Corbin

I'm excited to talk about a pair of open-source Apps which have recently become available on Google Play (Android Market): TextSecure for Private SMS/MMS. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms and RedPhone, for Secure Calls. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.redphone Both of these are by a company called Whisper Systems and are recommended by security experts (including this security intermediate) and are incredibly easy to use. Let's get these Apps on the phones of those we would communicate with! And BTW, if you have an iPhone: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531941/Even-worse-worst-nightmares-How-NSA-use-iPhone-spy-you.html

I have a similar concern as an animal lover and non-vegetarian. I definitely want meat to cost the correct price, and the meat I consume is more realistically priced than average. I also want animals to be treated with as much love and kindness as possible. Decreasing aggression and abuse seems to be the lynchpin to a free world. I think the people of "Phil's Gulch-topia" in 2035 are unlikely to have a lot of struggles with animal abuse because initiated aggression will be seen as the filthy abomination which it is.

How are the other people in Bob's world aware of the abuse? In a free society, hermit people who don't interface with the rest of society may do unsavory things things in their basements, but these situations are likely to be rare exceptions. I imagine that compared with how often people are getting away with just these sorts of things presently, it would be a very nice world indeed.I know that if free people became aware of the hermit-dude abusing people on his property, self-defense issues come into play.

I'm partial to the Ripjaws X 8 GB set: It's also cheaper by $1.38/GB. G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Iron Maiden decided instead of pointing guns at those who would download their music (at least in this instance), they would play concerts for them. http://boingboing.net/2013/12/24/iron-maiden-makes-millions-by.html

People are relaxing around here, a little at a time. There seems to be a mass exodus from mormonsim and other religions. I even know a couple who began teaching "mormon junk" to their children and have since become atheists. They apologize to their kids often, and it's a rare treat. They are trying hard to teach them how to think now, and while you can tell the kids are confused, they seem happier.

I live in Salt Lake City. Right now the big excitement around town is that a federal judge ruled that the Amendment 3 ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, and the 10th district court of appeals denied their fellow gangsters a stay on the ruling so they could stop all the time-space warping effects of same-sex marriage. The Salt Lake County court house has been packed all day, and in Utah County, a vile place I try to avoid, and the true heart of mormonism, the courthouse staff was refusing to relent and would not provide licenses to same-sex couples. The first two gentlemen to get married, Michael and Seth, are my friends and I'm thrilled for them. I find it exciting anytime people are made more free, even if it's in the context of asking permission from the mafia to do something which is obviously no business of theirs. The couple happen to own a tea company called The Queen's Tea which makes the tastiest teas I've yet had. Sincerely, try the Jasmine Green, you'll cry. I saw a picture on FB a short while ago and I had some thoughts: The club these people belong to dropped millions of dollars on prop 8 in California and have committed untold wonders of interference with equality and freedom. It seems to me, you can't be a card carrying member of a club and not vouch for the actions committed in the name of said club. I could be wrong, they do have a lovely sign. It would be nice to see them put their actions where they can speak louder than their words. How about not being a member of a racist, bigoted, mind-control machine which makes people hate themselves and slurp down anti-depressants like they're Jell-O? Thoughts?

I experienced two great pieces of media today. This morning on my way to work, I listened to the FDR Podcast 860 - Life from Death. If you haven't heard that one, I highly recommend it (I'll explain why I mention this later), and this evening I watched the film Gravity. I found it to be an exhilarating and gripping metaphor on becoming an adult. Sandra Bullock ages amazingly well and Alfonso Cuarón made some magic as writer/director/producer/editor. A few points which I thought were remarkable: [*]The protagonist's psychological development stagnated due to trauma. [*]She assumes the weightless fetal position at one point, symbolizing that she is not yet born (as a fully developed person). [*]When she was facing complete destruction, her unconscious reminded her of a solution she wasn't consciously aware of. [*]She had a 'memento mori' experience preparing for re-entry into the world. [*]The escape-pod was like a womb, which was difficult to emerge from. [*]She had to shed the 'false skin' of her spacesuit because it was weighing her down and would have killed her. [*]At the end, she walked like an infant, symbolizing her birth. I was glad to have listened to the podcast prior to seeing this film. The themes were cohesive and it seemed to prime me for catching some of the metaphors. In the podcast, a listener writes about becoming stagnant and fearful due to the loss of a loved one, and Stefan encourages the listener not to let death win and live as fully as possible.

I have heard this several times now, so I finally listened to a few other tracks of theirs. Wow...crazy indeed.

This song caught my ear the other day and I had to share it. [H] Unless I misunderstand (and I've been known to), the message of this song fits right in around here. [View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI3shBXlqsw]