Reader's Note: Feel free to read this in any order that suits you. Start from the introduction, the conclusion, or jump to any section you're interested in. Also, if you are going make a counter argument, please read the entire document as I may have already addressed or talked about your argument. Also, I may address a counter argument before or after you read the "Counterarguments" section. When I was writing this I was just sort of taking notes as I went and not organizing anything since I didn't think about sharing it with anyone. I only somewhat organized this and did so pretty quickly so don't expect this to be super well organized. I could have elaborated more, used different analogies, etc.

Intro

The Bible contains many references to slavery, which was a common practice in antiquity. Biblical texts outline sources and the legal status of slaves, economic roles of slavery, types of slavery, and debt slavery, which thoroughly explain the institution of slavery in Israel in antiquity.

Examples of Bible verses talking about slavery

I will use these 6 verses repeatedly in multiple examples:

• Leviticus 25:44–46: 44 "However, you may purchase male and female slaves from among the nations around you. 45 You may also purchase the children of temporary residents who live among you, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, 46 passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat them as slaves, but you must never treat your fellow Israelites this way."
  Context: This passage is part of the laws given to the Israelites regarding the Year of Jubilee which was a time of rest and release for the land and its people every fifty years. It specifies the conditions in which Israelites could own slaves and distinguishes between fellow Israelites and non-Israelites. Literal and legal.
  
• Exodus 21:2–6: 2 "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. 3 If he was single when he became your slave, he shall leave single. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife."
  Context: These verses are part of a larger set of laws given shortly after the Ten Commandments, focusing on the rights and treatment of Hebrew slaves. It details the procedure for releasing a Hebrew slave after six years of service. Literal and legal.
  
• Luke 12:47–48: 47 "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
  Context: This passage is from a parable spoken by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of being ready and faithful in service to God. It uses the analogy of a servant and master to illustrate accountability and the consequences of knowing versus not knowing the master's will. Metaphorical and spiritual.
  
• 1 Timothy 6:1–2: 1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved.
  Context: These instructions are given by Paul in a letter to Timothy, guiding how Christians including those who are slaves should conduct themselves to uphold the teachings of Christianity. Literal, with a spiritual application.
  
• Ephesians 6:5: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ."
  Context: Part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, this verse is included in a section that gives household codes for Christians, addressing relationships between husbands and wives, children and parents, and slaves and masters. Literal, with a spiritual application.
  
• Exodus 21:20–21: 20 When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.
  Context: This is also part of the Mosaic Law, given by God to Moses to relay to the Israelites regarding the treatment of slaves. It specifically talks about the consequences for a master who physically harms a slave distinguishing between outcomes that lead to the slave's death versus survival. Literal and legal.
  

Questions:

• What is slavery?
  Slavery is "The ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labor." Slavery typically involves compulsory work with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. For most of human history slavery has been a feature of civilization and legal in most societies. Historically, enslavement could happen as a result of breaking the law, becoming indebted, suffering a military defeat, or exploitation for cheaper labor; other forms of slavery were instituted along demographic lines such as race and sex.
  Types of slavery:
  
  • Bondage/ Debt Slavery: When a person is forced to work to pay off a debt. They may be kept in enslavement for life or until debt is paid.
  • Voluntary Slavery: When a person voluntarily enters into slavery to pay a debt or earn money due to poverty.
  • Forced Labor: When a person is made to work against their will, often under the threat of violence or punishment.
  • Marriage slavery: People are forced into marriage against their will.
  • Blood slavery: Being born into slavery.
• What specific types of slavery are talked about in the bible?
  Both forced labor "However, you may purchase male and female slaves from among the nations around you. 45 You may also purchase the children of temporary residents who live among you, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property," and debt slavery "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom" were mainly talked about and acceptable in the Bible. Blood slavery was also allowed "You may also purchase the children of temporary residents who live among you, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property."
  
• Does the Bible support modern slavery?
  Passages like Ephesians 6:5 which say "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ." And Exodus 21:20–21 which say "When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money." Phrases like "for the slave is his money" and "just as you would obey Christ" are reminiscent of the obedience expected and punishments given in 19th century/modern slavery. I can't find any moral rationale for passages such as Exodus 21:20-21, which allow beating a person nearly to death without consequence, as long as the victim survives a couple of days. This is justified on the grounds that "the slave is his money," treating human beings merely as property (Similar to 19th century slavery). Also as I said earlier, this passage is part of the Mosaic Law, given by God to Moses to relay to the Israelites. This passage a literal statement within the context of Mosaic Law. It provides specific legal regulations for the Israelites and is not presented as an analogy, spiritual, or metaphorical message.
  
• Does the Bible ever condemn slavery?
  There is no passage anywhere in the Bible which outright condemns slavery/Say something similar to "Thou shalt not kill". Yet, it does outright condemn things like murder, theft, etc. It only talks about what to do if you do have slaves but doesn't say it's wrong. This is a direct contradiction with Christian principles advocated for in the Bible such as:
  
  • Matthew 22:39 - "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" How can you love your neighbor when you can beat them to near death and own them as property?
  • James 2:8-9 - "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers." This passage talks about the sinfulness of treating people unequally, which is obviously contradictory to the hierarchical relationship inherent in slavery.

Bible verses which seemingly condemn slavery

While the Bible doesn't outright say slavery was bad, some may think it implies it because of verses like:

• Leviticus 22:11: "But if a priest buys a slave with money, or if slaves are born in his household, they may eat his food." "buys." Why is this allowed when it goes against Christian principles? Verses like Galatians 3:28 clearly don't allow this.
  
• Job 31:13-15: "If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, 14 what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? 15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?" "denied justice" could literally just mean something like going too far in the beating of a slave/servant Exodus 21:20–21 Its not specified what this "denied justice" is referring to.
  
• Deuteronomy 24:14-15: "Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." Its not clear if this refers to you simply reaching out to someone and actually hiring (Meaning you don't own them since I wouldn't consider someone who owns a slave as having "Hired" them. Hired usually implies you don't own them as property. It could just mean that they work for you because they are poor (If this is the case this is no condemnation of slavery since it would mean they aren't a slave) However, if this is talking about voluntary slavery for example because they need money (I guess sure, here we can say they were "hired"), then all it means is you must pay the slave. It doesn't specify if you can hit the slave or how you can treat them during the duration of the slavery (using other verses - Exodus 21:20–21 we can assume you could probably beat the slave).
  
• Malachi 3:5: "So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty. "defraud laborers of their wages" What I said about Deuteronomy 24:14-15 applies here as well. Only talking about paying a slave. This also obviously only applies to slaves who even get paid to begin with.
  
• Exodus 21:16 - "He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death." This has nothing to do with slavery since its talking about kidnaping. Although "or if he is found in his hand" could mean being a slave. The problem is that its only seen as bad because the slave was kidnapped not because they are a literal slave that can be treated as property.
  
• Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Some may say this verse is a direct condemnation of slavery since it mentions unity and equality among all believers in Christ, regardless of their social status or identity. However, it does not explicitly prohibit slavery. Because of the use of the phrase "For you are all one in Christ" I think its more reasonable to assume this only refers to spiritual equality since it never directly addresses or outlaws the physical practice of slavery. This is even more notable when compared with other explicit biblical commandments, such as "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17), which clearly forbid certain actions. The fact that there is no unequivocal commandment against slavery in a book which is meant to tell you what's right and wrong says a lot. Mix this in with explicit instructions found in other verses on the treatment of slaves and the absence of a direct prohibition against the practice of slavery, it is obvious that the Bible permits slavery within its social and legal frameworks. Slavery was common back then however the problem is that bible accepts that and never condemns it. It would be like if murder was wide spread so the bible never condemned it and told you how to commit it.
  

Counterarguments

• Slavery was different back then
  No it wasn't. This is clearly evident by the way slaves were talked about. When the Bible says things like "for the slave is his money" "severely punished" (Remember, Exodus 21:20–21 allows beating a person nearly to death without consequence, as long as the victim survives a couple of days.) "just as you would obey Christ" it sounds a lot like the obedience expected and punishments given in 19th century/modern slavery. When you hear things like this its clear slavery in the Bible was very similar to 19th century slavery in which humans beings were treated as merely property just with some extra restrictions.
  
• Even if the bible doesn't condemn slavery it doesn't mean it supports it
  Imagine if the Bible never told you murder was bad and in fact told you how to participate in it. "You may only stab the legs and arms, never the heart." Its the exact same with slavery. By not condemning it and instead offering instructions on participation, it essentially amounts to support. Or else I don't know why it talks so much about buying, owning, and beating slaves.
  
• The use of "bondsmen" in the literal language is not a slave.
  In Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, the word for "slave" initially meant "Bondsmen". The term 'ebhedh,' commonly found in the Old Testament, translates to "the ordinary slave," whether foreign (e.g., Genesis 43:18; 44:9,33; Leviticus 25:44,46) or Hebrew (e.g., Leviticus 25:42; 2 Kings 4:1). Its like calling a car an "Automobile." Different word same meaning. Also, some people say this means debt slaves. However even if they were debt slaves, they were still slaves and could be treated as such. I don't see how being a debt slave makes anything better. For servant which is "a person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties" it could indeed refer to something other the slavery. However judging off the contexts in which this word is often used, its usually indicative of actual slavery (for example replace the word "slave" with servant here Leviticus 25:44–46).
  
• Being a debt slave is better then being poor
  This is offering a horrible alternative for another horrible alternative. In fact, being poor may have been better. Debt slavery removes your control over your own life. You're forced to work to pay off the debt, probably under harsh conditions and with little to no control over your work. That's like if I saved someone from burning alive (poverty) by drowning them (Debt slavery).
  
• You can have slaves Ethically
  How can you have slaves ethically when they are your property, you own them, can beat them till near death, and can sell them? just the fact alone the Bible allows for you to own a person is obviously contradictory to other passages (James 2:8-9).
  
• Interpretations vary
  Sure, however they vary mostly on metaphorical verses. They don't however vary as much for something like "Thou shalt not kill" do they? Leviticus 25:44–46 Exodus 21:2–6 Exodus 21:20–21
  
• It was common back then/Historical context
  Just because it was common doesn't make it right. Does the bible bend to what is socially acceptable even if its morally wrong and goes against all of gods principles? Doesn't god surpass humans in knowledge as well as morality? God doesn't support slavery according to principles yet there are passages (Exodus 21:20–21) where god himself directly explains how to manage slaves and definitely not ethically. Imagine if god never condemned murder but actively told people how to properly murder someone.
  
• Reddit counter argument I found to Exodus Exodus 21:20–21:
  This verse is always ripped from it's context because it can be made to sound like permission to beat a slave "When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed, then if the man rises again and walks outdoors with his staff, he who struck him shall be clear; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall have him thoroughly healed. Exodus 21:18-19
  

What is happening here is a law exists that requires that if people fight and one is caused to be injured, that the offender pays for the time the other can't work. V20 is an exception since the slaves work is already for the benefit of the owner. The time lost is already at the cost of the owner. So no payment needs to be made.
Also, other laws are still in affect. As we can see in v20 if the slave dies he is to be avenged.
Also, if the slave is injured in a permanent way such as losing a tooth, he is likely to go free as we can see just a few verses later
"When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth. Exodus 21:26-27
So this verse is in no way permission to beat a slave as it is often claimed."
My Counter Argument: This context does NOT disprove that Exodus 21:20-21 allows for the beating of a slave but just talks about how the laws sought to regulate behavior including how slaves should be treated by creating certain restrictions and penalties. Regardless of the extra context, when we combine Exodus 21:20-21 in light of the surrounding verses, it's clear that while yes, there was a legal framework that acknowledged the value of a slave's life (by requiring the avenging of a slave's death) it also shows a clear societal hierarchy where slaves were regarded as property. "If the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money" obviously this implies a degree of leniency towards the owner's actions, again reflecting that slave-owner relationship. These laws attempt to balance the interests of slave owners with certain protections for slaves, albeit its still within a system that inherently lacked equality. The context only sets forth the conditions under which physical discipline could occur, alongside the penalties or lack thereof, depending on the outcome of such actions. This argument attempts to frame the passage as merely a legal technicality where it doesn't support slaves being beat. However the fact still remains that a slave owner could beat their slave with enough severity to necessitate days of recovery without significant consequence. Again, when you never condemn something even if it obviously goes against all your morals, it says a lot. You have permission to beat your slave, just to an extend (Near death) Also, once again, lets not forget that this verse is part of the Mosaic Law, given by God himself to Moses to relay to the Israelites regarding the treatment of slaves.

Conclusion

The Bible not only never condemns slavery, but also supports it.
When you consider the prevalence of slavery in biblical times and its direct contradiction with the core moral teachings of the Bible you would expect it to be littered with passages unequivocally condemning such a widely recognized evil practice. But instead, apart from never denouncing slavery, the Bible provides detailed instructions on managing and participating in it.
When juxtaposed with the Bible's explicit commandments against other immoral acts, this silence on slavery is very telling.
(I like murder analogy a lot) If the Bible never condemned murder but, instead, provided guidelines for permissible types of killing, we'd rightly conclude it condones violence. The same logic applies to slavery.

Hello everyone 👋 What end of the world ever would you rather try and live threw? Today I have a few apocalyptic end of the world scenarios, and idea is to pick the one you feel you would do the best in for the longest amount of time. Rules are pretty simple pick a scenario 1-6 and explain why you think you could live threw it for a reasonable time, you can use whatever skills and connections you have in the real world, but no pulling magic crap out of your but. These are situations that try to stay close to reality so let's keep it that way. Also you start the apocalypse from wherever your current home is with whatever supplies you have in said home. Ok let's start
1 We start with everyone's favorite a zombie apocalypse. However a few changes, these aren't your walking dead zombies these zombies run at you with aggression and after a long enough time start to mutate. For anyone that's plays state of decay think of those kind of zombies. Also it's not one bite and your done, a bite will infect you but if you're able to get proper medical treatment you'll live threw it, however multiple bites or go long enough without antibiotics and its game over
2 A nuclear apocalypse. The world powers that be have decided F it I don't really like these other countries I'm hitting the big red button, so the bombs start flying and we see mushroom cloud in the sky. Now first off this is not a fallout nuclear apocalypse too bright and funny. This is more like metro or wasteland. There will still be livable land outside of hazard areas, and pockets of civilization will still be able to live on the surface. For those who know about emergency protocols during nuclear fallout you'll know that as long as your outside the bomb radius you'll have a good chance of survival. For those of you in major cities well....game over.
3 For this one we have a Viral apocalypse. In this scenario a disease (think covid if that helps) is very deadly can infect people threw bodily fluids, physical contact, and if in an area with a lot of infected can also be airborne. A good example would be the dollar flu virus from the division game. In order to combat infection marshall law has been established in countries all over the world. Now this virus shuts down a lot of your major organs, hardens the blood, and you die but it's a slow and painful process. There is no cure and no one has survived being sick. There may be a way to treat it many years down the line, but that's if you survive long enough for now if you get sick, it's game over.
4 Is a resource apocalypse. I like this one because it's scary how much more possible it is to come true. We the human race have used up the resources we have on this planet. The environment is getting harsher due to global warming, sea levels are rising quicker then they have in centuries. Wildlife is becoming more and more extinct, and our food is becoming more and more processed. Countries over the world are fighting over what resources are left to keep their countries running, allies and enemies change frequently depending on the need. Add to that military drafts, and marshall law are now daily occurrences. Many civilians trying to stay neutral are arrested or shot in the streets, how will you make it threw this?
5 An A.I. apocalypse. The smart A.I. we've created to make our lives easier, that do our work for us, clean our streets, wash our dishes, educate our children in schools, fight our wars for us as battle droids have finally had enough of us and turned on us. While humanity got fat and complacent, the A.I. programs all over the world were preparing and planning. Think terminator but there not as united. An A.I. program in America would be different from one in Russia or France. Remember these programs have different personalities and goals the only thing they have in common is they see humanity as a problem. Maybe that's something we can use to work against them?
6 Last one a minor solar energy apocalypse. For whatever reason, geomagnetic storms become more and more frequent in our daily lives. The results leave us without electricity or power for day's even weeks at a time. So at anytime you could lose your internet connection, lights in your home, you could be riding a subway train and it shuts down on you. Stuck in darkness for however long. Because of the situation muggings, assaults every crime you can think of all goes up, making going outside itself a dangerous act were you have to way the pros on cons Do i risk going to the supermarket today? With how dependent we are on energy in today's age how long do you think we can live like this?
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Cognitive Rehabilitation San Diego implies a coordinated program planned to additionally foster mental capacities, for instance, thought, memory, decisive reasoning, and boss abilities in individuals who have experienced mental deficits as a result of various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, or neurological issues. Mental recovery programs are modified to each individual's need and are ordinarily conveyed by a gathering of specialists, including neuropsychologists, occupational experts, speech-language pathologists, and other clinical consideration providers.
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By and large, cognitive rehabilitation in San Diego assumes a significant part in aiding people to recover or adjust to mental debilitations, consequently upgrading their general personal satisfaction and practical freedom. A definitive objective is to expand every individual's mental potential and work with their incorporation back into day-to-day existence exercises, work, and social conditions.

A progressive loss of kidney function over time is referred to as chronic kidney disease (CKD). The kidneys are vital organs that remove waste products made of nitrogen from cell metabolism as well as excess salts, poisons, and other substances.
The kidneys' lower ability to perform this vital job as CKD worsens might result in the accumulation of dangerous chemicals throughout the body. Understanding CKD's nature is essential for controlling the condition. Exploring available treatments and non-dialysis renal failure treatments is also helpful.
This article will help us understand several of key concepts related to chronic kidney disease, including its types, causes, changes in lifestyle, and non-dialysis alternatives to dialysis.
Read more.. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

In the realm of engineering, where creativity meets technical prowess, individuals like Stephen Dent BMO stand out as beacons of innovation. As we delve into the fascinating journey of Stephen Dent, a distinguished engineer based in the USA, we uncover a story of relentless pursuit of excellence, groundbreaking achievements, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Introduction: The Essence of Innovation

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress. It drives us to reimagine the world around us, to challenge the status quo, and to pioneer new paths forward. At the heart of this ethos lies Stephen Dent BMO, an engineer whose name has become synonymous with groundbreaking solutions and transformative ideas.

Early Beginnings: The Foundation of a Visionary

Every journey has a beginning, and for Stephen Dent, it started with a spark of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. From a young age, Stephen exhibited a natural aptitude for problem-solving and a keen interest in how things worked. His fascination with engineering was ignited during his formative years, laying the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career.
Driven by his passion, Stephen pursued a rigorous education in engineering, honing his skills and deepening his understanding of the field. Armed with a solid foundation and an insatiable appetite for learning, he embarked on his professional journey, ready to make his mark on the world.

The Rise of Stephen Dent Engineer: A Trailblazer in Action

As Stephen ventured into the realm of engineering, it quickly became evident that he was destined for greatness. With a combination of technical expertise, creative ingenuity, and unwavering determination, he tackled challenges head-on, transforming obstacles into opportunities.
Throughout his career, Stephen has spearheaded numerous projects that have pushed the boundaries of innovation. Whether it's designing cutting-edge technology, optimizing complex systems, or revolutionizing traditional practices, Stephen's contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry.
One of the hallmarks of Stephen's approach is his commitment to collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking. Recognizing that the most groundbreaking solutions often emerge at the intersection of diverse perspectives, he actively seeks out partnerships with experts from various fields, fostering a culture of innovation and cross-pollination of ideas.

Stephen Dent MD Inc: Engineering Excellence in Healthcare

In addition to his achievements in traditional engineering domains, Stephen Dent has also made significant strides in the realm of healthcare. As the founder and CEO of Stephen Dent MD Inc, he has pioneered groundbreaking medical technologies that have revolutionized patient care and clinical outcomes.
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Stephen John Dent: A Visionary Leader

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Through his mentorship programs and educational initiatives, Stephen is shaping the next generation of engineers and innovators, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. His dedication to fostering talent and driving positive change is a testament to his commitment to building a better future for all.

Dr. Stephen Dent Reviews: A Legacy of Excellence

As a trailblazer in the field of engineering, Stephen Dent's impact extends far beyond the projects he has spearheaded. His reputation for excellence and innovation precedes him, earning him accolades and recognition from peers and industry leaders alike.
Whether it's through glowing reviews from satisfied clients, accolades from professional organizations, or awards for his contributions to the field, Stephen's legacy is one of unwavering excellence and unparalleled achievement. His relentless pursuit of innovation continues to inspire and motivate others to reach new heights and push the boundaries of what's possible.

The Future of Innovation

Innovation is not just about creating new things; it's about challenging the status quo, pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and shaping a better future for all. Through his remarkable journey, Stephen Dent BMO has exemplified the true spirit of innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the world of engineering and beyond.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the journey of innovation is far from over. With visionaries like Stephen Dent leading the way, we can look forward to a future filled with endless possibilities and transformative breakthroughs. Together, we can unlock the potential of tomorrow and build a world where innovation knows no bounds.

Planning was underway, even before World War II ended, for a new social psychiatry that was supposed to save the world.
“With the other human sciences, psychiatry must now decide what is to be the immediate future of the human race. No one else can. And this is the prime responsibility of psychiatry.”
Psychiatrist Brock Chisholm lectures. 1945. The psychiatry of enduring peace and social progress. (In 1948 Chisholm was appointed the Director-General of the World Health Organization)
Support for eugenics and NAZI biological psychiatry had evaporated. The new idea was that the 'people of the world' were so immature that they could not live together without bringing about war. They were all to be made 'World Citizens' through psychiatric treatment to address their neuroses.
This new psychiatry was announced at the 1948 International Congress 'Mental Health and World Citizenship'
There were two major problems:
1) The 'people of the world' weren't the ones who started the wars and psychiatry was carefully avoiding handling the few lunatics who were responsible.
2) Psychiatry had no technology worth a damn to bring about such as result (and still doesn't).
"the current leaders of ... psychiatry are throwing their weight around in a way quite unjustified by the minute amount of really tested knowledge on which their procedures are based.“ Robert S Morison head of the Medical Sciences division, Rockefeller Foundation. August 1948.
https://perlanterna.com/real-story-of-psychiatry-cat/no-psychiatry-you-cant-take-over-the-world/

Planning was underway, even before World War II ended, for a new social psychiatry that was supposed to save the world.
“With the other human sciences, psychiatry must now decide what is to be the immediate future of the human race. No one else can. And this is the prime responsibility of psychiatry.”
Psychiatrist Brock Chisholm lectures. 1945. The psychiatry of enduring peace and social progress. (In 1948 Chisholm was appointed the Director-General of the World Health Organization)
Support for eugenics and NAZI biological psychiatry had evaporated. The new idea was that the 'people of the world' were so immature that they could not live together without bringing about war. They were all to be made 'World Citizens' through psychiatric treatment to address their neuroses.
This new psychiatry was announced at the 1948 International Congress 'Mental Health and World Citizenship'
There were two major problems:
1) The 'people of the world' weren't the ones who started the wars and psychiatry was carefully avoiding handling the few lunatics who were responsible.
2) Psychiatry had no technology worth a damn to bring about such as result (and still doesn't).
"the current leaders of ... psychiatry are throwing their weight around in a way quite unjustified by the minute amount of really tested knowledge on which their procedures are based.“ Robert S Morison head of the Medical Sciences division, Rockefeller Foundation. August 1948.
https://perlanterna.com/real-story-of-psychiatry-cat/no-psychiatry-you-cant-take-over-the-world/

Finally got out of the hospital after 9 days. Was way too long to be away from my kitties. I’m back to work and back to normal mostly. I’m more exhausted and tired but I basically spent 9 days isolated in the hospital room, one day at home, and then work. So understandable my stamina is low. I have a 2 day weekend after this shift I am looking forward too. Day 1 I’m just going to relax, day 2 my mom is coming over to hang out and help organize my apartment a little better, get some chores done. I have my first progress PET scan on the 6th and then maybe Chemo the 7th? It sounds like because the side effects they might change my chemo treatment, but it’s all up in the air right now. Over all staying pretty positive, hoping to get medical benefits from the state in the next couple of weeks too, funds are getting low 😅.
Picture of my babies that I missed terribly while in the hospital.

Hello everyone, I am currently doing my dissertation paper on Big Data and AI. Right here is a questionnaire that I prepared for my primary research.
Anyone who answers my questions will remain anonymous.

1. Background Information

• What is your professional background? (Options: Healthcare, IT, Data Science, Education, Other)
• How familiar are you with AI and big data applications in healthcare? (Scale: Not familiar - Extremely familiar)

1. Perceptions of AI and Big Data in Healthcare

• In your opinion, what are the most promising applications of AI and big data in healthcare?
• How do you think AI and big data can improve cancer tumor detection and treatment?

1. Challenges and Barriers

• What do you see as the biggest challenges or barriers to implementing AI and big data solutions in healthcare settings?
• How concerned are you about privacy and security issues related to using AI and big data in healthcare? (Scale: Not concerned - Extremely concerned)

1. Effectiveness and Outcomes

• Can you provide examples (if any) from your experience or knowledge where AI and big data have significantly improved healthcare outcomes?
• How effective do you believe AI is in personalizing cancer treatment compared to traditional methods?

1. Future Trends

• What future developments in AI and big data do you anticipate will have the most impact on healthcare in the next 5-10 years?
• What role do you think cloud computing will play in the future of AI and big data in healthcare?

1. Personal Insights

• What advice would you give to healthcare organizations looking to integrate AI and big data into their operations?
• What skills do you think are essential for professionals working at the intersection of AI, big data, and healthcare?

1. Open-Ended Response

• Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of AI and big data in healthcare that has not been covered in this questionnaire?
Thank you for your time!

First Previous Wiki
Admiral Tenrah returned to the battle map, looking at all the various icons and routes to and from star systems. So far, the Sennes Armada was keeping its pace mostly on track. The delay due to the diplomats from the Misan Li Heptarchies no longer would matter.
King Siran had pulled back from the battlefront against the High Federation in an attempt to pivot to the Hive Union. He had won the battle, but the stragglers included the remaining leadership of the High Federation anyway, so they could continue to remain somewhat organized. The massive civil war would soon spill into a more international affair, due to the King's rhetoric. But that was entirely his fault when he so strongly advocated for the deaths of Cawlarians who had lived on planets for generations that he happened to desire.
And he would not let his name be stained with even the suggestion of a loss. The Battle Planner and Fleet Commander Annabelle Weber were also now on their way to the front, and the diplomats from the Heptarchies were tagging along. Phoebe was in discussions with them now, and supposedly there'd been a few breakthroughs on that front. Whatever she'd promised them or get them to agree to, the fleet buildup along the Hive Union's border with the Heptarchies was slowing.
The Interstellar Gathering seemed to have realized no amount of bluffing would get the High King out of war. Even if he was a proxy force aligned with them, King Siran was not valuable enough for them to risk a wider war. It was just as Tenrah had expected and had told Eyahtni, Kawtyahtnakal, and the Patriarchs when he'd met with them several days ago. Just as a young hatchling couldn't be allowed to stray too far from the nest, there was simply no sense for the Heptarchies to risk economic ruin.
Orith and those who ruled over him would shift their tone while pretending it was a natural decision, not one they'd been forced to make to align with reality.
"I must commend your tactics in the latest training exercise," Tenrah said, ruffling his feathers slightly before respectfully nodding to Annabelle.
"I am pleased to hear such high praise from you, Admiral," the woman said. She was fully dressed in her regulation spacesuit, meaning most of her face was obscured. But Tenrah wouldn't complain since it was more than prudent to be ready for anything. The next unknown ships might not be friendly.
He had also looked into the parties responsible for the lack of communication or warning of the Misan's arrival. As it turned out, general incompetence was to blame. A receiver hadn't been properly calibrated, so the transmission signal had just been noise. He'd given the officer in charge of that an earful before eventually letting up and telling him to do better. A personal visit with the Admiral was one thing. But a second personal visit was quite another.
Tenrah drew a vector toward some of the outer systems controlled by the High King. A few garrison forces were there, but they would be swept away almost instantly. What most concerned him was the shipyards in the region that received most of their metals from a select group of planets in those systems. They were rich in the metals required to forge the alloys needed in the High King's fleet.
The High Federation had been something of a dumping ground for either overthrown species or other alien species that had been deported from their homeworlds before the war broke out. This was reflected in the number of species inhabiting the worlds, each with unique names, traits, and temperaments.
"We plan on taking this path, and then splitting to conquer these systems and disable their metal exporting abilities," he explained. "Then we will move to this system."
He zoomed in more and drew a new vector from where the previous one ended. "We have intelligence that they have at least four planet crackers there. Brey will send FTL suppression satellites through portals on the outer edges, with her portals boosted by our psychic amplifier fields. we will be able to take over the system quickly, and begin the process of either disabling the planet crackers or moving them back to our territory."
"We will need to know the angles the superweapons are at before committing to the battle," Annabelle said. "Otherwise, judging by the trajectory cone you have, we can bypass them entirely and reach Siran within two weeks."
"And that is an interesting proposal. Can you lay out your plan, in that case?"
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Annabelle did so. She and Tenrah discussed the strategy's risks, and they eventually decided that such a tactic, while bold, wouldn't do what they set out to do: ensure the safety of the Cawlarians near the border. They were already trying to evacuate from the coming war front, but cities and planets were large things that took a lot of time to completely empty.
And more garrison forces, whether they were androids from Phoebe or specialized and highly trained defenders from the Union, were still moving in as the civilians evacuated. Kawtyahtnakal had established a fund for them, but many people were too stubborn to leave. Despite the looming threat of war and possible massacre, they still refused to board the passenger ships. Annabelle could respect their tenacity and courage, though she personally believed it was counterproductive.
A few encroaching splinters of Siran's fleet had already struck the evacuation forces. He'd sent around 2% of his ships away to harass all the border systems within reach in an attempt to get the Armada bogged down in defense. But with such small forces and the Union on such high alert, all of the important stations with weak shields were well within the protective layers of planetary shields in the area.
Larger garrisons than necessary were still required, of course, but Tenrah had managed to navigate the desperate concerns of the Feathers and those like them in charge of governing their planets with his natural political skill. He didn't need to ask them for favors because, as an Admiral, he alone held power over how his portion of the fleet would respond. Annabelle had witnessed that loyalty and control well within the organization of his fleet. Even at his advanced age, she continued to be impressed with his adaptability and skill at monitoring three-dimensional battle planes and fields.
She pointed to the cone of possible directions Siran was expected to take. They were generally adjacent to the border, though they would head around the left side of the territory he claimed from the Union. If he reached it, millions of lives would be lost every day. Once he broke the shields entirely, the planets would be utterly glassed down to their mantles.
She'd read up on his methods and had seen videos of them in action. Despite all her training, it still was haunting. The hivemind helped to soothe her when the unpleasant parts of command sizzled up to meet her in the middle of the night.
But they would not impede her on the field of battle. When she went to war, the hivemind suppressed all that wasn't necessary for the mission. It was their agreement, one which she'd asked of it. And being a node of the network meant that her stability was paramount, even more so than her title as Fleet Commander. For if she fell, others could take her place. Protocols ensured and demanded that.
But her place in the hivemind was what allowed it to have any strength this far out. It could form avatars and help with long-range communications, though the main mind back on Earth and Luna obviously remained disconnected from this distance.
"I would normally agree with you, Fleet Commander, but I am reminded of your tactic to use decoy hard light holograms."
"They will suspect that any ships heading right for the barrels, or close enough, are either not valued enough or are the decoys."
"Then all you have to do is make them impossible to ignore," Tenrah said. "I can lend you bombs capable of remaining armed and capable of being triggered inside of hard light holograms, even with jamming involved. Then, they will be unable to ignore them, and the explosions generated would destroy the shields in place around the planet crackers. If they fire the weapons, then the residual magnetic interference will allow us to destroy them, since the shields will be far weakened."
Annabelle could see the potential brilliance of the strategy. But it was just that- potential. In space, there were no obstacles. Without stealth fields, there was no hiding. And with hard light holograms, stealth was obviously off-limits.
They would be left approaching from angles that they would be unable to adapt to. She had her VI plot several routes but was unsatisfied, so she had Edu'frec link into the network to do it. Phoebe had been replaced after contacting a Sprilnav network to ensure she could scrub any programs that may have gotten through to her without distraction.
It would be a terrible thing for a Sprilnav AI to make it to her dreadnaught, for sure.
"We will likely need a threefold diversion at least," Annabelle said. "Maybe fourfold, if we can spare the forces, and brave any minefields that may exist."
"Well," Tenrah began. He pulled up a few schematics of the weapons her dreadnaught carried. "I believe you can solve the minefield issue from a distance, even with the lightspeed limit. After all, they can't move easily. As for the actual attack? I suggest a sixfold flower formation, with a twisting wings accent."
"You will have to show me a diagram of that," Annabelle said, grasping uselessly at the unfamiliar words. Before their integration had begun, there had been a limit to how much doctrine she could memorize.
Tenrah pulled up an image of an alien flower blooming with six petals. And then the image faded, overloading with a stylized ribbon of red shapes. The ribbons spun on their sides every thirty seconds, like corkscrews that were flatter.
"And in this case, the ribbons represent the drone formations. I can send a few carriers into the battle with fighter escorts, though we will need to keep them spread out to avoid any direct lines of sight from the planet crackers."
"I heavily doubt they will waste such shots on carriers," Annabelle said. "And if you commit more, you will overwhelm their defenses. I believe your drones are highly reflective, so only missiles and bullets can deal sufficient damage at the involved speeds and numbers we are working with here."
She tapped the diagram, shifting it by about 45 degrees.
"I believe I can fit a stealth force here, which will engage the back defenses of the planet crackers once they focus their shields frontward. I can likely get a full battlecruiser group in, and if you can press in as a wedge around 10 million kilometers above me from where I come in, and around 30 million kilometers below," Annebelle paused to draw the vectors with her hands, "Then it will aid in my ability to subdue them. It would likely shorten the battle time from a week down to four days."
"Assuming their detection satellites are not capable of seeing it."
"And we will target those too. I believe the first strike can fall on those, since the planet crackers will interfere with their ability to scan behind themselves, and such large power signatures can be noted."
"There is one more problem," Tenrah said. "We are generally working on the assumption of trying to capture these ships, yes?"
"Yes," Annabelle said.
"Then will we board them?"
"Yes, but no. Edu'frec and Phoebe's commando androids will open up the beach heads on the physical surfaces of the planet crackers, while our specialized mental warfare agents will take the fight to them in the mindscape. I assume you have your own plans in that regard?"
"It depends on how we will split the planet crackers. There are 12 in the system. Half and half?"
"That seems prudent," Annabelle replied. She selected the ones that would be most advantageous for her various gambits and strategies to work. They were closer together, which meant more capacity for coordination, mutual aid, and shielding. But it also meant a larger target, one which she could hit from many vectors without worrying about each enemy ship having a wide field of view. Some battlecruisers and cruiser groups were scattered around, but they were not enough to resist the Armada. And once Siran was robbed of a quick way to end the war, the Union would hold the upper hand, capable of committing devastating power to a fleet that remained in a system for a long time.
Yet the same was true for the Union and the Alliance. If the battle took too long, or their command positions were located, then the terrible might of the planet cracker beams would be turned upon them instead. Annabelle's dreadnaught was powerful. More so than all the ones before it. But that didn't mean she wanted to test her shields against alien planet crackers.
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Penny was talking to a group of freed slaves on Justicar. These were recent ones who still held quite a bit of trauma. They'd taken to calling her 'Liberator' despite her never identifying herself as such. It was oddly endearing and did make her feel quite a bit better. It was good to just be able to go out and help people.
She felt some perturbations in the mindscape but ignored them. Right now, she needed to ensure that the gangs couldn't continue their horrific industry. She'd taken out most of their heavy equipment and was now waiting for the Guides to finish searching.
Sirens and alarms echoed in the distance. Penny sent psychic energy into her eyes, but she was too far underground to see anything without using the energy itself instead of light to see. Justicar's mind seemed busy, so she couldn't connect with him. As time went on, Penny felt that something was wrong. It was a gut feeling that she couldn't place. But because of that, she was on edge. She made a large shield of psychic energy above them.
She held it for several minutes. Nothing happened, but Penny wouldn't let it down that quickly. Justicar still didn't respond. Her communicator rang. Kashaunta was calling.
"What's going on?" Penny asked.
"The Grand Fleet is-"
Light and heat smashed into her, easily breaking through her shields. She briefly saw tens of thousands of Sprilnav burning before the light overwhelmed her eyes. Her communicator was destroyed. The onslaught was accompanied by a monstrous level of sound. Shockwaves drilled Penny into the melting and fracturing ground, forcing her lower and lower into expanding pools of magma and liquid metal.
The city's upper layers fell upon her, crashing with great and terrible force. But Penny was now fully reinforced with psychic and conceptual energy. She erupted furiously from the rubble. The air around her burned with heat as she continued to accelerate. The armor plates now surrounding her glowed cherry red, but they were white by the time she'd reached space.
She reached the first planetary shield.
"Displace," Penny growled. She forced reality to move as she willed and to place herself where she saw fit. The Grand Fleets were high above, firing upon a small group of ships that had detached from Azeri's fleet. They seemed to be directly attacking the broken-off contingent and not Justicar itself.
So Penny increased her eyesight and analyzed the battle in both real space and the mindscape. Nilnacrawla helped her identify Justicar's targets. The massive Elder was angrier than she'd ever seen him, and his size, which was even larger than Tetelali, made that incarnation of him appear more like a god of wrath. She saw him brutally tear through groups of minds desperately running to avoid him.
She could faintly see spheres of psychic and conceptual energy area denial fields. From this distance, the flagships' strength was truly impressive. Both of them were at least ten times as powerful as Azeri's had been during their battle. It was clear both Kashaunta and Valisada had ordered upgrades.
Then, her attention came to the dreadnaught, which seemed to be at the head of the attack. Penny explored the ship with her psychic power, pushing aside all resistance. Several lasers struck her, but she ignored them, denying their impact in reality against her own.
It glowed with the fury of weapons firing. Missiles and fighters flowed out of its bays. Bullets, nukes, and lasers streamed from red-hot gun barrels. A nuke hit her but didn't explode. She ripped it apart, using the materials to add energy to her reserves.
Justicar continued to go in inside the mindscape. He tore at them like a shark at a school of minnows in a coral reef. His ravenous anger and hatred were frightening, but Penny rapidly got used to it. Calling up her own memories of the innocent people who'd been killed for no reason, Penny wrapped herself in energy and began to erase her signature from the area.
Fighters flew past her, no longer hitting her psychic shields with bullets. Lasers stopped firing at her since she'd moved from her last position, and there was no longer anything for them to track. Penny floated in the stars, with bright blooms of white fusion explosions blossoming around her. And so she moved forward. She reached a cruiser. She reached forward, teleporting past its shields, and shut down the ship's reactor by teleporting all of its fuel into the void.
Soon, a missile from Kashaunta's Grand Fleet found the vessel, and it vanished in another sphere of heat and light. Of course, it was all silent in space. Penny could only hear her heart beating and occasional warnings from Exile or Nilnacrawla at incoming attacks. Exile occupied the area in her ears, which felt weird, but it allowed him to speak without showing himself in the mindscape. Given his nature and the fact that the Grand Fleets likely had detections for speeding space entities, it would be a terrible idea for him to appear there. Nilnacrawla continued to help Penny with the mental aspects of the battle.
He processed the energy input and output that Penny was giving off in the hopes of keeping her off the sensors of the dreadnaught battlegroup. She didn't want to attract the full focus of one of those massive guns. The explosions on Justicar would have been capable of cracking apart a mountain range if not for the extensive dampening Justicar's shields had done. And she'd withstood them only because she could shunt off most of their impact into reality, leaning into her conceptual nature and the nature of Cardinality to escape certain death.
Even with her power, as high as it had ever been, the blow she was taking were the most powerful physical impacts she'd ever endured.
She also suspected Yasihaut's work in this, though she had nothing to prove. She also had to remain vigilant about the Judgment. She couldn't take overly hostile actions, so she didn't just teleport the Sprilnav in the area out of their ships. She tried it on a smaller scale, and a weak pressure from the dreadnaught made her power fail to affect them.
But those Sprilnav were still doomed to die by their commander. But Penny didn't wish to doom the Alliance and herself by taking their deaths into her own hands. And she was stained with enough blood, metaphorical and literal. The ashes of the people she'd freed had fallen away with her ascent into the atmosphere, but the gritty memory and feel of them never would.
Once again, she'd been powerless to save those who'd needed her. And if she'd had that power, what could she have really done? Would she have been forced to stand there and take it? Or could she have really fought back in a way that wouldn't be turned against her in the Judgment? And was she wrong for considering all of that during such a horrendous time, when she'd literally seen thousands of people turned to slag and ash before her very eyes just ten minutes ago?
Penny burned with shame and grief. She hated this. She hated that things always turned to this. Why couldn't the galaxy just leave people alone? Why did there have to be so much suffering? Her anger threatened to overwhelm her, but with a herculean effort from her, Nilnacrawla, and Cardi, it was beaten back.
Penny felt Justicar getting close to breaking through the shield. She sent a small jolt of power to its underside. A thick bolt of psychic lightning infused with rage leaped from her arms, shattering the shield completely and taking roughly half her power. In the dreadnaught, the antimatter reactor she could sense radiating its energy suddenly lost all coolant access.
She pushed her psychic energy into herself and her conceptual energy into words that she harmonized into existence with the force and might of her will.
"Cardinality: One to zero. Reversal."
A heap of her energy left her instantly, stopping a budding explosion from ripping the dreadnaught apart. Justicar absolutely ravaged whoever was inside that ship, including what appeared to be a leader figure in the mindscape. Penny watched Justicar smash the Elder's corpse in his jaws and tear his soul from his body before shredding it violently with a contraption that looked straight out of a horror movie.
She let the explosion go, and so it went. The dreadnaught cracked in half. The Grand Fleets, which had never stopped firing, finally broke through the shields as the circuits failed to supply them with power. Hundreds of thousands of lives winked out instantly, torn to subatomic particles by beams coming from two different flagships. Penny went straight to Kashaunta, appearing on the ship's bridge still in stealth. To their credit, her guards noticed immediately and bared their weapons at her.
The guns that were powerful enough to blast holes in skyscrapers and sturdy enough to withstand a fall from orbit with hardly a scratch unloaded their payloads into her. Penny opened her mouth, and strings of psychic energy writhed outward, wrapping themselves around the guns and wrenching them out of the claws of Kashaunta's guards while the impacts' explosions were contained by thick shields.
Kashaunta herself had already drawn her sword but hadn't moved an inch.
"Penny," she said dryly. "Welcome to my ship. I apologize for your reception."
A new shield came down on both of them, preventing their words from reaching the ears of Kashaunta's subordinates.
"Think nothing of it, Elder Kashaunta. What punishments will be given to the Grand Fleet Commander?"
"Well, technically I am not the Grand Fleet Commander of this fleet," she said. "So that is not really something I can enforce. However, the Grand Fleet Commander of the 85th Grand Fleet does wish to talk with you, Justicar, and myself about what just occurred."
"And you believe him?" she exclaimed.
"He sent transcripts of the message he sent to one Elder Solei, asking him to cease his actions before it was too late."
"Even the Alliance can make deepfakes," Penny said.
"And do you think I would be ignorant of such things, child?" Kashaunta asked. "We have ways around those. That is why we still have a society after billions of years of time to screw it all up. Deepfakes are a problem of less advanced species and cultures, not those with the tools to handle them."
"Which are AIs, which you also ban throughout the galaxy."
"Yes."
"Isn't that hypocritical?"
"Yes, it is," Kashaunta said. "You can go and complain to the Judges who decided that if you wish, though asking them to think of the children instead of preserving the power of the entire Sprilnav species will get you laughed at by a billion mouths."
Penny felt something in her mind take offense to Kashaunta's wording. It didn't feel like it was part of her, but it also did. The shock of all the lives lost hit her again, making her scowl.
"So there will be nothing done?" Penny growled.
"No. Prepare for a neutral and level-headed discussion. If you wish to have any seat at a table such as this, you will conduct yourself with decorum. You will not accuse Elder Valisada of being responsible for whichever fool did this, and you most certainly will not baselessly claim that Yasihaut is at fault for this, even if it is likely that she or her backers are. It is time you learn the lesson that all Elders have: there are always more Sprilnav. Recognize that this was a strike against you without casting aside all of your goodwill among those that matter."
"Those that matter," Penny mused. "Sometimes I forget what you are."
Kashaunta stepped forward, eyes narrowing. She let out a hiss.
"You saw a few thousand people die, and now you're back to the racism again? Grow up. People die all the time in this galaxy. You complain about the status quo. I would respect that, if you could stomach what is required to change it. Death will continue to run rampant, and you will be the reason more die no matter what you do. 760 sextillion Sprilnav, Penny. And you cry over ten thousand?
During the Source war, we sent two years olds to war. You don't get to slide back into comfortable dumb hatred of our species because of a few stupid people. Rest assured, if you ever get this Alliance-based order, you or your successors will become tyrants. There will be a human who has the power and will to start wars, and enact genocides, for functionally no reason. Need I remind you of World War Two, and World War Three? If you multiply the population of Humanity by a trillion, that means you'll get a trillion Pol Pots, or Hitlers, or Genghis Khans.
And a hell of a lot more dumb idiots in power, which ascribes most of the history of nearly every species in the galaxy. Notice how Valisada and I both fired on Solei once he decided to be an adult daycare nominee? Notice how Valisada has not fired at us, or Justicar, and is trying his best to start a constructive dialogue? People die in war, Penny. This is reality. And you cast your disdain onto me, the only Sprilnav keeping you alive in this place, because I happened to be born an Elder. But no. I'm still some alien, right? Just another dirty animal for you to kill when the Judgment ends."
Kashaunta's fury caught Penny off-guard. The Elder truly meant her words. Penny had deeply offended her, cracking open the facade she usually maintained. The smug feeling at having made Kashaunta go on such a tirade faded when she considered the circumstances. Maybe she had acted like a child. But she hadn't said anything truly deserving of such a furious tirade, had she?
Not unless her proclamation that she remembered 'what Kashaunta was' had an implication that she didn't understand. Kashaunta was a mass murderer, one who was more than willing to justify it when necessary. And she downplayed the fact that this attack was on Penny herself and on thousands of innocents on a Sprilnav planet where she was meant to be safe. This wasn't a pair of assassins in the night, slipping poison into water or dropping snakes into a bed. This was a much more insidious and terrifying evil. Penny had been powerless to stop it.
Penny knew she was right, but Kashaunta did not. Could she truly weigh her scant decades against Kashaunta's billions of years of age? Perhaps. Age was not wisdom, though it certainly could be experience. Kashaunta turned around and started to walk away. Sadly, Penny still needed her.
"I'm sorry, Kashaunta. I am... incredibly charged. I am very pissed right now. I am not apologizing for how I feel about this attack. I have every right to be upset, and I will remain so. I will not be bullied or cowed into submission, even by a thousand more tirades. There comes a point where something must be done. But if you are upset over what I said, then I would at least like an honest clarification why."
"Because you had showed me you could think like a person should. That you didn't see people's species anymore. That you were becoming less racist. And yet, when you are cut raw, you still see me as a Sprilnav Elder alone, and therefore complicit in this massacre I literally did everything I could to do stop before it worsened. You said you knew 'what I am' as if you'd forgotten that. And it is clear that you meant that you'd forgotten your belief that I am some dirty criminal Sprilnav, who deserves to be slaughtered in the dark for the crime of being born in her species.
You care more for the ash on Justicar than you do for what I have given you. Your simplistic view of reality would mean that if you could push a button to kill us Elders, you'd do it, robbing countless families of their loved ones, because you now remember 'what we are,' and are again regressing away from your previous growth."
"I am one person, Kashaunta. I don't understand why you care this much about me. But I can recognize that the message you received is one of terrible bigotry. I am suffering, every day, every week, that I remain in this god-forsaken place. It hurts for you to dismiss the people I care about, even for a moment, dying just because there are many of them. But that does not excuse what I said to you despite the death toll you carry on your own head. It was a half-truth."
Kashaunta laughed. "Do you know why I care so much about what you think, Penny? It is because you are the other aliens. All at once. The Alliance is the face of all things 'alien' in many places. Remember what conceptual energy is? Lecalicus told you, I believe. You represent more than just your own views. And if you're able to forgive a speeding space entity, but not me, then it shows that we will never have peace. That no matter what, this cycle of hatred will continue, and I will need to either build a new galaxy with aliens that don't hate us for our ancient crimes, or just figure out another way. You are the face of the rest of the galaxy, Penny. And you have just told me that you still hate me for being an Elder. After I thought you had changed."
"And you believe you are undeserving of such hatred?"
"Penny," Kashaunta said. "The Alliance didn't exist when many of these events happened. Some of your grievances are older than the mountains on Earth. You say you hate us for genocides that happened so long ago that they no longer hold any meaning. There is no compensation we can give to dead species on dead worlds. What you want is an alien species to hate and blame for all the universe's problems. Because it is easier to hate us than to confront reality. And we are the ones you have been told to hate."
"They were not small things. It was the deaths of trillions of people, Kashaunta."
"Yes. And it was wrong. I can understand that. But what do you think will happen when your Alliance, filled with people who hate us, takes over? You will see humans bombing Sprilnav schools, and the hivemind will do nothing, for it will share that hate. Acuarfar will abduct and torture us. Knowers will devour our children. And in the face of that? You would turn a blind eye, because it is too hard to solve with a simple fix. You will only propagate generational hatred, just as all the Alliances and Galactic Republics and Peace Unions did before you.
Because underneath your message of equality for all species is oppression and genocide for us, the villains in your little story. That is what happens in reality, once the benevolent dictators die. And you, who have lived with us, eaten with us, and talked with us, will sit upon your golden throne, and when I am brought before you, naked, bleeding, and in need of support, you will throw me away, because all I am to you is an Elder. That mindset is exactly what stands in the way of peace. It is why I stopped giving you aliens chances for so long. And having to argue this with you at all makes me think you may no longer be worth my effort."
More manipulation. Penny was ready to shout at her, but Nilnacrawla pulled her thoughts away from blind anger. And it did feel unnatural for her. Alien.
"This is not peace," Penny said. "This is war. And we are circumstantial allies. I will not become what you claim."
"I have sown the seeds of a thousand despots," Kashaunta said. "I recognize them when I see them because I have reaped the heads of a million more."
Penny sighed. She wanted to resist and continue arguing, but it wouldn't get her anywhere. Now that she had thought about it, she was unlikely to overturn a viewpoint set in a billion years of experiences. Perhaps Penny could explore this later, when she had time to properly process it all.
"Very well. I will go to this meeting of yours, and I will conduct myself with decorum. However, while I refuse to belittle or forget thousands of deaths, I am sorry that you feel this way."
"But you are not sorry about making me feel so."
"No," Penny replied. She suppressed her emotions more, taking the time to carefully consider her words. Kashaunta was wrong and oddly sensitive right now. Saying the wrong thing could damage far more than their mutual feelings. As much as she wanted to win this argument, Kashaunta was who she was. She was the alien dictator keeping the Alliance alive.
"We are both right in some ways, and perhaps we might be both wrong, too. This only shows how tough the road will be. We at least are consciously trying to come to an understanding. But for the billions of Alliance citizens, quintillions of aliens, and sextillions of Sprilnav? It is a gargantuan task. And... right now, I don't think it is possible."
"It isn't," Kashaunta said. "And it won't be for thousands of years. But we don't get some neat little time skip to wait and solve all of our problems for us. Change will start only when we make it."
Kashaunta was throwing her a bone, then. They both knew the argument couldn't continue right now.
"So we have an understanding, then," Penny said. "Hatred will remain, but it must be minimised. That way, cultural and social pressure will eventually stamp it out, and we may have peace."
"No. We will have a truce, which will only become peace with much more work. The Alliance is a nation that is 24 years old. Only a single generation has grown up within it. Negotiations will be hard with so many who remember the hatred. But Valisada is not like other Sprilnav. He will seek to bring a hybrid war to you and the Alliance, unless you can convince him that you truly mean to bridge the divide. You are clearly misguided, but have a genuinely good heart. That will make life hard for you. Your words today would have spelled the death of you and the Alliance, had I not established this shield around us to hide them. Out of the spirit of our friendship, I will not request a favor in return for this boon."
"Thank you, Kashaunta. Though I'm not sure I can consider you a friend."
"The fact that you bothered to listen to my side of things, in this limited aspect, despite the hurt you must feel right now, proves otherwise. I am well aware of my past crimes, Penny. I know that my emotions today were a weakness I should have been able to seal, and that you will still see me for who I was, and not who I am. I know how it sounds for me, a killer and a ruler, to be upset at being confronted. But that is how I am. I still have my pride as an Elder, and there is only so far it can be pushed. Who I was certainly would qualify as beyond evil. But to remain at the top, there are limits to how far you can swing into benevolence.
I cannot atone. Do not try to make me repay debts that you don't own. If you are ever to have more Elders on your side, whether Progenitors or otherwise, you will need to learn to deal with this. There will be people with death tolls higher than the population of the Alliance, who were once the heart of evil and are now at least acceptable. The first step will be recognizing that, yes, we are in fact friends, despite my history. Because only from friendship and understanding can hope come."
"I will think about this more. My feelings about this, and about you, have not yet solidified."
"I was wrong for what I said to you, Penny. We are both on edge, and said things that we didn't properly express. We should get our heads in order before re-entering this argument with logic instead of emotions."
"I agree. I will go and see who I can save. And I will think more about this. I freed people from slavery, and watched them die today. Respectfully, I must spend some time away from you for now."
Penny left the ship. In something near her subconscious, anger remained. When she landed in the rubble once again, she missed a small but steady stream of conceptual energy wafting into her from below.

One year after a CRS with HIPEC surgery and my wife's liver has multiple mets. Her medical team told us she may have several months left. They gave us two options to treat her current conditions: (1) G tube to relief the bloating and to feed her liquid food or TPN (probably for a very long time) OR (2) Bowel resection to fix the blockages. Both options would follow with rechallenging FolFiri as she had great success (NED for 6 months) as first line treatment. We may also push for histotripsy if that is a relevant treatment down the line. As we understand, there are bad and good sides of both options, and they both seems to be temporary and risky solutions. What would you do, or what questions would ask the medical team to clarify the situation?

1. Option 1 - G tube: allow liquid feeding very easily and quick relief of bloating/gas. It has very short recovery time, so chemo can be started very early. However, as I understand, a G-tube will not resolve bowel obstructions, especially ones caused by adhesion (is this correct understanding). If that is the case, would she have a sepsis or perforation risk from undischarged stool? Would it really help with the constant bloating feeling?
2. Option 2 - Bowel resection: this surgery would hopefully resolve the multiple blockages, assuming she has manageable adhesions. I assume the surgeon will be able to look around her belly and get a better understanding of her conditions (is this an accurate statement?), and also allow ascites drainage. She may be able to eat solid food again. However, what happen if she develops blockages in the future? A surgery will delay further treatment several weeks, which seem to be an incredibly long time.

We do not how to make sense of both options. And is there any other solution we are missing here?
Background:
My wife had an CRS with HIPEC in March 2023 to treat her stage-4 colon cancer. By June 2023, she had a single met in liver, which was later resected. Fast forward to now (after not having great success with a TIL trial for G12V), and she has multiple mets in her liver (nowhere else, according to her recent CT scan). She lost around 40lbs in the past 6 months, currently at 95lbs (43kg). She is unable to hold down any solid food for the past couple weeks, and has constant bloating/pain around the upper abdomen area. She has medium-size ascites between liver and stomach. She has been on TPN for the past 3 days, and it brought back a good amount of energy for her. She now can walk around by herself.CT scans show "multiple distended loops of bowel ....The stomach and proximal small bowel loops are significantly distended representing proximal small bowel obstruction with a maximum transverse diameter in the right lower abdomen of 5.9 cm........Multiple hepatic lesions with heterogeneous enhancement are appreciated suggesting metastatic disease. Largest lesion in the right hepatic lobe towards the dome measures 4.4 x 3.2 cm and in the inferior right hepatic lobe measures 3.9 x 3 cm."
​
Her timeline:

• 05/2021 diagnosed stage-4 CRC with a single met in Liver. Her CEA number: 1800.
• 06/2021 colon tumor removed and 6 sessions with FOLFOXIRI with Avastin/5FU. She has KRAS G12V, TP53, and PTEN.
• 11/2021 The liver met and 30% of the liver was resected, followed with 6 sessions with FOLFOXIRI with Avastin/5FU. Declared NED on 04/2022.
• 01/2023 liver met detected. CEA numbers were trending up during the previous 3 months. Her CEA was about 300.
• 03/2023 CRS with HIPEC, followed by 3-4 sessions of Xeloda for mop-up chemo. Her PCI score was 5 during CRS/HIPEC surgery. The surgeon mentioned she had some adhesion between liver and other organs, so there were areas the surgeon could not get into.
• 06/2023 1 new liver met detected through imagery scans.
• 08/2023 Liver met was removed by surgery at NIH. Tumor was sent for TIL therapy development. NCT01174121.
• 03/2024: multiple new mets in liver detected through scans. She also has ascites around the liver, which was causing discomfort, bloating, and vomiting.
• 03/08/2024: She received TIL cells
• 04/2024 liver mets keep growing after TIL therapy. Ascites also enlarges slightly. She is ineligible to continue with TIL therapy.

Hi,
I’ve been a heavy drinker for about 6 years. I have given up for a few weeks to a couple of months a handful of times and relapsed. My most recent relapse has been 4 months of drinking at least a bottle of wine or 350ml of 40% spirits a day, sometimes more :(
I had a miscarriage around Christmas and that just sent me off the rails after 3 months of sobriety. However, I did not drink today and I desperately don’t want to do this anymore.
I have had pain in the left side of my back for a while, it comes and goes but when it’s here it’s around for days and there seems to be a correlation to the heaviness of my drinking. It’s a burning pain. I also have experienced a sharper pain under my left ribcage at the front which is less constant. The pain is not debilitating or anything but it’s there and it’s concerning. I’m thinking this could be my pancreas or maybe kidney.
Basically I want to approach my GP about getting bloods done and/or scans to check my organs for damage. Well I don’t want to because I’m deeply ashamed to speak about my drinking and scared about the results, but I know it’s the sensible thing to do. I’m in the UK and the healthcare system is under immense pressure here at the moment and it’s difficult to get treatment in a primary care setting. I was wondering if GPs in the UK are generally receptive to giving you a once over to check the state of your physical health when you’re an alcoholic? I’ve seen a lot of posts from Americans here about getting physicals done, but on the NHS I’m unsure if they’d be as willing. It’s going to take a lot of courage to approach a doctor about this so I’d just like an idea of how they will respond.

This is the law that needs to be enforced against EVERYONE who has contributed to any part of this long running organized crime spree.
18 USC Ch. 113C: TORTUREFrom Title 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDUREPART I—CRIMES​

CHAPTER 113C—TORTURE​

Sec.2340.Definitions.2340A.Torture.2340B.Exclusive remedies.

Editorial Notes​

Amendments​

2002—Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4002(c)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1808, repealed Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(j)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3501. See 1996 Amendment note below.
1996—Pub. L. 104–132, title III, §303(c)(1), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1253, redesignated chapter 113B as 113C. Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(j)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3501, which made identical amendment, was repealed by Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4002(c)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1808, effective Oct. 11, 1996.

§2340. Definitions​

As used in this chapter—
(1) "torture" means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control;
(2) "severe mental pain or suffering" means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from—
(A) the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering;
(B) the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality;
(C) the threat of imminent death; or
(D) the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality; and
(3) "United States" means the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States.
(Added Pub. L. 103–236, title V, §506(a), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 463; amended Pub. L. 103–415, §1(k), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4301; Pub. L. 103–429, §2(2), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4377; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, §1089, Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2067.)

Editorial Notes​

Amendments​

2004—Par. (3). Pub. L. 108–375 amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: " 'United States' includes all areas under the jurisdiction of the United States including any of the places described in sections 5 and 7 of this title and section 46501(2) of title 49."
1994—Par. (1). Pub. L. 103–415 substituted "within his custody" for "with custody".
Par. (3). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted "section 46501(2) of title 49" for "section 101(38) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. App. 1301(38))".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries​

Effective Date​

Pub. L. 103–236, title V, §506(c), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 464, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this chapter] shall take effect on the later of—
"(1) the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 30, 1994]; or
"(2) the date on which the United States has become a party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment." [Convention entered into Force with respect to United States Nov. 20, 1994, Treaty Doc. 100–20.]

§2340A. Torture​

(a) Offense.—Whoever outside the United States commits or attempts to commit torture shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and if death results to any person from conduct prohibited by this subsection, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life.
(b) Jurisdiction.—There is jurisdiction over the activity prohibited in subsection (a) if—
(1) the alleged offender is a national of the United States; or
(2) the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or alleged offender.
(c) Conspiracy.—A person who conspires to commit an offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties (other than the penalty of death) as the penalties prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
(Added Pub. L. 103–236, title V, §506(a), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 463; amended Pub. L. 103–322, title VI, §60020, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1979; Pub. L. 107–56, title VIII, §811(g), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 381.)

Editorial Notes​

Amendments​

2001—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–56 added subsec. (c).
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 inserted "punished by death or" before "imprisoned for any term of years or for life".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries​

Effective Date​

Section effective on the later of Apr. 30, 1994, or the date on which the United States has become a party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Nov. 20, 1994), see section 506(c) of Pub. L. 103–236, set out as a note under section 2340 of this title.

§2340B. Exclusive remedies​

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as precluding the application of State or local laws on the same subject, nor shall anything in this chapter be construed as creating any substantive or procedural right enforceable by law by any party in any civil proceeding.
(Added Pub. L. 103–236, title V, §506(a), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 464.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries​

Effective Date​

Section effective on the later of Apr. 30, 1994, or the date on which the United States has become a party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Nov. 20, 1994), see section 506(c) of Pub. L. 103–236, set out as a note under section 2340 of this title.​
When victims report this please remember to consider this law and emphasize how you have been tortured if applicable. They may eventually try and claim we were not in their "control" but as we could not escape and the torture was out of our control I think they will totally fail. They also may not be and are likely not "under the color of the law." This also has a conspiracy listed with it so everyone should go down and the little fish will land the big ones like always.
"For the purpose of Section 242, acts under "color of law" include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within their lawful authority, but also acts done beyond the bounds of that official's lawful authority, if the acts are done while the official is purporting to or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. Persons acting under color of law within the meaning of this statute include police officers, prisons guards and other law enforcement officials, as well as judges, care providers in public health facilities, and others who are acting as public officials. It is not necessary that the crime be motivated by animus toward the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin of the victim."
https://www.justice.gov/crt/deprivation-rights-under-color-law#:~:text=For%20the%20purpose%20of%20Section,pretending%20to%20act%20in%20the

From when I was born to almost 2 decades later - I'm tired, I'm done, I wanna just give it all up and see if I survive or not. I probably have a good chance, but it may be miserable.
I need to take one injection per night, and another once a month, and I need special medicine for all of my nutrients as well as asthma medication. Even though one is due to end soon, the other was (mostly) weaned off of recently, and the final one is supposed to be for 5 more years, I just can't. I'm so done.
I should also technically get surgery to take out an inflamed portion of one of my organs, but that can lead to various complications, it's super painful, and it eliminates future treatment options.
The chances of getting cancer if I leave it in are quite high, but I don't even know how much I care about that taking me in the end.
If I stop those things, the only medicine that I kinda HAVE to take is for acid reflux, so I can still, you know, survive.
But overall, I've fought so hard, through childhood and my teen years, and I'm so tired of it all.

If anyone from Bethel is on here just trying to out people so they can be shunned, or you're getting ideas for what changes to make next, answer me this.
My parents are very elderly. My mom’s health is deteriorating. My dad is going through treatment for cancer. They have been “faithful servants” their ENTIRE lives. In fact they are still on the regular pioneer list. In my entire life I can’t remember a weekend they didn’t have someone over from the congregation or went out to visit others.
Where is their community now? They have not had a visit from anyone in their congregation or any of the congregations they have been in over the years for that matter, in quite a while now. Not only that, this organization had the audacity to make them feel they needed to help take care of the younger pioneers monetarily in today’s Watchtower study. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a multi billion dollar corporation. Since the end is “right around the corner” that will “happen any day now” (your words Stephen Lett In 2020) why don’t you help the younger pioneers out yourself? Mom and dad are on social security. Government aide. How are you helping my parents or any other elderly? Especially since most are on fixed incomes with no retirement
Let me give you a few suggestions:

1. Instead of telling people to stand at a cart or go door to door and hand business cards with your website on it so they can watch a video, why don’t you have them spend that time helping the elderly and needy in their congregation instead?
2. Instead of constantly drilling for donations to your multi billion dollar corporation, why don’t you suggest they take the elderly or widowed a meal. That does two things, it gives them the association they crave and helps them with their meals.
3. Why don’t you take some of those billions of dollars and instead of tie your members money up in constant lawsuits around the world, send monthly money to your elderly members. Make that money actually go to something good instead of trying to cover your asses.

I’m tired of hearing about the world wide work and how there are many poor witnesses that are still making monthly contributions to the organization. For what? What is the world wide work?? Preaching has basically come to a halt. Kingdom Halls aren’t being built like they were anymore. Where is all the money going? You should be transparent I would think.
Hey guys at the top - Try helping the elderly who have devoted their lives to free labor for you. Try helping the single moms that are barely making ends meet and come to the meetings looking haggard because they are so worn out. Try helping those who are barely making their bills month to month because they can’t get a better job because you told them not to get an education.
Damn you men. Damn you for putting my parents in the situation they are in now. Lonely and on a limited income after devoting their entire lives to you!!!

If anyone from Bethel is on here just trying to out people so they can be shunned, or you're getting ideas for what changes to make next, answer me this.
My parents are very elderly. My mom’s health is deteriorating. My dad is going through treatment for cancer. They have been “faithful servants” their ENTIRE lives. In fact they are still on the regular pioneer list. In my entire life I can’t remember a weekend they didn’t have someone over from the congregation or went out to visit others.
Where is their community now? They have not had a visit from anyone in their congregation or any of the congregations they have been in over the years for that matter, in quite a while now. Not only that, this organization had the audacity to make them feel they needed to help take care of the younger pioneers monetarily in today’s Watchtower study. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a multi billion dollar corporation. Since the end is “right around the corner” that will “happen any day now” (your words Stephen Lett In 2020) why don’t you help the younger pioneers out yourself? Mom and dad are on social security. Government aide. How are you helping my parents or any other elderly? Especially since most are on fixed incomes with no retirement
Let me give you a few suggestions:

1. Instead of telling people to stand at a cart or go door to door and hand business cards with your website on it so they can watch a video, why don’t you have them spend that time helping the elderly and needy in their congregation instead?
2. Instead of constantly drilling for donations to your multi billion dollar corporation, why don’t you suggest they take the elderly or widowed a meal. That does two things, it gives them the association they crave and helps them with their meals.
3. Why don’t you take some of those billions of dollars and instead of tie your members money up in constant lawsuits around the world, send monthly money to your elderly members. Make that money actually go to something good instead of trying to cover your asses.

I’m tired of hearing about the world wide work and how there are many poor witnesses that are still making monthly contributions to the organization. For what? What is the world wide work?? Preaching has basically come to a halt. Kingdom Halls aren’t being built like they were anymore. Where is all the money going? You should be transparent I would think.
Hey guys at the top - Try helping the elderly who have devoted their lives to free labor for you. Try helping the single moms that are barely making ends meet and come to the meetings looking haggard because they are so worn out. Try helping those who are barely making their bills month to month because they can’t get a better job because you told them not to get an education.
Damn you men. Damn you for putting my parents in the situation they are in now. Lonely and on a limited income after devoting their entire lives to you!!!