Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Star that will Enter the Solar System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix4HX62YH4o&t=389s

Hundreds of billions of stars are orbiting the Milky Way.  Sometimes they get close to each other.

I assume that the orbits don't have to be perfectly circular.   Reportedly, other stars have passed close to the solar system.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Today may be shortest day ever


"Earth normally takes 24 hours, or exactly 86,400 seconds, to complete one full rotation, which is called a solar day."

A solar day is different from one complete rotation.  A solar day is the time that elapses from high noon to high noon.  But in a day, the Earth moves about 1 degree around the sun.  That means that high noon is about 1 degree different from one day to the next.

If we measure by the stars, a full rotation, called a sidereal day, takes 23 hours and 56 minutes.



Friday, July 4, 2025

This Graph Changed My Life


@john2001plus
0 seconds ago
Very few people deny that global warming is happening. The real debate is about how much it's occurring, how fast, and whether it's more dangerous than denying people access to affordable energy. Alarmists often ignore the potential benefits of CO2, moderate warming, and cheap, reliable energy.

I'm not a climate change skeptic; I'm a climate alarmism skeptic. Labeling people as "global warming deniers" or "climate skeptics" creates a straw man argument. The much-cited 97% consensus refers to relatively uncontroversial claims—that the Earth is warming and that human activity contributes to it. That's a far cry from a consensus on whether climate change is catastrophic or whether governments should take control of the energy sector.

You’re Not Addicted to Content, You’re Starving for Information

Sugar: THE BITTER TRUTH

Saturday, June 28, 2025

I never understood why matter curves spacetime...until now!


@john2001plus
1 minute ago
To be a valid theory, Relativity would have to be able to define the 4D shape of space-time.  Does the theory do this, or does it just assume that space-time is curved?

My problem with "space-time" is that it equates and combines two things that are not the same at all.  It assumes that the progress of time is like physical motion through space.  People say that we are moving through space-time at the speed of light.

Time is the interval between sequential events. It is not a distance we travel.

Since we know that there is a cosmic speed limit, time dilation is a physical consequence of approaching that speed limit.

There is much explained by Relativity.  Could there be another model that doesn't involve the concept of "space-time"?  What if Gravity really is a force?

Physicists Debunk Net Zero: No Dangerous Warming from CO₂


The whole video is interesting, but please give it at least 11 minutes.

Does Canola Oil cause Inflammation?

Saturday, June 21, 2025

11 foods to avoid???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgdTUwLmh6g&t=28s

I haven't had time to research all of his recommendations, although I will try to look into them.

His first recommendation is to avoid spinach and almonds because they are high in oxalates.  I had no idea what oxalates are, but here is what Google AI says about them:



For most people, oxalates found in everyday foods are not dangerous and are part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, there are certain situations where elevated oxalate levels can cause issues. 
In what cases can oxalates be dangerous?
  • Kidney stones: Oxalates, also known as oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds in plants that can bind with calcium in the urine, forming calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can develop into painful kidney stones. For individuals prone to kidney stones or with a family history of them, a doctor may recommend a low-oxalate diet to reduce their risk.
  • Oxalosis: In severe cases of high oxalate levels, a condition called oxalosis can develop, where oxalate builds up in organs and tissues throughout the body, potentially damaging bones, blood vessels, eyes, and even the heart. This can happen if kidneys aren't effectively removing oxalate from the blood due to primary or enteric hyperoxaluria.
  • Impaired nutrient absorption: Oxalates can bind with minerals like calcium and magnesium in the gut, reducing their absorption. However, this is usually not a significant concern for most people who consume a varied diet with adequate calcium intake.
  • Specific health conditions: Individuals with certain conditions like primary hyperoxaluria (a rare genetic disorder), enteric hyperoxaluria (due to certain intestinal problems), or those who have had weight-loss surgery may need to monitor their oxalate intake more closely as they are at a higher risk of hyperoxaluria and related complications. 
What are symptoms of high oxalates?
Symptoms of high oxalate levels (hyperoxaluria) or oxalate sensitivity can vary, but may include: 
  • Kidney stones: Symptoms like sharp pain in the back, side, lower belly or groin, blood in the urine, painful urination, and frequent urge to urinate.
  • Joint pain and inflammation: Oxalate crystals can deposit in joints, leading to swelling, pain, and stiffness.
  • Digestive issues: Abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation.
  • Neurological symptoms: Tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, and in rare cases, seizures or difficulty with coordination.
  • Eye and skin issues: Burning or itching in the eyes, redness, sensitivity to light, and potentially skin rashes or crystals on the skin. 
What to do if you suspect you have high oxalates?
If you are concerned about your oxalate levels or have any of the associated symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider. They can perform necessary tests, like a 24-hour urine collection, to determine if you have hyperoxaluria and recommend appropriate dietary or medical interventions. 
In summary, while oxalates can pose health risks in certain individuals, they are generally not dangerous for the majority of people when consumed as part of a balanced diet. 

Foods high in oxalates include spinach, rhubarb, almonds, beets, and certain soy products. Other foods with high oxalate content include Swiss chard, star fruit, cocoa, bran cereals, and some nuts and seeds. 
Foods Specifically Mentioned as High in Oxalates: 
Important Considerations:
  • Moderation is key:
    While some foods are high in oxalates, it's not necessary to eliminate them entirely from your diet. A guide from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests that careful planning and balanced portion sizes can allow you to enjoy these foods. 
  • Individual needs:
    The impact of oxalates can vary depending on individual factors, such as kidney health. Consult with a doctor or dietitian for personalized dietary recommendations. 
  • Calcium intake:
    Increasing calcium intake, particularly from dairy products, can help bind to oxalates in the digestive system, potentially reducing their absorption. 

Friday, June 20, 2025

Dads


P.S.  I recently read that the average cloud weighs a million pounds.  Clouds are made up of water vapor, water droplets and ice crystals so small that they are like dust and can float on the wind.

Seed Oils: The Raging Health Debate


Also look at this chart:


Canola Oil has a ratio of 2:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3.

Olive Oil has a ratio of 10:1.

Thursday, June 19, 2025

This is one of the Things Interesting About Clinical Psychology



I found this video very informative.  I've often wondered why so many people seem to behave irrationally.  I suspected that fear is a major motivator, and this video supports that idea.

By nature, I'm a cautious person.  I've seen many friends, family members, coworkers, and others pass away prematurely.  The world is a dangerous place.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

The Prehistoric Time Hole No One Can Explain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sVzWOYaM9w

Reportedly, an ice age in Europe led to the drying of Africa, reducing the Homo sapiens population to about 7,000 individuals living along the southern coast of Africa. However, this event marked the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic period, during which humans learned to fish, built the first permanent settlements, and invented new tools. It has been theorized that this behavioral shift was due to genetic changes, but I believe it was simply a case of necessity being the mother of invention.

When the ice age ended—roughly 50,000 years ago—these better-equipped humans gradually spread across the rest of the world.

I also heard that a climate-related disaster drastically reduced the Homo erectus population—from around one million individuals to just a few thousand—approximately 980,000 years ago.

In both cases, I'm glad they didn't go extinct.


The End Of Climate Alarmism

The entire video presents a thought-provoking philosophical discussion about how scientific paradigms are challenged by facts that don't fit, until they are eventually forced to change.

This is the short version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jgVdMgd-2c&t=1335s

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Hyper-realistic Robot at CES 2025!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Uy8R_3aWdJo

"@AR-zp4sl
6 hours ago
She will eventually leave you and runaway with your refrigerator or dishwasher. "


P.S.  Imagine a robot who looks like a human, talks like a human, knows absolutely everything, and wants to be your servant.  It might not be that far off.

I'm not saying that this is a good thing.  It will be a tool.  It is another way for us to lose connection to the real world.

Robot pets might be interesting.  There have been some attempts at this already.