The real problem with the goes beyond bad code (as is the case with climate).
Category Archives: Technology and Society
NASA’s Move To Commercial Space
…has saved money. A history of how it happened, including an idiotic quote from Scott Horowitz, who I consider to be corrupt. The IG should have never allowed that revolving door. It was an obvious conflict of interest.
[Friday-morning update]
Related (sort of): An interesting interview with Elon Musk.
The Artemis Accords
One small step for space law. This is a pretty good overview of the legal situation.
Higher Ed
Some good ideas about how to reform colleges and universities going forward. It’s a shame that it took all this economic destruction to make it happen, but it will be a good outcome.
Understanding The Virus
A new algorithm may reveal who is susceptible, and for whom vaccines may not be effective. What we’ve been lacking all this time is this kind of knowledge.
It’s About Time
If this is true, it means that all restrictions about being outside are counterproductive, in that people aren’t getting enough vitamin D, which is apparently prophylactic. You know, like Adolf Whitmer’s dictate that you can be in a boat as long as it doesn’t have a motor, or being able to surf but not swim. It probably also means that sporting events are safe if not in enclosed environments. If it takes more than two hours or so, movie theaters are probably OK as well, and so are restaurants.
The cases of prolonged exposure we’re seeing are nursing homes (thanks, Andy and governor of Pennsylvania!) and factories, particularly meat packing, where people are at close quarters for long periods of time.
[Update a few minutes later]
This also explains high rates of infection aboard naval vessels, but because sailors tend to be young and healthy, also why most haven’t gotten sick. It also means that it was dumb of NASA to restrict viewing at the Cape of the upcoming crew launch next week. It’s probably perfectly safe to gather on the beaches and causeway.
A Jen Rubin Bot
This is pretty funny.
Not Just Higher Ed
Another of the silver linings of this is that it may result in a political environment for a massive reform of government schools.
Starship On The Moon
Bob Zubrin has a different idea.
Elon chose methane because he was thinking Mars, but absent finding significant deposits of lunar carbon, LOX/Hydrogen is probably a better propellant for lunar ops.
NASA’s “Comically Big Moon Rocket”
How it’s coming along. There’s nothing funny about the cost, though.