woke – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Better than Streaming: Do You Have Oppenheimer 4K Blu-ray In Your Collection?

December 26, 2025December 22, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

Similar with Godzilla Minus One, it took more than two years to watch Oppenheimer, and I finally did it on 4K Blu-ray. I recently acquired Oppenheimer 4K Blu-ray through Amazon for less than $20.

*Oppenheimer 4K Blu-ray set came with 3 discs. The standard Blu-ray disc of the movie is underneath the 4K Blu-ray disc on the left.*

My personal history with Oppenheimer goes like this. In 2023, the movie was released in lots of cinemas all over the Philippines and there was strong pre-release hype for it. Having seen several movies of director Christopher Nolan, I was interested to watch the acclaimed movie in the cinema. However, something in the back of my mind told me not to pursue it on the big screen.

As time passed, I met with a few friends who claimed to have seen the movie. I told them I have not seen Oppenheimer yet, so that prevented them from revealing spoilers. One of them told me that it is crucial to find the right time and the right mindset to watch Oppenheimer as it heavily tackled not only the history behind J. Robert Oppenheimer and his work on the Manhattan Project (the atomic bomb) but also the thick web of politics and intrigue.

So I took my friend’s advice. When my 4K Blu-ray copy of Oppenheimer arrived, I did not watch it immediately. Eventually, I found the right time to view it on a not-so-busy Saturday night. I had the TV room, the movie and my Xbox Series X (our default 4K Blu-ray player) all to myself.

To be clear to you all, this is NOT a review of the movie. What I can say is that Oppenheimer is indeed a very astonishing movie made with great production values, rock solid performances and intense direction by Nolan. Cillian Murphy is great as the physicist Oppenheimer and the supporting players have such performers like Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Jason Clarke (still great as an antagonist), and Kenneth Branagh (excellent as a mentor) who all delivered fine dramatic performances.

Oppenheimer is not an easy movie to watch and enjoy as it requires you to have enough knowledge about the physicist, the Manhattan Project, World War II and the political climate of the time. My friend is absolutely right that you have to see it with the right time and right mindset because the movie is very heavy with historical and political details. Not only that, the film is very talky – lots and lots of dialogue scenes – and you really have to exert effort to pay attention to all the details. As an information overload-type of film, Oppenheimer can be more challenging to watch than Shin Godzilla.

I had a very engaging viewing experience with Oppenheimer, and the native 4K visuals are great to see! Very clearly, Christopher Nolan and his team ensured the best possible 4K imagery for us viewers and movie collectors to enjoy, and like the past Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray releases of his other movies, the screen aspect ratio adjusts between the IMAX-filmed scenes and the non-IMAX shots. Being a modern production, I can say that Oppenheimer’s 4K Blu-ray visual quality is as phenomenal as that of Top Gun: Maverick 4K Blu-ray. I am not exaggerating!

With great visuals and a lot of extra stuff packed in, Oppenheimer 4K Blu-ray should be in your list of movies to get on 4K Blu-ray format if you have not acquired it yet. At less than $20 as of this writing, you will get great entertainment value in return.

If you have decided already to order a copy of Oppenheimer 4K Blu-ray, click here. For technical details of the 4K Blu-ray release, click here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 115

December 22, 2025December 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Terminator 2 Arcade Game Revisited – As a teenager, I was a huge fan of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. In 1992, the official arcade game of Terminator 2 arrived here in the Philippines and there was this time I played it in a Makati arcade (with one other player on the other gun), spent a lot of money on tokens for it and played the game extensively. As the game was very hard and overly chaotic, us players were unable to finish it. Recently, I saw this analytical, retrospective video about the Terminator 2 arcade game on YouTube by Mass Replay. It was a very engaging video to watch as it examines the game very closely, explains why it is so challenging to play and how much would it cost gamers today to finish it. Watch the video below and pay attention to the details.

#2 Problems With Windows 11 – Are you using Windows 11 on your personal computer? The way the Microsoft operating system is right now with artificial intelligence (AI) integrated, it has attracted a lot of user complaints over its reliability, lack of efficiency, features, forced updates and being not so user-friendly. The complaints and criticism over Windows 11 are only getting louder as of this writing and you can find out exactly why by watching the ColdFusion video below.

#3 Japan’s Ekiben – You might be familiar with the packed meal in Japan called bento. The Ekiben is a specific type of bento which is normally sold at train stations and those who bought it enjoy their meals while traveling. Ekiben comes with different types of food, ingredients and flavors, and it also highlights the local cuisine of the station or region it was sold in. To learn more about it, watch the Nippon TV video below.

#4 Sega’s Best Games On Xbox 360 – Over twenty years have passed since Microsoft first launched the Xbox 360 game console in America which eventually became the most popular gaming console in Xbox gaming history as well as having the best online gaming network of the 7^th console generation. As with the original Xbox console, Sega released several games on Xbox 360 (a mix of remastered games and brand new ones) via retail and through the Xbox network online (AKA Xbox LIVE). Recently Sega Lord X posted a video highlighting the best of what Sega released on the console, and it is fun to watch!

#5 Street Fighter 1994 Movie Revisited – In late 1994, the live-action movie Street Fighter was released in cinemas and there was buzz about it among Street Fighter II groups of fans of the time. Not only did the filmmakers have Jean-Claude Van Damme as its main attraction, they had to make up a functional story and cram a lot of characters into it. The film event had Australia’s icon Kylie Minogue as Cammy. To this day, some moviegoers (including gamers and fans of the Street Fighter franchise) enjoyed Street Fighter while there were others who found it very flawed. If you want to discover Street Fighter (1994) but are not willing to spend precious time and money on it, watch the videos below.

#6 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – When it comes to movies set during the Christmas season, do you enjoy watching comedies? Way back in December of 1989, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – starring Chevy Chase – was released to mixed reviews but managed to achieve commercial success and movie buffs today consider it a classic of the Christmas season. How much of an impact the movie can have on first-timers can be seen in Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video below.

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America Eyes Expansion In The Philippines As Demand For Food Intensifies

December 20, 2025December 19, 2025carlocarrasco

Following its aggressive move to export more fresh fruits to the Philippines, the United States under President Donald Trump will ramp up its agricultural exports to the country in connection with strong Filipino demand for food, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

For the newcomers reading this, not even the softened economic growth of the Philippines dampened the Filipinos’ rising demand for food and the young population is a factor behind it. America sees opportunities to export more meat, seafood and other agricultural products to the Philippines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The United States (US) is gearing up to increase its agricultural exports to the Philippines, banking on the country’s growing food demand and potential economic growth.

In a Dec. 17 report, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the country was the ninth-largest market for US exporters last year, with agricultural goods valued at $3.5 billion.

The foreign agency expects continued growth in the years to come, especially given the country’s fast-growing economy, which ranked third among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries last year.

While it noted that the Philippine economy “continues to face risks from geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainties,” the USDA said it will likely remain resilient in the coming year.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier lowered its forecast of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth from 5.4 percent to 5.1 percent this year, before rebounding to 5.6 percent in 2026.

The USDA also cited the easing of inflation and income inequality, driven by a growing population, as fueling demand for more agricultural commodities.

“With its rapid population growth, the Philippines has a young population that increasingly demands imported agricultural products,” it said.

According to the USDA, these market dynamics provide opportunities for US agricultural product exporters to broaden their presence in the country.

The report said products that have the “greatest potential for expansion” include dairy, poultry, ethanol (non-beverage), pork, beef, processed potatoes, confectionery and snack foods, and seafood.

Last year, the US was the top single-country supplier to the Philippines, with a market share of 18 percent, behind ASEAN at 31 percent.

The USDA noted that despite this strong performance, US exporters remain at a disadvantage relative to other exporters due to logistical and tariff challenges.

In this case, members of ASEAN benefit from lower tariffs and cheaper shipping costs, whereas the US is subject to slightly higher taxes under the most-favored nation tariff rates.

On top of this, the USDA said exporters also face higher costs due to government policies such as the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC)—a document required before shipment of any agricultural product to the Philippines.

“SPSICs are valid for 20 to 90 days, depending on the commodity. The limited validity period adds costs and complicates the timing of exports, among other factors,” the report read.

In this view, the USDA emphasized the need for exporters to keep up to date with market trends to maintain the competitiveness of American products in the local market.

For instance, it noted that young Filipinos are more open to new flavors and experiences, which suppliers could consider when promoting their products.

For the full report of the US Department of Agriculture related to the news story, click here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you looking forward to more American agricultural products plus seafood in the local markets? Do you think exporters of America are on the verge of becoming more competitive globally over the next 24 months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 114

December 15, 2025December 16, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Demolition Man Revisited – Way back in 1993, I completely missed out on Demolition Man in the local cinemas. The first time I saw it was on a rented laserdisc in 1995 and the film (starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes) turned out to be entertaining in a unique way. By today’s standards, Demolition Man is considered by many as a film ahead of its time as it accidentally predicted self-driving cars, video conferencing, heavy dependence on computers for solutions and more. As such, it is not surprising that a lot of retrospective and reaction videos of Demolition Man have filled YouTube. Posted below are the more entertaining videos to watch about the 1993 movie.

#2 Soy Milk Becomes More Popular In Japan – Soy milk is a dairy-free, plant-based drink made from water and ground soybeans. In recent times, soy milk has gotten tremendously more popular in Japan. Not only is it being consumed by the Japanese in its beverage form, soy milk also made its way into food items and snacks. There is a lot to learn about soy milk’s popularity in Japan in the video below.

#3 Resident Evil Illustrated Tales – Believe it or not, there was a time when comic books and illustrated tales about the Resident Evil games were published from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Back then, WildStorm (WildCATs, StormWatch, Wetworks) was licensed to make comic adaptations of Resident Evil starting with the Resident Evil: The Official Comic Magazine (published through Image Comics, 1998-1999) which featured varied short stories that expanded the lore but not necessarily counted as canon with the games. YouTube ScorePN posted a video showcasing the Resident Evil illustrated tales so you don’t have to go to all the trouble of finding the comic books and magazines. Watch and enjoy the video below.

#4 Zaxxon Revisited – In the early 1980s, Sega made a huge splash in the arcades and game consoles with Zaxxon which is now considered a classic by many gamers. I only played it on the personal computer back in the 1980s. While my enjoyment of the game was very limited because of the not-so-friendly keyboard controls, I found Zaxxon an intriguing experience due to its isometric visual design and the illusion of 3D space that came with it. Sometimes I wished that Zaxxon would get remastered for the current console generation. That said, it’s now a good time to look back at the game in the two retrospective videos below.

#5 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To Lethal Weapon – Among all the Lethal Weapon movies released by Hollywood, the first film from 1987 is still the best in my view. Apart from having a strong script, the directing by Richard Donner got fine performances from Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, and the spectacle was executed with a lot of power while never feeling outlandish. That said, it is fun to replay the movie from time to time. To see how it impacts YouTuber Ashleigh Burton, watch her reaction video below.

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Trump Administration Weighs Hitting UNRWA With Terrorism Sanctions

December 12, 2025December 11, 2025carlocarrasco

I want to make things very clear here…the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWA) is a very twisted agency of the United Nations (UN) working in close partnership with Palestinian terrorists. It pretends to be providing relief and human development of Palestinian refugees when, in fact, it empowers Islamic terrorists. The wickedness of UNRWA is so clear and obvious, it is not surprising that officials of the Trump administration are already discussing hitting the agency with terrorism-related sanctions, according to a Newsmax news report.

Before examining the Newsmax report, you can learn first many details about UNRWA by watching the YouTube videos posted below. Pay close attention to the details.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Newsmax. Some parts in boldface…

Trump administration officials have held advanced discussions on hitting U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA with terrorism-related sanctions, said two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, prompting serious legal and humanitarian concerns inside the State Department.

The United Nations agency operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, providing aid, schooling, healthcare, social services and shelter to millions of Palestinians.

Top U.N. officials and the U.N. Security Council have described UNRWA as the backbone of the aid response in Gaza, where the two-year war between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe.

The Trump administration, however, has accused the agency of links with Hamas, allegations UNRWA has vigorously disputed.

Washington was long UNRWA’s biggest donor, but halted funding in January 2024 after Israel accused about a dozen UNRWA staff of taking part in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped another 251 people to Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio then accused the agency in October this year of becoming “a subsidiary of Hamas,” which the U.S. designated as a terrorist organization in 1997.

It was not immediately clear if current U.S. discussions were focused on sanctioning the entire agency – or just specific UNRWA officials or parts of its operation, and U.S. officials do not appear to have settled on the precise type of sanctions they would deploy against UNRWA.

The possibilities that State Department officials have discussed include declaring UNRWA a “foreign terrorist organization,” or FTO, the sources said, though it is not clear if that option – which would severely isolate UNRWA financially – is still a serious consideration.

Any blanket move against the entire organization could throw refugee relief efforts into disarray and cripple UNRWA, which is already facing a funding crisis.

Sanctioning UNRWA on terrorism-related grounds would be striking and unusual, as the United States is a member and the host country of the United Nations, which created the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in 1949.

William Deere, director of the UNRWA office in Washington, said the agency would be “disappointed” if U.S. officials were in fact discussing an FTO designation. He said such a move would be “both unprecedented and unwarranted.”

“Since January 2024, four independent entities have investigated UNRWA’s neutrality including the U.S. National Intelligence Council. While occurring at different times and from different perspectives, they have all come to the same conclusion: UNRWA is an indispensable, neutral, humanitarian actor,” Deere said.

In response to a request for comment, a State Department official called UNRWA a “corrupt organization with a proven track record of aiding and abetting terrorists.”

“Everything is on the table,” the official said. “No final decisions have yet been made.”

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

The State Department and other departments have various sanctioning options at their disposal, which generally allow for asset freezes and travel bans targeted at specific individuals and entities.

An FTO designation would be among the most severe tools available to Washington and such designations are generally reserved for groups who kill civilians, like branches of Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think now is the time for the United States under President Donald Trump’s leadership to make significant moves to dismantle UNRWA on terrorism charges? Do you think the United Nations is lying and getting desperate in protecting UNRWA? Should UNRWA’s presence in the United States be close down? Do you think the evidence proving UNRWA’s links with Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is strong enough to justify sanctioning them?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 113

December 10, 2025November 30, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Setting The Record Straight About Cleveland’s 1986 Balloonfest – If there is anything unfortunate about the Internet and 21^st century culture, it would be falsehoods and distorted information overwhelming the truth about past events. When it comes to Cleveland’s Balloonfest ’86, the event was a spectacle in which the organizers, its volunteers and strategic partners overcame lots of challenges along the way. The vibe and turnout overall in 1986 was generally positive. Today, there are simply too many liars and peddlers of misinformation (note: climate change activists, woke minds and people pretending to be experts) who posted online dishonest retrospective videos and opinions about Balloonfest ’86. That said, key members of the organizing committee and participants of the event got together to set the record straight in a YouTube video of Cleveland.com, and they have the facts to refute the accusations and falsehoods. Watch and learn from the video below.

#2 Tourists Causing Trouble In Japan – As I said some time ago, if you are entering Japan as a tourist, you better behave yourself and follow the rules. Massive tourism has been happening in Japan for some time now which is clearly adding to their economy and to discovering what the Japanese have to offer to the world. Unfortunately, there are foreign tourists who misbehaved and violated local laws to do gimmicks for social media (note: a selfish motive), disturbing the peace, adding to the pollution and even flying drones in restricted areas. Watch and learn from the video below.

#3 Remembering John McCain’s Bad Legacy – It has been years since former US presidential candidate and US Senator John McCain passed away. During his decades-long service in the US Senate, he was called by the corrupted mainstream news media a maverick for his willingness to work with Democrats on pieces of legislation. What many people do not know is the truth (backed with facts) that McCain’s legacy has been pretty bad as he not only betrayed the Republican Party but also the voters. When McCain was the Republican nominee for US President in 2008, his campaign was really doomed and Republicans got embarrassed. There is a lot more to discover about McCain in the MAGAmark video below.

#4 Congo Video Game – In 1995, the adventure movie Congo was released in cinemas and it managed to achieve better-than-expected commercial success despite being hit with negative reviews. The movie was based on a novel by the late Michael Crichton. As part of the film’s business strategy, a video game of it was released on Sega Saturn titled Congo The Movie: The Lost City of Zinj. I never played the game and there is a lot to learn about it in Sega Lord X’s video below.

#5 The Running Man Revisited – Remember the 1987 sci-fi action movie The Running Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? That film was not a faithful adaptation of the novel written by Stephen King (who used a different name) but it delivered bouts of fun for moviegoers. That said, there are lots of interesting details about the film, its source material, the process of adapting the story for film, and how it entertained people. Enjoy the selected retrospective and reaction videos below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies React To Frankenstein (1931) – Several decades ago, Universal Pictures released its cinematic adaptation of a 1927 play which itself is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel. Simply titled Frankenstein, the 1931 movie went on to become a long-lasting part of American pop culture and is often regarded as a Hollywood. You, Me and the Movies’ Frankenstein reaction video is a must-see.

#7 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To Young Frankenstein – If you want to see good old comedy that is effectively funny, you can’t go wrong with Mel Brooks. When it comes to making fun out of a particular horror icon or property, Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is a parody worth considering. Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video is fun to watch.

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Trump Administration Rescued Over 62,000 Migrant Children From Human Trafficking

December 10, 2025December 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Illegal immigration is not only problematic for American citizens, it also puts minors into dangerous situations. As America continues to actively solve the illegal immigration crisis, White House border czar confirmed that more than sixty-two thousand migrant children were rescued by the Trump administration from human trafficking, according to a news report by Newsmax.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Newsmax. Some parts in boldface…

White House border czar Tom Homan said the Trump administration has rescued more than 62,000 migrant children from human trafficking.

“Over half a million children were smuggled into this country under Joe Biden. They lost track of 300,000,” Homan said Sunday on “Fox & Friends.”

Homan was referring to a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report that found nearly 291,000 unaccompanied minors had not yet been issued immigration court notices as of May 2024, and about 32,000 had missed hearings.

The watchdog report did not state that those children were definitively “missing,” but it warned that DHS lacked the tools to reliably track their whereabouts and respond to risks.

Homan described President Donald Trump’s second-term response as immediate and aggressive.

“President Trump committed on day one that we will do everything we can to find every one of these children,” Homan said.

Federal agencies launched joint operations to locate kids released to sponsors who never followed up, disappeared from contact, or were flagged for potential criminal exploitation.

DHS has also said it uncovered a backlog of tens of thousands of neglected child-safety leads and restarted investigations into suspect sponsors.

“We know many of them are in sex trafficking. Many are in forced labor. Many are being abused,” Homan added, saying investigators have found children working in dangerous jobs and being sold for sex.

He declined to share details about particular cases. “I can’t discuss some of the mistreatment we found out about.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that more migrant children will be rescued from human trafficking as the Trump administration and its federal agents keep on solving the many problems related to illegal immigration? Do you think the administration of the failed US President Joe Biden neglected to anticipate the risks on migrant children as they allowed illegal immigration to worsen? Do you think the previous administration conspired with human traffickers and other organizations who added to the illegal immigration problem of the United States?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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AI-Generated Images Continue To Deceive People

December 9, 2025December 2, 2025carlocarrasco

Images created with artificial intelligence (AI) applications that got shared on social media continue to fool people. It is unfortunate because AI is so accessible through apps and online, people can use them and create fake stuff that easily capture people’s attention.

For starters, look what happened in Japan when someone used generative AI to create a fake image about a bear on a road, shared it online and scared the local community. This was during the time when bear attacks in Japan increased.

Recently, deception caused by AI-generated imagery took its toll in parts of Southeast Asia. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the technology article of VnExpress.net. Some parts in boldface…

When Thu saw a viral video purportedly showing a woman and her grandchild trapped in floodwaters in central Vietnam, she almost shared it until some things made her pause.

Thanh Thu first encountered an AI hoax last month when she believed a photo showing dozens of people clinging to rooftops during flooding in Thai Nguyen Province in the north was real. The grainy quality made the picture convincing at first glance.

“But on closer look, it made no sense as multiple helicopters were hovering just above the water yet not rescuing anyone,” she says

That experience made her more cautious. So when she saw the new flooding video, she examined it again and noticed the grandmother’s face was blurred and distorted, while nearby people appeared calm, chatting casually with water only reaching their knees.

“The footage was heart-breaking at first and gave me a strong urge to share it, but I realized in time that it was AI-generated just to attract views,” the 28-year-old in HCMC says.

In recent months, her social media feeds have been filled with photos of friends posing in destinations around the world, their faces retouched to look like models. But when she noticed that photos from various friends had identical settings, with only their faces changed, she realized the images were AI-generated.

In Hanoi, Hoang Viet, 27, has also been fooled by AI-generated content. A nature enthusiast, he once spent more than an hour watching a TikTok video about a supposed “rainbow mushroom” and even took notes for research. “Later I did more research and asked experts only to find out the species does not exist at all,” he says.

He recalls being frightened by clips of “sea monsters revived” or wild animals jumping on trampolines, all low-quality videos resembling security footage but drawing tens of millions of views. “All of them were fake.” After these experiences, he now cross-checks any information using reliable news sources or academic materials before accepting it as true.

The rise of tools such as OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo 3 and Runway this year has caused a surge in AI-generated images and videos, from staged travel photos to recreated images with deceased relatives.

According to digital transformation expert Dr. Dinh Ngoc Son, AI-generated content is designed to exploit emotions and curiosity. “Sensational or unusual information always spreads faster,” he says. “As AI improves realism, the spread becomes stronger, creating an emotional whirlwind that is difficult to control.”

He says authenticity and digital ethics have become major challenges. As generative AI advances, the line between real and fake is becoming increasingly thin. He cites fabricated flood rescue clips and deepfake news anchors as examples.

In July Malaysian newspaper The Star reported that a couple in Kuala Lumpur drove 300 kilometers to a tourist destination only to find it did not exist and had been entirely produced by AI. “When users share such content without verification, it distorts public perception and undermines trustworthy information platforms,” Son says.

Cybersecurity specialist Ngo Minh Hieu, known as Hieu PC, says many people unknowingly expose personal data by uploading their photos to AI-powered editing apps. “With just a smartphone, anyone can create AI products,” the founder of the “Anti-Scam” project says. “While many use them for fun, scammers increasingly exploit them to deceive those who are less tech-savvy.”

At a national seminar on online fraud prevention in late October, Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham The Tung warned that criminals are taking advantage of AI and deepfake technologies to defraud citizens. On Oct. 28 anti-scam platform Chongluadao.vn issued a new alert about fraudsters using AI to manipulate e-commerce livestreams.

They take real sales videos, modify the sellers’ appearances to look physically disabled or ill, and re-upload them to solicit purchases from sympathizers. Scammers also create dozens of fake accounts to leave emotional comments, leveraging the bandwagon effect to deceive more viewers.

As someone who once bought products on livestreams of disabled people out of sympathy, Thu says the AI scam leaves her increasingly bewildered. “Now, when even images of those people can be faked, I do not know what to believe.”

To combat AI-driven misinformation, Son says joint action is needed from individuals, society and authorities. Individuals must improve their fact-checking skills, while the journalism and education industries should strengthen digital media literacy, he says.

Very clearly, AI has no soul and AI applications are being used for the wrong and irresponsible reasons. Not only are there tech users who use AI to make images or videos to grab people’s attention, there are criminals, fraudsters and scammers who use AI to steal money or information. This should remind you that technology can be abused a lot and affect people negatively.

*An example of AI-generated imagery. (credit to VnExpress.net)*

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you able to tell if a video you saw is generated by AI? Do you think a lot of people are abusing AI to grab people’s attention and increase their social media followers? Is your local government unit using AI through public services? Do you know anyone who became a victim of scammers who used AI?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Tokyo High Court Rules Japan’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban Constitutional

December 6, 2025November 29, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Japan, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the nation’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional, according to a news release published by Kyodo News. Already the woke mob, the liberals, the social justice warriors (SJWs) and the LGBTQ extremists – including those who are not even Japanese and are based outside of Japan – condemned the decision through social media and a fight at the Supreme Court of Japan is anticipated.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news release of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

A Japanese court on Friday ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional, becoming the only high court to uphold the state’s position among six rulings on similar lawsuits filed nationwide.

The Tokyo High Court concluded the current civil law provisions that do not allow same-sex marriage are still reasonable under the current circumstances, in contrast with five earlier high court rulings in Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka that said the lack of legal recognition of same sex marriage violated the Constitution. Those other rulings, however, all rejected compensation claims.

In handing down the latest ruling, Presiding Judge Ayumi Higashi said that the current marriage system is useful in preparing an environment for raising children, and that it is reasonable to interpret “husband and wife” as a man and a woman.

The ruling also said that the freedom of marriage guaranteed under Article 24 of the Constitution does not apply to same-sex couples, noting that “part of the effects of marriage can be substituted by contracts,” and that people can marry if they change their legal sex.

The court expressed concern, though, over stalled discussions in parliament, warning that if this situation continues, it could lead to violations of the constitutional guarantee of equality under the law. It also urged that being treated based on gender identity is an important legal interest.

As the plaintiffs plan to appeal, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a unified decision next year at the earliest.

In the latest lawsuit, eight plaintiffs in their 40s to 60s had sought 1 million yen ($6,400) in damages each, arguing civil law provisions that do not allow same-sex marriage violate the right to equality ensured under the Constitution and its guarantee of freedom of marriage.

The government denied that the provisions are unconstitutional, arguing that the Constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The plaintiffs had appealed a Tokyo District Court ruling in March 2024 that found the situation to be “in a state of unconstitutionality” but rejected their damages claims.

Among 12 high and lower court rulings so far, the Osaka District Court was the only other court that ruled that the lack of legal recognition is constitutional.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you seriously believe that having same-sex marriage (AKA gay marriage) will be beneficial to Japan socially and economically? Do you think that the LGBTQ and Leftist forces from around the world are secretly funding the same-sex marriage movement in Japan? Do you think it is inevitable for the Supreme Court of Japan to declare the same-sex marriage ban constitutional? Are you convinced that same-sex marriage in Japan will ruin not only Japanese families but also the nation’s society?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 112

December 3, 2025November 27, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 GoodBadFlicks Examines Cheersploitation Movies – Recently YouTuber GoodBadFlicks posted a video examining a certain sub-genre of film involving cheerleaders…Cheersploitation. Before the explosion of raunchy comedy movies in the 1980s, there were sex comedy films involving cheerleaders released in the 1970s. GoodBadFlicks’ video features five movies of the Cheersploitation sub-genre which you should see.

#2 The Odd City In Skyrim – Like many gamers, I bought and played Skyrim (Xbox 360 version specifically) on launch day in 2011, and it was easily the most immersive role-playing game of the 7^th console generation. There is one particular city that always felt odd to me which is Markarth. Recently I saw this particular video on YouTube that explains in detail why Markarth stood out so differently from all other cities and towns of Skyrim, and there definitely is something dark behind its legacy which makes exploring it a very intriguing experience for gamers. This is a reminder about Todd Howard’s team taking creative risks that worked and it is an experience you won’t get in Starfield. Watch the video below.

#3 Japanese Food In Ibaraki Prefecture – Ibaraki Prefecture is located in the Kanto region of Honshu in Japan. Even as Ibaraki Prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, its local food joints offer certain meals that are not available in Tokyo itself. Recently, Nippon TV visited the place and examined why locals travel there to try out the standout food. Watch and learn from the video below.

#4 You, Me And The Movies React To Spawn (1997) – 1997 was not exactly a fun year for superhero enthusiasts when it comes to movies. The movie star-heavy Batman & Robin was terrible and it remains as one of the worst superhero movies ever. Also in 1997, a live-action movie of Spawn was released and even though it took itself seriously (note: creator Todd McFarlane had creative input on the film and his own company was part of the production), it gathered mixed reaction from the fans and very negative feedback from film critics. Recently, You, Me and the Movies posted a reaction video about Spawn which strangely was more entertaining than the movie itself.

#5 Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid Reaction Videos – If you have seen a lot of buddy cop movies from Hollywood, have you seen a Western buddy film? Once such film was 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which starred the late Robert Redford and the late Paul Newman. The movie was critically acclaimed and it was for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” 34 years after its release. As such, it is not surprising that the film became a subject of many YouTube reaction videos and posted below are a few I selected for your enjoyment.

#6 Jennifer Lopez And The Scammers In Music – A few decades ago, Milli Vanilli was exposed as a scam and the public backlash was so intense, the fans destroyed the music records they previously bought. For the newcomers reading this, Milli Vanilli was a duo of Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus who danced and NEVER used their voices in their songs (note: it was all done by others in secret under German music producer Frank Farian). Back in those times, it was normal for music fans and consumers to expect genuine vocal performances from musical artists. As time passed, standards have changed and the musical scam of Milli Vanilli suddenly became the new normal in modern entertainment as more singers today were exposed to be frauds and pretenders (lip-syncing behind vocals produced by others). Watch and learn from the video below.

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