Interesting Stuff You Saw on the I-net Today

[abarbarian]

watch: penguins get private tour of nelson-atkins museum of art in kansas city

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despite the many performances and cultural institutions you can virtually visit, watch and enjoy from home during the COVID-19 lockdown, boredom has affected us all as the weeks roll on. and this also seems to be the case for the penguins at the kansas city zoo in missouri, who recently took a field trip to the empty galleries of the nelson-atkins museum. on their private tour, our winged friends studied key movements in the field of art, from baroque to french impressionism.

 

its not animals in art; its animal enjoying it. watch the video to join the full field trip,

 

 

 

[abarbarian]

Students are throwing ‘coronavirus parties’ to see who gets infected first

 

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Students in Alabama have been throwing ‘Covid parties’ to see who can catch the virus first, an official has claimed. Tuscaloosa City Councillor Sonya McKinstry said guests invited to the bashes all ‘put money in a pot’ and ‘whoever gets Covid first gets the pot’.

 

 

Trump says coronavirus ‘will disappear’ despite 52,000 new US cases in one day

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In an interview with Fox News, the US president continued to describe coronavirus as a nuisance that he hopes will just go away. He said: ‘I think we are going to be very good with the coronavirus. I think that, at some point, that’s going to sort of just disappear, I hope.’

 

But according to data from Johns Hopkins University, there were 52,898 new cases yesterday, while the number of deaths stands at 128,062 – the world’s highest number by far.

 

 

Thoses students need keeping an eye on as they seem to have the potential to become future presidents

[abarbarian]

Breathing new life into colonizing the Moon? ESA to begin producing oxygen from LUNAR DUST

 

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Based on samples brought back from the Moon over the years, it turns out that lunar regolith (moon rock) is made up of 40 to 45 percent oxygen by weight, making it the satellite’s single most abundant element, which is incredibly fortunate for future human colonization plans.

 

[abarbarian]

Not an early riser? Here's some good news if you're hoping to view Comet NEOWISE

 

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Stargazers have the opportunity to spot a rare object in the sky this month as a newly discovered comet flies through the inner solar system for the first time in 6,800 years.

Comet NEOWISE has been getting brighter and brighter in the early-morning sky, and this week, it will become visible in the evening after sunset.

“Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) – discovered back in March by NASA's NEOWISE mission – is getting the attention of skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere this month,” NASA said.

 

 

Also apparently you can see five of the planets in the night sky this month too.

[abarbarian]

barcelona opera house reopens with a concert for more than 2,000 plants

 

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following the COVID-19 lockdowns, barcelona’s el liceu opera house has reopened with a concert to an audience of 2,292 potted plants. created by spanish conceptual artist eugenio ampudia, the concert for the biocene saw the UceLi string quartet perform ‘crisantemi’ by puccini as a response to ampudia’s quarantine time which allowed him to build a greater connection with nature.

 

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it was like ‘a visual poem, both a subtle metaphor but one which makes us smile,’ said the liceu’s artistic director victor garcia de gomar.

 

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once the concert was over, the plants were subsequently delivered to 2,292 health professionals, specifically from the clínic de barcelona hospital, accompanied by a certificate from the artist. if you missed the livestream presentation, you can watch it again on the above video and make sure you share it with your plants.

 

Personally I think these folk are totally barking or they have smoked and snorted too many of the plants.

[abarbarian]

Swarm of flying ants caught on weather radar over south coast

 

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The Met Office’s radar imagery picked up the cloud of ants, around 50 miles wide, over Kent and Sussex.

Smaller swarms can be seen over London.

The Met Office tweeted a video of the swarm and said: “It’s not raining in London, Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise.

“The radar is actually picking up a swarm of #flyingants across the southeast.”

 

 

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Flying ant day occurs when males and new queens leave the nest to mate, with many ant colonies doing so on the same day.

According to the Royal Society of Biology, there is not always one flying ant day, but as many as 96% of days between June and September flying ants are spotted.

 

 

[abarbarian]

The Forgotten Drink That Caffeinated North America for Centuries

 

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Every morning, every day, 85 percent of Americans alter their state of consciousness with a potent psychoactive drug: caffeine. Their most common source is the roasted seeds of several species of African shrubs in the genus Coffea (coffee), while other Americans use the dried leaves of a species of Camellia plant from China (tea).

Americans love caffeine, but few realize just how ancient the North American craving for caffeine truly is. North Americans have been enthusiastically quaffing caffeinated beverages since before the Boston Tea Party, before the English founded Jamestown, and before Columbus landed in the Americas. That is to say: North Americans discovered caffeine long before Europeans “discovered” North America.

Cassina, or black drink, the caffeinated beverage of choice for indigenous North Americans, was brewed from a species of holly native to coastal areas from the Tidewater region of Virginia to the Gulf Coast of Texas. It was a valuable pre-Columbian commodity and widely traded. Recent analyses of residue left in shell cups from Cahokia, the monumental pre-Columbian city just outside modern-day St. Louis and far outside of cassina’s native range, indicate that it was being drunk there. The Spanish, French, and English all documented American Indians drinking cassina throughout the American South, and some early colonists drank it on a daily basis. They even exported it to Europe.

 

 

[sunrat]

Qantas just retired its last 747. It traced the company's classic kangaroo logo in its flight path after leaving Sydney on its final journey to the Boeing resting place.

 

[abarbarian]

10 hours ago, sunrat said:

Qantas just retired its last 747. It traced the company's classic kangaroo logo in its flight path after leaving Sydney on its final journey to the Boeing resting place.

 

 

Aw that is so sweet what a nice way to sign off.

[abarbarian]

Salmonella Outbreak: Red Onions Are Causing These Symptoms

 

Salmonella Outbreak In Over 30 States Linked To California Red Onions

 

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The outbreak had previously baffled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the outbreak reportedly affecting hundreds in over 23 states, including Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, Arizona, Virginia, Florida, Nebraska, Maine, Oregon and Utah. That number, CBS reports, has since grown to over 30 states, with 396 people sickened and nearly 60 hospitalized since the outbreak began in July.

It is believed this same outbreak has also spread to Canada, which is launching its own investigation.

 

This outbreak is the second to affect the United States in recent weeks, with another linked to backyard poultry operations also identified. That particular outbreak is believed to have sickened 938 people in 48 states, leading 151 to be hospitalized and causing one death, ABC News Raleigh reports. That outbreak began in May.

Symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, and can occur anywhere between six hours and six days following exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms usually last between four and seven days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The states with reported salmonella infections as of July 29, 2020 are:

Alaska, with 6 illnesses, Arizona, with 14 illnesses, California, with 49 illnesses, Colorado, with 10 illnesses, Florida, with 3 illnesses, Idaho, with 5 illnesses, Illinois, with 10 illnesses, Indiana, with 2 illnesses, Iowa, with 15 illnesses, Kansas, with 1 illness, Kentucky, with 1 illness, Maine, with 4 illnesses, Maryland, with 1 illness, Michigan, with 23 illnesses, Minnesota, with 10 illnesses, Missouri, with 6 illnesses, Montana, with 33 illnesses, Nebraska, with 5 illnesses, Nevada, with 5 illnesses, New York, with 4 illnesses, North Carolina, with 3 illnesses, North Dakota, with 5 illnesses, Ohio, with 7 illnesses, Oregon, with 71 illnesses, Pennsylvania, with 2 illnesses, South Carolina, with 1 illness, South Dakota, with 11 illnesses, Tennessee, with 5 illnesses, Texas, with 1 illness, Utah, with 61 illnesses, Virginia, with 4 illnesses, Washington, with 2 illnesses, Wisconsin, with 5 illnesses and Wyoming, with 11 illnesses.

 

 

My guess is that this is caused by fertilizing with untreated sewage.

[crp]

On 8/2/2020 at 6:17 AM, abarbarian said:

Salmonella Outbreak In Over 30 States Linked To California Red Onions

 

CA has 49, OR has 71, WA has 2. that is interesting. Is WA not reporting cases? Did the onions get sent to UT instead of WA?

 

[ebrke]

Anyone who doesn't want a really, really close relationship with Siri may want to read this article:

Siri Secret Surveillance

[Pete!]

1 hour ago, ebrke said:

Anyone who doesn't want a really, really close relationship with Siri may want to read this article:

Siri Secret Surveillance

I heard some stories about "evil Alexa".

I haven't heard the maniacal laugh yet but...

Now, I always turn off the surge suppressors that supply power to my router, and to my Firestick, before I  dare to sleep.

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/5744181/amazon-echo-alexa-spontaneous-evil-laugh/

Edited August 15, 2020 by Pete!

[crp]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAf7-xZISG8

 

Neat effects with a flame.

there is a physics paper that was put out that gives possible explanations.

 

[sunrat]

Fluid dynamics are fascinating.

[Cluttermagnet]

On 8/15/2020 at 4:16 PM, ebrke said:

Anyone who doesn't want a really, really close relationship with Siri may want to read this article:

Siri Secret Surveillance

 

Siri? Alexa? Is anyone really surprised? I wouldn't let those evil trolls anywhere near me.

I still have a flip phone. For now, until forced (more on that some other time), I refuse to

even own a smart phone. My flip phone stays mostly turned off. I get it out of the

aluminum foil Faraday shield when I actually need it (rare). I cannot believe the things

people let these high tech perverts get away with. I'm becoming more of a Luddite

every day. Ugh! Even a flip phone could in theory be used to track you...

 

BTW watch out for the latest TV's as well. They are thoroughly bugged and do phone

home. I love 'dumb' appliances and older cars. With no internet connection...

 

Bah humbug... Hurrumph!

 

Clutter

Edited August 17, 2020 by Cluttermagnet

[zlim]

This Luddite is right behind you. Our cable box acted up this morning and my husband suggested maybe we need a new one from Comcast. I said I don't want a new one with those voice remotes. I prefer the older, dumb cable box.

 

I did see the need to get a smart phone. Internet access, safely at home when the power is off for hours. The electric company tells you to check the website.

I use it when driving somewhere and I'm not sure of the directions. I like when a voice tells me where to turn. (Our cars are too old to have navigation systems in them). Of course if they hope to get much data from me, they are out of luck because my phone is mainly off.

I've needed it to attend ZOOM Meetings for 2 organizations I'm a member of. On a smart phone, you don't have to have a ZOOM account to use the app.

[ebrke]

I'm also being driven to a smart phone. I had a hard time checking my cat into an emergency vet because I couldn't enter my info remotely from the parking lot and I'm in the same situation as Liz with frequent power problems. However, when I get one there's a whole lot of things that are going to be disabled. If I don't need it, it gets turned off or removed. And my answer to a new TV is not to connect it to anything but the electric socket.

[ebrke]

9 hours ago, zlim said:

I said I don't want a new one with those voice remotes. I prefer the older, dumb cable box.

Also, the software on the new boxes is different. Everything is represented in pictures, not text that they have been using for 20-plus years. I find that extremely difficult--it probably works better if you have a newer, high-def TV. I have one of those boxes in what was my mother's room, and I think I'll get rid of it.

[Cluttermagnet]

14 hours ago, ebrke said:

I'm also being driven to a smart phone. I had a hard time checking my cat into an emergency vet because I couldn't enter my info remotely from the parking lot and I'm in the same situation as Liz with frequent power problems. However, when I get one there's a whole lot of things that are going to be disabled. If I don't need it, it gets turned off or removed. And my answer to a new TV is not to connect it to anything but the electric socket.

 

I don't know for a fact, but do fear- that the new TV's are set up to connect wirelessly.

So if you have any wireless running in/near your home, gotcha! These things have mics

and probably cameras as well. Wouldn't have a new TV. Plenty of older ones available.

The new ones are set up to phone home. That's default behavior. Further, I hear they

are easily hacked from outside. It's probably somewhat akin to hooking up an

unprotected computer with Win XP to the internet. They'll be hot after you shortly

like those awful, metallic death worms in the Matrix movie. Ugh. What- a few seconds

to minutes, and you have been pwned...

 

Clutter

[sunrat]

I have a Sony 4K "smart" TV. First thing I did a couple of years ago when I set it up was disable wireless and plug in ethernet connection. Then a couple of months ago I needed the ethernet cable for something else and I only realised yesterday i hadn't replaced it!

It has a Linux PC connected with which I watch most online shows or locally saved movies/programs. Audio is far superior from the PC too which I care a lot about (I have a marvellous ADAM Audio studio monitor system to which I just added a monster subwoofer  ) . I don't have Netflix or any subscriptions, they are way too expensive when only income is a pension since I retired in February.

It's an OK TV but it doesn't get to use any of its smart capabilities.

[zlim]

I have no idea if this is true but I shutter to think what if it is.

My girlfriend who lives in a Philly suburb went shopping for a new dryer. She said all the dryers are smart appliances!

I have no need for a smart dryer. First I never run a dryer if I am not in the house. If I have to leave, I open the door to turn off the dryer. I then turn it on when I return.

Our dryer came with our home and we moved in in 1989. I have no idea how old it is but as long as it works, I'm not replacing it. It buzzes when the drying time is up and I check to see if anything needs to dry longer.

[crp]

7 hours ago, Cluttermagnet said:

 

I don't know for a fact, but do fear- that the new TV's are set up to connect wirelessly.

So if you have any wireless running in/near your home, gotcha!

oh please. if one has wireless internet running that doesn't require a password than 'gotcha' deserves to happen.

my tv does not have wireless enabled nor the wireless password on it and doesn't have a Ethernet cable attached.

i let my pc or streaming device take care of all network access.

 

[abarbarian]

ruben stelli turns toilet paper into a musical instrument to play the popcorn song
 

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with a lot more time on their hands the past few months of lockdown has brought inspiration to the minds of many artists and designers, and none more so than ruben stelli. offering a more whimsical response to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic, the dutch creative shares with us his recently finished project: popcorn song by toilet rolls.

 

 

No wonder there was a shortage of toilet rolls as so many folk tried to do the same thing.

 

 

[abarbarian]

This British Colonial Report Offers a Rare Glimpse Into India’s Historic Cannabis Cuisine And a description of some very stoned canines.  

 

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Intriguingly, O’Shaughnessy found that hemp was effective in treating “infantile convulsions”—over 170 years before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration came to a similar conclusion.

 

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This ambiguous legal status hasn’t stopped the popularity of South Asian cannabis culture. From the smoky ablutions of wandering Shaivite sadhus to everyday ganja smoking on the street, from tall glasses of bhang lassi to rose-scented thandai, cannabis continues to enjoy an exalted position in many South Asian communities. With marijuana legalization leading to a rise in cannabis cuisine across the United States, it seems that—almost 200 years after William O’Shaughnessy compiled his rudimentary cannabis cookbook—the West may have finally caught up.

 

[ebrke]

On 8/18/2020 at 9:57 AM, zlim said:

She said all the dryers are smart appliances!

What information can a "smart" dryer possibly get/give? The brand of fabric softener sheets you use?

[Pete!]

56 minutes ago, ebrke said:

What information can a "smart" dryer possibly get/give? The brand of fabric softener sheets you use?

If it's anything like my toaster, unlike the old one, it "forgets" what you set it for, every time the power blinks, and reverts to default (burn everything).

[zlim]

Does the toaster have a life cycle? Like it gets 2 or 3 years of updates then it is a threat and you are expected to replace it? (like smart phones, Sonos speakers that are bricked by the company, etc.)

[sunrat]

6 hours ago, ebrke said:

What information can a "smart" dryer possibly get/give? The brand of fabric softener sheets you use?

 

I guess the idea is so you can start appliances remotely. Shame washers and dryers are not smart enough to put the clothes in for you, kinda makes all that "smart" technology rather stupid. My washer is not smart but washes the clothes well. For drying I use sunshine.

[abarbarian]

14 hours ago, ebrke said:

What information can a "smart" dryer possibly get/give? The brand of fabric softener sheets you use?

 

They probably send you a text if you do not close the door correctly

8 hours ago, sunrat said:

For drying I use sunshine.

 

What on earth is sunshine ?  We have had rain and wind here for so long that I have had to install grow bulbs all over the house just to get my daily vitamin D dosage.