Politics

There's a lot of controversy surrounding "fake news". Is it possible to weaponize artificial intelligence to create (fake) news story based on the official narratives?

Just heard the horrific and heart-rending news from Orlando. Thoughts and all my commiserations go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and best wishes for a speedy recovery for those hurt.

I am aware that the situation would have gone out of control had America not intervened in world affairs. The problem is that the world knows America's priorities. Americans have brought peace in some regions. The different pacts that have been ratified have something for both the parties. Is there any pact in the world where both the parties have interpreted it identically?

I hadn't seen this in all the brouhaha after the election - Ok it is slightly pious and maybe not worth a hill o' beans in the longterm; however, it is still worthy of applause and a great sentiment upon which to base future decisions. http://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/r0484-16.pdf

We live in a climate where trending, likes, re-teweets, viral, and so on decides what is news. While there is nothing new about the media running wild specific stories to quench the populations thirst (24/7 Princess Diana comes to mind) there is something different and more insidious happening lately. The death of print media and sinking viewership of cable media has created a death throes situation where everyone seems willing to say/print anything that will get shared. The result has been a media that hyper focuses on issues to an extent that their focus alters, influence, or becomes the story. In this political cycle the media has provided Donald Trump with billion…

Do conspiracies ever exist? Is it ever reasonable to posit a conspiracy theory? Has there ever been a case where a conspiracy theory had merit? Would ethnic bias and nepotism be considered a conspiracy? Would toeing a party line be a conspiracy? Do people ever use the term "conspiracy theory" as if all conspiracy theories are automatically wrong and can't be discussed, and if so, how does this make sense? Do they apply the term selectively to certain groups, and perhaps ironically, when there possibly is a conspiracy?

Are Jews privileged in academia? Is there any indication of nepotism in college admissions? Does ethnic bias ever influence science? How do we establish ethnic bias in science? Finding cases of academic fraud and correlating them to ethnicity would be one way. Are there any examples of Jews doing this? If so, is it a conspiracy? Some data to get the ball rolling.

Are Whites privileged in academia? Is there any indication of nepotism in college admissions? Does ethnic bias ever influence science? How do we establish ethnic bias in science? Finding cases of academic fraud and correlating them to ethnicity would be one way. Are there any examples of Whites doing this? If so, is it a conspiracy? Some data to get the ball rolling.

In the world of radical chanding events, i read in many newspapers that indian middle class and Rbi indian expatriats are every now and then after US businesses and small scale sector merchants businesses. They want to expose mainly NRIs of 1990s who hoarded wealths from their private sector small sector indian businesses funds and later invested in offshore businesses in USA. Later they had profits and made settlements in USA. So other indian high stake NRIs who too had followed the trend had invested their money in UK euro and swiss offshore banking segments. So the indians who are after them somehow managed to get the list of indian bankers of USA businesses of 1990s a…

It has been said by many (among them, Barack Obama) that Trump is not an ideologue, which is a rather hopeful statement, considering the things he said and declared to do since the start of his campaign. As such, it is interesting to take a look at those that he surrounds himself with, as they will most likely be extremely influential in the way his policies. This is especially interesting as during the campaign he has allegedly promised Kasich significant influence on domestic and foreign policy as a VP. It can therefore be speculated that Pence may play a significant role. It is quite worrisome that Bannon has become the chief strategist as he has turned his media …

Americans provided weapons to ISIS and advanced technology like drones. American Arms Industry is notorious for arming conflicting groups with most modern weaponary. The Republicans told that they fear radical Islam. This is obvious. They have crossed the line by conquering Iraq. Arabs detest Americans and will fight USA tooth and nail if they decide to unite. They view Americans as enemy number 1 and not without reasons. I have seen American propoganda in my country trying to provoke Muslims to become jehadis and take down the Government. We do not need a New World Order with racism in mind.

Who is responsible for the mess in Iraq? As per Americans there were WMD's with which Saddam Hussein was threatening countries adjacent to Iraq. Was this an intelligence failure Or A willful act by America and its allies to get a foothold in the Middle-East to fight against alleged terrorists.?

My cousin is crazy worried for her husband's safety(he's black). She said after Trump was elected, there is KKK lurking around her area. She constantly worry that her husband or her kids might not make it home one day. I understand where her worriness come from because her husband was arrested before and pulled over before multiple times just for being black. Now with Trump as president, she is fearful. She keeps getting the flu, getting breakouts because of worrying. It is affecting her physically and mentally. Is there anything I can tell her to alleviate her fear and worriness?

Have we taken our eyes off the ball as we come to terms with our repulsive new overlords? It seems to me that we may be in for a reallocation of zones of influence (and the political regimes ) in each zone. Francois Filllon vs Marine LePen is looking like the runoff for the French Presidential election coming up soon . I think both these candidates share the view that sanctions against Russia should be dropped. If this comes to pass and Trump 's USA is added to the pack then does this bring about some kind of a stable(ish) realignment of power in the world? Russia will reestablish its "near Russia" zone ,the USA will retreat and allow China to ex…

Civil unrest, assault, burning private property, because some of the electorate didn't like the results of a democratic election. This is shameful, and classless. I cannot recall Republicans rioting after the results of '08 and '12 elections, or any other election regarding both sides. Obama is calling for unification and a peaceful transition. your thoughts? ~EE

I really want a basement and underground tunnel, well one that is beneath the ground. Though those things does not seem to be too popular here in Taiwan. A basement might be good enough to survive a nuke strike? Anyway, building an underground structure is still quite an arduous task, let me know what you think

Some don't believe so because her values and what she stands for, a lot of women don't agree with. What do you all think? Is Hillary Clinton a representation of a woman?

Now I remember looking, probably not seriously enough, during the depression back in 2009 looking for a job. And for half a year I couldn't find one until I get back to Taiwan. I am saying that jobs are pretty hard to get either in Taiwan or America or just about anywhere. I remember wanting to work at Pixar in Emeryville or for companies like EA. Now I am alright with a job that pays reasonably for my daily expenses. The problem with job is just that they are too hard to get. What if the job has entry level positions to increase job positions? I mean really entry level jobs where you just surf the web and try to collect information. There are dumasses like me out the…

I have been hearing about this phenomenon for some time and wonder if is partly to blame for exacerbating divisions in society. So (a) How important an effect is it ? (b) Can it be minimized by some technological fix? Other ways? © Does anyone think it is no big deal?

Ok so I saw this pic somewhere online: I mean is this really even possible in this era? To have another Hitler? I guess this might happen if we go through another depression, resources become scarce, and the “leader” finds a scapegoat. What's your opinion on Trump being compared to Hitler?

This came up in another thread. No, the government never "raided" the social security trust fund. They never put the money in the general fund. From the SSA website itself: https://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths2.html https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/fundFAQ.html So you can hang on to myths and misrepresentations being fed to you, or you can do a little work (this took a few minutes of searching; the SSA FAQ was the first hit) and find out the unadulterated facts, and let them inform you.

This seems to have need of revision since the results of the American Presidential Election. Does anyone have a dispassionate view on the matter? Is there going to be a big shock one way or another or will the international economies and trade tend to carry on regardless ? EDIT: no Economics sub-forum as such?

I remember reading news articles other day, saying the real reason why half Americans keep voting in the republican party every election!! The real reason why half Americans are very divided!! And always been like that for very long time. The country has no majority or unity but very divided country. Going on to say the giant flaw in the left-progressive construct, and their refusal to even begin grappling with it is what keeps the left chasing its tail over the great Kansas mystery and never getting any closer to answering their question!!! Why do so many hard working and middle-class even poor white males vote against what is obviously their own best interests? I can …

As you may have heard, Germany had a strong influx of asylum seekers in the last years, with many being Syrian refugees, but also from Afghanistan, Iraq and, weirdly, Serbia. That has led to an increased anti-refugee as well as anti-immigrant (though Germany never really accepted non-Eu immigrants easily) stance under the overall that there will be no successful integration because, among other things, the cultures are too different. Integration into Germany has many challenges, especially for visible minorities, but what I want to discuss in this thread is the issue of refugee attitiudes. So far is that data was lacking, but just now the government has published the r…

I wonder, what would be required to make the world give up their oh so precious radioactive explosive toys?