Friday, October 18
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Liam Payne, member of boy band One Direction, dies at age 31 after three-story fall from hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina (More)
> New women's 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled signs TV rights deal with TNT; the 30-player league launches January 2025 (More) | Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson highlight All-WNBA team (More)
> NFL owners unanimously approve NFL legend Tom Brady's bid to buy minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders (More)
Science & Technology
> STAT releases annual Wunderkind list, spotlighting the top early-career researchers in the biomedical and health sciences (More)
> Mosquitoes have taste preferences, with some compounds either promoting or inhibiting biting and egg-laying behaviors; findings may lead to new methods to reduce insect-borne diseases (More)
> Researchers find 70% of the meteorites found on Earth to date can be traced back to just three separate collisions in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.5%, Dow +0.8%, Nasdaq +0.3%); Dow reaches record close (More)
> United Airlines shares close up 12% to prepandemic high after company reports better-than-expected Q3 earnings (More) | Morgan Stanley shares close up 6% after firm tops Q3 earnings and revenue estimates (More)
> Defense contractor Raytheon agrees to pay $950M to settle federal charges, including defrauding US Department of Defense and bribing a Qatari official (More) | Federal Trade Commission finalizes rules requiring companies to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Israel strikes in and near Beirut, including killing a city mayor and 15 others at a council meeting after most residents evacuated; Israel says it is striking Hezbollah targets, including an underground weapons cache (More) | See war updates (More)
> Italy passes law barring citizens from pursuing surrogacy abroad, with violations punishable by up to $1M in fines and two years in prison; around 250 Italian couples—90% of them heterosexual—pursue surrogacy each year, per legal experts (More)
> Las-Vegas-area county official Robert Telles (D) sentenced to life in prison for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German, with the possibility of parole after 28 years (More) | See previous write-up (More)
Built In Obsolescence
A Whirlpool technician, working for Best Buy where we purchased our appliances came out to the house today to troubleshoot our stove since the oven was not heating properly.
As with all technicians, my wife and I strike up a conversation, to pass the time but also because if you get to know worker, perhaps better service will be offered... of course, conversations are no guarantee of that happening.
This technician told us that the manufacturers engineer into their appliances the problem so that they can sell a $10 part for $180 down the road. He said they call it, built in obsolescence and some manufacturers are better at it than others.
For example, LG and GE stoves have gas leaks because they use cheap valves and washers. Whirlpool does not have gas leaks but typically has igniter problems because of cheap materials.
Also, if a new igniter is touched by human hands (without gloves) then that igniter will need to be replaced in a couple of months. Some techs know this, others don't while other don't care.
Another fact our tech shared with us is that GE is no longer owned by an American company, a Chinese company owns GE and most of the parts inside are cheap.
Replacement parts and Warranties are where these manufacturers really make their money... second to having to replace the unit in 3-5 years because it simply does not work any longer. This is BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE...
When my parents purchased their appliances, they would last for 20-30 years, sometimes longer. Greedy manufacturers decided to build their appliances so that they would need to be replaced every 3-5 years. This was specifically designed to increase their long-term revenues.
If anything, built in obsolescence is the DOWNSIDE of capitalism and the GREED that seems to be possessing ALL AMERICANS.
The Enemy Within
Our Universe is OLDER Than Originally Believed
In a groundbreaking discovery, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has presented data that directly challenges our current understanding of the universe. For years, cosmologists have pegged the universe's age at approximately 13.8 billion years. Yet, the new JWST findings suggest that this may be a vast underestimation. But how has one telescope managed to disrupt such a long-held belief?
The universe's secrets are vast, but none has been as puzzling as the presence of 'impossible early galaxies'—so named due to their peculiar formation periods.
According to existing models, these galaxies, emerging during the cosmic dawn, roughly 500 to 800 million years post-big bang, shouldn't have evolved disks and bulges so quickly. "It's akin to seeing a toddler with the wisdom of an octogenarian," says a scientist, explaining the paradox. READ MORE...
Thursday, October 17
Don't Grow Old Physically
At 76 years of age, my advice to you is DON'T GROW OLD PHYSICALLY...
As absurd as that my sound, it is the truth.
Not growing old MENTALLY is a piece of cake compared to growing old PHYSICALLY...
I'm not talking about things like heart attacks, cancers, diabetes, or other illnesses... I am talking about the physical construction of your body.
- Hearing loss
- Loss of eyesight
- Arthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Joint pain
- Loss of bone strength
- Easily bruised
- Severe muscle strain
- Torn Tendon/Ligaments
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Minnesota Lynx hosts New York Liberty tonight (8 pm ET, ESPN) in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals (More) | MLB NL Championship Series continues tonight (8 pm ET, FS1) with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the New York Mets as series is tied 1-1 (More)
> New York Times issues cease and desist to AI search engine startup Perplexity over allegedly training its AI model using New York Times' content without its permission (More)
> New York Jets acquire star WR Davante Adams in trade with the Las Vegas Raiders (More) | ... and star WR Amari Cooper traded to the Buffalo Bills from the Cleveland Browns (More)
Science & Technology
> Researchers develop tests to determine the relative risk of future AI agents, including whether they could change and improve their own code once released (More) | What is AGI, or artificial general intelligence? (More)
> Brain study reveals the human nose can discern separate odors when separated by as little as 60 milliseconds; results suggest smell operates as quickly as the human eye can detect color (More)
> Engineers make key advance toward fully 3D-printed electronic circuits; new approach creates logic gates without semiconductors, which typically require advanced fabrication technologies (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.8%, Dow -0.8%, Nasdaq -1.0%), with Nasdaq dragged down by chipmaker sell-off (More) | ASML shares close down 16% after Dutch semiconductor-gear manufacturer slashes 2025 sales outlook in its Q3 earnings report, which was accidentally released early (More)
> Walgreens Boots Alliance to shutter 1,200 unprofitable US stores, or about 10% of its worldwide locations, over the next three years; Walgreens shares close up 16% on the news (More) | UnitedHealth shares close down 8%—the most in four years—after company lowers 2024 and 2025 forecasts (More)
> Goldman Sachs tops earnings and revenue expectations, reports 45% year-over-year increase in Q3 profit (More) | United Airlines beats Q3 earnings and revenue estimates, plans $1.5B share buyback (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> North Korea demolishes sections of unused roads and railways to South Korea; South Korea responds with warnings shots (More)
> Spanish police arrest four people, seize 13 tons of illegal chemicals bound for Russia; stash includes materials considered potential precursor to chemical weapons (More)
> Alex Murdaugh—convicted in the murder of his wife and son—settles wrongful death lawsuit with family of teen killed in boat crash involving now-deceased son; settlement closing out final case against the former lawyer (More)
Understanding Depression
Depression has been an ongoing part of my life for over fifty years. I have taken prescribed medication, sought out professional help, and found ways to simply deal with depression on my own. I have never been medically diagnosed with any kind of bipolar disorder, and yet, I feel bipolar has been an integral part of my life.
The symptoms of depression can vary widely from person to person, but they often include feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness. Physical symptoms may also be present, such as changes in appetite or sleep patterns, fatigue, and unexplained aches or pains. It's important to recognize that depression is not just a temporary state of sadness or a sign of weakness; it's a serious medical condition that requires understanding and treatment.
Depression can stem from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Traumatic life events, such as the loss of a loved one, financial problems, or high stress, can trigger depression in some people, while others may experience it without any apparent cause.
Treatment for depression often involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressants can help to balance chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions, while therapy can assist individuals in coping with their symptoms, understanding underlying issues, and developing healthier thought patterns.
It's crucial for those suffering from depression to seek professional help. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes, and with the right support, most people with depression can improve their quality of life. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, it's important to reach out to a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
For more information on depression, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, you can refer to reputable sources such as the Mayo Clinic, Healthline, Cleveland Clinic, and WebMD. Remember, depression is treatable, and there is hope for recovery.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Hydrogen Cartridges
Toyota is showcasing a series of sustainable developments at the Japan Mobility Bizweek later this month – including its vision of a portable hydrogen cartridge future, which could apparently provide 'swappable' power for next-gen hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Originally a project of Toyota’s mobility technology subsidiary Woven (formerly Woven Planet), the team produced a working prototype of a hydrogen cartridge back in 2022 but has since developed the idea further… and appears to be running with it.
The latest cartridges are lighter and easier to transport, with Toyota claiming the current iteration has been developed with the experience the company has gained in reducing the size and weight of the hydrogen tanks used in its fuel cell electric vehicles. READ MORE...