FARSI IS NOT AN OPTION: Is it time to stop speaking 'English'?
Some history.
SHADOW'S WORLD
Thoughts on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Engineering. Oh, and Politics.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
AMERICANS LOST the Virginia redistricting fight with stupid tactics — and we seem to be making the same mistake with Iran.
PRIVACY, FOR ME PERSONALLY: The thing I'll miss the most (when the data centers come to town).
And more generally, heritage, the lifestyles, traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of those of us who have lived rurally or in small towns across the nation, many for generations.
And more generally, heritage, the lifestyles, traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of those of us who have lived rurally or in small towns across the nation, many for generations.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
WHOSE STUFF IS IT, ANYWAY? John Deere to pay $99 million in monumental right-to-repair settlement.
Now do cars. It's not your car without ‘the digital tools required for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair’ it. Even if you pay cash, it's only leased.
I may never use them personally, but I'd sure like to have them available so I (or my mechanic) can turn off or disable all the health, safety, and 'let us help you drive' software that pollutes my driving experience.
Now do cars. It's not your car without ‘the digital tools required for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair’ it. Even if you pay cash, it's only leased.
I may never use them personally, but I'd sure like to have them available so I (or my mechanic) can turn off or disable all the health, safety, and 'let us help you drive' software that pollutes my driving experience.
FROM THE SHADOW'S WORLD WAYBACK MACHINE (June 19, 2020): So much has NOT changed....
Remember this?
And this?
A nation of equal poverty.
In only six (6!) years, technology has made great strides. Culturally and spiritually, however, we've regressed.
Remember this?
And this?
A nation of equal poverty.
In only six (6!) years, technology has made great strides. Culturally and spiritually, however, we've regressed.
EAST VILLAGERS are regretting their overwhelming vote for Zohran Mamdani.
They believe they voted for him to f*ck up other people's back yards. That's how communism is supposed to work....
They believe they voted for him to f*ck up other people's back yards. That's how communism is supposed to work....
JUST DO IT -- IT'S BRILLIANT! Here’s how Trump can nuke Virginia’s new gerrymandered map.
I lived there long enough to know what a fetid swamp northern Virginia is. Give it back to the DC swamp creatures.
And confine it there; Another forty miles of border wall would be a nice addition....
I lived there long enough to know what a fetid swamp northern Virginia is. Give it back to the DC swamp creatures.
And confine it there; Another forty miles of border wall would be a nice addition....
Friday, April 24, 2026
IT HAS BEFORE: Democrats fear this 'October Surprise' will cost them the Senate in the mid-term elections.
But it's a double-edged sword; the Republicans have lost as well.
But it's a double-edged sword; the Republicans have lost as well.
SPEEDING TO A DEGREE: Does a college credential signify ... anything?
As a now-retired engineering PhD, except in very narrow instances, the answer is "NOT REALLY". At the Bachelor's degree level, it probably won't hurt. Master's degree, only if you're seeking particular (usually STEM skills) training. And I can think of only three reasons to get a PhD, the first being that it's a box to check to get thatjob you really want (college professor, for example); the second is just for the hell of it (to prove to yourself that you can do it). The latter was my reason. The third -- and worst -- is the 'Dr. Jill' reason: I wanna be called 'Doctor'.
Post-PhD I spent the remainder (~25 years) of my working life in engineering and rarely, if ever, had to call on that added expertise of a PhD. And I must note that the two years spent not truly employed cost me roughly $80,000 in lost income (not including tuition and fees) over that 25-year working lifetime. In 1980 dollars. I don't even want to think of what that would be in 2026 dollars.
As a now-retired engineering PhD, except in very narrow instances, the answer is "NOT REALLY". At the Bachelor's degree level, it probably won't hurt. Master's degree, only if you're seeking particular (usually STEM skills) training. And I can think of only three reasons to get a PhD, the first being that it's a box to check to get thatjob you really want (college professor, for example); the second is just for the hell of it (to prove to yourself that you can do it). The latter was my reason. The third -- and worst -- is the 'Dr. Jill' reason: I wanna be called 'Doctor'.
Post-PhD I spent the remainder (~25 years) of my working life in engineering and rarely, if ever, had to call on that added expertise of a PhD. And I must note that the two years spent not truly employed cost me roughly $80,000 in lost income (not including tuition and fees) over that 25-year working lifetime. In 1980 dollars. I don't even want to think of what that would be in 2026 dollars.
WHITE COATS AND IRON LUNGS: It's long, but of particular interest to me since I had polio the year before the Salk vaccine was released (in 1954).
The post isn't so much about polio, it's more about technology, moral capital, earned trust, assumed authority, and its misuse by our 'expert' class.
That said, read it all. Trust me, it's worth serious thought.
The post isn't so much about polio, it's more about technology, moral capital, earned trust, assumed authority, and its misuse by our 'expert' class.
That said, read it all. Trust me, it's worth serious thought.
COGNITIVE ATROPHY IS A THING: Concern grows that Artifical Iintelligence is damaging users’ cognitive abilities. That strikes me as a pretty common sense observation which I've noted a number of times recently.
WHAT HAPPENED to the 11 scientists and employees who worked for NASA or were involved in nuclear research?
My theory is that they are all extraterrestrials (ETs) who have given up on Planet Earth, decided to shed their human skinsuits, and go home.
My theory is that they are all extraterrestrials (ETs) who have given up on Planet Earth, decided to shed their human skinsuits, and go home.
MORE EVIDENCE OF LEFTIST HYPOCRISY (IF NEEDED): Tom Steyer just secured the most hypocritical endorsement of the California governor's race. Billionaires are fine, as long as they're our billionaires....
Remember when Sen. Bernie Sanders [I-VT] hated millionaires -- until he became one?
Remember when Sen. Bernie Sanders [I-VT] hated millionaires -- until he became one?
WE NOW HAVE PROOF. The IRGC blocks Iran's President and seizes control of state functions.
It's time to follow LeMay's Law and kill the Revolutionary Guard extremists until they stop. If it means all of them, then so be it.
It's time to follow LeMay's Law and kill the Revolutionary Guard extremists until they stop. If it means all of them, then so be it.
SUNDAY SMILES: Here's the first:
And when you go to see the rest, read the rant about Mamdani's grocery stores on the way.
JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON is distinguishing herself on the U.S. Supreme Court — and not in a positive way. "It’s as though she’s positioned on an island defined by woke ideology, racial justice, and equity, while the other eight justices remain on the mainland of restraint."
Read the whole thing.
Read the whole thing.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS urged to call in the FBI after second Supreme Court leak emerges.
It's waaayy past time for Justice Roberts to listen to himself: "[J]udges are like umpires. Umpires don't make the rules. They apply them... Nobody ever went to a ballgame to see the umpire." Then make sure the prosecution enforces them. To the maximum.
It's waaayy past time for Justice Roberts to listen to himself: "[J]udges are like umpires. Umpires don't make the rules. They apply them... Nobody ever went to a ballgame to see the umpire." Then make sure the prosecution enforces them. To the maximum.
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