Technology, Science and the Environment.

[Dahnsouff]

6 hours ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52530828

 

Some good news!

Very good news, but some of the comments 

Long since failed to see the point of HYS when its filled with bilge

[leicsmac]

3 hours ago, Dahnsouff said:

Very good news, but some of the comments 

Long since failed to see the point of HYS when its filled with bilge

I consider not reading the comments on such articles self care, to be honest, so I haven't. But let me guess: lots of edgy "humans are the real plane" wannabe nihilists there?

[Dahnsouff]

37 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I consider not reading the comments on such articles self care, to be honest, so I haven't. But let me guess: lots of edgy "humans are the real plane" wannabe nihilists there?

Pretty much, the only aim being no matter which way the river flows, paddle against it.

[davieG]

Facebook is teaming up with telecoms companies to build a 37,000km (23,000-mile) undersea cable to supply faster internet to 16 countries in Africa.

Its length - almost equal to the circumference of the Earth - will make it one of the longest, it said.

It is part of a long-running bid by Facebook to take its social media platform to Africa's young population.

Ready for use by 2024, it will deliver three times the capacity of all current undersea cables serving Africa.

"When completed, this new route will deliver much-needed internet capacity, redundancy, and reliability across Africa, supplement a rapidly increasing demand for capacity in the Middle East, and support further growth of 4G, 5G, and broadband access for hundreds of millions of people," said Facebook in a blog.

Africa lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to internet access, with four in 10 people across the continent having access to the web, compared with a global average of six in 10.

But the continent represents huge opportunities for technology firms and businesses with its population of 1.3 billion.

The cost of the 2Africa project - which will connect Europe and the Middle East to the continent - has not been disclosed but Bloomberg reported it could be close to $1bn (£820m).

The cable will run around the whole of Africa - at 37,000km it will be just shy of the Earth's 40,000km circumference

 

Sub-sea cables carry the vast majority of the world's inter-continental data. They can handle much more data and offer faster transmission at a lower cost compared with other methods.

The cable - which will be built by Nokia Oyj's Alcatel Submarine Networks - will run along the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

It will be buried deeper than previous systems for greater protection against external damage from things such as ships' anchors.

The fibre-optic cables will have double the capacity of older ones, making use of Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM1) technology.

Facebook is teaming up with Johannesburg-based MTN Group, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone and Orange SA.

Vodafone said it would pave the way for developing digital businesses on the continent.

"We need to ensure that there is enough internet capacity to not only get people online, but to help build a modern digital society that includes services that require a large amount of data transfer, such as cloud computing or video," said Nick Gliddon, director of Vodafone Carrier Services.

As well as helping businesses, it will also improve healthcare and education, he added.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52676253

[WigstonWanderer]

On 24/04/2020 at 15:41, ozleicester said:

Possibly the most depressing movie ive ever watched.

The deniers will love it.

 

 

I also found this depressing, particularly as it touched on several issues I had also considered might be relevant. Nevertheless, I found this rebuttal that I thought you might be interested in.

 

 

I dunno

[ozleicester]

9 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

I also found this depressing, particularly as it touched on several issues I had also considered might be relevant. Nevertheless, I found this rebuttal that I thought you might be interested in.

 

 

I dunno

Cheers, there are MANY  very good rebuttals that show many flaws with the MM movie. (eg 10 year old footage etc.)

While i agree with many of the ideas and concerns in the MM movie, his attack on the people fighting for change, based on outdated information was a great disappointment.

[leicsmac]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52740857

 

Good stuff!

[leicsmac]

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52788432

 

The era of manned private spaceflight - even if right now it's "merely" a taxi service - is about to begin.

[The Bear]

I'm hoping I remember on Wed so I can watch the launch. 

[ozleicester]

Working a little ways north today, so took the opportunity to visit one of my favourite places in the world.

The Nambung National park (Pinnacles)

 

[MC Prussian]

On 20/05/2020 at 16:35, WigstonWanderer said:

I also found this depressing, particularly as it touched on several issues I had also considered might be relevant. Nevertheless, I found this rebuttal that I thought you might be interested in.

 

 

I dunno

If climate change is indeed the result of consumption, as Monbiot suggests... Well, where does that increase in consumption stem from?

Exactly, an increase in population. More people want more stuff.

Monbiot contradicts himself even more: The global population may have increased at a rate smaller than consumption since 1963, but that still means more people want more stuff.

It means on average, we have become more wealthy, more prosperous and are thus able to consume more or more expensive items than ever before, all over the world.

Global poverty rate has come down from 36 to 10 percent in the space of 25 years (1990 to 2015).

That is a price we pay for progress and prosperity.

Climate change isn't just a thing since 1963, we've had industrialization kicking it all off in the late 18th/early 19th century, think of all the dirt we let mix with air for 200 years or so before 1963 - without filter, with little legislation against it.

We can't just ignore these 200 years prior and say it didn't have an impact.

We all know climate doesn't change in between today and tomorrow. There are massive ecological systems and planetary influences involved.

 

So, the population die-off may sound harsh, and I don't see it as the sole solution, but it is one possibility for the system to be corrected again.

As mentioned before, global population is said to start to decline by 2050, anyway.

 

And the racism card, really? "White people" vs. "the others"... Oh, dear. It just happens to be that the drivers of the industrialization were mainly - but not exclusively - white. Rich? That's open for debate. What about all the impoverished inventors who did gain little to no money from their ideas?

Totally glossing over the fact that the population in the Western World is becoming more and more diverse... We are all part of that consumption and production culture, not just "white people".

No word on the increase in pollution in China or India? Or where the most polluted rivers are to be found? Africa, India and China mostly.

 

And birth rates in Africa or parts of Asia or the Near East (Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan) are still (way) above those in Europe or most of the Americas. It's just statistics, nothing to do with racism.

 

I think Monbiot is very populist, ignorant and simplistic here - just as much as Michael Moore. And that is not helping the discussion at all.

Just as he criticizes Moore for a lack of solutions, I don't hear any at all from Monbiot.

Edited 25 May 2020 by MC Prussian

[WigstonWanderer]

@MC Prussian

I don’t really want to get into a long argument about whether the original documentary was racist, or for that matter about the finer details of what either of the videos was trying to convey. For a start it was more than a couple of days ago when I watched them and my poor old memory isn’t what it was, and secondly I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject of population growth. I have very mixed feelings on that subject myself.

 

The reason I posted the second documentary was that I found the first one very depressing and was somewhat comforted to find an opposing view that I thought was interesting.

 

I do know from personal experience that the first world has presided over a massive increase in the use and exploitation of natural resources, much of it priced artificially cheaply by treating the environment as of zero cost. When I compare the “make do and mend” philosophy of my parents (in which virtually everything was recycled or fixed until it disintegrated to dust) with today’s throw away society, it is quite clear that population growth isn’t the only driver.

Edited 25 May 2020 by WigstonWanderer

[davieG]

25 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

When I compare the “make do and mend” philosophy of my parents (in which virtually everything was recycled or fixed until it disintegrated to dust) with today’s throw away society, it is quite clear that population growth isn’t the only driver.

I find this particularly frustrating, even wanting to 'make do and mend' it's nigh on impossible with things designed not to be taken apart and even when it looks likely the spare part costs more than buying a complete replacement as in my all in one printer which was still a current model.

[WigstonWanderer]

7 minutes ago, davieG said:

I find this particularly frustrating, even wanting to 'make do and mend' it's nigh on impossible with things designed not to be taken apart and even when it looks likely the spare part costs more than buying a complete replacement as in my all in one printer which was still a current model.

Things are going to get much worse as well unless there’s a concerted attempt to legislate worldwide. Virtually everything now is software/firmware controlled, from your iPhone to your car. This pretty much gives manufacturers the ability to obsolete perfectly good equipment whenever it suits them.
 

Yesterday I caught the tail end of a documentary article about a farmer that had resorted to using a really old tractor in place of newer equipment because it gave him the ability to service it himself - impossible to do with newer computer controlled equipment that was entirely dependent on the manufacturer for service.

 

Gone are the days when you can strip down and fix your old moggy thou.

[davieG]

20 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Things are going to get much worse as well unless there’s a concerted attempt to legislate worldwide. Virtually everything now is software/firmware controlled, from your iPhone to your car. This pretty much gives manufacturers the ability to obsolete perfectly good equipment whenever it suits them.
 

Yesterday I caught the tail end of a documentary article about a farmer that had resorted to using a really old tractor in place of newer equipment because it gave him the ability to service it himself - impossible to do with newer computer controlled equipment that was entirely dependent on the manufacturer for service.

 

Gone are the days when you can strip down and fix your old moggy thou.

I’ve spent hours in the past taking the head off an engine stripping down the carburettor, tuning the whole thing, replace brakes and gearboxes.

 

As a mechanical engineering designer I also worked at company that employed electronic and software engineers and between us designed and built an electronic ignition which we all fitted to our cars long before they were standard.

 

So am guilty of designing stuff I complain about all driven by reducing manufacturing costs.

[MC Prussian]

11 hours ago, WigstonWanderer said:

@MC Prussian

I don’t really want to get into a long argument about whether the original documentary was racist, or for that matter about the finer details of what either of the videos was trying to convey. For a start it was more than a couple of days ago when I watched them and my poor old memory isn’t what it was, and secondly I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject of population growth. I have very mixed feelings on that subject myself.

 

The reason I posted the second documentary was that I found the first one very depressing and was somewhat comforted to find an opposing view that I thought was interesting.

 

I do know from personal experience that the first world has presided over a massive increase in the use and exploitation of natural resources, much of it priced artificially cheaply by treating the environment as of zero cost. When I compare the “make do and mend” philosophy of my parents (in which virtually everything was recycled or fixed until it disintegrated to dust) with today’s throw away society, it is quite clear that population growth isn’t the only driver.

Monbiot's cheap "racism" card wasn't aimed at the documentary, but his perception of recent history. That's how I understand it.

Some people have always exploited others in some shape or form for various reasons, the world was a much darker place some hundred years ago - until the end of WWII, one may argue. Since then, and on the whole, it's been one magical growth ride.

It's clear that it comes with its costs, especially when previously under-developed countries start to play catch-up with Western counterparts, as is/was the case with, let's say, India, China, Nigeria, Brazil.

 

I think we unfortunately live in time and age where sensationalism trumps reason. And the climate change discussion is currently just the newest demonstration of that. Neither side is fully ingenious here, Moore has to sell a product and Monbiot can't lose his sponsors. Both have their respective fanbase. I used to like Moore a lot because I remember him from his "Roger & Me" days, where you could sense a tangible pride in unions (not that I'm much of a leftie, but there was the spirit). He's aged and lost a lot of his drive and edge over the years.

One could call both of them sell-outs.

 

I agree that there needs to be a return to a more sensible approach to consumerism. I, for my part, try to abstain from buying the newest smartphone or too many new clothes on a regular basis, I've had the same wristwatch for years and keep having it repaired in case of troubles. I have holes in my pants repaired by a lady tailor. I don't have a car (because public transportation is reliable and relatively inexpensive) and I live cheaply cost-wise, but nicely. I don't need expensive holidays every quarter and I'm not keen on flying long distances too often (it's been more than a decade). I try to buy regional or biologically-produced food and try to keep the amount of waste down. I don't define myself through my possessions and I find luxury in some of the most common of things.

Edited 26 May 2020 by MC Prussian

[WigstonWanderer]

5 hours ago, davieG said:

I’ve spent hours in the past taking the head off an engine stripping down the carburettor, tuning the whole thing, replace brakes and gearboxes.

 

As a mechanical engineering designer I also worked at company that employed electronic and software engineers and between us designed and built an electronic ignition which we all fitted to our cars long before they were standard.

 

So am guilty of designing stuff I complain about all driven by reducing manufacturing costs.

I’ve no problem with software controlled stuff in principle, it has lead to huge advances (my own career was in the IT industry), but the current trend allowing manufacturers to aggressively control their products needs to be curtailed by strong consumer protection laws to avoid another environmental catastrophe in my opinion. The appalling situation with inkjet printers is otherwise likely to be the tip of the iceberg.

 

Sounds like an interesting career. Mine ended up rather dull and often stressful, and I was glad to get out of the office. I now work from home, semi retired, fixing people’s computers. I do get some satisfaction out of prolonging the life of equipment that would otherwise end up being scrapped. In an age when manufacturers seem to expect people to change their smart phones every couple of years, many 10 year old PCs and even some laptops can still be made to run perfectly well with the right treatment.

 

 

Edited 26 May 2020 by WigstonWanderer

[WigstonWanderer]

4 hours ago, MC Prussian said:

I agree that there needs to be a return to a more sensible approach to consumerism. I, for my part, try to abstain from buying the newest smartphone or too many new clothes on a regular basis, I've had the same wristwatch for years and keep having it repaired in case of troubles. I have holes in my pants repaired by a lady tailor. I don't have a car (because public transportation is reliable and relatively inexpensive) and I live cheaply cost-wise, but nicely. I don't need expensive holidays every quarter and I'm not keen on flying long distances too often (it's been more than a decade). I try to buy regional or biologically-produced food and try to keep the amount of waste down. I don't define myself through my possessions and I find luxury in some of the most common of things.

That’s probably about all we can do as individuals.

[leicsmac]

Built-in or at-will obsolescence is just one way that the idea of pursuing short-term quick gain over long-term stability and growth manifests itself.

 

That idea - that the future or people beyond one's line of sight somehow do not matter - and the various ways that presents itself all over the world, is the real problem. Unfortunately there's not much of a solution to that forthcoming so long as the belief persists that humans are "hardwired" beyond certain very specific situations and use that as an excuse for the status quo to proceed.

 

NB, Population arguments are something that do need to be brought to the table but there's also zero doubt that such arguments have also been co-opted by groups that are nothing more than eco-fascist for their own purposes.

[Dahnsouff]

Stop chasing the new, embrace and cherish what we have right now. Such things are the ideal in my mind, and it can apply not just to friends and family, but to possessions also.

Bur, and it’s a big one, changing people’s mindset collectively on such things is both difficult and takes at least one generation, probably more.

[leicsmac]

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52808103

 

Not telling us much we don't already know, but the message has to be clear: the Holocene Extinction Event is already happening, and humans are the cause.

[stripeyfox]

Rocket launch tonight! scheduled for around 9.30pm (UK time) I think

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52809664

 

American space agency (Nasa) astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will create a piece of history on Wednesday when they launch from the Florida coast.

The pair's trip to the International Space Station (ISS) will be made in a rocket and capsule system provided by a private company, SpaceX.

Nasa has traditionally always owned and operated its space vehicles.

But that is a capability it gave up in 2011 when it retired the last of the space shuttles.

The agency now wants to contract out all future crew transportation to low-Earth orbit to the commercial sector.

And assuming Wednesday's flight goes well, this new way of working will be implemented in full.

"We're starting a new era in space; it's an era when space is going to be available to more people than ever before," explained Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

"We envision a future where low-Earth orbit is entirely commercialised, where Nasa is one customer among many customers, and where we have many providers competing on cost, on innovation and safety."

• Astronauts complete rehearsal for historic launch
• Who are Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken?
• Why is this particular mission so important?

SpaceX regularly puts satellites into orbit but this is the first time it will have taken people above the atmosphere.

Hurley's and Behnken's lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 16:33 local time (20:33 GMT / 21:33).

Their ascent to orbit should take a little under nine minutes. A series of further manoeuvres will see the men's capsule dock with the ISS on Thursday at 15:29 GMT (16:29 BST).

It's unclear at the moment how long they'll spend on the orbiting outpost before coming home, but it's likely to be just short of four months.

Image copyrightNASA Image captionExperience: Doug Hurley (L) and Bob Behnken (R) have flown to space twice before

Anyone who remembers how the shuttles were launched and tunes in to see the SpaceX lift-off will witness a very different type of event. All the details have had a thoroughly modern make-over.

The astronauts now wear sleek, white pressure suits; they make their way to the pad in one of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's electric cars; and they sit in their capsule behind a touchscreen display.

But if it looks flash on the surface, Nasa has insisted through a nine-year development programme that all the engineering detail underneath is second to none.

"The end certification process is the same as it's always been," observed Garret Reisman, a former Nasa astronaut and consultant to SpaceX.

"Nasa has been extremely rigorous in making sure that all the requirements are met, all the safety levels are where they should be, and all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed.

"It's because of this process, as long and as arduous as it has been, I'm confident my friends Bob and Doug are going to be okay," he told BBC News.

Hurley and Behnken were chosen for this mission in part because of their experience. Both have flown to space twice before. Hurley was actually the pilot on that very last shuttle outing.

The run-up to the launch has had to contend with the coronavirus crisis, of course. This hasn't made a massive difference to the astronauts' preparations.

They would ordinarily go into quarantine prior to a mission anyway, to ensure they carry no illnesses up to the space station.

Nasa has, though, made a special effort to limit the number of people allowed to come into contact with them. And everyone, including Hurley and Behnken, have been subjected to regular Covid-19 testing.

"It's been relatively normal," Hurley said. "After all these years, we're kinda just used to all the poking and prodding and blood draws that come with all the other things that go with flying into space."

 

[SpacedX]

There is a 60% chance of disruption due to the weather. A friend in Miami, albeit 189 miles from the Cape, was telling me that they had 7 inches of rain in 48 hours over the weekend. The concern is wind shear and very thick cumulus masses - really wouldn't want to launch into a thunderstorm again. 

 

If they do go, since Dragon is chasing the ISS, it's orbital inclination will mean that it passes over the South West of the UK, so assuming the skies are clear tonight (which is the forecast), it should be visible about twenty minutes after launch. 

 

If the SLS/Orion project ever gets off the ground, I intend to be there. 

[ozleicester]

Pretty sure Cummings will be driving.

[stripeyfox]

25 minutes ago, ozleicester said:

Pretty sure Cummings will be driving.

yes, but only to test his eyesight....