Friday, June 30, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Electro
It's taken me a long time, but I think I am finally beginning
to understand the various concepts related to electricity. And
I mean long, with voltage and current longstanding enemies since
High School, and wattage on a hairdryer a mysterious outsider.
Electrical current comes down to electrons speeding along a wire. Direct
current is a circuit that starts at the positive end of a battery and ends at the
negative end. The battery runs a chemical reaction which soaks up the incoming
electrons and makes them available anew at the positive end. This is the
voltage of the circuit, in volts.
Electrons, then, are not going at or near the speed of light in a vacuum. They are
met with resistance, which must be overcome. The load of the circuit is what offsets the
voltage. It can consist of resistance elements either in series or parallel. The
fundamental relationship between these concepts is Ohm's Law. The reference definition
is that given to the current, in amperes, which is a coulomb(electrons)-second.
V = iR
Resistors pace the circuit; they are weighing-ins, but the current runs through.There
are also capacitors which might store current for some time. The unit is the farad,
which is a coulomb per volt.
Voltage, then, equals current (in amperes) multiplied by resistance (in ohms). A coulomb
has so many electrons,(6.24 x 10^18 electrons, for a negative charge Coulomb)) and an
ampere is an available coulomb every second. Voltage is the derived notion of potential
difference between points on a wire.
So what about my hairdryer!?
p = Vi
The power made available to appliances is in watts, which are joules per second. A
joule, it will be remembered, is a unit of work or energy:(It is a newton-meter). The
more watts, the more work performed per unit of time. It is a measure of dissipation
of energy with respect to the circuit.
In point of fact, a hairdryer would not run on a direct circuit. A small light bulb would:
alternative current to come. Small hint: there is a transformer involved, which uses the
magnetic force around a coiled wire to transfer current to another coil.
source: Khan Academy, with back-up readings from Wikipedia.
* * *
In a direct circuit created by a battery, electrons are actually flowing from the negative pole
to the positive; but charge is still considered to move from positive to negative. (There are
circuits were it is a positive charge that moves).
The math works out the same, because electricity is a field concept, and voltage refers to
potential difference.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/elec_intro.html
to understand the various concepts related to electricity. And
I mean long, with voltage and current longstanding enemies since
High School, and wattage on a hairdryer a mysterious outsider.
Electrical current comes down to electrons speeding along a wire. Direct
current is a circuit that starts at the positive end of a battery and ends at the
negative end. The battery runs a chemical reaction which soaks up the incoming
electrons and makes them available anew at the positive end. This is the
voltage of the circuit, in volts.
Electrons, then, are not going at or near the speed of light in a vacuum. They are
met with resistance, which must be overcome. The load of the circuit is what offsets the
voltage. It can consist of resistance elements either in series or parallel. The
fundamental relationship between these concepts is Ohm's Law. The reference definition
is that given to the current, in amperes, which is a coulomb(electrons)-second.
V = iR
Resistors pace the circuit; they are weighing-ins, but the current runs through.There
are also capacitors which might store current for some time. The unit is the farad,
which is a coulomb per volt.
Voltage, then, equals current (in amperes) multiplied by resistance (in ohms). A coulomb
has so many electrons,(6.24 x 10^18 electrons, for a negative charge Coulomb)) and an
ampere is an available coulomb every second. Voltage is the derived notion of potential
difference between points on a wire.
So what about my hairdryer!?
p = Vi
The power made available to appliances is in watts, which are joules per second. A
joule, it will be remembered, is a unit of work or energy:(It is a newton-meter). The
more watts, the more work performed per unit of time. It is a measure of dissipation
of energy with respect to the circuit.
In point of fact, a hairdryer would not run on a direct circuit. A small light bulb would:
alternative current to come. Small hint: there is a transformer involved, which uses the
magnetic force around a coiled wire to transfer current to another coil.
source: Khan Academy, with back-up readings from Wikipedia.
* * *
In a direct circuit created by a battery, electrons are actually flowing from the negative pole
to the positive; but charge is still considered to move from positive to negative. (There are
circuits were it is a positive charge that moves).
The math works out the same, because electricity is a field concept, and voltage refers to
potential difference.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/elec_intro.html
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
C Lingo
The nice side-effect of my recent concern with Indo European languages is
an insight into how abusive (read misleading) referring to computer instructions
as 'languages' is. This particular ontology gives rise to befuddlement for the novice, and
tortured discussions about sub-categories of languages and how they relate to
each other for the pros.
To wit: a compiler is not a thing; it is a program, short for compiler program, whose aim
is to go from source code to object code, thus to translate instructions for use
by the computer as a machine. By translate, I mean generate. Compilers ie compiler
programs are often written in the C language, which is a set of specifications or ways of doing
things. The Lua language used in Roblox computer games is 'written in Ansi C', which is the
agreed upon version of C by an American Standards Association. So that when one writes
instructions for a game with Lua conventions, the computer does things according to C
conventions: this is what 'interpretation' is. More often than not, the computer will need to
generate a separate executable file of the script one has devised (with reference to a library,
and as a distinct time-consuming step in the process). This is compilation. Compiling one's
program amounts to a test run. Compilers are not meant to be maintained by humans.
A language particular to a specific machine and its architecture is an assembler (language).
Most compilers are portable.
Stacks, by their very nature, have a physical aspect within a computer. The call stack
keeps track of the instructions the computer needs to return control to the main process
when it has finished a subroutine. Like the word suggest, it's a last-in first out pile of
instructions.
Lua was primarily developed to expand on something already working or to program an
embedded device. By this is meant a computerized aspect to a large machine, like a car. A smart
watch is also one. As a consequence, it is lean on writing conventions and punctuation when
compared to other high-level languages. And should be easy enough to master.
an insight into how abusive (read misleading) referring to computer instructions
as 'languages' is. This particular ontology gives rise to befuddlement for the novice, and
tortured discussions about sub-categories of languages and how they relate to
each other for the pros.
To wit: a compiler is not a thing; it is a program, short for compiler program, whose aim
is to go from source code to object code, thus to translate instructions for use
by the computer as a machine. By translate, I mean generate. Compilers ie compiler
programs are often written in the C language, which is a set of specifications or ways of doing
things. The Lua language used in Roblox computer games is 'written in Ansi C', which is the
agreed upon version of C by an American Standards Association. So that when one writes
instructions for a game with Lua conventions, the computer does things according to C
conventions: this is what 'interpretation' is. More often than not, the computer will need to
generate a separate executable file of the script one has devised (with reference to a library,
and as a distinct time-consuming step in the process). This is compilation. Compiling one's
program amounts to a test run. Compilers are not meant to be maintained by humans.
A language particular to a specific machine and its architecture is an assembler (language).
Most compilers are portable.
Stacks, by their very nature, have a physical aspect within a computer. The call stack
keeps track of the instructions the computer needs to return control to the main process
when it has finished a subroutine. Like the word suggest, it's a last-in first out pile of
instructions.
Lua was primarily developed to expand on something already working or to program an
embedded device. By this is meant a computerized aspect to a large machine, like a car. A smart
watch is also one. As a consequence, it is lean on writing conventions and punctuation when
compared to other high-level languages. And should be easy enough to master.
Monday, June 26, 2017
GFluid
So yesterday I found myself arguing to my daughter that LGBT had too
many categories and things going on at the same time. Her view was that
everyone is currently gender fluid anyway, so what's the problem. And that is
the core of it, what IS the problem.
Below, a photo from the recent Comme des garçons show, Menswear, Spring 2018.
Yes, the look is gender fluid. And yes, a little attention and one sees the person is a dude,
nonetheless. Which is not always that easy a call, because there are men and women of
all sizes and morphologies these days.
Gender fluidity is an aesthetic, but it is also quite conservative. I do not need to reveal my
gender on the street, I can walk through as a young person and not get harassed. My
friends know what there is to know, I reveal myself on my own terms.
The Gay Pride movement refers to struggles of quite a different era. On the front lines, openly
homosexual men, or men at great pains to hide homosexuality from family, friends and the
workplace. And ongoing concerns about 'coming out'. Because deep down one knows.
I remember when these were vital issues; young people today might not.
What is the talk these days in political terms: it is about presenting, the right for all to
present the gender identity they aspire to. Very different from the gender fluidity movement,
but perhaps confused with it for some.
Politicians currently make it to the Gay Pride parade every year. I can't say I
am totally comfortable with it, because it is a bit of a costume occasion. Let's get over it.
And concentrate on political issues when there are some.
many categories and things going on at the same time. Her view was that
everyone is currently gender fluid anyway, so what's the problem. And that is
the core of it, what IS the problem.
Below, a photo from the recent Comme des garçons show, Menswear, Spring 2018.
Yes, the look is gender fluid. And yes, a little attention and one sees the person is a dude,
nonetheless. Which is not always that easy a call, because there are men and women of
all sizes and morphologies these days.
Gender fluidity is an aesthetic, but it is also quite conservative. I do not need to reveal my
gender on the street, I can walk through as a young person and not get harassed. My
friends know what there is to know, I reveal myself on my own terms.
The Gay Pride movement refers to struggles of quite a different era. On the front lines, openly
homosexual men, or men at great pains to hide homosexuality from family, friends and the
workplace. And ongoing concerns about 'coming out'. Because deep down one knows.
I remember when these were vital issues; young people today might not.
What is the talk these days in political terms: it is about presenting, the right for all to
present the gender identity they aspire to. Very different from the gender fluidity movement,
but perhaps confused with it for some.
Politicians currently make it to the Gay Pride parade every year. I can't say I
am totally comfortable with it, because it is a bit of a costume occasion. Let's get over it.
And concentrate on political issues when there are some.
Friday, June 23, 2017
GlastonB
Five hours ahead in terms of time, Glastonbury UK is hosting its Music Festival
just as Montebello rocks here in Quebec.
The opening 'facemelter' from last night:
https://soundcloud.com/dkmntl/dkmntl047-esa-aweh-ep
source: The Guardian (covering the Festival LIVE)
just as Montebello rocks here in Quebec.
The opening 'facemelter' from last night:
https://soundcloud.com/dkmntl/dkmntl047-esa-aweh-ep
source: The Guardian (covering the Festival LIVE)
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Party Time
One of us is going to the Montebello Rockfest. Which should be a lot of fun. YessssMam!
Cindy will not reach Quebec, some of the Gulf moisture associated with it will merge
with a system from Western Canada. Long story short, lots of rain.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Mario's
'Arguably the best new game at the show'. The reviewer was
referring to the new Mario Bros for Switch. To then go on to
point out that it was perhaps not as innovative technically as some
of the other games, but Mario, the lovable plummer, has acquired a
slew of new powers.
Looking at the trailer, I was enchanted all over again. And the word
is not too strong because the world of Mario is - and always has been -
a magical soothing place. We had Mario in the house when L. was
growing up, and Mario's world for millennials is like the world of
Disney for boomers. It is a reference, not always acknowledged as such,
but totally life defining when one examines things objectively.
I am wearing a t-shirt and shorts as we speak - as are most of the folks
at the home across the way - checking the clubhouse on
the internet...
Millennials on YouTube go on quests, eat ridiculous amounts of food,
show us their shopping hauls, make drone maps of their surroundings
run catchy repetitive musical themes. It's Mario's world forever. Not a
bad thing.
referring to the new Mario Bros for Switch. To then go on to
point out that it was perhaps not as innovative technically as some
of the other games, but Mario, the lovable plummer, has acquired a
slew of new powers.
Looking at the trailer, I was enchanted all over again. And the word
is not too strong because the world of Mario is - and always has been -
a magical soothing place. We had Mario in the house when L. was
growing up, and Mario's world for millennials is like the world of
Disney for boomers. It is a reference, not always acknowledged as such,
but totally life defining when one examines things objectively.
I am wearing a t-shirt and shorts as we speak - as are most of the folks
at the home across the way - checking the clubhouse on
the internet...
Millennials on YouTube go on quests, eat ridiculous amounts of food,
show us their shopping hauls, make drone maps of their surroundings
run catchy repetitive musical themes. It's Mario's world forever. Not a
bad thing.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Father's
Many might remember Marcel Duchamp and the 'objet trouvé' aka ready-made
in the visual arts. Here is one some such from the field of music, a ready-made
I found by accident on YoutYube. And yes, AK-47 - the name of the group - is that
of a Russian riffle.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
in the visual arts. Here is one some such from the field of music, a ready-made
I found by accident on YoutYube. And yes, AK-47 - the name of the group - is that
of a Russian riffle.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Meds
For someone taking meds for a long time, it might become
difficult to tell what is going on. It would be an error to castigate
oneself about true self versus false self. All of one's selves are real enough
and responsible for one's life course. But meds do make a difference
(which is why they are prescribed and taken in the first place).
I am a baby boomer - the self-medicating generation, if you will - and we've
been through a lot. Today, psychoactive, metabolism boosting meds are routinely
given to children, all in the name of attaining cruising speed in an increasingly
demanding world: capitalistic in structure, fascistic in mood. Symptom meet drug,
and the devil take the hindmost. We are intolerant of shyness, and fragility.
What happens to someone put on amphetamines? It is a mania producing drug, so
that someone shy might show, for certain metrics, normalcy. But it might also
induce hyperactive behavior, extreme endurance for sport, great feats of concentration
on work. With consequences for the body. Sleep is necessary for the brain, which
does maintenance and cleans out toxins. Long periods of inadequate sleep - from a
housekeeping perspective - will not be made up in one go.
What happens if one goes off the drugs, cold turkey? Physical abnormalities, for a
long while until the body readjusts. Amphetamines up body temperature, so someone on
detox might find low body temperatures at times he would normally be taking the meds.
There might hormonal abnormalities as well, because stocks and the osmotic mechanisms
that drive things will now have inappropriate settings. It might take time and care to
recalibrate.
On the up side, the body might have become hyperfit. Not a bad thing. My advice:
enjoy the libido while it's there, and go to a party.
* * *
In biology, diffusion and osmosis are related but quite different processes. From
French language Wikipedia:
DIFFUSION
Under the impulse of thermal energy intrinsic to particles, and respecting temperature,
concentration and pressure gradients, solutions will become irreversibly homogeneous.
OSMOSIS
In a situation where a membrane makes diffusion impossible ie the solute cannot cross
the barrier, the solvent will cross to establish homogeneity.
THERMAL ENERGY OF PARTICLES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Thermally_Agitated_Molecule.gif
difficult to tell what is going on. It would be an error to castigate
oneself about true self versus false self. All of one's selves are real enough
and responsible for one's life course. But meds do make a difference
(which is why they are prescribed and taken in the first place).
I am a baby boomer - the self-medicating generation, if you will - and we've
been through a lot. Today, psychoactive, metabolism boosting meds are routinely
given to children, all in the name of attaining cruising speed in an increasingly
demanding world: capitalistic in structure, fascistic in mood. Symptom meet drug,
and the devil take the hindmost. We are intolerant of shyness, and fragility.
What happens to someone put on amphetamines? It is a mania producing drug, so
that someone shy might show, for certain metrics, normalcy. But it might also
induce hyperactive behavior, extreme endurance for sport, great feats of concentration
on work. With consequences for the body. Sleep is necessary for the brain, which
does maintenance and cleans out toxins. Long periods of inadequate sleep - from a
housekeeping perspective - will not be made up in one go.
What happens if one goes off the drugs, cold turkey? Physical abnormalities, for a
long while until the body readjusts. Amphetamines up body temperature, so someone on
detox might find low body temperatures at times he would normally be taking the meds.
There might hormonal abnormalities as well, because stocks and the osmotic mechanisms
that drive things will now have inappropriate settings. It might take time and care to
recalibrate.
On the up side, the body might have become hyperfit. Not a bad thing. My advice:
enjoy the libido while it's there, and go to a party.
* * *
In biology, diffusion and osmosis are related but quite different processes. From
French language Wikipedia:
DIFFUSION
Under the impulse of thermal energy intrinsic to particles, and respecting temperature,
concentration and pressure gradients, solutions will become irreversibly homogeneous.
OSMOSIS
In a situation where a membrane makes diffusion impossible ie the solute cannot cross
the barrier, the solvent will cross to establish homogeneity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Thermally_Agitated_Molecule.gif
Friday, June 16, 2017
Reasonable
BuzzFeed outdid itself, once again, on its reality series.
Glastonbury, anyone?
In contrast, the city has a lot to offer. Montreal, for one, is rich in innovation
at the bar.
A totally original drink; and there are many more. Doesn't that sound more reasonable!?
Glastonbury, anyone?
at the bar.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Philo
It was too much to resist for the cartoonist at Libération. (In point of
fact, I howled with laughter when I saw it myself). One of the examination
questions for the Philosophy exam for finishing Science students was:
Can one transcend one's culture?
As long as I can spread it like jam , I'm good!
fact, I howled with laughter when I saw it myself). One of the examination
questions for the Philosophy exam for finishing Science students was:
Can one transcend one's culture?
New Games
The Guardian, UK comes through with trailers from the major
new video games:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/15/e3-2017-favourite-video-game-announcements-from-life-is-strange-before-the-storm-mario-rabbids
new video games:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/15/e3-2017-favourite-video-game-announcements-from-life-is-strange-before-the-storm-mario-rabbids
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
London Fire
According to the AFP, residents had complained of accumulated garbage from
various renovations.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Sears Woes
I don't get it; why is Sears Canada is looking at the abyss!?
My appartment is full of Sears stuff: bed, couch, towels, drapes, bedding,
bras and undies, pyjamas, sandals, shoes and boots, sweaters, blouses, jeans,
many coats and jackets, gloves, handbags, make-up. I've had my hair cut there,
pictures of my daughter taken. Picked up a crib from them, bought many toys,
a lot of her clothes as she was growing up. Brought in their decorator for carpets.
Relied on their catalogue; check their web site every day.
To this day, I go to them for serious and reliable stuff.
In fact, the flyers are also great. I would go just to pick up the flyer stuff.
Word is out that there are too many retailers operating
in the same markets. It is true that there are competitors that have tried to
establish themselves at our local mall. With dismal success. Zellers
went bankrupt with a physical store that was not kept up. Then Target tried,
with a store that had food and clothes. The food was overpriced. The clothes
underpriced and inappropriate. People here are neither obese, nor ethnic hipsters.
We are (increasingly) old and frail. A problem everyone is having with clothes is that
there are just too many, in all sizes, similar, cheap. Not that we want to be
bilked on clothes, but there is no middle, no common sense. Stores
are moving in blind, like they have no idea who is here. Why bother
opening a store without doing homework on the place.
So I am the one remaining Sears client. What do I want to see. Shut the store down,
if you must. Keep the catalogue, the web site, and run an on-order business.Open
unpacking and dressing rooms, and a decent cafeteria where folks can sit and munch.
Experiment with drones. You will thrive.
http://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2017-06-08/civilian-drones
My appartment is full of Sears stuff: bed, couch, towels, drapes, bedding,
bras and undies, pyjamas, sandals, shoes and boots, sweaters, blouses, jeans,
many coats and jackets, gloves, handbags, make-up. I've had my hair cut there,
pictures of my daughter taken. Picked up a crib from them, bought many toys,
a lot of her clothes as she was growing up. Brought in their decorator for carpets.
Relied on their catalogue; check their web site every day.
To this day, I go to them for serious and reliable stuff.
In fact, the flyers are also great. I would go just to pick up the flyer stuff.
Word is out that there are too many retailers operating
in the same markets. It is true that there are competitors that have tried to
establish themselves at our local mall. With dismal success. Zellers
went bankrupt with a physical store that was not kept up. Then Target tried,
with a store that had food and clothes. The food was overpriced. The clothes
underpriced and inappropriate. People here are neither obese, nor ethnic hipsters.
We are (increasingly) old and frail. A problem everyone is having with clothes is that
there are just too many, in all sizes, similar, cheap. Not that we want to be
bilked on clothes, but there is no middle, no common sense. Stores
are moving in blind, like they have no idea who is here. Why bother
opening a store without doing homework on the place.
So I am the one remaining Sears client. What do I want to see. Shut the store down,
if you must. Keep the catalogue, the web site, and run an on-order business.Open
unpacking and dressing rooms, and a decent cafeteria where folks can sit and munch.
Experiment with drones. You will thrive.
http://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2017-06-08/civilian-drones
News Moment
It's in the news! New Yorkers have been enjoying this Smirnoff (vodka) ad since
yesterday:
It's a thirsty world!!
Sunday, June 11, 2017
High Noon
DID U NO ?
At this time of year, the days are longer in Montreal than in Southern California?
Kinda makes one head of to a terrace to enjoy the long hours; (but then a bar makes
an awful lot of sense to seek comfort in those dark winter days!!!)
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Wspoon
Trust BuzzFeed to deliver the goods. They have referenced
what is probably the best take on quintessential British fare
as on offer at Whetherspoons. 900 pubs in the chain and going
strong.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/
what is probably the best take on quintessential British fare
as on offer at Whetherspoons. 900 pubs in the chain and going
strong.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/
Optimist
Didn't listen to the Comey testimony this week but I did
read all about it. The take-away for me was that M. Comey did tell
the President on more than one occasion that he was not under
investigation as a possible Russian agent. Something which pleased the
President no end, and which he wanted made public. But at the same time,
he was eloquently silent on the other possible form of investigation,
which is criminal. And he didn't want to commit publicly on the President's
all-clear on treason in case elements surfaced which warranted changing
his status in that respect. What a nut-job!!
Indeed, ever since the first meeting between the two men, when M. Comey
informed the candidate Trump about those unsubstanciated stories of a
Russian hotel room and rocker sexual practrices, things had been strained between
the two. Which is a little surprising given that M.comey was well known as a
Republican sympathizer, but that Democrat Obama did name him to the job in the
first place. Wonder why.
Take what he did to Hillary Clinton, letting the public know about every little
change in the status of her investigations, although his assesment was that no
prosecution would have been possible on that case. Gross negligence on national
security, yes, but nothing one would want to prosecute.
Vladimir Putin was also on television this week, but I didn't catch that either.
Anyway, he was on translation, so God only knows what he actually said.
Although he did mention that we, in America, seem to lead boring lives. Which
bears thinking about... It is no secret that he and Mrs Clinton shared a certain
personnal anymosity, although this fantastic deal transferring American uranium
to Russia did happen while she was Secretary of State. But then so did he liberalization
of the Eastern block. Odd!
Those new Russian hypersonic missiles seem pretty cool. Probably make the NATO
block nuclear arsenal obsolete and a good deal more. Wonder what it would cost
to see the plans on those. Probably a lot. Nobody wants to rule the world anymore.
Appease it for twenty years, maybe. I'm such an optimist!
read all about it. The take-away for me was that M. Comey did tell
the President on more than one occasion that he was not under
investigation as a possible Russian agent. Something which pleased the
President no end, and which he wanted made public. But at the same time,
he was eloquently silent on the other possible form of investigation,
which is criminal. And he didn't want to commit publicly on the President's
all-clear on treason in case elements surfaced which warranted changing
his status in that respect. What a nut-job!!
Indeed, ever since the first meeting between the two men, when M. Comey
informed the candidate Trump about those unsubstanciated stories of a
Russian hotel room and rocker sexual practrices, things had been strained between
the two. Which is a little surprising given that M.comey was well known as a
Republican sympathizer, but that Democrat Obama did name him to the job in the
first place. Wonder why.
Take what he did to Hillary Clinton, letting the public know about every little
change in the status of her investigations, although his assesment was that no
prosecution would have been possible on that case. Gross negligence on national
security, yes, but nothing one would want to prosecute.
Vladimir Putin was also on television this week, but I didn't catch that either.
Anyway, he was on translation, so God only knows what he actually said.
Although he did mention that we, in America, seem to lead boring lives. Which
bears thinking about... It is no secret that he and Mrs Clinton shared a certain
personnal anymosity, although this fantastic deal transferring American uranium
to Russia did happen while she was Secretary of State. But then so did he liberalization
of the Eastern block. Odd!
Those new Russian hypersonic missiles seem pretty cool. Probably make the NATO
block nuclear arsenal obsolete and a good deal more. Wonder what it would cost
to see the plans on those. Probably a lot. Nobody wants to rule the world anymore.
Appease it for twenty years, maybe. I'm such an optimist!
Friday, June 9, 2017
B. Election
A few interesting facts emerged from the Nouvel Obs (Agathe Ranc) analysis
of the British election:
with rights for Europeans in Britain and a market of sorts.
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20170609.OBS0480/legislatives-britanniques-theresa-may-ne-pourra-pas-s-accrocher-bien-longtemps.html
of the British election:
- Jeremy Corbin was elected party leader trough a new procedure -
- There is a rule that 15% of elected conservatives can question the
- Europe is watching for a decision between a Theresa May hard Brexit,
with rights for Europeans in Britain and a market of sorts.
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20170609.OBS0480/legislatives-britanniques-theresa-may-ne-pourra-pas-s-accrocher-bien-longtemps.html
Thursday, June 8, 2017
South K
The new South Korean President has stopped the
deployment of the THAD anti-missile system, ostensibly
on environmental grounds, waiting for a review.
Interestingly, the first missiles were allowed into the country
with the armed forces neglecting to inform the new President.
The smart money has it this new Democratic President would like
to tone down the bellicose stance applied by the Trump administration.
They also want to promote better relations with China and, why not,
Pyongyang itself.
source: Emma de Pierrepont, Le Figaro
http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2017/06/07/01003-20170607ARTFIG00331-le-president-sud-coreen-bloque-le-bouclier-antimissile-americain.php
deployment of the THAD anti-missile system, ostensibly
on environmental grounds, waiting for a review.
Interestingly, the first missiles were allowed into the country
with the armed forces neglecting to inform the new President.
The smart money has it this new Democratic President would like
to tone down the bellicose stance applied by the Trump administration.
They also want to promote better relations with China and, why not,
Pyongyang itself.
source: Emma de Pierrepont, Le Figaro
http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2017/06/07/01003-20170607ARTFIG00331-le-president-sud-coreen-bloque-le-bouclier-antimissile-americain.php
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Shadow Computing
So the next advance in personnal computing might just be...
no computer. That is the view that a French start-up is taking in offering
actual computing in the cloud. For 30 Euros per month.
This is the specs on the at-home machine (plus a screen).
It is called the Shadow.
The argument being that more computing power in ever more thin
machines is ultimately bound to go to this model.
source: Dominique Nora, Le Nouvel Obs
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/economie/20170601.OBS0179/et-si-l-ordinateur-du-futur-etait-dematerialise-dans-le-cloud.html
no computer. That is the view that a French start-up is taking in offering
actual computing in the cloud. For 30 Euros per month.
This is the specs on the at-home machine (plus a screen).
It is called the Shadow.
The argument being that more computing power in ever more thin
machines is ultimately bound to go to this model.
source: Dominique Nora, Le Nouvel Obs
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/economie/20170601.OBS0179/et-si-l-ordinateur-du-futur-etait-dematerialise-dans-le-cloud.html
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Friday, June 2, 2017
Little Note
Rereading myself on China yesterday, I do sound condascending.
Not my inention in the least. Just trying to express what might be
going on in a culture I have little experience of. Using theory and
conjecture, always a hazardous enterprise. The bottom of the issue is this:
what happens when Western hygiene practicess, vaccines and industrialized
medecine hits a culture that was getting along without these.
The planetary answer was a population explosion.
The organic nature of societies needs a better appreciation, including
our own. Because if Western societies did use contraception to the point where
we are now below replacement, we are also aging weird and overweight, factors
being looked at by a different committe in the UN. We are now allowed more
deviant behaviours with respect to lifestyle because the health system will catch us.
Just not wishing that on the neighbors!!
Not my inention in the least. Just trying to express what might be
going on in a culture I have little experience of. Using theory and
conjecture, always a hazardous enterprise. The bottom of the issue is this:
what happens when Western hygiene practicess, vaccines and industrialized
medecine hits a culture that was getting along without these.
The planetary answer was a population explosion.
The organic nature of societies needs a better appreciation, including
our own. Because if Western societies did use contraception to the point where
we are now below replacement, we are also aging weird and overweight, factors
being looked at by a different committe in the UN. We are now allowed more
deviant behaviours with respect to lifestyle because the health system will catch us.
Just not wishing that on the neighbors!!
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Aviation
I don't know that it much matters what the US announces
with respect to the Paris climat accords, because there are a lot of
imponderables. Rereading accounts of earlier negotiations, it is clear that although
China and the US are the largest carbon emitters, they are so in very different ways.
China has an immense population (of breathers) and is in the throes of development
but in a very collectivist culture, an aspect with deeper historical roots than
a recent flirtation with Marxist ideas. (Indeed Marx himself recognized this with
the notion of the 'Asiatic mode of production', based on self-sufficient islands
of economic activity with a ruling over-class).
It certainly makes sense to want them to proceed in an as ecological way as possible.
In a social sense, they are half-way there; with respect to population density,
it is necessarily a long-term issue. And one very much gets the sense that the US signed
- at least in part - as a big brother, to legitimize this unique development.
Concretely, the US has issues of its own. In 2016, the Obama administration smilingly
signed on for making aviation less carbon producing . How is that going, guys?
An insane number of people are travelling by plane in the US (some 5 000 planes in
the sky at any one time, on a planetary basis). Folks are more cramped than ever, but
flying is ever-more affordable to more people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_aviation
Proponents of the Paris accord have described it as an agreement on the end of
the fossil fuel-based economy. SRSLY. I doubt that this version of an approach would
be tenable in an Administration where the Secretary of State is an ex-oil executive
(Rex Tillerson, Exxon-Mobil CEO).
The other arm of that Obama accord was forest management. Here Canada has some
experience. But forest management and ecology are not synonymous. A true forest is
a wild habitat evolving with its myriad inhabitants; a managed forest amounts to tree growing
as an economic activity. With wild reserves another issue. I hear that President Trump
donates his salary to America's National Parks. Not so senseless after all.
* * *
There it is, the US wants out of the Paris Climate
accord. I'm not surprised although I do appreciate
that a number of people might be upset.
What I do not like about the Climate Change argument is that it was,
at the onset, disingeneous. An extra 6 billion people over one hundred
years will heat things up, regardless of considering of the possible role of
greenhouse gases in trapping solar radiation. Yes the United Nations is on-going
and the idea of not making things worse by using carbon spewing technologies
is - on the face of it - straightforward enough. It is also, economically, nonsense.
And that is the heart of this tragedy. Areas of expertise that cannot dialogue.
Not sure what happens next.
For the fun of it, I googled how 'much heat does a human being dissipate to
the environment'. Best answer (from a physics student), roughly that
of a 100 watt light bulb.
Dayuuuum!
with respect to the Paris climat accords, because there are a lot of
imponderables. Rereading accounts of earlier negotiations, it is clear that although
China and the US are the largest carbon emitters, they are so in very different ways.
China has an immense population (of breathers) and is in the throes of development
but in a very collectivist culture, an aspect with deeper historical roots than
a recent flirtation with Marxist ideas. (Indeed Marx himself recognized this with
the notion of the 'Asiatic mode of production', based on self-sufficient islands
of economic activity with a ruling over-class).
It certainly makes sense to want them to proceed in an as ecological way as possible.
In a social sense, they are half-way there; with respect to population density,
it is necessarily a long-term issue. And one very much gets the sense that the US signed
- at least in part - as a big brother, to legitimize this unique development.
Concretely, the US has issues of its own. In 2016, the Obama administration smilingly
signed on for making aviation less carbon producing . How is that going, guys?
An insane number of people are travelling by plane in the US (some 5 000 planes in
the sky at any one time, on a planetary basis). Folks are more cramped than ever, but
flying is ever-more affordable to more people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_aviation
Proponents of the Paris accord have described it as an agreement on the end of
the fossil fuel-based economy. SRSLY. I doubt that this version of an approach would
be tenable in an Administration where the Secretary of State is an ex-oil executive
(Rex Tillerson, Exxon-Mobil CEO).
The other arm of that Obama accord was forest management. Here Canada has some
experience. But forest management and ecology are not synonymous. A true forest is
a wild habitat evolving with its myriad inhabitants; a managed forest amounts to tree growing
as an economic activity. With wild reserves another issue. I hear that President Trump
donates his salary to America's National Parks. Not so senseless after all.
* * *
There it is, the US wants out of the Paris Climate
accord. I'm not surprised although I do appreciate
that a number of people might be upset.
What I do not like about the Climate Change argument is that it was,
at the onset, disingeneous. An extra 6 billion people over one hundred
years will heat things up, regardless of considering of the possible role of
greenhouse gases in trapping solar radiation. Yes the United Nations is on-going
and the idea of not making things worse by using carbon spewing technologies
is - on the face of it - straightforward enough. It is also, economically, nonsense.
And that is the heart of this tragedy. Areas of expertise that cannot dialogue.
Not sure what happens next.
For the fun of it, I googled how 'much heat does a human being dissipate to
the environment'. Best answer (from a physics student), roughly that
of a 100 watt light bulb.
Dayuuuum!
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