Wednesday What We’re Reading (Jun. 19, 2019)

Here we are at the leading edge of the summer doldrums. Parvusimperator’s low on things to write about, and I’m in at-home productivity mode. So it goes. Happily, there’s a ton going on in the world, so we do have links for you. Lots of links.

Defense

Hong Kong Protests

Science and Technology

Grab Bag


  1. Yes, I’m enamored with the idea, and I should probably write about it in depth. 
  2. According to the Internet, that’s the demonym. 
  3. I thought at first that my only comment should have been ‘organleggers’, but that’s maybe a bit esoteric. 

5 thoughts on “Wednesday What We’re Reading (Jun. 19, 2019)

  1. Chris Bradshaw

    The limpet mine explanation seems to be pretty clear cut with the video that the USN released of IRGC armed vessels pulling alongside one of the tankers in question, not to mention the subsequent attempted shootdown of a US drone.

    Even the Germans are on board with that narrative now, and Merkel is no close friend to this POTUS.

    Reply
  2. Checkmate

    Some comments:
    1) On the KC-46 story…. JESUS CHRIST, where are these guys working? Back when I was in maintenance (5 years of it) we were checked at the end of the servicing, when the aircraft rolled out. The inspectors would ask to see all our toolboxes and inventory lists to make sure we had everything.
    Also smoking anywhere near an aircraft was a quick way to get fired.
    ALSO, an aircraft is one of the dirtiest things mankind has ever invented. Dust settles in parts of it so thick you can peel it off like a blanket (no, I’m not kidding, seen it with mine own eyes and hands…). Why would anyone eat a sandwich in such a place?….
    2) The Starlink story: 5G is better for cities. Starlink would be a big boon for remote aircraft monitoring (imagine Airbus being able to monitor it’s planes’ performance in real time across it’s entire fleet, or to transmit navigational data, or….1000 uses. Aircraft are mostly cut off from the world right now as they fly, which is bonkers) and remote ship monitoring (imagine real time data from nuke-powered cargo ships). Or remote monitoring of nuke stations to ensure that small modular reactors are not used in an unsafe manner or for unsavory purposes (as you see, I have a real hard-on for nuclear power).
    3) The organ story: I believe it. Most in the west have no concept of what living in a totalitarian state is like. Or living in a post-communist oligarchy is like. Yes, I find it plausible. Whether it’s an institutional thing, or something an enterprising warden would do for a little money on the side is debatable though…
    Honorary mention goes to the spammer-hammer that still gives me trouble. I’m sorry but it just does, and I have no clue what to do about it….

    Reply
    1. Fishbreath Post author

      There might be some IP geolocation you’re falling to. Have you been commenting with the same email? If so, I’ll see if I can whitelist you based on that.

  3. Checkmate

    Think I found the problem. The email saved on my work computer was not the same as the one on my home computer. Now it seems to work. I’ll get back to you if I still have issues. Cheers!

    Reply
    1. Fishbreath Post author

      I made sure the email address you made this comment with is on the allow list, so hopefully you won’t have any further trouble with the spamhammer.

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