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davieG

Technology, Science and the Environment.

By davieG, in General Chat

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The Bear

The Bear

Posted
Posted (edited)

I love this sort of stuff. 

 

I recommend checking out Neil DeGrasse Tyson and his Startalk podcast. Mainly his Cosmic Queries episodes, as he has science guests on and answers all sorts of these sorts of questions and theories from the public, but in a really easy and understandable way. The presenter is always a comedian that acts as the layman in the conversation which helps with understanding it too. NdGT is a really good science communicator. Definitely recommended. 

 

https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-bits-of-spacetime-with-janna-levin/

 

Edited by The Bear
  • Like 2
WigstonWanderer

WigstonWanderer

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, The Bear said:

I love this sort of stuff. 

 

I recommend checking out Neil DeGrasse Tyson and his Startalk podcast. Mainly his Cosmic Queries episodes, as he has science guests on and answers all sorts of these sorts of questions and theories from the public, but in a really easy and understandable way. The presenter is always a comedian that acts as the layman in the conversation which helps with understanding it too. NdGT is a really good science communicator. Definitely recommended. 

 

https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-bits-of-spacetime-with-janna-levin/

 

If anyone wants something a bit more challenging that gives something of the mathematical flavour behind many of the topics in physics, I can recommend Leonard Susskind’s lecture series. I worked my way through several of them about 12 years ago, and you start to feel as if you’ve got a bit more of an insight compared with the usual Discovery type stuff. Unfortunately most of it has now deserted my aging mind but I still look back on that as a period where I really learned something at the time.

 

I assume the series are still on YouTube or somewhere. Doubt whether he’s still producing new stuff.

 

Edit:

 

 

Edited by WigstonWanderer
  • Like 1
davieG

davieG

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i never know if these posts are real, I've not seen this anywhere else.

 

May be an image of 2 people, scooter, motorcycle and text

 

Southend Airport Travel  · 

Follow
Musks: "I Am Releasing $1000 Tesla E-Bike Today!"
Musks's revolutionary announcement of the $1,000 Tesla E-Bike, which has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Tesla, famed for pushing the boundaries in the automotive and energy industries, is now entering the electric bike industry with a model that promises to revolutionise urban travel. This Tesla E-Bike, priced at $1,000, defies industry norms and puts competitors such as Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and BMW on notice, forcing them to respond. Musk's ambition for a greener, more efficient method of transportation is obvious, and the E-Bike may be the future of commuting.
As Tesla enters the electric bike business, existing players face stiff competition. Brands such as Specialised and Trek, who have long controlled the e-bike market, must now compete with Tesla's advanced technology and unbelievable price. The Tesla E-Bike's sleek form and high-tech features distinguish it from competitors, using Tesla's cutting-edge battery technology and environmentally beneficial technologies. In the video, we also look at how this new addition may affect the larger electric vehicle market, including companies like Rad Power Bikes, as well as the long-term viability of sustainable mobility.
davieG

davieG

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hydrogen looking more like the future of general transport

 

May be an image of windmill and text

Myshify  · 

 
Airbus and Toshiba are joining forces to develop a superconducting motor for hydrogen-powered aircraft. By using liquid hydrogen as both fuel and coolant, this collaboration aims to create lighter, more efficient propulsion systems, potentially transforming the future of emission-free aviation.
leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted

I remember that people on the US election thread were inferring that what Trump got up to last time "wasn't that bad" ecologically and "the world didn't end".

 

Well, someone elsewhere was kind enough to put together a rather exhaustive list of what his administration got up to last time.

 

I invite those involved to discuss and/or defend, if they wish.

 

From 2017 to 2021, the Trump administration reversed over 100 environmental regulations, affecting climate policy, air, water, wildlife, and chemical safety. Additionally, more than a dozen other rollbacks were in progress but not finalized by the end of the term, prompting questions about the potential impact of another four years. You might wonder what another four years could look like. Here's a summary of Trumps last four years in office:


- Weakened fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards.
- Revoked California's stricter emissions standards.
- Withdrawn legal basis for limiting mercury from coal plants.
- Exited the Paris climate agreement.
- Altered Clean Air Act cost-benefit analysis methods.
- Canceled methane emissions reporting for oil and gas companies.
- Revised rules on methane emissions from drilling on public lands.
- Eliminated methane standards for oil and gas facilities.
- Withdrew rule limiting toxic emissions from industrial polluters.
- Eased pollution safeguards for new power plants.
- Changed refinery pollution monitoring rules.
- Reversed emissions reduction during power plant malfunctions.
- Weakened air pollution rules for national parks and wilderness areas.
- Loosened state air pollution plan oversight.
- Established minimum threshold for regulating greenhouse gases.
- Relaxed pollution regulations for waste coal plants.
- Repealed hydrofluorocarbon leak and venting rules.
- Ended use of social cost of carbon in rulemaking.
- Allowed increased ozone pollution from upwind states.
- Stopped including greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews.
- Revoked federal greenhouse gas reduction goal.
- Repealed tailpipe emissions tracking on federal highways.
- Lifted ban on higher ethanol gasoline blends in summer.
- Extended deadlines for methane emissions plans for landfills.
- Withdrew rule reducing pollutants at sewage plants.
- Dropped tighter pollution standards for offshore oil and gas.
- Amended emissions standards for ceramics manufacturers.
- Relaxed leak monitoring at oil and gas facilities.
- Cut two national monuments in Utah.
- Ended freeze on new coal leases on public lands.
- Permitted oil and gas development in Arctic Refuge.
- Opened land for drilling in National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska.
- Lifted ban on logging in Tongass National Forest.
- Approved Dakota Access pipeline near Sioux reservation.
- Rescinded water pollution rules for fracking.
- Withdrawn rig decommissioning cost proof requirement.
- Moved cross-border project permits to presidential office.
- Altered FERC's greenhouse gas considerations in pipelines.
- Revised ocean and coastal water policy.
- Loosened offshore drilling safety regulations post-Deepwater Horizon.
- Weakened National Environmental Policy Act.
- Revoked flood standards for federal projects.
- Eased federal infrastructure project environmental reviews.
- Ended financing for overseas coal plants.
- Revoked directive to minimize natural resource impacts.
- Revoked climate resilience order for Bering Sea.
- Reversed public land-use planning update.
- Withdrawn climate change consideration in national park management.
- Limited environmental study length and page count.
- Dropped Obama-era climate change and conservation policies.
- Eliminated planning system to minimize oil and gas harm on sensitive lands.
- Withdrawn policies for improving resources affected by federal projects.
- Revised Forest Service project review process.
- Ended natural gas project environmental impact reviews.
- Rolled back migratory bird protections.
- Reduced habitat for northern spotted owl.
- Altered Endangered Species Act application.
- Weakened habitat protections under the Endangered Species Act.
- Ended automatic protections for threatened species.
- Reduced environmental protections for California salmon and smelt.
- Removed gray wolf from endangered list.
- Overturned bans on lead ammo and fishing tackle on federal lands.
- Reversed ban on predator hunting in Alaskan refuges.
- Reversed rule against baiting grizzly bears for hunting.
- Amended fishing regulations.
- Removed commercial fishing restrictions in marine preserve.
- Proposed changes to endangered marine mammal injury limits.
- Loosened fishing restrictions for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna.
- Overturned migratory bird handicrafts ban.
- Reduced Clean Water Act protections for tributaries and wetlands.
- Revoked stream debris dumping rule for coal companies.
- Weakened toxic discharge limits for power plants.
- Extended lead pipe removal time in water systems.
- Eased Clean Water Act for federal project permits over state objections.
- Allowed unlined coal ash ponds to continue operating.
- Withdrawn groundwater protections for uranium mines.
- Rejected chlorpyrifos pesticide ban.
- Declined financial responsibility rules for spills and accidents.
- Opted against requiring mining industry pollution cleanup proof.
- Narrowed toxic chemical safety assessment scope.
- Reversed braking system upgrades for hazardous material trains.
- Allowed liquefied natural gas rail transport.
- Rolled back hazardous chemical site safety rules.
- Narrowed pesticide application buffer zones.
- Removed copper filter cake from hazardous waste list.
- Limited use of scientific studies in public health regulations.
- Reduced corporate settlement funding for environmental projects.
- Repealed light bulb energy-efficiency regulation.
- Weakened dishwasher efficiency standards.
- Loosened efficiency standards for showerheads and appliances.
- Altered energy efficiency standard-setting process.
- Blocked efficiency standards for furnaces and water heaters.
- Simplified appliance efficiency test exemption process.
- Limited environmentally focused investments in 401(k) plans.
- Changed policy on using sand from protected ecosystems.
- Halted contributions to the Green Climate Fund.
- Reversed national park plastic bottle sale restrictions.

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leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

Just watched a Bobby Kennedy Jr speech on YouTube. 

 

Really Interesting stuff. I was led to believe he was a crank. Didn't sound it to me. 

Anyone can sound convincing on a YouTube video. (As opposed, say, you the peer review process.)

 

That's part of the reason measles has made a comeback in kids.

 

  • Like 1
Paninistickers

Paninistickers

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Anyone can sound convincing on a YouTube video. (As opposed, say, you the peer review process.)

 

That's part of the reason measles has made a comeback in kids.

 

He wasn't pretending to be a scientist though. As 99% of us aren't either. He was speaking as a punter and essentially campaigning for informed choice on issues such as agriculture, healthcare (addressing the causes of modern day chronic illnesses)  and the environment.

 

Seems reasonable to me..

 

  • Haha 1
leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted
Just now, Paninistickers said:

He wasn't pretending to be a scientist though. As 99% of us aren't either. He was speaking as a punter and essentially campaigning for informed choice on issues such as agriculture, healthcare (addressing the causes of modern day chronic illnesses)  and the environment.

 

Seems reasonable to me..

 

If the US then adopts a healthcare system that isn't "be rich or drop dead poor" at his behest and actually stands to address the rather long list of environmental issues above that Trump was responsible for, then I'll agree on the reasonable part.

 

NB. Informed choice is great, but it sits rather depend on where the informing comes from.

Paninistickers

Paninistickers

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, leicsmac said:

If the US then adopts a healthcare system that isn't "be rich or drop dead poor" at his behest and actually stands to address the rather long list of environmental issues above that Trump was responsible for, then I'll agree on the reasonable part.

 

NB. Informed choice is great, but it sits rather depend on where the informing comes from.

Was kinda his point too. He seemed to be saying that an awful lot of the info to make informed choice comes direct from big pharma. 

 

You only have to spend 10 mins in a US Hotel room watching telly to be amazed at the number of ads telling you to go to your doctor and demand a drug for a condition you didn't know you had. 

 

 

leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

Was kinda his point too. He seemed to be saying that an awful lot of the info to make informed choice comes direct from big pharma. 

 

You only have to spend 10 mins in a US Hotel room watching telly to be amazed at the number of ads telling you to go to your doctor and demand a drug for a condition you didn't know you had. 

 

 

There's no denying the influence of the pharmaceutical industry over there.

 

However, there must be a way to change things around on that score without breeding a lack of trust in medication needed to prevent massive health crises.

 

NB. An individualistic approach to environmental matters will only end in disaster, that's obvious.

Paninistickers

Paninistickers

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

There's no denying the influence of the pharmaceutical industry over there.

 

However, there must be a way to change things around on that score without breeding a lack of trust in medication needed to prevent massive health crises.

 

NB. An individualistic approach to environmental matters will only end in disaster, that's obvious.

You are a clever dude. And far more educated on these things than me. I speak as a punter, as RFK jnr did..

 

And he didn't come across as a crank. He felt his democratic party had given up on the working man and woman to concentrate on wokeness. That he didn't like foods being pumped full of chemical shit. That he doesn't like big pharma spewing out one sided views that, surprise surprise, generally conclude that we must  buy their shite. 

leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Paninistickers said:

You are a clever dude. And far more educated on these things than me. I speak as a punter, as RFK jnr did..

 

And he didn't come across as a crank. He felt his democratic party had given up on the working man and woman to concentrate on wokeness. That he didn't like foods being pumped full of chemical shit. That he doesn't like big pharma spewing out one sided views that, surprise surprise, generally conclude that we must  buy their shite. 

I'm not going to say that he's wrong out of hand, but then I think it's far too early to say his course of action to address those concerns is right, either.

 

I guess time will tell.

Daggers

Daggers

Posted
Posted
On 07/11/2024 at 09:16, davieG said:

i never know if these posts are real, I've not seen this anywhere else.

 

May be an image of 2 people, scooter, motorcycle and text

 

Southend Airport Travel  · 

Follow
Musks: "I Am Releasing $1000 Tesla E-Bike Today!"
Musks's revolutionary announcement of the $1,000 Tesla E-Bike, which has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Tesla, famed for pushing the boundaries in the automotive and energy industries, is now entering the electric bike industry with a model that promises to revolutionise urban travel. This Tesla E-Bike, priced at $1,000, defies industry norms and puts competitors such as Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and BMW on notice, forcing them to respond. Musk's ambition for a greener, more efficient method of transportation is obvious, and the E-Bike may be the future of commuting.
As Tesla enters the electric bike business, existing players face stiff competition. Brands such as Specialised and Trek, who have long controlled the e-bike market, must now compete with Tesla's advanced technology and unbelievable price. The Tesla E-Bike's sleek form and high-tech features distinguish it from competitors, using Tesla's cutting-edge battery technology and environmentally beneficial technologies. In the video, we also look at how this new addition may affect the larger electric vehicle market, including companies like Rad Power Bikes, as well as the long-term viability of sustainable mobility.

Seems legit. 
 

 

IMG_0045.jpeg

  • Haha 1
Grebfromgrebland

Grebfromgrebland

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, leicsmac said:

If the US then adopts a healthcare system that isn't "be rich or drop dead poor" at his behest and actually stands to address the rather long list of environmental issues above that Trump was responsible for, then I'll agree on the reasonable part.

 

NB. Informed choice is great, but it sits rather depend on where the informing comes from.

The info will be coming from the info that Elon musk wants you to have. 

 

Free speech baby, where lies and cracks have to hold more weight than science and facts. 

 

Try to regulate Elon you might die via indirect measures.

 

 

leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx240l9xq2yo

 

Oil giant Shell has won a landmark case in the Dutch courts, overturning an earlier ruling requiring it to cut its carbon emissions by 45%.

The Hague court of appeal said it could not establish that Shell had a "social standard of care" to reduce its emissions by 45% or any other amount, even though it agreed the company had an obligation to citizens to limit emissions.

 

And it's all good news right now, isn't it?

Dunge

Dunge

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, leicsmac said:

Trumps new pick for the head of the EPA, Lee Zeldin, is about what you'd expect then.

 

https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/lee-zeldin

 

14/100 on environmental/conservation issues.

 

"restore US energy dominance” while "protecting access to clean air and water", is the mantra, apparently. Expect lots of the former and none of the latter.

You can’t possibly look at that name and not have your brain read to you “Led Zeppelin”.

  • Like 1
leicsmac

leicsmac

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, Dunge said:

You can’t possibly look at that name and not have your brain read to you “Led Zeppelin”.

My brain reads much less charitable words, but I see what you mean.

Dahnsouff

Dahnsouff

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx240l9xq2yo

 

Oil giant Shell has won a landmark case in the Dutch courts, overturning an earlier ruling requiring it to cut its carbon emissions by 45%.

The Hague court of appeal said it could not establish that Shell had a "social standard of care" to reduce its emissions by 45% or any other amount, even though it agreed the company had an obligation to citizens to limit emissions.

 

And it's all good news right now, isn't it?

Making hay whilst the sun shines before the class action eats them whole. (Hopefully)

davieG

davieG

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Another oldie.

 

In 1973, a moment captured on 6th Avenue in New York City marked a groundbreaking chapter in the history of communication technology. Jeanne Bauer, accompanied by John Mitchell, the Motorola engineer responsible for the creation of the DynaTAC mobile phone, walked the bustling streets of Manhattan, showcasing the first-ever handheld mobile phone. This iconic event, which took place during the early days of cellular technology, is often considered the birth of the modern mobile phone era.
The DynaTAC, developed by Motorola, was a revolutionary device for its time. Weighing nearly 2.5 pounds and standing about 10 inches tall, it was a far cry from the sleek, pocket-sized phones we know today. However, despite its large size and limited battery life, the DynaTAC represented the future of communication, offering the potential for people to make calls on the go, without relying on landlines. At the time, the phone could only support a 30-minute talk time and took around 10 hours to charge—luxuries that seemed almost unthinkable to many. Nevertheless, it marked the beginning of a massive technological leap that would eventually shape the world of personal communication.
John Mitchell’s role in the development of the DynaTAC was crucial, as he led the engineering team that made the device a reality. Jeanne Bauer’s presence in this historic photograph highlights the importance of these early demonstrations, as they brought mobile technology out of the laboratory and into the public eye. Although it would take another decade for mobile phones to become commercially available, the demonstration of the DynaTAC signaled the arrival of a new era in telecommunications, one that would transform how people connected, shared information, and interacted with the world.
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davieG

davieG

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A bit more history

 

May be an image of 3 people and text

 

The Solvay Conference of 1927, held in Brussels, Belgium, is one of the most iconic gatherings in the history of science. This conference brought together 29 of the world’s brightest minds in physics and chemistry, many of whom would go on to reshape our understanding of the universe. What made this event so remarkable was not just the intellectual prowess of its attendees, but the fact that 17 of them would later win Nobel Prizes, a testament to the groundbreaking work that emerged from their discussions.
At the heart of the 1927 Solvay Conference was the ongoing development of quantum mechanics, a field that was beginning to challenge traditional views of physics. The conference served as a forum for the most influential scientists of the era, including Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Marie Curie. These pioneers were at the forefront of the scientific revolution that would lead to the discovery of the principles of quantum theory, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and the development of modern atomic models.
The discussions at the Solvay Conference were intense, particularly the debates between Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr. Einstein, known for his theories of relativity, famously disagreed with Bohr’s interpretation of quantum mechanics, particularly the idea of indeterminacy, famously stating, "God does not play dice with the universe." These heated exchanges between Einstein and Bohr are now legendary and are often cited as a pivotal moment in the history of physics.
The Solvay Conference of 1927 is often remembered as a defining moment in the history of science, where the groundwork for much of the 20th century's most important discoveries was laid. The conference not only marked a high point in the development of quantum mechanics but also symbolized the collaboration of great minds in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
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