Audio: Three years ago, we wrote about a joint UK and German Ministry of Defense report titled Human Augmentation – The Dawn of a New Paradigm (1,2). At the time, many critics dismissed the document as speculative futurism, military fantasy, or the fever dream of transhumanists intoxicated by Silicon Valley ideology.
We never owned a smart phone, pay cash whenever we can, and ditched our Garmin watch long ago. We must stay in touch in the physical world or we will lose our humanity.
Check out some related material here:
REAL ID, a national digital identification, surveillance, and control system. Short link for sharing: https://tinyurl.com/3pjcv7y2
My state informed me I would be required to have it several years ago, but as of now, that doesn't seem to be the case and I just renewed my non-Real ID drivers license. Basically, when I said I had a passport, they said I don't need Real ID, so I'm glad about that.
Why has ETHICS been so easily forgotten?! That just because we can do something, it's okay to do it. In my many daily random chats, I do find that People ARE talking about the AI invading us. Everyone, even those that don't know of the Medical Truths, are talking about the AI invasion. SOO lately, I've been purposely directing those chats' focus (or trying to) so to get to the point of the Ethics of it. We must Talk Ethics! We need commercials to show people examples of Ethics. Demo these decisions. Just because it's "legal" or we Can do it, Does NOT make it ok! It's basic, it's a dah, but we need Anti-AI Propaganda. Let's spend money on that instead. All I can do is Talk. And I will. https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/01/24/neither-ironman-nor-the-hulk-human-enhancements-for-military-purpose.
Big E, Your stack on Real ID is amazing. It's a lot to read for REAL ID Newbies - but an extremely handy tool, for those on the cusp and needing information. Bottom line Folks- ASAP Get Back Your Standard License, Please. And stand your ground, when they try to mandate it in your state. I fly with my passport, no problem.
Let us know if you succeed, Jean, in getting back your standard license. Some states, like Commie CO, it is not required, but they Really hide that FACT from us normies/Legal citizens. Of course they love giving out standard licenses all the time there, to Illegals!
In my state, PA, it's very clearly stated in my license renewal, Real ID is only an option- is NOT required.
Jean, I just called Maryland's DMV. After saying words to the AI bot, they pushed my call to a person. Super nice gal !
You just need to make an appointment at your DMV, and when arrive, ask for what they call a Non-Compliant License. She agreed it really is a Standard License, they've just renamed it. This gal, by the end of our few minutes chat, she also is going back to her Standard License!
Hey there LOH. Yes, I live in that commie state (I many times use the N"z* term). We never even got a choice, it just arrived several years ago. I didn't even know they had issued to me until last year when we took a trip. I'm glad to hear there could be a work around!
This is why they have tried to stamp out religion. The "ethics" of atheism are basically, do what thou wilt. They say you don't need spiritual beliefs to have ethics, but it's becoming very obvious to me that that was never true.
Don’t have a “good feeling” about AI being the deciding factor in who lives and who dies on the battlefield. Pray no wires get crossed in the confusion…… :-(
Lack of full human control does not sound good to me. We are still new at this and I dread too much authority has been too eagerly turned over before we are certain of outcomes. This kind of blind trust can come back to “bite us in the butt.” Then what do we do??? AI does not “feel” the way humans do. Remember that. Some of our most monumental decisions in this world have come with human feelings and intuition. AI is lacking in that department….big time.
When we engage or just watch sports we assume a common unifying set of rules - not to make the individuals or teams equal but that the event itself is fair, Mano e Mano, no augmentation either chemical or mechanical. Best person(s) wins. We have the same expectation whether it’s intra- or inter- nationally.
In the west we’ve somehow tried to overlay the “fairness” of play to war - as if we can somehow soften the brutality of war. Perhaps it’s the once common Judeo-Christian heritage.
But the rest of the world ain’t “the west” and as we’ve seen across all facets of our cultural differences, “the west” seems to think there are “rules” to follow when it comes to competition - whether that competition is economic, scientific or kinetic.
When the opposition proves the only rules they follow are win at all cost, seems to me that the rules if the game are “win at all/any cost.” You may think that “we’re better than that” and it may be true but if there are none of us left all of those lofty feelings will be for naught.
The Iranian Control Government is a good example of what you are saying. And look how they treat women. Only use sex and baby machines. Just considering how women are valued in our society tells you all you need to know about moral differences between the west and other societies.
Yes, I had the current Middle East "conflict(s)" in mind, too. Fer instance, do we place IEDs ? While I was feeding the clowder I got to thinking: a little off the path, what if Israel was randomly lobbing missiles into Gaza from the shelter of schools, hospitals, etc., and rather than surgically striking back as Israel does would anyone be surprised if Gaza just leveled the site from which the missile was launched? Just mulling over that thought exercise is an example of the foolishness of "playing" by rules the opposition doesn’t recognize.
Drones, including military drones, are increasingly being used to fight wildfires. We worry about what other surveillance those drones are doing besides sniffing for smoke.
Check out The Hotshot Wakeup Substack for various articles about drones be using both for "good" and "bad." Not exactly transhumanism, but still combines humans and artificially intelligent military machines in ways that deserve caution. Grok link to the articles: https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMi1jb3B5_395feb61-be5a-4df4-beec-235f71332135
Yes drones are an interesting example of machine human interaction. All military machines have humans, but you are thinking the human is not physically with the machine, so augmented human. Good.
We are heading toward a future no one voted for and (almost) no one wants. How do we stop the madness? The dynamics are fascinating - each incremental step seems to make sense at some level but the system being created doesn't.
I am glad you posted> I have explored that .. :) before.. at length.
I hope you are well Robert. I woke up.. feeling just very tired again today. Just wear and tear. :) Memorial was observed and I would like to get some rest. but apparently that is not going to happen. I HOPE YOU AND JILL ARE DOING WELL and get some much needed rest.. and your Homestead.. is Ok. Be back later. :)
It seems that each generation, and recently each decade, has its own Tower of Babel. We don’t know which one will be the final one, the Tower Too Far, if you will. But at some point, but at some point God will say “ENOUGH!!!” The core of humility is knowing who is God and who is not.
I've been, effectively, a cyborg since 1992: I wear an insulin pump to treat my type 1 diabetes. For the last ten years, I've worn a continuous glucose monitor that helps me make better treatment decisions for myself. But now that info gets sent to the pump manufacturer. That does make it easier for my doctor to download it. But do I believe that the manufacturer doesn't/wouldn't use that information nefariously? Not really, if they had sufficient motivation.
I know a teenager who uses it (I help take care of her).
She's too busy trying to survive and deal with the social games in her environment to worry about where her medical information goes or how it is used.
But this is an example of a serious modern paradox: This girl would be dead (unless some other treatment healed her) if it weren't for the advanced medical electronics that she depends on. And when it comes to T1D, I have heard of no other workable healing therapies.
Thank you for timely covering this topic again. Considering the Venezuela affair as a likely example, these matters support concerns relating to realities of government planning.
Lately I noted reports of official planes flying near Russia loosing their gps (?) capabilties. Then there was a report of a major planned Israeli attack on Iran that had to be canceled due to a gps failure issue. This was accompanied with concern Isreals air capacities no longer being able protect them.
On a personal level, last night tried to order a printer ink cartridge from the company that manufactured my printer. I have not had any dealings with them in years. In the course of making the order, they produced the full details of the credit card I was planning to use (a recent lost card replacement). In the end they did not offer a means for me to authorize the order. All very curious and concerning.
Loosely related to your topic here, but as a part of the current fabric of affairs and seemingly mad scramble for data centers and personal augmentations, nonetheless most concerning.
I'm currently focused on learning to live exclusively on my ss. Are you hoping for some sort of say monthly (like for Sen. Johnson for example) contributions? If so, we might benefit from access to more details.
Again, much appreciation for your keeping us timely informed!
It is clear that military forces have been moving in this direction for some time. The further advances in artificial intelligence and its inclusion in the human mind leave the battlefield to only two nations. As we remove ourselves from NATO, which is long overdue, one wonders how the European continent will defend itself. Or not.
We never owned a smart phone, pay cash whenever we can, and ditched our Garmin watch long ago. We must stay in touch in the physical world or we will lose our humanity.
Check out some related material here:
REAL ID, a national digital identification, surveillance, and control system. Short link for sharing: https://tinyurl.com/3pjcv7y2
My state informed me I would be required to have it several years ago, but as of now, that doesn't seem to be the case and I just renewed my non-Real ID drivers license. Basically, when I said I had a passport, they said I don't need Real ID, so I'm glad about that.
You don't even need implants or machine enhancements.
People on drugs and vaccines and those who rely on AI for morality and companionship are augmented (or diminished, depending on how you look at it).
All this is chilling and will lead us down the road to you-know-where.
Big E, On your point of drugs and enhancements that we already do - this is how they've worn many good minds down to a completely unethical mindset. One of Docs Malone's references listed, I found to be a great read on that - https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/01/24/neither-ironman-nor-the-hulk-human-enhancements-for-military-purposes/
Why has ETHICS been so easily forgotten?! That just because we can do something, it's okay to do it. In my many daily random chats, I do find that People ARE talking about the AI invading us. Everyone, even those that don't know of the Medical Truths, are talking about the AI invasion. SOO lately, I've been purposely directing those chats' focus (or trying to) so to get to the point of the Ethics of it. We must Talk Ethics! We need commercials to show people examples of Ethics. Demo these decisions. Just because it's "legal" or we Can do it, Does NOT make it ok! It's basic, it's a dah, but we need Anti-AI Propaganda. Let's spend money on that instead. All I can do is Talk. And I will. https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/01/24/neither-ironman-nor-the-hulk-human-enhancements-for-military-purpose.
Big E, Your stack on Real ID is amazing. It's a lot to read for REAL ID Newbies - but an extremely handy tool, for those on the cusp and needing information. Bottom line Folks- ASAP Get Back Your Standard License, Please. And stand your ground, when they try to mandate it in your state. I fly with my passport, no problem.
Sadly I already have a state mandated real ID. Looks like I need to bone up on the particulars.
Let us know if you succeed, Jean, in getting back your standard license. Some states, like Commie CO, it is not required, but they Really hide that FACT from us normies/Legal citizens. Of course they love giving out standard licenses all the time there, to Illegals!
In my state, PA, it's very clearly stated in my license renewal, Real ID is only an option- is NOT required.
Here it was a couple years ago, mandated and they made a lot of fuss about it. MD
Jean, I just called Maryland's DMV. After saying words to the AI bot, they pushed my call to a person. Super nice gal !
You just need to make an appointment at your DMV, and when arrive, ask for what they call a Non-Compliant License. She agreed it really is a Standard License, they've just renamed it. This gal, by the end of our few minutes chat, she also is going back to her Standard License!
I hope this works out for you :)
Thanks much!
Hey there LOH. Yes, I live in that commie state (I many times use the N"z* term). We never even got a choice, it just arrived several years ago. I didn't even know they had issued to me until last year when we took a trip. I'm glad to hear there could be a work around!
Do the same as Jean - make an appointment at your MD DMV, and get the "Non-Compliant" ID. It's the new FEAR term for a Standard License.
This is why they have tried to stamp out religion. The "ethics" of atheism are basically, do what thou wilt. They say you don't need spiritual beliefs to have ethics, but it's becoming very obvious to me that that was never true.
Don’t have a “good feeling” about AI being the deciding factor in who lives and who dies on the battlefield. Pray no wires get crossed in the confusion…… :-(
Lack of full human control does not sound good to me. We are still new at this and I dread too much authority has been too eagerly turned over before we are certain of outcomes. This kind of blind trust can come back to “bite us in the butt.” Then what do we do??? AI does not “feel” the way humans do. Remember that. Some of our most monumental decisions in this world have come with human feelings and intuition. AI is lacking in that department….big time.
It all comes down to power and control!
When we engage or just watch sports we assume a common unifying set of rules - not to make the individuals or teams equal but that the event itself is fair, Mano e Mano, no augmentation either chemical or mechanical. Best person(s) wins. We have the same expectation whether it’s intra- or inter- nationally.
In the west we’ve somehow tried to overlay the “fairness” of play to war - as if we can somehow soften the brutality of war. Perhaps it’s the once common Judeo-Christian heritage.
But the rest of the world ain’t “the west” and as we’ve seen across all facets of our cultural differences, “the west” seems to think there are “rules” to follow when it comes to competition - whether that competition is economic, scientific or kinetic.
When the opposition proves the only rules they follow are win at all cost, seems to me that the rules if the game are “win at all/any cost.” You may think that “we’re better than that” and it may be true but if there are none of us left all of those lofty feelings will be for naught.
The Iranian Control Government is a good example of what you are saying. And look how they treat women. Only use sex and baby machines. Just considering how women are valued in our society tells you all you need to know about moral differences between the west and other societies.
Yes, I had the current Middle East "conflict(s)" in mind, too. Fer instance, do we place IEDs ? While I was feeding the clowder I got to thinking: a little off the path, what if Israel was randomly lobbing missiles into Gaza from the shelter of schools, hospitals, etc., and rather than surgically striking back as Israel does would anyone be surprised if Gaza just leveled the site from which the missile was launched? Just mulling over that thought exercise is an example of the foolishness of "playing" by rules the opposition doesn’t recognize.
To quote Einstein, “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Technology becomes our master as philosoper Martin Heidegger said in 1953 in the essay “The question concerning technology”
I find technology isn’t as convenient as it is sold - just signing in has become onerous.
Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
Drones, including military drones, are increasingly being used to fight wildfires. We worry about what other surveillance those drones are doing besides sniffing for smoke.
Check out The Hotshot Wakeup Substack for various articles about drones be using both for "good" and "bad." Not exactly transhumanism, but still combines humans and artificially intelligent military machines in ways that deserve caution. Grok link to the articles: https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtMi1jb3B5_395feb61-be5a-4df4-beec-235f71332135
One particularly active military company is Anduril https://www.anduril.com/
Yes drones are an interesting example of machine human interaction. All military machines have humans, but you are thinking the human is not physically with the machine, so augmented human. Good.
We are heading toward a future no one voted for and (almost) no one wants. How do we stop the madness? The dynamics are fascinating - each incremental step seems to make sense at some level but the system being created doesn't.
I am glad you posted> I have explored that .. :) before.. at length.
I hope you are well Robert. I woke up.. feeling just very tired again today. Just wear and tear. :) Memorial was observed and I would like to get some rest. but apparently that is not going to happen. I HOPE YOU AND JILL ARE DOING WELL and get some much needed rest.. and your Homestead.. is Ok. Be back later. :)
It seems that each generation, and recently each decade, has its own Tower of Babel. We don’t know which one will be the final one, the Tower Too Far, if you will. But at some point, but at some point God will say “ENOUGH!!!” The core of humility is knowing who is God and who is not.
War of the Worlds will become a reality. Machines will dominate. Man will disappear overtime unless we stop this insanity.
I've been, effectively, a cyborg since 1992: I wear an insulin pump to treat my type 1 diabetes. For the last ten years, I've worn a continuous glucose monitor that helps me make better treatment decisions for myself. But now that info gets sent to the pump manufacturer. That does make it easier for my doctor to download it. But do I believe that the manufacturer doesn't/wouldn't use that information nefariously? Not really, if they had sufficient motivation.
This technology is VERY COMMON.
I know a teenager who uses it (I help take care of her).
She's too busy trying to survive and deal with the social games in her environment to worry about where her medical information goes or how it is used.
But this is an example of a serious modern paradox: This girl would be dead (unless some other treatment healed her) if it weren't for the advanced medical electronics that she depends on. And when it comes to T1D, I have heard of no other workable healing therapies.
Thank you for timely covering this topic again. Considering the Venezuela affair as a likely example, these matters support concerns relating to realities of government planning.
Lately I noted reports of official planes flying near Russia loosing their gps (?) capabilties. Then there was a report of a major planned Israeli attack on Iran that had to be canceled due to a gps failure issue. This was accompanied with concern Isreals air capacities no longer being able protect them.
On a personal level, last night tried to order a printer ink cartridge from the company that manufactured my printer. I have not had any dealings with them in years. In the course of making the order, they produced the full details of the credit card I was planning to use (a recent lost card replacement). In the end they did not offer a means for me to authorize the order. All very curious and concerning.
Loosely related to your topic here, but as a part of the current fabric of affairs and seemingly mad scramble for data centers and personal augmentations, nonetheless most concerning.
I'm currently focused on learning to live exclusively on my ss. Are you hoping for some sort of say monthly (like for Sen. Johnson for example) contributions? If so, we might benefit from access to more details.
Again, much appreciation for your keeping us timely informed!
It is clear that military forces have been moving in this direction for some time. The further advances in artificial intelligence and its inclusion in the human mind leave the battlefield to only two nations. As we remove ourselves from NATO, which is long overdue, one wonders how the European continent will defend itself. Or not.