This is probably the most poignant and badass fan video I've seen made of the new Battlestar Galactica series. If you haven't seen this show, WATCH IT. I know people who loath scifi and are addicted to this show like heroine. It's easily the most badass scifi show I've ever seen. EVER.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
God, please let this be the seeds of a new space race.
Earlier last week, the Chinese put two men in space. Check it out, or some of it at least and then read on.
While that's a great step for the Chinese, I have to say as an American, it was creepy. There it was- two men in EVA suits that look suspiciously like knock offs of our's and waving their crimson flags in the inky void.
At this rate China is probably 5-7 years from a manned lunar landing if they get their game on, which it appears they are doing.
WHEN they land, they have already stated their intention is to establish a manned base. Know what that means for us? They, not the USA, are going to get the "pick of the litter" in real estate. We're going to get to choose second, or later. Nobody says they'll stop at just one base. To say it another way, if there so happens to be any really choice place to be on the moon...they'll get it before we do.
Not to mention there's craploads of unrefined ore on the moon just waiting to be mined such as insane amounts of iron, olivine, pyroxine, plagioclase, various basalts, magnesium, aluminum, silicas, oh and let's not forget Helium3.
Helium3 is exceedingly rare on Earth and it's the proposed fuel source for second generation Nuclear Fusion research over Tritium which isn't as efficient. Many people suspect the next 'oil boom' will be on the moon to mine Helium3.
So what happens if the Chinese, a nation who's very interestd in becoming the next Superpower, puts a permanant, manned station on the moon? They could achieve a signifigant leap ahead economically by having a terrestrial body the diameter of Asia all to themselves.
I really hope that in the coming years, the US government gets it's thumb out of it's ass and starts giving NASA the proper funding they require so that their very talented scientists can create some amazing technologies that will trickle down to the private sector.
Imagine a future where a lot of Terrestrial mining here on Earth for common base ores cease because it's more numerous on the Moon? The Moon is a dead world, you can't fuck up it's envrionment because it has none and we can help improve the state of the environment here on Earth, our only home.
I really hope China is on the cusp of setting off another space race because there's nothing like a fire under your ass to spur innovation.
While that's a great step for the Chinese, I have to say as an American, it was creepy. There it was- two men in EVA suits that look suspiciously like knock offs of our's and waving their crimson flags in the inky void.
At this rate China is probably 5-7 years from a manned lunar landing if they get their game on, which it appears they are doing.
WHEN they land, they have already stated their intention is to establish a manned base. Know what that means for us? They, not the USA, are going to get the "pick of the litter" in real estate. We're going to get to choose second, or later. Nobody says they'll stop at just one base. To say it another way, if there so happens to be any really choice place to be on the moon...they'll get it before we do.
Not to mention there's craploads of unrefined ore on the moon just waiting to be mined such as insane amounts of iron, olivine, pyroxine, plagioclase, various basalts, magnesium, aluminum, silicas, oh and let's not forget Helium3.
Helium3 is exceedingly rare on Earth and it's the proposed fuel source for second generation Nuclear Fusion research over Tritium which isn't as efficient. Many people suspect the next 'oil boom' will be on the moon to mine Helium3.
So what happens if the Chinese, a nation who's very interestd in becoming the next Superpower, puts a permanant, manned station on the moon? They could achieve a signifigant leap ahead economically by having a terrestrial body the diameter of Asia all to themselves.
I really hope that in the coming years, the US government gets it's thumb out of it's ass and starts giving NASA the proper funding they require so that their very talented scientists can create some amazing technologies that will trickle down to the private sector.
Imagine a future where a lot of Terrestrial mining here on Earth for common base ores cease because it's more numerous on the Moon? The Moon is a dead world, you can't fuck up it's envrionment because it has none and we can help improve the state of the environment here on Earth, our only home.
I really hope China is on the cusp of setting off another space race because there's nothing like a fire under your ass to spur innovation.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Spaceships!
Here is a work in progress of a ship I'm working on for my universe. I'll eventually do other views.
Monday, September 15, 2008
I'm sorry, USA, but you're card has been declined.
The "easy credit" economy we live in today has only been around since WWII. But it is all most of us know.Unfortunately, it now turns out that there was a systemic problem that built up, and is finally causing the system to irrevocably collapse.
And the two post-WWII remedies for economic downturn, inflation and growth, will no longer work to fix the problem. Neither US presidential candidate are aware of this yet, so are proposing the traditional remedies, which won't work.
On the plus side, what we are facing is not necessarily economic catastrophe, but the complete reordering of our economy back to the pre-WWII "pay as you go" economy.
The title for this will be "The Collapse of the International Credit System." For the government, it will mean the end of ALL deficit spending. If they don't have the money, the US government cannot pay for it. A balanced budget constitutional amendment will be unnecessary. No one will loan the government extra money to spend.
For individuals, it will mean that all credit cards will be canceled. All transactions will have to take place with either debit cards, paper money, or for a while, bank issued personal check. Except for the very few businesses that have instant electronic check debit, however, checks will soon no longer be accepted by businesses, because there will be a flood of overdrafts, so the banks will have to cancel personal checking as well.
Most retail business in the US will have to be done with debit cards. This is because less than 5% of our currency is "backed" with paper money. But since many transactions cannot be done with debit cards, the end result is that cash will be worth far more than its face value. That is, even if something priced a dollar will still cost a debit card dollar, you will be able to buy it for a dime, in cash.
And the US mints are already at 100% capacity production. Therefore, there is no physical way the government can print more money to reverse this astounding cash-only deflation, within six months to a year. High denomination bills will also have to be printed, but these will be closely controlled and monitored for only business to business transactions.
International trade, except in exchange for paper money, will come to a halt. However, because the US exports vital food to other countries, we can sell them food in exchange for inflated debt relief. That is, a bushel of wheat sold for $100 in US national debt held by foreigners, or for only $10 if they have cash.
The end result of this will be a return to the old saying "We will only give you a loan if you don't need it." Nobody, no individual, no company, and not the government will be able to get credit unless they put up *more* than 100% collateral.
This is as it was before the war, and this is how it will be again. The "easy credit" economy was great while it lasted, but it is impossible to sustain beyond its 60+ year old life. At least we already know the rules to the old way of doing business, so we have an economic system to return to.
But the days of credit are rapidly drawing to a close. Recommend you have more than the usual amount of cash on hand at home. If it's only on a computer, you might be boned.
-------------
Complacency was bad, yes, but then America has had a strong conservationist voice in its ranks since the 60's, before almost any other nation. It was just drowned out by trailer park breeders for the most part.
We'd always had our toe in the shiate. See Nixon. See the Reagan years and subsequent Punk scene. Bush just burst out with it to the Rove degree. While Nixon and Reagan raked in mere billions with dirty national deals in Panama, Nicaragua et. al. Bush came bursting out of the closet, flaming with imperialism to the tune of trillions.
We had cheap gas because we had cheap loans. Our GDP was high enough that NO ONE wanted to see us stop. The last eight years have seen America cease to be productive. Why? The same massive propaganda blitz that divided the nation in half and made two terms of GW possible froze us in our tracks. We are a polarized nation. Racism, sexism, homophobia, and stupidity are at an all-time high. Our public schools are a joke. We have failed to progress...
...at a crucial time in history.
With technological and industrial growth increasing globally at an exponential rate, religion and Fox news have turned non-issues like gay marriage and stem cell research into our retarded Achilles heel. The best and brightest in America? Gut shot with stupidity.
And for the last eight years the rest of the world has fukked, sukked, and laughed its ass off while advancing at an alarming rate.
And we have gone back to church. Enjoy your third world. You voted for it. Apparently.
And the two post-WWII remedies for economic downturn, inflation and growth, will no longer work to fix the problem. Neither US presidential candidate are aware of this yet, so are proposing the traditional remedies, which won't work.
On the plus side, what we are facing is not necessarily economic catastrophe, but the complete reordering of our economy back to the pre-WWII "pay as you go" economy.
The title for this will be "The Collapse of the International Credit System." For the government, it will mean the end of ALL deficit spending. If they don't have the money, the US government cannot pay for it. A balanced budget constitutional amendment will be unnecessary. No one will loan the government extra money to spend.
For individuals, it will mean that all credit cards will be canceled. All transactions will have to take place with either debit cards, paper money, or for a while, bank issued personal check. Except for the very few businesses that have instant electronic check debit, however, checks will soon no longer be accepted by businesses, because there will be a flood of overdrafts, so the banks will have to cancel personal checking as well.
Most retail business in the US will have to be done with debit cards. This is because less than 5% of our currency is "backed" with paper money. But since many transactions cannot be done with debit cards, the end result is that cash will be worth far more than its face value. That is, even if something priced a dollar will still cost a debit card dollar, you will be able to buy it for a dime, in cash.
And the US mints are already at 100% capacity production. Therefore, there is no physical way the government can print more money to reverse this astounding cash-only deflation, within six months to a year. High denomination bills will also have to be printed, but these will be closely controlled and monitored for only business to business transactions.
International trade, except in exchange for paper money, will come to a halt. However, because the US exports vital food to other countries, we can sell them food in exchange for inflated debt relief. That is, a bushel of wheat sold for $100 in US national debt held by foreigners, or for only $10 if they have cash.
The end result of this will be a return to the old saying "We will only give you a loan if you don't need it." Nobody, no individual, no company, and not the government will be able to get credit unless they put up *more* than 100% collateral.
This is as it was before the war, and this is how it will be again. The "easy credit" economy was great while it lasted, but it is impossible to sustain beyond its 60+ year old life. At least we already know the rules to the old way of doing business, so we have an economic system to return to.
But the days of credit are rapidly drawing to a close. Recommend you have more than the usual amount of cash on hand at home. If it's only on a computer, you might be boned.
-------------
Complacency was bad, yes, but then America has had a strong conservationist voice in its ranks since the 60's, before almost any other nation. It was just drowned out by trailer park breeders for the most part.
We'd always had our toe in the shiate. See Nixon. See the Reagan years and subsequent Punk scene. Bush just burst out with it to the Rove degree. While Nixon and Reagan raked in mere billions with dirty national deals in Panama, Nicaragua et. al. Bush came bursting out of the closet, flaming with imperialism to the tune of trillions.
We had cheap gas because we had cheap loans. Our GDP was high enough that NO ONE wanted to see us stop. The last eight years have seen America cease to be productive. Why? The same massive propaganda blitz that divided the nation in half and made two terms of GW possible froze us in our tracks. We are a polarized nation. Racism, sexism, homophobia, and stupidity are at an all-time high. Our public schools are a joke. We have failed to progress...
...at a crucial time in history.
With technological and industrial growth increasing globally at an exponential rate, religion and Fox news have turned non-issues like gay marriage and stem cell research into our retarded Achilles heel. The best and brightest in America? Gut shot with stupidity.
And for the last eight years the rest of the world has fukked, sukked, and laughed its ass off while advancing at an alarming rate.
And we have gone back to church. Enjoy your third world. You voted for it. Apparently.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Live Webcam!!
Man this is great. In case you don't know what the LHC is, it's the world's largest particle collider. It's a ring buried under 30 feet of ground that's 17 miles in diameter. Its purpose is to smash atoms together to discover and study the smallest things in the universe. A lot of people have said that this thing could destroy the world by creating a black hole. Well, I've been watching it for a while now. I mean nothing exciting has happened yet but it's fun to watch science at work. Check it out!
Getting some attention!
Okay, so my Project Cosmos universe is starting to see some attention. It's recently been added to the prestegious 'Conceptships' art blog where a lot of the art from the best of the best stack is put on display. Check it out!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Just a few more days
So in a few days is 9/11. I don't think about that day any more. But, many of us, not then born, remember Pearl Harbor. I will remember 9/11 for the rest of my life.
That day was a wake up call to the West that some elements within Islam, not all of Islam by any means, but a large proportion, had declared war on our culture. This war continues. It is not something "made up" by the Republicans, it is not just a few wild eyed crazies in the caves of Afghanistan. No, the Islamic world resents us. They still recall the days of their glory. They still recall the time, centuries ago, when their armies marched in triumph across the face of the Mediterranean world, Byzantium, India, right up to the doors of Vienna. They recall when their physicians, philosophers, scientists, poets and artists were far beyond anything that barbaric Europe could muster. These days are long gone now. They chafe under the knowledge that even with their oil wealth, their culture has stagnated and fallen far behind the West. They, like children, blame us for their failure.
No amount of war, no amount of terror, no amount of savagery will restore their former glory. They must, if they are to survive, cast aside their 14th century shackles and bring Islam and the Islamic world into the community of nations.
That day was a wake up call to the West that some elements within Islam, not all of Islam by any means, but a large proportion, had declared war on our culture. This war continues. It is not something "made up" by the Republicans, it is not just a few wild eyed crazies in the caves of Afghanistan. No, the Islamic world resents us. They still recall the days of their glory. They still recall the time, centuries ago, when their armies marched in triumph across the face of the Mediterranean world, Byzantium, India, right up to the doors of Vienna. They recall when their physicians, philosophers, scientists, poets and artists were far beyond anything that barbaric Europe could muster. These days are long gone now. They chafe under the knowledge that even with their oil wealth, their culture has stagnated and fallen far behind the West. They, like children, blame us for their failure.
No amount of war, no amount of terror, no amount of savagery will restore their former glory. They must, if they are to survive, cast aside their 14th century shackles and bring Islam and the Islamic world into the community of nations.
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