5.19.2023

Is it just me or…

A Huge Chunk of the U.S. Could See Blackouts This Summer

The report actually contains some good news: None of the regions highlighted are particularly high risk, and, with good luck and normal temperatures, the grids should be able to handle regular demand this summer.

…does this seem like a really bad year to be betting on good luck

5.18.2023

While we're worrying about artificial reality

The Brains of Dogs Are Getting Bizarrely Bigger


"Scientists didn't expect this twist in evolution," notes this story in Popular Mechanics."

They're catching up to wolves, a recent study says. And nothing artificial about it.

5.16.2023

Because electricity doesn't come in barrels?

Biden administration to buy 3 million barrels of oil to begin replenishing emergency oil stockpile

The unprecedented amounts of oil released under Biden have helped lower gas prices, but they have also shrank the government’s rainy day fund for future potential emergencies, including hurricanes, wars and other disasters.

(Also, I'm a little queasy about "have also shrank," but maybe cut CNN a little slack here. They seem to need it.)

Hot potato from space

Experts: Metallic object that crashed into New Jersey home was a meteorite

The family that owns the home discovered the black, potato-sized rock in a corner — still warm around 12:30 p.m. Monday. The experts believe it hit the home a short time before it was found.

5.15.2023

Here, there, everywhere

As reported by the New York Post:

Eat the litter…

Chile's firefighting goats protect a native forest from deadly blazes


…or in this case stuff lying on the forest floor that would fuel fire.
"These animals can help us a lot," Di Napoli said, adding that other organizations should "evaluate where it can be applied, find where there's fuel and have the goats eat it."

I'm having a flashback to some Trump era squabble about forestry and California wildfires, but never mind. In Chile, a bunch of goats happily munching underbrush seem to be protecting a forest just fine.