App Discovery: Destiny, the secure cross-platform file transfer method

Want to transfer a file across platforms (Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux) but can't find common ground? Destiny can help. Download from

https://github.com/LeastAuthority/destiny?tab=readme-ov-file#installation

There is nothing to set. If both platforms are on the same network (i.e. phone to PC, or vice versa), simply sender run the app and pick SEND, and receiver pick RECEIVE. Then sender choose the file to send, and a passphrase is generated, easy to type in English. As soon as receiver type in the same passphrase, file transfer will start, and since it's happening at local network speed, it's almost instantaneous.  

The client, using "magic-wormhole" protocol, will automatically negotiate alternative protocols if you are on different networks, through the Internet, and so on. And the traffic is encrypted. No interception. Remember, cross platform too. You can go any client to any other client. You can send the passphrase through any "normal" means: SMS, encrypted chat, email, or even call them up and tell them. 

I've tested Android to PC and vice versa on local network. It works great. Previously I had to rely on Google Drive or DropBox to sync the files, and I've also purchased a "Wifi Server" where the Android app hosts a GUI that allows a browser to access the local storage. First is slow, second is a little PITA to run. This manages to be neither. 

My only nitpick is you can only transfer ONE FILE AT A TIME. For each file, you have to initiate a send, and thus, a new passphrase. Not quite frictionless, but for the amount of security it provides, it's almost unbeatable. 

So if you need to frequently transfer single file between your devices, this is a very simple way to do it. Worth a try, at least. 

Dating Locations: Interest and Stigma Axis Classification System

Some males are confused as to when and where to approach a potential date. I'll address the where in what I believe to be a fairly unique system, which I termed Interest and Stigma Axis Classification. It's a mouthful, but it's quite easy to visualize. 

Interest / Stigma forms orthogonal axes, and 4 quadrants

Places with high common interest would be like museums, bookstores, or other hobby-related events and locations, where you both go because of common interests. The existing commonalities makes it easier to connect. 

Places that everybody visits with no expectations and low risk of judgment, such as parks, coffee shops, and supermarkets are considered low stigma. However, with little commonality, it will take some effort to connect. 

Some locations are considered high stigma, such as family events, work places, or gyms, where flirting is often considered creepy or at least frowned upon. It will take some serious effort, such as repeated minimal friendly contact to build trust, before proper approach and shift of location be initiated. 

Best places to approach women are locations that are high common interest as well as low-stigma, such as specialty events, or unique travel destinations. 

Before you approach, you should prepare yourself with a visual cue by observing your target. You are trying to establish commonality, and one quick way is to emulate at least one visual aspect. Holding a camera? Wearing a similar themed T-shirt? Use that to start striking up a conversation. 

To keep it up, maintain proper posture, keep up the eye contact (but not in a creepy way), engage in light convo, to build trust. The rest, I leave up to you. 

Wait, this dish is not... pre-stained?

 In some random browsing, I found this plate at the Container Store: 

It's in clearance for $8.99 at least check. Personally, it looks like a plate that needs washing to me... 

WTF: Texas Congresswomen Who Vanished for Months was Found in Care Home

Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger, who represents Texas Congressional District 12 (which includes where I used to live) was last seen in Congress in July 2024. Her office in DFW area was already emptied out, and all attempt to contact her went to a recorded message. The Dallas Express has finally located her in a "care home" after a tip-off. The staff at the care home refused to admit the reporters for an interview. The staff did confirm the congresswoman is residing there. 

The tipster claimed the congresswoman was found confused and wandering in her former neighborhood and was relocated to the care home. After the news had broke, Congresswoman's son FINALLY contacted the newspapers to confirm the news, but denied she's in a memory care unit. However, the facility does offer that option. A statement purportedly from the congresswoman was released. 

The congresswoman and her staff remains on taxpayer payroll until January 3, 2025, when the congressperson-elect takes office. If you do the math, that means for the past 5 months, District 12 went unrepresented in Congress. 

Which brings up an interesting question... Why did my former residence, Fort Worth, never noticed? No political figure, no news organization, nobody? Or did they decided to keep quiet, and let Dallas take the scoop? 

Health Skepticism: Meta Studies Show Vitamin D and Calcium DOES NOT Reduce Fall Risk and Fractures in Older Adults

One of the common supplementations suggested to older adults was vitamin D and calcium, to help stave off osteoperosis, risk of falling and fracturing one's bones from a fall. However, this has recently been proven false. 

In a meta-study of 20 different trials on both older men and women, there is no significant difference between those who took the supplement and those who did not in terms of fall risk and bone fractures. 

So save your money, if you've been told you need vitamin D and calcium, as an older adult. Talk to your doctor and dietician for something that would actually help. 

Bad and Unethical "Science" that Took YEARS to Correct

Recently, the paper that claimed hydroxychloroquin was an effective treatment for COVID-19 was FINALLY retracted, 4.5 years AFTER its publication in a supposedly professional science journal published by Elsevier. It was supposedly peer-reviewed... only 36 hours after submission. And who's the owner of the journal? The author of the paper himself, Jean-Marc Lorain. The paper was IMMEDIATELY questioned after its publication, as its timeline made no sense. For the timeline to work, the author must have started the study BEFORE its ethics rules had been approved!  Further more, a study only a year later got the exact opposite result: Use of HCQ lead to INCREASED mortality. Yet the paper remain published with no retraction. In fact, one of the co-authors (the rest requested their names to be removed from the paper) tried to sue the critic. That is, until 4.5 years later... when it was FINALLY retracted. 

This paper was cited by bajillion COVID deniers claiming government were withholding "vital medicine" from the public, which also included horse dewormer ivermectin. People were so desperate for ivermectin (which also had NO effect on COVID-19) they were robbing pet stores and veterinary clinics. What they don't tell you is these COVID denier doctors are actually selling Ivermectric and Hydroxychloroquin on the side and making BIG BUCKS... until exposed by a hacker. 

The only bad and unethical science in recent memory that surpassed this was Andrew Wakefield's bogus vaccine link to autism study. Not only was the data unethically sourced, Wakefield did not disclose he was developing a vaccine himself. THAT paper in the Lancet took a DECADE to be retracted. 

Just because it's published in a journal doesn't mean it's reliable and good science. 

Wellness Craze Follow Up: Raw Milk May Have Infected and Killed Two Cats of Bird Flu

According Los Angles County Department of Public Health, two indoor cats in LA County have died of H5N1 bird flu after consuming Raw Farm LLC raw milk. Tests are underway to confirm the diagnosis, but the milk had already been recalled statewide. 

Previously this blog had covered the unscientific naturalistic arguments used by raw milk advocates to justify their consumption. Here's another reason for you to stop consuming unsanitary food... No matter how tempting their specious arguments sound.