It looks like both Cialis and Viagra, but especially Cialis (and the generic versions) are protective against heart disease and dementia. For both men and women. There don’t seem to be any downsides, and they don’t cost that much.
Terry Savage
I don’t know how many of my regular readers knew him, but he was a founder of the Los Angeles L-5 Society (aka OASIS) back in the late 70s, and he passed yesterday. I’ll have more anon, but if anyone did know him, feel free to comment. I’m in good health, but one contemplates mortality more and more as one’s cohorts pass on.
[August 14, 2025, update]
I’ve started a memorial page for him.
[Bumped]
Racial Discrimination
Why it’s so institutionalized in higher education.
It’s non-White Supremacy.
Advanced Directives
Good advice from Blake Powers: Preparedness pays.
The Higher-Ed Bubble
Another sign that it is probably popping: Gen Z grads can’t get jobs. The scam has been particularly brutal on that generation. It won’t end well.
At Smallsat
This is my first trip to this venerable conference, which for decades was held in Logan, UT, where the university there, Utah State, was a hotbed of this developing technology as a result of innovative faculty. This year it’s at the convention center in Salt Lake City, and it’s huge, as would befit this burgeoning industry. There’s a cavernous exhibit hall with hundreds of exhibitors.
My concern is that the industry may be in a bubble. I’m seeing several vendors for some of the technologies, and it’s not clear to me that they’ll all survive, or how they’ll compete. But that’s the dynamic nature of new tech.
Jim Lovell
We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran.
— NASA (@NASA) August 8, 2025
Lovell's life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond—a journey that continues today. https://t.co/AjT8qmxsZI pic.twitter.com/jBlxzgrmSk
I think there are only five left, four of whom walked on the Moon. Lovell was the only one who circled it twice, but never set foot on it. It’s getting increasingly possible that they’ll all be gone before another person does, thanks to Congress and feckless administrations over the decades.
[Update a while later]
Bob Zimmerman has an obituary.
[Saturday-afternoon update]
Here’s the obit from the New York Times. I don’t think this is right, though: “In a nation battered by domestic turmoil and devastated by Vietnam War casualties, the safe return of the astronauts lifted American spirits and renewed attention to the space program, which had drifted in the aftermath of the first two manned landings on the moon.”
Not really. In fact, it was a wake-up call that if they continued to do lunar missions, it was not unlikely that they would lose a crew, and Apollo 13 was part of the impetus to not fly 18 and 19.
This Appears To Be An Amazing New Flick
Not.
“No One Is Above The Law”
Not even Letitia James.
So much for her gubernatorial dreams.
The Court Packers
It would be hilarious if the Republicans muster up the cajones to expand the court and fill the new seats.