While watching MSNBC, Joy Reid referenced the Seven Mountain Mandate while mentioning the latest strong man obsession by the far right (around the four-minute mark).
Joy Reid discussing latest strategy being proposed by Christian Nationalists by presenting Donald Trump as a “Fun Dictator.”
During a recent interview on the program of self-proclaimed “prophet” and QAnon conspiracy theorist Johnny Enlow, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker indicated that he is a proponent of the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” a theological approach that calls on Christians to impose fundamentalist values on all aspects of American life.
For those unfamiliar with the Seven Mountain Mandate (including yours truly), a quick Google search reveals a comprehensive plan to dominate all aspects of American life with theocratic laws.
Here are the seven “mountains” to be transformed, according to the seven mountain mandate:
1) Education 2) Religion 3) Family 4) Business 5) Government/Military 6) Arts/Entertainment 7) Media
These seven sectors of society are thought to mold the way everyone thinks and behaves. So, to tackle societal change, these seven “mountains” must be transformed. The mountains are also referred to as “pillars,” “shapers,” “molders,” and “spheres.” Those who follow the seven mountain mandate speak of “occupying” the mountains, “invading” the culture, and “transforming” or “taking back” society.
Joy Reid explains that the Republicans want to initiate a Constitutional Convention & roll back 115 years of “progressive laws” that they view as harmful to the American people & culture as a whole.
Fortunately, Christian Nationalists do not have the numbers to vote in their Seven Mountain Mandate. However, they may not need the majority of the electorate if Republicans successfully re-elect Donald Trump back into the White House (along with a GOP majority in the House & Senate).
Another month, another crazy COVID conspiracy theory has been uttered by Joseph Ladapo, who (for badder or worse—yes, I typed that intentionally) is Florida’s State Surgeon General.
Florida’s top health official called for a halt to using mRNA coronavirusvaccines on Wednesday, contending that the shots could contaminate patients’ DNA — aclaim that has been roundly debunked by public health experts, federal officials and the vaccine companies. […]
“We’ve seen this pattern from Dr. Ladapo that every few months he raises some new concern and it quickly gets debunked,” said Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s public health school who led the White House’s national coronavirus response before stepping down last year.“This idea of DNA fragments — it’s scientific nonsense. People who understand how these vaccines are made and administered understand that there is no risk here.”
One of the primary reasons why Threads has forgone entry into nations residing in the European Union 🇪🇺 (as well as the European Economic Area & Switzerland 🇨🇭) was due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forbids the sharing of user information (especially for advertising purposes) without user consent.
It doesn’t look like Threads collects vast amounts more data than Meta’s other services, and the mere collection wouldn’t get it into trouble. It’s the DMA’s rules around data mixing, or combining all of the data it collects on users to build advertising profiles, that could break the rules. German regulators already ordered the company to stop combining WhatsApp and Instagram data without user consent back in 2019. The DMA would apply similar rules all across Europe, forcing the company to require European users to opt in before their personal information could be combined across platforms.
We announced in August our intention to move people in the EU, EEA and Switzerland to the GDPR legal basis of “Consent” for the purpose of processing data collected on our own platforms for advertising purposes. We made that change to address a number of evolving and emerging regulatory requirements in the region. This includes how our lead data protection regulator in the EU, the Irish Data Protection Commission, is interpreting GDPR following a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and anticipating the entry into force of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The option for people to purchase a subscription for no ads balances the requirements of European regulators while giving users choice and allowing Meta to continue serving all people in the EU, EEA and Switzerland. In its ruling, the CJEU expressly recognised that a subscription model, like the one we are announcing, is a valid form of consent for an ads funded service.
Meta has yet to reveal whether they will expand the premium ad-free experience to the rest of Earth. Still, the social networking king hopes this new premium option will make it easier for European Instagram users to access Threads.
It will be interesting to see how the @[email protected] responds to Meta’s latest offer, but if the premium option satisfies the European government, it will witness Threads make its first debut in the European Union 🇪🇺, bringing in tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of new users to the platform within days.
Note: This would be bad news for X (formally Twitter) as Threads is attempting to replace X / Twitter as the de facto platform for conversations online.
The Fediverse may become flooded with billions of new users over the next six months after the @[email protected] declared that six major tech companies have less than a year to comply or face fines based on global revenues.
The European Commission has today designated, for the first time, six gatekeepers – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft – under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In total, 22 core platform services provided by gatekeepers have been designated. The six gatekeepers will now have six months to ensure full compliance with the DMA obligations for each of their designated core platform services. […]
The Commission will monitor the effective implementation of and compliance with these obligations. In case a gatekeeper does not comply with the obligations laid down by the DMA, the Commission can impose fines up to 10% of the company’s total worldwide turnover, which can go up to 20% in case of repeated infringement. In case of systematic infringements, the Commission is also empowered to adopt additional remedies such as obliging a gatekeeper to sell a business or parts of it or banning the gatekeeper from acquisitions of additional services related to the systemic non-compliance.
The European Commission provided a list of do’s & don’ts regarding what they consider acceptable from the companies targeted.
Acceptable Behavior
allow third parties to inter-operate with the gatekeeper’s own services in certain specific situations
allow their business users to access the data that they generate in their use of the gatekeeper’s platform
provide companies advertising on their platform with the tools and information necessary for advertisers and publishers to carry out their own independent verification of their advertisements hosted by the gatekeeper
allow their business users to promote their offer and conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeeper’s platform
Unacceptable Behavior
treat services and products offered by the gatekeeper itself more favourably in ranking than similar services or products offered by third parties on the gatekeeper’s platform
prevent consumers from linking up to businesses outside their platforms
prevent users from un-installing any pre-installed software or app if they wish so
track end users outside of the gatekeepers’ core platform service for the purpose of targeted advertising, without effective consent having been granted
So What Does This Mean For The Fediverse‽
While the European Commission is focusing on enforcing new rules across various digital industries (messaging platforms, app stores, browsers, advertising, operating systems, etcetera), the fact that they listed five major social networks is a big deal.
The easiest way for social networks like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube to comply with the DMA regulations is to embrace decentralization & data portability.
Although social networks will be free to choose how they will embrace decentralization, it would not be surprising to see social networks adopt ActivityPub (as the latter is already embraced by Meta & friends).
Did You Say Billions‽
The major social networks are actively used by billions of people & according to Statista, each mentioned social network (excluding LinkedIn) has:
While more members in the Fediverse is something to celebrate, the massive influx of new users will probably cause an enormous increase in server costs for Fediverse admins, which will pose a problem for many Fediverse instances (who will need to look at funding alternatives to remain online).
Update: @ilumium provides more clarification regarding the Digital Markets Act & strongly believes these rules will not force social networks to “interoperate” with smaller rivals.
No, unfortunately the #DMA does not force gatekeeper social networks to interoperate even if smaller ones want it.
Despite #DigitalRights groups like @edri fighting for this, there was much political & #lobbying resistance, and now Article 7 DMA on mandatory #interoperability only applies to messaging services, not social networks.
Penfrat links to the full documentation of the policy over here, which is worth reading (in spite of the length).
Note:@rysiek also mentioned this as well (DMA applies to chat apps & not social networks).
Although giants like Facebook, YouTube, etcetera, may not join the Fediverse anytime soon, Instagram might be a possibility as Threads direct messages will be powered by Instagram.
Famous for its swordsmanship, anime, culture & unique food, Japan has distinguished itself on the world stage.
Image Credit: Image of Japanese Flag discovered on Kinashi-San.
Unfortunately, like many nations, Japan 🇯🇵 is experiencing a population decline, albeit faster than many nations.
Japan has the fastest-aging population of any post-industrial nation on earth. Its birth rate — the average number of children a woman typically has — started to decline in the 1970s. The country’s current birth rate is 1.3, according to data from the World Bank, well below the “replacement level” of just over two children per woman generally considered necessary to keep a population steady.
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in 2022 found that close to a fifth of men and about 15% of women in Japan expressed disinterest in marriage, the highest levels since 1982. Almost a third of men and a fifth of women in their fifties in Japan had never been married.
Japan’s government has already vowed to take action to reverse this declining trend, & numerous experts have already submitted proposals on potential solutions.
While yours truly is not an expert in Japanese culture, economics, or language, it would be a tragic loss for the world if Japan 🇯🇵 faded from the world stage.
So, without further ado, here is a potential solution on how Japan can resolve its population decline without breaking the bank (note: video is long, so feel free to skip around via the chapters).
The government of Japan 🇯🇵 would provide helpful incentives to the population to encourage couples to not only get married but have multiple children as well.
The video above borrows “rankings” prominently featured in many games & anime to make it easier for viewers to process the information.
Bullet Point Summary Below:
F-Rank: Unmarried Japanese citizens would be granted paid time off (PTO) on their birthday.
E-Rank: Married Japanese citizens would be granted extra paid time off from work which includes
Paid time off from work on their birthday
Paid time off from work on their spouse’s birthday
Paid time off from work on their wedding anniversary
D-Rank: Married couple would “level up” after having their first child & receive additional benefits
Married couples would receive paid time off from work on their child’s birthday
Once per week at the taxpayer’s expense, the family would be eligible for a free house cleaning service (to make it easier on the family)
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of the respective couple’s birthdays (two days), wedding anniversary & now child’s birthday (four days total)
C-Rank: Married couple would “level up” again after having their second child & receive additional benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on their second child’s birthday
Once per week (at taxpayer’s expense), the married couple would be eligible for free yard work service
Couples can mix & match yard work with house cleaning. For example, they could have the house cleaned two days in one week, then receive free yard work two days the following week. They could also do both house cleaning & yard work the next week
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of the respective couple’s birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & both children’s birthdays (five days total)
B-Rank: Married couple would “level up” again by having a third child & receive additional benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on their third child’s birthday
Once per week (at tax payer’s expense) couple would receive a free “date night,” which includes eating at their favorite restaurant, an event (movie, dancing, or sporting event), & free babysitter to watch their kids
Married couples could mix & match this with prior weekly offers: housework & yard work & now date night (they would have three options available throughout the week to mix & match to their heart’s content)
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of their respective birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & all three children’s birthdays (six days total)
A-Rank: Married couple would “level up” again by having their fourth child & receive additional benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on their fourth child’s birthday
Married couples would be eligible to receive a full body massage & makeover once a week at the taxpayer’s expense
Married couples could mix & match these weekly benefits as they choose as they would have four options throughout the week: free housework, free yard work, free date night & now free massage plus makeover
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of their respective birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & all four of their kid’s birthdays (seven days total)
S-Rank: Married couple would “level up” again after having their fifth child & receive the following benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on their fifth child’s birthday
The family would be eligible for a free tutor once a week at tax payer’s expense
The family could mix & match these weekly benefits as they choose as they would have five weekly options available throughout the week: free house cleaning, free yard work, free date night, free massage (plus makeover) & now free tutoring for their kids
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of the couple’s respective birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & all five of their kid’s birthdays (eight days total)
SS-Rank: Married couple would “level up” again after having their sixth child & receive the following benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on the sixth child’s birthday
The family would be eligible for a free amusement park ticket once a week for their entire family (unlimited rides & unlimited food). Government can limit the number of times this option is used (two or three times max per week) to avoid massive expenses
The family could mix & match these weekly benefit offers as they choose as they would have six weekly options available throughout the week: free house cleaning, free yard work, free date night, free massage (plus makeover), free tutor & now free amusement park ticket for their family
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of the couple’s respective birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & all six of their kid’s birthdays (nine days total)
SSS-Rank: the married couple would “level up” again after having their seventh child & receive the following benefits
Married couples would receive another paid time off day from work on the seventh child’s birthday
The family would be eligible for a free visit to a hot spring (including staying at an inexpensive hotel) at the taxpayer’s expense. The government could limit this to one or two times max per week (as this would become super expensive for the government)
The family could mix & match these weekly benefit offers as they choose as they would have seven weekly options available throughout the week: free house cleaning, free yard work, free date night, free massage (plus makeover), free tutor, free amusement park ticket for family & now free hot springs for the family (inexpensive hotel price included)
Once a year, the family would be eligible to fly anywhere in the world for vacation at taxpayer’s expense (tickets & hotel would be free for the entire family)
Recap of PTO: Family would receive paid time off from work on each of the couple’s respective birthdays (two days), their wedding anniversary, & all seven of their kid’s birthdays (ten days total
How Would Japan 🇯🇵 Pay For These Weekly Benefits‽
Japan 🇯🇵 could help offset the cost of all of these weekly benefits by offering a Cultural Visa (the price would be up to Japan 🇯🇵), obtaining fees from Japanese citizens desiring to teach foreigners (citizens can use the additional job as a way to earn extra income) & by taxing Akiya or abandoned houses purchased by foreigners.
Summary of Cultural Visa & what it would entail:
Foreigners would learn the language & culture of Japan 🇯🇵 from a Japanese citizen in their native country for a year before moving to Japan 🇯🇵
Foreigners would also (if applicable) pay to learn a trade or skill needed in Japan 🇯🇵 so that when they enter the country, they would have a job available to them
Summary of Cultural Visa Teachers & what it would entail:
The government would collect fees from Japanese citizens willing to teach foreigners (government needs to make sure Japanese citizens are qualified to teach)
People in between jobs or those with lots of free time would be excellent candidates for this. Allow teachers to set their prices, but the government would collect a small fee from the classes taught
Summary of Akiya or Abandoned house sales tax (applies to foreigners only)
Foreigners would pay 10% of the sale price of the Akiya housing
This would be based on the house sale or final transaction, & not on the assumed value of the property
Final Thoughts
This proposal is not perfect, but if anyone has any suggestions, criticisms, or opinions about this potential solution, then they can either comment below or contact yours truly across various social platforms, which include:
After too many years of debate, it appears that Liberia 🇱🇷 will join the various rational African countries & recognize dual citizenship.
And so, after decades of prohibition, the Senate and the House of Representatives have now moved to recognize the holistic potential of the Liberian diaspora and the advantage of granting them the opportunity to hold dual citizenship — albeit with some restrictions to protect the rights of those who do not subscribe to dual citizenship.
The restrictions, according to the lawmakers, strike a compromise between supporting the ambitions of Liberians abroad and resolving the worries of those at home, and it would help reduce popular resentment against dual citizenship stemming from socioeconomic inequities in Liberia. As a result of this balancing, would-be dual citizens are barred from holding crucial posts affecting national security, law enforcement, and the economy, as is the case in many African nations with comparable legislation.
The soon-to-be law in Liberia 🇱🇷 is very similar to Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 in which dual citizens are barred from positions of power while retaining the advantage of being a citizen elsewhere. Thus far, this law only applies to former citizens, as well as children of Liberian citizens abroad.
Hopefully, Liberia 🇱🇷 will consider mimicking what Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 is doing & expand the law to include those who are related to present-day tribes within the country. Yours truly was able to obtain citizenship in Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 based upon a DNA 🧬 test by African Ancestry (results here), & it would be extraordinary if Liberia 🇱🇷 included Diaspora stolen away centuries ago.
