ICEYE, indigenous Kuna people and Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano

Outriders Magazine #339

The Western Espionage Competition with Russia and Its Allies

The Finnish satellite start-up ICEYE is a significant player in the fight against climate change, focusing on monitoring crucial aspects such as the state of Arctic ice. However, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the company’s employees leveraged their technology to track Russian military vehicles using images from the world’s largest constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. These satellites can operate at night without a light source, are unaffected by weather conditions that can obscure satellite images, and can scan the same area on Earth multiple times a day, making them invaluable for this critical work.

According to Andrew Shearer, the director general of Australia’s National Intelligence Bureau, the strategic impact of the emerging alliance of states centred around China and Russia has been significantly underestimated. This coalition, including Iran and North Korea, primarily focuses on supporting Russia. As a member of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership, which includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, Australia is deeply concerned about the potential threats this alliance poses.

In addition, Israeli officials have accused Iran of attempting to recruit and collaborate with Iranian-born individuals living in Israel. This statement comes amid an increase in Israeli counterintelligence efforts aimed at disrupting Iranian activities intended to gather sensitive information and plan attacks within Israel. In response, Iran's mission to the UN stated that its intelligence services would be more open to recruiting non-Muslims who have no ties to Iran.

The Use of AI in Aircraft and Automotive Industries and Translation

The MHP study on AI in cars surveyed 4,700 drivers across China, the US, Germany, the UK, Italy, Sweden, and Poland. The findings revealed significant geographical differences in the acceptance and understanding of AI. In particular, European drivers are more reluctant to use AI technology. However, there is growing optimism about its potential benefits. For instance, 23% of European respondents view AI in cars primarily as an opportunity, compared to 48% of respondents from China. In Europe, 39% of participants believe that the opportunities and risks of AI are fairly balanced, while nearly a quarter feel that the risks outweigh the benefits.

In another development, Alaska Airlines is testing Odysee’s AI-based flight schedule optimization tool, which uses predictive analytics. This tool can run hundreds of simulations in seconds to provide accurate flight information, essential for stress-testing future schedules. Based on data from over 700,000 flights, the tool has demonstrated high reliability and a 90% accuracy rate when tested against human-initiated flight changes for Alaska Airlines flight segments from 2022 to 2023.

Additionally, Veen Bosch & Keuning, the largest publisher in the Netherlands, has announced plans to utilize AI for translating popular fiction into English. This project will involve fewer than ten books that have yet to be translated and highlight the potential of AI in the translation process. Ian Giles, the co-chair of the Society of Authors Translators Association, expressed concern over this development, citing a recent study by the Society of Authors that found over a third of translators have lost their jobs due to generative AI. Nevertheless, using AI in translation presents promising opportunities for the publishing industry.

The Relocation of the Kuna People and the Volcanoes of Yellowstone and Lewotobi Laki-Laki 

The indigenous Kuna people of Panama have agreed to relocate due to climate change and rising sea levels. Rising tides are causing floods and bringing plastic waste that litter the island. So far, 300 families have moved from the islands to Isber Yala, a new city built on the mainland. Many Kuna fear this relocation will threaten their historical and cultural practices, which have developed over 200 years of living by the water. These practices carry the weight of centuries of tradition and history.

In Indonesia, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano has erupted for the second time in a series of eruptions that began on November 4. Authorities have raised the alert status to its highest level and expanded the exclusion zone, prohibiting all activities in the area. The government plans to relocate around 16,000 people from the danger zone. Lewotobi Laki-Laki is a pair of stratovolcanoes located in East Nusa Tenggara Province and is one of 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelago with a population of 280 million.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Yellowstone supervolcano—one of the largest active volcanoes in the world—is expected to remain dormant for thousands or even tens of thousands of years. Scientists have observed that the volcano has not erupted in the past 70,000 years, although it has been active in the distant past, with acidic (rhyolite) lava flows. The estimated annual probability of an eruption at Yellowstone is only 0.001%. However, the potential effects of a future eruption could be felt worldwide and alter the global climate for decades, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness.

Asian Diplomacy Involving Myanmar, China, Taiwan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan

The head of the Myanmar military government, General Min Aung Hlaing, has taken a significant step by officially visiting China, Myanmar's most important international partner. This is his first trip to China since the coup and the seizure of power by the Burmese army in February 2021. His visit comes at a time when government forces have been losing ground against pro-democracy guerrillas and armed ethnic minority groups, particularly in regions near the Chinese border. These developments and the resulting instability in Myanmar have raised concerns for Chinese authorities, as they threaten China's strategic and business interests.

China has strongly condemned a visit by Estonian politicians to Taiwan, viewing it as a direct challenge to its claims over the island. A delegation from Estonia's parliament's foreign affairs committee, which included President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials, met with their Taiwanese counterparts. The Estonian delegation emphasized the importance of democratic solidarity and issued a warning against the "threat of autocracies." This incident further strained the already tense relations between China and Estonia following a diplomatic conflict in 2023 when Estonia permitted Taiwanese officials to open an office to foster cultural and economic ties.

In another development, the Maldivian government has taken a firm stance by recalling its ambassador to Pakistan after he met with the Afghan Taliban's top diplomat in Islamabad without prior approval. The two officials were scheduled to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and trade relations between the Maldives and Central Asian countries via Afghanistan. The Maldives, in line with its foreign policy, does not recognize the Taliban government that took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

 Media, Phones, and Marks: Restrictions Affecting Youth and Parents 

The Australian government plans to ban social media for individuals under 16. This proposed legislation seeks to address the potential harm that social media can cause to minors, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health. The regulations will also apply to children who receive parental permission to use these platforms and those who already have social media accounts. Previous attempts to restrict access to social media, including efforts by the European Union, have generally been unsuccessful and have faced backlash from technology companies.

In an innovative experiment, the Jordan Montessori Lyceum in Utrecht temporarily restricted parents' access to an app that assesses children's performance for one month. This bold move aimed to alleviate pressure on students. A survey of 500 students revealed that those whose parents frequently used the app rated their stress level at 2.7 on a 5-point scale, while children whose parents did not regularly check the app rated their stress level at 2. This suggests a potential solution for reducing children’s stress.

Since the start of the school year in August, Broward County Public Schools in Florida have prohibited students from using cell phones during school hours, including lunch and recess. This ban aims to reduce distractions and encourage face-to-face interactions among students. However, a survey indicated that nearly one in five parents believe the ban negatively impacts their children's well-being, primarily due to the reduced contact with family members, although officials maintain that communication in emergencies is still possible.

The Brain's Regulation of Hunger, Food, Biological Age, and the Risks of Toxic Tuna

Scientists at the Rockefeller Molecular Genetics Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the neural circuitry that regulates hunger and satiety. They have identified a previously unknown type of neuron called BNC2, an immediate counterbalance to the need to eat. This neuron responds quickly to food cues, suppressing hunger and alleviating its negative feelings. The potential therapeutic implications of this discovery for combating obesity and metabolic disorders are promising, providing hope for the future.

In a separate study, experts in Italy analyzed data from 22,000 people and made a concerning discovery. They found that individuals who consumed more ultra-processed foods tended to be biologically older than their actual age. These foods were having a significant effect on accelerating the ageing process. Even seemingly harmless products, such as packaged bread, fruit yoghurt, and sweetened breakfast cereals, were found to contribute to this issue, raising serious concerns about our dietary choices.

Additionally, an examination conducted by Bloom and Foodwatch of nearly 150 cans of tuna from five European countries revealed a startling fact: all of these products contained mercury, with 57% exceeding the safe limit for fish. For the past 50 years, the permissible mercury threshold for tuna has been three times higher than for other types of fish. In response, activists urgently call for a ban on serving canned tuna in hospitals, particularly in maternity wards, school canteens, and nursing homes, where the risk is exceptionally high.

Art: From Picasso to Bananas and the Role of AI in Auctions 

A collection of around 100 graphic works by Pablo Picasso, Picasso: Printmaker, will be exhibited at the British Museum. This exhibition, which offers a fresh look at the Spanish artist’s life, is a significant event in the art world. The works span from the beginning of his career in 1904 to his final years, reflecting the darker aspects of his imagination. Some of the works have never been exhibited before. According to curator Catherine Daunt, Picasso was one of the “most creative and influential” talents ever using printing.

Sotheby’s is preparing to auction off a viral artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, titled "The Comedian," which depicts a banana taped to a wall. This work, which has sparked controversy and debate in the art world, highlights the fleeting nature of art and is expected to fetch up to $1.5 million at auction in New York. The winning bidder will receive the banana, a roll of tape, a certificate of authenticity and instructions for assembling the work. Cattelan’s work debuted at Art Basel in Miami in 2019, where the artist admitted buying the banana at a Miami grocery store for about 30 cents.

An AI-powered painting of the renowned British computer scientist and codebreaker Alan Turing was sold at Sotheby’s in New York for a staggering $1.08 million. This sale marked a significant milestone, as it became the most valuable work by a humanoid robot ever to be auctioned. The painting, titled “AI God: Portrait of Alan Turing,” was created by Ai-Da, a humanoid robot artist.

 The Brain, Memory, Behavioral Sequences, and the Experience of Watching Movies 

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a significant discovery regarding memory integration. They identified a neural mechanism that connects memories across time and personal experiences. This finding reveals how memories stored in the brain's neural networks are continually updated and reorganized with relevant information. The implications of this research could be profound, potentially enhancing our understanding of adaptive memory processes while addressing maladaptive ones. This offers hope for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Additionally, neuroscientists at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at UCL and the University of Oxford have made a remarkable discovery by identifying brain cells that create multiple coordinate systems. This provides unique insights into the brain's ability to navigate a sequence of behaviours. These cells function like a music box playing different sequences of sounds, enabling the playback of various action sequences. This discovery underscores the brain's extraordinary complexity, helping us understand how it generates intricate behaviours such as planning and reasoning and how they relate to psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia.

Furthermore, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted scans of individuals watching movie clips, resulting in the most detailed functional map of the brain to date. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the analysis revealed 24 brain networks activated during specific sensory or cognitive processing tasks. These include recognizing human faces and bodies, detecting movement, identifying places and landmarks, and understanding speech and social interactions.