POWER OF CONFUSION

Last week, our nation suffered the biggest cybersecurity breach in its history, surrendering information to Russia that can be used against us. The SVR, the Russian version of our CIA, can delete content, it can view our defenses and plan counterattacks, and it can sow disinformation. The most difficult to defend against is disinformation.

Confabulation is difficult to diagnose because we believe our knowledge is confirmed. By manipulating our cognition to influence our beliefs, the Russians create a struggle between Americans. Our hostility is aimed at each other, not at our attackers.

In the shadow of our recent election, distractions aid in masterminding the desired effect.

– Philip Beasley, Plantation

SICKLY WATERS

Red tide is a well-documented phenomenon that has occurred numerous times in Florida’s history. It causes sea water to turn bright red and can result in the deaths of hundreds of animals in an ecosystem. A significant instance of red tide occurred last week in Southwest Florida and threatens human and ecological health once again.

Though seemingly a coastal issue, all Floridians should understand and address the factors contributing to red tide. The bacteria K. brevis is responsible for red tide. However, pollution and agricultural runoff also are significant origins caused by humans. Agricultural ventures miles removed from the shoreline can pose significant risk to the health and economies of coastal areas.

Residents of Central Florida should research where their runoff ends and the steps they can take to dispose of their waste more safely. All citizens should lobby their local representatives to tighten water management practices and better regulate where polluted water travels.

Support from citizens who are not directly affected by this phenomenon would solidify Florida’s commitment to its natural resources and the interactions between them.

– Alejandro Munoz,

Gainesville