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Empathy Is Strategy According to Harbor Current Foundation Inc. Founder Maria Andrade

by Excellence Insider Staff on November 20, 2025

Most environmental nonprofits run on the same playbook. Hire scientists. Court institutional donors. Build coalitions of like-minded advocates. Launch awareness campaigns. Repeat until funding runs out or progress stalls.

Maria Andrade didn’t follow that script. After spending more than twenty years raising five children and working as a licensed real estate professional, she founded Harbor Current Foundation Inc. with a leadership approach that sounds almost counterintuitive for someone trying to transform an entire industry: she leads with empathy.

Not the soft, sentimental kind. The strategic kind. The type that gets harbor authorities, municipal agencies, engineers, investors, and coastal communities to actually work together instead of talking past each other in conference rooms.

“Empathy is the greatest renewable resource we have,” Andrade says. “It fuels collaboration, courage, and change.” She’s not theorizing. Her foundation is seeking $10 million to put electric vessels on the water in four major harbors, and the reason anyone’s taking her seriously is because she knows how to get people on board who normally wouldn’t be in the same conversation.

The Real Estate Connection Nobody Expected

Here’s what parenting five kids and closing real estate deals taught Andrade that most environmental leaders miss: people don’t resist change because they’re irrational. They resist it because they haven’t been heard, or because the change doesn’t account for what they actually need.

Years of guiding families through real estate transitions taught her how people navigate change, how communities adapt, and what it takes to guide diverse groups toward shared goals. Success means understanding what each person actually cares about, not what you think they should care about.

Managing a family through decades of change operates on similar principles. Building consensus among different personalities and priorities requires finding common ground and making each person feel heard. Because they are.

That’s the skill set Andrade brought to environmental work, and it turns out that’s exactly what gets things done. She knows how to bring together engineers, policymakers, investors, and community leaders who normally wouldn’t be in the same room and align them toward shared goals.

The foundation’s model addresses different stakeholder needs simultaneously. Harbor operators save money on fuel and maintenance costs. Municipal leaders can point to tourism benefits and cleaner waterfront experiences. Waterfront communities get healthier air for their kids. The mission serves multiple needs at once, and Andrade frames it in terms each group can connect with.

Why This Actually Works

Harbor Current Foundation Inc. stands out because Andrade built it around demonstrable results rather than abstract goals. The foundation’s pilot program targets Miami, Annapolis, Charleston, and Boston. Four different types of harbors, four different challenges, all with specific timelines and measurable outcomes. If electric vessels work in these settings, they’ll work almost anywhere. If they don’t, everyone will know within 18 months.

That clarity matters. Andrade isn’t asking people to trust her vision. She’s asking them to back a structured test with concrete metrics. Either the vessels reduce emissions by 25 to 40 percent in those specific harbors, or they don’t. Either charging infrastructure gets installed and operates reliably, or it doesn’t.

The specificity comes from her real estate background. You prove something works before asking people to commit. You show the foundation, not just the vision.

The Leadership That Nonprofits Don’t Usually Get

Environmental organizations typically attract people who already care deeply about environmental issues. Andrade didn’t come up through environmental advocacy. She came from a world where your job is finding alignment between people with different goals, different values, different concerns.

That’s how she approaches harbor electrification. Engineers care about technical feasibility. City officials care about budgets and public opinion. Harbor operators care about reliability and maintenance costs. Coastal residents care about health impacts and job creation. Each group has legitimate concerns.

The foundation brings engineers, policymakers, investors, and community leaders into the work, addressing concerns directly rather than trying to override them with urgency alone. She’s building partnerships by understanding what different stakeholders actually need, not just what the mission requires.

It’s a different kind of authority. Not the expertise that comes from academic credentials or decades in the environmental sector, but the credibility that comes from actually listening and responding to what people tell you they need.

Where This Gets Tested

The four-city pilot will prove whether Andrade’s approach works at scale or just sounds good in theory. Electric vessels exist and function well. The technology challenge is mostly solved. What stops harbors from adopting them is capital and coordination. Someone has to align harbor authorities, municipal agencies, electrical utilities, vessel operators, and community stakeholders around shared goals.

That’s exactly the skill set Andrade built over two decades. She knows how to guide different groups through complex transitions. She knows how to build consensus when everyone starts from different positions. Most importantly, she knows that empathy isn’t weakness in leadership. It’s intelligence.

The foundation needs substantial funding to deploy this model. $10 million to prove it works in four harbors, then replication across every American harbor possible and practicable, then the Caribbean, then South America. The 2040 target for electrifying the waterways of the Americas sounds absurd unless you understand that incremental change won’t cut it when waterfront communities are breathing polluted air today.

Whether Harbor Current Foundation Inc. achieves that goal depends on whether Andrade’s consensus-building approach can scale beyond the pilot cities. But here’s what’s already clear: she’s leading differently, and the people who need to make this work are actually paying attention.

Sometimes the most effective thing you can do is treat everyone at the table like they have something valuable to contribute. Even in a crowded field where everyone’s competing for attention and funding, that kind of leadership stands out. Not because it’s flashy, but because it works.

Business World

Harbor Current Foundation Inc. Tackles the Pollution Problem Nobody Talks About

by Excellence Insider Staff on October 9, 2025

Sometimes the biggest environmental problems are the ones right in front of us that we’ve learned to ignore. You drive past the harbor, maybe grab lunch by the water, watch the ferries come and go. The low rumble of diesel engines becomes background noise. The faint smell of exhaust just part of the waterfront experience.

But here’s what most people don’t know: those boats are pumping out pollution at rates that would shock anyone who actually looked at the numbers.

Maria Andrade looked at the numbers. After spending more than twenty years raising five children and working as a licensed real estate professional, she did something unexpected. She founded Harbor Current Foundation Inc. with one clear mission: replace diesel-powered harbor vessels with electric alternatives.

Not someday. Now.

“The time is now and the solutions are here to make the difference,” Andrade says. She’s not theorizing or planning. She’s asking for $10 million to put electric ferries and water taxis on the water in four major cities: Miami, Annapolis, Charleston, and Boston.

The Numbers Everyone Ignores

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says marine vessels account for nearly 30% of total port emissions. Read that again. Nearly a third of all the pollution coming from our ports is from the boats themselves.

And who breathes that air every single day? The people living closest to the water. Low-income neighborhoods, working families, communities that have been there for generations. Higher asthma rates. More respiratory illness. Cardiovascular disease. It’s all documented, all connected to diesel exhaust, and mostly invisible to everyone else.

Maria Andrade spent years guiding families through transitions, understanding how communities adapt and what it takes to build something that lasts. She knows harbor communities. She’s seen what the pollution does.

This isn’t some outsider showing up with grand ideas. This is someone who built a life around bringing people together and decided it was time to actually fix something.

What $10 Million Actually Buys

Harbor Current Foundation has a specific plan for that money. Nothing vague, nothing aspirational. With $2.5 million allocated per harbor, the funding covers vessel acquisition or retrofitting, charging infrastructure installation, research and feasibility studies tailored to each city’s unique setup, community education programs, and operational costs. The budget includes contingency funds for unexpected challenges that come with pioneering new technology in diverse marine environments.

The goal is simple: get electric vessels operating in these four harbors within 18 months and cut emissions by 25 to 40 percent in those specific locations.

They’re planning to install at least four harbor charging stations, host six educational events to bring communities and harbor authorities on board, and create what they’re calling a “Clean Harbor Replication Toolkit” so other cities can copy what works without starting from scratch.

It’s practical in a way environmental initiatives often aren’t. No massive infrastructure overhaul. No waiting for federal policy to change. Just prove it works in four different types of harbors and let the results speak.

Why These Cities Matter

Miami faces immediate climate pressure as a major international port dealing with sea-level rise. Annapolis offers a smaller, historic harbor where changes can happen faster and serve as a proof of concept. Charleston’s tourism economy means clean transportation could become a selling point. Boston already has established ferry systems ready to make the switch.

Each city represents a different challenge, which is the point. If electric vessels work in all four environments, they’ll work almost anywhere.

The Technical Side Nobody Wants to Hear About (But Should)

What separates Harbor Current Foundation from typical environmental nonprofits is that Maria Andrade, CEO and Founder, knows how to build consensus. Years of working with families through complex transitions taught her how to bring different perspectives together and move people toward shared goals. She’s not guessing about what these systems need. She’s bringing together the engineers, policymakers, investors, and community leaders who actually know.

“Empathy is the greatest renewable resource we have. It fuels collaboration, courage, and change,” Andrade says.

The foundation isn’t just swapping diesel engines for electric ones. They’re designing charging infrastructure that can integrate renewable power sources, building systems resilient enough to handle storm surges and rising seas, partnering with the harbor authorities and municipal agencies that will actually operate these vessels long-term.

There’s also basic economics at play. Electric vessels cost less to fuel and maintain. Harbor operators save money over time. Cities attract tourists and residents who care about sustainability. Jobs get created in manufacturing and infrastructure installation. It’s not charity, it’s a better business model that happens to be cleaner.

The Reality Check

Harbor Current Foundation Inc. launched this year with a clear roadmap: 18 months to get pilot vessels in the water, two years to demonstrate the full model across four cities, then national replication.

But the vision extends well beyond American harbors. Maria Andrade’s mission is to electrify the waterways of the Americas by 2040, inspiring nations worldwide to join the movement toward cleaner seas. The four U.S. cities aren’t the endgame. They’re proof of concept for a global shift in maritime transportation.

The foundation may be new, but the leadership behind it isn’t. Andrade’s ability to unite diverse perspectives and turn collaboration into action gives the initiative credibility that most environmental startups lack. The $10 million budget is specific and detailed, with 74% going directly to vessels and infrastructure rather than overhead.

Federal clean energy incentives are available now. Coastal cities need emissions solutions now. The global maritime industry is already moving toward electrification. Harbor Current Foundation Inc. isn’t proposing some untested theory. They’re deploying existing technology in a structured, measurable way.

What sets this apart is the specificity. Not vague goals about “sustainability” but concrete targets: four charging stations, two pilot vessels, 25 to 40 percent emission reductions in specific harbors. In two years, the results will be measurable. Either electric vessels will be operating in Miami, Boston, Charleston, and Annapolis, or they won’t.

If it works, every coastal city in America, and beyond, gets a proven blueprint they can follow.

Making the Invisible Visible

For communities living next to harbors, diesel fumes have always been part of the deal. The cost of waterfront living. Something you get used to because what choice do you have?

But maybe that’s the real story here. Not that Harbor Current Foundation has the perfect solution, but that someone finally stopped treating harbor pollution like it’s just how things are. Maria Andrade looked at a problem everyone else had learned to tune out and decided it was worth dedicating herself to fixing it.

Whether electric ferries become the norm or fade into another good idea that never quite happened, at least someone made the invisible visible. Sometimes that’s how change actually starts. Not with grand announcements or massive funding rounds, but with one person saying the quiet part out loud: this has been a problem the whole time, and we’ve all been pretending it isn’t.

Harbor communities have been breathing that air for generations. Maybe it’s about time the rest of us noticed.

Culture World

Mental Health Awareness Month Spotlights Professional Wellbeing Research And Practical Support Strategies

by Excellence Insider Staff on May 8, 2025

As May marks Mental Health Month, emerging research shines a light on the pressing importance of prioritizing emotional well-being, especially for those working in high-stress professions. The findings from several recent studies paint a concerning picture of mental health challenges across various occupational sectors – a wake-up call for both individuals and organizations alike.

Research consistently shows that certain essential workers – healthcare professionals, social workers, and first responders like police officers, paramedics, and firefighters – face significantly higher risks of developing both immediate and long-term mental health problems. These findings aren’t just statistics; they represent a clear signal that better, more targeted mental health interventions are needed for professionals working in these demanding environments.

Dr. Bernadette Marson, a Clinical Consultant, Author, and Educator at Marson LCSW & Consulting Services, PLLC, has conducted extensive research in this area, including a recent comprehensive study with Dr. Gerard A. Hutchinson examining mental health challenges among essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps most striking in their study were the patterns that emerged among different professional groups. Healthcare workers and social workers showed noticeably higher levels of stress compared to their counterparts in protective services and financial sectors. The research also revealed that essential workers who had tested positive for COVID-19 experienced heightened anxiety levels – highlighting the complex, intertwined relationship between our physical and mental health states.

While the challenges are significant, mental health experts have identified several key strategies that can help maintain emotional well-being. Work-Life Balance isn’t just a buzzword – establishing actual, concrete boundaries between professional and personal life is absolutely essential, particularly for those in high-stress fields. This might mean turning off email notifications after hours or dedicating certain spaces in your home as “work-free zones.”

When it comes to self-care practices, Dr. Marson emphasizes that specificity matters. “Many people understand self-care conceptually, but struggle with implementation,” she explains. “What we’ve found most effective are concrete practices that can be integrated into daily routines – even something as simple as a 15-minute walk or 5 minutes of deep breathing exercises between meetings can significantly reduce cortisol levels and improve mental clarity.”

On the topic of social connection, Dr. Marson notes, “The data consistently shows that meaningful social interaction serves as a powerful buffer against stress and anxiety. We’re inherently social beings, and even brief, quality interactions with people we trust can dramatically shift our neurochemistry in positive ways. This isn’t just feel-good advice – it’s neurologically sound practice.”

Sometimes self-care and social connection aren’t sufficient. “Professional support remains one of the most underutilized but effective resources available,” Dr. Marson points out. “What we’re seeing is that timely intervention from mental health practitioners can literally change the trajectory of someone’s mental health journey. Many people wait until they’re in crisis, but the evidence strongly suggests that earlier engagement with professional support leads to significantly better outcomes.”

Dr. Marson offers valuable insight on protective psychological factors as well. “Understanding what builds resilience isn’t just academically interesting – it’s essential knowledge for anyone in a high-stress profession,” she states. “For healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders especially, these protective factors can mean the difference between burnout and sustainable career longevity.”

For anyone experiencing ongoing feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, reaching out to a mental health professional is strongly recommended. Early intervention often prevents more serious long-term consequences and promotes overall well-being – something we could all use more of in today’s fast-paced world.

As workplaces continue to evolve post-pandemic, integrating mental health awareness into organizational culture isn’t just nice to have – it’s a crucial step toward creating healthier, more supportive environments for all professionals, especially those working in high-pressure fields.

For more information about mental health services and resources, visit Dr. Bernadette Marson’s personal website or check out the comprehensive resources available at Marson Consulting Services.

Remember – prioritizing mental health isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. And sometimes, the strongest thing we can do is ask for help when we need it.

Culture World

The Unapologetic Life of Emily Pratt Slatin

by Excellence Insider Staff on May 6, 2025

“I didn’t need happy. I needed honest.” These words, written by Emily Pratt Slatin on her blog RescueGirl557, capture the essence of a woman who has never compromised her truth for anyone’s comfort—not even once.

In the rolling hills of Vermont, far from the blaring sirens that once defined her hectic days, Slatin now rises with the sun “in a house I wired, on land I protect, with things I built from scratch.” This rural sanctuary isn’t just a home—it’s the physical manifestation of a hard-won independence, crafted by calloused hands that refuse to call for help when something breaks.

Before finding her peace amid farmland solitude, Slatin made her mark as a firefighter and paramedic lieutenant-specialist, tackling rescue situations most people couldn’t stomach. For nearly twenty years, she pulled “shattered bodies from twisted metal” and witnessed tragedies that haunted her sleep. This career choice—running headlong toward danger while others fled—reveals volumes about a character forged in adversity’s flames.

What makes her professional achievements even more striking is the personal battlefield she navigated to reach them. Born intersex with XX chromosomes, Slatin faced painful rejection from a family unwilling to see the daughter before them. At 16, medical confirmation of her genetic female status triggered what she describes as a family “intervention”—more accurately, a tribunal—that became the crossroads of her young life. Rather than shrinking herself to fit their narrow expectations, she simply stood up and walked away, beginning a solitary journey at an age when most teenagers still argue about curfews.

“I was never meant for smallness, never meant to be quiet, never meant to fit inside the lines someone else drew,” Slatin writes in one particularly poignant post, her words carrying the weight of someone who stopped asking for permission decades ago.

Her creative pursuits reveal unexpected layers beneath the tough exterior. Mentored in her youth by Beat poet Allen Ginsberg (a connection she mentions only in passing, with characteristic humility), Slatin approaches writing as both art form and emotional release valve. Her photography, especially her haunting captures of abandoned urban spaces, demonstrates an eye that finds beauty where others see only decay. Her blog posts—ranging from gut-punch personal essays to late-night philosophical musings—blend unflinching honesty with moments of surprising tenderness.

In relationships, too, Slatin’s journey mirrors her broader philosophy. After nearly twenty years with someone who required her to be “folding smaller and smaller” to maintain peace, she found herself standing in a kitchen one ordinary Tuesday, suddenly aware she couldn’t breathe anymore. The courage to leave came not from anger but exhaustion—tired of betraying herself hourly in small, almost invisible ways. Later meeting Amelia, a fellow writer who became her wife, Slatin discovered what partnership looks like without the constant expectation of self-erasure.

“Love isn’t about possession – it’s about freedom, about trust, about choosing to stay when leaving would be easier,” she explains in “All Roads Led To Amelia”. Their marriage embodies her conviction that true connection doesn’t demand conformity but rather celebrates the glorious mess of human individuality.

What distinguishes Slatin most profoundly—beyond her diverse accomplishments—is her stubborn commitment to authenticity in a world that rewards pleasant fictions. She wears labels like “too much, too intense, too much of an over-sharer, and too honest” as inadvertent badges of honor. This refusal to dilute herself creates writing that vibrates with emotional truth, drawing readers into experiences both achingly universal and uniquely her own.

Throughout her journey from rejected child to respected professional to rural homesteader, Slatin has alchemized pain into strength, isolation into fierce self-reliance. Her story stands not as inspiration porn—she’d hate that framing—but as quiet testimony to resilience. Not just surviving difficulty, but thriving despite it, with soil under her fingernails and calluses earned honestly.

Today, through her unfiltered blog posts, Slatin continues sharing insights born from a life lived courageously imperfect. Her narrative reminds us, without preaching, that while authenticity sometimes extracts painful costs, it offers something conformity never could: the “quiet, unbreakable joy of being whole in one’s own skin.”

In “The Ghosts We Carry”, perhaps her most reflective piece, Slatin acknowledges the weight of past versions of ourselves that follow us through life. “There are ghosts among us,” she writes, not with fear but recognition, understanding how our former selves hover in peripheral vision during quiet moments. For Slatin, making peace with these ghosts—the child she wasn’t allowed to be, the firefighter she no longer is—represents her ongoing work.

This peace seems increasingly within reach as she builds her life in Vermont with Amelia, finding solace in “the scent of cut grass, the buzz of voltage in clean conduit, the feel of a wrench in my hand.” These sensory details—scattered throughout her writing like breadcrumbs—reveal a woman finally at home in the world she’s created, despite everything that tried to prevent exactly this outcome.

Perhaps that’s Slatin’s most profound victory: not professional accolades or even personal happiness, but the simple fact of her continued, irrepressible existence. In a world that tried repeatedly to erase her, she not only survived—she documented everything, leaving a record that says simply: I was here, I was real, and I refused to disappear.

World

New Research Tool Transforms How We Understand Self-Comfort in Mental Health

by Excellence Insider Staff on March 27, 2025

Everyone has their own ways of finding comfort during difficult times – whether it’s taking a long walk, wrapping up in a favorite blanket, or simply talking to ourselves. Now, Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu has developed a framework to systematically measure these universal yet deeply personal behaviors, addressing a critical gap in psychological research.

In his groundbreaking study on the Self-Comforting and Coping Scale (SCCS), Dr. Obohwemu introduces a novel tool designed to measure self-comforting behaviors across diverse populations. The research, which underwent a rigorous multi-stage development process including expert consultations and focus group feedback, has established a comprehensive 13-domain framework for understanding how we soothe ourselves during distress.

This innovative work has been further validated through additional research published in the Global Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, which demonstrates the SCCS’s robust psychometric properties and its potential as a valuable measure for assessing self-comforting behaviors and their role in resilience, mental health, and wellbeing.

“Self-comforting is an overlooked but fundamental dimension of coping,” Dr. Obohwemu explains, his passion for the subject evident. “With the SCCS, we’re not just measuring behavior—we’re fundamentally redefining how we understand emotional self-regulation and psychological resilience.”

The implications of this work extend far beyond theoretical research. A recent study focusing on academic environments has shown promising results in helping students cope with academic failure and build stress management techniques. The research, conducted across multiple university campuses, demonstrates how self-comforting practices like mindfulness and meditation can help students manage stress and improve their emotional well-being when facing academic challenges.

“What makes the SCCS particularly valuable is its versatility,” notes Dr. Obohwemu. His team has established The Score Study platform as a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners, hosting detailed information about the scale’s validation studies and ongoing research into the Self-Comforting and Coping Theory (SCCT). “Whether you’re a clinical psychologist, an educator, or a workplace wellness coordinator, this tool offers insights into how people naturally cope with stress.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Obohwemu and his team are working to validate the SCCS across different cultures and populations. This expansion will ensure the scale’s relevance for diverse communities worldwide, acknowledging that self-comforting behaviors might manifest differently across cultural contexts.

As mental health continues to dominate public discourse, the SCCS arrives as a timely contribution to the field. It provides mental health professionals with a reliable, evidence-based tool for understanding and measuring how individuals navigate emotional challenges. In an era where stress and anxiety levels continue to rise globally, such innovations in psychological assessment couldn’t be more welcome.

World

Dr. Jonathan Kenigson and His Multidisciplinary Approach to Communicative Rationality

by Excellence Insider Staff on March 15, 2024

Dr. Jonathan Kenigson shines as a prominent figure within the vibrant landscape of scholarly conversation, embodying multidisciplinary expertise. Grounded in philosophy, literature, combinatorics, and a wide array of other fields, he has left an indelible mark across diverse domains such as education, public policy, mathematics, and economics. His notable presence spans both the academic world and the public domain, marking him as a distinguished and influential personality.

Dr. Jonathan Kenigson earned his Ph.D. from Sofia University, a testament to his scholarly excellence. His commitment to enhancing society and advancing knowledge has been honored with several distinguished awards, including the Colonel Aide de Camp distinction by Bill Lee, acknowledging his dedication to the students of Tennessee. Furthermore, he has been recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Joe Biden, and from 2022 to 2024, he was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK. These accolades not only highlight his intellectual contributions but also underscore his dedication to making a positive impact on society.

At the heart of Dr. Kenigson’s endeavors lies his commitment to the concept of Communicative Rationality, a philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes the importance of ethically engaging with strangers and the voiceless. This foundational belief champions the need for empathy and aid for those who cannot speak for themselves, positing that overlooking such individuals constitutes not only an ethical oversight but also a detriment to society as a whole.

Dr. Kenigson’s unwavering commitment to ethical values is highlighted by his choice not to charge for his services and his vocal opposition to injustices in countries such as the UK, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Russia, and the US, frequently facing potential personal dangers. His unique contribution to the public discourse is characterized by a remarkable fusion of moral integrity and intellectual depth, positioning him as a unique figure in modern debates about the welfare of society

Dr. Kenigson has made significant strides as a mathematician, esteemed public figure, and philosopher through his innovative series on Communicative Rationality. Originating from Sofia, Bulgaria, this work delves into intricate topics including subjectivity, the nuances of cultural relativism, and the essence of rational conversation, especially within diverse and postmodern settings. Incorporating insights from esteemed thinkers such as Kant, Gadamer, Levinas, and Habermas, his series sheds light on the critical ethical obligations surrounding hospitality and comprehension amidst the complexities of our evolving global landscape.

The reach of Dr. Kenigson’s lectures is global, stirring interest and sparking debates on pressing contemporary issues—from NATO membership aspirations to the intricacies of Brexit and Eastern European geopolitical tensions. His ability to weave together philosophical discourse and practical considerations highlights the challenges and responsibilities inherent in fostering rational, meaningful conversations within diverse societies.

Dr. Kenigson’s academic journey and professional endeavors showcase a relentless pursuit of a world enriched by justice, beauty, and intellectual vitality. His work not only invites us to reconsider our moral and ethical frameworks but also to engage actively in the creation of a more understanding and rational world. For those eager to delve deeper into his thoughts and contributions, Dr. Kenigson’s website offers a gateway to a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration.

Discover more about Dr. Jonathan Kenigson and his impactful work at kenigson.com.

Tech World

A Pragmatic View on AI’s Role in Defense | Insights from LANL Experts

by Excellence Insider Staff on February 4, 2024

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the military, defense, and aerospace sectors marks a significant shift in how national security is managed and operations are conducted. This transition, while promising in terms of efficiency and innovation, also brings forth a multitude of challenges and concerns. Michael Weinfurt and David Smith, experts from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), offer a grounded analysis of this evolving landscape in their recent op-ed. Their perspective provides a critical look at the increasing reliance on AI technologies and the pressing need for robust data security, integrity, and control measures.

Drawing attention to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Weinfurt and Smith highlight a key issue facing the Department of Defense: the absence of standardized guidance for the acquisition and integration of AI technologies. This gap, as identified in the GAO report, could potentially lead to systemic weaknesses, emphasizing the importance of a strategic approach to AI adoption.

The core of Weinfurt and Smith’s argument is the potential benefits AI brings to defense strategies—namely, its capacity to enhance operational speed, efficiency, and innovation. However, they caution against a rushed or uncoordinated integration process. The experts argue for a balanced approach that marries the advancements in AI with stringent security protocols and management practices. This balance, they believe, is essential to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating risks associated with data security and technological reliability.

Their analysis serves as a guide for policymakers, defense contractors, and military strategists alike, underlining the criticality of AI in modern defense mechanisms but also the necessity for its careful and secure integration. Weinfurt and Smith stress that while the adoption of AI technologies is inevitable and beneficial, it must be pursued with diligence, foresight, and a strong emphasis on maintaining control and integrity of data.

This pragmatic viewpoint extends to the broader implications of AI in defense, touching upon the strategic advantages and the challenges of maintaining technological superiority in a rapidly evolving domain. The insights from Weinfurt and Smith encourage a thoughtful discourse on the future of defense technologies, advocating for a systematic and informed approach to integrating AI capabilities.

Their analysis is not just a warning but a call to action for developing comprehensive strategies that address the security, management, and ethical considerations of AI in defense. As the defense sector increasingly leans on AI, the guidance provided by Weinfurt and Smith points towards the importance of establishing clear protocols, rigorous security measures, and a balanced technological ecosystem.

The anticipation for further detailed analysis from these LANL experts reflects the sector’s recognition of the complexities involved in AI integration into defense. Their forthcoming work is expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing dialogue on how best to navigate the intersection of AI and national security.

In essence, the perspective offered by Michael Weinfurt and David Smith on AI in defense underscores a pragmatic approach to technological advancement. It highlights the necessity for a strategic, well-informed, and security-conscious integration of AI technologies, ensuring that innovation in defense not only enhances capabilities but also preserves the integrity and security of operations. Their contributions are a valuable asset in shaping the future of defense strategies in an AI-driven era.

World

Bill Gates Urges World Leaders to Act on Climate Change: A Grandfather’s Case for a Sustainable Future

by Excellence Insider Staff on August 20, 2023

Bill Gates, renowned philanthropist, entrepreneur and soon-to-be grandfather, is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for immediate, concrete action against climate change. His recent call for robust and urgent actions reflects his concerns for the survival and prosperity of future generations, emphasising the role of current leaders in shaping the fate of our planet.

Gates underlined the key role leadership plays in charting the course towards environmental redemption. The tech titan insists polluters must pay for the inglorious damage done to the environment and called upon developed countries to impose taxes on the excessive profit made by fossil fuel companies. This came amidst a reminder of the staggering amounts of greenhouse gas emissions still being released, an issue that has provoked concern among environmental organizations and global governing bodies such as the United Nations.

Perhaps surprisingly, it was the imminent arrival of his first grandchild that catalysed this renewed zeal in Gates. He candidly admitted to seeing the world from a new perspective since his daughter announced his impending grandparenthood. Gates contends that the way current leaders tackle the climate catastrophe will heavily influence the kind of world we bequeath to our descendants.

The solution, as Gates sees it, is radical and urgent. He called for a revolutionization of the entire physical economy, encompassing everything from manufacturing to agriculture, transportation, and electricity. This, he believes, is what is needed to achieve the target of zero carbon emissions.

But this is not just a task for governments and non-profits to shoulder. Gates reminded us that philanthropy alone cannot solve the climate problem. The momentum for change must also come from the private sector, with businesses taking up the green mantle and playing their part in combating this global crisis.

In support of this, Gates pointed out that his foundation has been investing in businesses striving towards green solutions. One notable example is Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a firm committed to financing companies intent on achieving carbon neutrality.

Gates’ vision is to inspire a generation of green entrepreneurs worldwide. He believes that the profit incentive will encourage other innovators to compete, effectively driving down the prices of cutting-edge, zero-emission solutions. This could have a profound impact on the reduction of emissions from buildings, one of the major contributors to global warming.

As this visionary billionaire contemplates his new role as a grandfather, his perspective on the plight of the planet is becoming increasingly poignant and powerful. For Gates, the rapid evolution of climate change is no longer just an economic or political problem, but an unprecedented threat to the world that his granddaughter, along with billions of other children, will inherit.

Gates’ impassioned call to arms confronts us with the sobering reality of the world as it currently stands, highlighting the increasing urgency of the issue. As he pointed out, “we’re falling short” on short-term climate objectives. And while fossil fuels can’t be eradicated overnight, Gates remains hopeful, asserting that we need to invest in de-carbonization technologies while ensuring that no single individual or country is left behind in this fight for a cleaner, safer planet.

Undoubtedly, this is a monumental challenge, arguably the hardest one humanity has ever faced. But as we find ourselves at a veritable environmental crossroads, Bill Gates is leading the way, urging all individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to seize the opportunity to usher in a better, more sustainable future. It’s a plea not just for his unborn grandchild, but also for every citizen of this planet.

World

Navigating the Tide Towards Climate-Adaptation: Floating Architecture Emerges

by Excellence Insider Staff on August 20, 2023

Floating into The Watery Future: An Architectural Innovation for Rising Waters

As we venture to address the climate crisis, the reality of present challenges bubbles up to the surface. The continual rise in sea levels has set a daunting pace, with US coastlines expected to rise by 10 to 12 inches by 2050. The perils powdered by rising tides paint a particularly grim picture for the nearly 900 million people dwelling in fragile, low-lying coastal zones.

Unfolding the pages from his new book, “African Water Cities,” Kunlé Adeyemi, an architect with an innovative lens, inspiring the world with an adaptable attitude – “Why fight water when you can learn to live with it?” His brainchild, the Makoko Floating System (MFS) – a set of sustainable timber structures that can be readily assembled and dismantled, emerges as a beacon of hope against the doomsday backdrop. A keenly engineered innovation, the MFS stands up to European building codes with modularity and efficiency hidden in its details.

These progressive strides are vividly displayed at the ongoing exhibition, “Water Cities Rotterdam,” at the Dutch city’s Nieuwe Instituut. Alongside the MFS, NLÉ’s earlier floating projects, including floating pavilions and the acclaimed Makoko Floating School, offer a glimpse into the evolving face of architecture.

With most of Rotterdam that lies below sea level, futuristic architectural marvels can be identified throughout the landscape of this delta city, with floating office complexes and farms that have also come alive in the city. A case in point is Nassauhaven, showcasing the spectacle of 17 floating homes structured by local firm, Public Domain Architects (PDA). As the groundwork to future-proof Rotterdam, Nassauhaven is the city’s first floating residential area, echoing a “floating street” essence, with wood homes on concrete pontoons tethered to the harbor floor. Designed to ride the tides while assuring residents’ comfort, the structures tout energy neutrality, sustainability features like solar panels, biomass heating, and onsite wastewater purification.

A reflection on the 2011 Lagos flood compelled Adeyemi towards envisioning cities that could adapt and flourish amid flooding. Today, proposals for climate-resilient floating cities are turning heads worldwide. From oceanic settlements in South Korea to a massive Maldives development to house 20,000 inhabitants, the blueprints for aquatic living are becoming a reality in places like Lagos and Rotterdam.

Further projects that PDA and Adeyemi have in the pipeline include expanding their horizons to Bangladesh and developing additional floating quarters. By creating these ‘water-scrapers’, they anticipate helping society adapt with solutions that can be adopted globally. The MFS system, with its small, medium and large tri-angular A-frame structures, offers versatility from housing to education.

In 2021, the floating music hub, constructed in Mindelo, a port city off the West African coast, encapsulates Adeyemi’s vision. Spread across three pavilions, this floating spectacle houses a performance stage, bar, canteen, and recording studio. Constructed with prefabricated flat-pack parts, these structures can be erected by a five-person team in two weeks, opening doors towards an inclusive approach to climate adaptation, bringing the most vulnerable communities into focus.

Despite countless vulnerabilities faced by these communities, the growing interest in floating architecture is becoming a silver lining. Rather than fighting the elements, we’re learning to dance in sync, realizing that the safest place for climate adaptation is on the water itself. It is a potent example of how imminent threats can catalyze innovative solutions, stripping the narrative of climate change of its bleak hues and refashioning it with the bold optimism of adaptable architecture.

Design for Impact is no longer a luxury but a necessity, a new wave of architectural solution resilient against the trials of climate change, providing refuge for communities displaced by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. As the climate narrative evolves, so should our architectural response, shaping a future where we are not only able to weather the storm but also transform it into a refreshing spritz of possibilities.

World

Luna 25: Navigating the Challenges and High Stakes of Russia’s Moon Landing Mission

by Excellence Insider Staff on August 20, 2023

As the world continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the stakes are especially high for Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos. Their Luna 25 mission marked the nation’s first attempt at re-entry to the lunar surface since the Soviet era’s Luna 24 touchdown in 1976. Despite an on-board “emergency situation,” Roscosmos remains committed to proving the viability of its long-maligned, but painstakingly revitalised, civil space program.

The Luna 25 spacecraft, launched in early August from Russia’s Amur Oblast aboard a Soyuz-2 Fregat rocket, was scheduled for a swift journey towards the moon. However, the spacecraft faced an emergency as it attempted to enter a pre-landing orbit.

At the heart of this is the Luna 25 mission, essential not just for its symbolic bid to reconnect Russia with the moon, but also for its strategic positioning as a proving ground for future Roscosmos explorations. Several upcoming Luna missions are set to employ the same spacecraft design, magnifying the urgency to rectify any defects swiftly and effectively.

Roscosmos confirmed the incident in a post on messaging app Telegram, stating that the difficulties arose during an operation, preventing the maneuver from being executed according to specific parameters.

Such challenges aren’t new to Russia’s space program. Its history is dogged with quality control issues, corruption, and problems with funding, according to Victoria Samson, Washington office director at Secure World Foundation. Despite these challenges, however, landing Luna 25 safely could denote a pivotal moment for Russia’s return to space prominence.

The mission comes at a time when international attention is increasingly focusing on the moon. It’s worth noting that Luna 25’s trajectory saw it overtake its Indian counterpart, the Chandrayaan-3. However, to suggest that Russia and India are engaged in a race for the lunar south pole would be oversimplification, says astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell of the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian. These ostensibly competing projects have been two decades in the making, contrasting with the media’s sensationalized presentations.

As of now, it remains unclear whether the emergency situation will prevent Luna 25 from attempting to touch down near the moon’s south pole. “The management team is currently analyzing the situation,” Roscosmos reported, signalling that this journey to the moon continues, albeit with a few “giant leaps” along the way.

In this marriage of visionary ambition and technical challenge, Luna 25 embodies the spirit of contemporary space exploration. Its success or failure will not just reflect on Russia’s space program, but will influence the narrative of our collective journey towards understanding our nearest celestial neighbour, reinstating humankind’s shared quest for lunar exploration, irrespective of national boundaries.

Whether Luna 25 ultimately succeeds in its mission, the complexities it navigates resonate far beyond Russia. They reflect the broader challenges at the forefront of space exploration: the need for comprehensive quality control and robust funding, and the balance between national pride and international cooperation. As the world watches, Luna 25’s voyage becomes an emblem of humanity’s audacity, resilience, and relentless pursuit of celestial knowledge.

Beyond the geopolitical narratives and technical challenges, Luna 25’s journey illuminates an essential truth about space exploration. Amidst a universe of profound mystery and monumental complexity, every step – every launch, and every landing – is a monumental achievement. For Russia, Luna 25 promises not just an attempt to reclaim space glory, but a testament to the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and the pursuit of understanding the cosmic arena.