Open Thread time
I’m of the opinion that we should always have an Open Thread in the list of 10 Recent Posts….
"This is the Voice of Moderation. I wouldn't go so far as to say we've actually SEIZED the radio station . . . "
Musk and others plan to put AI data centers in space.
Thus demonstrating their ignorance of thermodynamics. An AI data center (any data center actually) generates a lot of heat. On the ground, you either conduct that heat to air or water and then move the hot air or hot water out and pump in cold. You’ve essentially got the whole planet’s atmosphere and oceans as a heat sink.
In space, the only way to get rid of waste heat is radiation. Which just isn’t as efficient. To the point that it simply isn’t feasible.
They may figure that their potential investors are utterly ignorant as well. But as an investment, snake oil is probably a better option.
Concerning Musk, I tend to think that he would like to have the conflict continue between the Ukraine and Russia, because it allows him to play kingmaker. If one or the other side won, he might have to modify his behavior.
And then Starlink renamed itself Skynet.
I found John Varley’s malevolent AI in Press Enter much scarier. Software reaching into your house via 1980s level networking to kill you…
Friday is David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.
When the Natural Environment Research Council rejected the results of the poll to name their new Antarctic research vessel Boaty McBoatface, the public were nonetheless happy to hear that one of the new RRS Sir David Attenborough‘s remotely controlled submersibles would be called that instead.
He is an amazing man, who has revolutionised the way millions of people around the globe see the natural world. Although a very senior BBC TV executive in the 60s and 70s, (among other highs, he commissioned an extraordinarily varied series of ground-breaking series e.g. Civilisation, The Ascent of Man, Monty Python’s Flying Circus) he gleefully escaped the boring prospect of being appointed Director General of the BBC in 1972, resigned and instead went on to make and present various programs while writing the scripts for his historic series Life on Earth, a joint production between the Beeb and Turner Broadcasting (RIP Ted Turner) which moved into production in 1976. And, as they say, the rest is history.
I cannot think of another person who is so admired and who inspires so much affection in the UK (and probably worldwide as well). It is such a relief to see his name trending in the last few days, and not have to feel an icy hand gripping the heart until one checks the news….
Grok has good words.
“David Attenborough has an exceptionally positive global reputation as one of the most trusted, beloved, and influential broadcasters and naturalists of all time. He is widely viewed as an authoritative yet approachable voice on the natural world, conservation, and (in later decades) environmental crises. In the UK, he is frequently described as a “national treasure,” though he reportedly dislikes the label.”
David Attenborough’s Reputation
Has anyone else seen anything about this?
https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-05-07/hondurasgate-the-alleged-us-and-israeli-interference-plot-to-destabilize-mexico-and-other-progressive-governments.html
Thus far, El Pais is the only source reporting on it that I recognize.
hsh, hadn’t seen that. Also, I’ve been meaning to come back to you on your question about post-Brexit immigration. But the truth is, what’s happening pretty much all round politically is so depressing, and (not unrelated) at this very moment we are looking at the probability that Nigel Farage’s Reform will be making big (huge) gains in today’s local elections, so frankly I can’t think about any of this stuff at the moment. I’d rather soothe myself by watching gorillas groom and cuddle David Attenborough, or watching the camera zoom back from David Attenborough talking about meerkat habits, to show a meerkat sitting on his head. So I think it’s time to go to bed and read the latest Murderbot.
Amusement of the day: US Central Commend calling Iranian strikes against US naval ships in the Strait of Hormuz “unprovoked.” Words fail me.