Friday, July 29, 2011
Diamandis on Innovation & Breakthroughs
Peter Diamandis is most succinctly described through his personal motto: “The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself.”
Dr. Diamandis is a prize-winning entrepreneur in the commercial space arena. He is also the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, a non-profit focused on designing and launching large incentive prizes to drive radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. Best known for the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for private spaceflight, the Foundation is now launching prizes in four areas: Exploration, Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, and Education/Global Development. Today X PRIZE has three active awards: The $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE and the $10 million Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. Diamandis asserts that traditional thinking, risk-aversion and incrementalism will cause the demise of organizations unable to cope with the coming decades of innovation.
He will explain how the rapid growth of key exponential technologies (Nano, Info, Bio) are empowering individuals and companies to do what only governments were able to achieve in past decades. These technologies will drive a period of significant disruption or opportunity depending on the organization’s mind-set. Diamandis’ personal mission is to open the space frontier for the benefit of humanity. In this talk, he will challenge you to pursue your own frontiers: to drive breakthrough thinking in your organization by focusing on high-aiming, clear, measurable and objective results.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Interesting tech articles.
Former Google CIO says business misses key people marks
The former CIO of Google and founder and CEO of ZestCash, Dr Douglas Merrill, says companies stuck in traditional management practices risk becoming irrelevant and leaders should not be afraid to do 'dumb' things.
Symantec warns of the rise of polymorphic malware
VC funding slips slightly in Q2
The former CIO of Google and founder and CEO of ZestCash, Dr Douglas Merrill, says companies stuck in traditional management practices risk becoming irrelevant and leaders should not be afraid to do 'dumb' things.
Symantec warns of the rise of polymorphic malware
VC funding slips slightly in Q2
Monday, July 25, 2011
Evolution of Language Parallels Evolution of Species | Wired Science | Wired.com
http://wwe.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/evolution-of-la/
This was obvious to me and my friends since the 80's.
Best cheap eyeglasses: Zenni Optical
From Cool Tools: Best cheap eyeglasses: Zenni Optical
I had been using the previously reviewed Optical4less to purchase inexpensive prescription eyeglasses online, but I changed over to Zenni Optical two years ago. Zenni offers the same fabulous advantages of decent glasses for super cheap, but they are much faster to deliver, and have a much better selection, and their website is much easier to use and order. Reordering from the same prescription is a no-brainer, too.
Over the past two years I've ordered about 8 pairs of glasses from Zenni for different family members and myself, in all different strengths and styles, including sunglasses. The frame quality is okay (great for the price) and the optical quality is A+. My wife has extreme corrections, and I have a very odd combination of factors, while my daughter's prescription is mild. I've ordered single, bifocals and progressives - and the results have all been good. A simple correction and simple frame can cost as little as $10, but our typical glasses will cost about $35. Still a fantastic bargain. Even if you are style conscious, these are great for backup pairs.
One detail you have to pay attention when selecting a frame online is the width of the frame, which varies between models. Pay attention to the size indicator. I once ordered a pair too narrow. Delivery takes only about 2 weeks to my home in California.
Over the past two years I've ordered about 8 pairs of glasses from Zenni for different family members and myself, in all different strengths and styles, including sunglasses. The frame quality is okay (great for the price) and the optical quality is A+. My wife has extreme corrections, and I have a very odd combination of factors, while my daughter's prescription is mild. I've ordered single, bifocals and progressives - and the results have all been good. A simple correction and simple frame can cost as little as $10, but our typical glasses will cost about $35. Still a fantastic bargain. Even if you are style conscious, these are great for backup pairs.
One detail you have to pay attention when selecting a frame online is the width of the frame, which varies between models. Pay attention to the size indicator. I once ordered a pair too narrow. Delivery takes only about 2 weeks to my home in California.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Arizona police officer executes man for telling him a warrant is needed
http://breakthematrix.com/media/video/arizona-police-officer-executes-man-telling-warrant-needed/
Comment from Friend:
Comment from Friend:
But the cop was right, by the way - the 4th Amendment has been gone for several months now, so says the Supreme Court, so, actually, he didn't need a warrant or anything else.
Ex Japanese Nuclear Regulator Blames Radioactive Animal Feed on "Black Rain" on Vimeo
See Video:
http://vimeo.com/26651670
While many radioactive cattle have been discovered large distances from Fukushima, what is more important is where their feed is coming from. "It's not only about the radioactive cattle in Fukushima Prefecture; its also about the radioactive straw the cattle eat that was grown elsewhere". Straw found 45 miles from Fukushima is highly contaminated with radioactive cesium, which is an indication that radiation has contaminated large portions of Northern Japan. More than half a million disintegrations per second in a kilogram of straw are comparable to Chernobyl levels. This proves that the American Nuclear Regulatory Commission was correct when it told Americans to evacuate beyond 50 miles and that the Japanese should have done the same. An Ex-Secretariat of Japan's Nuclear Safety Commission blames this contamination on "Black Rain". Rather than minimize the information the Japanese people receive, Gundersen suggests minimizing their radiation exposure."
See past articles:
Japan radiation fallout map...
http://vimeo.com/26651670
While many radioactive cattle have been discovered large distances from Fukushima, what is more important is where their feed is coming from. "It's not only about the radioactive cattle in Fukushima Prefecture; its also about the radioactive straw the cattle eat that was grown elsewhere". Straw found 45 miles from Fukushima is highly contaminated with radioactive cesium, which is an indication that radiation has contaminated large portions of Northern Japan. More than half a million disintegrations per second in a kilogram of straw are comparable to Chernobyl levels. This proves that the American Nuclear Regulatory Commission was correct when it told Americans to evacuate beyond 50 miles and that the Japanese should have done the same. An Ex-Secretariat of Japan's Nuclear Safety Commission blames this contamination on "Black Rain". Rather than minimize the information the Japanese people receive, Gundersen suggests minimizing their radiation exposure."
See past articles:
Japan radiation fallout map...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Jury Acquits Citizens of Illegally Filming Police - Slashdot
When I see these types of stories it really upsets me.
I am sorry but there shouldn't be anything illegal about making video recordings of public government activities. I can understand on the battle fields or in court hearings that they don't want information leaked to the press. Or in matters where personal privacy of innocent non celebrities are involved. I am happy that at least a jury peers with some common sense was involved.
Still I think there needs to be a downside for authorities who intimidate citizens by arresting and prosecuting them when they've done nothing wrong. If the individuals who made the video lacked financial and legal resources they'd be in jail now and a terrible legal precedent would be set for all of us.
We shouldn't be made afraid to record and transmit video! Video is the best defense of the innocent. I have had long discussions on making gear to record everything in your life 24/7. I mean, if it goes in to my eyes and my ears, why shouldn't I be able to record it? At least for personal use, if nothing else to refresh my memory. And if I should be accused of something then I would have hard unbiased proof of actual events. Time stamped with GPS location and my vitals, and stored in a secure third party cloud with security check sums and certificates proving authenticity at that time and place.
In a world where technology is making video cheap, easy and ubiquitous we will all be running a risk of recording the wrong things. Soon we could all be held accountable without any foreknowledge at some point.
Soon we will be living in Big Brother, and it could be just the government watching us, or it can be were we all get to watch everyone, government included. I think that one way transparency is a recipe for a nightmarish 1984 existence.
Equal transparency is what must be demanded. If they can see my data, then I want to be able to see theirs! I may never look, but we need to have the right too.
I don't want any "special people" that are above scrutiny.
If we are to loose some privacy it must be for all of us across the board. Not just the people outside the system or those less fortunate.
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/20/2214257/Jury-Acquits-Citizens-of-Illegally-Filming-Police
I am sorry but there shouldn't be anything illegal about making video recordings of public government activities. I can understand on the battle fields or in court hearings that they don't want information leaked to the press. Or in matters where personal privacy of innocent non celebrities are involved. I am happy that at least a jury peers with some common sense was involved.
Still I think there needs to be a downside for authorities who intimidate citizens by arresting and prosecuting them when they've done nothing wrong. If the individuals who made the video lacked financial and legal resources they'd be in jail now and a terrible legal precedent would be set for all of us.
We shouldn't be made afraid to record and transmit video! Video is the best defense of the innocent. I have had long discussions on making gear to record everything in your life 24/7. I mean, if it goes in to my eyes and my ears, why shouldn't I be able to record it? At least for personal use, if nothing else to refresh my memory. And if I should be accused of something then I would have hard unbiased proof of actual events. Time stamped with GPS location and my vitals, and stored in a secure third party cloud with security check sums and certificates proving authenticity at that time and place.
In a world where technology is making video cheap, easy and ubiquitous we will all be running a risk of recording the wrong things. Soon we could all be held accountable without any foreknowledge at some point.
Soon we will be living in Big Brother, and it could be just the government watching us, or it can be were we all get to watch everyone, government included. I think that one way transparency is a recipe for a nightmarish 1984 existence.
Equal transparency is what must be demanded. If they can see my data, then I want to be able to see theirs! I may never look, but we need to have the right too.
I don't want any "special people" that are above scrutiny.
If we are to loose some privacy it must be for all of us across the board. Not just the people outside the system or those less fortunate.
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/20/2214257/Jury-Acquits-Citizens-of-Illegally-Filming-Police
"The Springfield (MA) Republican reports two men accused of illegally filming the process as they bailed friends out of jail that last summer, were acquitted of all charges Tuesday. Pete Eyre and Adam Mueller initially were granted permission to film the bail process, but later were forbidden by jail officials from recording the procedure. When they continued to digitally recording their encounter with jail officials, they were arrested by police. Eyre and Mueller testified that they never attempted to hide the fact that they were recording at the jail. Not only did they ask permission to film the bail-out process — which initially was granted — but their recording devices were 'out in the open,' Eyre said. The Jury found the defendants not guilty of three criminal counts: Each was acquitted of unlawful wiretapping, while Mueller also was acquitted of a charge of resisting arrest."
John Sokol's Current projects, Past projects and Interests.
Back To: John Sokol's Home Page
Current Projects
This Blog.
Video Technology Magazine
All new posts go to the blog. http://videotechnology.blogspot.com/
http://churchofbsd.blogspot.com/
This was Intended to be a BSD only blog, but now it's about all Unix Like Free Operating Systems, Linux, FreeBSD etc.
http://thegreentank.blogspot.com/
SciFi Story "The Apple"
The Amorphous OS, Next Generation OS.
Internet TV & Cloud.
The Local Silicon Valley Technical Groups, SVLUG, BAFUG, SVBUG, BayLisa.
Getting more involved with the Hacker Dojo and the Maker community.
Past Projects
Vending Machine Technology
Digital Cinema
Non-Von Neumann architectures
Prime Numbers, Factoring, and Finite Field Arithmetic. (Zero Money in this)
Cryptography.
http://johnsokol.blogspot.com/2007/07/prime-conjecture.html
Coding theory
Compression
Image Processing
Image patter recognition, and tracking of objects in live video.
Integration of multiple live video sources into a composite 3D space.
Thermal Design
Material Science of high thermally conductive materials.
Composites, Elastomers, plastics
Mechanical design of systems that use thermal conduction and convection.
Alternate methods to provide active cooling, (Micro Acoustic cooling
Micro compressors, magnetic cooling, Optical Cooling)
Magnetic Levitation
Following the work of Eric Laithwaite. Eddy Current levitation.
Servo Feedback levitation, diamagnetic levitation.
Networking
Neural Nets and Genetic Algorithms.
VR and Wearables –
Building a virtual Keyboard, telepresents system and softfonts for a VR E-Book system.
.
Current Projects
This Blog.
Video Technology Magazine
All new posts go to the blog. http://videotechnology.blogspot.com/
http://churchofbsd.blogspot.com/
This was Intended to be a BSD only blog, but now it's about all Unix Like Free Operating Systems, Linux, FreeBSD etc.
http://thegreentank.blogspot.com/
green ideas for power, products and designs
SciFi Story "The Apple"
The Amorphous OS, Next Generation OS.
Internet TV & Cloud.
The Local Silicon Valley Technical Groups, SVLUG, BAFUG, SVBUG, BayLisa.
Getting more involved with the Hacker Dojo and the Maker community.
Past Projects
Vending Machine Technology
HDTV Advertising
Flash for Kiosk GUI on vending machines
Credit Card Processing from Vending machines
Improved Dispensing Robots
CCTV Video Recording DVR for Vending Machines, Proof Positive verification of Customers transaction, Security anti-Vandalism
Digital Cinema
Streaming HDTV over Internet for DC
Lower cost projectors
live video editing/mixing of HDTV sources.
Non-Von Neumann architectures
C -> FPGA
This lead the X-25 25 Cores in a single chip.( on hold )
Parallel processing, SCI, NUMA, Cache Coherency, and Loosely coupled, (TTA)
Transfer Trigger architecture, Register to register, Systolic Arrays and Cellular Automata.
High speed Add, Multiply, Divide, modulo hardware.
Prime Numbers, Factoring, and Finite Field Arithmetic. (Zero Money in this)
Cryptography.
PGP and RSA Cracking,
Public Pad Crypto
Uses of Random numbers. And Secure Random sources.
New Factoring methods.
http://johnsokol.blogspot.com/2007/07/prime-conjecture.html
Coding theory
Error Correction Codes
Erasure Codes
Viterbi and other Trellis codes.
http://www.ecip.com/
http://www.ecip.com/
Video and Audio
Modified JPEG, Wavelet, Fractal, MPEG, 2, 4 H.263. H.26L and other DCT based Formats. Statistical and dictionary coding.
Image Processing
Image enhancement, Filters, Sinc Functions and other data recovery and prediction methods.
Image patter recognition, and tracking of objects in live video.
Integration of multiple live video sources into a composite 3D space.
Thermal Design
Material Science of high thermally conductive materials.
Composites, Elastomers, plastics
Mechanical design of systems that use thermal conduction and convection.
Alternate methods to provide active cooling, (Micro Acoustic cooling
Micro compressors, magnetic cooling, Optical Cooling)
Magnetic Levitation
Following the work of Eric Laithwaite. Eddy Current levitation.
Servo Feedback levitation, diamagnetic levitation.
And servo simulated super conducting levitation.
Networking
Peer to Peer,
Video Rental Service set top box
Alternate architectures to provide secure p2p
Distributed serving,
Routing protocols,
Layer 7 - Transparent Firewall, Scans Application Layer data
UNIX IP stack,
Alternate transmission protocols,
High performance server.
New methods to deal with Denial of service, worms, and viruses
IP Router Filter,
New methods to deal with Spam.
Bayesian filters
White lists, gray lists, black lists.
Neural Net and GA.
Neural Nets and Genetic Algorithms.
These have actually been helpful in the other endeavors. For finding new Codes, breaking encryption, factoring, compression and imaging.
I have developed a Pulsed Neural net algorithm that has had excellent results so far.
VR and Wearables –
Building a virtual Keyboard, telepresents system and softfonts for a VR E-Book system.
.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Fwd: Feds approve flying car . . .
From Steve.
All permits have been granted - it's on its way. Science fiction come
true, maybe, bot not quite Blade Runner:
http://www.terrafugia.com/news_media.html
http://www.terrafugia.com/
Monday, July 18, 2011
Political Anagrams
Plato: "a power more than human gave things their first names"
A friend sent these Anagrams to me, I clean up his list and added a few more that I had found already.
I have a theory as to why Anagrams seems to reveal hidden truths, and it's nothing supernature but based on communication theory. I want to spend more time on it before I publish, but there seems to be something about the combination of letters that conveys meaning and that people will tend to choose names that "Feel or Sound right" without really being able to explain why. It's my believe that subconciously it's these phrases or sound bites meet the letter frequency patterns that the brain uses to speak, read and write. I think it also works the other way around, how the name will tend to influence behavior. How
people act and react on a subconsious level will
President Obama debt ceiling:
STABBING, DEADLIER IMPOTENCE
Obama debt ceiling:
MANIC, BIGOTED ABLE
( I just want to point out that I did not come up with these, or anything associating the president with Evil)
President Obama Satan: This might be ominous
IS MASTERED TOP BANANA
Osama Bin Ladin:
I'M SOLID BANANA
President Obama Lucifer:
IF UNPREDICABLE MAESTRO
President Obama Wall Street Banks:
IMPOTENT AS BLANDEST LAWBREAKERS
President Obama American Future:
OBFUSCATE AND NUMERATE IMPAIRER
Barack Hussein Obama treason:
CHOSEN AS BARBARIANS MAKE OUT
Democrats debt ceiling:
CRETIN'S DOGMATIC BLEED
Republicans debt ceiling:
SUPERB ILL-BEING ACCIDENT
Obama Wall Street Banks:
AMORAL, BASS WET-BLANKET
Ron Paul: This one is funny
OUR PLAN
President George Bush: Funnier
THERE'S GOD! SUPERBEING
George W Bush:
HE GREW BOGUS
Bill Clinton:
BLOC 'N' IN TILL
President Bill Clinton:
ILL-SPENT BOLD IN CRETIN
Global government:
VENAL, LONG-TERM BOG
Future Of China:
OH! CUTE RUFFIAN
Americas Economy:
SOME ACE ACRIMONY
Us Economy:
SO COY MENU
Global Warming:
GAG I'M ALL BROWN!
War In Afghanistan:
HA! FAWNING ARTISAN
Axis Of Evil:
IS A VILE FOX
&
So vile a fix
World Trade Center:
LEWD TERROR ACT END
School Vouchers:
SO LOVE SO. CHURCH
Separation Of Church And State:
SPACIOUS OR TRENCHANT FATHEAD
&
ASHEN-FACED, SHARP-CUT ROTATION
Status Of Liberty:
OBTUSEST FRAILTY
&
STULTIFY BOASTER
United States Of America:
DINE OUT, TASTE A MAC, FRIES
&
I'M CASTRO-INFATUATED, SEE
Pearl Harbor:
ABHORRER PAL
Compassionate Conservative:
CONSPIRE TO SAVE A VAST INCOME
&
COMPARISON IS EVEN; CAST A VOTE
Conspiracy Theorist:
CAST-IRON HYPOCRITES
&
ATROCITY CENSORSHIP
New York Times:
MONKEYS WRITE
&
EMITS WONKERY
A friend sent these Anagrams to me, I clean up his list and added a few more that I had found already.
I have a theory as to why Anagrams seems to reveal hidden truths, and it's nothing supernature but based on communication theory. I want to spend more time on it before I publish, but there seems to be something about the combination of letters that conveys meaning and that people will tend to choose names that "Feel or Sound right" without really being able to explain why. It's my believe that subconciously it's these phrases or sound bites meet the letter frequency patterns that the brain uses to speak, read and write. I think it also works the other way around, how the name will tend to influence behavior. How
people act and react on a subconsious level will
President Obama debt ceiling:
STABBING, DEADLIER IMPOTENCE
Obama debt ceiling:
MANIC, BIGOTED ABLE
( I just want to point out that I did not come up with these, or anything associating the president with Evil)
President Obama Satan: This might be ominous
IS MASTERED TOP BANANA
Osama Bin Ladin:
I'M SOLID BANANA
President Obama Lucifer:
IF UNPREDICABLE MAESTRO
President Obama Wall Street Banks:
IMPOTENT AS BLANDEST LAWBREAKERS
President Obama American Future:
OBFUSCATE AND NUMERATE IMPAIRER
Barack Hussein Obama treason:
CHOSEN AS BARBARIANS MAKE OUT
Democrats debt ceiling:
CRETIN'S DOGMATIC BLEED
Republicans debt ceiling:
SUPERB ILL-BEING ACCIDENT
Obama Wall Street Banks:
AMORAL, BASS WET-BLANKET
Ron Paul: This one is funny
OUR PLAN
President George Bush: Funnier
THERE'S GOD! SUPERBEING
George W Bush:
HE GREW BOGUS
Bill Clinton:
BLOC 'N' IN TILL
President Bill Clinton:
ILL-SPENT BOLD IN CRETIN
Global government:
VENAL, LONG-TERM BOG
Future Of China:
OH! CUTE RUFFIAN
Americas Economy:
SOME ACE ACRIMONY
Us Economy:
SO COY MENU
Global Warming:
GAG I'M ALL BROWN!
War In Afghanistan:
HA! FAWNING ARTISAN
Axis Of Evil:
IS A VILE FOX
&
So vile a fix
World Trade Center:
LEWD TERROR ACT END
School Vouchers:
SO LOVE SO. CHURCH
Separation Of Church And State:
SPACIOUS OR TRENCHANT FATHEAD
&
ASHEN-FACED, SHARP-CUT ROTATION
Status Of Liberty:
OBTUSEST FRAILTY
&
STULTIFY BOASTER
United States Of America:
DINE OUT, TASTE A MAC, FRIES
&
I'M CASTRO-INFATUATED, SEE
Pearl Harbor:
ABHORRER PAL
Compassionate Conservative:
CONSPIRE TO SAVE A VAST INCOME
&
COMPARISON IS EVEN; CAST A VOTE
Conspiracy Theorist:
CAST-IRON HYPOCRITES
&
ATROCITY CENSORSHIP
New York Times:
MONKEYS WRITE
&
EMITS WONKERY
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
pastebin.com , Anonymous posting service.
http://pastebin.com
Anonymous posting service acts like a url shortner and clipboard.
Anonymous posting service acts like a url shortner and clipboard.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Gandhi quotes. Deep brilliant stuff.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
Consider:
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
Consider:
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? ~ Mahatma Gandhi, "Non-Violence in Peace and War"
Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. ~ 'Satyagraha Leaflet No. 13,' May 3, 1919.
- An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right.
Consider quote about Non-Violence:
To those who preached violence and called nonviolent actionists cowards, he replied:
"I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence....I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should, in a cowardly manner, become or remain a helpless witness to her own dishonour....But I believe that nonviolence is infinitely superior to violence, forgiveness is more manly than punishment."
What was Gandhi's view of non-violence?
"Satyagraha" is the 'force' of truth and love."
In contrast to civil disobedience which is to defeat the opponent or frustrate the opponent's objectives or achieve one's own objectives, Gandhi's notion of non-violence is:
"The Satyagrahi's object is to convert, not to coerce, the wrong-doer."
Success is defined as cooperating with the opponent to meet a just end that the opponent is unwittingly obstructing. The opponent must be converted, at least as far as to stop obstructing the just end, for this cooperation to take place.
What was Gandhi's view of non-violence?
The means and ends are inseparable. You do not achieve peace with violence but peace with peace.
As Gandhi wrote: "They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end..."
Satyagrapha vs. Duragrapha:
Satygrapha is the 'force' of truth and love:
Goal: End antagonism without harming the antagonists by transforming the antagonist.
Means & End: Truth and love.
Focus: Moral power.
Duragrapha is the "force of bias." Passive resistance:
Goal: End antagonism even if that means harassing the antagonists without personal transformation of truth and love.
Means & End: Selfish Obstinacy
Focus: Physical Power.
In response to Duragrapha:
He wrote: "There must be no impatience, no barbarity, no insolence, no undue pressure. If we want to cultivate a true spirit of democracy, we cannot afford to be intolerant. Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause."
11 Principles of Satyagraha to follow:
1. Nonviolence
2. Truth (includes honesty, but goes beyond it to mean living fully in accord with and in devotion to that which is true)
3. Non-stealing
4. Chastity (includes both sexual chastity & subordination of other sensual desires to the primary devotion to truth)
5. Non-possession (not the same as poverty)
6. Body-labor or bread-labor
7. Control of the palate
8. Fearlessness
9. Equal respect for all religions
10. Economic strategy such as boycotts
11. Freedom from untouchability
~ Gandhi, M.K. Non-violent Resistance (Satyagraha) (1961) p. 37
Series of Rules for Resistance that were proposed by Gandhi:
1. Harbor no anger;
2. Suffer the anger of the opponent;
3. Never retaliate to assaults or punishment; but do not submit, out of fear of punishment or assault, to an order given in anger;
Series of Rules for Resistance that were proposed by Gandhi:
4. Voluntarily submit to arrest or confiscation of your own property;
5. If you are a trustee of property, defend that property (non-violently) from confiscation with your life;
6. Do not curse or swear;
7. Do not insult the opponent;
Series of Rules for Resistance:
8. Neither salute nor insult the flag of your opponent or your opponent's leaders;
9 If anyone attempts to insult or assault your opponent, defend your opponent (non-violently) with your life;
10. As a prisoner, behave courteously and obey prison regulations (except any that are contrary to self-respect);
11. As a prisoner, do not ask for special favorable treatment.
12. As a prisoner, do not fast in an attempt to gain conveniences whose deprivation does not involve any injury to your self-respect;
13. Joyfully obey the orders of the leaders of the civil disobedience action;
14. Do not pick and choose amongst the orders you obey; if you find the action as a whole improper or immoral, sever your connection with the action entirely
Series of Rules for Resistance:
15. Do not make your participation conditional on your comrades taking care of your dependents while you are engaging in the campaign or are in prison; do not expect them to provide such support ;
16. Do not become a cause of communal quarrels;
Series of Rules for Resistance:
17. Do not take sides in such quarrels, but assist only that party which is demonstrably in the right; in the case of inter-religious conflict, give your life to protect (non-violently) those in danger on either side;
18. Avoid occasions that may give rise to communal quarrels;
19. Do not take part in processions that would wound the religious sensibilities of any.
What was Gandhi's view of non-violence?
The theory of satyagraha sees means and ends as inseparable. The means used to obtain an end are wrapped up and attached to that end. Therefore, it is contradictory to try to use unjust means to obtain justice or to try to use violence to obtain peace. As Gandhi wrote: "They say, 'means are, after all, means'. I would say, 'means are, after all, everything'. As the means so the end..."
Gandhi used an example to explain this:
"If I want to deprive you of your watch, I shall certainly have to fight for it; if I want to buy your watch, I shall have to pay for it; and if I want a gift, I shall have to plead for it; and, according to the means I employ, the watch is stolen property, my own property, or a donation.
What was Gandhi's view of non-violence?
Gandhi rejected the idea that injustice should, or even could, be fought against
"by any means necessary" — if you use violent, coercive, unjust means, whatever ends you produce will necessarily embed that injustice. To those who preached violence and called nonviolent actionists cowards, he replied:
"I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence....I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she should, in a cowardly manner, become or remain a helpless witness to her own dishonour....But I believe that nonviolence is infinitely superior to violence, forgiveness is more manly than punishment."
Gandhi identified 7 deadly social sins:
"Politics without principle; Wealth without work; Commerce without morality; Pleasure without conscience; Education without character; Science without humanity; Worship without sacrifice."
Nonviolent Revolution Clarified: Five Myths and Realities Behind Egypt's Uprising | Truthout
This is right on the mark. It's a war of memes at some level.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Re: DHS Admits Knowledge of Infected Import Tech
Label your article, "The Other Big Brother".
Starts like this,
$preface = "
Worried about Obame and his cronies, or Cheney's lackies still in
government. Here is a bigger concern. All our computers and factories
are now overseas. Literally the Chinese make everything for us. Now we
come to find out that they may be the "Big Brother" have all feared
for years - That is ever since "1984".
";
Jesse
On 7/8/11, John Sokol <john.sokol@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is frightening.
>
> http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
Starts like this,
$preface = "
Worried about Obame and his cronies, or Cheney's lackies still in
government. Here is a bigger concern. All our computers and factories
are now overseas. Literally the Chinese make everything for us. Now we
come to find out that they may be the "Big Brother" have all feared
for years - That is ever since "1984".
";
Jesse
On 7/8/11, John Sokol <john.sokol@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is frightening.
>
> http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
Re: DHS Admits Knowledge of Infected Import Tech
From Lev,
Dude I told you the exact same thing over 9 months ago
I told what I was told
On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 2:18 PM, John Sokol <john.sokol@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is frightening.
>
> http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
>
Dude I told you the exact same thing over 9 months ago
I told what I was told
On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 2:18 PM, John Sokol <john.sokol@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is frightening.
>
> http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
>
DHS Admits Knowledge of Infected Import Tech
This is frightening.
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
"Deputy Undersecretary Schaffer of the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate confessed to being aware of foreign technology that had been imported with spyware, malware, and other security risks. According to the article, 'More worryingly, the hearing specifically mentioned hardware components as possibly being compromised — which raises the questions of whether, perhaps, something as innocuous as Flash memory or embedded RFID chips could be used by interested foreign parties.' These hearings were held on July 7th to 'examine the nature and extent of the current threat to America's infrastructure.'"
http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/08/208206/DHS-Admits-Knowledge-of-Infected-Import-Tech
"Deputy Undersecretary Schaffer of the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate confessed to being aware of foreign technology that had been imported with spyware, malware, and other security risks. According to the article, 'More worryingly, the hearing specifically mentioned hardware components as possibly being compromised — which raises the questions of whether, perhaps, something as innocuous as Flash memory or embedded RFID chips could be used by interested foreign parties.' These hearings were held on July 7th to 'examine the nature and extent of the current threat to America's infrastructure.'"
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Fwd: Stunning
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daniel Mintz, MoveOn.org Political Action <moveon-help@list.moveon.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Subject: Stunning
To: John Sokol
Dear John,
From: Daniel Mintz, MoveOn.org Political Action <moveon-help@list.moveon.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Subject: Stunning
To: John Sokol
|
BREAKING: Reports say the president just offered to cut Social Security benefits, if Republicans agree not to let the U.S. default on its debts.1
It's his offering to the out-of-control Republicans, who are threatening to crash the economy in order to ram through savage cuts to crucial government programs.
It's sickening to think that millions of seniors would have to sacrifice in order to appease Republican hostage-takers. Especially because every poll shows overwhelming majority of Americans support raising taxes on the rich and protecting Social Security and Medicare.2
But there's still time to stop this "bargain" in its tracks. Whatever deal the president offers Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass Congress. So we need Democrats in Congress to stand strong and oppose any benefit cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Can you sign our emergency petition to Democrats in Congress and tell them to stand up and tell the President they will not vote for Social Security and Medicare benefits cuts?
President Obama is making a huge mistake that will cost our country dearly.
This is one of those moments where we either stand up and demand that the Democrats in Congress show a real spine. Or we sit back and watch the Republicans destroy decades' worth of progress.
Will you help send a message demanding that Democrats draw a clear line in the sand: no cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits? Click here to add your name:
Thanks for all you do.
–Daniel, Wes, Elena, Julia, and the rest of the team
Source:
1. "In Debt Talks, Obama Offers Social Security Cuts," The Washington Post, July 6, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=210871&id=28665-9456411-ketiE8x&t=5
2. "Poll: To Reduce Deficit, Most Americans say Tax the Rich More," CBS News, January 3, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027036-503544.html
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
Fwd: This returns the Glass-Steagall Act back into law ...
I didn't write this, a very smart friend of mine did, It's over my head, but please comment on this if you agree or disagree.
-----------
And it tosses $17 trillion in debt back to the corrupt Wall Street Banks, thereby eliminating $17 trillion in debt which we would have had to pay for by increased taxes and reduced government services. This would, in one single bill, eliminate any further need to discuss future bailouts, all budget problems for the next couple of decades, and put the debt back onto the corrupt Wall Street Banks who created it in the first place. And, needless to say, this would end the current recession/depression and put $17 trillion back into the government (instead of us having to do it) - instantaneous prosperity, immediate reduction of taxes yet allows for an INCREASE in government services (if that's what you want) without having to raise taxes -
both the left AND the right win. Here it is:
Webpage:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1489
Summary:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1489&tab=summary
Full Text:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-1489
Pass it on . . .
-----------
And it tosses $17 trillion in debt back to the corrupt Wall Street Banks, thereby eliminating $17 trillion in debt which we would have had to pay for by increased taxes and reduced government services. This would, in one single bill, eliminate any further need to discuss future bailouts, all budget problems for the next couple of decades, and put the debt back onto the corrupt Wall Street Banks who created it in the first place. And, needless to say, this would end the current recession/depression and put $17 trillion back into the government (instead of us having to do it) - instantaneous prosperity, immediate reduction of taxes yet allows for an INCREASE in government services (if that's what you want) without having to raise taxes -
both the left AND the right win. Here it is:
Webpage:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1489
Summary:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1489&tab=summary
Full Text:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-1489
Pass it on . . .
Amorphous OS Talk
So far everyone in the OS world has adopted a Unix model with a GUI over it, something that's almost 30 years old now.
So what is next for OS development?
Is there anything new besides just optimization and support for new hardware?
I believe so and the future is a Cloud Based OS. But the Cloud is mostly hype right now and poortly understood or defined. There have been several "Cloud OS's" but these are really just browser based desk tops.
What I am proposing is a complete revolution in the way an OS is architected, structured, managed and the way it operates. One in which users can see their Interface as anything imaginable, including the Old OS's, and be able to run every legacy piece of software ever written, even old C64 and TRS80 code.
Best yet, it's simple to implement and make development simpler then ever. With all of the Cloud stuff managed by the software transparently to the Application developer.
Below is a talk I gave in February 2001 The Amorphous Operating System, at the ACCU
The raw powerpoint and Doc's for it from 2001 are here. Seems like Google Doc's chopped off some of the bottom of the slides.
I have since been doing more work on this, and it's starting to take real shape here. I am hoping to get some support from the Linux and BSD communities as they don't really seem to have a good direction to go in these days other then further optimizations, but lack any substantial architectural improvements.
So what is next for OS development?
Is there anything new besides just optimization and support for new hardware?
I believe so and the future is a Cloud Based OS. But the Cloud is mostly hype right now and poortly understood or defined. There have been several "Cloud OS's" but these are really just browser based desk tops.
What I am proposing is a complete revolution in the way an OS is architected, structured, managed and the way it operates. One in which users can see their Interface as anything imaginable, including the Old OS's, and be able to run every legacy piece of software ever written, even old C64 and TRS80 code.
Best yet, it's simple to implement and make development simpler then ever. With all of the Cloud stuff managed by the software transparently to the Application developer.
Below is a talk I gave in February 2001 The Amorphous Operating System, at the ACCU
The raw powerpoint and Doc's for it from 2001 are here. Seems like Google Doc's chopped off some of the bottom of the slides.
I have since been doing more work on this, and it's starting to take real shape here. I am hoping to get some support from the Linux and BSD communities as they don't really seem to have a good direction to go in these days other then further optimizations, but lack any substantial architectural improvements.
WikiLeaks' Brilliant MasterCard Commercial Parody
The Credit card companies seized my Donation to WikiLeaks.
I'd love to be part of a class action suite against them taking away my right to support what ever organizations I choose.
I see it as a first amendment freedom of speech issue, where I am speaking with my money, that Information should be open and free.
That just because your a high up in a big corporation or government and can get around the law doesn't mean that laws no longer apply to you.
Being powerful and connected enough to Interfere with justice isn't the same as making it legal.
It is an injustice to us all. We must stand up against such abuses.
Ask Slashdot: Open Patent Licenses?
Ask Slashdot: Open Patent Licenses?
"We are working on a new piece of code that will be protected under a GPL license, this is fine for the code itself, but what about our 'innovations'? Are there any 'Open Patent License' models similar to the GPL or Creative Commons? We have Google patenting the highlight of search occurrences, Facebook protecting the word 'Book,' and Apple registering body movements. This is becoming ridiculous to a point. Now the patent trolls are making a killing as well. Does the open source community has a good way to protect its innovations and inventions? There are some initiatives to buy patents and release them to the public or at least place them is a protected area, but where would my very small company register a new way to include titles in a private message? Where could Drupal patent the use of 'hooks' to let developers interact with the core of the application? (If they invented this, I am not really sure.) I don't want to wake up in 10 years and discover that X huge company patented my innovation and that now I actually have to pay them for it."
There's OpenPatents.org, there's the Open Source Hardware and Design Alliance, there's CERN's newly-updated Open Hardware license, and there are domain-specific patent sharing organizations like the Open Patent Alliance; what else is out there?
"We are working on a new piece of code that will be protected under a GPL license, this is fine for the code itself, but what about our 'innovations'? Are there any 'Open Patent License' models similar to the GPL or Creative Commons? We have Google patenting the highlight of search occurrences, Facebook protecting the word 'Book,' and Apple registering body movements. This is becoming ridiculous to a point. Now the patent trolls are making a killing as well. Does the open source community has a good way to protect its innovations and inventions? There are some initiatives to buy patents and release them to the public or at least place them is a protected area, but where would my very small company register a new way to include titles in a private message? Where could Drupal patent the use of 'hooks' to let developers interact with the core of the application? (If they invented this, I am not really sure.) I don't want to wake up in 10 years and discover that X huge company patented my innovation and that now I actually have to pay them for it."
There's OpenPatents.org, there's the Open Source Hardware and Design Alliance, there's CERN's newly-updated Open Hardware license, and there are domain-specific patent sharing organizations like the Open Patent Alliance; what else is out there?
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Flying cars are coming.
Paul Moller has spent 40 years and millions of dollars developing his Skycar. Well it looks like he's taken just a little too long.
It looks like an Israeli company is going really bring out out on to the market.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/07/video-israeli-landspeeder-sorta-takes-flight/
More on Flying cars.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/flying-car2.htm
Branko Sarh, a senior engineer at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, has attempted to develop a flying car, called the Sokol A400, or Advanced Flying Automobile. Sarh designed a 4-passenger vehicle that would pop out telescoping wings at the push of a button.
Fwd: rare earths from the sea
Japan discovers 'rare earth' minerals used for iPads
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ashvini v
john
the sea is a an INFINITE store of EVERYTHING.
Rare earths too,
but till date- EVERY single - Each one, Each and Every endeavor to mine metallic minerals from the sea has failed.
every single one. oil and gas are not metallic.
the EROI is horrendous.
and true to its fashion- the media will publish garbage articles like this about once every 6 mths.
av
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ashvini v
john
the sea is a an INFINITE store of EVERYTHING.
Rare earths too,
but till date- EVERY single - Each one, Each and Every endeavor to mine metallic minerals from the sea has failed.
every single one. oil and gas are not metallic.
the EROI is horrendous.
and true to its fashion- the media will publish garbage articles like this about once every 6 mths.
av
Fwd: Kiss to you my new friend
It's a spam, Right? I know I never spoke with anyone about any such things, and this girl is so not my type.
Maybe it's a scam, but I am married with kids and have no interest. Anyone else feel free to follow up and get your Russian Wife.
John
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Camila <skagel49@aol.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 8:41 AM
Subject: Kiss to you my new friend
To: john.sokol@gmail.com
Hi, how is your mood, weather?
Today here in my city is remarkable weather, and I have the perfect mood to sit on the internet. I want to tell you that we know each other a little, but I would like to know you better. Because we already had a mutual interest on the Internet one day, at the dating site. But I don't visit that sites in Internet already. I have only your e-mail addressl.
And now I would like to continue talking with you, if you're interested?
I think that if you're still in search of a girl of your life, then we can try dating, right?
BUT I want to tell you that in the month of April, I tried to talk to the man whom I was interested at first. A few days later he asked me to show him my naked photos. Although we did not even know each other well.
And I never sent it to him, because I do not play online anygames. So I think that I'm a girl who appreciates myself and my culture, my upbringing. I would never have sent any naked body on the Internet - it would be a humiliation. I immediately lost all interest to that men. And never wrote him again. And from that moment has passed 2 months already.
But I hope you're a different person. And if you can appreciate the right girl. And would never make a such request.
I also do not like to talk a lot about myself now. But I want to say that I'm very versatile girl and take care about myself always. I like sports and have some other hobbies.
I am 31 y.o. and I live in Minsk Belorus alone and I don't have kids. My country located in the Belorus. Well I stop now. Because I even don't know whether you want it? Or perhaps you have a wife or girlfriend already?
If so, then I apologize for this letter. Just don't reply this. But if you're really looking for a serious relationship and never want to play online. Then I would be happy to continue. I hope you will like it.
I am sending you a photo and a warm hugs from Minsk Belorus.
Hoping to get a nswer from you soon, and your new photos.
Camila here.
From: Camila <skagel49@aol.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 8:41 AM
Subject: Kiss to you my new friend
To: john.sokol@gmail.com
Hi, how is your mood, weather?
Today here in my city is remarkable weather, and I have the perfect mood to sit on the internet. I want to tell you that we know each other a little, but I would like to know you better. Because we already had a mutual interest on the Internet one day, at the dating site. But I don't visit that sites in Internet already. I have only your e-mail addressl.
And now I would like to continue talking with you, if you're interested?
I think that if you're still in search of a girl of your life, then we can try dating, right?
BUT I want to tell you that in the month of April, I tried to talk to the man whom I was interested at first. A few days later he asked me to show him my naked photos. Although we did not even know each other well.
And I never sent it to him, because I do not play online anygames. So I think that I'm a girl who appreciates myself and my culture, my upbringing. I would never have sent any naked body on the Internet - it would be a humiliation. I immediately lost all interest to that men. And never wrote him again. And from that moment has passed 2 months already.
But I hope you're a different person. And if you can appreciate the right girl. And would never make a such request.
I also do not like to talk a lot about myself now. But I want to say that I'm very versatile girl and take care about myself always. I like sports and have some other hobbies.
I am 31 y.o. and I live in Minsk Belorus alone and I don't have kids. My country located in the Belorus. Well I stop now. Because I even don't know whether you want it? Or perhaps you have a wife or girlfriend already?
If so, then I apologize for this letter. Just don't reply this. But if you're really looking for a serious relationship and never want to play online. Then I would be happy to continue. I hope you will like it.
I am sending you a photo and a warm hugs from Minsk Belorus.
Hoping to get a nswer from you soon, and your new photos.
Camila here.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
MetroPCS Sign-up broken
Well you can't fill in registration for their web access using android.
But this seems to be normal for them.
Try it yourself on android.
Entering your phone number will make you feel like your all thumbs as it flips numbers around and skips about.
http://www.metropcs.com/customer_support/sso/registration/beginregistration.aspx
But this seems to be normal for them.
Try it yourself on android.
Entering your phone number will make you feel like your all thumbs as it flips numbers around and skips about.
http://www.metropcs.com/customer_support/sso/registration/beginregistration.aspx
Gastric Bacterium Protects Against Asthma
For years many people where saying that the Intestinal Flora is important for many aspects of heath including Athsma and it was written off my main stream western science as quackery.
Now they discover what many people had already known and been saying for years.
Gastric Bacterium Helicobacter Pylori Protects Against Asthma
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2011) — Infection with the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori provides reliable protection against allergy-induced asthma, immunologists from the University of Zurich have demonstrated in an animal model together with allergy specialists from the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Their results published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation confirm the hypothesis recently put forward that the dramatic increase in allergic diseases in industrial societies is linked to the rapid disappearance of specific micro-organisms that populate the human body.
Allergy-induced asthma has been on the increase in the industrialized world for decades and has virtually taken on epidemic proportions. The rapid rise in allergic airway disease is attributed to air pollution, smoking, the hygiene hypothesis and the widespread use of antibiotics. The hygiene hypothesis states that modern hygiene measures have led to a lack of exposure to infectious agents, which is important for the normal maturation of the immune system. In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists from the University of Zurich and the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz now reveal that the increase in asthma could be put down to the specific disappearance of the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from Western societies.
H. pylori is resistant to gastric acid. According to estimates, around half of the world's population might be infected with the bacteria. The affliction often has no symptoms, but under certain conditions can cause gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and stomach cancer. Consequently, H. pylori is often killed off with antibiotics as a precaution, even if the patient does not have any complaints.
Early infection with H. pylori protects against asthma
For their study, the researchers infected mice with H. pylori bacteria. If the mice were infected at the age of a few days old, they developed immunological tolerance to the bacterium and even reacted insignificantly -- if at all -- to strong, asthma-inducing allergens. Mice that were not infected with H. pylori until they had reached adulthood, however, had a much weaker defense. "Early infection impairs the maturation of the dendritic cells and triggers the accumulation of regulatory T-cells that are crucial for the suppression of asthma," says Anne Müller, a professor of molecular cancer research at the University of Zurich, explaining the protective mechanism.
If regulatory T-cells were transferred from infected to uninfected mice, they too enjoyed effective protection against allergy-induced asthma. However, mice that had been infected early also lost their resistance to asthma-inducing allergens if H. pylori was killed off in them with the aid of antibiotics after the sensitization phase. According to lung and allergy specialist Christian Taube, a senior physician at III. Medical Clinic of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the new results confirm the hypothesis that the increase in allergic asthma in industrial nations is linked to the widespread use of antibiotics and the subsequent disappearance of micro-organisms that permanently populate the human body: "The study of these fundamental mechanisms is extremely important for us to understand asthma and be able to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies later on."
UPDATE:
Here is a related article.
How We Tell The Good Bacteria From The Bad
Now they discover what many people had already known and been saying for years.
Gastric Bacterium Helicobacter Pylori Protects Against Asthma
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2011) — Infection with the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori provides reliable protection against allergy-induced asthma, immunologists from the University of Zurich have demonstrated in an animal model together with allergy specialists from the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Their results published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation confirm the hypothesis recently put forward that the dramatic increase in allergic diseases in industrial societies is linked to the rapid disappearance of specific micro-organisms that populate the human body.
Allergy-induced asthma has been on the increase in the industrialized world for decades and has virtually taken on epidemic proportions. The rapid rise in allergic airway disease is attributed to air pollution, smoking, the hygiene hypothesis and the widespread use of antibiotics. The hygiene hypothesis states that modern hygiene measures have led to a lack of exposure to infectious agents, which is important for the normal maturation of the immune system. In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists from the University of Zurich and the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz now reveal that the increase in asthma could be put down to the specific disappearance of the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from Western societies.
H. pylori is resistant to gastric acid. According to estimates, around half of the world's population might be infected with the bacteria. The affliction often has no symptoms, but under certain conditions can cause gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and stomach cancer. Consequently, H. pylori is often killed off with antibiotics as a precaution, even if the patient does not have any complaints.
Early infection with H. pylori protects against asthma
For their study, the researchers infected mice with H. pylori bacteria. If the mice were infected at the age of a few days old, they developed immunological tolerance to the bacterium and even reacted insignificantly -- if at all -- to strong, asthma-inducing allergens. Mice that were not infected with H. pylori until they had reached adulthood, however, had a much weaker defense. "Early infection impairs the maturation of the dendritic cells and triggers the accumulation of regulatory T-cells that are crucial for the suppression of asthma," says Anne Müller, a professor of molecular cancer research at the University of Zurich, explaining the protective mechanism.
If regulatory T-cells were transferred from infected to uninfected mice, they too enjoyed effective protection against allergy-induced asthma. However, mice that had been infected early also lost their resistance to asthma-inducing allergens if H. pylori was killed off in them with the aid of antibiotics after the sensitization phase. According to lung and allergy specialist Christian Taube, a senior physician at III. Medical Clinic of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the new results confirm the hypothesis that the increase in allergic asthma in industrial nations is linked to the widespread use of antibiotics and the subsequent disappearance of micro-organisms that permanently populate the human body: "The study of these fundamental mechanisms is extremely important for us to understand asthma and be able to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies later on."
UPDATE:
Here is a related article.
How We Tell The Good Bacteria From The Bad
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Car seizures at DUI checkpoints prove profitable for cities, ... - Bakersfield.com
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x2022667317/Car-seizures-at-DUI-checkpoints-prove-profitable-for-cities-raise-legal-questions
Even the legislature knows they are breaking the law.
NOTE:Story from May 22, 2011.
http://www.news10.net/news/
Even the legislature knows they are breaking the law.
NOTE:Story from May 22, 2011.
http://www.news10.net/news/
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