The East Palestine Crash: Reality Bubbles Through
East Palestine is a glimpse of the dirty underbelly of our industrial society and the never-ending need to keep an eye on what exactly we’re putting out there.
Author: Michael Siegel
Throughput: AI Sexbot Edition
Maybe there will come a day when a computer-generated AI Sexbot can pass a sexual Turing Test. But we are a long way away from that.
Mini-Throughput: The Irrelevance of the Doomsday Clock
Consign the Doomsday Clock to complete irrelevancy. They can stand next to the people with sandwich boards claiming the end is nigh.
Video Throughput: Astronomy in Tolkien’s Universe
In this video, I use a scene from the Hobbit as a jumping off point to talk about astronomical calendars, eclipse and how old civilizations knew way more about the universe than we give them credit for.
Throughput: Gas Stoves, Water Drops, And Various Kinds of Hot Air
In the end, I think a case can be made for notifying the public of the potential risk and encouraging better ventilation and/or the use of oils that produce less chemical emissions.
2022: The Year in Science
Just to put it all in one place, so we can appreciate how much happened this year, here are the ten biggest science stories of the year.
Video Throughput: Alien Twin Spin
This week, you get a twin spin: I look at science in the movie Alien and its sequel Aliens. Is the xenomorph possible? Do reactors really explode like that?
The Franklin Mint Wouldn’t Answer the Phone
Mr. Trump announced an online store to sell $99 digital trading cards of himself as a superhero, an astronaut, an Old West sheriff and a series of other fantastical figures.
Thursday Throughput: Laser Implosion Edition
The running joke is fusion power is always twenty years away. I would say that we are now to the point where fusion power is ten years away.
Throughput Video: Andrew and Mike Talk SciFi Captains
In today’s episode, I call in some help in ranking starship captains, generals and other sci-fi leaders. What makes a great leader? What makes a poor one? What are the most compelling portrayals in sci-fi?
Turkeys and Drumsticks 2022
The year 2022 was just. That. Stupid. So, without further ado, here are your Turkeys of the Year and Golden Drumsticks.
Video Throughput: Artemis, Launches, and Legos?
In this video, you get a look at my live reaction to the successful launch of Artemis 1. While waiting through the launch delay, I talk about the Lego kits
Thursday Throughput: Invisible Universe Edition
If you could see neutrinos, this is what that galaxy would look like. It’s remarkable work and yet another reminder that we are still just getting a glimpse of what is out there.
Throughput: The COVID Lab Leak Theory Resurfaces
While this COVID lab leak theory fire has burned for a while, the last week saw two deluges of rocket fuel poured on it.
Video Throughput: The Madness of Multiverses
In this video, I look at multiverses, which have become the big thing in movies and TV shows. Is there any science meat on that bone? Let’s take a look:
Thursday Throughput: Big Whomping Space Explosion Edition
The picture below was produced by my colleague Andy Beardmore from Swift data. It shows the X-rays scattering off dust grains in our own galaxy.
Taking Adantage of Ye
Despite his anti-Semitic ravings, I have sympathy for Ye and want him to get help. No, my anger is at the people who are taking advantage of this man.
Alex Jones And All The Money in the World
The trial made two things clear: Sandy Hook families were subject to horrendous suffering because of Alex Jones. And that he did not care.
Friday Throughput: Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact
In this video, from science fiction to real time history of what DART did, why it matters, what the future of space defense might look like
Thursday Throughput: COVID Over Edition
So is Biden right? Is COVID over? Well, y’all know me. You know that the answer to that is inevitably going be … kinda.
