In Pt. III
From this episode, I learned that there are ten times the number of people in jail today than in mental hospitals — and 90% of them are black. In Chicago, jails and prisons have 40% of their inmates with a mental illness. I see a disportionate number of black men living on the street today, some obviously disturbed and who need help.
Continue reading “PBS’ Mysteries of Mental Illness Pts. III and IV”ZDNet made some more suggestions to avoid reduce the chances that you are compromised by ransomware:
– Create airgapped backups
– Patch patch patch your systems
– Set complex password standards on your systems
– Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
– Use enterprise versions of VM software (Another vector has been discovered where cybercriminals are using VM’s load their ransomware on a system.)
– Map out your network and know where your important assets are
Unfortunately, those preparations may not help. I wrote about having a plan in case of ransomware disaster, and in another article, ZDNet had some additional recommendations for disaster preparation in case of a ransomware attack:
– How much will the company be willing to pay out?
– Who on the company’s board of directors will negotiate with the hackers?
– Who in law enforcement will be the point of contact? (https://www.zdnet.com/article/have-we-reached-peak-ransomware-how-the-internets-biggest-security-problem-has-grown-and-what-happens-next).
Watched the first two episodes of PBS’s Mysteries of Mental Illness last night; the third and fourth are tonight. Had a few thoughts.
In Part I
My favorite realization is that there is no objective test for mental illness. Like the subatomic realm, the brain to a large extent is a black box. We are just treating the symptoms we see (in physics, we see the indirect evidence of some things we can’t directly investigate). With over one hundred fifty genes involved in schizophrenia for instance, we sometimes can feel helpless against something we can’t see. In an industrial and technological age, we are used to diagnosing, treating and conquering things with science. We don’t like that we can’t change some things.
The show goes over the historical development in understanding mental illness. In the past, people would blame the Devil. With our limited knowledge, we did so in a quest for the meaning of it. The churches I initially went to 28 years ago tried to cast demons out of me. They meant well of course. They may have felt helpless.
I did have a little experience with dream interpretation and analysis of thoughts, but it wasn’t these things that helped me. Neither were the psychoanalytic ideas that I, my mother or anyone else was responsible. (My relatives did think that stress at college was responsible, but stress is only a catalyst for what was bound to happen because of genetics.) Past horrific treatments included starvation and abuse, like bleeding and what can only be termed, physical torture and electro-shock therapy (much more extreme than what is still used today).
I was also reminded that schizophrenia can get worse over time. Having tried dozens of med combinations, I am stable right now and the point is to sustain the positive effects of the meds. I do think that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was slightly helpful and regular therapy still helps me.
The show is also right to point out that the pandemic has exasperated mental illnesses. There is some evidence that suicidal ideation has increased in a number of age groups. I have some anger here because of that.
In Part II
The topic of how we evolved from “who’s normal” and “who’s not” to a more compassionate set of diagnoses features heavily in this episode. The show covers how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 1 (DSM1) used the terms “normal” and “not normal” and how now the DSM5 has evolved to not use those terms, but to have more specific diagnoses — 265 illnesses right now. My doctors have always given me loose diagnoses. They vary, having started with bipolar type I when I first got sick 28 years ago and then having evolved from schizophrenia to schizoaffective.
I didn’t like the implication that “conservative America” has been detrimental to those with mental illnesses. On the contrary, the American nuclear family — not perfect by any means — has been a positive force. Family is my primary support and I would love to have had both a mother and father, which is an ideal.
I also found that the parts about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was important and interesting. There are many soldiers, Marines, and first responders that experience it.
Though mentioned in an aside, the much-quoted Psalm 23 (“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”) has been a scripture that has assuredly helped me.
People should be able to overcome with pushing past certain thoughts and practices, taking their medications, and relying on family and friends.
I look forward to tonight’s third and fourth parts.
It’s good to see that world leaders, and Biden, are taking ransomware more seriously (but action not words please…). I have been saying this for a few months now: it’s the biggest cybersecurity threat against business and government today.
“Many of the most notorious ransomware gangs are suspected to operate out of Russia and the consensus among cybersecurity experts is that Russian cyber criminals are allowed to conduct their operations, so long as they don’t target Russians.”
Ransomware: Russia told to tackle cyber criminals operating from within its borders | ZDNet
Darkside is a profitable business.
What We Know About Darkside Ransomware and the US Pipeline Attack (trendmicro.com)
Hi, so I’m going to show you how to use nmap, the free port scanner, along with zenmap, the graphical front-end of nmap available at the same download page (the Windows self-installer includes everything). Ports are the little doors, so to speak, to your computer where different services run. Ports are numbered 1-65535 and certain port numbers are reserved for certain services, like http (webpages) at port 80 and https (secure webpages) at 443.
Below you need to enter the IP for the computer you want to scan (I entered the IP for the computer I am on: 127.0.0.1 (or “localhost”)). Then choose the type of scan you want under “Profile.” (I chose “Quick scan” for this demo.) Then click “Scan.”
Above you see the list of ports by number and the service running. Under “State” you will by default not see the state of that port on Windows. However, you can put these flags (options that start with “-“) to get better, more verbose results: “nmap -sT -T4 -A -v -Pn 127.0.0.1” My sample scan below.
Here the ports say “open” (green text) if they are responding completely.
Father’s Day,
I’m different from my peers who are married with kids. I don’t have their obligations or problems. Though my generation has more kids than Millennials – 66% for GenX versus 55% for Millenial (2019 numbers), my life as a single, childless GenXer is not uncommon. Father’s Day is a day that makes me realize my lack of a family of my own.
Continue reading “Father’s Day”Rady Children’s Hospital here in San Diego is seeing a 25% increase in child mental health issues to their emergency room. Granted, the rate may have been going up in years prior to Covid, but it is worse since the pandemic started. Similarly, Children’s Hospital Colorado declared its first mental health emergency. Symptoms include suicidal ideation and attempts, perhaps due to isolation and stress about returning to school.
I wrote a post on mental health coping mechanisms. Please read them. I learned these lessons over 28 years and have been there. Also, feel free to leave a post here, too, if you are in need of some suggestions or an open ear.
If your kids or you are having any suicidal ideation, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). People care about you.
Symptoms to watch for, from the National Insitute for Mental Health:
Continue reading “Continuing Alarm for Children’s Mental Health in The Age of Covid”This is a promising governmental collab: Ransomware: US recovers millions in cryptocurrency paid to Colonial Pipeline hackers – CNNPolitics
Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People had the following key insights:
After Colonial Pipeline (paid $5 million), JBS Foods, and some hospitals were hit by ransomware, the Biden administration has asked companies to be alert and do their part to prevent these attacks.
“A memo to business leaders said the administration is working with allies to shore up defenses, disrupt hacking networks and hold countries accountable if they harbor criminal organizations responsible for ransomware attacks.”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/3/white-house-companies-do-your-part-prevent-ransomw
Today’s announcement from the White House:
This is an excellent feature showing how ransomware evolved and why not to pay the ransom. Paying leads to a ~80% chance of a repeat ransom:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/07/how-to-negotiate-with-ransomware-hackers
I know some say we shouldn’t use the phrase cyber attack at the risk of hyperbole (This public service website lets you see whether an event in the news is a cyber attack The Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Incident | Is This a Cyber Attack?), but I think there is not enough alarm sometimes. Here’s another big one: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/1/jbs-usa-major-meat-producer-reeling-from-organized
What’s your opinion, is there enough education for the general population for cyber?
My new tech days are comprised of today’s deals and then upcoming tech that I think kewl.
This has over 12K high ratings, with support for PC/laptop, TV, smartphone, camera, USB, amp, tripod and games:
https://www.amazon.com/Projector-Video-Projector-Multimedia-Compatible-Smartphone/dp/B07MTCMHZX
I like the community aspect of this:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ridebeeline/beeline-velo-2-better-cycling-routes-navigation-and-tracking
All in one tool for Father’s Day, with the hammer as a great addition:
https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Christmas-Birthday-Stocking-Multitool/dp/B08CZKSZ79/
My sister and her boyfriend have these. Low weight and size of a regular ring with a some cool functionality:
https://ouraring.com/product/balance-black/step1
I know this isn’t exactly a new product, but I do still want to try one:
https://www.amazon.com/AGS-Wireless-Projection-Bluetooth-Smartphone/dp/B00MR26TUO
I need to go camping again:
https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-MR-BPR-Backpacker-Mosquito-Repellent/dp/B077ZMVMGD
Remember our heroes
Finished reading the grammar book.
| ADJECTIVES | ADVERBS |
| Easy | Easily |
| Good | Well |
| Quick | Quickly |
| Slow | Slowly |
| Real | Really |
| A predicate adjective is in the part of the sentence after the verb (predicate): | |
| WRONG | CORRECT |
| I feel badly. | I feel bad. |
| DUE must be a predicate adjective. | |
| WRONG | CORRECT |
| We were late due to the tire failure. | We were late because of the tire failure. OR Our lateness was due to the tire failure. |
| PRIOR TO – Prior must also be a predicate adjective. | |
| The letter came prior to the box. | The letter came before the box. OR The arrival of the letter was prior to the box. |
| SENSORY VERBS Sensory verbs (“look,” “taste,” “smell,” “feel,” “appear”) oftentimes can be either an adjective or an adverb. | |
| WRONG | CORRECT |
| She looked differently when she returned. | She looked different when she returned. |
| LINKING VERBS do not refer to something the subject does or experiences, but link the subject to other words, e.g. “to be,” “seem,” “became,” “turned,” “grew,” “proved.” | |
| She became strong and quiet. Harry proved steady and consistent. | |
| -OTHER ERRORS- | |
| WRONG | CORRECT |
| This is the reason why I am reading. | This is the reason that I am reading. |
| What did you paint the house red for? | Why did you paint the house red? |
| Where is the dog at? | Where is the dog? |
| I was angry at my sister. | I was angry with my sister. |
| He is not as tall as his dad. | He is not so tall as his dad. OR He is as tall as his dad. |
My new tech days are comprised of today’s deals and then upcoming tech that I think kewl.
These seem good, but I wonder how accurate they are. Sometimes the fingerprint functionality is a little sketchy.
https://www.thegrommet.com/products/benjilock-fingerprint-sensor-lock
This is sweet. I used to have a car powerpack that eventually died:
https://www.thegrommet.com/products/junojumper-junojumper-ii
ENABOT created the EBO, a smart companion that allows you to communicate remotely with it to interact, communicate and connect with your entire family, including your pets.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enabot/ebo-your-smart-and-interactive-family-companion-robot
WattAnt is a quiet power station with interchangeable batteries.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wattant/wattant-innovative-power-station-with-swappable-batteries
Been reading a book on grammar.
1. Predicate Nominative is a noun or pronoun which is 1) located in the predicate (the sentence from the verb onward), 2) usually follows the verb “to be,” and 3) always renames the subject. Other names for the predicate nominative are subjective complement and predicate noun. When a pronoun is serving as a predicate nominative it must be in the nominative case.
Ex: It is I. That was Jane. This is him. That must have been he.
2. Object of a Preposition must be in the objective case. Pronouns serving as objects of the preposition must be objective case.
Ex: Incorrect – Between you and I this should be an easy game.
Correct – Between you and me this should be an easy game.
3. Subject of an infinitive is always in the objective case. Pronouns used as subjects of an infinitive must be in the objective case.
Ex: Incorrect – It was I who he wanted to come.
Correct – It was I whom he wanted to come.
4. A noun/pronoun used in apposition takes the case of the noun/pronoun with which it is in apposition.
Ex: Incorrect – The winners, Jack and her, treated the losers, they and we.
Correct – The winners, Jack and she, treated the losers, them and us.
5. If a gerund is modified by a noun or pronoun, the noun or pronoun needs to be in the possessive case if it stands for a person.
Ex: Incorrect – Mother objected to Jack talking.
Correct – Mother objected to Jack’s talking.
6. Maintain consistent use of tense.
Ex: Incorrect – Last year when I am up in town, she tells the boss a lie.
Correct – Last year when I was up in town, she told the boss a lie.
7. Don’t confuse the present perfect with the imperfect (past).
Ex: Incorrect – Did Jackie bring the car back yet?
Correct – Has Jackie brought the car back yet?
8. Errors in use of subjunctive mood. Correct usage is 1) with the expression of a wish or 2) to express a condition contrary to fact.
Ex: Incorrect – I wish I was as tall as my brother.
Correct – I wish I were as tall as my brother.
Incorrect – If Jackie was here now, she would show you how to cook.
Correct – If Jackie were here now, she would show you how to cook.
9. False conditional – If the conditional mood is to be used correctly, a condition contrary to fact must be involved. If no such condition is really present, the you have a false conditional.
Ex: Incorrect – Every day when I arrived, she would be in her chair.
Correct – Every day when I arrived, she was in her chair.
My new tech days are comprised of today’s deals and then upcoming tech that I think kewl.
Uniform’s Solo takes a pic of you, sends that pic to a API that analyses your face’s emotion–which in turn sends that emotional rating back to Spotify’s emotional valence reading for choosing music: “Solo highlights an AI capability called atypical feature recognition.”
Solo is the smart + emotional AI radio « Kurzweil (kurzweilai.net)
I make a mess with my coffee area and this is a great mat, just like bartenders use:
Highball & Chaser Premium Bar Mat 18in x 12in. 1cm
Moving wireless charging from a distance with auto-seek!
GuRu Technology Sampler on Vimeo
I bought these for the Strand and Fiesta Island bike trails. Very cool USB charging and easily detachable.
Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set
Amazon’s redesigned the second-gen Echo Buds: 20 percent smaller, two grams lighter: “Four sets of tips and two sizes of wings give you several options to find the best fit. Plus, Amazon put an ear tip fit test inside the Alexa app so you don’t have to wonder if you’ve made the right choice.”
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd gen) review
You cannot have 100% security or zero risk. So protecting your digital assets and privacy are never perfect either. Business goes on and you have to accept some level of risk on the internet (and in real life). You need a level of security that fits your needs, security controls that will vary according to your acceptance of risk.
The Amazon (or other retailer) brushing scam is going around a lot today(mainly since July 2020). Beware if you receive free Amazon packages. Your customer info (name, shipping address, phone, etc.) could be exposed and scammers can create bogus reviews for themselves. Worse, the scammer seller could send illegal materials and you could be charged. There could also be financial implications for you.
I am eager to try this. In Rio Grande do Sul, where my mother is from, the cuia process for mate is something we have tried. They drink it a lot, but this is the same concept for coffee. The cleaning job, difficulty of use and time limits of current processes have always been my least favorite part of my favorite thing every day.