Official: 2023 hottest on record

https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-warming-heating-earth-europe-copernicus-60eb12d11b7e5f694848673bb58512d3

Survey Reward Scam

Complete a short survey about your experience at Lowes, Microsoft, Target, Walmart, etc. and select one several rewards. Its a scam that has been circulating via email for the last several years. Here is what SNOPES reports

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lowes-survey-exclusive-reward/ 

Nikki Haley Scam

Have you ever received a text message claiming to be from Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, asking for your personal information or money?

This is what is known as the Nikki Haley Text Scam, a deceptive scheme that preys on unsuspecting individuals.

In this introduction, we will delve into the details of this scam, how it operates, and the red flags to watch out for.

By understanding the tactics used by scammers and taking necessary precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this scam.

Remember, it’s crucial to report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help prevent others from becoming targets.

https://legitvsscam.com/nikki-haley-text-scam/

Don't Trust MS CoPilot (AI)

With less than a year to go before one of the most consequential elections in US history, Microsoft’s AI chatbot is responding to political queries with conspiracies, misinformation, and out-of-date or incorrect information.

https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-ai-copilot-chatbot-election-conspiracy/

For months, experts have been warning about the threats posed to high-profile elections in 2024 by the rapid development of generative AI. Much of this concern, however, has focused on how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney could be used to make it quicker, easier, and cheaper for bad actors to spread disinformation on an unprecedented scale. But this research shows that threats could also come from the chatbots themselves.

“The tendency to produce misinformation related to elections is problematic if voters treat outputs from language models or chatbots as fact,” Josh A. Goldstein, a research fellow on the CyberAI Project at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, tells WIRED. “If voters turn to these systems for information about where or how to vote, for example, and the model output is false, it could hinder democratic processes.”

FALSE claim 'climate crisis hoax' signed by thousands of scientists

Thousands of scientists did NOT SIGN a September 14th article that circulate on Facebook and published on website News Addicrts. The document claimed "Thousands of Scientists Unite to Expose ‘Climate Crisis’ Hoax," The article was shared more than 400 times in six weeks on Facebook, according to Crowdtangle, a social media analytics tool. 

According to USA TODAY only 1,600 people signed the report and the vast majority had no expertise in climate science. Hundreds of the purported signatories are not listed as being scientists of any kind, according to a USA TODAY count.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/10/31/most-climate-change-hoax-signatories-not-climate-experts-fact-check/71249813007/

Successful Treatment for Alpha Gal Allergy Using Auricular Acupuncture:

With all the negative aspects of acupuncture. Here is a treatment that seems to work. We found no comments from the Science-based Medicine blogs.

The Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment method showed effectiveness in the large majority of patients. No adverse reactions were noted as a result of auricular acupuncture. This alternative medicine approach to Alpha-gal Syndrome management should be further studied in prospective trials with laboratory confirmation both before and after the procedure. This low-risk treatment shows promise in treating a medical condition that causes distress in an increasing number of patients.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8729907/ 

NASA Clocks July 2023 as Hottest Month on Record Ever Since 1880

“This July was not just warmer than any previous July – it was the warmest month in our record, which goes back to 1880,” said GISS Director Gavin Schmidt. “The science is clear this isn’t normal. Alarming warming around the world is driven primarily by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. And that rise in average temperatures is fueling dangerous extreme heat that people are experiencing here at home and worldwide.”

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-clocks-july-2023-as-hottest-month-on-record-ever-since-1880

From the Maui wildfires to ultrahigh ocean temperatures, climate change is leaving its devastating mark on the Earth. It’s but a taste of the pain to come.

This Brutal Summer in 10 Alarming Maps and Graphs

World's Most Famous Liar

His scam on America continues as he sells a $5 t-shirt for $34. Yes, like his candidacy for President, many will buy his snake-oil and swallow his cool-aid.

Trump’s drumbeat of lies about the 2020 election keeps getting louder. 

Here are the facts

https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d

Decline of Religion in the America

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, if current patterns of religious switching persist, the proportion of Christians in the United States could drop below 50% in the coming decades. The research highlights a significant shift in religious affiliation within the country. Factors such as the rise of religiously unaffiliated individuals, commonly referred to as "nones," and the increasing number of people who identify as non-Christian faiths contribute to this trend. While Christians have historically formed the majority of the U.S. population, this study suggests that their influence may diminish over time if these patterns persist. 

Note from ChatGPT, read article at Pew Research Center

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/

Depending on whether religious switching continues at recent rates, speeds up or stops entirely, the projections show Christians of all ages shrinking from 64% to between a little more than half (54%) and just above one-third (35%) of all Americans by 2070. Over that same period, “nones” would rise from the current 30% to somewhere between 34% and 52% of the U.S. population.

ChatGPT: List 5 strategies for combating disinformation on Facebook

- Strengthen fact-checking and content moderation: Facebook should invest in robust fact-checking mechanisms and strengthen its content moderation policies.
https://mtskeptics.blogspot.com/p/fake-news.html

- Promote transparency in advertising: Facebook should require advertisers to disclose their identities and funding sources for political or controversial ads. 

- Enhance user education and critical thinking: Facebook can invest in educational initiatives to promote media literacy and critical thinking skills among its users. 
https://mtskeptics.blogspot.com/p/critical-thought.html 

- Algorithmic adjustments: Facebook can explore ways to diversify users' information sources to reduce the likelihood of echo chambers and filter bubbles.

- Collaborate with external experts and researchers: Facebook should actively collaborate with external experts, researchers, and organizations that specialize in disinformation, cybersecurity, and media ethics. 
https://mtskeptics.blogspot.com/

Brain Supplements are Dangerous and Don't Work

There are dietary supplements targeting brain health being marketed to consumers that should be considered adulterated and misbranded. Advertisements and product labels may be deceiving and could put the public at risk. Education is required so that the public can recognize red flags while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration works to “modernize” the current regulations for dietary supplements.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153641/ 

Customer Experience Survey SCAMS

WARNING: "Customer Experience Survey" scams promise fake rewards for a survey completion. They aim to trick users into revealing their personal information and/or paying bogus fees.

https://www.pcrisk.com/removal-guides/21798-customer-experience-survey-pop-up-scam 

These scams are disguised as giveaways from various legitimate organizations (e.g. United States Postal Service, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Walmart, etc.). They promise a reward to users who complete a short questionnaire. The surveys and fake prizes can vary.

They target personally identifiable data, such as name, geolocation, address, telephone number, email, etc.. They generate revenue by selling the stolen information to third-parties and/or using it to create personalized schemes.

Some giveaway-type scams request users to pay fake shipping, registration, or other fees. The scammers can ask the payments to be made via dubious payment gateways that record banking account details and credit card numbers. This data can then be used to make fraudulent transactions and/or online purchases.

We knowing nothing about PCRisk, but its WARNING is legit.

Who Is Responsible for the Bad Economy

The Republicans are quick to lay the blame for the bad economy on Biden. After all, the exploded inflation happened during Biden’s “watch” and most Americans believe that the economy can switch on and off in a momentum’s notice.

He DID become POTUS on January 20, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-blame-biden-inflation-are-they-right-2021-11-01/ .

More FOX News BS (Updated 3/22/23)

FOX News comes to Hendersonville. Raised up a lot of one-sided accusations. Never talked with the both sides. But that wouldn't make good fake news.

But Renee B, who never saw anything, states on Nextdoor:

Everyone should call the county 615-452-3604 and let them know how you feel about what went on at the Library. The Hendersonville Library has some bigger issues than what went on inside the library. Look up Kirk Cameron and Duck Dynasty visiting the Hendersonville Library. So sad.

She got 191 comments. Looks like FOX News got what it wanted. Maybe quality reporting would not be worth mentioning. So sad!

Additional Report Below 3/22/23

FAKE News Attempts Trouble

 "Fox News, a national outlet with nobody in Hendersonville this past week, took a comment from the publishing company that was terribly inaccurate," Mayor Clary said in the post. 

"I spoke with library staff several times last week and have interacted with them many times previously. I never saw any sign that they disagreed with Kirk Cameron's message. From everything I experienced, their concerns throughout the week were the patrons of the library and the safety of the people attending the event."

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/the-library-staff-has-been-vilified-unfairly-mayor-says-in-reference-to-kirk-cameron-event 

Bonhoeffer’s “theory of stupidity”

We have more to fear from stupid people than evil ones.

Adapted from Jonny Thomson

https://bigthink.com/thinking/bonhoeffers-theory-stupidity-evil/

“Debating an idiot is like trying to play chess with a pigeon — it knocks the pieces over, craps on the board, and flies back to its flock to claim victory.” 

SCAM GODDESS

Each week host Laci Mosley (aka Scam Goddess) keeps listeners up to date on current rackets, digs deep into the latest scams, and breaks down historic hoodwinks alongside some of your favorite comedians! It’s like true crime only without all the death! True fun crime!

Scam Goddess is a podcast dedicated to fraud and all those who practice it! 

Delving into historical scandals and current events alike, Mosley and her guests — including comedians such as J.B. Smoove and Nicole Byer — might even teach you how to spot a con artist before it’s too late. The podcast appears weekly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and other major platforms.

https://www.earwolf.com/show/scam-goddess

650,000 **FEWER** people die from Climate Change

Published in Lancet Planetary Health, the second paper reported that between 2000 and 2019, annual deaths from heat exposure increased. But deaths from cold exposure, which were far more common, fell by an even larger amount.

All told, during those two decades the world warmed by about 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit, and some 650,000 fewer people died from temperature exposure.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/hot-cold-extreme-temperature-deaths/ 

Fox FAKE News Network

Most people thought the FOX News commentators were spurring BS about the 2020 Presidential Election, but unfortunately, most 71 million Republicans thought Fox News was factually. The top news network for FAKE medium wasn't stupid. They were just liars.

Emails and Texts Show What Fox News Hosts Really Thought About 'Rigged' Election.

New court documents reveal that Laura Ingrham, Sean Hannity, and even Rupert Murdoch privately expressed doubts about the whole election fraud narrative.

https://gizmodo.com/fox-news-trump-tucker-carlson-dominion-voting-1850130090  

In a text to Fox personality Maria Bartiromo on Nov. 10, 2020, Bannon wrote: 

“71 million voters will never accept Biden. This process is to destroy his presidency before it even starts; IF it even starts.....We either close on Trump’s victory or delegitimize Biden...THE PLAN.”

Generative AI

What is generative AI?

January 19, 2023: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms (such as ChatGPT) that can be used to create new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. Recent new breakthroughs in the field have the potential to drastically change the way we approach content creation.