Fanboys are gonna (rightfully) talk shit about how Apple is so far behind the competition when it comes to AI, but aside from that, Apple announced some solid updates this year. Here are some of the things that I'm personally looking forward to.

iOS

• Liquid Design
  • Clear Mode — As someone who has spent an embarrassing amount of time customizing his home screen, I love the idea of optionally switching my icons to Clear.
• Games app — I like the theory that Apple could separate games from the App Store for the purpose of offering a different revenue share for app developers.
• Music app
  • Pinned Playlists — FINALLY. It's always been a pain in the ass to find the right playlist or radio station in the Music app while I'm driving.
• Messages
  • Chat Backgrounds
  • Chat Polls
  • Message Screening — YES. So tired of all the spammy texts, especially during election season.
  • Group Chat Type Indicators
  • Photo Previews — Setting for the Messages app to only send a lower-quality preview of a photo while an iPhone is in Low Data Mode. The full photo will be sent later.
• Clock
  • Snooze Customization — FINALLY.
• Phone
  • Call Screening
  • Hold Assist
• Wallet
  • Order Tracking
  • Flight Tracking
• AirPods
  • Pause-on-Sleep — Nice addition for someone who often falls asleep to podcasts when flying.
• Third-Party Apple Intelligence — BIG ONE. I am desperately hoping social media apps will offer AI-powered smart filters, so I can set up things like, "mute all political posts made by this person".
• Battery Time-to-Charge — FINALLY. Love this for travel.

watchOS

• Wrist Flick Gesture
• Third-Party Control Center Buttons

tvOS

• Profiles on Load — YES. No more dealing with my parents accidentally watching stuff under my Apple TV profile and ruining my watchlist.

macOS

• Spotlight
  • Clipboard History — FINALLY.
  • Intelligent Actions — AWESOME for power users. I've never been a huge Alfred, Keyboard Maestro, or Raycast user, but this offers just enough functionality that I can see myself getting into this.
• Continuity
  • Live Activity
  • Phone app
• Folder Icon Customization

visionOS

• Placement Persistence
  • Widgets — YES. Big improvement to make my surroundings feel more like my very own digital space.
• Spatial Scenes — This is INCREDIBLE. Photos of my beloved dog look ridiculously realistic now.
• Shared Experiences with other AVP users
• Improved Personas
• Jupiter environment
• Unlock iPhone — YES. Now just need iPhone Mirroring.
• Folders — Finally getting around to some of the basics.
• Look-to-Scroll

iPadOS

• Windows Multitasking — FINALLY. I personally won't be using this that much but this bodes extremely well for the iPad's future.
• Open With… — Definitely feeling more like a desktop computer.
• Preview app

Hey ChatGPT, based on the history of other countries that were taken over by a dictatorship, what are the red flags that I should watch out for that should signal me that it is time to flee the United States? (I am Filipino-American born here in the U.S.)

1. Erosion of Democratic Norms and Institutions

• Packing courts with loyalists or discrediting the judiciary.
• Undermining checks and balances — executive branch assuming more powers unilaterally.
• Refusing to accept election results or claiming fraud without evidence.

Historical Examples:

• Germany (1930s) – Hitler rose through elections but then used the Reichstag Fire to justify the Enabling Act, which gave him dictatorial powers. He dissolved democratic institutions while maintaining a façade of legality.

• Hungary (2010s–present) – Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party systematically rewrote the constitution, captured courts, and gerrymandered elections to consolidate power while keeping democratic branding.

• Turkey (2016–present) – After a failed coup, Erdoğan used emergency powers to purge civil servants, jail judges, and restructure government institutions to centralize authority under the presidency.

2. Demonization of Minorities and Dissenters

• Targeting racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+, immigrant, or religious minorities through laws or rhetoric.
• Encouraging violence or hatred against specific groups.
• Labeling critics as “enemies of the people,” “traitors,” or part of a conspiracy.

Historical Examples:

• Nazi Germany – Jews were scapegoated for Germany’s economic and political problems. The Nuremberg Laws institutionalized anti-Semitism and laid the foundation for genocide.

• Rwanda (1994) – Hutu extremists dehumanized the Tutsi minority through radio broadcasts and propaganda, calling them “cockroaches,” paving the way for a genocide.

• Myanmar (2017–present) – The Rohingya Muslim minority was labeled illegal immigrants and terrorists by both military and government, resulting in mass killings and displacement.

• U.S. (post-9/11 & beyond) – Muslim, Arab, and Sikh communities were surveilled, detained, or harassed. While not a dictatorship, this shows how fear can be used to justify eroding civil liberties.

3. Control or Manipulation of the Media

• Discrediting independent journalism as “fake news.”
• Centralizing media ownership or coercing it through threats, lawsuits, or laws.
• Cutting access to public information or internet services.

Historical Examples:

• Russia (2000s–present) – Putin gradually brought independent TV and newspapers under state control. Investigative journalists like Anna Politkovskaya were murdered; dissenting media are now labeled "foreign agents."

• Philippines (1972–1986) – Marcos declared Martial Law and shut down all independent media, including ABS-CBN, using state-controlled media to spread propaganda.

• China (1949–present) – The Communist Party maintains strict control over media, censors the internet, and punishes unauthorized journalism or social media posts critical of the regime.

4. Use of the Military or Paramilitary Forces Against Civilians

• Military presence in civilian matters or crackdowns on protests.
• Encouraging vigilante groups or militias to enforce order.
• Declaring states of emergency repeatedly.

Historical Examples:

• Chile (1973–1990) – After a U.S.-backed coup, Augusto Pinochet used the military to suppress dissent, torture political opponents, and enforce curfews under a police state.

• Iran (2022–present) – The regime has used the Revolutionary Guard and Basij paramilitary to crack down violently on women-led protests against mandatory hijab laws.

• United States (2020) – While not a dictatorship, the deployment of unmarked federal agents in Portland and military rhetoric during protests raised red flags for civil liberties advocates.

5. Suppression of Civil Liberties

• Restricting the right to protest or assemble.
• Criminalizing dissent, criticism, or opposition through vague “security” laws.
• Policing thought, language, or personal expression.

Historical Examples:

• East Germany (1949–1990) – The Stasi secret police monitored millions of citizens, encouraging neighbors to spy on each other. Travel and expression were heavily restricted.

• Thailand (2014–present) – After a military coup, civil liberties were suspended. Criticism of the monarchy is criminalized under strict lèse majesté laws.

• Egypt (post-2013) – After the ousting of Morsi, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi banned protests, jailed thousands of political dissidents, and restricted speech under anti-terror laws.

6. Legal or Extra-legal Persecution of Political Opponents

• Arrests, harassment, or assassination of journalists, lawyers, or opposition figures.
• Use of courts to ban parties or candidates.

Historical Examples:

• Russia (2000s–present) – Opposition leaders like Boris Nemtsov were murdered; others like Alexei Navalny were imprisoned, poisoned, or barred from running for office.

• Zimbabwe (1980s–2000s) – Robert Mugabe’s regime used police and courts to intimidate and arrest opposition party members, and used election violence to stay in power.

• Turkey (post-2016) – Thousands of academics, teachers, judges, and opposition politicians were jailed or fired under accusations of supporting terrorism or the coup.

7. Normalization of Corruption and Impunity

• High-level corruption without consequences.
• Leaders claiming they alone can "fix" the country while enriching themselves or allies.

Historical Examples:

• Philippines (Marcos Era) – The Marcos family amassed billions in stolen wealth while basic services collapsed. Crony capitalism flourished under Martial Law.

• Mexico (PRI rule, 1929–2000) – One-party rule enabled deep systemic corruption; elections were often rigged, and dissent bought off or crushed.

• Brazil (20th century, various military juntas) – The military government enriched elites and corporations while using repression to control the public.

8. Undermining or Cancelling Future Elections

• Delaying elections under dubious pretexts (e.g., "security" or "fraud").
• Changing rules to eliminate term limits or disqualify opponents.
• Claiming power must be “protected” from “subversive” elements.

Historical Examples:

• Venezuela (1999–present) – Chávez and then Maduro used courts and electoral councils to change rules, disqualify opposition candidates, delay elections, and hold sham votes.

• Nazi Germany (1933–1934) – Hitler used emergency powers to eliminate elections, outlaw opposition parties, and become Führer after Hindenburg’s death.

• Uganda (1986–present) – Yoweri Museveni changed the constitution multiple times to remove term limits and age caps, using security forces to suppress opposition.

When to Seriously Consider Leaving

It’s time to consider fleeing when:

• Civil rights are disappearing and opposition figures are jailed or disappearing.
• You or your community are being targeted by laws, violence, or rhetoric — especially if scapegoating intensifies.
• International watchdogs (like Freedom House or Amnesty International) start sounding serious alarms and foreign embassies issue alerts.
• You are no longer able to speak, work, move, or travel freely without fear.
• You notice borders tightening — it becomes harder to emigrate or to send money or documents abroad.

Additional Resources:

Books:

• "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder
• "How Democracies Die" by Levitsky & Ziblatt

Trackers to watch:

• Freedom House: freedomhouse.org
• Democracy Index by The Economist
• Reporters Without Borders (for press freedom)

If you're concerned about these developments, it's not paranoid — it’s prudent. Many people who have fled authoritarian regimes wish they'd acted sooner. Just having a contingency plan, passport, and an international support network is wise.

Hi, Jen! You're in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now!?!

Mister Kogi. Buddy. Buttmunch. My silly, smelly little Kogi Bear. 10 years is so long yet so short. You filled my home and my heart with a lifetime of love and memories. Yet, it feels like just yesterday that I was still counting down the days until I could finally bring you home. You've crossed the rainbow bridge now, but your little paw prints on my heart will be a part of me forever.

I remember the day I brought you home. Truth be told, I told Mark about you but kept you a secret from my parents. When my dad found out, he told me that he doesn't want a dog. I told him, "Fuck you Dad, I do what I want!" (Not really) But the day I brought you home, literally all it took was just one look and you won him over instantly. In that exact moment, you wiggled your little puppy face into his heart and turned my dad into your Lolo. He didn't stand a chance.

In no time, you became the glue for the family. We used to always just do our own things, but with you joining as the youngest family member, everyone had their hand in raising you. Lolo would teach you how to catch tennis balls and food with your mouth. Lola would feed you every morning and clean up whenever you had diarrhea. (Man, do you remember that one week??) Mark would play fetch with you and eventually introduce you to your favorite treat — baby carrots.

For me, well, you became my everything.

From that first day onward, it wasn't just about me taking a crash course in being a dog parent — it was a crash course on figuring out your weird-ass quirks.

I never told you this to your face, Kogi, but you are by far the weirdest eater I've ever known. For whatever reason, I had the hardest time getting you to eat as a puppy. I eventually threw in a tennis ball to turn dinner into a game. Next thing I know, that became your thing for the rest of your life. Dinner time = slowest-game-of-fetch-ever time. One toss = one bite. That's not normal, Buttmunch. But you always cherished it…and so did I.

Also, I'm 100% sure I’ll never find someone so eager to lick the meat-sweats off my bald head the way you did. You always did it so passionately, with your eyes closed so tight, like the ending of a love story.

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if that was your love language or because you thought that was mine. To be honest, it's not my thing...and my bald head has smelled like your breath for the past 10 years straight. But you always cherished it…and so did I.

You had this really weird love-hate relationship with back rubs too, Kogi Bear. Every morning or mid-afternoon while you were barely awake, I would rub your back and watch you squirm all over the bed, purring like a kitten for a solid minute…and then you'd suddenly roll over, stand up, and shake it off like, "No! I hate this! You stress me out!" Don't lie, you know you loved it…and so did I.

Oh hey, do you remember your first week home? I think it was your fifth day, I was messing around with my friend's Google Glass while you were sniffing around. This was the moment I learned your signal for going potty. I'm sorry I flipped you over mid-poop and then dropped you as I tried to catch your turd. But hey, we managed to keep that poop off the carpet! High five, buddy! It's all about developing team chemistry right from the beginning.

Do you remember the time I took you to the dog park and you were supposed to be my wingman? You were supposed to go up to those two Asian girls and lead them to me. Instead, you ran up to them, started snorting / reverse-sneezing for a full minute, and then came running back to me. Not exactly the smoothest move but who am I to judge? You're the one with the ability to go up to any woman and just kiss them on the mouth without getting a restraining order.

Looking back at all our cherished memories, I realize how you taught me so much about living in the moment. You taught me to find joy in the simplest, everyday things. Every single time I took you on the same walks on the same few routes, you would always take the time to sniff every freakin' bush and blade of grass like you've never sniffed them before in your life. Every single walk for you was like a brand new book that you had to take your sweet time to read, from beginning to end. You always cherished those simple moments…and because of you, so did I.

Our walks together were your most favorite thing in the world. I promise to keep going on our daily walks for you, Kogi, with your collar in my hand, and your joyful sense of curiosity in my heart.

While your presence will be felt on every walk, there are so many things I will miss without you:

• I will miss seeing you napping in my bed and my bean bag chair while I work.

• I will miss you waking me up every weekend, getting clingier and clingier until I finally got out of bed.

• I will miss our mid-day weekend naps together.

• I will miss holding your hind leg while you pee so you don't step in your own puddle.

• I will miss your ears perking up and you barking every time I say, "Who's that??"

• I will miss you guarding me with your life while I'm sitting on the toilet.

• I will miss hearing you running up and down the hallway frantically when you were playing fetch with Mark.

• I will miss hearing your high-pitched "Hey, get me the fucking ball" bark whenever it rolled under the couch.

• I will miss the sound of you walking up to me and dropping your favorite stuff animals at my feet when you wanted to play. And when I didn't respond to you immediately, you would sit there patiently and politely, like the goodest boy ever.

• I will miss you sprawling all over my packed clothes whenever you noticed me packing up for a trip.

• I will miss rolling up your favorite toys in my blanket and watching you spend 10 minutes straight trying to dig them out. You're so cute when you're tired, lol.

• I will miss you chasing me around the house whenever I have a fresh handful of baby carrots in my hand every night.

• I will miss all my days beginning and ending with you, your cuddles, and your big fat sloppy kisses.

The paw prints you left on my heart will never fade, and for that, all I can feel is gratitude.

Thank you for teaching me patience.

Thank you for teaching me to live in the moment and to find joy in the simplest things in life.

Most of all, thank you for teaching me unconditional love. You were my #1 from Day 1. And you made sure I knew, every single day, that I was yours too.

Although our time together came to a sudden end, I am at peace knowing I was able to be there with you, talking to you, and comforting you, face-to-face, right up until the moment passed. You were always there for me. I was always there for you.

Whenever my time on this earth is supposed to come, I look forward to waking up in a grass field and seeing you running to me in slow motion. I promise you an eternity of long walks, games of fetch, back rubs, baby carrots, and all the bacon-licious meat-sweats on my head for you to lick as much as you want. Until then…

Aloha for now, Mister Kogi. My goodest boy. And my bestest friend.

Forever and Always,
Mel

I take all information — especially in this political climate — with a grain of salt. So when people are hyping up or advocating against something like keto, the only thing you can do is try it for yourself and see what works for you.

With keto, not only did I lose 58 lbs, but I reversed my fatty liver and lowered my triglycerides from 169 to 69.

Sorry Jillian, I trust my blood test results — keto works.