Observer Interview: Peter Kalmus
Interview – Peter Kalmus: ‘As a species, we’re on autopilot, not making the right decisions’ Ian Tucker May 21, 2022 The Nasa data scientist explains why inaction on the climate crisis pushed him to chain himself to an LA bank – and why trusting in the ‘people in charge’ is so dangerous: ==================================== Do you … [Read more…]
Some Nine Months in San Francisco
I was surprised to see this in the PERSONAL MENTION column of the 24 October 1919 Santa Rosa Press Democrat. It seems that Miss Lewis has been publicly shamed by the newspaper. While they normally report casual comings and goings, business and vacation trips, this is the only time I’ve seen something like this: Miss … [Read more…]
HATELAB
In the Guardian, May 7, 2022, an article on hate speech Hate speech online has escalated to unprecedented levels. Matthew Williams, a professor of criminology, is shining a scientific light on who is behind it and why. “It is no coincidence that soaring hate-crime figures are found in countries where the extreme right is rising … [Read more…]
How far America has slipped away from democracy
In Politico, this interview with Ruth Ben-Ghiat – An expert on autocracy assesses how far America has slipped away from democracy, and what it will take to get it back. Ben-Ghiat: One of the big talking points and strategy of right-wing authoritarianism, is to label democratic systems as tyrannical. Mussolini was the first to say … [Read more…]
The Rockbridge Network – Rich Republicans form coalition
The New York Times article about a new coalition of wealthy conservative benefactors that says it aims to “disrupt but advance the Republican agenda.” Our favorite players, Peter Thiel, Rebekah Mercer, et al, are at it again.
America’s Pandemic Orphans Are Slipping Through the Cracks
The Atlantic has an article about a pressing pandemic problem with orphaned children. Losing a parent may be one of the most destabilizing events of the human experience. Orphans are at increased risk of substance abuse, dropping out of school, and poverty. They are almost twice as likely as non-orphans to die by suicide, and … [Read more…]
Commentary: Utility profits the unspoken factor in California’s rooftop solar fight
Commentary: Utility profits the unspoken factor in California’s rooftop solar fight
In a World on Fire, Stop Burning Things
In the New Yorker, Bill McKibben wrote an essay titled “In a World on Fire, Stop Burning Things” Here, he references many new reports which fortify the case for moving to renewable energy now and reinforcing the need to stop burning. On the last day of February, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its … [Read more…]
Energy efficiency guru
Interview – Energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins: ‘It’s the largest, cheapest, safest, cleanest way to address the crisis’ by John Vidal “Solar and wind are now the cheapest bulk power sources in 91% of the world, and the UN’s International Energy Agency (IEA) expects renewables to generate 90% of all new power in the coming … [Read more…]