leicsmac

Further to the above: The background extinction rate of species over the last few thousand years is actually higher than any other mass extinction event in history. Higher even than in the aftermath of the asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs. Either that is a ridiculous coincidence that it is happening just as human industry skyrockets... or our species is directly responsible, through many mechanisms, for it.

Newton had an incredible mind - one that is only seen once every few centuries. But he was also exactly as you say socially and I do think it highlights my point that some of the greatest minds ever didn't possess much of what some folks would call "common sense" - yet the world is s much much better place for them being here.

Firstly, thank you for asking me directly. Secondly, putting aside the particular audience this professor is addressing and his links to fossil fuel industries, the answer is no, he's not speaking any truth because he's not substantiating it in a way that can be reviewed by his peers - as any reputable scientist would. I've said this before but I'll say it again - beware mavericks swimming against the tide, they're almost always swimming against it for a reason. And even if there wasn't a much certainty about human emissions causing climate change as there is, it would still be foolhardy to dismiss it as a problem because of the sheer scale of the consequences it could engender. The magnitude of bad it can deliver demands attention. It is a betrayal of future generations to treat this issue the way this man does. But then CPAC all over the world have never been about anything other than short term self interest.

I think that's extremely situation dependent. Some of the greatest discoveries that have advanced humanity in the greatest ways were discovered by folks who had the square sum of naff all common sense. Newton being one big example. NB. Of course, it often then takes common sense to apply those discoveries in a positive way.

Shows what I know Seems to be that he can't yet string a few great performances together in a row in a single night.

You'd think he has to get that maiden win tonight.

If they can't demonstrate the safety capability of Starship for landings within the year, then yeah, it's going to keep getting pushed back. Which is rather dispiriting.

Sadly not, looks to be that the ship was lost. Still, it's continual improvement that is being demonstrated. Here's hoping they go still further next time!

Yeah, looks like telemetry has been lost. Could be just re-entry blackout, could be that it broke up or was blown up.

First stage (Super Heavy) probably didn't make it to soft splashdown, but second stage (Starship) safely up there. Bring it down safely and this will have been a pretty successful day!

Stage separation good, all nominal so far.

Cleared tower and away!

Third time's the charm, hopefully?

Poor guy. I hope he gets the time he needs to grieve, and then comes back in the summer.

I said this before, but my only minor gripe is that the actor playing Alvito looks a mite young for the character. But that's a proper minor gripe and he does a great job anyway. I always loved the line "I am your enemy. Completely. But not your assassin. That you will do yourself."

I'm so glad that they're doing the book justice, superb.

Christopher Chope, again. Pretty much everything the future shouldn't be in one representative of Parliament.

It is an interesting concept, and every little bit helps.

I think that the detection tech will naturally follow as there is a natural demand for it - so you'll get the classic tech arms race as creators of deepfakes and detectors of them compete against each other. But it is still such a nascent market and with far too many possible consequences, both intended and unintended, which is scary to anyone smart in the know. A possible solution, but noisy and liable to cause comment.

They had them 80-5, too. In home conditions and with a decent pace attack, when you're defending 281 you really should be getting the job done there.

Thanks for asking! No real hits as yet, but keeping plugging at it.

Interesting - if rather disconcerting - feature on the BBC programme Click regarding deepfakes. The tech is moving much faster than our moral application of it and it is being gleefully seized upon by horrible powermongers to control and gain more power for themselves. Not sure what the solution is, either.

That last attack earned the win by itself. Excellently done.

Piss poor decision to kick for 3 points there, far too chancy.

That and a rather finicky ref.