24 April 2024
David Wallace Wells on Ozempic and its relatives ...miracle drug?
Ketamine and Kava... not so benign?
23 April 2024
Cheapest form of new power sources?
21 April 2024
Simon Rosenberg on pro-democracy messaging and the state of the election
20 April 2024
Vote on Ukraine aid
"I am going to allow an opportunity for every single member of the House to vote their conscience and their will. I'm willing to take a personal risk for that, because we have to do the right thing. And history will judge us."
19 April 2024
ChatGPT lists some supplements to stay away from
There are several dietary supplements that many doctors generally disapprove of and may recommend against in most circumstances due to concerns about their safety, effectiveness, or potential interactions with other medications. Some of these include:
Kava: Often used for stress and anxiety relief, Kava has been linked to serious liver damage, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure in some cases. Due to these risks, it is banned or restricted in several countries.
Colloidal Silver: Touted for its supposed immune-boosting properties, colloidal silver can cause serious side effects, such as argyria (a permanent bluish-gray discoloration of the skin) and potential kidney damage. It provides no known benefits in the body when taken orally.
Aristolochic Acids: Found in some traditional herbal remedies, aristolochic acids have been linked to kidney failure and urinary tract cancers. They are considered carcinogenic and have been banned in many countries, but they might still be found in some supplements.
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine): Often included in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements, DMAA has been linked to serious health issues such as cardiac arrest, headaches, and tremors. The FDA has warned against its use due to safety concerns.
Yohimbe: Used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and also in weight loss supplements, Yohimbe can cause erratic blood pressure, rapid heart rate, headaches, seizures, and kidney failure. It has significant potential for serious side effects, particularly in people with heart disease or hypertension.
Comfrey: While traditionally used to heal wounds, bruises, and for joint inflammation, comfrey has substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage and are also carcinogenic. It is unsafe for ingestion and advised against even in topical use over large areas or on broken skin.
Bitter Orange (Synephrine): Commonly marketed as an alternative to the now-banned stimulant ephedra for weight loss, bitter orange can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular problems.
Doctors typically advise that supplements should not replace whole foods and a balanced diet. Before starting any supplement, especially for those with pre-existing conditions or who are taking other medications, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to assess potential risks and benefits.
Fortunately, I don't take any of these. I did try Kava (which I consider a drug, not a supplement) once, but didn't like it and wouldn't take something like that on a regular basis anyway. (Portland actually has at least one "kava bar," which seems to me to be a very questionable business venture, especially without prominent health warnings, of which, I gather, there are none). Yohimbe is pretty well known to be dodgy, and all the ephedrine-adjacents are pretty obvious stay aways.
The list is hardly exhaustive, especially if you include "traditional herbal remedies," which is sort of a euphemism for "raw plant material drugs." Quite a few of these, such as Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis spp., often mixed with Psychotria viridis), are as dangerous as cocaine or opium, just not as well known. I'd say the jury is out on kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), which some doctors think of as just another addictive opioid-adjacent, but which remains legal and pretty widely used in many parts of the US. As a friend of mine wisely pointed out, just because plant alkaloids have been used in some traditional societies for a long time doesn't mean they're safe; different people, often with particular genetic profiles common in a regional population, may have very different tolerances and variations in liver function, such that what is a benign drug to some people may be toxic and quite dangerous to other people. This is even more true across species lines, interestingly: I read where the commonly used topical NSAID diclofenac is so toxic to cattle that a normal human dose can actually kill them. Just something to think about. Unfortunately, supplements and "herbals" aren't really regulated for safety. If you use them, it's caveat procuator.
18 April 2024
Time to jail Trump for contempt?
16 April 2024
Interesting analysis by ChatGPT of the phenomenon of increased "analytic" language prevalence over time
1. **Language Contact and Globalization**: With increased globalization and language contact, languages tend to simplify grammatical structures to facilitate communication between speakers of different linguistic backgrounds. Analytic languages often emerge as a result of this simplification process.
2. **Technological Advancements**: In today's digital age, where communication happens rapidly across various platforms, concise and straightforward languages are often favored. Analytic languages, which tend to have simpler grammar and morphology, are more conducive to digital communication.
3. **Education and Literacy**: As education becomes more widespread, there's a greater emphasis on literacy and education in many parts of the world. Analytic languages can be easier to learn and teach, especially for those who are not native speakers, compared to synthetic or polysynthetic languages with complex morphological systems.
4. **Urbanization**: Urbanization often leads to language simplification as diverse populations come together in cities, necessitating a lingua franca that is easy to learn and use. Analytic languages may be more suited to serve as this lingua franca due to their simplicity.
5. **Language Standardization**: Standardized forms of languages often tend to simplify grammatical structures for easier comprehension and learning. This trend can lead to the adoption of more analytic features in widely spoken languages.
However, it's essential to note that while analytic languages are becoming more prevalent due to these factors, there are still many synthetic and polysynthetic languages spoken by millions of people worldwide, particularly in indigenous communities and regions with strong cultural identities. Language evolution is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors, and while there is a trend towards analytic languages, linguistic diversity remains rich and varied.
Another reason I remain optimistic
08 April 2024
Anthony Davis interviews Simon Rosenberg; worth a listen
06 April 2024
05 April 2024
Why I remain relatively optimistic about this election
31 March 2024
This is NOT normal.
26 March 2024
George VI exceeds his constitutional authority on behalf of his German relatives in WW2.
25 March 2024
Schutz at 25
Tolkien Reading Day
22 March 2024
Giaches de Wert
21 March 2024
Hope for relief from 2023's hottest recorded year? Don't count on it.
Trump appeals to his low information followers to pay his massive debts
20 March 2024
Slight variant on the most basic everyday dish
Creating a font from your own hand lettering
Nerd Alert: ChatGPT explains the Siletzia terrane to you
The relationship between the Yellowstone hotspot and the Siletzia terrane, as well as their respective roles in the geological evolution of the Pacific Northwest, is a subject of ongoing research and some debate among geologists. The idea that the Yellowstone hotspot could have played a role in the volcanic activity associated with Siletzia during its formation is a hypothesis that has gained attention and is being actively explored.
Nick Zentner, a well-known geology educator from Central Washington University, has contributed significantly to public understanding of complex geological concepts through his lectures and colloquiums. His discussions often highlight the latest research and theories in the field, including those that are still being debated or refined.
The Yellowstone Hotspot and Siletzia Connection
- Timing and Location: The timing of Siletzia's formation and accretion (approximately 50 to 40 million years ago) does coincide with the speculated position of the Yellowstone hotspot in the Pacific Ocean, according to some geological models. These models suggest that the hotspot could have been involved in the formation of volcanic features that are now part of the Siletzia terrane.
- Volcanic Evidence: Some of the volcanic rocks in Siletzia show characteristics that could be consistent with hotspot volcanism, including high volumes of basaltic flows that could have been produced by a mantle plume (the source of hotspot volcanism).
- Geodynamic Models: Recent geodynamic models and geological evidence have led to hypotheses that the Yellowstone hotspot may have had an influence on volcanic activity in the Pacific Northwest, including the formation of features that were later accreted to the continent as part of terranes like Siletzia.
Ongoing Debate and Research
- Complex Subduction Dynamics: The Pacific Northwest's geological history is complicated by the simultaneous occurrence of subduction-related processes, terrane accretion, and potentially hotspot-related volcanism. Disentangling the effects of these processes and identifying the precise contributions of the Yellowstone hotspot to the region's geology are active areas of research.
- Advancements in Technology: Improvements in geochronological dating techniques, geochemical analysis, and geophysical imaging are providing new insights into the timing, processes, and impacts of hotspot volcanism in relation to terrane formation and accretion.
- Interpretation and Models: As with many aspects of Earth science, interpreting the geological record requires piecing together evidence that can sometimes be sparse or ambiguous. Different models and hypotheses are developed to explain the available evidence, and these can be the subject of scientific debate and revision as new information becomes available.
In summary, the hypothesis that the Yellowstone hotspot might have been involved in the formation of the Siletzia terrane is an intriguing and actively researched topic. While there is evidence that supports this hypothesis, it remains a subject of scientific investigation and debate. The geological history of regions like the Pacific Northwest is complex, and our understanding continues to evolve with ongoing research and technological advances.
16 March 2024
Foods we take for granted are "unnatural" hybrids.
13 March 2024
Critical issues separating Right from Left, and not what most people think about
Whitehouse's concerns extend beyond these cases to a broader critique of the Supreme Court's engagement with "phony front groups" and the impact of dark money in the legal process, which he discusses in his podcast "Making the Case." He and his guests examine how these factors have contributed to what they view as a "captured Court" that favors corporate interests and undermines democratic protections.
Whitehouse also connects these issues to a broader historical context, tracing the influence of corporate interests on the Court back to decisions and actions taken as far back as the Nixon administration. He emphasizes a continuous effort to establish corporate personhood and the equivalence of money to speech, culminating in decisions like Citizens United. This history showcases an ongoing struggle over the role of money in politics and the influence of corporate and dark money on the judiciary.
These developments, in my opinion, are one of the principal threats to the continuity of small-d democracy in our country.
Another is the fast and loose trashing of financial restrictions on Federal officials practiced by Trump and his administration, as discussed in detail by the brilliant David Cay Johnston. He points out that the founders of the Second American Republic (ours), after the failure of the Articles of Confederation, were particularly concerned about the effect of bribery and monetary influence. The emoluments clause, and provisions in the Constitution prohibiting the administration or Congress from taking money from states, foreign interests, or private companies or individuals due to the inherently corrosive effect of money on democratic processes. Trump immediately discarded any remnant of such principles, refusing to insulate his governance from the influence of money, or even disclose the improper financial arrangements. One could go on and on about this, but the point is the precedent is set, and without reversing Citizens United and significantly toughening the rules for financial incentives, the Founders' attempts to provide the nation with a government free of undue influence will have well and truly, and finally, failed.
It is our job as citizens to make sure this situation is fixed, and it's just as important as economic or foreign policy; probably moreso as it will determine whether the country founded in 1789 really still persists, or does so only in name.
10 March 2024
Ashamed for Chubb
08 March 2024
Lincoln Project "Last Election" ad
Great Line from Biden's speech
« Our North Star. The very idea of America, that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We've never fully lived up to that ideal, but we've never walked away from it either. »Because, friends, the Republicans, a party controlled by that cult leader, has already walked away, and will never, ever come back. Their way leads to perdition and the end of the American ideal forever. If you don't get that, you are either delusional or just not paying enough attention to what is happening in our country.
07 March 2024
Katie Porter in contrast to Andy Kim .... keeping a Democratic Senate is vital
06 March 2024
Corrupt Menendez must resign
Community Music Workshop • Thursday March 7, 1o:30 AM • PROGRAM ATTACHED
05 March 2024
Phil Mandel concert link
False Equivalency
04 March 2024
BRIDGETOWN BAROQUE free concert Saturday March 23 • 1:30 PM
Community Music Workshop this Thursday 10:30 AM at the Community Music Center
01 March 2024
Will the Turtle endorse the mad hyena?
29 February 2024
Supreme Court's game is so obvious
27 February 2024
A safe bet, I'd say
Work more, worry less
23 February 2024
The Choice
22 February 2024
George Conway on House Republicans
21 February 2024
Trump compares himself to murdered opposition leader Navalny
20 February 2024
Favorite fonts, both "As" from an "A" country, an obscure rant
16 February 2024
Navalny murdered. Not in America!
15 February 2024
Elaborate Football Analogy for MAGA
GPT "remembers" Mackinder's Heartland theory for me (I'd forgotten his name)
There was, I believe, a British historian (not Toynbee), who conceived of the crucial importance of "central place" geographically in the power politics of national supremacy. In this theory, the British, and subsequently the US, utilized an alternative strategy of "containment" through (primarily) naval power, to overcome the inherent disadvantage of peripheral location, and to exercise dominance over more favorably situated "powers," such as, in turn or concurrently, Germany, Russia and/or China. 1. Please infer who it was I am talking about and describe his principal works (I genuinely can't recall; this isn't a test); and 2. Please comment on how technological advance since the early 20th century has to some extent falsified this concept, and made geographical positioning less critical (if that is, in fact, the case according to current geopolitical thinking).
ChatGPT:
The historian you're referring to sounds like Halford Mackinder and his Heartland Theory. Mackinder was a British geographer and one of the founding figures of both geopolitics and geostrategy. His ideas have had a profound influence on the strategic thinking of nations throughout the 20th century and beyond.
Halford Mackinder and His Principal Works
Halford Mackinder proposed the Heartland Theory in a paper presented to the Royal Geographical Society in 1904 titled "The Geographical Pivot of History." This theory was later expanded in his book "Democratic Ideals and Reality: A Study in the Politics of Reconstruction," published in 1919. Mackinder's theory posits that the control of Eastern Europe (the "Heartland") was key to global domination. He argued that the Heartland was naturally impregnable due to its inaccessibility and could be the base from which to project power globally.
His famous dictum, "Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world," encapsulates the essence of his theory. Mackinder's model was a challenge to the then-prevailing British naval hegemony, suggesting that terrestrial power could eventually overmatch sea power, especially if a single power managed to dominate the Heartland.
The Impact of Technological Advances on Geopolitical Strategy
Since the early 20th century, technological advances have indeed altered the strategic importance of geographical positioning, though not entirely negating Mackinder's insights. Several developments illustrate this evolution:
Nuclear Weapons: The advent of nuclear weapons has made sheer territorial control less decisive in global power terms, as even geographically peripheral or smaller nations can wield outsized strategic threats.
Air Power and Missiles: The development of long-range air power and missile technology, including ICBMs and cruise missiles, has reduced the security provided by geographical barriers. Powers can project military force directly over such barriers, diminishing the strategic value of controlling central landmasses.
Space Technology: Satellites and space-based assets have transformed intelligence, communications, and navigation, enabling global surveillance and coordination beyond the constraints of geography.
Cyberspace and Information Warfare: The rise of cyberspace as a domain of warfare and influence operations has further abstracted power from physical geography. Nations can influence others, interfere in elections, and disrupt infrastructure without traditional physical presence.
Economic Globalization and Supply Chains: Globalization has intertwined the economies of nations, making economic power and resilience as crucial as geographical position. Supply chain vulnerabilities, as highlighted during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, can exert a significant impact on national security.
However, geography remains a critical factor in geopolitical strategy. For instance, the importance of chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz for oil transport or the significance of maritime routes in the South China Sea underscores continuing geographical considerations. Furthermore, the rise of China and its Belt and Road Initiative can be seen as an attempt to reshape global geopolitics not just through maritime power but also through terrestrial influence across Eurasia, which echoes Mackinder's Heartland concept.
In summary, while technological advancements have mitigated some of the strategic disadvantages of peripheral geographic positions and challenged some aspects of Mackinder's Heartland Theory, geography continues to play a crucial role in global power dynamics. The interplay between technological capabilities and geographical realities remains a central theme in contemporary geopolitical strategy.