Saturday, January 31, 2009
Nuclear Power is now ready to be 99% cleaner
An awesome breakthrough in the treatment of nuclear waste thanks to the University of Texas - Austin. Check it out.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Mandatory Sterilization for Women...in The Netherlands????
There is a member of the Dutch Parliament who has proposed a mandatory review of women to be conducted every two years to determine whether she should be allowed to be sterilized for another two years or not.
Although most Americans would agree this is a blatant overstepping of government involvement in someone's personal privacy and rights, Mises.org blogger Briggs Armstrong outlines the case nicely in this post.
There is a series of videos at the bottom of the post that feature arguments from the MP who proposed the legislation along with counterpoints.
I'll finally mention that the MP who is proposing this legislation is a woman. I'm willing to put my money on the idea that she considers herself worthy to have children and will not be one of those chosen for sterilization.
Although most Americans would agree this is a blatant overstepping of government involvement in someone's personal privacy and rights, Mises.org blogger Briggs Armstrong outlines the case nicely in this post.
There is a series of videos at the bottom of the post that feature arguments from the MP who proposed the legislation along with counterpoints.
I'll finally mention that the MP who is proposing this legislation is a woman. I'm willing to put my money on the idea that she considers herself worthy to have children and will not be one of those chosen for sterilization.
Alcohol & Kids - The UK & USA legal differences
This is one of those things that you don't hear reported or mentioned often.
I've long argued that the legal drinking age in the United States should be decreased to 18 because that's the age at which it has been declared a person in the US is responsible enough to do everything else "adult". In this context the term "adult" can refer to anything from sex to voting to volunteering to join the military. It makes logical sense to deduce that someone who is capable of these actions should also be considered capable of responsible alcohol consumption. After all, they are old enough to get married and have children of their own which will have to be taught lessons of responsibility as well.
But the United States of America is morally confused on too many issues and "underage drinking" is just another one of those subjects.
...but not in the United Kingdom.
Check out this article about the legality of teenage drinking in the UK. The "hard line" point made in the article is that under no circumstances should someone under 15 drink alcohol.
So it' legal for "kids" in the United Kingdom to drink in pubs if they're over 15 (yes, fifteen) and having the drink with a purchasing adult.
It seems to me that denying a citizen of the United States of America the right to drink what they want is a shameful commentary of a double standard that can be experienced each time they go to a grocery store: You can legally buy over-the-counter medication with an alcohol percentage upwards of 25% (which is far above the 4.5 - 5.5% alcohol found in just about all popular beer) and containing drugs which can have significantly stronger effects than alcohol but you cannot buy a six pack of beer.
This policy of double-standards won't change soon, if it does change ever. The reason? There are no lobbyists working to end this simple injustice. Nope, the American Association of Young People (AAYP) doesn't exist so I guess the policies of the AARP (American Association of Retired People) will continue to be the dominant driver in US politics. ...joy.
(update: Thanks to Matt's comment which points out there IS an AAYP.)
I've long argued that the legal drinking age in the United States should be decreased to 18 because that's the age at which it has been declared a person in the US is responsible enough to do everything else "adult". In this context the term "adult" can refer to anything from sex to voting to volunteering to join the military. It makes logical sense to deduce that someone who is capable of these actions should also be considered capable of responsible alcohol consumption. After all, they are old enough to get married and have children of their own which will have to be taught lessons of responsibility as well.
But the United States of America is morally confused on too many issues and "underage drinking" is just another one of those subjects.
...but not in the United Kingdom.
Check out this article about the legality of teenage drinking in the UK. The "hard line" point made in the article is that under no circumstances should someone under 15 drink alcohol.
So it' legal for "kids" in the United Kingdom to drink in pubs if they're over 15 (yes, fifteen) and having the drink with a purchasing adult.
It seems to me that denying a citizen of the United States of America the right to drink what they want is a shameful commentary of a double standard that can be experienced each time they go to a grocery store: You can legally buy over-the-counter medication with an alcohol percentage upwards of 25% (which is far above the 4.5 - 5.5% alcohol found in just about all popular beer) and containing drugs which can have significantly stronger effects than alcohol but you cannot buy a six pack of beer.
This policy of double-standards won't change soon, if it does change ever. The reason? There are no lobbyists working to end this simple injustice. Nope, the American Association of Young People (AAYP) doesn't exist so I guess the policies of the AARP (American Association of Retired People) will continue to be the dominant driver in US politics. ...joy.
(update: Thanks to Matt's comment which points out there IS an AAYP.)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
NOAA says we can't change the climate for 1000 years
We are not capable of maintaining a static world. I would argue this point for several subject which are encompassed by our world...but today will be for the popular Climate Change condition(s).
According to this article, Climate Change (and the conditions expected to arise because of it) is here to stay for at least 1000 years even if 100% (that's all for you home gamers out there) of the CO2 emissions from mankind are ceased today. NOAA is the predominant authority on weather and climate thanks in part to a large number of satellites they have in orbit and their long time weather stations across the world.
Last week, a new satellite, though not from NOAA, was launched to take a new high-tech look at some key elements and conditions for our upper atmosphere. The initial results for that won't be out for at least a few months.
So what does this mean? You can be sure it means little or nothing to those who benefit emotionally, socially, politically, or financially from the greatest fear ever proclaimed. When considering the relative solidarity world leaders have demonstrated when addressing the issue of climate change and the sense of urgency we have been urged to share over the past several years, one should take this opportunity to consider an alternative: We are powerless to maintain a static world.
With so much time and effort dedicated to furthering the idea of humans as the Great Caretakers of The Earth including managing and taking responsibility for the (mass) extinction of plants, animals and even humans, the concept of hope to change the future has been the most powerful driving force for motivating people that the world may have ever seen. Consider also, please, people are generally self aggrandizing and arrogant with little true power on the cosmic level. I use the word "cosmic" in the context of space as it relates to Venus or the Sun or a supernova, not metaphysical or any other way.
It was previously known as Global Warming in the 90's and early 2000's. Before that, in the 60's & 70's the concept was known as Global Cooling. It seems that now, due to inconsistencies in the observations compared to the title (which inherently comes from the predictions) the term to settle on is "Climate Change". Guess what folks, change is coming and change is constant. The best and most consistent option we have observed for dealing with these, and indeed all changes, is adaptation and evolution.
Humans have taken developmental adaptation and evolution to the intellectual and communication levels which puts us in a much better position to work through these changes. Remember, if you don't believe in change, you don't believe in General Relativity and the concept of a finite universe.
Lest I continue on an unreadable rant I shall now conclude by saying:
The progress of mankind is regularly hindered throughout history by staggeringly misdirected focuses of urgency and effort which have often resulted in unexpected advancement achieved by correcting massive mistakes (No, Chris Columbus, there isn't a new route to Asia...just the Americas. Thanks for that anyway. We got something out of your journey.). Some good will come of human-kind's attempts at ruling over the natural world and even the Earth itself but I am more eager to embrace the idea that much greater advances could be made if there was not so much misdirected energy dedicated to controlling the sky and oceans. If we continue with the time honored tradition of having "dominion over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" we will eventually find a movement to try improving and protecting the Sun and the orbit of the planets because those things directly affect Earth. The proposal of such a movement is not as absurd a concept as I would like it to be.
According to this article, Climate Change (and the conditions expected to arise because of it) is here to stay for at least 1000 years even if 100% (that's all for you home gamers out there) of the CO2 emissions from mankind are ceased today. NOAA is the predominant authority on weather and climate thanks in part to a large number of satellites they have in orbit and their long time weather stations across the world.
Last week, a new satellite, though not from NOAA, was launched to take a new high-tech look at some key elements and conditions for our upper atmosphere. The initial results for that won't be out for at least a few months.
So what does this mean? You can be sure it means little or nothing to those who benefit emotionally, socially, politically, or financially from the greatest fear ever proclaimed. When considering the relative solidarity world leaders have demonstrated when addressing the issue of climate change and the sense of urgency we have been urged to share over the past several years, one should take this opportunity to consider an alternative: We are powerless to maintain a static world.
With so much time and effort dedicated to furthering the idea of humans as the Great Caretakers of The Earth including managing and taking responsibility for the (mass) extinction of plants, animals and even humans, the concept of hope to change the future has been the most powerful driving force for motivating people that the world may have ever seen. Consider also, please, people are generally self aggrandizing and arrogant with little true power on the cosmic level. I use the word "cosmic" in the context of space as it relates to Venus or the Sun or a supernova, not metaphysical or any other way.
It was previously known as Global Warming in the 90's and early 2000's. Before that, in the 60's & 70's the concept was known as Global Cooling. It seems that now, due to inconsistencies in the observations compared to the title (which inherently comes from the predictions) the term to settle on is "Climate Change". Guess what folks, change is coming and change is constant. The best and most consistent option we have observed for dealing with these, and indeed all changes, is adaptation and evolution.
Humans have taken developmental adaptation and evolution to the intellectual and communication levels which puts us in a much better position to work through these changes. Remember, if you don't believe in change, you don't believe in General Relativity and the concept of a finite universe.
Lest I continue on an unreadable rant I shall now conclude by saying:
The progress of mankind is regularly hindered throughout history by staggeringly misdirected focuses of urgency and effort which have often resulted in unexpected advancement achieved by correcting massive mistakes (No, Chris Columbus, there isn't a new route to Asia...just the Americas. Thanks for that anyway. We got something out of your journey.). Some good will come of human-kind's attempts at ruling over the natural world and even the Earth itself but I am more eager to embrace the idea that much greater advances could be made if there was not so much misdirected energy dedicated to controlling the sky and oceans. If we continue with the time honored tradition of having "dominion over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" we will eventually find a movement to try improving and protecting the Sun and the orbit of the planets because those things directly affect Earth. The proposal of such a movement is not as absurd a concept as I would like it to be.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wireless Charger for Electronics
Here's a short presentation of a cool technology that gets us that much closer to being totally wireless. It'll be on sale at the end of 2009 for less than $100. Wild stuff!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thomas Jefferson Quotes
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
Thomas Jefferson - 1802
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
Thomas Jefferson - 1802
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson
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