This posting is partly an exploration in how language evolves and sometimes has consequences we weren’t expecting. If that doesn’t interest you, feel free to move on. Actually, no — read it anyway… 🙂 There’s a term much in use these days: “3D Printing.” I have been holding that this Read more…
Ok, I harp on this a lot. But that’s because I think it really, really matters. Here’s why. Those who craft stories that get labelled Science Fiction have an obligation to make sure the science is defensible. Otherwise, at best it’s science fantasy — which *is* another genre of story Read more…
I have had it… just totally had it. I just sent a message to my state representative (imagine that?) over some thing important to me, trying to ensure that it’s important to him as well. (Or at least that he’s aware of it; the best that can be done most Read more…
In my county (or some county, at least) there is a regular email that goes out reporting on the local status of COVID. Here’s a section of the heart of the latest (as I write this) report: * There were 27 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday and Thursday for a total Read more…
I cringe every time I see an ad for “high-speed” this-or-that cabling, such as USB(1) cables. I cringe because undoubtedly many people now believe that “speed” has something to do with the cabling. Trust me: it’s a piece of wire with some plastic wrapped around it. Properly crafted(2)(3) it has Read more…
There’s always this war between the generations. Seems like it, anyway. I suspect it was not always that way, but explaining why I think so isn’t in scope of this posting. This is just a simple observation. The Old distrust the Young partly because they remember what it’s like to Read more…
There’s a weirdness in our society(1): the subject of IQ. I just got hit by a(nother) stream of emails and posts on the internet about the ranking of US Presidents by IQ. This happens about this time each election cycle — about 4 months in to the new president’s term Read more…
Ok… one more on climate change then I’ll leave it alone… for now. 🙂 I’ve been watching the climate change debate for many years… longer than most people would believe it’s even been going on. So what? I’ve done my part to reduce my personal waste energy, and some Read more…
I want to propose a word that almost perfectly describes the actions of government bureaus and most government officials and an increasing percentage of so-called professionals: Specious Apparently good or right though lacking any real merit. Superficially pleasing only; no true content. A marvelous word, really, though a shame that Read more…
Mostly in Star Trek, but in other Hollywood-style sci-fi as well, there is a very common, very persistent, extremely ignorant error that crops up. Out in deep space, away from any star, our intrepid heroes encounter a “rogue comet” and that comet, out in deep space away from any star, Read more…
I’ll make my part of this short, as the inclusion here is pretty lengthy, and makes my point far better than I can. Let me just say, this is what used to pass for an 8th grade education in America, or, at least, in Salina, KS. If you look carefully Read more…
Waaaay back in the marches of time when Television was new, some folks (such as the brilliant Steve Allen, for one) were very excited by this new opportunity to bring education to all people. Through a simple device like a TV, educational and thought-provoking programs could be presented all day Read more…