Hello readers!

While I was browsing through some blogs today, I came across a post that fascinated me. The post, titled Face to Face, was made by fellow WordPress user koilover. In this post, they touched on the fairly new legal issue of governments using facial recognition within law enforcement. Koilover wrote about how uneasy they felt as in a way this would take away some of their first amendment rights as the faces of people that went to certain rallies or protests would automatically be cataloged. The whole ordeal is seen as a large invasion of privacy, something that many Americans have become very protective of over the past couple of years with the rise of data mining. Back home, my folks don’t really use any kind of social media because they don’t feel a need for it. Everyone they know is within a fifteen-mile radius anyways, there wasn’t a reason to create an account for people to see what they already know. It’s a culture very different from what I have experienced in California. For the first couple of weeks, all of the new folks I met would ask for my social media, and I would have to always respond to their queries with the simple answer: “I don’t have any”. It was only after some heavy consistent probing that I decided to create an account on Facebook, and I must say – it is not my thing. The invasion of privacy that I feel when I have to post pictures of my loved ones on the internet (and give Facebook knowledge on my every preference) is nothing compared to knowing that there could be systems soon in place where my every move is stored into a humongous database.

While Facebook has been at the forefront for some of this discussion in earlier times, now the company that has come under the microscope is Amazon, who has previously stated that they will sell facial recognition devices to any government that buys it from them and ‘promises to use it legally’. Now I don’t know about you guys, but to me, that sounds like a load of bologna. Its large corporations that put small farms like those my friends and family own in Kentucky out of business, and they don’t even have to bat an eyelash. I read up some more on artificial intelligence and facial recognition, and it is absolutely crazy that even the technology we use could be susceptible to some forms of racism. According to an article by VB, most AI machines are tested and therefore built mainly on caucasian men. And while this may not seem like much of a problem if you look like me, or in states like Kentucky where about ninety percent of us are caucasian, in places like California where the diversity is so high, this is simply not acceptable.  

Thank you for giving me something to think about koilover. As technology grows and becomes further integrated into our society, it is important to think of the effects that our actions can have.

Have a jolly good evening,

Arlo

Good evening folks.

I’m not sure if its because I’ve been living under a rock, but I only recently found out about the coronavirus that has been spreading all throughout China, other parts of Asia, and the newly reported cases in the United States and Europe. According to an article published by the Washington post less than one hour ago, there have been over one thousand confirmed cases of the infection and over forty people have died. This virus comes at the same time as the Spring festivities happening in China and most of Asia for the Lunar New Year, and many Chinese people have not been able to properly celebrate the occasion due to the fear of the virus. Authorities have canceled many of the functions that were supposed to be held in the hopes of reducing areas where large groups of people convene and the airborne virus could spread. China is struggling to cope with the new disease as reports of overflooded hospitals come out and inadequate resources for the influx of sick people – especially in Wuhan, the city where the virus initially broke out. 

It saddens me to know that during a time of celebration and joy so many people around Asia are scared and unable to experience the traditional New Year. In Wuhan, the Chinese government has put the city of over ten million in lockdown, with all of the roads to exit blocked by officials. Grocery stores have been running out of fresh produce, and most people have not been leaving their homes in fear of contracting the disease. Videos on social media of hospitals in Wuhan show overflowing rooms and people packed together with little quarantine. The city does not presently have the resources to properly contain the virus, and while the government putting in efforts to help its citizens, it does not appear to be enough.

One interesting part of this situation is how active Chinese citizens have been on social media. People have been flocking to Twitter, Facebook, and Weibo as they are stuck in their homes to share their experiences. One user wrote that her grandfather contracted the virus after taking care of her grandmother, who had it, but no hospital would take him in due to a lack of beds.

I’m sure that there are other people like me who possibly didn’t even know that this outbreak existed. However, with three cases in the states, the disease is definitely likely to create new headlines. I read another article addressing fears of people in the US, and it stated that for the most part, we don’t have much to worry about – at least not yet. We should, however, be exercising precaution because it is flu season, and should be acknowledging that this is a world problem. We shouldn’t only recognize something as a problem when it hits our country, we need to understand that this is a world problem and press our officials to help those that are in need in other countries as well. For now, I pray that the virus does not spread further and that those who are in need of aid are able to receive the resources they require.

Stay healthy,

Arlo

As someone who has never had a chance to leave our beautiful country, I found Paul Osbourne’s blog to be wonderful. He’s spent a great deal of time in so many different countries and gotten to experience and appreciate a great variety of different cultures. Kudos to you my man! That is incredible and I hope that one day I get the chance to experience some traveling myself. I have so much respect for people who go on to pursue what they are really passionate about, and I hope that my decision to stop farming and go after a career in law will give me the same sense of fulfillment that you have found. While I won’t be traveling to fifty-eight countries like you (mind-blowing!) I’ll hopefully be making my own kind of difference in the world. Coming to California is definitely one of the most adventurous things I have done, and I can’t wait to add to my list of adventures, right now looks like visiting Japan during Christmas time is pretty high on my list!

Osbourne’s post, ‘KFC and Christmas’ was very intriguing and unusual. I’ve spent every Christmas in Kentucky with my family so far, and we have a very traditional American Christmas – complete with Venison and some hearty pecan pie of course. I find it so hard to believe that so many people in Japan spend their Christmas with a meal birthed in Kentucky – some good ol’ KFC! That is insane! I l think it’s fascinating that the event started as just some strategic marketing done (most likely) by some KFC guys in black suits back in my home state of Kentucky and now its a pretty significant part of so many Japanese people’s Christmas traditions. 

Spending some quality time with your family regardless of what ethnicity or religion you are is something that I greatly respect, especially during Christmas time. It really goes to show how similar we humans all are to each other, doesn’t matter if its Japan or America, we all have some strong common values. I’d love to learn more about Japanese traditions, there’s so much about the world I don’t know! Now that I have officially broken out of my small bubble I want to learn more about not only the west coast and California, but also about other countries that I never really explored. 

There are so many different cultures represented here in California and its soo diverse compared to back home. There was a culture show in my community center a few weeks back, and there were so many different performances that I had the opportunity to watch. I loved that experience and am so excited to have many, many more!

Thank you Paul for introducing me to this fun Japanese tradition. I cannot wait to read more of your posts and learn more about your travels. Good luck on your many more adventures, stay safe and have a blast. (Maybe bring me along for one)

Go check out his blog guys!

And have a good evening,

Arlo

Hey guys, as I’m sure almost all of you have heard, Australia is on fire. This is an issue that I know a lot of people have already discussed, and well quite frankly I’m just another person writing about this problem. Nonetheless, I find it very intriguing how many different types of folks have touched on the topic. We all have such different perspectives and each bring our own take to the issue. Hopefully you readers are able to see my perspective and gain something from it, as I know I have from yours. Now that I’m done with that spiel, I’d like to get on to the actual fact of the matter. Earth, we have a problem.

I’m not sure how many of y’all have heard of Alltech, but back home they’re a pretty big deal. The animal nutrition company has its headquarters not too far from our farms back in Kentucky, and they have a lot of connections based in Australia too. The other day I was speaking with my folks back home and they let me know that Alltech launched an initiative called the Australia Farming Relief Fund. Through this global fundraising effort, they will match all donations made to the fires. This is a great way to help, and almost all of the farmers back home stand with Australia.

I find it to be so interesting how we farmers stand with Australia and are all donating to the cause of helping them, yet in Kentucky, we also helped elect a person to be in office who doesn’t even understand the gravity of us humans’ actions on the environment. I loved it back home, but part of the reason that I felt the need to leave my town was because of the hypocrisy that I saw. I needed to break free from people with that mindset and interact with others. The reactions that I have seen from people here in California have been incredible. The people here – especially the young ones – are not afraid to use their voice and be heard. This is something very foreign to me. I’ve never felt the need to be very outspoken, and am quite a reserved person, but seeing so many people be vocal about the problems we are facing, it makes me want to contribute too. My only concern is, I hope it’s not just a show, I really hope the people raising awareness about the changes our climate is facing are also taking the correct steps towards a healthier earth.

So, readers, I encourage you to try something outside of your comfort zone, if you were looking for a sign to go out and so something you really believe in, please let this message from Arlo be your sign. I am sending lots of love and prayers to Australia, their people, their animals, and their land. Here’s to taking some action for a good cause, and thanking my farmer family back home for taking their own kind of action as well.

Have a pleasant evening,

Arlo

Howdy y’all!

My name is Arlo, and I’m a wheat farmer from Kentucky who recently moved to California to pursue a degree in law!

It was pretty conservative where I grew up and I was always someone who stood out. I never really felt connected to the farming community the way my father did, and so did the rest of my family – for generations. After working on the farm for a couple of years I realized that I needed a change of scenery – I had to break out of my bubble and move to a new place.

So far, California has been treating me well, the people are nice.. but they seem to think of me a certain way because of my accent and southern roots. I hope I can find a community here and people I can call family away from family.