A Point – of – View

The desert sun can blind your eyes, burn your skin, and addle your mind. But, what lies beneath will chill your soul.  A simple civilian compound on the desert’s surface gives no hint to the massive military structure below it.  A fast ride in an elevator, with an armed escort of military police, will bring you to the lair of a beast.  And once the lair is entered, you have little hope of leaving.

Don’t trust your thoughts and feelings.  They may no longer be your own.  They may not have been your own before you arrived.  They may have been augmented and induced by the very beast whose lair you’ve entered.  He must have a purpose for you, or he’d not have bothered.  If you’re at his doorstep, stepping through the threshold, he has something big in mind for you.  Something bigger than what you’ve been doing all along, reporting for work, paying your bills, paying your taxes.  Moving your way through your daily routine with your eyes wide closed.  You, your neighbors, your family and friends, are all operating in the same darkness, unaware that the beast is watching and controlling your very existence.

He allows you to do this because you supply the funds that keep his appetites satiated, for now.  The beast has an agenda, and ultimately, your spot on it is only temporary.  What is it you do that’s attracted his attention?  What special knowledge, skill or talent do you have that he’s in need of?  Whatever it is, it’s never a good idea to be attractive to the beast.  You’ll be used, abused and disposed of when you’ve completed your tasks and fulfilled your purpose.  And, whatever your specialty is, once he’s employed it, you’ll have brought all humanity that much closer to the brink of destruction.  You may not even feel bad about it.  You may never realize you’ve been a pawn.  Of course, there’s the chance he may grant you realization of your actions, at least for a little while, before he destroys you.  The beast has a heart, and it’s a cruel one.  He will enjoy your anguish.

Dallas Thompson takes us to a world below the surface.  From there, it reaches the entire planet.  He’s given us a horrific blend of fact and fiction.  Eyes Wide Shut: An Enigma directs us to atrocities being committed against human kind right in our own back yards.  Perhaps we’ve been aware of the possibility and probability for a long time.  But, awareness brings about reaction.  Reaction might mean having to do something about it.  The cost of action might be too high. 

News flash:  The cost will be too high either way.  If we do nothing, we will nearly all will die doing nothing.  It’s a choice.  Being exterminated like a sleep-walker, or seizing the opportunity to kill the beast. Hopefully, if we act quickly, we can.  If not, there’s the honor of going down with a fight. 

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First, I will say, this is an amazing piece of work.

You should be very proud of yourself.  You’ve accomplished something with this piece that goes beyond being an engaging read, it contains a messages that all societies should be aware of, and brings it from being the stuff that thrillers are made of, to up close and personal possible events that could, or perhaps are, going on around us (or to us) at this very moment.

You’re very gifted Dallas.  Not all are.  I’m reminded of, “Tho whom much is given …. “  I believe you’ve more than met a requirement in putting your knowledge and talent to work in bringing awareness of the possibilities of the magnitude of seriously nasty things that can happen to entire societies when they get lazy and stop being en guard in protecting their freedoms on an individual level.

On a final note …. this book spooked the piss out of me.  Characters I liked in the beginning I disliked by the end, and vice versa.  Things I anticipated them doing, they didn’t.  Things I thought they wouldn’t, they did.  It was constantly twisting me with surprises.

It’s a masterpiece Dallas.

I’m impressively amazed with your talent.

Angelia

How Can T. gondii change my behavior?

T. gondii infection can bring about personality and behavior changes. Toxoplasmosis – Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii  (T. gondii)-  modulates human behavior It also makes rats infected with the parasite show behaviors associated with decreased anxiety and, they lose fear of new things or experience, as well as increased levels of aggressiveness. The parasite increases the rodent’s risk of cat eating them.

T. gondii may also affect its human changes in personality profiles. One such study conducted in 2000 by Flegr et al. noted T. gondii infections were correlated with increases in warm heartedness, outgoingness, easy going, and high will power in women, while the same factors were associated with decreases in men. Infected women are more likely to respect social rules, be amicable, attentive, and loyal to others than women who are uninfected; infected men are more introspective, suspicious and have low self-esteem. Both women and men had higher levels of anxiety than those uninfected.

Men are attracted to T. gondii infected women. Women seem to luck out with toxoplasmosis, whereas men turn into something like a jealous ex-boyfriend.

An article written by Kevin Lafferty, a USGS scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, that uses Flegr’s results. In “Can the common brain parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, influence human culture?” Lafferty speculates that the personality profiles resulting from toxoplasmosis, with increased feminine qualities in women and more masculine ones in men may explain “greater differentiation of sex roles” in countries with rigid gender norms. The relationship between toxoplasmosis and the common personality profiles of a population may explain some aspects of the “personality” of a culture, in particular gender roles and expectations

T. gondii has changed entire cultures. The countries with the highest infection rates have similar traits. An example woman both in Brazil and in France are known for their attractiveness to men. Both countries have 80-90% infection rates.

Most all motorcycle riders are infected with T. gondii. It increases men taking risks. Most risky drivers are infected with T. gondii. Risky behaviors are associated with T. gondii infection.

Author’s Concern

My concern is given the above is true and the known T. gondii changes behavior, could T. gondii’s DNA be modified to produce specific behaviors for people? Who would Know? Who decides what behaviors? If Top Secret – No one would know… The “Need to Know” basis of security would provide unlimited possibilities… The program would be in plain sight..! Hidden in bureaucracy of the clever leader.

An example is a simple bacteria like E. coli are manipulated to produce substances like human interferon, human insulin, and human growth hormone so that they are easily harvested in vast quantities for use in medicine. Bacteria have also been modified to produce all sorts of other chemicals and enzymes.

Since the 1980’s insulin has been produced from the common bacteria E. coli that can kill people, or make them sick. Prior to 1980, insulin for diabetics came from pigs and was very expensive.

Scientist added to the genes in a normal E. coli bacterium, the human gene that produces human insulin. Once the gene was in place, the normal cellular machinery produced it just like any other enzyme.

The trick, then, is in getting the new gene into the bacteria. The easiest way is to splice the gene into a plasmid — a small ring of DNA that bacteria often pass to one another in a primitive form of sex. A new strain of insulin-producing E. coli bacteria can be cultured in bulk to create insulin.

DNA carries the instructions for how the body works and one small segment of the DNA, the insulin gene, codes for the protein insulin. The biochemical process depends on basic recombinant DNA techniques and an understanding of the insulin gene. DNA carries the instructions for how the body works and one small segment of the DNA, the insulin gene, codes for the protein insulin.

Given scientist know how to manipulate the DNA structures of cells for specific goals and change human DNA, who will stop this process from occurring to manipulate human behavior with a known parasite that is widespread throughout the world. Who would know? Who would determine the desired characteristics? Who would be accountable?

The author has worked in Top Secret environments and is aware of the “Need to Know” basis of security. It is the foundation of classified activities and policies. Everyone only knows only what they need to know. It does not matter if you have the highest Top Secret security clearance and your fellow worker only has classified “confidential” clearance, your fellow worker cannot share their information with you. This limits the spread of information. Also, should one be captured, it would limit the damages. It makes sense.

However, given the “Need to Know” philosophy, knowing no one knows what you are doing and when you are a leader in charge of “Black-Box” (classified programs) – even congress does not know what they are for “security” reasons, and no one can ask… This is an area of fertile ground for corruption and dangerous activities.

A simple small scale event would be to be aware of known association of a foreign spy who was allowed freedom to do what they wanted to do, being under 24/7 surveillance. When his “usefulness” has “expired,” he is eliminated. There is a desire for no publicity. This happens all of the time. People die “natural deaths.” Scientists and doctors know how to accomplish this.

My concern is with no accountability, who determines who dies? Who would know? It all swept under the blanket of “Top Secret,” needs to know basis.

Consider the possibility of a general involved in a Top Secret Program where they have unlimited funds via the Black Box, no one knows, no one can question, can you imagine the possibilities? My experience and what I know scares me.

Given access to top scientist and the best talents in the world, a leader could achieve unlimited and unimagined possibilities. An example. The U2 spy plane was a Top Secret Project. Yet it was built in plain sight. The process was broken into parts that were miss-labeled and the contractors built the parts to be shipped elsewhere to be assembled.

A general with good intentions with no accountability coupled with unlimited resources – both money and talent could be in charge of unknown possibilities.

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton.

Given the ease a known parasite changes our behaviors and can be manipulated undetected, can this leader be stopped?

Although my book is fiction, it is based on real-world facts and policies. The unknown can be worse than not knowing…

T. Gondii – In the Ocean

Pismo Beach, California is infected with T. gondii.

A sign posted on the Pismo Beach pier indicates T. gondii is present in the ubiquitous pigeon droppings. There are thousands of pigeons around downtown Pismo. Pigeons do carry diseases, which is probably why they have been referred to as flying rats. Ornithosis, encephalitis, Newcastle disease, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and salmonella are just a few of the illnesses spread by contact with pigeon poop and dead pigeons.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)

It is in the ocean! T. gondii affects a wide variety of hosts including threatened southern sea otters which serve as sentinels for the detection of the parasite’s transmission into marine ecosystems.

Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of mortality and contributor to the slow rate of population recovery for southern sea otters in California.

Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of mortality and contributor to the slow rate of population recovery for southern sea otters in California.

T. Gondii What is it?

What is it?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, or T. gondii. It’s a parasite found in raw and undercooked meat; unwashed fruits and vegetables; water; dust; soil; dirty cat-litter boxes; and outdoor places where cat feces can be found. It can be particularly harmful to you and your baby. Pregnant women, be aware!

“How would I know if I have toxoplasmosis?”

Toxoplasmosis can be difficult to detect. However, symptoms typically include: swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. Only 10% of women infected with the parasite have noticeable symptoms – so you could have toxoplasmosis without even being aware that you’re ill. If you do experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor or health-care provider immediately.

Fact: About 85% of pregnant women in the U.S. are at risk of being infected with toxoplasmosis.

(American Journal of Epidemiology)

How could toxoplasmosis affect my baby?

In babies, T. gondii can cause hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness. Some children can develop brain or eye problems years after birth. Children born infected with T. gondii can also require years of special care, including special education and ophthalmology visits. Early identification and treatment of children infected with T. gondii is essential in order to minimize the parasite’s effects.

The normal life cycle for Toxo (T. gondii) is one of these amazing bits of natural history. Toxo can only reproduce sexually in the gut of a cat. It comes out in the cat feces, feces get eaten by rodents. Toxo’s evolutionary challenge at that point is to figure out how to get rodents inside cats’ stomachs. Now it could have done this in really unsubtle ways, such as cripple the rodent or some such thing. Toxo instead has developed this amazing capacity to alter innate behavior in rodents.

Toxoplasmosis is found in humans worldwide, and in many species of animals and birds. Cats are the definitive host of the parasite.

Human infection may result from:

• Blood transfusions or solid organ transplants
• Carelessly handling cat litter, which can lead to accidental consumption of infectious particles
• Eating contaminated soil
• Eating raw or under-cooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef)
• The infection may also be passed from an infected mother to her baby through the placenta.
• Drinking water

Toxoplasmosis also affects people who have weakened immune systems.

Tests to determine infection or to find cysts related to this infection:

Antibody titers for toxoplasmosis

• Cranial CT scan
• MRI of head
• Slit lamp exam
• Brain biopsy
• Serological tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histological demonstration of the parasite and/or its antigens (i.e. immunoperoxidase stain), or isolation of the organism.

T. Gondii

Recent studies have suggested that Toxoplasma gondii is able to effect behavioral change in humans just like it does in mice! It is proposed that this parasite influences human culture when parasitizing the brain. According to Kevin Lafferty, a USGS scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, people infected with T. gondii experience a wide range of long term personality changes.

T. gondii infects all warm-blooded animals, including sea mammals… Morro Bay in California has the highest death rate for sea lions. All are infected with T. gondii. Morro Bay dumps their sewer water offshore… T. gondii is not eradicated by most treated sewer plants. It is expensive to treat.