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Can you remember the last time you drove for the sake of exploration? Or took the long way home on purpose? It's a freeing experience to drive down the interstate, onto rural routes, and through the tree-lined backroads of the countryside.
Thankfully, Illinois is home to many roads and byways that are perfect for your next scenic drive; you may even want to find and explore some diversions along the way! To make your life easier, we have built a list of our top five scenic drives in Illinois. It's time to pack some snacks, queue your favorite playlist and get lost in the natural beauty of your surroundings.
For a safe and stress-free drive, make sure you have the right auto insurance to protect the vehicle that makes it all possible.
The Great River Road
If waterside scenery brings a smile to your face, you will love driving along the great River Road. This road traces the Mississippi River as you travel the length of Illinois' western border. Throughout the drive your eyes will be drawn from left to right with majestic waters on one side and vibrant woodlands on the other.
Since the Great River Road spans the entire state, it offers diverse stops along the way. Explore the towering bluffs, trek to the top of the largest prehistoric settlement in North America, experience the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area or canoe through the mighty Mississippi.
Ohio River Scenic Byway
Spring blooms, summer wildflowers, falls colors and winter adventures – experience the Ohio Scenic Byway in every season.
In the southernmost tip of Illinois, this route runs parallel to the Ohio River for 188 miles, ending in Cairo, Illinois. This National Scenic Byway reflects on rich history as it passes through many ancient sites that tell the stories of Native Americans, river pirates, miners, presidents, Civil War heroes and more. The route is also dotted by quaint riverside towns that are home to diverse people and customs.
In addition to history and culture, the byway is packed with natural splendor. It offers remarkable views of Shawnee National Forest and nearby recreation areas such as the Garden of the Gods, Pounds Hollow, High Knob, Rim Rock and Tower Rock. Along your route, you will also find plentiful agriculture: farm operations, roadside vegetable stands, wineries, pick-your-own produce farms and more.
The Historic National Road in Illinois
The Historic National Road in Illinois is full of history and buzzing with an atmosphere of old-fashioned travel. In fact, it was the first federally funded road in the U.S.
This 164-mile road stretches from Marshall to East St. Louise, tracing prehistoric cities, Victorian architecture and Midwest small town America. Among its many gems is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, which features the largest mound buildings built by Native Americans on the North American continent.
Along your drive, don't forget to marvel at the giant ketchup bottle just south of Collinsville. Yes, you heard right. This well-known water tower is trademarked "The World's Largest Catsup Bottle" at 170 feet.
Morton Arboretum
How about a short drive through nature's utopia? Sometimes there is nothing better than rolling the windows all the way down, feeling the crisp air at your fingertips and witnessing the handiwork of Mother Nature. At the Morton Arboretum, you can drive nine miles through 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies.
The flowers, trees and animals that change with the season, make the Arboretum a paradise for nature lovers. While the drive will showcase much of the area's beauty, there is so much to explore beyond the roads. Take a detour and hike Arboretum's many trails, get lost in the maze garden or take photos at the Ground Cover Garden.
Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive
Calling all fall lovers and festival enthusiasts: Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive offers a self-guided tour well known for its annual fall festival. The family-friendly festival features crafts, food, flea markets, antiques, demonstrations and more.
Spoon River Valley winds through Fulton County from London Mills to the Illinois River, covering 140 miles of scenic roads. Visit up to 17 villages and many historic sites along your drive!
Curious about some of the route highlights? Drive to Bernadotte where you can admire the dam on Spoon River which was built by troops and was a part of Camp Ellis during World War II. At Bernadotte, you can also summon your inner child and indulge in a deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then, head to Smithfield for the chicken-and-noodle dinner that is hosted in the historical Red Brick School (because you can never have too much food and history in a day).
Have fun and stay safe
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text: Cineuropa is the first European portal dedicated to cinema and audiovisual in 4 languages. With daily news, interviews, data bases, in-depth investigations into the audiovisual industry, Cineuropa aims at promoting the European film industry throughout the world. Welcome to a platform where professionals can meet and exchange information and ideas.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nowadays, more and more personal information surfaces on the web. For example, some of your friends might mention your name in a social network or tag you on online photos, or your name could appear in blog posts or articles.
Google Search is often the first place people look for information that's published about you. Here are a few ways to manage your online reputation and help control what people see when they search for you on Google:
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- If using a string or paper, wrap it around your wrist in the same way, making sure it's snug.
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- If using a measuring tape, note the measurement where the end of the tape overlaps the rest.
- If using a string or paper, use a pen or marker to mark the point where it overlaps.
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- If you used a measuring tape, read the measurement in inches or centimeters.
- If you used a string or paper, remove it from your wrist and use a ruler to measure the length from the end to the mark. This measurement is your wrist size.
Determine Bracelet Size:
- If you prefer a snug fit, you can use your wrist measurement as the bracelet size.
- If you want a slightly looser fit or plan to wear multiple bracelets together, you can add a small amount (usually 1/4 to 1 inch or 0.5 to 2.5 cm) to your wrist measurement to determine your bracelet size.
Consider the Clasp:
- Keep in mind that the type of bracelet clasp you choose may affect the overall length of the bracelet. For example, a lobster clasp or toggle clasp will add a bit of extra length.
Use a Bracelet Sizer (Optional):
- If you have access to a bracelet sizer, you can use it to determine your bracelet size more accurately. Simply slide the sizer onto your wrist until it fits comfortably.
Remember that bracelet sizing can vary depending on the style and design of the bracelet, so it's essential to measure your wrist accurately to ensure a comfortable fit.


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I do agree that "shit was like Nostradamus," and also very amusing as well to boot too, and while at the time I thought linking to the video was, ipso facto, a "shout out" (I have no idea if I just used "ipso facto" correctly, by the way) I realize now that it was insufficient and therefore I am also linking to his blog. (Click here to see his blog, or if you missed that last link because you were reading too fast, you can also click here.) I hope that this is an appropriate "out-shouting," and that he accepts my sincere apologies.
I was disappointed to learn that Rick Smith had stopped his comic not too long ago, though I'm pleased to see that his campaign to produce the remaining three volumes in book form is already nigh unto its goal. (Ipso facto and proverbially speaking to boot.) So do support him if you're inclined, and if you act now you'll also get a limited edition signed copy of "Yehuda After Dark:"
Door-to-door bra salesman, eh? Sultry. I wonder where they're going with that plotline. You'll just have to order to find out.
Also, in other Kickstarting news, mobile-bike-shop-slash-rolling-party-guy-who-wants-to-move-to-Portland-and-got-mad-cause-I-mentioned-him continues to draw incrementally closer to fulfilling his own fundraising goal:
Still, with only eight (8) days to go he remains 4,449 USA Fun Tickets short. At this point, his only hope may be a mysterious wealthy benefactor with an irascible nature that belies a heart of gold. If you're such a Dickensian character, then consider giving generously. Remember: for the price of a single custom bicycle, you can help make a young boy's dreams of smugness come true.
But probably the biggest, fuzziest ball I dropped yesterday was forgetting to post the following photo, which was taken by a reader in a Manhattan Trader Joe's:
Yes, that is indeed a man in a helment and inline speed skates with a water bottle strapped to his waist perusing the ingredients on a box of crackers. After my initial delight subsided, I wondered two things:
I'd pay good money to see that race. I mean, I wouldn't pay send-a-guy-to-Portland money, but I'd easily fork over like eight bucks. Maybe I should "curate" a Kickstarter to make that happen.
Of course, I'd pay a lot more if at least one of the competitors were to wear this stunning Wednesday-themed jersey which was forwarded to me by a reader and is available on a popular online auctioning site:
Amazed, I checked out the manufacturer's website, and it turns out they're sort of like a European version of Primal Wear, only they're not afraid to "go there." And when I say "go there," I mean making bold pronouncements like "F*ck the System:"
Don't let the asterisk fool you--these guys aren't afraid to openly mock signage of all types. "'Max Speed 30?' Fie!" "'The WC is that way,' you say? I don't believe you!" "'Except yesterday all day loading max-20 mins?' I'll load what I like, when I like, thankyouverymuch!" If you want to let the world know you think most highway gradient signs are spurious at best, this is the jersey for you.
Then, once you've "F*cked the System," you can move onto "F*cking the Gravity:"
It's about time someone had the nerve to tell Sir Isaac Newton exactly where he can shove that apple of his. In fact, I may get one of these myself, since it's that pesky gravity which is making me drop balls all over the place. In yet another example of my negligence, at least one commenter feels I have not written about the "pro peloton" enough:
Anonymous said...
Hey, are you ever going to write about the pro peloton again? E.g funny photos/celebrity lookalikes etc.
October 18, 2011 1:57 PM
I was about to reply with a simple "No," but then I went to Cyclingnews, where I saw Philippe Gilbert's hair:
If you're wondering what's going on, Frank Schleck is lending him some hair gel, and Andy Schleck is laughing because it's dripping all over his crotch.
Speaking of pro cycling style, Mark "The Man Missile" Cavendish is upset because the UCI won't let him wear black shorts with the World Champion stripes:
Of course, what he failed to mention was that these are the black shorts he submitted for UCI approval:
They were designed for him by his girlfriend, breast model Peta Todd, shown here in a stunningly tasteful (and emphatically unsafe-for-work) tribute to Native American culture:
At first glance it may seem a bit lurid, but keep in mind this is a totally accurate recreation of the manner in which Native Americans once used their mammaries to communicate with each other over long distances.
In other pro cycling news, the big story is that there's going to be a great big stage race in France next summer, and they've just unveiled the route:
Evidently, there's going to be a lot of time-trialling:
PARIS, October 18, 2011 (AFP) — Contenders for the 2012 Tour de France yellow jersey have been given notice of the need for strong time trialling skills after organizers unveiled the race route for the 99th edition Tuesday. A total of 96.1 km of racing against the clock will feature on the course, spread over the opening prologue (6.1km), Stage 9 (38 km) and the penultimate Stage 19 (52 km).
Seriously, that's just mean:
And lastly, the tech world is abuzz with speculation about Future Dura-Ace:
Details are still hazy, but it appears STI will soon stand for "Shimano Total Incompatibility."


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Did My Dog Have a Stroke?
Published on December 18, 2011
Q. I think my old dog had a stroke, but he seemed a lot better by morning. I took him to our veterinarian, and she said Old Dog Vestibular Disease was a common problem in old dogs, but it looks worse than it is and should resolve completely in a few days. Will it happen again?
A. It may happen again, but your vet is correct: Old Dog Vestibular Disease — veterinarians call it simply ODV — isn't as bad as it looks or sounds. And that's good, because it can seem pretty bad when your pet is stricken with it.
When old dogs get ODV, they usually develop a sudden loss of balance accompanied by a head tilt. To them the world seems to be spinning, and they may roll on the ground and may even vomit from motion sickness. Because the onset of symptoms can come on an old dog so quickly and so dramatically, it's natural to jump to the conclusion that a pet is near death or that euthanasia needs to be considered. But this is one situation where we veterinarians get to deliver some good news when the worst seems to be at hand.
My friend Dr. Tony Johnson, a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care and professor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, explains what it feels like for a dog with ODV:
It's like the game kids play where they spin around and stop suddenly: The world just keeps on spinning. With kids, the spinning slows down and stops after a few minutes, but for dogs the spinning can go on for days.… If you look closely at the eyes of a dog suffering from ODV, his eyes rapidly dart back and forth (a condition called nystagmus) as if he is watching an unseen tennis match.
Signs of ODV can vary somewhat. For example, not all dogs get nystagmus, but some are so off-balance that they can't sit up, stand or walk. And not all dogs vomit, but they may be so nauseous that they drool excessively. Nobody really knows why some old dogs get this condition. It may indeed be like a small stroke, what in people is called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. It might also be an inflammation of the inner ear (the vestibular system, which controls our sense of balance).
Some dogs can be treated at home and will need only medication for motion sickness and maybe a little old-dog pampering and hand-feeding. For other dogs, typically those with serious health problems or vomiting, a couple days in the hospital on fluids and medication may be necessary.
Following up with your veterinarian is essential. Since ODV shares symptoms with more serious health problems, if a dog doesn't return to normal in a few days, it's time for more diagnostics.


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Many people have muddled thinking about atheism. Proving a negative claim, they often say, is impossible. You can't look everywhere. You can't convince everyone. You could always be wrong. You can't possibly give a proof that there is not a God the way that we can prove that the interior angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees. God's too big, we're too little, and we'd expect that whatever God would be, it would surpass our abilities to understand. So proving there is no God is short-sighted hubris.
There's a lot here that worth reacting to, but I'll confine it to two distinctions:
A wide atheist is someone who think there are no gods, no divine or supernatural beings whatsoever. And a narrow atheist is one who just thinks that there no classic God of the Judeo-Christian, Islamic tradition exists. There is no omnipotent, omniscience, and all good being. But narrow atheism by itself leaves open the possibility that some other sort of divine being might exist.
A lot of people, even skeptics and narrow atheists, think that wide atheism is unreasonable. Wide atheists are a rare and foolish breed, they think. Even among the people who have warmed to the idea that you can make a convincing case against the omni-God, they figure that you could never prove that no gods at all exist.
Wide atheism is correct, however.
Here's a very brief argument in favor of wide atheism. It's no more challenging to make a compelling case that no elves, pixies, dwarves, fairies, goblins, or other mythical creates exist than it is to argue that there are no Gods. I don't have to give a decisive proof against every possible mythological, magical being in order to conclude that none of them are real. At some point, once you've thought about, reflected on the general considerations about natural laws, magic, and supernatural entities, it becomes perfectly reasonable to conclude that the whole enterprise is an explanatory dead end for figuring out what sort of things there are in the world. Even though scientific naturalism has managed to explain every single alleged supernatural phenomena in the past entirely in natural terms, should we insist on being agnostic about the few magical beings that people still stubbornly cling to? Surely I don't have to be agnostic about invisible, supernatural beings that might be responsible for those remaining phenomena that we are still trying to explain. All of the instances of phenomena that were alleged to be supernatural but that turned out to be natural give me as much proof as we can hope for that the God idea should go the same way as evil demons did as an explanation of mental illness.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wide Atheism: There Are No Gods Whatsoever
32 comments:
- Explicit Atheist said...
Wide atheism is a generalization of the approach that many people properly take towards other supernatural psuedo-explanations like "the devil made them do that" declaration. It isn't about "proof", people who keep asking atheists for proof here, and lots of people ask atheists for proof, are confused. Its about evidence and explanatory validity. Asking for proof in a belief context is a category error. Its also an odd double standard because the same people who so frequently ask atheists for "proof" as the standard for justifying atheism rarely ask theists for "proof" as the standard for justifying theism.
- January 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
- Explicit Atheist said...
This is the way I respond to "you can't prove a negative"
It is commonly argued that the non-existence of God must be "proven" to justify atheism and that negative propositions such as atheism cannot be proven and therefore must be rejected. A classic valid form of argument is modus tollens (Latin for "mode that affirms by denying"): If T then there will be evidence ET for T. There is no evidence ET for T (as far as we have been able to determine to date). Therefore T is false. Inductive arguments won't give us certainty about anything at all, positive or negative. All observed swans are white, therefore all swans are white looked like a pretty good positive inductive argument until black swans were discovered in Australia. The very nature of an inductive argument is to make a conclusion probable, but not certain, given the truth of the premises.
However, it is a big mistake to dismiss induction because we're not getting certainty out of it. We use inferences — induction — from past experiences in every aspect of our lives to establish both "absent" and "present" facts about the world that we depend on, and such induction from the evidence, unlike simple faith, is a productive and valid method for justifying beliefs. The bottom line is this: Absence of evidence is evidence for absence via modus tollens.
Furthermore, we can argue for atheism this way: If A then there will be evidence EA. The evidence is EA. Therefore A is true. When something is absent there can be evidence that is either consistent or inconsistent with that absence, as will be demontrated below in the following section that lists some evidence against God.
Adopted from "God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does not Exist." Stenger, Victor J., Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 2007. p. 231++
The measured mass density of the universe might not have turned out to be exactly what is required for the universe to have begun from a state of zero energy, which we assume is the energy of nothing. That would have implied that a miracle, the violation of energy conservation, was required to produce the universe.
The universe may have not been expanding but rather turned out to be a firmament (as the Bible says it is). That would have implied that a miracle, the violation of the second law of thermodynamics that requires the universe always had total entropy less than maximum in the past, was required to produce the universe.
The age of the Earth may have turned out to be too short for the evolution of life. Fossils may have been found that were inexplicably out of sequence. Life-forms might not have all been based on the same genetic scheme. Transitional species might not have been observed. Such evidence against evolution would have implied a miracle was required to produce life.
Human memories and thoughts may have provided evidence that cannot be plausibly accounted for by known physical processes. Science may have confirmed exceptional powers of the mind that it could not plausibly explain physically. Science may have uncovered convincing evidence for an afterlife. For example, a person who has been declared dead by every means known to science may return to life with detailed stories of an afterlife containing information he could not possibly have known and is later verified as factual, such as the location of the nearest planet with life.
A nonphysical channel of communication may have been empirically confirmed by revelations containing information that could not have been already in the head of the person reporting the revelation.
Physical and historical evidence may have been found for the miraculous events and the important narratives of the scriptures. For example, Roman records may have been found of an earthquake in Judea at the time of a crucifixion ordered by Pontius Pilate. Campsites from the Exodus may have been found in the Sinai Desert.
The void may have been found to be absolutely stable, requiring some action to bring something rather than nothing into existence.
The universe may have been found to be so congenial to human life that it must have been created with human life in mind. Humans may have been able to move from planet to planet, just as easily as they now move from continent to continent, and be able to survive on every planet with life support.
Natural events may have followed some moral law, rather than morally neutral mathematical laws. For example, lightning may strike mostly wicked people; people who behave badly may fall sick more often; nuns would always survive plane crashes.
Believers may have had a higher moral sense than nonbelievers and other measurably superior qualities. For example, the jails may be filled with atheists while all believers live happy, prosperous, contented lives surrounded by loving families and pets.
But none of this happened. The hypothesis of God is not confirmed by the data. Indeed that hypothesis is strongly contradicted by the data - January 7, 2008 at 9:37 PM
- Fabio Milito Pagliara said...
hi, I am what you call a wide atheist, or more simply a "materialist"
there is nothing beyond matter, and matter is all is necessary to explain everyting
about god.... "we don't need this hypothesis" so why should I prove it's nonexistence? while it's fun to debate with theist it's also very unproductive
on the "you can't be sure" well you can answer "well I just proved this to you don't you remember?" this because if you can't be sure of anything you can't even be sure of your memory or the fact that we have just came into existence...
thanks for your blog - January 13, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Maybe we are the gods.
- January 14, 2008 at 12:51 PM
- Central Content Publisher said...
Maybe we are the gods. - Noah
There's the catch. The problem with dismissing all possibility of gods is that conceptualizations of god vary so widely. I met a guy once who believed that everything was a part of god. Literally, that god is the universe and everything in it, but nothing outside it. When I told him he had just replaced the word "universe" with "god", he told me no, his universe was divine. I don't believe the universe is exclusively divine, which I suppose, is a moral call, but I couldn't deny the universe's existence either. I'm not ready to write off any possible conceptualizations of god just yet - especially before I've heard them.
I think, however, I'm pretty close to writing off the supernatural and of course, miracles. Not that I've ever been faced with a credible example, but one tries to keep an open mind. The very concept of the supernatural appears to be incoherant. It seems to me that nature is a set of rules and conditions, and that supernatural occurances are special exceptions to those rules. To me, it seems that once those exceptions occur, they become part of the rule-set that constitutes nature, so there really is no such thing as the supernatural, except as an a priori possibility.
This puts believers in the supernatural in the very strange position of not only having to prove that miracles occur, but also that they are something outside nature. It's pure hubris to cry miracle before all of nature is fully understood. - January 15, 2008 at 3:34 AM
- Matt McCormick said...
Consider how absurd it would sound if someone said that they are going to remain agnostic about the existence of Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, elves, fairies, and gnomes. "I know that there's no evidence for the existence of them, but it's good to keep an open mind about these things and not jump to any hasty conclusions." Consider this list of gods, many that you've probably never heard of:
Anansi, West African god who is brings rain, stops fires, and performs tricks.
Brekyirihunuade is the highest god in the religion of the Akan people. He knows and sees everything.
Cghene is the supreme God of the Isoko people of southern Nigeria. He created the world and all peoples.
!Xu is the central benevolent and omnipotent god of the bushmen of southern Africa. He is the sky god to whom the souls of the dead go.
Gefjun, the Norse goddess of fertility and agriculture.
Sobek, the Egyptian crocodile god of water.
Is it plausible and consistent for a normal, educated adult in the west that they are agnostic about these beings and the very long list of other "possible" gods? Or has someone who says that fallen under the spell of magical, supernatural thinking, lulled by the orgy of indulgent religious fantasies that surround us?
I just can't see any difference in principle between Gefjun, Sobek, and the Christian God other than we're all much more familiar and comfortable with the latter because it infuses our culture top to bottom. And mere familiarity can't be grounds for rational preference or giving it a privileged agnostic status.
MM - January 15, 2008 at 6:59 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
"I just can't see any difference in principle between Gefjun, Sobek, and the Christian God other than we're all much more familiar and comfortable with the latter because it infuses our culture top to bottom." - Matt
I've been abused by Christians for most of my life. By default, I hold them in lower esteem than any other brand of believer. That's my bias - for the record.
"Is it plausible and consistent for a normal, educated adult in the west that they are agnostic about these beings and the very long list of other "possible" gods?" - Matt
It's not only plausible and consistent, but it's the only plausible and consistent position. The only option other than agnosticism is to say that you have knowledge of these beings. Do you know these beings? I don't. Until adequate evidence is supplied, they occupy equal legitimacy with every other being that exists solely in the imagination. - January 15, 2008 at 10:05 PM
- Jon said...
Although I don't believe in any gods I still have trouble with the idea that we know what nature is. We do not know what nature is. What happened 13.7 billion years ago? What happened before that? How does anyone reasonably explain the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle? What is energy? Is there a smallest or largest thing? Are the smallest things (that we can theorize) related to the Plack constants? I have no trouble getting rid of gods, and science does answer alot, but I have trouble knowing the difference between the mystical and the natural when it comes certain kinds of ultimate questions.
- January 16, 2008 at 12:14 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
The word "nature" is an objectification of everything that is true, while "the mystic" is an objectification of everything that is unfalsified - the great ocean of unproven hypothesis.
Consider then that anything posited into a mystical domain would move to the natural domain once it moves from being a hypothesis to being a truth. The difference between the two is really a matter of certainty in perception and evidence. You could say that the difference isn't an objective difference, but rather is a difference among relationships between observers and the object.
For example, astrology is a form of mysticism to those who aren't convinced, but is a part of nature to those whom are convinced. One cannot argue that astrology is mystical and true but not part of nature. - January 16, 2008 at 2:23 AM
- Jon said...
" It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how Nature is. Physics concerns what we say about Nature. "
Niels Bohr
- Sorry got to run central, I'll get back later for a fuller discussion, thanks for the reply. - January 16, 2008 at 6:52 AM
- Jon said...
" Consider then that anything posited into a mystical domain would move to the natural domain once it moves from being a hypothesis to being a truth. " --- Central
Now I definitely don't agree with what people like Deepak Chopra - say about the mystical, so I must give an explanation by what I mean by it.
I think that we cannot fully know what nature is, therefore we really do not know nature. We merely find consistent patterns that we call nature.
What we call natural truths are only partial truths, we do not have a complete theory of nature. Even if we came up with a "Theory of Everything" there still are some difficulties.
In the past physicists have thought they either completed physics or were on the verge of doing so. For example it was thought that physics was virtually done with the atom a while back and that gravity would simply fall into place. We can easily imagine that that could have been correct and that physics became complete with the "elementary" atoms. We can imagine that they were found indestructable by any natural force that we could theorize and at the same time consistent with a theory of gravity and radiation that made up a complete theory. But I see a problem, for even if the above theory were complete, we could also imaging that the atom still had substructure that they could not find, also that substructure would not be necessary to find for their theory of everything because it was a mathematically consistent theory for all observations. But they still exist. We can imagine these onion layers going on for infinity.
In a sense my idea of mystical is almost Spinozian, the difference being that I think it is "turtles all the way down to infinity". That to me is mystical because it says something about nature - namely that it is mystical.
What you call nature then is a set of incomplete patterns, and I agree. I just go one step further and say that the patterns are infinite and therefore nature is mystical. But my sense of mystical is not the same as Deepak Chopra, and mine is not inconsistent with science. - January 16, 2008 at 8:45 PM
- Central Content Publisher said...
jon: ok, that clears some things up. I think our definitions of mystical and natural are more or less the same, except that I define nature as the whole (that we're not completely aware of) and the mystical as possible explanations of the unknown, while you define mystical as the unknowable whole, and nature as the apparent patterns we intuit from it.
I opt for the former because mathematics tells us that a finite algorithm can produce an infinite non-repeating set. Therefore, it's possible that an infinite set can be limited. I'm not at all convinced that knowledge or reality are ultimately infinite, or said another way, I'm not convinced that reality is unknowable. - January 17, 2008 at 6:37 AM
- Jon said...
I think I understand what you mean, so let me try and break it down. If 'pi' is part of what you call a "finite algorithm can produce an infinite non-repeating set" - I still don't see how that solves the 'infinitly small piece/part' issue. Although the 'large piece issue' can appear to be solved if we assume a circle of a given size.
I'm not certain of how this here bears on what you say, but:
"It should also be observed that Wittgenstein exerted considerable influence on Russell, especially in leading him to conclude, much to his regret, that mathematical truths were purely tautological truths." Wikipedia
"By this time Wittgenstein's view on the foundations of mathematics had changed considerably. Earlier he had thought that logic could provide a solid foundation, and he had even considered updating Russell and Whitehead's Principia Mathematica. Now he denied that there were any mathematical facts to be discovered and he denied that mathematical statements were "true" in any real sense: they simply expressed the conventional established meanings of certain symbols." - Wikipedia - January 17, 2008 at 8:58 PM
- Central Content Publisher said...
"[...] mathematical truths were purely tautological truths." - wiki
Wittgenstein is wrong. At the very least, mathematical truths are no more tautological than linguistic truths. Wittgenstein effectively relegated all human statements to the status of non-meaning, including his assertion that "mathematical statements [...] simply expressed the conventional established meanings of certain symbols".
Don't think circle, think Fibonacci numbers. - January 18, 2008 at 8:23 AM
- Jon said...
I looked up Fibonacci numbers, but I failed to see what you mean.
Sure it might be logically possible that there could be an indestructable opaque particle that has no substructure and behaves in a regular/probabilistic way for no reason. I do not see how that kind of ontology operates - that to me is more mysterious than the infinitely deep. Therefore I see an idealized nautilus shell.
When you talk of infinite sets that are limited it reminds me of large infinities and small ones relative to each other, but they are still infinite and can only be limited by some dimensions and not all. I do not see how that limits nature in all dimensions.
But, if you could re-describe what you mean by the Fibonacci numbers or how math might relate to the limitation of nature in the ultimate sense, then I am all eyes. - January 19, 2008 at 12:40 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
The Fibonacci numbers are a non-repeating set of numbers generated by a repeating algorithm. This implies that an infinite non-repeating universe can be known by understanding a simpler generative mechanism.
It's not necessarily the case that all reality and all knowledge will be known, but the Fibonacci numbers do illustrate that an infinite non-repeating universe may emerge from an easily expressed process. In this way, all reality could be knowable. Even if it's infinite. Even if it's infinite and non-repeating. - January 19, 2008 at 8:49 AM
- Jon said...
Thanks, that helps much. However, I still don't think that it works because (I am stubborn, lol!) the "easily expressed process" say in a Theory of Everything would purport some form of atomism - and I think that is where more questions will arise in an ontological picture. I don't think that the math can match reality in a platonistic way.
I think that what we believe to be metaphysically or physically possible is different. I suppose that I am just not an atomist in any ultimate sense while you believe that it is at least possible due to what you believe concerning the reduction of physical objects to indivsibles while corresponding to a mathematical theory.
But, I will definitely keep what you say in mind, it may at the least show a universe in who's behavior we can complete in at least a practical if not complete way according to my view so far.
"For example it was thought that physics was virtually done with the atom a while back and that gravity would simply fall into place. We can easily imagine that that could have been correct and that physics became complete with the elementary atoms. We can imagine that they were found indestructable by any natural force that we could theorize and at the same time consistent with a theory of gravity and radiation that made up a complete theory...[then the problem I posed earlier]." - January 20, 2008 at 12:32 AM
- Jon said...
I was wrong on a certain point earlier concerning atomism, for - Thinking at it from a different angle, I suppose that the infinite that you talk about does not have to imply atomism. I think that from what you say one could assume a logorithm of an infinite pattern of non-repeating substructure upon substructure.
1) We can never know whether this kind of logorithm is true about the universe either empirically or a priori.
2) Even if it were true and we somehow paradoxically knew that this was in fact the mechanism, the only thing we can know is the mechanism and not the entire infinite non-repeating series for our mind would not be infinite in order to wrap around it.
3) Every empirical observation of ours including our best mathematical models that match to date -show that the the universe is not just non-repeating, but that it is also random and unpredictable with-in probability -which implies that we can not know the future with perfect certainty - therefore it is ultimately unknowable. - January 20, 2008 at 6:12 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
There are a few wrinkles.
1) I think it's safe to say that we don't know the limitations of what can be known. Certainly, the physical size of the human brain suggests that there is a limitation. However, if one is arguing in favour of mystical reality, that apparent physical limitation is of little hindrance. I don't argue in favour of mystical reality, so, yeah, I agree with you, but you don't apparently agree with yourself.
2) We don't necessarily know this for sure, but I wouldn't argue against it. However, the same is true of infinity. If the human brain is limited, by definition, we can never know an infinite set except by extrapolation.
3) Randomness has yet to be proven. What does seem to be the case, and why Fibonacci numbers are so often invoked, is that randomness appears to be a perceptual artifact of intersecting unknown elements. Take the stock market, for example, it appears to be very random, and yet, we know that it reflects the very non-random choices of specific individuals. It only appears random because we don't know what those individual choices will be - we just witness the seemingly random wake of converging forces. Or take computers. No one has been able to create a truly random number on a computer. The best efforts involve pointing a web came at lava lamps and using that data to generate a number. Are lava lamps random? Well, probably not, but they can create the appearance of randomness because a witness at some distant location can't predict the state of those lava lamps at the time the number was generated.
In defense of randomness. To prove that something is random, one has to account for all possible influences. The problem is that if there is randomness in the universe, the laws of the universe will be distorted by it, and if that's the case we'll never be able to test whether randomness exists or not. We'll simply fail to prove that the universe is ordered according to predictable laws. - January 20, 2008 at 9:58 AM
- Jon said...
Centering on your point "3)", current computer, lava lamp, and economic theories are not precise enough analogies for what I am attempting to show via randomness.
I am thinking of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle where "Randomness is at the heart of nature (Susskind)". The Copenhagen Interpretation is the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics. "Everything has the quantum jitters (Susskind)".
All physicists see the Copenhagen Interpretation as showing this behavior (although not all are certian that the Copenhagen Interpretation is the ultimate interpretation). That may be more aesthetic very much like Einstein's thoughts on the matter ("God does not play dice").
So it is not our perceptions that cause our idea of randomness in this realm, but randomness is simply intrinsic to the standard model of quantum mechanics which is our most precise form of physical knowledge. This is what I mean when I say "randomness within probability".
For example only 1 out of 137 electrons that hit the TV screen will emit light radiation, and we can never know by shooting 1 electron at a time in the simplist experiment which is the next electron to emit light radiation - even though the average will be 1 in 137 (within probability).
And to hone in on your "all possible influences", that sound much like the 'Many-worlds Interpretation' of QM. But that is only a priori so far, maybe one day it can be shown indirectly (for we can never directly observe a parrallel universe). I have not fully researched how the many-worlds interpretation plays out for randomness - Do to apparent sub-interpretations - , maybe it is supposed to cancel out the randomness apparent in Copenhagen if it becomes standand - although I do not see how that is possible. - January 21, 2008 at 12:25 AM
- Jon said...
There are many more glaring problems with a theory of a knowable universe:
1) We can never know what it is like to be a bat (Nagel). Or even you neighbor or brother.
2) How is "redness" quantified or qualified in any mathmatical theory?
3) Science can only quantify "redness" and not qualify it.
4) "Pain" as the firing of C-fibers? There is a problem with functionalism and the mathematical theories that form them. They do not perfectly correspond. Therefore the universe is ultimately unknowable.
5) Even if a Fibonacci logorithm were shown for with the greatest possible accuracy a theory of everything, it can only explain pattern and not the thing in itself. I am not a Pythagorean obviously. 5+5 cannot equal "mmm that tastes good!" or the ontological/qualification of substance. - January 21, 2008 at 6:02 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
I'm arguing that infinity isn't necessarily evidence of an unknowable universe. This of course raises the question, what is knowledge? But let's put that aside for now (it's a big question). I'd just like to quickly address the question of whether Fibonacci numbers are a priori or not. The phenomenon exists in nature and is measurable - this makes it a posteriori. It becomes a priori when one extrapolates that pattern to encompass an infinite set. However, the same is true of any concept of infinity. The concept of infinity is an a priori extrapolation of our limited perceptions. What Fibonacci numbers do tell us, is that infinite extrapolation, even infinite non-repeating extrapolation, isn't necessarily unknowable. If one wants to put mathematical extrapolation aside to dispose of the Fibonacci set, one must also put aside infinity, probability, and quantum mechanics in general (side note: quantum randomness isn't actual randomness, but a way of working with data that can't be empirically isolated and observed - as far as we know). Which is fine by me, because it still means that infinity is not a proof of unknowability. It's not a coherant a priori argument, even when one uses onions and turtles instead of numbers.
It seems strange to me that you'd believe in randomness, but not in the non-existence of god. Randomness is the non-existence of order, and is subject to all the same limitations of proving the negative (I get bonus points for including the title of the blog in my summation). - January 21, 2008 at 12:15 PM
- Jon said...
1) Your wrong about quantum mechanics:
"The Copenhagen interpretation, due largely to the Danish theoretical physicist Niels Bohr, is the interpretation of quantum mechanics most widely accepted amongst physicists. According to it, the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics predictions cannot be explained in terms of some other deterministic theory, and does not simply reflect our limited knowledge. Quantum mechanics provides probabilistic results because the physical universe is itself probabilistic rather than deterministic." (Wikipedia)
2) I believe in randomness and not-god. And that is compatible because God cannot be random.
3) Numbers do not reduce to things, therefore they cannot completly tell us of 'things in themselves'.
4) Therefore the universe is ultimatly unknowable. - January 22, 2008 at 12:24 AM
- Jon said...
Square circles do not exist, therefore negative proved. Two parallel lines cannot cross, therefore negative proved. 2-4=-2, therefore negative proved.
I am not saying that randomness is nature, but simply that nature does not reduce to numbers even though it behaves randomly. Also Fibonacci Numbers cannot describe things in themselves.
Your argument is that it is at least possible to know everything including things in themselves, and Fibonacci shows that that is possible.
My argument is that Fibonacci cannot explain things in themselves, nor that it is possible to know all things in themselves, therefore the universe is ultimatly unknowable.
Either way whether the universe is determinate or indeterminate, we cannot know all of it. - January 22, 2008 at 1:03 AM
- Jon said...
One more point: Remember, Plato was wrong when he said "Knowledge is true, justified belief" due to the Gettier examples. So, how does that fit with Fibonacci numbers? Like this: Even if it is true that a Fibonacci Logorithm describes the world (which is impossible), and someone believes it, and is also justified in their belief; they still do not have knowledge!
So then the next logical conclusion would be to say "Jon, Gettier also applies to your idea of the random". To this I will reply that any Gettier example implies randomness/accidental truth matching the believers experience - Therefore since Gettier examples are built upon randomness, so is our lack of knowledge. - January 22, 2008 at 2:21 AM
- Central Content Publisher said...
I'm not "wrong" about quantum mechanics. If you can point me to an experiment that proves randomness, I'd love to see it. And so would the entire physics community. How about a theoretical experiment? Even that would be earth shattering.
"Quantum mechanics provides probabilistic results because the physical universe is itself probabilistic rather than deterministic" - wiki
The above is errant. Ironically, if it's correct, it can only be errant. This author has extrapolated this conclusion much the way one would extrapolate reality from Fibonacci numbers, which I don't do. In one case, theory suggests that infinity may not be a problem, and the other suggests that randomness may not be a problem either. Neither proves anything about reality.
"Square circles do not exist, therefore negative proved." - jon
That's not a proof, it's a statement. Does it matter that I've seen pictures of square circles? In the context of non-existence, negative numbers are not an example. In math, non-existence equals -1. If 2-5=-1, maybe you'd have something, except that non-existence doesn't equal -1 for any reason other than utility - much like randomness in the gray area between probability limits.
Perhaps I'll demolish Gettier at another time. In the mean time, if you can develop even a theory that could prove that randomness exists, I'd be interested in hearing it. - January 22, 2008 at 4:16 PM
- Jon said...
1) The double slit experiment shows that Fibonacci does not fit with the experiment.
2) The Heisenberg Uncertaintly Principle is a theory of randomness for physical phenomena.
3) Randomness is logically possible, that is proof that it exists logically, and quantum mechanics is consistent with that and not at all for determinism.
A) Our argument is on whether or not we can have complete knowledge of the universe.
B) Number does not reduce to things in themselves.
C) Ontology cannot be known as a whole.
D) Since Gettier bears directly on our ability for complete knowledge I am interested in hearing you demolish Gettier, for I am not satisfied with any of his opponents answers thus far. - January 23, 2008 at 12:22 AM
- Jon said...
A note on randomness:
"For instance:
No event is caused at all
Some events are not caused at all
Some events are partially caused
All events are partially caused.
Indeterminacy is a more general idea.
At one time, it was assumed in the physical sciences that if the behavior observed in a system cannot be predicted, the problem is due to lack of fine-grained information, so that a sufficiently detailed investigation would eventually result in a deterministic theory ("If you knew exactly all the forces acting on the dice, you would be able to predict which number comes up"). However, the advent of quantum mechanics removed the underpinning from that approach, with the claim that (at least according to the Copenhagen interpretation) the most basic constituents of matter behave indeterministically, in accordance with such properties as the uncertainty principle. Quantum indeterminism was controversial on its introduction, with Einstein among the opposition, but gradually gained ground. Experiments confirmed the correctness of quantum mechanics, with a test of the Bell's theorem by Alain Aspect being particularly important because it showed that determinism and locality cannot both be true." wiki - January 23, 2008 at 12:57 AM
- Jon said...
"Bell's theorem is the most famous legacy of the late physicist John S. Bell. It is famous for showing that the predictions of quantum mechanics (QM) are not intuitive, and touches upon fundamental philosophical issues that relate to modern physics. Bell's theorem states:
" No physical theory of local hidden variables can ever reproduce all of the predictions of quantum mechanics. "
Einstein was critical of the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics. The EPR paper showed that the standard interpretation implies "spooky action-at-a-distance". Einstein wanted to get rid of the "action-at-a-distance" by introducing "local hidden variables." Bell's theorem, published in 1964, is considered to prove that it is possible to construct experiments in which it is impossible for any kind of interpretation based on "local hidden variables" to give the same predictions as quantum mechanics, providing a means of testing whether "action-at-a-distance" actually occurs." Wiki - January 23, 2008 at 1:57 AM
- Jon said...
1) The concept of 'Pi' exists not only in our universe, but all possible universes.
2) It is impossible to know all the digits of Pi.
3) Therefore the universe is ultimatly unknowable.
"Irrationality and transcendence
Main article: Proof that π is irrational
The constant π is an irrational number; that is, it cannot be written as the ratio of two integers. This was proven in 1761 by Johann Heinrich Lambert.[1] In the 20th century, proofs were found that require no prerequisite knowledge beyond integral calculus. One of those, due to Ivan Niven, is widely known.[5][6] A somewhat earlier similar proof is by Mary Cartwright.[7]
Furthermore, π is also transcendental, as was proven by Ferdinand von Lindemann in 1882. This means that there is no polynomial with rational coefficients of which π is a root.[8] An important consequence of the transcendence of π is the fact that it is not constructible. Because the coordinates of all points that can be constructed with compass and straightedge are constructible numbers, it is impossible to square the circle: that is, it is impossible to construct, using compass and straightedge alone, a square whose area is equal to the area of a given circle.[9]" wiki - January 23, 2008 at 2:21 AM
- Matt McCormick said...
This is getting tedious guys, can we move on?
MM - January 23, 2008 at 5:20 AM
- Jon said...
Your right MM, I'll let Central Content Publisher have the last word if he wants.
- January 23, 2008 at 5:53 AM


text:
Friday, 11 January, 2019 @ 15:00
The first thing to realise is that there isn't a legal time frame for cohabitation. It's worked out on the evidence of each case and the judge decides whether the relationship is cohabitation.
The longer the time frame the more evidence there is for the Judge to consider.
The Judge will consider things such as:
None of these by themselves are conclusive.
At the end of the day it will come down to what the Judge believes. So, the more evidence you have the better.
Evidence can be gathered in a number of ways, including:
Remember, the more supporting evidence the judge has to consider, the stronger your case will be.
Thank you. Message sent.


text:
Our Innovation History
Xerox has a proud tradition of pioneering research and continues to be in the forefront of innovation. Chester Carlson's invention of xerography more than 70 years ago was an extraordinary milestone in the development of the modern information age, as now individuals could much more easily share and access information.
Xerox has a rich history of innovation. As the inventors of Ethernet over 30 years ago, we helped build the foundation for today's Internet. In fact, not known to many, the Ethernet's first commercialization was as a communication bus in our production publishing systems in the early 1990s.
Our heritage of innovation continues to flourish. Xerox has many excellent open innovation partnerships. The most important one is our joint-venture partner Fuji Xerox in Japan, which was established in 1962. Together Xerox Group invests more than $1B in R&D each year. We have been issued over 50 thousand patents worldwide; and are issued 2 patents each and every day. This is a clear indication of the creativity and innovative spirit of our scientists and engineers.


text:
The Kraft Heinz Company is revolutionizing the food industry – we will be the most profitable food company powered by the most talented people with unwavering commitment to our communities, leading brands and highest product quality in every category in which we compete. As a global powerhouse, Kraft Heinz represents over $26.5 billion in revenue and is the 5th largest food and beverage company in the world. At Kraft Heinz, to be the BEST food company, growing a BETTER world is more than a dream – it is our GLOBAL VISION. To be the best, we want the best – best brands, best practices and, most importantly, the best people.
The Kraft Heinz Company is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification. As an equal opportunity employer, the Kraft Heinz Company is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact (847)646-0528 or firstname.lastname@example.com for assistance.


text:
Does your pet want to play video games, too?
People aren't the only ones playing video games these days. Plenty of dogs and cats are spending hours catching virtual fish or playing complicated memory games. Although your pet may enjoy the games, are they a good idea?
Video Games Can Combat Boredom and Decrease Anxiety
Bored pets often find inventive, and sometimes destructive, ways to spend their time. They unroll the toilet paper, destroy couch cushions, or even take a few bites out of the wall. Video games offer more productive ways for your pets to spend their time.
Games can also be helpful if your pet suffers from separation anxiety while you're at work. If your pet is concentrating on playing a game, he or she won't be thinking, "Oh no, I'm home alone again!"
Although your dog won't be able to turn on an app on a tablet while you're away, he or she can play games on a Clever Pet Hub or similar device. The Hub features dozens of color-based puzzles. If your dog touches the correct sequence of colors, he or she receives a treat from the food dispenser. You determine when the Hub is turned off or on and control how much food is dispensed.
Games May Improve Cognitive Abilities in Older Pets
Just like people, dogs and cats can experience changes in their cognitive abilities as they age. Interactive games can help keep older pets alert and engaged by challenging them to learn new skills.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna discovered that touchscreen and tablet games helped dogs avoid the mental decline that can occur as a part of aging.
They trained dogs to use touchscreens during several different studies. In some studies, touching the screen with a paw or nose at the right time in the game triggered the release of treats. The dogs quickly learned how to play the games, which become increasingly complicated with each level.
The researchers found that participation in the study offered several important benefits for older dogs, including:
- Mood Enhancement. Dogs that played the games experienced a boost in their moods, as evidenced by tail wagging and willingness to work on the tasks.
- Increased Motivation. After mastering a game, dogs were more motivated to learn how to play other games and also experienced improvements in learning and memory.
- Improvement in the Dog-Owner Relationship. People whose dogs participated in the experiments reported positive changes in their relationships with their pets.
- Stress Reduction. Dogs that played the games had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
Game Playing May Offer a Few Drawbacks
Although playing games can be very beneficial for pets, it may not be the best idea if:
- Your pet spends too much time playing video games. Just like how you want your children to put down the controller and play outside, your pet needs to limit the amount of time spent on video games. If your dog no longer wants to go for long walks or your cat has stopped dashing from one end of the house to the other, it may be time to reduce the amount of time your furry friend plays video games. Exercise is just as important as mental stimulation for pets and is necessary for good health.
- Games make your pet feel anxious. Some pets may not enjoy playing video games. In fact, tapping a lighted circle on a game board or chasing a virtual laser beam can be stressful for some dogs or cats. If your pet doesn't seem to enjoy the games after a few tries, don't try to force them to play.
- You spend less time with your pet. If your pet is happily playing a video game, you may be less inclined to play or interact with him or her. Interaction is an essential aspect of the human/pet bond and should never be ignored. Decreasing the amount of time you or your pet spend on video games can help you improve your relationship if either of you tend to become obsessed with games.
A combination of physical activity and mental stimulation will help keep your pet happy and healthy. Regular checkups also play an important role in your pet's health. If it has been a while since we've seen your pet, or you're concerned about a health or behavioral issue, give us a call.
Digital Trends: Want Your Pet to Age Gracefully? Study Finds Tablet Games Can Help, 2/13/18
NCBI: ACI: Utilising Dog-Computer Interactions to Provide Mental Stimulation in Dogs Especially During Aging, 10/1/18
Clever Pet: Clever Pet Hub
PC World: Seven Apps for Playful Cats, 5/27/13


text:
ieee80211_crypto_enmic(9) [freebsd man page]
IEEE80211_CRYPTO(9) BSD Kernel Developer's Manual IEEE80211_CRYPTO(9) NAME
ieee80211_crypto -- 802.11 cryptographic support SYNOPSIS
#include <net80211/ieee80211_var.h> void ieee80211_crypto_register(const struct ieee80211_cipher *); void ieee80211_crypto_unregister(const struct ieee80211_cipher *); int ieee80211_crypto_available(int cipher); void ieee80211_notify_replay_failure(struct ieee80211vap *, const struct ieee80211_frame *, const struct ieee80211_key *, uint64_t rsc, int tid); void ieee80211_notify_michael_failure(struct ieee80211vap *, const struct ieee80211_frame *, u_int keyix); int ieee80211_crypto_newkey(struct ieee80211vap *, int cipher, int flags, struct ieee80211_key *); int ieee80211_crypto_setkey(struct ieee80211vap *, struct ieee80211_key *); int ieee80211_crypto_delkey(struct ieee80211vap *, struct ieee80211_key *); void ieee80211_key_update_begin(struct ieee80211vap *); void ieee80211_key_update_end(struct ieee80211vap *); void ieee80211_crypto_delglobalkeys(struct ieee80211vap *); void ieee80211_crypto_reload_keys(struct ieee80211com *); struct ieee80211_key * ieee80211_crypto_encap(struct ieee80211_node *, struct mbuf *); struct ieee80211_key * ieee80211_crypto_decap(struct ieee80211_node *, struct mbuf *, int flags); int ieee80211_crypto_demic(struct ieee80211vap *, struct ieee80211_key *, struct mbuf *, int force); int ieee80211_crypto_enmic(struct ieee80211vap *, struct ieee80211_key *, struct mbuf *, int force); DESCRIPTION
The net80211 layer includes comprehensive cryptographic support for 802.11 protocols. Software implementations of ciphers required by WPA and 802.11i are provided as well as encap/decap processing of 802.11 frames. Software ciphers are written as kernel modules and register with the core crypto support. The cryptographic framework supports hardware acceleration of ciphers by drivers with automatic fall-back to software implementations when a driver is unable to provide necessary hardware services. CRYPTO CIPHER MODULES
net80211 cipher modules register their services using ieee80211_crypto_register() and supply a template that describes their operation. This ieee80211_cipher structure defines protocol-related state such as the number of bytes of space in the 802.11 header to reserve/remove during encap/decap and entry points for setting up keys and doing cryptographic operations. Cipher modules can associate private state to each key through the wk_private structure member. If state is setup by the module it will be called before a key is destroyed so it can reclaim resources. Crypto modules can notify the system of two events. When a packet replay event is recognized ieee80211_notify_replay_failure() can be used to signal the event. When a TKIP Michael failure is detected ieee80211_notify_michael_failure() can be invoked. Drivers may also use these routines to signal events detected by the hardware. CRYPTO KEY MANAGEMENT
The net80211 layer implements a per-vap 4-element ``global key table'' and a per-station ``unicast key'' for protocols such as WPA, 802.1x, and 802.11i. The global key table is designed to support legacy WEP operation and Multicast/Group keys, though some applications also use it to implement WPA in station mode. Keys in the global table are identified by a key index in the range 0-3. Per-station keys are identified by the MAC address of the station and are typically used for unicast PTK bindings. net80211 provides ioctl(2) operations for managing both global and per-station keys. Drivers typically do not participate in software key management; they are involved only when providing hardware acceleration of cryptographic operations. ieee80211_crypto_newkey() is used to allocate a new net80211 key or reconfigure an existing key. The cipher must be specified along with any fixed key index. The net80211 layer will handle allocating cipher and driver resources to support the key. Once a key is allocated it's contents can be set using ieee80211_crypto_setkey() and deleted with ieee80211_crypto_delkey() (with any cipher and driver resources reclaimed). ieee80211_crypto_delglobalkeys() is used to reclaim all keys in the global key table for a vap; it typically is used only within the net80211 layer. ieee80211_crypto_reload_keys() handles hardware key state reloading from software key state, such as required after a suspend/resume cycle. DRIVER CRYPTO SUPPORT
Drivers identify ciphers they have hardware support for through the ic_cryptocaps field of the ieee80211com structure. If hardware support is available then a driver should also fill in the iv_key_alloc, iv_key_set, and iv_key_delete methods of each ieee80211vap created for use with the device. In addition the methods iv_key_update_begin and iv_key_update_end can be setup to handle synchronization requirements for updating hardware key state. When net80211 allocates a software key and the driver can accelerate the cipher operations the iv_key_alloc method will be invoked. Drivers may return a token that is associated with outbound traffic (for use in encrypting frames). Otherwise, e.g. if hardware resources are not available, the driver will not return a token and net80211 will arrange to do the work in software and pass frames to the driver that are already prepared for transmission. For receive, drivers mark frames with the M_WEP mbuf flag to indicate the hardware has decrypted the payload. If frames have the IEEE80211_FC1_PROTECTED bit marked in their 802.11 header and are not tagged with M_WEP then decryption is done in software. For more com- plicated scenarios the software key state is consulted; e.g. to decide if Michael verification needs to be done in software after the hard- ware has handled TKIP decryption. Drivers that manage complicated key data structures, e.g. faulting software keys into a hardware key cache, can safely manipulate software key state by bracketing their work with calls to ieee80211_key_update_begin() and ieee80211_key_update_end(). These calls also synchronize hardware key state update when receive traffic is active. SEE ALSO
ioctl(2), wlan_ccmp(4), wlan_tkip(4), wlan_wep(4), ieee80211(9) BSD
March 29, 2010 BSD


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WASHINGTON – In the last year, a political earthquake has struck the countries of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution and the ongoing Orange Revolution in Ukraine are a direct challenge to ruling elites in Russia and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. They also threaten to derail Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy of retaining as much control as possible over the former Soviet empire.
Throughout this region, ex-communist rulers allied with oligarchic groups have, to varying degrees, seized control of their countries' economies and political arenas. While claiming to observe the democracy commitments voluntarily accepted when their countries joined the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1992, these leaders have remained in power by rigging elections and excluding potential rivals, sometimes using any means necessary. Executive control of the legislative and judicial branches of power, as well as the state's coercive apparatus, has made it possible to largely intimidate the public out of politics, which has remained an "insider's-only" game.
This arrangement has served the Kremlin well. Building alliances with leaders of dubious legitimacy seemed an ideal way to stem the "invasion of Western influence" and its annoying imperative of free and fair elections. Since the late 1990s, Russian-led observer delegations from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) routinely approved of elections in CIS countries which OSCE monitors criticized or damned with faint praise. In this way and others, Moscow showed other CIS capitals that, unlike the United States, Russia would not question their right to rule by hook or by crook and was a reliable bulwark, unlike the preachy West.
Consequently, the democratic revolution which swept Georgia last year horrified the leaders of other former Soviet republics. For the first time in ex-Soviet space, opposition leaders united to mobilize a broad-based protest movement that overturned the results of a rigged election. The emergence of Mikheil Saakashvili, who led Georgia's Rose Revolution and was subsequently elected president in a landslide, signaled more than the end of Eduard Shevardnadze's corrupt, moribund regime: Mr. Saakashvili symbolized the first popular revolt against the system of pseudo-democracy prevalent on post-Soviet soil. What is now transpiring in Ukraine is the logical continuation of what began last year in the Caucasus. And every successful precedent emboldens opposition movements in other CIS countries and gives hope to impoverished, frustrated and seemingly apathetic publics, proving that real change is possible.
The picture of a victorious Viktor Yushchenko and Mikheil Saakashvili ushering in a New Year in Kiev's Independence Square no doubt causes angst in other CIS leaders, even as it inspires those living under repressive regimes elsewhere in the region. In a telling twist, CIS election observers for the first time criticized an election held in the former Soviet Union, decrying the conduct of Ukraine's Dec. 26 repeat runoff and questioning the legitimacy of the poll.
For the Kremlin, Georgia's Rose Revolution was bad enough; the Orange Revolution in Ukraine is a nightmare. Apart from the stunning loss of face suffered by Mr. Putin, who openly campaigned for pro-Russian candidateViktor Yanukovich, "People power" can no longer be dismissed as an anomaly or a deviation possible only in small, unstable, atypical Georgia in the wild Caucasus. Now, "fraternal" Slavs in large, European Ukraine also insisted that elections be fair and reflect the voters' will. The handwriting on the Kremlin wall is clear: Peaceful popular protests backed by OSCE standards on elections can bring down entrenched corrupt regimes that rely on vote fraud to remain in power.
Where will this contagion stop? A worried Moscow has responded by attacking the OSCE. Russia, the other former Soviet states and all OSCE countries have formally agreed that democracy, based on the will of the people expressed regularly through free and fair elections, is the only acceptable form of government for our nations. But with its alliance system in jeopardy, Russia last July orchestrated a CIS assault on OSCE's "imbalanced" stress on democracy and human rights, followed by a broadside in September against, among other things, allegedly skewed OSCE standards on elections. (In response, 106 human-rights advocates, mostly from CIS countries, issued a sharp rebuttal to these attacks at the OSCE's main human- rights meeting of the year held in October.) Moscow is now threatening to paralyze the consensus-based OSCE if the organization does not effectively revisit and dilute longstanding election commitments, under the pretext of setting "minimum standards" by which to judge whether elections are indeed free and fair. The Russians are also pushing to de-emphasize human rights and democracy in the work of OSCE's field missions in CIS states. Recognizing the power of the ideals behind OSCE commitments that it signed up to, Russia appears determined to dilute the democracy commitments that are at the very heart of the OSCE.
It is essential that the United States respond resolutely to this challenge, insisting that there be no retreat from OSCE commitments and principles to placate Mr. Putin, the patron saint of post-Soviet "managed" democracy. Moscow may be intent on precipitating a crisis in the OSCE, or even threatening its very existence. Nevertheless, having stood firm against rigged elections in Ukraine, the United States and its democratic OSCE partners should not be bullied into concessions. Watering down the democracy content of the OSCE would not only undermine the organization's raison d'etre, but undercut the very people struggling to be free.


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