Holy Unknown

Artificial intelligence is developing at an incredible pace, and while it offers many benefits, there's a growing concern about its potential misuse, particularly in shaping public opinion and interfering with democratic processes. This isn't just about the spread of simple falsehoods; it's about sophisticated AI systems creating highly convincing disinformation campaigns that can influence elections and other critical events. One of the most alarming ways AI can be used for disinformation is through the creation of "deepfakes." These are manipulated images, audio, and videos that realistically portray people saying or doing things they never did. Imagine a fabricated video of a political candidate making an inflammatory statement that could go viral just before an election. Such content, generated by AI, makes it increasingly difficult for the public to discern what is real and what is not. In the U.S., there have already been instances where AI-generated robocal...

Moneyball (2011)   is a fantastic and understated drama directed by Bennett Miller and written by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, with a screen story by Stan Chervin. The film follows Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt), the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, as he attempts to build a competitive baseball team on a shoestring budget. Frustrated by his team's inability to retain star players who are lured away by wealthier franchises, Beane, with the help of Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a Yale economics graduate, employs a radical analytical approach. They focus on undervalued statistics and sabermetrics to identify players overlooked by traditional scouting methods, challenging decades of baseball dogma. Moneyball explores the clash between tradition and innovation, the power of data-driven decision-making, and the pursuit of success against overwhelming odds. Both Pitt and Hill are uniquely exceptional in this film, and it’s worth watching for this reason alone. It received si...

New York City could elect Zohran Mamdani as its first Muslim mayor, following his apparent victory in the Democratic primary. This outcome, pending final ranked-choice tabulations, signals a notable moment for the U.S.'s most populous city. Mamdani's campaign centered on a progressive platform, emphasizing social justice and addressing the affordability crisis. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda. He’s the son of Indian-born Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair. He moved to New York City at age seven, after spending early years in Cape Town, South Africa. Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor which influenced his political aspirations. He briefly explored a career in rap music. In 2018, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He married Syrian artist Rama Duwaji earlier this year. And he is a practicing Shia Muslim. Mamdani’s political career began with his election to the New York State Assembl...

By Cody Andrus Regarding the recent U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the administration's public response has been noteworthy. While I'm not a fan of President Trump whatsoever, his administration and others have behaved themselves for the most part in their public comments, especially given the seriousness of the situation. And then Pete Hegseth declared that "when this administration speaks, the world should listen." This was really an odd choice of words. The attack itself was carefully planned and executed. The timeline began two weeks before the strike when reconnaissance drones, specifically RQ-4 Global Hawks, conducted multiple high-altitude, long-duration flights over the target areas to confirm intelligence and map the terrain. The actual strike operation, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," commenced about 48 hours before Trump's announcement. It was a massive undertaking involving seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers delivering 30,000...

The Big Short (2015)  is a unique drama directed by Adam McKay and written by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay. McKay is known for his comedies "Anchorman" and "Step Brothers." The film explores the 2007-2008 financial crisis through the eyes of several Wall Street insiders who predicted and profited from the impending housing collapse. Lead characters include Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. The film is noted for its unconventional narrative style, including breaking the fourth wall to explain complex financial concepts directly to the audience. Adam McKay's background in comedy lent a satirical edge to the film's serious subject matter. It won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, which was inspired by Michael Lewis's bestselling book "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine." 2015 • R • 2h 10m Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Holy Unknown Grade: A- Worldwide Gross: $133.4M Where To Watch

By Cody Andrus The decision to stop producing the U.S. penny marks a notable shift in how Americans will handle small transactions. In 1792, the Coinage Act set the penny's value at one-hundredth of a dollar, mandating it contain exactly eleven pennyweights of copper. By March 1793, the new U.S. Mint in Philadelphia began circulating the nation's first currency. Understanding the reasons behind the decision to stop making the penny helps shed light on its potential impact. The U.S. penny is facing its obsolescence due to a mix of economic and practical considerations. The primary reason is the cost. It simply costs more to make a penny than the penny is worth. In 2022, it cost 2.6 cents to produce a single penny, meaning the U.S. Mint was losing money on every coin it produced. This has been a consistent issue for years, with the production cost often exceeding the face value of the coin. This financial drain on the U.S. Treasury became unsustainable. Another factor in the deci...

By Cody Andrus The war between Ukraine and Russia began three years ago on February 24, 2022. The conflict is also known as the "Russo-Ukrainian War.” This term typically encompasses the time since 2014 with Crimea and Donbas. The conflict presents a very complicated and troubling reality. What began as a swift invasion by Russia has evolved into a grinding war of attrition, with significant human cost and vast geopolitical implications. Examining the facts, and listening to the insights of military strategists, helps us understand the current situation and possible paths ahead. One hard fact is the immense human toll. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost on both sides, including countless civilians. Ukraine has seen vast swathes of its territory devastated, with cities reduced to rubble and critical infrastructure targeted. Russia, despite initial expectations of a quick victory, has also suffered heavy casualties and significant material losses. The economic impact has been...

By Cody Andrus President Trump’s tendency to escalate conflict is nothing new. But when a president deploys U.S. Marines and National Guard troops in Los Angeles to confront civilian protesters, it crosses into something not just reckless but illegal and un-American.  The central premise with Trump remains the same. He didn't propose sending federal troops to stop armed insurrectionists at state capitols. He didn't use military force when predominantly white crowds stormed the Michigan legislature over pandemic mask mandates. But when Black and Latino communities raise their voices in protest Trump’s first instinct is to militarize the response. This reflects his belief that dissent from nonwhite communities is disorder, not democracy. California Governor Gavin Newsom has made it clear that Trump’s idea of deploying federal troops on his state's soil without consent is unwelcome and unconstitutional. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, the U.S. military cannot be used for domest...

Fargo (1996)  is a remarkably entertaining crime thriller directed and written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. Set in the frozen landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota, the film follows Jerry Lundegaard, played toppingly by William H. Macy, a desperate car salesman who finds himself in deep financial trouble. Jerry hatches a plan to have his wife kidnapped by two criminals played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare, intending to collect a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law played by Harve Presnell. The scheme unravels into a series of horrific events, drawing the attention of the very folksy and very pregnant Marge Gunderson, played endearingly by Frances McDormand. McDormand, who is married to Joel Coen, spent time with a pregnant police officer in Minnesota to prepare for her role, perfecting the accent and mannerisms that made her such an iconic character. The film received seven Oscar nomination s, winning Best Screenplay and Frances McDormand won Best Actress. 1996 • R...

Roman J. Israel, Esq (2017)   is a legal drama written and directed by Dan Gilroy. Roman J. Israel, played masterfully by Denzel Washington, is an idealistic defense attorney in Los Angeles who has spent his career working behind the scenes at a small firm. When his partner dies suddenly, Roman is forced to join a larger, more corporate firm run by the ambitious George Pierce (Colin Farrell). Roman's unwavering moral compass and peculiar social skills clash in the modern legal system, leading him to make a series of questionable decisions with profound consequences. Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role. Many people mistakenly believe the film is based on a true story, although it is fictional. 2017 • PG-13 • 2h 2m Worldwide Gross: $13M Rotten Tomatoes: 55% Holy Unknown Grade: B

By Cody Andrus A troubling conflict has unfolded between President Trump and Harvard University that will likely harm the U.S. and its place in the world. This clash, particularly concerning international students, highlights a shortsighted approach that could have long-lasting, negative effects on American research, innovation, and even economic strength. The ordeal seems ridiculous to many, including myself, yet the potential consequences are very serious. President Trump's policies have always made it harder for international students to come to the U.S. and stay after graduation. One example was the threat to revoke visas for international students whose universities moved all classes online during the pandemic. This policy, later rescinded, caused widespread confusion and concern among students and institutions alike. The idea that a student who chose to study in the U.S., investing significant time and money, could suddenly be forced to leave because of a change in university...

By Cody Andrus The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Iran now possesses approximately 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, marking an astounding increase of 133.8 kilograms since the agency’s previous report in February. Uranium enriched to 60% is a very short technical step from the 90% enrichment typically considered weapons-grade. Experts estimate that this quantity, if further enriched, could theoretically be enough for roughly three nuclear weapons. The IAEA has established that 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% is the approximate amount needed, after further enrichment to 90%, to produce a single nuclear bomb. This news occurs against a backdrop of stalled diplomacy. The 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had placed strict limits on Iran's enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The U.S. withdrew from this agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Since that time, I...