Easy or Difficult.

The more diffiicult the situation, the easier it is to make a mistake.

The easier the situation,its easy to make it more difficult.

Sometimes:

Sometimes we tell our deepest darkest secrets to virtual strangers and they-- sometimes-- become our friends.

( by Digital Anvil )

Matter:

We know what matters to people when they repeat themselves.

(By Digital Anvil.)

Money and Fun:

When fortune enters your life,and you don't know where to spend it,spend your time, energy and money on relationships.

It actually is fun.

(By Digital Anvil.)

A Muse-ing:

In a world of uncertainity and lovelack,its difficult to love those who dont love back!

But thank Heaven above among friends,you and i can find love!

( A  muse- ing by Digital Anvil)

Objective vs Subjective or Outer vs Inner

Instead of obiective realitv, man's inner life itself becomes the source of truth. 

The modern self finds itself in the midst of what Robert Bellah has described as a culture of "expressive individualism"- where each of us seeks to give expression to our individual inner lives rather than seeing ourselves as embedded in communities and bound by natural and supernatural laws.? 

Authenticity to inner feelings rather than adherence to transcendent truths, becomes the norm. This modern self, then, gives rise to a " fleshscape "or  inner sanctum society that is not accountable to anyone outside of oneself,  but to the therapists who counsel how to be  true to oneself.

(Agreed in part)

Flag:

Always a Flag that never flags.

Bible Errors ?

I just spent some time reading the bible

and found many errors

Most of which were found in me!

and some in You !

( By Digital.Anvil.)

Exonerated: Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

 The short and the longer of it:

"Milestones" in the 8/26/96 TIME magazine summarises it this way:

EXONERATED. DIETRICH BONHOEFFER,

An Influential Lutheran theologian hanged in 1945 for high treason against

 Germany; by a Berlin court, which ruled that a 1946 law nullifying Nazi-era 

judgements formally overturned the death sentence an SS tribunal had 

imposed. Bonhoeffer, whose writings held up the suffering Christ as a 

model of submission to God's will, had denounced Hitler as the "anti-Christ."

 He died at 39, one month before Germany surrendered.

 

 These articles ( above and below ) are old and merely advise older news for

 the hoped- for benefit of my readers.

 

Overturning of Nazi German rulings

  

" The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office  had announced that it was initiating 

proceedings to have the 1945 death sentence against theologian Dietrich 

Bonhoeffer revoked. 

That announcement was followed by another also 

seeking rehabilitation of Wilhem Canaris and Hans Oster, two of the figures

 executed in April 1945 in connection with the failed July 20, 1944 

assassination attempt upon Hitler.

 

Prosecutors may also seek to rehabilitate Claus Graf Schenk zu Stauffenberg

 and Hans von Dohnanyi reversed as well. Both were involved in the July 20

plot.

 The Berlin prosecutors argue in their petition on Bonhoeffer's behalf that

 the 1945 court proceedings against him were conducted not so much to 

determine the facts of the case, but rather to give a veneer of legitimacy to 

the decision to execute him. Bonhoeffer had been imprisoned in 1943 for

 subversion; in 1945, he was transferred from a Berlin prison to the 

Buchenwald concentration camp (Thuringia) and shortly thereafter to the

 one in Flossenbürg (Bavaria), where he was executed on April 9, 1945, one

 day after being sentenced to death and very shortly before Germany's 

capitulation and the end of the war on May 8.

 In acknowledging the efforts now underway for Bonhoeffer,

 Canaris and Oster, Rudiger Reiff of the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office

noted that "very, very many sentences" that had been handed down by

 Nazi-era courts against individuals opposed to the regime and have yet to

 be reversed. "

 

(From Digital Anvil) 

 

Journalists vs Activists.

Many journalists  have warned that tech platforms and some liberal legacy media outlets can be weapons of mass destruction to democracy, amplifying misinformation and weakening public debate. Younger generations, who have little experience of journalism before social media, are especially exposed.

It should also be noted that some journalists are activists- in -disguise.   ( Not equal- reporting nor balanced-reporting  journalists.)

(By Digital Anvil)

Nothing Replaces Persistence:

Nothing Replaces Persistence

In life, we can often believe that getting ahead and achieving is all about how smart we are or educated or even how well connected.

But there is another great attribute we often forget; It's called persistence.

An old poem expresses this well - no one knows who originally wrote this but it talks about persistence:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are all powerful."

Don't waste your God-given talents by giving up too soon. Pray for the ability to persist and see through to the end what God has called you to do.

Share this post

Much thankfulness for this daily-reading to Karl Faase.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil)

Toxic: (Re-work A)

 

 Serious reflections are sometimes warranted.

 

 Toxic? 

 

A word oft used to describe males and masculinity!

Although there are reasons for that term,the progressives' viewpoint is too loose and   unwarranted, for such a strong and wide -ranging term. Such a term is oft used for men being men, while women are treated as though they are not similarly flawed. The world appears to admire (some ) women as though they are super human. 

However the word has been debated, written about and applied to a difficult- to- be- negative- about yet pervasive tool.

Our "digital" world seems (too) unrealistic to be real. IRL once meant " in real life." 

But for many the IDW (in Digital world )  is "real" enough that it replaces the real world? The world we actually breathe,sleep,work, reproduce and eat in. The real world populated with species from all over, to Man over all.

How is the  IDW ( replacement world) a real world?  It would seem that to those users  who deem this ubiquitous tool essential to each and  every life - journey.?? IF this claim is to be believed then it is in accordance  with the importance,utility and relevance of their shared reality?

This environment of the IDW is thoroughly special  to the Millennials and Gen Z. In Western nations; Mobiles are as necessary as food and water. Life would be much, much harder without them. The world has billions of them. Many own two mobiles.

Gen Z is especially hooked to the IDW( in digital world ) which is fostered by smart mobiles. This addiction has consequences for the shared reality that our real world creates.

Why ? The outcome ( of this Digital World ) makes it  more difficult for real relationships to form in the real world. Least of which, the element of conversation with real people who are physically present so that not just audio but the whole range of subtle cues, bodily and otherwise are available for scrutiny and interaction.

 

Social media  creates faux relationships with smart mobiles mediating "perfect moments" and filtered images or perfected photographs for inevitable comparisons, while people remain fully disconnected from more meaningful relationships.

 

Customs,norms and core values have altered significantly with Gen Z.

In some surveys, its been observed that Gen Z has minimalised some of the  values of their parents. For some, there are individuals whose lives  are eccentric,vastly and culturally different to their fellow Gen Z  members. These "unusual" individuals are like strangers in a strange land. So they live but are  treated by many who label them as  "toxic individuals "

It's a sad state of affairs that new ( and older) relationships that are too "difficult to maintain," therefore labelled as toxic. Approximately 50 % of Gen Z have this disturbing mentality. Such "toxicity" is "too much" for the younger generation Z, so for them, about 50 % of their relationships could be cancelled or annulled. Absurdly awkward for someone who is an individual living in the digital-- and the Real world.

Good, meaningful relationships are like strong, tall trees, the slower but  more worthwhile growth means nurturing and  maturing people over a longer period of time. Not resorting to a "quick fix, " just because of uncomfortable, alien notions,ideas and differing values. It means more patience,listening and forgiveness needs to be applied.

In the long game, it means greater honest interaction, trustworthiness and valid cross- pollination of ideas, values and life.

Cultural and sociopolitical  exchange takes time, unlike instant coffee. Like good tea or coffee, better comes with effort,time and quality of re/sources. Who doesn't like barista coffee or steeped hot tea?

 

 

( by Digital Anvil ) 

Be an Optimist (2)

Be an Optimist (2)

“In this world you will have trouble but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 NCV  ( empathsis mine )

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, they don’t have to define you or defeat you. Even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. George Bernard Shaw wrote: “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”

When it comes to faith, we rely far too much on circumstantial evidence. Doubt is letting our circumstances dictate how we feel and what we believe. When we let our circumstances get between us and God, it creates a smokescreen of doubt. 

Faith is putting the promises of God between you and your circumstances. It doesn’t mean you deny reality. It simply means you’re in touch with a greater reality—one more real than what you can touch or taste or see or hear or feel or smell. Jesus was a realist: “In this world you will have trouble.” But He was also an optimist: “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). Our optimism is anchored to the empty tomb. If Jesus walked out of the tomb, and He did, you don’t have a problem that He cannot solve. And you need to start living as though you believe that is true. There are seven promises in the book of Revelation that begin with the same phrase: “To him who overcomes.” And it reminds us of our true identity as overcomers. We aren’t just conquerors; we are more than conquerors!

SoulFood: Gal 5:22–23 Exo 23:1–9 Luke 6:27–36 Rom 12:14–21

( Agreed: Digital Anvil with thanks to Vision.org.au.)

 I'm Not a Vet: 

I'm not a Vet but i can tell the difference between a human and a horse.

( Agreed: Digital Anvil )

 

What Could You Possibly Mean ?

 

I Do:

In a world where love can be difficult to comprehend, it serves as a reminder that solid marriages are a daily occurrence rather than an one- time isolated event.

As a result, a "today I do" mentality should permeate all relationships.

By Digital Anvil.

Rarity:

Beauty inside (  letter) and beauty outside ( envelope )

Rare indeed..

( By Digital Anvil )

Dedicated to Ru.

Beauty:

Beauty is the envelope,not the letter.

 

  by Digital Anvil.

Be Optimistic.

Be Optimistic (1)

“God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31 NKJV

Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism.

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,” she wrote, “or sailed to an uncharted land.” The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: “Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.”

 If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality—the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ—that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses. 

Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing—the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Or as Paul put it: “Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.

SoulFood: Num 30:1–32:24 Luke 8:40–56 Ps 125 Pro 4:3–4

Digital Anvil thanks Vision.org.au For the above daily- reading.

Modernism and Post: .A Troubled Essay.

 Where did it come from and what did it mean?

 

Modernism: a term fast achieving a posture of decline while some enthusiastically add the prefix: 'post'

The term of Modernism

 represents an age of gross optimism, revolutionary theories and paradigm shifts in society, culture and politics. 

 An Age of Man or Humankind that represented the rise of human reason over nature, the world and its explanation. With the certainty of Francis Bacon's scientific method, the crucial ideas or the fundamentals that ruled the mechanisms,physics and processes were soon evident with vast loads of data potentially collected and interpreted.

 Many Historians stipulate this age began as Copernicus published: On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres. 

The time: year 1543. 

But wholesale transformative time had arrived with social and religious reformation of the medieval Church and the 'plain citizen.' Feudalism was being captured and wrestled to the ground. Progress, at first was slow, but proceeded, accelerating in the decades and centuries that followed.

 

The Scientific Revolution had set the course of humanity for some centuries to come. Man, not God, became the ultimate measure. God began to take a backseat, he was not the driver any longer. Seeds were planted, however all was not as it seemed. While God and his followers were gradually pushed to the margins, man continued his spectacular, amazonian march into the future, technologically driven and scientifically sound. 

Everything, no problem, was unsolvable, nothing thwarted or is unyieldingly unavailable. Man, science and its sister, technology advances our agenda for the concievable centuries.

 

Women, often " invisible' , overlooked and unacknowledged were thrust into the mainstream with excellant results. More and more women being educated contributed, advancing Humankind, then in my opinion, momentum stalled with some strange over- the- top conceptions.  In this current cultural moment ,women began to consolidate their overlooked intellects. But then strange beliefs were generated.

One idea floated was that Men, in particular, white, older males were said to blame for ALL and every social ill according to vocal female critics. In time,a new generation  of girls began to question and disrupt every known Western tradition. Reversing ancient customs, norms and values with a few disastrous results.

 Suddenly biological sex became a fiction,a mere assigination at birth. Centuries,scores of obvious research and studies were overthrown,cancelled and even the medical professional could not say what a woman is ? or that " transwomen" were still men!

 Absurdities became " common knowledge" and  even genuine comedy was forbidden for the TV crowd. Laughter had been re-shaped and outlawed. Polite applause was 'learned' instead of racous laughter. Satire was "out." Banned from "reasonable" society.

To demonstrate these current clownish reversals: a popular and famous comedian was arrested by  5 armed Police at Heathrow Airport and escorted to awaiting armoured van for the crime of posting a somewhat critical opinion on a current issue in poltics on social media.

Something any 16 year old could joke about  at school with impunity,though with more crudity. Absurd?

War was declared on reason and critical thinking. Suddenly language had some of its assumed meaning, altered. If you didn't follow the demanded grammer changes, you were annulled or cancelled. At best,you were severely embarresed,at worst HR could have a word. And re-education was the ordered course. But the western nations somehow were ravaged by the ideology that promised not a progress of clarity but a confused population too cowered to protest. But all had been silenced and the flower of youth seemed wilted.

AU seemed to avoid the more repugant and troublesome states of play.

Even girl and boyhood had its state of play re-conformed to multiple expressions of sexuality. Children became  genuinely confused and had unscientific  organ surgeries and  had reversed biological/ pharmacological sex treatments. (some tomboys became permanently "blended" fe/males all in the name of scientific progress ?) The genitalia of males and females occuring together in a single person. Not from birth but after sex affirming surgery.

Toddlers, as young as three, were being taught about gender sexuality. SEX education for walking but not really talking babies.

Gender theory was being taught to little children and recommended to adults as gospel truth?. With the apparent common consent of the western youth marshalling their forces, even the older adults began living in fear of ridicule,job loss and social  banishment.

Okay, i'll stop writing about the excesses and absurdities of what is known as 'post -modernist thought'. Uberreach or overreached nonsense.

i'll deal with it in another essay.

thus to return to the word...

Modernism can be summed as the title of Thomas Paine's book; The Age of Reason.

( by Digital Anvil )

But as defined by some urgent and persistent voices,"feelings"became more important than logic and reasoning. But that's for another day.

Among the many stronger voices in the form of published authors we have: Dougles Murray.

The War on the West and the Madness of the Crowd are two spell- binding books ( most cited) by the above author.

NB: The above essay does Not constitute a book review.

You do You:

You do you

Have you heard the phrase—“you do you”?

At its best, it affirms that people ought to be themselves and not just fit the current stereotypes. There is, however, a downside: what if “doing you” is toxic to yourself or to others?

The Bible has a response to “you do you.” First, it says we are all created unique and special—doing you is how you were created. But the Bible also reminds us that we have a propensity to sin, to fall short of God’s standards.

Jesus gives us a way to know God, get ourselves right, and be our unique selves. “You do you”—but do this with one eye on your unique gifts and the other on the standards God calls us to live by.

Share this post.

From Digital Anvil with thanks to Karl Faase for this daily- reading.

Don’t compare yourself with others

“Each one should test their own actions ... without comparing themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:4 NIV

 

Paul wrote: “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else”. 

 

Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection, He appeared to some of His followers. He gave Peter, an Apostle, a specific assignment that included great sacrifice. Peter responded by pointing at John and asking, “‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me’” ( from the book of John 21:21-22 NCV).

In other words, stay focused on your own assignment. A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like him. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So, Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam. It turns out that all Adam needed to do was to be himself! You can learn from others, but you can only find joy and fulfillment in being who God created you to be. So stay in your own lane. Run your own race. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete.

 Furthermore, God will not evaluate and reward you according to the talents of others, but according to how faithful you were with the gifts He gave you. You are not responsible for the nature of your gifts, but for how you use them.

From Digital Anvil with many thanks to Vision.org.au for this daily- reading.

To Know is to Believe ?

 

 

Belief is essential to life. 

Most of what we “know” about the world is really what we “believe” on the basis of someone else’s word. We trust the testimony of historians because we cannot personally verify world history. We trust the accuracy of maps because we cannot visit every corner of the globe. 

In almost every area of life, we rely on belief.

 

This is important to recognise. Because what we believe shapes how we live. Our beliefs aren’t neutral. They steer our decisions, hopes, fears, and habits. They form the framework by which we interpret the world and relate to those around us. Whether we realize it or not, we all run on a web of beliefs.

 

We should deeply consider, then, WHAT we believe, and WHY. Especially as Christians.

 Right belief, we learn, is central to our faith, identity, confidence and entire Christian existence.

So what do we believe, exactly?

 

To help distill this, we turn  to one of the most powerful statements of belief in Church history: the Apostles’ Creed. Rooted in baptismal confessions of the second century, and reaching its near-final form by the fourth, the Apostles’ Creed gathers the essential doctrines of Scripture into twelve articles that have been articulated, defended, prayed, and memorised for nearly 2,000 years. Together, they offer a concise narrative of God’s redemptive story.

Every stanza begins with two small but significant words: “I believe.”

 These words can change our life.

 

Biblically speaking, belief is more than just intellectual agreement. When we say “credo” (I believe) with the Apostles' Creed, we are pledging allegiance, locating ourselves in God’s story and confessing not only what we think but what we love, trust, and are prepared to live and die for.

In a world where truth and fiction are often blurred, the Creed gives us solid ground. It’s the DNA of our faith: informative and performative, educational and sacramental, a summary of our doctrine and an invitation into God’s story all at once.

So, to begin this life- journey, pause and ask: What do you believe?

 

(From Digital Anvil with gratitude to the folk at the wondrous Glorify App.)

New for Old Replacement:

Insurance option - New for Old Replacement

There is a particular option you can choose in your insurance policies: it’s called new for old. If your tired, old, and broken insured possession is irreparably damaged, you can replace it with a brand-new version of the same item.

What a great insurance policy that is—new for old!

God’s Word tells us that this same option is available in your heavenly policy agreement. God promises to replace our old and broken life with a new version. We get new for old through God’s grace.

In fact, we are told: “The old has gone, the new has come.” This is the chance for a fresh beginning—a new start.

Thank God today for your new for old heavenly spiritual policy.

Share this daily- reading.

I thank Karl Faase for this startling daily- reading.

( from Digital Anvil)

Hussam Abu Safiya: Who ?

 Who is Hussam Abu Safiya?

 

 

For far too long, media coverage described Hussam Abu Safiya as a hospital director, a humanitarian, an innocent civilian.

But that framing left out a critical fact: Abu Safiya is a Hamas colonel.

Despite exposes by Eitan Fischberger a year ago, major outlets continued portraying him as a neutral medical figure. Only after NGO Monitor surfaced new images showing him in a Hamas military uniform did parts of the media begin to adjust their language.

This is not a semantic issue.

When individuals with senior roles in terrorist organizations are presented as neutral medical professionals, the public is misled about how armed groups embed themselves within civilian institutions.

The Hippocratic Oath is built on one core principle: do no harm.

Holding a command role in a terrorist organization is incompatible with that oath.

( in the  interest of fairness!)

 

To Help You:

God loves and cares for you. God always watches. God is listening even now. Speak to God. Give time for God to remind you of things and bring people to your mind.

Lord, thank You:

For the beautiful things of the world

For all of whom I love and who love me.

Help me to show my gratitude in deeds and as well as words.

Lord, I’m sorry:

Thought or acted selfishly

Failed to forgive or ask forgiveness

Forgotten to thank you or taken your love for granted.

I thank you for your promise to forgive all those who turn to You.

Lord, I am troubled….

I am anxious and scared at times

For others

Help me to trust your love.

For you carry our sorrows.

Teach me to act and speak in the way you want.

Give me wisdom

Calm my fears

For all things are in your capable hands.

Lord, I pray for:

My marriage, my family and friends.

My neighbours at home and elsewhere

The ones I like and the ones I dislike

For those involved in disaster or war.

Bless them Lord in all their troubles.

And show me how I may help them.

As I finish:

Guide me, with your light and your help.

May You sweeten my days and strengthen my love.

Help me always to believe in you, your promises and to care for your world.

 

(Unknown Author: from Digital Anvil) 

Silent?

👆Amir commented:

  "Nearly 20,000 Iranians were slaughtered within a matter of days and yet:

Greta Thunberg? Silent.

Francesca Albanese? Silent.

Mehdi Hasan? Silent.

Cenk Uygur? Silent.

Ana Kasparian? Silent.

The media? Silent.

The UN? Silent.

No Jews - No News!"

From concerned friend ( of Israel)

(By Digital Anvil)

 

(Pray, Write and Email your local MP) 

Alice Pung: My Father's Daughter.

Book I'm currently reading by Alice Pung. ( Re-work)

Widely read and metaphorically diverse with grand insight,verve,humorous and well- executed. South East Asian girl raised in Cosmopolitan Melbourne,Australia. Global South. It should be noted that the Author,Alice Pung has written and had published over 21 books!

 Here in AU,she is a much sought after article writer, speaker and editor. Drive,talent and enthusiasm proved essential and enabled her success. Highly recommended.

 Creatures of Meaning

 

 

A Muse of modern times said:

We may be creatures of habit  but we cannot simply sleep,eat hunt and reproduce. No matter how much fun,we enjoy. We are meaning- seeking creatures.

The above is my version of Jeanette Winterson's saying.

Perhaps we find our meaning in work or family or friends or producing or learning or whatever. 

God would say,do whatever your hand does but do it with diligence and enthusiasm. Passion is mighty, like a broad smile lights up a face. However consistency is something to chase.

But meaning never lies down in disgrace, while meaning is in our warm embrace.

( by Digital Anvil)

Don't know what else to write but I await your comment to come to light?

Loneliness: An Epidemic:

 Observant and True ?

 Mother Teresa once said to an inquiring student the  following,

  " there is a poverty in your country that is just as severe as our poorest of the poor " adding," in the West there is a loneliness which i call the leprosy of the West. In many ways,it is worse than our poor in Calcutta."

This was spoken and keenly observed in 1994 which could only have gotten worse since.

 

Such societal and individual loneliness has been observed by a number of social psychologists, e.g., Jonathan Haidt, whose scholarly,yet also plainly insightful research is captured in the international best seller, The Anxious Generation.  It is also noted that this book postulates more than an epidemic of loneliness, including  the tidal- wave rise of mental illness in the West.

 

Could--as some say-- the Covid-19 pandemic have isolated and provided a researsal ( deliberate fusion of the words: Research & Rehearsal ) for the dark forces of the  Claus Swab and  the World Economic Forum ( WEF)  to determine the suitability of their nefarious aims for a global society in the near future. This induced panic in the global population, of Governments and other organisations led to such sustained isolation, leading to all kinds of issues, some of which are still felt today.

Is there a scheme to divide and profit? In the West and elsewhere?

 

 "Seventy-five years ago, when radio was the most advanced form of mass media available, Political philosopher, Hannah Arendt saw the exploitation of mass media as the goal of every totalitarian leader, in order to create legions of isolated and lonely citizens who are easy to manipulate.

 

 

 

"....otherwise-to enrich their shareholders by dividing and isolating members of our society, you can recognize the enormous forces we are up against."

 

"In free societies. we see orchestration of mass isolation being hailed perversely by social media as the inevitable result of freedom of choice in the marketplace of ideas."

 

Prior to WW2, Hitler decided to make available  radios for the mass population in Germany. Making it easier for he and his circle to facilitate and enable his ' charismatic' speeches to be heard everywhere.

 

Other tyrants and autocrats have enabled such modern communication devices to further their cause. Of course these advanced devices can be used for good purposes as well. However, the availability of mass communication can just as easily be shut-off by a Government as is the case in Iran currently. (achieving their nefarious aims)

 

Dr Stuart Russell has said that algorithms:

 

"have more control over human thinking than any dictator in history,"

Historically, he explained human propagandists could only create one message and they had no real-time data on how it was impacting people They had to make educated guesses from virtually unknowable information.

Now algorithms decide what each person,watches and reads and this occurs for billions of persons, for hours each day, in real time. 

 

These algorithms are not designed to provide the best nor the accurate information. Imperfectly giving, as they are, they will provide deceitful, at least in part, information because they are a set of rules designed by humans  who are prejudiced and biased and limited. Even given a set of data they can make you seem foolish, ill-informed and inherently biased and vice versa. In the post -modern world, truth is relative and there are no absolutes, not even this one!

 

These algorithms provide a multiple set of multiple sets of individual universes isolating each person from each other except where the individual is similarly like-minded. Thus creating a virtual prison  for each person and an enlarged group prison for each like-minded segment.

 

Loneliness is a symptom with other attendant ills of this virtual -alone- prison.

 

 

( By Digital Anvil ) 

 

Please let me know, what you think ?