Sailing

 

Photosynthesis and Fifth State of Matter

A University of Chicago study found links at the atomic level between photosynthesis and exciton condensates—a strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. The finding is scientifically intriguing and may suggest new ways to think about designing electronics, the authors said.




University of Chicago scientists hope ‘islands’ of exciton condensation may point way to new discoveries.

Scientists at the University of Chicago have found a connection between photosynthesis and exciton condensates, a state of physics that allows energy to flow without friction. This surprising finding, typically associated with materials well below room temperature, may inform future electronic design and help unravel complex atomic interactions.


Inside a lab, scientists marvel at a strange state that forms when they cool down atoms to nearly absolute zero. Outside their window, trees gather sunlight and turn them into new leaves. The two seem unrelated—but a new study from the University of Chicago suggests that these processes aren’t so different as they might appear on the surface.


The study, published in PRX Energy on April 28, found links at the atomic level between photosynthesis and exciton condensates—a strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. The finding is scientifically intriguing and may suggest new ways to think about designing electronics, the authors said.

“As far as we know, these areas have never been connected before, so we found this very compelling and exciting,” said study co-author Prof. David Mazziotti.  READ MORE...

Funnies

ReplyForward

Spoil the Southern Charm

 It is true that at 75 years of age, I ain't got much time left on this here earth...  maybe 20 years if I am lucky.   Since there is not much time left, not many people are going to listen to my concerns.  But, one issue that will always be true is that life in the SOUTHEASTERN SOUTHERN STATES is different than anywhere else in the entire US of A.  These states include:

1. North Carolina
2. South Carolina
3. Georgia
4. Florida
5. Alabama
6. Mississippi
7. Louisiana
8. Tennessee
9. Arkansas

Virginia and Kentucky are borderline states and if they were included it would only be the southern half of the states.  The eastern part of Texas might also be included but once you get to the center of the state, a completely new attitude develops that relates more to the central USA which then picks up Mexico's personality which is not even close to the south.

Half of my life was lived in NC and the other half TN and these two states have fundamental differences as well with how they perceive life and the environment around them.

Southerners don't take kindly to the federal government, are avid supporters of the second amendment, are somewhat religious, and absolutely do not want their taxes raised.  A small government that does not interfere in our lives is what we would prefer.

It is not just notherners like we dislike, but liberals from the west coast, specifically from California.  We have tolerated immigrants from our southern borders (not just Mexico) but fear that if too many of them decide to live in the south, that our way of life will change also.

WHY?

Because, they will want to live in the USA just like they lived in the countries they left.  Several families living in one house.  Several cars parked out front, along with all the trash and junk they store in their yards, makes the area look like a SLUM AREA.  Immigrants do not seem to have respect for their property or the land on which they live.

Who wants a neighbor like that living beside them, bring down property values?

Most of the southern elderly folks are AFRAID of all the crime and violence that immigrants will bring into this country with them,  not to mention HEALTH ISSUES.  Those kinds of immigrants do not get the immunization shots in their countries before they leave.  Their country does not require them.

My guess is that as these immigrants move into areas, the residents who are currently living there will move out.  Once these property tax owners start moving out, the local governments will be collecting less taxes.  That will not be good for those that remain when it comes to fire and police protection.

Strictly Political

 

Quantum Physics Twisted Time

The 2022 physics Nobel prize was awarded for experimental work demonstrating fundamental breaks in our understanding of the quantum world, leading to discussions around “local realism” and how it could be refuted. Many theorists believe these experiments challenge either “locality” (the notion that distant objects require a physical mediator to interact) or “realism” (the idea that there’s an objective state of reality). However, a growing number of experts suggest an alternative approach, “retrocausality,” which posits that present actions can affect past events, thus preserving both locality and realism.

The 2022 Nobel Prize in physics highlighted the challenges quantum experiments pose to “local realism.” However, a growing body of experts propose “retrocausality” as a solution, suggesting that present actions can influence past events, thus preserving both locality and realism. 

This concept offers a novel approach to understanding causation and correlations in quantum mechanics, and despite some critics and confusion with “superdeterminism,” it is increasingly seen as a viable explanation for recent groundbreaking experiments, potentially safeguarding the core principles of special relativity.

In 2022, the physics Nobel prize was awarded for experimental work showing that the quantum world must break some of our fundamental intuitions about how the universe works.


Many look at those experiments and conclude that they challenge “locality” — the intuition that distant objects need a physical mediator to interact. And indeed, a mysterious connection between distant particles would be one way to explain these experimental results.


Others instead think the experiments challenge “realism” — the intuition that there’s an objective state of affairs underlying our experience. After all, the experiments are only difficult to explain if our measurements are thought to correspond to something real. Either way, many physicists agree about what’s been called “the death by experiment” of local realism.

But what if both of these intuitions can be saved, at the expense of a third? A growing group of experts think that we should abandon instead the assumption that present actions can’t affect past events. Called “retrocausality,” this option claims to rescue both locality and realism.  READ MORE...

Storms Moving In

 

Getting a Tattoo

 

China et al Ditching Dollar

A growing number of countries are opting to diversify settlement currencies, stepping away from only using the "US-weaponized" dollar, or ditching it altogether in favor of the yuan, the increasingly internationalized currency of China – a top trading partner of more than 140 countries.

If Beijing abandons the US dollar in trade settlements, the United States will be faced with "stark" consequences, a Chinese news outlet has warned.

Underscoring that a "new trade order is emerging," the report highlighted the global trend of de-dollarization as paving the way for China's currency - the yuan. 

As the People’s Republic of China boasts the status of one of the world's largest trading countries, if Washington opts to "decouple" from China, this might set off a domino effect, with increasingly more countries preferring to trade with China using the yuan as an exchange currency, it was noted.

“We are for de-risking and diversifying, not looking to decouple,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at the Brookings Institution in late April, in reference to China’s economy. 

However, the report underlined that imports of consumer goods by the US plunged 20.6 percent year-on-year in the first three months of this year. If the decline trend continues, it will, in turn, "accelerate the global de-dollarization trend," warned the publication. Meanwhile, the share of the yuan - also referred to as the renminbi - in the Republic of China's cross-border payments shot up to 48 percent in March, data cited by the report showed.  READ MORE...

Minds

 

Experience

 

Facts

 

The Future's Future looks Uncertain

 At 75 years of age, I figure that I am going to live no more than 20 more years...  or somewhere around 90-95.  With that said, there are certain things that I can tell you FOR SURE that I WILL NOT DO...

I will not:

1. support socialism
2. buy an electric or hybrid vehicle
3. support reparations for blacks
4. support equity programs for blacks
5. vote of a democrat/liberal
6. support WOKE
7. feel guilty about slavery
8. support CRT
9. see China as anything but an enemy
10. support biologicals males in female sports
11. support the end of petroleum crude oil
12. support any kind of GREEN initiative

With this said, no one really gives a shit about what I think or what I will or will not support.  I know this but I am still going to voice my opinion and will still talk to as many people as I can find and share my feelings.

More than likely there are many others who feel like I do and if that is the case, then this GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS is really, really DIVIDED...  and that division is not healthy nor is it beneficial should another country try to take us over.  I will fight for those of like minds, but I will not fight for those of unlike minds.

Over the next 20 years, the USA will be dramatically changing and most of that change will be negative rather than positive.  Unfortunately, the negative consequences might not manifest themselves for several years...  but, whe they do, it will be hell to pay.

Once I get past 80/85, I will no longer care what happens, because I will not be around to see it.  Bear in mind that sometimes those with the least to lose can see issues that the others cannot...  especially those who have lots to lose and their choices are based upon that loss.

Being

 

Longeviry Food

 

Naked

 

Economy Coming to an End

Warren Buffett, whose economic insights are craved for Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s deep ties to the American economy, had a gloomy prediction for his own businesses: the good times may be over.

The billionaire investor expects earnings at the majority of Berkshire’s operations to fall this year as a long-predicted downturn slows economic activity. He made his comments at the conglomerate’s annual general meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, after Berkshire posted an almost 13% gain in operating earnings to $8.07 billion for the first quarter.

“The majority of our businesses will report lower earnings this year than last year,” Buffett, 92, said, before crowds of thousands at the event on Saturday. During the last six months or so, the “incredible period” for the US economy has been coming to an end, he said.

Berkshire is often seen as a proxy for economic health owing to the expansive nature of its businesses ranging from railroad to electric utilities and retail. Buffett himself has said Berkshire owes its success to the incredible growth of the US economy over the decades, but his prediction for a slowdown at his firms comes as upheaval at regional banks threatens to curtail lending as inflation and higher rates continue to bite.

Buffett’s long-time business partner Charlie Munger, 99, who joined him on stage, said the more-difficult economic environment will also make it harder for value investors, who typically buy stocks that look cheap compared to the intrinsic value of the businesses.

“Get used to making less,” Munger said.

Geico Revived
Still, Buffett said he expects earnings at its insurance underwriting operations — which are less correlated to business activity — to improve this year. Berkshire already reported higher earnings at those businesses including auto-insurer Geico, which swung to profitability following six quarters of losses.  READ MORE...

Lone Tree

 

Solar Flare

 

Americans Are Becoming Less Produtive

Brian Bouser, 22, says his recent experiences in the workforce have prompted him to go into business for himself.  Brian Bouser

All of the quiet quitting rolling through the country is starting to make some real economic noise.

Data now shows that the U.S. workforce is not as productive as just a year ago — it seems people are not producing as much in the hours between clocking in and clocking out each day. 

In the end, this could have a profound effect on the country's well-being, according to economists.

For Brian Bouser, 22, questions about how much effort to put in at work began when he received a text in the middle of art history class at the University of Louisville last year. 

His boss at the car rental company where he made $25 an hour informed him his pay was going down to $13.50 an hour, without any explanation.

Bouser learned that all of his colleagues had seen their wages basically cut in half, and at a moment when companies were desperate for workers and pay was rising across the country. 

Still, he said that in his short time in the American workforce, where he'd already been laid off from another job at the beginning of the pandemic, he knew this is just how it goes with companies.  READ MORE...