Category Archives: Socio-Cultural Commentary

Section for cultural views, critique, analysis

Science & Technology, Socio-Cultural Commentary

smart dust

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smart

Do you know what “SMART DUST” is?

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

 

Omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere), these three terms are typically used to describe the attributes of God in many faiths and religions. Mankind is rapidly pursuing obtainment of these deity defining terms.

We’ve created the most sophisticated weaponry of mechanical, nuclear, and biological capacities to account for the quest of power. We’ve devised some of the most intricate, complex, and hi-tech methods of transportation from your car to MAC speed jet engines, to drones, to space shuttles that promise to usher humanity to space missions to Mars. This is our effort to demonstrate omnipresence. Lastly, we’ve made everything intelligent or smart: smart phones, smart computers, smart cars, smart refrigerators, smart chips, I-robots, and nano-technology to plead the case for being omniscient (all knowing).

If you’re familiar with my writings you may notice I love keeping up with environmental issues and the advances in technology. I was reading a book on Singularity by Ray Kurzweil, a leading expert in the field of robotics and human interface. He began discussing something called “Smart Dust”. He further explained how this smart dust would be disseminated all over the earth for supreme intelligence.

I began doing some online research about this technological advancement and was blown away by the potential, magnitude and implications of this “smart dust”. Basically smart dust are these tiny particles that are like the size of a grain of rice and are currently being made smaller than that. They possess microcomputers that sense and detect a variety of input. They will sense sound, temperature and climate, altitude, vegetation, terrain, position, molecular composition, motion, and an assortment of things. The capabilities are only limited to the imagination and ingenuity of the designer.

The objective is to spray this material over all cities, embed them in infrastructure, devices, and more with the objective of creating a smart society. This would lead to the monitoring of every square inch of earth. Society can then be measurable, predictable, and ultimately choreographed to the person or group in control of this vast array of knowledge.

I happened to watch the movie Transcendence with Johnny Depp and I see a direct parallel with what they were showing in the movie. I won’t go further to avoid spoiling the plot for you, but it’s a worthwhile film. How would you feel knowing that every single aspect of your life will be officially “bugged”? We are almost there.

I was reading some articles from MIT’s Technology Review and they actually have developed smart dust to be incorporated into the human brain and other body parts.

I’ll let you decide for yourself. Below are some articles and a Youtube video to expand the conversation.

What are your thoughts on this? Are we going to far?  Is this what they’re spraying in the air and we think it’s plane exhaust?

http://youtu.be/GvdGggusRYU

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/05/03/smart.dust.sensors/

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/517091/how-smart-dust-could-spy-on-your-brain/

National & Local Politics, Socio-Cultural Commentary

Will Hillary Clinton push for reparations if she runs for presidency?

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Will Hillary Clinton push for reparations if she runs for presidency?

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

When current President Barack Obama was elected as the President of the United States, America arrived at a new political plateau in the terms of cultural diversity. Many people were filled with joy, pride, and had a self-imposed paradigm shift on racial equality. Yes, the first African American President was elected, and an all African American first family moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Initially, President Obama was greeted with much fanfare from the African American community. The President had “swag”, he exuded confidence, he spoke with eloquence and sophistication, and he wooed many in white communities.

However, time progressed and many of the blacks that voted for President Obama grew disenchanted because they didn’t see the change they “expected”. Political and economic times turned turbulent, and many blacks were hit hard in the recession. Many looked to the President for a sign of relief, a flotation device, a financial life jacket, only to see other factions of society being rescued and attended to. Fast forward, President Obama’s approval ratings have taken hit after hit and many blacks have been asking, “who did I really elect?”.

Now it’s no secret, President Obama has been stone-walled in several attempts by a majority republican congress. They fight him tooth and nail on every single issue. I’m sure he couldn’t choose the soap or toilet tissue he wanted if they had a say in the matter. Nevertheless, many blacks express buyer’s remorse for our Commander in Chief. This feeling is primarily spawned by President Obama’s conspicuous attention to the Latino and LGBT community.

Many African Americans feel slanted by a less motivated effort of the president to address our concerns. President Obama has also asserted that he wouldn’t address issues pursuant to reparations for African Americans. That’s okay because although I disagree with his position, I will always respect another person’s opinion.

Moving onto Hillary Clinton

Many women have an affection for Hillary Clinton because she was the First Lady of Bill Clinton. She is also a “symbol” of political diversity. She staked her claim and showed that she has a bite and bark when she ran as a presidential candidate. She also demonstrated her ability to face the fire in the Benghazi fiasco. Hillary portrays a bold political spirit that many women can and want to identify with. Some women are attached to her via sympathetic strings from former President Clinton’s sexual infidelities.

Hillary Clinton is skillfully posturing herself to be a formidable presidential candidate again. I won’t applaud or critique Hillary until she announces a formal bid later on, and clearly explains the goals and mission of her political platform. I also want clearly outlined plans and positions on where she stands on issues germane to the African American community.

Why am I saying this? I’m saying this because I do see how the African American community fell in political love with President Obama based on symbolism and “silent expectations”. Well in this era, the future belongs to fast learners. This time the African American community should be in the faces of the potential presidential candidates asking them specific questions on Affirmative Action in relations specific to blacks.

I also want to know will Hillary Clinton support reparations for African Americans who’s descendants were forced into slavery to build the economic power base that America has morphed into. Centuries of free labor by blacks is the financial DNA of America’s success, and the rejection and denial of it is a crime.

Will Hillary Clinton help pursue the procurement of reparations for the descendants of the victims of slavery? If her answer is no, I would like to know why, and why she deserves our vote in the upcoming election. If she is able to champion the causes of the Latino community, LGBT community, and silently pander to Wall Street, then hear our specific demands in equity and fairness.  We want specific answers, not broad generalized rhetoric that blankets everybody like human rights and civil rights.  Where do you specifically stand on reparations for blacks?  Will you help procure these funds and policies?

Sidebar, we as African Americans need to be prepared with a specific itinerary, and itemized agenda if this is what we want.

This question goes to all democratic candidates because a pattern exists where African Americans tend to vote democratic. This evolved in part because many policies and legislation that Republican candidates advocate for lack congruency with the concerns of the African American electorate.

However, I pose this question because a subconscious affinity and affection is extended to the Clintons’ by “some” of the black community, and we need to move beyond symbolism and get this next election right! If other voting demographics can garner the attention and action by the President, then we demand that our expectations be met also. Hillary can’t bring Bill to the next NAACP meeting to play the saxophone and think they have our vote in their pocket. That’s it, that’s all.

Business & Financial News, Socio-Cultural Commentary

True story: prison labor increased Texas unemployment rate

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chain gang

True story:  prison labor increased Texas unemployment rate

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

We often hear about “the prison industrial complex”. Some of us just shrug it off and try our best to avoid being arrested and incarcerated. We inform our children to avoid inappropriate and illegal behavior that would land them in prison.

However, this is only a fraction of what the prison industrial complex encompasses. In fact, you can be the most law abiding citizen and still be affected by this exploitative system.

I want to share a true case study that occurred in the mid 1990’s that I ran across last week. I and a few of my colleagues have been doing some research into this system and managed to excavate this diamond in the rough. Some of you may be familiar with the story if you’re from Texas.

In the mid 1990’s Leonard Hill was the owner of Lockhart Technologies of Austin, Texas. His company produced circuit boards and other system parts for computers and electronics. Enticed by the opportunity and potential to increase revenue, he turned to an alternative form of human resource. That alternative form of human resources was prison labor.

During the 1990’s another private prison group was on the scene. Wackenhut private prisons had established prison operations in Texas. Currently, the company went through new business transitions and is renamed “The Geo Group”. This group maintains prison facilities in North America, the UK, Africa, and Australia. They operate mental institutions, detention centers, immigration facilities, and prisons.

Now back to Leonard Hill and Lockhart Technologies of Austin, Texas.

Leonard made a deal with Wackenhut at the time to have his electronic components manufactured by prison inmates in the Wackenhut facilities for 1 and 2 dollar prison wages. This decision to relocate his operations to prison production relieved him of paying any and all benefits and obligations such as health care, holiday pay, and on the job injuries. He no longer worried about maternity leave, absenteeism, lateness, sick days, vacation, and all the other expenses that an employer has to factor into their payroll budget.

Consequently, when he compared and contrasted the risk benefit analysis in terms of dollars and cents, he fired his 150 employees, and multiplied his revenue stream exponentially.

Let’s do some math

If Leonard Hill was paying his employees $10.00 per hour with a typical 40 hour work week, that translates into $19,200 before taxes. Let’s multiply that by 150 employees. This yields a payroll expense of $2,880,000 annually. By shifting his operations to the private prison labor sector, Leonard Hill pockets almost all of his payroll expenses as income.

So what does this mean? You’ve heard it before, prison is big business. It’s not enough to be the perfect law abiding citizen to be affected by the prison industrial complex. Remember we’re in economic times where the greed and exploitation component of capitalism is in full effect. The exploitation of prison labor can destabilize the job market for law abiding citizens that play by the rules. You may operate within the legal realms of your daily activities, but that doesn’t guarantee that your “safe and comfortable” job will be there tomorrow. Your domestic affairs can be instantly dismantled if your company shares the same philosophy and ideology of Leonard Hill.

This underscores the importance of becoming financially astute even if you don’t have a business degree. This also pleads the case for entrepreneurship and community based business models. These type of endeavors are proactive, and preventive measures to reduce the instability of the job market. Remember employers don’t hire for morality, they hire for money. Can they use your energy, time, and talent to increase their profits at the cheapest pay rate possible?

You can find this story and others like it in the link below.

https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2010/mar/15/the-prison-industries-enhancement-certification-program-why-everyone-should-be-concerned/

Socio-Cultural Commentary

12 Years a Slave is still true today in these 2 ways

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12

12 Years a Slave is still true today in these 2 ways

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

I watched 12 years a slave this weekend for the 3rd time. The first time I viewed the movie in the theater, my mind was flooded with several thoughts. I had drawn so many parallels between what the movie tried to convey historically and what is still present today. I never took time to write about it because articles about the movie were inundating the web at the time.

I will share 2 perspectives of the many correlations I gathered from watching the movie.

Safe and comfortable African Americans

Solomon Northrup would be considered privileged in comparison to his southern brethren in slavery. Solomon resided up North and lived as a free man with a wife, kids, a home, a profession, and was afforded the liberty to conduct his life in a manner that was rather “safe and comfortable”.

The harsh realities of the institution of slavery wasn’t a true reality for him and his family. The phrase, “out of sight, out of mind”, appeared to fit Solomon’s character. Being that he wasn’t exposed to slavery, violent and back-breaking working conditions, or subpar living standards, he conducted his life as an unconcerned black citizen. The tree of slavery hadn’t fallen in his forest of comfort yet.

However, unbeknownst to him, he would be tricked and double-crossed into the violent and exploitative system of slavery. He awoke in chains to have his humanity, masculinity, and identity flogged out of him. He was now captive and submerged into the brutal world of slavery that his brothers and sisters in the South had endured while he was “safe and comfortable” up North.

This speaks volumes to many of us that feel that we’ve “arrived”. There is a substantial portion of African Americans that currently feel like they’ve “made it”. They’re “safe and comfortable”, they want to live life in denial of the precarious situations that loom about, and that many of our fellow brothers and sisters are in. These are our “see no evil, hear no evil” family.

These individuals live in avoidance, and trepidation of “rocking the boat” when it comes to pertinent issues that devastate the black community. They typically refrain and restrain themselves from involvement in a situation until they or a family member become a victim of the situation they choose to ignore.

When they lose a daughter to gun violence, or their house gets foreclosed, or they get furloughed, or son gets arrested, that’s when they want the whole world to stop and pay attention. I call them conditional activist and convenient participants.

Sadly, they must get flogged by life and society to gain appreciation and respect for the struggles of their brethren.

This is the perfect illustration of, “a threat to justice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere”. Why wait until it comes to a theater near you?

Left Hanging

One of the most compelling and jaw dropping scenes of 12 years a Slave was the scene when Solomon Northrup was hung from a tree. Solomon had a dispute with one of the white overseers. This dispute resulted in him being hung from a tree in the middle of the living quarters for everyone to see. This violent act was done to incite fear into others, display power, dominance, and authority of the overseer.

Solomon was left hanging for the entire day while alive. His last breath was only prevented by the strength and flexibility of his toes.

However, a unique psychological dynamic was revealed. The slaves on the plantation did nothing. They literally watched this man suffer and fight for each breath. They looked at him, the children played around him, and they conducted their daily chores as if he was invisible. The people were unarmed, devoid of courage, hopeless, fearful, and powerless. Only one person made a meager effort to see about him.

I think this is symbolic to contemporary times. We’ve lost a great deal of power, and thus we’re not capable of providing any substantial form of support for anybody that speaks out about our plight as African Americans. Many of us are scared to express displeasure, discontent, or reveal the inequalities that affect us. This allows African Americans with guts that speak the truth to be silenced and suppressed. However, some of us will continue to play games, watch TV, dance, get intoxicated regularly, focus only on our careers, shuck-n-jive, and live an unassuming status quo life.

However, other ethnic and social demographics will make noise to get the oil on their squeaky wheels, or untie their noose.

Nobody is telling you to go get a gun and be violent. Our ancestors are asking us to get involved. Attend your community meetings, be receptive to news, share information, share networks that can empower your neighbor, uplift the down-trodden, attend your city planning meetings,  have a say, and fight for a better life for our posterity.

It’s inevitable that our silence and apathy will leave us all hanging like Solomon.

The Story of Solomon Northrup is a unique case study of “victim inspired activism”. Once released, Solomon dedicated the rest of his life to exposing the vestiges of slavery,…………something he’d never done before being a slave himself.

Socio-Cultural Commentary, STORE

Character Building in Youth: Interactive poetry for highschool students $12.00

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character building front cover

To purchase Character Building in Youth: The Poetry Workshop, click the “Buy Now” button below for $12.00





Character Building in Youth: The Poetry Workshop

95 pages

By: Dr. Dorothy Swygert

This piece of literary work is more than a book of poetry.  This is a creative tool designed to increase critical thinking and reading comprehension, while fostering and stimulating confidence and character in students.  This book of poetry carries motivational and thought provoking perspectives for late junior high to high school students.

Dr. Dorothy Swygert is a graduate of Tuskegee University and has earned graduate degrees in guidance, supervision, and administration.  Since the 1970's she's worked in the New York City public school system as a teacher and guidance counselor.

Her experience has led her to a conclusion about learning in youth.  She concludes that the 2 most critical factors in youth learning are confidence and character.  The poems are centered around this concept, with a focus on community, and introspection.

She uses a unique strategy to accomplish her goal in this book.  Each poem has a set of questions about the poem that the student must answer.  This forces students out of the mode of "passive reading".  This is the same technique that many scholastic exams use.  This is a creative way to accomplish the proficiency required in learning, while building character in our youth today!

A must have for your collection.

 

Socio-Cultural Commentary, STORE

BLACK TRILOGY PLUS: AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYS ON SALE $12.00

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trilogy

To Purchase via PayPal for $12.00, Click the “Buy Now” button below:





BLACK TRILOGY PLUS By : Dr. Dorothy Swygert

144 pages

A historic book of plays designed with a unique 3 point plan.

1) To transmit the cultural and historical heritage of African Americans to black youth.

2) To increase an appreciation for the performing arts in black youth and young adults.

3) To instill confidence in oration and public speaking skills in youth and young adults.

Black Trilogy Plus covers 3 major epochs in African American History, and is composed of 3 plays and some extra skits (the plus !).  The plays included in this remarkable piece of art are: 1) It's praying time, Lest We Forget 2) Black Renaissance 3) The Montgomery Bus Boycott

The book is composed of the complete scripts:  Acts, Scenes, Setting,  Characters, Narrator, and historical photos.

This is a constructive production for kids to young adults to perform in youth groups, community centers, churches, and a wide array of recreational halls.  Black Trilogy Plus is a must have and adds flavor to Black History Month programs.

Socio-Cultural Commentary, STORE

Book of Poetry: Black I [Eye] on America now on sale!! $12.95

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black eye

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF BLACK I [EYE] ON AMERICA BY SAMORI SWYGERT

CLICK THE PAYPAL “BUY NOW” BUTTON BELOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

PRICE:$12.95




BLACK I [EYE] ON AMERICAThis is a collection of rare and raw poetry straight from the soul of a young inner-city blackman.  Dr. Samori Swygert composed these poems while in college.  Unique, creative, honest, unapologetic, and bold in delivery, Samori holds firm to his views on life and society.  With deep introspection, cultural awareness, and a semi-skeptic EYE on America, Samori surgically uses the art of poetry to make you FEEL him.Experience this gift of raw, young, black male talent.  This is where culture, intelligence, art, and creativity collide to create one the best contributions to African American poetry.  Embrace the use of abbreviations, alliteration, the expansion of color, and personification.  Read along as he writes about a battered and abused wife, or how computers come alive and dethrone the world, or how he illuminates the racial and social disparities in America, or enjoy the silky texture of love poems like ” A Portrait of Lovemaking”.This young man is striving to carry the torch that has been passed by the likes of the late: Gil Scott Heron, Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and other great African American writers.  “Never let the torch of our ancestors hit the ground”!

Ladies and Gentlemen witness Samori

 

Socio-Cultural Commentary, STORE

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR PURCHASE!!!! -SASHA SQUIRREL AND CHURPY CHIPMUNK

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Sasha_Squirrel_and_C_Cover_for_Kindle

Purchase via PayPal by clicking the, “Buy Now” button below for $10.00




 

 

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK: SASHA SQUIRREL AND CHURPY CHIPMUNK

BY: DR. DOROTHY SWYGERT

PURCHASE BOOK ON AMAZON.COM BY CLICKING HERE

This children’s book is a must have in your family’s reading collection.  This is geared for grades 1-3.  A wholesome and cinematic story is told that fosters the appreciation and demonstrates the importance of family, community, and love.  The story is told with the use of forest animals, and displayed with the most captivating color illustrations.  We guarantee you and your family will love reading this work of literary art.  This will kindle the bonds between family members while developing and improving literacy in your children.

Buy a copy and don’t forget to leave a review:-)

ONLY $7.99  on Amazon

 

Socio-Cultural Commentary, STORE

BUY NEW AUDIOBOOK!!! : SPEAK ON IT!! MANDATORY CONVERSATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICA

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speak on it

To Purchase via PayPal for the 2-Disc CD set, click the “Buy Now” button below for $10.00

 




 

 

NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON AMAZON AND ITUNES:

Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.com for $8.99

SPEAK ON IT!!! MANDATORY CONVERSATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICA

Click the link below to purchase on i-Tunes.com

SPEAK ON IT!!! MANDATORY CONVERSATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICA

Dr. Samori Swygert offers some of the most compelling insight on a myriad of issues that is germane to the African American community.  This audiobook draws the listeners in with each second that ticks away.  Journey with this author as he masterfully articulates issues on: single parent households, Hollywood and the entertainment industries effects on our youth, love and marriage, the waning utility of black churches,  fading femininity in our young females, police abuse, government corruption and more.

This is a must have for your audio collection.  Gather your friends, family, frat, sorors, neighbors , and give this young man a listen.   This is a worthwhile investment.

 

 

Science & Technology, Socio-Cultural Commentary

New Facebook feature can access your phone’s mic

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New Facebook feature can access your phone’s mic

by Dr. Samori Swygert

We’re in an era where cash is king, and information converts to currency and/or control. Every aspect of our life has become inundated with some digital platform. Facebook has developed a new app that allows them to turn on your cellphone’s microphone and record all your background audio.

The app is currently optional, so this feature is not imposed on the Facebook user, you have to opt-in. Facebook has issued public relations claims that they’re not recording and storing the audio data that is used for this new smartphone app. The app currently operates on the IOS and Android smartphone platforms.

Based on an article in Forbes Magazine, the app works by activating your smartphone microphone whenever you post a Facebook update. The sound is encoded, and then matched against a databank of audio files in real-time. This function allows users to see what their friends may be listening to or watching.

According to the article, Facebook believes this also facilitates a tailored and enhanced experience of the user’s music, TV show, and movie preferences. So, if I’m watching “Breaking Bad,” and post a Facebook update (while opted-in on the app), the sound gets recorded, coded, and matched with millions of audio files that Facebook can possibly make recommendations and update my friends about. This is similar to shopping for a book on Amazon. You purchase the book you’ve been searching for, but Amazon will also furnish their recommendations of similar materials. The only difference is Facebook’s feature is done sonically, and is a little more invasive or intrusive. However, you must opt-in.

This sounds like a hit for Facebook, and a home run for “Big Data.” My concerns reside in the fact that this is only the beginning. Companies always revise and update their policies and end-user agreements. It’s pertinent to remember that many companies and digital services share their database with the government. Just over a week ago, the YourBlackWorld team published an article I wrote about a contract that Twitter signed with the Library of Congress. The agreement allows the Library of Congress to archive all Tweets that are posted.

I can easily see the capabilities of this app being exploited by the government in the name of “national security and antiterrorism.” Let’s think about this for a second: Your smartphone has GPS tracking so your physical coordinates can be mapped to your specific location. If there is an app that can turn on your microphone, then surely there’s an app currently unbeknownst to you that can turn on your phone’s camera. This sets the stage for 24/7/365 surveillance.

What’s in a public relations statement?

How do you measure or test the veracity and truthfulness of a public statement from a company? Unless you have developed the software algorithms, and designed the app features personally, you’re really left to believe what companies promise you. Unless you’re in their IT department, and behind the closed-doors of their headquarters, you have no idea what employees are doing with your data. Hell, the government didn’t even know what Snowden was doing with NSA data until he exposed them.

Really think about this: How do you trust any public statement after several banking scandals, Bernie Madoff, Eric Snowden, the NSA, the IRS email scandal, or even a cheating spouse that vowed before God to not cheat? There will always be a flaw in the system when we involve humans to safeguard sensitive data. The human nature is corruptible in the face and opportunity to ascertain power. We’re familiar with the quote, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The “honor system” will always fail.

My last thoughts on big data

Big data is a double edged sword because it possesses tremendous potential to solve problems. The problem with big data is, “us.” This is the same dilemma with almost any physics or scientific development.

Radioactive elements are ever-present in nature; however, we’ve harnessed them to develop nuclear weapons, but we also use it as a source of energy. We’ve advanced the field of science, and in addition to developing cures, we develop bioengineered bacteria and viruses for germ warfare. This is how I see the progression of big data.

Big data allows profiles to be built about you by people you don’t even know. This allows agencies, institutions, jobs, and other bodies to prejudge, grade, rank, categorize, and label you without considering or factoring everything that makes you, you.

For instance, I could be a college student doing a term paper on methods to combat terrorism. To conduct my research, I have to read several articles about terrorism all over the internet to build the references for my paper. However, because I’ve researched various websites and archives, I might be put on a terrorist watch list, but I’m not a terrorist at all, I’m just a poor college student trying to complete my curriculum criteria.

In conclusion, I think this is a win for Facebook, and another step down a slippery slope of the loss of privacy and civil liberties for the American populace.

Source:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/05/22/facebook-wants-to-listen-in-on-what-youre-doing/

http://www.techyville.com/2014/06/news/dr-samori-swygert-your-tweets-are-being-archived-by-the-government/