Heiser Christmas Letter 2021
Pandemic Report, Chapter 2
Pandemic Report, Chapter 2
It seems more like chapter 42, with the virus persisting in each new wave. We’re convinced that every shot of COVID-19 vaccine helps for every variant: the first, the second, the booster, and even a fourth jab. Prior COVID infections boost immunity, too. Dick can’t stand to watch the constant news videos of people getting jabbed. Can we have a less visceral visual? Dr. Eric Topol made it clear on the PBS NewsHour that starting in January we’re all likely to get infected, a million cases per day. Too bad about the Olympics! Our friend Steve Spierer revisited the podcast where he recounted his January 2021 bout with the virus. It’s a harrowing story. He survived and returned to tell us what he learned. This is the perfect time to fully absorb those lessons. At the rate omicron is advancing, at least it will be over faster.
It seems more like chapter 42, with the virus persisting in each new wave. We’re convinced that every shot of COVID-19 vaccine helps for every variant: the first, the second, the booster, and even a fourth jab. Prior COVID infections boost immunity, too. Dick can’t stand to watch the constant news videos of people getting jabbed. Can we have a less visceral visual? Dr. Eric Topol made it clear on the PBS NewsHour that starting in January we’re all likely to get infected, a million cases per day. Too bad about the Olympics! Our friend Steve Spierer revisited the podcast where he recounted his January 2021 bout with the virus. It’s a harrowing story. He survived and returned to tell us what he learned. This is the perfect time to fully absorb those lessons. At the rate omicron is advancing, at least it will be over faster.
Pro–Choice Insurance
Pro–Choice Insurance
As the debate has intensified about abortion, we have become better informed and more involved. We were surprised to learn that medical abortion with five pills (1@ mifepristone and 4@ misoprostol) had already been FDA–approved twenty years ago. Obstructive rules required that the pills be delivered from the hand of a specially certified physician. These restrictions were suspended during the pandemic and have now been permanently waived. Local and online clinics have been formed to distribute the pills by telehealth. Now, as abortion is being challenged, it’s time to get more progressive. A kit of five pills is inexpensive and inconspicuous, a “feminist earthquake kit.” Having the pills on hand in advance, “just in case”, would ensure access. It would be empowering.
As the debate has intensified about abortion, we have become better informed and more involved. We were surprised to learn that medical abortion with five pills (1@ mifepristone and 4@ misoprostol) had already been FDA–approved twenty years ago. Obstructive rules required that the pills be delivered from the hand of a specially certified physician. These restrictions were suspended during the pandemic and have now been permanently waived. Local and online clinics have been formed to distribute the pills by telehealth. Now, as abortion is being challenged, it’s time to get more progressive. A kit of five pills is inexpensive and inconspicuous, a “feminist earthquake kit.” Having the pills on hand in advance, “just in case”, would ensure access. It would be empowering.
“Reproductive justice requires every individual to have the right to make their own decisions about having children regardless of their circumstances and without interference and discrimination. Reproductive justice is a human right that can and will be achieved when all people, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex (including gender identity, sex stereotyping, or sexual orientation), age, or disability status have the economic, social, and political power and resources to define and make decisions about their bodies, health, sexuality, families, and communities in all areas of their lives, with dignity and self-determination.”
“Reproductive justice requires every individual to have the right to make their own decisions about having children regardless of their circumstances and without interference and discrimination. Reproductive justice is a human right that can and will be achieved when all people, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex (including gender identity, sex stereotyping, or sexual orientation), age, or disability status have the economic, social, and political power and resources to define and make decisions about their bodies, health, sexuality, families, and communities in all areas of their lives, with dignity and self-determination.”
– from H.R. 3755 – Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021
– from H.R. 3755 – Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021
“Just say we won” – Rudy Giulani
“Just say we won” – Rudy Giulani
This was a genius idea; it worked. Now, we need to figure out how to undo the wreckage.
This was a genius idea; it worked. Now, we need to figure out how to undo the wreckage.
Reducing a Humanitarian Crisis
Reducing a Humanitarian Crisis
Release Afghani aid funds and banking holds. Seizing other people's funds because we're the bankers is the definition of abuse of power.
Release Afghani aid funds and banking holds. Seizing other people's funds because we're the bankers is the definition of abuse of power.
Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Abolish Nuclear Weapons
This year, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons went into force, with 122 signatures. We will keep working for the reduction of nuclear weapons and for preventing their accidental use.
This year, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons went into force, with 122 signatures. We will keep working for the reduction of nuclear weapons and for preventing their accidental use.
Drone, Chapter 2
Drone, Chapter 2
In 2017, Dick was excited to get a camera drone, a quadcopter with GPS, Wi–Fi, video and software. Now, there’s first-person view (FPV), a more adventurous kind of drone that’s acrobatic and fast. The old drone was exciting, and it was easy to fly, like piloting a barge. The new one is more like a fighter jet. It comes with goggles for an immersive experience. Dick is trying to find places to fly where drones are tolerated. Meanwhile, the US government has put DJI, the maker of both drones, on an “entity list,” along with Huawei. Supposedly, they’re stealing our secrets. Actually, they’re eating our lunch.
In 2017, Dick was excited to get a camera drone, a quadcopter with GPS, Wi–Fi, video and software. Now, there’s first-person view (FPV), a more adventurous kind of drone that’s acrobatic and fast. The old drone was exciting, and it was easy to fly, like piloting a barge. The new one is more like a fighter jet. It comes with goggles for an immersive experience. Dick is trying to find places to fly where drones are tolerated. Meanwhile, the US government has put DJI, the maker of both drones, on an “entity list,” along with Huawei. Supposedly, they’re stealing our secrets. Actually, they’re eating our lunch.
Unpersuasive Exhortations, Chapter 2
Unpersuasive Exhortations, Chapter 2
Dick failed again to inspire his retirement–learning friends at the PLATO Society with an important new course proposal. Last time, it was the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the agenda for our planet for the next decade. This time, it's about energy from nuclear fusion. The long, unsatisfying road to fusion power has led many observers to write it off, but recent progress has been significant. MIT and several startup companies have promising initiatives, and a breakthrough has occurred using high–temperature superconductors to create stronger magnetic fields. This is a big deal because fusion power would be always–on, low–carbon energy that would completely solve the climate change problem for millennia. At PLATO, we use a provisional vote of the membership to narrow down course lists. Fusion came in 27th out of 31 courses ☹️. Following fusion in the news loosened up Dick’s thinking, to imagine clean energy abundant enough to desalinate water. Picture a box that produces electricity, but also a lot of heat. The Star Builders by Arthur Turrell is a good resource.
Dick failed again to inspire his retirement–learning friends at the PLATO Society with an important new course proposal. Last time, it was the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the agenda for our planet for the next decade. This time, it's about energy from nuclear fusion. The long, unsatisfying road to fusion power has led many observers to write it off, but recent progress has been significant. MIT and several startup companies have promising initiatives, and a breakthrough has occurred using high–temperature superconductors to create stronger magnetic fields. This is a big deal because fusion power would be always–on, low–carbon energy that would completely solve the climate change problem for millennia. At PLATO, we use a provisional vote of the membership to narrow down course lists. Fusion came in 27th out of 31 courses ☹️. Following fusion in the news loosened up Dick’s thinking, to imagine clean energy abundant enough to desalinate water. Picture a box that produces electricity, but also a lot of heat. The Star Builders by Arthur Turrell is a good resource.
Our house consumes a lot of natural gas, for heating, hot water and cooking; it would take a lot of electricity to replace all that gas. For now, for health, we’re turning on the exhaust fan when cooking with gas. Eventually, we will probably learn to cook by induction. Induction stoves are much faster, more responsive and more efficient than older electric ones. Meanwhile, there will be debates about banning new natural gas hookups and also state bans banning local gas bans. Who says politicians don’t understand recursion?
Our house consumes a lot of natural gas, for heating, hot water and cooking; it would take a lot of electricity to replace all that gas. For now, for health, we’re turning on the exhaust fan when cooking with gas. Eventually, we will probably learn to cook by induction. Induction stoves are much faster, more responsive and more efficient than older electric ones. Meanwhile, there will be debates about banning new natural gas hookups and also state bans banning local gas bans. Who says politicians don’t understand recursion?
Recommendations
Recommendations
King Richard is going to be amazing! It’s ironic to recommend a movie we haven’t seen yet, but the buzz is so good, and the story of the movie’s making is so heartwarming, that we’re betting on this one ahead of time.
King Richard is going to be amazing! It’s ironic to recommend a movie we haven’t seen yet, but the buzz is so good, and the story of the movie’s making is so heartwarming, that we’re betting on this one ahead of time.
If we’re going to make crazy recommendations, here’s another one: Drive My Car from director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. We haven’t seen that one either, but it’s obviously radiant. This must be the golden age of movie storytelling.
If we’re going to make crazy recommendations, here’s another one: Drive My Car from director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. We haven’t seen that one either, but it’s obviously radiant. This must be the golden age of movie storytelling.
Open Source Intelligence – www.bellingcat.com has investigated political crimes, and can identify a location from a video frame-grab; it’s called “geolocation”. They're an image forensics service for and by the public, a crime lab for Wikileaks.
Open Source Intelligence – www.bellingcat.com has investigated political crimes, and can identify a location from a video frame-grab; it’s called “geolocation”. They're an image forensics service for and by the public, a crime lab for Wikileaks.
3D Spaceship models
3D Spaceship models
Somebody’s pandemic project was to collect a stellar bunch of models into a little movie. Here's one in color.
Somebody’s pandemic project was to collect a stellar bunch of models into a little movie. Here's one in color.
Data, not News
Data, not News
Steven Pinker says, “progressives hate progress.” We react extra intensely to negative events, so we are bombarded with crises in the news and we forget about the amazing progress of the last couple of centuries and decades. This is the best time ever to be alive. Ten Global Trends by Ronald Bailey and Marian Tupy, Enlightenment Now! by Steven Pinker and Factfulness by Hans Rosling support this thinking.
Steven Pinker says, “progressives hate progress.” We react extra intensely to negative events, so we are bombarded with crises in the news and we forget about the amazing progress of the last couple of centuries and decades. This is the best time ever to be alive. Ten Global Trends by Ronald Bailey and Marian Tupy, Enlightenment Now! by Steven Pinker and Factfulness by Hans Rosling support this thinking.
We are grateful for good health, leisure and friends, and hope you will be safe and healthy in the coming year! Peace & Love! May 2022 be a year of recovery and growth!
We are grateful for good health, leisure and friends, and hope you will be safe and healthy in the coming year! Peace & Love! May 2022 be a year of recovery and growth!
☮ ☯
☮ ☯
