poisoned by the disinfectant that’s being used to combat the coronavirus according to Business Insider.
Chinese pet owners have been flocking to buy face masks for their dogs amid the coronavirus outbreak to prevent them from catching the disease, Dailymail reported. China’s top expert Prof. Li Lanjuan for infectious diseases has previously warned that pets might also be infected by the novel coronavirus, which has so far spread to 60 countries and regions and sickened more than 80,000.
Prof. Li told state broadcaster CCTV:
In this epidemic season, pet owners should strengthen their management of their pets. If your dogs run around outside and come to contact with the outbreak or people infected with the virus, then your pets should also be put in quarantine. Because the epidemic spreads between mammals, therefore we should take precaution against other mammals.
This has resulted in Chinese citizens killing their pets, throwing them from buildings and abandoning them, according to reports. Although, this latest case in Hong Kong with further tests will prove or disprove whether pets can catch the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests pet owners should restrict contact with pets and other animals if the owner is infected with COVID-19. That includes “petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.”
Meanwhile, in the U.S. President Trump has tapped a man in charge for pandemic response who has no medical experience, Mike Pence. In 2018, then-national security advisor John Bolton, presumably under orders of Trump, disbanded the global health response team in the U.S. after the lead official Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer quit.
According to a report by Dailymail, no health official can speak about the coronavirus without prior approval from Pence … absolute insanity. However, Pence is only playing information police; HHS Secretary Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical exec, leads a coronavirus task force.
Trump claims the U.S. has the coronavirus under control as the stock market crashes, but there are at least three cases of unknown origin in U.S. which could have spread vastly wider. The U.S. government announced a $2.5 billion plan to help combat the illness which has so far infected at least 70 people in the United States at the time of this report. There are also reports that officials mishandled the response by failing to use proper procedures and equipment according to a whistleblower, something that Activist Post noted in a prior report.
Chinese scientists have speculated that the virus may have come from a laboratory, but thus far the origin has not been defined, Activist Post reported. However, the story that the virus came from a Wuhan wet food market is debunked because researchers identified that patient zero and others infected had no connection to the markets. At the time of this report, officially there are currently 86,986 cases, 2,979 deaths and 42,576 recovered according to the Johns Hopkins map.
**By [@An0nkn0wledge](https://steemit.com/@an0nkn0wledge)**
Aaron Kesel writes for Activist Post. Support us at Patreon. Follow us on Minds, Steemit, SoMee, BitChute, Facebook and Twitter.
Image credit: Anthony Freda Art
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-02-29--Burger Robot to Replace Fast Food Workers With a Wage of $3 an Hour

If your job is working at a restaurant flipping burgers you may soon find yourself replaced by a robot that works for only $ 3 an hour .
The new robot named Flippy developed by Miso Robotics costs less to employ than a minimum-wage worker .
Currently , Miso Robotics charges an up-front fee of between $ 20,000 and $ 30,000 to install Flippy into restaurants .
According to Digital Trends , Flippy is a “ burger-flipping robot arm that ’ s equipped with both thermal and regular vision , which grills burgers to order while also advising human collaborators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add cheese or prep buns for serving.
” When Miso Robotics set out to create their first units , off-the-shelf robotic arms sold for upwards of $ 100,000 .
Today , they ’ re going for about $ 10,000 and are only getting cheaper , according to the LA Times .
In 2017 , international chain CaliBurger was the first to install Flippy , which can flip 150 burgers an hour .
Flippy isn ’ t the first robot to take over the kitchen and it won ’ t be the last .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first to use a robot in the kitchen with their “ Automatic Taco Machine ” —a long-forgotten relic from almost 30 years ago , because it failed due to too many problems .
However , Taco Bell has given up on automation and is looking elsewhere in the form of self-ordering kiosks , which it had planned to install at all its 6,000+ locations across the United States by the end of 2019 , according to Business Insider .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income Last year international fast-food chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employing automated fryer robots throughout their different branches across the world .
Former McDonald ’ s USA CEO Ed Rensi told Fox Business , “ It ’ s cheaper to buy a $ 35,000 robotic arm than it is to hire an employee who ’ s inefficient making $ 15 an hour bagging French fries.
” McDonald ’ s has also introduced touchscreen ordering kiosks to some of its stores .
Restaurant chains that are using automation include McDonald ’ s , KFC , Panera , Wendy ’ s , Dunkin ’ Donuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business Insider .
Meanwhile , in China e-commerce giant Alibaba has a chain of automated grocery stores with attached diners staffed by robot waiters that take your order .
Real estate giant Country Garden Holdings recently opened its first fully robotic restaurant in Guangzhou , China where computers and robots handle ordering , food prep , serving , and even the cleaning of tables .
Robots aren ’ t just taking over restaurants , a report by the McKinsey Global Institute indicates there are 800 million careers ( or 30 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountants , lawyers to journalists—that will be lost to automation by 2030 .
The report concludes that hundreds of millions of people worldwide will have to find new jobs or learn new skills .
A report by the University of Oxford suggests we will soon face a robot job apocalypse predicting that 47 percent of U.S. jobs are at risk of being replaced by robots and Artificial Intelligence over the next fifteen to twenty years .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per month at Patreon .
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Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Aaron Kesel
If your job is working at a restaurant flipping burgers you may soon find yourself replaced by a robot that works for only $3 an hour.
The new robot named Flippy developed by Miso Robotics costs less to employ than a minimum-wage worker. Currently, Miso Robotics charges an up-front fee of between $20,000 and $30,000 to install Flippy into restaurants.
The LA Times reports:
As a result, Miso can offer Flippys to fast-food restaurant owners for an estimated $2,000 per month on a subscription basis, breaking down to about $3 per hour. (The actual cost will depend on customers’ specific needs). A human doing the same job costs $4,000 to $10,000 or more a month, depending on a restaurant’s hours and the local minimum wage. And robots never call in sick.
According to Digital Trends, Flippy is a “burger-flipping robot arm that’s equipped with both thermal and regular vision, which grills burgers to order while also advising human collaborators in the kitchen when they need to add cheese or prep buns for serving.”
When Miso Robotics set out to create their first units, off-the-shelf robotic arms sold for upwards of $100,000. Today, they’re going for about $10,000 and are only getting cheaper, according to the LA Times.
In 2017, international chain CaliBurger was the first to install Flippy, which can flip 150 burgers an hour.
Flippy isn’t the first robot to take over the kitchen and it won’t be the last. It turns out Taco Bell was the first to use a robot in the kitchen with their “Automatic Taco Machine”—a long-forgotten relic from almost 30 years ago, because it failed due to too many problems. However, Taco Bell has given up on automation and is looking elsewhere in the form of self-ordering kiosks, which it had planned to install at all its 6,000+ locations across the United States by the end of 2019, according to Business Insider.
Last year international fast-food chain McDonald’s reported they would begin employing automated fryer robots throughout their different branches across the world. Former McDonald’s USA CEO Ed Rensi told Fox Business, “It’s cheaper to buy a $35,000 robotic arm than it is to hire an employee who’s inefficient making $15 an hour bagging French fries.” McDonald’s has also introduced touchscreen ordering kiosks to some of its stores.
Restaurant chains that are using automation include McDonald’s, KFC, Panera, Wendy’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Arby’s according to Business Insider.
Meanwhile, in China e-commerce giant Alibaba has a chain of automated grocery stores with attached diners staffed by robot waiters that take your order. Real estate giant Country Garden Holdings recently opened its first fully robotic restaurant in Guangzhou, China where computers and robots handle ordering, food prep, serving, and even the cleaning of tables.
Robots aren’t just taking over restaurants, a report by the McKinsey Global Institute indicates there are 800 million careers (or 30 percent of the global job force)—from doctors to accountants, lawyers to journalists—that will be lost to automation by 2030. The report concludes that hundreds of millions of people worldwide will have to find new jobs or learn new skills.
A report by the University of Oxford suggests we will soon face a robot job apocalypse predicting that 47 percent of U.S. jobs are at risk of being replaced by robots and Artificial Intelligence over the next fifteen to twenty years.
By Aaron Kesel | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-02-29--Coronavirus: The “Cures” Will Be Worse Than the Disease

Am I talking about coronavirus ?
No !
I ’ m talking about theories about coronavirus .
It ’ s less deadly than the regular flu .
/ It ’ s worse than the Spanish Flu !
/ It ’ s flying bat AIDS !
!
The numbers are being underreported .
/ The numbers are being inflated !
It was patented in 2015 !
/ No , it really wasn ’ t .
It was unleashed by accident .
/ It was unleashed on purpose .
/ It doesn ’ t even exist !
Yes , there are as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 ) as there are people talking about it .
The reality is that I don ’ t know the truth about what this virus really is or where it came from and neither do you .
But there ’ s something that we do know for sure regardless of where this virus came from or whether it even really exists .
The hype and fear and panic and pandemonium surrounding this ( supposed ) outbreak is going to be far worse than the disease could ever be .
Because , as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade now , a bioweapon attack ( real or manmade , false flag or otherwise ) is the perfect cover for a slew of agenda items on the globalist checklist .
And the more the population panics , the more they play into the globalists ’ hands .
Here are five items on The Powers That Shouldn ’ t Be ’ s wishlist that are being delivered on a silver platter as people scurry around panicking about coronavirus .
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.
.
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By James Corbett
It’s spreading. It’s mutating. It’s going viral.
Am I talking about coronavirus? No! I’m talking about theories about coronavirus.
It’s a natural virus. / No, it’s a manmade bioweapon!
It’s less deadly than the regular flu. / It’s worse than the Spanish Flu! / It’s flying bat AIDS!!
The numbers are being underreported. / The numbers are being inflated!
It was patented in 2015! / No, it really wasn’t.
It was unleashed by accident. / It was unleashed on purpose. / It doesn’t even exist!
Yes, there are as many theories about coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as there are people talking about it. The reality is that I don’t know the truth about what this virus really is or where it came from and neither do you.
But there’s something that we do know for sure regardless of where this virus came from or whether it even really exists. The hype and fear and panic and pandemonium surrounding this (supposed) outbreak is going to be far worse than the disease could ever be. Because, as I’ve been screaming about for over a decade now, a bioweapon attack (real or manmade, false flag or otherwise) is the perfect cover for a slew of agenda items on the globalist checklist. And the more the population panics, the more they play into the globalists’ hands.
Here are five items on The Powers That Shouldn’t Be’s wishlist that are being delivered on a silver platter as people scurry around panicking about coronavirus. . . .
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activistpost--2020-02-29--Verizon Warns AGAIN About Personal Injury and Death Lawsuits from Wireless Radiation Health Effects

Straight from the horse ’ s mouth !
Thanks to 5G Crisis for including this information – as well as the link – on their website .
When the wireless companies themselves admit that their products could pose significant dangers to the public , you know we have a problem on our hands .
In its annual SEC 10-K filing published on February 21st , 2020 , Verizon announced to its shareholders the following : “ We are subject to a significant amount of litigation , which could require us to pay significant damages or settlements…In addition , our wireless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death lawsuits relating to alleged health effects of wireless phones or radio frequency transmitters .
We may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits .
In addition , we may be required to pay significant awards or settlements.
” Read the full report ( See page 17 ) The New York Patriots may be interested in this because in November Verizon turned on 5G in their football stadium and the team ’ s captain reported that he had never seen so much illness among players .
In fact , Verizon has turned 5G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Cleveland , Ohio school .
It ’ s not just about 5G , though ; and all telecoms are aware of this .
Decades of research has already determined that exposure to all sources of Electromagnetic Radiation ( aka “ Electrosmog ” ) – including cell phone radiation and WiFi – reduces immunity and causes other symptoms and health problems in addition to increasing cancer risk .
American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts have also warned that children are more vulnerable to harm from exposure .
In fact , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wireless radiation that has been determined for kids or pregnant women .
Activist Post reports regularly about exposure to wireless radiation and other sources of “ Electrosmog ” .
For more information visit our archives and the following websites .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
Straight from the horse’s mouth! Thanks to 5G Crisis for including this information – as well as the link – on their website.
When the wireless companies themselves admit that their products could pose significant dangers to the public, you know we have a problem on our hands.
In its annual SEC 10-K filing published on February 21st, 2020, Verizon announced to its shareholders the following: “We are subject to a significant amount of litigation, which could require us to pay significant damages or settlements…In addition, our wireless business also faces personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits relating to alleged health effects of wireless phones or radio frequency transmitters. We may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits. In addition, we may be required to pay significant awards or settlements.” Read the full report here. (See page 17)
The New York Patriots may be interested in this because in November Verizon turned on 5G in their football stadium and the team’s captain reported that he had never seen so much illness among players. In fact, Verizon has turned 5G on all across the U.S. including at a Cleveland, Ohio school.
It’s not just about 5G, though; and all telecoms are aware of this. Decades of research has already determined that exposure to all sources of Electromagnetic Radiation (aka “Electrosmog”) – including cell phone radiation and WiFi – reduces immunity and causes other symptoms and health problems in addition to increasing cancer risk. American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts have also warned that children are more vulnerable to harm from exposure. In fact, there is still no “safe” level of wireless radiation that has been determined for kids or pregnant women.
Activist Post reports regularly about exposure to wireless radiation and other sources of “Electrosmog”. For more information visit our archives and the following websites.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-02-28--Utilities Partner with “Smart” Cities Despite Concerns About Cybersecurity, Privacy, Higher Bills, F

Utilities Partner with “Smart” Cities Despite Concerns About Cybersecurity, Privacy, Higher Bills, Fires, etc.

Utility “ Smart ” Meters – electric , gas , and water – have been nothing but trouble for customers in a variety of ways including increased bills , fires and explosions ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) .
They allow utility companies to collect customer data 24/7 .
Utilities want this data to market other products to customers and to sell it to 3rd parties who will ALSO market other products to customers which makes them a source of “ Surveillance Capitalism ” .
All privacy violating and data collecting technology provides nothing but trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since “ Smart ” Cities are also all about data collection it ’ s not surprising that they are teaming up with utility companies .
Opposition to “ Smart ” Meters and other “ Smart ” City surveillance infrastructure – including streetlights – is increasing in the U.S. and worldwide ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) .
Regardless , proponents keep trying to promote all of this as beneficial to the economy , modern , necessary for public welfare , and even cool .
More spin brought to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States are taking steps to modernize their business model as a result of smart city collaborations .
The future of the city is smart and in some U.S. cities — like Columbus , Ohio ; Kansas City , Missouri ; San Antonio , Texas ; and Spokane , Washington — the present is already one of increased connectivity and efficiency .
They are powered by citizens who possess more information about their electric usage than ever before and aided by utilities that provide them streamlined data in their homes , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart city increases operational efficiency and improves public welfare by way of data collection .
The pivot for electric utilities to integrate smart city solutions into their business models is a sensible one .
Truly becoming a collaborator requires moving toward the common goals of the metropolises they serve and helping those cities become the most efficient versions of themselves .
For example , advanced metering infrastructure ( AMI ) , using smart home meters to provide detailed information meant for greener energy usage , can make cities and consumers smarter .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collect information , educate consumers and increase efficiency .
In Columbus , American Electric Power ( AEP ) contributes to the city ’ s Smart Columbus plan .
This is one of many collaborations between U.S. utilities and cities playing an essential role in an attempt to reach the full smart city potential .
“ Smart ” Meters have been proven to be awful over and over again ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) .
Customers are paying higher bills – not lower ones ( see 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installation .
Some elected officials have stopped a “ rollout ” in their communities and states ( see 1 , 2 ) including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear .
Activist Post reports regularly about problematic and privacy violating “ Smart ” technology .
For more information , visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
Utility “Smart” Meters – electric, gas, and water – have been nothing but trouble for customers in a variety of ways including increased bills, fires and explosions (see 1, 2, 3, 4). They allow utility companies to collect customer data 24/7. Utilities want this data to market other products to customers and to sell it to 3rd parties who will ALSO market other products to customers which makes them a source of “Surveillance Capitalism”. All privacy violating and data collecting technology provides nothing but trouble for customers and the environment too.
Since “Smart” Cities are also all about data collection it’s not surprising that they are teaming up with utility companies. Opposition to “Smart” Meters and other “Smart” City surveillance infrastructure – including streetlights – is increasing in the U.S. and worldwide (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Regardless, proponents keep trying to promote all of this as beneficial to the economy, modern, necessary for public welfare, and even cool.
More spin brought to you by T&DWorld:
Utilities Partner on Smart City Initiatives Utilities across the United States are taking steps to modernize their business model as a result of smart city collaborations. The future of the city is smart and in some U.S. cities — like Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; San Antonio, Texas; and Spokane, Washington — the present is already one of increased connectivity and efficiency. They are powered by citizens who possess more information about their electric usage than ever before and aided by utilities that provide them streamlined data in their homes, on the road and around town. A smart city increases operational efficiency and improves public welfare by way of data collection. The pivot for electric utilities to integrate smart city solutions into their business models is a sensible one. Truly becoming a collaborator requires moving toward the common goals of the metropolises they serve and helping those cities become the most efficient versions of themselves. For example, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), using smart home meters to provide detailed information meant for greener energy usage, can make cities and consumers smarter. It is one of several initiatives designed to collect information, educate consumers and increase efficiency. In Columbus, American Electric Power (AEP) contributes to the city’s Smart Columbus plan. This is one of many collaborations between U.S. utilities and cities playing an essential role in an attempt to reach the full smart city potential. Read Full Article

“Smart” Meters have been proven to be awful over and over again (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Customers are paying higher bills – not lower ones (see 1, 2, 3 ) – after installation. Some elected officials have stopped a “rollout” in their communities and states (see 1, 2) including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Activist Post reports regularly about problematic and privacy violating “Smart” technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-03-01--Crypto Community Gets Prepping as Coronavirus COVID-19 Spreads

Crypto Twitter ( CT ) might not be the first place you ’ d think to look for pandemic survival strategies , but in recent weeks the community has gone into overdrive , busily discussing scenarios related to COVID-19 aka the coronavirus .
While some figures have merely wondered what effect the outbreak will have on the bitcoin market , others have started comparing prep notes in anticipation of doomsday .
Also Read : Bitcoin and Doomsday Preppers – Would Crypto Have Any Survival Value If SHTF ?
Messari founder Ryan Selkis was one of the first major figures from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this thing : on February 10 he expanded Messari ’ s daily newsletter to include the latest coronavirus developments .
Mentioning that he had prepared a “ what if ” disaster plan complete with supplies , travel protocol , and even Messari policy changes , Selkis linked readers to a shared gdoc which summarized the outbreak , provided historical background and real-time updates , and was chock full of hyperlinks for further reading .
A Twitter list of “ the people I ’ m following most closely for new developments and studies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , crypto was referenced in passing , with Selkis noting that the potential pandemic “ will tell us quite a bit about how bitcoin and crypto ecosystems respond to disruptive macro events at this type of scale.
” Since the newsletter was published , various figures from the cryptosphere have weighed in .
U.S.-based exchange Kraken revealed that it had a “ global collapse and pandemic survival strategy in place since our founding in 2011 ” while touting its “ remote-first , decentralized team of 800+.
” Binance founder and CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the platform had donated 10 million RMB worth of medical supplies via its Charity Foundation : the fund paid for everything from nitrile gloves and masks to disinfection liquid , protective suits and oxygen machines .
The most interesting stuff , at least for fans of The Walking Dead , has been conversations centered on prepping : disaster-management scenarios covering short , mid and long-term lockdowns .
It ’ s probably to be expected : at the time of writing there are over 83,000 cases of Coronavirus across dozens of countries , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing a roaring trade right about now , and one website – theprepared.com – has been suffering periodic outages due to surging traffic .
The site contains a lengthy guide for people keen to protect themselves in the worst case scenario which advises readers to “ stock up on commonly used medications ” and “ prepare for the inevitable stomach problems that will arise from eating your shelter-in-place food by buying Imodium AD and similar products.
” There are also daily updates and developments , with a survivalist slant , in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with derision , preppers only seek to immunize themselves , insofar as is possible , against future disaster .
Instability isn ’ t some illusory mirage on the horizon , it ’ s already here – manifested by market movements and troubling real-time maps enumerating the infected – and if the virus spreads globally , those who have at least countenanced the notion will be better placed to survive than those who ’ ve buried their heads in the sand .
In any case , there is much ideological common ground between preparedness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former much more likely to hold gold , precious metals and bitcoin in recognition of the continued devaluation of the dollar .
After all , these assets can ’ t be co-opted by desperate governments or , like paper money , burned to generate heat in a post-apocalyptic wasteland .
Moreover , it ’ s easy to see the ideological equivalence between concepts of economic sovereignty and self-sovereignty as it pertains to the most precious commodity of all : life itself .
As for the disproportionately high number of flexible remote-working posts advertised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just a happy coincidence rather than a widespread fear of virus-spreading from handshakes .
That said , the borderless nature of work in the cryptoconomy – with project teams spread throughout the world and a preponderance of virtual conferences – should mean , if not business as usual , then more stability in the face of corona-related disruption .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income A recent survey over 1,500 people on CT sought to determine why the coronavirus was the subject of such intense discussion among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nathaniel Whittemore suggested a combination of “ sky is falling ” sentiments , macro hedging and belief in BTC as a safe haven .
Stephen Palley , an advisor at The Block , tossed in his two cents , opining that “ one strand of crypto fundamentalism embraces virus doom prepperism b/c it correlates with a view of bitcoin as an end-days asset class.
” Another Twitter user , @ HectorRosekrans , suggested “ Finance and tech people are far more attuned to exponential trends than most .
Add to this a Bitcoiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus a conditioned response to media narratives that seem to intentionally miss the plot to serve a narrative , and you have a perfect storm.
” Whatever the answer , Crypto Twitter is unlikely to lose interest in COVID-19 any time soon .
If you follow such accounts to learn about bitcoin and ether , don ’ t be surprised when you ’ re strongly advised to stock up on batteries and bug out bags .
Do you think the crypto community is right to be concerned about the coronavirus ?
Let us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kai ’ s been manipulating words for a living since 2009 and bought his first bitcoin at $ 12 .
It ’ s long gone .
He specializes in writing about darknet markets , onchain privacy , and counter-surveillance in the digital age .
Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool ?
Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain .
Plus , visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what ’ s happening in the industry .
Subscribe to Activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , Flote , Minds , Twitter , and Steemit .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Kai Sedgwick
Crypto Twitter (CT) might not be the first place you’d think to look for pandemic survival strategies, but in recent weeks the community has gone into overdrive, busily discussing scenarios related to COVID-19 aka the coronavirus. While some figures have merely wondered what effect the outbreak will have on the bitcoin market, others have started comparing prep notes in anticipation of doomsday.
Also Read: Bitcoin and Doomsday Preppers – Would Crypto Have Any Survival Value If SHTF?
Crypto Twitter: Corona Takeover
Messari founder Ryan Selkis was one of the first major figures from CT to get under the hood of this thing: on February 10 he expanded Messari’s daily newsletter to include the latest coronavirus developments. Mentioning that he had prepared a “what if” disaster plan complete with supplies, travel protocol, and even Messari policy changes, Selkis linked readers to a shared gdoc which summarized the outbreak, provided historical background and real-time updates, and was chock full of hyperlinks for further reading. A Twitter list of “the people I’m following most closely for new developments and studies of the virus” was also created.
Of course, crypto was referenced in passing, with Selkis noting that the potential pandemic “will tell us quite a bit about how bitcoin and crypto ecosystems respond to disruptive macro events at this type of scale.”
Since the newsletter was published, various figures from the cryptosphere have weighed in. U.S.-based exchange Kraken revealed that it had a “global collapse and pandemic survival strategy in place since our founding in 2011” while touting its “remote-first, decentralized team of 800+.”
Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao, meanwhile, announced that the platform had donated 10 million RMB worth of medical supplies via its Charity Foundation: the fund paid for everything from nitrile gloves and masks to disinfection liquid, protective suits and oxygen machines.
The most interesting stuff, at least for fans of The Walking Dead, has been conversations centered on prepping: disaster-management scenarios covering short, mid and long-term lockdowns. It’s probably to be expected: at the time of writing there are over 83,000 cases of Coronavirus across dozens of countries, and just under 3,000 deaths.
Survival kits are doing a roaring trade right about now, and one website – theprepared.com – has been suffering periodic outages due to surging traffic. The site contains a lengthy guide for people keen to protect themselves in the worst case scenario which advises readers to “stock up on commonly used medications” and “prepare for the inevitable stomach problems that will arise from eating your shelter-in-place food by buying Imodium AD and similar products.” There are also daily updates and developments, with a survivalist slant, in their blog.
How Prepping Aligns With Crypto Philosophy
Although they are often treated with derision, preppers only seek to immunize themselves, insofar as is possible, against future disaster. Instability isn’t some illusory mirage on the horizon, it’s already here – manifested by market movements and troubling real-time maps enumerating the infected – and if the virus spreads globally, those who have at least countenanced the notion will be better placed to survive than those who’ve buried their heads in the sand.
In any case, there is much ideological common ground between preparedness advocates and crypto enthusiasts, with the former much more likely to hold gold, precious metals and bitcoin in recognition of the continued devaluation of the dollar. After all, these assets can’t be co-opted by desperate governments or, like paper money, burned to generate heat in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Moreover, it’s easy to see the ideological equivalence between concepts of economic sovereignty and self-sovereignty as it pertains to the most precious commodity of all: life itself.
Going viral What if this coronavirus is the pandemic that public health people have been warning about for years? It would accelerate many pre-existing trends. – border closures
– nationalism
– social isolation
– preppers
– remote work
– face masks
– distrust in governments — Balaji S. Srinivasan (@balajis) January 30, 2020
As for the disproportionately high number of flexible remote-working posts advertised in the crypto industry, perhaps that’s just a happy coincidence rather than a widespread fear of virus-spreading from handshakes. That said, the borderless nature of work in the cryptoconomy – with project teams spread throughout the world and a preponderance of virtual conferences – should mean, if not business as usual, then more stability in the face of corona-related disruption.
A recent survey over 1,500 people on CT sought to determine why the coronavirus was the subject of such intense discussion among the fintech community. Responses to Coindesk contributor Nathaniel Whittemore suggested a combination of “sky is falling” sentiments, macro hedging and belief in BTC as a safe haven. Stephen Palley, an advisor at The Block, tossed in his two cents, opining that “one strand of crypto fundamentalism embraces virus doom prepperism b/c it correlates with a view of bitcoin as an end-days asset class.”
Me: We’re prepping Wife: you’re crazy Me: 🦠📈🇨🇳☣🌡🚜🚜🚜🏨☠🔥@balajis 🛳⛔🛫🙈🙉🙊 Wife: my FB group is 100k doctors and no one is even talking about it 3 weeks later: Wife: Everyone in the group is freaking out!!! FB was hiding the comments!!! Did you get the stuff??? — Hector 🔑 21 (@HectorRosekrans) February 26, 2020
Another Twitter user, @HectorRosekrans, suggested “Finance and tech people are far more attuned to exponential trends than most. Add to this a Bitcoiner’s natural skepticism of authority, plus a conditioned response to media narratives that seem to intentionally miss the plot to serve a narrative, and you have a perfect storm.”
Whatever the answer, Crypto Twitter is unlikely to lose interest in COVID-19 any time soon. If you follow such accounts to learn about bitcoin and ether, don’t be surprised when you’re strongly advised to stock up on batteries and bug out bags.
You don’t need insurance.
You don’t need weapons.
You don’t need backups.
You don’t need privacy.
You don’t need bitcoin.
Until you do. — Jameson Lopp (@lopp) November 24, 2019
Do you think the crypto community is right to be concerned about the coronavirus? Let us know in the comments section below.
Article source: Bitcoin.com
Kai’s been manipulating words for a living since 2009 and bought his first bitcoin at $12. It’s long gone. He specializes in writing about darknet markets, onchain privacy, and counter-surveillance in the digital age.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool? Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain. Plus, visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what’s happening in the industry.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.