I have been adding to my large collection of photos on Flickr.
Friday, February 14, 2025
We need to figure out the science and economics for engineering a "soft landing" into a green future, from the fossil fuel based economy we depend on today.
This is more important than figuring out who's at fault.
For reducing climate change, I think we need to figure out the science and economics for engineering a "soft landing" into a green future, from the fossil fuel based economy we depend on today.
More important than figuring out who's at fault, We need to think about things like this. How to implement solar? Is nuclear fission okay? Can we figure out hydrogen fusion. Can we develop hydrogen as a chemical fuel for transportation? Can we make public transit more convenient? How do we plan neighborhoods for affordable housing? Should we think of natural gas as a "bridge fuel;" better than coal or oil at least?
These questions interest me more than who's to blame for the situation we are now in.
For reducing climate change, I think we need to figure out the science and economics for engineering a "soft landing" into a green future, from the fossil fuel based economy we depend on today.
More important than figuring out who's at fault, We need to think about things like this. How to implement solar? Is nuclear fission okay? Can we figure out hydrogen fusion. Can we develop hydrogen as a chemical fuel for transportation? Can we make public transit more convenient? How do we plan neighborhoods for affordable housing? Should we think of natural gas as a "bridge fuel;" better than coal or oil at least?
These questions interest me more than who's to blame for the situation we are now in.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Trump's cutback on USAID is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Picture of a local billboard about protecting life with some graffiti against government regulating women's bodies.
My message is somewhat different. I notice the irony about protecting life while sending an over supply of undocumented children and adults out of USA and potentially into harms way.
I took video, instead of still, because I noticed angle of sun and brisk wind made billboard look like it was on fire.
Some thoughts of mine about different churches.
Catholic church tends to believe that life begins at conception and should be valued throughout an entire lifetime, regardless of nationality. Catholics tend to support compassion and charity.
Conservative Protestant's are divided. Some tend to support charity while others support the politics of "holding on to your money." I think Bernie Frank once said, about the Christian Right that, "the right to life begins at conception and ends at birth."
Liberal churches, such as of my own upbringing, United Church of Christ, tend to support local choice in the reproductive matter. Not necessarily fans of abortion, but understanding that the complexity of these situations are difficult to dictate from afar; such as from the halls of Congress.
Liberal Christians tend to support compassion and sanctuary for people who face difficult situations in their lives.
Tariffs could mean shock therapy toward "buy local." Painful, but maybe what some folks, even on the left, wanted. Be careful what you ask for.
One potentially good thing about tariffs is that they could push local sourcing of supply chains, versus global supply chains. There are people who do complain about the so called "thousand mile salad;" food sourced from all over the world.
Locally grown produce is said to be better, though many of the folks, who celebrate local, still drink coffee; a product produced far from Bellingham, for instance.
I don't drink coffee, but I use chocolate and I do tend to eat from the thousand mile salad. In winter this area produces less variety anyway. In some areas, about all the agriculture there is would be grazing beef cattle; such as the high sagebrush deserts of Southeast Oregon.
Maybe we can adjust, however. Reduced consumption can help. I hear that the auto industry, which straddles many sides of international borders, is likely to take a hit.
This situation could result in a form of shock therapy toward re localizing of more supply chains. There are many tradeoffs in life. Be patient, hold on tight through bumpy waters and remember the Chinese proverb of blessing or curse, "may you live in interesting times."
Inflation coming again from tariffs and local sourcing. A different outcome than reducing inflation which is why so many people voted for Trump. It may, however, bring reduced consumption and localizing of supply chains.
Locally grown produce is said to be better, though many of the folks, who celebrate local, still drink coffee; a product produced far from Bellingham, for instance.
I don't drink coffee, but I use chocolate and I do tend to eat from the thousand mile salad. In winter this area produces less variety anyway. In some areas, about all the agriculture there is would be grazing beef cattle; such as the high sagebrush deserts of Southeast Oregon.
Maybe we can adjust, however. Reduced consumption can help. I hear that the auto industry, which straddles many sides of international borders, is likely to take a hit.
This situation could result in a form of shock therapy toward re localizing of more supply chains. There are many tradeoffs in life. Be patient, hold on tight through bumpy waters and remember the Chinese proverb of blessing or curse, "may you live in interesting times."
Inflation coming again from tariffs and local sourcing. A different outcome than reducing inflation which is why so many people voted for Trump. It may, however, bring reduced consumption and localizing of supply chains.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Voting is among the most important things an individual can do to effect change.
I tend to think that the US would be better off if people were lived less consumptive lives, were less NIMBY against things like affordable housing, use alternative transit more and so forth.
More important than all the above things is probably voting.
Quite a few people feel that there is little difference between Democrats and Republicans. This could be true, or it could just be a self fulfilling prophecy. Voting for a less than totally ideal candidate is usually better than not voting at all.
Of course there are some people who don't like the status quo so they think America needs "shock therapy," I guess. That makes some sense, but I still think voting makes a difference.
It is hard to be motivated to vote as each person is, basically, just one drop in the big bucket. Still, It's something I try and do and I like staying informed on the issues, versus football scores, for instance.
There are some issues I leave blank, on a ballot as admittedly some of it can be tedious to try and figure out. School boards? Judges?
It can be hard to read through the material. I still vote on what I have opinions on.
Quite a few people feel that there is little difference between Democrats and Republicans. This could be true, or it could just be a self fulfilling prophecy. Voting for a less than totally ideal candidate is usually better than not voting at all.
Of course there are some people who don't like the status quo so they think America needs "shock therapy," I guess. That makes some sense, but I still think voting makes a difference.
It is hard to be motivated to vote as each person is, basically, just one drop in the big bucket. Still, It's something I try and do and I like staying informed on the issues, versus football scores, for instance.
There are some issues I leave blank, on a ballot as admittedly some of it can be tedious to try and figure out. School boards? Judges?
It can be hard to read through the material. I still vote on what I have opinions on.
A rubber stamp, Republican dominated Congress.
Seems like the president can ignore the constitution as long as Congress doesn't provide a check against that. Most Republicans, as the slim majority in this Congress, seem to be going along with Trump as well as Elon Musk.
The courts are less apt to go along with Trump's every decree. Even Trump appointed judges have ruled against him. That might be because Judges are less beholden to lobbyists, campaign contributions and the problem of being ousted in primary elections.
The courts are less apt to go along with Trump's every decree. Even Trump appointed judges have ruled against him. That might be because Judges are less beholden to lobbyists, campaign contributions and the problem of being ousted in primary elections.
Not enough room for the Palestinians.
There is lots of push back against the idea of relocating Palestinians to other Middle Eastern countries. I remember, from my high school days, news about a civil war between the PLO and the government of Jordan. It was early 1970s during the time when King Hussein was king of Jordan.
I seem to have a memory for news. I recently looked that situation up in Google.
I also like to think about geography. Countries, like Egypt, have lots of desert lands while their large populations cling to relatively small areas within the country. Much of Egypt's over 100 million people depend on the waters of the Nile River and live not far from it's banks.
I tend to think population is still an issue. In Egypt, people worry that some of the Nile waters could be used by new dams in Ethiopia, built on an upstream tributary called the Blue Nile. I study maps and follow news, though, admittedly, I have never traveled beyond the US and Canada.
I seem to have a memory for news. I recently looked that situation up in Google.
I also like to think about geography. Countries, like Egypt, have lots of desert lands while their large populations cling to relatively small areas within the country. Much of Egypt's over 100 million people depend on the waters of the Nile River and live not far from it's banks.
I tend to think population is still an issue. In Egypt, people worry that some of the Nile waters could be used by new dams in Ethiopia, built on an upstream tributary called the Blue Nile. I study maps and follow news, though, admittedly, I have never traveled beyond the US and Canada.
On eliminating the penny in USA. Canada has already done this.
Canada has already eliminated the penny, made less useful due to inflation; such as housing prices. The dollar has become the new dime and both countries do still have the nickle.
Canada could be more nimble than giant USA so Canadians were able to do this years ago. I can see why some of the Trump supporters have been frustrated by the the difficulty of making any big changes in this country. There is lots of inertia in the way things are done.
We may be joining Canada in saying goodby to the penny.
I'd guess that some people still want to keep the penny, however.
Many transactions are now done electronically with no need for coins. I think, in Canada, 1 cent can still be used in electronic transactions.
Dealing with lots of coins becomes more of a burden than they are worth. It costs more to mint the penny than it's value in one transaction; though a coin is used over and over again for many transactions.
I often bring extra coins to a machine, such as Coinstar, to turn the coins into easier to use currency. It's worth it, for me, to pay a small service fee for that service.
Years ago, I remember paying for $6 in postage with a bunch of dimes that I had laying around. The person at the post office said, "here are your stamps and now we just have to count out sixty of these little buggers." In pennies, it would have been 600.
Monday, February 10, 2025
With tariffs consumer prices are likely to go up long before US industry is able to ramp up.
In the news now are tariffs on steel and aluminum. Tariffs slow down international trade and raise prices for consumers, but they could bring more customers back to American industry.
Will American consumers stand for this? Consumers are used to the abundance that global supply chains provide.
I doubt that US home based prosperity could come back quickly due to the time required in rebuilding local industries. Could tariffs bring back American Aluminum production, such as here in the Pacific Northwest?
Could this lead to the restoration of Alcoa (formerly Intalco) Aluminum works, here in Whatcom County? I am not holding my breath.
Edicts proclaimed by one moody person, the president, can rattle big corporations who seek long term predictable environments.
I think another way to re localize business is to consume less. This takes pressure off business giving it room to reform.
It helps to realize that consumer prices are likely to be higher; given more local supply chains. Wages and other business expenses tend to be higher, in USA, than in some other sweatshop countries. Product prices, from local production, are likely to go up relative to other prices; such as real estate prices in USA.
Below, pictures from my bicycle trips. 2024 powerlines near the currently shuttered Alminum mill in Whatcom County north of Bellingham. Two other photos from 2005 of an abandoned aluminum plant on the Washington side of Columbia River east of The Dalles, Oregon. If it's even still there, it wouldn't be easy to bring back into production, I'd guess.
Will American consumers stand for this? Consumers are used to the abundance that global supply chains provide.
I doubt that US home based prosperity could come back quickly due to the time required in rebuilding local industries. Could tariffs bring back American Aluminum production, such as here in the Pacific Northwest?
Could this lead to the restoration of Alcoa (formerly Intalco) Aluminum works, here in Whatcom County? I am not holding my breath.
Edicts proclaimed by one moody person, the president, can rattle big corporations who seek long term predictable environments.
I think another way to re localize business is to consume less. This takes pressure off business giving it room to reform.
It helps to realize that consumer prices are likely to be higher; given more local supply chains. Wages and other business expenses tend to be higher, in USA, than in some other sweatshop countries. Product prices, from local production, are likely to go up relative to other prices; such as real estate prices in USA.
Below, pictures from my bicycle trips. 2024 powerlines near the currently shuttered Alminum mill in Whatcom County north of Bellingham. Two other photos from 2005 of an abandoned aluminum plant on the Washington side of Columbia River east of The Dalles, Oregon. If it's even still there, it wouldn't be easy to bring back into production, I'd guess.
I sign off for certain periods each day and I don't need to be on call for anyone. I still log onto the internet several times a day. Just not plugged in 24/7
As for unplugging from the internet, I do use it each day. I find the internet useful.
I don't unplug for long periods of time, like a wilderness adventure, or summer camp for unplugging.
Instead I unplug by just not being connected to it 24/7. I tend to use posts and comments to things like Facebook walls rather than real time chats. My relationships with people don't require me to be there for them 24/7.
I often tell people, I am not a 24 hour radio station.
Before the term 24/7 became popular, I was fascinated in 24 hour radio stations. They were more rare in the late 1960s / early 1970s. I had an interest in the tubes warming up and staying on for days on end.
Living in a basement room in my parents house, I had a 300 watt lightbulb with no lampshade. It did have a porcelain socket for safety. It reminded me of a powerful tube. During college, I set it up in my dorm room, but didn't use it that much. One time I did have it on when a friend was visiting and he said that he felt like he was being interrogated by the KGB.
Most radio stations, back then, went off the air, sometimes with the Star Spangled Banner to resume broadcast next morning. Each morning, they would warm up the transmitter tubes again. It took some time for the tubes to stabilize and then they would flip another switch to start the broadcast day.
TV, back then would often start the day, as well as ending the day with a test pattern.
During high school, I thought I would have a career in radio. Of course I didn't know about social media before that technology change.
I used to hang out in the studios of KWSU Radio, in Pullman to watch and chat with a student host named John Briel thinking it was good to familiarize myself with the field I was planning to go into.
Some material I got while attending Communications Center dedication.
One time, I arrived at the Edward R Murrow Communications Center early in the morning. It was dedicated with that name my senior year in high school. John let me in the building and I watched as he started up the station. When he turned on the transmitter tubes, I said, "they are warming up now." His response was, "yes, everything is starting to cook."
Back then, KWSU had a studio to transmitter microwave link. The transmitter was located out by Knott Dairy Center west of Pullman. Knott Dairy Center named for Joe Knott, a colleague of my dad in the Dairy Science Department. Also a neighbor who's house was kittycorner across the back fence from ours.
The control system was a telephone dial; a rotory dial. Different number codes commanded actions out at the transmitter. Codes for turning on the tubes, codes for sending just the carrior signal as well as codes for starting the broadcast day. One time, during sunset, I saw him dial up the transmitter so I ask, "what did you just do." His answer was, "I just turned on the tower lights." Allows pilots to see the tower and avoid crashing into it.
24 hour stations, in big cities, did interest me. I picked up both KGO and KNBR, from San francisco, at night due to ionospheric skip.
Even the 24 hour stations had to shut down sometimes for transmitter maintenence. KNBR used to have a broadcast week. At 1 am early Monday morning after their Sunday evening period, they went off the air. At 4 am, they would return to the air. Sometimes I would listen to the sign on and sign off with interest. KNBR would sometimes have interesting tones, after going off the air, as they callabrated audio, I guess. Then it would turn to static as they turned off the transmitter.
KGO never seemed to go off the air. It run 24/7, week after week. I figured they had 2 transmitters. When they needed to service one, the other transmitter was switched on.
Sure enough, many years later, on the internet, I saw a picture of the inside of KGO's transmitter building. 2 identical transmitters were side by side.
I don't unplug for long periods of time, like a wilderness adventure, or summer camp for unplugging.
Instead I unplug by just not being connected to it 24/7. I tend to use posts and comments to things like Facebook walls rather than real time chats. My relationships with people don't require me to be there for them 24/7.
I often tell people, I am not a 24 hour radio station.
Before the term 24/7 became popular, I was fascinated in 24 hour radio stations. They were more rare in the late 1960s / early 1970s. I had an interest in the tubes warming up and staying on for days on end.
Most radio stations, back then, went off the air, sometimes with the Star Spangled Banner to resume broadcast next morning. Each morning, they would warm up the transmitter tubes again. It took some time for the tubes to stabilize and then they would flip another switch to start the broadcast day.
TV, back then would often start the day, as well as ending the day with a test pattern.
During high school, I thought I would have a career in radio. Of course I didn't know about social media before that technology change.
I used to hang out in the studios of KWSU Radio, in Pullman to watch and chat with a student host named John Briel thinking it was good to familiarize myself with the field I was planning to go into.
One time, I arrived at the Edward R Murrow Communications Center early in the morning. It was dedicated with that name my senior year in high school. John let me in the building and I watched as he started up the station. When he turned on the transmitter tubes, I said, "they are warming up now." His response was, "yes, everything is starting to cook."
Back then, KWSU had a studio to transmitter microwave link. The transmitter was located out by Knott Dairy Center west of Pullman. Knott Dairy Center named for Joe Knott, a colleague of my dad in the Dairy Science Department. Also a neighbor who's house was kittycorner across the back fence from ours.
The control system was a telephone dial; a rotory dial. Different number codes commanded actions out at the transmitter. Codes for turning on the tubes, codes for sending just the carrior signal as well as codes for starting the broadcast day. One time, during sunset, I saw him dial up the transmitter so I ask, "what did you just do." His answer was, "I just turned on the tower lights." Allows pilots to see the tower and avoid crashing into it.
24 hour stations, in big cities, did interest me. I picked up both KGO and KNBR, from San francisco, at night due to ionospheric skip.
Even the 24 hour stations had to shut down sometimes for transmitter maintenence. KNBR used to have a broadcast week. At 1 am early Monday morning after their Sunday evening period, they went off the air. At 4 am, they would return to the air. Sometimes I would listen to the sign on and sign off with interest. KNBR would sometimes have interesting tones, after going off the air, as they callabrated audio, I guess. Then it would turn to static as they turned off the transmitter.
KGO never seemed to go off the air. It run 24/7, week after week. I figured they had 2 transmitters. When they needed to service one, the other transmitter was switched on.
Sure enough, many years later, on the internet, I saw a picture of the inside of KGO's transmitter building. 2 identical transmitters were side by side.
Saturday, February 08, 2025
A strategy for reducing anxiety from the news while remaining engaged and informed.
I find the 24/7 news tickers add to my insomnia problems and anxiety. This is the "straight news," hard news, or just the facts; supposedly; as is described in Journalism school.
I do have to limit my consumption of that and stick to my own interests in reading, editorial analysis and educational things from sources like NPR. I also read columnists, from places like New York Times and even Wall Street Journal; when I can see them outside those publication's paywalls; on Yahoo News; for instance.
I often learn my news from Editorials rather than the hard news ticker. Editorials beyond just the silo of my own worldview. Some diversity of opinion on the spectrum of left to right, or other spectrum. Still admittedly, it is likely not humanly possible to be totally objective in what media I choose to listen to. Still, I go for thought provoking analysis and learning, versus the constant state of emergency, scary, drone of the 24/7 so called "straight" (there is a pun here) news ticker.
I do have to limit my consumption of that and stick to my own interests in reading, editorial analysis and educational things from sources like NPR. I also read columnists, from places like New York Times and even Wall Street Journal; when I can see them outside those publication's paywalls; on Yahoo News; for instance.
I often learn my news from Editorials rather than the hard news ticker. Editorials beyond just the silo of my own worldview. Some diversity of opinion on the spectrum of left to right, or other spectrum. Still admittedly, it is likely not humanly possible to be totally objective in what media I choose to listen to. Still, I go for thought provoking analysis and learning, versus the constant state of emergency, scary, drone of the 24/7 so called "straight" (there is a pun here) news ticker.
Is belief in climate change and or belief in God just a hoax?
Some people feel that climate change is a hoax. Other people might feel that belief in something like a god is a hoax.
The objective truth stands separate from our own perceptions of what each of us think is the truth.
The objective truth stands separate from our own perceptions of what each of us think is the truth.
First Friday of the month Downtown Art Walk in Bellingham. Passing a Cafe that is closed, but colored lights still on with art on the windows.
Friday, February 07, 2025
Arab Americans for Trump changed name to Arab Americans for Peace. Why did they support the Republicans to begin with? Then I remember the Log Cabin Republicans.
Arab Americans for Trump has changed it's name to Arab Americans for Peace. This, after plans were discussed to turn Gaza into a resort during a meeting between Trump and the Israeli prime minister.
Odd that there would even be an Arab group for Trump, but I do remember that there has been a gay rights political group called the Log Cabin Republicans. Log Cabin Republicans support many of the principals of Republican economics; such as smaller government, low taxes and pro business interests. Mostly Libertarian in philosophy.
From article: In a press release issued Wednesday by Arab Americans for Peace, the group said its members “appreciate the president’s offer to clean and rebuild Gaza” but “take issue with the president’s suggestion of taking over Gaza and removing its Palestinian inhabitants.”
I say, people of various interests don't necessarily march, in lockstep, with any political party. I've heard of a book called What's the Matter with Kansas. It's about many poor and rural people still voting against policies that could help them; such as government spending on rural infrastructure or government programs that benefit folks in red states.
There is also a large segment of people who are just angry at the world, almost. They were dissatisfied with incumbent politicians, such as Biden was, who were not necessarily doing enough to improve the situation. This anger and disappointment often keeps folks away from the polls swinging, an election farther away from the goals of people sitting out the vote.
I think anger tends to be a counter productive emotion in politics.
Remembering a lot from the news over the years (if my memory serves me correctly). Log Cabin Republicans backed the Republican Party, but did not endorse Trump for 2016. They did not endorse any presidential candidate for 2016.
I also remember, from the news of years ago, when Log Cabin Republicans sent a donation check to (I think) Bob Dole who was running for President on the Republican ticket. The Dole Campaign refused to accept the check from a gay organization.
I haven't been paying that much attention to the news about that organization in recent years; such as 2020 and so forth.
Odd that there would even be an Arab group for Trump, but I do remember that there has been a gay rights political group called the Log Cabin Republicans. Log Cabin Republicans support many of the principals of Republican economics; such as smaller government, low taxes and pro business interests. Mostly Libertarian in philosophy.
From article: In a press release issued Wednesday by Arab Americans for Peace, the group said its members “appreciate the president’s offer to clean and rebuild Gaza” but “take issue with the president’s suggestion of taking over Gaza and removing its Palestinian inhabitants.”
I say, people of various interests don't necessarily march, in lockstep, with any political party. I've heard of a book called What's the Matter with Kansas. It's about many poor and rural people still voting against policies that could help them; such as government spending on rural infrastructure or government programs that benefit folks in red states.
There is also a large segment of people who are just angry at the world, almost. They were dissatisfied with incumbent politicians, such as Biden was, who were not necessarily doing enough to improve the situation. This anger and disappointment often keeps folks away from the polls swinging, an election farther away from the goals of people sitting out the vote.
I think anger tends to be a counter productive emotion in politics.
Remembering a lot from the news over the years (if my memory serves me correctly). Log Cabin Republicans backed the Republican Party, but did not endorse Trump for 2016. They did not endorse any presidential candidate for 2016.
I also remember, from the news of years ago, when Log Cabin Republicans sent a donation check to (I think) Bob Dole who was running for President on the Republican ticket. The Dole Campaign refused to accept the check from a gay organization.
I haven't been paying that much attention to the news about that organization in recent years; such as 2020 and so forth.
DEI is just a newer acronym.
DEI is basically just an acronym related to a push, in society, to bring about a more equitable and fair society. Such efforts have been going on for decades under different names, such as civil rights.
It seems like whenever there is a lot of anger associated with these movements such as the anger against police after the killing of George Floyd, then there is push back. Often the push back is in a better position to prevail, given how close it is to the levers of power in society.
It seems like whenever there is a lot of anger associated with these movements such as the anger against police after the killing of George Floyd, then there is push back. Often the push back is in a better position to prevail, given how close it is to the levers of power in society.
Thursday, February 06, 2025
One of the best forms of nonviolent civil disobedience is living a less consumptive personal lifestyle.
Consumerism, or lack thereof, can bring mighty corporations, governments and economies to their knees. It doesn't have to be radical, or extreme. One can remain safe and comfortable, but just not falling for the latest fashions could be enough for bringing in a more ecologically friendly, humane, sustainable and enjoyable culture.
Wednesday, February 05, 2025
Any difference between Harris and Trump? I doubt Harris would have wanted to turn Gaza into a resort, but other solutions worn't working either. I did vote for Harris, however.
I doubt that Kamala Harris would have proposed turning the Gaza Strip into a Riviera style Mediterranean resort. Then again, it seems like no solution that Harris, Biden, Trump, Bush, Obama, or anyone else tried, was working.
Some people think there isn't much difference between politicians, Democrat or Republican. I tended to still side with the Democrats, most of the time, but I do think that human culture shapes the world, anyway; human culture, beyond what politicians can usually fix.
Some people think there isn't much difference between politicians, Democrat or Republican. I tended to still side with the Democrats, most of the time, but I do think that human culture shapes the world, anyway; human culture, beyond what politicians can usually fix.
How good is Blue Sky Social as an alternative to other platforms?
I am starting to, somewhat reluctantly, learn how to post in a "sound byte" world, due to my new account on Blue Sky Social.
I often use that to link to my own blog for more nuance. I also use it to point out articles in other media, or my own photos on Flickr.
I think Blue Sky is more of an alternative to X than it is an alternative to Facebook. If Blue Sky were to have a division that worked like Facebook, it would be a great alternative to Facebook.
In the past, alternatives to Facebook; such as Ello, never got off the ground. This, due to privacy curtains around friend groups. Newcomers to the platform, didn't have networks of friends already established so it was lonely out there on the frontier.
Facebook got started early, so the friend networks are well established and hard to reconstruct elsewhere.
I still to keep using Facebook due to the warmth of the friend networks here. That is hard to beat elsewhere.
Blue Sky does have a good chance to "get going big time" due to having less, or maybe no, privacy curtains preventing newcomers from interacting with folks across the platform. I think the feeds on Blue Sky are visible on the open web also so they can be "spidered" by Google and other search engine's giant databases.
I'm very trusting of an open platform because I would not put anything on social media, including Facebook, that I wouldn't want to see published in national media.
On the other hand, I doubt national media is likely to come looking for little me here in Bellingham (where?) WA. In Washington State, we keep having to remind world folks that we live in "the other Washington," versus Washington, DC.
I often use that to link to my own blog for more nuance. I also use it to point out articles in other media, or my own photos on Flickr.
I think Blue Sky is more of an alternative to X than it is an alternative to Facebook. If Blue Sky were to have a division that worked like Facebook, it would be a great alternative to Facebook.
In the past, alternatives to Facebook; such as Ello, never got off the ground. This, due to privacy curtains around friend groups. Newcomers to the platform, didn't have networks of friends already established so it was lonely out there on the frontier.
Facebook got started early, so the friend networks are well established and hard to reconstruct elsewhere.
I still to keep using Facebook due to the warmth of the friend networks here. That is hard to beat elsewhere.
Blue Sky does have a good chance to "get going big time" due to having less, or maybe no, privacy curtains preventing newcomers from interacting with folks across the platform. I think the feeds on Blue Sky are visible on the open web also so they can be "spidered" by Google and other search engine's giant databases.
I'm very trusting of an open platform because I would not put anything on social media, including Facebook, that I wouldn't want to see published in national media.
On the other hand, I doubt national media is likely to come looking for little me here in Bellingham (where?) WA. In Washington State, we keep having to remind world folks that we live in "the other Washington," versus Washington, DC.
Tuesday, February 04, 2025
A concrete jungle may not be so bad after all given wildfires at the low density urban / rural fringes of cities like Los Angeles.
Inner city neighborhoods tend to be more resilient to wildfire spread than areas who are trying to have the best of both worlds; natural setting and the California Ranch Style Home.
More on this topic.
Ironically, many Republican's who talk about sanctity of life also wish to have more restrictions on too many "achor babies" here in USA.
There are folks that sound kind of NIMBY like. They might say, about children being born; "we believe in the sanctity if life, but we don't want those babies here." For instance what are sometimes referred to as anchor babies.
I disconnect by just forgetting to bring my phone with me when I venture out from home. I'm absent minded. I have no one that I need to be "on duty" for anyway.
Periods of disconnecting from the net can be seen as a good thing for mental health. Information overload can make one batty. I don't set a goal to disconnect, however. Ever since childhood, I've just been absent minded. I often leave home and forget to bring my smartphone with me.
That's okay because I don't need to be on call 24/7. I'm not working a job that requires being "on duty." I don't have a family, or close loved ones, who expect me to "be there" for every little crisis that comes up in their lives.
I do have lots of friends and community connections, but they can wait.
When I was a child, I was so absent minded that I forgot to bring the new lunch box, my parents bought for me, home from school. It got lost at the school.
They bought me another one and I accidentally left that at the school also. After that, they refused to get another lunch box for me. They still packed a lunch for me, but it was in a disposable paper sack.
I often wonder how today's kids can hang on, so tightly, to their smartphones, when I couldn't even hang onto a lunchbox.
Unlike some other post war baby boomers, I don't have a vintage, "early 1960s" lunchbox to show for it on eBay.
That's okay because I don't need to be on call 24/7. I'm not working a job that requires being "on duty." I don't have a family, or close loved ones, who expect me to "be there" for every little crisis that comes up in their lives.
I do have lots of friends and community connections, but they can wait.
When I was a child, I was so absent minded that I forgot to bring the new lunch box, my parents bought for me, home from school. It got lost at the school.
They bought me another one and I accidentally left that at the school also. After that, they refused to get another lunch box for me. They still packed a lunch for me, but it was in a disposable paper sack.
I often wonder how today's kids can hang on, so tightly, to their smartphones, when I couldn't even hang onto a lunchbox.
Unlike some other post war baby boomers, I don't have a vintage, "early 1960s" lunchbox to show for it on eBay.
Sunday, February 02, 2025
If I wanted to establish a carreer as a psychic, I would predict a stock market downward correction for Feb 3.
If I wanted to establish a career as a psychic, I would predict a major downward correction in stock markets on both sides of the US, Canadian border tomorrow (Feb. 3 2025).
Worries about disruption of US, Canadian and Mexican trade, that keeps things like the international auto industry healthy, could cause problems in the markets.
Then again, I admit that I don't have a crystal ball. It isn't necessarily easy to predict the future.
Several scenarios cross my mind. A temporary disruption, or crash. Maybe the Republican oligarchs will panic and get Trump to reverse course; as if running America from the seat of his pants. The disruption becomes only temporary, due Trump changing his mind. Markets recover soon. That's one scenario, but there are others, too many to write, that cross through my mind.
Another, of many thoughts I have. This looks like an artificial coronavirus crisis without a real virus. Like the artificial debt ceiling, in Congress, it’s a problem rooted in worry without much basis beyond just fear itself. The bull is in the chinashop of international commerce.
I just listened, over radio, to the Feb. 2 2025 edition of Cross Country Checkup on CBC Radio in Vancouver. This episode was about potential disruption of trade between US Canada and Mexico and it's effects on each side of the borders. Very interesting.
Worries about disruption of US, Canadian and Mexican trade, that keeps things like the international auto industry healthy, could cause problems in the markets.
Then again, I admit that I don't have a crystal ball. It isn't necessarily easy to predict the future.
Several scenarios cross my mind. A temporary disruption, or crash. Maybe the Republican oligarchs will panic and get Trump to reverse course; as if running America from the seat of his pants. The disruption becomes only temporary, due Trump changing his mind. Markets recover soon. That's one scenario, but there are others, too many to write, that cross through my mind.
Another, of many thoughts I have. This looks like an artificial coronavirus crisis without a real virus. Like the artificial debt ceiling, in Congress, it’s a problem rooted in worry without much basis beyond just fear itself. The bull is in the chinashop of international commerce.
I just listened, over radio, to the Feb. 2 2025 edition of Cross Country Checkup on CBC Radio in Vancouver. This episode was about potential disruption of trade between US Canada and Mexico and it's effects on each side of the borders. Very interesting.
Friday, January 31, 2025
Remember speed reading?
Back in my college days, I remember a bunch of ads for speed reading classes. Pay some money and learn speed reading.
It seems like one doesn't hear much about speed reading classes, these days. Maybe it's because folks are less likely to be reading books than before.
I had difficulty getting through big reading assignments, in college, due to my lack of speed reading skills, I guess. I tend to work more slowly and I tend to favor more interactive learning than just absorbing tons of information. Shorter readings and things like NPR podcasts of round table discussions are more my speed.
Sound bytes and debates on X don't appeal to me. I tend to go for the middle ground when it comes to consuming information; modest sized, but more nuanced than things on X. I also seem to need to express my own feelings and ideas along the way.
It seems like one doesn't hear much about speed reading classes, these days. Maybe it's because folks are less likely to be reading books than before.
I had difficulty getting through big reading assignments, in college, due to my lack of speed reading skills, I guess. I tend to work more slowly and I tend to favor more interactive learning than just absorbing tons of information. Shorter readings and things like NPR podcasts of round table discussions are more my speed.
Sound bytes and debates on X don't appeal to me. I tend to go for the middle ground when it comes to consuming information; modest sized, but more nuanced than things on X. I also seem to need to express my own feelings and ideas along the way.
Many good years without an airliner crash in USA until this year.
One thing that is shocking about the recent plane crash in Washington, DC is how, in recent times, it's rare for an airline to crash in the USA.
I read that the last major crash was back in 2009. This has been a very good safety record, compared to the so called "good old days" of the 1800s when catastrophes, in factories, transportation and so forth, were more like just "another day at the office." Safety standards have evolved, toward safety, over the past century.
I read that the last major crash was back in 2009. This has been a very good safety record, compared to the so called "good old days" of the 1800s when catastrophes, in factories, transportation and so forth, were more like just "another day at the office." Safety standards have evolved, toward safety, over the past century.
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