Bitchin Dave's Newsletter - June 10th

Back at the end of April, the Global Virus Network, which is a consortium of researchers in 40 countries warned of the dangers of the H5N1 - the American strain of the avian flu - and they suggested things we can -and should- do to prevent it from becoming the next pandemic, now that it has mutated and can spread to humans. 

"A robust nationwide monitoring system is essential to quickly detect, and quarantine affected animals and implement preventive measures to curb further spread and human infections. Further, we believe it is crucial to maintain trust and stakeholder buy-in for monitoring programs, particularly from farm workers."

There are many questions, but the two biggest ones are whether farmers would be willing to cooperate, given that it certainly will impact their bottom line, and whether the federal government will take this seriously and fund any sort of effort to prevent the spread. 

We have part of an answer (and its not good news).  RFK jr has ceased funding vaccine development, and dismantled the office of pandemic response.  He went on to make some vague comments about leaving it all up to chance.


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An alternative to traditional air conditioning.


A team of scientists in Hong Kong have come up with a heat exchange system that can be used in place of a traditional air conditioner. It's more energy conscious, is less costly, and doesn't use any chemicals (like Freon or Freon alternatives) to function. 

It's fairly simple in that it just removes the heat through a series of tubes and replaces that with cooler air. 

Its a nice leap forward. 



https://tech.yahoo.com/articles/scientists-unveil-next-gen-technology-111518663.html


Three teens in NY came up with a plastic free packing material


Zhi Han (Anthony) Yao, Flint Mueller, and James Clare created a geometric, cardboard invention they call Kiriboard; it's inspired by Japanese kirigami, which is the art of cutting and folding paper.


Their plan is to market a packing material, and sell their products to big retailers like amazon and home depot. 

How very cool!




A space elevator to the Moon is now within reach thanks to modern technology


This has been a theoretical dream for as long as man has been trying to reach space.  And now, it comes closer to reality with some novel thinking…could a space elevator be anchored to the moon, rather than to earth?

https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/a-space-elevator-to-the-moon-is-now-within-reach-thanks-to-modern-technology/


China invents a nuclear battery


The idea is that by using isotopes from carbon 14, a small battery could be a power source indefinitely. 

These scientists are starting with devices that need occasional battery exchanges, but that require an effort, like pacemakers. 

Love the notion. 


Taking action can come in many shapes and sizes


This is a story about how an individual wanted to know more about school lunches and the debt that accrues in school districts. 

And then in a moment of great humanity, did something simple about it in their community. 

We can take a lesson in how we can be better people in small ways. 

"Why don't they just let them eat?"

Why indeed. The answer involves federal policies and budget constraints, as well as the peculiar American mythology surrounding self-reliance, which somehow extends even to second-graders. But there's a piercing truth in her question that cuts through all the adult rationalization: Why don't we just let them eat?



https://www.huffpost.com/entry/utah-school-lunch-debt-relief-free-student-meals_n_681258fbe4b03207b5ba49fa


Walt Disney comes to life ... as an audio animatronic


Last year, the Walt Disney company announced at their fan expo that they were working on creating an animatronic version of the man, the myth, the legend, to give fans a first hand glimpse of what the man was actually like.

We didn't hear much for a while after, but now, we're getting additional details. "He" (is it right to use a pronoun here?) will be featured in a new show called "Walt Disney - a Magical Life" at Disneyland, beginning in July.

The LA Times article below pretty much covers the hype and reality of what this actually means.  I called him man, myth, legend in an earlier sentence.  He's achieved a larger than life "hero status." But... he was still a human and as I understand it, never wanted to be placed on a pedestal.  So striking the balance on a show will be quite the undertaking.

And, for what its worth, some members of the Disney family think this is a bad idea, and not something Walt would have approved of doing.



Bonus: Would you look at that? DuPont and 3M knew that they were creating dangerous chemicals through their PFA development, documented that, and then hid it from everyone. 

All the while reaping huge profits!


Bitchin' Dave's newsletter is published weekly.  Please feel free to forward it around. If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe, send an email to geezergamer92@gmail.com

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