Bitchin' Dave's Newsletter - August 22

   

August 22, 2023 Insights, news, ramblings, and other serious nonsense from Dave

Dave’s Musings

I have been away for a few weeks, but I did keep up with the news - particularly as it relates to the weather. Hurricanes in California? Fire in Maui? Tornadoes, wildfires, extreme heat> They all showed up as very real threats.

I heard someone say this will be the coolest summer for the rest of our lives, and that hit home. We need to appreciate that climate change is happening around us, is a real and present danger.

And not to belabor the point, but its time for all of us to do more. As they say "think globally, act locally" - surely there are little things we can do to help.

  

During the Obama administration, he proposed sending humans to an asteroid to study it. The notion wasn't taken to seriously, and references to the movie "Armageddon." But now, it would seem that the Near Earth Asteroid project is getting renewed attention, and there is a possible plan to launch astronauts to an asteroid to conduct scientific research in order to better understand them and perhaps prevent a cataclysmic event in the future. NEA project

Here's a link to a cool article about Zenith's (remember them?) revolutionary space command remote control, which was a mechanical marvel. No batteries, no infra red, no wires! This device relied on a series of ultrasonic sounds that were created when the buttons were pressed. A receiver on the TV could receive the signal and act on it. Quite the cool - and simple - technology! The Verge - Zenith Space Command

While we've gotten used to (?) seeing Disney World close due to hurricanes over the years, it was weird this week when DisneyLand closed due to a storm. In fact, it was unusual to see DisneyLand close at all. It has only been closed three times in its history: after the death of JFK in November 1963, after an earthquake in January 1994, and after 9/11 back in 2001. By the way, hurricanes are a bit unusual in southern California. The last one was recorded over 80 years ago!

Here's an intriguing article about deeper study of enslaved individuals. They collected DNA from a group that was buried near an old iron works. The Smithsonian researchers learned where they came from, how they were related, and managed to track down their descendants. It starts a process of understanding our own history and owning up to the realities of our own past. Reuters Article

One Little Spark …  … for your imagination

There was an interesting case presented in Montana: a group of youths sued the state for not providing a clean environment, as required by the state constitution. 

The state didn't put up much of a defense, and said that no matter the outcome they had no plans to change anything.

But the youths won, with the court noting that the states environmental policy violated their right to a clean environment.  The state (naturally) said they will appeal.

Here's the key takeaway: after Parkland there was a notion that "the kids will win," and here we are.  The kids are seizing the day and winning.

Other than that, we can see how a small group can challenge the status quo and do something bigger and bolder. 

Read more here: https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/montana-youths-win-climate-lawsuit-fossil-fuels/story?id=102260674

Dave’s latest video

I don't have a new video this week, but one popular video from the archive is all about the Ft. Wilderness Railroad. https://youtu.be/WDqr6MQWSeI

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