What would we be doing and thinking about if not for this? Update on the latest A.I. madness courtesy of Shawn Boyle. Listenership has been off the charts this week. Thanks for supporting the program.
I watched 2001, A Space Odyssey 5 times at my local theater, drawn in and fascinated by it when it came out. I was too young to understand its deeper implications, yet it kept pulling me back over and over.
Now, here we are. I read that the 'inventors' of AI have no idea how or why it chooses each word, or why it strings them together the way it does when answering a question. And the more intelligent AI gets, the less its creators understand the why.
The singularity is close. And Frankenstein killed his hubris-filled creator. You know, the creator who thought he could steal fire from the Gods.
I really appreciate you eric..... your approach, style, your ability to cull through various resources and bring forth real conversation , insight, an invitation for reflection
you are my touchstone to the mundane but through the language of astrology, my saving grace
Here is the latest update on Iran and America's part in it, the question now is will Iran use a nuclear weapon on America when it has one?:Details revealed about the U.S. strikes on Iran as a truce held
A classified U.S. report found that the strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites set its capability back by only a few months, as a cease-fire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding yesterday. Here’s the latest news.
The preliminary report showed that the bombing had sealed off the entrances to two of the facilities but had not collapsed their underground buildings, officials familiar with the details said. The findings suggest that President Trump’s statement that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated was overstated. A White House spokeswoman called the classified assessment “flat-out wrong.”
The details of the cease-fire remain unclear. Israel’s military lifted emergency restrictions imposed during the conflict, and Iran’s president hailed “the end of a 12-day war that was imposed on the Iranian people” in an address to the nation.
New York Times
The United States’ military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have achieved the exact opposite of their intended goal, according to Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev. Instead of crippling Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, the attacks have reportedly emboldened Iran and triggered a dangerous new phase in global geopolitics—one where multiple nations are now prepared to arm the Islamic Republic with nuclear warheads. This shocking revelation exposes the catastrophic miscalculations of the Trump administration, which, under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, abandoned diplomatic negotiations and launched a reckless military offensive. The opposite of what Trump claimed to want is occurring. Iran will likely be resupplied with nuclear warheads and capabilities.
Key points:
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev claims U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites have backfired, pushing Tehran closer to weaponization.
Multiple nations allegedly stand ready to supply Iran with nuclear warheads, escalating global instability.
Western media will continue to portray Iran as having no allies, but this is nothing but propaganda.
Netanyahu’s long-standing campaign to drag the U.S. into war with Iran succeeded, undermining diplomacy.
Iran had previously agreed to stringent nuclear inspections and enrichment limits before Trump abruptly reversed course.
The US attack violates international law and risks plunging the Middle East into a wider conflict.
Iran will be emboldened after the airstrikes, as other nations come to defend them.
Netanyahu’s trap springs shut
For decades, Netanyahu has sought to embroil the U.S. in a direct confrontation with Iran, framing Tehran as an existential threat to Israel. His influence over Trump proved decisive. Just months into Trump’s second term, the U.S. abandoned promising nuclear talks—where Iran had agreed to maximum transparency, reduced uranium enrichment, and full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—and instead launched airstrikes on key nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.
An informed Iranian source revealed that negotiations between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had reached a tentative agreement. “The deal was as follows: Iran would accept maximum nuclear inspections… convert or export its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium… halt high-level enrichment… and resolve all technical ambiguities with the IAEA,” the source said. In return, the U.S. would lift nuclear-related sanctions.
But after a call between Netanyahu and Trump, Washington abruptly demanded Iran completely abandon its peaceful nuclear program—a nonstarter that sabotaged diplomacy. Two days before the next round of talks, Israel attacked Iran, forcing Trump’s hand. “This was Israel’s trap—designed to drag the U.S. into war,” the source said.
A dangerous new nuclear reality
Medvedev’s warning that nations are now prepared to supply Iran with nuclear warheads marks a terrifying escalation. Russia, a key Iranian ally, has already condemned the U.S. strikes as “irresponsible” and a violation of international law. Meanwhile, Tehran—which has no active nuclear weapons program, according to the IAEA—may now reconsider its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
“Countries like North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Israel rejected the NPT and developed nukes—yet they remain immune from attack,” said Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute. “Iran has learned the hard way that disarmament invites aggression.”
Trump’s decision to strike Iran also exposes the hypocrisy of U.S. nonproliferation policy. Israel, the Middle East’s sole nuclear power with an estimated 400 warheads, has never faced consequences for its arsenal. Meanwhile, Iran—subject to the most intrusive inspections in history—was bombed despite no evidence of weaponization.
The consequences of this reckless escalation are dire. Iran, now more unified under its leadership, may accelerate its nuclear efforts. Russia and other nations could further embolden Iran by supplying advanced weaponry. And the U.S., having violated the UN Charter, faces global condemnation, especially if they push for regime change and destabilization of Iran.
AI seems to be able to work up to a basic level and not be able to proceed beyond that - if so, then AI is doomed in the long run. However, if we are clever enough at making it cleverer than it can be, then it has already decided it wants to eliminate us, so then Schwarzenegger's Terminator Movies might become reality within the next 10 years or so, for many of us.
Iran still waiting for BRICS to condemn Israeli aggression The group has yet to issue any kind of statement on the Iran-Israel conflict. Edward Slavsquat, 6/19/25.
US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only set back program by months, Pentagon report says. Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated. Hugo Lowell in Washington, 6/24/25.
An initial classified US assessment of Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend says they did not destroy two of the sites and likely only set back the nuclear program by a few months, according to two people familiar with the report.The report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency – the intelligence arm of the Pentagon – concluded key components of the nuclear program, including centrifuges, were capable of being restarted within months.
The report also found that much of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be put to use for a possible nuclear weapon was moved before the strikes and may have been moved to other secret nuclear sites maintained by Iran. The findings by the DIA, which were based on a preliminary battle damage assessment conducted by US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, suggests Trump’s declaration about the sites being “obliterated” may have been overstated.
Trump said in his televised address on Saturday night immediately after the operation that the US had completely destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, the facility buried deep underground, and at Isfahan, where enrichment was being stored. “The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said in his address from the White House. While the DIA report was only an initial assessment, one of the people said if the intelligence on the ground was already finding within days that Fordow in particular was not destroyed, later assessments could suggest even less damage might have been inflicted.
Long regarded as the most well-protected of Iran’s nuclear sites, the uranium-enrichment facilities at Fordow are buried beneath the Zagros mountains. Reports have suggested that the site was constructed beneath 45-90 metres (145-300ft) of bedrock, largely limestone and dolomite. The White House disputed the intelligence assessment, which was first reported by CNN. “The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
The US vice-president, JD Vance, admitted on Sunday that Washington did not know where Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranian was, saying: “we are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel”. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that the IAEA could no longer account for Iran’s stockpile of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity.
And this from Al Jazeera’s updated page on the situation. It has the full White House statement.
‘Information war’ in US as intelligence assessment of Trump’s Iran bombing leaked. Shihab Rattansi
"There are clearly figures in Washington who are very keen to leak a very preliminary defence intelligence agency bombing assessment, which says that the strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan failed to destroy the core components of the nuclear programme, set it back by only a few months, that Iran had moved batches of highly-enriched uranium before the strikes… and that some centrifuges still existed.
We got this response from the White House to that: “The alleged assessment is flat-out wrong. It was classified top-secret but was leaked to CNN” – but also The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post by now – “by an anonymous low-level loser in the intelligence community. The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear programme”."
that's not what I said, bitch. I said this kind of statement tells you why some people admire him and further that he is occasionally perceptive. but please, don't do me any favors, there are 2.5 million podcasts on Apple and I bet just guessing there are...2,000 different programs on Pacifica in total of which mine is but a one. They are all eagerly awaiting your ears.
But Eric that is my point, however crudely I make it, there is nothing to be admired about Donald Trump, not only is he taking your country and the Western world down the toilet, but he is a detestable individual..... The situation we are in is dire. Infact we are toast and you, Candice Owens and others continue to give his base food and drink and treat him as an acceptable representative of your people. That's what it looks like to me.
I watched 2001, A Space Odyssey 5 times at my local theater, drawn in and fascinated by it when it came out. I was too young to understand its deeper implications, yet it kept pulling me back over and over.
Now, here we are. I read that the 'inventors' of AI have no idea how or why it chooses each word, or why it strings them together the way it does when answering a question. And the more intelligent AI gets, the less its creators understand the why.
The singularity is close. And Frankenstein killed his hubris-filled creator. You know, the creator who thought he could steal fire from the Gods.
I really appreciate you eric..... your approach, style, your ability to cull through various resources and bring forth real conversation , insight, an invitation for reflection
you are my touchstone to the mundane but through the language of astrology, my saving grace
thank you mucho
Here is the latest update on Iran and America's part in it, the question now is will Iran use a nuclear weapon on America when it has one?:Details revealed about the U.S. strikes on Iran as a truce held
A classified U.S. report found that the strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites set its capability back by only a few months, as a cease-fire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding yesterday. Here’s the latest news.
The preliminary report showed that the bombing had sealed off the entrances to two of the facilities but had not collapsed their underground buildings, officials familiar with the details said. The findings suggest that President Trump’s statement that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated was overstated. A White House spokeswoman called the classified assessment “flat-out wrong.”
The details of the cease-fire remain unclear. Israel’s military lifted emergency restrictions imposed during the conflict, and Iran’s president hailed “the end of a 12-day war that was imposed on the Iranian people” in an address to the nation.
New York Times
The United States’ military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have achieved the exact opposite of their intended goal, according to Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev. Instead of crippling Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, the attacks have reportedly emboldened Iran and triggered a dangerous new phase in global geopolitics—one where multiple nations are now prepared to arm the Islamic Republic with nuclear warheads. This shocking revelation exposes the catastrophic miscalculations of the Trump administration, which, under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, abandoned diplomatic negotiations and launched a reckless military offensive. The opposite of what Trump claimed to want is occurring. Iran will likely be resupplied with nuclear warheads and capabilities.
Key points:
Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev claims U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites have backfired, pushing Tehran closer to weaponization.
Multiple nations allegedly stand ready to supply Iran with nuclear warheads, escalating global instability.
Western media will continue to portray Iran as having no allies, but this is nothing but propaganda.
Netanyahu’s long-standing campaign to drag the U.S. into war with Iran succeeded, undermining diplomacy.
Iran had previously agreed to stringent nuclear inspections and enrichment limits before Trump abruptly reversed course.
The US attack violates international law and risks plunging the Middle East into a wider conflict.
Iran will be emboldened after the airstrikes, as other nations come to defend them.
Netanyahu’s trap springs shut
For decades, Netanyahu has sought to embroil the U.S. in a direct confrontation with Iran, framing Tehran as an existential threat to Israel. His influence over Trump proved decisive. Just months into Trump’s second term, the U.S. abandoned promising nuclear talks—where Iran had agreed to maximum transparency, reduced uranium enrichment, and full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—and instead launched airstrikes on key nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.
An informed Iranian source revealed that negotiations between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had reached a tentative agreement. “The deal was as follows: Iran would accept maximum nuclear inspections… convert or export its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium… halt high-level enrichment… and resolve all technical ambiguities with the IAEA,” the source said. In return, the U.S. would lift nuclear-related sanctions.
But after a call between Netanyahu and Trump, Washington abruptly demanded Iran completely abandon its peaceful nuclear program—a nonstarter that sabotaged diplomacy. Two days before the next round of talks, Israel attacked Iran, forcing Trump’s hand. “This was Israel’s trap—designed to drag the U.S. into war,” the source said.
A dangerous new nuclear reality
Medvedev’s warning that nations are now prepared to supply Iran with nuclear warheads marks a terrifying escalation. Russia, a key Iranian ally, has already condemned the U.S. strikes as “irresponsible” and a violation of international law. Meanwhile, Tehran—which has no active nuclear weapons program, according to the IAEA—may now reconsider its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
“Countries like North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Israel rejected the NPT and developed nukes—yet they remain immune from attack,” said Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute. “Iran has learned the hard way that disarmament invites aggression.”
Trump’s decision to strike Iran also exposes the hypocrisy of U.S. nonproliferation policy. Israel, the Middle East’s sole nuclear power with an estimated 400 warheads, has never faced consequences for its arsenal. Meanwhile, Iran—subject to the most intrusive inspections in history—was bombed despite no evidence of weaponization.
The consequences of this reckless escalation are dire. Iran, now more unified under its leadership, may accelerate its nuclear efforts. Russia and other nations could further embolden Iran by supplying advanced weaponry. And the U.S., having violated the UN Charter, faces global condemnation, especially if they push for regime change and destabilization of Iran.
Sources include:
Jpost.com
MiddleEastEye.net
CNBC.com
NewsTarget
AI seems to be able to work up to a basic level and not be able to proceed beyond that - if so, then AI is doomed in the long run. However, if we are clever enough at making it cleverer than it can be, then it has already decided it wants to eliminate us, so then Schwarzenegger's Terminator Movies might become reality within the next 10 years or so, for many of us.
"Iran will be emboldened after the airstrikes, as other nations come to defend them."
Don't hold your breath. See this.
https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/iran-still-waiting-for-brics-to-condemn/comments
Iran still waiting for BRICS to condemn Israeli aggression The group has yet to issue any kind of statement on the Iran-Israel conflict. Edward Slavsquat, 6/19/25.
He knows not knowing what the fuck he’s doing, that’s his specialty
and as we all know, the "A" in AI = Artificial - (!)
Excellent Song! 🎵
Posted this a few hours ago as a special edition of Lockdown Times.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/24/iran-strikes-nuclear-sites-report
US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites only set back program by months, Pentagon report says. Findings by Defense Intelligence Agency suggest Trump’s declaration that sites were ‘obliterated’ may be overstated. Hugo Lowell in Washington, 6/24/25.
An initial classified US assessment of Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend says they did not destroy two of the sites and likely only set back the nuclear program by a few months, according to two people familiar with the report.The report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency – the intelligence arm of the Pentagon – concluded key components of the nuclear program, including centrifuges, were capable of being restarted within months.
The report also found that much of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be put to use for a possible nuclear weapon was moved before the strikes and may have been moved to other secret nuclear sites maintained by Iran. The findings by the DIA, which were based on a preliminary battle damage assessment conducted by US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, suggests Trump’s declaration about the sites being “obliterated” may have been overstated.
Trump said in his televised address on Saturday night immediately after the operation that the US had completely destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow, the facility buried deep underground, and at Isfahan, where enrichment was being stored. “The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said in his address from the White House. While the DIA report was only an initial assessment, one of the people said if the intelligence on the ground was already finding within days that Fordow in particular was not destroyed, later assessments could suggest even less damage might have been inflicted.
Long regarded as the most well-protected of Iran’s nuclear sites, the uranium-enrichment facilities at Fordow are buried beneath the Zagros mountains. Reports have suggested that the site was constructed beneath 45-90 metres (145-300ft) of bedrock, largely limestone and dolomite. The White House disputed the intelligence assessment, which was first reported by CNN. “The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
The US vice-president, JD Vance, admitted on Sunday that Washington did not know where Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranian was, saying: “we are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel”. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that the IAEA could no longer account for Iran’s stockpile of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity.
And this from Al Jazeera’s updated page on the situation. It has the full White House statement.
‘Information war’ in US as intelligence assessment of Trump’s Iran bombing leaked. Shihab Rattansi
"There are clearly figures in Washington who are very keen to leak a very preliminary defence intelligence agency bombing assessment, which says that the strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan failed to destroy the core components of the nuclear programme, set it back by only a few months, that Iran had moved batches of highly-enriched uranium before the strikes… and that some centrifuges still existed.
We got this response from the White House to that: “The alleged assessment is flat-out wrong. It was classified top-secret but was leaked to CNN” – but also The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post by now – “by an anonymous low-level loser in the intelligence community. The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear programme”."
that's not what I said, bitch. I said this kind of statement tells you why some people admire him and further that he is occasionally perceptive. but please, don't do me any favors, there are 2.5 million podcasts on Apple and I bet just guessing there are...2,000 different programs on Pacifica in total of which mine is but a one. They are all eagerly awaiting your ears.
But Eric that is my point, however crudely I make it, there is nothing to be admired about Donald Trump, not only is he taking your country and the Western world down the toilet, but he is a detestable individual..... The situation we are in is dire. Infact we are toast and you, Candice Owens and others continue to give his base food and drink and treat him as an acceptable representative of your people. That's what it looks like to me.
None of this is about trump. And you think my calling one comment accurate is red meat for the base? Cmon.