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Saturday 29th August 2020
Hi Friend,
Pigs Will Fly ...
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| And Learn to Drive A Tesla ...
Just when you thought it couldn't get much weirder, Elon Musk has introduced a group of pigs with mind reading implants.
Developed by Neuralink, headquartered in Fremont, California, the button sized brain implant can be installed by a robot. The brain activity of pigs can then be transmitted to a computer "allowing onlookers to watch the animals' neurons fire, as vets stroked their snouts" according to Bloomberg today.
What were they thinking about? Not much apparently. The demonstration was meant to show the progress of the four year start up currently employing 100 staff, expected to grow to over 10,000 within years. Development of the device would enable implants in humans within a few years. "We now have a Fitbit for the brain" the claim.
Once fitted, the implants could be updated with software updates. The goals would include improvement or restoration, of vision, mobility and speech. The inhibition of pain, the acceleration of learning and the exploration of consciousness would also feature. In the future, "I think you will be able to save and replay memories" said Musk.
Let's hope that comes with a delete button. If only we could travel our minds back in time to pick up Tesla shares at $200 dollars in August 2019. The stock closed at $2,200 this week. Watch out for a Neuralink listing soon ...
In other news, Americans are still drinking bleach as a cure for Corinavirus. Despite months of warnings that it is not safe, some Americans are still attempting to self treat by drinking bleach products and voting Republican. At a news conference in April, Trump suggested injecting disinfectant was a potential treatment for the virus. The FDA along with manufacturers Lysol has issued a warning, that Chlorine dioxide can lead to respiratory failure, liver failure and abnormal heart rhythms along with other potentially life threatening conditions. Americans still continue to attend Trump rallies, without a mask, carrying a bottle of bleach, wearing a "Make America Great Again Hat" over their eyes. Just 66 days to polling day ...
Last week we suggested that sniffer dogs could be employed on retail queues in shopping centres in the future, to detect Covid Carriers. Headlines from Forbes this week, "Sniffer dogs could be the answer to travel bans". No need for testing at the airport, a dog has 300 million nasal receptors compared to just 5 million in humans. Already proven in the ability to detect cancer in humans, countries have been testing if dogs can sniff out people infected with Covid-19.
Trials are already underway in the UAE appparently. Specialised teams monitor samples from the armpits of arriving passengers. It is believed the trained dog can very quickly determine if a person is infected or not ... together with how long they have been traveling ...
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| Get Back to work ... Ge Back to the Office ...
Boris Johnson is under fire this week. "Get Britain back to work", senior Tories have told the Prime Minister. A "clear and consistent message" is needed on this and many things for sure.
Grant Shapps said the government would launch a publicity campaign to reassure people, it was now safe to return to the office. The TV and Newspaper campaign will be aimed at reducing the number of people working from home. "People working from home have a higher risk of losing their job", the Transport Secretary added for good measure.
Speaking from his ranch somewhere in the country, Matt Hancock, warned of a second coming of the virus and the possibility of further total shutdown. The Health Secretary claimed he was unaware of the number of his department staff working from home. He cares more about how effectively they are working, than whether they come into the office or not.
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBO has warned that commercial centres risk becoming permanent ghost towns unless employees return to the office. Jes Staley, Group Chief Exec of Barclays has suggested the big office block, like the Bank's 7000 seater in London, could become a thing of the past. Yes the tumbleweed could soon be blowing across Canary Wharf, unless commuters get back on track.
Boris Johnson's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since last October according to a YouGov poll. Just 38% of people had a favourable view of the PM compared to 53% who said they have an unfavourable perspective.
The Prime Minister is not the only one with rating lows. Matt Hancock, Dominic Raab, Gavin Williamson, Priti Patel and Dominic Cummings all have negative ratings. By far, the most popular cabinet minister is Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The furlough scheme and Eat Out to Help Out has been the best way to gain favour with a fickle electorate.
The furlough scheme is due to end in October. How long then will Rishi ride the waves of popularity? This week, Angela Merkel announced the German scheme will be extended to the end of next year. The Chancellor would be wise to head the Teutonic lead, an extension to the end of this year and up until Easter next year would be a wise call ...
That's all for this week! Have a great, safe, Bank Holiday week-end ...
John
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