“Someone has a problem, they ask you for advice, and you give it to them. Your advice is impeccable, pragmatic, human, wise. But they ignore you and suffer the predictable consequences. All they had to do is listen. So why didn’t they?” ~ learn more
“Using biowaste from cassava plants, scientists have created a coating that virtually eliminates friction in metal parts.” … “Until now, superlubricious behavior has only been seen between super-small particles at the nanoscale. The new study though, shows that the phenomenon is possible at the macroscale.” ~ learn more
“Spinach, romaine, and spring mix are among the top choices for taste among Americans, just behind iceberg lettuce: 15%, 13%, and 10% say each tastes the best, respectively. While few Americans consider romaine and spring mix to be the most nutritious green — 3% and 4%, respectively — spinach wins the largest share of Americans who say it is the most nutritious (33%).” ~ learn more
“In other words, OpenTable’s competition has evolved. Resy, the company’s main competitor, was acquired by American Express in 2019. Amex just bought a second competitor, Tock, for $400 million in late June, making a Visa-OpenTable alliance even more important to the booking company’s image and business.” ~ learn more
“The world's largest renewable energy and transmission project has received key approval from government officials. The Australia-Asia Power Link project will send Australian solar power to Singapore via 4,300 kilometer-long undersea cables.” ~ learn more
Casey Hamder, my favorite solar power maximalist, is back with another way to take advantage of abundant sunshine and declining solar panel costs. Solar desalination can address water scarcity in southern California and produce thriving industry at the edge of the dessert. ~ learn more
“How sharp knives disappeared from the dining room table, only to return, centuries later, in steak knife form. Kings, cardinals, and factories are involved.” ~ learn more
This 2017 law allows a visa for up to 30 months (“parole”) for foreign entrepreneurs on a case-by-case basis. “Since FY 2021, USCIS has received only 94 applications,” and approved only 26. This whole program feels a huge waste of government time and money. I’d like to see us recruiting entrepreneurial immigrants instead — let’s play offense! Also, I recommend thoroughly ignoring all the political claims and posturing in this…
Silicon Valley firm KoBold uses big data and machine learning to search for metals to mine. “On Thursday, their company, KoBold Metals, informed its business partners that their find is likely the largest copper discovery in more than a decade. According to their estimates, reviewed by The New York Times, the mine would produce at least 300,000 tons of copper a year once fully operational. That corresponds to a value…
“City Council on Wednesday approved the rezoning of three iconic properties on Sheffield Avenue — including the Eamus Catuli and Torco buildings — to make way for a single 29-unit apartment building.” The beginning of the end was the 2015 installation of the massive video scoreboard that blocked the view from the rooftops. ~ learn more