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Octavio Alberola Suriñach (1928–2025)
Der lebenslange CNT-Aktivist war Teil der kubanischen Revolution und hat sich im aktiven Widerstand gegen Franco engagiert.
Octavio Alberola Suriñach, der letzte Woche in Südfrankreich gestorben ist, war der Sohn rationalistischer Lehrer und libertärer Aktivisten. Sein Vater, José Alberola Navarro, war während der Spanischen #Revolution von 1936–1937 Bildungsrat des Rates von #Aragon, und seine Mutter, Carmen Suriñach, war Lehrerin aus #Olot.
1939 ging die Familie ins Exil nach #Mexiko. Dort studierte Alberola Bauingenieurwesen in #Mexiko-Stadt und wurde eine bekannte Figur in der libertären #Jugendbewegung. 1946 wurde er verhaftet und half bei der Gründung der mexikanischen libertären Jugendorganisation, ihres Medienarms „Alba Roja“ und der spanischen Anti-Franco-Jugend.
Ab 1957 organisierte er Kundgebungen in Mexiko und knüpfte Kontakte nach Europa. Er engagierte sich in der „Spanischen Bewegung 59“ (ME/59) und bereitete zusammen mit Juan García #Oliver G#uerillaaktionen vor. Außerdem unterstützte er Kubas „Bewegung des 26. Juli“ und half den #Castro-Brüdern mit Hilfe der anarchistischen #Diaspora in #Mexiko im #Guerillakampf gegen das #Batista-Regime. Die Ernüchterung kam, als sich das neue kubanische #Regime den Interessen der #Sowjetunion anschloss und seine Versprechen zur Unterstützung der iberischen Befreiung aufgab. 1960 wurde er Verteidigungssekretär der Nationalen Konföderation der Arbeit (CNT) in #Amerika und vertrat die mexikanische #CNT auf dem Kongress von #Limoges 1961, wo die geheime Defensa Interior (#DI) gegründet wurde, um das #Franco-Regime zu bekämpfen.
Der militante Flügel der DI unternahm mehrere erfolglose Attentate auf Franco. Von 1962 bis 1965 war Alberola zusammen mit García Oliver und Cipriano Mera im Untergrund in Frankreich aktiv. Ab 1965 war Alberola an zahlreichen Aktionen gegen Franco beteiligt. Er bevorzugte direkte Propagandaaktionen ohne Opfer und geriet in dieser Frage öffentlich mit Gaston #Leval aneinander. 1966 lehnte er die Fünf-Punkte-Bewegung ab, die die CNT schwächte und den Aufstieg autonomer anarchistischer Gruppen vor allem in #Katalonien, #Aragon, #Andalusien und #Madrid förderte.
Im selben Jahr schloss er sich der Libertären Jugendföderation (FIJL) und der Zeitschrift Presencia an und war Mitglied der Aktionsgruppe Primero de Mayo, die für spektakuläre Aktionen wie die Entführung des spanischen Botschafters im Vatikan in Rom (April 1966) und die versuchte Entführung des spanischen Botschafters in Belgien (1968) verantwortlich war. 1968 wurde er in Belgien verhaftet und verbrachte fünf Monate im Gefängnis.
Mitte der 1970er Jahre arbeitete Alberola als Erzieher in Lüttich und kehrte 1974 nach Frankreich zurück. Wegen seiner Beteiligung an der Entführung des spanischen Bankiers Baltasar Suárez und wegen seiner Mitgliedschaft in der #GARI (Gruppen für internationalistische revolutionäre Aktion) wurde er in Avignon verhaftet und zu neun Monaten Haft verurteilt.
Von 1975 bis zu seiner Pensionierung 1994 arbeitete er als Zeitungslayoutgrafiker und lebte in #Perpignan, wo er Vorträge in ganz #Spanien hielt und weiter schrieb. Er schrieb ohne Sektierertum für Publikationen der #CGT und der CNT. Außerdem war er Mitglied des #COJRA (Komitee für antiautoritäre Reflexionstage) und moderierte von 1980 bis 2000 die Sendung „Tribuna Latinoamericana” auf #Radio #Libertaire.
In den 2000er Jahren war er Mitbegründer der Bemühungen um die Wiederaufnahme des Prozesses gegen die 1963 hingerichteten Anarchisten Joaquín #Delgado und Francisco #Granado und half 2003 bei der Gründung von #GALSIC (Unterstützungsgruppen für Libertäre und unabhängige Gewerkschafter in #Kuba).
Er schrieb für viele Publikationen, darunter Cenit, El Viejo Topo, Tierra y Libertad, El Topo Avizor und andere.
Zu seinen Büchern gehören „Die Probleme der Wissenschaft: Determinismus und Freiheit“ (1951), „Spanischer Anarchismus und revolutionäre Aktion (1961–1974)“ und „Die libertäre Opposition gegen das Franco-Regime“ (1993).
Die folgenden Auszüge stammen aus einem Interview der Anarchist News Agency (#ANA) aus dem Jahr 2018
ANA: Wie bist du zum Anarchismus gekommen?
Octavio Alberola: Nun, ohne Zweifel durch das, was ich mit meinen Eltern erlebt habe, die mitten in den Ereignissen standen. Genauer gesagt: durch ihre Beziehungen zu anderen Klassengenossen, durch ihre Arbeit als rationalistische Lehrer, durch das Erleben der Folgen der #Repression, unter der sie litten, und höchstwahrscheinlich auch durch die Diskussionen, Lektüren und Propagandaaktionen, an denen ich nach und nach mit ihnen und ihren CNT-Genossen teilnahm, sowohl in Spanien als auch später im Exil: zuerst in Frankreich und dann in Mexiko. Auch durch meine Diskussionen mit meinen Klassengenossen über verschiedene politische, soziale und kulturelle Themen und durch die Konfrontation mit der autoritären Disziplin des Lehrpersonals an der Sekundar- und Vorbereitungsschule in #Jalapa, der Hauptstadt des Bundesstaates #Veracruz in der mexikanischen Republik. Aber vielleicht haben sich meine anarchistischen Ideen erst richtig entwickelt, als ich nach Mexiko-Stadt zog, um mein Studium zu beginnen, weil ich mich in der mexikanischen libertären Jugendorganisation engagierte und kurz danach mit drei anderen jungen Leuten eine (geheime) Zelle teilen musste. Die mexikanischen Behörden sperrten uns einen Monat lang in diese Zelle, nachdem sie uns verhaftet hatten, weil wir ein libertäres Manifest in den Straßen von Mexiko-Stadt verteilt hatten.
ANA: War deine Familie anarchistisch?
Octavio Alberola: Mein Vater war der Sohn von Bauern aus #Aragón, die um 1899/90 nach #Barcelona ausgewandert waren. Als junger Mann besuchte er die moderne Schule Francisco Ferrer y Guardia. Er lernte meine Mutter in Olot in der Provinz #Girona nach einem #Streik kennen, der zum ersten Mal eine 48Stunden-Woche durchgesetzt hatte. Er wurde deportiert und war 1928, als ich geboren wurde, rationalistischer Lehrer an der säkularen Schule in #Alayor auf #Menorca, Balearen. 1936, während des Militärputsches, war er in #Fraga, Aragon, und unterrichtete an der rationalistischen Schule der CNT. Als nach dem 18. Juli der Rat von Aragon gegründet wurde, wurde mein Vater zum #Kulturminister ernannt. Nach dem Krieg gingen wir nach #Frankreich und dann ins Exil nach Mexiko. Dort war er Direktor der #Cervantes-Schule in der Stadt #Jalapa im Bundesstaat Veracruz. Meine Mutter half ihm immer bei seinem rationalistischen Unterricht.
ANA: War es in Mexiko, wo du zum ersten Mal mit Mitgliedern der kubanischen libertären Vereinigung in Kontakt kamst?
Octavio Alberola: 1956 wurde ich von kubanischen Exilanten in Mexiko kontaktiert, vor allem von denen der Bewegung 26. Juli und der Revolutionären Studentendirektion. Ich habe mit ihnen zusammengearbeitet, bis die Diktatur von General #Batista gestürzt wurde. Es war wirklich eine sehr turbulente Zeit, die viele Hoffnungen auf die Möglichkeit eines #Sozialismus in Freiheit weckte; aber mit der #Institutionalisierung der kubanischen #Revolution unter dem #Staatskapitalismus und der #Diktatur habe ich den Kontakt zu den Castro-Anhängern abgebrochen. 1961 traf ich mehrere kubanische Libertäre, die in der Sierra Maestra gekämpft hatten, aber erst viele Jahre später begann ich, mit meinen MLC-Genossen zu schreiben. Diese Kontakte wurden durch die Reise von Frank #Fernández nach #Paris im Jahr 2000 konkret. Kurz zuvor hatte er zur Gründung der Unterstützungsgruppe für Libertäre und unabhängige Gewerkschafter in Kuba (GALSIC) beigetragen. Aber seit Anfang der 1990er Jahre war ich stark mit den kubanischen linken Dissidenten verbunden, die nach Frankreich kamen, und Ende der 1990er Jahre reiste ich nach Kuba, um den sogenannten #Gewerkschaften und unabhängigen #Buchhandlungen zu helfen, die anlässlich des iberoamerikanischen Gipfeltreffens der Staatschefs in #Havanna eine Demonstration der Frauen der Gefangenen (die Vorgängerinnen der Frauen in Weiß) organisieren wollten. Ich habe die Hilfe der #SAC (#Schweden) in Anspruch genommen, um den Dokumentarfilm über die #Gewerkschaftsbewegung in Kuba zu drehen.
ANA: Gibt es eine Episode aus diesen Jahren, die dich besonders geprägt hat?
Octavio Alberola: Eine Episode, die ich nie vergessen habe und die bereits damals für die Zukunft sehr bedeutsam war, war die Konfrontation, die ich 1958 bei einer Veranstaltung im Spanischen Athenaeum in Mexiko mit Mitgliedern der Bewegung des 26. Juli hatte. Sie versuchten, einen jungen Schwarzen aus dem Revolutionären Studentendirektorium, der gerade heimlich die Insel verlassen hatte, daran zu hindern, seine Rede fortzusetzen, nachdem er die Gefahr des #Caudillismus im Kampf gegen die Batista-Diktatur angeprangert hatte. Da ich die Veranstaltung leitete, gelang es mir, dafür zu sorgen, dass der junge Schwarze am Mikrofon bleiben und seine Rede beenden konnte. Es war eine Konfrontation, die einen Vorgeschmack auf den Machtkampf nach Batistas Sturz gab.
ANA: Was war der schwierigste Moment in dieser Zeit?
Octavio Alberola: Der schwierigste Moment war, als die mexikanischen Behörden mich unter Beobachtung stellten (mehrere Agenten folgten mir in einem Auto ...) unter dem Vorwand, ich könnte nach dem Anschlag auf den Venezolaner #Betancourt das Ziel eines Anschlags (durch #Trujillo-Anhänger) sein. Das bestätigte mir natürlich, dass ich schon seit einiger Zeit überwacht wurde... Später, in Europa, waren die schwierigsten Momente meine drei Verhaftungen (zuerst durch die belgischen Behörden und dann zweimal durch die französischen).
(...)
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Octavio Alberola Suriñach (1928–2025)
Der lebenslange CNT-Aktivist war Teil der kubanischen Revolution und hat sich im aktiven Widerstand gegen Franco engagiert.
Octavio Alberola Suriñach, der letzte Woche in Südfrankreich gestorben ist, war der Sohn rationalistischer Lehrer und libertärer Aktivisten. Sein Vater, José Alberola Navarro, war während der Spanischen #Revolution von 1936–1937 Bildungsrat des Rates von #Aragon, und seine Mutter, Carmen Suriñach, war Lehrerin aus #Olot.
1939 ging die Familie ins Exil nach #Mexiko. Dort studierte Alberola Bauingenieurwesen in #Mexiko-Stadt und wurde eine bekannte Figur in der libertären #Jugendbewegung. 1946 wurde er verhaftet und half bei der Gründung der mexikanischen libertären Jugendorganisation, ihres Medienarms „Alba Roja“ und der spanischen Anti-Franco-Jugend.
Ab 1957 organisierte er Kundgebungen in Mexiko und knüpfte Kontakte nach Europa. Er engagierte sich in der „Spanischen Bewegung 59“ (ME/59) und bereitete zusammen mit Juan García #Oliver G#uerillaaktionen vor. Außerdem unterstützte er Kubas „Bewegung des 26. Juli“ und half den #Castro-Brüdern mit Hilfe der anarchistischen #Diaspora in #Mexiko im #Guerillakampf gegen das #Batista-Regime. Die Ernüchterung kam, als sich das neue kubanische #Regime den Interessen der #Sowjetunion anschloss und seine Versprechen zur Unterstützung der iberischen Befreiung aufgab. 1960 wurde er Verteidigungssekretär der Nationalen Konföderation der Arbeit (CNT) in #Amerika und vertrat die mexikanische #CNT auf dem Kongress von #Limoges 1961, wo die geheime Defensa Interior (#DI) gegründet wurde, um das #Franco-Regime zu bekämpfen.
Der militante Flügel der DI unternahm mehrere erfolglose Attentate auf Franco. Von 1962 bis 1965 war Alberola zusammen mit García Oliver und Cipriano Mera im Untergrund in Frankreich aktiv. Ab 1965 war Alberola an zahlreichen Aktionen gegen Franco beteiligt. Er bevorzugte direkte Propagandaaktionen ohne Opfer und geriet in dieser Frage öffentlich mit Gaston #Leval aneinander. 1966 lehnte er die Fünf-Punkte-Bewegung ab, die die CNT schwächte und den Aufstieg autonomer anarchistischer Gruppen vor allem in #Katalonien, #Aragon, #Andalusien und #Madrid förderte.
Im selben Jahr schloss er sich der Libertären Jugendföderation (FIJL) und der Zeitschrift Presencia an und war Mitglied der Aktionsgruppe Primero de Mayo, die für spektakuläre Aktionen wie die Entführung des spanischen Botschafters im Vatikan in Rom (April 1966) und die versuchte Entführung des spanischen Botschafters in Belgien (1968) verantwortlich war. 1968 wurde er in Belgien verhaftet und verbrachte fünf Monate im Gefängnis.
Mitte der 1970er Jahre arbeitete Alberola als Erzieher in Lüttich und kehrte 1974 nach Frankreich zurück. Wegen seiner Beteiligung an der Entführung des spanischen Bankiers Baltasar Suárez und wegen seiner Mitgliedschaft in der #GARI (Gruppen für internationalistische revolutionäre Aktion) wurde er in Avignon verhaftet und zu neun Monaten Haft verurteilt.
Von 1975 bis zu seiner Pensionierung 1994 arbeitete er als Zeitungslayoutgrafiker und lebte in #Perpignan, wo er Vorträge in ganz #Spanien hielt und weiter schrieb. Er schrieb ohne Sektierertum für Publikationen der #CGT und der CNT. Außerdem war er Mitglied des #COJRA (Komitee für antiautoritäre Reflexionstage) und moderierte von 1980 bis 2000 die Sendung „Tribuna Latinoamericana” auf #Radio #Libertaire.
In den 2000er Jahren war er Mitbegründer der Bemühungen um die Wiederaufnahme des Prozesses gegen die 1963 hingerichteten Anarchisten Joaquín #Delgado und Francisco #Granado und half 2003 bei der Gründung von #GALSIC (Unterstützungsgruppen für Libertäre und unabhängige Gewerkschafter in #Kuba).
Er schrieb für viele Publikationen, darunter Cenit, El Viejo Topo, Tierra y Libertad, El Topo Avizor und andere.
Zu seinen Büchern gehören „Die Probleme der Wissenschaft: Determinismus und Freiheit“ (1951), „Spanischer Anarchismus und revolutionäre Aktion (1961–1974)“ und „Die libertäre Opposition gegen das Franco-Regime“ (1993).
Die folgenden Auszüge stammen aus einem Interview der Anarchist News Agency (#ANA) aus dem Jahr 2018
ANA: Wie bist du zum Anarchismus gekommen?
Octavio Alberola: Nun, ohne Zweifel durch das, was ich mit meinen Eltern erlebt habe, die mitten in den Ereignissen standen. Genauer gesagt: durch ihre Beziehungen zu anderen Klassengenossen, durch ihre Arbeit als rationalistische Lehrer, durch das Erleben der Folgen der #Repression, unter der sie litten, und höchstwahrscheinlich auch durch die Diskussionen, Lektüren und Propagandaaktionen, an denen ich nach und nach mit ihnen und ihren CNT-Genossen teilnahm, sowohl in Spanien als auch später im Exil: zuerst in Frankreich und dann in Mexiko. Auch durch meine Diskussionen mit meinen Klassengenossen über verschiedene politische, soziale und kulturelle Themen und durch die Konfrontation mit der autoritären Disziplin des Lehrpersonals an der Sekundar- und Vorbereitungsschule in #Jalapa, der Hauptstadt des Bundesstaates #Veracruz in der mexikanischen Republik. Aber vielleicht haben sich meine anarchistischen Ideen erst richtig entwickelt, als ich nach Mexiko-Stadt zog, um mein Studium zu beginnen, weil ich mich in der mexikanischen libertären Jugendorganisation engagierte und kurz danach mit drei anderen jungen Leuten eine (geheime) Zelle teilen musste. Die mexikanischen Behörden sperrten uns einen Monat lang in diese Zelle, nachdem sie uns verhaftet hatten, weil wir ein libertäres Manifest in den Straßen von Mexiko-Stadt verteilt hatten.
ANA: War deine Familie anarchistisch?
Octavio Alberola: Mein Vater war der Sohn von Bauern aus #Aragón, die um 1899/90 nach #Barcelona ausgewandert waren. Als junger Mann besuchte er die moderne Schule Francisco Ferrer y Guardia. Er lernte meine Mutter in Olot in der Provinz #Girona nach einem #Streik kennen, der zum ersten Mal eine 48Stunden-Woche durchgesetzt hatte. Er wurde deportiert und war 1928, als ich geboren wurde, rationalistischer Lehrer an der säkularen Schule in #Alayor auf #Menorca, Balearen. 1936, während des Militärputsches, war er in #Fraga, Aragon, und unterrichtete an der rationalistischen Schule der CNT. Als nach dem 18. Juli der Rat von Aragon gegründet wurde, wurde mein Vater zum #Kulturminister ernannt. Nach dem Krieg gingen wir nach #Frankreich und dann ins Exil nach Mexiko. Dort war er Direktor der #Cervantes-Schule in der Stadt #Jalapa im Bundesstaat Veracruz. Meine Mutter half ihm immer bei seinem rationalistischen Unterricht.
ANA: War es in Mexiko, wo du zum ersten Mal mit Mitgliedern der kubanischen libertären Vereinigung in Kontakt kamst?
Octavio Alberola: 1956 wurde ich von kubanischen Exilanten in Mexiko kontaktiert, vor allem von denen der Bewegung 26. Juli und der Revolutionären Studentendirektion. Ich habe mit ihnen zusammengearbeitet, bis die Diktatur von General #Batista gestürzt wurde. Es war wirklich eine sehr turbulente Zeit, die viele Hoffnungen auf die Möglichkeit eines #Sozialismus in Freiheit weckte; aber mit der #Institutionalisierung der kubanischen #Revolution unter dem #Staatskapitalismus und der #Diktatur habe ich den Kontakt zu den Castro-Anhängern abgebrochen. 1961 traf ich mehrere kubanische Libertäre, die in der Sierra Maestra gekämpft hatten, aber erst viele Jahre später begann ich, mit meinen MLC-Genossen zu schreiben. Diese Kontakte wurden durch die Reise von Frank #Fernández nach #Paris im Jahr 2000 konkret. Kurz zuvor hatte er zur Gründung der Unterstützungsgruppe für Libertäre und unabhängige Gewerkschafter in Kuba (GALSIC) beigetragen. Aber seit Anfang der 1990er Jahre war ich stark mit den kubanischen linken Dissidenten verbunden, die nach Frankreich kamen, und Ende der 1990er Jahre reiste ich nach Kuba, um den sogenannten #Gewerkschaften und unabhängigen #Buchhandlungen zu helfen, die anlässlich des iberoamerikanischen Gipfeltreffens der Staatschefs in #Havanna eine Demonstration der Frauen der Gefangenen (die Vorgängerinnen der Frauen in Weiß) organisieren wollten. Ich habe die Hilfe der #SAC (#Schweden) in Anspruch genommen, um den Dokumentarfilm über die #Gewerkschaftsbewegung in Kuba zu drehen.
ANA: Gibt es eine Episode aus diesen Jahren, die dich besonders geprägt hat?
Octavio Alberola: Eine Episode, die ich nie vergessen habe und die bereits damals für die Zukunft sehr bedeutsam war, war die Konfrontation, die ich 1958 bei einer Veranstaltung im Spanischen Athenaeum in Mexiko mit Mitgliedern der Bewegung des 26. Juli hatte. Sie versuchten, einen jungen Schwarzen aus dem Revolutionären Studentendirektorium, der gerade heimlich die Insel verlassen hatte, daran zu hindern, seine Rede fortzusetzen, nachdem er die Gefahr des #Caudillismus im Kampf gegen die Batista-Diktatur angeprangert hatte. Da ich die Veranstaltung leitete, gelang es mir, dafür zu sorgen, dass der junge Schwarze am Mikrofon bleiben und seine Rede beenden konnte. Es war eine Konfrontation, die einen Vorgeschmack auf den Machtkampf nach Batistas Sturz gab.
ANA: Was war der schwierigste Moment in dieser Zeit?
Octavio Alberola: Der schwierigste Moment war, als die mexikanischen Behörden mich unter Beobachtung stellten (mehrere Agenten folgten mir in einem Auto ...) unter dem Vorwand, ich könnte nach dem Anschlag auf den Venezolaner #Betancourt das Ziel eines Anschlags (durch #Trujillo-Anhänger) sein. Das bestätigte mir natürlich, dass ich schon seit einiger Zeit überwacht wurde... Später, in Europa, waren die schwierigsten Momente meine drei Verhaftungen (zuerst durch die belgischen Behörden und dann zweimal durch die französischen).
(...)
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Demonstration May 1st / Manifestation 1er mai
Pl. Marie Janson, Brussels/Bruxelles, donderdag 1 mei om 14:00 CEST
Le français en dessous
How many more steps?
How much longer must we be standing by before we can finally say, “Yeah, this is definitely Fascism”? Besides, do we really need confirmation?
The question we should be asking is rather how every step taken by the bourgeoisie in recent years has led us in this direction. How every crisis—economic, climatic, health-related—and every "solution" that they promote has pushed toward identity politics. The precariousness of populations, the repression of activists and young people in marginalised neighborhoods, the trivialisation of the ideas of the extreme-right all stem from the measures taken by the government in response to crises that capitalism itself has created. We are sick and tired of these crises, and we reject these so-called "solutions" that eventually only aim to widen divisions within our class, and drain us of our power.
Fascism and war once again appear to be the only way out for a capitalist system in crisis. The rise of violence leaves us in shock. We are sad, angry, and afraid, but this won’t bring us down to our knees. Faced with this escalation of violence, there is no time to merely express our outrage—it’s time to act. The State wages a permanent war on its own soil against workers, the unemployed, the precarious, gender minorities, young people, the elderly, racialized people, and undocumented individuals. Beyond its borders, it wages war against migrants, the Palestinian, the Kurdish, Sudanese, and Congolese peoples, and even against the biosphere at large. The illusion of the so-called “path of democracy” is becoming harder and harder to swallow, as imperialism reveals its true face. Capitalism is entering a stage of total war, and we no longer have the luxury of choosing whether or not to fight. The only question that matters today is how must we fight and resist against it, together.
Strong mobilisations have emerged recently—e.g. February 13th’s demonstration of class power, the movement for the total liberation of Palestine, the organization of antifascist fronts across various regions, strike pickets (Delhaize, Audi, March 8 etc.), and committees against police violence.
We must capitalize on this momentum of resistance, strengthen solidarity among ourselves, and coordinate our actions.
We cannot expect anything in our favor from those in power. We will never fall in line with their injunctions and lament over the situation, nor will we ever withdraw into ourselves. Let us remain united in the face of state violence. Let us organize, struggle, and refuse to back down.
We call on everyone to join us and stand as one against the attacks of the capitalist state.
There's no time for indignation, it's time for action.
LET’S ALL MARCH UNITED FOR A REVOLUTIONARY MAY 1ST!
Combien de pas encore?
Combien faudra-t-il encore de pas vers le fascisme pour décréter que, cette fois, on y est ? Et finalement, est-ce bien ce qui importe ?
La question qui devrait nous préoccuper serait plutôt comment chacun de ces pas ces dernières années a été fait dans cette direction. Comment chaque crise — économique, climatique, sanitaire — et chaque “solution” portée par la bourgeoisie a permis de converger vers un repli réactionnaire. La précarisation des populations, la répression qui s’abat sur les militant·e·s et sur les jeunes dans les quartiers, la normalisation des idées d’extrême droite et leur implantation dans les politiques gouvernementales sont autant de conséquences des mesures prises en réponse à des crises que le capitalisme a lui-même créées.
Tout cela ne vise en réalité qu’à diviser notre classe pour mieux régner et les solutions proposées par les réformistes ne servent qu’a refouler temporairement l’arrivée de la prochaine crise.
En Europe et au-delà, le fascisme et la guerre semblent être, à nouveau, le seul salut pour un système capitaliste en crise. L’augmentation de ces violences nous laisse dans un état de sidération. Nous sommes tristes, en colère et effrayé·e·s. Mais cela ne doit pas pour autant nous mettre à terre. Face à l’accélération de ces attaques, nous n’avons plus le temps pour l’indignation : il est temps de passer à l’action. L’État mène une guerre de classes permanente sur son territoire contre les travailleur·euse·s, contre les chômeur·euse·s, les personnes précaires, les minorités de genre, les jeunes, les vieux, les personnes racisées, les sans-papiers. Mais aussi hors de ces frontières, par ses politiques imperialistes-coloniales contre les migrant·e·s, contre les peuples palestinien, kurde, soudanais, congolais, et même contre la biosphère en général… Là où le mythe du “camp de la démocratie” est de moins en moins crédible, l’impérialisme montre son vrai visage. Le capitalisme entre dans une phase de guerre totale et nous n’avons plus vraiment le choix : la seule question qui importe aujourd’hui est de savoir comment nous allons résister, ensemble, contre lui.
De fortes mobilisations ont vu le jour ces derniers temps, avec la démonstration de force du 13 février, le mouvement pour la libération totale de la Palestine, l’organisation de fronts antifascistes, les piquets de grève (Audi, Delhaize, 8 mars, etc.) les comités contre les violences policières, etc. Nous devons investir ces espaces de résistance, renforcer la solidarité entre eux et coordonner nos actions.
Refusons de céder à cette injonction à nous replier sur nous-mêmes, restons uni·e·s face à la violence de l’État, organisons-nous, luttons, ne reculons pas. Nous appelons tout le monde à nous rejoindre pour ne faire qu’un contre les attaques de l’État capitaliste.
Plus de temps pour l’indignation, passons à l’organisation.
1ER MAI TOUTE L’ANNÉE.
https://acties.todon.nl/event/demonstration-may-1st-manifestation-1er-mai
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#Grijalva, Sen. Schatz Lead 34 Lawmakers Urging #PresidentBiden to Pardon #NativeAmericanActivist #LeonardPeltier
From U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Dec 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – "U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman #BrianSchatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress to President Biden urging him to grant clemency for renowned Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier in the final weeks of his term. Mr. Peltier was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.
"In their letter, the lawmakers cite Mr. Peltier’s advanced age and illness, and stress that a presidential pardon is the last remaining hope for his freedom.
"'Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave #injustice that has long troubled #HumanRights advocates and #NativePeoples across the globe,' the lawmakers wrote.
"The lawmakers highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented record of addressing the country’s history of injustices against Indigenous communities and urge President Biden to cement this legacy by commuting Mr. Peltier’s sentence.
"The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Ohio), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), #AlexandriaOcasioCortez (D-N.Y.), #IlhanOmar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), #RashidaTlaib (D-Mich.), #JillTokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and #NydiaVelázquez (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. Senators #MazieHirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), #BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), #ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), and former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
BACKGROUND
"In 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two FBI agents. His trial and conviction have been widely criticized by civil rights leaders and legal experts; key evidence was withheld, witnesses were coerced, and critical ballistics information was misrepresented. Mr. Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a grassroots movement founded in the late 1960s to organize activism around systemic poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans. At the time of Mr. Peltier’s arrest, AIM was under deep scrutiny by the U.S. government.
"Last year, Ranking Member #Grijalva led a bipartisan, bicameral 33-member letter calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of Justice to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier, as well as in October 2021 and February 2022. Grijalva spoke with Mr. Peltier in 2022 and recounted his description of harsh and often inhumane conditions in federal detention, including long periods of solitary confinement and major challenges in obtaining adequate medical care for his declining health."
Source:
https://www.charkoosta.com/news/grijalva-sen-schatz-lead-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard/article_067787be-bd7e-11ef-9e89-2f59e879ef5e.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #FBI -
#Grijalva, Sen. Schatz Lead 34 Lawmakers Urging #PresidentBiden to Pardon #NativeAmericanActivist #LeonardPeltier
From U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Dec 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – "U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman #BrianSchatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress to President Biden urging him to grant clemency for renowned Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier in the final weeks of his term. Mr. Peltier was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.
"In their letter, the lawmakers cite Mr. Peltier’s advanced age and illness, and stress that a presidential pardon is the last remaining hope for his freedom.
"'Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave #injustice that has long troubled #HumanRights advocates and #NativePeoples across the globe,' the lawmakers wrote.
"The lawmakers highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented record of addressing the country’s history of injustices against Indigenous communities and urge President Biden to cement this legacy by commuting Mr. Peltier’s sentence.
"The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Ohio), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), #AlexandriaOcasioCortez (D-N.Y.), #IlhanOmar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), #RashidaTlaib (D-Mich.), #JillTokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and #NydiaVelázquez (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. Senators #MazieHirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), #BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), #ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), and former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
BACKGROUND
"In 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two FBI agents. His trial and conviction have been widely criticized by civil rights leaders and legal experts; key evidence was withheld, witnesses were coerced, and critical ballistics information was misrepresented. Mr. Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a grassroots movement founded in the late 1960s to organize activism around systemic poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans. At the time of Mr. Peltier’s arrest, AIM was under deep scrutiny by the U.S. government.
"Last year, Ranking Member #Grijalva led a bipartisan, bicameral 33-member letter calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of Justice to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier, as well as in October 2021 and February 2022. Grijalva spoke with Mr. Peltier in 2022 and recounted his description of harsh and often inhumane conditions in federal detention, including long periods of solitary confinement and major challenges in obtaining adequate medical care for his declining health."
Source:
https://www.charkoosta.com/news/grijalva-sen-schatz-lead-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard/article_067787be-bd7e-11ef-9e89-2f59e879ef5e.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #FBI -
#Grijalva, Sen. Schatz Lead 34 Lawmakers Urging #PresidentBiden to Pardon #NativeAmericanActivist #LeonardPeltier
From U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Dec 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – "U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman #BrianSchatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress to President Biden urging him to grant clemency for renowned Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier in the final weeks of his term. Mr. Peltier was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.
"In their letter, the lawmakers cite Mr. Peltier’s advanced age and illness, and stress that a presidential pardon is the last remaining hope for his freedom.
"'Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave #injustice that has long troubled #HumanRights advocates and #NativePeoples across the globe,' the lawmakers wrote.
"The lawmakers highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented record of addressing the country’s history of injustices against Indigenous communities and urge President Biden to cement this legacy by commuting Mr. Peltier’s sentence.
"The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Ohio), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), #AlexandriaOcasioCortez (D-N.Y.), #IlhanOmar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), #RashidaTlaib (D-Mich.), #JillTokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and #NydiaVelázquez (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. Senators #MazieHirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), #BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), #ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), and former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
BACKGROUND
"In 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two FBI agents. His trial and conviction have been widely criticized by civil rights leaders and legal experts; key evidence was withheld, witnesses were coerced, and critical ballistics information was misrepresented. Mr. Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a grassroots movement founded in the late 1960s to organize activism around systemic poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans. At the time of Mr. Peltier’s arrest, AIM was under deep scrutiny by the U.S. government.
"Last year, Ranking Member #Grijalva led a bipartisan, bicameral 33-member letter calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of Justice to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier, as well as in October 2021 and February 2022. Grijalva spoke with Mr. Peltier in 2022 and recounted his description of harsh and often inhumane conditions in federal detention, including long periods of solitary confinement and major challenges in obtaining adequate medical care for his declining health."
Source:
https://www.charkoosta.com/news/grijalva-sen-schatz-lead-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard/article_067787be-bd7e-11ef-9e89-2f59e879ef5e.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #FBI -
#Grijalva, Sen. Schatz Lead 34 Lawmakers Urging #PresidentBiden to Pardon #NativeAmericanActivist #LeonardPeltier
From U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Dec 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – "U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman #BrianSchatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress to President Biden urging him to grant clemency for renowned Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier in the final weeks of his term. Mr. Peltier was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.
"In their letter, the lawmakers cite Mr. Peltier’s advanced age and illness, and stress that a presidential pardon is the last remaining hope for his freedom.
"'Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave #injustice that has long troubled #HumanRights advocates and #NativePeoples across the globe,' the lawmakers wrote.
"The lawmakers highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented record of addressing the country’s history of injustices against Indigenous communities and urge President Biden to cement this legacy by commuting Mr. Peltier’s sentence.
"The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Ohio), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), #AlexandriaOcasioCortez (D-N.Y.), #IlhanOmar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), #RashidaTlaib (D-Mich.), #JillTokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and #NydiaVelázquez (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. Senators #MazieHirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), #BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), #ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), and former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
BACKGROUND
"In 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two FBI agents. His trial and conviction have been widely criticized by civil rights leaders and legal experts; key evidence was withheld, witnesses were coerced, and critical ballistics information was misrepresented. Mr. Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a grassroots movement founded in the late 1960s to organize activism around systemic poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans. At the time of Mr. Peltier’s arrest, AIM was under deep scrutiny by the U.S. government.
"Last year, Ranking Member #Grijalva led a bipartisan, bicameral 33-member letter calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of Justice to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier, as well as in October 2021 and February 2022. Grijalva spoke with Mr. Peltier in 2022 and recounted his description of harsh and often inhumane conditions in federal detention, including long periods of solitary confinement and major challenges in obtaining adequate medical care for his declining health."
Source:
https://www.charkoosta.com/news/grijalva-sen-schatz-lead-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard/article_067787be-bd7e-11ef-9e89-2f59e879ef5e.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #FBI -
#Grijalva, Sen. Schatz Lead 34 Lawmakers Urging #PresidentBiden to Pardon #NativeAmericanActivist #LeonardPeltier
From U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Dec 19, 2024
WASHINGTON – "U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairman #BrianSchatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress to President Biden urging him to grant clemency for renowned Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier in the final weeks of his term. Mr. Peltier was convicted of murder in 1977 following a controversial investigation and trial, which many civil rights leaders and legal experts have called unjust, including the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case.
"In their letter, the lawmakers cite Mr. Peltier’s advanced age and illness, and stress that a presidential pardon is the last remaining hope for his freedom.
"'Despite the grave concerns surrounding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old and suffering from severe health conditions, including increasing vision loss, the Bureau of Prisons denied Mr. Peltier a compassionate release or reduction in sentence in April of this year; and in July 2024, the U.S. Parole Commission denied him parole. These recent denials mean only you have the unique ability to grant him clemency and rectify this grave #injustice that has long troubled #HumanRights advocates and #NativePeoples across the globe,' the lawmakers wrote.
"The lawmakers highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented record of addressing the country’s history of injustices against Indigenous communities and urge President Biden to cement this legacy by commuting Mr. Peltier’s sentence.
"The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Ohio), Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), #AlexandriaOcasioCortez (D-N.Y.), #IlhanOmar (D-Minn.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), #RashidaTlaib (D-Mich.), #JillTokuda (D-Hawai‘i), and #NydiaVelázquez (D-N.Y.), as well as U.S. Senators #MazieHirono (D-Hawai’i), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), #BernieSanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), #ElizabethWarren (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D- Vt.), and former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
BACKGROUND
"In 1977, Leonard Peltier was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two FBI agents. His trial and conviction have been widely criticized by civil rights leaders and legal experts; key evidence was withheld, witnesses were coerced, and critical ballistics information was misrepresented. Mr. Peltier was an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a grassroots movement founded in the late 1960s to organize activism around systemic poverty, discrimination, and police brutality against Native Americans. At the time of Mr. Peltier’s arrest, AIM was under deep scrutiny by the U.S. government.
"Last year, Ranking Member #Grijalva led a bipartisan, bicameral 33-member letter calling on President Biden and the U.S. Department of Justice to grant clemency to Mr. Peltier, as well as in October 2021 and February 2022. Grijalva spoke with Mr. Peltier in 2022 and recounted his description of harsh and often inhumane conditions in federal detention, including long periods of solitary confinement and major challenges in obtaining adequate medical care for his declining health."
Source:
https://www.charkoosta.com/news/grijalva-sen-schatz-lead-34-lawmakers-urging-president-biden-to-pardon-native-american-activist-leonard/article_067787be-bd7e-11ef-9e89-2f59e879ef5e.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #FBI -
Las Penas Son de Nosotros, Las Redes Son Ajenas I
Están estos dos peces jóvenes nadando y se encuentran por casualidad con un pez mayor nadando en dirección contraria, que les saluda con la cabeza y les dice “Buenos días, chicos. ¿Cómo está el agua?” Y los dos peces jóvenes siguen nadando durante un rato, y finalmente uno de ellos mira al otro y dice “¿Qué demonios es el agua?”.
¿Las redes somos todos?
Y eso que no son peces mayores los que se preguntan ¿qué es el agua?
Siguiendo con el debate sobre si irse de «X»/Twitter y si Las Redes Somos Todos como afirma Gustavo Noriega desde la Revista Seúl y Adriana Amado con Osvaldo Bazán desde Youtube:
»
–En varias oportunidades se refirió a las plataformas como “gatekeepers del espacio público”, en referencia a la función editorial que desarrollan. ¿Podría desarrollar la noción de “censura”, tanto algorítmica como por moderación de contenidos, a la que aludió en otras oportunidades?
–Hoy, el acceso a noticias y entretenimientos por parte de las y los argentinos está absolutamente intermediado por dispositivos y plataformas digitales, cuyos sistemas operativos y aplicaciones de entretenimiento les pertenecen, además. Históricamente, los análisis más benévolos con el accionar de las plataformas las definían como “intermediarias”. Las plataformas ya no pueden ser denominadas como meramente intermediarias, cumplen una función editorial al priorizar determinados contenidos o cuentas por sobre otros, al elaborar perfiles personalizados de los usuarios a los que les ofrecen un determinado feed de noticias y entretenimientos y, como consecuencia, reducen la visibilidad y exhibición de otros contenidos. Son muy opacas en su procedimiento, además: tienen listas negras y listas blancas, algo reconocido por el propio Mark Zuckerberg, dueño de Meta. Esta función editorial disciplina a los que producen contenido de manera industrial.
–¿Qué forma toma ese disciplinamiento?
–Me refiero a los medios de comunicación y a las organizaciones políticas (no hago una distinción actores políticos y mediáticos en este punto, dado que ambos son actores sociales, usinas industriales de contenidos informativos y de opinión). La programación algorítmica edita, pondera, prioriza algunos contenidos y formatos o reduce el alcance de la exhibición de otros; eso influye en las decisiones editoriales de las organizaciones productoras de contenido que están presentes en las plataformas, porque la única manera de que esas organizaciones encuentren a su público es habitando las plataformas y sometiéndose a sus cambiantes y opacas reglas de juego.
–Además de los criterios algorítmicos de selección y visibilización de contenidos, las plataformas han etiquetado cuentas y contenidos en varias ocasiones sin criterios del todo claros.
–Ese etiquetado se ha prestado a notables abusos, confundiendo a personas con organizaciones mediáticas, censurando a algunos actores y premiando a otros. La historia de los años recientes está repleta de ese tipo de discrecionalidades. Por eso creo que la Ley de Servicios Digitales europea (DSA) es un avance, porque por primera vez se reconoce e institucionaliza el derecho de apelación de los usuarios. Contiene avances tímidos, pero avances al fin en materia de derechos: por ejemplo, impedir que las plataformas realicen perfiles para vender los datos personales de usuarios menores de edad. Tienden a atenuar la discrecionalidad y el poder de las plataformas.
–Hablando de derechos, ¿con qué paradojas se topa el concepto de “libertad de expresión” en un entorno comunicacional tan cambiante como el actual?
–Hay que marcar una diferencia entre libertad de prensa, referida a quienes tienen recursos para opinar, y libertad de expresión. En el actual escenario comunicacional, es muy común escuchar que no es necesario preocuparse por estas cuestiones porque cualquiera puede abrir una cuenta en alguna de las redes sociodigitales y opinar libremente. Pero la regulación y amplificación de esas opiniones depende de actores privados, corporativos. Con la revolución digital, esta situación demanda una reflexión. La función de gatekeepers de las plataformas encuentra ejemplos elocuentes en las rebeliones y protestas ciudadanas que hubo en países latinoamericanos recientemente, como es el caso de Colombia o de Chile, donde los hashtags de quienes protestaban fueron directamente censurados por las plataformas. Eso reduce el acceso a la información de carácter público y en consecuencia lesiona el derecho a la libertad de expresión. »
Martín Becerra:Las big tech socializan riesgos y capturan beneficios
»
En octubre de 2022 Elon Musk compró la red, en la que publicaba una media de 12 mensajes al día, por 44.000 millones de dólares. Dos años después, Twitter ya ni siquiera se llama Twitter, sino X (un nombre que Musk ya utilizó en el pasado para una plataforma de pagos). Los algoritmos dificultan los fenómenos de viralidad espontánea que hicieron popular la plataforma, se prioriza la difusión de las cuentas que pagan por ello y se ha creado un sistema específico para difundir al máximo los mensajes del propietario (unos 68 al día, gran parte de contenido ultraderechista y apoyo a Donald Trump). La red restringe las cuentas que utilizan la palabra “cisgénero” (Musk tiene una hija trans que no le habla) y ha estado prohibida en Brasil durante tres semanas por un enfrentamiento con las autoridades que su dueño también ha llevado a lo personal. Este conflicto se inició cuando la red social se negó a cumplir la orden del juez del Supremo Tribunal brasileño Alexandre de Moraes, que exigía la suspensión de varias cuentas vinculadas con el asalto bolsonarista a Brasilia. Musk ha tuiteado, entre otras cosas, que el juez Moraes es un “dictador” y el presidente Lula “su perrito faldero”, aunque finalmente ha cedido a las exigencias de la justicia brasileña. Si hoy en día su red social recuerda a alguna plaza es a la plaza de los Cubos en el Madrid de los noventa, como dijo el usuario de Mastodon Elías Fraguas.
“Si dedicamos muchos años a construir nuestras redes, nuestra presencia online, en una plataforma sobre la que no tenemos ningún tipo de control, podemos llevarnos sorpresas desagradables. Está pasando en X y en todas”. dice Marta G. Franco, autora de Las redes son nuestras (Consonni, 2024), en conversación con CTXT por videollamada.»
«“Lo que ha pasado en Internet en las últimas décadas es que no se ha construido espacio público”, continúa Franco. “Es como si estuviéramos viviendo todas nuestras vidas en centros comerciales, como si nuestros ayuntamientos no hubieran hecho calles, parques, bibliotecas… No se trata de sustituir todos los centros comerciales por asociaciones vecinales, pero necesitamos un ecosistema que permita espacios más plurales, que no esté todo concentrado en manos de cuatro o cinco magnates que nos pueden salir muy mal, como Elon Musk o bastante mal, como Mark Zuckerberg. Esto es un problema para la opinión pública, para nuestra capacidad de tener debates, para la cultura o para la diversidad”, argumenta.»
Mastodon: guía de soberanía digital para charlar con tus vecinas
Sobre Irse de «X»/Twitter
https://blognooficial.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/las-penas-son-de-nosotros-las-redes-son-ajenas-ii/
-
Legions of Doom – The Skull 3 Review
By Steel Druhm
I miss Eric Wagner. As the frontman for Trouble he was an American doom icon and his unique voice was a big part of the soundtrack of my life. His passing in 2021 was a big loss to Metaldom and I get sad whenever I think about it. He left behind a completed solo album but he’d also nearly finished a new album with his band The Skull. Fortunately, his bandmates and friends were able to finish what Eric started, and they recruited a doom dream team to bring his final inspiration into existence. Legions of Doom features former members of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, and Corrosion of Conformity and The Skull 3 plays out like a loving tribute to Eric Wagner and American doom as a whole. It’s clear there was a lot of attention and care put into the album, and though the entire project has a pall over it, there’s light too, and the warm feeling of a familiar presence.
The elevator pitch for The Skull 3 is one-half a Trouble and Saint Vitus team-up and one-half a follow-up to C.O.C.’s iconic Blind album. Opener “Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” is like Trouble jamming on a mammoth cut with early ’90s C.O.C. with Karl Agell rising from left field to deliver barn-burning vocals steeped in emotion and pain. It’s the kind of song you fall for on the first spin and I can’t get enough of the raw, doomy emotion this song exudes from every pore. The Trouble-esque doom riffs and harmonies are pitch-perfect and everything just works. “All Good Things” keeps things humming with another emotive hard and heavy number with Agell again impressing with plaintive, haunted vocals as the guitars churn and chug in masterful ways. “Lost Souls” takes a step backward in time to the early days of Saint Vitus with their frontman Scott Reagers handling vocals. It sounds like something off their 1984 debut and the lyrics speak to the eternal soul and how we’re never truly gone from our loved ones.1 It’s doomy and uplifting at the same time.2
The unexpected highlight is “Heaven” which Eric Wagner recorded vocals for. Hearing this kind of pre-death output is strange but it warms the heart to have something new from him. It’s one of those Beatles-esque slow burners Eric dabbled in over the years and it’s sweet and hopeful. Also of note is the face-stomping urgency of “Insecticide” where the guitars are unleashed to riff you into a huddled mass as Kark Agell rages on about your inadequacies. It’s tough love from a burly rocker with a bad attitude. Not everything hits the bullseye as cleanly. 10-plus minute closer “Hallow By All Means” is a good long-form doom song with Reagers doing his ghoulish best but it drags on too long. But this is a minor gripe on an otherwise consistent and enthralling album cobbled together from partially unfinished material.
With doom royalty involved, the performances themselves were never in doubt. Ron Holzer (The Skull, ex-Trouble), Lothar Keller (The Skull), and Scott Little (Leadfoot) bring a wealth of veteran savvy to the project, delivering massive doom leads and colorful flourishes spanning southern and ’70s rock as well as sludge. They mostly keep things in the neighborhood Trouble and The Skull inhabited but there are more than a few C.O.C. and Down references too. Karl Agell reprises his role from C.O.C.s iconic Blind release and he still sounds great. Hearing him here makes me wish he kept recording music in this vein for the last several decades as he was born for it. Scott Reagers has always been one of my favorite doom vocalists and he delivers his classic oddball warbling. Yes, he drags everything to Saint Vitus Meadows whenever he opens his mouth, but it’s a happy detour nonetheless.
I’m usually down on these kinds of posthumous projects. For some reason, I felt less cynical about this one and let it get under my skin. Legions of Doom does justice to the life and works of Eric Wagner and it feels like a loving send-off by brothers in arms. The Skull 3 would be a damn good doom album even if it had nothing to do with Eric. As the last breath of his creativity, however, it takes on extra meaning and poignancy. This can be considered a proper companion to Eric’s In the Lonely Light of Mourning solo album and I’m thankful it’s good enough for that. The man deserves nothing less. Hail to the voyager, wherever he may be.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Tee Pee Records
Websites: facebook.com/legionsofdoomband | instagram.com/legionsofdoomband
Releases Worldwide: September 13th, 2024#2024 #35 #AmericanMetal #CorrosionOfConformity #DoomMetal #Down #EricWagner #HeavyMetal #InTheLonelyLightOfMourning #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #Sep24 #TeePeeRecords #TheSkull #Trouble
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Legions of Doom – The Skull 3 Review
By Steel Druhm
I miss Eric Wagner. As the frontman for Trouble he was an American doom icon and his unique voice was a big part of the soundtrack of my life. His passing in 2021 was a big loss to Metaldom and I get sad whenever I think about it. He left behind a completed solo album but he’d also nearly finished a new album with his band The Skull. Fortunately, his bandmates and friends were able to finish what Eric started, and they recruited a doom dream team to bring his final inspiration into existence. Legions of Doom features former members of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, and Corrosion of Conformity and The Skull 3 plays out like a loving tribute to Eric Wagner and American doom as a whole. It’s clear there was a lot of attention and care put into the album, and though the entire project has a pall over it, there’s light too, and the warm feeling of a familiar presence.
The elevator pitch for The Skull 3 is one-half a Trouble and Saint Vitus team-up and one-half a follow-up to C.O.C.’s iconic Blind album. Opener “Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” is like Trouble jamming on a mammoth cut with early ’90s C.O.C. with Karl Agell rising from left field to deliver barn-burning vocals steeped in emotion and pain. It’s the kind of song you fall for on the first spin and I can’t get enough of the raw, doomy emotion this song exudes from every pore. The Trouble-esque doom riffs and harmonies are pitch-perfect and everything just works. “All Good Things” keeps things humming with another emotive hard and heavy number with Agell again impressing with plaintive, haunted vocals as the guitars churn and chug in masterful ways. “Lost Souls” takes a step backward in time to the early days of Saint Vitus with their frontman Scott Reagers handling vocals. It sounds like something off their 1984 debut and the lyrics speak to the eternal soul and how we’re never truly gone from our loved ones.1 It’s doomy and uplifting at the same time.2
The unexpected highlight is “Heaven” which Eric Wagner recorded vocals for. Hearing this kind of pre-death output is strange but it warms the heart to have something new from him. It’s one of those Beatles-esque slow burners Eric dabbled in over the years and it’s sweet and hopeful. Also of note is the face-stomping urgency of “Insecticide” where the guitars are unleashed to riff you into a huddled mass as Kark Agell rages on about your inadequacies. It’s tough love from a burly rocker with a bad attitude. Not everything hits the bullseye as cleanly. 10-plus minute closer “Hallow By All Means” is a good long-form doom song with Reagers doing his ghoulish best but it drags on too long. But this is a minor gripe on an otherwise consistent and enthralling album cobbled together from partially unfinished material.
With doom royalty involved, the performances themselves were never in doubt. Ron Holzer (The Skull, ex-Trouble), Lothar Keller (The Skull), and Scott Little (Leadfoot) bring a wealth of veteran savvy to the project, delivering massive doom leads and colorful flourishes spanning southern and ’70s rock as well as sludge. They mostly keep things in the neighborhood Trouble and The Skull inhabited but there are more than a few C.O.C. and Down references too. Karl Agell reprises his role from C.O.C.s iconic Blind release and he still sounds great. Hearing him here makes me wish he kept recording music in this vein for the last several decades as he was born for it. Scott Reagers has always been one of my favorite doom vocalists and he delivers his classic oddball warbling. Yes, he drags everything to Saint Vitus Meadows whenever he opens his mouth, but it’s a happy detour nonetheless.
I’m usually down on these kinds of posthumous projects. For some reason, I felt less cynical about this one and let it get under my skin. Legions of Doom does justice to the life and works of Eric Wagner and it feels like a loving send-off by brothers in arms. The Skull 3 would be a damn good doom album even if it had nothing to do with Eric. As the last breath of his creativity, however, it takes on extra meaning and poignancy. This can be considered a proper companion to Eric’s In the Lonely Light of Mourning solo album and I’m thankful it’s good enough for that. The man deserves nothing less. Hail to the voyager, wherever he may be.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Tee Pee Records
Websites: facebook.com/legionsofdoomband | instagram.com/legionsofdoomband
Releases Worldwide: September 13th, 2024#2024 #35 #AmericanMetal #CorrosionOfConformity #DoomMetal #Down #EricWagner #HeavyMetal #InTheLonelyLightOfMourning #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #Sep24 #TeePeeRecords #TheSkull #Trouble
-
Legions of Doom – The Skull 3 Review
By Steel Druhm
I miss Eric Wagner. As the frontman for Trouble he was an American doom icon and his unique voice was a big part of the soundtrack of my life. His passing in 2021 was a big loss to Metaldom and I get sad whenever I think about it. He left behind a completed solo album but he’d also nearly finished a new album with his band The Skull. Fortunately, his bandmates and friends were able to finish what Eric started, and they recruited a doom dream team to bring his final inspiration into existence. Legions of Doom features former members of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, and Corrosion of Conformity and The Skull 3 plays out like a loving tribute to Eric Wagner and American doom as a whole. It’s clear there was a lot of attention and care put into the album, and though the entire project has a pall over it, there’s light too, and the warm feeling of a familiar presence.
The elevator pitch for The Skull 3 is one-half a Trouble and Saint Vitus team-up and one-half a follow-up to C.O.C.’s iconic Blind album. Opener “Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” is like Trouble jamming on a mammoth cut with early ’90s C.O.C. with Karl Agell rising from left field to deliver barn-burning vocals steeped in emotion and pain. It’s the kind of song you fall for on the first spin and I can’t get enough of the raw, doomy emotion this song exudes from every pore. The Trouble-esque doom riffs and harmonies are pitch-perfect and everything just works. “All Good Things” keeps things humming with another emotive hard and heavy number with Agell again impressing with plaintive, haunted vocals as the guitars churn and chug in masterful ways. “Lost Souls” takes a step backward in time to the early days of Saint Vitus with their frontman Scott Reagers handling vocals. It sounds like something off their 1984 debut and the lyrics speak to the eternal soul and how we’re never truly gone from our loved ones.1 It’s doomy and uplifting at the same time.2
The unexpected highlight is “Heaven” which Eric Wagner recorded vocals for. Hearing this kind of pre-death output is strange but it warms the heart to have something new from him. It’s one of those Beatles-esque slow burners Eric dabbled in over the years and it’s sweet and hopeful. Also of note is the face-stomping urgency of “Insecticide” where the guitars are unleashed to riff you into a huddled mass as Kark Agell rages on about your inadequacies. It’s tough love from a burly rocker with a bad attitude. Not everything hits the bullseye as cleanly. 10-plus minute closer “Hallow By All Means” is a good long-form doom song with Reagers doing his ghoulish best but it drags on too long. But this is a minor gripe on an otherwise consistent and enthralling album cobbled together from partially unfinished material.
With doom royalty involved, the performances themselves were never in doubt. Ron Holzer (The Skull, ex-Trouble), Lothar Keller (The Skull), and Scott Little (Leadfoot) bring a wealth of veteran savvy to the project, delivering massive doom leads and colorful flourishes spanning southern and ’70s rock as well as sludge. They mostly keep things in the neighborhood Trouble and The Skull inhabited but there are more than a few C.O.C. and Down references too. Karl Agell reprises his role from C.O.C.s iconic Blind release and he still sounds great. Hearing him here makes me wish he kept recording music in this vein for the last several decades as he was born for it. Scott Reagers has always been one of my favorite doom vocalists and he delivers his classic oddball warbling. Yes, he drags everything to Saint Vitus Meadows whenever he opens his mouth, but it’s a happy detour nonetheless.
I’m usually down on these kinds of posthumous projects. For some reason, I felt less cynical about this one and let it get under my skin. Legions of Doom does justice to the life and works of Eric Wagner and it feels like a loving send-off by brothers in arms. The Skull 3 would be a damn good doom album even if it had nothing to do with Eric. As the last breath of his creativity, however, it takes on extra meaning and poignancy. This can be considered a proper companion to Eric’s In the Lonely Light of Mourning solo album and I’m thankful it’s good enough for that. The man deserves nothing less. Hail to the voyager, wherever he may be.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Tee Pee Records
Websites: facebook.com/legionsofdoomband | instagram.com/legionsofdoomband
Releases Worldwide: September 13th, 2024#2024 #35 #AmericanMetal #CorrosionOfConformity #DoomMetal #Down #EricWagner #HeavyMetal #InTheLonelyLightOfMourning #Review #Reviews #SaintVitus #Sep24 #TeePeeRecords #TheSkull #Trouble
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CW: TL:DR: the pro-Threads-federation camp's most common arguments are based on ignorance or lies. Fuck all y'all
My summary of the pro-federation camp's arguments:
-not every FB user is bad
-more is better
-the fediverse could draw people away from threads
-this represents an opportunity for innovation
-porting an account between instances is hardThese aren't unreasonable arguments on the face of it. However, the consistent flaw is that the people presenting these arguments studiously avoid mentioning any of the real reasons the anti-federation camp are opposed, to wit:
-FB's documented history of enabling genocide
-the obvious fact that since they allow e.g. Libs of Tik Tok on Threads, it is already in violation of most "good" instances' terms of service
-FB's documented current practices of abusing workers in lieu of doing actual moderation
-FB's documented history of doing unethical experiments on their users
-FB's documented history of of enabling illegal (in the USA!) racial and religious discriminationThe one thing that the pro-federation camp WILL mention is the concern over EEE (Embrace, Extend, Extinguish), but I've never seen a reasonable explanation for why this is a scenario we shouldn't fear. It's just handwaving.
The pro-federation camp has also repeatedly tried to dishonestly frame the possibility of an admin making an instance block decision with which their users disagree as an example of tyranny. This, I believe, is because "porting instances is hard" is a wack-ass argument and they know it; thus they must catastrophize it and make it sound worse than it is.
So, overall, I've tried to keep an open mind towards the enthusiasts, but the more I listen to them, the less impressed I become. Over several months, none of them (that I've interacted with) have acknowledged, without prompting, that people who aren't straight and cis and Christian and white and able-bodied and moderate/liberal/conservative have a different set of risks to consider than those who are.
And that's the irritating part. Because we're RIGHT FUCKING HERE, we're your mutuals in many cases! We're doing our best to tell y'all what OUR experiences with Mark Zuckerberg's company have been like. The information is there. Thus, we can observe that you remain ignorant out of callousness and carelessness, or you are deliberately lying about our motivations. Really, one or the other, it doesn't matter: both options mean you suck.
Please suck less, #Fediverse.
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Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts
Although conservation efforts have historically focused attention on protecting rare, charismatic, and endangered species, the “insect apocalypse” presents a different challenge. In addition to the loss of rare taxa, many reports mention sweeping declines of formerly abundant insects [e.g., Warren et al. (29)], raising concerns about ecosystem function.
#Insects 🪰🦋🪳🪲🐞🐛💌😻🌿 are the incredible engine room of the planet ensuring ecosystems work. They’re under siege by human-caused #climatechange #deforestation #pollution. Report via @PNASnews. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/23/insect-decline-in-the-anthropocene-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis report was originally published in PNAS
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts David L. Wagner, Eliza M. Grames, Matthew L. Forister, May R. Berenbaum, and David Stopak. January 11, 2021
118 (2) e2023989118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023989118Nature is under siege
In the last 10,000 years the human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions of acres of tropical forest are cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels are at their highest concentrations in more than 3 million y (4), and climates are erratically and steadily changing from pole to pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, and floods across continents.
Indeed, most biologists agree that the world has entered its sixth mass extinction event, the first since the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million y ago, when more than 80% of all species, including the nonavian dinosaurs, perished.
Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups of organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate population sizes and ranges have contracted by one-third, and many mammals have experienced range declines of at least 80% over the last century (5).
A 2019 assessment suggests that half of all amphibians are imperiled (2.5% of which have recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers across North America have fallen by 2.9 billion since 1970 (7). Prospects for the world’s coral reefs, beyond the middle of this century, could scarcely be more dire (8). A 2020 United Nations report estimated that more than a million species are in danger of extinction over the next few decades (9), but also see the more bridled assessments in refs. 10 and 11.
Loss of Abundant Species
Insects comprise much of the animal biomass linking primary producers and consumers, as well as higher-level consumers in freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Situated at the nexus of many trophic links, many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.
Insect diversity
- (A) Pennants (Libellulidae): Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular insects, renowned for their appetite for mosquitoes.
- (B) Robber flies (Asilidae): These sit-and-wait predators often perch on twigs that allow them to ambush passing prey; accordingly they have enormous eyes.
- (C) Katydids (Tettigoniidae): This individual is one molt away from having wings long enough to fly (that also will be used to produce its mating song).
- (D) Bumble bees (Apidae): Important pollinators in temperate, montane, and subpolar regions especially of heaths (including blueberries and cranberries).
- (E) Wasp moths (Erebidae): Compelling mimics that are hyperdiverse in tropical forests; many are toxic and unpalatable to vertebrates.
- (F) Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae): A diverse family with 20,000 species, some of which are important plant pests; many communicate with each other by vibrating their messages through a shared substrate.
- (G) Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae): Striking armored wasps that enter nests of other bees—virtually impermeable to stings—to lay their eggs in brood cells of a host bee.
- (H) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae): Mostly tropical plant feeders; this larva is advertising its unpalatability with bold yellow, black, and cream colors.
- (I) Mantises (Mantidae): These voracious sit-and-wait predators have acute eyesight and rapid predatory strikes; prey are instantly impaled and held in place by the sharp foreleg spines.
- (J) Emerald moths (Geometridae): Diverse family of primarily forest insects; their caterpillars include the familiar inchworms.
- (K) Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae): “Tigers” use acute vision and long legs to run down their prey, which are dispatched with their huge jaws.
- (L) Planthoppers (Fulgoridae): Tropical family of splendid insects, whose snouts are curiously varied and, in a few lineages, account for half the body mass. Images credit: Michael Thomas (photographer).
The Stressors
Abundant evidence demonstrates that the principal stressors—land-use change (especially deforestation), climate change, agriculture, introduced species, nitrification, and pollution—underlying insect declines are those also affecting other organisms.
Locally and regionally, insects are challenged by additional stressors, such as insecticides, herbicides, urbanization, and light pollution. In areas of high human activity, where insect declines are most conspicuous, multiple stressors occur simultaneously.
Considerable uncertainty remains about the relative importance of these stressors, their interactions, and the temporal and spatial variations in their intensity. Hallmann et al. (13), in their review of the dramatic losses of flying insects from the Krefeld region, noted that no simple cause had emerged and that “weather, land use, and [changed] habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline…”
When asked about his group’s early findings of downward population trends in insects (12), Dirzo summed up his thinking by stating that the falling numbers were likely due to a
“multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being among the leading factors” (40). His assessment seems to capture the essence of the problem: Insects are suffering from “death by a thousand cuts” (Fig. 1).
Taking the domesticated honey bee as an example, its declines in the United States have been linked to (introduced) mites, viral infections, microsporidian parasites, poisoning by neonicotinoid and other pesticides, habitat loss, overuse of artificial foods to maintain hives, and inbreeding; and yet, after 14+ y of research it is still unclear which of these, a combination thereof, or as yet unidentified factors are most detrimental to bee health.
Death by a thousand cuts: Global threats to insect diversity. Stressors from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock anchor to climate change.
Featured insects:
- Regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Center)
- Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) (Center Right)
- Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela puritana) (Bottom).
Each is an imperiled insect that represents a larger lineage that includes many International Union for Conservation of Nature “red list” species (i.e., globally extinct, endangered, and threatened species). Illustration: Virginia R. Wagner (artist).
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Why join the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction
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Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-FiPalm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-Fi#animalBiodiversityNews #animalExtinction #anthropocene #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #climate #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #extinct #extinction #industrialAgriculture #insects #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #pollution #tippingPoint #tippingpoint
-
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts
Although conservation efforts have historically focused attention on protecting rare, charismatic, and endangered species, the “insect apocalypse” presents a different challenge. In addition to the loss of rare taxa, many reports mention sweeping declines of formerly abundant insects [e.g., Warren et al. (29)], raising concerns about ecosystem function.
#Insects 🪰🦋🪳🪲🐞🐛💌😻🌿 are the incredible engine room of the planet ensuring ecosystems work. They’re under siege by human-caused #climatechange #deforestation #pollution. Report via @PNASnews. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/23/insect-decline-in-the-anthropocene-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis report was originally published in PNAS
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts David L. Wagner, Eliza M. Grames, Matthew L. Forister, May R. Berenbaum, and David Stopak. January 11, 2021
118 (2) e2023989118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023989118Nature is under siege
In the last 10,000 years the human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions of acres of tropical forest are cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels are at their highest concentrations in more than 3 million y (4), and climates are erratically and steadily changing from pole to pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, and floods across continents.
Indeed, most biologists agree that the world has entered its sixth mass extinction event, the first since the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million y ago, when more than 80% of all species, including the nonavian dinosaurs, perished.
Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups of organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate population sizes and ranges have contracted by one-third, and many mammals have experienced range declines of at least 80% over the last century (5).
A 2019 assessment suggests that half of all amphibians are imperiled (2.5% of which have recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers across North America have fallen by 2.9 billion since 1970 (7). Prospects for the world’s coral reefs, beyond the middle of this century, could scarcely be more dire (8). A 2020 United Nations report estimated that more than a million species are in danger of extinction over the next few decades (9), but also see the more bridled assessments in refs. 10 and 11.
Loss of Abundant Species
Insects comprise much of the animal biomass linking primary producers and consumers, as well as higher-level consumers in freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Situated at the nexus of many trophic links, many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.
Insect diversity
- (A) Pennants (Libellulidae): Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular insects, renowned for their appetite for mosquitoes.
- (B) Robber flies (Asilidae): These sit-and-wait predators often perch on twigs that allow them to ambush passing prey; accordingly they have enormous eyes.
- (C) Katydids (Tettigoniidae): This individual is one molt away from having wings long enough to fly (that also will be used to produce its mating song).
- (D) Bumble bees (Apidae): Important pollinators in temperate, montane, and subpolar regions especially of heaths (including blueberries and cranberries).
- (E) Wasp moths (Erebidae): Compelling mimics that are hyperdiverse in tropical forests; many are toxic and unpalatable to vertebrates.
- (F) Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae): A diverse family with 20,000 species, some of which are important plant pests; many communicate with each other by vibrating their messages through a shared substrate.
- (G) Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae): Striking armored wasps that enter nests of other bees—virtually impermeable to stings—to lay their eggs in brood cells of a host bee.
- (H) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae): Mostly tropical plant feeders; this larva is advertising its unpalatability with bold yellow, black, and cream colors.
- (I) Mantises (Mantidae): These voracious sit-and-wait predators have acute eyesight and rapid predatory strikes; prey are instantly impaled and held in place by the sharp foreleg spines.
- (J) Emerald moths (Geometridae): Diverse family of primarily forest insects; their caterpillars include the familiar inchworms.
- (K) Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae): “Tigers” use acute vision and long legs to run down their prey, which are dispatched with their huge jaws.
- (L) Planthoppers (Fulgoridae): Tropical family of splendid insects, whose snouts are curiously varied and, in a few lineages, account for half the body mass. Images credit: Michael Thomas (photographer).
The Stressors
Abundant evidence demonstrates that the principal stressors—land-use change (especially deforestation), climate change, agriculture, introduced species, nitrification, and pollution—underlying insect declines are those also affecting other organisms.
Locally and regionally, insects are challenged by additional stressors, such as insecticides, herbicides, urbanization, and light pollution. In areas of high human activity, where insect declines are most conspicuous, multiple stressors occur simultaneously.
Considerable uncertainty remains about the relative importance of these stressors, their interactions, and the temporal and spatial variations in their intensity. Hallmann et al. (13), in their review of the dramatic losses of flying insects from the Krefeld region, noted that no simple cause had emerged and that “weather, land use, and [changed] habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline…”
When asked about his group’s early findings of downward population trends in insects (12), Dirzo summed up his thinking by stating that the falling numbers were likely due to a
“multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being among the leading factors” (40). His assessment seems to capture the essence of the problem: Insects are suffering from “death by a thousand cuts” (Fig. 1).
Taking the domesticated honey bee as an example, its declines in the United States have been linked to (introduced) mites, viral infections, microsporidian parasites, poisoning by neonicotinoid and other pesticides, habitat loss, overuse of artificial foods to maintain hives, and inbreeding; and yet, after 14+ y of research it is still unclear which of these, a combination thereof, or as yet unidentified factors are most detrimental to bee health.
Death by a thousand cuts: Global threats to insect diversity. Stressors from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock anchor to climate change.
Featured insects:
- Regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Center)
- Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) (Center Right)
- Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela puritana) (Bottom).
Each is an imperiled insect that represents a larger lineage that includes many International Union for Conservation of Nature “red list” species (i.e., globally extinct, endangered, and threatened species). Illustration: Virginia R. Wagner (artist).
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Why join the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction
Did you enjoy visiting this website?
Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-FiPalm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-Fi#animalBiodiversityNews #animalExtinction #anthropocene #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #climate #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #extinct #extinction #industrialAgriculture #insects #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #pollution #tippingPoint #tippingpoint
-
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts
Although conservation efforts have historically focused attention on protecting rare, charismatic, and endangered species, the “insect apocalypse” presents a different challenge. In addition to the loss of rare taxa, many reports mention sweeping declines of formerly abundant insects [e.g., Warren et al. (29)], raising concerns about ecosystem function.
#Insects 🪰🦋🪳🪲🐞🐛💌😻🌿 are the incredible engine room of the planet ensuring ecosystems work. They’re under siege by human-caused #climatechange #deforestation #pollution. Report via @PNASnews. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/23/insect-decline-in-the-anthropocene-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis report was originally published in PNAS
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts David L. Wagner, Eliza M. Grames, Matthew L. Forister, May R. Berenbaum, and David Stopak. January 11, 2021
118 (2) e2023989118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023989118Nature is under siege
In the last 10,000 years the human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions of acres of tropical forest are cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels are at their highest concentrations in more than 3 million y (4), and climates are erratically and steadily changing from pole to pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, and floods across continents.
Indeed, most biologists agree that the world has entered its sixth mass extinction event, the first since the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million y ago, when more than 80% of all species, including the nonavian dinosaurs, perished.
Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups of organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate population sizes and ranges have contracted by one-third, and many mammals have experienced range declines of at least 80% over the last century (5).
A 2019 assessment suggests that half of all amphibians are imperiled (2.5% of which have recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers across North America have fallen by 2.9 billion since 1970 (7). Prospects for the world’s coral reefs, beyond the middle of this century, could scarcely be more dire (8). A 2020 United Nations report estimated that more than a million species are in danger of extinction over the next few decades (9), but also see the more bridled assessments in refs. 10 and 11.
Loss of Abundant Species
Insects comprise much of the animal biomass linking primary producers and consumers, as well as higher-level consumers in freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Situated at the nexus of many trophic links, many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.
Insect diversity
- (A) Pennants (Libellulidae): Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular insects, renowned for their appetite for mosquitoes.
- (B) Robber flies (Asilidae): These sit-and-wait predators often perch on twigs that allow them to ambush passing prey; accordingly they have enormous eyes.
- (C) Katydids (Tettigoniidae): This individual is one molt away from having wings long enough to fly (that also will be used to produce its mating song).
- (D) Bumble bees (Apidae): Important pollinators in temperate, montane, and subpolar regions especially of heaths (including blueberries and cranberries).
- (E) Wasp moths (Erebidae): Compelling mimics that are hyperdiverse in tropical forests; many are toxic and unpalatable to vertebrates.
- (F) Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae): A diverse family with 20,000 species, some of which are important plant pests; many communicate with each other by vibrating their messages through a shared substrate.
- (G) Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae): Striking armored wasps that enter nests of other bees—virtually impermeable to stings—to lay their eggs in brood cells of a host bee.
- (H) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae): Mostly tropical plant feeders; this larva is advertising its unpalatability with bold yellow, black, and cream colors.
- (I) Mantises (Mantidae): These voracious sit-and-wait predators have acute eyesight and rapid predatory strikes; prey are instantly impaled and held in place by the sharp foreleg spines.
- (J) Emerald moths (Geometridae): Diverse family of primarily forest insects; their caterpillars include the familiar inchworms.
- (K) Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae): “Tigers” use acute vision and long legs to run down their prey, which are dispatched with their huge jaws.
- (L) Planthoppers (Fulgoridae): Tropical family of splendid insects, whose snouts are curiously varied and, in a few lineages, account for half the body mass. Images credit: Michael Thomas (photographer).
The Stressors
Abundant evidence demonstrates that the principal stressors—land-use change (especially deforestation), climate change, agriculture, introduced species, nitrification, and pollution—underlying insect declines are those also affecting other organisms.
Locally and regionally, insects are challenged by additional stressors, such as insecticides, herbicides, urbanization, and light pollution. In areas of high human activity, where insect declines are most conspicuous, multiple stressors occur simultaneously.
Considerable uncertainty remains about the relative importance of these stressors, their interactions, and the temporal and spatial variations in their intensity. Hallmann et al. (13), in their review of the dramatic losses of flying insects from the Krefeld region, noted that no simple cause had emerged and that “weather, land use, and [changed] habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline…”
When asked about his group’s early findings of downward population trends in insects (12), Dirzo summed up his thinking by stating that the falling numbers were likely due to a
“multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being among the leading factors” (40). His assessment seems to capture the essence of the problem: Insects are suffering from “death by a thousand cuts” (Fig. 1).
Taking the domesticated honey bee as an example, its declines in the United States have been linked to (introduced) mites, viral infections, microsporidian parasites, poisoning by neonicotinoid and other pesticides, habitat loss, overuse of artificial foods to maintain hives, and inbreeding; and yet, after 14+ y of research it is still unclear which of these, a combination thereof, or as yet unidentified factors are most detrimental to bee health.
Death by a thousand cuts: Global threats to insect diversity. Stressors from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock anchor to climate change.
Featured insects:
- Regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Center)
- Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) (Center Right)
- Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela puritana) (Bottom).
Each is an imperiled insect that represents a larger lineage that includes many International Union for Conservation of Nature “red list” species (i.e., globally extinct, endangered, and threatened species). Illustration: Virginia R. Wagner (artist).
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Why join the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction
Did you enjoy visiting this website?
Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-FiPalm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-Fi#animalBiodiversityNews #animalExtinction #anthropocene #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #climate #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #extinct #extinction #industrialAgriculture #insects #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #pollution #tippingPoint #tippingpoint
-
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts
Although conservation efforts have historically focused attention on protecting rare, charismatic, and endangered species, the “insect apocalypse” presents a different challenge. In addition to the loss of rare taxa, many reports mention sweeping declines of formerly abundant insects [e.g., Warren et al. (29)], raising concerns about ecosystem function.
#Insects 🪰🦋🪳🪲🐞🐛💌😻🌿 are the incredible engine room of the planet ensuring ecosystems work. They’re under siege by human-caused #climatechange #deforestation #pollution. Report via @PNASnews. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/23/insect-decline-in-the-anthropocene-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis report was originally published in PNAS
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts David L. Wagner, Eliza M. Grames, Matthew L. Forister, May R. Berenbaum, and David Stopak. January 11, 2021
118 (2) e2023989118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023989118Nature is under siege
In the last 10,000 years the human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions of acres of tropical forest are cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels are at their highest concentrations in more than 3 million y (4), and climates are erratically and steadily changing from pole to pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, and floods across continents.
Indeed, most biologists agree that the world has entered its sixth mass extinction event, the first since the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million y ago, when more than 80% of all species, including the nonavian dinosaurs, perished.
Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups of organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate population sizes and ranges have contracted by one-third, and many mammals have experienced range declines of at least 80% over the last century (5).
A 2019 assessment suggests that half of all amphibians are imperiled (2.5% of which have recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers across North America have fallen by 2.9 billion since 1970 (7). Prospects for the world’s coral reefs, beyond the middle of this century, could scarcely be more dire (8). A 2020 United Nations report estimated that more than a million species are in danger of extinction over the next few decades (9), but also see the more bridled assessments in refs. 10 and 11.
Loss of Abundant Species
Insects comprise much of the animal biomass linking primary producers and consumers, as well as higher-level consumers in freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Situated at the nexus of many trophic links, many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.
Insect diversity
- (A) Pennants (Libellulidae): Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular insects, renowned for their appetite for mosquitoes.
- (B) Robber flies (Asilidae): These sit-and-wait predators often perch on twigs that allow them to ambush passing prey; accordingly they have enormous eyes.
- (C) Katydids (Tettigoniidae): This individual is one molt away from having wings long enough to fly (that also will be used to produce its mating song).
- (D) Bumble bees (Apidae): Important pollinators in temperate, montane, and subpolar regions especially of heaths (including blueberries and cranberries).
- (E) Wasp moths (Erebidae): Compelling mimics that are hyperdiverse in tropical forests; many are toxic and unpalatable to vertebrates.
- (F) Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae): A diverse family with 20,000 species, some of which are important plant pests; many communicate with each other by vibrating their messages through a shared substrate.
- (G) Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae): Striking armored wasps that enter nests of other bees—virtually impermeable to stings—to lay their eggs in brood cells of a host bee.
- (H) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae): Mostly tropical plant feeders; this larva is advertising its unpalatability with bold yellow, black, and cream colors.
- (I) Mantises (Mantidae): These voracious sit-and-wait predators have acute eyesight and rapid predatory strikes; prey are instantly impaled and held in place by the sharp foreleg spines.
- (J) Emerald moths (Geometridae): Diverse family of primarily forest insects; their caterpillars include the familiar inchworms.
- (K) Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae): “Tigers” use acute vision and long legs to run down their prey, which are dispatched with their huge jaws.
- (L) Planthoppers (Fulgoridae): Tropical family of splendid insects, whose snouts are curiously varied and, in a few lineages, account for half the body mass. Images credit: Michael Thomas (photographer).
The Stressors
Abundant evidence demonstrates that the principal stressors—land-use change (especially deforestation), climate change, agriculture, introduced species, nitrification, and pollution—underlying insect declines are those also affecting other organisms.
Locally and regionally, insects are challenged by additional stressors, such as insecticides, herbicides, urbanization, and light pollution. In areas of high human activity, where insect declines are most conspicuous, multiple stressors occur simultaneously.
Considerable uncertainty remains about the relative importance of these stressors, their interactions, and the temporal and spatial variations in their intensity. Hallmann et al. (13), in their review of the dramatic losses of flying insects from the Krefeld region, noted that no simple cause had emerged and that “weather, land use, and [changed] habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline…”
When asked about his group’s early findings of downward population trends in insects (12), Dirzo summed up his thinking by stating that the falling numbers were likely due to a
“multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being among the leading factors” (40). His assessment seems to capture the essence of the problem: Insects are suffering from “death by a thousand cuts” (Fig. 1).
Taking the domesticated honey bee as an example, its declines in the United States have been linked to (introduced) mites, viral infections, microsporidian parasites, poisoning by neonicotinoid and other pesticides, habitat loss, overuse of artificial foods to maintain hives, and inbreeding; and yet, after 14+ y of research it is still unclear which of these, a combination thereof, or as yet unidentified factors are most detrimental to bee health.
Death by a thousand cuts: Global threats to insect diversity. Stressors from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock anchor to climate change.
Featured insects:
- Regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Center)
- Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) (Center Right)
- Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela puritana) (Bottom).
Each is an imperiled insect that represents a larger lineage that includes many International Union for Conservation of Nature “red list” species (i.e., globally extinct, endangered, and threatened species). Illustration: Virginia R. Wagner (artist).
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Why join the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction
Did you enjoy visiting this website?
Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-FiPalm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-Fi#animalBiodiversityNews #animalExtinction #anthropocene #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #climate #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #extinct #extinction #industrialAgriculture #insects #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #pollution #tippingPoint #tippingpoint
-
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts
Although conservation efforts have historically focused attention on protecting rare, charismatic, and endangered species, the “insect apocalypse” presents a different challenge. In addition to the loss of rare taxa, many reports mention sweeping declines of formerly abundant insects [e.g., Warren et al. (29)], raising concerns about ecosystem function.
#Insects 🪰🦋🪳🪲🐞🐛💌😻🌿 are the incredible engine room of the planet ensuring ecosystems work. They’re under siege by human-caused #climatechange #deforestation #pollution. Report via @PNASnews. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/23/insect-decline-in-the-anthropocene-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThis report was originally published in PNAS
Insect decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a thousand cuts David L. Wagner, Eliza M. Grames, Matthew L. Forister, May R. Berenbaum, and David Stopak. January 11, 2021
118 (2) e2023989118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023989118Nature is under siege
In the last 10,000 years the human population has grown from 1 million to 7.8 billion. Much of Earth’s arable lands are already in agriculture (1), millions of acres of tropical forest are cleared each year (2, 3), atmospheric CO2 levels are at their highest concentrations in more than 3 million y (4), and climates are erratically and steadily changing from pole to pole, triggering unprecedented droughts, fires, and floods across continents.
Indeed, most biologists agree that the world has entered its sixth mass extinction event, the first since the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million y ago, when more than 80% of all species, including the nonavian dinosaurs, perished.
Ongoing losses have been clearly demonstrated for better-studied groups of organisms. Terrestrial vertebrate population sizes and ranges have contracted by one-third, and many mammals have experienced range declines of at least 80% over the last century (5).
A 2019 assessment suggests that half of all amphibians are imperiled (2.5% of which have recently gone extinct) (6). Bird numbers across North America have fallen by 2.9 billion since 1970 (7). Prospects for the world’s coral reefs, beyond the middle of this century, could scarcely be more dire (8). A 2020 United Nations report estimated that more than a million species are in danger of extinction over the next few decades (9), but also see the more bridled assessments in refs. 10 and 11.
Loss of Abundant Species
Insects comprise much of the animal biomass linking primary producers and consumers, as well as higher-level consumers in freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Situated at the nexus of many trophic links, many numerically abundant insects provide ecosystem services upon which humans depend: the pollination of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; the biological control of weeds, agricultural pests, disease vectors, and other organisms that compete with humans or threaten their quality of life; and the macrodecomposition of leaves and wood and removal of dung and carrion, which contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. Clearly, severe insect declines can potentially have global ecological and economic consequences.
Insect diversity
- (A) Pennants (Libellulidae): Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular insects, renowned for their appetite for mosquitoes.
- (B) Robber flies (Asilidae): These sit-and-wait predators often perch on twigs that allow them to ambush passing prey; accordingly they have enormous eyes.
- (C) Katydids (Tettigoniidae): This individual is one molt away from having wings long enough to fly (that also will be used to produce its mating song).
- (D) Bumble bees (Apidae): Important pollinators in temperate, montane, and subpolar regions especially of heaths (including blueberries and cranberries).
- (E) Wasp moths (Erebidae): Compelling mimics that are hyperdiverse in tropical forests; many are toxic and unpalatable to vertebrates.
- (F) Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae): A diverse family with 20,000 species, some of which are important plant pests; many communicate with each other by vibrating their messages through a shared substrate.
- (G) Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae): Striking armored wasps that enter nests of other bees—virtually impermeable to stings—to lay their eggs in brood cells of a host bee.
- (H) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae): Mostly tropical plant feeders; this larva is advertising its unpalatability with bold yellow, black, and cream colors.
- (I) Mantises (Mantidae): These voracious sit-and-wait predators have acute eyesight and rapid predatory strikes; prey are instantly impaled and held in place by the sharp foreleg spines.
- (J) Emerald moths (Geometridae): Diverse family of primarily forest insects; their caterpillars include the familiar inchworms.
- (K) Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae): “Tigers” use acute vision and long legs to run down their prey, which are dispatched with their huge jaws.
- (L) Planthoppers (Fulgoridae): Tropical family of splendid insects, whose snouts are curiously varied and, in a few lineages, account for half the body mass. Images credit: Michael Thomas (photographer).
The Stressors
Abundant evidence demonstrates that the principal stressors—land-use change (especially deforestation), climate change, agriculture, introduced species, nitrification, and pollution—underlying insect declines are those also affecting other organisms.
Locally and regionally, insects are challenged by additional stressors, such as insecticides, herbicides, urbanization, and light pollution. In areas of high human activity, where insect declines are most conspicuous, multiple stressors occur simultaneously.
Considerable uncertainty remains about the relative importance of these stressors, their interactions, and the temporal and spatial variations in their intensity. Hallmann et al. (13), in their review of the dramatic losses of flying insects from the Krefeld region, noted that no simple cause had emerged and that “weather, land use, and [changed] habitat characteristics cannot explain this overall decline…”
When asked about his group’s early findings of downward population trends in insects (12), Dirzo summed up his thinking by stating that the falling numbers were likely due to a
“multiplicity of factors, most likely with habitat destruction, deforestation, fragmentation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion being among the leading factors” (40). His assessment seems to capture the essence of the problem: Insects are suffering from “death by a thousand cuts” (Fig. 1).
Taking the domesticated honey bee as an example, its declines in the United States have been linked to (introduced) mites, viral infections, microsporidian parasites, poisoning by neonicotinoid and other pesticides, habitat loss, overuse of artificial foods to maintain hives, and inbreeding; and yet, after 14+ y of research it is still unclear which of these, a combination thereof, or as yet unidentified factors are most detrimental to bee health.
Death by a thousand cuts: Global threats to insect diversity. Stressors from 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock anchor to climate change.
Featured insects:
- Regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Center)
- Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) (Center Right)
- Puritan tiger beetle (Cicindela puritana) (Bottom).
Each is an imperiled insect that represents a larger lineage that includes many International Union for Conservation of Nature “red list” species (i.e., globally extinct, endangered, and threatened species). Illustration: Virginia R. Wagner (artist).
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Why join the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction
Did you enjoy visiting this website?
Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-FiPalm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Say thanks on Ko-Fi#animalBiodiversityNews #animalExtinction #anthropocene #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #climate #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #extinct #extinction #industrialAgriculture #insects #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #pesticides #pollination #pollinator #pollution #tippingPoint #tippingpoint
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La Chimera: Dreamlike Take on Tomb Raiding in Italy 🪦
Here’s a very impressive indie film production from 2023. La Chimera is written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher and stars British actor Josh O’Connor.
The Italian, Swiss, and French production follows the illegal antics of a British archaeologist turned grave robber in Italy. With some elements of magical realism, it’s an excellent film and captures a sense of time and place very well indeed.
Discovering the Past in La Chimera
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG0M8vJgltw&w=723&h=407]Set in 1980, the film opens with Arthur (Josh O’Connor) journeying to a small town on Tyrrhenian Sea. He’s fresh out of English prison, having been arrested for stealing artifacts from graves.
These are the Etruscan tombs, belonging to the Etruscan civilization of ancient Italy.
Arthur is grieving as his girlfriend Beniamina is missing (presumed dead). Upon returning to Italy, he catches up with his girlfriend’s mother Flora (Isabella Rossellini) and is eventually convinced by a local tombaroli (tomb robbing) gang to return to the black market.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGuJ37CtpwQ&w=723&h=407]Arthur’s behaviour is illegal and he tries his best to evade police, whilst also becoming increasingly dishevelled.
It’s worth a pause here to explain the practice of tombaroli. It’s a real thing in Italy, but not exactly welcome by everyone. Director Rohrwacher has wrapped a considerable amount of unique detail into the film, with intricately detailed and mysterious tombs the gang raids. Many are beautiful and it’s so well shot.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irmGvTnwXkg&w=723&h=407]Whilst Arthur goes about his grave robbing, he starts to grow a conscience and become more uncomfortable with what he’s doing. This is particular down to a growing romance he has with Flora’s housemaid Italia (Carol Duarte).
Italia has a strong moral compass and a good sense of innocent fun, especially noted in what is many fan’s favourite scene from the film. This!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTX0hb2R3KY&w=723&h=407]Ultimately, La Chimera’s plot arc follows Arthur’s path to a personal redemption. The ending is magical realist and up for debate, its meaning unclear.
Josh O’Connor is brilliant in this role. We first became aware of him due to his small part in the excellent Emma. (2020), where he played a sleazeball priest. But this is a totally different type of performance and flags him up as one of the leading talents for UK actors.
And the director is excellent. The opening few minutes of the film are beautiful, with Arthur on a train as he sweeps through the Italian countryside. The cinematography doesn’t let him, guiding the rest of the magical realist story. Much of the narrative is grounded in reality, but occasional strays into the supernatural (notably with the ending).
Although it may not be for everyone, we argue it’s a fine film, a modern classic, and director Rohrwacher is one to watch.
The Production of Le Chimera
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQWHmSg6bqI&w=723&h=407]2023 was a hell of a great year for cinema, arguably the best this century. La Chimera was a standout amongst many new modern classics, although its box office run capped out at $5.2 million (a good run given it was a smaller indie project).
Alice Rohrwacher wrote and directed the film. There she is above with O’Conner in his fetching jumper. He bagged the role after persistently contacting her over several years and learned Italian for the role.
Rohrwacher views the film as a trilogy closer with Le Meraviglie (2014) and Lazzaro Felice (2018). This one especially explores human relationships with the past. La Chimera was the first film of the trilogy to include an international cast, with filming lasting between February and August 2022. Italian filming locations included:
- Tuscany
- Lazio
- Umbria
- And some shots in Switzerland
The Asciano-Monte Antico railway line was also used, which is in Southern Tuscany. It operates only as a heritage tourist site, open on select days of the year to the public. As you can see below, it’s ideal for a film shoot looking to recreate a sense of the early 1980s.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kuofRLqIPA&w=723&h=407]La Chimera premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and was nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or (following 137 hours of applause from the Cannes audience).
It got its wider release later into 2024, launching here in the UK from May 2024. Prior to that, in March, the film won the Golden Bee for Best Feature Film at the Manchester Film Festival here in Manchester.
There were no Oscar nominations, but who needs that when you’ve got Mancs behind you? Proper belting.
#1980s #AliceRohrwacher #CarolDuarte #Cinema #Entertainment #Films #History #Italy #JoshOConnor #LaChimera #Lifestyle #Love #magicalRealism #tombRaider -
Tues. April 7, 2026: An Art-Full Holiday Weekend
image courtesy of Thomas G. from PixabayTuesday, April 7, 2026
Waning Moon
Snowing
I can’t believe it’s snowing again.
I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend.
Here we are, another week. The Community Tarot Reading for the week is available here. New month, new deck. This month, we are using the Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura with art by Kiri Østergaard Leonard, along with the Green Witch’s Oracle by Arin Murphy-Hiscock, illustrated by Sara Richard. When we first moved here, there was a store with crystals and cards and oils and herbs just a few blocks away, and I bought the tarot deck there. The oracle deck was a Winter Solstice gift this year. They work well together.
Friday, we had thunderstorms and lots of rain in the morning, so I wasn’t about to go trotting around in it.
I found a box on the doorstep, the item I’d ordered with the gift card I received last week. I’d used it for the Bonestone and Earthflesh Tarot, by Avalon Cameron with art by Ana Tourian. My friend Jamieson Wolf has been using it for months, and I was intrigued by it. It’s a stunningly beautiful deck, and one of the best companion books I’ve ever seen, with interpretations, narratives, numerological and astrological correspondences, and even journal prompts. There are layers and layers to it, and I look forward to working with it for a long time. It resonates like a tuning fork, so I know I’ll learn a lot by working with it. I will probably use it for the weekly community readings in September (I have decks picked out between now and then).
There are plenty of reasons to only work with a single deck, and develop a very deep relationship with it. There are also reasons to work with multiple decks (which is something I like to do), and I find I’m drawn to different decks for different reasons/needs. Bonestone is definitely speaking to something in me right now. Right deck at the right time, although I’ll work with it myself for a few months before I do anything publicly with the deck.
I invoiced for the completed ghostwriting project, we got set up for the next one, and talked schedule for the two I’ll be juggling for the next few weeks.
Slogged through a bunch of admin. Did the day’s marketing. Planted a couple of types of seeds, since it was a planting day (more cat grass and, finally, the borage).
Made up a tuna and vegetable pasta with pesto sauce for a late lunch/big meal of the day. It turned out really well.
Did some reading in the afternoon, then got dressed and put some makeup on to trundle down on foot to the gallery. It was still in the 60’sF, so I didn’t even need a jacket, which was a nice change of pace.
I was one of the first ones there, and started setting up the tables for the food and drink. They have cloths, platters, etc. in the storage room, so there’s plenty to pull from.
“Stirring the Pot Beyond the Kitchen” which is the wooden spoon sculpture, was hung in the front window! I was so pleased. Only they hadn’t hung the text portion of the piece. But we found it, in the box in the storage room, and I pinned it up. If we hadn’t found it, the world would not have stopped. I would have run another copy and pinned it up the following day. But it was nice to have it there, since people were excited about the sculpture and the women’s stories deepened the experience of it. The eight women I honored in the sculpture are: Susanna Centlivre (the most produced playwright in post-Restoration England); Jeanne de Clisson, the 14th century pirate who, after the French king executed her husband, sold her land, bought three boats, painted them black with red sails and became known as “The Lioness of Brittany”; Lavinia Fontana, the painter whose husband cared for their children while she negotiated prices for her work like the men; Anna Katharine Green, who pioneered mystery writing in the US, even before Conan Doyle in the UK; Dawn Powell, who wrote satirical novels; Giulia Tofana, the 17th century Italian herbalist and poisoner; Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton; and Iris Woolcook, one of my Playland Painters who bought an RV and, with her cat, drove the newly-paved highway in Alaska and wrote a book about it.
And yes, I’ve either written about or am writing about all of them: “By Her Pointed Quill” (one-act play featuring Susanna Centlivre); “Courting the Lioness” (one-act play featuring Jeanne de Clisson); SERENE AND DETERMINED, which had a staged reading at LaMama Galleria in 2024 (featuring Lavinia Fontana); An unnamed one-act featuring Anna Katharine Green that is still percolating; “Dawn and Dorothy in the Afterlife” which will have a staged reading at the LAVA Center in June (featuring Dawn Powell); JUST A DROP, part of the Athena Project’s Read ‘n Rant series last May (featuring Giulia Tofana); the audio play “Confidence Confidant” produced by the Post Meridian Players in Boston in 2019, the one-act “A Rare Medium” read by Lumos Players in Ohio last year, and a couple of other plays (featuring Kate Warne); LAUGHTER AND TURPENTINE, a stage play in process, and a comedy pilot, both featuring Iris Woolcock.
This sculpture is a way to honor the women I’ve written about.
“Lifecycle of a Public Information Request (A Satire)” which is the mixed media collage, also got a terrific response.
I was so excited to see everyone else’s work. We associate members are all so different from each other, and yet the work fits together. Part of that is because the installers have such a wonderful eye, and create a beautiful flow.
It was nice to have some in-depth conversations with my fellow associates, too. And yes, the mini chocolate chip banana muffins were a hit. There were a bunch of people I hadn’t seen in ages, including from tarot, so it was nice to catch up.
Around 7, each of us gave a 1-minute talk about our work, which was fun, a bit about inspiration and process. I mean, my process is expanding the ways I tell stories, and I have no idea what I’m doing, so I just keep trying things until they work. A little bit later, a bunch of us dashed out back to watch the magnificent sunset and feel gratitude that we were experiencing it all together.
Several people came up to me and said they love it when I’m part of a show, because my work always surprises them (and they reassured me it was in a good way). So that helped my imposter syndrome somewhat. And they are excited about my workshop on the 19th.
I managed to nip out and dash to the other end of Main Street to visit the pop-up exhibit by our local farmers. Full Well Farm’s owners had pieces in it, and I wanted to support them, along with some of the other farmers I know from the Farmers’ Market. The work was really terrific. Watercolors, sketches, mixed media. A lot of knitted pieces, like sweaters and scarves and stuff. It was nice to get to support the fully rounded aspects of the people who feed us.
Then, I dashed back to the gallery. Another friend from tarot was there, and she introduced me to someone who is doing an art installation in a local forest, and she invited me to be part of the test group over the coming months experimenting with it. That sounds like so much fun. I do love me some trees. I also ran into a friend from the A4A cohort, and we had a nice catch-up and made plans to get together at Steeple City Social for a less harried catch-up.
The gallery owners offered me a “shared show” next season, where I will share the space with another artist. Considering I actually have a bunch of ideas for a variety of strange story-art, that sounds like fun.
By then, the pre-emptive pain patches I’d slapped on each hip were starting to give out (yes, BOTH hips were grumbly on Friday), so I headed out. There was a musical act at Steeple City I would have liked to see (their first performance in 8 years), but the place was packed, and I was in pain, so I waved to everyone I knew there, and kept going home.
I made it home (barely), and was in quite a bit of pain by the time I did. I had some tea and a snack, and wound down on the sofa for a bit with the cats. Bea always acts as though I’ve been away for months, months I tell you, even if it’s only been a couple of hours. The check from Llewellyn arrived, too, which was great.
I finally got to bed, but did not sleep well, waking up often in discomfort. Plus, Charlotte was fussing.
Saturday morning, I was up and did the morning routine. I’d forgotten to prep the coffee before I went to bed on Friday, so there was no coffee waiting for me, and that had to be dealt with. Tessa had been trying to get me up, and I said, “Wait until the coffee starts” and her response was, “it’s not happening and it’s late” and she was right.
Always listen to the cat who runs the house.
I put in the Chewy order for wet food and cat litter. The duck & sweet potato food has been discontinued, and the other food that contains duck has tripled in expense, so that’s that for the type of food that’s been their Sunday treat. I’m not paying $50 for 8 cans of 3 oz. cat food. That’s just not in the budget, especially when 12 cans of their favorite was under $20. The other wet food is still reasonably priced, although each time I order it, the price goes up. It’s very frustrating.
After breakfast, I got dressed and headed down to the Farmers’ Market. I drove (still in too much pain to walk) and parked a few blocks from Hotel Downstreet (it’s still there once a month and indoors, until it moves outdoors in mid-May and goes weekly). I got maple syrup from my favorite syrup person, fresh eggs from my favorite egg person, and then over to the Full Well Farm booth to get greens, pea shoots, the biggest parsnip I ever saw in my life, and a colorful array of carrots. And I got to tell them again how much I enjoyed their work in the pop-up art show. I ran one other errand, and came home.
For lunch, we had greens, pea shoots, and carrots with hardboiled eggs, crumbled on top, and a nice dressing. It was yummy. I’ve missed fresh greens over the winter. I need to see if I can grow some microgreens over next winter. It was warm enough to have the windows open, at least for a few hours, and I read on the porch, while Tessa dozed in the sun. We all agreed to push off the taxes again until sometime this week. Why ruin a perfectly good day with taxes? Especially with these corrupt jerks looting the country right now.
Later in the afternoon, I planted purple basil and red clover. Hopefully, the lowering temperatures over the next few days won’t hurt them.
Slept pretty well into Sunday. Up at the usual time, morning routine. Did the Community Tarot Reading for the Week, which you can read here. It was rainy and much colder than the previous day, rather dreary for those who celebrate Easter. It was too dark to sew. I supposed I should feel guilty about not sewing on Saturday, when the light was good, but I did not.
I made scrambled eggs for breakfast, using the farm eggs. What a difference. I can’t wait to get them from the market every Saturday in the summer.
I wafted around in my caftan (the one I made a few months back), reading, doing some housework, working on contest entries. It’s really comfortable. I also have better posture in it, which is a surprise. And better posture means less back pain. Imagine that, something I should have figured out a long time ago. Bea ran around playing, while the others napped.
I put down a book I’d been reading (supposedly for pleasure). There were over 200 people on the waiting list for it at the library, so it’s been a minute (aka several months) since I ordered it. It’s gotten a lot of buzz, and one would think it would be right in my area of enjoyment. But I kept getting ahead of it, and then the protagonist killed a cat, and nope. It wasn’t necessary for character or plot development (it rarely is). It was there to shock, a cheap slap at the readers. I’m out.
I closed out the second category for the contest, and I’m working on the third.
I was delighted that the women’s hockey league sold out Madison Square Garden. That is a big deal.
I read an historical mystery by an author who used to live in the area, and there were lots of recognizable places rendered very well. Unfortunately, there were lots of plot holes that should have been caught by an editor (and this was a traditionally published book). It was an overall enjoyable read, and I may read another book by this author in this same series.
Made us a chicken dinner, with my carrot and parsnip recipe (using the carrots and parsnip from the farm, which was amazing, and layered the flavors), and wild rice a friend sent me. I haven’t cooked much with wild rice (which is actually an aquatic grass), so it was an experiment. It was good.
Quiet night, reading and listening to music while being cat furniture.
Slept reasonably well, although I woke up around 4:30 on Monday. I stayed in bed until 5:30, though, and then started the morning routine, which was fine.
Although I limited my online time over the whole weekend (not just on Sunday), I’ve been keeping track of the posts by the crew of Artemis II. What a delight! It’s so nice to have a group of smart people displaying excitement and competence.
Out the door right after breakfast on foot to the bank to deposit a check. Faster on foot, since Ashland Avenue is under construction until May. On the way home, I passed the bus, and the driver (who has met me once), remembered me and we waved to each other. Imagine that. Meanwhile, there are a set of people I run into once every a couple of weeks who always need me to reintroduce myself. Priorities.
Once I was back, I grabbed bags and books and headed out for errands: CVS; Big Y for a big grocery shop; liquor store; library. I trotted around thinking I was overdressed for the weather, but when I came out of the library it was snowing. Sigh.
Got it all done in two hours, which was pretty good. And it was a big grocery shop, five full bags, but within budget.
Home, hauled it up the stairs, put everything away, started to get excited about cooking again. I’ve been in a cooking slump lately. I mean, I’ve kept us fed, but it wasn’t as much fun when someone else did the shopping for me. I like to see things for myself, and then adjust the week’s menu by what looks good, while still being in the budget. Burpee’s offered me a discount on a trio of plants I’ve had my eye on, so I bought them, and they will ship at some point this month. I accepted the invitation to the Clark Institute Summer Preview in mid-May, which will be down at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. Slogged through a bunch of email, did the day’s marketing. Sorted out the library books by project. Tessa fixated on a biography of Rumer Godden for some reason, and started licking the cover, so I had to take it away from her and clean it with sanitizing wipes. Maybe someone read it while eating a tuna sandwich or something.
Charlotte fussed. Because I worked at my desk, she thought I was having a ZOOM call without her.
Got some work done on the ghostwriting, getting ahead on one assignment while I wait for notes on the other. I feel good about it. Also worked on contest entries. Got the CSA sorted out for the season. It’s with Full Well Farm again, and every two weeks, rather than once a week. I pick it up downtown at Savvy Hive, rather than having to drive up to the farm. On nice days, I’ll be able to walk down and back (it’s not heavy). Since we’re likely to be sitting in gas station lines that will put the gas shortage lines from the 1970’s to shame soon, I’m trying to drive as little as possible. That’s why we have locks on the tank flaps now – because during that shortage, people were siphoning gas out of parked cars. I am old enough to remember all of that.
The Chewy order arrived, which was perfect timing, since I used the last can of wet food that morning. Tessa and Charlotte took turns playing in the box.
For dinner, I made an alfredo sauce with shallots, peas, pea shoots, pancetta, with my favorite pappardelle pasta.
I love that the Artemis II crew named a crater on the moon after a team member’s recently deceased wife. I love everything about this mission. Truly the best of us, and we have spent too much time with the worst of us lately.
The community bank where I have one of my accounts is merging with another bank, and I am not happy about it. Bank mergers are never about serving customers, only about screwing them over. I also got a “fraud alert” from my credit union just after midnight – all for absolutely legitimate charges. Hopefully that’s all sorted. So tired of all this fake “it’s about security” when in reality, it’s about control.
Quiet evening. Slept reasonably well, and was up this morning before Tessa even started fussing. To find it snowing steadily. Sigh. That modifies some plans for the day, but that’s okay.
On today’s agenda: working on BETTING MAN, dismantling the Grief to Art website (since I’m giving up the domain), taking care of some other admin, doing my taxes, working on ghostwriting, working on the contest entries. That should keep me busy.
Hopefully, there won’t be enough snow to shovel.
Have a good one!
#art #community #errands #freelance #holidays #reading #spirituality #tarot #weather -
Madness on the High Seas: AMG Elders Brave 70000 Tons of Metal By Steel Druhm
Way back in 2014, when Madam X and I were still just mutual admirers online, she decided to travel from her home country of South Africa to the US to catch the world-famous 70000 Tons of Metal cruise. This had the added benefit of allowing us to finally meet in person since she was flying into New York, where I worked as a regional warlord at the time. We ended up meeting, totally hitting it off, and yada-yada-yada, we got married and lived happily ever after. It took us way too long to catch a 70000 Tons voyage as a couple, but this year we finally did it! After hearing so much about the 70000 Tons experience from Madam X, other AMG staffers, and various random miscreants, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what to expect. I didn’t. This event is one seriously wild ride, unlike anything else I’ve ever encountered. It’s a strange alternate universe where time is the enemy, yet also seems to lose all meaning. You spend every waking moment running from set to set to catch acts you want to see, and in the little spaces in between, you eat, chug brewskis, and study the scheduling app to plot and plan where to run next. You quickly lose track of the days as you adapt to this new lifestyle, and before long, you start to prefer this kind of existence. It’s a 4-day musical treasure hunt with adventure (and alcohol) available around every corner, and you share all the madcap escapades with thousands of like-minded metal maniacs who all seem equally thrilled to be questing. What could be cooler than that? So what was it like to step aboard as representatives for Angry Metal Guy Industries? This is our story.1
Disembarkment: From Snowbound to Southbound
Mere days before we were scheduled to fly down to Florida, the massive bomb cyclone winter storm dubbed “Fern” clobbered most of the eastern seaboard and dropped 15 inches of snow on our Long Island hometown. This scrambled all the central, southern, and eastern US airports something fierce, and with news of thousands of canceled flights in the days leading up to the cruise, we stressed mightily that we might not make it to Miami to catch the ship. The 70000 Tons group on Facebook was littered with tragic tales of folks getting their flights cancelled multiple times, with some opting to skip the airports entirely and try to make it by car from faraway locales.2 As the Metal Gods willed it, we got to the airport, made it to a not-very-sunny Florida on time without any hassles. We reported to the Port of Miami the next day, and the adventure began!
Day One: The Aclimationing
After going through the boarding process and nominally attending our safety briefing, beers were enjoyed as Madam X and I toured our new home. Freedom of the Seas is a typical cruise ship, but it was immediately apparent that this would not be a typical cruise. Aside from the ocean of black shirts and battle vests, all the music played over the ship’s sound systems was metal. This was a surprisingly satisfying touch, as I always wondered what it would be like to have my preferred genre played in places like supermarkets, dentist offices, and malls. This shit should be normalized outside of a niche metal cruise event. Hell, even when you turned on your cabin’s TV, there was a channel playing videos of the bands on board 24/7, and when you went to the shopping or cruise map channels, the background music was 120% pure metal. Nir-fucking-vana, folks!
As everyone boarded, got settled in, and the initial drinks were drunk, the first bands went off at 5:30. As any good primate would do in such circumstances, I chose Vio-Lence since they’re a beloved band from my youth that I never got to see live during their heyday. Prior to the band taking the stage, a stocky, bald gentleman berated a group of people (myself included) for not wearing ear protection. This was laughed off with good nature, and then I realized the man looking out for our aural health was none other than David White, the vocalist of Heathen. It was cool to see the Heathen dudes there showing support for their fellow San Francisco thrashers, and it was a nice way to kick off the festivities. Vio-Lence came out shortly thereafter and proceeded to destroy everyone with loud, vicious renditions of the material off their timeless debut, Eternal Nightmare. They sounded much heavier than expected, and Sean Killian was a man possessed on stage as he delivered the hyperactive and voluminous vocal lines like it was still 1990. They covered almost all of their debut and tossed in “World in a World” and the Dead Kennedys’ classic “California Über Alles” for extra spice, and I left well impressed by how youthful and powerful they sounded.
From there we ducked in to catch Harakiri for the Sky, and though neither Madam X nor I were very familiar with them, they impressed with their atmospheric post-black sound. They reminded me of Agalloch enough to want to visit their catalog, and Madam X was very much enthralled. From there, it was straight to the big theater to see Soen, and I admit to never being much of a fan. They were polished and professional, but their style of radio-friendly hard rock didn’t really fit with the 70000 Tons vibe, and I was bored pretty quickly, though watching Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth) pound away on his kit was entertaining. Things improved greatly when we went on to catch Cemetery Skyline, the Scandinavian Goth rock supergroup. Though the material on their Nordic Gothic debut isn’t all that much harder than what Soen do, the energy generated by Mikael Stanne and Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum) was off the charts. The band seemed to be having as much or more fun than the very receptive crowd, and Stanne in particular seemed to be thrilled to be there. The set was electric, and the energy from the crowd was palpable.
Next up was Kamelot, and though I’m a huge fan of their early albums, I haven’t loved the post-Silverthrone output much. The band did their best to put on a lively performance, and Tommy Karevik sounded fine, but the setlist, taken mostly from the last 3 albums, was somewhat uninspiring, and we left after 5-6 songs. After taking time to get food and brewskis, we headed back to the theater to see Anthrax. A beloved band from my youth, it had been a long time since I last saw them live, but they acted and sounded much the same, opening with the timeless “A.I.R.” and leaning heavily on their Spreading the Disease and Among the Living classics. At one point, Joey started singing Judas Priest’s “The Ripper” before launching into “Caught in a Mosh,” and Scott Ian dubbed the 70000 Cruise as “the world’s coolest prison.” These olde thrash dawgs can still bring it, and the packed crowd ate it up (I especially loved them busting out “Be all. End All” from their State of Euphoria platter).
Last up for our first night was a 12:30 am set by the weird and mysterious Kanonenfieber. Support for the band was apparent, with numerous folks onboard rocking plastic versions of the Pickelhaube (the WWI era pointy helmet worn by Prussian and German soldiers), and they’ve received a ton of love and overratings from the AMG staff these past few years. Somehow, though, I never completely bought into what band creator Noise was doing. Until I saw it all done live, that is. With a stage covered in sandbags and barbed wire, the masked trench warriors supporting Noise came out in matching WWI period soldiers’ clothing to play a somber, ominous intro before Noise himself burst out dressed in full Kaiser gear as things erupted into full boar black death insanity. While their style can at times come across as heavier, faster Rammstein, there was no denying how much punch they packed live, and Noise is a very animated, maniacal frontman. He had the crowd eating from his hand despite an entire set in German. Sure, the multiple costume changes were a bit over-the-top, but they fit the narrative of the horrors of war. Thus pummeled and pulverized, it was time to call it a day.
Day Two: Any Port in the Storm
Due to the huge storm that was sweeping up the east coast, the Captain decided that the ship would head straight to Nassau on Friday rather than Saturday, so rather than bands taking the stage by 10 am, they would hold off til 5:30, and we would be free to leave the ship in the morning and wander around the island. After a few hours sightseeing, we were ready for more molten metal and eager to see Orden Organ kick things off on the newly constructed pool deck stage. Frontman Seeb was injured before the cruise and unable to make the trip, so the band recruited Marc Lopes (Ross the Boss, ex-Metal Church) to fill in. As the ship headed back out ot sea, the band ripped through the big hits of Ogan’s catalog, opening with the massive “F.E.V.E.R.” Dan sounded powerful and convincing, though between songs, he made it clear he was still learning the songs, so not to judge him too harshly. Minus a few missed vocal lines here and there, he did a fine job, got the crowd involved, and seemed really thrilled to be there. As they tore through hits like “The Things We Believe in,” “The Order of Fear,” and “Heart of the Android,” a cold rain began to fall, and by the end of their set, it was getting pretty heavy on the deck.
We retreated to the safety of the sports bar for liquid courage before having to go back out in the rain 45 minutes later to see the mighty Amorphis. The pool deck stage was an open-air rain debacle as they came out, and even before Tomi could start roaring, he was drenched and waterlogged. Tomi always looks like a pirate, so it worked for him, and the band sounded as great as ever live, though I felt bad for Santeri Kallio having to constantly wipe off his keyboards as the rain crashed down. The set was tight despite the weather, and they hit all the high points, from gems like “Death of a King” and “The Smoke” to going way back to Tales from the Thousand Lakes to uncork “Black Winter Day.” Nothing can stop these all-weather Finns!
From the deluge, we retreated to see Wolf in the Deck 5 lounge, which is essentially a smallish room without any kind of raised stage. Wolf were game about it and delivered a rowdy set of their NWoBHM-meets power metal, but unless you stood directly in front of them, you couldn’t see jack shit. It was still a good show, aurally at least. We left a bit early to get back to the monsoon deck to see Beast in Black, but their set was moved to 4:15 am due to how awful the weather had become outside. This allowed for a quick detour to catch Ereb Altor at the rink stage, and they were exactly how I imagined they would be: brooding, heavy, and not fucking around at all as they clobbered the crowd with their Viking black metal. As I was swept away to the good olde days of blood eagles and rule by sword, I found myself wondering why the band didn’t also schedule a few sets for Isole, as the same guys are in both bands. Great show, lost opportunity.
From there we beered up and then caught death metallers Skeletal Remains back in the lounge, and they were appropriately heavy and caveman as fook. Perhaps the caveman shit went too far as they blasted way past their allotted time, and soon thereafter, rumors started spreading that a certain band member was getting hammered and way too touchy-feely with the female cruisers. This ultimately led to him being confined to his cabin and the band getting banned from future 70000 Tons events. After Skeltal Remains decamped, we stayed put in the lounge as up next was none other than the one, the only…Jag Fucking Panzer!! A huge staple of my teen years, these Colorado classic US power metal masters dropped the iconic Ample Destruction back in 1985, and I’ve loved them ever since, but never got to see them live. Because we were hanging around as the band set up, legendary vocalist Harry “the Tyrant” Conklin came over to chat and offered us “Tyrant coins,” which are basically a commemorative Jag Panzer challenge coin. We took them happily, and I tried not to be too fanboyish. I also got to speak with founding guitarist Mark Briody, and he was as nice a guy as there is. When Panzer took the stage, they proceeded to rip the crowd a new one with a string of timeless cuts from Ample Destruction and select gems from their later releases. I was floored by how powerful Tyrant’s voice was live, and this was my highlight of the trip thus far. I was very glad we were dead center front row for this one!
After that unbeatable show, we went back up to the pool deck for Kanonenfieber’s second set at 12;30 am, hoping the rain had finally died down. The fates smiled upon Noise, and the skies held off, allowing them to tear through another set of war-horror-themed Germanic madness with Noise commanding the crowd like a battle-hardened general. Though some of the same songs from the first set were done again, it still seemed like a different event entirely, and aside from the odd clash of the masked, uniformed mauraders and the happy, colorful pool deck decorations, it was an immersive open sea air experience.
Day Three: Arctic Winds
Day three was the first where the bands hit the stages early, with some starting at 10:00 am. We dragged ourselves out of bed, got caffenated and made it to the pool deck to see Hiraes take the stage. I hadn’t hear of this Germanic melodeath act until their frontwoman Britta Görtz appeared in the recent Kreator video for “Tränenpalast.” They had an energetic set, and Britta has a shockingly demonic voice for such a charmingly upbeat, tiny woman. Then it was off to catch Wolf in the vastly superior rink stage, and they once again brought the old school metal thunder and showed the crowd how to pull off guitar-driven 80s metal with a touch of Euro-power.
80s Bay Area techno-thrashers Heathen were up next, and they delivered their typically solid, burly set, with frontman David White doing his hyperactive best to stir the theater crowd to violence. Speaking of Vio-Lence, I spotted a few of them in the crowd returning the favor of support. I especially loved when Heathen busted out “Goblin’s Blade” from their 1987 debut, and that song has aged like fine wine. “Hypnotized” was also as great live as ever, and that song should be considered one of the great thrash epics of all time. As we left the theater, Madam X informed me that the vocalist for Heathen was built much like Noise from Kanonenfieber and might be him. And so began several days of speculation as to who the Kanonenfieber guys were and where they might be on the ship.
After food and a merch shopping break, we caught the immortal NWoBHM legends Satan at the rink deck. Long have I wanted to witness them live, and when I finally got my wish, they were even better than I hoped. The ageless Brian Ross sounded like a 25-year-old, hitting all manner of high register wails and screams, often going beyond what was required by the songs. The band was insanely frenetic in a live setting, with guitarists Russ Tippins and Steve Ramsey putting on a shred clinic, sounding like classic Iron Maiden at double speed. They put on a helluva powerful, no-BS metal show, and Ross is a character as a frontman.3
Off to the pool deck we went, thereafter to catch some of Firewind’s set. I wanted to see Gus G wank his way to the moon in person, and I was not disappointed. I was surprised to see Herbie Langhams wasn’t performing vocals, and instead, former frontman Henning Basse (ex-Brainstorm, ex-Metallium) was there on stage. Together they plowed through mighty tunes like “Ode to Leonidas” and “I Am the Anger,” with Gus showing why he’s considered one of metal’s top axe masters. The weirdo semi-death, kinda-Goth Tribulation were next. Unfortunately, they were derailed by technical issues and lost some equipment in transit, and opened their set 20 minutes late. Even when they finally got going, they were still plagued by sound issues. They did their best, but they didn’t get to present themselves properly, and things were a bit lackluster overall.
Next was the one and only time Madam X and I had to part company, as she was dying to see Beast in Black and I needed to see Jag Panzer’s second set and both went off at the same time. This Panzer set was a “drop the needle” on their classic album Ample Destruction, and I couldn’t miss seeing them run through it from start to finish. This time Jag Panzer got the rink stage, which is far better than the lounge, and once again they brought the crowd to their knees with masterful renditions of cuts like “Licensed to Kill,” “Warfare,” and “Harder Than Steel.” Tyrant again demonstrated the sheer power and force of his ageless pipes, and the band made sure to leave everything on the stage. I even ended up with an official Jag Panzer wristband in the process. Sometimes it’s good to meet your heroes. Madam X was equally blown away by the Beast in Black set, making me wish I had caught that show, too.
From there, I raced to the pool deck to catch Paradise Lost. The long-running lords of Peaceville doom put on a solid if somewhat low-key set, drawing from their vast catalog and collection of styles. It wasn’t the most animated set of the cruise, but the songs sounded great, and Nick Holmes was in good form. I appreciated that they didn’t shy away from their Depeche Lost era either.
After that, Anthrax took the pool deck stage, and lo and behold, bassist Frank Bello was missing in action. In his place was a guy who looked a whole lot like Joey Vera of Armored Saint, Fates Warning, etc. Turns out it was Joey filling in, as Frank had to leave the ship to get to LA to accept his Grammy for best Live Rock performance for Yungblud’s rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at the Back to the Beginning concert. I have no idea how Frank got off the ship or how they mailed Joey in, but he fit right in, and Anthrax did another classic set, even hitting “Deathrider” from the debut and “In the End” from Worship Music. Queens, NY, represent!
Day Four: Survive and Endure
As the rigors of nonstop metalling slowly began to set in, we arose on day four, opted to eat a quick breakfast, then jumped in a hot tub on the pool deck while they were fresh, clean, and not full of plus-sized, mega-hairy metalheads. Because of our early arrival, we only shared a tub with a very nice Dutch couple, and as we listened to Xandria playing their morning set about 100 feet away, we discussed the Dutch metal scene, the Roadburn festival, and how The Gathering is superior to most other similar acts. Xandria aren’t my cup of tea, and I couldn’t see them from my tub, but they sounded decent enough for a symphonic power metal band.
After tub time, we caught Tyr on the pool deck as they brought Faroian thunder to the high seas. Their burly sound translated well to the setting, and it was all beefy tales of heroism and swordplay, with “By the Sword in My Hand” and “Blood of Heroes” hitting extra hard. It was extra cool to see Jag Panzer’s Mark Briody right up front in the crowd, throwing horns and celebrating the next generation of metal.
Later on, we caught the second set of Satan, and again they burned the stage down around them, then we wandered into the last 15 minutes of Darkane’s set on the pool deck. After that, Madam X convinced me to try Groza’s set, which was a shockingly harrowing blast of misanthropic black metal performed by dudes in hoods who were from Germany. They impressed and furthered the ongoing Kanonenfieber conspiracy mill considerably.
One of the highlights of the event for me was seeing ultimate underdog 80s thrash act Hirax take the stage on the pool deck as the weather turned windy and cold again. Hirax released 2 obscure albums in the mid 80s that I dearly loved because they were so different from everything else out there. Katon Depena was a truly unique vocalist, singing in a strange up and down pattern over short thrashy songs that verged on grindcore. It was both odd and endearing, and my high school friends and I constantly imitated his wonky singing. They were too cult to ever tour near us, so I always wondered what they would be like live. When Hirax stormed the stage, they were everything I expected and then some. Katon was a complete maniac, running all over, climbing the amps, jumping into the crowd, taking a big fur coat from a fan, and rocking it on stage, all as he ripped through a succession of lightning-fast classics. It was one of the craziest sets of the cruise, and the crowd was eating it up. Hail Hirax.
As the ship steered toward the setting sun, Finnish melodoom gods Insomnium took the pool deck stage to deliver a classically melancholic but heavy set as the weather got colder and colder. They were tight, polished, and amusingly enough, complained about how cold it was on the deck. As they started to play “Down With the Sun,” the sun was slowly disappearing below the watery horizon, and with the cold air blowing, it felt like a weirdly Finnish moment on what was billed as a Caribbean cruise.
In the ultimate whiplash kind of switch up, we raced from the Insomnium set to witness Rhapody of Fire launch their nerd-raging dragon power all over the theater stage. As they catapulted into cheddar manufacturing mode, the crowd brandished waves of inflatable swords and hammers like a full-fledged LARP was about to break out. In the middle of the raging orcstorm, vocalist Giacomo Voli went completely bonkers, wailing, screaming, stirring the crowd up, and even stage diving and crowdriding. Somehow, he kept singing as he was held aloft by the rowdy crowd and pummeled with inflatable melee weapons.4 Though I’m not a fan of the band, I couldn’t deny the entertainment factor and the insane charisma of Voli.
The festivities wound down with a 12:30 am Dark Tranquillity set on the pool deck, and as always, Stanne and company were the consummate professionals, doling out the classic melodeath goods as only they can. Stanne sounded superb and in his glory, and the band put on an appropriately massive cap to a great cruise. After their set, Andy, the man behind the whole event, took the stage to thank all who attended and braved the often-bad weather to enjoy the massive metal spectacle. It was a bittersweet moment, as the 4 days flew by in a crazy blur and now were coming to an end.
Final Thoughts:
70000 Tons of Metal is an extremely well-organized and run event, and it was attended by a large assortment of metal fans who came to have a good time and make memories. I saw no fights, no really bad behavior (aside from certain band-related allegations), and was shocked that I saw so few people hammered into an alcoholic stupor. If you haven’t considered making the trip, you should. It can be pricey, but it’s an amazing time and unlike anything else you’ll ever experience. I went expecting it to be something you do once, but now I want to make it a yearly tradition. I highly recommend it, even if you only like half of the scheduled line-up. Thank you to the ever-amazing Madam X for organizing the trip for us and for being the best possible partner to share the insanity with. You complete me.
Funniest Moment:
-When Madam X and I were waiting for an elevator, one opened up, and standing right in front was Brian Ross of Satan. Madam X was star-struck and loudly exclaimed, “SATAN!” Mr. Ross smiled and waved.
-Everyone complaining there was no Kanonenfieber meet and greet.
Bands We Missed:
Vader and Saturnus were cursed with late-night slots we just couldn’t get to. We feel great shame.
Biggest Gripe:
The weird and draconian merch rules made even a simple viewing of the band’s wares a huge hassle.
Biggest Surprise:
I wasn’t even close to being the oldest person there!
Things I’ll Miss the Most: Those stupid little pizzas served at Sorrento’s. They aren’t much different from store-bought frozen pizza, but the stuff becomes addictive after eating it for a few days, like those dumplings in Old Boy.
Post Ship Depression Syndrome:
It’s a real thing. You feel out of sorts and miss the weird pacing and running between sets all day and night.
#2026 #Amorphis #Anthrax #BeastInBlack #BlogPost #CemeterySkyline #DarkTranquillity #Darkane #ErebAltor #Firewind #Groza #HarakiriForTheSky #Heathen #Hiraes #Hirax #Insomnium #JagPanzer #Kamelot #Kanonenfieber #MadnessOnTheHighSeasTheAMGEldersBrave70000TonsOfMetal #OrdenOgan #ParadiseLost #RhapodyOfFire #Satan #Saturnus #SkeletalRemains #Soen #Tribulation #Tyr #Vader #VioLence #Wolf #Xandria -
Proto, by Laura Spinney
I interrupted the sequence of novels I’ve been reading recently to absorb a non-fiction book, Proto by Laura Spinney (left). I find linguistics a fascinating subject and when I saw a review of this recently and couldn’t resist. I’m glad I bought it because it’s absolutely fascinating. It is the story – or at least a very plausible account of the story of the lost ancestor of the Indo-European languages, the methods that have been used to reconstruct “Proto”, and why it was the spark that generated so many other languages across Europe, Eurasia and India.
The topic is very complex and I won’t attempt to describe it all in depth here; each chapter could be a book in itself because each family of languages within the Indo-European group – including lost ones such as Tocharian – has its own fascinating story. There are chapters focussing on the origins of language itself, the possibilities surround Proto (a language that was never written and probably exists in many dialects), Anatolian, Tocharian, Celtic, Germanic and Italic, the Indo-Iranian group (based on Sanskrit), Baltic and Slavic, and Albanian, Armenian and Greek. The last of these is fascinating because it used a method of writing borrowed from a non-Indo-European source that became the origin of the European alphabet.
The story of which all these are subplots begins around the Black Sea shortly after end of the last Ice Age. In this area there lived mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had survived the ice who interacted with farmers moving up from the direction of modern day Syria. Their languages would have merged in some way to allow them to describe things that their neighbours had that they didn’t. Hunter-gatherers would not have words for, e.g., ploughing or millet while farmers would have fewer words for spears and other equipment. Into this mix, the argument goes, came a third group, a fully nomadic culture called the Yamnaya people. These people subsequently underwent vast migrations across the continent and were responsible for spreading the Proto-Indo-European languages. That’s a hypothesis, not a proven fact, but it is plausible and has a reasonable amount of evidence in its favour.
Recent progress in this field has been driven not only by linguists but also by archaeologists and geneticists, with each aspect of this triangulation vital. It was reading about archaeology in this book that prompted me to write a post about the Nebra Sky Disc. There are some fascinating snippets from palaeogenetics, too. Full DNA sequences are now known for about 10,000 individuals who lived in prehistoric times.
One extraordinary find involves two burials of individuals who both lived about 5,000 years ago. Their DNA profiles match so well that they were probably second cousins or first cousins once removed. The thing is that one of them was buried in the Don Valley, north-east of Rostov in modern-day Russian, while the other was found 3,000 km away in the Altai mountains. Assuming they were both buried where they died, the implications for the distance over which people could move in a lifetime are remarkable.
Another fascinating genetic snippet applies to Irish, a Celtic language. The Celtic languages derive from a proto-Celtic source that probably arose about 1000 BC. Around 2450 BC one of the cultures preceding the Celts arrived in Britain and Ireland, now called the Beaker People because of their taste in pottery. The genetic record shows that the DNA of the Beaker folk replaced about 90% of the previous local gene pool, and all of the Y chromosomes; for some reason men of the earlier culture stopped fathering children. A similar change happened in Ireland, about 200 years later.One possible inference is that there was a violent conquest involving the erasure of the male population, but we don’t know for sure that it was sudden and catastrophic.
Whatever language the Beaker people brought with them was not Celtic (though it may have been Indo-European). The fascinating conundrum is that when Celtic languages arrived in Ireland whoever brought them left not a trace in the genetic record. This is unlike any of the similar changes in language use throughout European pre-history. Either the population responsible has not been identified or the language was spread through communication (e.g. for trade) rather than settlement. Irish may be a Celtic language, but there is little evidence of significant numbers of Celts settling here and bringing it with them.
Some time ago I wrote a post about the Celtic languages, which you might want to look at if you’re interested in this topic. A lot of that post I now realize to be very simplistic, but to add one other snippet I should mention that the name of Turkish football team Galatassaray translates to “Palace of the Celts” after the Celtic-speaking people who settled in Anatolia; these were the Galatians to whom Paul addressed his Epistle.
I thoroughly recommend this fascinating book. It made me want to find out more about so many things.
#archaeology #BeakerPeople #CelticLanguages #Genetics #LasuraSpinney #liguistics #Proto #ProtoIndoEuropeanLanguage #YamnayaCulture
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Proto, by Laura Spinney
I interrupted the sequence of novels I’ve been reading recently to absorb a non-fiction book, Proto by Laura Spinney (left). I find linguistics a fascinating subject and when I saw a review of this recently and couldn’t resist. I’m glad I bought it because it’s absolutely fascinating. It is the story – or at least a very plausible account of the story of the lost ancestor of the Indo-European languages, the methods that have been used to reconstruct “Proto”, and why it was the spark that generated so many other languages across Europe, Eurasia and India.
The topic is very complex and I won’t attempt to describe it all in depth here; each chapter could be a book in itself because each family of languages within the Indo-European group – including lost ones such as Tocharian – has its own fascinating story. There are chapters focussing on the origins of language itself, the possibilities surround Proto (a language that was never written and probably exists in many dialects), Anatolian, Tocharian, Celtic, Germanic and Italic, the Indo-Iranian group (based on Sanskrit), Baltic and Slavic, and Albanian, Armenian and Greek. The last of these is fascinating because it used a method of writing borrowed from a non-Indo-European source that became the origin of the European alphabet.
The story of which all these are subplots begins around the Black Sea shortly after end of the last Ice Age. In this area there lived mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had survived the ice who interacted with farmers moving up from the direction of modern day Syria. Their languages would have merged in some way to allow them to describe things that their neighbours had that they didn’t. Hunter-gatherers would not have words for, e.g., ploughing or barley while farmers would have fewer words for spears and other hunting equipment. Into this mix, the argument goes, came a third group, a fully nomadic culture called the Yamnaya people. These people and their successors subsequently underwent vast migrations from the steppes across the continent and were responsible for spreading the Proto-Indo-European languages. That’s a hypothesis, not a proven fact, but it is plausible and has a reasonable amount of evidence in its favour.
Recent progress in this field has been driven not only by linguists but also by archaeologists and geneticists, with each aspect of this triangulation vital. It was reading about archaeology in this book that prompted me to write a post about the Nebra Sky Disc. There are some fascinating snippets from palaeogenetics, too. Full DNA sequences are now known for about 10,000 individuals who lived in prehistoric times.
One extraordinary find involves two burials of individuals who both lived about 5,000 years ago. Their DNA profiles match so well that they were probably second cousins or first cousins once removed. The thing is that one of them was buried in the Don Valley, north-east of Rostov in modern-day Russian, while the other was found 3,000 km away in the Altai mountains. Assuming they were both buried where they died, the implications for the distance over which people could move in a lifetime are remarkable.
Another fascinating genetic snippet applies to Irish, a Celtic language. The Celtic languages derive from a proto-Celtic source that probably arose about 1000 BC. Around 2450 BC one of the cultures preceding the Celts arrived in Britain and Ireland, now called the Bell Beaker People because of their taste in pottery. The genetic record shows that the DNA of the Beaker folk replaced about 90% of the previous local gene pool, and all of the Y chromosomes; for some reason men of the earlier culture stopped fathering children. A similar change happened in Ireland, about 200 years later.One possible inference is that there was a violent conquest involving the erasure of the male population, but we don’t know for sure that it was sudden and catastrophic.
Whatever language the Beaker people brought with them was not Celtic (though it may have been Indo-European). The fascinating conundrum is that when Celtic languages arrived in Ireland whoever brought them left not a trace in the genetic record. This is unlike any of the similar changes in language use throughout European pre-history. Either the population responsible has not been identified or the language was spread through communication (e.g. for trade) rather than settlement. Irish may be a Celtic language, but there is little evidence of significant numbers of Celts settling here and bringing it with them.
Some time ago I wrote a post about the Celtic languages, which you might want to look at if you’re interested in this topic. A lot of that post I now realize to be very simplistic, but to add one other snippet I should mention that the name of Turkish football team Galatasaray translates to “Palace of the Celts” after the Celtic-speaking people who settled in Anatolia; these were the Galatians to whom Paul addressed his Epistle.
I thoroughly recommend this fascinating book. It made me want to find out more about so many things. It also gacve me additional motivation to pursue an idea I had a while ago to do a Masters in Linguistics wehn I retire from physics…
#archaeology #BeakerPeople #CelticLanguages #Genetics #LasuraSpinney #liguistics #Proto #ProtoIndoEuropeanLanguage #YamnayaCulture
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Proto, by Laura Spinney
I interrupted the sequence of novels I’ve been reading recently to absorb a non-fiction book, Proto by Laura Spinney (left). I find linguistics a fascinating subject and when I saw a review of this recently and couldn’t resist. I’m glad I bought it because it’s absolutely fascinating. It is the story – or at least a very plausible account of the story of the lost ancestor of the Indo-European languages, the methods that have been used to reconstruct “Proto”, and why it was the spark that generated so many other languages across Europe, Eurasia and India.
The topic is very complex and I won’t attempt to describe it all in depth here; each chapter could be a book in itself because each family of languages within the Indo-European group – including lost ones such as Tocharian – has its own fascinating story. There are chapters focussing on the origins of language itself, the possibilities surround Proto (a language that was never written and probably exists in many dialects), Anatolian, Tocharian, Celtic, Germanic and Italic, the Indo-Iranian group (based on Sanskrit), Baltic and Slavic, and Albanian, Armenian and Greek. The last of these is fascinating because it used a method of writing borrowed from a non-Indo-European source that became the origin of the European alphabet.
The story of which all these are subplots begins around the Black Sea shortly after end of the last Ice Age. In this area there lived mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had survived the ice who interacted with farmers moving up from the direction of modern day Syria. Their languages would have merged in some way to allow them to describe things that their neighbours had that they didn’t. Hunter-gatherers would not have words for, e.g., ploughing or millet while farmers would have fewer words for spears and other equipment. Into this mix, the argument goes, came a third group, a fully nomadic culture called the Yamnaya people. These people subsequently underwent vast migrations across the continent and were responsible for spreading the Proto-Indo-European languages. That’s a hypothesis, not a proven fact, but it is plausible and has a reasonable amount of evidence in its favour.
Recent progress in this field has been driven not only by linguists but also by archaeologists and geneticists, with each aspect of this triangulation vital. It was reading about archaeology in this book that prompted me to write a post about the Nebra Sky Disc. There are some fascinating snippets from palaeogenetics, too. Full DNA sequences are now known for about 10,000 individuals who lived in prehistoric times.
One extraordinary find involves two burials of individuals who both lived about 5,000 years ago. Their DNA profiles match so well that they were probably second cousins or first cousins once removed. The thing is that one of them was buried in the Don Valley, north-east of Rostov in modern-day Russian, while the other was found 3,000 km away in the Altai mountains. Assuming they were both buried where they died, the implications for the distance over which people could move in a lifetime are remarkable.
Another fascinating genetic snippet applies to Irish, a Celtic language. The Celtic languages derive from a proto-Celtic source that probably arose about 1000 BC. Around 2450 BC one of the cultures preceding the Celts arrived in Britain and Ireland, now called the Beaker People because of their taste in pottery. The genetic record shows that the DNA of the Beaker folk replaced about 90% of the previous local gene pool, and all of the Y chromosomes; for some reason men of the earlier culture stopped fathering children. A similar change happened in Ireland, about 200 years later.One possible inference is that there was a violent conquest involving the erasure of the male population, but we don’t know for sure that it was sudden and catastrophic.
Whatever language the Beaker people brought with them was not Celtic (though it may have been Indo-European). The fascinating conundrum is that when Celtic languages arrived in Ireland whoever brought them left not a trace in the genetic record. This is unlike any of the similar changes in language use throughout European pre-history. Either the population responsible has not been identified or the language was spread through communication (e.g. for trade) rather than settlement. Irish may be a Celtic language, but there is little evidence of significant numbers of Celts settling here and bringing it with them.
Some time ago I wrote a post about the Celtic languages, which you might want to look at if you’re interested in this topic. A lot of that post I now realize to be very simplistic, but to add one other snippet I should mention that the name of Turkish football team Galatassaray translates to “Palace of the Celts” after the Celtic-speaking people who settled in Anatolia; these were the Galatians to whom Paul addressed his Epistle.
I thoroughly recommend this fascinating book. It made me want to find out more about so many things.
#archaeology #BeakerPeople #CelticLanguages #Genetics #LasuraSpinney #liguistics #Proto #ProtoIndoEuropeanLanguage #YamnayaCulture
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Proto, by Laura Spinney
I interrupted the sequence of novels I’ve been reading recently to absorb a non-fiction book, Proto by Laura Spinney (left). I find linguistics a fascinating subject and when I saw a review of this recently and couldn’t resist. I’m glad I bought it because it’s absolutely fascinating. It is the story – or at least a very plausible account of the story of the lost ancestor of the Indo-European languages, the methods that have been used to reconstruct “Proto”, and why it was the spark that generated so many other languages across Europe, Eurasia and India.
The topic is very complex and I won’t attempt to describe it all in depth here; each chapter could be a book in itself because each family of languages within the Indo-European group – including lost ones such as Tocharian – has its own fascinating story. There are chapters focussing on the origins of language itself, the possibilities surround Proto (a language that was never written and probably exists in many dialects), Anatolian, Tocharian, Celtic, Germanic and Italic, the Indo-Iranian group (based on Sanskrit), Baltic and Slavic, and Albanian, Armenian and Greek. The last of these is fascinating because it used a method of writing borrowed from a non-Indo-European source that became the origin of the European alphabet.
The story of which all these are subplots begins around the Black Sea shortly after end of the last Ice Age. In this area there lived mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had survived the ice who interacted with farmers moving up from the direction of modern day Syria. Their languages would have merged in some way to allow them to describe things that their neighbours had that they didn’t. Hunter-gatherers would not have words for, e.g., ploughing or barley while farmers would have fewer words for spears and other hunting equipment. Into this mix, the argument goes, came a third group, a fully nomadic culture called the Yamnaya people. These people and their successors subsequently underwent vast migrations from the steppes across the continent and were responsible for spreading the Proto-Indo-European languages. That’s a hypothesis, not a proven fact, but it is plausible and has a reasonable amount of evidence in its favour.
Recent progress in this field has been driven not only by linguists but also by archaeologists and geneticists, with each aspect of this triangulation vital. It was reading about archaeology in this book that prompted me to write a post about the Nebra Sky Disc. There are some fascinating snippets from palaeogenetics, too. Full DNA sequences are now known for about 10,000 individuals who lived in prehistoric times.
One extraordinary find involves two burials of individuals who both lived about 5,000 years ago. Their DNA profiles match so well that they were probably second cousins or first cousins once removed. The thing is that one of them was buried in the Don Valley, north-east of Rostov in modern-day Russian, while the other was found 3,000 km away in the Altai mountains. Assuming they were both buried where they died, the implications for the distance over which people could move in a lifetime are remarkable.
Another fascinating genetic snippet applies to Irish, a Celtic language. The Celtic languages derive from a proto-Celtic source that probably arose about 1000 BC. Around 2450 BC one of the cultures preceding the Celts arrived in Britain and Ireland, now called the Bell Beaker People because of their taste in pottery. The genetic record shows that the DNA of the Beaker folk replaced about 90% of the previous local gene pool, and all of the Y chromosomes; for some reason men of the earlier culture stopped fathering children. A similar change happened in Ireland, about 200 years later.One possible inference is that there was a violent conquest involving the erasure of the male population, but we don’t know for sure that it was sudden and catastrophic.
Whatever language the Beaker people brought with them was not Celtic (though it may have been Indo-European). The fascinating conundrum is that when Celtic languages arrived in Ireland whoever brought them left not a trace in the genetic record. This is unlike any of the similar changes in language use throughout European pre-history. Either the population responsible has not been identified or the language was spread through communication (e.g. for trade) rather than settlement. Irish may be a Celtic language, but there is little evidence of significant numbers of Celts settling here and bringing it with them.
Some time ago I wrote a post about the Celtic languages, which you might want to look at if you’re interested in this topic. A lot of that post I now realize to be very simplistic, but to add one other snippet I should mention that the name of Turkish football team Galatasaray translates to “Palace of the Celts” after the Celtic-speaking people who settled in Anatolia; these were the Galatians to whom Paul addressed his Epistle.
I thoroughly recommend this fascinating book. It made me want to find out more about so many things. It also gacve me additional motivation to pursue an idea I had a while ago to do a Masters in Linguistics wehn I retire from physics…
#archaeology #BeakerPeople #CelticLanguages #Genetics #LasuraSpinney #liguistics #Proto #ProtoIndoEuropeanLanguage #YamnayaCulture
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Proto, by Laura Spinney
I interrupted the sequence of novels I’ve been reading recently to absorb a non-fiction book, Proto by Laura Spinney (left). I find linguistics a fascinating subject and when I saw a review of this recently and couldn’t resist. I’m glad I bought it because it’s absolutely fascinating. It is the story – or at least a very plausible account of the story of the lost ancestor of the Indo-European languages, the methods that have been used to reconstruct “Proto”, and why it was the spark that generated so many other languages across Europe, Eurasia and India.
The topic is very complex and I won’t attempt to describe it all in depth here; each chapter could be a book in itself because each family of languages within the Indo-European group – including lost ones such as Tocharian – has its own fascinating story. There are chapters focussing on the origins of language itself, the possibilities surround Proto (a language that was never written and probably exists in many dialects), Anatolian, Tocharian, Celtic, Germanic and Italic, the Indo-Iranian group (based on Sanskrit), Baltic and Slavic, and Albanian, Armenian and Greek. The last of these is fascinating because it used a method of writing borrowed from a non-Indo-European source that became the origin of the European alphabet.
The story of which all these are subplots begins around the Black Sea shortly after end of the last Ice Age. In this area there lived mesolithic hunter-gatherers who had survived the ice who interacted with farmers moving up from the direction of modern day Syria. Their languages would have merged in some way to allow them to describe things that their neighbours had that they didn’t. Hunter-gatherers would not have words for, e.g., ploughing or millet while farmers would have fewer words for spears and other equipment. Into this mix, the argument goes, came a third group, a fully nomadic culture called the Yamnaya people. These people subsequently underwent vast migrations across the continent and were responsible for spreading the Proto-Indo-European languages. That’s a hypothesis, not a proven fact, but it is plausible and has a reasonable amount of evidence in its favour.
Recent progress in this field has been driven not only by linguists but also by archaeologists and geneticists, with each aspect of this triangulation vital. It was reading about archaeology in this book that prompted me to write a post about the Nebra Sky Disc. There are some fascinating snippets from palaeogenetics, too. Full DNA sequences are now known for about 10,000 individuals who lived in prehistoric times.
One extraordinary find involves two burials of individuals who both lived about 5,000 years ago. Their DNA profiles match so well that they were probably second cousins or first cousins once removed. The thing is that one of them was buried in the Don Valley, north-east of Rostov in modern-day Russian, while the other was found 3,000 km away in the Altai mountains. Assuming they were both buried where they died, the implications for the distance over which people could move in a lifetime are remarkable.
Another fascinating genetic snippet applies to Irish, a Celtic language. The Celtic languages derive from a proto-Celtic source that probably arose about 1000 BC. Around 2450 BC one of the cultures preceding the Celts arrived in Britain and Ireland, now called the Beaker People because of their taste in pottery. The genetic record shows that the DNA of the Beaker folk replaced about 90% of the previous local gene pool, and all of the Y chromosomes; for some reason men of the earlier culture stopped fathering children. A similar change happened in Ireland, about 200 years later.One possible inference is that there was a violent conquest involving the erasure of the male population, but we don’t know for sure that it was sudden and catastrophic.
Whatever language the Beaker people brought with them was not Celtic (though it may have been Indo-European). The fascinating conundrum is that when Celtic languages arrived in Ireland whoever brought them left not a trace in the genetic record. This is unlike any of the similar changes in language use throughout European pre-history. Either the population responsible has not been identified or the language was spread through communication (e.g. for trade) rather than settlement. Irish may be a Celtic language, but there is little evidence of significant numbers of Celts settling here and bringing it with them.
Some time ago I wrote a post about the Celtic languages, which you might want to look at if you’re interested in this topic. A lot of that post I now realize to be very simplistic, but to add one other snippet I should mention that the name of Turkish football team Galatassaray translates to “Palace of the Celts” after the Celtic-speaking people who settled in Anatolia; these were the Galatians to whom Paul addressed his Epistle.
I thoroughly recommend this fascinating book. It made me want to find out more about so many things.
#archaeology #BeakerPeople #CelticLanguages #Genetics #LasuraSpinney #liguistics #Proto #ProtoIndoEuropeanLanguage #YamnayaCulture
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#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 7 ’24)
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#AVIANINFLUENZA #covid #COVID19 #health #influenzaA #news #research #SEASONALINFLUENZA #vaccine
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https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/03/coronavirus-disease-research-references-by-amedeo-nov-3-24/
#betacoronavirus #coronavirus #covid #COVID19 #health #research #sarbecovirus #sarsCov2 #science
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- Slėgio pokyčiai: Programėlė neberodo slėgio pokyčių, tačiau vis tiek pateikiama aktuali oro slėgio reikšmė.
- Oro reiškiniai: Vietoje bendro oro sąlygų aprašymo, dabar kiekvienam laiko intervalui pateikiamas konkretus reiškinys lietuviškai (pvz., giedra, lietus, sniegas).
#!/bin/bashweather_data=$(curl -s "https://api.meteo.lt/v1/places/klaipeda/forecasts/long-term")pollen_data=$(curl -s "https://www.pollenwarndienst.at/index.php?eID=appinterface&action=getAdditionalForecastData&type=city&value=801&country=LT&lang_code=en&lang_id=1&pure_json=1&cordova=1&pasyfo=1")clearget_weather_translation() { case $1 in clear ) echo "Giedra" ;; partly-cloudy ) echo "Mažai debesuota" ;; cloudy-with-sunny-intervals ) echo "Debesuota su pragiedruliais" ;; cloudy ) echo "Debesuota" ;; thunder ) echo "Perkūnija" ;; isolated-thunderstorms ) echo "Trumpas lietus su perkūnija" ;; thunderstorms ) echo "Lietus su perkūnija" ;; heavy-rain-with-thunderstorms ) echo "Smarkus lietus su perkūnija" ;; light-rain ) echo "Nedidelis lietus" ;; rain ) echo "Lietus" ;; heavy-rain ) echo "Smarkus lietus" ;; light-sleet ) echo "Nedidelė šlapdriba" ;; sleet ) echo "Šlapdriba" ;; freezing-rain ) echo "Lijundra" ;; hail ) echo "Kruša" ;; light-snow ) echo "Nedidelis sniegas" ;; snow ) echo "Sniegas" ;; heavy-snow ) echo "Smarkus sniegas" ;; fog ) echo "Rūkas" ;; null ) echo "Oro sąlygos nenustatytos" ;; * ) echo "Neatpažinta orų sąlyga" ;; esac}get_wind_direction() { local degrees=$1 if [ "$degrees" -lt 22 ] || [ "$degrees" -ge 338 ]; then echo "Šiaurės" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 68 ]; then echo "Šiaurės rytų" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 112 ]; then echo "Rytų" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 158 ]; then echo "Pietų rytų" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 202 ]; then echo "Pietų" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 248 ]; then echo "Pietų vakarų" elif [ "$degrees" -lt 292 ]; then echo "Vakarų" else echo "Šiaurės vakarų" fi}get_day_of_week() { date -d "$1" "+%A"}printf "%-10s %-6s %-6s %-10s %-10s %-9s %-12s %-10s\n" "Klaipėda" "Oro" "Junt." "Debesuo-" "Krituliai" "Vėjas" "Slėgis" "Reiškiniai"printf "%-10s %-6s %-6s %-10s %-10s %-9s %-12s %-10s\n" "Data" "temp." "temp." "tumas" "" "(gūsis)" "" ""printf "%-10s %-6s %-6s %-10s %-10s %-9s %-12s %-10s\n" "------" "------" "------" "----------" "----------" "---------" "------------" "----------"previous_date=""for ((i=0; i<72; i+=1)); do forecast_time=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].forecastTimeUtc" | sed 's/"//g') forecast_date=$(date -d "$forecast_time" "+%Y-%m-%d") forecast_hour=$(date -d "$forecast_time" "+%H:%M") air_temp=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].airTemperature" | xargs printf "%.1f") feels_like_temp=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].feelsLikeTemperature" | xargs printf "%.1f") cloud_cover=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].cloudCover" | xargs printf "%.1f") condition_code=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].conditionCode" | sed 's/"//g') wind_speed=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].windSpeed" | xargs printf "%.1f") wind_gust=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].windGust" | xargs printf "%.1f") sea_level_pressure=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].seaLevelPressure" | xargs printf "%.1f") total_precipitation=$(echo "$weather_data" | jq ".forecastTimestamps[$i].totalPrecipitation" | xargs printf "%.1f") if [[ "$forecast_date" != "$previous_date" ]]; then day_of_week=$(get_day_of_week "$forecast_date") echo "$forecast_date ($day_of_week)" previous_date="$forecast_date" fi wind_speed_formatted=$(printf "%.1f" "$wind_speed" | tr ',' '.') wind_gust_formatted=$(printf "%.1f" "$wind_gust" | tr ',' '.') printf "%-10s %-6s %-6s %-10s %-10s %-9s %-12s %-10s\n" "$forecast_hour" "$(printf "%.1f" "$air_temp" | tr ',' '.') °C" "$(printf "%.1f" "$feels_like_temp" | tr ',' '.') °C" "$(printf "%.1f" "$cloud_cover" | tr ',' '.') %" "$(printf "%.1f" "$total_precipitation" | tr ',' '.') mm" "$wind_speed_formatted ($wind_gust_formatted) m/s" "$(printf "%.1f" "$sea_level_pressure" | tr ',' '.') hPa" "$(get_weather_translation "$condition_code")"doneechotoday_air_quality=$(echo "$pollen_data" | jq '.result[0].air_quality')today_dayrisk=$(echo "$pollen_data" | jq '.result[0].dayrisk')tomorrow_air_quality=$(echo "$pollen_data" | jq '.result[1].air_quality')tomorrow_dayrisk=$(echo "$pollen_data" | jq '.result[1].dayrisk')echo "Oro kokybė: $today_air_quality"echo "Alergijos rizika: $today_dayrisk"read -p "Spauskite Enter, kad išvalytumėte terminalo langą..." inputclearPapildoma informacija (Additional Information)
Programėlės pabaigoje pateikiama aktuali informacija apie oro kokybę ir alergijos riziką Klaipėdoje.
Išvada (Conclusion)
Tikiuosi, kad šis atnaujinimas padarė mano orų programėlę naudingesnę ir informatyvesnę. Jei turite pasiūlymų dėl tolesnių patobulinimų, mielai juos išgirsiu!
https://funkcijos.wordpress.com/2024/05/17/atnaujinta-terminalo-lango-oru-programele/
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- TANIGUCHI K, Noshi T, Omoto S, Sato A, et al.
The impact of PA/I38 substitutions and PA polymorphisms on the susceptibility of zoonotic influenza A viruses to baloxavir.
Arch Virol. 2024;169:29.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38216710&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38216710 - LIU H, Wang J, Li S, Sun Y, et al.
The unfolded protein response pathway as a possible link in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and sepsis.
Arch Virol. 2024;169:20.
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38191819 - Update to living systematic review on SARS-CoV-2 positivity in offspring and timing of mother-to-child transmission.
BMJ. 2024;384:p2929.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38199645&s=flu&pm=2
Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38199645 - TANNE JH.
Covid-19: Some US states and hospitals recommend masks again.
BMJ. 2024;384:q26.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38182176&s=flu&pm=2
Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38182176 - NASSAR K, El-Mekawey D, Elmasry AE, Refaey MS, et al.
The significance of caloric restriction mimetics as anti-aging drugs.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024;692:149354.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38091837&s=flu&pm=2
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Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M(pro)) mutants in complex with the non-covalent inhibitor CCF0058981.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024;692:149352.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38056159&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38056159 - KOHLBRAND AJ, Stokes RW, Sankaran B, Cohen SM, et al.
Structural Studies of Inhibitors with Clinically Relevant Influenza Endonuclease Variants.
Biochemistry. 2024 Jan 8. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00536.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38190441&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38190441 - LIEPINS T, Davie G, Miller R, Whitehead J, et al.
Rural-urban variation in COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand: Examining the national roll-out.
Epidemiol Infect. 2024;152:e7.
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38174436 - BASTARD P, Gervais A, Taniguchi M, Saare L, et al.
Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-alpha than with anti-IFN-omega auto-Abs in children.
J Exp Med. 2024;221:e20231353.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38175961&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38175961 - JIANG W, Xu L, Wang Y, Hao C, et al.
Exploring immunity debt: Dynamic alterations in RSV antibody levels in children under 5 years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Infect. 2023 Oct 29:S0163-4453(23)00550-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38009717&s=flu&pm=2
Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38009717 - PHAN J, Eslick GD, Elliott EJ.
Demystifying the global outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Infect. 2023 Nov 24:S0163-4453(23)00580-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38007049&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38007049 - BRENDISH NJ, Davis C, Chapman ME, Borca F, et al.
Emergency Department point-of-care antiviral host response testing is accurate during periods of multiple respiratory virus co-circulation.
J Infect. 2023 Nov 15:S0163-4453(23)00556-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=37977337&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/37977337 - LIECHTI FD, Bijlsma MW, Brouwer MC, van Sorge NM, et al.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and serotype distribution of pneumococcal meningitis – A prospective, nationwide cohort study from the Netherlands.
J Infect. 2023 Nov 8:S0163-4453(23)00555-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=37949362&s=flu&pm=2
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Effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine third doses and previous infection in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infections during the Delta and Omicron variant waves; the UK SIREN cohort study September 2021 to February 2022.
J Infect. 2023 Nov 3:S0163-4453(23)00553-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=37926119&s=flu&pm=2
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The Impact of Vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 Variants on the Virological Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infections during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron waves in England.
J Infect. 2023 Nov 3:S0163-4453(23)00547-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=37926118&s=flu&pm=2
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Memory B cells anticipate SARS-CoV-2 variants through somatic hypermutation.
J Infect. 2023 Oct 30:S0163-4453(23)00551-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=37913848&s=flu&pm=2
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Metabolomic Signatures Differentiate Immune Responses in Avian Influenza Vaccine Recipients.
J Infect Dis. 2024 Jan 5:jiad611. doi: 10.1093.
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Harnessing preexisting influenza virus-specific immunity increases antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2.
J Virol. 2024 Jan 11:e0157123. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01571.
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Antibody inhibition of influenza A virus assembly and release.
J Virol. 2024 Jan 5:e0139823. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01398.
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Comparison of RT-LAMP and RT-qPCR assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in the extracted RNA and direct swab samples.
J Virol Methods. 2024;324:114871.
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Using Throat Swabs Improved Sensitivity in Detecting SARS-CoV-2.
JAMA. 2023 Dec 20. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.25267.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38117510&s=flu&pm=2
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Program Offering Free COVID-19 and Flu Services Expands Nationwide.
JAMA. 2023 Dec 20. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.25268.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38117506&s=flu&pm=2
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Studies Investigate Whether Antivirals Like Paxlovid May Prevent Long COVID.
JAMA. 2023 Dec 13. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.24103.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38090997&s=flu&pm=2
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High-resolution map of the Fc functions mediated by COVID-19-neutralizing antibodies.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121:e2314730121.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38198525&s=flu&pm=2
ABSTRACT available
Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38198525 - DEE TS.
Higher chronic absenteeism threatens academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121:e2312249121.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38194454&s=flu&pm=2
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Expanded T lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients are specific for Epstein-Barr-virus-infected B cells.
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A plant virus manipulates the long-winged morph of insect vectors.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121:e2315341121.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38190519&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38190519 - BAUM MY, Jacob BA.
Racial differences in parent response to COVID schooling policies.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121:e2307308120.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38190517&s=flu&pm=2
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Estimates of early outbreak-specific SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological parameters from genomic data.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121:e2308125121.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38175864&s=flu&pm=2
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Phase I study, and dosing regimen selection for a pivotal COVID-19 trial of GST-HG171.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2023 Dec 15:e0111523. doi: 10.1128/aac.01115.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38099673&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38099673 - BAKER J, Ombredane H, Daly L, Knowles I, et al.
Pan-antiviral effects of a PIKfyve inhibitor on respiratory virus infection in human nasal epithelium and mice.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024;68:e0105023.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38063402&s=flu&pm=2
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Share: https://m.amedeo.com/38063402 - STRIZKI JM, Gaspar JM, Howe JA, Hutchins B, et al.
Molnupiravir maintains antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants and exhibits a high barrier to the development of resistance.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024;68:e0095323.
PubMed: https://www.amedeo.com/p2.php?id=38047645&s=flu&pm=2
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#covid #COVID19 #flu #health #influenza #influenzaA #research #seasonalInfluenza
- TANIGUCHI K, Noshi T, Omoto S, Sato A, et al.