Why We Can’t Focus

One of my favorite books is Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death”. Postman eerily predicted the current age of social media as a natural progression of the age of television, and he did it back in the early 80’s. This video does a fantastic job of laying out one of Postman’s best arguments. It is exactly how I feel about the subject.

He mentions a book called “The Shallows” by Nicholas Carr. I’ll be ordering that one as well.

Lidar

LIDAR, LiDAR or LADAR, an acronym of “light detection and ranging” or “laser imaging, detection, and ranging” is a method for determining ranges by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver. (Wikipedia)
When I was at Kent as a Geology major this technology was just coming into play. Field work was rapidly going to disappear. Now using these tools available from USGS (thank you USGS) we can see our own neighborhoods in a new way.

USGS Searchable map of the United States.

Now This is a Real Problem

We are often told about “problems” identified by politicians so they can promise “solutions”. Rarely are these the most important problems we face. While illegal immigration is a problem, it isn’t nearly as dire as some politicians would have you believe. The numbers just don’t show it. On the other hand THIS is a problem. It is a distinctly American problem and it has possible solutions. Yet you don’t hear much about the problem, let alone the solutions.

What the Hell is Wrong with Car Companies?

Ford files patent for a car with holographic cops and guard dogs

Okay this is insane. I recently heard of a guy who bought a Kia Stinger (about $30 to $35 thousand dollar car) and then got in a front end fender-bender. The repair bill was $27,000 due to all the sensors in the front end.
Personally, I do not want “automatic braking”, “lane assist”, or “automatic parking” or a tailgate that opens when I wave my foot. And for God’s sake, why would I need Wi-Fi?
I recently saw a video from, I think CBS, where Audi proposed the answer to today’s super-bright headlights was “adaptive headlights” where a mini-computer moves tiny little shades in the headlight to shield oncoming drivers. How the hell much is that going to cost?!?!
Really Ford? Holograms?

NASA finally dishes on Boeing

This is a sad testament to the ineffectiveness of our government. How is it that anyone on Boeing’s management team still has a job? If I was a shareholder I would want the bunch of them out. The CEO and Quality Control Head should both be facing prison time for bilking the American taxpayer. This is what happens when government and industry get too cozy.

NASA inspector general gives damning assessment of Boeing’s quality control

As a result, the two astronauts that flew the Boeing Starliner to the ISS may not get home until February! On a better built Space X Dragon no less!
Cost to develop Starliner – 4.2 billion dollars (not including cost overruns)
Cost to develop Dragon – 2.6 billion dollars

Starliner Return is Delayed Again

I would be dumping my Boeing stock if you haven’t already. This is not going to be resolved without government intervention. Small scrappy Space X has been kicking Boeing’s tail in the commercial space race. Boeing probably needs to be broken up. It’s just too big, and unfortunately run by financial types not engineers. As are too many American “manufacturing” companies.

Also, keep an eye on the Chinese, we are decommissioning our orbital space station without a replacement as they expand their program. (see next post)

New Material From NASA’s Glenn Center

This is awesome news. 3D printed metals have the capacity to change so much. Just another reason why NASA’s Glenn Research center is an awesome part of NE Ohio! Ignore the talking heads at the end. Why does every local news station think I want to listen to the anchor’s opinions on each story? Please just shut up and read the news.