Society's ChildS


Propaganda

AI hallucinations: A budding sentience or a global embarrassment?

Dr. Mathew Maavak
RT
Sat, 24 May 2025 19:36 UTC
AI illustration
© agsandrew/Getty Images
An article cut and pasted from ChatGPT raises questions over the role of fact-checkers in legacy media.

In a farcical yet telling blunder, multiple major newspapers, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Philadelphia Inquirer, recently published a summer-reading list riddled with nonexistent books that were "hallucinated" by ChatGPT, with many of them falsely attributed to real authors.

The syndicated article, distributed by Hearst's King Features, peddled fabricated titles based on woke themes, exposing both the media's overreliance on cheap AI content and the incurable rot of legacy journalism. That this travesty slipped past editors at moribund outlets (the Sun-Times had just axed 20% of its staff) underscores a darker truth: when desperation and unprofessionalism meets unvetted algorithms, the frayed line between legacy media and nonsense simply vanishes.

The trend seems ominous. AI is now overwhelmed by a smorgasbord of fake news, fake data, fake science and unmitigated mendacity that is churning established logic, facts and common sense into a putrid slush of cognitive rot. But what exactly is AI hallucination?

AI hallucination occurs when a generative AI model (like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Gemini, or DALL·E) produces false, nonsensical, or fabricated information with high confidence. Unlike human errors, these mistakes stem from how AI models generate responses by predicting plausible patterns rather than synthesizing established facts.
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USA

Trump vs. the swamp: the first 126 days

Alex Krainer
Alex Krainer's Substack
Mon, 26 May 2025 15:37 UTC
It's a mixed bag, it includes some very encouraging developments.
Trump vs Swamp
© Alex Krainer's Substack
Donald Trump has been the President of the United States for 126 days now, and so far, it's been a mixed bag of goods. However, I find that he is probably being judged too harshly, especially by some of his supporters. The attitude among them reminds me of a few people I know when they watch their home football teams play. If the game isn't going
Fans in Stadium
© Alex Krainer's Substack
as well as they hoped, they turn hypersensitive to every mistake their team makes and jump up and down cursing the players and the coach, with the certain conviction that if only they were in charge, they'd know exactly how to win the game. If they had their way, half the players would be sacked on the spot and the coach might even qualify for a death penalty.

Somehow, when we feel passionate about issues, we seem inclined to unload on the people who are fighting for our side - not because we wish them to fail but because we are frustrated that they aren't doing better. Only, fighting the fight is very different from being a spectator. Out in the field, even when you've prepared as well as you could, and you're earnestly doing your best, everything you do can come with unpredictable setbacks. The outcomes are always uncertain and the struggle includes the unavoidable 'bad days at the office.'

When it comes to politics and the business of running a nation, we often assume that the President of the United States, supposedly 'the most powerful man in the world,' can change things at will by simply issuing his orders. That's unrealistic, however - it's not how things really work inside of a complex organization.
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Footprints

Germany's migrant population explodes as 1 in 4 now has migration background, official data reveals

Thomas Brooke
ReMix
Thu, 22 May 2025 15:24 UTC
migrant flag money
© UnknownThe price of German migration
Native-born Germans are dying out, while one in three of German residents between 20 and 39 is now of a migration background.

Germany's migrant population is surging, with new data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) revealing that more than one in four people now living in the country has a migration background.

In 2024, the number of residents with an immigration background rose by 4 percent, or 873,000 people, compared to the previous year, reaching a record 21.2 million. This represents 25.6 percent of the total population, up from 24.7 percent in 2023.

The term "migration background" includes both those who have immigrated themselves (first-generation migrants) and those born in Germany to two immigrant parents (second-generation). Nearly 16.1 million people — 19.4 percent of the population — were immigrants themselves, while an additional 5.2 million, or 6.3 percent, were born in Germany to two foreign-born parents.

In contrast, the native-born population without any migration history fell by 1 percent (734,000 people) to 57.4 million, now comprising 69.3 percent of the country.
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Piggy Bank

French justice minister calls for abolishing cash


RT
Fri, 23 May 2025 01:21 UTC
100 Euro
© Monasse T/Andia/Universal Images Group/Getty Images100 Euro
France's Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has proposed abolishing cash transactions, arguing that digital payments - including cryptocurrencies - are much easier to trace than physical money and would help authorities combat drug trafficking and other criminal activity.

Restrictions on cash transactions in France and across the EU have already tightened in recent years.

Speaking before a Senate commission on Thursday, Darmanin said that "a large part of daily delinquency and even criminal networks rely on cash," and declared that "the end of cash would prevent the establishment of drug dealing points."

Darmanin, who previously oversaw public finances as Minister of Public Action and Accounts, acknowledged that banning physical money wouldn't eliminate the drug trade, but insisted that "once the money is traceable," it becomes "more complicated" for both consumers and dealers to escape financial oversight.
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Attention

In Trump's second term, the MAGA vs neocons battle heats up

Mohamad Hasan Sweidan
The Cradle
Fri, 23 May 2025 17:55 UTC
The nationalist MAGA wave is rewriting US foreign policy, but Washington's neocons and neoliberals will do whatever it takes to protect their US global dominance project. Who will win this epic battle fought inside the heart of empire?
MAGA vs Neocons
© The Cradle
On 13 May, US President Donald Trump took the stage in Riyadh and launched a direct attack on his opponents in Washington. Speaking to Persian Gulf leaders, he denounced the meddling "nation-builders" of the neoconservative order who "wrecked far more nations than they built," and declared that these "interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves."

On a furious roll, Trump also condemned the ruinous wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and shook hands with Syria's new self-declared, Al Qaeda-linked president as he lifted all US sanctions on Damascus. MAGA, he declared, would rewrite the rules of global power and bury the era of foreign entanglements.

Days later, Washington answered back. Former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo of the numbers "86 47" carved into the sand. For Trump supporters, it was a death threat: "86" meant elimination, "47" marked Trump as the 47th president. Comey deleted the image and denied any ill intent, but the signal was clear. The Secret Service launched an investigation, and MAGA loyalists accused the deep state of inciting assassination against the US president.

From a gold-trimmed platform in the Persian Gulf to a cryptic beach message in America, the dividing lines inside Trump's own White House snapped into focus: a bitter fight between an insular nationalist movement and the old imperial establishment. This internal war is already reshaping US power at home and abroad.
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Red Flag

Most Germans would like to leave country - poll


RT
Fri, 23 May 2025 16:37 UTC
airport
© Getty Images/South_agency
More than half of Germans would consider moving abroad, Die Welt has reported, citing a new survey by YouGov. Respondents pointed to migration and economic challenges as the main reasons for wanting to leave the country.

According to the poll, 31% of those surveyed said they would "definitely" move abroad if they were entirely free to choose, without constraints related to work, personal life, or finances. Another 27% said they would "probably" leave. In contrast, 22% responded "probably not," and 15% said they would "definitely not" consider relocating.

Among those who said they could generally or potentially imagine moving abroad, 36% noted that the thought of leaving Germany had crossed their minds more frequently in recent months.

Within this group, 61% identified the country's immigrant situation as a major factor. In addition, 41% cited Germany's ongoing recession as a reason to consider emigration. Political concerns were also reflected in the responses, with 29% pointing to the rise of the right-wing AfD party and 22% mentioning the perceived military threat from Russia.
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Hardhat

Trump: U.S. Steel headquarters to remain in Pittsburgh as part of "planned partnership" with Japanese firm

Michael Guise and Ricky Sayer
CBS Pittsburgh
Fri, 23 May 2025 15:02 UTC
u.S. steel plant pennsylvania
© AP via KyodoMon Valley Works has been a US Steel plant in eastern Pennsylvania for nearly 150 years. December 18, 2023.
President Trump said on Friday that U.S. Steel's headquarters will remain in Pittsburgh as part of a "planned partnership" with Japan-based Nippon Steel.

On his Truth Social social media platform, the president said U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel will enter into a "planned partnership," the latest development in the controversial deal that has drawn criticisms from both political parties.

Before leaving office in January, former President Joe Biden rejected the $15 billion proposal by Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of the deal.

In March, Mr. Trump ordered a new review of the sale by the government panel and said he doesn't want U.S. Steel to be owned by the Japanese company.
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Big Bomb

British Airways continues suspension of Israel flights as more Houthi missiles target Ben Gurion airport

Tyler Durden
ZeroHedge
Sat, 24 May 2025 14:28 UTC
houthi missiles ben gurion airport israel
© Times of IsraelYemen's Houthi group said Friday, May 23 that it targeted Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel with a missile attack, marking the third such attack within 24 hours. An earlier attack (shown above) took place May 4, 2025
Another ballistic missile fired from Yemen has targeted Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel on Friday, in reportedly the third such attack on Israel within 24 hours.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the fresh attack in a televised statement, saying "The Houthi forces targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile" and that the attack "successfully achieved its goal."

While the Houthis have repeatedly claimed "hypersonic" missile attacks over several weeks, there's as yet no evidence that they possess this advanced technology. Still, it has become clear that Israel's advanced air defense systems at time have trouble intercepting the inbound projectiles, as a May 4th attack demonstrated.

Comment: From the The Times of India, May 21, 2025:


Yemen's Houthi rebels launched another ballistic missile targeting Israel, triggering widespread panic across Tel Aviv and central Israel. Air raid sirens blared as thousands rushed into shelters while Israel's air defense systems scrambled to intercept the incoming threat. Ben Gurion International Airport suspended all landings and departures as a precaution, with flights grounded amid escalating tensions. The IDF confirmed the missile was intercepted mid-air and said the alerts were activated according to protocol. The strike follows a Houthi announcement of a naval blockade on Haifa and warnings to international airlines to avoid Israeli airspace. The rebels, backed by Iran, have vowed continued escalation in support of Gaza and declared they will not relent until Israel ends its military campaign.

Full text:

Ansar Allah (Houthis) targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic missile, the second strike in hours. Israeli Army Radio reports 37 missiles launched from Yemen toward Israel since fighting resumed in Gaza last March. Yedioth Ahronoth says millions of Israelis rushed to shelters. Channel 12 reports 12 flights en route to Ben Gurion were forced to return mid-air. Lieberman: "The October 7 government destroyed Israeli deterrence and cannot restore security." He adds that 594 days into the war, Israelis are still fleeing to shelters daily.


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Star of David

Report says Microsoft bars employees from using words 'Palestine,' 'Gaza' and 'genocide' in internal emails

Waqas Ahmed and Murtaza Hussain
Drop Site News
Wed, 21 May 2025 21:24 UTC
protest microsoft aid israel genocide
© AFP via Getty ImagesMicrosoft has been roiled by protests staged by employees sympathetic to the Palestinians.
After days of disruption by pro-Palestine activists at its Build developer conference, No Azure for Apartheid said, Microsoft made it impossible to send emails containing "Palestine" or "Gaza."

Microsoft has quietly implemented a policy blocking employee emails containing the words "Palestine," "Gaza," or "genocide" on its internal Exchange servers, according to No Azure for Apartheid, a group of pro-Palestine Microsoft employees. The automated filter, which silently prevents such emails from reaching recipients was first detected on Wednesday — just after Microsoft's Build developer conference faced repeated disruptions by the activist group.

Microsoft has been rocked by internal dissent over its collaboration with the Israeli military and government amid the ongoing assault on Gaza. The company has faced disruptions to its events, including protests from employees over its provision of cloud services and other critical infrastructure used by the Israeli military.

Comment:

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Eye 1

Illinois medical school caught rejecting white, Asian applicants with better scores than minorities it accepted

Leif Le Mahieu
The Daily WireThe Daily Wire
Fri, 23 May 2025 20:59 UTC
money stethescope
Statistics show that little has changed at the medical school two years after affirmative action was overturned.

Nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action, an Illinois medical school admits black and Hispanic students with lower average MCAT scores and GPAs than the average scores of white and Asian students it rejects, according to data shared with The Daily Wire.

An analysis of the academic scores of students admitted into Southern Illinois School of Medicine from 2019-2024 reveals that blacks and Hispanics are admitted to the school with much lower scores than whites and Asians, figures obtained by Do No Harm show. These apparently different academic standards continue despite the Supreme Court's June 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action, leading to concern that the university is watering down the importance of academics in admissions.

This revelation comes as school leadership promises to "resist" and "fight back" against executive actions from the Trump administration cracking down on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. A spokeswoman for the school told The Daily Wire that it was "committed to following the law and complying with the decisions of the Supreme Court."

Comment: Too many unqualified practitioners are being graduated for the sake of virtue signalling by institutions. The US medical education system is a slow-motion train wreck which we will be dealing with for decades unless stringent recertification standards are put in place to weed those people out.

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