Saturday, December 17, 2022

Better clean up this act



There has been some talk that Trump's support is falling. There has also been some talk that he is still leading by a lot.

It is perhaps understandable that some folks would like a different choice. Understandable in the sense that they never did like Trump. However, if he gets the nomination, I would hope that there would be an end to the division that only encourages the Democrats.

If that division is serious enough, then forget about it for 2024. If they GOP doesn't do anything else, they had better clean this up.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

The Case for Malthusianism



Yesterday's announcement of a breakthrough in fusion research has led to some reactions here and elsewhere. There was something on the Powerline blog, which cites the frequent opposition from the green crowd with respect to all technological advancements. Generally, they are quite negative about it. Powerline quotes some environmentalists on the possibility of cold fusion back in the 80's, and laments the negativity of these Malthusian types.

This allows me to segue into a comment on the Malthusians. Given that their arguments are wrong, that such arguments can be taken seriously in some quarters is enough to give pause in itself. If technology can be misused, it is most likely going to come from bad argumentation like the Malthusians made, than from the technology itself. Paradoxically, this could be a reason why technology may be a flawed way towards advancement. These idiots may get their hands on it and abuse it. Like they do with social media.

The Brandon mal-Administration has hyped up a modestly succesful advancement as a cure for a problem that may not even exist, for example. It is neither a cure ( because it isn't anywhere near commercialization), nor is there really much of a need for the cure they claim is needed. We cannot overheat the Earth even if we tried. But we can do a lot of other very stupid things.

If genuine scientific advancement cannot even be understood properly, how can it be managed properly? That's the question. Malthusianism is nothing more than a bunch of misinformed cranks who couldn't fix a bowl of soup, much less a real problem. The problem is really that so many people listen to these nincompoops.

If there's a real problem with a technology, they cannot be trusted with it.

I'd worry a lot more about artificial intelligence than in nuclear fusion, for example. You cannot count on these clowns to get it right. There's my best case in favor of the Malthusians.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Utopia has come! ( not really)



There has been something of an amusing announcement from the Brandon mal-Administration. A notable scientific achievement has been reached! Yay, team!

I've checked out a few approaches to fusion, and one of these wasn't covered all that much. That's because I didn't think that it lent itself to commercial development. It so happens that this approach towards net energy from fusion was the National Ignition Facility in Collyfornia.

Although the Biden mal-Administration wants to hype this scientific achievement by claiming that fusion is now around the corner, it needs to be mentioned that nobody should get carried away by the hype. The achievement, if real, is notable. The first time that fusion has been produced while getting more energy out than they put in. Well bravo on that, but it isn't all that it is cracked up to be.

If they achieved ANEUTRONIC fusion, it might be said to be "clean energy". But if not, it will produce neutrons, which will impart some of that nasty radioactive stuff to the environment. Not likely to have reached nirvana just yet. Sorry to burst that little bubble. ( not really)

But the Biden mal-Administration would have everyone believe that they've conquered this clean energy hill with this announcement. That's where the hype is.

Beside the likelihood of it not being really "clean energy", the thing is monumentally impractical. The device is the size of a stadium, yet produces only enough net energy to make a cup of coffee, perhaps. Let's not get too excited. There is a LONG way to go to make a commercial device. That is, with this approach. My impression is that it isn't EVER going to produce a practical device because it needs to be much, much more compact.

There are better approaches than this, in other words. They got a scientific coup, but that is all.

Griner-Bout trade gets curiouser and curiouser

 



1) Very odd Victor Bout arms merchant statment

2) James Carville on swap



Comments upon links:

With respect to link #1, it would seem that the Russians see an opportunity to look for sympathy along racial lines. Although it DOES seem like the wokesters are on a crusade against the purportedly Christian Russian nation, it doesn't mean that we should join them. As I've written all along on this, it is not our fight. We shouldn't have anything to do with this. That is not based upon racial lines, but I would bet that the wokesters LOVE the idea of whitey fighting whitey. I know I've seen it on the web that certain Muslim nations would like Russia and the USA to destroy each other. We don't need Russia for that, though. We are doing it well enough on our own.

The James Carville reference in link #2 pretty much cements the idea. The left runs the government on the basis that the purpose of government is to divvy out the goodies on the basis of political support. Therefore, if you criticize the deal, it is only because you would prefer that it go to the white dude. Well, that would be a rather jaundiced view of race relations in this country. Number one, if such a deal were made on that basis, the Democrats would go insane. They might even have a legal case, as it is in the law based upon non-discrimination on the basis of race ( and other things that are getting added to the list of aggrieved groups). Nobody would do it overtly on the basis of race, except Democrats, because that is where their bread is buttered. Number two is that there is a basis for concern on the basis that this guy is an "arms-merchant to terrorists". This label was applied by the Obama Administration. So, maybe they are saying it sotto-voce, that the guy isn't so dangerous after all. Or that they don't care even if he is. Is he dangerous or not? It is "their words". Now they are refuting their own words. It must be okay then, to endanger the country in favor of their pet groups. If you disagree, it is only because you are a bigot. At least, according to Carville and Co.

Somewhere in this lies the problem in this country today. It's all about me, me, me. Nobody can say anything against "me", because I am going to be offended. Lord help anybody that offends "me". The country cannot endure it. /sarc

But we CAN endure terrorist acts because "shut up".