Bitchin Dave's Newsletter - June 3rd
As you likely learned somewhere along the way, Gregor Mendel wanted to better understand the world around him. So using simple gardening tools, he took somewhere around 28,000 samples of peas and cross bred them. He documented his findings, and was the first to understand genetic inheritance. Pea color, shape, size, and so on, were studied and it became a model for genetics. That understanding has held up to generations of scrutiny, more sophisticated testing, and has allowed us to really appreciate this evolutionary cycle. Of course, it extends beyond peas into the animal world, and even humans. Don't sleep on the fact that he was an Augustinian friar. Which meant that he was a religious person who believed in science (though understandably he thought there was a hand of god playing a part in it). Researchers continue to be fascinated by what he accomplished, and are working toward closing any remaining items in the work that still need to be proved. The group in the linked article thinks they have completed that proof. It's really cool. But the best part of all of it is that one of them showed tremendous humility. A hallmark of great scientists. He said. "The most important and beautiful part of this research is the collaboration." We can learn a lot from that. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01269-8
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A group of teens in India decided to try and create a refrigerator that didn't need electricity - so that vaccines could be transported to remote locations. After much trial and error, they found that using ammonium hydroxide as their salt component met their need and could keep a temperature just above freezing. And then they added some additional salts and were able to get below freezing and remain that way for some time. There's a cool (ha!) bit of physics involved here - where ions are released when the salt is added to water and the net result is an endothermic reaction. https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-win-earth-prize-built-salt-powered-refrigerator-2025-4  |
"The African continent is experiencing a remarkable geological transformation right before our eyes. Scientists have confirmed that East Africa is gradually splitting apart, with visible evidence of this continental fracture already appearing. This extraordinary process could eventually create a new ocean, forever changing the map of Africa as we know it."  |
A few years ago, the pentagon was preparing plans to replace air force one. This is something that has happened several times in the past; the planes used to ferry the president have a life span and they do get replaced. And by the way, previous versions are on display at museums around the country for us to see. During the Biden administration, the pentagon talked with Boeing about a replacement aircraft. Boeing, being the only US-based airplane company capable of creating an aircraft of that size, said this was going to be a problem. As you know, Boeing has been having some quality issues and are waaaay behind on orders. So they suggested about 10 Boeing aircraft that had been sold around the world, with a smaller number of flight hours, that were available to purchase, and which might serve as a frame that would be suitable to become Air Force one. The pentagon investigated that list and focused in on one aircraft: the 747 that Qatar owned as a luxury aircraft. And they were willing to sell to the US government, which made it appealing. And then T-rump comes along and starts grifting. He visits Qatar and they show him the aircraft. He proudly announces that it's a gift, and it's luxurious. And he wants it! The problems with his statements are many. But there is no evidence to support they were "giving it away"… that's merely what he said. And surely they let him think that, in exchange for whatever they want in return. …and everyone lost their minds about this airplane. So many opinions that had no substance. So many reports on it coming from so many angles. And then about a week ago, the pentagon closed a deal to acquire that aircraft. They made no mention of the cost, and certainly didn't touch on the subject of it being "a gift." The media just runs with it, based on whatever they reported previously, because what do they care? They let their bias come out. It is believed that they acquired it at a fair market value, as an asset of the federal government, just as they had always planned to do. It will take years for this aircraft to be ready to fly as air force one. And when it does, it will look nothing like it does now. The luxury part that dingleberry talked about won't exist. In short, this was all just a part of the normal activity. Activity that got blown out of proportion because he said something stupid (I know, par for the course). |
This is an intriguing look at fire trucks. They're expensive and take a long time to deliver. Yet in China, that's not the case. It's the general problem with manufacturing in this country. |
NASA and the ESA are working with something called the Zooniverse (see what they did there?) to help identify galaxies and other objects that the JWST has seen through its optics and recorded. They say anyone can contribute, and no experience is necessary. That's pretty cool and you, too, can help contribute to better understanding our universe. Short video overview: |
The official press release reads: The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney's iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. Which is certainly intriguing. I didn't have a new theme park in the middle east on my bingo card. Still, I'm intrigued by their growth and think its a good thing in the long run. Although I do question selecting the UAE for expansion, as there have been many reports of human rights concerns, labor abuses, the treatment of women and other minority groups, and environmental concerns in the country. This seems like it maybe isn't the best place to construct a theme park. But what do I know? In any case, several market analysts warn: don't get too excited about Disney stock just yet, as it will take several years for the park to be built. |
Bonus: ESPN announced the launch of a direct-to-consumer service of their networks, including all live sports on their platform for (the low, low price of) $30 per month.
Remember that when ESPN first launched, they struck a deal with all the major cable providers (and later extended that to other players as well) to bundle ESPN into every cable package - at a cost to the consumers of $4 each (while most channels made between $1-$2 to run on cable, ESPN got way more). It was (and is) quite a deal for ESPN.
Now I know costs have gone up. And I know that the promise of $4 from every cable tv consumer was a move to ensure they had operating capital, but with cord cutting and specialization, they see the opportunity….but wow $30 a month seems like a greedy ask.
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5396864/espn-streaming-app-cost
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5396864/espn-streaming-app-cost
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