Category: Republic Writ

Section devoted to letters written to public officials and stakeholders, alike.

4 min read 0

The Erosion of Critical Thought in the Age of Overtime: How Work Hours Shape Our Cognitive Landscape

In today’s fast-paced world, where the demands of work often extend beyond traditional hours, the implications for family life, media consumption and societal discourse are profound. As work hours increase, the time and energy available for critical thinking diminish, transforming the way families engage with news and information, leading to a landscape where entertainment overshadows education, and where news can morph into what we traditionally recognize as yellow journalism. The Impact of Extended Work Hours Extended work hours have a direct correlation with decreased engagement in family activities that foster critical thinking. Research by Greenhaus and Beutell (1985) highlights how work-family conflict can result in reduced family interaction, where family members are too exhausted or preoccupied to engage in meaningful discussions or educational pursuits (Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985).…
6 min read 0

The Good, The Bad[ass] and the Ugly of Flabby Hoffman’s “Colony Collapse Disorder Vol 1”

Flabby Hoffman’s book “Colony Collapse Disorder, Volume I” published on November 24th, 2024 [Three Volumes published concurrently around then.] presents a satirical and highly critical perspective on American politics, culture and society. The central thesis revolves around the idea that a cabal of wealthy elites, referred to as “Ameri-Nazis,” has been secretly manipulating events since the end of World War II to establish a crypto-fascist government in the United States, culminating in the potential rise of a totalitarian Fourth Reich. The author, Flabby Hoffman uses a sarcastic, irreverent and often vulgar tone to deconstruct historical events, political figures, cultural trends and media narratives. The Good (The Thought Provoking Premises): The Fourth Reich: The book posits that the collapse of Nazi Germany wasn’t a defeat but a strategic retreat.…
10 min read 0

The DeepSeek Hype: Decoding the AI Frenzy and Its Market Impact + Where DeepSeek Succeeds

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape was rocked in early 2025 by the introduction of DeepSeek, a Chinese tech startup’s AI model that claimed to outperform established giants like OpenAI with significantly less resource expenditure. This announcement led to dramatic market reactions, with companies like Nvidia experiencing significant stock value drops. However, beneath the surface of this apparent technological leap, a narrative of skepticism, critique, and strategic market dynamics has emerged. This article delves into the phenomenon of the DeepSeek hype, analyzing its technological claims, market impact, and the broader implications for the AI industry. The Rise of DeepSeek DeepSeek made headlines with the release of its R1 model, which was touted for its performance comparable to top-tier models like OpenAI’s o1 but at purportedly a fraction of the…
6 min read 0

State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks and the Facade of Democracy

In the digital age, the battleground for global power dynamics has increasingly shifted to cyberspace, where state-sponsored cyber attacks serve not just as tools for espionage but also for political sabotage. This article delves into examples of such operations, focusing on the tensions between the United States and the BRICS countries, and how the rhetoric of promoting “democracy” often masks underlying geopolitical strategies. State-Sponsored MITM Attacks Stuxnet (U.S. and Israel vs. Iran – 2010): This worm, designed to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, exemplifies how cyber capabilities can be weaponized for physical impact. Although not a traditional Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack, it involved intercepting and altering control system communications (Langner, 2011). Quantum Insert by NSA (U.S.): This technique allowed the NSA to intercept and manipulate internet traffic, potentially for MITM…
4 min read 0

Restoring Public Trust in Media: A Call for Legislation and Reform

The erosion of public trust in media sources has become a pressing concern in recent years. The proliferation of manipulative public coercion tactics, including the dissemination of deceptive information framing otherwise ligitimate information as disinformation has led to widespread skepticism and mistrust of news agencies. To address this issue, it is essential to propose legislation that clearly distinguishes entertainment from public information, ensuring that the latter is verifiable, free from malice and corrected in a timely and accessible manner. The Problem of Media Infiltration and Co-opted Bias   The manipulation of public opinion through deceptive information tactics has been a long-standing issue. Operation Mockingbird, a CIA operation that began in the 1950s, aimed to influence public opinion through the manipulation of news media (Saunders, 2000). More recently, the…
5 min read 0

The Case for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia remains one of the most enigmatic disorders in psychiatry, famously illustrated through the life of John Nash Jr., whose battle with the condition was portrayed in “A Beautiful Mind.” This article explores the spectrum of schizophrenia, from types and causes to the intricacies of its symptoms like hallucinations, which can either blend seamlessly with reality or stand starkly apart, influencing creativity and daily life in markedly different ways. Types of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia manifests in various forms, each with distinct characteristics: Paranoid Schizophrenia: Dominated by delusions and auditory hallucinations, with relatively preserved cognitive function (Patel, Cherian, Gohil, & Atkinson, 2014). Disorganized Schizophrenia: Features disorganized speech, behavior, and a flat or inappropriate affect, focusing less on delusions or hallucinations (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Catatonic Schizophrenia: Marked by significant psychomotor…
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The Potential Negative Health Impacts of SSRIs: A Closer Look

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, and sometimes for bipolar disorder, but their use is not without controversy or potential adverse effects. This article explores some of the negative health impacts associated with SSRIs, focusing on risks related to violence, suicide, and other health concerns. General Health Risks Side Effects: Sexual Dysfunction: SSRIs can lead to a variety of sexual side effects like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and anorgasmia (inability to orgasm). Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, diarrhea, and changes in appetite are common complaints. Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or excessive sleepiness might occur. Weight Changes: Both weight gain and loss have been reported (Mayo Clinic, 2024). Serotonin Syndrome: An excess of serotonin can result in serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by symptoms like…
4 min read 0

Weight Gain and Metabolic Risks Associated with Invega and Abilify

An Overview with Focus on Discontinuation Antipsychotic medications like Invega (paliperidone) and Abilify (aripiprazole) can lead to significant side effects, including weight gain. Here’s an examination, focusing on the discontinuation of Invega, both as a standalone treatment and when combined with Abilify:   Weight Gain and Health Risks with Invega: Mechanism: Invega’s weight gain is attributed to its effects on histamine H1 and serotonin 5-HT2C receptors, leading to increased appetite and reduced satiety (De Hert et al., 2012). Prevalence: Clinical data suggests that 10-20% of patients might experience significant weight gain (Correll et al., 2009).   Weight Gain with Abilify: Mechanism: Abilify has a relatively lower risk of weight gain but can still contribute in some patients (Citrome, 2013). Combination Therapy: Combining Invega with Abilify might amplify weight…