In Episode 290, we continue the discussion of what you’d do with a billion dollars to prep. Patreons tell us what they’d do. A great discussion. Please consider donating to the wife of Andy the Producer, who recently passed away. We have a fantastic new producer, but Andy will be missed. We continue the billion-dollar prepping discussion in the After Show, available exclusively for Patreon supporters.  Please support our sponsors Survival Garden Seeds, ProOne Water Filters, Gibbz Arms,  EMP Shield, Numanna Foods, Backwoods Home Magazine, and Ammo Squared. We are part of the Firearms Radio Network. Learn more about our podcast at Prepping 2-0.com

“As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it, so reasonable arguments, challenges to magnanimity, and appeals to sympathy or justice, are folly when we are dealing with human crocodiles and boa-constrictors.” – William James The post The Editors’ Quote of the Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — What can happen if you park under an overpass during a tornado. o  o  o Here is a new Sharp Pointy Things instructional video from SurvivalBlog’s Editor-at-Large, Mike Williamson: Short Swords. o  o  o SaraSue sent this snippet: “I decided to not write in detail about the tornado emergency that we had.  … The post SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) The Philosophy of Manliness Let us start with a reference to one of the few righteous feminists, Camille Paglia. In her book Sexual Personae [11], she distinguishes between the Apollonian male principle of order and civilization, and the Dionysian female principle of nature = chaos. As she says, “[c]ulture and civilization are created by men in an attempt to control that force.” We see this clearly in the feminist attack upon male “logic,” and the savage postmodernist assault upon scientific rationality. Yet, as she observes, “if civilization had been left in female … The post Christian Manliness and the Collapse – Part 2, by Dr. Joseph appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

On May 29, 1999, Discovery became the first space shuttle to dock with the International Space Station. — On May 29th, 1660 — his 30th birthday — Charles II returned to London from exile in the Netherlands to claim the English throne after the Puritan Commonwealth came to an end. — The summit of Mount Everest was reached by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. — The Sporter Sale Continues!  All of the sporterized rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a week, to end on Friday, … The post Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 29, 2024 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.

The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme is a new payment support scheme for beef farmers in Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to reduce the maximum age at slaughter of beef cows over a […]

from Discern Report: As political tensions in the United States continue to escalate, a bold and ambitious movement is gaining traction in the Pacific Northwest: the push for Greater Idaho. This initiative aims to redraw state boundaries, allowing conservative-leaning rural counties in Oregon to join the neighboring state of Idaho. Advocates argue this realignment would […]

Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Let us know what you think at info@reasonstobecheerful.world. Re-plumbing the West This week, multiple water-related initiatives in the US caught our attention. First up: $60 million will go to projects to make the Rio Grande more resilient in New Mexico and West Texas, according to an AP News story shared by Editorial Director Rebecca Worby. Becca says:   We hear so much about the Colorado River, but of course it’s not the only river system in the American West stressed by drought and demand. An irrigation manager in one Rio Grande district that’s already making efforts to “slow down runoff and keep sediment from clogging channels that feed the river” described this work as “re-plumbing” the West. Going swimmingly In other watery news, the Biden-Harris Administration announced nearly $240 million for new fish passage projects. What are fish passage projects? Anything that helps fish move more freely: dam removal, fish ladders, culvert improvements and more. These may sound mundane, but the results are often dramatic. An excavator loads a dump truck with concrete, rock and soil from Roaring River Dam in Jackson County, Tennessee. Credit: Leon Roberts / US Army Corps of Engineers We’ve covered such projects here at RTBC, notably in a story written by Kea Krause last year about the stunning revival of Maine’s Penobscot River after dams were removed. And friend of RTBC Ben Goldfarb, who is at work on a whole book about fish, wrote a story (which originally appeared in Hakai Magazine) about how culvert improvements are saving migratory fish. What else we’re reading Is Biodegradable Plastic Really a Thing? — shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from the New York Times The Denmark secret: how it became the world’s most trusting country — and why that matters — shared by RTBC founder David Byrne from The Guardian The Architect Who Made Singapore’s Public Housing the Envy of the World — shared by David Byrne from the New York Times Elsewhere in our channels… At a recent conference about nonprofit media, David Bornstein, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, told RTBC Executive Editor Will Doig about an AI program that the network is developing. Its purpose, according to the announcement post, is to identify and surface news stories about climate change “that shift coverage from ‘unsolvable and apocalyptic’ to solutions-focused journalism.”  “The technology is still in development,” Will notes, “but apparently it’s already very accurate.”   The post What We’re Reading: ‘Re-plumbing,’ Fish Passage Projects and More appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

Tropical field and behavioral ecologist Wendy Erb explores the world of orangutans in Borneo’s lush, emerald tropical peatland woods. Her mission? To comprehend the language of these amazing creatures, particularly how male Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) communicate— a quest fraught with surprises and danger.  According to Erb, “Orangutans have extraordinary strength, and big males have a penchant for finding standing dead trees and shaking, pushing or pulling them until they topple in a tremendous (and impressive) crash.” The danger and delight of studying orangutans Understanding the orangutan language is more than just an academic goal for Erb and her colleagues; it’s also about safety. These apes do not appear to issue any warnings before displaying their strength, but this could be due to the researchers’ inability to interpret them. In a recent study published in the journal PeerJ Life & Environment, Erb and her team, along with the Cornell University tropical field and behavioral ecologists, shed light on the intricate vocalizations of male Bornean orangutans, revealing a level of complexity comparable to that of other primates such as chimps. Orangutan language: an odyssey of discovery The researchers used audio analytic techniques, including machine learning, to study the cries of 13 male orangutans, revealing a wide range of vocalizations. “Orangutan long calls include only two to four loosely differentiated sound types,” says Erb. “Within those sound types, the orangutans produce a diverse spectrum of intermediate types, which yield sounds capable of being combined into various sequences within a single vocalization.” Orangutan speak: intricacies of vocal communication This research not only demonstrates the sophistication of orangutan communication but also emphasizes the need for a better understanding of the vocal repertory. According to Erb, “While vocal complexity is an important concept in animal communication, we are lacking a unifying framework for quantifying complexity.” Indeed, studying the orangutan language provides essential insights into the evolution of communication systems, which matches our own effort to understand the origins of human speaking. “By learning more about orangutan vocalizations, scientists could ultimately better understand how humans learned to speak,” says Erb. The evolution of language and its implications for human understanding While humans have clearly perfected the art of speaking, our ape counterparts provide interesting insights into the slow evolution of vocal sophistication. Erb anticipates a future in which humans can easily converse with orangutans and chimps, demonstrating our shared evolutionary background. Despite the scientific curiosity and fascination of discovery, Erb is aware of the hazards hiding in the forest. “In the dark, it’s much harder to assess which way the tree is going to fall,” she says. “So we were quite lucky to have made it through these heart-pounding wake-up calls unscathed.” As Erb navigates the tangled web of orangutan communication, one question lingers: Which of these snag crashes are directed at neighboring orangutans, and which are intended as a message for us bipedal interlopers? Only time—and further research—will tell. Source study: PeerJ Life & Environment—Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutansThe post Scientists use machine learning to begin understanding complex orangutan communication first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Hate—what a loaded term, full of tremendous emotions and complicated connotations. But have you ever paused to consider what lies beneath the surface when we casually use the word “hate“? Let’s take an excursion into the web of human emotions, shining light on the intricate fabric of hatred and how we might break free from its grip. The depths of human emotions: understanding the spectrum of hate Hate is more than simply a transient sensation; it’s a complex combination of fear, fury, and a sense of injury. Researchers from a variety of sectors, including education, psychology, sociology, and law, work to decode the enigma of hatred, peeling back its layers to discover its fundamental essence. Fear can serve as the foundation for hatred. For example, if you are learning to swim and get washed away by a very strong current, you may develop a dislike for swimming in the future. Or perhaps you had a horrible argument with a friend at a local restaurant, and walking past it reminds you of that painful experience, so you now say you despise going there. This sensation may even extend to the person with whom you argued. If they said anything hurtful to you, you may now claim you detest that person. Understanding hate as an emotional response might help us understand our feelings for something or someone and become curious about where they come from. Dissecting hate: dispelling misconceptions Contrary to common belief, hatred is not synonymous with rage or dislike. Hatred is often motivated by misunderstanding or disagreement rather than true hostility. Anger, hurt, or confusion can all be mislabeled as “hate”. When there is a lack of understanding or fear of the unknown, hate or harsh judgment may appear to be an easy way out, allowing people to avoid the difficult work of being inquisitive and open to other people’s distinct lived experiences.  Hatred occurs when someone or a group of individuals are judged to be innately less human or worthwhile than oneself. Unfortunately, it is simple to blame others for things we do not believe or experiences we dislike, resulting in a cycle of misunderstanding and animosity. The pyramid of hatred: visualizing hate The United States Department of Justice defines hatred as “bias against people or groups with specific characteristics that are defined by law.” These traits may include a person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, or country of origin. Consider hatred to be a pyramid, with biased attitudes and stereotypes serving as the basis. Left unchecked, these seeds of bias blossom into discriminatory actions—bullying, exclusion, and verbal assaults—pushing individuals or groups to the brink of violence and hate crimes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Asian people in the United States experienced an increase in hate crimes. When biases are allowed within communities, individuals may escalate their discriminatory ideas, resulting in exclusion or prejudice against specific groups in a variety of situations, including neighborhoods and workplaces. Individuals moving up the hatred pyramid may turn to violence or hate crimes, motivated by the mistaken idea that their own identity or values are superior to those of others. This can emerge as threats, physical aggression, or property destruction. At the top of the pyramid is genocide, which represents the strong intention to wipe out an entire group. Taking action against hate In the fight against hatred, we individually have the ability to impact change. We can destroy the pyramid of hate from the ground up by cultivating empathy, exposing biases, and advocating for inclusion. As stewards of justice, we must serve as lights of hope in a world enveloped in darkness. Fortunately, there are numerous methods we can overcome hatred in our daily lives. From speaking out against hateful words to promoting understanding and empathy, every action, no matter how small, helps to create a more compassionate and equitable society. Choosing love over hate: A path to healing and reconciliation Hate has sometimes been incorporated into legislation, as evidenced by historical examples such as the Indian Removal Act and Jim Crow laws, which targeted Native and Black Americans. When we choose silence in the face of hatred, we unintentionally allow it to develop, resulting in greater harm. Here are some strategies to combat hate in our everyday lives. First, pay close attention to the conversations around you. If people you associate with display hostility toward specific groups, consider speaking up or reevaluating your social circles. Being an upstander entails supporting those who are targeted and reporting hate crimes when you see or hear about them. Additionally, introspection is essential. Take notice of any nasty thoughts or behaviors that may be influencing your actions and views. Understanding what hate looks and sounds like, both in yourself and in others, is essential for effectively combating it. Furthermore, embrace variety and endeavor to comprehend others who have had different experiences than you. Be willing to examine your own preconceptions and prejudices, and approach situations with curiosity and kindness. Remember that you are not alone in the fight against hate. Many human rights organizations and government programs work to eradicate hatred and promote inclusivity. As civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” By demonstrating love and compassion, you create a good example for others to follow, resulting in a more inclusive and peaceful community.The post Unraveling the layers and complexity of the great force of hate first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.