May We Make The World

An in-depth look at genetic alteration in the natural world and the oppositions to it, seen through the case study of a gene drive for malaria. May We Make the World? is an engaging reflection on the history, nature, goal, and meaning of using a new technological idea—CRISPR-based genetic engineering—to alter the genome of the mosquito that carries malaria. This technology, called a “gene drive,” can alter the sex ratio in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the key vector for falciparum, the deadliest form of malaria. P. Falciparum kills 400,000 people a year, largely the poorest children in the world among them. In her sobering examination of the issue, Laurie Zoloth considers the leading ethical arguments for and against gene drives, explores the regulatory efforts that have emerged long in advance of the science, and considers the philosophical questions raised by the struggle to eliminate malaria. The development of a gene drive for malaria will have far-reaching implications for it represents the first use of genetic engineering in the natural world and the first creation of a genetic variant intended to spread in the African wild beyond human control. Drawing on two decades of work, Zoloth brilliantly argues that we can understand the complex moral issues at stake only by carefully reflecting on the science, the nature of the local and global discourse about genetic engineering, and the long history of malaria, which—as it transformed from a worldwide disease to a tropical one—reshaped the world as we know it.

Can redemption be found after trust has been broken and they’ve spent centuries apart… The Heart Island Sanctuary offers refuge to magical creatures and Elementals alike while also acting as the local authority. Mistress Madylyn SkyDancer and her fellow wardens protect the St. Lawrence Seaway and the way of life it supports. When women begin disappearing at alarming rates, the wardens fear that a human trafficking ring may be using the river as a way to transport their victims. As danger threatens their peaceful lives, the wardens, the River Rats, a ship captain with an agenda of his own, and a man fate has blown back into Madylyn’s path rush to find the evil behind the disappearances and stop them for good. Will she be able to protect her sanctuary and the residents that depend on it? Can her band of unlikely allies rescue the missing girls while she decides if her heart can afford to take a chance on love again? ***This book is intended for mature audiences only 18+ ***Content warning: contains scenes depicting steamy sex, violence and sexual assault.

As we stand at the precipice of an era marked by unprecedented technological advancement, the emergence of superintelligent AI systems heralds both transformative opportunities and profound risks for the future of humanity. In "Superintelligence on the Horizon: Navigating the Future of AI Governance and Cybersecurity," Felipe Chavarro Polanía offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the complex challenges and possibilities that lie ahead. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the technical, ethical, and societal implications of superintelligent AI, Polanía guides readers through the intricate landscape of AI governance and cybersecurity. From the potential risks of AI-powered cyberattacks and the need for proactive defensive measures, to the critical importance of developing adaptive legal frameworks and fostering public trust, this book provides a nuanced and multifaceted analysis of the key issues at stake. But "Superintelligence on the Horizon" is more than just a technical treatise. It is a clarion call for a new approach to AI governance – one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the active participation of a wide range of stakeholders. Polanía argues persuasively for the need to create decentralized and inclusive decision-making processes, in which the voices of experts and elites are balanced by the perspectives and values of marginalized and vulnerable communities. At once sobering and inspiring, this book is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of our species in an age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. With its insightful analysis, compelling storytelling, and unwavering commitment to the greater good, "Superintelligence on the Horizon" is a roadmap for navigating the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and for building a future that is not only technologically advanced, but also deeply humane and radically inclusive. Whether you are a policymaker, technologist, ethicist, or simply a concerned citizen, this book will challenge your assumptions, expand your horizons, and inspire you to take an active role in shaping the trajectory of superintelligent AI. The road ahead may be uncertain, but with Polanía as your guide, you will be better equipped to face the future with courage, wisdom, and hope.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1869.

Time kills all things, but it also heals all things. Somewhere in the midst of those two--healing and dying--is where this book lives. There is healing in the process of dying. We get sick, we get better, but we will inevitably one day die. Millions are killed in a genocide, but like a gash in your skin, the world comes together to heal that wound. There is pain and then forgiveness. The world is a big place. These essays are struggles to explore the way the world works, and as a consequence, how we should operate within it. How do we heal others? Ourselves? How do we die well? How does time make all things beautiful?These pieces were written between 2012-2019 with a personal, poetic energy which just might help you navigate your own way through this foggy terrarium we call earth.