Nikola Tesla

Tesla was an inventor very much ahead of his time. His scientific endeavors went further than anyone - before or since - had gone. 

But his prolific works often were stolen. Amazingly (even for his time) he took it in stride. At some point he said:

"I Don't Care That They Stole My Idea… I Care That They Don't Have Any Of Their Own."

The Seattle Seahawks

On the surface, its kind of bizarre that just after they won the SuperBowl, the Seahawks will be sold.

But there's way more to this story.  Paul Allen bought the team (along with some other sports franchises) many years ago.  More recently, he moved those assets (along with others) into a trust.  His explicit directions via his will and that trust were that his sister, Jody, would serve as the trustee, and these teams would be sold, and all proceeds would be directed to charity.

The NFL has a rule that there must be a single, majority owner.  Trusts, and other ownership arrangements are not allowed.  So it makes sense ... sort of ...

 

Except that Paul Allen died in 2018, you know, like 8 years ago, and the sale still hasn't happened.  And you might ask why?  And the answer is in the team's relationship to the city and state.

When funding was approved for the new stadium for the Seahawks, a clause was written in, that if he sold or moved the team within 25 years, he would owe 10% of the value of the team as a penalty.  That agreement was signed in 1999, which means that it literally just expired.

So now that there is no more penalty hanging over the team, the NFL is "encouraging" the sale. 

And in case you wondered, he bought the team in 1997 for just under $200 million.  Its current value is at its peak, after a SuperBowl win, and is estimated to be around $8 billion.  That's around a 400% increase in value in 30 years.

Mind blown.  Dang.  It must be good to be wealthy.  (I'm half kidding)

More importantly, that money is going to charity, where hopefully it will do some tremendous good.  Hats off to him for thinking about making the world a little better through his investment.  And I'm glad the Seahawks won, in that case, to maximize that benefit.

Watch "The NFL’s Secret Weapon in London Is This Hidden Stadium Tech | WSJ Tech Behind" on YouTube

This is so cool!  And the engineering behind it is amazing. 

https://youtu.be/cnV4JkTGUjo?si=0ea97SjDN1rW18bO

Watch "We Uncovered the Scheme Keeping Grocery Prices High" on YouTube

This is so whacked. It's one way large corporations manage to keep food prices high, and churning out big profits.  

https://youtu.be/odhVF_xLIQA?si=5_fAMgtU_pP7t52Z

What we’re up against…

A few days ago, my wife got a random text from a (now former) friend. 

This friend joined the maga (and maha) cult and at one point, she made it her mission to "convert" my wife. My wife finally had to tell her to stop. And she did. That is, until this text….

She was on some weird tirade about how "Islamists" (code for a form of racism) are taking over parts of the world and it's dangerous, and these were former allies. It had no specific reason, and nothing in the current news cycle suggested anything about the rationale for why she sent it. 

I was giving it some thought, and it feels like this is classic cult behavior. You have to validate why you are there to the people outside, and periodically try and "recruit" people you know to join you through any one of a number of things that might catch their attention. 

In this specific case, it felt like proselytizing. "I must save you (from yourself)."  

And one other thing, she could have replaced the word "Islamist" with the word "black" and turned the clock back 100 years and it would have sense in that context, too.

This is what those of us who are rational are up against. 

Waymo Exec Admits Remote Operators in Philippines Help Guide US Robotaxis | EV

What I take away from this is:

1.  Waymo's automation is mostly smoke and mirrors and is not ready for the real world. 

2. These "autonomous vehicles" are being driven remotely by people who are not in the US and who do not possess a valid drivers license. 

3.  These company rightly should be shut down as committing fraud to the government and its investors - and for essentially endangering their passengers. 

I stand by that, amidst the wishy-washy comments from the company. 

https://eletric-vehicles.com/waymo/waymo-exec-admits-remote-operators-in-philippines-help-guide-us-robotaxis/

Study finds Miami has the worst drivers in the United States

This was a recent article about Miami drivers. 

And I reminded about a Dave Barry quote about Miami drivers from years ago …

"People are saying Miami drivers don't follow the rules. They're all following the rules of driving…. From the country they came from"

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/study-finds-miami-has-the-worst-drivers-in-the-united-states/3761877/

I’m going to Disney world!

If you'd like to learn more about the backstory, I invite you to listen to a show I did about the history of that phrase!

https://youtu.be/5y4drNZXCCM?si=_Xg16IDELHO4Vs7k

NASA had 3 years to fix fuel leaks on its Artemis moon rocket. Why are they still happening? | Space

The question is a good one.  But I have a better one: why is NASA still using the same model for its development?

Yes, the partnerships with aerospace companies got us to the moon 50 years ago. And it helped spur a lot of innovation.  But the shuttle program was mostly poorly managed, with extensive costs, some issues with safety, and a lot of bureaucracy. 

It's no surprise that Artemis is being managed the same way.

Maybe they get everything together, and we get back to the moon.  But it sure feels like we're still stuck in the mindset of the 1960s. 

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-had-3-years-to-fix-fuel-leaks-on-its-artemis-moon-rocket-why-are-they-still-happening

Watch "The 49ers Injuries and EMF ‘Conspiracy’- Doctor Explains" on YouTube

Be careful what you read… this junk science type of headline is dangerous. 

https://youtu.be/1ayqcPgt-RM?si=x_oCgthNwORPjNAV

Super Bowl halftime

there's some consternation about Bad Bunny being the Super Bowl half time entertainment. Conservatives hate him because he sometimes wears a dress (the horror!), and some of his lyrics are in Spanish (how terrible!). But most of all, they seem to think he's an immigrant, which he is not as he hails from Puerto Rico and is a US citizen by birth. 

So a conservative group is offering an "alternative halftime show" and is making quite the stink about it. Because it will be more 'Murican. 

I find this kind of amusing. At least in part because about 35 years ago, the halftimes kind of stank. I couldn't even tell you who was performing, but it was boring stuff. 

So one year, in about 1990, the troupe "in living color" headed by the wayans brothers, and featuring a young Jim Carrey, staged an alternate halftime show that was funny and edgy. Kind of the antithesis of what the conservative group has in mind for this weeks game. 

And in the earlier case, the numbers didn't lie. Enough people tuned away from the NFL offering that the NFL upgraded their offerings in the future. 

American CEO on Flight Attendants Sleeping on Airport Floors — “It Comes With the Business” After 9,000 Cancellations - View from the Wing

CEO Robert Isom had an investor call this week. He acknowledged the operational challenges the airline had been through, and went on to say that "I know throughout the rest of our system, some of our crewmembers didn't have a place to stay last night." And called it unacceptable  

But then added this when discussing stranded flight attendants - who had to sleep at airports - which caused more operational delays. 

"I also know it comes with the kind of business we run. This isn't the only storm that we've ever had. It's not going to be the last storm we've had."

Before proceeding to talk about profits, the government shut down (and its effect on profits), revenue sharing, and how his employees are in better shape than some competitors. 

This is how we are as a nation. Lack of empathy and focus on money have effects on people, and are consequential. 

We could be so much better. 

https://viewfromthewing.com/american-ceo-on-flight-attendants-sleeping-on-airport-floors-it-comes-with-the-business-after-9000-cancellations/

50 times faster than trees: Live algae system reduces internal heat, resulting in more energy-efficient buildings. - CPG Click Oil and Gas

Researchers in Western Australia are using a live algae as a carbon capture method - with the added benefit that it can be used a building to help with keeping the building from heating up. That, in turn, reduces the need for air conditioning. 

This article goes into some detail by a Brazilian journalist, which appears to have been translated into English. 

It's readable, but I'm looking for additional stories about the subject, because I'd like to learn more. 

https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/50-times-faster-than-trees--a-system-of-living-algae-reduces-internal-heat--resulting-in-more-energy-efficient-buildings.-flpc96/

It's a photovoltaic milestone since 1839 — Canada develops bioluminescent "living" cells that work even on cloudy days

In the advancement of solar cells, here's a novel approach that takes its cues from 19th century research. 

Essentially, scientists have created a photovoltaic that uses organic matter to increase the throughput and which can be used to collect energy even when full sun isn't available. 

It's a pretty remarkable feat that could further increase the efficiency, and availability, of solar power. 

https://www.ecoportal.net/en/canada-bioluminscent-living-cell/16083/

Russian Scientists Build Plasma Engine That Could Reach Mars in 30 Days, Leaving Spacex's Starship Looking Obsolete

Here's a bit of an innovation in space travel. A new type of engine that could propel us faster in the vacuum of space. 

The system, which uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate hydrogen particles, represents a departure from conventional chemical propulsion. If it performs as projected, it may significantly shift interplanetary mission planning across both civil and defense sectors.

https://indiandefencereview.com/russia-plasma-engine-mars-mission-in-30-days-vs-spacex-starship/

Explosion of a SpaceX satellite in orbit what we know about the incident worrying experts - Futura-Sciences

This article underscores the larger problem of having so many satellites in orbit. Any one could have an incident, a malfunction, or a collision that could have catastrophic consequences. 

https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/explosion-of-a-spacex-satellite-in-orbit-what-we-know-about-the-incident-worrying-experts_23546/

Canadian inventor built an umbrella that flies and follows him everywhere automatically: No hands required | - The Times of India

This is pretty cool. Curiosity and a littler perspiration for the win. 

Is it practical? No, not in this form. 

Is it worthwhile? Absolutely. 

I highly recommend watching the 17 minute video to see what went into this effort. 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/canadian-inventor-built-an-umbrella-that-flies-and-follows-him-everywhere-automatically-no-hands-required/articleshow/127781027.cms

How Disneyland got built in just one year - Boing Boing

There's a movie about how Disneyland got built in a year (you can watch it on the YouTube link). 

But there is also a review of the film and some additional thoughts in what went into making it. 

https://boingboing.net/?p=1104011

https://youtu.be/YtrVcOxVDls

Supernova whose light will 'reappear' in 60 years could solve the biggest problem in cosmology | Live Science

This is pretty cool.  Two supernovas (or is it super novae?) were detected by the James Webb telescope.  One remained visible, but the other disappeared. The reason for this has to do with the theory of cosmic lensing, essentially one is refracted by nearby objects and we can see it, while the other is hidden behind objects, and will remain invisible to us for a period of time.

The idea of this cosmic distortion was included in Einsteins theory of relativity, and has been observed at times.  But the fact that there are two objects helps us to solidify the theory because we can detect the differences and see some of the objects that distort theory light.

It's cool!

https://www.livescience.com/space/cosmology/astronomers-spot-2-warped-supernovas-whose-light-both-has-and-hasnt-reached-earth

Thousands of dams in the US are old, damaged and unable to cope with extreme weather. How bad is it? | Live Science

Of course can spend billions on the military under the guise of "protecting ourselves," but are willing to leave ourselves unprotected against a real enemy that is a changing climate. 

Boy, is we stupid.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/thousands-of-dams-in-the-us-are-old-damaged-and-unable-to-cope-with-extreme-weather-how-bad-is-it

The US is losing qualified scientists at a fast pace

Here's an article about how PhDs are leaving government jobs - mostly because he is cutting jobs, and undercutting science research.

I remain hopeful that either the government reverses course, or that private business takes up some of the slack.  Or else, we'll be turning to Canada for more scientific answers.

https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-government-has-lost-more-10-000-stem-ph-d-s-trump-took-office

What have we become?

Back in 2000, Elian Gonzalez garnered *a lot* of attention. 

Quick recap, he was a young boy who was brought by his mother from Cuba to the US. They stayed with relatives in Miami and his father - still in Cuba - waged a legal battle to have him returned to him. 

People around the country took sides in the issue. It was a flashpoint. I’d invite you to Google the details if you don’t remember them. 

After some time, attorney general Janet Reno sent in a group of heavily armed agents to remove him from the home he was living in, and this picture summed up the experience (and won a Pulitzer).

People were outraged at the action.  While surely there were a few people who defended this course of action, sending armed soldiers to take a boy by force, in what amounted to an international custody dispute, caused quite the uproar. Over reach! Over reaction! Why were they armed? And since he was likely to be taken back to Cuba (funny, the word "deported" wasn't associated with this activity), that's outrageous!

Before she died, Janet Reno said that decision affected her deeply.

Ultimately, Elian was returned to his father in Cuba, and he now holds an office in the country. 

Compare and contrast. 

This week, we heard about a five year old boy being taken by armed ICE agents at school.  While we don't have the luxury of a picture of the moment (at least as far as I know), I have to imagine that he had a similar look of fear. 

In a way, what's the difference? Armed agents forcibly removed the boy - Liam (Ramos) Ornasser - in order to lure his parents out.  And surely he will be deported along with this parents. 

And in this case, our government is simply defending this. But what’s strange is that the outrage is muted.  And that’s because… the AG, the director of homeland security, and the criminal in the Oval Office are gaslighting us, talking about how it was necessary to make us safer. 

And I have no doubt that all of them have no trouble sleeping at night - and it is unlikely to affect them in any way at all. 

Damn.  A quarter century really has changed us. 

Kindness Looks Small but Changes the World / Bright Side

• Growing up, I was so poor I went to school without lunch. 
  My biology teacher, Mrs. Eva, noticed. Without a word, she started bringing me food every day. Sometimes she'd sit with me during recess, telling me I had a brilliant future ahead. She even encouraged me to pursue med school.
  I once asked why she was so kind to me. She just smiled and said, "One day, you'll pay me back." I never understood what she meant.
  Later, I graduated, got a scholarship, and left town. I became a doctor. 
  8 years later, a frail woman was a patient at my hospital. When she saw me, she whispered, "It's me, Eva. We finally meet again... I always knew you'd succeed."
  First, I didn't recognize her. But then I froze. She was a shadow of herself. Fragile and pale. 
  I learned she was alone, couldn't afford treatment, and had been skipping her medication. Without hesitation, I paid for everything. I gave her the best care andbecame her family during those long hospital days.
  One evening, I asked her, "How did you know we'd meet again?" She smiled softly. "I didn't. But I believe life places guardian angels on our path for a reason. When I met you, I just knew."
  Eva recovered. I visited her until her final days. She taught me a life lesson I'll never forget: kindness always comes back. Not because we expect it to—but because that's how the world heals.

https://brightside.me/articles/15-moments-that-prove-kindness-looks-small-but-changes-the-world-842807/

Dutch students unveil an electric car you can diagnose and repair yourself | Euronews

This is cool. The students found a simple way to interface with an electric car via USB, in order to get diagnostic information about what's going on, and provide a visual for how to repair what might be wrong. 

Car companies are unlikely to implement something like this. But I like the idea, and surely there will be some after market solutions in the future. 

https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/20/dutch-students-unveil-an-electric-car-you-can-diagnose-and-repair-yourself

A New York startup says it can already make gasoline from air on a rooftop, and it demonstrated the process in Manhattan with a machine about the size of a refrigerator

Hmmm. Is this idea BS, or is there something to it?

The idea is that a startup who has created a machine which captures carbon from the air, and then they cause a chemical reaction with water to produce a carbon-hydrogen bond. The result is a liquid, which they are saying is gasoline that can be used in a typical engine. 

Gasoline is, in fact, a carbon-hydrogen bond, which averages around C₈H_18. So it's not complete hokum. 

It just doesn't feel quite right to be able to create gasoline from the air in such a simple way, on a rooftop in Manhattan. 

But who knows? Maybe there's something to this.  

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/a-new-york-startup-says-it-can-already-make-gasoline-from-air-on-a-rooftop-and-it-demonstrated-the-process-in-manhattan-with-a-machine-about-the-size-of-a-refrigerator/25755/

Original Star Wars Trilogy Coming to Galaxy's Edge

At the end of last year, Disney announced that "The Rise of The Resistance" attraction at Disneyland would be closing January for a significant refurbishment. It's a fairly new ride, so this was surprising. But it's fairly technical, so maybe not. 

And then, early in the year, they announced a sort of re-theming of the Star Wars themed land in Disneyland (only). 

A little context: Disney created an immersive themed land called Batuu (as a planet in the Star Wars universe, which includes a storyline as to how it fits into the lore). It has shops, and things going on, and a couple of rides. 

The original intent was create different lands, that fit into different time periods, in Disneyland and Disney world. But they ultimately decided to make them pretty much exact duplicates…

One of the key problems was that Disney was confusing the lore and timeline and it became messy. The land was supposed to fit in somewhere in the timeline near episode 7, but they include elements from the original trilogy, and even some from the prequel. And they mix up what things might happen in these timelines. 

So the change they announced was that they're going to try and break up the area in Disneyland into different time periods, as a means to rectify this. They have said the storyline of the "Rise" attraction will remain the same, but I have heard some rumors that it may change when it re-opens.but, we'll have to wait and see. 

Disney world will remain the mish-mash it is for now. I suppose while they figure out whether this works or not. 

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/star-wars-galaxys-edge-timeline-expands-at-disneyland/

Inside's Disney's search for a CEO to replace Bob Iger - Los Angeles Times

The search for a CEO successor at the Walt disney company is ongoing. 

Bob Igers contract runs through the end of 2026, so the clock is definitely ticking. And the goal, from the company's standpoint, is to get it right this time (and avoid the cluster that was the 2020 appointment of Bob Chapek).

So the company now has hired some outside help to run the search, and has a committee to oversee the process. 

Which all sounds nice, and it reportedly down to four candidates, but time is definitely an issue if you want to make it a smooth transition. 

We'll see how it goes….

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-01-20/disney-ceo-succession-who-will-replace-bob-iger-what-to-know

News of a team of NFL replay officials was a surprise to NFL teams - NBC Sports

Well this is kind of crazy. 

It changes the way we see officiating in the league…

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/news-of-team-of-nfl-replay-officials-was-a-surprise-to-nfl-teams

Barry Manilow Wrote A Jingle In 1971 That Everyone Still Sings Today

I admit that I had no idea Barry Manilow wrote jungles before he hit the big time. State Farm, McDonald's, and the iconic band aid songs are all his doing. 

https://www.grunge.com/2073608/barry-manilow-wrote-state-farm-jingle-1971/

The Story Of The Rogue Burger King In Pittsburgh | Cracked.com

This is such a fun story. And be sure and check out the embedded news report. 

https://www.cracked.com/article_28014_the-crazy-story-fake-burger-king-in-pittsburgh.html

Headlines are often misleading

Here's an example of a headline that seems to suggest that eating meat helps people to live to 100. 

The commenter at the bottom makes an astute observation that causation and correlation are being confused in the headline. Does eating meat cause one to live to 100? Or is it a correlated factor?

Never stop being a critical thinker!  

And anyway, that's not really the point of the article itself. 

To our gormless senators

Just a reminder that, during her confirmation hearings, Pam Bondi swore up and down that she wouldn't go after political rivals. 

And here she is doing just that. 

She LIED TO YOU. 

That's bad enough. But letting that lie go without saying anything is much worse. 

Several of your colleagues raised concerns about this, but you accepted her words. That have now turned into action. 

Your job is to hold her accountable. She should be removed from office.  

Super Bowl prediction

The prediction proved correct again! 

One of the teams with the highest point differential in week 10 will win the Super Bowl.

The last four standing all come from this group.

Seattle should still win it all based on the lowest points allowed per game through the regular season. 

2025

>> Entering playoffs

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Wildcard

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Divisional Round

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

Google Earth amusement

Gotta love when people have some fun!

New evidence humans evolved from an African ape-like ancestor - Earth.com

Here's another scientific bit of research that examines an ancestor who was ape-like that may have been a direct ancestor. 

It's not quite the proverbial "missing link" but it does provide some clues as to our own evolution.  

https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-humans-evolved-from-african-ape-like-ancestor-ardipithecus-ankle-bones/

Suitcase stored in a bank vault for over a century reveals lost Habsburg jewels

The story about the suitcase full of presumed lost Habsburg jewels turning up in Quebec of all places is quite the intriguing story. 

But the story of Zita, who was the last leader of the Austria-Hungary empire, and how she lost it all, but made it to Quebec with the jewels is equally fascinating. A short summary is in the second link. 

https://www.earth.com/news/century-old-suitcase-reveals-lost-hapsburg-jewels-diamond-pr25/

https://www.factinate.com/people/zita-bourbon-parma/amp/

Unknown humans lived in the Americas for millennia, then vanished - Earth.com

This story about human lineage worth a read. 

Several times in human history, we've noted that a humanoid lived near (or even with) our ancestors, but they disappeared in history. Though they often left traces of their DNA with our ancestors. 

Here's another case where archeologists have uncovered a mystery group of humanoids that don't fit neatly into what we understand about human history. 

But again, the cool part is that science allows for this, and the theory of our evolution gets updated as we learn more. 

https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-human-lineage-lived-argentina-for-millennia-disappeared-remain-mystery/

When V Sagittae Explodes You’ll Be Able to See It During the Day

Here's a story about V Sagittae, a relative nearby star that scientists have been  studying for some time now. 

The way it's behaving, they believe it will go supernova soon (in cosmic terms, it could be 100 years, or maybe in our lifetime). 

But the resulting explosion will be visible from earth, even with the naked eye. 

I hope it happens in my lifetime. I think that would be cool to witness (even if technically it already happened). 

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/when-v-sagittae-explodes-youll-be-able-to-see-it-during-the-day

Toyota Is Being Sued After a Driver Discovered His Car Was Tracking Him - Autoblog

I've been railing about this for some time now. By simply agreeing to purchase the car, the manufacturer can and does collect all manner of information about you - from your driving habits to anything that is said in your car. 

Passengers are automatically opted in by simply entering the vehicle. 

And you have no recourse, other than to drive a car that was manufactured in the late 20th century, finding a way to disable the information gathering in your car, or simply not driving. 

While it's a nice story that he's outraged and suing, I have no doubt that Toyota will win. He signed a contract when purchasing the car. And that's in there. 

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-is-being-sued-after-a-driver-discovered-his-car-was-tracking-him

Superbowl Winner will be...

Defense wins championships!  So I looked at the average points allowed per game across the NFL, but focusing only on the 8 teams that had the best turnover margins.

Seattle is the favorite to win it all this year, but we're likely to be sure of it after this weekends games.

Why?

I ordered the entries based on that (lowest points allowed at the top), and predicted a winner for each round of the playoffs:

In 2019, the winner (KC) appeared after the divisional round

In 2020, the winner (Tampa) appeared after the divisional round

In 2021, the winner (LA Rams) appeared after the divisional round

In 2022, the prediction was Philadelphia (it was actually KC), and that wasn't clear until after the Conference Championship (but see my note about how close their points were, and the final in the contest was 38-35)

In 2023, the winner (KC) appeared after the conference championship

And in 2024, the winner (Philadelphia) appeared after wild card weekend.

And that means in 5/6 of the most recent years, we could pick a winner correctly based on points allowed per game.  And in 4/6 we knew when the divisional round was over who it would be.

(OF COURSE this is all speculation and a bit of fun. It means nothing, and with humans involved in the playcalling, plays, and officiating literally ANYTHING is possible),

Details:

Using Defensive Pts allowed / game

2019

>> Entering Playoffs

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: New England

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner:Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

>> After conference championship

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

----

2020 

>> Entering Playoffs

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>>After Wildcard

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>>After Divisional round

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Tampa Bay

Outcome: Correct

>>After Conference championship

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Tampa Bay

Outcome: Correct

----

2021 

>> Entering Playoffs

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: Buffalo

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: Buffalo

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: LA Rams

Outcome: Correct

>> After conference championship

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: LA Rams

Outcome: Correct

----

2022 

>> Entering playoffs

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After conference championship

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Wrong

Kansas City finished second, 20.2 vs 21.7 PPG allowed

----

2023

>> Entering playoffs

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wildcard

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After Divisional round

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After Conference championship

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

----

2024

>> Entering playoffs

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: LA Chargers

Outcome: Correct

>> After Wildcard

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

>> After Divisional round

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

>> After Conference Championship

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

---

2025

>> Entering playoffs

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Wildcard

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

Suck it Rodgers.

This makes me LOL

https://youtube.com/shorts/EJy0G3bhV1c?si=bYRv5kvFPQmjlvvQ

The world is weird...

The last few weeks have been very strange. And at the tip of that strangeness is the recent shooting of a "bystander" to an ICE action; it really says a lot about who we've become.  

I don't think the conversation should focus on who was right and wrong, but rather we should look at the bigger picture of an organization in ICE that is acting as an unchecked - and quite possibly unconstitutional - entity whose sole purpose is to remove "bad people." But they act extra judicially, with impunity, and conduct warrantless searches, all while hiding their identities.  And there are very many questions about who they are targeting, because it doesn't seem to the bad people as they advertise. 

And of course, there is no accountability.

This is not who we should be.  I would encourage you to write to your elected official and ask them to stand up for what's right and stop this madness.  There has to be a better way.  And I also like to suggest that if you can find a *peaceful*  protest or other means to take action, then you could do that too.

An ad for Facebook

During the holidays, there was this weird - but maybe cute adjacent - TV ad for Facebook. 

The premise was that in an office Christmas exchange, a guy got a woman he didn't know so he watches her at the office and comes up empty for ideas. Then, he goes to Facebook and discovers she's a KISS fan. So he gets her some KISS fan dolls. 

But the subtext really bothered me. The guy essentially becomes a creep and stalks his coworker to find out more about her.  He follows her around the office and (at least I remember it this way) a little after work.  Then, he digs into her facebook profile. And he uses the Facebook Marketplace to find these dolls from some sketchy guy.

It has such a stalker vibe to it.  And yet, that's kind of what Facebook is, right? They're promoting exactly what they are.  We've reached a level of interconnectivity so that anyone can cyberstalk anyone else, and privacy is a thing of the past.

Ugh.

If you want to know what’s wrong with the hiring practice today

Look no further than this. I applied for a job with "moveable ink" in March of 2024.  

And today (January of 2026!) I got a response about it. 

The system is broken. Or FUBAR. 

Hold ICE accountable.

Immigration and customs enforcement is out of control. You have extra judicial things happening. You have warrantless searches and arrests. You have American citizens being caught up in the very sweeping (and unregulated) processes - and those people are sometimes detained without due process and are sent to some third country in less than ideal conditions. Habeus corpus is suspended in many cases, in violation of the judicial branches orders. And you have masked men carrying these actions out in violation of the sixth amendment, the right to know your accuser.  

And then most egregiously, you had what amounts to an innocent bystander - an American citizen mind you - being shot and killed by an ICE agent. 

You have a duty to the constitution Senator, to hold those who are going beyond the constitutional authority accountable for their actions. The entirety of the department of homeland security, and the person who really has no qualifications to hold that position, must be thoroughly investigated for their egregious behavior. As well as anyone else who may be involved in giving what amount to illegal orders and who commit heinous acts of violence in the name of "security"

Hold Trump accountable

Mr Trump committed an illegal act in his attack on Venezuela.  All for the riches of oil to be spread among oil companies. 

And now he's emboldened and blustering about Greenland. Presumably it's because big shipping companies want easier access and more routes, not for any benefit to us as Americans. In spite of what he says. And the end result surely will be more contention with Europe and a break from nato due to his actions (which we could debate, if it actually went through the senate as of course it must) 

And he also continues to talk about Canada and some sort of invasion of that sovereign nation. I suspect he's after the natural resources, to benefit some other large conglomerates. 

Senator, he must be stopped. And that is your job. I expect you to hold him accountable for his transgressions. 

Bitchin' Dave’s Blog: SuperBowl prediciton

Back in week 10, I made a prediction that one of the top 8 teams in point differential would win the superbowl.  Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Detroit were eliminated, leaving one of these 5 teams as the next champion. Which one will it be? 

New England

Denver

Seattle

LA Rams

Green Bay

http://bitchindave.blogspot.com/2025/11/superbowl-prediciton.html

The Panama Sea stopped “breathing” in 2025, and what satellites and fishermen saw had never been recorded in four decades

An interesting story about how we can see climate change and its effects. And how quickly things can change.  

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/the-panama-sea-stopped-breathing-in-2025-and-what-satellites-and-fishermen-saw-had-never-been-recorded-in-four-decades/25213/

A letter to my elected representatives about Venezuela.

The Venezuelan community in Florida is undoubtedly happy. And those among us who cherish a functioning democracy are not particularly sad that Maduro is out of office. 

However, invading a sovereign nation without provocation and without congressional approval (much less even notification) is unconstitutional and should be considered a war crime. 

And the reasons for this attack are just as appalling. There was no threat to our nation. There is no direct benefit to us as Americans. This was done as a kind of a favor to big oil, opec, and the nations that are at the head of opec. In short, he used the military for the benefit of large companies. That is about as unconstitutional as you can get as commander in chief. 

And there's also the matter of Maduro standing trial in the US for things he did in Venezuela. We hear through the media that these will be some sort of narco-terrorism charges. How the US judicial system can take that on is beyond me. This certainly feels extra judicial and an abuse of the system, and perhaps an abuse of power. 

I know this falls on deaf ears, but I am standing up to tell you to hold Mr Trump accountable for these actions. 

This isn't presidential. It's not American. It's just a man abusing his power for the benefit of others, and likely himself. 

New plastics

Here's an interesting bit of research being done in Japan. Researchers are taking cellulose and salt and creating various forms of plastic that are useful in many applications - and the best part is that they are actually biodegradable under very specific conditions (that are easy to replicate).

https://3dvf.com/en/by-impregnating-wood-with-salt-japanese-researchers-have-developed-a-biodegradable-plastic-with-unprecedented-properties/

A Japanese Team Built a Sensor So Precise, It Might Have Found a Way to Track Dark Matter

Dark matter is estimated to make up around 95% of our universe, yet we have no way to accurately test for it. 

Enter a team at the university of Tokyo who are using a quantum method to detect it, and so far they are having some success 

https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/precise-sensor-found-way-track-dark-matter/

Tiny Fiddler crabs are hoovering up and breaking down microplastics, study finds | Euronews

Here's an interesting story about how fiddler crabs can ingest and break down plastic patties - more efficiently than sun and water can. 

Nature somehow finds a way, doesn't it?

https://www.euronews.com/green/2026/01/02/tiny-fiddler-crabs-are-hoovering-up-and-breaking-down-microplastics-study-finds

Watch "Disney World cast member blocks runaway 'Indiana Jones' boulder from hitting audience" on YouTube

Over the holidays, this happened at Walt Disney World. The 400 pound boulder in the Indiana Jones's Epic Stunt Spectacular bumped off the track and headed towards the audience. 

A cast member stepped in and blocked it… kudos to him! And it's a reminder that the Disney bubble exists in the real world, and sometimes bad things can happen. 

https://youtu.be/Ykv4yrleuBM?si=tIrZW-4Ov5DfA83t

German Spies Detonated 2 Million Pounds of Explosives in New York Harbor in 1916: The Statue of Liberty's Torch Has Been Closed Ever Since | Military.com

This is an interesting story about the explosion that happened in New Jersey during World War One. 

As a nation, really didn't think about how to guard against infiltrators trying to prevent the sale of munitions, have a means to stop it (considering that may of the actors involved had served in the US military), or prosecute those responsible. 

 

https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2025/12/29/german-spies-detonated-2-million-pounds-of-explosives-new-york-harbor-1916-statue-of-libertys-torch.html