Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Monday, May 8. 2023Food, sex and war in primatesPrimatologist Explains the 1% Difference Between Humans & Apes
Monday morning links5.3 million years ago, the world’s largest flood refilled the Mediterranean Parents: Kids CAN be left alone for a few minutes Please proctor our exams to prevent shameless cheating: student op-ed Justin Trudeau lectures his kid about 'sneaky misogynism' The Intolerable Woke-Washing of George Washington Rage meets self-pity as the permanently offended root out false thought. American Maoism WILL DEMOCRATS DIE ON THE TRANS HILL? Women’s Clothing Brand Anthropologie Takes a Page From Bud Light’s Marketing Plan The Transgender Follies—More Madness from the Left - The transgender craze, like the word itself, is new, dangerous to the persons involved, and hasn’t a shred of evidence to support it. Hispanics are an "ethnic minority" “This is Absurd, and We Will Not Stand for It” – Nearby Counties Disagree with Eric Adams’s Plan To Relocate Illegal Aliens Out Of NYC California's Cannabis Market Crashes, Northern Counties Brace For Impact Media’s long con to bury Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal Sunday, May 7. 2023Gordon Lightfoot, folkie, RIPMerlin is my AIMay is bird migration season up here in New England. That Sound ID called Merlin has changed my life. It is 90+ percent accurate, and even labels a Mockingbird's song imitations as Mockingbird. Sure, I can ID most local warblers and vireos if I get a good look, but usually you don't feel like straining your neck for hours. One trick an older guy I know used to use is to lie on the ground under a big old oak tree with mini-binoculars (the kind we use for opera). A Warbling Vireo? OK, I heard it but no hope of seeing it. Below the fold, some of what Merlin heard with me early this morning near the shore (most confirmed with eyes too, or just seen). Gotta get out early for some of this:
Continue reading "Merlin is my AI" From today's LectionaryPsalm 31:1-5, 15-16 31:1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 31:2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 31:3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, 31:4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 31:5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. 31:15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 31:16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Saturday, May 6. 2023Saturday morning linksMr. Stetson from New Jersey invented the Stetson Hat 'Assault Weapon' Bans Look More Legally Vulnerable Than Ever. A preliminary injunction in Illinois may signal the demise of a long-running public policy fraud. Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk Has Tough Time Answering Simple Question On ‘Climate Change’ EU ensures Dutch farmers booted FOREVER from farming We’re Taking Bets: How Long Before Environmentalists Start Attacking EVs? Maureen Dowd accidentally reveals how journalism killed itself God help us. Veep to tackle AI challenge Train has left the station. Plus, it's already world-wide Yale council works on free speech recommendations for university president Sheesh. Is that difficult? Leftist students call North Korean defector Yeonmi Park a 'liar,' destroy flyers for her event at Syracuse She is amazing. 29 scientists wrote a paper defending merit in science. Science journals rejected it. New England Journal of Medicine Article Suggests Segregating Medical Students by Race. “Founded on legacies of colonialism and racism, medical education has historically centered White learners and continues to perpetuate structural racism.” California’s Slavery Reparations Panel Hints At $1.2 Million Payments To Each Black Resident…. Oakland Teachers’ Union Closes Schools to Demand “Reparations”. Just 2 out 10 black and brown students in Oakland public schools can read at grade level Friday, May 5. 2023They geld horses, don't they?Who would not want to play like Mark Knopfler?Friday morning linksWhat is Cinco de Mayo? Some examples of people quickly accomplishing ambitious things together. 7 Keys To Being A Feminist Husband About Jean Raspail’s Le Camp des Saints (The Camp of the Saints, 1973). Why do scientists keep pandering to gender ideology? “The BDS movement relies upon a deep financial system of progressively oriented businesses and nonprofit foundations devoted to a broad array of social justice causes.” Make a good decision every 5 years: Warren Buffet The wealthy people fleeing San Francisco The Limitations of Courage in politics The Crime Of 'Talking To Tucker Carlson' Uncovered Recruitment Email Confirms Infamous 'Intel Letter' Was Meant to Interfere in the 2020 Election New Footage Shows El Paso Engulfed In 'Mass Migration Dumpster Fire' As State Of Emergency Declared Thursday, May 4. 2023An inspiring readGreat fun, especially if you never enjoyed geology (but I did from youth): Annals of the Former World by John McPhee
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15:25
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Water for longer hikesWhy is a cold beer so delicious after a day of skiing? Possibly because the only water you've had since your morning coffee was a single hot cocoa. Even a Bud Lite tastes good at such moments. Regardless of weather, it's easy to get low on water without realizing it. Competitive swimmers know this well. A rule of thumb is that if you do not need to pee on some regular basis, your hydration might be low. Yes, it's easier for guys. Hiking for more than a couple of hours requires liquids. It surely can perk you up when you mistake wilting for fatigue. The best plan is to stay ahead of it. 5 Ways to Carry Water While Backpacking Somewhat related, Is coffee dehydrating? (No)
Thursday morning linksUS Navy hires drag queen as 'digital ambassador' to boost recruitment "We've Never Seen Such A Dramatic Shift": Bud Light Hopes New Ad Blitz Can Overcome Corporate Suicide Woman says ‘odd’ food choices indicated her child was transgender The dumbing down of American schoolchildren proceeds apace CBS accidentally commits journalism with honest "tsunami of renewable waste" report New York becomes the first state to ban natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings Media Matters Tried To Destroy Tucker With Leaked Tapes, And It Blew Up Spectacularly Vivek Ramaswamy’s vision is America first — even more than Trump White House Announces Illegal Immigration Has Decreased 90 Percent Since They Redefined It Trump’s CNN Coup Wednesday, May 3. 2023The guy who invented the jet engineThe University of AustinCollege of the Future - The University of Austin (UATX) is happening—and it will help rescue American higher education.
Wednesday morning linksGordon Lightfoot, R.I.P. Farewell, Gordon. If you could read my mind, what a tale my thoughts could tell. Rabbi Harold Kushner, whose works of practical theology were best-sellers, dies at 88 US military Techniques of Marching The Inside Forces Upending Medicine - DEI in our med schools, trauma in psychiatry: two stories explore the sabotage of science. Medicine Goes Woke Gender: The science says "get 'em while they're young!" Next After Transsexualism: Transableism Supreme Court may finally end rule of bureaucrats with ‘tragic’ Chevron case $100 Million Offer Made to Tucker Carlson for New Broadcast Role Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Testifies It’s Better to Get Rid of Jobs in USA, Live in Poverty and Save the Planet – Even if Rest of The World Doesn’t Do It Tuesday, May 2. 2023About The Count of Monte Cristo
A reader sent the below re the novel. I never put it together - "Dantes" should be a giveaway:
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Cardiac Stress TestsJust as a precaution, and because my fitness trainer wants me to, I get one every year or two. They have always been normal and I have never had any heart symptoms. This year my cardiologist recommended a Nuclear Stress Test. Apparently the regular test is only 60% effective at finding arterial problems, but the nuclear test over 90%. Yes, angiography is 100%, but generally needs to be justified by symptoms.
Foot blisters from hikingI haven't had blisters from either urban hiking, wilderness hikes, or hunting, for many years. I used to get them mostly from urban hikes, and they ruin the enjoyment. I use liner socks and the right shoes or boots for the purpose. For the mountain hikes around Sedona, I could have used my Meindls, but did not anticipate the rockiness.
Tuesday morning linksIBM To Stop Hiring For Roles That Can Be Replaced By AI; Nearly 8,000 Workers To Be Replaced By Automation Is AI the End of the World? Or the Dawn of a New One? A conversation with Sam Altman, the man behind ChatGPT, about the risks and responsibilities of the artificial intelligence revolution. Americans fault news media for dividing nation Meat is crucial for human health, scientists warn Scientists blast ‘zealots’ pushing plant-based diets, argue meat is crucial for health On friendship with self-righteous cowards - Three years in, the bell has rung. No, I don't expect Covidians and vaccine fanatics to apologize. A significant subset of people I know believe that the uprising against alphabet ideology is the result of a moral panic. INDIANA COUNCILMAN COMES OUT AS WOMAN OF COLOR MC:"What rural and suburban readers may be missing is an understanding of the extent to which serious and violent crime is concentrated in a handful of quite small areas." Ailing metropolitan centres demand creativity from the public and private sectors Chicago Area High School Slammed Over Segregated Math Courses for ‘Black’ and ‘Latinx’ Students Only Academia’s twisted reasons for shelving the SAT BLM student activist’s lies destroy the life of fellow white student Chicago’s Criminal Irresponsibility - Progressive thinking on urban violence is so unrealistic it is dystopian Conservative Supreme Court justice hit pieces: We are being lectured on ethics by scoundrels Monday, May 1. 2023Hiking speedI've read enough about hiking pacing. Whatever people or experts say, it depends on your fitness, your weight, your natural pacing, somewhat (but hopefully not too much on age) - and the terrain. Especially the altitude change and the amount of rocky or bouldery trail. The thing people estimate is 2-3 miles/hour, but it depends on terrain. An hour of 5-600-foot altitude change slows you down, especially with rocky trails. Also, on how much you want to look at birds, take in the landscape, or take a photo. Since Mrs. BD and I are no longer 20 years old, we always use hiking boots and carry hiking poles. Don't always need the latter, but when needed they are good to have for the tricky, rocky, clambering, steep, slippery parts. Sometimes only for balance, but I grew up with a walking stick broken from the woods. Feels natural to me. Our hiking pals in Arizona last week are speed demons, no matter how steep or rocky. We can't keep up. We catch up with them waiting happily for us in the shade of a lone juniper drinking water and having a granola bar, but impatient to keep climbing. Over years as amateurs we have learned a few things about day hiking: Skip breakfast except for coffee, because food saps your energy. Drink water before you want it. Do not stop and rest for long. Keep a rhythm. Keep your eyes on the rocks and roots on the ground, and you'd hate to step on a rattlesnake. Mentally grind it out when needed because you always have miles left in ya even if you feel like you don't. 6-7 miles of rocky hill hiking is plenty for me for a 6 AM morning hike. Then a 20-minute nap. Plenty of time later in the day for a less strenuous expedition.
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Monday morning linksDiamond arbitrage! Vivek Ramaswamy Debated Gender With Chuck Todd, and It Was Absolutely Bonkers Equitable Grading UNC Professors: Teaching The Constitution Violates Our “Academic Freedom” Mike Pence appearance at UNC causes some to leave campus: ‘scared for their safety’ Why the whining over work rules for welfare? Turns out, regular Germans not so hep on unicorn farts New York Rushes to Become First State to Ban Natural Gas Hookups California Could Phase Out Diesel Locomotives Sunday, April 30. 2023Tragically Inexperienced: The Ocean Ranger Oil Rig Disaster
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From today's LectionaryPsalm 23 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 23:3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me. 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
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