Attitudes towards homosexuality have shifted noticeably in the last century in the United States of America, and other countries in the western world. While some religions and cultures still consider homosexuality to be immoral, 70% of those surveyed in the U.S. support same-sex marriage, according to a 2021 Gallup poll. These changing attitudes reflect a significant shift in culture and society. Of course, not all cultures in the world share these views. Homosexuality is still considered to be criminal in 69 countries. In addition to activists in the LGBTQ+ movement, the media has played a role in shaping public perception of homosexuality. When well-loved daytime host Ellen DeGeneres came out, for example, it helped normalize LGBTQ+ individuals, as did shows like Will and Grace. Of course, some LGBTQ+ issues continue to be hotly contested, especially policies around gender identity and trans rights. While popular culture continues to feature LGBTQ+ stories and images; some people feel there is now too much focus on this population. RSnake spoke with John Robison, entrepreneur and Founder of New Republic Studios, on some of his experiences as a gay man and Republican in the film industry. “I realize now in my life, how powerful [film] is – its ability to shape and help pop culture. I think it’s more important than ever that the stories be authentic,” he said. History of Homosexuality and LGBTQ+ Rights in the U.S. Homosexuality was considered criminal in the U.S. for the early half of the 20th century. This began to change in the 1960s; Illinois was the first state to decriminalize it in 1961. From the 1960s to the early half of the 21st century, activists in the LGBTQ+ movement fought for acceptance and the same rights as other Americans. This wasn’t easy. As late as the 1990s, President Bill Clinton signed legislation that blocked legal recognition of same-sex marriages and relationships. It was only in the Obama era that the federal government made a shift towards accepting LGBTQ+ marriage and rights. Marriage between same-sex couples was sanctioned by the Supreme Court in 2015 when it ruled states could not ban LGBTQ+ couples from marrying. Since then, trans rights have taken center stage. President Trump implemented a policy banning most transgender individuals from the military in 2018. This policy was reversed in 2021 by President Biden. LGBTQ+ Rights Today Most people in the U.S. approve of same-sex marriage and support the protection of rights for transgender individuals. However, there are some key issues that are contentious, mostly related to how trans rights should be protected. For example, public bathrooms are an issue for many trans individuals who don’t feel safe using either men’s or women’s bathrooms. Advocates for trans rights advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms. However, many women feel that gender-neutral bathrooms could pave the way for abuse in what should be safe spaces – not by the trans population but by others taking advantage of the changed policy. LGBTQ+ and gender ideology in schools, trans athletes in women’s sports, and the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in children’s media continue to be contentious issues. LGBTQ+ in Media and Business Today LGBTQ+ representation has increased over the last decade both in the media and advertising. According to a 2020 Nielsen report, 6.7% of characters in the top 300 shows on television and streaming platforms were LGBTQ+. Some people feel there is now a culture of virtue signalling around this issue. They believe the media and businesses have gone too far trying to represent this population in an inauthentic way, losing audiences as a result. The phrase “go woke, go broke,” has become popular, mostly alluding to recent films with overtly political messages that flopped. In his conversation with RSnake, Robison was critical of recent films created in Hollywood. “How do we change the direction of some of the stories that are being required to be bought that are doing damage to society?” he asked. Robison believes people are now looking for something different. He explained, “We want messages of liberty, but we also want messages of redemption. We want people to rise above their conflicts and conquer.” Annual Pride parades, which were once organized by grassroots organizations, have become increasingly commercial. This has caused some people in the LGBTQ+ community to consider whether it is time to be more discerning about which companies are allowed to participate. The commercialization of Pride has also caused ticket prices for Pride parades and associated merchandise to rise, creating barriers to entry for some. Has LGBTQ+ Inclusion Gone Too Far? Now that LGBTQ+ representation has become mainstream, it’s possible that messages and policies intended to foster inclusion have backfired. The last two years have seen a rise in legislation limiting education on homosexuality and gender, gender reassignment interventions in youth, and changes to bathroom gender assignments. This legislation reflects rising concern over societal changes that some believe are being made too quickly. Many people are concerned that education about LGBTQ+ individuals and gender is not teaching inclusion, but rather popularizing participation in these groups, and presenting sexual content too young. School board meetings have become increasingly fraught as parents oppose policies and materials they feel are inappropriate. There are also concerns about the increase in young people being diagnosed with gender dysphoria and being offered life-altering medical treatments. Top surgery (breast removal) for teens is on the rise, as are prescriptions for puberty-blocking hormones. Advocates for trans youth say these treatments are necessary and help trans individuals feel at home in their bodies. While these treatments are on the rise, they are still relatively rare when compared with other medical interventions like cosmetic breast enlargement or reduction for teens. The Takeaway American society has changed rapidly over the past century, and there continues to be much debate about the direction it should take. Having meaningful conversations with remarkable people is one way to better understand key issues. RSnake’s talk with John Robison is a fascinating take on homosexuality, media, and the politics of our time. Tune in today!

Cybersecurity has taken center stage in recent years as cyber attacks have become increasingly sophisticated with enormous impact on governments, businesses and individuals. With systems becoming increasingly digitized, there is a massive cause for concern. Electrical grids, hospitals, schools and many other key organizations are all vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The country of Costa Rica, for example, was held hostage to hackers through the use of ransomware for two months. Ransomware involves hackers encrypting an organization’s data, effectively taking it hostage until a ransom is paid, often in cryptocurrency. Costa Rica was disrupted in several ways. Public servants went unpaid and customs services were stalled, among other issues. The United States of America is no stranger to these issues. In 2021 the Colonial oil pipeline was shut down for six days, causing fuel shortages and costing Colonial Pipeline $5 million. Not to mention the Solar Winds attack that affected an estimated 18,000 businesses and government agencies in 2020. Cybersecurity Statistics Hacking is a global problem. According to an article in Forbes, Ransomware hacks alone cost $20 billion globally in 2021. This figure does not take other forms of hacking or online scams into account. In the same year, U.S. banks processed $1.2 billion in transactions related to ransomware, according to a federal report released to CNBC. 2021 also saw 50% more cyber attacks than the previous year on corporate networks. A study also found that hackers can breach an organization’s defenses 93% of the time. The Importance of Cybersecurity In modern society, every aspect of daily life depends on computers. As the Colonial Pipeline incident revealed, infrastructure including electrical grids and fuel can be shut down by hackers. When hospitals are hacked, healthcare professionals are unable to access patient records. Schools in the U.S. have also been closed due to hacking. Of course, hacking poses real security threats to governments as well. If sensitive data were leaked to foreign enemies, the results could be disastrous. When businesses are hacked, individuals are also affected. Imagine what would happen if a bank’s computer systems were to go down for even one week. With fewer people carrying cash and using cards or other electronic means like Apple Pay to purchase groceries and other necessities, millions of people could be in real trouble. Everyday appliances and vehicles are also becoming outfitted with surveillance technology, capturing enormous amounts of personal data that could be hacked. RSnake guest Russ Bodnyk mentioned that China wouldn’t allow Tesla vehicles into certain areas of the country due to the many cameras on those cars. The Chinese government was concerned about the vehicles transmitting sensitive information. Recently, concerns over leaked private data collected from Roomba vacuum cleaners have surfaced. Bodnyk said, “It’s unfortunate, that level of no control over your own privacy.” Methods Hackers Use In a conversation with security expert Karim Hijazi, RSnake discussed some novel hacking methods. Hackers are now using legitimate programs such as free Virtual Private Network (VPN) software to gain access to networks. “One of the free VPN providers, they have two businesses. One is to give you a free VPN and the other is to sell access to your company,” said RSnake. Ransomware, for example, is often installed by companies doing something called penetration or pen testing. The company claims to test an organization’s security by using a program to penetrate its defenses, then uses the technology to install malware. This recently happened at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Hijazi explained that many companies do penetration testing legitimately, but there are bad actors who exploit it for their purposes. According to an article in Bleeping Computer, hackers are also using publicly disclosed system weaknesses called Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Once the CVE is disclosed, hackers are often able to take advantage of it within 15 minutes. Hackers use a variety of other techniques. One of them, called “bait and switch” uses website advertisements that link to pages with malware. Cookie theft occurs when hackers use electronic signatures to impersonate others. This is most common when using unprotected or public wi-fi. Phishing is when hackers trick users into giving away sensitive personal information using fake online forms. What is Being Done? Understandably, industries and governments are increasingly aware of the threats posed by cyber-attacks. Hijazi said, “Governments have every reason to be concerned. There’s no Geneva convention for this type of warfare.” As a result, organizations are spending more on cyber security. According to McKinsey and Company, $150 billion was spent globally on cybersecurity in 2021, and the market is growing. Cyber insurance is becoming a more popular way for companies to protect themselves against losses due to hacking. RSnake guest Jeremiah Grossman led the way on cyber insurance and warranties. He has helped design warranties for cybersecurity companies to offer customers and began seeing the need for cyber insurance before others in the information security field. Problems Facing the Cybersecurity Industry The cybersecurity industry, like most, has its problems. One issue is talent. RSnake explained that people coming into the industry simply aren’t as knowledgeable as they were 10-15 years ago. He believes this is because people are now drawn to the industry for money instead of pure interest in the subject. In his interview with Hijazi, RSnake also pointed out that people in organizations aren’t truly interested in finding out where their vulnerabilities are. Hijazi agreed, stating that in many cases, the person hiring a cybersecurity consultant stands to look bad when vulnerabilities are found, causing a conflict of interest. RSnake also noted that people often aren’t paid well enough to do cybersecurity work. As a result, the best talent goes elsewhere. Incredibly fast changes in technology can also be challenging to keep up with. In his interview with Alex Romero, Security Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense Digital Service, RSnake opined that software patches will quickly become outdated because they take too long to implement. Romero agreed, saying it can take days or weeks to patch a vulnerability. “That’s days worth of a window of opportunity that can be exploited. And that time is gold for an attacker,” he said. The Takeaway The threat of cyber attacks is very real, and it has already affected people around the world. Individuals and organizations would be wise to educate themselves thoroughly on this important issue. To find out more, start with this episode.

Many consider slavery to be a thing of the past, but one form of modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking, is still very much a problem. Human trafficking is defined by the US Department of Justice as “a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” Vulnerable adults and minors can become trafficked. While human trafficking is especially prevalent in poorer nations, it is also an ongoing problem in the United States of America. In the U.S., human trafficking can include sex work and forced labor. According to the Polaris Project, people in the U.S. are most often trafficked by relatives, intimate partners and employers. RSnake spoke with author Pendleton "Penn" Parrish and Detective Joe Scaramucci of the McLennan County Sheriff's office in Texas to find out more about human trafficking in the U.S. Human Trafficking by the Numbers It is important to note that all statistics related to human trafficking are estimates. “If anybody is throwing out statistics at you, when it comes to anti-trafficking, they’re wrong. Period,” said Scaramucci. “There’s no way to quantify something that’s hidden.” However, organizations do attempt to gather information on human trafficking to understand the problem. An estimated 40 million people were trafficked globally in 2016, according to a report carried out by the International Labour Organization and the Walk Free Foundation. This included adults and children involved in different forms of forced labor, sex work and forced marriage. In the U.S., the numbers are even more difficult to define. Trafficking organizations such as the National Human Trafficking Hotline keep records of potential cases reported to them. According to their website, “In 2020, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received a total of 51,667 substantive phone calls, text, Webchats, emails, or online tip reports nationwide.” However, this does not accurately represent the number of verifiable cases, only phone calls or messages. Secondly, their statistics only represent people who know about the hotline and can access it. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics also collects data on human trafficking cases, focusing on cases that go through the justice system. In 2020, for example, 2,198 people were referred to U.S. Attorneys as human traffickers and 1,343 were prosecuted. These data only reflect traffickers who interacted with the justice system and don’t account for those who continue to operate under the radar. The Demographics of Human Trafficking Scaramucci shed some light on the victims of human trafficking. “Kids that come from impoverished communities are vulnerable, because of the financial disparity,” he said. He also noted that many victims of sex trafficking have a history of being sexually abused as children. Citing self-reported statistics from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Scaramucci explained that women and girls tend to be trafficked more often than men or boys. However, he went on to clarify that law enforcement professionals tend to focus their efforts on areas where women and girls will be found, as opposed to places where men, boys and transgender individuals might be trafficked. Scaramucci also shared that the self-reported age of entry into trafficking is 18-19 years old and that trafficking victims are predominantly adults. The 2020 National Human Trafficking Hotline Data Report showed that 76% of reports involved trafficked adults. Trafficking victims can be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or foreign nationals without legal standing in the U.S. Scaramucci explained that people overstaying on their U.S. visas often become trafficked. The National Human Trafficking Hotline report showed that foreign nationals accounted for over 50% of calls or other reports related to labor trafficking. It is, however, important to note that this information was not recorded consistently for all calls or messages. Inside Human Trafficking People can become ensnared in human trafficking in a number of different ways. For example, Parrish’s book Can You See Me? focuses on an 11-year-old girl who was orphaned in Mexico, and subsequently became trafficked by cartels. In the U.S. some children are trafficked by parents or other family members. Scaramucci noted that it is likely no coincidence that the point of entry for many victims of trafficking is at the age of 18-19, when they are no longer in school, and trying to find a place in the world. Impoverished and other vulnerable youth become involved in trafficking when recruiters make sex work seem like easy money. Parrish noted that once people become trafficked, it can be very difficult for them to change course. Scaramucci explained, “It’s a psychological game… you’ve been taught to be helpless.” Parrish also pointed out, “A lot of [victims] are kept under the influence of narcotics.” Prostitution laws also make life difficult for victims. Since prostitution is illegal in the U.S., victims of trafficking are often arrested. As a result, their criminal records make it more difficult to get jobs outside of the sex trade. What Laws Are in Place to Prevent Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is covered under both federal and state laws. The federal legislation in place is called the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) passed in 2000. It was most recently reauthorized in 2018. Under this law, penalties include imprisonment, sometimes for life. However, it can be difficult for the federal government to deal with human trafficking. “Federal agencies are not very good at human trafficking investigations… They’re not designed for it, they’re not set up that way,” said Scaramucci. He explained that problems can arise when federal agencies have to deal with state laws they are unable to enforce. Every state has laws against human trafficking in place, but legislation varies. States differ on many aspects of human trafficking, from the actions that constitute trafficking to penalties. For example, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi businesses can be prosecuted under trafficking laws. In Hawaii, Minnesota and Vermont, they can be dissolved or refused licensing instead. What Role Does Big Tech Play in Human Trafficking? Modern technologies are frequently used by traffickers. A Polaris report found that the majority of victims were recruited using the internet. Scaramucci explained that any technology with a private chat function can be used to recruit victims. As a result, there is increasing pressure on big tech companies like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to aid in the fight against human trafficking. Facebook has come under fire for not doing enough to combat human trafficking. However, the company stated in 2021 that it can detect what it calls communication-related to “domestic servitude” and remove that content. Scaramucci explained that from his perspective, Facebook does an adequate job of flagging problems. “Two years ago, there were 21 million cybertips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 20.3 million of those came from Facebook.” On the other hand, increased monitoring by tech companies also creates privacy concerns. Facebook currently monitors private messages, for example, a fact that alarms privacy advocates. RSnake pointed out that technology used to identify traffickers could be “weaponized by a government” to identify people involved in protests or other political dissidents. “It’s very easy to turn this benign and good cause to something awful – a weapon,” he said. What You Can Do People passionate about human trafficking may be tempted to take matters into their own hands. RSnake shared that as a hacker, he and a friend founded an organization called EHAP (Ethical Hackers Against Pedophilia). They worked together to find people engaging in child pornography and report them to the authorities. This type of action is not recommended. First, hackers run the risk of being mistaken for offenders. Scaramucci explained the “number one excuse” offenders give for being caught with images on their hard drives is that they were saving them for law enforcement. “If you want to be the police, I’ll show you where the police academy is,” Scaramucci said. Parrish echoed, “Leave it to the professionals.” Parents have a role to play in preventing human trafficking and other types of online extortion. RSnake, Parrish and Scaramucci all emphasized the need for parents to be especially proactive and establish appropriate boundaries when it comes to their children’s internet use. Facebook, for example, expects users to be at least 13 years of age. Scaramucci shared that in his experience, much younger children often have Facebook and Instagram accounts. Parrish also pointed out that parents should monitor their children’s online activity. “You have to fault the parents who are not watching what their underage children are doing,” he said. Scaramucci recommended the Netsmartz program to teach children about internet safety. When looking for organizations to support, Scaramucci urged people to do robust research. A few reputable groups are: ∙ Blue Campaign ∙ Polaris Project ∙ National Human Trafficking Hotline ∙ The Austin 20 ∙ Unbound Now ∙ Traffick911 The Takeaway Although this is a difficult issue, the good news is awareness of human trafficking is growing, and consequences for offenders are increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported an increase in human trafficking cases of 62% between 2011 and 2020. Prosecutions increased by 84% in the same timeframe. To find out more about this thorny problem, check out the podcast!

Austin, Texas, like many other major cities across the United States of America, has struggled with the issue of homelessness for years. The city has tried a number of different approaches; however, the problem has become a crisis in recent years. Some say the increase in homelessness was in part due to the lifting of the city’s camping ban in 2019. In 2022, 4,611 people were counted as homeless in Austin and surrounding Travis County on a day in October. This is according to data gathered by The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), a non-profit tasked with leading homelessness strategies in the county. This represents roughly 0.4% of the population in Travis County and is a slightly higher rate than in Austin’s twin city Phoenix (Maricopa County) where homeless people represent 0.2% of the population. Compared with other cities nationally in the 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, Austin’s homeless population is nowhere near Los Angeles, New York, or even Seattle. However, the report showed Austin had the 4th highest rate of un-sheltered families experiencing homelessness, and the 5th highest rate of un-sheltered, unaccompanied youth (compared to other major cities). RSnake spoke with Matt Mackowiak, co-founder of Save Austin Now, a non-partisan group that was instrumental in reinstating the camping ban in Austin. They discussed homelessness in Austin. The Camping Ban in Austin The city of Austin had a ban against camping on public property that included sitting or lying down in public spaces. In 2019, the Austin city council voted to decriminalize homelessness and lift the camping ban. This made it possible for people to sit or camp on any public street, except in front of pathways or city hall. RSnake and Mackowiak, both Austin residents at the time, experienced the consequences of this policy change first-hand. “All of a sudden, the population just exploded overnight,” said RSnake. Statistics agree the number of un-sheltered homeless people in Travis County did spike from 2019-2020. According to Mackowiak, the ban caused several problems city-wide. “You have issues in our waterways, you have trash, you have needles, profound effects on public safety, public health, on our intersections, on our neighborhoods, on the image of our city, on tourism, the list goes on and on and on.” As a result, Mackowiak worked together with Cleo Petricek to found Save Austin Now, a non-partisan organization, to put pressure on the Austin city council to reinstate the camping ban. They started petitions and collected signatures and were finally able to get the issue on a ballot in 2021. “It took us an enormous amount of effort to get on the ballot,” said Mackowiak. The ballot item was called Proposition (Prop) B. It called for the camping ban to be reinstated. After the votes were tallied, Prop B was passed, with 58% of voters in favor of it. Homelessness remains a central issue in Austin today. The number of homeless people increased in Travis County by 7.4% between 2019 and 2022. The population of Travis County grew 10% over the same period. Even though the county is working to house un-sheltered people, there are still far more people sleeping on the street than in shelters or transitional housing. Impact of Homelessness on the Community Homelessness impacts the community as a whole. Many people fear that the growth of the homeless population will increase crime in a specific area. Some research has shown that the increased number of people sleeping on the streets does seem to have an impact on crime. However, Mackowiak pointed out that unhoused people are also at a higher risk to be victims of crime. “They’re constantly at risk for physical violence, sexual violence, having their possessions stolen – all of these things.”, said Mackowiak. Mackowiak discussed the continued repercussions of increased homelessness in Austin on small businesses. “Royal Blue grocery, which is a fairly progressive boutique grocery chain in downtown Austin, has changed their hours such that they’re not open after dark. They’ve had huge problems,” he said. Policing Challenges Police are responsible for enforcing any laws around loitering, or camping bans. As a result, police can frequently come into contact with people who are unhoused. Police involvement is another contentious issue. Advocates to decriminalize homelessness point to statistics that say homeless people are 6.5 times more likely to be killed by police than anyone else. They also state that police are unequipped to deal with the complex mental health issues that underscore homelessness. RSnake sympathized with the difficult position of police in these situations. They are usually the first ones called when someone has a problem with a homeless individual, they are expected to deal with sometimes dangerous situations, yet they don’t have much support from the city to enforce laws around homelessness. “It doesn’t seem like we’re giving them any tools to do the right thing for society,” he said. Mackowiak believes law enforcement has an important role to play in enforcing public order. Targeted policing, for example, played an important role in making New York safe in the 1990s. Citing the Broken Windows theory, Mackowiak said that if the police don’t deal with small infractions, problems are likely to increase. In Austin, the police budget was cut by millions of dollars in 2020. Even though the money was restored in 2021, staff shortages remain. “We don’t do practical policing anymore. Our traffic enforcement unit is shut down, or anti-gang unit is shut down, our lake patrol is shut down, park police are shut down, we doubled our all-time homicide record last year,” said Mackowiak. This makes it difficult to enforce laws around homelessness, or even petty crime. Solutions to the Crisis The problem is complex, and solutions are not easy. The best programs provide both shelter and support for mental health, addictions or other problems unhoused people may be facing. Mackowiak discussed some programs in Texas that are leading the way. Community First! Village run by Mobile Loaves and Fishes is a community of tiny homes in Austin. “Alan Graham with Mobile Loaves and Fishes does a fantastic mission-driven effort,” said Mackowiak. “Alan believes that homelessness is a lack of community first, more than anything else.” The second organization named by Mackowiak is Haven for Hope in San Antonio, Texas. Haven for Hope provides transitional housing in which participants must go through a detox program in order to receive support. “It is absolutely remarkable,” said Mackowiak. The availability of housing is another concern. A report (NEEDS AND GAPS) underscored the impact of rising rents in recent years and recommended partnerships between the government, landlords and developers to secure more affordable housing. The Takeaway The city of Austin, Texas has been struggling with homelessness for years, and it has become a crisis in recent years. Despite the reinstating of the camping ban in 2021, homelessness remains a central issue in Austin today. The issue has a significant impact on the community, including concerns about crime and the impact on small businesses. To find out more about, check out the podcast!

What You Should Know The U.S constitution encompasses many amendments but one, in particular, appears to be a sensitive matter to many Americans. The second amendment has created considerable controversy given the language used to determine its true intentions. The right to bear arms has also been a touchy topic alongside a variety of occurrences happening in the United States, including the phenomenon of school shootings. RSnake's interview with gun range owner Grant Shaw explores the circumstances in the United States around gun control, media portrayals of guns, and the dangers that the second amendment poses to citizens. Before jumping into the state of gun control in the U.S., it's important to understand the second amendment in greater detail. What Is The Second Amendment In simplest terms, the second amendment is the right of U.S. citizens to bear firearms. This amendment protects and keeps this right in place for Americans and has for hundreds of years. The Second Amendment states that “a well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." As short as this amendment might be, its history is long. History The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms and was adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment was created in response to the concern that the new federal government would disarm the people to deprive them of their liberties. The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right that predates the Constitution and is enshrined in the English Bill of Rights of 1689. In the United States, the right to bear arms is often seen as a cornerstone of the country’s founding principles and as a key component of the American way of life. The amendment has been the subject of intense debate over the years, with gun rights advocates arguing that it is necessary to protect people from tyranny and gun control advocates arguing that it is a leading cause of gun violence in the United States. Grant Shaw speaks briefly on the history of the second amendment. He explains to RSnake that "when this country was founded, it's what our Founding Fathers had in mind to not only put meat on the table but also to prevent tyranny." It is one of the shortest and oldest codified amendments in the Bill of Rights and guarantees that “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Influence of Laws In The U.S.A The rule of law is the foundation of American society. It is the principle that no one is above the law, that everyone is equal before the law, and that the government must govern according to the law. It is one of the defining differences between a democracy and a democratically elected republic. The rule of law is essential to the protection of individual rights, the stability of society, and the proper functioning of government. People aren’t voted into jails unless they meet a minimum legal bar of prosecution based on existing ratified law. As such, some laws proceed with great success, yet others are met with obstacles and protests, often failing. Many factors contribute to the success or failure of a law. One reason is that the United States is large and diverse, with different states and regions having different priorities and approaches to lawmaking. In RSnake's interview with Salient Strategies, they discussed the state of lobbying and law-making in Texas versus other states. They explained the situations and backroom deals vary from state to state and are sometimes heavily dependent on the success of a law. Another reason is that the political system in the United States is complex, with multiple levels of government and a variety of interest groups all vying for influence. This can make it difficult to enact comprehensive and effective legislation. Not to mention the courts in the United States, play a significant role in shaping and interpreting the law, and they can often strike down laws that they deem to be unconstitutional. Some laws perform better than others due to the way they are written, the enforcement mechanisms in place, and the support of the public. Specific to the second amendment, the language used to write this amendment has been widely disputed from multiple angles. This speaks to the necessity of having clearly written laws. Well-written laws tend to be clear and concise, making them easier to understand and follow. They also tend to have strong enforcement mechanisms, such as penalties for violators, which deter people from breaking the law. Finally, laws that have the support of the public are more likely to be successful, as people are more likely to obey laws that they agree with. It is worth mentioning though, that some words evolve in common parlance. For instance, “well-regulated” today means limited, whereas at the time, it meant kept in working order. It is the difference between saying the militia should be very limited and the militia should be kept in good working order, and that is no small point of debate. Gun Control In the United States, gun control is a highly controversial topic. While Americans have the right to keep and bear arms, gun violence is a concerning problem in the United States, and there is a growing movement for stricter gun control measures. More Americans than ever before perished by suicide or homicide at the hands of a gun in 2020 alone, totaling more than 45,000. Regardless, gun control has become an extremely politicized issue, some believe guns should be disbanded while others hold with the second amendment. Law enforcement officials and legislators have been urging tougher gun control measures in response to several mass shootings and a steady increase in gun crime throughout the US. There are many different policy proposals for gun control, but the most common ones involve background checks, bans on certain types of weapons, and limits on magazine capacity. Background checks are currently required for all gun sales in the United States, but some loopholes allow people to purchase guns without undergoing a check. For example, private sales between individuals are not subject to background checks. Today we have some gun laws, but as Grant Shaw explains, decades ago there was barely gun control. Shaw says that back in "the 30s, you had the proliferation of the tommy gun, for example, which could be you could purchase it $20 from a hardware store, with no background check, no age requirement, you know, no requirements in general." The tommy gun is another name for the Thompson sub-machine gun – a two handed fully automated .45 rifle, which was widely used during the second world war, and became the mast-head signature weapon of organized crime during the 20’s during the prohibition. As such, the figure for gun ownership in the U.S. isn't small as Pew Center Research reports "Four-in-ten U.S. adults say they live in a household with a gun, including 30% who say they own one." Nevertheless, there are always two sides to a story and when it comes to gun control, there are for and against. Gun control advocates contend that militias were the intended audience for the Second Amendment. There would be less gun violence if more laws were passed. Gun control advocates assert that limitations on guns have always been in place and that most Americans, including those who own guns, support more restrictions on guns. The definition of a militia is also poorly understood by today’s standards. The unorganized militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. On the flip side, according to supporters, the Second Amendment safeguards a person's right to possess firearms. More so, weapons are necessary for self-defense against dangers ranging from invading foreign forces to local criminals. Additionally, they assert that having a gun deters crime rather than encouraging it. Another important factor to note about gun control in the U.S. is the people making the decisions. Many times, legislators and policy-makers that are trying to regulate gun laws, may not have an adequate background or knowledge of firearms to be driving change. It is not simply enough to have basic knowledge of firearms. Being cognizant of the true statistics, media portrayals, and affected populations by firearms is vital in making acute changes to how guns are handled in the United States. How the Media Portrays Guns Speaking of encouragement, it seems like every action movie that is released these days is encouraged to use of attention-grabbing guns. Grant Shaw tells RSnake that "there's a tendency to glamorize firearms and the light in which they're painted". Think John Wick, Scarface, and Bond, James Bond. This is such a unique paradox in contrast to how guns and firearms are shown in the news media. Guns in the United States are routinely portrayed in a negative light by the news media. This is often done to push for stricter gun control measures. While this framing tactic may prove to be useful in advocating for gun laws, this portrayal can be misleading. For example, the media often focuses on mass shootings, which are relatively rare events, as mass shootings only account for "0.2% of firearm deaths in the U.S. each year." According to a Special Report from U.S. Department of Justice, in the U.S. illegally obtained guns are used in the majority of homicides. Additionally, to a lesser extent, they're borrowed or purchased from a friend or family, and 9-13% is obtained legally from a store. While guns aren't defensive tools to be used lightly, this gives a false impression that guns are more dangerous than they actually are. Guns are used far more often for self-defense than for crime. The media also tends to downplay the fact that gun ownership is relatively common in the United States. In reality, most gun owners are responsible and law-abiding citizens. Owning a gun is rooted deeply within American culture about "45 per cent of U.S. households had at least one gun in their possession", keeping them around in case a threat looms, be it local, federal or international threats. Stats on Gun Crime In terms of statistics, stats on gun crime in the United States can be skewed based on media portrayal. The media focuses on stories that are shocking and generate a lot of clicks, which means that the stories that make it to the public often present a distorted view of reality. Grant Shaw touches on this in the interview with RSnake, who mentions that like in movies, guns are often portrayed in a nefarious frame. Grant Shaw says that statistics can be blown up, especially in the case of assault weapons, most people think guns. But in reality, it could be with knives or fists, but the figures often don't account for the specifics on a macro level. In addition, the way that statistics are reported can also create a misleading impression. For example, when gun crime is reported as a percentage of all crime, it can appear to be much higher than it actually is. When discussing an increase in mass shootings, it is important to consider the statistics and change in definition by the FBI. Any single attack in a public area that resulted in four or more fatalities was considered a mass shooting prior to 2013. Prior to 2012, data collected on mass shootings showed the common number of fatalities around 4 victims. However, it was around this time that the definition and data collection methods around mass shootings changed. In contrast, Statista reports that "since 2013, the source defines a mass shooting as any single attack in a public place with three or more fatalities, in line with the definition by the FBI." Danger to Children: School Shootings Guns and school shootings have been a problem in the United States for many years. There have been several school shootings where students have been killed or injured by someone who has brought a gun into the school. Columbine High School, Virginia Tech High School, and Sandy Hook Elementary are some of the most horrific school shootings to occur in America. In most cases, the shooter has been a student at the school. School shootings have increased in recent years, and there is no easy solution to the problem. "School shootings in 2020-21 soared to the highest number in two decades", according to a study mentioned in The Washington Post. Some people believe that stricter gun laws would help to prevent school shootings. Others believe that school shootings are a result of other problems, such as mental health issues, and that gun law would not make a difference. Whatever the cause of school shootings, they are a tragedy that no one wants to see happen. It is important to find ways to prevent them from happening in the future. This is absolutely a bi-partisan issue in that regard, and from that springs a wealth of possibilities that should be explored. Firearms 101 In 2015, there were 13,286 deaths due to firearms in the US, and that number has been increasing in recent years. This number predominantly includes suicides, gang shootings and domestic violence crime. Education about guns and firearms is important because it can help to prevent these deaths. Education about guns can help people to understand how to use them safely. It can also help people to understand the risks associated with guns and to make informed decisions about whether to own a gun. Education about guns is especially important for children and young people, who are at the highest risk of being involved in a gun-related incident. In addition to preventing deaths, education about guns can also help to reduce the number of injuries caused by firearms. In 2015, there were over 85,000 non-fatal gun injuries in the US. Many of these injuries could have been prevented with proper education about gun safety. Education about guns is important because it can save lives. It can also help to reduce the number of people who are injured by guns each year. Automatic, Semi-automatic & Bump Stocks Grant Shaw and RSnake discuss the difference between different types of firearms. There are three types of firearms: automatic, semi-automatic, and bump stocks. Automatic firearms are also known as machine guns. They fire continuously when the trigger is depressed and have a mechanism that reloads the chamber automatically. A semi-automatic firearm requires the shooter to pull the trigger for each shot. The chamber then reloads automatically, but the trigger must be released and pulled again for the next shot. A bump fire stock allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire more rapidly, by using the recoil of the firearm to "bump" the trigger against the shooter's finger. Donald Trump asked the ATF to treat bump stocks as automatic weapons and therefore imposed a ban that would require tax stamps to own after the Las Vegas mass shooting that used bump stocks to purportedly increase the rate of fire. Firearms safety is an important subject to understand, especially in the United States where guns are so prevalent. Around 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one gun, and one in three families own a gun. That’s a lot of kids who could potentially find and use a gun without understanding the risks. The Takeaway Guns have been in the United States for over 200 years, and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere anytime soon. This is why proper education about gun violence, gun laws, and firearms is so important. Grant Shaw's talk with RSnake revealed interesting insights on gun ownership and gun control in America, check out the episode to hear more.

Where Things Are & Where They're Headed What do a Tesla car, Siri, and Rumba vacuum have in common? We'd give you a hint but that would give it away! They all leverage forms of AI, also known as artificial intelligence. It may or may not surprise you depending on your knowledge of innovative tech, but AI is increasingly involved in our everyday lives. As computers are engineered to be smarter, stronger, and faster, innovators are coming up with ways to use them to make our lives simpler. Not only do we use software to automate simple tasks daily, such as playing a song or finding out the weather, but AI is integrated now more than ever into the labor market. This may have piqued your interest which is why we're going to be running down some of the most important points when considering where AI is today and where it's going. What is AI When you think of artificial intelligence, odds are one of the first things you might think of is robots, right? Due to the media and cinema depictions of AI over the past couple of decades, humanoid robots and world-ending systems are poster portrayals most people think of when they hear AI. But, artificial intelligence is much more intricate and complex. In RSnake's interview with Russ Bodnyk, Bodnyk touches on this. He says that AI is such an intricate tool that is always evolving. Bodnyk says that creating a cemented definition can be difficult, especially when considering the idea of consciousness. However, given the developments in artificial intelligence over the past decades, some definitions do exist. The replication of human intelligence functions by machines, particularly computer systems, is known as artificial intelligence. AI is programming machines to think and act like humans to automate a process or achieve a goal. There are two important subsets of AI that are important to consider, machine learning and deep learning. Machine learning is the idea that without human involvement, a computer program can pick up new information and adjust. It is the ability of a computer, to recognize data and generate predictions based on that data enabled by a sophisticated algorithm or source code. Deep learning on the other hand, is a type of machine learning technology, which helps computers to learn by doing what comes easily to people. Machine learning, which is simply a neural network with three or more layers, is a subset of deep learning. This type of AI is different from machine learning because of programming. A key difference surrounds deep learning being used as a technique for automating predictive analytics. These algorithms are piled in a system of complexity and abstraction, as opposed to conventional machine learning algorithms, which are linear. Digital assistants, voice-activated TV remotes, and credit card fraud prevention are examples of deep learning at work. With the volume of data and information that is produced online, machine learning is instrumental in ensuring that information is readily available by computed decision-making. Since tech is the leading-edge industry today, machine learning can be applied to a wide array of businesses. An Overview of AI Today Artificial Intelligence has come a long way and works within society on so many levels within different spaces and industries. AI is a large focus nowadays with tech companies inventing new ways that it can be used to help businesses and people. By using artificial intelligence, processes involving decision-making, immediate response, and repetitive actions are streamlined. This means elevated performance and better efficiencies across the board. Where is AI Being Used? AI has been integrated into a wide array of industries. Many tasks that would otherwise previously been conducted by humans now rely heavily on AI and machine learning. Every year billions upon billions of dollars are invested in the development of AI technologies. Some might argue that AI isn't mainstream, yet Amazon Alexa is sitting in millions of living rooms across the world. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now being used in finance, healthcare, telecommunications, IT, transportation, marketing, and e-commerce, just to name a few. These industries are just a drop in the bucket for opportunities where AI can be used to streamline efficiency. Transportation, for instance, is one of the areas which has seen immense growth and opportunity. Since the global market for AI in the transportation market is expected to reach $3,870,000,000 by 2026, many in the transportation industry have already recognized AI's incredible potential. Russ Bodnyk talks about the furthering development of AI-driven vehicles. On a wider scale, collision rates could dissipate and texting while driving could become redundant. It would be at this point where AI becoming integrated into society at a level to governing how people navigate society. The History of AI Artificial intelligence has always been an idea that humans have contemplated, from early theorists and philosophers to modern-day authors and researchers. However, Artificial Intelligence has evolved significantly since its inception in the mid-20th century. The 1950s were the decade where AI developed and gave way to many findings within the field. One pivotal moment in AI history would be Alan Turing's publication of "Computing Machinery and Intelligence". Remember the 2014, film The Imitation Game? That was based on Turing's idea, renamed the Turing Test, which seeks to examine whether a computer can think like a human, or not, or at least convince a human that it does. This test became a turning point in AI. Following this, American computer scientist John McCarthy held the first AI conference and coined the term in 1956. Almost a decade later developments were thriving and looming the 1970s the first mobile robot was built. Fast-forward to the late 1990s and the supercomputer Deep Blue was created. In a game of chess, the computer defeated the world champion. The development of this big computer by IBM was a significant accomplishment. In the 2000s, the world saw the first robotic vacuum cleaner created. Over the past two decades, developments in AI and ML took off. We've seen many forms of speech recognition, like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, besides smart home features and self-driving cars. With such innovation prominent in artificial intelligence, there is much more to come. But many wonder, at what cost will further development come? Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities vs Obstacles With almost any invention, with opportunity comes obstacles. In the realm of artificial intelligence, this can mean many things, from funding to development. Russ Bodynk shared his thoughts on where AI is headed in the future. He says at this time we're playing by the benchmarks and that more creativity will be needed. Pros of AI Though it is still a developing field of study, artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a significant impact on data analysis, engineering, research, and even medicine. It's no secret that as the scope of AI continues to expand, so do the benefits which will continue to revolutionize industries and sectors alike. One significant benefit of using artificial intelligence is the reduced the frequency of errors that are made by humans. We've all heard the phrase everyone makes mistakes, but if a computer is programmed correctly, common human errors can be avoided. Artificial intelligence uses a specific set of algorithms to make conclusions based on information that has already been obtained. This advantage is highly impactful, resulting in minimized errors, and a likelihood of attaining consistency with a greater level of certainty. When you think about it on a grand scale, fewer mistakes leads to cost and time savings, so really you can't go wrong. Since AIs are programmed to and state machines operate quickly, they make faster decisions more decisively based on their written program. Not to mention AI works with other technologies to make decisions faster, which is advantageous over human decision-making since bias and emotions are often involved. The morality of their decisions is entirely determined by the programmers and inputs the AI operates on, not the machine’s own ethics. A unique characteristic of artificial intelligence is its capability to continue learning based on previously input information. So really, decisions are made faster, with up-to-date knowledge at any time of the day since AIs don't sleep. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are geared towards streamlining our lives and work. They are programmed to complete a task, so using them to conduct repetitive jobs is an astronomical advantage, especially when considering productivity. Repetitive jobs and even mundane tasks like sending out scripted emails or spellchecking documents can be accelerated by the application of AI technologies. This is optimal for many fields and industries since it frees up time for other more intricate procedures and increases productivity levels. On the whole, AI has accelerated our lives in multiple ways but on the flip side, some obstacles can be experienced by AI integration. Cons of AI Creativity is needed in businesses, processes, and even research. Sometimes outside the box ideas are what kick innovation into high gear. But it's not something everyone has, including AI. The core of AI is programming directions to carry out a task based on human intent. This is great for simplistic tasks since AI is built to execute linear tasks, but it cannot produce new ideas. A large majority of the time, emotions and ethics become involved in the decision-making process and creative process. This is where another obstacle to AI surfaces. The absent emotional and ethical range of AI can be problematic considering outputs. Given that results and outcomes are delivered based on their standing knowledge, unfavorable or exclusive outcomes may occur. In an interview with RSnake, Raymond Kaminski touches on Twitter's bot problem to highlight how misinformation can be spread online. Yes, the outcomes that AI produce are linear and logical but another obstacle they can also create dependency. Although AI has improved productivity levels and a streamlined life, humans still lose something by letting AI-complete simple tasks. Before technological advancement and AI, memorizing, problem-solving and strategizing were carried out simply. Now that there are applications to complete the simplest of tasks, some fear that this may create an over-reliance or dependency on AI. This absence could impact the way future generations operate and if unaddressed it may pose a threat. As long as some care is taken to prevent it from becoming dangerously sophisticated, artificial intelligence can be immensely advantageous for everyone moving forward. Impacts of AI On The Work Force When it comes to AIs development, some think that it will lead to a catastrophic unemployment rate, while others believe it may help jobs flourish. AI is predicted to generate 97 million net new jobs by 2025, according to a World Economic Forum analysis. The majority of these opportunities would be related in some way to working with AI, big data specialists or machine learning specialists, to name a couple. Artificial intelligence in the workforce can enhance working conditions. In the employment and compensation of employees, AI will reportedly help eliminate both unconscious and conscious prejudices. Although these impacts are appealing, some fear that the cons outweigh the pros. Data entry clerks, administrative assistants, and even customer service workers jobs will become scarce if they haven't already. RSnake and Bodnyk discuss both the short-term and long-term impacts of such a transition in the labor markets. Bodnyk explains that the idea of AI dominating the workforce could give people endless potential of what to do with their time. "That's where then you get into free will, right? What do you have to do?", explains Bodnyk. Why Considering Privacy Is Key The increasing use of AI raises important questions about data security and privacy. As AI becomes more sophisticated, we are trusting it more with personal data. There have been concerns raised about how AI could be used to violate privacy. For example, facial recognition technology could be used to track our movements and collect information about us without our consent. With AI becoming more intertwined in our world, it is crucial to be careful about who is trusted with personal data. Equally important is understanding the risks involved in using AI technology. Bodnyk and RSnake talk dangers of facial recognition and algorithmic AIs. Data collection can be incredibly invasive when done without user consent. The more personal data that is collected about someone, the easier it becomes for companies to predict what they might like or buy next—and this could result in companies showing you advertising based on your past purchases (for example). Takeaway On the whole, artificial intelligence offers us many abilities that once were thought to be impossible. From self-driving cars to impacts on the workforce, and even privacy concerns, AI is starting to reach into all areas. Being such an innovative field, the possibilities for what AI hold in the future are endless. Who knows, maybe an AI will tell us what the future holds!

Understanding the Multi-Faced Nature of Transitioning The transgender community is a diverse group of people that come from all walks of life. Each person has their own set of unique circumstances and lived experiences that make them who they are. The Williams Institute released a report combining data from the CDC’s Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to determine the number of people that identify as transgender in the U.S. According to the report, "1.6 million adults (ages 18 and older) and youth (ages 13 to 17) identify as transgender in the United States." With such a large number of people identifying as trans, it is a trend worth discussing, no matter which side of the political spectrum you subscribe. What Does It Mean to Be A Trans Person On an individual basis, there appears to be no cookie-cutter answer for what it means to be trans. Trans persons appear to have unique identity markers, circumstances, and lived experiences that define their trans identity. However, there is a general understanding of the term transgender. As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), a person who identifies as transgender is one whose behavior, gender expression, or gender identity doesn't uniformly correspond to the sex to which they were born. To contrast with this understanding, RSnake's interview with Dr. Sheila Newsom points to how a person identifies as transgender or as Sheila mentioned what constitutes cisgender. "Cisgender" refers to having the same gender as the sex your doctor assigned you when you were born. Like cisgender people, transgender people choose to express their gender identity in a variety of ways. One method they use to describe their gender identity is through labels and language that is recognized as respectful by the trans community. Although the term "transgender" is generally appropriate, not everyone whose behavior or appearance is gender-nonconforming would identify as a transgender person, according to the APA. As people become more aware of, knowledgeable about, and accepting of transgender persons and their experiences, the ways that transgender people are discussed in popular culture, academia, and science are continually evolving. The Difference Between Gender and Sex One common roadblock that some may encounter when learning about trans people and what it means to be a part of that community is the difference between sex and gender. This may not seem directly related however it is crucial to understanding the roots of a person's identity. Sex is understood by biological attribution, in other words, a person’s sex is determined based on their physical sex traits, for example, reproductive or sexual anatomy or chromosomes found at birth. Gender is currently expressed by trans activists as a social construction that defines individuals in relation to their behaviors, roles, and expressions correlated to their biological sex. Additionally, gender impacts how individuals distinguish others and themselves, interactions and actions, resources in society and cultures, and the dispersal of power among people. Gender and sex are distinguished as separate concepts however since gender is created in society, it is reliant on the biological properties of sex status to produce these meanings and characteristics. Gender Performativity Considering this difference, in understanding transgender people it is also noteworthy to understand gender as performative. This notion was first theorized by Judith Butler in the 1990s. Butler says that “…gender is not “a stable identity or locus of agency from which various acts follow; rather, gender is … instituted … through a stylized repetition of [habitual] acts.” Thinking of gender as performative is useful in understanding the perception of lived experiences and gender identities of trans people since it eludes to the gendered roles that one takes on. Butler says that thinking of gender this way is how "we act and walk and speak and talk in ways that consolidate an impression of being a man or being a woman." Understanding the Impacts of Gender Dysphoria Performing gender can be one way of expression for transgender people. However, many trans people struggle with gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is the feeling of unhappiness or distress that trans and non-binary people can feel when their gender identity doesn't align with their bodies. This can mean distress linked to the mismatch in voice, genitals, or how they are seen and treated by others. Dr. Sheila Newsom touches on gender dysphoria and her experience with it. She describes gender dysphoria as the feeling that "the inside and the outside just don't match up." Sheila described the act of crossdressing every day, for instance. Gender dysphoria can have several negative impacts including: ● Negative self-image ● Social isolation ● Neglect of self ● Anxiety ● Partaking in risky behavior ● Depression Navigating the Use of Pronouns Gender dysphoria can manifest from a variety of misalignments of a person's gender identity. One significant reason can be the misuse of pronouns. Curiously, pronouns have become a flammable topic once introduced into the mainstream media. Pronouns aren't new. They are used every day, put in front of names to identify people in languages across the world. Pronouns don't become problematic until they are used to refer to someone, that's typically when a person can feel disrespected. "Mistaking or assuming people's pronouns without asking first, mistakes their gender and sends a harmful message. Using someone's correct gender pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their identity," according to the LGBT Resource Center. During the interview with RSnake, Dr. Sheila Newsom explains the importance of pronouns. Sheila believes that pronouns are a way to honor what someone feels about their own journey. Additionally, Sheila alludes to the fact that using and recognizing pronouns comes down to an individual choice. At the end of the day, there is no way to force people to recognize pronouns if they don't want to, Sheila believes it is best to externalize this. However, it is important to consider approaching situations and trans people with respect, as one would of any person of any background or circumstance. The LGBT Resource Center suggests that asking for pronouns is one way of being sensitive and respectful, this also avoids misgendering which activists believe can be very hurtful to trans people. This is, of course, if indeed, one believed that such respect was warranted and that the hurt was worth avoiding – a debatable point amongst many on the right-wing of the political aisle. What Is Dead Naming and How It Is Harmful Something else that can be harmful to transgender people is dead naming. Many may have not encountered this term, and this is because people who have transitioned are more likely to experience this. Deadnaming happens when a transgender person is addressed by the name they used before transitioning, whether on purpose or accidentally. Dr. Sheila Newsom talked about the experience of being dead named and how it can be perceived to impact a trans person’s experience in the world. Being deadnamed can cause transgender people to feel invalidated, as though their transition isn't impactful or real. On the flip side, if someone were to use a trans person’s chosen name in front of others who may not know they have transitioned this can be perceived as equally harmful. This would be considered a form of 'outing' a transgender person. This would be a case where deadnaming selectively is a useful thing. Deadnaming can also occur on government IDs since it can take a long time and be an arduous/expensive process to change the 'given name' to 'chosen name' on official documentation. To avoid deadnaming, trans activists would feel that it is best to ask the person what they prefer to be called so that they may feel validated and have a sense of belonging. Though there are counter issues when referring to awards, for example, in the case of Bruce Jenner who transitioned to Kaitlin Jenner. The awards were engraved, books written, and TV shows recorded with “Bruce” and it is impossible to re-write all aspects of history. This ends up being a complicated issue, especially for celebrities and politicians with storied careers. Trans Issues Belonging and attaining full usage of rights can come with many trials and tribulations for trans people. In recent years, the plight of trans persons has taken center stage due to trans activism, with several controversies coming to the forefront, especially on social media. Controversy of Trans Bathrooms Trans bathrooms are perhaps, as Dr. Sheila Newsom says, one of the most polarizing topics surrounding transgender people today. Sheila says although transitioning is treated as a political football, instead, it is more a matter of institutional structuring. It is simply the way our society has labelled and constructed the division of gender through biological sex. For transgender people, using the washroom can be a traumatizing experience given the fact that most places have designated male and female washrooms. This is especially the case for those who may not perform their gender identity to align with one binary gender. Newsom says a solution to this ongoing issue would be making washrooms usable by all genders. There wouldn't be a male or female bathroom, instead stalls and a communal sink. This would provide transgender people with an environment free of anxiety and discrimination. The business cost of retrofitting every bathroom on earth may be a financial nonstarter for many small businesses, but in new bathroom design, it would represent a much more European style of bathrooms where each bathroom was individually oriented vs gender-group oriented. Controversy of Hormone Replacement in Children One of the largest controversies in the trans community surrounds hormone replacement therapy in children. Activists feel this is gender-affirming and can reduce the effects of the existing hormones which can cause the person to grow into a body which is more difficult to turn into the desired gender while opposing activists feel that it is simply a normal phase of development and the risks far outweigh the benefits given the rates of reversal, suicide and how depression doesn’t appear to correlate with gender reassignment surgery. One thing that is rarely discussed is that while today's methods may be crude, they are certainly far more advanced than methods used in the past. To believe that we have exhausted the potential of gender reassignment technology is incredibly naive. The future may entail a situation where chromosomes can be fully re-written and artificial or even real sex organs can be replaced. At the point that a person has another gender’s sex organs, and chromosomes and in every way looks and acts like the other gender, are they not the other gender? If they can reproduce as the desired sex utilizing the desired sex organs, are they not on equal footing with the gender who was born with these same-sex organs? Or, in an even further future, what if switching between sexes is simply a matter of spending a few hours, in a specialized process, where someone could switch between genders over a weekend and back again? What would the world be like if you could be a man for the Bachelor party, then a biologically provable woman as a bridesmaid, and go back to being a man at work on Monday? If this concept is even slightly possible, many of the paradigms we currently use for men and women will be hopelessly out of date. So, while these controversies burn, there is still a great deal of potential future technology that seems to be left out of the conversation. The Takeaway: Transgender Community Through a look at what it means to be trans, the different aspects of living a transitioned life and the controversy surrounding, respect and sensitivity are important to those people who have transitioned. The trans activist might say that the best way that our society can continue to support inclusivity for transgender people is by listening to their lived experiences and learning from them. Either way, it is important to understand the brave new world we’re heading toward because there appear to be no signs that it will slow down.

The political system in the United States of America is a complex structure with many working parts. Over the past couple of decades, there have been significant changes in the landscape of American politics. From developments in technology and media to changes in finance and legal frameworks. Although times have changed, the legislative processes upon which the U.S government is built hasn't changed much though some of how laws are interpreted have changed how politicians act. The structure situating the political sphere in the U.S., the complexities around creating and passing laws, and the role of lobbying in government are some points this piece will explore. Additionally, you'll learn some insider perspectives on passing laws from the partners of Salient Strategies, Andrew Cates, Chris Sanchez, and Dustin Cox. Last but not least, we'll explore the relations that exist between political decision-making and the economic system. U.S. Politics 101 The U.S. government's distribution of power is arranged into three distinguishable branches; legislative, executive, and judicial. This distribution of power is combined with the application of a system of checks and balances to avoid autocratic rule. Together, democracy is carried out through the system of checks and balances in conjunction with the three branches of government. The legislative branch, also known as congress, has two principal functions. One of which is the amount of funding allocated for the operation of the government. While the second function is to create governing laws for the United States. The President, as head of the executive branch, must sign the legislation into law after it has been written, amended, and passed. The President of the United States, who is chosen through the Electoral College process, is solely responsible for running the executive branch. Enforcing laws passed by the legislative branch is the main responsibility of the U.S. President. To aid in law enforcement, a cabinet consisting of 15 members is selected by the President. Each cabinet member is considered to be an expert in one area of policy subject matter where they act as advisors to the President in times of need. At least this is how things are supposed to work. Let’s ignore presidential executive orders, and secret warrants/findings of the FISA court, shall we? U.S. Politics v.s. Canada and UK The political system in the United States has some similarities but it still differs from the political systems in Canada and the United Kingdom. For starters, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are all democracies. While the U.S. and Canada are both federal states, the UK is decidedly a unitary state since it uses devolution. Across the three countries, there are distinctly unique qualities in which each governs their countries, and therefore informs the sphere of politics. Another key difference is while Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a part of the British Commonwealth, the US is a republic. This can come across as formal but in fact, it is one of the most significant differences in conducting politics. Essentially, in the U.S., the head of state would be the president. Whereas his Majesty King Charles III is King of Canada and Canada's Head of State. Also, a noteworthy difference between U.S. politics and Canadian politics is the process used to enact laws and create policies. The Complexities of Political Decision-Making: Laws & Policies The political process in the United States requires several levels of decision-making for laws and policies to be passed. RSnake's discussion with the partners of Salient Strategies shed some light on the process that rollout in U.S law making. It is the combination of legal steps and relationships that go into a bill being passed successfully. Creating & Enacting Congress is where laws are first passed. A bill is the first thing that is written when a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate wishes to pass legislation. About two years pass between each Congress. Hundreds or thousands of bills may be presented by Senators and Representatives throughout that span. But not all bills will become laws, only a select few that are passed. Many laws get consolidated, or clauses will get tacked onto bills at the last minute which is often derided as “pork.” This system used to create and pass laws and policies in the United States was designed to do almost the opposite. Chris Sanchez elaborated on the hundreds and thousands of bills that are brought up every year, and that not all of them are suitable. He explains that especially in Texas, "the process is designed to kill the legislation, not pass legislation." By having such a layered and arduous process, bills that may not be suitable are weeded out from being passed. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which form Congress, must vote on the bill. The bill is forwarded to the president of the United States if they both vote for it to become law. From here, a couple of avenues are possible. The president can sign or decline to sign the bill. If the bill is signed by the President, then it ultimately becomes law. While if the president declines to sign, this is known as a veto. If two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House later vote to enact a vetoed bill, it will still become law. In the interview with RSnake., Andrew Cates, Chris Sanchez, and Dustin Cox touched on the part of the political process that isn't plainly on paper. A part of the process is really who you know and what your relations are with different individuals. They explain that relations between members are significant to a bill being passed. Sometimes, regardless of how strong a bill may be, if the relations between members presenting aren't so favorable then the bill may not be passed. It can also be a chess game where one bill that is otherwise favorable to both sides will fail because a bill of substance to the opposing side was killed previously. Strategic advisor Andrew Cates explains that oftentimes there are many processes carried out 'behind the scenes'. Decisions and conversations surrounding bills may have been done preemptively, which is why it may look as though nothing is happening live. The Role of Lobbying Lobbyists are people who are typically paid by corporations, outside groups, or organizations to advocate for or against certain legislation that would benefit or harm those groups. They act as a bridge between lawmakers and organizations to advocate for the select group or outside organization regarding the passing of a bill. It is also possible for lobbyists to represent more than one group at the same time. As Andrew Cates mentioned, due to the variance in representing groups, the personal political beliefs of lobbyists must be cast aside. "The legislature is what it is, and the legislators, there are, who they are. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if there's, 11 Republicans on a committee or 11 Democrats are split down the middle, you still have to get all the votes no matter what," says Andrew Cates. Lobbying plays a very 'behind the scenes' role in the law-making process. Lobbyists aid in educating Congress and the populace about topics and challenges. Technical details concerning legislative initiatives are provided by lobbyists. Additionally, lobbyists inform politicians of the beneficiaries and losers of proposed legislation. Their role is very much so intended to aid the political decision-making process by advocating for groups that are intended to help the government make the best decisions. Passing Bad Laws or Policies Cates, Cox, and Sanchez from Salient Strategies also gave their thoughts on how bad legislation can affect the country. When laws and policies are passed by lawmakers that might be considered 'bad actors', legislation might be enacted without considering the ramifications. An unintended consequence may be positive or negative, but it is simply an outcome that was not predicted. Often, when unintended consequences are discussed and covered in the media, they tend to be, more or less, negative consequences. One example of a law with an unintended consequence, which Salient Strategies brought to the discussion, was Illinois' anti-drone bill. "It was written in a way where Google couldn't fly their satellites over the state of Illinois, for Google map images. Because of how the language was written, it was too prescriptive into what actually a drone would be," says Sanchez. This is just one example of an unintended consequence of a passed bill but as the partners noted, this is when a return to court would be made. Should there be additional checks and balances on legislation built into it to force each bill to prove that it works, or it dies? How else does bad legislation get killed or proven to work? It is this lack of accountability that is most concerning, and entirely relies on counter-bills to be passed which may never occur due to political wheeling and dealing as well as simply lack of interest by the public. The Takeaway The political landscape in the United States is complex and there are multiple working parts to their governmental system for passing laws and policies. The government structure, inner workings, the role of lobbyists, and how bad laws might cause consequences to show the intricacies that exist in the 21st Century of Politics. Like it or not, political lobbying is an integral part of politics.

The West & East, Politics, and Algorithms at Play Since the dawn of the digital age, society has been given access, by the people who control media and messaging, to a wide variety of information, both for knowledge and power. With that, technological advancement in the 21st century has propelled and defined the development of social media ecosystems. Social media has enormously impacted society, after all its premise is to connect people, create communities, and share knowledge. By shifting human interaction to a digital environment, everything ranging from information to news and opinions is easily shared. Although social media platforms have expanded over the last decade, there has been a disconnect in the intentions users have online. This varies across the globe since social media is used and viewed differently in certain countries. However, the more information that appears to be misaligned with political agendas and legal frameworks, the more censorship becomes involved. Social Media: Western Lens & Eastern Lens Social media is probably the most popular and powerful medium, especially in the West. Social media platforms have uniquely contributed to how social, cultural, and political norms are shaped. Platforms are used in countless industries, from business and finance to medicine and education. Take the real estate industry for example. Property managers and agents use social media to promote their properties to clientele. This is especially evident on Facebook which allows for highly targeted advertisements. In western society, social media has become a part of almost every aspect of a person's life. In a nutshell, we use it for just about everything, to connect with family, to read the news, to find directions to that cute coffee shop your friend posted about, to learn something new or start a debate and the list goes on. One aspect of western media that creates a trickle-down effect in social media, is the polarization that comes with the subscription model. This point is raised by Jennifer Richmond in her interview with RSnake surrounding the ways that the East, namely China and Russia, can exploit the West. This then points to the fact that social media is primarily seen and used to push political agendas. There's no question that United States politics have been woven into social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, in the west, social media is used for a variety of reasons whereas some eastern countries appear more deliberate in their usage. Eastern countries, especially Russia and China, have a reputation for their usage of social media. In recent years, the two countries have been known for their attempts to control the narrative that is seen on social media. From censoring journalists to blocking platforms, Russia and China use social media to exert power over the population's perception. The governments of China and Russia have implemented increasingly severe measures to restrict their citizens' right to free speech. When Did Social Media Censorship Start? It appears that as the years progress social media is becoming less and less free. This goes well beyond CSAM and other types of criminal censorship. An increase in censorship leaves people wondering when this even started happening Donald Trump's election in 2016 incited a worldwide awakening. This event made the world aware of tech platforms' ability to disseminate false information and support anti-establishment ideologies. Since then, the former U.S president allegedly contributed to spreading political misinformation on social media platforms, causing a strong reaction from Silicon Valley. Following this, Trump's social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook were banned as were many other political pundits. Morgan Warstler shared his perspectives on Twitter's censorship and what steps might be taken to mediate censorship. Warstler's longstanding Twitter account was banned unexpectedly following coordination in direct messages. Following a discussion of what he believes Trump may do if his Twitter account is reinstated, Waster touches on the model that he thinks Twitter must evolve into. Interestingly, since Elon Musk has taken over the helm of Twitter, the likes of Morgan Warstler have been reinstated. Morgan says the government should have access to the back end of social media accounts to ensure identity verification. This would lead to a reduction in unexpected account suspensions. Only time will tell if Elon takes Morgan’s advice. Although this could be a future solution, Twitter is one of many social media platforms where all kinds of misinformation are spread. Many believe there's a fine line between freedom of speech and false information, as we have seen since the start of the pandemic. Pandemic Censorship The spread of misinformation surrounding the pandemic has been constant since it began. If there's one event that triggered increased global censorship on social media that would be it. Government and public health agencies had been incessantly announcing preventative measures and precautions intending to inform communities. However, this comes with the rise of what the WHO calls the “infodemic” which is known to be a slew of claims and data about the pandemic. Put together, misinformation and such flammable news as a global pandemic, one can see how censorship comes into play. When the pandemic stuck in our society, everyone knew that it had originated in China, since it was blasted on social media. Over the past few years, however, story after story has been circulated over social media about where the pandemic originated from. There are claims it originated on US soil amongst many other interesting conspiracy theories. Regardless, China is still inciting lockdowns in their cities and refining citizens to their homes two years later. RSnake and Morgan Warstler discussed China's continuation of lockdowns and what the underlying motive might be. They agreed that one possibility for China's continued lockdowns would be "...to exert as much political control as they possibly can." Additionally, based on China's history of censorship, Warstler and RSnake suppose that the extended lockdowns would permit the Chinese government to exert high levels of surveillance. RSnake mentioned, multiple checkpoints and increased methods of surveilling to collect information about the population. This has already occurred in some capacities with China's usage of drones meant to order residents back to their homes during outbreaks and heavy usage of monitoring social media to identify potential areas of outbreak and civil unrest. Throughout the pandemic, governments from multiple countries have attempted to control the narrative. It seems as though controlling the narrative also entails blame placing one country for the overall global pandemic. This is especially relevant when considering countries with authoritarian regimes, particularly Russia and China. Authoritarianism: China & U.S.A Authoritarian regimes may be most prominent in countries like Russia and China, however, it is on the rise in other countries. Somewhat before but especially since the pandemic, there have been rising traits of authoritarianism in the United States. In RSnake's discussion with Jennifer Richmond, they discussed China and the US's connections with authoritarianism. Richmond says that if the authoritarian trend within the US continues, there will be a lesser chance of countering China. The United States and China both have different strategies in dealing with issues when at feud. However, these strategies translate into the context of social media, as these two countries utilize platforms to push political agendas. Richmond explained through this China aims to exploit the West. One can only guess that might mean the future of social media in the US entailing increased censorship, surveillance, and narrative blaming. But with the narratives of diversity and knowledge sharing in the states this would be a significant change. If the United States were to take on an authoritarian regime, society and culture within could experience divisions. Social Media Can be Divisive Although social media has been the thing to bring people together and keep connections going during the pandemic, it can also push people apart. On social media, people have different opinions, perspectives, and ideas. This also includes social issues and more often than not they can be the sensitive subject matter. For example, RSnake's discussion with Raymond Kaminski covered the social media coverage of the Kyle Rittenhouse case. As they discussed, this case was widely covered. However, due to the violence involved in the case, social media platforms like Facebook began to censor content results. This creates a situation where users then become divided. As RSnake mentioned, some might be simply looking for information or sharing their opinions. But at the same time, some users believe that platforms have the responsibility of censoring graphic material. This is where social media algorithms come into play. Social Media Algorithms: Seeing One Side of Things In the early days of the internet and social media, it seemed as though there was a much smaller volume of what is considered graphic or harmful content. Nowadays, there appears to be more and more content that is being censored and social media platforms are using algorithms to do it. Essentially, a social media algorithm will organize posts based on relevancy. However, that is only one method that social media platforms use algorithms for. Pew Centre Research reports that there are multiple, "...including to decide and structure what flow of content users see; figure out what ads a user will like; make recommendations for content users might like, and assist with content moderation like detecting and removing hate speech." It is moderation and censorship that have become a particularly hot topic especially since some think that while it can be useful, it can create filter bubbles. The Danger of Filter Bubbles Filter bubbles have been tagged as problematic by more than a few people. A literature review published by the Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford reports that analysts have expressed concern about filter bubbles due to the risk of polarization. A filter bubble is directly linked with algorithms and ranking search results. However, to understand them, it is important to know about echo chambers, since a filter bubble resides within one. The Reuters Institute report explains that echo chambers are known to "describe a particular situation some people are in as a result of media supply, distribution, and/or their demand." Essentially, social media algorithms end up creating echo chambers and subsequently filter bubbles. Once an algorithm puts you in a filter bubble, this implies you may lose out on critical information since these algorithms have cut you off from material and viewpoints that you haven't already expressed an interest in. RSnake's discussion with Raymond Kaminski explored what can happen when you get put into a filter bubble. He believes that "if you're going to have if you're going to have content, have both sides of the coin, and don't censor one versus the other." Kaminski says when algorithms censor and refine users, "we're not growing, we're not expanding our minds, it becomes an echo chamber." Social Media in Years to Come The relationship between social media and censorship is evolving as social media continues to morph in multiple avenues. As RSnake mentioned, now there's an app for everything. The potential for digital balkanization to continue in the future for social media could be possible. However, as Kaminski mentioned, he thinks that people are getting sick of platforms. In a sense, this becomes information overload, too many apps and social media tools could have the opposite effect on users. If technical apps were to multiply, for example, one for snapping pictures, and another for filming, users could begin to experience frustration having to use so many apps. As Kaminski said, social media has exploded in the past decade, and many believe that the initial intent of social media has drifted away. People are supposed to share and connect, but it's becoming more difficult with high volumes of disinformation, political agendas, and censorship becoming more prevalent. No one knows for certain what the future of social media will be, but based on the current ecosystem, it seems like a lofty goal would be to get back to the original premise of social media: connecting.