I'm among the many people concerned about the survival of democracy and the Constitutional model for the future of government in the United States. The implicit assumption is that it should be possible to keep things as they've been. In a way, that way of thinking tho is nothing more than a mirror image of … Continue reading Can this country survive the demographic changes ahead?
Month: November 2019
Google’s version of iMessage for Android available but missing key features
Yes, I'm an Apple hardware user (altho I use quite a bit of Google software) but there are reasons I've chosen to use an iPhone instead of an Android phone. The problems with the chat software Google is proposing for its Android devices are almost a checklist of why I'm continuing with Apple. In particular, … Continue reading Google’s version of iMessage for Android available but missing key features
Environmental protection laws make a huge difference
I've posted regularly about the wholesale destruction of decades of environmental protection legislation by this administration. I'm pleased to be able to post an article about a law that worked to make a big difference when disaster threatened. https://www.ecowatch.com/oil-leak-shell-puget-sound-2641378550.html? Oil Spill Prevention Law Helps Contain Leak at Shell Puget Sound Refinery Olivia Rosane Nov. 18, … Continue reading Environmental protection laws make a huge difference
Testing the President’s cognitive decline
Altho this article is obviously written in the context of all of our older politicians, it's also highly relevant for anyone who's getting older. Some are more paranoid than others about their minds turning to mush, depending on family history and observable symptoms. But anyone with even a touch of introspection is well aware that … Continue reading Testing the President’s cognitive decline
Which Democratic candidate’s views are closest to yours?
This 10-question quiz highlights the differences in positions between the Democratic candidates so that you can focus on the individuals whose views may best match yours. It's certainly not comprehensive and it's definitely simplistic, but all guidance is helpful these days. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/policy-2020/quiz-which-candidate-agrees-with-me/
We need insects to survive — and we’re killing them all
In pursuit of a perfect world with no crop damage, itchy bites, headlight dirt, and more humans have worked hard to eradicate virtually all insect life. Turns out perfection is not only an elusive goal but a goal with huge costs. One of those may well be that killing all insects means wiping out all … Continue reading We need insects to survive — and we’re killing them all
Why the census matters to YOU
This video by John Oliver is fun to watch, often laughable, but also explains clearly why every individual living in the United States should participate. The citizenship question is gone which means fear should no longer be a factor. Everyone should now WANT to participate tho for themselves and their neighbors. The census is a … Continue reading Why the census matters to YOU
Status of coal plants in U.S.
Coal plants in the U.S. are continuing to shut down but the easy closures may already have happened. Economic forces may not be enough to force closures of the some of the markets where coal still dominates. https://qz.com/1749023/two-of-americas-biggest-coal-plants-closed-this-month/ Two of America’s biggest coal plants closed this month By Michael J. Coren November 16, 2019 First … Continue reading Status of coal plants in U.S.
Nigeria working with big beverage companies to develop plastic recycling program
This is a terrific article that is basically impossible to bring into the blog. Read it anyway. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-13/nigeria-enlists-big-beverage-companies-to-fight-plastic-waste?
How to finish a long book without going nuts
Am listening to a marvelous interview with Richard Powers, the author of the 2019 Pulitzer prize winner "The Overstory" -- all 500 pages of it. The novel lends itself remarkably well to a number of the techniques set out in the article below. Other approaches might work for a different book. One just needs a … Continue reading How to finish a long book without going nuts
Hurricanes really are bigger and more frequent
The key point with this study is that the massive increase in damage caused by hurricanes is not just a reflection of higher valuations and greater population density. The reason is because hurricanes are now both more frequent and stronger. Both of those consequences are due to the climate crisis. Many had thought that to … Continue reading Hurricanes really are bigger and more frequent
Wonder if streaming services will learn from their predecessors
This advice column by two men experienced in running streaming services offers sage comments indeed, but it's also an instruction manual on how the public interacts with streaming media and the https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/11/12/20959837/streaming-wars-10-lessons-matthew-ball-alex-kruglov-disney-apple-amazon-netflix 10 lessons for Disney, Apple, and all the new streaming companies trying to take down Netflix Advice from two veterans of Amazon and … Continue reading Wonder if streaming services will learn from their predecessors
Abycats' Thoughts 