MY WRITING JOURNAL

Thursday, February 20

theory of relativity with quantum mechanics

For over a century, quantum mechanics and Einstein’s general relativity have stood as the cornerstones of modern physics, yet their unification remains one of science’s greatest challenges.

Now, researchers at University College London (UCL) have introduced a groundbreaking theory that challenges conventional approaches to this problem.

Quantum gravity seeks to bridge the gap between the microscopic world, where quantum mechanics governs particle behavior, and the macroscopic realm, where gravity shapes spacetime.

Traditionally, physicists have assumed that Einstein’s theory must be modified to fit within the quantum framework. However, UCL researchers propose a striking alternative: a "postquantum theory of classical gravity" that reexamines the fundamental relationship between these two domains. READ MORE...

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Foxey Lady (Miami Pop 1968)

Wednesday, February 19

Health

26 Helpful Tips

for Diet and Fitness

Movie

Rule of 72

The "Rule of 72" states that to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double, you divide 72 by the annual interest rate; for example, if you invest at a 10% annual return, your money will double in roughly 7.2 years (72 divided by 10).

Example scenarios:
8% interest rate:
If you invest with an 8% annual return, your money would double in about 9 years (72 divided by 8).

12% interest rate:
At a 12% annual return, your investment would double in approximately 6 years (72 divided by 12).

5% interest rate:
With a 5% annual return, it would take roughly 14.4 years for your money to double (72 divided by 5).

Key points about the Rule of 72:

Simple calculation:
It's a quick and easy way to estimate how long it takes for an investment to double, without complex formulas.

Approximation:
While not perfectly accurate, the Rule of 72 is generally considered a reliable estimate for most interest rates.

Application to inflation:
You can also use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes for the purchasing power of your money to halve due to inflation.

Smithsonian

Black History Month

John Oliver

Don Bongino

American Education

In 2025, the United States ranked 13th in the world for K-12 education, according to research.com. The U.S. performed above average in reading and science, but below average in math.

Explanation
The U.S. consistently ranks among the top countries in global education, but its exact position depends on the ranking system and criteria used.

In 2022, U.S. students scored above the international average in reading and science, but below average in math.

The U.S. has improved significantly since 2015, but still lags behind top performers like China and Singapore.

The U.S. was once ranked number one in high school and college education, fueled in part by the Montgomery G.I.

Other top education systems
Other top education systems in the world include:

United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Denmark, and Canada.

Elon Musk: We’re watching the ‘thrashing’ of bureaucracy

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING | 15 healthy eating tips

Sir Grayson Perry - Artist

Sir Grayson Perry (born 24 March 1960) is an English artist. He is known for his ceramic vases, tapestries, and cross-dressing, as well as his observations of the contemporary arts scene, and for dissecting British "prejudices, fashions and foibles".

Perry's vases have classical forms and are decorated in bright colors, depicting subjects at odds with their attractive appearance. There is a strong autobiographical element in his work, in which images of Perry as "Claire", his female alter-ego, and "Alan Measles", his childhood teddy bear, often appear. He has made a number of documentary television programs and has curated exhibitions.

He has published two autobiographies, Grayson Perry: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl (2007) and The Descent of Man (2016), written and illustrated a graphic novel, Cycle of Violence (2012), written a book about art, Playing to the Gallery (2014), and published his illustrated Sketchbooks (2016). Various books describing his work have been published. In 2013 he delivered the BBC Reith Lectures.

¿Qué pasa?

Quick Clips

In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Kendrick Lamar becomes first hip-hop artist to land three albums at the same time in Top 10 of Billboard 200 albums chart (More) | Shakira resumes world tour after canceling concert over the weekend following hospitalization for a stomach illness (More)

> Paquita la del Barrio, Grammy-nominated Mexican music icon, dies at age 77 (More)

> Matt Damon tapped as star of Christopher Nolan's upcoming film "The Odyssey," slated for a July 2026 release date (More) | "SNL" 50th anniversary special hauls in 14.8 million viewers (More)

Science & Technology
> Social media platform X blocks links to secure messaging app Signal; encrypted service has been used by terminated government workers to contact journalists (More)

> Pancreatic cancer tumors reprogram adjacent nerve cells in ways that fuel tumor growth; study may lead to new ways to slow or halt the disease, which has a five-year survival rate of around 10% (More)

> Paleontologists discover 30-million-year-old skull belonging to a new species of Hyaenodonta, a leopard-like apex predator that roamed what is now Egypt after dinosaurs went extinct (More)

Business & Markets
> Chinese President Xi Jinping holds meeting with top Chinese entrepreneurs, including Alibaba’s Jack Ma and heads of electric carmaker BYD, Apple’s Chinese rival Huawei, and gaming holding company Tencent (More)

> Southwest Airlines to cut 15% of corporate jobs, or about 1,750 people, as part of cost-cutting measures; mass layoffs are first-ever in the carrier's history (More)

> OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever reportedly raising more than $1B for his AI startup Safe Superintelligence at a valuation of over $30B (More)

Politics & World Affairs
> Federal judge expected to rule by today in state attorneys general effort to bar Department of Government Efficiency from firing government employees or accessing data (More) | DOGE reportedly seeking access to IRS systems that store sensitive taxpayer data (More) | Four top deputies of New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) resign in fallout from Adams' corruption case (More)

> US and Russian officials kick off talks in Saudi Arabia about ending Ukraine war, while European leaders gather in Paris for Ukraine summit (More) | Israeli forces to remain in five locations in southern Lebanon even after deadline for full withdrawal under ceasefire deal (More)

> At least 11 dead from Kentucky storm as the US faces a polar vortex this week, bringing extreme cold and snow that could set record-low temperatures (More)

SOURCE: 1440 NEWS

Day Tripping

Today, my wife and I had to travel to Nashville, TN; the trip lasted about 2-3 hours, even though the posted speed limit signs were 70MPH and we always drive faster than what is posted.

We left our location (1,161 feet above sea level)., and it was 32 degrees outside; halfway into our trip, our temperature outside was 22 degrees and we were on top of the Cumberland Plateau (4,222 feet above sea level). A 10-degree drop in temperature for 3,000 feet, or a 1-degree temperature drop for every 300-foot increase in height.

However, we are talking about the end of February... so, the ratio may be different next month or even the next day...

What struck me about our trip was not so much the change in temperatures but how fast the traffic was moving despite the posted speed limits.

Sometimes, I would be driving 75MPH to 80MPH and cars would be passing me as if I was standing still; they had to be traveling close to 90MPH or even faster.

During our three-hour trip, I never saw one highway patrol vehicle either going to Nashville or returning home from Nashville.

On our way back, we stopped at Buc-ee's and filled up with gasoline (about a dime cheaper than at home) and got something to eat and drink. If you don't know Buc-ee's, it has a huge inside store, that you could spend an hour in if you wanted. It also has 120 gasoline pumps and well as 20 or so electric charging stations.

Somewhat Political

Archaeologists left in complete shock

Archaeologists were uncovering a mystery after opening a hidden Egyptian pyramid for the very first time - only to be shocked by what they found inside.

The village of Dahshur is an ancient royal burial site known for its few remaining pyramids and buried ruins.

British Egyptologist and writer, Doctor Chris Naunton, described the area as a 'lunar-looking landscape.'

After uncovering finely cut limestone blocks, scientists discovered the remains of one pyramid that had been hidden under the sands for thousands of years

They quickly informed the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities - the government department that preserves the country's ancient history and heritage - which led to a full-scale excavation.

The discovery was so momentous that it was featured in the 'Mystery of the Lost Pyramid' - a documentary film broadcast by the Smithsonian Channel. READ MORE...

The Byrds - Eight Miles High - 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East (Official)

Tuesday, February 18

EVENING MISC

Weather Warning

Click here for map details

Species

Neanderthals And

Modern Humans:
Separate Species

Or The Same?

Racism

Racism is the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities that make them superior or inferior to one another. It often results in prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against individuals based on their race or ethnicity.

Racism can manifest in various ways, including:

Individual Racism: Personal beliefs and actions that reflect racial prejudice and discrimination.

Institutional Racism: Policies, practices, and systems within institutions (such as schools, workplaces, or governments) that perpetuate racial inequality.

Systemic Racism: Societal structures and cultural norms that maintain racial disparities and inequities across multiple institutions and social contexts.

Understanding and addressing racism involves recognizing its existence, educating oneself and others, and actively working towards promoting equality and justice for all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity. If you have any more questions or would like to explore this topic further, I'm here to help.

SOURCE: Microsoft COPILOT