Bill Gates and the World Economic Forum are promoting CRISPR as a game-changing tool in science, but behind the excitement are serious concerns about its risks.

For the uninititated, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats technology is a gene-editing tool that allows for modifications of DNA in living organisms. Recent research reveals that CRISPR, while effective at editing genes to address inherited diseases, often introduces unintended consequences, including large-scale DNA mutations.

The potential to 'edit out' undesirable traits raises questions about eugenics and the commodification of human life.

This is a major concern.

Cascade of genetic malfunctions

Editing a specific gene can lead to off-target effects, altering unintended regions of the genome. This can lead to rapid mutations, potentially triggering the onset of cancers or other genetic disorders. Furthermore, even when targeting specific sequences, CRISPR's modifications can destabilize chromosomes, leading to large-scale deletions or rearrangements of genetic material. Such alterations not only disrupt the targeted gene but also affect neighboring regions, causing a cascade of genetic malfunctions.

Another critical danger lies in the complexity of biological systems. Genes rarely act in isolation; they interact within vast networks that control development, metabolism, and immunity. Changing one gene can disrupt these networks, creating unforeseen problems.

For example, CRISPR has been associated with chromosomal abnormalities that compromise cellular functions. These serious side effects are particularly concerning when CRISPR is applied to human embryos or germline cells.

That's because these changes are heritable, potentially affecting future generations.

Ethics? What ethics?

Ethical concerns further compound the risks. The potential to "edit out" undesirable traits raises questions about eugenics and the commodification of human life. While therapeutic applications aim to eliminate genetic diseases, the same technology could be misused to enhance physical abilities, intelligence, or appearance.

This will likely pave the way for a new era of genetic discrimination, where access to CRISPR defines who holds the ultimate biological edge.

In Silicon Valley, the seeds of this dystopia are already being sown. Transhumanists champion genetic enhancement as the next step in human evolution, treating biology as a canvas to craft the "perfect" being. We are entering an age in which a privileged few will command an undeniable biological edge. The rest of us, meanwhile, will wither away in the shadows of engineered perfection.

Moreover, the technical and regulatory frameworks around CRISPR remain insufficiently robust to address its risks comprehensively. Current regulations vary widely across countries, creating opportunities for unregulated experimentation. Rogue scientists or organizations could exploit CRISPR for malicious purposes, such as developing bioweapons or creating genetically modified organisms with harmful ecological impacts.

Civilizational collapse

The environmental risks are equally alarming. Releasing genetically edited organisms into the wild could wreak havoc on ecosystems. Take CRISPR-based "gene drives," engineered to spread specific traits rapidly through populations. Touted as a solution to control disease-carrying mosquitoes, they could just as easily trigger species extinctions or unleash ecological chaos if they spiral out of control or jump to unintended species.

Imagine a world where CRISPR gene drives are set loose to wipe out malaria — a mission close to Bill Gates’ heart. These gene drives, designed to spread infertility among malaria-carrying mosquitoes, are engineered to wipe out the species within a few generations. At first, it’s a triumph. Mosquito numbers plummet, malaria cases vanish. But then the nightmare really begins.

Unbeknownst to scientists, the engineered gene interacts with a natural genetic sequence in a related mosquito species. The gene drive jumps species, infecting mosquitoes vital for pollination in certain ecosystems. As their populations crash, plants reliant on pollination begin to wither. In regions already struggling with food insecurity, farmers watch helplessly as crops fail, sparking famine across entire nations.

Meanwhile, predators like bats and birds that feed on mosquitoes face a collapsing food supply and begin to die off, triggering further ecological instability. With fewer bats to control pests, insect populations explode, ravaging crops and spreading new diseases. The ripple effects spiral outward, destabilizing ecosystems and economies far beyond the initial intervention.

But the nightmare doesn’t stop there. The gene drive mutates, jumping beyond mosquitoes to other insects, including bees. With pollinators dying off, the global food chain begins to crumble. Fruit orchards, vegetable fields, and wild plants are left barren. Starvation sweeps the globe, and society crumbles into anarchy.

Beware of false idols

When humans play God with CRISPR, they gamble with the delicate balance of nature shaped over millions of years. These interventions can trigger unpredictable chain reactions. Tinkering with the genetic code of life without grasping its full complexity risks collapsing ecosystems, endangering human health, and wiping out species.

Worse, it could unleash resistant pathogens or new genetic disorders that spiral into global catastrophes. This arrogance, the delusional belief that we can outsmart nature, could be humanity’s most catastrophic misstep.

How loony leftists like Joy Reid and Neil deGrasse Tyson wokewash their past sins

Is Joy Reid okay?

From the look of things, obviously not. The MSNBC host has built a career on outrage and hyperbole, but her recent antics suggest something far more unhinged. In a bold attempt to deflect criticism over her apparent adoption of President Trump’s signature look, Reid chose to shave her head.

Neil deGrasse Tyson wrestled in college; he is intimately familiar with the profound physical differences between the two sexes.

She thought this move would silence her critics. Spoiler alert: It didn’t.

Instead, it sparked laughter, not at her critics but squarely at her. A middle-aged woman shaving her head in a fit of defiance doesn’t scream empowerment. It screams instability.

Turkey terror

More recently, Reid released a pre-Thanksgiving video warning that some Americans might not feel "safe" around their MAGA relatives. To bolster her point, she hosted an equally unhinged Yale psychiatrist who suggested that LGBTQ+ individuals should avoid conservative family members entirely. This is not reasonable advice. But reason and Reid are estranged bedfellows. They parted ways many moons ago.

The 55-year-old is a case study in what happens when someone builds her platform not on ideas but on the fragile foundation of identity politics and moral posturing. Reid's critics don’t need to discredit her; she does that all on her own. In trying to be everything to everyone on the left, she’s become a caricature of modern media: loud, hollow, and entirely insufferable.

Skeletons in her closet

Reid frequently lectures viewers on inclusion, tolerance, and justice, casting herself as a champion of the left’s ideals. But, I ask, are her views genuine or merely a theatrical performance?

Reid’s relentless grandstanding feels more like an elaborate deflection from her own controversial past — a past that is completely at odds with the persona she now projects.

In 2018, when homophobic blog posts from her early career resurfaced, she initially apologized, admitting to some of the commentary. But when more posts emerged, Reid’s story shifted dramatically.

Suddenly, she claimed her blog had been hacked years earlier, a defense that crumbled under scrutiny. The notion that a hacker planted posts in real time, matching her public commentary, defied logic. Even her cybersecurity consultant admitted that the evidence failed to support her claims. In other words, Reid was clearly lying.

Despite this troubling history, the pundit turned activist has positioned herself as a self-appointed arbiter of morality, eager to denounce others while her own record remains anything but spotless. Of course, it’s possible that she’s undergone a complete transformation and truly become the progressive warrior she now claims to be. But the sheer insanity of her rhetoric suggests something else: specifically, overcompensation.

Reid’s crusade against conservatives feels less like conviction and more like a desperate bid to rewrite her narrative, to drown out the sins of her past with louder, more righteous indignation.

Beam him up

Reid is not alone in her reinvention. Consider Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Once a respected figure in science and pop culture, Tyson has devolved into a farcical self-parody. He’s not just woke. He’s hyperwoke.

The astrophysicist’s shift from measured reason to full-throated wokeness didn’t happen by accident.

In 2019, four women accused him of sexual misconduct, a controversy that could have ended his career (four seems like a lot). Instead of addressing the allegations head-on, Tyson pivoted. Overnight, a man who once prided himself on logic became one of the loudest proponents of the woke agenda, particularly when it came to the most contentious of topics.

Yes, that’s right: trans athletes in women’s sports.

Tyson, supposedly a man of science, has publicly argued that it’s perfectly acceptable for biological men to compete against actual women.

One assumes he doesn’t actually believe this. Tyson wrestled in college; he is intimately familiar with the profound physical differences between the two sexes. The peddler of bad ideas and even worse ties may be many things, but stupid isn’t one of them — though you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

His recent appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher" was a master class in self-sabotage. When Maher, who oscillates wildly between bouts of wokeness and moments of clarity, confronted him on the undeniable physical advantages men have over women in sports, Tyson played dumb. Rather than being honest, he leaned on smug quips and feeble attempts at humor.

The performance flopped, laying bare not just the weakness of his argument but the pathetic pandering driving it.

Spineless signaling

Reid and Tyson are two sides of the same coin, figures who have sacrificed authenticity to appease an audience hungry for performative contrition.

They are not champions of progress; they are cowards and phonies. Too afraid to stand by their own convictions, they embody the spinelessness that comes with prioritizing approval over integrity. They exemplify self-preservation, willing to say or do whatever it takes to sustain their increasingly meaningless careers.

When they look in the mirror, one wonders whether they smile or whether tears of shame silently stream down their cheeks. Only they can answer this.

What is indisputable, however, is the fact that both Reid and Tyson have traded integrity for applause, hoping that louder declarations of virtue will obscure their past controversies. It won’t. It can’t. We all see them for what they truly are.

iFixit fights for your right to repair

Liberty and property are closely linked and inseparable from civilization. A life without private ownership is not truly free.

Property rights are enshrined in the Constitution. So most of us assume that we have a right to repair our own property. But what does that mean in the era of the subscription model, when much of what we own has been dematerialized into the digital?

Apple, John Deere, and various automakers have resisted the right to repair movement, arguing that third-party repairs could compromise safety, security, and intellectual property.

Modern electronics, cars, and farming equipment have become harder to fix due to locked software and complicated ownership boundaries, making us dependent on expensive repairs and unnecessary replacements. The giant corporations make a lot of money off the maintenance and replacement of their products, and they want to keep it that way.

This means citizens increasingly have less claim to their own property.

The right to repair movement arose from the indignation of crafty people, from tech users blocked by Apple’s strict proprietary terms to farmers locked out of repairing John Deere tractors. One of the most promising examples of pushback is iFixit.

A tinkerer's dream

iFixit is the libertarian tinkerer’s dream. The organization's motto, “Free repair guides for everything, written by everyone,” has made it the heart of the right to repair movement. Founded in 2003, iFixit empowers consumers with free guides, tools, and parts, fighting against the closed systems of major manufacturers. Its mission is simple: Extend the life of products and return control to the consumer.

This mission was born out of frustration. It all started the way most tinkering does: with a broken machine, no instructions, and a lot of trial and error.

I spoke with Elizabeth Chamberlain, iFixit’s director of sustainability, via email. As Chamberlain shared with me, “Kyle [Wiens, iFixit co-founder and CEO] dropped his laptop off his dorm room bed and couldn’t find a guide for how to fix it. He took it apart himself, wrote a guide, and put it online — and found a ton of other people who’d had the same problem. He teamed up with Luke [Soules, iFixit co-founder and "CxO"] to get people the parts and tools they need to get things fixed.”

Their passion for empowering consumers has grown into a full-fledged movement. iFixit’s founders didn’t just want to fix their own devices — they wanted to inspire others to do the same.

Apple bites back

But iFixit is more than just a guide provider. In 2015, after iFixit published a tear-down of a pre-release Apple TV, Apple removed iFixit's app from the App Store for violating its nondisclosure agreement. Instead of backing down, iFixit got stubborn, improving its mobile site and continuing the fight.

In 2022, the company teamed up with Google and Samsung to offer self-repair programs. But it cut ties with Samsung in 2024, citing poor repairability practices — note that iFixit severed the relationship. The Google partnership, however, endures, providing Pixel phone parts and consumer-driven repair.

Rights shield us from external threats, including an unchecked state or, in this case, bloated corporate megaliths.

Unsurprisingly, big corporations like Apple, John Deere, and various automakers have resisted the right to repair movement, arguing that third-party repairs could compromise safety, security, and intellectual property — the typical scare tactics used by powerful entities to maintain control.

Apple claims that unauthorized repairs could void warranties and tamper with its proprietary designs. John Deere uses software restrictions to lock farmers out of fixing their own tractors, citing intellectual property concerns. Automakers keep repair codes locked behind dealerships, warning that unauthorized repairs could affect safety and security.

The right to repair movement counters that third-party repairs, when done correctly, do not compromise security, that consumers should have the right to repair what they own, and repairability can be built into products without infringing on proprietary designs.

Repairability also makes sense economically. Researchers determined that by fixing products instead of replacing them, consumers could save $882 million per year in Colorado alone. This shift supports a circular economy, where products are reused, refurbished, and repaired, rather than discarded.

Legislative wins

The right to repair movement has also gained significant legislative traction. New York’s Digital Fair Repair Act opened the door, followed by victories in Oregon, Minnesota, and California.

Colorado has played a particularly valuable role in the fight, and Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone proudly declared the state a world leader in right to repair. The state’s 2024 Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment Act set a new standard, possibly the most comprehensive defense of right to repair in the country, even gaining support from Google. Apple grudgingly complies.

It is Colorado’s third right to repair law, following earlier wins for farmers’ equipment and powered wheelchairs, and targets practices like “parts pairing,” which manufacturers use to prevent independent repairs.

iFixit has played a pivotal role in shaping these laws, providing expert testimony and educating lawmakers. As Chamberlain noted, “We want to fix the copyright barriers to repair, including the outdated Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which places unfair restrictions on the sale of repair tools. In the best possible world, those restrictions will be lifted and repair access for all products will become standard across the world.”

Reclaiming control

And the movement’s momentum isn’t just domestic. Laws protecting people’s right to fix their own stuff have passed in Canada, Australia, and the EU. India, Thailand, and Taiwan are developing repair frameworks.

“Right to repair is winning,” Chamberlain told me. “Many other countries are considering possible legislation, too.”

The future of right to repair hinges on continued legislative victories and overcoming corporate pushback. While Chamberlain expressed optimism, saying “We think the right to repair ball is rolling, unstoppably,” she also acknowledged the potential for setbacks if manufacturers tie legislation up in court. Still, the tide seems to be turning toward a more repair-friendly future.

As Chamberlain suggested, everyday people can make a difference by engaging with the movement: “Visit https://www.repair.org/ to learn more about the movement and find out what’s happening in your state.” The call to action is simple — take ownership, take action, and repair what’s broken.

At its heart, the right to repair is about more than just fixing things — it’s about reclaiming control. It’s about breaking free from the corporate grip, slashing repair costs, and reducing the endless cycle of unnecessary data. With iFixit leading the charge, everyday people may have a chance to shape the future — not just by consuming but by repairing its breakdowns.

Can Nissan survive? Automaker slashes US production as bankruptcy looms

The car industry as a whole may be ailing — but Nissan's prognosis is particularly dire, the kind you measure in months, not years.

Sluggish sales — mainly in North America — have been disastrous for the Japanese automaker. In response, dealers are selling cars at a loss and production has been slashed by 20%. More recently, the company cut 9,000 jobs and sold a third of its stake in Mitsubishi.

The Japanese automaker also plans to cut production at its plants in Canton, Mississippi, and Smyrna, Tennessee — which together employ some 13,000 workers — by 100,000 cars.

But all of this may be too little, too late.

Death's door

On paper, at least, it doesn't look good. Nissan's operating profit dropped 85% in the third quarter, with the company recording a net loss of 9.3 billion Yen ($60.1 million at today's exchange rate). On November 7, the company posted a consolidated operating profit for the six months ending in September down over 90% compared with the same period last year.

"We have 12 to 14 months to survive," a senior official close to Nissan recently told the Financial Times. "This is going to be tough. And in the end, we need Japan and the U.S. to be generating cash," he said.

Unfortunately, consumers in those countries are simply not buying. And increased competition from China isn't helping.

Stateside slowdown

Nissan's cost-cutting is part of a large-scale restructuring effort to save $3 billion.

Adding to the uncertainty, major shareholder Renault is looking to offload its holdings in the company. Nissan is reportedly seeking a new long-term investor — and hasn't ruled out longtime rival Honda taking a majority stake. Nissan recently signed a partnership with Honda and Mitsubishi for long-term EV development.

The Japanese automaker also plans to cut production at its plants in Canton, Mississippi, and Smyrna, Tennessee — which together employ some 13,000 workers — by 100,000 cars. Among the models made at those factories are Nissan's Pathfinder SUV and the Frontier pickup truck.

Lost credibility

From my perspective, Nissan's mob-like tactics in ousting former CEO Carlos Ghosn cost the company credibility on the global stage. Ghosn, who spent 13 months in a Japanese jail before making a dramatic escape to Lebanon, claims he was targeted for his plans to merge Nissan with Renault.

Ultimately, a merger with Honda may be the better move; Japanese companies working together to build better cars would make stockholders and customers happy. More important, it may be the only move left for a company rapidly running out of options.

Arm yourself against winter's chill with the power of the overcoat

Our culture has grown increasingly informal in recent years. It feels like there are fewer and fewer occasions to dress up because no one really dresses up any more. With this move toward informal clothing, we’ve lost so many wonderful things.

Once you wear an overcoat, the noise of the sporty winter coat starts to stand out, and it’s not enjoyable.

Women wear heels less often. Men almost never wear ties. Sneakers are everywhere. Leather penny loafers are practically an obscure artifact in the world of 2024. And while all these things — and many others — are missed, there is one piece that is particularly missed: the long overcoat.

A versatile classic

Yes, of course, you can still find long overcoats today. They aren’t like the lost city of Atlantis. They still exist, and there are men — like me — who still wear them. But they aren’t nearly as common as they once were.

There was once a time when it felt like every man in America had a heavy overcoat hanging in the front closet. A strong overcoat was just a part of a man’s wardrobe.

Men who worked in offices wore their overcoats every workday in the winter. Men who worked with their hands wore them to church every snowy Sunday. They were practical. The heavy overcoat is a coat that protects you from the elements while also suiting more formal occasions.

It served a particular purpose. But that purpose no longer exists for a large number of the public today. If there are no formal occasions, there is no need for a formal winter coat.

Invasion of the puffer jackets

The tragedy of the decline of the overcoat is that it is such an incredibly powerful piece of clothing. It’s unparalleled in our wardrobe. There is no piece to claim the post the overcoat tragically abandoned. When the overcoat vanished, so did the power the overcoat conveys.

There is no modern jacket that reaches from our shoulders all the way down past our knees. The thick and heavy tweed was never accounted for. Where there was once an overcoat, there is now a puffer jacket that emits its sad synthetic whisper as you hurry down the sidewalk.

The power that vanished with the overcoat is often undetectable until you feel it yourself. Every guy who has worn a real overcoat knows the feeling. It’s heavier than any other piece in your closet. When you throw it over your shoulders, you feel that weight come down on your body.

A modern suit of armor

It sounds strange, but the overcoat almost feel like a kind of modern suit of armor. When you button it up and head out into the biting cold, you can’t help but recall old photos of frozen streets. Stoic men standing still, dark silhouettes amid the white blast of winter. Immovable in the bitter wind, adorned in long, heavy overcoats. There is a power in this scene that is inconceivable without the overcoat.

The overcoat changes our pace. You don’t hurry in an overcoat. Well, you can if you really want. Of course, it’s technically possible to scurry along the road in an overcoat. But you aren’t going to do it.

It’s just not something you do in a long, heavy overcoat. You walk with a sense of purpose, you stroll along your path, you skulk around the grounds in the late afternoon as the sun is hanging low. Walking along your way with your overcoat open, the sides swaying in the wind, your hands in your pockets. This is a powerful act. It’s a powerful feeling and a powerful aesthetic. If you know you know.

A strange and unexpected virtue of the overcoat is the sound. When you walk, the overcoat is silent. This isn’t the case with modern winter jackets that are almost always, invariably, sport-influenced. With these sporty coats, you hear a constant swishing and swashing. Getting into the car. Walking down the hallway. Putting on your shoes. Shifting ever so slightly in your chair.

Always this swishing. You don’t realize this if these are the only jackets you ever wear. Once you wear an overcoat, the noise of the sporty winter coat starts to stand out, and it’s not enjoyable. The overcoat is a respite of strong silence.

While of course the overcoat traditionally suits a more formal setting, it’s flexible and can be worn in a variety of ways today. You can wear an overcoat on top of a jacket and tie, and you can also throw an overcoat on over an Oxford cloth button-down and a Shetland sweater. Heading off to work in the morning or running down to the store for a bottle of wine late at night. The strong and more formal nature of a heavy overcoat is easily incorporated into outfits of varying formality and purpose.

A powerful find

While the overcoat is far less common than it once was, you can still find them if you know where to look. Drake’s, J. Crew, and O’Connell’s are a few great places that sell overcoats at varying price points. Also, of course, eBay and thrift stores are great options to consider as well. An old, long overcoat is a powerful find and will often be heavier than anything you find OTR today.

You might be on the fence about the overcoat. You might think that its impact and power are being blown out of proportion. “How can a coat really convey that much strength? How can it really be that important?”

Well, try one on. It doesn’t need to be fancy; it doesn’t need to be expensive. Just try it on and see how it feels. Walk around a little. Feel the weight on your shoulders. Put your hands in the pockets. Look in the mirror. You will see. The long overcoat is a coat of power. It’s the coat that’s missing from your wardrobe.

Looking to save big on a car? Dealerships have never been more desperate to sell

Unsold inventory has car dealers feeling the pinch — which means there's never been a better time to buy.

Before 2020, it was unusual for a new car to sit on a lot for more than 200 days. Now we're seeing cars not move for 500, 600, and even 700 days — thanks to a combination of car supplies returning to pre-COVID levels and rising prices.

As a dealer trainer for different brands and dealership groups, I've seen the problems excess inventory causes up close — and it's not pretty.

Quite a change from just a few years ago, when many dealerships took advantage of the chip shortage (and the ensuing vehicle scarcity) to charge as much as $15,000 over sticker price.

The tables have turned — and no automaker is exempt. Ford, Honda, Kia, Chevrolet, even Ferrari: You name the brand, and you'll find dealerships stuck with vehicles from 2022, 2023, and even 2024.

With 2025 models arriving, this is a problem.

As a dealer trainer for different brands and dealership groups, I've seen the problems excess inventory causes up close — and it's not pretty.

Car dealers purchase vehicles on a floor plan, essentially a revolving line of credit. This can be interest-free for the first 60 to 90 days. Ideally, you sell within that period. If you don't, rates get pretty high, and it all adds up quickly when you're talking about inventory totaling hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

Dealers are highly motivated to get these mobile money pits off of their books. They'll offer incentives (or "spiffs") to the sales team to get them sold. And salespeople will offer potential buyers spiffs of $500 to $1,000.

If that doesn't work, the dealership will often simply pay off the car to relieve the debt. Many times the dealer principals will drive an unsold car for a few years, then sell it at auction for a fraction of the price or even donate it to charity.

Sometimes taking a loss is the smartest business decision — every so often. But 10 or 20 losses are a different story.

Alternatively, the dealership could also use such a car as a demo vehicle or as a loaner car for the service department. Although with this option, rising insurance costs are still a burden.

So what does all this mean for you? In short: big savings.

Remember: Dealers are highly motivated to sell their inventory. Alway ask for the deal — loyalty or conquest discounts could mean between $500 to $2,500, depending on the cost of the vehicle. You can pay less than MSRP on even the most in-demand models, so look around. And don't be afraid to drive out of state to buy — it could mean saving thousands of dollars.

And if you're not picky, look for cars in unpopular colors or trims or older model years. Or consider picking up a demo car or a service loaner.

It's a buyers' market, so negotiate with confidence. And that includes dealer fees — they're not set in stone either.

Bill Maher: I've run out of Trump jokes!

How does a wannabe blockbuster deal with bad buzz?

You start by giving away the movie for free or at least the first eight minutes.

'I did all the Trump stuff before anybody. I called him a con man before anyone, I did "he’s a mafia boss," I was the one who said he wasn’t going to concede the election, I’ve done it.'

“Kraven the Hunter,” which gives us the origin of the titular pelt-wearing Spider-Man nemesis, got bumped around the release schedule thanks to the dueling Hollywood strikes.

Oh, and the film’s trailer didn’t exactly light a fire under most potential moviegoers.

Now, Sony is offering a free look at the film’s opening scene before its Dec. 20 release date. See? It’s not so bad, right?

The film’s star is also doing his best to flush out elusive fans.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, rumored to be in the running for the next 007, told ScreenRant.com readers to ignore the rumors and take the ride.

“So really come see this movie, man. Come see this movie. I promise you it won't disappoint. It's got all the beats that you want and more. I think it could be an audience’s sort of villain favorite, definitely go toe-to-toe with some other people down the line, man."

Sounds sincere, no? At least it’s better than telling audiences they should “never know peace.”

Gender-gypped

Woke is getting pummeled of late following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. This development won’t help.

Some minor league awards shows have gone gender neutral with their categories, a sign of the oh, so progressive times. That means the best performer wins in each category, not the best male actor or actress.

Can you sense where this is going?

The recent Gotham Awards honored three men with acting trophies, leaving the female performers behind. Most mainstream media outlets ignored that inconvenient truth, but World of Reel (a more honest, rebellious site) mentioned it.

The folks behind the annual Oscar telecast have flirted with the gender-neutral concept without committing to the practice. Here’s betting the Gotham scenario likely put a dent in those plans.

Greer's 'Family' fumble

Regrets, actress Judy Greer has a few.

One, really. A really, really big one.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” star revealed that she passed up an audition to play Claire Dunphy on ABC’s “Modern Family.” She feared the matriarch role would typecast her.

“In a movie, people kind of see it and then they forget. In a TV show, it’s just like, you’re a mom. That’s it.”

The show went on to earn two Emmys for the eventual Claire Dunphy, Julie Bowen. “Modern Family” ran for 11 celebrated seasons and became one of TV’s funniest sitcoms.

There’s no guarantee Greer would have landed the part, of course. She had a good shot, though. She’s a deeply underrated performer and excels in comic roles. Consider her recurring part on “Arrested Development” as exhibit A.

Full of quit

Don’t go, Bill!

The host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” hinted he might quit the long-running show rather than deal with four more years of President Trump. Here’s what he confessed to his podcast show’s guest Jane Fonda.

“I’m s****ing my pants. I mean, I may quit because I don’t want to do another ... I did all the Trump stuff before anybody. I called him a con man before anyone, I did ‘he’s a mafia boss,’ I was the one who said he wasn’t going to concede the election, I’ve done it.”

There’s something healthy about Maher’s approach. Political jokes can get stale over time. Remember all the “President Clinton is randy” gags following Monica Gate? What about the dumb Dubya bits that flowed during President George W. Bush’s two terms in office?

Maher recognizes it’s harder to find something new to say and share about Trump this time around. Or maybe he’s just as much a sore loser as Rob Reiner, who confessed he checked into a “facility” following Election Day.

Maher would be better served by digging beneath Trump’s blustery surface and mocking the mogul’s oh, so mockable critics. And he’s capable of doing just that.

The comic is one of the few honest brokers on late-night TV. He’s routinely lashed out at woke overreach, mocked the left’s embrace of policies that frighten most voters, and stood tall for free speech when others took a knee.

You can’t go, Bill! Late-night TV needs someone who isn’t on the DNC payroll.

The best destinations for celebrities fleeing the Donald Trump regime

It’s become an election tradition: Every four years a long list of Hollywood celebrities and musicians vow to leave America and never come back if the bad orange man wins. Then the vast majority of them stay and complain for the next four years instead of honoring their commitment.

After Trump’s surprise victory in 2016, A-listers like Miley Cyrus, Bryan Cranston, Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, and Samuel L. Jackson couldn't wait to be the first to bid America a hearty "adios."

Yes, pretty-socks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently backpedaled on his aggressive pro-immigration policies, but this is Canada we're talking about here.

None of them left — and only Jackson had a credible excuse (he was playing a Magic 8 ball in a late night sketch when he said it.)

Miraculously, all escaped political persecution for opposing the dictatorial new regime.

This time around, the list of forgotten celebrities talking about a one-way ticket away from the Land of the Free is longer than ever, encompassing such shining stars as John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, Amy Schumer, Sharon Stone (who is “certainly considering a house in Italy"), Barbra Streisand (who “can’t live” in Trump’s America), and Cher (definitely leaving, still mad about the "ulcer" she got from the 2016 election).

But, wait — there're more! Elon Musk’s son (a man living as a trans woman and going by the name Vivian Wilson) has also promised to leave, citing the lack of a future in a Trump-led United States. Hope he saves room in dad's Cybertruck for Kamala shill Cardi B and race hustler Whoopi Goldberg. The latter might want to head out sooner rather than later, given the defamation suit against her.

Now some celebrities do follow through: P. Diddy’s “clowning around” friend Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have moved to the U.K. following Trump’s win and say they will never be back. "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria first left years ago for Mexico and Spain and says she just couldn’t live in “dystopian” America any longer.

Nonetheless, these courageous deserters are in the minority. We know most celebs are so exhausted just from fleeing X that that they need a couple spa weeks before they can contemplate packing up their stuff in real life.

When they're ready, Align is here to help with our list of MAGA-free destinations. Hollywood stars, we hope you'll think of us Align your treasured personal assistant — one you never have to worry about "going number two" on your personal toilet.

Haiti

Now that thousands of Haitians have recently settled in Springfield, Ohio, the time is ripe for a little cultural exchange. Pets welcome!

What's more, Haiti comes personally recommended by none other than carrot-topped funnyman Conan O’Brien, who spent four days in the Caribbean nation in 2018 in response to reports that President Trump had labeled it a "sh**hole."

His verdict? "Haiti is great already." Your move, Mr. Drumpf!

Unfortunately, the Haitian embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to our inquiries by the deadline; it is worth noting the U.S. embassy in Haiti is on ordered departure status due to instability and violence. That's one way to describe your new home. We call it gentrification-ready!

Commonwealth countries

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The beauty of moving to the United Kingdom is that at least 45% of the population speaks English as their native language — so no need to translate your "in this house, we ..." yard signs. And if old Blighty's not to your liking, why not try one of Great Britain's former colonies, like Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa?

While none of the embassies for these countries responded by press time, all are always open to skilled workers, especially in the fields of pretending to cry on camera and starting athleisurewear brands.

And don't overlook our neighbor to the north. They gave us Jim Carrey, after all — isn't it time we paid them back?

When asked about the possibility of fast-tracking VIP asylum-seekers, Canadian officials responded with an enthusiastic “all applications from around the world are assessed equally against the same criteria.”

Yes, pretty-socks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently backpedaled on his aggressive pro-immigration policies, but this is Canada we're talking about here. As long as you pose for a few selfies with the border guards, you're good.

Germany

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How ironic would it be to flee America's Hitler by building a life in the homeland of the OG Nazi himself? (Potential screenplay idea?) Not to worry, his type is no longer welcome here, thanks to the country's robust, new anti-fascism laws. You post a hateful meme, you're going to jail — no questions asked.

A German official wouldn't comment on celebrity escape visas except to quip “established procedures remain in force.” Sooo German. Anyway, that's exactly what the door guy at Lure says. We're sure you're on the list.

North Korea

Gavriil Grigorov/Mark Von Holden/NBC/Getty Images

Talk about exclusive! Not gonna lie, it's not easy gaining entry to this worker's paradise — especially as an American imperialist aggressor. But if you do, the scene is way less competitive than L.A. or New York.

As North Korean-born influencer Yeonmi Park puts it, “In the free world, children dream about what they want to be when they grow up and how they can use their talents. When I was 4 and 5 years old, my only adult ambition was to buy as much bread as I liked and eat all of it.”

Somewhere you don't have to feel guilty for not counting every carb? Sounds like heaven to us.

The ocean

Heading for a better life by sea is a classic refugee move. Just in time for the coming collapse of democracy, one Florida cruise company has taken boat people chic and added an upscale twist:

“Villa Vie Residences has capitalised on the election results by offering Americans a four-year escape - the length of a presidential term - starting at around $160,000 per person, taking guests to more than 425 ports in 140 countries.”

It's just like your Ayahuasca shaman at Burning Man says: The journey is the destination. All aboard!

Kevin Mazur/Anadolu/Getty Images

Germany's new book-burners target online memes

Europe is in crisis, but nowhere is the collapse more evident than in Germany. Once the continent’s economic engine and cultural linchpin, Germany is now a cautionary tale of failed policies, social decay, and creeping authoritarianism.

In Deutschland, Orwell’s "thought crime" has leaped off the pages of fiction and landed in reality as "tweet crime." Recently, Bavarian police raided the home of a 64-year-old pensioner. His unforgivable act involved reposting a meme that dared to call Green Economy Minister Robert Habeck an "idiot."

Each country’s crisis looks slightly different, but the root causes are the same.

Having followed Habeck’s ascent to political stardom — and infamy — calling him an idiot feels almost generous.

The Bamberg prosecutor’s office classified the incident as a "politically motivated right-wing crime." The meme, a satirical play on words replacing "Schwarzkopf Professional" with "Schwachkopf Professional" (roughly, "Weakhead Professional"), triggered a full-blown investigation for "hatred."

Criticism of a government minister has been rebranded as defamation so severe it supposedly hinders Habeck’s ability to function. Police raids over memes — this isn’t satire; it’s the grim reality of modern Germany.

The absurdity doesn’t stop there. The Alternative for Germany, a growing populist force, reposted the same meme, exposing the glaring double standards in prosecuting speech.

When pensioners face police raids over harmless humor, it’s clear that the German state isn’t just losing its grip on reality — it’s actively dismantling free expression. But while the government micromanages memes, moralless miscreants run riot.

No ticket to ride

Train conductor isn’t a job that screams "danger" — unless you’re in Germany, where it’s become less a profession and more a survival test. Increasingly violent attacks, largely linked to systemic migration issues, have turned routine ticket checks into confrontations with danger.

Conductors report beatings, stabbings, humiliation, and worse. In some cases, they’ve been publicly urinated on by aggressive passengers, many of whom are migrants. This isn’t just anecdotal; violent incidents involving foreign nationals have surged.

The “solution” is as nonsensical as it is tragic: In some areas, conductors are instructed to avoid checking tickets of those who appear foreign, as if abandoning public order could somehow restore it.

The violence doesn’t stop at train conductors. Sexual assaults on public transport are so frequent that Berlin officials are debating the introduction of women-only carriages.

The statistics are staggering.

Sexual offenses on Berlin’s public transport have risen by 260% in the last decade, with nearly 400 such crimes reported in 2023 alone. Women make up 89% of the victims. High-profile cases, like the rape of a 63-year-old woman on a Berlin subway, have prompted desperate measures.

Foreign nationals, just 15% of Germany’s population, are responsible for 59% of all sexual crimes in public transit spaces. In train stations, violent crimes committed by foreign suspects have tripled in the past decade. Germany’s migration policies have become a blueprint for societal dysfunction: unchecked immigration, woefully inadequate integration, and a legal system too timid — or too overwhelmed — to enforce basic order.

A continent-wide collapse

Germany’s story is not unique. It’s echoed across Europe, where immigration policies have strained public services, fractured communities, and eroded trust in governments.

In the U.K., boatloads of migrants flood the southern shores daily, overwhelming local councils and igniting tensions in towns already buckling under the strain. But while resources are stretched thin and communities cry out for help, the government’s priorities seem alarmingly misaligned.

British citizens, like their German counterparts, are being arrested and handed lengthy prison sentences for so-called "tweet crimes." Criticizing policies or even questioning the state’s narrative online is now enough to land someone in court — or worse, behind bars.

As the country grapples with unchecked immigration, its own citizens are being silenced, not for acts of violence but for the crime of speaking out.

In Ireland, my home country, similar sobering trends are emerging. While small towns are inundated with asylum-seekers — often placed in local communities with little warning or preparation — Irish citizens who voice concerns are finding themselves targeted. Criticism of government policies or comments deemed “offensive” can now lead to investigations, arrests, and even convictions.

The state appears more focused on policing speech than addressing the genuine fears of its people, leaving communities feeling abandoned and silenced in their own country.

Italy faces similar pressures, with its island of Lampedusa groaning under the weight of relentless arrivals. Austria and Sweden, once seen as places of law and order, now grapple with spiraling gang violence, rapes, and criminal networks tied to migration.

Each country’s crisis looks slightly different, but the root causes are the same: mass immigration without assimilation, progressive policies that value inclusivity over security, and governments that prioritize political correctness over their citizens' welfare.

If Germany falls, Europe falls

As the violence grows, Germany’s government continues to focus on silencing dissent rather than addressing the chaos. Its commitment to ideological conformity is unwavering, even as public trust crumbles.

The pensioner arrested over a meme is just one example in a long line of chilling cases where free expression has been trampled. Critics of immigration policy are branded as extremists, while those pointing out uncomfortable truths are met with investigations, fines, or worse.

Meanwhile, ordinary Germans live with the fallout. The cliché about German trains running on time isn’t just a myth; it’s laughable. What were once symbols of precision and safety have devolved into battlegrounds, where violence is the norm and women are particularly vulnerable.

Public spaces that once felt secure now breed fear. Meanwhile, the government appears blind to this chaos, pouring its energy into prosecuting words instead of addressing the very real dangers that threaten its people every day.

Germany is Europe’s heart. It has been for decades. Its capitulation is not just a national failure; it’s a European one. And if the heart of Europe fails, the body will not survive.

Harris-supporting Village People singer grateful Trump keeps dancing to 'Y.M.C.A.'

A member of the popular 1970s band the Village People is grateful to President-elect Donald Trump for making the group's classic tune "Y.M.C.A." great again.

In a lengthy Facebook post on Monday, 73-year-old Victor Willis — the self-described "singer and writer of the lyrics" for "Y.M.C.A." — claimed that he has "benefited greatly" from Trump's use of the song at his campaign rallies.

"Y.M.C.A. was stuck at #2 on the Billboard chart prior to the President Elect’s use," Willis wrote. "However, the song finally made it to #1 on a Billboard chart after over 45 years (and held on to #1 for two weeks) due to the President Elect’s use."

Willis added that the "financial benefits" have been nice too, claiming that the song has grossed "several million dollars" since Trump began playing it.

'I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A. And I thank him for choosing to use my song.'

Willis was not always fond of Trump using the song. Four years ago, Willis asked him to stop, claiming that the complaints he had received about the song's use during Trump events had become a "nuisance."

However, there were some complications associated with asking Trump to cease using the song. For one thing, Willis admitted, the Trump campaign had "every right" to continue playing the song at rallies, despite Willis' misgivings, because it had "obtained a political use license from BMI," a performance rights organization.

Additionally, Willis' view on the subject began to soften after he realized that Trump seemed "to genuinely like Y.M.C.A." and was "having a lot of fun with it," he said. At that point, Willis said he "didn’t have the heart to prevent" Trump from continuing to use the song, especially since so many other artists had withdrawn their works from his rally playlists.

Now that "Y.M.C.A." has become a hit once again on account of Trump's rallies and iconic dance moves, Willis, who supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, has fully changed his tune. "I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A. And I thank him for choosing to use my song," he wrote.

In his post, Willis also took issue with people calling "Y.M.C.A." a "gay anthem," calling that label "misguided" and even "defamatory." Though Willis acknowledged that some members of the Village People are gay and that gay men may have met up at their local Y to engage in unsavory "activities," the song was never about gay people or a gay lifestyle.

"When I say, 'hang out with all the boys' that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging-out together for sports, gambling or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that," he explained.

"Get your minds out of the gutter."

Willis, who has been married to his second wife for 17 years, even threatened to take legal action against any outlet that refers to "Y.M.C.A." as a "gay anthem," beginning next month.

He believes that, if anything, "Y.M.C.A." is popular because of its "appeal to people of all [stripes] including President Elect Trump."

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