Queresote's recent activity
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of June 2 in ~society
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Comment on Bill Gates to give most of his $200bn fortune to Africa in ~society
Queresote Link ParentI think many of them are trying to work on advanced solutions to aging (trying to be immortal, essentially) or they want to pass their significant power onto their legacy (there is this weird...What strikes me is that billionaires across the developed world aren't taking a similar stand with their own wealth (to my knowledge). They know they can't take it with them when they die, so what's with there only being a tiny percentage who commit to philanthropy?
I think many of them are trying to work on advanced solutions to aging (trying to be immortal, essentially) or they want to pass their significant power onto their legacy (there is this weird fetishization of continuing the 'legacy' among the uber-elites.) So they push their money and influence into lobbies or organizations that their children or antecessors they've groomed into the position to take their place. I believe this is another reason why we've got specific individuals attempting to take Mars in their own name.
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Comment on Bill Gates to give most of his $200bn fortune to Africa in ~society
Queresote Link ParentIt's not necessarily a change, and its not really a re-announcement. I appreciate the link as it brings additional information into the conversation, so thank you for sharing that. I agree, The...It's not necessarily a change, and its not really a re-announcement. I appreciate the link as it brings additional information into the conversation, so thank you for sharing that.
I agree, The Gates Foundation has done some tremendous work in the past, especially working on the AIDS and Malaria epidemics. Providing vaccination was mostly done by his group I believe. To my knowledge, they will be providing additional support onto what they had previously pledged in order to offset the withdrawal of the US Govt. resources. (I am more than happy to be corrected on that if I'm wrong, though)
He spoke at an Event/Conference to provide reassurances to African leaders, giving hope in a time of crisis.
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Comment on Bill Gates to give most of his $200bn fortune to Africa in ~society
Queresote LinkThoughts: For anyone else concerned about American aid withdrawal from Africa, I'd like to offer a small it of good news. Keeping on mind that a "pledge" or a "commitment" has little legal...Microsoft founder Bill Gates says that most of his $200bn (£150bn) fortune will be spent on improving health and education services in Africa over the next 20 years.
"I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa," he said in an address at the African Union (AU) headquarters.
Mozambique's former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed his announcement, saying it came in a "moment of crisis".
The US government has cut aid to Africa, including programmes to treat patients with HIV/Aids, as part of US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy, raising concerns about the future of healthcare on the continent.
Thoughts:
For anyone else concerned about American aid withdrawal from Africa, I'd like to offer a small it of good news. Keeping on mind that a "pledge" or a "commitment" has little legal standing, I think Bill Gates' dedication to helping Africa has been a welcome change from what we see in other wealthy individuals exploiting and raping the continent.This will free up what limited resources we have available to help with housing and education to the region, and groups that had to assist with this work can focus more on de-escalating violence and instability in the region.
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Bill Gates to give most of his $200bn fortune to Africa
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
Queresote LinkThis is a video on recent moves by China that would lead experts to believe that China is preparing for an invasion of places such as Taiwan.This is a video on recent moves by China that would lead experts to believe that China is preparing for an invasion of places such as Taiwan.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
Queresote Link ParentI am excited at the prospect of getting these new ships, bombers, and sub (and some other goodies). You do make an excellent point on the current trend being to reduce our footprint in most areas....… The $150 billion proposal seems to be mainly for INDOPACOM. If anything, force projection seems to be pulled back from everywhere except the Taiwan strait.
I am excited at the prospect of getting these new ships, bombers, and sub (and some other goodies). You do make an excellent point on the current trend being to reduce our footprint in most areas.
I do want to debate more at a later point, because I am limited currently in what I can say for that particular sub-topic. It's just too current and I don't like having to tiptoe around certain words conversationally. -
Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
Queresote Link ParentFor the duration that Africa was split between three commands, there were major problems because these commands all have larger AORs that require a majority of their attention. The purpose for...They've been merged at other levels for a long time.
For the duration that Africa was split between three commands, there were major problems because these commands all have larger AORs that require a majority of their attention. The purpose for establishing AFRICOM as its own sub-command was to have an independent group with a focus solely on this region. This is important for a few major reasons:
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Countering Chinese and Russian influence in the region
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Monitoring new and evolving threats to the homeland
To the first point, we can look at the influence of Wagner Mercenaries (Now under the Russian MoD as Afrika Corps) and Russian defense contracts, economic agreements, etc. coming out of countries like Sudan and Niger. We are seeing more anti-Western sentiment, more radicalism, a new recruitment pool for these countries to wage war with¹. Call me a warhawk, or paranoid, but if you know how to look, you can see certain choices are being made to set the stage for global conflict.
To the second: The area is more complex, more fluid, and more dangerous than it has been for some time. We could rattle off examples (Boko-Haram, Al-Shabaab, ISIS-A, whatever that new VooDoo pirate offshoot is). These kinds of things have always been revolving doors. An old group disbands, and a new one is formed from the remnants, often with similar goals and practices. But, now we have some new ingredients altering the recipe: The Russo-Ukrainian conflict, The Western withdrawal from Afghanistan (and the toys that were left behind), Southern/Central American arms smuggling (remember the "unconfirmed" story about MANPADs surfacing at the border?), social media as a recruitment tool, Information Warfare campaigns.
It requires full attention, because the stuff that is happening there now will find us at home.
If I left anything unclarified, I would be happy to remedy that. There are too many moving parts to cover in a single conversation. There are days worth of documentation to run through and argue about (and trust me, the powers that be have been doing exactly that). The merging has been under consideration for quite some time, and it has made me unhappy.
1: Yes, a lot of these arguments could help made for America and Friends™—but, the United States DoD wants to invest in the wellbeing of the individuals living within these countries. No, it's not for solely altruistic reasons, but at least we are doing it. It's a symbiotic relationship, and not parasitic like whatever is coming out of the Sino-Soviet region.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~society
Queresote LinkI see a lot of focus here in the comments on the actual 'firings' of these generals (RIP - the highest rank in the US Navy), but it should also be brought into the light that merging AFRICOM with...I see a lot of focus here in the comments on the actual 'firings' of these generals (RIP - the highest rank in the US Navy), but it should also be brought into the light that merging AFRICOM with the European Command will 100% cripple our capabilities in both HOA and Europe. I assume the same for Southern and Northern Command. The entire reason each of these commands was created (or branched off) to operate individually is because the threats and security of that particular Area of Operations was deemed important enough to require the full attention of a command. Destroying this will kill our overseas capabilities and force projection into places our allies need us (Like Taiwan & Japan, HOA, Europe, The Middle East. Basically everywhere).
We can all look at the facts here and see a small group of radical loyalists gutting out stronger institutions from a place of authority before (I assume forthcoming in the next years) turning up the dial to eleven and stomping on our necks.
I am dead serious when I say that individual citizens (aka all of you here) should anticipate a major national/geopolitical event that will result in global conflict. We are getting to the part where you buy bags of rice and cans of salted meats to prepare for an economic crisis. (Not to toot the Doom Horn or anything, that's just how it is)
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Comment on US Federal Communications Commission chair threatens to block mergers of media companies engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in ~society
Queresote LinkThere are dark days on the horizon for us all, I believe. Little consolation can be given in this moment, but If History should show us anything, it's that those who act with evil intentions tend...There are dark days on the horizon for us all, I believe. Little consolation can be given in this moment, but If History should show us anything, it's that those who act with evil intentions tend to "get what they give" in due time.
From where I'm standing, this looks like a play akin to bombing black wall street, but using the new weaponry of information warfare. To not just "repel" this strawman DEI that looms over everything, but actively commit attacks against those who are just living by their constitutional rights, this all disgusts me. Smells like tyranny if you ask me.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentI suppose we are all algorithms in the same way we are all robots, with chemical signals being our commands or our parameters. But then, I also suppose the intention is different (in that we can...The algorithm is me
I suppose we are all algorithms in the same way we are all robots, with chemical signals being our commands or our parameters.
But then, I also suppose the intention is different (in that we can even have intention in the first place, for one). My intention with sharing is to support, or help, whereas I believe the algorithms provided by content platforms emphasize engagement more than learning.
Your resources are very thorough, I can tell you that. I had never thought of using Github for this purpose, as I'm a diehard Obsidian fan. I applaud you for you creativity, or if it was a concept you built upon, your willfullness in using it.
I may do something similar now, if I can find a way to do it in line with my own system.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentGood resources on religious study are very difficult to find these days, so I thank you. Pelikan's name sounded familiar to me, though I do not recognize any of the titles within his Bibliography...Good resources on religious study are very difficult to find these days, so I thank you.
Pelikan's name sounded familiar to me, though I do not recognize any of the titles within his Bibliography section, was he notable for some other reason that you are aware of?
Within the last five years I learned a lot from and was intrigued by Frans de Waal's book about Gender in primates
I've spent the past few years actively avoiding primate studies stemming from a personal grudge with a colleague, but with your recommendation, I shall overcome that. I thank you doublefold for that, boxer_dogs_dance.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentI live for the visuals. That is terrifying (Though not as terrifying as ΔP crab footage ) The Discovery Service has always had some level of mystery about it and I am glad to have one small piece...I live for the visuals. That is terrifying (Though not as terrifying as ΔP crab footage )
The Discovery Service has always had some level of mystery about it and I am glad to have one small piece of that mystery revealed, with the extra goodies of a love story. Exceptional read, and I thank you for sharing these.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentThis is a good smattering of quotes, and I'm tempted to steal a few… Neal Stephenson continues to crop up as an author to read, though Snowcrash is in my top 10 book recommendations, so I'll hit...This is a good smattering of quotes, and I'm tempted to steal a few…
Neal Stephenson continues to crop up as an author to read, though Snowcrash is in my top 10 book recommendations, so I'll hit Anathem right after. I've heard many, many good things about it.
I had never heard of Jeph Jacques, though, and am thrilled to get some additional slice of life material to digest.
Thank you for these quotes, please enjoy these three at your leisure:
"Make each day your masterpiece"
– John Wooden"While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing"
– Uncle Iroh, Avatar: The Last AirbenderSpan of time is important; the 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots.
– Robert Heinlein, "The Happy Days Ahead" in Expanded Universe (1980) -
Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentWhat an excellent resource! I will wander through it's pages when I get a hankering for some classic Anthropology. Additionally, I love using the Perseus Digital Library site for all my ancient...What an excellent resource! I will wander through it's pages when I get a hankering for some classic Anthropology.
Additionally, I love using the Perseus Digital Library site for all my ancient reading.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentDiscworld has been holding firm on my Reading List, though I am trying to get them all in physical format so I can do a Discworld marathon. I am glad to have gotten this pointer from you to start...Discworld has been holding firm on my Reading List, though I am trying to get them all in physical format so I can do a Discworld marathon.
I am glad to have gotten this pointer from you to start further in the series, but for completion's sake, I will have to return back and finish the series completely.
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentHmm, I've never heard 'agony aunt' before, and I'm always game to learn about mystic-branches of any faith, though I myself may not belong to that group either (sometimes those are the most fun...Hmm, I've never heard 'agony aunt' before, and I'm always game to learn about mystic-branches of any faith, though I myself may not belong to that group either (sometimes those are the most fun things to learn about as an outsider.)
I am always happy to learn and understand poetry deeper. Coincidentally enough, I had just learned about and read some work by Bashō, the Japanese poet. Did you know there were (allegedly) written laws at one point about what themes a Haiku could be written about?
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentIs this the famed Pringle-Universe I've heard so much about? I may just become a Greg Egan fanboy and snag his entire Biblio. Thank you once again for the recommendations, I've already got The...Is this the famed Pringle-Universe I've heard so much about? I may just become a Greg Egan fanboy and snag his entire Biblio. Thank you once again for the recommendations, I've already got The Clockwork Rocket in my shopping basket, so why not grab the rest, right?
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentWow! I would have never known there was a previous fish at the top of the page. Thank you for the link, I'll be checking that out right away. It feels like no matter how random the topic, he...Wow! I would have never known there was a previous fish at the top of the page. Thank you for the link, I'll be checking that out right away.
It feels like no matter how random the topic, he always manages to deeply explore it (far better than I could, for sure.)
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Comment on An appeal to the community for non-algorithmic recommendations in ~talk
Queresote Link ParentExcellent resources! The marginalia search engine is a particular favorite from this group. I will use this new tool to the maximum. Irving Finkel feels like a familiar name on the brain, but I...Excellent resources! The marginalia search engine is a particular favorite from this group. I will use this new tool to the maximum.
Irving Finkel feels like a familiar name on the brain, but I can't formalize any connections on him, so I am excited to learn about this man to the fullest extent possible. I am slightly familiar with cuneiform as part of general anthropology, but haven't had an excuse to dig deeper. Now is my chance.
Aside:
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mark something like this 'exemplary', but I have to say what a pithy response. Modern society robs us of this level of precise cleverness in place of a quick 'gotcha', so I appreciate this (and will be stealing this for my notes; with attributions of course)