Magic words

There seems to be a lot of magic words these days. Examples have been given before, and more examples abound. The one given before was "science". When you say that word, all debate has to stop. If you cite the word, it is like magic for some people. The effect is like: "Man, if science says that, I'd better shut up." That's why the magic words are used. It ends all discussion. It becomes the argument in itself. All you have to do is to say "science!", and all discussion must cease at once. Everybody must agree with you because who can be against science? We all worship at the altar of the science gods, it would seem.

Here's another one: Racist. Boy, if you call someone that, it is the mother of all show stoppers. The worst thing in the whole wide world is to be called a racist. Boy, if you are a racist, you might as well DIE. The world comes to an end. It is a magic word du jour. You cannot beat it for the effect it has. That's why this magic word is at the top of the list of magic words.

Let keep it going. There are more of these. Here's another: "propaganda". But the effect is different. Instead of shutting up or crawling into a hole, the word ends all credibility for the words you just used. It has a type of magic as well. I can say to you that you're just repeating propaganda, and what can you say to that? Well, maybe it is true, but if you don't know any better, you are beaten. The trouble with this magic word is that it can reveal truth, or conceal it. You have to prepared to fight this magic word with some of your own magic. Except that it isn't magic. It is called THOUGHT and REASON. All magic words tend to dissolve away an honest discussion of the facts. That's why they are used.

Joe Biden used a magic word in his SOTU. It is called "freedom". That word confers great respect for any American uttering it. If you say "freedom", you might as well be KING. Anybody who says that word can rise from the level of tyrant to the level of the founding fathers. It can even make a turd smell good. That's why Joe Biden used it. He needs all the magic he can get.

Of course there is no such thing as magic. But our society is so dumbed down, that certain words have become magical. They are only magical because people no longer think. They no longer reason. They only feel. So if a magic word can make you feel better, then that is what is conjured up.

The words mentioned, like "science", have a definite meaning. "Freedom" has a definite meaning. So does "propaganda". Perhaps if someone would just ask for a definition of these words, the words may lose their magical effect of stifling thought and reason. I'd bet that those using those words couldn't answer some basic questions about the way they are being used.

Here's another word for you. "Truth". The use of the word is intended to confer respect for their mere use. But for truth to have any meaning, it must be used with sincerity. It has no magic within itself. It is how you use the words that do the job. If the job is to avoid truth, or to conceal truth; and if you allow that, then shame on you. It is the lies that can kill us all. It is what is behind the words, not the words themselves.

Off-grid post, 3-3-22

The latest order of solar parts is coming in. I unpacked it, but haven't done anything with it yet. The BMS will take a little more time to arrive. There is still more stuff to order, so that part is not yet complete.

Looking ahead, it will take a small construction project to set up the solar panels. I am thinking of making a stand to sit them on. The stand will also help in shading the west and south sides of the trailer. This will help in keeping down heat buildup, especially during the summer months. The stand will be on the southwest side, and it be set up high so as to avoid the shade.

There was a video in which someone made a DIY battery pack out of the same kind of cells that are in the unit I just received. It was able to run an 5000 BTU a/c for 30 minutes. The kind of cells on this battery pack can withstand a heavy draw sufficient to run an a/c. The video proves it. But not for long. Thirty minutes isn't long enough. There will be a need for greater capacity.

Eventually I could have a system that could run all my electrical needs. It is a matter of buckling down and getting it done.

The outside world will do what it does. Getting myself wrapped up in that will waste too much time.

Texas propostions on GOP primary ballot

Texas Propositions on Republican Primary Ballots

Information was obtained from the Texas Secretary of State Web page. I took a screen grab of the results and put it in a format that I can blog.

Note that these results are from the Republican Primary. The Democrat primary did not have these or any other propositions on that ballot. Why not? Perhaps they didn't want to know what their people thought on these matters? Or any other matter...

These might be dismissed as partisan, but if it were partisan only, then why not have the same propositions on the Democrat ballot??? Could it be that they don't want anyone to see that their initiatives were wildly unpopular? Remember that the San Francisco parents booted out some critical race theory proponents recently. You don't need any reminding that San Francisico is deep, deep blue.

Abbot v "Beto"

Texas Tribune-- 2022 Primary results

For those who may be interested, and I am, here's something about what happened yesterday. I voted, and have been curious about the results. There isn't a whole lot of info out there. Imagine that. Theoretically, everything is as close as a click away, yet I cannot find out the down ballot race results.

The top of the ballot is pretty easy. Some other races get some attention. But there was a lot more on that ballot than that. There were a number of propositions on the ballot. I would like to see the results of those. One of those propositions referred to the teaching of critical race theory. There were others. It would be interesting to see how they did.

The results of these may be in printed newspapers, like the Austin American Statesman. But the online version doesn't have much info. Perhaps the big city newspapers in Houston,Dallas, and San Antonio could have something more. I'll keep checking.

A check at chron dot com has yielded a bounty of election results. This will fill up some gaps, like who won the Senate seat up for grabs for this neck of the woods... Nobody won, there will be a run-off. The state rep for this area will have the incumbent as the GOP candidate. No change there, most likely. Still nothing on the propositions...

It would be news either way on the critical race theory results. Wonder why it isn't being reported on? Or do you have to wonder why?

By the way, the GOP voters outvoted the Dem voters 2 to 1 in the governor race. If this is any indication, Texas won't turn blue.

Full of themselves

Full of themselves

These people in DC think so highly of themselves that they think that they've got Putin on the ropes. Trump may be right, in a sense. When he called Putin a genius, it is only in comparison with these guys.

Of course, they are so used to fooling the rest of this country that they are believing their own BS. It may be true that Putin is getting slowed down, but in the end, he will prevail. Once again, the crew in DC will be seen as a ridiculous failure. You can bet that they'll try to find someone else to blame when Ukraine falls. Ukraine will fall.

Putin may mix brutality with a bit of old fashioned seige warfare. He appears to be setting up a seige. Eventually, Zelensky and company will have to surrender. Bereft of getting actual military intervention from the West, he is doomed. The crew in DC may rattle the sabers, but they aren't about to jump into this.

This outcome will likely have follow on effects that will be unpleasant. That why the crew in DC that can't shoot straight will have to find scapegoats.

I don't believe that there will be any nukes. None are needed.

Things may go a bit differently than this script, but there doesn't seem to be any reason for Putin to get panicky. It is likely all for show. The only people likely to be fooled by any of this is the American public. The media isn't into truth. If there was any of that, this administration would be in big trouble.

Off-grid post, 2-28-22

 

Back on the 16th, I bought a power module for a prospective solar powerwall system that I anticipate putting together. After a bit of a delay, the unit arrived recently, and I've been checking it out. Nothing else was ordered until today. The project is moving forward tentatively.

There's a lot to think about. That's why I am moving slowly. After all, my only experience with these things is my 100 watt solar panel system. It was something I bought in order to get some experience, and so I've had some experience with this really small system. The thing I am thinking about building can be much larger. It is also modular, so I can proceed SLOWLY.

Once I have confidence, I may speed it up, but for now, it's crawling along.

Solar power isn't cheap. Don't let anybody tell you that it is. If you build one yourself, there is a risk that you could screw up. That could be definitely ungood.

I thought about making a video of this, but I'll wait on that for now. I'm not trying to push myself off as some expert. If all goes well, perhaps I'll make a video for anybody interested in perusing it for anything that may be useful in their own projects.

That is, if I don't screw up. I'd prefer to not share my biggest screw ups with everybody. I have my vanity to consider.

A new, inexpensive catalyst speeds the production of oxygen from water

A new, inexpensive catalyst speeds the production of oxygen from water

 comment:

Also produces hydrogen. May be useful for fuel cell applications and others.

Still "years away" from production.