Politics

Do We Need Privacy?

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New rules by US Congress allows your browsing history/data to be sold. What's your take on this?

I've been one of those people claiming that I've got nothing to hide for many years. But for the past three years I've got to a place where I understand how much data there actually is going to be online on me and everyone in the future. This means that cybersecurity is more important than ever. Imagine when our brains come online, our thoughts, our DNA, wherever we go, whomever we're with, whatever we do, everything will be traceable in high detail wherever there is an internet connection, which will basically be everywhere.

Do you want people and companies to be able to access all of you? 
If you were to be extremely unlucky you could have your data used against you.
Is this something you want for you, your friends and your family?

I'm not so sure about that.

Fortunately more and more startups are popping up working within this field and Tel Aviv is well known for their talent on this. And the arrival of quantum computing will make everything even more cryptic. 

Why Trump's Win Might Actually Be A Good Thing

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Trump is all over the media these days, and here I am, contributing to his ever rising fame, but I actually have something to say which is empowering and not only focusing on the negative side of it all.

You see, I can’t help but wonder, when we think long term, isn't this simply beneficial madness for us all?

Not that I am pro this unabashed demagogue of a person, his decisions and executions. But there is something quite fascinating about the whole situation we as a global community find ourselves in at the moment. I think there is a reason for him becoming a president. The time for a switch in our earthly collective consciousness has arrived with him as the tipping point. The world now has a place to point our fingers.

Yes, he has taken some radical and weird actions the past 11 days, and he is all over the news because of his tyranny. In all his glory he demonstrates his power. Its all so absurd and unexpected that we’re filled with chaos and fear. 

  • People are being deported from the country and banned to enter. People are divorced from their families because they’re “immigrants” event though they have US citizen ship. (It seems like trump has forgotten that his country is built up by immigrants, that the most successful companies located in has been built by immigrants even that two of his wives(including Melanie Trump) is immigrants.)
  • He has gotten rid of Obamacare
  • And more

I get that there is a reason for this panicking behavior of the masses, but is it just me that find this whole situation interesting? Is it just me that sees this wackiness as an insane opportunity for true global change and a strong community to arisen?

Humanity as a whole is longing for justice, so, perhaps now is a perfect time we all can stop the passive talking and stop watching, and start engaging? Perhaps now is the time where its possible to practice what we preach? Now when we finally have a direction in which to focus our anger?

There is not much chatter in the news or online yet(check more about the media below) about possible solutions and actions we together can take but I guess there is a lot going on among the world leaders and behind locked doors. We are being forced to rationalize our minds. Humanity is now forced to think. All at once. Because it can´t just skyrocket in this direction for years, which is a possibility if he is not being stopped, cause we can all clearly see that Trump rather belongs to a psychiatric institution, but meanwhile until then he is roaming the streets with immense power accompanied by delusional events.

While we all were hoping(and still do I guess)for his Presidency to be one big joke, anticipating for Ashton Kutcher to jump out of nowhere and say “gottcha, you’ve all been massively pranked. moahaha” (feel free to skip this mind wandering paragraph about what Trump's is all about)

  • Or hoping that is was just a big PR stunt to get Hillary Clinton closer to a win
  • Or that it was merely a genius episode of black mirror happening live where we all were actors. Just to prove a point.
  • Or that a group of people with lots of control are behind him and just want to play around for fun with us.. To See how far it can go for what to happen. 
  • or maybe he is with ISIS and wanted to get his hands on the nuclear weapon industry to blow us all up in once, wipe humanity away 
  • Or that Trump is just a straw man being pushed in a corner by aliens or Gods
  •  Or that he actually is an alien which came to earth just to have some fun and experiment with us all. (an extraterrestrial from a super advanced civilization where we still can’t imagine what is possible when altering the laws of physics 
  • Or that its we, humans on earth are a big experiment and what is happening now is arranged just to measure something… like reactions, behavior, intelligence, stupidtitiy, energy or sense of community, kindness and love. or just to see how fast we can adapt to change and what we can allow to happen.
  • Or maybe he is a machine going amok, perhaps its the start of the AI crisis, its just not being told to the masses cause its all out of control
  • Or we are (our universe or earth solely) is in a video game and about to level up? Or down? 
  • (My mind can flow forever like this filled with amusement but lets continue.)

This is not the case, as far as we know, Trump is here to stay and his presidency do not has a fulcrum.

Even though polls said that Hilary was going to win, I was sure that wouldn’t be the case.
Injustice and instability is on the menu all over the world, we have the refugee crisis, the richer that is getting richer and visa versa, in addition to that many people are loosing their jobs due to technology and the age of antibiotics is soon over. As usual, people are suffering from poverty and diseases eats a lot of people. We all want the climate change to reverse and we can’t handle no more religious conflicts. People are so thirsty so we jump on every possibility to alter our reality.

Another factor is that because of the rise of technology we can discover how vast the differences in the world truly are. Of course because of the news and everything, but interesting fact is that online we are all one big happy community where we all feel belonging. The whole world is our neighbor and we can find people similar to ourselves just a click away. Being online is magic, but when that bubble burst and we’re back to the offline reality, it all seems even more unfair. We feel isolated and miserable, we feel that we do not have the same rights and living condition as others and it makes us furious. Trump is a visible sign of how people experience the world at the moment, loaded with anxiety and negative feelings.

Of course a lot people will suffer because him being president, but doesn’t a lot of people suffer already? What’s great about this whole situation is that now everyone has someone to point their finger at. We have been missing a concrete and clear picture of all the disasters happening. But now, we have a scapegoat, finally, we have somewhere we all can direct our voices, our anger, our frustration, our energy. A visible and safe place with easy access for everyone. It's like picking up the phone calling a service and say how much you dislike them and if they don't change you will go to somewhere better. Until now we’ve had too many choices on how to deal with the misery of the world making us paralyzed, unable to do anything cause we haven’t known where to start and everything seems unaccessible and far away. Like where should we start? Who should we attack? Our country politicians? Them big companies like Marlboro, Nestlé or H&M? Or perhaps the intermediaries who delivers the product or the different people who collects the different parts needed for a product to be made? Or maybe the man who is actually right now tearing down trees in Amazonas in order to be able to feed his own family with his almost no money salary? Or should we point at those who work at the factory where they release harmful waste making the habitants close by get cancer and other diseases? Or perhaps the people who build the factory or the man who owns the land where its being built? You see, the list can go on and on. We can even blame the supermarkets for world hunger cause they throw away 40 % of their food. Which is food that has not gone bad, they just dont look “perfect”. My point being, there are way too many choices, too many people to blame! Making us end up just caring about our own little ego bubble, feeling helpless. But times are changing. Now there is a possibility for a rebellion, cause now we have someone to rebell towards. And a sense of community is gradually being built. As a global community we get a common voice, a high voice we all now can direct somewhere. This is how optimism, hope and meaning can start cultivating.

Lets reminisce a bit about Martin Luther King and how he perfectly points to the type of change makers and activists our world needs.

“And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to humankind’s problems. And I’m going to talk about it everywhere I go. For I have seen too much hate. […] and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren’t moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality. And so I say to you today, my friends, that you may be able to speak with the tongues of men and angels; you may have the eloquence of articulate speech; but if you have not love, it means nothing. Yes, you may have the gift of prophecy; you may have the gift of scientific prediction and understand the behavior of molecules; you may break into the storehouse of nature and bring forth many new insights; yes, you may ascend to the heights of academic achievement so that you have all knowledge; and you may boast of your great institutions of learning and the boundless extent of your degrees; but if you have not love, all of these mean absolutely nothing.”

So, Who's gonna do the first I have a dream speech? When will it happen? In a few years or weeks? Are spokesmen randomly going to disappear from the earth or be imprisoned? As I empty my mind of reflections by writing this article I can’t help but wonder, what if some one pro-trump or some of his secrets agents will trace me and come knock on my door and.. vops there I am, no longer existing. Vaporized to nothing. That would be quite hilarious if that is how far is gonna get, but, you neve know where the valley will hit its bottom these days.

Anyhow, demonstrations and executions are popping up around the globe right now. Join in and do not be scared to speak up.

Here you can get an update on some of what is happening

  • The Tech Industry is furious about the new immigration law:

 

  • UK is furious and do not want him to be able to visit Great Britain at all

Will you join forces with one of these or create your own? 

I do not think Donald Trump is in complete safety from now on. So much disgust and distrust can make people do inhuman things towards him. Which in this case I think will be looked at and admired as heroic in the eyes of several people. Someone is right now probably already mapping out a master plan on how to get rid of him, wether it will be with or without violence. I think someone eagerly will sacrifice their life to get rid of him.

So as we saw from the first day where he was president people gathered to rebell. We will continue to rebell. We will connect with our friends and befriend strangers.
We now have a common purpose, a meaning of existence. An anchor for us all, a feeling of togetherness. From now on, we are part of something bigger then ourselves.

This might be the wakeup call we need. Losing hope in one of our “leaders” might be the trigger we need to restore faith in ourselves and each other. 

Wether it takes 5 or 100 years of this craziness. It will probably end in a world way better than then one we see today. (Unless the AI's comes ad  exterminates us.) This is a catalyst for world change. And what I hope will come out of this all in the end is following

  • World Police
  • World Laws
  • Open boarders 
  • Universal Basic Income
  • World wide democracy
  • Even more focus on technology, and money for science
  • No more using way too much money on war and weapons 

I see this as a happening at some point during our time as humans or consciousness in machines. And I believe this is the start towards this. So lets cross our fingers. It might take 5 or 100 years, but from now on, we are walking towards it.

Anyways, no one knows how this all will turn out in the end,  but I keep on my glasses made of optimism on. 
If not this collective awareness starts a global movement, I have no longer faith in human beings. 
And if it all end in a disaster (Of course, it might totally end a disaster, if Trump gets mad and want to commit suicide, he might want to bringe the whole human race with him and then put nuclear bombs in every part of the whole world so that we all get wiped out at once..) at least we have been spectators to an extremely entertaining and ludicrous happening.

But I think,
the collective consciousness are a-wakening next to a rebellious global movement.
And times, as Bob Dylan says, times they are a-changin’

Rebellion for president ! High five for humanity. This will all be alright and form a stronger global community.

Ps: Want to laugh? check out this

Goodbye 2016, You Weird and Difficult Year.

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Drawing by Moi. Just to point out the exhaustion I felt.

Is it just me or was 2016 a big hassle for us all?

Well, 2016 is going down in the history books as a strange, confusing and troubled year.
I've come across a lot of people later this year, both good friends and new acquaintances that telling me that they've experienced difficulties this year, more than usual. On personal levels, relationships, jobs, anything.
Not only individuals have been facing difficulties, our civilization in general, industries and countries have been challenged. What topped it all was the unexpected win of Donald Trump in the U.S election. A climate sceptic and bully is now in one of the most important positions in the world. How is that even possible?

Also earlier this year came the Brexit vote shock, taking Britain out of the European Union. Again, whats happening? 

Ill mention a few other things.

  • The endless carnage in the Middle East and consequent refugee crisis has been all over the news for the whole year and now the, until now, disastrous climax in Aleppo.
     
  • Terror attacks from the ISIS have become more frequent in unpredictable places. TheNice attack, Brussels, Germany etc.
     
  • The worst ever mass shooting on American soil in Orlando.
     
  • The rich got richer. The Panama Papers leak pulled back the curtains on schemes by the wealthy to hide their funds in shell companies.
     
  • Diseases claimed more lives. The deadly Zika virus spread outwards from LatinAmerica and into the U.S.
     
  • There was also a growing evidence and warnings in 2016 that we are entering a post-antibiotic era where medicines will no longer work. And millions and millions of people will now die from what was once easy treatable diseases.
     
  • 2016 was also the hottest year on the planet for a very very long time.
     
  • It was also a difficult year in music with deaths of ionic artists like Prince Prince, George Michael, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie.

    Well, to also be realistic a lot of positive things have been happening too, bringing a lot of happiness to us all.
     
  • Future technology has taken the world with storm. AI (artificial intelligence) VR, nanotech, biotech etc. which will solve a lot of the things regarding health, wealth, productivity etc.
     
  • Science crossed into new frontiers. Doctors announced the birth of the first healthy three-parent baby created with DNA from three separate people. Elon Musk outlined his plan to populate Mars. We are one step closer to longevity, researcher have found out that its possible to reverse aging in mice. Also Mark Zuckerberg revealed that he is working towards a diseasless world, putting 3 billion dollars into research.
     
  • On practically every single measure, the globe today is much healthier, richer and happier than it was even half a century ago.
     
  • Veganism has become a trend in the western world.
     
  • And last but not least; The production of these amazing TV shows
    - Westworld
    - Game of Thrones
    - Skam

2016 showed us that we all need to step up.
Despite us living in the Age of Compassion, 2016 was a kick telling us that we're totally going in the wrong direction and we need to change. We all need to think new and look elsewhere for answers. Maybe it will spark creativity and some good will come out of this. I believe it will. 

And me on my end, personally, I could write a book about 2016.

(Feel free to skip this part if you like.) 

It was such a heavy year. Terrible. Full of surprises and loaded with negativity. Worst of all; it never, never ended.
2016 was such a hassle that I now believe in Zodiac foreseeing after reading about what it said about my 2016 path. At least the Chinese one. I came across that for snakes(Chinese astrology) 2016 had 1 out of 5 stars in overall luck and guess what, it couldn't be more accurate. Love life, wealth and health was all going down as low as ever. And it went on for so long that I was starting to believe that this might be the destiny of my life. My head got darker and darker and more and more foggy, my body posture just screamed exhaustion and I wasn't up for anything with anyone. Just leave me alone, folks. 
My stomach ached and all I wished for was to go to sleep and not wake up. Ever. Being close to and taking care of a severe mentally ill person demanded a lot, which was mainly what 2016 was consisting about.

Surprisingly, one day early December I went to bed with my laptop and a big smile totally took over, my wish had in a way come true. Facebook had declared me DEAD . For once the future looked bright.
I was smiling from ear to ear like: "oh wow maybe I actually am dead now? Maybe I just died? Facebook says it and Facebook IS society? Isn't it? No? Facebook knows everything and everyone. It has to be right. No? Please, let it be? So Maybe I'm not existing in the "real world" no more after all. Hmm I still see the same things in my room and the bed and computer feel the same.. I wonder how that happened since I noticed nothing. But maybe all that stress with just living in this society and exist in a human way is taken away? Fuck I so do not hope this is a joke. I understood that it had to be some kind of flaw in the programming but seriously I was praying for it not be the case. Let me be dead. Just let me drift away. Help me out here, anyone, something. "
Well the next day I wasn't dead anymore. It was a flaw in the system. Even Mark Zuckerberg had been declared dead. "In memories of"... Damn it. Maybe I should turn religious asap so God will help me out on time next time then. Anyhow, I guess it's a reason I didn't drop dead then.

All of a sudden a shift happened in late December and I started believing that I could actually leave that struggle behind while entering 2017. My energy came back, my mind started to declutter and I actually felt pretty good about everything despite it being winter and all. I couldn't and still almost can't... believe it.

One amazing thing happened in 2016 that probably was the thing giving me the 1 star. So, for the sake of that star I should mention it. I got to know some amazing people. Best friends for life, truly magic and inspiring and intelligent people. So lucky, I now have faith in humanity again. Or I mean, in Norwegians. I can actually live here! I also have to mention that I got this cool project rolling with a few friends of mine that it seems like it actually starts taking shape in 2017.

While scrolling down on the Zodiac page a big relief stroke me - 2017 has 3 out of 5. Seriously a giant leap up the latter. Thanks Universe, or whatever is outside the universe or whatever it is existence comes from. Just wanna thank something.

And, guess what, early 2017 things have fallen in place. I see a path I want to walk in life. I see my goals for 2017 and for the next five and ten years. My life. It feels so... Good! A clear vision has appeared and it's like tons of kilos just fell of my back. So relieving. So I guess that it all just lead up to that.

Going through all this luckily didn't make me lose all of my sanity. I kept my gratitude glasses on as usual. And I actually think it was a beautiful year. Full of teachings and lessons. Full of caring, loving and helping a person in desperate need. I learned a lot about psychology and human behavior in general.  And let me say that, nothing makes me grow more than them deep valleys. Growth for me is purpose. I actually had a meaningful and giving year. Isn't it a meaning to be alive we all are looking for? Meaning makes life rich and filled with content? Well at least it to me. 
Best of all its from the lowest point it only can go upwards. Anyone with me? 2017!
 

Chapter of 2016 closed - Check

Chapter of 2017 opened and started approaching my goals - Check