Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video. Show all posts
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024
Healthcare In Crises: Life or Death Episode 02
Transcription
Welcome to Healthcare in Crises, Episode 2. In this episode I will explore the healthcare system of New Brunswick, a province known for its scenic beauty and close-knit communities, yet facing stark healthcare challenges when compared to other Canadian provinces. I’m your host J. André Faust, and together, we will unravel the troubling realities facing New Brunswick’s healthcare and how it stacks up against its Canadian peers.” New Brunswick is a province steeped in natural beauty and vibrant culture, but beneath this serene exterior lies a health care system in crisis. Recent studies have highlighted the province’s struggles with long wait times, scarce medical resources, and health outcomes that fall short when compared to other provinces.
When we look at the health care systems across Canada, New Brunswick ranks among the worst in terms of availability of key medical resources. With only 2 acute care beds per 1,000 people, New Brunswick, like Canada, lags behind countries like Germany and Switzerland?. The province also suffers from one of the lower life expectancies in the country, with an average lifespan of just 81 years? ( the average age for males 79 and 83 for females.)
Access to care in New Brunswick is another critical issue. The province experiences longer wait times for elective procedures and specialist appointments not mention waiting time at the emergency room which can exceed 15 hours as compared to provinces like British Columbia and Ontario. In some cases, New Brunswickers have faced tragic consequences, like deaths in emergency room waiting areas, which have highlighted the system’s deficiencies?.
When we compare New Brunswick’s health care performance to other provinces, the differences are stark. British Columbia and Ontario often top the rankings, while New Brunswick finds itself near the bottom, particularly in areas like physician availability and acute care bed capacity? ?. Despite being the second-highest health care spender as a percentage of GDP, Canada—and New Brunswick—fail to provide adequate health care services?.
Despite the challenges, there is hope on the horizon. New Brunswick has the potential to transform its health care system by focusing on innovative solutions, enhancing access to care, and addressing inequities in service delivery? The road ahead may be tough, but with determination and unity, the province can achieve a brighter health care future.” This can only be achieved if we work as a collective, all of the political parties must put aside their differences and work for the common goal of bringing back a healthcare system that we once knew.
New Brunswick’s health care struggles are a stark reminder of the disparities that exist within our Canadian health care system. While other provinces excel, New Brunswick lags behind, but the future is still unwritten. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the heart of New Brunswick’s health care system. I’m your host, J. André Faust and Until next time, stay informed, stay hopeful, and let’s continue advocating for equitable care for all Canadians.
Monday, May 22, 2023
Harnessing AI for Profit: Capitalism's Double Edged Sword
By J. André Faust
With each day that passes, the influence of artificial intelligence increases exponentially. The latest, if you have not been living under a rock, is chatGTP 4. ChatGTP 4 is a large language model capable of self-learning based on a large training data set. You must remember that you are communicating with a machine because its responses are human-like.
What is Artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence is about machines that can think and learn as humans do. AI relies on a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do.
These instructions allow the computer to analyze data, make decisions, and solve problems. The more data AI has access to, the better it can learn and improve its performance.
Machine learning allows computers to be trained to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. Essentially you are teaching pattern recognition and making predictions based on examples it has seen before.
If you wanted to teach a computer to recognize pictures of cats, you would show it many images of cats and tell it, "These are cats," The computer would analyze the images and learn to identify standard features that make them look like cats. When you show the computer a new picture of a cat, it can tell you it is a cat.
While Artificial Intelligence can advance personkind beyond one's imagination, Artificial intelligence has the potential to be used for evil purposes against personkind. Unfortunately, on the balance of probabilities, AI will be used against the world's civilians.
How capitalism will exploit artificial intelligence for its advancement at the expense of the working class is essential to understand some of the critical elements of the capitalistic system.
Karl Marx defines the bourgeoisie as the capitalist or ruling class in a capitalist society. They are the owners of the means of production. In Marx's days, that would be the factories, businesses, and Land. In today's terms, the bourgeoisie is the capitalist class that owns all the critical technologies used in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors.
Profit motivated – generate as much wealth with the least amount of expense.
Competition - Competition among themselves to produce a better product through innovation and efficiency.
Market Economy - needs consumers, yet prices will be manipulated through supply and demand.
Minimal government intervention – Capitalism generally favours limited government intervention in economic affairs.
The main objective of capitalism is profit over people. The widespread use of AI could lead to job displacement and increased wealth inequality. If AI systems replace human jobs, the people who own and control these systems (often already wealthy) will become even more prosperous, while those whose jobs are replaced may struggle to find new employment.
Some argue that AI would create new jobs replacing displaced jobs. The argument, in part, is correct; the problem is that big businesses will only be hiring the cream of the crop, and the selection of who gets hired will be decided by artificial intelligence. Currently, some companies are using AI to select prospective employees, thus ignoring others who did not use keywords in their resumes or application.
Those who own the technology will create wealth inequality, which can also create a problem for themselves. If a significant population is either not earning anything or earning little. In that case, they will be unable to purchase their goods or services, but the profiteers don't see that far ahead nor the long-term consequences of their greed. They are nearsighted and self-serving.
These big businesses will compete against each other to have smarter AI through innovation which will eventually affect privacy. All those loyalty cards, credit cards or anything that keeps track of your behaviour becomes data to be analyzed with the end game to manipulate your decision-making in the marketplace.
The world's governments are reluctant to enact legislation on the use of AI. Believing that big business will behave morally and ethically is a pipe dream.
To conclude, as more businesses use artificial intelligence and quantum computing to be more profitable, and since these powerful financial elites will own this technology, we will be in the same position as we were at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Marx correctly mentioned the class division between the Bourgiousis and the proletariat, which will be the end game for our society as we know it.
Sunday, May 14, 2023
The Great Deception: The Dark Side of American Power Structure
By J. André Faust
The American Power structure's altruistic behaviours are two-fold: to increase world domination and to protect its vested interests abroad. Nevertheless, the American Government always justifies their action in the name of Democracy. Except for the Korean War, the following list is drawn from my life experience; however, I searched for dates I had forgotten. There may be others that I have forgotten about
1. Korean War (1950-1953): While it was a direct conflict involving the U.S., it is also considered a proxy war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union/China.
2. Vietnam War (1955-1975): The U.S. supported South Vietnam against the North, which the Soviet Union and China backed.
3. Laotian Civil War (1953-1975): During the Vietnam War, a similar conflict occurred in Laos, with the U.S. supporting the Royal Lao Government against the communist Pathet Lao, backed by the Soviet Union and North Vietnam.
4. Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996): The U.S. supported several Guatemalan governments during the War against leftist rebels.
5. Bay of Pigs Invasion, Cuba (1961): The U.S. supported Cuban exiles in a failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro's Government.
6. Dominican Civil War (1965): The U.S. intervened on the side of the Dominican Government.
7. Angolan Civil War (1975-2002): The U.S., along with South Africa, supported the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) against the Soviet/Cuban-backed People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
8. Afghanistan War (1978-1992): The U.S., through Operation Cyclone, supplied the Afghan Mujahideen with weapons and funds to fight the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
9. Salvadoran Civil War (1979-1992): The U.S. supported the Salvadoran Government against the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a leftist guerrilla group.
10. Nicaraguan Civil War (1981-1990): The U.S. supported the Contras in their fight against the Sandinista government.
11. Yemeni Civil War (2015-present as of 2021): The U.S. has supported the Saudi-led intervention against the Houthi rebels.
John Perkins' in his book "Confession of an Economic Hitman," seems to corroborate past and current events.in which the American power structure was involved.
Perkings Highlight the professionals who manipulate developing countries' economies to benefit corporations and government bodies in the developed world, primarily the United States.
1. Debt as a Tool for Control: Perkins argues that developing countries are deliberately burdened with large debts through exaggerated infrastructure projects funded by foreign loans. The inability of these countries to repay the loans gives leverage to the developed countries and international financial institutions, allowing them to dictate economic and political policies.
2. Role of International Corporations and Financial Institutions: Perkins describes how multinational corporations, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other financial entities work together to maintain a system that enriches a small global elite at the expense of the masses. These entities allegedly exploit resources and labour in developing countries, often leading to poverty and economic instability in these regions.
3. Corruption and Coercion: Perkins maintains that if indebted countries resist these policies or any other directives, they are met with threats, corruption, and even orchestrated regime changes. He suggests that EHMs like himself were tasked with corrupting influential figures in these countries. If they failed, "jackals" (CIA-sanctioned operatives) would step in to overthrow or assassinate resistant leaders.
4. Sustainability and Inequality: The current global system, according to Perkins, is unsustainable and leads to vast economic inequality. He argues for reforming economic practices to create a more equitable and sustainable world system.
The afore mention is just a summary of the American Imperisum techniques to hold the world at bay.
More recently, The assignation of Qasem Soleimani by an American drone attack; this order came from Former President Donald Trump. The reason behind the execution was Soleimani's Role in the Middle East. Furthermore, the Threat to U.S. National Security was only an accusation, yet no evidence except the American Propaganda machine was provided to support these accusations.
This attack on Soleimani is similar to the bombing of Bagdad, which led to the ultimate execution of Saddam Hussain. The United Nations told George W. Bush there were no weapons of mass destruction, yet Bush Proceeded to exterminate Saddam for his Oil.
Let us go back to 1945. When the Americans dropped the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, over 200,000 people were killed instantly. That does not include the number of civilians who died from complications resulting from radiation poisoning. By today's standards, that would be seen as an atrocity against the Japanese people.
Before concluding, here is a little ditty: Just recently, North Korean Kim Jong rattled Old man Joe Biden's chains, suggesting they had intercontinental nuclear missiles aimed at American soil. Bidon seeing no humour in his claim, warned north korea that he would eradicate the whole North Korean population. (no sense of ha ha there).
It has been said that "Only a fool will go into battle knowing they are going to lose." Kim Jong is not a fool.
Monday, May 8, 2023
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Monday, September 3, 2018
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Climate Change Myth or Fact with Andre Faust
Over the course of the last 5 years, December, January and February have rather kind compared to 15 years ago. What we are currently seeing is erratic changes, one day above freezing in a matter of hours freezing, and it seems to be oscillating back an forth. Next year will tell a story, This year followed closely the same pattern of Snow, rain, freezing sequence. As of today probability of a spring flood of the Saint John River is highly unlikely.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
1 Out Of 68 Lies Somewhere On The Autistic Spectrum
By André Faust (April 7, 2017)
9 years ago the United Nations has sanction April as autism awareness month. Autism Speaks developed the campaign Light it Up Blue which coincides with April 2. According to the Autism Speaks' website during this month's thousands of "Iconic Buildings and landmarks will join the thousand of homes worldwide "lighting up in blue so show support to support individuals on the autistic spectrum and their families.
What do we know about autism? We know it's a neurological disorder that is caused by many factors. We also know from data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 1 out of 68 children have been diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum. Keep in mind that the spectrum covers a range from extremely mild to extremely severe. As a result of this range, it is possible to interact with people on the spectrum without ever knowing that the person is autistic because they do not fit the stereotype as depicted through the eyes of Hollywood and the Media.
Those individuals who are on the mild end of the spectrum may experience difficulties in their early years of social development because they appear normal yet they may exhibit some behavioural characteristics that do not fit the abstract concept of what is normal which in high school they may be the victims of bullying or social exclusion. On the employment market, they may also be passed over for employment because the employer may perceive them as "not fitting in" even though the may be highly qualified for the job and more qualified then the applicant they choose to hire.
As we move on the spectrum from mild to severe each point on the spectrum possess unique challenges for the individual, for the parents and or for the caretakers to meet those specials needs so that these individuals who have this neurological disorder can have the best quality of life relative to their position on the spectrum.
Currently, New Brunswick's mental health care system provides very little in terms of expertise and resources to help parents and families to optimise the quality of life for those inflicted with this disorder. While there are private practices available to help those who need the expertise, these specialist tend to be the very expense which even for those families with a modest income can be placed at a financial disadvantage in trying to give their autistic child the best of care.
On the positive side, there are organisations in the community to provide services for those in need but are restricted to what they can do because of shoestring budgets.
Public education about this neurological disorder and knowing where the resources are is important. With the probability of 1 out 68 people being diagnosed to lay somewheres on the spectrum is significant because it means that 1 out of 68 newborns will be diagnosed as autistic.
As of today, our science has not been able to specifically isolate the base pairs of the DNA that are responsible for the disorder, as a result, we cannot predict with any accuracy to who will pass the genetic trait. (assuming that it's a disorder is genetically transmitted, it may very well not be). What we do know is that there is no one race that has a greater incident than any another. The likelihood of 1 to 68 chance of having an autistic offspring on the spectrum is not determined by either race or culture.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Wild Canoe Trip with Counselor Marilyn Kerton
Video taken during Don Cormier's Get 'er Boilen show on April 14th, 2012
My Dog Tuesday, a song dedicated to him
He does live the good life .. :)
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