Quantum Squeezing

Lee McCuller, a physics professor and quantum squeezing expert, is developing innovative techniques to enhance the sensitivity of LIGO, the world’s most advanced gravitational wave detector. His future ambition is to broaden the application of these techniques beyond LIGO.



New Caltech professor Lee McCuller is making quantum measurements even more precise.

From a young age, new Assistant Professor of Physics, Lee McCuller, enjoyed the hands-on process of building things. This interest was fostered by his uncle, who created a power supply for him. McCuller used this in conjunction with electronic hobby kits from RadioShack, performing simple tasks such as operating analog circuits to switch lights and motors on and off. 

Today, McCuller’s engineering prowess is applied to an exceptionally advanced device, what some would call the most advanced measurement device in the world: the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, or LIGO.


McCuller is a recognized expert in a field known as quantum squeezing, a technique utilized at LIGO to achieve extremely precise measurements of gravitational waves. that travel millions and billions of light-years across space to reach us. When black holes and collapsed stars, called neutron stars, collide, they generate ripples in space-time, or gravitational waves. 

LIGO’s detectors—located in Washington and Louisiana—specialize in picking up these waves but are limited by quantum noise, an inherent property of quantum mechanics that results in photons popping in and out of existence in empty space. Quantum squeezing is a complex method for reducing this unwanted noise.  READ MORE...

Middle Class

 

A Political Opinion

 Part of me wants Donald Trump to win the GOP nomination for President (which he probably will) and then win the general election and become President again.  

His first order of business would be to dismiss the US DA and the Director of the FBI.  

His second order of business would be to re-instate the XL Pipeline and become energy independent. 

Next, he should close the borders by whatever means is necessary, including finish building the wall.  

Next, he should slow down all rapid movements towards green energy.  

Next, he should build up the military.

Next, he should do whatever is in his power AND LEGAL to bring Joe Biden and his family to justice.

Next, he should lower corporate income tax.

Next, he should pardon himself if necessary.

ON THE OTHER HAND...

part of me believes that Donald Trump should never be President again and not because he did not do good things for Americans and this country but because his actions, comments, personality, and behaviors ARE NOT PRESIDENTIAL...

He may appeal to the blue collar workers of this country but he lacks PRESIDENTIAL DECORUM...  consequently, it would be embarrassing to have him as President again.

Donald Trump is a BILLIONAIRE who believes because he is wealthy that he can do any damn thing he wants to do...  and while this the EXACT ATTITUDE of most billionaires (and I personal know one) and might work in the business world, it has no place in POLITICS.

You simply cannot be a billionaire and be FOR THE PEOPLE at the same time.  The two are not just mutually exclusive but they are incongruent.

MOST POLITICIANS become wealthy after being in Congress for numerous years...  but, they are not billionaires.  These political leaders are CORRUPT otherwise they would not become wealthy. 

Congress gets insider information on stocks because of their jobs, and then use that information to invest in those stocks and make thousands.  People in congress take bribes from LOBBYISTS in order to make sure legislation gets passed.

This is the nature of politics, and NO ONE wants to put an end to it...  especially the people who are in Congress and responsible for passing laws that would limit their terms and age.  Our system is self-perpetuating and will one day, turn around and bite us in the ass.

Bull in Car

 

A DNA Time Capsule

For the first time, researchers have been able to extract DNA fragments from an ancient clay brick, demonstrating how these building blocks from times long past could be used to catalog flora found in the environment at the time.


When this brick was made some 2,900 years ago in what is now northern Iraq, the process would have involved mixing mud from the banks of the Tigris river, with materials such as chaff, straw, or animal dung.


Small plant particles amid the animal waste and straw can remain protected inside the brick for millennia – as has now been demonstrated by the team from the University of Oxford in the UK and the National Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.


Having extracted a sample of the brick, the researchers used an analytical technique previously used on other forms of porous material, such as bone. This gave them the ability to sequence (or decode) the DNA in the plant matter, identifying 34 distinct taxonomic groups of plants.


"We were absolutely thrilled to discover that ancient DNA, effectively protected from contamination inside a mass of clay, can successfully be extracted from a 2,900-year-old brick," says biologist Sophie Lund Rasmussen from the University of Oxford.


The brick analyzed in this study was found in the palace of the Neo-Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, located in the ancient city of Kalhu. Dating it to some time between 879 and 869 BCE – the years the palace was under construction – was made easier by an inscription in the clay that specifically mentioned the palace.


Plant families with the most abundant DNA in the brick included Brassicaceae (the cabbage and mustard family) and Ericaceae (heather), while genetic material from Betulaceae (birch), Lauraceae (laurels), Selineae (the family containing carrots and parsley), and Triticeae (cultivated grasses) was also present.


"The brick serves as a biodiversity time capsule of information regarding a single site and its surroundings," says Assyriologist Troels Arbøll, from the University of Copenhagen.


"In this case, it provides researchers with a unique access to the ancient Assyrians."  READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

Race to Space

The following countries have space programs:

1. United States
2. Russia
3. China
4. Japan
5. European Union
6. India

The following countries have manned space flights:

• United States
• China 
• Russia

In the USA, we have a few billionaires that are entering the space race along with the government, these are:

• Elon Musk --  Space X
• Jeff Bezos --  Blue Origin
• Richard Branson --  Virgin Galactic/Virgin Orbit

OPINION:  Personally, I believe that these billionaires will not just move faster than then government but will surpass whatever it is that the US government tries to do.

As far as other countries are concerned:

>>>Russia is pretty much out of the picture with a recent crash in the moon's atmosphere and their expenditures of money on the war in Ukraine.

>>>China wants to beat the USA and be the leader in space, but they are also trying to be leader of the world as they pump money into their militaries.

>>>India's recent landing on the moon was accomplished at a less of  cost than any other country.  How did they manage to do that?

THEREFORE...

Our billionaires (Musk, Bezos, and Branson) will be the ones that lead the world into space.  At some point in time, instead of competing with each other, they should form a consortium, and work together.

Regardless of what you personally believe, we will be colonizing a planet in space by 2030...  that is only 6 years away...  in 6 years, there could be so many AI/Robots that they could possibly be the crew and workers that build the first colony...

These billionaires want to build this colony on Mars but I suppose there are other planets that have yet to be targeted.

When this happens, our life on EARTH will change dramatically.

Moon

 

Wanting to Join BRICS

WHAT IS BRICS?

The acronym BRIC, which did not initially include South Africa, was coined in 2001 by then Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill in a research paper that underlined the growth potential of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The bloc was founded as an informal club in 2009 to provide a platform for its members to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies.

Its creation was initiated by Russia.

The group is not a formal multilateral organisation like the United Nations, World Bank or the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The heads of state and government of the member nations convene annually with each nation taking up a one-year rotating chairmanship of the group.

WHO ARE THE MEMBERS?

Brazil, Russia, India and China are the founding members.

South Africa, the smallest member in terms of economic clout and population, was the first beneficiary of an expansion of the bloc in 2010 when the grouping became known as BRICS.

Together the countries account for more than 40% of the world population and a quarter of the global economy.

Apart from geopolitics, the group's focus includes economic cooperation and increasing multilateral trade and development.

The bloc operates by consensus. All the BRICS countries are part of the Group of 20 (G20) of major economies.

WHICH NATIONS WANT TO JOIN BRICS AND WHY?
Over 40 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan have expressed interest in joining the forum, according to 2023 summit chair South Africa.

They view BRICS as an alternative to global bodies viewed as dominated by the traditional Western powers and hope membership will unlock benefits including development finance, and increased trade and investment.

Dissatisfaction with the global order among developing nations was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic when life-saving vaccines were hoarded by the rich countries.

Iran, home to around a quarter of the Middle East's oil reserves, has said it hopes the mechanism for new membership would be decided "at the earliest."

Oil heavyweight Saudi Arabia was among more than a dozen countries that participated in "Friends of BRICS" talks in Cape Town in June. It has received backing from Russia and Brazil to join the BRICS.

Argentina said in July 2022 it had received China's formal support in its bid to join the group.  READ MORE...

Home Construction

 

My Working Career in a Nutshell

 During my working career (both part-time and full time), I have held the following jobs/positions:

1. Gardener/lawn care
2. door-to-door salesman
3. Lifeguard
4. Babysitter
5. Waiter
6. Construction Worker
7. Chemical Packer
8. Military man
9. Military Reservist
10. Associate Director
11. Technical writer
12. Executive Director
13. Corporate Director
14. Director
15. Manager
16. Customer Service Rep
17. Textile worker
18. Driver/Messenger
19. Unemployed
20. Computer Technician
21. Instructor/Teacher
22. Program Chair
23. Assistant Dean
24. Dean
25. Owner/CEO/President
26. Consultant
27. Course writer
28. Insurance Salesperson
29. Vice President
30. Auditor
31. Professor
32. Adjunct

My career has spanned 50 years, I have been laid off or fired 10 times, and have had numerous employers...  too many to count or even remember.  I worked while I was attending college and graduate school.

Consciously, I made a decision to remain in the south where there was less income possibilities than could have been achieved up north.  Not sure why I made that decision at the time but I am sure it revolved around traffic, climate, people, and cost of living.

I had visited NYC several times before graduating from college and found it to be OVERWHELMING to say the least.

• No countryside
• Not much grass 
• Not much fresh air
• Extremely tall buildings
• Congested public transportation
• Extremely rude people
• Too many people
• Too much traffic
• Too many distractions

On the other side of the coin, NYC was a fascinating place to be and the nightlife was incredible.  I remember when my family was there in 1962 before boarding a cruise ship to Egypt to live, I was walking around and saw Gene Krupa playing drums in a dive bar.  It was hot and the door was open.

I watched him for as long as I could before someone from the inside came out and told me to leave.

One could say that I have had my fair share of different types of work that provided me with different types of experiences, but I am not sure where all that experience got me...  I mean in terms of a successful career.

I suppose my career was successful, better than most, but not a good as others...  but in terms of leaving behind a legacy, I did not...  except for a handful of students that I helped shape their lives.

Retirement is a time for reflection and while I do that from time to time, I do not like to, because it makes me question myself and what I have accomplished.

I would say surviving cancer for 15 years and knowing I will continue to fight this cancer for the rest of my life...  well, that seems more like an accomplishment than my career.

Labor Day Driving

 Like most Americans, I am enjoying my day off from work...  even though I stopped working in 2015, eight years ago.

I suppose one could say that I am still working around the house, like mowing the yard, weed eating, and trimming bushes and trees...  although, I am not being paid to do this...  I am, however, NOT PAYING someone else to do it for me.

LABOR DAY is a federal holiday to thank people for busting their asses for management the rest of the year.  A day off is cheaper than increasing wages.

This morning on FOX News, it was reported that the WORST TIME TO TRAVEL (in a vehicle) was between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm...  WTF???   That would mean that you should drive during the night when others were sleeping.  That only makes sense to me, if someone else is driving the vehicle so you can sleep...  like a bus...  but then in a bus you cannot completely recline your seat.

Of course, and this would depend on the length of your drive, but you could leave at 4/5:00 am in the morning.  For instance, all of our travels are to Myrtle Beach, SC and back and it takes 6.5 hours.  If we left at 5:00 am, we would get home just before noon and experience minimal traffic problems.

If we left at 4:00 am we would experience even less, but who wants to get up at 3:00 am to leave at 4:00 am just to beat a little traffic?   The answer is young people who don't need much sleep would be willing to do that.

What I have discovered over the years is that speeding over the posted limits, does two things:

• It burns more gasoline
• You arrive 15-20 minutes earlier than expected
• It increases your stress
• It increase the potential of making a mistake

These days, I drive the speed limit or maybe 5 miles more (why 5 miles I do not know) and when I can I set the cruise control to maximize fuel efficiency.

These days, I make sure that I keep more than the normal distance between me and the car in front of me, because my reaction time is slower.

These days, I stop every two hours to walk around for 5 minutes.

These days, I allow 8 hours to make a 6.5 hour trip and 30-60 minutes to make a 3-4 hour trip, to reduce my stress caused by unexpected delays.

I am in NO HURRY to get where I am going.

A Day Off From Work

A Career in the Military

 My  father was in the military during WWII and remained in the reserves for 30 years.  He also worked for the Federal Government for 30 and received retirement pensions from both.  The government stopped paying pension after his generation retired.  Both pensions provided him with the same level of income that he had received while working.  A smart move on his part.

I was in the military for 6 years, 2 years active and 4 years reserve and did not continue...  hindsight:  I am sure this was he wrong move to make, but I cannot say that for sure.

IF TODAY WAS YESTERDAY...

I would have made a career out of the military and I will tell you why.

• They provide you with uniforms.
• They provide you free housing.
• They provide you with free food.
• They provide you with retirement.

If you decide to get married they provide you with a special allowance and if you have children, there is another special allowance awarded to you...  plus the cost of birth is free.

On base EXCHANGES called PXs have all sorts of goods available at cheaper prices than outside the base.

There is an enormous amount of money that can be saved by letting the military pay for most everything.  

Plus, if you joined at 18 after high school or at 22 after college, you could retire with a 20 year pension at age 38 or 42...  that would still give you an opportunity to receive the pension while working another job for 20 years, retiring a second time 58 or 62...

ADDITIONIONALLY, if your second job last longer than 40 quarters (10 years) then you are also eligible for Social Security.

Several people that I have known, worked in the military for 20 years and got their BA and MA degrees.  Then, they went to work for a Community College while getting their PhDs.  When they finally retired for good at 62-65-67, they received 3 retirement checks.

• Military
• Community College
• Social Security

NOTE: after twenty years with the military, you are eligible for military healthcare for the rest of your life...  big savings in the long run.

CONCERN:  the possibility of being sent to a foreign war and dying...

A valid concern!!!

To offset that concern, DO NOT JOIN the Army or the Marines...

Your first choice should be Air Force, then Navy depending upon your specialization.

Regardless of specialization, the Air Force is the best choice.

It's Just a Cat... really!

 

Fossil Millions of Years Old

Graecopithecus freybergi lived 7.2 million years ago in the dust-laden savannah of the Athens Basin. Image credit: Velizar Simeonovski.

The origin of the hominines (African apes and humans) is among the most hotly debated topics in paleoanthropology.

The traditional view, ever since Charles Darwin, holds that hominines and hominins (humans and fossil relatives) originate in Africa, where the earliest hominins are found and where all living non-human hominines live.

More recently a European origin has been proposed, based on the analysis of Late Miocene apes from Europe and Central Anatolia.

Anadoluvius turkae attests to a lengthy history of hominines in Europe, with multiple species in the eastern Mediterranean known for at least 2.3 million years.

“Our findings further suggest that hominines not only evolved in western and central Europe but spent over 5 million years evolving there and spreading to the eastern Mediterranean before eventually dispersing into Africa, probably as a consequence of changing environments and diminishing forests,” said Professor David Begun, a paleontologist at the University of Toronto.

“The members of this radiation to which Anadoluvius turkae belongs are currently only identified in Europe and Anatolia.”  READ MORE...

Horse in the Ocean

Cost of Living

What is the average cost of living in the US? The average cost of living in the United States is estimated to be between $2,500 and $3,500 per month, depending on your location and lifestyle. This includes housing, food, transportation, health care, taxes, and other expenses.

TENNESSEE

Ordinarily, $37,499 ($3,125/month) per year should cover your expenses in Tennessee. However, to really live comfortably, you need to earn an average salary of $80,548 ($6,712/month) per year to be able to cover other miscellaneous costs you might have.

My wife and I live in East Tennessee which  typically has a lower cost of living that Middle Tennessee or West Tennessee.  Knoxville (East TN) is less that Chattanooga (East), Nashville (Middle), or Memphis (West).

We are probably living above the average here in East TN because we are spending about $4,500 each month.  One of the reasons for that is that we are properly maintaining 2 cars; we are spending about $1,000/month on health insurance (Medicare and a Supplement), and we do not cut back on groceries, eating out at a restaurant weekly, or going on vacations.

However, we use coupons, buy year old vehicles, and look for sales when we buy clothes or other items.  We spend money but we don't spend foolishly.  We only purchase what we need not what we want.

Our only source of income is Social Security and what we need to remove from savings each month to pay our bills.

We are fortunate that we had the good sense to save money while making sure we eliminated all of our debt.  We have been debt free for over 15 years now.

We have an American Express/Delta credit card and when we use the card, we get one frequent flyer mile for each dollar spent.  Today, we have over 300,000 frequent flyer points that we are saving to use when we absolutely have to.

Our savings is enough to pay all our bills plus special expenses like nursing care...  until we are both 95 years old.

WE DID THIS BY SAVING AFTER WE PAID OFF DEBT AND STOPPED SPENDING FOOLISHLY...

White Bear

 

Speed of Light

Einstein’s special theory of relativity governs our understanding of both the flow of time and the speed at which objects can move. In special relativity, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit to the universe. Nothing can travel faster than it. Every single moving object in the universe is constrained by that fundamental limit.

Speed of Light and Sound
This isn’t something like the speed of sound. Early scientists wondered if we could ever go faster than that speed, not because of some fundamental rule of the universe, but because we didn’t know if our engineering and materials science capabilities could withstand the extreme turbulence generated by moving at such speeds. But everyday objects already surpass the speed of sound. For example, the crack of a whip is caused by the tip creating a sonic boom as it travels faster than the sound speed.

The problem with trying to surpass the speed of light is that as you go faster, the more kinetic energy you have. But relativity tells us that energy is the same as mass, so the faster you go the more massive you become (and yes, this means that a moving baseball has more mass than one standing still, but that’s a tiny effect).

As you approach the speed of light, your mass balloons up to infinity. The closer you get to the speed of light, the more out of control your mass becomes. With higher masses, you must push yourself harder to accelerate, and you quickly find yourself in a position where it would take an infinite amount of energy to overcome light speed.

Exploring Light Speed
This isn’t just a matter of clever engineering or figuring out some trick – this is built into the fabric of the universe.

That said, there are proposals out there for designing specialized devices that could supposedly overcome this limit without outright breaking relativity. These concepts work because special relativity is a law of local physics: It tells you that you can never measure nearby motion going faster than light speed.  READ MORE...