To understand why CO₂ levels rise and fall over millennia, look at a glass of sparkling water.
When it’s cold, it stays fizzy. When it warms up, it goes flat as the CO₂ escapes into the air. The Earth’s oceans work exactly the same way. This is the principle of a solubility pump.
Cold water is a carbon sponge; warm water is a carbon chimney. Because the oceans hold 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere, even a tiny change in sea temperature causes a massive shift in atmospheric CO₂. This explains the time lag seen in ice core data.
Historically, temperature rises first, and CO₂ follows centuries later. Why? Because it takes a long time for the deep, cold thermal flywheel of the ocean to warm up enough to start releasing its stored carbon.
When the oceans finally warm—driven by those million-year Milankovitch cycles—they exhale CO₂. This natural outgassing is a primary driver of the atmospheric shifts we see in the geological record.
It is a biological and physical response to a warming world, not a trigger for a crisis.
The planet is essentially recycling carbon from its massive oceanic reservoir to its parched terrestrial landscapes. It’s a self-regulating system of incredible complexity and beauty.
On Friday, I attended Charlie Kirk’s case hearing. There’s a lot to unpack from what happened, and I break it all down in this episode with @danksterintel and @brandisiciliani I may be wrong, but my sense is that this case won’t make it to trial. I think a deal will be reached before proceedings even begin.
The FBI has not produced certain evidence the defense requested. While they may technically have the right to withhold it at this stage, it raises questions. The FBI director has publicly stated that he wants this case to move quickly and smoothly and Erika has also emphasized the importance of a speedy trial. If that’s truly the goal, then why leave any opening for the defense to argue they don’t have the evidence they need and request a continuance? There were several things in this hearing that were conducted poorly.
Sixth Amendment of theConstitution of the United States
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
It is important for everyone to understand that the right to speedy trial is Tyler Robinson’s right, not Erika’s. And this Sixth Amendment right of Tyler’s does not permit the prosecution to withhold evidence or speedily convict someone who looks to many like a patsy. ABN
…although the sense of duḥkha in Normative Buddhism is traditionally given as ‘suffering’, that and similar interpretations are highly unlikely for Early Buddhism. Significantly, Monier-Williams himself doubts the usual explanation of duḥkha and presents an alternative one immediately after it, namely: duḥ-stha “‘standing badly,’ unsteady, disquieted (lit. and fig.); uneasy,” and so on. This form is also attested, and makes much better sense as the opposite of the Rig Veda sense of sukha, which Monier-Williams gives in full as “(said to be fr. 5. su + 3. kha, and to mean originally ‘having a good axle-hole’; possibly a Prakrit form of su-stha q.v.; cf. duḥkha) running swiftly or easily (only applied to cars or chariots, superl[ative] sukhátama), easy”. It would seem that there were two forms of each word; Prakrit and Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit chose the -kha forms instead of the -stha forms, which survived nevertheless in a much smaller way. The most important point here is that duḥ + stha literally means ‘dis-/ bad- + stand-’, that is, ‘badly standing, unsteady’ and is therefore virtually identical to the literal meaning of Greek astathmēta, from a- + sta- ‘not- + stand’, both evidently meaning ‘unstable’. This strongly suggests that Pyrrho’s middle term is in origin a simple calque.
Beckwith, Christopher I.. Greek Buddha: Pyrrho’s Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia (p. 30). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
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The First Noble Truth of Buddhism is usually translated as the truth of ‘suffering, unsatisfactoriness, or stress’. Beckwith presents a sound argument that it actually indicates a philosophical argument that untrained views are ‘badly standing, unsteady’ and not to be relied upon. Beckwith’s argument references Pyrrhonism because Pyrrho is known to have studied Buddhism in Bactria where he lived for ten years in Alexander’s court. During that time Pyrrho learned Buddhist philosophy and used it as the basis of Pyrrhonism, the earliest form of Greek skepticism. Beckwith is working with only attested documents. His argument that Pyrrhonism comes directly from Buddhism is very strong. I highly recommend his book Greek Buddha: Pyrrho’s Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia. ABN
In a recent episode of the American Alchemy podcast, Jesse Michels facilitated a thought-provoking dialogue between mathematician Eric Weinstein and astrophysicist Dr. Eric W. Davis, focused on the complexities surrounding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Over a four-hour conversation, they delved into the conspicuous absence of theoretical physicists in UAP-related programs, despite the presence of engineers and material scientists with direct knowledge of alleged crash-retrieval efforts. Weinstein’s frustration with this absence highlights a critical gap in understanding the physics behind UAP capabilities, suggesting that the challenges posed by UAPs extend beyond engineering to fundamental physics. The discussion raises crucial questions about the structure of research and the compartmentalization of knowledge in defense-related projects.
Weinstein’s analogy regarding the lack of physicists in UAP retrieval programs likens the situation to an orchestra missing its essential musicians, arguing that without the input of theoretical physicists, significant scientific advancements cannot be realized. Davis corroborates this notion by contrasting the disjointed nature of current retrieval efforts with the collaborative framework of the Manhattan Project, where various scientific disciplines worked cohesively towards a common goal. This point underscores a potential failure in the organization of UAP research, suggesting that a more integrated approach involving theoretical physics could be necessary to address the profound challenges posed by UAP phenomena.
The conversation also touches on the historical context of the Manhattan Project, illustrating how compartmentalization was a deliberate design choice rather than a flaw. This historical analogy serves as a lens to examine contemporary UAP research, prompting speculation about whether a similar compartmentalization exists today—one that may exclude physicists by design. The Wilson-Davis memo suggests that access to sensitive programs is tightly controlled, hinting at layers of classification that might keep theoretical physics work hidden from the engineers working on the retrieval efforts. This raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of current UAP research frameworks and whether the critical insights from theoretical physics are being deliberately isolated from practical engineering applications.
Moreover, the discussion introduces the role of notable figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Robert Maxwell, who, through their connections to various scientific and governmental institutions, have been implicated in potentially surveilling or influencing the scientific discourse around advanced physics. Weinstein posits that Epstein may have had motives beyond finance, positioning himself at the intersection of theoretical physics and intelligence operations. This assertion, coupled with the exploration of the Department of Energy’s classification system, suggests that significant research related to UAPs may be occurring outside of public and even military scrutiny. The implication is that if physicists are indeed located in hidden layers of government or private institutions, the broader understanding of UAP technology and its implications remains obscured by both secrecy and a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration.
The game: Gain control of a large society by using a small number of military operatives.
Let’s use clandestine military operatives numbering .0001 of the targeted society.
100 million times .0001 = 10,000.
So 10,000 clandestine military operatives will play this game to win against a society with a population of 100 million.
The clandestine force can achieve its goal by:
infiltrating and blending into the large society
distributing 10,000 clandestine operatives widely across the society
this may take several generations
once in place, operatives identify natural leaders inside the host society
then they attack those natural leaders in such a way that they become poor leaders
this is better than killing them because they are rendered ineffective while their weaknesses demoralize others in the community
this method of attack is unlikely to be detected by law enforcement
they must be attacked in ways that are not easily discoverable, including socially, financially, reputationally, through bad grades, misdirection, poison, maiming, psychosurgery, and so on
it is best to begin attacking natural leaders while they are young and continue as long as effective, even for many decades
this tactic is greatly facilitated by hostile operatives being born and raised in the large society
at the same time operatives work to help those who favor their cause(s) or position(s)
this might include harming the competitors of those people being favored
within 20-30 years, social disorganization will be noticeable due to the large number of disabled natural leaders
within 50 years social disorganization will be obvious
during the same time-frame, people favored by the hostile operatives will gain positions of power
soon, the larger society will succumb to the hostile takeover and a small number of military operatives will have won against a much larger society
The cost is minimal and the methods are almost undetectable. Once achieved, the goal can be proclaimed a victory by those who gained it.
While the goal is being pursued, operatives will discover ways to extract resources from the host society, thus paying their own way without funding from abroad.
In Buddhist literature, it is frequently stated that one’s karma can be completely changed in the “duration of a single thought,” or words to that effect.
If we understand karma to mean the work or ongoing functionalhabits of the mind, and consider that in light of the above findings, we may fairly conclude that thousands of years of Buddhist practice have been based on valid insights into how our brains actually operate.
Buddhist concepts of non-attachment, emptiness, and impermanence can also be seen in this light. And this would apply both to individual psychology, group psychologies, or the cosmos itself from a Mind Only perspective.
A good tool to have is the understanding that even deep psychological states can be transformed in a moment’s time. Consider also that the Buddha did describe some individual traits as “persistent” or unchanging even after enlightenment.
…it must be noted that the Buddha is the only Indian holy man before early modern times who bears an epithet explicitly identifying him as a non-Indian, a foreigner. It would have been unthinkably odd for an Indian saint to be given a foreign epithet if he was not actually a foreigner.
Moreover, the Scythians-Sakas are well attested in Greek and Persian historical sources before even the traditional “high” date of the Buddha, so the epithet should presumably have been applied to him already in Central Asia proper or its eastern extension into India—eastern Gandhāra.
There are also very strong arguments—including basic “doctrinal” ones—indicating that Buddhism had fundamental foreign connections from the very beginning, as shown below.
It is at any rate certain that Buddha has been identified as Śākamuni ~ Śākyamuni “Sage of the Scythians” in all varieties of Buddhism from the beginning of the recorded Buddhist tradition to the present, and that much of what is thought to be known about him can be identified specifically with things Scythian. Moreover, it must not be overlooked that we have no concrete datable evidence that any other wandering ascetics preceded the Buddha.
The Scythians were nomads (from Greek νομάδες ‘wanderers in search of pasture, pastoralists’) who lived in the wilderness, and it is thus quite likely that Gautama himself introduced wandering asceticism to India, just as the Scythians had earlier invented mounted steppe nomadism.
One way or the other, it would seem that the Buddha’s teachings were unprecedented mainly because they opposed new foreign ideas—the Early Zoroastrian ideas of good and bad karma, rebirth in Heaven (for those who were good), absolute Truth versus the Lie, and so on—which were previously unknown in “India proper”. He did this because he himself was foreign, and people actually understood and accepted that by calling him Śākamuni.
Beckwith, Christopher I.. Greek Buddha: Pyrrho’s Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia (pp. 6-7). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
UPDATE: Sixth Amendment of theConstitution of the United States
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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I keep seeing Erika’s supporters asserting her ‘right’ to a speedy trial. She is not the accused. She does not have this right in this trial. This right belongs to Tyler Robinson. And in this case, speedy does not mean kangaroo-court speedy where the prosecution does not provide to the defense the evidence they hold against the accused — Robinson, which is precisely what the prosecution is doing. To my eye, this trial looks like a blatant set-up to speedily convict a patsy who may well be unalived speedily; case closed. ABN
“From direct negotiations between the United States and Iran for the first time in nearly half a century… to coordinated diplomatic and military movement across the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond… the old geopolitical order is being replaced in real time. This is not chaos. This is strategy.”
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This is required viewing if you are interested in what is happening in Iran, the Middle East and the world. It’s a great take on the events of today and historically. I hope he’s right. ABN
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign a new executive order that will increase research into psychedelic drugs used to treat mental illnesses, potentially paving the way for their legal use in controlled environments.
The commander in chief is in talks to draft the order, which would release new guidance for medical research on drugs such as psilocybin and ibogaine, multiple insiders told The Washington Post.
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump teased an upcoming announcement scheduled for Saturday morning on something he feels ‘strongly about.’
The president called the impending revelation a ‘very positive thing,’ adding that he would be joined by a ‘very good, very smart, very caring’ person to make the official announcement.
Motivated reasoning means reasoning to gain. Speaking to effect means speaking to cause something.
Both are the most common forms of thought and speech for all people with few exceptions.
Speaking to effect and motivated reasoning maintain personas.
Because it is difficult to tell truths and because trying to do so brings calamity, we don’t. We narrow thought instead; our voices dull faceless muffled sounds with no meaning.
This is the tone and timbre of samsara, the feeling of group delusion, the Suffering of the First Noble Truth.
American Buddhist Net 