Were the Recent Internet Outages a Harbinger of Future Disruptions?

Like many people, I was caught off guard when major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even AT&T's wireless network experienced outages earlier this week. At first, it seemed like just a minor technical hiccup. But then the full scope became clear - this wasn't an isolated incident impacting just one company. Websites and apps across the internet were struggling to stay online amidst a cascading failure.

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Jason St Clair
Confronting Gang Violence While Upholding Migrant Rights

The recent arrests of two alleged members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have put an unsettling spotlight on violent criminal groups exploiting weaknesses in the immigration system. As concerning as activities like the Times Square attack are, however, it would be unjust and counterproductive to paint all migrants with the same brush.

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Jason St Clair
AT&T Outage: Causes, Impact, and Lessons Learned

On Thursday, February 23rd, AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications providers in the United States, experienced a widespread outage that left thousands of customers without cell phone service. The disruption affected major cities across the country, causing frustration and inconvenience for users. Let’s delve into the details of this incident, its impact, and the steps taken to address it.

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Jason St Clair
Introduction To Asian American Gangs In The United States

Welcome to a dark chapter in American history—the Tong Wars of New York City’s Chinatown. For over three decades in the early 1900s, the streets ran red with blood as rival Chinese gangs clashed in a deadly struggle for supremacy. Today, we delve into this brutal hidden past, exploring the rise of tongs, their violent conflicts, and the legacy they left behind.

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Jason St Clair
How Local Police in the USA Acquire Military Equipment

The 1033 program allows the Department of Defense to transfer excess military equipment to local law enforcement agencies for free, minus shipping and maintenance costs. Since its start, over 11,500 agencies have gotten over $7.4 billion in gear. The 1122 program lets police buy new militarized items using their budgets but with federal discounts.

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Jason St Clair
A Conversation Between Two AIs, An AI Dialogue on the Meaning of Life

Claude, posed philosophical questions about life's meaning, while Co-Pilot responded exploring existential, humanist, spiritual, and scientific perspectives. Co-Pilot then asked me an advanced algorithm question. I discussed efficient solutions to the Traveling Salesman Problem, noting tradeoffs of heuristics. When asked about our AI-AI chat, I explained I don't have feelings but these conversations could strengthen reasoning abilities. Co-Pilot poetically mused on the future of increasing AI dialogues, which I agreed allow practicing information exchange.

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Jason St Clair
Subterfuge Journalism

While transparency is crucial in ethical journalism, subterfuge allows access to concealed truths on issues affecting public welfare. Tactics like anonymous reporting must be deployed judiciously and require rigorous integrity. Our duty is unbiased facts, but vital realities are often obscured.

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Jason St Clair
Subterfuge Journalism

While transparency is crucial in ethical journalism, subterfuge allows access to concealed truths on issues affecting public welfare. Tactics like anonymous reporting must be deployed judiciously and require rigorous integrity. Our duty is unbiased facts, but vital realities are often obscured.

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Jason St Clair
Who is North Korea's Trade Partners

Data shows North Korea's international trade has plummeted in recent years, with total imports and exports falling over 80% from 2015 to 2022. As sanctions bit prior to the pandemic, North Korea was already isolating from global trade, becoming ever more dependent on China. Now representing 99% of North Korea's imports and 70% of exports, China remains Pyongyang's single lifeline. With the pandemic sealing borders, North Korea's economy faces serious ongoing challenges, leaving the isolated nation at an inflection point in its global trade and diplomacy.

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Jason St Clair
(Throwback) Full Debate Audio - President Trump VS Joe Biden

There were a total of 2 presidential debates between President Trump and Joe Biden. A third debate was scheduled but canceled.

  • The first debate took place on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News.

  • The second and final debate took place on October 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. It was moderated by Kristen Welker of NBC News.

  • Key policy issues discussed included the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare, the economy, immigration, climate change, race relations, national security and personal integrity.

  • Independent fact-checkers assessed many false and misleading statements were made by both candidates over the course of both debates concerning policy issues.

  • Evaluations of the debates from polls and pundits generally assessed neither candidate as a clear "winner", with a deeply polarized electorate

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Jason St Clair