Researchers Claim New Algorithm Will Prevent a Robot Apocalypse: They Are So Wrong,With the Level of AI,the Robots Will Reprogram Around Their Operating Systems,Not to Mention the Demonic Ghosts in the Machines

As we watch robots, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence machines and the like slowly (and sometimes rapidly) permeate our world, it’s not hard to imagine them going from permeating to taking over. Reaching that point, even those who don’t watch sci-fi movies can see the possibility of rogue robots and AI machines using computer logic to eliminate the one thing that could stop their takeover – humans – and initiating a robot apocalypse. Fortunately, some computer scientists in California have developed an algorithm that trains robots to always avoid the bad, human-elimination decisions and stay on the path of good, obedient servitude instead. How well do you think this will work?

“We want to advance AI that respects the values of its human users and justifies the trust we place in autonomous systems.”

In a Stanford University press release announcing the publication in the journal Science of the paper “Preventing undesirable behavior of intelligent machines,” Emma Brunskill, an assistant professor of computer science at Stanford and senior author of the paper, illustrates the alleged noble goal of robot and AI developers – making them tools for the good of humankind – and describes the algorithm she and her colleagues have designed to accomplish – and hopefully guarantee – that goal.

“We show how the designers of machine learning algorithms can make it easier for people who want to build AI into their products and services to describe unwanted outcomes or behaviors that the AI system will avoid with high-probability.”

Related: The Biggest Mistakes You Can Make in a Blackout

The idea is to describe bad decisions and behaviors mathematically. While “don’t do this or the patient will die” decisions are easy to describe, behaviors such as gender bias – a line AI is crossing as it’s used more and more to evaluate employment or school applications – requires a sense of fairness that is obviously much harder to define mathematically. The Stanford researchers modified the algorithm in a program designed to predict the future grade point averages of students and it learned to avoid bias toward one gender. While “fairness” is much more vague than “life or death,” the researchers believe it can – and should – be built into all AI using their algorithm.

Does all of this sound familiar? The paper refers to this solution as a “Seldonian algorithm” and fans of Isaac Asimov will recognize that obvious reference to Hari Seldon, the mathematics professor at Streeling University on the planet Trantor in Asimov’s “Foundation” sci-fi series. Seldon developed psychohistory, an algorithmic science that allowed him to predict the future in probabilistic terms. It worked for Hari Seldon … will it work for us?

“Given the recent rise of real-world ML applications and the corresponding surge of potential harm that they could cause, it is imperative that ML algorithms provide their users with an effective means for controlling behavior. To this end, we have proposed a framework for designing ML algorithms and shown how it can be used to construct algorithms that provide their users with the ability to easily (that is, without requiring additional data analysis) place limits on the probability that the algorithm will produce any specified undesirable behavior.”

Why do humans want us to avoid bad behavior when bad behavior is so much fun?

In the paper’s conclusion on using machine learning (ML) algorithms to change robot behavior, that nasty word “probability” pops up. The algorithm is not a 100% guarantee of robot apocalypse prevention and even if it were, it depends on humans using it in all applications. Just as it’s easy to imagine a robot apocalypse, it’s easy to imagine it being caused by unscrupulous businesses leaving the “bad behavior prevention algorithm” out to cut costs or make more profits.

Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant men of our time, says artificial intelligence (AI) represents an “existential threat” to humans.

Could artificial intelligence combined with robotics create a machine that could out think the best humans in any contest? What happens if these “devices” decide they want to control the world? Dispensing with humans or enslaving us wouldn’t be hard.

AI isn’t about a computer executing a fixed program. It’s about a computer teaching itself how to do something it hasn’t experienced. These are machines that learn. Meet Brett, A robot learning to fold clothing.

Are we doomed?

This lost survival food knowledge is so organized that anyone, even people with absolutely no prior cooking or stockpiling experience can take advantage of it. 

Everything is explained in a clear, precise step by step fashion, using colored pictures and easy to follow instructions.

With over 126 forgotten survival foods and storage hacks “The Lost Superfoods” is a vital book to place in your survival stockpile.

Learn More...

Get Ready for a Worst Case Scenario, Russia and Nuclear War Completing America's Destruction: Once WW3 Breaks Out, “Everything Will Definitely Be Turned to Dust” THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW!

No one wants to think about a nuclear crisis – and hopefully it will never happen – but we all must accept the fact nuclear tensions are rising globally with Russia-Ukraine war (If WWIII breaks out, it won’t start on tanks or fighter jets, warns Medvedev), so we should prepare ourselves and our loved ones in the event the unthinkable strikes our soil.

For decades, movies and some in the media have portrayed a nuclear attack as a “doomsday” event implying most people would be killed on impact … and survivors would want to die once they come out of their shelters.

In reality, unless you are actually at ground zero or within a several mile radius of the blast zone (depending on the size of the nuke, of course), there is a very high probability you’ll survive as long as you…

• limit your exposure to radiation and fallout,
• take shelter with proper shielding, and
• wait for the most dangerous radioactive materials to decay.

In other words, you CAN survive a nuke attack … but you MUST make an effort to learn what to do! By learning about potential threats, we are all better prepared to know how to react if something happens.

Please realize this is being written with small nuke devices in mind (like a 1-kiloton to 1-megaton device). A larger device, ICBM or a nuclear war would cause more wide-spread damage but some of this data could still be helpful. These are some very basic tips on sheltering for any type of nuclear (or radiological) incident.

What happens when a nuke explodes?

A nuclear blast produces a blinding light, intense heat (called thermal radiation), initial nuclear radiation, 2 explosive shock waves (blasts), mass fires, and radioactive fallout (residual nuclear radiation).

The below graphic shows the destruction of a test home by an atomic blast on March 17, 1953 at the Nevada Proving Ground. The structure was located 3,500 feet from ground zero, and the time from the first to last picture was 2.3 seconds.  It shows the force of the blast wave then the radiating energy set it on fire.

Also, if a nuke is launched over our continent and explodes miles above the earth, it could create an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). An EMP is a split-second silent energy burst (like a stroke of lightning) that can fry electronics connected to wires or antennas like cell phones, cars, computers, TVs, etc. Unless electronics are grounded or hardened, an area or nation could experience anything from minor interference to crippled power, transportation, banking and communications systems.

An EMP from a high-altitude nuke (where a nation or group succeeds in detonating a nuclear device carried miles into the atmosphere) could affect electronics within 1,000 miles or more as shown below. (Evidence suggests some countries and groups are working on enhanced and non-nuclear EMP weapons or e-bombs.)

What is the most dangerous part of a nuclear attack?

Both the initial nuclear radiation and residual nuclear radiation (also called radioactive fallout) are extremely dangerous.

Initial nuclear radiation is penetrating invisible rays that can be lethal in high levels.

Radioactive fallout (residual nuclear radiation) is created when the fireball vaporizes everything inside it (including dirt and water). Vaporized materials mix with radioactive materials in the updraft of air forming a mushroom cloud.

Fallout can be carried by winds for hundreds of miles and begin falling to the ground within minutes of the blast or take hours, days, weeks or even months to fall. The heaviest fallout would hit ground zero and areas downwind of that, and 80% of fallout would occur within 24 hours. Most fallout looks like grey sand or gritty ash and the radiation given off cannotbe seen, smelled, tasted or felt which is why it is so dangerous. But as the materials decay or spread out radiation levels will drop.

So how do I protect myself and my family?

Basic shelter requirements – Whether you build a shelter in advance or throw together an expedient last-minute shelter during a crisis, the area should protect you from radiation and support you for at least 2 weeks. Some basic requirements for a fallout shelter include …

• shielding
• ventilation
• water and food
• sanitation and first aid products
• radiation monitoring devices, KI (potassium iodide), radio, weapons, tools, etc

Reduce exposure – Protect yourself from radioactive fallout with …

• distance – the more distance between you and fallout particles, the better
• shielding – heavy, dense materials (like thick walls, earth, concrete, bricks, water and books) between you and fallout is best. Stay indoors or below ground. (Taking shelter in a basement or a facility below ground reduces exposure by 90%. Less than 4 inches of soil or earth can reduce the penetration of dangerous gamma rays by half.)
• time – most fallout loses its strength quickly. The more time that passes after the attack, the lower the danger.

Indoor shelter locations – If you don’t have a fallout shelter, these options could provide protection from dangerous radiation by using proper shielding materials.

• basement – find the corner that is most below ground level (the further underground the better)
• 1-story home / condo / apartment – if no underground facility, find a spot in center of home away from windows

• trailer home – find sturdier shelter if possible (like a basement or brick or concrete building)
• multi-story building or high-rise – go to center of the middle section of building (above 9th floor if possible). Note: if rooftop of a building next to you is on that same floor, move one floor up or down since radioactive fallout would accumulate on rooftops. Avoid first floor (if possible) since fallout will pile up on ground outside.

Shielding materials – All fallout shelters must provide good protection from radioactive particles. FEMA suggests having a minimum of several inches of concrete or 1 to 2 feet of earth as shielding around your shelter, if possible, and the more the better. Per FEMA, the following shows examples of shielding materials that equal the protection of 4 inches (10 cm) of concrete …

• 5 – 6 inches (12 – 15 cm) of bricks
• 6 inches (15 cm) of sand or gravel
• 7 inches (18 cm) of earth
• 8 inches (20 cm) of hollow concrete block
• 10 inches (25 cm) of water
• 14 inches (35 cm) of books or magazines
• 18 inches (46 cm) of wood

Make an expedient shelter – Some very basic ways to build an expedient last-minute shelter in your home, apartment or workplace to help protect you from dangerous radiation include…

• Set up a large, sturdy workbench or table in location you’ve chosen. If no table, make one by putting doors on top of boxes, appliances or furniture.
• Put as much shielding (e.g. furniture, file cabinets, appliances, boxes or pillowcases filled with dirt or sand, boxes of food, water or books, concrete blocks, bricks, etc.) all around sides and on top of table, but don’t put too much weight on tabletop or it could collapse. Add reinforcing supports, if needed.
• Leave a crawl space so everyone can get inside and block opening with shielding materials.
• Leave 2 small air spaces for ventilation (about 4-6″ each) – one low at one end and one high at other end. (This allows for better airflow since warm air rises.)
• Have water, radiation detection devices, KI, battery operated radio, food and sanitation supplies in case you have to shelter in place for days or weeks.

In summary, those within the blast zone of Ground Zero (depending on the size of the nuke) won’t make it .. BUT .. if you are a few miles outside the zone your chances of surviving it are high but you MUST have detection devices to monitor levels of radiation and a plan to stay sheltered for at least 48 hours or up to a few weeks. First Responders will have to wait for the deadly fallout to decay before they enter a hot zone so the more you prepare, the better your odds of surviving a nuke.

THE BIDEN DOCTRINE OF DEMORALIZATION AND DEFEAT: THIS IS ANOTHER NO-WIN WAR THAT THE AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENT WANTS FOUGHT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO GUARANTEE DEFEAT FOR THOSE WHOSE COUNTRY WAS INVADED

While advocating more weapons for Ukraine, former Obama official Michael McFaul says in a Foreign Affairs article “In return for receiving these weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could sign a legally binding agreement to not use these weapons to strike targets inside Russia.” There you have it, in clear precise terms: Ukraine is not being permitted to win.

 
This is another no-win war that the American foreign policy establishment wants fought in such a way as to guarantee defeat for those whose country was invaded.
 
If the experts at the Council on Foreign Relations have their way, Ukraine will have to settle for a bombed-out country and the corporate and financial elites will resume business-as-usual with a KGB regime in Moscow determined to resurrect the Soviet empire.  
 
Not surprisingly, supporters of Ukraine are coming to the conclusion that, under Joe Biden, Ukraine isn't supposed to win but to bleed and then negotiate and certify Russia’s capture of eastern Ukraine and Crimea. That means Russia wins, and it can set its sights on other countries, such as anti-communist Poland.
 
Joe Biden, you’re no Ronald Reagan.
 
Reagan, who fought communists in Hollywood and understood their strategy and tactics, had a Reagan Doctrine as president to overthrow communist and enemy regimes. But with his declaration that the U.S. will not send advanced F-16s to Ukraine, despite repeated requests, we have a new “Biden Doctrine” of demoralization and defeat.
 
Meanwhile, the United Nations, functioning as a communist front, does nothing about the illegal North Korean nuclear weapons program while China Joe refuses to consider re-deployment of nuclear weapons to South Korea to counter the communist threat. South Korea’s conservative ruling People Power Party will have to consider building nuclear weapons of its own.  
 
Disarming Ukraine
 
In regard to Ukraine, McFaul’s proposal for a “legally binding agreement” prohibiting military action against Vladimir Putin’s KGB regime is another sell-out that allows Russia, China, and its allies to remain on the military offensive around the world.
 
This approach reminds us of the Budapest Memorandum devised under Democratic President Bill Clinton that returned Ukraine’s nuclear weapons to Moscow. In return, Ukraine’s independence was supposed to be guaranteed by the U.S., Britain, and Russia.
 
Ukraine was disarmed, but this was predictably followed by a Russian invasion.
 
Advocating more appeasement of Moscow, McFaul wants Ukraine to promise not to take the fight to Russia, a primary source of global conflict and instability since its communist revolution in 1917.
 
McFaul’s “advice” has to be regarded as suspect because his credentials include serving for five years in the Obama administration, from 2012 to 2014 as U.S. Ambassador to Russia. The first invasion of Ukraine occurred under Obama in 2014 and the second under Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, in 2022.
 
The Obama/Biden policies have brought the world to this point.
 
After the invasion in 2014, Obama/Biden authorized a pathetic aid package for Ukraine that featured radios, patrol boats, body armor, helmets, blankets, and night-vision goggles. He “stuck to his refusal to provide weapons or other lethal military gear to Ukraine,” as noted by the Wall Street Journal at the time.
 
“What was democratic President Obama’s position in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014?” asks foreign policy writer and Ukraine supporter Victor Rud. Obama’s position was that “We do very little trade with Ukraine and geopolitically what happens in Ukraine doesn’t pose a threat to us.” This statement captures the mindset of those who made Russia’s aggression possible and who continue to make excuses for Russia’s war crimes today.
 
Trump’s Approach
 
With the 2022 invasion approaching its first anniversary on February 24, former President Trump says in a new video, “I think we helped lead Russia into that war by saying, well, if they took a small part of the country that would be okay. Such a tragic waste of human life.” He was referring to Biden’s statement before the war that NATO was divided on what to do if Russia launched a “minor incursion.”
 
McFaul’s recommendations for weapons are better than nothing, since there are some ostensibly pro-Trump Republicans, such as Stephen K. Bannon, who oppose any aid to Ukraine. Bannon has achieved a national platform against Ukraine through a channel called Real America’s Voice and Mike Lindell’s Frank Speech network and has financial connections to a controversial Chinese billionaire allegedly linked to Chinese officials by the name of Miles Guo.
 
Bannon comes across as a war hawk on China and Taiwan, saying America has a national interest there, but dismisses the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a “regional conflict.” He is part of a group of “conservatives” hoping to dominate the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
 
“Take down the Chinese Communist Party” is Bannon’s war cry, with an opening commercial featuring Miles Guo petting his cat on a yacht. It is truly bizarre.
 
The Reagan Doctrine
 
The real conservative position, dating back to the period of Ronald Reagan, is to support freedom fighters and anti-communist regimes around the globe. I attended several of CPAC gatherings in the 1980s when Reagan was the featured speaker and spoke of the evils of communism. Today, unfortunately, some in the MAGA movement speak approvingly of Putin and his KGB associates. 
 
“By bending their knee to Putin,” Victor Rudd says of Stephen K. Bannon, Tucker Carlson, and their ilk, “they accept his caterwauling that the fall of the USSR was the greatest tragedy of the 20th century.”
 
True conservatives are being given a false choice -- Michael McFaul’s limited support option for Ukraine, under certain circumstances, or the Stephen K. Bannon approach of leaving the country completely at the mercy of Putin’s KGB regime.
 
McFaul’s article is somewhat helpful in the sense that he lists many different weapons systems that Ukraine desperately needs for national survival and hasn’t received. But he insists these only be used for defensive purposes. That’s a recipe for more bloodshed and a Russian victory. 
 
To understand this approach, remember that Joe Biden, since his Senate days, has been an advocate of a New World Order and doesn’t seem to understand the nature of the foreign threats.
 
For his part, McFaul is worried that, “If the war drags through the end of the year without major Ukrainian victories, the Biden administration will struggle to obtain congressional renewal for a new military and economic assistance package, especially as the presidential election heats up with at least one major candidate, Donald Trump, who is not a fan of aid to Ukraine.”
 
The claim that Trump “is not a fan of aid to Ukraine” is misleading. He was not a fan of foreign aid in general as long as the countries receiving it were not doing enough for themselves and for America. Hence, he recommended that NATO countries pay for more of their own defense, a very wise course that might have kept Moscow at bay, and develop their own energy resources.
 
More recently, at a rally in Texas, Trump declared, “China is threatening Taiwan, Iran is on the cusp of a nuclear bomb, Russia may take over Ukraine... Joe Biden’s weakness and incompetence is creating a very real risk of World War III.”
 
The terms “weakness” and “incompetence” are more accurate than Michael McFaul’s claim in Foreign Affairs that Biden has shown “remarkable leadership in galvanizing the world to assist Ukraine in 2022.” Biden’s too little and too late approach has brought us to this perilous point.
 
As we enter 2023, we have a war in Europe, the threat of war in Asia, and two recent terror attacks in Jerusalem involved the murder of Israeli civilians and 1 Ukrainian citizen.
 
Under these circumstances, surrender is not an option.

The Continuous and Terminal Political Gaslighting of the American Masses

 “Gaslighting is implanted narratives cloaked in secrecy.” 

meaning that: “Gaslighting are lies with a purpose to confuse and control.”  

Tracy Malone

The term “gaslighting” is a relatively modern term, although it was the title of a 1944 movie of the same name, but has actually only been in vogue for a short period of time. The current purposeful use of the word gaslighting in all circles of the mainstream and many alternative sources, is in fact a form of gaslighting itself. If this is confusing, it is because it was put into the general everyday language intentionally, a smoke and mirrors technique, so as to cause a particular reaction. A little known term has now become mainstream, and this happened almost overnight. In the context of this essay, I am using the term in the sense of large scale political manipulation, not personal relationship matters. Obviously, lies are constantly used to achieve nefarious ends, and in many different manners, but when used as a control measure for the masses, it has especially largescale and devious intent.

In order to gaslight (fool and confuse) the many at once, a combination of truth and lies are necessary, as gaslighting is dependent on clouding reality to imitate fiction, by using believable lies to create doubt in the minds of otherwise seemingly sane people. This tactic is especially effective with those who are weak, self-conscious, dependent, committed to collectivism, or consumed by fear. That is why it is so useful to the narcissistic monsters who make up the ruling and political classes, whose only mission is to plant false narratives in the minds of their flock, so as to gain total control over them.

This is the major objective of all those who are actually attempting to take both sides of an issue in order to gain the confidence of their victims, so as to sway their opinions; those who might be referred to as ‘controlled opposition.’ This group would include those who are involved with the mainstream media, the political parties and political system, and much of the alternative media as well. Those who attempt only to spread truth, and are not pursuing the acceptance of any agenda, and not trying to fool others into taking their side, are not guilty of gaslighting, but those pushing state narratives while at the same time denouncing those same narratives, are practicing trickery through hypocrisy. These are mostly people who possess no soul, and who would be hard-pressed to show any honest or legitimate empathy toward others; although fake or pretended empathy is certainly used as a tool, and pursued by these deceiving con artists.

I could name the names of many of these obvious gaslighting individuals, but that would only upset so many readers here and elsewhere who have been fooled into believing the claptrap presented by all these pretenders who excel in doublespeak propaganda. A mix of partial truths and partial lies are strong brews for those who fail to do their own research, and for those who only want to know that which does not upset their false perception of reality. Since the fake ‘covid’ scam, mainstream talking heads, new bloggers, reporters, podcasters, and others, many who came directly from the dragon’s mouth, are now considered to be new heroes, ‘credible’ whistleblowers,  and truthtellers, all without any real verifiable evidence, and who are often accepted by alternative and ‘libertarian’ types without question. In many cases, but certainly not all, these politicians and so-called presenters of ‘news,’ are simply wolves in sheep’s clothing, gaslighting the gullible subjects of not only the common class, but of a broad range of political types. This is obvious when regardless of whether one claims to be Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Libertarian, many continue to be fooled by the same propaganda, as has happened en masse, especially these past three years.

All this constant gaslighting is of course based in narcissism, with most of the perpetrators being psychopaths, liars, cheats, thieves, politicians (but I repeat myself), and power-brokers. A good analogy for this behavior is that of a ‘good cop’ and bad cop simultaneously playing one side against the other; all the while expecting to gain from the deception. Of course, those who use the system without directly participating in the gaslighting, are in effect attempting to accomplish similar nefarious goals; all while claiming to be outside the corruption. This could and does apply to many in the general population, as so long as they can gain something for themselves, and not be subject to harsh scrutiny, they will practice deception in their own way, by using the state to benefit themselves at the expense of others.

This is a real problem, because the norm in a society of this nature, is one of complicity with the state system by the general population, where collusion and proxy power due to government involvement, employment, and the evil voting booth; without regard for friends, neighbors, or strangers who are secretly abused, indicates a type of hidden local fascism. This would be an informal and unstructured partnership voluntarily pursued simply for personal gain.

There are many examples of this atrocious behavior. Consider some obvious instances, such as the medical establishment, doctors, and hospitals accepting large sums of money to record certain types of diagnoses, certain causes of death, and to administer very suspect treatments, and in many cases fatal protocols, in order to continue to receive payoffs for their compliance with government. Do no harm was thrown off the cliff in a hurry in order to gain from this fraud during the ‘covid’ hoax. Consider all the state and local businesses nationwide, who gain their sustenance from government and military contracts, which support every aspect of maiming, torturing, and murdering innocents around the world. The number is staggering, as virtually every city and town has companies who receive government contracts, whether military or domestic. In addition, there are according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, well over 22 million government employees, this excluding the military, CIA, NSA, Imagery and Mapping Agencies, and the Defense Intelligence agencies. All of these people, and many more are fully dependent on government and contract employment. This number is certainly considerably understated, because much is considered classified information or secret, and trusting government figures is only a fool’s game.

How many in this country either work directly for the government, survive due to government largesse, (stolen money) are dependent on government welfare, or are making their living due to government laws, regulations, and warmongering? How many ‘private’ companies and corporations hold monopolies protected and funded by government; thereby causing all employees to be dependent on the state. How many in this country are dependent on this so-called ‘healthcare system; a system fully controlled, subsidized, managed, and funded by government? This would obviously be an extremely high percentage of this population.

Mass gaslighting of a controlled and dependent society is an easy task to achieve, because personal responsibility has virtually disappeared. As always, nothing the state does is natural, organic, coincidental, or accidental; all is planned in advance and is part of one agenda or another. The state has nothing, produces nothing, creates nothing, and only steals and murders in order to survive. So long as the common man remains a part of this heinous system, voluntarily allowing rulers to exist and lord over him, lives in constant fear of non-existent threats and emergencies, and continues to depend on the state for most every aspect of his life, prepare to be lied to at every turn, and understand that serfdom will be the only result possible, unless and until sanity awakens.

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. …In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons…who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”

~ Edward Bernays, Propaganda

Reference links:

Small businesses granted federal contracts

Admitted government employment numbers

Census od governments: Employment summary Report

How To Remove Radioactive Particles From Water In Case Of A Nuclear Fallout

Although the threat of full-scale nuclear war is low, there is always the possibility that we might end up with radioactive fallout in our drinking water.

An overseas regional nuclear exchange, nuclear accident, reactor explosion or meltdown, or a dirty bomb can all contaminate our water.

There are many filters available on the market that claim to remove 99 percent of radioactive particles, but the truth is that no one filter will remove all the particles from drinking water.

Disclaimer: This article is for interest and information purposes only.

What Types Of Radioactive Particles Might Be In The Water?

There are hundreds of radioactive particles that fallout will deposit over the land and in our water. Some of them will be short-lived, while others will remain in the environment for many years.

Of the multitudes of potential isotopes we may find in fallout, strontium-90, cesium-134, cesium-137, and iodine-131 are of particular concern.

Strontium-90

This is more a concern in the fallout from a nuclear detonation rather than a meltdown or nuclear accident.

The problem with strontium-90 is that its half-life is 29 years which means that it can remain in the environment for hundreds of years before it decays to a point where the danger is negligible.

Strontium-90 can cause bone cancer and leukemia in people who consume contaminated food or water.

Cesium-134 And Cesium-137

Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 have half-lives of 2 and 30 years, respectively.

They are found in fallout, and if people are exposed to them, they can suffer from acute radiation sickness and possibly increase their cancer risk.

Iodine-131

This isotope has a half-life of only around eight days but has serious adverse health consequences for those exposed to it in nuclear fallout.

Iodine-131 will accumulate in the thyroid, potentially leading to thyroid cancer or Thyroiditis.

Many more isotopes can be found in water and food after exposure to fallout, but they are far too numerous to list here.

Filtering Radioactive Particles From Water

Three methods have been shown to filter most radioactive materials from water effectively.

However, no one filter will remove every radioactive particle, so if you want to set up a system to decontaminate drinking water after a nuclear detonation or accident, it is best to have all three on hand.

Even if you have a well-thought-out and secure water storage system in place, you will need to consider how you will supplement your water storage with rainwater. Here’s a guide on how to create an ingenious rainwater harvesting and purification system capable of storing 165 gallons of water.

Reverse Osmosis

The EPA recommends reverse osmosis to remove many radioactive materials from water. It can remove 99% of uranium, radium, alpha or beta particles, and photon emitters.

Reverse osmosis will not, however, remove gaseous contaminates such as radon.

In addition, Idoine-131 will not be filtered by reverse osmosis because it is an isotope that, when found in water, is a dissolved gas.

Reverse osmosis works by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane. The water which passes through to the other side of the membrane is clean and mostly free of contaminants.

These systems usually employ several filtering steps to filter out and remove particles of differing sizes. Dissolved gasses, however, will find their way through the pores of the filter membrane.

Reverse osmosis filters are widely available and can even be installed in a home to filter water throughout the house.

With these filters, however, there is a problem of what to do with the contaminates that have been filtered out.

Systems designed for your entire home use a large portion of the water to wash away the waste through your household drains and into the sewer system.

In the case of radioactive fallout, you will be left with radioactive wastewater; in portable systems, you will be left with a wastewater tank to dispose of.

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange filters are often sold as water softeners, and they work by passing water through resins that contain positively or negatively charged ions.

These ions essentially swap places with the contaminants in the water.

This is a dramatic oversimplification, but the basic idea is that the particles we do not want in our water are trapped in the resin filter media when safe ions replace them.

Unfortunately, ion exchange filters are not particularly good a filtering out viruses and bacteria or other bugs that can make us sick, so they are not suitable for a stand-alone water purification system.

Ion exchange has been found to be particularly useful in filtering our Cesium-137 but is also effective against uranium, radium, as well as alpha and beta particles.

Ion exchange has the same downfall as any other filter, where you will be left with filter resins that are now contaminated with radioactive particles.

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon filters absorb contaminants as the water passes through the filter.

The problem with these filters is that once they reach their absorption capacity, they will no longer remove any particles.

Evidence suggests that carbon filters effectively remove radioactive fallout from our water.

Still, as with all filters, they will not remove 100 percent of the radioactive particles.

Some reverse osmosis filter systems will also include an activated carbon stage within the filter. However, it would still be a good idea to have an external one as a redundancy.

As with other filters, once an activated carbon filter has reached capacity, it will be full of radioactive fallout, which needs to be disposed of appropriately.

What Filter To Use

The best way to filter radioactive particles from your water after an attack or accident is to develop a system that uses all three filters.

You could start with an activated carbon filter to get most of the particles, followed by an ion exchange filter to soften the water and remove some missed particles, then complete the process with a reverse osmosis filter.

Regardless of how you set up your system, you will need extra filter media for each filter and a method to safely dispose of the waste.

Food and water security will be a paramount concern after any nuclear incident, regardless of what it is.

The most crucial thing to consider is establishing your fi