Way to Go, Joe!

No, I’m not talking about President Biden. Today, my fellow Minnesotans and I celebrate the momentous occasion of Joe Mauer’s induction into the hallowed grounds of the Baseball Hall of Fame. As we delve into the remarkable career of this legendary player, let’s embark on a journey through time, reliving the highlights that have earned Mauer his rightful place among the game’s elite. (And I’ve got to admit, I’ve always wanted to lick those sideburns right off his handsome face.)

Joe Mauer was a born Minnesotan, destined for greatness from a tender age. Raised in St. Paul, he was touted as an exceptional athlete even before he stepped foot on a professional field. An outstanding high school career foreshadowed what was to come—a glimpse into a future where Mauer’s name would be synonymous with excellence.

The Minnesota Miracle: Drafted first overall by his hometown team, the Minnesota Twins, in 2001, Mauer instantly became a beacon of hope for fans across the state. His debut in 2004 was nothing short of spectacular. From his smooth swing to his exceptional defensive skills behind the plate, Mauer consistently left spectators awestruck.

A Triple Crown Contender: In 2009, Joe Mauer had an extraordinary season that solidified him as one of baseball's most dominant forces. His relentless pursuit of perfection earned him the American League MVP award and made him a contender for the illustrious Triple Crown. With a .365 batting average, 28 home runs, and 96 RBIs, Mauer sent shockwaves through the league and set new standards for catchers everywhere.

A Maestro Behind the Plate: Mauer's career blossomed under the scorching spotlight of Major League Baseball. With unprecedented consistency at the plate, he became a formidable force for any opposing pitcher to reckon with. He brought artistry to every at-bat, effortlessly combining grace with power. Mauer's vision was uncanny; his ability to analyze pitches and select the perfect moment to strike was unparalleled. His craftiness transformed each inning into a symphony of anticipation for fans nationwide.

What set Mauer apart from his peers was not only his ability to don a catcher's gear but also his prowess as a hitter. A three-time batting champion, he possessed a swing that seemed crafted by the baseball gods themselves. With each crack of the bat, fans held their breaths, marveling at his ability to spray line drives to all parts of the field.

Mauer's induction is not just a celebration of his individual achievements but serves as a testament to the values he upheld throughout his career. Known for his unwavering sportsmanship and impeccable work ethic, Mauer displayed grace both on and off the diamond. His dedication to the game and the community will forever make him a role model for generations to come.

Way to go, Joe! Minnesota is proud of you!

The Shaming of the True

In the past few years, we have witnessed a disturbing phenomenon in the political and social sphere: the rise of alternative facts and conspiracy theories that contradict or deny the established truths of science, history, and reality. Donald Trump, still the heir apparent to the Republican nomination, is feeding into these misconceptions, like throwing gasoline on a fire, desperately trying to delay the inevitable as the law breathes down his neck. He’s openly promising to be a dictator—but only on day one. (Spoiler alert: That’s what they all say.) 

Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis seeks to erase the history of anybody who isn’t white, cisgender, and heterosexual in his “war on woke,” when the sad reality is that he doesn’t have the first clue what “woke” actually means. He resorts to Nazi-era tactics like banning books and silencing dissenting voices in what is basically a war on humanity.

Trump is selling the false narrative that the economy is in a death spiral, and his dim-witted followers believe him. The lies he’s feeding him have them disbelieving what they should be able to see with their own eyes and ears. These false narratives are not just harmless opinions or perspectives but deliberate attempts to manipulate, misinform, and gaslight the public into accepting a distorted version of reality that serves the interests of a powerful few. The truth is that the economy is thriving under President Biden. Unemployment and inflation are down and the stock market is… ooh, look—Hunter Biden!

They can only fool the American people for so long. I hope it’s not too much longer; I don’t know how much more of this gaslighting American Democracy can take.

Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse that involves making someone doubt their own perception, memory, or sanity. It is a tactic that has been used by dictators, cult leaders, and abusive partners to control and exploit their victims. In the political arena, gaslighting is used to undermine the credibility of experts, journalists, and institutions that provide factual information and evidence that contradicts the preferred narrative of the gaslighter. By sowing doubt and confusion, the gaslighter hopes to erode the trust and confidence of the public in the sources of truth and authority, and to make them more susceptible to their lies and propaganda.

One of the consequences of this political gaslighting is the emergence and spread of conspiracy theories that range from the ridiculous (flat earth theory) to the dangerous (anti-vaxxers). These conspiracy theories are not based on any rational or empirical grounds, but on emotional appeals, confirmation bias, and cognitive dissonance. They are often fueled by fear, anger, resentment, and a sense of alienation from the mainstream society. They offer a simplistic and satisfying explanation for the complex and uncertain problems of the world, and a sense of belonging and identity for those who feel marginalized or oppressed.

However, these conspiracy theories are not only false, but also harmful. They undermine the collective efforts to address the real challenges and threats that we face, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, terrorism, and inequality. They create division and hostility among people who should be working together for the common good. They endanger the lives and health of those who believe in them and those who are affected by their actions. They erode the foundations of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Some examples of conspiracy theories that are popular today are:

• The Flat Earth Society started out as a joke in the early 1980s, but now it boasts members all over the globe. (Irony intended.) But they’re a great textbook example of how conspiracy theories work. I mean, we know the earth is not flat; we sent astronauts into space to make sure. But even faced with irrefutable evidence to the contrary, they refuse to admit the simple, basic fact that they’re just plain wrong.
• 9/11 Conspiracies claim that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, were orchestrated by the US government, Israel, or other actors to justify wars in the Middle East, create a police state, or advance other agendas.
• Chemtrail theory alleges that the contrails left by high-flying aircraft are actually chemical or biological agents that are sprayed for various purposes, such as weather modification, population control, or mind control.
• QAnon Theory is based on the online posts of an anonymous person or group called “Q” (no relation to the omnipotent Star Trek villain), who claims to have access to classified information about a secret war between Donald Trump and a global cabal of satanic pedophiles (a favorite ad hominem of the right-wing nut jobs), who are also involved in child trafficking, cannibalism, and ritual abuse. We eat babies, too.

And, of course…

• The Big Lie. Despite losing time and time again in the courts and having no evidence to support their claims, there are still an alarming number of Americans who still believe that the 2020 Presidential Election was stolen and that Donald Trump was the legitimate winner. There is a name for people like that: they’re called “sore losers,” and history will remember them as such.

How can we resist and counter this political gaslighting and the conspiracy theories that it spawns? How can we defend and uphold the truth in the face of lies and deception? Here are some suggestions:

• Educate ourselves and others about the facts and the evidence that support them. Seek out reliable and reputable sources of information and verify them before sharing them. Be critical and skeptical of the claims and arguments that we encounter, especially if they sound too good or too bad to be true. Learn to recognize and avoid the logical fallacies and cognitive biases that can cloud our judgment and reasoning.
• Challenge and expose the lies and the misinformation that we encounter. Do not let them go unchallenged or uncorrected. Call out the gaslighters and the conspiracy theorists for their dishonesty and their ulterior motives. Provide counter-evidence and alternative explanations that are based on facts and logic. Do not engage in personal attacks or insults, but focus on the substance and the merits of the issue.
• Support and protect the institutions and the individuals that provide and uphold the truth. Stand with the scientists, the journalists, the educators, and the activists who are working to inform, enlighten, and empower the public. Defend their freedom and their integrity from the attacks and the threats of the gaslighters and the conspiracy theorists. Recognize and appreciate their contributions and their sacrifices for the common good.
• Foster and promote a culture of truth and honesty in our society. Encourage and reward the values and the behaviors that are conducive to the pursuit and the dissemination of the truth, such as curiosity, openness, humility, courage, and responsibility. Discourage and condemn the values and the behaviors that are detrimental to the truth, such as ignorance, dogmatism, arrogance, cowardice, and irresponsibility. Celebrate and honor the achievements and the discoveries that are based on the truth, and learn from the mistakes and the failures that are caused by the falsehoods.

We live in a time when the truth is under attack and in peril. As we move into the 2024 Presidential Election season, we have a duty and a responsibility to defend and uphold it, not only for ourselves, but also for future generations. The truth may not always be easy or comfortable, but it is always necessary and valuable. The truth may not always be popular or convenient, but it is always powerful and liberating. The truth may not always be accepted or appreciated, but it is always worthy and noble. Let us not be ashamed of the true, but be proud and confident of it. Let us not be deceived by the false, but be aware and vigilant of it. Let us not be silenced by the lies, but be vocal and active for the truth.

Thanks to Michael Hess, the teacher I tormented mercilessly in high school, for inspiring the title of this post.

Hot & Spicy Foods Day!

If you are like me, a New Orleans native who loves hot and spicy foods, then you are in luck. Today is Hot and Spicy Foods Day, a day to celebrate the fiery flavors that make our mouths water and our taste buds tingle. Ironically, it’s neither hot nor spicy out; it’s subzero today in Minneapolis, which just makes a bowl of hot chili taste better.

Hot and spicy foods are not only delicious, but also have many health benefits. They can boost your metabolism, improve your circulation, fight inflammation, and even help you live longer. Some studies have shown that people who eat spicy foods regularly have a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

One of the most distinctive features of peppers is their spiciness, which can range from mild to scorching. But what makes peppers hot? The answer is a chemical compound called capsaicin, which is found mainly in the white membrane or placenta of the pepper, where the seeds are attached. Capsaicin stimulates the pain receptors in the mouth and other tissues, creating a burning sensation that can make you sweat, cry, or even vomit. It’s also used in medicine as a topical treatment for arthritis. Capsaicin is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), which indicates how much dilution is needed to eliminate the heat. For example, a bell pepper has zero SHUs, a habañero can have up to 325,000 SHUs, a “ghost pepper” (bhut jolokia) has about 1,000,000 SHUs, and the dreaded Carolina Reaper has about 2.2 million SHUs! Pure capsaicin has 16 million SHUs. You don’t really taste the stuff, as “hot” is not a taste—it’s actually a pain reaction some humans have come to enjoy. Capsaicin is thought to have evolved as a defense mechanism against insects and fungi, but some birds and humans have developed a tolerance or even a preference for it.

But enough about the science, let's talk about the fun part: eating hot and spicy foods. There are so many cuisines and dishes that feature hot and spicy ingredients, from Cajun and Creole to Mexican and Thai. You can find something to suit your preference, whether you like mild, medium, or extra hot.

Some of my favorite hot and spicy foods are:

• Chili, or as I call my recipe, Death by Chili. It’s not for the timid. A friend of mine once called it “pepper spray with beef and beans.” I’ve made it with jalapeños, serranos, habañeros, ghost pepper, and even a Carolina reaper once! It’s what’s for dinner tonight!
• Shrimp Creole: Shrimp swimming in a spicy “red gravy” served over a bed of white rice. I make this every Mardi Gras.
• Jambalaya: a hearty rice dish with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and vegetables, seasoned with cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme, and bay leaves.
• Gumbo: a thick soup or stew with meat or seafood, okra, and a dark roux, flavored with garlic, onion, celery, and hot sauce.
• Red beans and rice: a classic comfort food with kidney beans, ham, andouille sausage (that’s pronounced on-doo-ee), and rice, spiced with cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. I never had a taste for the stuff as a kid, but learned to like it as an adult. Turns out I just didn’t like Mom’s recipe. (Sorry, Mom.)
• Nachos: a crunchy snack with tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole. Well, I don’t like the guac, but that’s just me.

Of course, these are just some examples of the many hot and spicy foods you can enjoy on this special day. You can also try making your own hot and spicy dishes, or experiment with different sauces and condiments. The possibilities are endless.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a glass of milk (not water), a napkin, and a fork, and dig in. Happy Hot and Spicy Foods Day!

The Dream Lives On

Today, we observe MLK Day, a day to commemorate the achievements and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential figures in the history of the United States and the world. Dr. King was a Baptist minister and a social activist who led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom for all people, regardless of their race, color, creed, or religion.

Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family of preachers. He graduated from Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University, where he earned his doctorate in theology. He married Coretta Scott in 1953 and had four children. He became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954.

Dr. King rose to national prominence in 1955, when he led the Montgomery bus boycott, a nonviolent protest against racial segregation on public transportation. The boycott lasted for 382 days and resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on buses unconstitutional. This was the first major victory of the civil rights movement and established Dr. King as its leader.

Dr. King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, an organization that coordinated and supported various civil rights campaigns across the South. He advocated the use of nonviolent methods, such as civil disobedience, marches, rallies, and boycotts, to challenge the unjust laws and practices that discriminated against African Americans. He was inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, and Henry David Thoreau.

Some of the most notable events and achievements of Dr. King and the civil rights movement include:

• The 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech to more than 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial. He called for an end to racism and a realization of the American dream of liberty and justice for all.
• The 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, which he received for his efforts to combat racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He donated the prize money to the civil rights movement.
• The 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination in public accommodations, employment, education, and voting. Dr. King was instrumental in lobbying for the passage of this landmark legislation.
• The 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which aimed to secure voting rights for African Americans in the South. Dr. King and thousands of protesters faced brutal violence and repression from the authorities, but they persisted and reached the state capitol. Their courage and sacrifice led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which banned racial discrimination in voting.
• The 1966 Chicago campaign, which focused on the issues of housing, education, and economic justice for the urban poor. Dr. King moved to Chicago and lived in a slum apartment to highlight the plight of the inner-city residents. He led marches and demonstrations against racial segregation and economic exploitation in the city.
• The 1967 opposition to the Vietnam War, which he denounced as a moral tragedy and a diversion of resources from the domestic problems of poverty and racism. He delivered a powerful speech at the Riverside Church in New York, where he declared, "A time comes when silence is betrayal."
• The 1968 Poor People's Campaign, which was his final and most ambitious project. He envisioned a multiracial coalition of the poor and oppressed, who would march to Washington, D.C., and demand a radical redistribution of wealth and power in the nation. He planned to occupy the National Mall with a tent city and engage in civil disobedience until the government met their demands.

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had gone to support the striking sanitation workers. He was shot by  a fugitive and a racist (who shall not be named here) while he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. He was 39 years old. His death sparked riots and mourning across the country and the world. He was buried in Atlanta, Georgia, next to his father.

Dr. King's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of people who continue to strive for his vision of a "beloved community" where all people are treated with dignity and respect. His words and deeds have inspired countless movements and leaders in the fields of human rights, social justice, peace, and democracy. His birthday, January 15, was declared a federal holiday in 1986, after a long and hard-fought campaign by his supporters. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year, and it is a day to celebrate his life and achievements, as well as to reflect on his teachings and values.

On this MLK Day, let us remember and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man of greatness and vision, who dedicated his life to the noble cause of freedom and justice for all. Let us also renew our commitment to his dream and his struggle, and to the unfinished work of building a more perfect union. As he said, "The time is always right to do what is right."

As The World Burns…

According to the EU’s climate service, 2023 was the hottest year on record. The year was about 1.48°C warmer than the long-term average before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels. Almost every day since July has seen a new global air temperature high for the time of year. Sea surface temperatures have also smashed previous highs. The Met Office reported that the UK experienced its second warmest year on record in 2023. These global records bring the world closer to breaching key international climate targets.

The UN agency warned that 2023 marked a year of unprecedented climate records being shattered, as extreme weather events left behind a trail of widespread devastation and despair. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration previously calculated that there was a “greater than 99% chance” that 2023 would be the hottest year in its 174-year dataset. This followed six record warm months in a row, including the northern hemisphere’s warmest summer and autumn.

The margin of some of these records is “really astonishing,” considering they are averages across the whole world. “What struck me was not just that [2023] was record-breaking, but the amount by which it broke previous records,” notes Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric science at Texas A&M University.

The recent temperature boost is mainly linked to the rapid switch to El Niño conditions, which has occurred on top of long-term human-caused warming. El Niño is a natural event where warmer surface waters in the East Pacific Ocean release additional heat into the atmosphere. But air temperatures have been boosted unusually early on in this El Niño phase—the full effects had not been expected until early 2024, after El Niño had reached maximum strength. This has left many scientists unsure about exactly what is going on with the climate.

The world will look back at 2023 as the year humanity exposed its inability to tackle the climate crisis. The consequences of this are felt worldwide, and it is imperative that we take action to mitigate the effects of climate change. We must reduce our carbon footprint, invest in renewable energy, and take steps to protect our planet for future generations.

To Everything That Might Have Been…

Thoughts on the New Year

Happy New Year! As we enter 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on how some of our favorite science fiction books, movies, and television shows have imagined this year in their futuristic visions. What did they get right, and what did they get wrong? Here are some examples of science fiction stories that reference 2024 and how they compare to what’s really happening.

• The Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The High Ground” (1990) predicted that Ireland would be unified in 2024 after a successful terrorist campaign. The episode created quite the controversy across the pond, where it was banned for years. In reality, Ireland is still divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, although there have been some recent calls for a referendum on reunification. The episode also featured a fictional drug called felicium, which was used to treat radiation poisoning. In reality, there is no such drug, but there are some treatments for radiation exposure, such as potassium iodide and Prussian blue. To Star Trek’s defense, it’s never stated that felicium existed in 2024, as the events in the episode take place in the twenty-fourth century.

• The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Past Tense” (1995) depicted a dystopian 2024 where the United States had become a police state with massive social inequality and homelessness, dare I say, a Trumpian society? Sisko, Dax, and Dr. Bashir travel back in time to this era and get involved in a violent uprising that led to the creation of the Sanctuary Districts, where the poor and marginalized are segregated from the rest of society. The heroes end up accidentally breaking history, and Sisko has to steal the identity of a historical figure to fix it. In reality, the United States is still a democracy—for now—with a mixed economy and a welfare system, although there are still issues of poverty, racism, and civil unrest. The episode also featured a fictional device called a neural implant, which allowed people to access the internet directly from their brains. In reality, there is no such device, but I’m pretty sure Elon Musk is working on it. There are some experiments with brain-computer interfaces, such as Neuralink and BrainGate. Count me out; resistance is not futile.

• The movie Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) showed a 2024 where the Earth’s ozone layer had been depleted by pollution, causing global warming and environmental disasters. The main character, Connor MacLeod, had created a shield around the planet to protect it from the sun’s radiation, but this also plunged the world into perpetual darkness and tyranny. In reality, the Earth’s ozone layer has been recovering since the 1980s thanks to the Montreal Protocol, which banned the use of ozone-depleting substances. The shield also violated the laws of physics, as it would have required an enormous amount of energy and material to maintain.

• The movie The Thirteenth Floor (1999) portrayed a 2024 where virtual reality simulations were indistinguishable from reality. The main character, Douglas Hall, discovered that he was living in a simulation of 1990s Los Angeles created by his colleague Hannon Fuller, who was actually from 2024. He also learned that 2024 was itself a simulation of 1937 created by another layer of reality. In reality, virtual reality technology is still far from being able to create such realistic simulations, although there have been some advances in graphics, sound, and haptics. The movie also raised philosophical questions about the nature of reality and consciousness, which are still debated by scientists and philosophers.

Science fiction books and movies have often used 2024 as a setting for their stories, sometimes with accuracy and sometimes with imagination. Just like Orwell popularized 1984 by just reversing the digits of the year in which he wrote the book (1948). Whether they are optimistic or pessimistic, realistic or fantastical, they reflect our hopes and fears for the future. What will 2024 will bring? Only time will tell, but sadly, a dystopian future where America has fallen into the rule of an autocratic dictator is still a very real possibility in the next 366 days….