Flametoad

I’ve had a long-standing interest in solar power, the effect of solar cycles on our weather, and the like. I suppose that’s why I’m fascinated by the Carrington Flare– an 1859 solar flare so strong that the magnetic effects on earth caused telegraph wires to spark and catch fire.  It really sparks the imagination. What [...]

In which I compare the dream and the reality of being a writer.

The US isn’t the only country facing looming water shortages. Parts of China are draining groundwater and aquifers up to twice as fast as rainwater can replenish their supply. If this continues, “China will lose the ability to feed about 10% of its 1.3 billion people.” (Bonus material: We were also recently treated  to a [...]

“In the last 30 years, the teachers’ unions have contributed nearly $57.4 million to federal campaigns, an amount that is about 30 percent higher than any single corporation or other union.” The linked article is long but well worth reading. Interestingly, Governor Good-Hair decided that Texas would not compete. “Perry stood next to Texas Education [...]

Former teen hacker turned security consultant Mike Maiffret has some interesting things to say about the relative security of Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe. This sounds like a major medical breakthrough, to me. Researchers have found an agent that appears to stop metastasis in cancer cells. Basically, it keeps them from growing. So far the tests [...]