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Formerly Of Blink-182, Tom DeLonge To Build A Spaceship And Discover Aliens

Brendan Bures
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Formerly Of Blink-182, Tom DeLonge To Build A Spaceship And Discover Aliens

Tom Delonge cares more about aliens than he does music. It led him to quit Blink-182, the band he helped form, and instead focus on aliens and conspiracy theories. For his efforts he’s been rewarded. February 2017 he was named the UFO Researcher of the Year.

But DeLonge has higher aspirations through his organization To The Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences. Their goal, essentially: To crowdfund building a spaceship. The organization has raised nearly $2,500,000.

“Hello, my name is Tom DeLonge from the Blink-182. I have brought together an elite team from CIA, DOD and the FMR Director of Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin’s SkunkWorks,” DeLonge wrote in a Facebook post announcing the project. “We are aiming to build this ElectroMagnetic Vehicle to Travel instantaneously through Space, Air and Water by engineering the fabric of Space-Time.” Our company is called To The Stars… and you can INVEST in our plan to revolutionize the world with technology that can change life as we know it.”

We still aren’t entirely sure what that means, though. Is DeLonge’s team going the Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos route and building their own spaceships? Or will To The Stars work with government agencies to produce better space fleet?

DeLonge, who as president and CEO of To The Stars, had this to say in an additional statement.

Via Stereogum:

The public interest in the outer edges of science and the understanding of phenomena has always been suffocated by mainstream ideology and bureaucratic constraint. We believe there are discoveries within our reach that will revolutionize the human experience, but they can only be accomplished through the unrestricted support of breakthrough research and innovation.

We’re not exactly convinced but we’re in. Sign us up, Tom.

*Update March 19, 2018: This past week To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science presented the first official video evidence released by the US government designated as credible that unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) are real.

The Best Memes & Internet Reactions To Stranger Things 2

Maria Loreto
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The Best Memes & Internet Reactions To Stranger Things 2

“Stranger Things 2” had an awesome second season, or sequel, as the show runners have referred to it. It managed to keep all the great things that made it great during it’s first run – the ’80s, Eleven, the cute kids, the ’80s – while also adding some depth to the narrative, giving great story lines to less important characters such as Dustin, Lucas & Steve. This all resulted in a more adult, larger, and scarier season, that had it’s fair share of humor, heartbreak, and drama. 

No one experienced this more than the internet, who binged 9 hours of programming over the course of a weekend (who are we kidding, it was only a day). We can all agree that the true winner here were, as always, the memes. We’ve sorted out the best internet reactions out there and put them into helpful categories so you can peruse as you like. If you haven’t caught up with the show, leave!!! There are a lot of spoilers ahead!

Binging The Show Like An Animal

Steve Being The Absolute Best

The Many, Many Love Triangles 

Hopper Being Cute & Dumb

Last But Not Least… Bob (& Mews)

Can Marijuana Help With The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease?

Richard Faulk
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Can Marijuana Help With The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease?

The CDC estimates that every year some 300,000 may be exposed to Lyme disease, the handiwork of the Borrelia burgdoferi spirochete (which is more detail than necessary, but Borrelia burgdoferi spirochete is so cool I just had to namedrop it).

Lyme is transmitted by ticks. The telltale sign is a bull’e-eye-shaped rash that spreads from the infected bite. If that’s missed—which is often the cas>e—later symptoms include flu-like symptoms, swollen joints, weakness, and confusion. Partial, and mercifully temporary, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) can sometimes occur.

A course of antibiotics should take care of old B. burgoferi, so end of story. Nothing to see here, and nothing for a cannabis-centered publicatin>on to take notice of.

Except, in a number of patients, Lyme disease symptoms linger far longer than they ought to—for years even. The Centers for Disease Control call this condition post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome<!–a>. Most of us don’t have that much air in our lungs, so we call it chronic Lyme.

Since you can’t take antibiotics forever, this is where cannabis treatment enters the story. Weed, as we all know by now, can sooth inflammation; promote relaxation and sleep, which can fortify against chronic weakness; and combat the depression that often accompanies an ongoing illness. It might even kill B. burgoferi on contact.

At least, this is what is claimed by those who endorse medical cannabis as a chronic Lyme treatment. On the other hand, there is absolutely no clinical evidence of its effectiveness against Lyme. And there is absolutely no urgency to change this situation, because in the opinion of many physicians, chronic Lyme a name without a disease to go with it.

Or, to put it another way, the symptoms of Lyme correspond closely with those of a more general malady called “life.” Dr. Paul Lantos, the most visible debunker of chronic Lyme .pdf”>observes that up to 20 percent of the general population experiences chronic pain, and only about half of us live pain free. Among the tired and achey, depression is also common. Put those all together, and—voilà—you’ve met the criteria for chronic Lyme.

If that chain of logic is too squishy for you, here are a couple of numbers: 50 to 88. According to Lanto’s review of 1902 cases, that’s the percentage of people referred for chronic Lyme who never even had Lyme disease in the first place.

Lest you think he’s some kind of bully who is dismissing real suffering, Lantos accepts the designation post-Lyme disease syndrome. However, he believes that it is “more properly thought of as a means of categorizing this patient cohort, rather than describing a clinical diagnosis.” In other words, something is afflicting these people—it’s just not Lyme disease.

<p>What that something is, is the question at hand. Then we can think about cannabis.

 

The whole chronic Lyme debate is as depressingly acrimonious and unedifying as the anti-vax controversy. But if you want to dive in, here are some of links:

<strongPro:</strong

Con:

</p

Inside Dudeism, The Religion Inspired By ‘The Big Lebowski’

Maria Loreto
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Inside Dudeism, The Religion Inspired By ‘The Big Lebowski’

Dudeism is a religion inspired on Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude, from The Big Lebowski. Have you seen the movie? The Dude has become a cultural icon over the years, a sort of Marilyn Monroe for the modern American persona. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably seen Jeff Bridges as The Dude, in all of his flip flop and bathrobe glory.

https://giphy.com/gifs/molly-welker-F3G8ymQkOkbII

Although the movie was a box office flop during it’s release in 1998, by the early 2000’s it had become a cult classic, screening in small theaters in Los Angeles and New York and having Lebowski fests, where dozens of Dudes would gather together to play bowling, smoke weed, drink White Russians and discuss and dissect the movie. The Big Lebowski is as quotable as a movie can possibly be, and even with all it’s silliness and weirdness, you can’t help but find some truth and meaning into The Dude’s lifestyle and creed.

Dudeism, also known as The Church of The Latter Day Dude, was officially founded in 2005, and has ordained over 220,000 “Dudeist Priests” from all over the world through their website, which is surprisingly well built and legit. Dudeism has a ‘Take It Easy’ Manifesto and it’s pick of the Great Dudes In History, which includes Snoopy, Quincy Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence.

While Dudeism in its official form has been organized as a religion only recently, it has existed down through the ages in one form or another. Probably the earliest form of Dudeism was the original form of Chinese Taoism, before it went all weird with magic tricks and body fluids. The originator of Taoism, Lao Tzu, basically said “smoke ’em if you got ’em” and “mellow out, man” although he said this in ancient Chinese so something may have been lost in the translation.”

Dudeism has appeared on ABC segments, on several commercials, and on a documentary that’s still in the making. While it may sound very silly, these people consider that Dudeism is not a joke but a lifestyle, where what matters is the here and now, and your attitude towards life. If you’re still unconvinced, here are some of The Dude’s greatest lines and moments. You can check out their website here.

So, Scientists Are Building An Artificial Intelligence ‘God’

Maria Loreto
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So, Scientists Are Building An Artificial Intelligence ‘God’

The Singularity is a term people use to infuse terror whenever they’re talking about the future of technology. It’s a scary word, because it talks about the moment – impending or not – when computers will finally be smarter than humans, rendering us irrelevant and unnecessary, and ultimately, transforming the way our world works. Singularity is the stuff of science fiction, and it’s scary because every year it feels more plausible.

Anthony Levandowsky doesn’t seem to share our fear of the technological singularity. A multimillionaire and genius from Silicon Valley, Levandowsky has worked for Google and has developed brilliant technological endeavors, including a self driving truck he sold to Uber for a lot of money. Among his creations, he’s also found time to develop a religion called the Way of the Future. Wired reports that the purpose of this religion is to “develop and promote the realization of a Godhead based on artificial intelligence”. Supposedly, this religion will also look for ways of improving society through the understanding and worship of the Godhead.

While some experts like Ray Kurzweil claim that the Singularity won’t be the end of us, instead opening up opportunities for humanity, others scientists like Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking claim the opposite. 

Via Vanity Fair:

With artificial intelligence, we are summoning the demon. You know all those stories where there’s the guy with the pentagram and the holy water and he’s like, yeah, he’s sure he can control the demon? Doesn’t work out.”

Levandowsky hasn’t talked openly about his plans with Way of the Future, but his proposal of wanting to create, revere, and understand a Godhead suggest that he either doesn’t know what he’s getting into or he really does. Sadly, no matter how informed we are, this is a topic that will mostly be determined by the experts and by those who are involved in the industry. All of us, non-tech people, will be left looking on from the sidelines, waiting to see what happens.

Amazon Key Wants To Enable Deliveries & Delivery People Into Your Home

Maria Loreto
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Amazon Key Wants To Enable Deliveries & Delivery People Into Your Home

Amazon has been investing a lot of their time and resources into the development of in home appliances that improve your lifestyle and security. Their next endeavor, Amazon Key, is looking to simplify package deliveries by giving delivery men the ability to deliver packages without the need of a signature or without having to leave purchases unassisted at doorsteps. 

Amazon Key consists of an app, a camera, and a lock. Once you buy their service you’ll allow the company to install a new set of locks and a camera on your doorstep, which you’ll be able to monitor through your app. With this service, you’ll enable Amazon employees to drop off packages inside your home without needing a signature. On November 8, the service will be launched in 37 cities within the U.S.

The service will be provided for Prime members exclusively and it’ll cost 250 dollars for initial installation. Once Amazon Key is installed, you’ll receive a notification when your package is about to be delivered, establishing a four hour window where you’ll Amazon Cloud Cam will be active and ready to record the drop off. When the delivery man arrives, your door will unlock and you’ll be able to watch the delivery in real time or to watch the recording afterwards.

Amazon has tried to make their service as safe as possible by establishing a secure and encrypted lock system for your doorstep. The company also claims that the footage captured by the camera only lasts for 24 hours and that it can only be viewed by you. The main downside of the service – and it’s a big one – is the fact that you’ll be letting a stranger into your home. Even if employees are forced to get thorough background checks, does the company deserve so much of your trust? 

Gossip: Duchess Kate Keen To ‘Carve Out More Serious Role For Herself’; Lindsay Lohan Trying To Get Close With Rob Kardashian

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Duchess Kate Keen To ‘Carve Out More Serious Role For Herself’; Lindsay Lohan Trying To Get Close With Rob Kardashian

The statement issued by Duchess Kate was this:

The Duchess is keen to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding maternal mental health, and to learn what support is available. At least 20% of women are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. If left untreated, maternal mental health problems can have significant and long lasting effect on the woman and her family.

Lindsay Lohan Trying To Get Close With Rob Kardashian

A new report says that Lindsay Lohan has been reaching out and trying to get close again with her old friend Rob Kardashian.

But insiders say she has an agenda! The source says she “sees it as an opportunity to become relevant again.” What does Rob’s family think? The source says, “They want him to stay as far away from her as possible.”

Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!

For This South Carolina Grandmother, Cannabis Is Worth The Risk

Trey Reckling
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For This South Carolina Grandmother, Cannabis Is Worth The Risk

Carrie King is a wife, mother, grandmother and cannabis user. It’s not just for kicks. It’s the best medicine she has had, but it’s been a long strange trip getting to this point.

In 2004, Carrie was having terrible headaches and something was just not right at all. Her husband rushed her to the ER. Carrie didn’t realize she had suffered a brain aneurysm. While the doctors worked on her, she suffered a second one. Doctors induced a coma with opiates and she stayed in that state for over a month.

It quickly upended her life. “I had really bad short term memory memory problems following this,” King shared. The cycle of opiates and refills that followed didn’t help. Depression led her to a scary point where she realized something had to change. She sought help to get away from the opiates and put all of that behind her, and she did with the help of friends and support.

Photo courtesy of Carrie King

In 2014, she was diagnosed with cancer. Carrie had two surgeries, followed by chemotherapy. “They pump you full of all kinds of medication and fluids. It’s an 8-hour process and I would be so swollen after a session.” Her oncologist wrote her a prescription for Marinol, synthetic THC. It made her very high. Too high.

A friend suggested she consider becoming a medical marijuana patient. Carrie works at a local hospital teaching yoga to people in substance abuse recovery. Worried that marijuana could be a problem for her, she approached friends working in addiction services. They assured her that there are many in the recovery community who are on the “marijuana maintenance program” and doing well. 

She made some calls, got the hookup and started smoking weed. “I’m not loaded down on a bunch of medications and I can function and be a normal person.” 

As a resident of South Carolina, Carrie puts herself at risk from law enforcement by being a cannabis user. It is a risk that she is willing to take. “Why can’t I smoke a bowl, have a good evening and go to bed? I am in my 50’s and just starting to see what this plant can do. We need to legalize this plant.”

Carrie just wants to be as pain free as possible and lead a fulfilling life. She believes many other people can benefit in the same way and vows to continue to share her story with others. “I will continue to voice my gratitude for this plant for helping me through a tough time and for teaching me something.” 

More Patient Stories: 

Survey: War Veterans Want Medical Cannabis More Than Ever

Mary Schumacher
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Survey: War Veterans Want Medical Cannabis More Than Ever

A just-released survey from The American Legion, the largest group of war veterans in the nation, shows that they overwhelmingly approve of the legalization of medical marijuana and almost every member who took the survey is in favor of cannabis research.

Veterans tend to make up an older, more conservative demographic, but a demographic that’s been to or readied for war. There are too many cases of PTSD to count, missing limbs, missing men and women and a whole lot of suffering that can be eased with medical marijuana. In other words, they really get it.

In fact, earlier this year the Legion adopted a resolution requesting the federal government to allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to be able to discuss and recommend medical cannabis in states where it’s legal.

Last summer, the Legion attempted to put their hefty influence into the political cannabis ring in an effort to take marijuana off of the Schedule I list, hoping to allow for more research. Though they do have a powerful voice, the plant remains in Schedule I – for now.

“People ask ‘aren’t you a law and order group’. Why yes we are,” said the Legion’s Executive Director Verna Jones at a press conference with Congress members. “But we’re also a group that takes care of veterans. And when veterans come to us and say a particular treatment is working for them, we owe it to them and listen.”

However, the Legion’s also made it clear that they aren’t in this battle to win the recreational side of marijuana law reform. In a statement they made it clear, “It is very important to note that The American Legion is NOT advocating for recreational use of marijuana.”

The survey was of 802 persons, 513 of them veterans and 289 their caregivers. When the numbers shook out, nine out of 10 were in favor of medicinal research and four out of five were in favor of legalizing medical cannabis. Sixty percent of those surveyed were 60 or older.

“It is also clear from the survey that veterans are accessing cannabis to assist them in states with and without medical marijuana programs,” added Five Corners Strategies, the group that conducted the surveys for The American Legion.

The Link Between Cannabis, Kidney Health And Obesity

Trey Reckling
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The Link Between Cannabis, Kidney Health And Obesity

A recently released study funded by the German-Israeli Foundation helped scientists have found what may be a link between obesity, nephropathy and kidney disease. Compounds like those found in marijuana seem to play a preventative role. 

Obesity can worsen hypertension and increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. Renal dysfunction occurs early as someone becomes obese. This is further complicated since the condition also increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Men over 50 are more likely to be affected. But older men are just one segment of this affected population.

Obesity is a major healthcare challenge throughout the world. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.4 billion people in the world are overweight. In the US alone, two-thirds of Americans are overweight and almost one-third are obese.

The challenge to doctors has been understanding how the connection happens. In this study scientists focused on the endocannabinoid system, the innate system we share with all vertebrate animals. Receptors connect like a lock and key with specific, naturally occurring cannabinoids, similar in chemical structure to those found in the cannabis plant.

The CB1 type receptors were targeted and ‘knocked out’ for the lab mice. The modified mice were then fed a high calorie diet to make them obese. The same diet was fed to the control group, wild mice with non adjusted genetic codes. All mice became severely overweight but all were not equally healthy.

There was less incidence of both inflammation and compromised, fibrous tissue in the knockout mice. Additional markers used to measure the likelihood of kidney disease were also found to be lower in the genetically modified group. Increased fat droplets in the tubes leading to the kidneys and increase in enzymes related to kidney disease were found in wild mice but not those whose CB1 receptors had been affected.

Researchers concluded that targeting the CB1 receptors could be crucial in helping obese patients minimize this kidney condition. This could be huge news for both people with obesity related renal disease and those who are at risk of developing it. After all, marijuana for medical purposes has continued to prove to be an effective and even safer alternative for many conditions than existing therapies.

There is no shortage of people who could benefit if this study foreshadows the effectiveness of marijuana and its compounds to ward off renal damage and disease. Considering the number of people worldwide who suffer from this condition, we can expect to see much more interest in this rather novel approach to minimizing risk to the kidneys.

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