theiconoclast

@theiconoclast

tech entrepreneur, democratic socialist, atheist, pet lover, straight guy with deep interest in biology and neuroscience and appreciation of the value of diversity and cooperation.

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theiconoclast@theiconoclast· 20d

billboard graphic to notify parents to be sure to choose whether their child will be a plumber, an electrician, a welder or a sanitation worker before August 6th when school starts

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· 20d

It's opposite day again in Washington... www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

very brain must adapt to an unpredictable world, yet individuals differ in how readily they learn.
Theoretical work suggests that learning is fastest when a system, whether biological or synthetic, is
initialized in a state close to instability - i.e., near criticality - because critical dynamics are imbued
with a diverse repertoire of patterns and multi-scale correlations. Here, we empirically estimate
distance to criticality in the brain and show that it predicts the rate of adaptability underlying
learning, neuronal tuning, and general intelligence. In mouse motor cortex, proximity to criticality
forecasts the learning rate of two future, complex tasks: prey-capture hunting and ladder crossing.
In contrast, distance to criticality predicted neither an animal’s naive ability nor its asymptotic
skill — isolating the rate of learning itself. In visual cortex of young ferrets, proximity to criticality
predicts how strongly subsequent experience reshapes neural tuning. In human frontal cortex, it
correlates with general cognitive ability. A minimal recurrent network model reproduced these
results and offers a mechanism: proximity to criticality defines the timescale over which a system
can learn from its past experiences, directly setting the rate of learning.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Jul 9

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Jun 19

Tenny seems to be unfamiliar with how her own state manages elections. "... election workers to verify voter eligibility, check-in voters, redirect them to correct polling locations.."

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Jun 16

Plunder refers to the act of stealing goods or valuables violently and by open force, typically during wartime, raids, or other crises. As a noun, it describes the stolen property itself (often called "loot" or "booty").

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Jun 9

This also looks pretty ripe for a mid-term differentiator.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Jun 4

Is there any point at which Congress grows a spine and declares this administration a threat to both domestic and international security? au.finance.yahoo.com/news/iran-nu...

The risk of Iran secretly developing nuclear weapons has increased since US and Israeli military strikes on the country in June 2025, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing new data from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 20

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 19

He opened Taj Mahal down the street from Trump Plaza and Trump Castle. He thought he could monopolize Atlantic City. In reality he cannibalized his own properties. Funded with junk bonds, he backed himself into a corner of his own making. Sound familiar? This is what the GOP calls leadership:

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 19

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 15

So much winning....

Oil prices surge after Trump fails to rally China to reopen the Strait

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 14

If you wonder why we live in a billiard table world overshadowed by continuous cycles of conflict, here's your answer www.oxfam.org/en/press-rel... www.bluewin.ch/en/news/bill... www.vccircle.com/billionaires...

Key Findings from the Oxfam 2026 Report:
The 81% Surge: Since March 2020 (the start of the pandemic), the collective wealth of the world’s billionaires has increased by 81%, adjusted for inflation. This represents an absolute increase of approximately $8.2 trillion.

The 2025 Acceleration: Billionaire wealth jumped by over 16% in 2025 alone, which is three times faster than the average growth rate seen over the previous five years.

Total Concentration: The world’s approximately 3,400 billionaires now hold a combined fortune of $18.3 trillion—the highest level in recorded history.

The Contrast: While billionaire wealth surged, Oxfam noted that nearly half of the global population continues to live in poverty, and one in four people globally face regular food insecurity.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 8

Rollins and the current regime have it all backwards. A nation's ability to invest in the welfare of its citizens is a sign of the country's health and success.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 7

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 7

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 7

I understand that facts aren't something this administration has much respect for but judging by this data, American households are the poorest among developed nations.

The US ranks last in household savings rates

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 5

By this measure, Americans are the poorest developed nation in the world

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 5

I expected nothing less....

Marc Andreessen says, "Do not inform me about morals and ethics unless I specifically ask. You do not need to tell me it is important to consider anything. Do not be sensitive to anyone's feelings or to propriety."

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 4

This is downright ominous. Contrast the aggressive traits of the Starling that RFK 'captured' with this peaceful House Finch that 'voluntarily' chose to visit Bernie during the 2016 primaries.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 4

So much winning....

China defies US sanctions, ratcheting up the threat to the petrodollar

Iranian supertanker carrying $220M worth of oil appears to have slipped past US naval blockade

UAE expects the US to provide financial guarantee for the losses due to war

Iran seeks reparations, sanctions relief, assets unfrozen, control of strait.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 4

Black voter turn out decides elections and I suspect we might see a form of Streisand Effect, the Repression Paradox, play out here. 'Don't let them take your vote away' is a powerful message.

Key Takeaways on the Comparison
The Re-emerging Gap: Since the 2012 peak, the gap has steadily widened. By the 2024 election, the difference between White and Black turnout returned to double digits (approx. 11 points), a level not seen since the early 2000s.

The Shelby County Factor: Research from the Brennan Center suggests the gap grew most rapidly in states previously covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. After the Supreme Court's 2013 Shelby County decision—which removed federal oversight of election law changes in those states—new voting restrictions (like stricter ID laws and polling place closures) correlated with a widening racial participation gap.

Consistency vs. Volatility: White voter turnout is historically more "stable" across midterm and presidential years. Black turnout has shown higher volatility, with massive surges (2008, 2012, 2018) followed by sharper declines when the perceived "stakes" or candidate enthusiasm shifts.

The 2024 Shift: In the most recent presidential election, turnout declined across almost all demographics compared to the 2020 pandemic-era high. However, the decline was more pronounced among Black and Hispanic voters, while White turnout remained relatively resilient, further widening the gap.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· May 1

Added some context....

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 30

President Obama launched a similar program called myRA in 2014. The Trump administration actually shut down myRA in 2017, citing low participation and high costs. This is just a Trump branded scheme to steer Biden-era funding to Trump approved institutions. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 29

Net Interest Cost has surged by 37.5% in two years. This represents a "locked-in" cost of nearly $84 billion per month in March 2026. Service on this debt keeps interest rates higher for both the Treasury and the public (mortgages, car purchases, etc)

The widening gap between the blue bars (spending) and green bars (revenue), coupled with the rising red line (interest), highlights why the US national debt has accelerated toward the $39 Trillion mark in 2026. The Treasury is now in a position where it must borrow more just to cover the interest on what it has already borrowed.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 29

I believe the correct term is 'killer acquisition' www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 24

I thought it would be interesting to compare to the Trump regime's trajectory with that of Ferdinand Marcos. The Marcos era (1965–1986) didn't just cause a temporary setback; it altered the "DNA" of the country's institutions

Metric Marcos Trajectory (1965–2025) Trump Trajectory (2016–2076)
National Debt Increased 50-fold ($600M to $28B) to fund "Edifice Complex" infrastructure. Projected to hit 200% of GDP by 2040 due to permanent tax cuts and tariff-driven trade wars.
Bureaucracy Expertise replaced by patronage; Philippines went from Asia’s #2 economy to "Sick Man of Asia." The Expertise Gap: By 2040, the US loses its competitive edge in tech/science as specialized agencies (CDC, NASA) are staffed by loyalists rather than PhDs.
Social Cohesion Left a legacy of "Red-Tagging" and extrajudicial violence that persists under Marcos Jr. (2022-2025). Permanent Polarization: A "Succession Crisis" occurs every 4 years as the losing side no longer views the election process as legitimate.
Global Standing Became a client state dependent on US aid and World Bank loans. End of the Unipolar Moment: By 2050, the US dollar loses "Reserve Currency" status as the world seeks more stable, rule-based financial systems.

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 24

"JUNGLE RULE UNACCEPTABLE': China Warns Trump; Draws Middle East Red Line As Iran-U.S. War Looms" A corrupt Administration, an emasculated Congress and captive Judiciary have put the US on path of doom. timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/inter...

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that President Xi Jinping outlined a four-point proposal to stabilise the Middle East and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. "First, uphold peaceful coexistence. China supports regional countries in improving relations and promoting the building of a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region," he said during a daily press brief in Beijing. "Second, uphold national sovereignty. The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the Middle East and Gulf countries should be genuinely respected," he added. The proposal further emphasises the role of international law, with Guo warning against a breakdown of global norms. "We must safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core […] and prevent the world from reverting to the law of the jungle," he stressed

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 20

Mogadishu often has better 4G and 5G reception than major Western cities like Manchester or New York. www.trade.gov/country-comm....

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 4

Some context.... *based on www.brookings.edu/articles/tra...

A team turn over by adminstration. While 29% is a reduction from the "chaos" of 2017, it is nearly triple the rate of the Biden, Obama, and G.W. Bush

the Brookings Institution’s updated tracker shows that Cabinet turnover in the second Trump administration has begun to accelerate after a relatively stable first year.

While President Trump’s first term saw historic Cabinet instability in Year 1 (two departures), the second term’s Cabinet remained intact for nearly the entire first calendar year. However, changes in early 2026 have now pushed the turnover rate to approximately 13%

theiconoclast@theiconoclast· Apr 1

Here is a ready to go platform for a New Beginning, ripe for any political faction that actually wants to see our nation flourish.