Bitchin Dave's Newsletter - May 5th

We recently went to one of the Cirque du Soleil traveling shows (Luzia) and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s the third show we’ve gone to (though we did experience a street performance by the troupe while in Montreal), and they are all unique but always have similar elements. 

The one thing I'd say is that it maybe “felt” slightly different.  What stuck out was something I recall from watching a behind the scenes series that aired on TV some years ago.  One of the cofounders - Guy Lalibterté - spoke of how the show was sensual in a way. It was supposed to make you feel something emotional. 

This one featured familiar acrobatic acts, had a large number of performers (around 50!), and live music (another 10 or so people). But it was missing that emotional connection. And that made me do a little homework. 

It so happens that the pandemic absolutely wrecked the entire troupe. There were several traveling performances ongoing, plus the shows that are permanent (Disney world, Las Vegas, and Montreal, specifically)… and of course everyone had to go into lockdown. 

There were large payrolls (including performers, stage hands and directors, and the people who put up the tent and manage the show), the daily show expenses, and bills to pay for equipment and whatnot. 

But they had no ability to perform. 

The troupe declared bankruptcy. And a private equity firm came in and bought them out, paid off the debt, and restarted the performances. 

But they didn't keep the cofounders - Guy and Gilles Ste-Croix - with the company. And with them went the creative genius. 

I am aware that this performance was created in 2016 (before the change in ownership), but I’m sure it evolved in some ways over time. It just didn't feel like other shows felt.

In any case, the cost to see a show has gone up and concessions were ridiculous. (Like everything these days) and it did feel like it was different.  

Hopefully they don't change it much more than this. But it’s a reminder that everything is moving to private equity. And it’s generally not a good thing. 

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Walt Disney was an informant for the FBI. - History Facts

The attached is a very short summary of Walt's involvement with the DOJ, and more specifically the FBI.

Remember that Walt was a patriot (as defined in the 1920s-1960s) and believed in what this country stood for.  He was also a bit of an opportunist, so when it came time for WWII, he made propaganda cartoons and housed the military in his studios.

Walt was asked to join the House Unamerican Affairs Committee in the 1950s (which wanted to root out the evils of communism), and did so reluctantly and cautiously (by many accounts).  But he did have a few names to share with the committee.  One was a particular animator who "gave him trouble" and wanted to unionize, and apparently had maybe been engaged in some "subversive activity."

And because Walt was this sort of patriot and was beloved and well known, the house, the DOJ, and the FBI asked for any information he had going forward. He managed to help in some ways, while balancing his own goals and not wanting to become too involved.

Was he an "informant?" Likely not.  Was he doing his part and staying in the good graces of the feds?  Almost certainly.

It was an interesting time, and Walt was savvy enough to know how to play the game.  




High School Student, 18, Invents Filter That Eliminate 95.5% of Microplastics

I love hearing about young people tackling problems. Here a high school student came up with a ferrofluid, essentially magnets, that attracts the microplastics in a tank and leaves clean water. 

Excellent approach that may yield some innovation. 



Hubble images taken 25 years apart show big changes in the iconic Crab Nebula — Space photo of the week | Live Science

Nice! And scientists are using these celestial images to show how expansion takes place in the universe.  


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Archaeologists may have found the grave of the legendary "fourth musketeer" - Ars Technica

Another intriguing mystery. Archeologists have unearthed what they believe to be the remains of musketeer D'Artgan

Whether it is him or not remains to be seen. But the signs certainly point to it being him.  


The World's Largest Wind Farm Built to Power 3.3 Million Homes Just Flipped a Major Switch

Clean energy for the win. Essentially, the large wind farm in the North Sea was connected and a cable was laid to the UK coastline. 

Energy will now be provided to the grid, and that should be sufficient to power 3.3 million homes.  



Meet the inventor dubbed 'Black Edison,' who beat Thomas Edison in court

Granville Woods is no household name. Yet, he was a prolific inventor who caught Edison’s attention … and in short, Edison used all manner of tactics to try and steal Woods’ inventions. 

The thing is that Woods had the misfortune of being black in America at a time when we were still overcoming slavery…. So he was never afforded the same deference as Edison. 

At least today, we can acknowledge the man and his accomplishments. Even if he died a poor man without much (if any!) recognition. 
 


Bonus: In the domain of "I'll take any good news I can get," last week, the Senate didn't have the support to confirm the nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General, and so her candidacy was abandoned.  She is a "wellness influencer" who apparently went to medical school, but never completed her residency and holds no medical licence.  She was an ally to RFK jr, and was staunchly anti-science.  I will take the win, for now.

But, next up is a Fox News Contributor, Dr. Nicole Saphier, who at least holds the minimum qualification of being an actual doctor, though her stance on science, and her beliefs, can otherwise be questioned.

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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