FHI's Week in Review

Volume V, Issue 42

Oct. 15, 2018

The Pentagon Wants to Weaponize the Human Brain

On Thursday, 10/11/18, The Atlantic posted a fascinating feature article from their print issue coming out next month. A former University of Miami associate professor of bio medical engineering and neuroscience who now works for the government (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Pentagon's R&D department) is quoted in the article:

"I would claim to you that these tools <computers and smart phones> are not so smart. And maybe one of the reasons why they're not so smart is because they're not connected to our brains. Maybe if we could hook those devices into our brains, they could have some idea of what our goals are, what our intent is, and what our frustration is."

WIM

This would take cyber security to a whole new level. If this technology is developed, refined and implemented, our brains could be hacked.

Hurricane Michael's Fury

Mexico Beach mayor "shocked" by catastrophic damage

WIM

The damage left by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida, is overwhelming. Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, shortly before 1 p.m. CDT Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The storm's 155-mph winds shredded homes, and a 14-foot storm surge bulldozed everything in its path. CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca reports.

Aetna - CVS merger clears last major hurdle

AP reports on Oct. 10, 2018:

The proposed $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna is getting a greenlight from the DOJ, with some conditions. The Justice Department on Wednesday approved the deal on the condition that Aetna moves ahead with its plan to sell its Medicare Part D prescription drug plan business, resolving some anti-monopoly issues.

WIM

The Feds approve this hoping the combination will improve efficiencies in our dysfunctional health system. The merger will certainly create operational efficiencies. It will also grant the new entity a lot of market power. Thus, it remains to be seen if cost savings are passed on to the consumer.