Category: Random Rants

via https://www.lassennews.com/combatting-the-myths-that-blame-wild-horses-and-burros

Here at the American Wild Horse Campaign, we’re committed to reforming the federal government’s cruel and costly wild horse and burro roundup program and to ensuring wild horses and burros roam the American West for generations to come.

One of the driving factors behind helicopter roundups is that wild horses and burros are often scapegoated for the issues facing the western landscape. The Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies often use these outdated misconceptions about these animals to justify the current roundup, removal and stockpile cycle.

Even worse, industries that support the roundup of wild horses and burros, like ranchers and other commercial interests, push these false narratives in order to free up more of our public lands for extractive purposes.

That’s why combatting the myths that blame wild horses and burros is critical to our work. To that end, we’ve put together a list of answers to frequently asked questions that advocates often get so that you can be ready to push back against false narratives plaguing our wild herds.

Are wild horses and burros overpopulated? 
No! Wild horses and burros are not overpopulated. In reality, the only animals truly overtaking the West are the privately owned cattle and sheep permitted to overgraze our public lands. Wild horses are present on just 27 million acres of BLM land in the West, while ranchers have access to livestock grazing on over 155 million acres. Not only that, but 88% of the public lands that the BLM manages have no wild horses or burros present.

Are wild horses and burros responsible for overgrazing on public lands?
No! The main cause of land degradation in the American West is livestock grazing. A recent study by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility found that not only do livestock outnumber wild horses and burros on public lands by more than 125:1, but livestock grazing is the reason why 72 percent of rangelands did not meet the required Land Health Standards. Further, a congressionally mandated study by the National Academy of Sciences found that, in one year, livestock consumed 70 percent of grazing resources on public lands, while wild horses and burros consumed less than 5 percent.

Are wild horses native?
Wild horses are a native re-introduced species. According to research out of the University of California Santa Cruz’s prestigious Paleogenomics Lab, fossil records and genetic results confirm that horses were part of the North American fauna for hundreds of thousands of years prior to their extinction on the continent around eleven thousand years ago. The genetic connection between extinct North American and present-day domestic horses means that the wild horses in the American West share much of their DNA and evolutionary history with their ancestors.

Why do roundups happen?
Roundups are a symptom of the federal government’s failure to humanely manage our nation’s wild horses and burros and its decision to maintain wild populations at low levels in order to allocate most of the resources on their habitat to commercial livestock.

Why do wild horses and burros have to be managed at all?
They live on land that is shared by multiple interests, including livestock grazing and other extractive uses. Often, natural predators like mountain lions are eradicated by hunters and a government program that kills predators for the benefit of ranchers. Under these man-made and artificial conditions, some form of management is necessary. With that being said, the BLM’s roundup and removal approach is not only inhumane, but also completely unsustainable and has brought the program to the brink of fiscal collapse.

Do wild horses and burros end up in the slaughter pipeline?
Yes. While the agency cannot sell wild horses or burros directly to slaughter auctions, countless wild horses and burros are being funneled into the slaughter pipeline thanks to the BLM’s disastrous Adoption Incentive Program.

Why don’t you sue to stop roundups?
We do! While we would like to be able to go to court to stop every roundup, litigation is far from certain. Many factors need to be considered with each new case we bring. If we rush into litigation without a strong foundation for our case and lose, we could end up setting a negative precedent that harms wild horses and burros for generations to come. That’s why we choose our battles wisely to ensure the best possible outcome for our wild herds. It’s important to note that we evaluate every roundup proposal during the public comment period for litigation, before a helicopter ever takes off. If we are able to sue, we do.

Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries

Exploring the roots of stupidity and strategies to combat the ignorance of others.

Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be.

These people demonstrate unwavering self-assurance and are often completely oblivious to their own inadequacies. They craft retrospective justifications to validate their beliefs and hold onto them. Even when presented with opportunities for personal growth and change, they seem incapable of breaking free from their entrenched habits.

Reasoning with stubborn individuals can be as perplexing as it is frustrating. Many have written it off as a hopeless task. As American writer Mark Twain once cautioned, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

To argue against stupidity only seems to reinforce it. These individuals thrive on power and control, defending their position and denying their foolishness, regardless of innumerable counterarguments.

Despite these challenges, it is still possible to sway such people towards more sensible behaviour. It all starts with understanding the roots of stupidity.

Inside the mind of a fool

From a psychological perspective, stupidity is often considered an outcome of cognitive biases or errors in judgement. Many prominent psychologists attribute irrational beliefs and foolish actions to our cognitive limitations. Research into human cognition and decision-making has shed light on why these biases persist. It reveals that humans are not purely rational beings; they switch between fast, intuitive thinking and slow, rational thinking depending on the situation.

Neuroscientists have also weighed in, noting that the brain’s frontal lobes, responsible for rational thinking, can be overridden by the amygdala, a more primitive system for processing threats. This distinction between fast and slow decision-making implies that in emergency situations requiring quick decisions, the slower, deliberate information processing is often set aside.

Numerous cognitive biases can help explain some of the nonsensical decisions people make. For instance, individuals can be susceptible to confirmation bias, where they favour information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs. They may also succumb to “anchoring”, becoming overly influenced by the first piece of information they receive (the anchor), even when this information turns out to be irrelevant or arbitrary.

The overconfidence effect is another potential factor at play, causing people to overrate their abilities, knowledge and the accuracy of their beliefs. There is also the phenomenon of groupthink, where groups prioritise consensus and conformity over critical evaluation, reducing their capacity for balanced judgement.

Flawed decisions could also be the result of fundamental attribution error. This involves incorrectly attributing others’ behaviour to internal factors, such as personality, rather than to external factors, like situational influences. Also, availability heuristic explains the tendency to rely on information that comes to mind quickly and easily when making decisions.

While these cognitive biases don’t inherently imply stupidity, when left unaddressed, they can pose significant risks.

Managing the misguided

When individuals recognise their cognitive biases, they become more willing to participate in productive discussions and gain deeper insights into their own behaviour. Rather than trying to persuade them through rational discourse, one can encourage them to examine these biases.

Promote reflective thinking

Ignorant people need to be taught how to properly decode the information they encounter, including learning to discern whether their own observations are grounded in evidence. The task at hand is to encourage them to engage in more reflective thinking on these subjects. Increased data transparency and fact-checking efforts are required to help them recognize the inaccuracies within their misguided beliefs.

Advocate greater self-awareness

Stupid actions can be viewed as either a defiance of logic or the result of a poverty of the mind. Self-knowledge is perhaps the most effective antidote. When people acquire a degree of self-awareness, it enables them to reflect on their foolish behaviour more objectively. They will recognise that, despite their persistent belief that others are foolish, they themselves are the real fools.  

Keep people grounded

In certain situations, stupidity can be interpreted as a manifestation of self-idolatry, notably in individuals exhibiting narcissistic traits. Excessively self-absorbed, these people often display a disinterest in the opinions of others. Such individuals need to attain a more grounded perspective on life and cultivate their capacity for self-evaluation. Through self-critique, they can develop empathy – another great remedy for foolishness.

Use satire as a tool

Satire has the potential to stimulate reflection and critical thinking, ideally without causing offence. This unconventional method to get people to question their assumptions focuses on critiquing concepts and actions rather than attacking individuals personally. The key challenge is to help people recognise their ideological limitations, with respect and empathy. Constructive reasoning, evidence and clear communication can persuade individuals to consider alternative viewpoints.

Let them learn the hard way

Another approach to addressing stupidity is through paradoxical intervention. Instead of instructing individuals to avoid specific foolish activities, one may encourage them to engage in more of them. While this should be considered a last resort due to the associated risks, the hope is that when their actions lead to disastrous outcomes, their own foolishness will become evident to them. They will learn from the experience and come to realise that their singular perspective may not be entirely correct.

While it may be challenging for them to distinguish between right and wrong, it is likely easier to differentiate between sensible and foolish choices. The adverse consequences of their actions can serve as a wake-up call, instilling a degree of doubt about the wisdom of their ways.

Lead by example

An effective leader, whether in government, business or any other sector, requires a combination of intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, empathy and compassion. Additional qualities that qualify leaders to make informed decisions for the betterment of society include the capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving skills, proficiency in handling complex issues, the ability to collaborate with others and distinguish between the wise and the foolish. While such a leader may not always be able to entirely prevent people from falling victim to irrational beliefs, they can set an example that starkly contrasts with the conduct of foolish leaders.

Stupidity in a “post-truth” era

In today’s “post-truth” era we find ourselves grappling with a daily barrage of public discourse that blurs the line between fact and fantasy. We are fooled by errors and lies, and social media appears to be amplifying such stupidity. Our current age may indeed be characterized as a golden age of foolishness, as the explosive rise of social media has made human follies more visible than ever.

We tend to underestimate the number of ignorant individuals in our midst, and the influence such people can exert over large groups. The dangerous combination of power and stupidity can disrupt the lives of countless people. Unfortunately, as long as there are foolish supporters enabling such leaders, people find themselves trapped in the morass of their own collective foolishness.

A significant counterforce against collective stupidity is the presence of institutional safeguards. Citizens must actively cultivate a robust civic culture, fostering a society where they can exert influence on their government. There needs to be laws that discourage the propagation of misinformation and legal avenues to counter fake news, especially when it causes personal harm.

At the end of the day, a broader educational initiative can prevent foolish actions and counteract overconfidence and arrogance. Although it presents a formidable challenge, education can lead people to discover and acknowledge their own ignorance, nurturing a more thoughtful and informed society that is better equipped to confront the pitfalls of stupidity

I’ve listed a few reasons why legalism in the vegan community can cause problems

Legalism in the vegan community refers to a strict, rule-based approach to veganism, where adherence to the “rules” of veganism is emphasized over the underlying principles and values. 

1. Exclusivity and Alienation:

Legalism can create an exclusive environment where individuals who do not follow every rule perfectly are judged or excluded. This can alienate potential vegans or those who are trying to transition to a vegan lifestyle.

2. Focusing on Rules Over Ethics: Emphasizing strict adherence to rules can overshadow the ethical and compassionate reasons behind veganism. The core of veganism is about stopping suffering and promoting compassion, which can be lost when the focus shifts to rigid rule-following.

3. Discouragement and Burnout: 

People may feel overwhelmed or discouraged if they believe they must be perfect to be considered “true” vegans. This can lead to burnout and even cause some to abandon veganism altogether.

4. Lack of Flexibility: 

Legalism does not account for individual circumstances and challenges. People have different access to resources, cultural backgrounds, and personal situations that may affect their ability to follow a strict vegan lifestyle.

5. Negative Public Perception: 

A legalistic approach can contribute to negative stereotypes about vegans being judgmental or militant, which can hinder the broader acceptance and growth of the vegan movement.

By focusing on the principles of compassion, inclusivity, and stopping suffering, the vegan community can be more welcoming and supportive, encouraging more people to adopt and maintain a vegan lifestyle.

• alafair 02/06/24

well this one’s a doozy

The GoldPickaxe trojan is a dangerous malware targeting both Android and iOS devices. It’s crucial to be aware of its capabilities and how to protect yourself.

What is it?

• A sophisticated trojan designed to steal your sensitive information, especially biometric data like facial recognition.
• Developed by a Chinese-speaking threat actor called GoldFactory, known for other banking trojans.
• Comes in two variants: GoldPickaxe.Android and GoldPickaxe.iOS.

What does it do?

• Disguises itself as legitimate apps, often mimicking government services.
• Uses social engineering tactics to trick users into installing it.
• Once installed, it operates semi-autonomously:
  • Captures your face through video recordings and photos.
  • Steals identity documents you scan within the app.
  • Intercepts incoming SMS messages, particularly those from banks.
  • May use stolen data to create deepfakes for unauthorized access to your bank accounts.

Where has it been found?

• Primarily targets the Asia-Pacific region, with confirmed cases in Thailand and Vietnam.
• Could potentially spread to other regions in the future.

How to protect yourself:

• Never install apps from untrusted sources. Stick to official app stores like Google Play and the App Store.
• Be wary of phishing and smishing scams. Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown senders.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts, especially financial ones. 2FA adds an extra layer of security that requires a second verification step beyond your password.
• Keep your device software and apps updated. Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities exploited by malware.
• Consider using a mobile security solution. These apps can scan for and block malicious apps and websites.

If you suspect you’ve been infected:

• Do not use your infected device for banking or accessing sensitive information.
• Scan your device with a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program.
• Report the infection to the relevant authorities.

Remember, staying informed and vigilant is crucial in protecting yourself from cyber threats like the GoldPickaxe trojan.

The number one most convincing fact about climate change is that the vast majority of climate scientists agree that it is real and human-caused. A 2013 study found that 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is the primary cause of climate change. This is a level of consensus that is extremely rare in science.

In addition to the scientific consensus, there is also a wealth of evidence that supports the existence of climate change. This evidence includes the fact that the average global temperature has been rising for the past century, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, the rising sea level, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires

The overwhelming scientific consensus and the wealth of supporting evidence are the most convincing arguments that can be made. It is also worth noting that the consequences of climate change are already being felt around the world. People are being displaced by rising sea levels, and extreme weather events are causing billions of dollars in damage each year. As the planet continues to warm, these consequences will only become more severe.

Denying the truth doesn’t change the facts and climate change is threatening our planet.

Merry Christmas Everyone