Image source: Carter Matt dot com Topics: Civics, Civil Rights, Civilization, Climate Change, Existentialism, Star Trek Note: Apologies for the late and last 2022 blog post. My laptop has had its own mind lately. My “Rotten Tomatoes” review: “I’ve been a fan of Octavia Butler since reading my first novel by her, “Mind of MyContinue reading “Kindred and Us…”
Category Archives: Civilization
Grievance, Gridlock, Grift…
Topics: Civics, Civil Rights, Civilization, Democratic Republic, DNA, Existentialism, Fascism The genesis of grievance The man who was least deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in history is the beginning of the roots of white fragility. It wasn’t that he might have had learning disabilities or wasn’t suited for college. He turned his focusContinue reading “Grievance, Gridlock, Grift…”
The Apogee of Evil…
Credit: Erik English. Topics: Biology, Biosecurity, Civilization, COVID-19, Democracy, Existentialism Weaponizing a pathogen sounds like something out of an archetype Bond villain, minus the wrapped-up plot twists by the time the credits roll, and the obligatory fawning of a stereotypical bikinied woman over the intrepid MI-6 spy. Real life doesn’t conclude so cleanly. Before everyContinue reading “The Apogee of Evil…”
Death by Whataboutism…
Topics: Civics, Civil Rights, Civilization, Climate Change, Environment, Existentialism, Fascism, Human Rights Nikolas Cruz was sentenced in the Parkland Shooting to life without the possibility of parole, torpedoing his request to die by the state executioner. Alex Jones owes a bucketload of money to the Sandy Hook families who have had to endure his liesContinue reading “Death by Whataboutism…”
Himalayas…
Topics: Civilization, Climate Change, Environment, Existentialism, Global Warming Everything about Earth and the organization of human civilization is about the control of resources. We’ve come up with arbitrary “rules” about who is worthy of those resources, and how much they can horde, or obtain. Pharaohs, priests, secret societies, and guilds all have “knowledge” they jealouslyContinue reading “Himalayas…”
Counting in Counties…
Topics: Civics, Civil Rights, Civilization, Climate Change, Existentialism, Politics Reality literally bites. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the link between politics and health became glaringly obvious. Democrat-leaning “blue” states were more likely to enact mask requirements and vaccine and social distancing mandates. Republican-leaning “red” states were much more resistant to health measures. The consequences of thoseContinue reading “Counting in Counties…”
Dilemma…
Topics: Civilization, Climate Change, Environment, Global Warming Humans can survive up to 108.14 F, or 42.3 C before our brains and constitutions (bodies) start turning to mush. As a species, we’re going to have to decide if enriching a handful of global oligarchs is more important than survival. Wealth cannot be measured on a dysfunctionalContinue reading “Dilemma…”
Thanks to Joe Manchin…
Topics: Civilization, Environment, Existentialism, Global Warming Four more people died that night. In the morning the sun again rose like the blazing furnace of heat it was, blasting the rooftop and its sad cargo of wrapped bodies. Every rooftop and, looking down at the town, every sidewalk was now a morgue. The town was aContinue reading “Thanks to Joe Manchin…”
Martians and Vulcans…
Topics: Astrobiology, Astrophysics, Civilization, Existentialism, Philosophy, Special Relativity The Cold War was a genesis of angst about the future due to the detonation of the atomic bomb by the Soviet Union in Kazakstan in 1949. After WWII (WWI was originally called, “the war to END all wars,” until the sequel), the existential nervousness is understandable.Continue reading “Martians and Vulcans…”
Perovskite and Maxima…
Topics: Alternate Energy, Applied Physics, Battery, Chemistry, Civilization, Climate Change A longstanding explanation for why perovskite materials make such good solar cells has been cast into doubt thanks to new measurements. Previously, physicists ascribed the favorable optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites to the behavior of quasiparticles called polarons within the material’s crystal lattice. Now,Continue reading “Perovskite and Maxima…”
Physics and Nano 