Looking Out My Backdoor

 

In The NEWS

Bookkeeping

> Australian biologist catches 32-inch goldfish, believed to be world's longest.

> Americans expected to spend record $14B on their partners for Valentine's Day.

> Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" up 38,000% in sales after Grammys performance.



Browse

> America's best hotels in 2024.

> Rare speckled dolphin spotted off Australian coast.

> Graffiti artists tag 27 floors of abandoned Los Angeles skyscraper.

> Study claims children of attractive parents earn more.

> US Senator meets his doppelgänger: Germany's chancellor (w/photos).



Listen

> Into the Huluverse: The evolution of the streaming service's sonic branding.



Watch

> The best Super Bowl LVIII commercials (so far).

> ... and why artists don't get paid for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

> What happens if we kill every mosquito on Earth?



Long Read

> The story of the modern NFL's first Black quarterback: Willie Thrower.

> What your brain is doing when you are not doing anything.

> An audio-visual dive into how reggaeton became the sound of global pop.



Best of the Week: What in tarnation is "tarnation?"



Historybook: French and Indian War ends (1763); “Roots” author Alex Haley dies (1992); American playwright Arthur Miller dies (2005); Hollywood legend and diplomat Shirley Temple dies (2014).

SOURCE:  1440 News

EVs and the War on Fossil Fuels

BUC-EE'S is a convenience store that started in Texas and is now opening stores all over the USA.  We have two here in Tennessee.  The first one is located halfway between Knoxville and Nashville and the second one just opened just off I40 at the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg exit.  This second is the largest Buc-ee's ever built.

The Buc-ee's at the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg exit has 120 gasoline pumps and gasoline sells for 10-15 cents less per gallon than it is selling at other local gas stations and convenience stores.

WHAT DOES THIS TELL ME?

If Buc-ee's is building these stores with 120 gasoline pumps, then they do not expect that EVs are ready to replace gasoline engines and that the war on fossil fuels is simply a pipedream.

Another factor in my gasoline beliefs is the fact that almost every day, I read articles that indicate car dealerships are not selling the EVs...

WHY DO I THINK THIS IS?

One - the damn EV is too expensive for the average American

Two - battery replacement costs $6-10,000

Third - there are not enough charging stations

Four - the resale value of EVs is low

Five - the cold negatively impacts batteries

The Democrats did not do their HOMEWORK...

 

Somewhat Political

 

Dirt Powered Fuel Cell

Northwestern University researchers have introduced a soil-microbe-powered fuel cell, significantly outperforming similar technologies and providing a sustainable solution for powering low-energy devices, with full public access to its designs for widespread application. The fuel cell’s 3D-printed cap peeks above the ground. The cap keeps debris out of the device while enabling air flow. Credit: Bill Yen/Northwestern University

A Northwestern University-led team of researchers has developed a new fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes living in dirt.

About the size of a standard paperback book, the completely soil-powered technology could fuel underground sensors used in precision agriculture and green infrastructure. This potentially could offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals that leach into the ground, are fraught with conflict-filled supply chains, and contribute to the ever-growing problem of electronic waste.     READ MORE...

Denzel Washington

 

The Land of Opportunity

There are roughly 330 million Americans. There are 22 million millionaires in the U.S. That's about 6% of the population. There are 724 billionaires. That's about 0.003% of millionaires who are billionaires.

That means 6.003% of the current US population is considered to be wealthy to extremely wealthy.  And the data varies as to how they acquire their wealth.  Some of it was inherited, some of it was due to their education, some of was due to their athletic and musical skills, and some of it was due to their entrepreneurial insights, stamina, and determination.  

While the data varies, it is still very apparent that if only 6% of the population is super wealthy, then 94% of the people are NOT BORN with what it takes to be super financially successful...  otherwise, we would have more wealthy people than average or poor people.

THEREFORE, wealth is not for everyone, and the USA is not really the land of opportunity because it does not apply to a majority of the population.  We are then left with an unrealistic expectation that we can become wealthy.

However, for the illegal immigrants who are flowing into this country, their aspirations for the US being the land of opportunity is that they are better off here than where they were.  And while that is true, their increasing numbers will only serve to INCREASE THE WEATH GAP, making it more difficult to achieve than easier.

Once they find that out, they are stuck here, remaining on the bottom rung of the financial ladder here just like they were on the bottom in the countries that they left.

Another issue that reinforces this bottom rung status is that those who are illegally immigrating into the United States, ARE NOT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF THE COUNTRIES THEY LEFT BEHIND.

That being said, then illegally enter the USA without skills, without education, without the desire to learn, and without speaking English.

Their status may improve but only slightly and if the numbers prove accurate less than 10% of them will ever be financially successful.

If you were SMART, you would not be entering this country illegally...  the odds are against you in that this will never be the land of opportunity for you.

Somewhat Political

 

America's Divided Crisis

I am a well-educated man, but I am not a smart man in that I am not wealthy or extremely wealthy or in a position of huge power. 

I consider myself to be in the lower middle class here in the USA although some might say I am middle class not higher or lower.  I suppose it depends on one's perception.

With that said, it does not take a BRAIN SURGEON to see that the United States of America is dramatically divided on several issues some of which could be life threatening.  Life threatening in the sense of having a CIVIL WAR or a WWIII.

These issues are:

1. Immigration
2. US National Debt
3. Pro-Palestine/Pro-Israel
4. Conservative/Liberal
5. Nuclear threats - Iran/North Korea
6. Weak/Strong Military
7. Socialism/Capitalism
8. China wanting to be the global leader

The 2024 presidential election is revolving around these issues but more importantly, these issues are causing a divide in this country that may already be past the point of being resolved.

Currently, the Republican Governors of 25 out of 50 states (50%) are supporting Texas in their fight against the Federal government.  The governor of Florida is sending 1,000 national guard to help Texas in their fight against the federal government.

Even if you are a complete IDIOT, you must realize that this is a huge problem and stands in the way of the USA uniting to fight its enemies.

This 2024 presidential election involves two candidates, both of which are too old and too out of touch to hold the highest office in the land.  What you might think of their individual abilities is irrelevant, when considering their age.

WE NEED YOUNG BLOOD TO BE PRESIDENT

But, even if we had young blood, will that young blood be able to unite the country?

2024 is a crucial election.  If we continue with the status quo will we continue to decline or get better?  If we elect to go with someone different, will that person simply makes things better or will they unite the country?

The last time we were divided like this we had a civil war and it is said that our civil based was based upon slavery, but that is true.  We were a young country that was growing and needed money.  Money comes from taxes and if the Southern states left the union (because of slavery) the USA would have lost tax revenues.

K-12 history classes don't tell us the truth...  if they did, perhaps we would have a better appreciation of how devastating being divided can be for a country...  old or new.

Winter

 

An AI Simulated Child

A Chinese scholar has unveiled what he's calling the world's first AI child — and saying the creation could bring the technology into a new age.

As the South China Morning Post reports, visitors at the Frontiers of General Artificial Intelligence Technology Exhibition held in Beijing at the end of January were able to interact with the avatar representing Tong Tong, a virtual toddler whose name translates to "Little Girl" in English.


Created at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) — which, yes, are dedicated to building artificial general intelligence, or human-level AI — Tong Tong is the brainchild of Zhu Songchun, the institute's computer scientist founder who specializes in "cognitive artificial intelligence," or AI designed to mimic human cognition.

While AI avatars can have all kinds of simulated appearances and personalities, they say Tong Tong is designed to break new technical ground by not only executing tasks given to her in a virtual environment, but independently giving herself new tasks as well.     READ MORE...

Time Facts

 

Big Bad John

 

Digital Smart Optics

When we were all worried about Y2K, I don’t think anyone thought their landline was a living fossil. But, in 2007, the first iPhone came to market with GPS, web browsing, email, and a 2-megapixel camera. And just like that, a phone was more than a phone.

I think the same evolution is about to happen to optics because technology, like other things, rolls downhill. The advancements in AI, thermal, sensors, and electronics created for other markets will eventually roll down to hunting. That tech will turn your binoculars into multi-functional pieces of gear with enhanced capability extending beyond spotting game. Here’s what’s out there right now, and what I think you can expect in the future.  READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

 

Opinionated NEWS

A few years before my wife and I retired in 2015, I began to notice that mainstream media that I was watching like CNN and CBS were not just presenting the news but also offering their opinions and interpretations of the news as well.  I began looking at other stations like ABC and MSNBC and later FOX and realized that they were doing the same thing.

No longer was the news being presented to inform the general public, it was now being presented to change, alter, modify their opinions and belief systems.

In essence, mainstream media was being used to brainwash the minds of the general public.

I already knew that the federal government was withholding information from the general public because they feared that knowing the information would cause a PANIC.  And, to some degree they are correct, but panic or not, the general public still deserves the right to know what is going on.

Withholding information is just as dangerous as disseminating information that is designed to alter or change the way that people think and perceive the world.

These types of tactics have been used in communist countries and dictatorships to keep the public from knowing the truth and wanting to overthrow the government in favor or someone else who allows the truth to be known.

All political parties use the media to convince people to vote for them or for their candidate by providing information that supports their candidate and withholding information that does not.  They fear that the general public is not smart enough to be to discern the truth.

To some degree, I agree this generalization.  I agree because a majority of US citizens are uneducated and do not really care what goes on around them unless it directly impacts them and their quality of life.

It is for this reason that so many women want to be able to have an abortion if and when they desire.  They will vote for those candidates that promise them that the federal government will make sure this happens for them.

ABORTION then clouds the judgement of those people because they are more interested in that one concept than they are in what might be in the best interests of all Americans.

Effectively, they have been brainwashed to believe something that is not altogether true.

While I SUPPORT ABORTION because I don't want the federal government telling me what to do, I also am able to look at the bigger picture and see that those pushing abortion rights are also pushing concepts that are not in the best interest of the USA.

THEREFORE I NO LONGER WANT THE MEDIA TO TELL ME WHAT TO THINK, HOW TO THINK, OR WHEN TO THINK...

 

Horse Dog

 

Ford and Hydrogen Vehicles

Hydrogen vehicles are on the rise. The industry is growing by an astounding 40% annually. Compared to electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen–powered vehicles are cleaner, more power-efficient, charge faster, and have longer operating ranges.

While the majority of people think that electric cars are environmentally friendly, the truth is that even when they are charging at home, they still release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. On the other hand, hydrogen fuel cells are completely green.

It’s common to hear people refer to hydrogen fuel cells as the actual green solution because hydrogen is generated by renewable energy or from low-carbon power. The latest studies confirm that green hydrogen can cut annual global emissions by 20% on its own.

Ford has made it clear that, despite its continued strong interest in electric vehicles, fully electric power is not currently a realistic option for larger trucks. Instead, the automaker is investigating the possibility of hydrogen power through two distinct pilot programs, both of which are focused on hydrogen fuel cell-powered Transit and F-550 models.    READ MORE...

Zorba the Greek

 

Revolution

 

Navy to Use Laser Weapons

WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy researchers will ask industry next month to develop enabling technologies in electromagnetic warfare, laser weapons, and electro-optical sensors to defend Navy ships from enemy high-power microwaves, lasers, missiles, and unmanned aircraft.

Officials of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington issued a presolicitation (N0017324RGA01) on Friday for the High Power Electromagnetic Systems Development, Application, and Test project for research in high power electromagnetic and countermeasure technology.  READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

 

It Takes One to Know One

I am a Vietnam Era Veteran, but I did not serve in Vietnam.  I enlisted in the military because I dropped out of college, and no one wanted to hire me because I did not have my military obligation out of the way.

The year was 1968 and I did not want to be drafted so I enlisted in the US Naval Reserves accepting a two by six program.  Two years active duty and four years in the reserves.  I was trained as radioman but cross-rated to a communication technician.  I applied for a three month early out to return to college.

After having spent 21 months on active duty, I was eligible for full GI benefits and my last two years of college and two years of graduate school was completely paid for.  NO STUDENT LOANS.

During my 21 months on active duty, 15 months were spent in Norfolk, Virginia and 6 months were spent in the Mediterranean.  While on the med cruise, I purchased tax free stereo equipment and camera equipment at the Naval Base in Rota, Spain, saving me several hundreds of dollars.

Am I proud to be a US Veteran?   YES and NO...

I do not believe in war and more importantly, I don't believe this government of ours has the right to send Americans overseas to fight other country's wars simply because we want to be everyone's big brother.

On the other side of the coin, I get pissed off and angry because Islamic Terrorists want to kill Americans because they see us as Christians who do not believe in Islam.  And, when they attack US military assets in the Middle East, then I think we should respond like RAMBO would have responded.

• Let the Arabs fight each other.
• Let the Arabs fight the Jews.
• Let the Arabs treat women worse than dogs.
• Let the Arabs travel the deserts.
• Let the Arabs sell their oil.

BUT LET THE ARABS LEAVE AMERICANS ALONE...

The USA should copy the example of CHINA and while they might supply weapons and money, they don't send troops to fight in other country's wars.  That strategy will allow the Chinese to survive, flourish, and grow.  The USA should be so lucky.

It is time for the USA to think of itself.  We have enough NUCLEAR POWER to completely destroy the rest of the world including ourselves.  If other countries want to achieve that kind of nuclear power, let them.  No one really survives a nuclear war - and those that think they can do so underground will be forced to live underground for several generations and when they return above ground there will be nothing there.

WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THAT?

We need to focus ourselves and let the rest of the world do what they will with each other.

Vaccinating Sheep

 

Boosting Domestic Uranium Production

The U.S. and Europe face challenges with uranium supply due to dependence on Russian imports and global shortages.

The U.S. is advancing in high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) production with projects like Centrus Energy Corp's facility in Ohio.

The U.K. plans to invest in developing HALEU production capabilities for its next-generation nuclear reactors.

There is great potential for several new uranium production markets as the U.S. and Europe look to diversify away from Russia for new nuclear energy pursuits. The U.S. and several European countries have announced ambitious nuclear power plans for the coming decades, in support of a green transition. 

However, the lack of uranium production outside of Russia is posing a threat to achieving these plans. Sanctions introduced on Russian energy and other products, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, have led to global shortages of natural gas, uranium, and other critical materials. 

This has driven several state powers to diversify their supply chains and increase the regional production of a variety of energy sources and related materials. This means we could soon see new uranium-producing markets emerge in Europe and the U.S.  READ MORE...

The Ghost Fleet

 

Kurt Russell

 

The Comeback of the Russian Navy

According to reports from the Kremlin, the Russian Navy will receive 12 surface warships and four submarines in 2024 – while it also claimed to achieved total import substitution in the construction of those vessels.

The Resurgence of the Russian Navy is Already Underway - The United States has increasingly put a focus on the size of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which is now the largest naval force in the world. However, it may not just be China that should be seen as a potential concern.

According to reports from the Kremlin, the Russian Navy will receive 12 surface warships and four submarines in 2024 – while it also claimed to achieved total import substitution in the construction of those vessels. Import substitution industrialization (ISI) is a policy that has been typically enacted by developing countries with the intention to enable domestic development and self-sufficiency through the creation of an internal market. However, Russia faced international sanctions following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.   READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

 

Trans is Trans

I may be OLD FASHIONED, but my belief is that:

• a male is a male
• a female is a female
• a trans is a trans 

Consequently, we need three different categories in our athletic events...  otherwise, we are possibly giving biological males the advantage.

According to the DEMS, we need to push for EQUITY otherwise the loser is going to feel bad about losing.

We have done away with GRADES in education because the NOT SO SMART students feel bad when they receive low grades...  and the reason that they feel bad is because our educational system is grounded in a white supremacy ideology not the reality of the world in which we live.

However, until we eliminate the WHITES, we will always have the opportunity to claim they are white supremacists.

White supremacist don't like or approve of biological males beating biological females...  and, it is difficult to understand that anyone would think otherwise but they do.

Therefore, since we are divided on this issue then why not split the difference and create an athletic category just for TRANS...  let them compete against their own kind.  This should hold true for both trans males as well as trans females, because trans males are still biological females competing against biologicals males...  that ain't fair either.