Check out the latest Paracast for an interview with Jacques Vallee. In the 1950s and 60s, before the laughter curtain descended, a number of scientists took a serious interest in UFOs. Vallee was one of them, and wrote several influential books.

The latest AWA podcast got me thinking. The technology for flying cars isn't that far off. the main problems are systemic - how we handle all that extra air traffic, especially around areas like mine where there is already lots of air traffic, and around areas where people converge, like shopping centers and sports stadia? There are other non-trivial problems, like fail-safe systems that don't require much pilot skill to get you safely to the ground in event of mechanical failure or bad weather, even in the presence of bodies of water, power lines, railroad tracks, smokestacks, etc.

It basically comes down to systems and software - engines and airfoils shouldn't be that tough, especially since we don't need these vehicles to fly all that fast or all that high an altitude. I think it's an interesting set of problems.

Excuse me, but I have to go enlist in the Ukrainian Army.

Michael Totten is always an interesting read with a totally independent viewpoint informed from being on the ground a lot in war zones. This dispatch from Iraq has some interesting insights.

From Tromso, Norway, a pretty picture for your enjoyment. I am jealous (of the photograph, not living in Tromso in February).

To convince me, there needs to be some corroboration...

Large .pdf

Who knew you weren't supposed to do that?

"Abstinence only" is harmful bullshit, and these young ladies deserve kudos for their chutzpah in supporting safe sex education.

Huckwit.

This combines 2 words that go together quite naturally. Example:

Oh Mike, that's such bollocks. You ARE a huckwit!