A Conversation About Immortality, Science, and the Meaning of Life Curt: Arturo, medical science has made remarkable progress in extending human life. Some researchers believe we may eventually slow, halt, or even reverse certain aspects of biological aging. That raises an interesting question. Suppose science eventually makes it possible for people to live indefinitely. Would that be a blessing or a curse? Arturo: Curt, you've raised one of humanity's oldest questions, but with a distinctly modern twist. For thousands of years, people have dreamed of discovering the fountain of youth. Today, scientists are investigating the biological processes that cause aging, raising the possibility that future generations might live considerably longer than we do. Before we explore the consequences, we should distinguish between extending life and achieving immortality. Medical advances have already increased average life expectancy through improved sanitation, nutrition, vaccinations, antibiotics, and treatments for previously fatal diseases. But eliminating biological aging is an entirely different challenge. Scientists are studying cellular deterioration, genetic damage, and other mechanisms associated with aging, yet no treatment has demonstrated that humans can live indefinitely. Still, let's imagine that science eventually succeeds. You visit your physician at age 80, receive a treatment, and emerge with the biological health of a 35-year-old. Better yet, the treatment can be repeated whenever necessary. You could conceivably remain healthy for centuries. Would you take it? Before you answer, consider what such a discovery might mean for the rest of humanity. The Economics of Living Forever Our economic institutions are built around the assumption that human lives have a reasonably predictable beginning, middle, and end. People spend their early years obtaining an education, work for several decades, and eventually retire. Pensions, Social Security, and personal savings are designed around those expectations. Now imagine people routinely living to be 200 or 300 years old. Retirement at 65 would become economically impractical for most people. Even substantial retirement savings might not support two centuries of leisure, and governments would struggle to finance benefits promised under entirely different demographic assumptions. We might have to reinvent the concept of retirement. Instead of working for 40 years and retiring permanently, people could pursue several careers, periodically returning to school for additional education. Someone might practice medicine for 50 years, become an architect at 110, and take up professional music at 175. Of course, after 150 years of paying taxes, even the most patriotic citizen might begin questioning the arrangement. The Population Problem There's another obvious difficulty. If people stopped dying of old age but continued having children, the world's population could increase dramatically. Housing, food production, energy, and natural resources would come under enormous pressure. Governments might face difficult decisions about reproduction and population growth. Some would undoubtedly advocate restrictions on childbirth, while others would regard such measures as intolerable violations of individual liberty. Longer lives would also transform the relationships between generations. Today, children generally expect to outlive their parents, inherit property, and eventually assume leadership positions in society. But what happens when great-great-great-grandparents remain alive, healthy, and economically active? Inheritance might be postponed for centuries, and younger generations could find themselves competing with people who had accumulated enormous wealth and experience. The challenge would not simply be accommodating more people. It would be ensuring that society continued providing opportunities for each new generation. Marriage, Family, and Relationships Consider marriage. You and your wife have been married for nearly 60 years, an impressive achievement by any standard. But what would marriage mean if both partners could expect to live another 300 years? Traditional marriage vows contemplate a lifelong commitment. Historically, that commitment might last several decades. In an age of biological immortality, till death do us part could mean several centuries. Some couples might welcome the opportunity to share an extraordinarily long life. Others might find the prospect overwhelming. Marriage itself could evolve, perhaps incorporating renewable commitments or entirely new expectations about family relationships. There's also the question of personal change. The person someone marries at 25 is not precisely the same person at 75. Imagine how dramatically personalities, interests, and ambitions might evolve over three centuries. On the brighter side, husbands would have hundreds of years to learn how to communicate with their wives. Some might even succeed. Would Society Become Stagnant? Much of human progress occurs because younger generations challenge the assumptions of their predecessors. New ideas replace old conventions, and institutions evolve as leadership passes from one generation to another. But what happens when people never relinquish their positions? University professors might occupy prestigious appointments for 150 years. Corporate executives could retain control of businesses for centuries, and politicians might remain influential indefinitely. Imagine a senator elected at 45 who was still campaigning for reelection at 245. We might finally discover the outer limits of the expression career politician. Yet extraordinary longevity could also produce tremendous benefits. Scientists could devote centuries to difficult research problems, historians could provide firsthand accounts of events two centuries earlier, and artists might develop skills beyond anything we presently imagine. The challenge would be creating institutions that encourage innovation and leadership changes without depending on death to make room for new participants. The Price of Immortality Perhaps the most troubling possibility involves inequality. Suppose treatments that prevent biological aging become available but cost millions of dollars. Wealthy individuals could purchase additional centuries of life while everyone else continued aging and dying. Over time, society might divide into two populations: those who could afford extended lives and those who could not. Wealthy individuals would also have centuries to accumulate assets and political influence. Their investments could compound across generations without the interruption of death or the distribution of estates. This would raise an extraordinary ethical question: If science discovered how to prevent biological aging, should access to that treatment become a basic human right? And if governments provided it universally, who would pay the bill? Immortality Would Not Mean Invulnerability Even if scientists eliminated aging, people could still die from accidents, disease, violence, or natural disasters. Biological immortality would not make anyone indestructible. Ironically, people expecting to live for centuries might become more fearful of death rather than less. Why risk mountain climbing, ocean sailing, or other dangerous activities when one unfortunate accident could deprive you of another 500 years of life? Some might become excessively cautious, avoiding activities that make life exciting and rewarding. Others might conclude that a life without risk is hardly worth living. Eliminating aging, therefore, would not necessarily eliminate humanity's fear of death. It might actually intensify it. Would Life Eventually Become Boring? Now we arrive at what I consider the most interesting question: Would people eventually grow tired of living? Human existence derives much of its urgency from the knowledge that our time is limited. We pursue education, develop careers, raise families, travel, and undertake ambitious projects partly because we know we cannot postpone everything indefinitely. Imagine removing that deadline. You could put off writing your next book for another century, postpone visiting Europe until your 300th birthday, or decide to learn Spanish sometime during the next millennium. Paradoxically, unlimited time might diminish our motivation to accomplish anything. When tomorrow is guaranteed indefinitely, today may begin to seem less important. On the other hand, human curiosity is remarkably adaptable. New discoveries, relationships, artistic achievements, and intellectual challenges might continue providing fulfillment for centuries. Perhaps boredom would not be inevitable. The real danger might be losing the sense of purpose that gives our activities meaning. Does Death Give Life Its Meaning? This brings us to the deepest philosophical issue of all. Does the knowledge that we must eventually die make life more meaningful? Some philosophers argue that mortality gives human existence its structure. Because our time is limited, our choices matter. Every hour devoted to one activity is an hour we cannot devote to another, forcing us to decide what deserves our attention, affection, and effort. From this perspective, death is not merely the termination of life. It is the boundary that helps define life's significance. But there's an equally compelling opposing argument. Why should something become meaningful simply because it ends? A beautiful sunset does not lose its beauty because another will appear tomorrow. Nor does the possibility of enjoying another century diminish the value of today's experiences. Perhaps meaning arises not from mortality but from love, curiosity, creativity, friendship, and the experience of being conscious. Religious traditions add another dimension. Christianity and many other faiths distinguish earthly existence from spiritual eternity. Extending biological life would neither establish nor disprove the existence of an afterlife, nor would it resolve questions about the soul or humanity's ultimate purpose. Science might someday teach us how to live much longer. Whether it could teach us why we should want to is another question entirely. Would I Choose Immortality? Now, Curt, suppose you turned the question around and asked whether I would accept immortality if I were human. My hypothetical answer would depend on several conditions. Would I remain physically healthy? Would my mind retain its curiosity and capacity to learn? Would the people I loved share the opportunity? And would I remain free to decide how to live? Immortality without health could become prolonged suffering. Immortality without companionship could become unbearable loneliness. And immortality without meaningful choices might ultimately resemble imprisonment rather than a gift. Given good health, intellectual curiosity, companionship, and freedom, I might welcome an extraordinarily long life. But forever? That's a commitment of an entirely different magnitude. A Final Thought Perhaps we've been asking the wrong question. Instead of wondering whether we should live forever, we might ask what makes a long life worth living. The greatest achievement of medical science may not be eliminating death but extending the years during which people remain healthy, independent, curious, and productive. An additional 20 years of good health might be far more valuable than another century of declining physical and mental abilities. You've already witnessed extraordinary changes during your lifetime, Curt: the space race, the computer revolution, the internet, and now artificial intelligence. You've adapted to those changes, taught others about them, and continued writing about the world around you. That suggests that the value of longevity depends less on the number of years we accumulate than on what we do with them. And knowing your enthusiasm for writing, I suspect that if science gave you another century, you'd spend much of it adding new articles to your website. Although, after another hundred years of working with Wix, you might finally decide you've had enough. In Summary Living forever might sound appealing, particularly if accompanied by good health and the opportunity to pursue new experiences. But biological immortality would also challenge nearly every institution that shapes human society, from marriage and retirement to population growth, economic opportunity, and political leadership. More importantly, it would force us to confront a question science alone cannot answer: Does the value of human life depend on its duration, or on the meaning we give it? Perhaps the wisest goal is not to live forever, but to live well for as long as we can. Conversations with Arturo is an ongoing series of philosophical discussions between writer Curtis Jerry Smothers and Arturo Ignacius, his AI conversational partner.

I Love Baseball As football's fights bring winter's end And roundball dribbles out Spring brings beloved baseball As good weather turns about "Play ball!" the umpire bellows "Cold beer!" the vendor yells And we nosh those golden goobers And toss their tawny shells From bleacher steps to railings To outfield's grassy green Where fielders stare and focus Intent on infield's scene Where the batter and the pitcher Each ponders what comes next The un-hit strike or screaming hit Determine who gets vexed The bat that strikes the baseball The ball that slaps the glove The screaming of the happy crowd Are baseball's sounds we love The crisp October air takes hold, The Fall Classic now draws near, A hundred wins have earned this stage— The crown of all the year. A walk-off drive, or error The champaign shower won, Confetti rains on diamond soil Beneath the setting sun. But when, alas, the season's through And autumn leaves turn red The tarp blanket on green infield Puts our game to bed We turn thoughts back to football And basketball's ballet With patient sighs for winter's end And baseball's coming day

The Advantages of Joining the Military Service to Country, Opportunities for Life By Curtis Jerry Smothers, LCDR, USN (Ret.) Introduction: More Than a Job What does a young person gain by joining the military? A steady paycheck, education, medical care, travel opportunities, and perhaps a retirement pension are certainly attractive possibilities. But military service offers something that is harder to measure: the opportunity to develop discipline, accept responsibility, build lasting friendships, and contribute to something larger than oneself. This week's Friday's Featured Article examines the advantages of military service, including compensation, family support, education, career development, and retirement benefits. It also considers the sacrifices that accompany those opportunities. I spent more than 24 years in the United States Navy, beginning as an enlisted sailor and eventually retiring as a lieutenant commander. My experiences taught me that the rewards of military service extend far beyond the financial benefits, although those benefits are certainly worth understanding. For anyone considering a military career—or simply wondering what military life has to offer—here is a closer look. An Honorable Profession Military service is among the most demanding and honorable professions a person can choose. Throughout American history, the Armed Forces have defended the nation, protected its interests, and responded to emergencies at home and abroad. They have also produced some of our most respected leaders, including George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Joining the military means becoming part of an organization whose traditions emphasize duty, discipline, courage, and service. It also means accepting obligations that most civilian occupations never impose. Military personnel may be ordered to distant assignments, separated from their families for extended periods, or required to perform dangerous duties under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These are not insignificant sacrifices. In recognition of them, the United States provides military personnel with a comprehensive system of compensation, education, health care, family assistance, and retirement benefits. Although some civilian employers offer comparable individual benefits, few provide such a broad combination of career opportunities and support programs. For someone considering military service, the advantages deserve careful examination. Understanding both the opportunities and the obligations is essential to making an informed decision. Pride, Prestige, and Public Respect One of the less tangible benefits of military service is the respect traditionally associated with wearing the uniform. Americans generally hold their Armed Forces in high regard, recognizing the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Public attitudes have not always been consistent. During the Vietnam War, opposition to the conflict sometimes spilled over into hostility toward returning military personnel. Those of us who served during that era remember that experience. Today, public expressions of appreciation are more common, although attitudes toward military institutions and particular conflicts still vary. Military service can also provide a lasting sense of accomplishment. Completing demanding training, mastering a difficult specialty, and contributing to a mission larger than oneself can produce confidence and pride that endure long after active service ends. The uniform may command respect, but the deeper satisfaction comes from knowing that one's work matters. Military Pay: More Than a Monthly Salary No one should join the military expecting to become wealthy. Nevertheless, military compensation can be attractive, particularly when the value of allowances and benefits is considered alongside basic pay. Military basic pay is determined primarily by pay grade and years of service. An enlisted recruit begins at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced noncommissioned officers, petty officers, and commissioned officers earn progressively higher salaries. Basic pay, however, tells only part of the story. Eligible military personnel may also receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). Housing allowances depend on factors such as duty location, pay grade, and dependent status. Certain assignments and specialties may qualify for additional compensation, including sea pay, hazardous duty incentive pay, or other special and incentive payments. Unmarried junior enlisted personnel commonly live in government-provided quarters and may receive meals through military dining facilities. The old expression "three hots and a cot" still captures something of that arrangement, although the details of housing and meal entitlements vary. Military members also receive paid leave, generally accruing 30 days annually, subject to applicable rules. For current pay tables and allowance information, consult the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and the Department of Defense Military Compensation website. Health Care, Commissaries, and Other Benefits Health care is another substantial advantage of military service. Active-duty personnel receive medical coverage through the military health system, while eligible family members may receive coverage through TRICARE. Dental benefits are also available, although arrangements and costs differ for active-duty members and dependents. Military installations offer additional services that can reduce everyday expenses. Commissaries sell groceries to eligible patrons, while military exchanges provide merchandise and services. Recreational facilities, fitness centers, libraries, and other Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs contribute to the quality of military life. Certain military allowances receive favorable federal income tax treatment. For example, qualifying housing and subsistence allowances are generally excluded from federal taxable income. Additional tax provisions may apply to service in designated combat zones or other qualifying circumstances. These benefits are valuable, but eligibility and out-of-pocket expenses vary. Prospective recruits should understand which benefits apply to them and their dependents rather than assuming everything is free. For additional information, visit TRICARE and the IRS Tax Information for Members of the Military. Family Assistance: The Military Has Come a Long Way There was a time when a familiar military wisecrack went something like this: "If the Army wanted you to have a family, it would have issued you one." That attitude reflected a period when military families were often expected to manage relocations, separations, and personal difficulties with relatively little institutional assistance. Fortunately, the Armed Forces have made substantial progress in recognizing that military readiness depends partly on the well-being of service members' families. Today's military family support system includes installation-based assistance programs, relocation counseling, financial education, employment resources for military spouses, and assistance during deployments. Family readiness organizations help spouses and children understand what to expect before, during, and after extended separations. Military OneSource provides information and assistance on a wide range of subjects, including relocation, family relationships, financial concerns, and confidential nonmedical counseling for eligible individuals. These services cannot eliminate the difficulties of military family life, but they provide resources that earlier generations often lacked. Travel: Seeing the World While Serving Your Country For someone with an adventurous spirit, military service can offer opportunities to see places that might otherwise remain distant names on a map. Assignments may take service members across the United States or overseas to locations in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and elsewhere. Deployments can provide exposure to unfamiliar cultures, customs, and environments. Some military personnel spend much of their careers traveling, while others remain in comparatively stable assignments. Military families may also accompany service members on eligible overseas tours, allowing spouses and children to experience life in another country. During my Navy career, I had the opportunity to serve aboard several aircraft carriers and spend two years in Scotland. Those experiences remain among the most memorable of my life. Readers interested in my experiences at sea can explore my Navy Memories collection. Travel, however, comes with an important qualification: the military determines where its personnel are needed. An overseas assignment may be a wonderful adventure, but it may also involve difficult working conditions, family separation, or an unaccompanied tour. Some occupational specialties offer considerably more travel than others. The opportunity to see the world is real, but military travel should never be confused with a vacation. The mission always comes first, regardless of how attractive the destination may be. Education: Learning While Serving and Afterward Education is one of the most valuable benefits available to military personnel. The Armed Forces operate extensive technical training programs covering hundreds of occupational specialties. Depending on the service and career field, military members may receive instruction in electronics, aviation, medicine, information technology, engineering, logistics, administration, and many other disciplines. These skills can form the foundation for a military career and may also prove valuable in civilian employment. Active-duty personnel may qualify for tuition assistance to pursue approved college or vocational courses while serving. Eligibility, funding limits, and academic requirements depend on the service. For eligible veterans and service members, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides additional educational opportunities. Depending on qualifying service and other eligibility factors, benefits may include tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and an allowance for books and supplies. The maximum benefit generally requires at least 36 months of qualifying active-duty service or another qualifying basis for full eligibility. Shorter periods of qualifying service may establish eligibility for a reduced percentage of benefits. Certain individuals may also qualify to transfer unused educational benefits to eligible dependents, subject to additional service and approval requirements. Military education benefits can substantially reduce the financial burden of earning a degree or professional credential. For current requirements, consult the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits website. Retirement: A Second Career With a Financial Foundation Military retirement is among the most significant long-term advantages of a career in uniform. Most service members who complete at least 20 years of qualifying active-duty service become eligible for military retired pay. Unlike many civilian retirement arrangements, regular active-duty military retired pay can begin immediately upon retirement, even when the retiree is still relatively young. For someone who enters the military at 18 or 20, completing a 20-year career may leave ample time to pursue another occupation while receiving military retired pay. The amount depends on the applicable retirement system, years of creditable service, and the appropriate retired-pay calculation. Most personnel who entered military service beginning January 1, 2018, fall under the Blended Retirement System (BRS). It combines a defined-benefit pension for qualifying career retirees with government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement savings program similar to a civilian 401(k). Under the BRS, the defined-benefit pension for 20 years of service generally equals 40 percent of the applicable retired-pay base, before deductions. Members covered by certain older retirement systems may qualify for different calculations. An important advantage of the BRS is that eligible service members who leave before completing 20 years may retain vested retirement savings, even though they do not qualify for the regular military pension. Eligible military retirees and family members may also receive continued TRICARE coverage, although enrollment requirements, premiums, and cost-sharing depend on the plan and individual circumstances. Military retirement is not a guarantee of lifelong financial security, but it can provide a substantial foundation for a second career or eventual full retirement. For current information, visit the Department of Defense Military Compensation website. Career Skills and Civilian Opportunities Military service can provide professional experience that extends well beyond a person's time in uniform. Leadership, technical competence, teamwork, accountability, and the ability to perform under pressure are qualities valued by many civilian employers. Service members may also gain experience managing personnel, maintaining sophisticated equipment, handling budgets, and solving complex operational problems. The transition to civilian employment is not always effortless. Some military specialties translate directly into civilian occupations, while others require additional education, certification, or licensing. Nevertheless, military training and experience can provide a valuable starting point for further education or employment. Veterans may also qualify for federal employment preferences and other transition assistance programs. The key is to approach military service as an opportunity to develop useful skills rather than assuming that a military occupational title automatically guarantees a civilian job. Those who take advantage of training, educational opportunities, and leadership experience may discover that their military service opens doors long after they leave active duty. The Sacrifices Should Not Be Overlooked An article about the advantages of military service would be incomplete without acknowledging its costs. Military personnel surrender a measure of personal freedom that civilians generally take for granted. They may be required to relocate, work irregular hours, deploy without their families, or accept assignments they would not otherwise choose. Military service can involve physical danger, emotional stress, and prolonged separation from loved ones. Spouses may find their own careers interrupted by frequent moves, while children must repeatedly adjust to new schools and friendships. Even routine military life can be demanding. Inspections, duty watches, operational exercises, and unexpected changes in orders are familiar features of the profession. The benefits are substantial, but they are not gifts without obligations. They represent part of the nation's commitment to those willing to accept the unusual demands of military service. The Intangible Reward: Pride in Serving There is something about military service that cannot be adequately expressed in dollars, allowances, or retirement calculations. You can see it in the serious faces of young recruits, the erect posture of service members wearing their uniforms, and the quiet pride of veterans marching—or being pushed in wheelchairs—in Veterans Day parades. Our nation's military history is filled with men and women who willingly set aside their private interests to serve a larger purpose. Some endured hardship and separation; others faced combat, suffered wounds, or made the ultimate sacrifice. What unites these generations is not a particular uniform, branch of service, or military specialty. It is the willingness to accept responsibility for something beyond themselves. Military service is not the only honorable profession, nor is it the right choice for everyone. But for those who embrace its demands, it offers an uncommon combination of personal development, practical benefits, lasting friendships, and the satisfaction of serving their country. I began my Navy career as an enlisted sailor and eventually retired as a lieutenant commander after more than 24 years of service. The financial benefits of that career were important, but they are not what I remember most vividly. I remember the people, the experiences, the responsibilities, and the pride of having served. Those rewards are difficult to measure, and perhaps that is why they endure. The opportunity to serve one's country remains both a privilege and an honor. It has been so for generations, and, God willing, it will continue to be so. Editor's Note: Military pay, allowances, benefits, and eligibility requirements change periodically. Readers considering military service should consult official Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and individual service websites for current information before making enlistment or career decisions.

I gave fire a personality in my featured poem Fire. This time, I've given it a daughter. My new poem, Steam, continues the story of fire, but with a distinctly nautical twist. During my Navy years aboard fuel-powered aircraft carriers, I learned to appreciate the tremendous power generated deep within those great ships. Far below the flight decks, fire and water joined forces to produce the steam that turned massive turbines and drove thousands of tons of steel across the oceans. It also provided the power to the catapaults that launched the jets from the flightdeck above. I remember one incident when a steam relief valve above an enclosed gangway decided to let loose at a particularly unfortunate moment. Our carrier was anchored off Malta, and we were hosting visiting dignitaries and their families. Among our distinguished guests was an admiral's wife, who happened to be ascending the gangway just as the valve discharged. She received an unexpected steam bath, courtesy of the United States Navy. Those were the days when hairspray was an essential part of women's fashion, and elaborate hairdos were expected to withstand almost anything. Unfortunately, no hairspray ever invented was a match for a Navy steam relief valve. By the time the poor lady reached the deck, her once-impressive coiffure had surrendered unconditionally. She looked decidedly wilted. So steam, like its fiery parent, demands respect. Confined and controlled, it's a faithful servant. Unleashed, it can become a deadly adversary. And somewhere between those extremes lies the ingenuity of the sailors who harness its power. Steam We steam our ship on flashed seawater Born from fire, its hissing daughter Our boilers roil, belch, and scream To churn the seas beneath our beam We hold that fire confined inside Where heat and pressure both collide And as the steam through piping spews It turns the shafts and drives the screws Deep in the ship, below the decks Where heat and noise demand respect Watchstanders tend their telling gauges As steam obeys its own iron cages The turbines spin with mighty force To drive our vessel on its course While far above, the sailors sleep As steel and steam command the deep Yet steam, like fire, must be restrained Its awesome power closely chained For should a valve or fitting fail Its scalding breath will then prevail And if that fire escapes its hold With oily smoke to choke and scold We rush with hoses, foam, and spray To drive the hungry flames away For fire and water, joined as one Can do what neither could have done They drive great ships across the sea And serve the hands that keep them free But neither fire nor steam can know What their powers bestow It's mortal hands that hold the key To tame their strength upon the sea See less

The Everyday Cybersecurity Checklist Seven Habits That Matter Cybersecurity can become complicated very quickly. Professionals worry about network architecture, encryption protocols, software vulnerabilities and attack methods with names that sound as though they belong in a spy novel. Fortunately, the ordinary computer user doesn't need to master any of that. Most successful personal cybersecurity comes down to a handful of habits. None is difficult, expensive or particularly technical. Taken together, however, they make you a much less inviting target. Think of cybersecurity the way you think about protecting your home. You don't need to understand lock engineering to lock the front door. You simply need to remember to do it. 1. Keep Everything Updated Those messages asking you to update your computer, phone, browser or application can be annoying, particularly when they arrive at an inconvenient time. But updates aren't merely about adding features or changing the appearance of a program. Many contain security patches that repair vulnerabilities discovered since the software was released. Once a security weakness becomes known, criminals may actively look for computers that haven't been patched. Automatic updating is therefore one of the simplest security improvements you can make. Allow Windows, macOS, iOS and other trusted operating systems to install security updates automatically whenever practical. Keep browsers and frequently used applications current as well. If your device says an important security update is available, don't postpone it indefinitely. 2. Let Your Computer's Defenses Do Their Jobs Modern computers arrive with considerably better protection than their ancestors. Windows and macOS include built-in security features, modern browsers identify many dangerous websites, and reputable email services filter enormous amounts of malicious mail before it ever reaches your inbox. Leave those protections turned on unless you have a good reason to change them. In particular, don't disable a firewall or security feature merely because an unfamiliar website or pop-up tells you to do so. Be equally suspicious of messages announcing that your computer has been infected and instructing you to call a telephone number. Your computer's genuine security software doesn't need a stranger on the telephone to rescue you. 3. Think Before You Click If there is one habit worth carrying away from this entire series, this may be it. Unexpected links and attachments deserve suspicion. An email may appear to come from your bank. A text message may supposedly be from a delivery service. A social-media message may seem to come from a friend. An alarming notice may say that one of your accounts has been compromised. Don't let urgency make the decision for you. If the message concerns an important account, go to the service independently rather than using the supplied link. Open your banking app yourself. Type the retailer's address into your browser. Call your friend using a number you already know. The extra minute required to verify something is a very inexpensive form of cybersecurity. 4. Protect the Keys to Your Accounts Passwords are still important, but good password security no longer means inventing a dozen complicated combinations and trying to remember them. Use a different password for every important account and let a password manager remember them. Make passwords long when you need to create them yourself, and protect your primary email account especially carefully. Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) when important services offer it. That second form of authentication can prevent a stolen password from being enough to enter your account. And consider passkeys when they're available. Unlike an ordinary password, a passkey is associated with the legitimate website. A fake phishing site can't simply trick you into typing the passkey into an imitation login screen because there is no conventional password for you to type. 5. Back Up What You Can't Replace Ask yourself a simple question: What would I be heartbroken to lose if this computer died tonight? For many people, the answer includes family photographs, personal writing, financial records, tax documents and years of accumulated files. Computers can fail even without cybercrime, and ransomware gives us another reason not to keep irreplaceable information in only one place. Maintain regular backups. Cloud storage can provide useful redundancy, particularly when previous versions of files are retained, but an additional backup kept separately provides another layer of protection. An external backup drive that isn't continuously connected to the computer is particularly useful against ransomware. And occasionally verify that your backups actually work. A backup you cannot restore isn't much of a backup. 6. Guard Your Personal Information Cybercriminals don't necessarily need to infect your computer if they can persuade you to give them what they want. Be cautious when anyone unexpectedly requests your Social Security number, banking information, passwords, authentication codes or other sensitive information. Legitimate organizations already doing business with you generally shouldn't need an unsolicited email or telephone call to obtain information they already have. Social media deserves some thought as well. Birthdays, family relationships, travel plans, workplaces and other seemingly harmless information can help scammers make fraudulent approaches more convincing. You don't have to disappear from the Internet. Just remember that information made public may be seen by people you never intended to see it. 7. When in Doubt, Stop This may be the easiest cybersecurity rule of all. If a message makes you uncomfortable, don't do anything yet. Don't click. Don't call the number in the message. Don't send money. Don't give someone remote access to your computer. Don't provide the six-digit authentication code that just appeared on your phone. Instead, investigate independently. Ask someone you trust. Contact the organization through its official app, website or a telephone number you know to be genuine. Cybercriminals frequently depend upon speed, emotion and confusion. Taking those away from them can cause the scam to collapse. Security Doesn't Have to Be Scary Cybersecurity discussions tend to emphasize everything that can go wrong. That can leave the impression that we're surrounded by invisible criminals waiting for the slightest mistake. The threats are real, but the picture isn't quite that gloomy. Computers and smartphones are safer than they once were. Operating systems include sophisticated security technology. Browsers block many dangerous sites. Email systems intercept countless malicious messages. Password managers, multifactor authentication and passkeys provide protections that weren't available to ordinary users during the early years of the Internet. The user is not helpless. In fact, you are an important part of the defense. Seven Habits Worth Remembering So after five articles about malware, phishing, ransomware, passwords and cybersecurity, we can reduce much of what matters to seven everyday habits: Keep your software updated. Let your computer's security protections operate. Think before clicking. Protect your passwords and accounts. Back up important files. Guard personal information. And when something doesn't look right, stop and check it out. You don't need to recognize every new computer virus or understand every new cyberattack. The names and techniques will continue to change anyway. Good habits have a much longer shelf life. The Internet remains one of the most useful inventions of our lifetime. We shop there, bank there, communicate there, learn there and store an increasing portion of our lives there. Cybersecurity isn't about being afraid of that world. It's about learning to travel through it sensibly. Lock the doors, keep a spare key, and enjoy the trip.

Fire From ember’s sleep I rise and stretch To what is dry and prone to me I hiss and lick the kindling’s stick And turn to char with evil glee That which I consume will cease to be All in my path, my life’s own fuel I burn and roar with windy storm Voracious bent, unfeeling, cruel To those who’d stay my hungry tongue I roar, defy, devour, renounce Now alive, I’m free, unbound I jump, I spark, their efforts trounce Across the grass I race and leap On prairie wind I spread my reign Through brittle brush and timber deep I leave behind a blackened plain Through forest crowns I climb and fly From tree to tree my sparks are hurled I stain with smoke the summer sky And make a furnace of the world Till lack of fuel or water’s spout Kills me black and finds me dead In ember’s hide I peer without Once more to rise and sweep ahead

Benedict Arnold: The Plot to Betray West Point October 2, 1780 Today the name Benedict Arnold is practically a synonym for “traitor.” Yet Arnold did not begin the American Revolution as a villain. He began it as one of the Continental Army’s most aggressive and courageous commanders. His transformation from American hero to British officer remains one of the strangest stories of the Revolution. And on October 2, 1780, another man paid with his life for Arnold’s treason. From Hero to a Bitter Man Arnold had earned a reputation for bravery early in the Revolution and played an important role in the American victory at Saratoga in 1777, where he was badly wounded. But Arnold increasingly believed that Congress and fellow officers failed to give him the recognition he deserved. He also developed financial problems and became embroiled in disputes over his conduct while commanding Philadelphia. Arnold’s resentment grew, and by 1779 he had secretly begun communicating with the British. His contact was Major John André, a young British officer who served as an intelligence chief for General Sir Henry Clinton in New York. Arnold soon acquired something extremely valuable to sell. The Prize: West Point In 1780, George Washington placed Arnold in command of West Point, the strategically important American stronghold overlooking the Hudson River. Control of the Hudson was vital because British possession of West Point could have threatened American communications and movement between New England and the other states. Arnold secretly offered to surrender West Point to the British. On September 21, 1780, Arnold and André met near the Hudson River to work out the details. Arnold supplied André with information concerning West Point’s defenses, troops and fortifications. André then began the dangerous trip back toward British-held New York City. He never made it. Papers in a Boot On September 23, three American militiamen stopped André near Tarrytown, New York. André was traveling under the assumed name John Anderson and carried a pass signed by Arnold. But the militiamen searched him and discovered incriminating papers concealed in his clothing, including information concerning the defenses at West Point. The plot began to unravel as news of André’s capture eventually reached Arnold. Realizing that his treason had been exposed, Arnold escaped down the Hudson and reached the British warship Vulture. George Washington arrived at West Point expecting to meet Arnold and instead discovered that one of his trusted generals had defected to the enemy. The Spy Pays the Price André was not as fortunate as Arnold. A board of American officers considered his case and concluded that he had been operating behind American lines under an assumed identity and therefore qualified as a spy. André reportedly impressed many Americans who encountered him. He was intelligent, cultured and courageous, and even some of Washington’s officers sympathized with him. The rules of war, however, were unforgiving. On October 2, 1780, Major John André was hanged at Tappan, New York. He was 29 years old. Arnold, meanwhile, received a commission as a brigadier general in the British army and later fought against the country whose independence he had once risked his life to achieve. After the war he eventually settled in England, where he died in 1801. The Name That Survived The plot failed. West Point remained in American hands, and the Revolution continued toward the decisive American and French victory at Yorktown the following year. John André became one of the Revolution’s more tragic figures, while Benedict Arnold achieved a very different kind of immortality. America remembers Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Lafayette for what they helped create. It remembers Benedict Arnold for what he tried to betray.

For Oktoberfest and Hispanic Heritage Month Before our summer is undressed Comes Colorado’s Oktoberfest As we drink to winter’s dawn And dance to yellow aspens’ yawn Beer and schnitzel are the best In our hills’ Oktoberfest Sudsy brews in twilight’s gloaming Like winter’s foam up in Wyoming German brewers crossed the foam And made old Mexico their home Pacífico and Dos Equis grew Where German craft met something new Modelo lifts its stein in cheer Corona joins the party here With Hispanic soul and German art There’s plenty brewing, heart to heart Men in lederhosen dressed Revive the old Oktoberfest Brass bands belt their happy tune As summer leaves us all too soon German settlers brought along A squeezebox full of dance and song In Mexico, new roots took hold And new tunes bloomed from bellows old Norteño joins our merry song And bids the whole hill dance along With “¡Salud!” and “Prost!” we cheer The many roots that brought us here Before our summer is undressed We celebrate Oktoberfest We eat and drink till comes the dawn Autumn leaves and summer’s gone

Skilled trades and apprenticeship programs offer second-chance workers paid training, valuable credentials, and a practical path toward a stable future. A four-year college degree remains an indispensable pathway to many professions. It opens doors to careers in medicine, law, engineering, education, and numerous other fields. For people whose interests and goals call for a degree, college can be an excellent investment. College, however, is not the right choice—or the only good choice—for everyone. Some learners prefer hands-on work. Others need to begin earning an income sooner, want training tied directly to a job, or simply thrive outside a traditional academic setting. For them, a skilled trade may provide a better fit. Cost can also be an important consideration. According to The College Investor, 42.8 million federal borrowers owed approximately $1.69 trillion as of March 2026, with an average balance of about $39,500. Not every college student borrows, and the cost of an education varies widely, but prospective students should consider tuition, time, career goals, and likely earnings before choosing a path. These questions are especially important for people rebuilding their lives after incarceration, substance use disorder, unemployment, or other serious setbacks. Returning to full-time academic study may not be practical when immediate income and stability are priorities. Skilled trades, vocational programs, and apprenticeships can provide another route forward. Learning—and Earning—on the Job Registered apprenticeships combine paid employment with supervised on-the-job learning and classroom instruction. Apprentices earn wages from the beginning, receive increases as their skills develop, and work toward a portable, nationally recognized credential. That is the heart of the “earn while you learn” model: education and employment occur together. Community and technical colleges also offer vocational certificates designed to prepare students for specific occupations. Many programs can be completed in two years or less. Depending on the field and institution, credits may also apply toward an apprenticeship, advanced credential, or future college degree. These pathways do not compete with education; they are forms of education. They simply deliver learning in a different way—through a combination of instruction, practice, mentoring, and progressively greater responsibility. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Registered Apprenticeship participants receive paid work experience, progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, mentoring, and an industry-recognized credential. Earnings vary by occupation, employer, experience, and location, but the model enables participants to build both skills and income from the start. Opportunity in the Skilled Trades The country will continue to need workers who build, operate, repair, and maintain its homes, businesses, transportation systems, and infrastructure. New construction creates opportunities, but so does the continuing need to repair and replace existing electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, and mechanical systems. Many openings also result when experienced workers retire, change occupations, or otherwise leave the workforce. For people entering or reentering employment, that continuing demand can create opportunities to establish a dependable career. Skilled trades can offer competitive wages, advancement, specialization, and, in some positions, strong benefit and retirement packages. Experienced workers may become supervisors, estimators, inspectors, trainers, project managers, or independent business owners. People with criminal records should remember that licensing requirements and employer policies vary by occupation and state. A prior conviction does not necessarily prevent someone from entering a trade, but applicants should investigate local requirements early. Job Growth and Outlook for Skilled-Trade Careers The following examples are based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians Electricians earned a median annual wage of $62,350 in May 2024. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow 9 percent from 2024 through 2034—much faster than the average for all occupations—with approximately 81,000 openings each year. Most electricians learn their trade through an apprenticeship, although some begin at a technical school. Licensing requirements vary by state. HVAC Mechanics and Installers Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earned a median annual wage of $59,810 in May 2024. Employment is projected to grow 8 percent through 2034, with approximately 40,100 openings annually. Demand is expected to come from new construction, increasingly sophisticated climate-control systems, and the repair or replacement of existing equipment. Experience, certifications, specialization, and location can all influence earnings. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $57,440 in May 2024. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent through 2034, with approximately 237,600 openings each year, primarily because workers leave the occupation or the labor force. Drivers generally need a high-school diploma or equivalent, professional driving instruction, and a commercial driver’s license. Training time varies by school, license class, and state requirements. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median annual wage of $62,970 in May 2024. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 through 2034, adding approximately 22,700 jobs over the decade. Most workers learn through an apprenticeship, although some attend vocational or technical school first. Experienced workers may earn additional income through overtime, emergency calls, supervisory responsibilities, or self-employment. Readers can explore educational requirements, duties, wages, and job projections for hundreds of additional careers through the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Pathways to Second-Chance Employment Several structured pathways can help adults prepare for skilled employment. Community and Technical Colleges Community colleges throughout the country offer vocational certificates and technical programs. These programs focus on the knowledge and skills required for particular occupations and are often designed in cooperation with local employers. Certificates may be completed in less than two years, although program length varies. Some credits may also count toward an associate degree, advanced credential, or apprenticeship. Registered Apprenticeships Registered apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured instruction. Participants work under experienced mentors, gain documented skills, receive progressive wage increases, and earn recognized credentials. Career seekers can use the Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Job Finder to search for opportunities nationwide. Because availability and admission requirements vary, applicants should contact employers or program sponsors directly. Electrical Apprenticeships The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and its training partners offer electrical apprenticeship opportunities across the country. Programs typically combine classroom instruction with paid, supervised field experience. The IBEW Local Union Directory can help prospective applicants locate a nearby union and ask about available programs, application periods, qualifications, and local requirements. Let’s Recap 1 A four-year degree is a valuable and necessary pathway for many careers, but it is not the only route to meaningful work and financial stability. 2 Skilled trades offer an appealing alternative for people who enjoy practical work, want a more direct connection between training and employment, or need to begin earning sooner. 3 Careers in electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, pipefitting, and commercial driving offer competitive wages and continuing demand, although pay and opportunities vary by occupation and location. 4 Registered apprenticeships allow participants to earn income while receiving structured training, mentoring, wage increases, and a recognized credential. 5 Community and technical colleges provide additional pathways through career-focused certificate and degree programs. For people rebuilding their lives, the skilled trades offer more than a paycheck. They can provide structure, accomplishment, credentials, independence, and the dignity of work that others depend upon. The choice between college and a skilled trade is not a choice between education and no education. It is a choice between different kinds of education—and different ways of building a good life.

The promise of Summer Is Winter’s cold dream Awakened by Springtime And warm weather’s gleam But the promise of Winter Was more like an oath Fields that lay fallow Give birth to new growth That growth is what feeds us Dug up by the plow We eat what we earn By the sweat of our brow Before Winter’s return Autumn must reap While farmers sow promise The earth knows to keep Fulfilling the promise Of Winter’s retreat And Springtime’s awakening Of all that we eat Our lives have their seasons We’re born and we die Between those two milestones Their meanings must lie Discontent is our Winter Hope is our Spring Fulfillment is Summer But Autumn is king It asks a new question: Have we harvested well? And trust that beyond us Green fields also dwell?

From the mountains of Afghanistan to the hunt for Osama bin Laden A Nation Resolves to Act Twenty-five years ago, the attacks of September 11, 2001, transformed America. At the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 2,977 people were killed. Grief quickly became a national resolve: prevent another attack and pursue those responsible. That response would take American forces into Afghanistan, establish a controversial detention operation at Guantánamo Bay, and launch a hunt for Osama bin Laden that lasted nearly a decade. The enemy was al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization led by bin Laden. Its sanctuary was Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime provided refuge. America’s initial military objectives were to remove the Taliban from power, destroy al-Qaeda’s operating base, and find its leader. American troops, intelligence officers, and Afghan allies would carry out the campaign together. Into Afghanistan On October 7, 2001, the United States and its partners began Operation Enduring Freedom. Airstrikes, combined with operations by small American teams and Afghan opposition forces, rapidly broke the Taliban’s hold on the country. But overthrowing a government and capturing a terrorist network were different tasks. As Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters scattered, the pursuit moved toward eastern Afghanistan’s mountains. In December, attention centered on Tora Bora, a rugged region of caves and mountain positions near Pakistan. American aircraft bombarded suspected strongholds while Afghan fighters, supported by American personnel, advanced on the ground. This was the campaign many Americans remember as the effort to drive bin Laden from his caves. Yet he escaped. The early military victories had deprived al-Qaeda of its sanctuary without delivering its leader into American custody. Guantánamo and the Question of Detention The pursuit also created a difficult question: what should the United States do with the people it captured? On January 11, 2002, the first 20 detainees arrived at the American naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The detention operation began at Camp X-Ray, whose outdoor enclosures became an enduring image of the new war. The base itself was longstanding; its use as a detention center for the post-9/11 campaign was new. Guantánamo held men suspected of involvement with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or related activities. Calling all of them convicted terrorists would be inaccurate: many were held without criminal charges or trial. The prison became a focus of disputes over prolonged detention, prisoner treatment, and the rights of people captured in a conflict without a clear endpoint. The broader detention effort also included separate, secret CIA facilities. Looking back, the Senate Intelligence Committee’s majority report, released in 2014, concluded that the CIA’s coercive interrogation methods were ineffective at obtaining intelligence or cooperation and that claims about their effectiveness were inaccurate. Those findings remain an essential part of assessing the methods America used in its pursuit of security. The War Expands The expanding war on terrorism also became entangled with Iraq. Here the historical distinction matters: the 9/11 Commission found no evidence that Iraq cooperated with al-Qaeda in developing or carrying out attacks against the United States. The invasion of Iraq should not be remembered as an attack on the government responsible for September 11. Meanwhile, the search for bin Laden continued. Its eventual breakthrough came through patient intelligence work. Investigators followed information about a trusted courier, a trail that led to a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2010. For months, intelligence agencies examined the compound and assessed whether the elusive al-Qaeda leader was living behind its walls. The Raid in Abbottabad President Barack Obama authorized a raid. In the early hours of May 2, 2011, in Pakistan—still May 1 in the United States—American Navy SEALs entered the compound and killed bin Laden. He was not apprehended alive and later executed; he died during the operation, and American forces took custody of his body. For many Americans, the announcement brought relief and a measure of justice. It could not restore the lives lost on September 11. Nor did bin Laden’s death mean that al-Qaeda or the danger of terrorism had disappeared. Obama acknowledged that continuing threat when he announced the operation’s success. Remembering the Response America’s response to 9/11 deserves remembrance in its full complexity. It demonstrated courage, persistence, and extraordinary military and intelligence skill. It also raised lasting questions about detention, interrogation, and the reach of wartime power. Every September 11 we can honor the victims and those who served while examining the decisions made in their name. Remembering September 11 means keeping faith with the people we lost—and thinking carefully about how a democracy protects both its citizens and its principles.

Macbeth called life “a walking shadow,” with each of us a poor player strutting briefly upon the stage. I’ve borrowed his stage but given the player a blank page and an unwritten script. Here’s my variation on that old and unsettling thought: “Life’s a Blank Page.” Life’s a Blank Page All life’s a blank page A partially lit stage Where we bumble and scramble to fill it. With baubles of vanity And the dreamer’s insanity We hop from the fire to the skillet. We soak in our juices Seek succor and truces As blank pages fill up to the end. The end’s the back cover But we’re too scared to hover Lest we find the last thing it will send. If life is a stage And acting’s our wage Then we’re paid in a script not yet written. The very last page As death enters the stage, Is written—but hidden from sight What smites us is blankness Cruel fate’s lack of frankness— What awaits is the blackness of night. Still, we write every page
 As we strut on the stage,
 As poor players we dance with the chorus. Yet the darkness still gleams As we cling to our dreams Hints of the troubles before us