Tuesday, February 11
Cost of Going Green
The cost of going green is significant and includes the cost of transitioning to a more sustainable economy and lifestyle.
Transitioning to a sustainable economy
Investment Estimates range from $109 trillion to $275 trillion by 2050 to address climate change.
Annual investment
The Energy Transitions Commission estimates that $3.5 trillion in annual investment will be needed between 2021 and 2050.
Spending
McKinsey estimates that governments, businesses, and individuals will need to spend $3.5 trillion more per year on energy and land-use systems.
Impact
The transition will be uneven across countries and sectors, and will lead to job losses in some areas.
Living a more sustainable lifestyle
One-time switching costs: The cost of purchasing eco-friendly products for the first time.
Repeated purchase costs: The cost of purchasing eco-friendly products on a regular basis.
Savings: Living a more sustainable lifestyle can save money if you're prepared for expenses and spending smartly.
Olafur Eliasson
Olafur Eliasson (Icelandic: Ólafur ElÃasson; born 5 February 1967)[is an Icelandic–Danish artist known for sculptured and large-scaled installation art employing elemental materials such as light, water, and air temperature to enhance the viewer's experience.
In 1995, Olafur established Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin, a laboratory for spatial research. In 2014, Olafur and his long-time collaborator – German architect Sebastian Behmann – founded Studio Other Spaces, an office for architecture and art.
Olafur represented Denmark at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003 and later that year installed The Weather Project, which has been described as "a milestone in contemporary art", in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, London.
In 1995, Olafur established Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin, a laboratory for spatial research. In 2014, Olafur and his long-time collaborator – German architect Sebastian Behmann – founded Studio Other Spaces, an office for architecture and art.
Olafur represented Denmark at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003 and later that year installed The Weather Project, which has been described as "a milestone in contemporary art", in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, London.
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Sean Baker's "Anora" wins top prize at both Producers and Directors Guild of America awards (More) | See complete list of PGA award winners (More) | ... and DGA award winners (More)
> Tony Roberts, stage and film actor best known for starring in "Annie Hall," dies at age 85 (More) | Irish boxer John Cooney dies at age 28 one week after suffering brain injury during boxing title fight (More) | Dick Jauron, former head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears, dies at age 74 (More)
> A Stradivarius violin from 1714 hauls in $11.25M at auction, becoming the third most expensive musical instrument sold at auction (More)
Science & Technology
> National Institutes of Health to cap indirect costs—funding that goes to administrative costs and other overhead—on new grants at 15%; current average is close to 30% and varies by university, $9B of $35B in funding last year went to overhead (More)
> Mantis shrimp possess a "phononic shield" that dissipates shock waves and allows them to survive their own ability to deliver the world's fastest punch; discovery may lead to new protective materials (More)
> Scientists use curcumin, the key molecule in turmeric, to create a light-activated method to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria (More) | What are superbugs, one of the biggest global health challenges? (1440 Topics)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close down Friday (S&P 500 -1.0%, Dow -1.0%, Nasdaq -1.4%) on renewed inflation and tariff fears (More) | The history of US stock markets and how they work (1440 Topics)
> Trump administration delays tariffs on small package Chinese imports valued under $800, suggesting Commerce Department lacked system to collect fees (More)
> Meta expected to begin planned layoffs today, targeting low performing employees; CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in January the company would target a 5% reduction in force (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> US courts temporarily limit Elon Musk-led DOGE's access to Treasury data with sensitive information, pause USAID furlough (More) | President Donald Trump revokes former President Joe Biden's security clearance, citing similar move by Biden against him in 2021 (More) | ... and says he'll name himself chair of Kennedy performing arts center (More) | ... and will announce 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum today (More)
> Former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) pleads guilty to conspiracy charges; Adams himself faces corruption charges, trial scheduled to begin April 21 (More)
> Sudanese army close to recapturing the capital of Khartoum, its biggest advance since fighting broke out between rival factions in April 2023; an estimated 100,000 people in the city currently in famine conditions (More)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Americans Have Been Wronged
Changing what we believe is not easy nor is it often done because we never want to admit that we were or might be wrong.
For instance, in the 1960s, I was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. In 1981, I earned an MBA and realized that the conservatives, not the democrats had the proper handle on how our tax dollars should be spent.
In 2000, I realized that NEITHER PARTY gave a damn about our tax dollars, nor did they give a damn about doing what was right for Americans... all they cared about was re-election.
We had the same problems in the 1960s that we had in the 2000s and it was both our political parties that allowed this to happen.
Congress (both parties) have allowed:
- Tax shelters for the wealthy to continue robbing us of tax dollars
- term limits to exist which supports re-election rather than doing what is best for the country
- healthcare costs to increase
- education to decrease
- wealth gap to increase
- racism & hate to increase
- illegal drugs/drug addiction to increase
- violence in cities to increase
BOTH OUR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE TO BLAME FOR THIS CRISIS...
Measuring Quantum Geometrty
MIT physicists have directly measured the quantum geometry of electrons in solids for the first time, unlocking new insights into quantum materials. This breakthrough, achieved with ARPES, could advance quantum computing and materials science by revealing properties previously only theorized.
Work reveals new ways to understand and manipulate electrons in materials.
MIT physicists, in collaboration with colleagues, have measured the geometry—or shape—of electrons in solids at the quantum level for the first time. While scientists have long been able to measure the energies and velocities of electrons in crystalline materials, the quantum geometry of these systems has, until now, remained theoretical or, in some cases, completely elusive.
The work, recently published in Nature Physics, “opens new avenues for understanding and manipulating the quantum properties of materials,” says Riccardo Comin, MIT’s Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics and leader of the work.
“We’ve essentially developed a blueprint for obtaining some completely new information that couldn’t be obtained before,” says Comin, who is also affiliated with MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory and the Research Laboratory of Electronics.
MIT physicists, in collaboration with colleagues, have measured the geometry—or shape—of electrons in solids at the quantum level for the first time. While scientists have long been able to measure the energies and velocities of electrons in crystalline materials, the quantum geometry of these systems has, until now, remained theoretical or, in some cases, completely elusive.
The work, recently published in Nature Physics, “opens new avenues for understanding and manipulating the quantum properties of materials,” says Riccardo Comin, MIT’s Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics and leader of the work.
“We’ve essentially developed a blueprint for obtaining some completely new information that couldn’t be obtained before,” says Comin, who is also affiliated with MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory and the Research Laboratory of Electronics.
The work could be applied to “any kind of quantum material, not just the one we worked with,” says Mingu Kang, first author of the Nature Physics paper and a Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell’s Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics. Kang, MIT PhD 2023, conducted the work as a graduate student at MIT. READ MORE...
Monday, February 10
How to Photograph Wildlife
I have been wanting to photograph animals that I have been finding recently, like salamanders, snakes, insects, frogs, maybe even a cool plant or two. But I was unsure how to do this well. Most invertebrates and plants will be relatively easy, but animals that are faster to run and hide will be much more difficult, like snakes, lizards, and salamanders. Obviously I would want to avoid handling them (especially salamanders) but what should I do if the animal hides? Lifers and rarer animals I would especially want to photograph, but I also want it to be natural and ethical. I’m not sure how I feel about posing the animal (it feels unnatural and I’m not sure it’s ethical) but would moving the animal to a clearer spot be considered posing? And also, how could I photograph a venomous snake? I would love to find a venomous snake, especially if I can get a good photograph of it, but obviously I can’t handle it so I can’t do much to keep it from running away, and again I don’t want to stress it. Also, how would I be able to do it from a safe distance?
I will be posting these photographs (especially ones of animals with bad reputation) on iNat and the Nextdoor Neighbor app. My goals with the Nextdoor app is to show my community the beautiful animals that they are too often portrayed as evil, dangerous, and disgusting creepy-crawlies and hopefully change some minds.
I am just wondering how others photograph wildlife and how to ethically do so. Any advice appreciated!
https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/HoneyandBee/
Bodybuilders
Female bodybuilding is the female component of competitive bodybuilding. It began in the late 1970s, when women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions. The most prestigious titles in female professional bodybuilding include the Ms. Olympia, Ms. Rising Phoenix and Masters Olympia. Wikipedia
Fusion Energy
RE:imagining Energy
As the economic rationale for renewables makes them ever more attractive to investors, innovative technologies like green hydrogen and fusion are emerging, promising to accelerate our transition from the age of fossil fuels into a new era of clean energy.
Discover insights from leading experts and see case studies in solar, wind, hydro and geothermal from all around the world. READ MORE...
Green Energy
Green energy is energy that comes from renewable sources, such as the sun, wind, and water. It's also known as clean, sustainable, or renewable energy.
Examples of green energy
Examples of green energy
Solar energy
A clean energy source that comes directly from the sun
Wind energy
A clean and renewable energy source that uses wind turbines to spin a generator and create electricity
Biomass
A renewable energy resource that comes from plants and animals, such as crop wastes and forest residues
Geothermal energy
A renewable energy source that taps into the Earth's natural heat to produce clean energy
Hydroelectric energy
A renewable energy source that uses the movement of flowing or falling water to generate electricity
A clean energy source that comes directly from the sun
Wind energy
A clean and renewable energy source that uses wind turbines to spin a generator and create electricity
Biomass
A renewable energy resource that comes from plants and animals, such as crop wastes and forest residues
Geothermal energy
A renewable energy source that taps into the Earth's natural heat to produce clean energy
Hydroelectric energy
A renewable energy source that uses the movement of flowing or falling water to generate electricity
Benefits of green energy
- Green energy doesn't release toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
- Green energy causes little or no environmental impact
- Green energy is abundant and inexhaustible
Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Ingredients
1x2x3xPan
Meat Filling:2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 lb. 90% lean ground beef -or ground lamb
2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves -minced
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Potato Topping
1 ½ - 2 lb. russet potatoes -about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
8 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
1/3 cup half & half
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
Notes
*If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use ½ cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen sliced carrots.
**Bake at 400° F. Start preheating the oven after you make the meat mixture (listed in step 6).
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 751mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2860IU | Vitamin C: 7.9mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2.7mg
8 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
1/3 cup half & half
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Meat Filling.Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
- Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Make the potato topping.Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
- Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
- Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
- Assemble the casserole.Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
- If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.** Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
*If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use ½ cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen sliced carrots.
**Bake at 400° F. Start preheating the oven after you make the meat mixture (listed in step 6).
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 751mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2860IU | Vitamin C: 7.9mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2.7mg
Hate
billionaires barf out statements
thought to be in everyday use,
in front of millions... hoping
to change attitudes...
preconceived ideas...
and opinions...
how do billionaires see hate,
many of us wonder.
flying around in private jets
eating croissants in Paris
bagels in the Caribbean
or drinking expresso in Rome...
Hate is what we know...
what we learned from preachers,
manifested in the teachings
of those who came before.
Hate is not for sale or bargained with,
it is what we live with daily,
it's all we know to do with each other.
February 10, 2025
CLICK HERE... for more poems
Physical Fitness
Components of Physical Fitness:
Cardiovascular endurance: The ability to sustain prolonged physical activity, such as running, swimming, or biking.
Muscular strength and endurance: The ability of muscles to exert force and resist fatigue.
Flexibility: The range of motion in joints.
Body composition: The proportion of fat, muscle, and bone in the body.
Agility, balance, and coordination: The ability to move quickly and precisely.
Benefits of Physical Fitness:
Improved overall health and well-being
Reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
Increased bone density and strength
Enhanced mood and reduced stress
Improved sleep quality
Increased energy levels
How to Improve Physical Fitness:
Engage in regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
Incorporate activities that you enjoy to make exercise more sustainable.
Set realistic goals and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.
Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
Cardiovascular endurance: The ability to sustain prolonged physical activity, such as running, swimming, or biking.
Muscular strength and endurance: The ability of muscles to exert force and resist fatigue.
Flexibility: The range of motion in joints.
Body composition: The proportion of fat, muscle, and bone in the body.
Agility, balance, and coordination: The ability to move quickly and precisely.
Benefits of Physical Fitness:
Improved overall health and well-being
Reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
Increased bone density and strength
Enhanced mood and reduced stress
Improved sleep quality
Increased energy levels
How to Improve Physical Fitness:
Engage in regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
Incorporate activities that you enjoy to make exercise more sustainable.
Set realistic goals and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.
Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
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