Thursday, July 21
A Rogue Star & Our Solar System
In 1687, Sir Isaac Newton published his magnum opus, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which effectively synthesized his theories on motion, velocity, and universal gravitation.
In terms of the latter, Newton offered a means for calculating the force of gravity and predicting the orbits of the planets. Since then, astronomers have discovered that the Solar System is merely one small point of light that orbits the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. On occasion, other stars will pass close to the Solar System, which can cause a dramatic shakeup that can kick objects out of their orbits
These “stellar flybys” are common and play an important role in the long-term evolution of planetary systems. As a result, the long-term stability of the Solar System has been the subject of scientific investigation for centuries.
The research was led by Garett Brown, a graduate student of computational physics from the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences (PES) at the University of Toronto at Scarborough. He was joined by Hanno Rein, an associate professor of astrophysics (and Brown’s mentor) also from the PES at UT Scarborough.
Faster Than Light Travel
Physicists are not the kind of people who give up easily, though. Give them an impossible dream, and they'll give you an incredible, hypothetical way of making it a reality. Maybe.
In a 2021 study by physicist Erik Lentz from Göttingen University in Germany, we may have a viable solution to the dilemma, and it's one that could turn out to be more feasible than other would-be warp drives.
This is an area that attracts plenty of bright ideas, each offering a different approach to solving the puzzle of faster-than-light travel: achieving a means of sending something across space at superluminal speeds.
There are some problems with this notion, however. Within conventional physics, in accordance with Albert Einstein's theories of relativity, there's no real way to reach or exceed the speed of light, which is something we'd need for any journey measured in light-years.
That hasn't stopped physicists from trying to break this universal speed limit, though.
While pushing matter past the speed of light will always be a big no-no, spacetime itself has no such rule. In fact, the far reaches of the Universe are already stretching away faster than its light could ever hope to match. READ MORE...
Wednesday, July 20
Having and Using the Mind is Wonderful - Part II
From Part I (even though it was not labeled as Part I), we touched on purpose, and the complexities of the human body, and were left with the realization that there might be other forms of life in our solar system and/or Milky Way galaxy and/or our universe... we were left to ponder on the concept and through a little introspection decide if we believed that or not.
Sadly some of you who read the first part do not agree with me, but there are some of you that do agree with me... so lets proceed.
There are an increasing number of scientists that not only believe in UFOs but who believe extraterrestrials or aliens... and, I suppose one could say that UFOs don't fly themselves... but yes they can... so we actually have two distinct events here.
- UFOs
- Aliens
- Einstein
- DaVinci
- Michaelangelo
- Von Braun
- Turing
- Tesla
The Science of Aliens
All cellular life on Earth is based on DNA, which transfers information—about everything from hair color to personality traits—from one generation to the next. The four chemical bases that convey this information are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).
The other essential “information molecule” on Earth is RNA, in which thymine (T) is replaced by uracil (U). RNA has a one-string structure rather than a double-string structure like DNA.
In a paper recently published in Science, a research group led by Dona Sleiman from the Institute Pasteur in Paris has discovered that some viruses show more variation in their genetic coding than was previously known. In the RNA of these viruses, adenine (A) is replaced with Z, where Z stands for diaminopurine.
This follows an earlier study by Zunyi Yang and colleagues at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Florida, showing that an artificial genetic system could be created by adding two additional non-standard bases to ordinary DNA.
The variability does not stop here. Strings of DNA are organized in base triplets that determine which of the standard 20 amino acids are assigned to synthesize proteins. However, these triplet assignments are not universal.
The Aliens are Us
On a geologic timescale, the emergence of the human “dataome” is like a sudden invasion by extraterrestrials or an asteroid impact that precipitates a mass extinction...
Something very old, very powerful and very special has been unleashed on Earth.
Humans are strange. For a global species, we’re not particularly genetically diverse, thanks in part to how our ancient roaming explorations caused “founder effects” and “bottleneck events” that restricted our ancestral gene pool. We also have a truly outsize impact on the planetary environment without much in the way of natural attrition to trim our influence (at least not yet).
But the strangest thing of all is how we generate, exploit, and propagate information that is not encoded in our heritable genetic material, yet travels with us through time and space. Not only is much of that information represented in purely symbolic forms—alphabets, languages, binary codes—it is also represented in each brick, alloy, machine, and structure we build from the materials around us. Even the symbolic stuff is instantiated in some material form or the other, whether as ink on pages or electrical charges in nanoscale pieces of silicon.
Altogether, this “dataome” has become an integral part of our existence. In fact, it may have always been an integral, and essential, part of our existence since our species of hominins became more and more distinct some 200,000 years ago. This idea, which I also pursue in my upcoming book, The Ascent of Information, leads to a number of quite startling and provocative proposals.
For example, let’s consider our planetary impact. Today we can look at our species’ energy use and see that of the roughly six to seven terawatts of average global electricity production, about 3 percent to 4 percent is gobbled up by our digital electronics, in computing, storing and moving information.
And that’s just one facet of the energy demands of the human dataome. We still print onto paper, and the energy cost of a single page is the equivalent of burning five grams of high-quality coal. Digital devices, from microprocessors to hard drives, are also extraordinarily demanding in terms of their production, owing to the deep repurposing of matter that is required.
They Are The Borg
In the TV series Star Trek, the Borg are cybernetic aliens that assimilate humans and other creatures as a means of achieving perfection. So when Jill Banfield, a geomicrobiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, sifted through DNA in the mud of her backyard and discovered a strange linear chromosome that included genes from a variety of microbes, her Trekkie son proposed naming it after the sci-fi aliens.
Researchers have found many examples of DNA floating independently outside the chromosome or chromosomes that make up an organism's standard genome. Small loops called plasmids, for example, exist inside microbes and ferry genes for thwarting antibiotics among different kinds of bacteria.
But Banfield wasn't looking for DNA that could move between organisms. Instead, she and graduate student Basem Al-Shayeb were searching for viruses that infect archaea, a type of microbe often found in places devoid of oxygen.
"We started off with a piece of mud and 10 trillion pieces of DNA," Banfield says. One sample, taken from the mud on her property, contained a gene-filled stretch of DNA almost 1 million bases long—and more than half the genes were novel.
After they identified the first Borg sequence, the researchers began to scan microbial DNA in public databases to see whether they could find anything similar. They found a few variations in groundwater from Colorado—there, the first purported Borg showed up about 1 meter deep and got more abundant deeper down.
Altogether, the researchers isolated 23 sequences they think may be Borgs—and 19 they have identified as having all the characteristics of the first Borg they discovered, they write this week on the preprint server bioRxiv.
Tuesday, July 19
Morning Coffee
Up at 7am most mornings, the first thing I do after giving a treat to our three cats is to make myself a cup of coffee with a coffee pod... I add three spoons of cappuccino mix and sit down on the couch to enjoy.
Morning coffee gets me to reflecting to myself since there is no one up but me and the cats and they don't give a shit about what I am thinking.,
Illegal Immigration is on my mind this morning and not just because they are breaking the law but because the current administration is bussing these illegal immigrants all over the USA to spread the joy.
But what happens next?
- Who takes care of them?
- Who pays for their food?
- Who pays for their shelter?
- Who pays for their clothes?
- Who checks them for diseases?
- Who takes them where they need to go?
- Who gives them work?
- Who protects them from crime?
- Who stops the females from getting raped?
- Who stops the children from being trafficked?
- Who keeps slums from developing?
- Who sends the children to school?
- How do they learn with no English?
- Who takes care of them when they are sick?
- Who buries them when they die?
Social Justice Revisited
Social justice refers to a political and philosophical theory that focuses on the concept of fairness in relations between individuals in society and equal access to wealth, opportunities, and social privileges.
- privilege
- education
- healthcare
- law enforcement
- living conditions
- available jobs
- white senior citizens
- white handicapped
- white disabled veterans
- white christians
- white jews
- white heart patients
- white cancer patients
- white terminally ill
Patronizing a Restaurant
I moved to East Tennessee in 1990 from North Carolina and have never looked back... In 1993, I was introduced to Perkins Family Restaurants where a group of us had stopped for breakfast on our way to a company outing.
I had the TREMENDOUS TWELVE which was 4 eggs, 4 sausage patties, and 4 pancakes... needless to say I ate everything several cups of coffee that also tasted outstanding.
At that time, this Perkins location was managed by a German/American named Otto who supported a rather long pigtail down to the middle of his back. He had worked his way from busboy to cook to server to waiter to assistant manager to manager... A few years later, he became the owner of that particular franchise and it was considered the flagship of Perkins restaurants in Tennessee.
I have been eating there at least once a month since 1993 or for 30 years in 5 months.
Today, my wife and I went to Perkins and I ordered the Everything Omelet with breakfast potatoes and pancakes and she got the magnificent seven or 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, and 3 pancakes. We get this everytime.
My routine is to eat half the omelet and half the breakfast potatoes. She gives me one of her pancakes so I take 4 pancakes home along with the omelet and potatoes.
For the ne xt 3 days I have breakfast ready to heat up in the microwave. I have 2 pancakes each morning with jelly.
The price has gone up from $11.95 to $13.95 but the average cost of these 4 meals is under $4/meal... Not that I am trying to save money, but the fact is that what I do does save us money...
Otto's son manages the business now as he is still the owner and believe it or not, he visits the restaurant every day. His son keeps his hair short but when he was living at home, his father would not let him grow long hair and have a pigtail. Otto's son smiles about that now.
THIRTY YEARS is a long time to make sure this restaurant got my/our business. And yes, the food is really good...
Having and Using the Mind is Wonderful
Some people think that acquiring assets, adult toys, and wealth is the sole purpose of life.
Some people think that spiritual and/or religious pursuits, meditation, and contemplation is the sole purpose of life.
Some people think that living off the government, one's family, and/or parents is the sole purpose of life.
Some people think that living a mediocre life and not complaining is the sole purpose of life.
Who is right and who is wrong?
Maybe both are right...
I think that having a mind and the desire to use that mind is the ultimate joy in life... in other words... THINKING... and perhaps the acquisition of knowledge and/or understanding from that thinking... is what we were really intended to do.
Unfortunately, people don't really like to think... over analyze... as it becomes boring and tedious to listen to someone explain what they are trying to think about...
- Should I buy this house?
- Should I buy this car?
- Should I date this person?
- Should I work for this company?
- Do I deserve a raise?
- Do you want to get married?
- How many children do you want?
- Where do you want t?o live?
- Our solar system is in the Milky Way Galaxy.
- There are millions of solar systems in our galaxy.
- There are billions and billions of galaxies in our KNOWN UNIVERSE...
Renaming Clingman's Dome
Long before the mountain on the Tennessee-North Carolina border was a National Park attraction, the Cherokee referred to it as Kuwahi, which translates to "mulberry place." Tribal medicine men would journey up the mountain and pray for guidance, then share the visions they had with the rest of the community.
Lavita Hill, treasury specialist for the tribe, said she and her friend, fellow activist Mary Crowe, spent the last month preparing the name change proposal for the tribal government's approval. Hill said she was inspired by Yellowstone National Park's renaming of Mount Doane to First Peoples Mountain, which was based on the recommendation of the Rocky Mountain Tribal Council.
Eating Pumpkin Seeds
When people think of pumpkins, most people think of those orange gourds that are fun for picking and carving during the autumn season. Pumpkins are also great for making delicious and flavorful recipes. However, did you know that the pumpkin can also be used for its seeds?
You've heard of eating sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and other various types, but it may be time to add pumpkin seeds to your list if you haven't already. The dietitians on our Medical Expert Board gave us insight into what would happen if you added them to your diet. Read on to see what the effects of pumpkin seeds are. Then, be sure to check out Surprising Side Effects of Eating Flax Seeds, Says Science.
According to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook, The 7 Ingredient Healthy Pregnancy Cookbook, and Fueling Male Fertility, pumpkin seeds contain zinc, a nutrient that supports immune health.
"Eating them consistently may help you take in enough of this key mineral and support your immune health," says Manaker.
"Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber which can be a good thing, but practicing portion control is important," says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, and a nutritionist in private practice.
If you do consume too many pumpkin seeds at once, Dr. Young suggests that it may lead to gas and stomach discomfort. READ MORE...
A Leadership Lesson
On Tuesday, Alphabet (Google) CEO Sundar Pichai (above) sent a memo to Google employees to let them know that the company would slow its hiring for the balance of the year and take other cost-cutting measures in response to worsening economic conditions.
Needless to say, Google is not the only tech company currently fearing the effects of inflation and a possible recession. Twitter and Netflix, among others, have announced layoffs, and numerous other companies have said that they are freezing or slowing hiring.
To begin with, Pichai starts the memo by thanking Google employees. Noting that 2022 is half over, he writes, "It's the right opportunity to thank everyone for the great work so far this year, and to share how my Leads and I are thinking about H2."
Pichai then acknowledges that Google leadership is concerned about the same economic headwinds that are affecting the rest of the economy.
Monday, July 18
Social Justice
- access to resources
- equity
- participation
- diversity
- human rights
Rumors of Wars
There is an economic concept called THE BROKEN GLASS THEORY... in which the idea is presented that when vandalism breaks the window of a storefront business, it is good for the economy because that shop owner has to hire someone to replace the window... and, the individual that is hired has to buy gasoline for the vehicle, etc., etc., etc.
Therefore, and on a larger scale WAR IS GOOD FOR A COUNTRY because a company has to be hired to clean up and then rebuild what has been destroyed. Employees are hired, supplies are purchased, food is eaten, etc., etc., etc.
BUT... are all wars good?
What about the war between the whites and the blacks in this country because of slavery that was stopped over 200 years ago???
How will this help our economy?
What about the war between the wealthy and the poor which really has not gotten into full swing yet but it will eventually and the poor will be relentless as the fight the wealthy who will be hiding behind their protective walls and gated communities?
How will this help our economy?
What about the war that will soon be waged against all the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS who have broken the law to enter this country and who do not speak English and cannot find employment nor do they have any place to sleep at night except on the street?
What about the sex trafficking and drugs that these illegal immigrants bring into this country?
Do you think these illegal immigrants will sleep in the country or in the big cities?
How will this help our economy?
Not the kind of wars you were expecting??? Well, it is doubtful that those wars will ever enter the USA... as the USA will send soldiers overseas but after 9/11, it is doubtful anybody will be able to penetrate our borders and do that kind of damage.
Besides, our enemy is CHINA... and, it is doubtful that China wants to finance a war... What China wants to do is finance an ECONOMIC TAKEOVER of the USA... as we move towards a green economy, that transition is destined to weaken us economically and will provide CHINA with the economic leverage it needs to gain the upper hand... China will loan us more money to keep us afloat and will buy our businesses to keep them from failing...
NOT A BULLET WILL BE FIRED...
We have no fear from Russia militarily as they cannot even defeat the weaker Ukraine...
China will not let North Korea or Iran use nuclear weapons as that would screw up their game plan... China will control the world economically... no soldiers... no weapons... no bombs of anykind...
Yes... there are rumors of wars on the horizon.
Make It In The USA Instead...
- Ray Ban
- Hush Puppies
- Arrow Shirts
- Woolrich
- Gillette
- Barbie
- Huffy Bicyles
- Fisher-Price
- Converse
- Nike
- Levi's
- Schwinn
- Radio Flyer
- Rawlings
- Etch A Sketch
- Samsonite
- Brach's
- Fender Stratocaster
- Dell Computer
- G. I. Joe
- Monopoly
- Black & Decker
- Craftsman
- Ford
- Chevrolet
- American Girl
- Gerber
- Under Armour
- Sardines
- Donald J. Trump Collection
Country Living Revisited
Don't get me wrong... when I talk about country living, I don't mean living on a farm or living on a ranch... I just mean outside of the city... so, we could be talking about the suburbs... or, perhaps even farther out where you don't have many neighbors but you are still not living on a farm or even close to a farm... You are just living in a area of wide open spaces totally devoted to whatever mother nature wants it to be... like the above photo...
The above photo is taken from the East Tennessee Valley... in the back ground, you can see the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains where the fishing and hunting are excellent and where some of the best marijuana in the country is grown... that area is also the home to some of the best moonshine in the country as well... although that distinction is also shared with western North Carolina...
Living in the country is not associated with living with rednecks nor is it associated with inbreeding although there is a standing northern sentiment that most all southerners are inbread... of course, most all southerners feel that New Yorkers are arrogant assholes whose only saving grace is that they are rude to everyone because they cannot distinguish between individuals...
Personally, I don't think either opinion is valid or accurate... that is until someone proves it to be accurate and valid... and, I am sure that happens all the time.
People who live in the country pretty much like to have space around them. They like to feel the sun and not have it blocked by buildings. They like to feel safe and secure. They want their children to feel safe and secure. They want privacy sometimes and they want to feel like they are part of a community...
Faith is a big part of country living and while one's faith is strong, country dwellers are tolerant of other people's views towards faith and respectful if it does not agree with theirs.
Of course, there is always the exception... but, they say that the exception proves the rule... I don't know about that... but what I do know is that I like living in the country...
Just Deleting a Text on Your Phone
People delete text messages and other electronic messages for many reasons: to free up room on their device; to break contact after a sour conversation; and, from time to time, to wipe out a conversation, for one reason or another.
But deleting a digital correspondence isn't as easy as you might think. For starters, depending on the program you're using, the recipient still has a copy of the message you sent them. And that data might live on in cloud storage.
Alfred Demirjian, founder and CEO of TechFusion, has spent the past 35 years in digital forensics and data recovery in Boston. He said that once you hit send, that information will likely exist forever, especially if the government wants whatever you've sent. READ MORE...






























