Where Have I Been and Why I'm Back Here

If you wish to buy a new truly "new" Apple laptop, make sure it has an Apple M1/ARM64/SoC CPU and not an Intel (x64-64) based one. Even then, you may just have to get it for either Christmas or your birthday thanks to their ridiculous prices (again, they came out in 2020). Hopefully, you won't have to use those ancient x86-64 apps on them. If you must use such an app, get Rosetta 2 up and running once you get that chance. Most of the older apps will run surprisingly well on those computers with such a seamless architectural translation. Get the best antimalware-type software you can find. Pay for it if you can afford the price tag. Get a browser that is both fast and secure as well as privacy-respecting (I use Microsoft Edge). For antivirus software, I recommend, use, and pay for AVG Antivirus. Right now, I'm using MacOS Big Sur on a late 2013 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro (technically obsolete) as my main OS.

If you must play games that outright forbid modern hardware and proprietary software, look for another vendor who will give you the tech. If there isn't one, see if the games in question can be played on the "virtual"/"emulated" type hardware. If they can, make sure your host computer is prepared to handle the workload. If it isn't, look for a better host. If it is, do exactly two things to prepare. Step #1 is to make sure you have a legal copy of the OS you want to emulate. Step #2 is to get only the emulator that you really need (I usually stick with VirtualBox). If your game forbids emulated proprietary software (likely to avoid copyright infringement), make sure you have authentic hardware with a modern OS installed. And furthermore, improve that hardware if it won't support the needed OS. If it can't be improved, replace the entire computer (used laptops can cost a mere <$200 on eBay if they're old enough, newer ones may be in the <$800 range if you're lucky enough to find one).

To keep up with the world news, only use the Internet. TV and other "mainstream news" channels must be avoided at any cost. Make sure your connection is as fast and reliable as possible. Replace all dated hardware and proprietary software without a moment of net delay. Get a VPN if possible to ensure your data can't be tracked by the state. Only use your primary laptop/s for productivity and research if you can help it. If you can't, make sure the games you play and especially your "top pick" run on modern hardware and software engines. If they do, play on. If they don't, make sure there are no "net" online features. If there are, disable them. If there aren't any such features to disable, you're safe. This is especially crucial if your games require the old CD/DVD technology to install and possibly run. If they don't, keep pushing your limits. If they do, secure the online features into the "disable" position. If your laptop doesn't have the archaic tech, good. If it does, be careful.

Even the 2022 Midterm Elections may theoretically fail to take place, making 2018 even more special. Any one who'd rather leave the place outright had better do it if they can. If they can't or don't want to do it, they must avoid the inner city at all costs. I'd even recommended leaving metro and micropolitan areas totally and for good. A rural dwelling is definitely the safest choice should one be unable to leave the nation. In fact, it might be necessary to move into an underground shelter. Make sure your friends and family can be saved if they accept the truth. If they're in denial, leave them behind ASAP. Make sure you have proper visa and passport documentation for international borders. Get them for your loved ones if they aren't in denial. No matter WHAT the price, eat LOCALLY. Do NOT.... I REPEAT... do NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT eating at one of the "national chains!"

Shop locally if you can too. Please avoid buying clothes that don't obey the climate pledge if you can.

The current status quo will remain until its primary upholder, the United States of America, falls apart. We have only until 2026, so five years left, before this happens, if even that. This will make the 2024 election our last one before this nation finally hits that "critical point" of taxation with consistent net loss. This will make Joe Biden the theoretically last American president. However, should he lose or refuse to run in the 2024 election, whoever comes afterward will be not only our 47th, but also final, president. However, we can't wait that long. Global debt is through the roof. Democracy is losing most of it's 1900-2011 gains as Autocracy reverses those losses. More and more people are losing patience. Most of all, the geological and climate crises are demolishing much of what's left. Therefore, the 2020 presidential election was the last one, making the 2020 Census the last of its kind. For icing on the cake, Fukushima is bringing the US West Coast to ruin.