Monday, February 17
In The NEWS
Society & Culture> Why do Broadway shows close?> The hidden cost of Korea's beauty industry.
> "Moneyball" writer Michael Lewis warns about sports betting.
> The life and legacy of director David Lynch.
> How the Beatles went viral.
World History
> The skinniest house in the US was built out of spite.
> A timeline of the engagement ring over the millennia.
> The long-lost art of coded postage stamps.
> Trade—and tariffs—in the ancient Roman world.
> The first left-handed president was James Garfield.
Business & Finance
> Why bitcoin is seen as the new gold.
> How de-dollarization would affect the global economy.
> Google's quirky 2004 IPO based on Dutch auctions.
> How the "Bank of Italy" became Bank of America.
> America's first female self-made billionaire was Martha Stewart.
Health & Medicine
> The other mammals who go through menopause.
> Why edible gold is increasingly on the menu.
> The most—and least—common birthdays.
> The life of a pistachio.
> Seven viruses that cause cancer.
Science & Technology
> Visualizing the beauty of pollination.
> Why many horses drink beer.
> How Napster broke the music industry.
> Cystisoma, the seven-inch crustacean with eyes for a head.
> Astronauts agree: The moon smells like gunpowder.
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Wanting a Better Life
Americans are divided over the illegal immigrant issue; some say they should stay others say they should go. The reasons vary but suffice it to say that these immigrants are coming here to HAVE A BETTER LIFE or the perception of a better life.
One of the biggest problems I think that we have in this country is GREED. Most everyone here in this country wishes they had MORE MONEY. Even the wealthy people who already have MORE MONEY want even MORE MONEY,
For me that is GREED.
I have said on numerous occasions that people go to college and graduate for MORE MONEY and that is GREED.
NO!!!
I am told... not true at all... they are just wanting a better life for themselves and their family.
While that might be what they want to believe or what they actually believe, wanting more is a form of GREED.
NO!!!
I am told... not true at all... it is GREED only when you want more than you need.
If someone make $12K a year, then they want $20K a year... then, a couple of years later they want $30K, then they want $50K and it goes on and on and on.
Well, they want more because of inflation...
Party true...
Inflation is on 3%.
OK...
If inflation is only 3%, then 3% of $50K is only $1500 more a year...
We were originally talking about $12K...
3% of $12K is only $360 or $12,360, not $20K or $8K more.
Now, we are back in the area of GREED which is what I was saying from the getgo.
Greed causes sellers to raise their prices more than they really need to which causes buyers to raise their income more than they need do. Now we have a terrible spiral of GREED that never stops.
How much of a better life do you ask for before it turns into GREED?
New Type of Nuclear Fusion
As energy needs expand and the quest for abundant, sustainable energy sources increasingly turns to fusion, the Small Aspect Ratio Tokamak (SMART) represents a significant step forward.
The first plasma has been achieved recently by this experimental fusion device, an incredible milestone, developed by researchers at the Plasma Science and Fusion Technology Laboratory of the University of Seville.
SMART, unlike the traditional tokamak, investigates the unprecedented idea of negative triangularity, , a configuration that could revolutionize the energy efficiency of fusion. But what does this mean for the future of energy production?
Tokamaks: The key to a more efficient future
Tokamaks, donut-shaped machines designed to keep super-heated plasma stable, depend on these carefully ordered arrangements to stay stable. Upside-down, plasma has traditionally been positive triangularity, in which its “D” shape has its curved edge facing outward. READ MORE...
Sunday, February 16
Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken:
‘I’ve been married for
over 50 years. I live in
a house. I’m a very
normal person’
Exploring Marriage
Is marriage dying?
The transformation of marriage from a form of economic dependency for women to an equal partnership has let to demographic shifts. Richard Reeves, author of "Of Boys and Men," explains how economic and educational factors have potentially destabilized partnerships and changed patterns of “marriageability” for middle- and lower-class men. Watch here.
The most famous divorce of all time
When English King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in the 1500s, Catholicism was the national religion. Even though Catherine didn't produce a male heir, religious leaders refused to grant his wish. In response, King Henry turned his country upside down for the chance to marry the second of his six wives. Read more here.
The diverse history of marriage
Marriage was around in one form or another long before written history. From bonds between two people to large polyamorous gatherings of spouses, the rich history of marriage practices demonstrates that partnerships have been, and will likely continue to be, incredibly diverse. This illustrated video shows the diversity of marriage practices. Watch it here.
The historical cycles of marriage and birth rates
Falling marriage and birth rates worldwide prompt worries over how they might affect tax bases, retirement funds, and social standing. But this isn’t the first time marriage and reproduction have fallen out of favor. Some countries have resorted to drastic measures to restore the tarnished state of these hallowed institutions. Read how here.
What not to do in your marriage
Yes, divorce rates in the US are high. But that doesn’t mean your marriage is doomed. The Gottmans, both psychologists and longtime relationship counselors, are renowned for their approach to fostering healthy relationships. This video outlines negative relational attitudes correlated with relationship failure and how to avoid them. Watch it here.
Maya Hayuk Artist
Maya Hayuk (born 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an internationally exhibited American artist living and working in Brooklyn, New York. She is best known for the bold geometric patterns she employs in large-scale murals.
Hayuk received a BFA in 1991 from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, she has also studied at the University of Odesa, in Odesa, Ukraine and at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
She gathers her inspiration from pysanka, mandalas, chandeliers, views from the Hubble Telescope, holograms, Rorschach tests, and the surrounding environment.
Her work has been the subject of solo exhibitions and commissions at venues including UCLA's Hammer Museum, LA (2013), The Museum Of Contemporary Canadian Art, Toronto (2013), Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht (2012) and Socrates Sculpture Park in New York (2011).
In The NEWS
Treasury watchdog begins audit of DOGE's access to payment systems.
The Office of Inspector General initiated an audit into the security controls of the government's payment system and the access granted to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. The audit, prompted by worries over DOGE's activities, will also review the past two years of transactions in relation to alleged fraud.
Rwanda-backed rebels capture second Congo airport.
The M23 rebels have seized control of Kavumu Airport, a strategic facility serving Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The development comes just before the annual African Union summit in Ethiopia and has heightened fears of an imminent attack on Bukavu.
Study finds ancient Egyptian mummy remains smell pleasant.
Well-preserved Egyptian mummies emit pleasant aromas described as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," which is attributed to the oils, waxes, and balms used during the mummification process. By analyzing these scents, researchers aim to recreate them for museum exhibits and gain insights into a mummy's social status and preservation state, potentially improving conservation efforts.
"Goonies 2" officially in the works with Steven Spielberg producing.
Almost 40 years after the original film's release in 1985, Warner Bros. is moving forward with a sequel to "The Goonies." The original film centered on a group of misfit kids who find an old map and embark on an adventure to find a pirate's lost treasure. A screenwriter has been tapped, and a director has yet to sign on. It is unclear which of the original cast members are set to return.
Russian drone strike on Chernobyl plant damages reactor shield.
Ukraine said Russia's drone struck the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant early Friday, damaging the protective shield over the destroyed fourth reactor and starting a fire, which was later extinguished. Radiation levels remain normal at this time. Chernobyl was the site of the world's worst civil nuclear accident when one of its four reactors exploded in 1986.
Pope Francis admitted to hospital for bronchitis, Vatican says.
The 88-year-old was diagnosed with bronchitis last week and is being hospitalized for treatment and diagnostic tests. The Vatican said the pope had a respiratory tract infection, a slight fever, and difficulty breathing. The hospitalization is the latest in a string of health issues for the pontiff, including a recent lung infection and previous hospitalizations for intestinal problems.
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
Retired
In 2015, my wife and I retired. We did not discuss how long she worked, but I had worked for 45 years. While we both draw social security checks, SS only covers about half of our monthly expenses. I cannot imagine what retired life would be like if I did not have a substantial amount of money saved. We would both probably still be working.
From 2015 until COVID hit, my wife and I traveled somewhere every other month for a week which did not take into consideration the two weeks we spent at Myrtle Beach each year. COVID blatantly informed us that we were vacationed out by shutting down our travels. After covid, we only took two weeklong trips each year.
Most of the time, except for doctor appointments, we stay at home. My wife spends her days out in the sunroom keeping herself busy while I remain inside keeping myself busy as well. Mornings for me are spent drinking coffee and watching the news, with my afternoons spent maintaining my two blogs and writing novels.
During the warm months (end of March through end of December), more time is spent outside doing something in the yard or walking around the neighborhood. Sometimes, the neighbors are outside as well, and we chat. I seldom watch cable movies or series.
While I can sleep as long as I want being retired, I am typically up at 7:30-8:00 am most every day. My first task is to take my thyroid pill and give the cats their morning treat. After the treat they typically go back to their beds and sleep. My days end sometimes between 9:00 to 10:00 pm and in the bed, fall asleep pretty quickly.
It may not seem like a very exciting life; I am seldom bored and pretty much stay busy all day long.
Neuralink brain implant
Elon Musk’s Neuralink suggests a human patient may have successfully used its brain chip to control a robotic arm. A video posted by the neurotechnology firm shows a robotic arm writing ‘Convoy’ on a whiteboard, referencing the company’s study on brain-controlled assistive robotics.
The demonstration highlights progress in Neuralink’s N1 chip, designed to restore mobility and communication for individuals with disabilities. While details remain limited, the clip hints at potential breakthroughs in brain-machine interface technology.
In November, Neuralink announced approval for a new feasibility study (CONVOY), on its brain implant and robotic arm, advancing brain-computer interface research.
Brain-powered robotics
The new 30-second clip reveals little, including the operator’s identity. Neuralink’s X post shares the video along with a heart, robot arm, and pen emojis, hinting at brain-controlled robotic advancements. The demonstration is part of its CONVOY feasibility exercise announced in November, which includes participants in its ongoing PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study.
Some observers noted the significance of Neuralink’s demonstration, suggesting the patient was controlling the robotic arm using only their mind, without a joystick or muscle sensor. Musk acknowledged the interpretation as accurate, according to a report by PCMag. READ MORE...
Saturday, February 15
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)