What if … A Perfect CME Hit Earth?
On spaceweather.com, a summary of a new paper answering the question: What if … A Perfect CME Hit Earth? is discussed. coronal mass ejection (CME):
Ethical and green living
Sharon Begley
From the New York Times obits: Sharon Begley, a Top Science Journalist, Is Dead at 64 Long at Newsweek, she was regarded as one of her generation’s pre-eminent science writers. An “Enlightenment-era figure,” Jon Meacham said. … Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, wrote on Twitter that Ms. Begley would … [Read more…]
Wired: Firing Christopher Krebs Crosses a Line—Even for Trump
At Wired, an in depth essay on the work and firing of Chris Krebs at the CISA. While this is, I’m sure, just one of the many assholeries we’ll see from Trump on his way out, it is a tragedy in its own right.
Patrick Gathara – The final throes of the Trump presidency exposed America as the bad joke
… and danger to the world it has certainly become In the Guardian, an essay by Patrick Gathara, a Kenyan political cartoonist, satirist and writer gives a timely and honest view of how Trump makes America look to the rest of the world. It is shameful and funny. The media did not feel it necessary … [Read more…]
Diane di Prima, Poet of the Beat Era and Beyond, Dies at 86
A NY Times Book section obituary Diane di Prima, Poet of the Beat Era and Beyond, Dies at 86 and an Associated Press obituary were published today, 10/28/2020. From the New York Times: Ms. di Prima often spoke of the influence of her maternal grandfather, Domenico Mallozzi, a tailor and ardent anarchist who had immigrated … [Read more…]
The preexisting conditions of the coronavirus pandemic
Over on Ars Technica, a link to an essay summarizing the data found in a new report from the Global Burden of Disease project based at the University of Washington – An enormous new data set peers into the health of the world’s population before 2020. Adam Rogers, wired.com – 10/18/2020, 4:07 AM Try to … [Read more…]
Billionaire Chuck Feeney gives away his fortune
In the Guardian, an essay on the goal of Chuck Feeney, who gave away around $8 billion during his life. Still with us at 89, Mr. Feeney lives in San Francisco in a rented apartment. Billionaire Chuck Feeney achieves goal of giving away his fortune Rupert Neate Sat 19 Sep 2020 Irish-American mogul’s philanthropic foundation … [Read more…]
Hanford Has a Radioactive Capsule Problem
Over at IEEE Spectrum, another in-depth article on problems at the Hanford Site in Eastern Washington state. This essay deals with problems found in the “nearly 2,000 capsules of highly radioactive cesium and strontium” kept in a facility known as “Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility (WESF).” “Built in 1973, the facility is well beyond its … [Read more…]
The Habituation of Horror
Ed Yong writes in the Atlantic about America Is Trapped in a Pandemic Spiral and ends with this: 9. The Habituation of Horror The U.S. might stop treating the pandemic as the emergency that it is. Daily tragedy might become ambient noise. The desire for normality might render the unthinkable normal. Like poverty and racism, … [Read more…]
How a Plan to Save the Power System Disappeared
A federal lab found a way to modernize the grid, reduce reliance on coal, and save consumers billions. Then Trump appointees blocked it. The Atlantic Story by Peter Fairley