Some thoughts

Slighlty shorter this week, as I've been more active posting and so saved less material for this roundup. To start, questions we can answer:  Opinion: Will Boeing Become The Next McDonnell Douglas?  Yes it already has, I've often seen their merger referred to as 'MD bought Boeing using Boeings money' They’re the people who read Harrison Bergeron and thought it sounded like a swell idea.'-  The Insidiousness of 'Equity Versus Equality' . I fully support equality of opportunity, but equality of outcome is dangerously misguided and leads to tyranny.  'The schism is between two ways of making a living, one based in the incorporeal world of media and digital transactions, the other in the tangible world of making, growing, and using real things.'   Economic Civil War . There has always been this division but it has grown over the past few decades due to the growth of services, the internet, and outsourcing.  They're not wrong:  Chinese-American Rights...

I recently discovered the  YouTube channel  of Daisy Cousens, an Australian lady whose content I'd definitely recommend. This two-part video is a speculative, worst-case scenario prediction based on current trends that are scarily plausible. Part 2: Well worth watching.  

As we near the end of the month, it's time to revisit NHS England's weekly covid stats and update my charts. As before, all raw data can be found here . Following the usual format, first here is my % calculations for the totals to date: And here is my updated monthly summary data. Top left is total deaths with or without a pre-existing condition. The bottom left is broken down into age, I have simplified it into under or over 60. To the right in orange are percentage totals. Next, here is my graph showing total deaths by a pre-existing condition.  And here is the graph showing the percentage of deaths by age group. This pie chart shows all deaths by age,  And finally, here is the to date total deaths by gender. The trends are consistent with those seen in the previous posts  in this series.

This is an excellent takedown of NASA's SLS (Space Launch System). I've been followed this fiasco on and off for years and am still flabbergastered by how much money has been wasted. If not cancelled soon I hope a RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly, as SpaceX refers to them) occurs in the first flight, leading to the plug finally being pulled.

In contrast to the previous post on a technology superseded by a superior replacement, this piece shows the problems with trying to replace what works with immature tech for ideological reasons in pursuit of a single aim (carbon reduction). As the article notes ammonia is less energy-dense, toxic, corrosive, and energy-intensive to produce. I doubt it would be viable to use in cars or commercial vehicles either.

 This is an interesting read on the end of what was a mass-market product and how they can have niche revivals. I liked this line: 'A piece of inexpensive consumer-grade technology, so recently manufactured cheaply and at scale, is proving difficult to reinvent'

 Will Lloyd suggests the unthinkable (to most)-  Why it’s time to abolish schools . I'm reminded of mentions made to education in Peter F Hamilton's Night Dawn trilogy, where education has been made irrelevant by implanted memory technologies so instead of school kids go to 'day clubs' while their parents work. It is true for many this is what all schools function as.  Having worked in secondary education on and off for over 6 years my view is that extending compulsory education was a cruel mistake. IThe Japanese have the right idea in that compulsory education end at 15 (middle school), and I would advocate for a similar system in the UK, perhaps combined with a new CSE type exam for school leavers to take at 15. before they can get a job.  UPDATED 24/02- Today I saw (via Guido) this report by the IEA on post-Covid reforms. One suggestion that interested me is changing the primary to secondary transition age, I remember hearing during my OGCE of research that sugge...

 Specifically,  Why You Hate Contemporary Architecture . An interesting read with some good suggestions on how to go foward. 

I'm still busy with finalizing my essay (due tomorrow!), so here's this weeks roundup of items that caught my interest but didn't have time to post on separately, with the occasionakl small comment. Russia 1917, America 2021   The broken circle The problem with democracy Laurence Fox: ‘People need immunity from the virus of wokery’ The Thirty Tyrants  (might have posted previously) The American Cultural Revolution Will Leave Scars How Mars became the prize for a new space race — and why China is hellbent on winning it STRONG WOMEN When They Say The Quiet Part Out Loud  and by the same author  The Navy's Greatest Failure Since Pearl Harbor Nexit?  " Apart from a Protestant culture, they have much else in common with the British: their love of the sea, a sober outlook on life and a commercial disposition. Both are liberal, seafaring and trading nations that once had overseas empires used to striking out on their own.” I'd be glad to see the Dutch strike out o...

 Another good article  I've come across this week. I do find the current attempts to redefine men and women baffling, and reminds me a bit of this line from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Oh, that was easy," says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next zebra crossing.” One thought I had this week regarding the trans debates is how many would, if science advanced to the point that it became possible, want to reproduce as their chosen sex like Loretta in Life of Brian, or are they just hardcore cosplayers more interested in the idea of being a woman rather than actually wanting to deal with the less pleasant feminine issues...

This article raises some good points on modern fan culture. As Niven and Pournell put it in Fallen Angels, 'FIAWOL' (Fandom is a way of life), and I suspect part of the growth of fan culture is a desire to fill the 'God-shaped hole' caused by the decline of religion.

I finished the first draft of my essay yesterday afternoon. I just need to edit it down to below the word limit, sort my references/bibliography, and tidy up. I also had a job interview on Tuesday moring, and had an email this afternoon inviting me for a follow up interview next week.  I have also been catching up on background reading for my course (which I probably should have done earlier_, getting through 2 of the 4 books recommended.  Having reached the midpoint of the first proper term of my course, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on it so far.  First off, while online learning has some advantages (lack of travel cost/time, readings being all posted online rather than having to did out a paper yourself), I do find the virtual lecturers less engaging than being there in person and it is harder to discuss as a group. One og my reasons for doing this course was the social aspect, which is sorely lacking in online learning. My biggest other issue is how woke everythi...

Regarding squishy Conservatives: 'They never really meant what they said in the first place. It started as frat-boy cosplay, then turned into a career, and for some public office. But they never believed it, never understood it, never gave a damn about it. They like their lives, fortunes and such honor as the Left is willing to allow just fine, thank you very much' By an anonymous commentation on this (long) article- The Mote in Thine Own Eye (in the Eye of the Conservative): Why Are Conservatives So Naïve That They Refuse to See the Beam in the Eye of Those Who Hate Their Very Existence?  

As previous;u mentioned am busy with coursework (essay about 25% done), so here are this week's quick links, with minimal commentary: The myth of ‘progressive’ thinking   John McWhorter: The Neoracists Will China’s millennials ever rebel? 'Spirit Murder,' Neo-Segregation and Science Denial in American Schools How the Dutch invented our world Socialist Party Beclowns Itself Via Twitter Hollywood Sold Its Soul to China … Now What? Save our Planet! Sign the Climate Pledge The Decline of Intelligence in the West Exposing Critical Race Training in Higher Education Leftist moron of the week:  Churchill College panel claims wartime PM was a white supremacist leading an empire 'worse than the Nazis' Video- Andy Ngo interviewed: And finally, on a lighter note  Op-Ed: Today's Youth Simply Don’t Have The Work Ethic To Build The Gulags Needed For Their Communist Ideals

Following on from my previous post , here's my latest completed project, Tiananmen gate: Finished this earlier in the week, about 2 afternoons worth of build time. The colour scheme of this one is quite nice. Overall this build went fairly smoothly with no errors or breakages. I am awaiting delivery of my next kit and deciding what else to order

 Via Guido's mailshot, this Captain Tom bong is simply bizarre: I particularly like the proud Made in China/Union flag combo!

 Have spent the past few days researching and choosing the topic for my first assessed essay (got some feedback for the practice one I did last week, got a good pass so am happy with that), and reading for this week's lectures.  Meanwhile, here are some art-related pieces I can across today (don't worry are not academic journals!) First , due to Covid, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York might have to see some of its collection to pay the bills (which would be a shame, I've visited it at and is a great museum), Second , a new shade of blue has been created. Neat!

Its snowing outside, and due to Chinese New Year I've not got much online teaching at the moment. However I have my first opiece of coursework ddue in two weeks tomorrow anfd have a lot of reading to do so blogging with be brief for a while,. Netherlress, here'ss this weeks link roundup. First up, a  look ahead  to what 2021 holds for spaceflight by the RAS. I'm most excited to see how much progress SpaceX make on Starship, In environmental news, it looks as if after covid we should prepare for  the climate lockdowns . Yay :/ This ties in with my post on post covid predictions and how it is being used as a model by the ecoloons.  An interesting analysis of why people find Jordan Peterson's approach useful.  'Peterson’s detailed frame of reference allows people to understand where they are and what they need to do. Having resolved doubt, having found the North on their compass, much is settled. A person can thrust forward with confidence' While on the subject o...

So, Time magazine published this article last week and I came across it this morning ( Via ): The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election Wow. What to say?  Is hard to take seriously claims that everything was all above board when you have people boasting about a secret conspiracy that got states to change voting systems and laws,  and  pressured social media companies , yet if you have any doubts you are dismissed as a crazy paranoid fantasist.  Note also the role of the supposedly republican Chamber of Commerce, it seems either the long march has captured this organization, or alternatively, they want to resume outsourcing everything to China. At this point I seriously doubt there will ever be a fair nationwide election in the USA again, whenever they win fairly the Democrats institute Chicago style politics to cement their control, this will now happen federally, while the Republican leadership and congressmen will let this slide and be...

 The Spectator asks ' Why are some Labour supporters embarrassed by the Union Jack?' Because they consider nation-states obsolete, are ashamed of British history, and view any sign of patriotism as a dog-whistle for racism and unacceptable views.

 Following on from my last  post on the topic, here's another good piece  on the rising tensions across the Formosa Strait. This part is particularly worrying: 'China may be stronger now than at any time in its history—set to leapfrog America as the world’s biggest economy later this decade—but there is a good chance that its time in the sun will be brief. Now, says Beckley, is the moment of maximum danger' For the sake of my former students and colleagues I really hope things don't kick off anytime soon..

 I recently got into making Metal Earth 3D puzzles kits (I need something physical to do during the lockdown. Here are the fruits of my labours so far.  The first one I built was the Titanic. Apart from bending the cables between the masts, I think it turned out well for an initial attempt. Next, I built a DH Tiger Moth. This one was a bit tougher, and I ended up breaking the tailfin. The bracing between the wings didn't go well either. Then I built Osaka castle. (this one is a different brand- Microwotld, hence the coloured finish). Am quite pleased with how this one turned out. Today I finished building the USS Arizona. This was probably the most complex and time-consuming, not helped by breaking the foremast and having to remove the broken part (luckily there was a spare!). Shaping the hull was tricky too. Apart from the foremast being a bit wobbly am happy with the finished product Now I just need to decide what next to build!

Excellent piece by Brandon O'Neill on the EU and its vaccine fiasco. Excerpt: 'For years the EU and its cheerleaders said a ‘hard border’ in Ireland would be an outrage; now the EU has attempted to erect a hard border in Ireland on the vaccine front, so that the Republic would receive European vaccines but the north would not. The EU and its global backers said anyone who disrespected the Good Friday Agreement would essentially be inciting the return of terrorism in Northern Ireland; now the EU tramples over the Good Friday Agreement. The EU constantly claimed that it had Ireland’s best interests at heart; now it unilaterally backtracks on its commitment to Ireland, wilfully ignoring the concerns of the Irish government and Irish people and dividing the island up into those worthy of receiving vaccines (the south) and those not worthy of receiving vaccines (the north).' Aren't you glad we left?

 ' "We realised that we had to pay attention to market forces," says Calvin. "Sometimes, traditional practices are there for a reason.' I'm shocked, shocked I tell you! It's almost as if there is a reason that  fence is there... 

  10 ways to fight back against woke culture

 One month after starting this blog I can report it received 350 views in January, with the highest single daily views being 48 yesterday.  Annoyingly Google's chart only goes back 30 days or 3 months but it looks interesting: Randomly the most views have come from Sweeden and the USA! Overall a good start I'm reasonably happy with. Onwards and upwards!