turnipostrophe's recent activity
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
turnipostrophe (edited )Link ParentI am not concened with vote for 3rd party right now. Just creating the conditions where 3rd party is viable without strategically voting. I volunteer with local group to create rank choice voting...I am not concened with vote for 3rd party right now. Just creating the conditions where 3rd party is viable without strategically voting.
I volunteer with local group to create rank choice voting for elections in the county. We have not had success yet. Need more helpers. People are too distracted by Trump. The big problem is that Democrat politicians are scared of ranked choice because it enables 3rd party (they hate 3rd party). However, great success of Mamdani in NYC is maybe changing their opinions. NYC ranked choice created very good election in NYC. Very pleasant election with collaboration and friendship and very good candidate has won.
Success on the horizon is with a coalition of many organizations who are seeking to change the party from within. Democratic Party has many local seats that progressives do not know about or bother to run for (precinct) - exact structure is different in every county. Once elected as precinct you can elect other party leaders, who support ranked choice. Therefore it is possible to change county law. Coalition is very large: the activists for education, roads, houses, immigrant, nature, churches, mosque, local businesses.
For the small village, I think it is about relationships with influential people, and educating all neighbors about the benefits. Not to make it seem partisan, just to emphasize that it gives freedom and choice and good democracy.
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
turnipostrophe Link ParentMaybe it's unfair, but it's not corrupt at all. It's totally permitted in the system, it's not illegal, it's not an oversight. It is the Senate's right to approve candidates. We shouldn't call...Maybe it's unfair, but it's not corrupt at all. It's totally permitted in the system, it's not illegal, it's not an oversight. It is the Senate's right to approve candidates. We shouldn't call things corrupt just because we don't like them. That really is just like calling the 2020 election corrupt. No it was not corrupt. To many people, maybe it was considered unfair, for whatever reason. Not the same thing at all, not the same.
I think my point still stands, which is that we could easily remove actually corrupt supreme court judges if Congress were not just 2 parties. The reason we are mad about SC is because Congress is not impeaching bad judges. Not because bad judges were appointed in the first place.
If the SC makes truly terrible decisions, Congress and the states can overrule them (amendment). They have that right. The reason they don't is there are just 2 parties. The system works alright except that it wrongly assumed people would be loyal to their branch of government, not the political parties. But that could be fixed if people actually tried. If there were ranked choice vote we would have 3+ parties. Then it would be hard to be so loyal to just 1.
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
turnipostrophe Link ParentI read on Wikipedia "Historical rankings of presidents of the United States. In 2022, the historians said that Trump was 3rd-worst president ever (43rd out of 45th). Only Andrew Johnson (racist)...I read on Wikipedia "Historical rankings of presidents of the United States. In 2022, the historians said that Trump was 3rd-worst president ever (43rd out of 45th). Only Andrew Johnson (racist) and James Buchanan (caused civil war) were worse. However, that was only after 1 term, before the worst actions he has done.
Now that Trump has had 2 terms, the next time the historians create the ranking, I am sure he will be very last. Because he is idiot, evil and bad strategic leader for USA. He has certainly caused USA to decline.
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
turnipostrophe Link ParentThe supreme courts were appointed legally, that was not unfair or corrupt. Even though I don't like Republican government, does not mean the process was inherently corrupt. This is almost like...A third branch (the courts) was appointed in unfair and corrupt ways
The supreme courts were appointed legally, that was not unfair or corrupt. Even though I don't like Republican government, does not mean the process was inherently corrupt. This is almost like denying 2020 election. The process was done as it was supposed to be done.
There is corruption. The supreme courts are taking bribes after appointment because they realize they are unaccountable. If they were term-limited, they would be less evil. Or if Congress were multi-party, they could be impeached. Right now impeachment is unrealistic because election system only makes 2 parties possible. The parties will always be primarily loyal to the parties, not to their branches of government. If there were 3 parties then Congress would be far more likely to act correctly and stop the supreme courts from being evil.
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Comment on The everything, everywhere, all at once corruption story in ~society
turnipostrophe Link ParentIt would be harder for Congress to be controlled by 1 evil party if all the states elected representatives using ranked choice.It would be harder for Congress to be controlled by 1 evil party if all the states elected representatives using ranked choice.
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Comment on A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentI see. I have not heard of that before, except in science fiction. I will read about it. I would be worried that we would use too many aerosols and accidentally cause all the plants to die due to...I see. I have not heard of that before, except in science fiction. I will read about it.
I would be worried that we would use too many aerosols and accidentally cause all the plants to die due to lack of sun, and create a famine. Many of my friends are farmers, so it would be bad for them. Also, I would die.
Also, even without a famine, I would be worried about breathing in more toxic particles and getting lung cancer. I believe this is the health problem with diesel cars and part of why we are switching to electric.
However, maybe it is worth doing in small quantities, until there is no need to burn coal and oil anymore.
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Comment on A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public in ~enviro
turnipostrophe (edited )Link ParentSorry, I cannot write well most days. As for the topic of geothermic energy, I am not so informed. However, I am reading that there are basically 2 ways: The old way. There are natural heat pools...Sorry, I cannot write well most days.
As for the topic of geothermic energy, I am not so informed. However, I am reading that there are basically 2 ways:
- The old way. There are natural heat pools near the surface, and we can take the energy very easily. Little or no drilling is required, so it is cheap. However, this can only be done in specific locations, such as Iceland.
- The new way. Technically, there is underground energy everywhere on Earth. Therefore it could replace oil and gas industry for "baseline" load of electricity 24/7, when solar panels and batteries are not enough. However, it requires drilling very deep. This is very expensive and technically challenging, and slow. What is good, is that modern oil and gas industry has fracking technology that makes it cheap to drill deep. Fracking is hydraulic fracturing, using hydraulic (fluid) to fracture (crack open) rock. It is possible to use this fracking technology for geothermic energy, except without the nasty chemicals they use to extract natural gas. Just water (fluid) to transfer the heat back to the surface.
I am reading that some companies are trying an alternative method to drill even more cost-efficiently. This method is to use a laser to vaporize the rock, instead of fracking. I am skeptical of the laser technology.
I have first read about 'enhanced' geothermal energy from the USA Department of Energy. This contains many links to information about the process and tests. I have also read about it from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is advanced university for engineers in USA. Also, I have read about it from International Energy Agency, which I believe is more trustworthy than USA sources because it is not controlled by Trump.
I have read about alternative methods, such as laser, because I was first reading about nuclear fusion. The laser is trying to use nuclear fusion technology to become very efficient at creating lasers for drilling. I believe the company is called Quaise. I think that is interesting, but their website says they are 4 years away from a test in Oregon USA. However, Fervo is only 2 years away from an actual 500 MW power plant in Utah. Therefore, I am much more confident in Fervo.
what do you mean on building an artificial housing
I mean a rock is natural. A pipe is artificial. We use fracking to create crevices in the rock, then we fill the crevices with fluid to conduct heat to come back to the surface for electric purposes. It would be unnecessary to add a pipe in the crevice to "house" the fluid, because the rock is already "housing" the fluid.
However, pipes could still be useful. I believe this is the difference between "closed" (like circle) and "open" (like U) systems. In closed system, the desire is to contain all the fluid within pipes. I believe this is more expensive to install and maintain (because it is very expensive to drill), but maybe it is helpful for some geologies of rocks. In open system, such as system created by fracking, the small cracks in the rock help get the heat to the large crevice, so pipes may be unnecessary. In places with much underground water, perhaps the open system may be better, as the water will not seep away. In dry locations, perhaps the closed system may be better, to prevent the water from seeping away.
I am not an expert. I am simply interested in technology that supports the environment. I believe that geologic energy is the best solution to replace natural gas because it is using the existing fracking technology in a clean way.
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Comment on A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentWhat is solar radiation modification?What is solar radiation modification?
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Comment on List of environmental websites and YouTube channels to watch? in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentI believe I have seen Mr. Clark’s videos once. He seems very knowledgeable. And English - not USA - English scientist are very truthful, because there is no Trump to control them. Also, I have...I believe I have seen Mr. Clark’s videos once. He seems very knowledgeable. And English - not USA - English scientist are very truthful, because there is no Trump to control them. Also, I have read the King supports science and environment. I will watch more videos from Mr. Clark. Thank you.
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Comment on Railway solar project turns unused track space into energy in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentPerhaps there is much physical land available outside tracks, but the process of leasing property from many owners is more difficult/expensive than leasing from SNCF or small number of other...Perhaps there is much physical land available outside tracks, but the process of leasing property from many owners is more difficult/expensive than leasing from SNCF or small number of other railroads. Perhaps this outweighs the mechanical problems. But it seems to be merely a test, not fully commercial or profitable.
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Comment on Railway solar project turns unused track space into energy in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentI read another article that says: Maybe they are rolled up in a cylinder just like aluminum foil. Maybe that is very cheap. Seems like it would be better to put them on the side, but perhaps the...I read another article that says:
The train uses a piston mechanism to unfurl the one-metre-wide panels, pre-assembled at a Swiss factory, at a forecast up to 1,000sq m per day.
Maybe they are rolled up in a cylinder just like aluminum foil. Maybe that is very cheap.
Seems like it would be better to put them on the side, but perhaps the train company does not own enough land there. Or they intend to expand to build a second track.
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Comment on Railway solar project turns unused track space into energy in ~enviro
turnipostrophe Link ParentPerhaps there is more shortage in France, which is small country, than USA, which is large country. In France their farms are for grapes and wine so they cannot add solar panels. In USA, it is...Perhaps there is more shortage in France, which is small country, than USA, which is large country. In France their farms are for grapes and wine so they cannot add solar panels. In USA, it is just parking lot.
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List of environmental websites and YouTube channels to watch?
I would like to learn more about environmental technology to protect Earth. Right now I am using Google Search, which is mostly bad results and not very educational, or nature documentaries, or...
I would like to learn more about environmental technology to protect Earth. Right now I am using Google Search, which is mostly bad results and not very educational, or nature documentaries, or too complicated for me. Can you please provide me with list of good YouTube channels to watch videos and websites to read about?
I am interested in greenhouse gas emission, electric car, solar panel and battery. I like animal but I do not want to read about their habitat. To learn about animal, I will watch documentary.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of May 11 in ~society
turnipostrophe (edited )Link ParentIs it normal for them to release a public autopsy after every election loss? I have never heard of this. Democratic Primary has been decided by insiders for a long time. In 2008 there was Obama...News coverage has focused on why the DNC shelved it. My understanding—based on Dem-world hearsay—is that the truth is stupider than the fiction: No autopsy was released because there is no actual autopsy. The members of the “autopsy team” were in over their heads and struggled to put the thing together.
Is it normal for them to release a public autopsy after every election loss? I have never heard of this.
It’s clear in retrospect that what Democrats needed for our damaged brand in 2024 was a primary in which a real, well-funded candidate running an economically populist campaign could have teed off against the Biden administration.
Democratic Primary has been decided by insiders for a long time. In 2008 there was Obama who defeated the established candidates. In 2012, no primary (obviously). In 2016, superdelegates chose Clinton wrongly. In 2020, Biden former vice president chosen, also establishment and old. In 2024, he ran again despite being too old. Then Kamala (vice president) ran but no one voted for her in the primary.
I voted for Kamala but the issue wasn't 2024 primary, it was the party machine trying to run machine candidates for the last 20 years, and scoffing at everyone else. After Biden left they should have done Bernie Sanders if they wanted another old man president. Or AOC for young woman. No complicated plan.
If we had ranked choice vote maybe it would be different, however Democrats hate that just as much as Republicans, once they are in power, because it hurts the party. I think citizens must stand up and demand ranked choice vote just like in New York City so we can elect Mamdani for Charlotte North Carolina.
Online and at events, the campaign came to be “Freedom” and “brat girl summer.” Most of that happened organically
I don't know about organically, I think this was hopium people such as myself trying to create a fun interpretation of the campaign we were not genuinely excited about.
Greatest quality about Kamala was being strong woman from regular family in Oakland (not political dynasty) and only age 60 compared to 80. However, she was not brat like Charli XCX, not brat.
The rest of the article talks about ads. I think it's too technical. None of that would have won that candidate the election. It was just the wrong candidate.
I think AOC 2028 will win.
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Comment on Gemini 3.2 Flash rumored to hit 92% of GPT-5.5 performance at lower cost in ~tech
turnipostrophe LinkHow do I truthfully learn which AI is best? Or which AI is going to be best in the future? I cannot keep track of all the AIs as they change. Myself, I do not know how to use the AI. However, I...How do I truthfully learn which AI is best? Or which AI is going to be best in the future? I cannot keep track of all the AIs as they change. Myself, I do not know how to use the AI. However, I have asked my niece about Chat and she said she buys it for computer programming (subscription). Then she has switched to Claude for computer programming. If we are to buy subscription for AI, how do we learn the most correct choice?
I read on Tildes about Mythos' great hacking skills. However, I do not need to hack, because that is illegal. I assume that the AI developers are trying to create the AIs that are best at defending against hacks. However, maybe that is not most useful thing for regular person such as my niece. So I am asking the purpose benchmarks for AI speed are useful to regular people, or only advanced technology user defending against hacks?
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Comment on We should take hantavirus more seriously in ~health
turnipostrophe Link ParentThis is what I mean about unscientific hypotheticals - the fears on behalf of others, that were so emphatically repeated during the pandemic, were based in social norms. You are making very strong...This is what I mean about unscientific hypotheticals - the fears on behalf of others, that were so emphatically repeated during the pandemic, were based in social norms.
You are making very strong rhetorical argument. I know it is strong because the same argument worked on me & most people in Covid - even after a vaccine and powerful medicines, many of the most apparently liberal/left-leaning people I know in USA insisted on arbitrary lockdown restrictions for months/years after it was necessary (changing everyone's behavior and life in an unpleasant, unsustainable way), which they justified as protecting ____ at-risk groups. I am libereal left so it was shocking. They were making a political decision, they had internalized the rhetoric of their camp/social class and exaggerated the risk of the Covid while ignoring other more profound (but apolitical) risks they had normalized in their life, such as watching many hour of television and TikTok. I thought it was ridiculous because they were the kind of person to deliver Science magazine to their house. In addition to being annoying, the isolation hurt people's mental health, hurt children social development, and made children think they were vulnerable to a disease they were not vulnerable to at all, which is not science. Now none of the children can read book because they watched TikTok only during pandemic.
The hanta doesn't look like it's as serious as covid, doesn't seem to spread in a similar way. I see no value in public commentary or fearmongering about hanta, when there are far worse issues in the society that we have more control over. I will let the medical professionals handle it, and I will not support preemptively upending society.
I am not quick to say I will die, or others, I have thought about death for many years. Death occurs and it is sad, I do not believe in making life worse for every one of billions of people, simply to extend the life of some people who might have died relatively soon anyway, the very elderly or very sick. I am OK with lockdown in dire situations when it will matter, but not forever, not preemptive. However if these vulnerable people believe very strongly in living for long time then they can wear Darth Vader gas mask to protect selves. I know family that does this still (in 2026). That is fine as it protects them and does not affect other people. I support the vaccine and the science. I just say not to go too far.
Hanta cause 3 deaths in this year on the cruise ship. I see on Google it caused 59 deaths in 2025. I read on the Wikipedia that airplane accident is 776 deaths in 2025. If society is tolerating airplane accident of that number, then why would society shut down for hanta? Impossible to be perfect and avoid all death, we will search forever in lockdown, and in the meantime, souls will disappear in loneliness.
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Comment on A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public in ~enviro
turnipostrophe (edited )Link ParentTo make geological energy widely usable at scale, I think they have to go very deep underground. That requires the fracking technology. It seems like the recent technology makes this cheaper than...To make geological energy widely usable at scale, I think they have to go very deep underground. That requires the fracking technology. It seems like the recent technology makes this cheaper than before.
I don't see how it would be reasonable to build an artificial housing for the fluid that is conducting the heat. The rocks are already there, fracking basically creates the pipes without extra material costs.
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Comment on A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public in ~enviro
turnipostrophe LinkFound this article in the newspaper about geological energy. https://archive.is/6VbD7 Like fracking, but without the chemicals? I see why Trump/oil and gas industry support this. Seems like a...Found this article in the newspaper about geological energy. https://archive.is/6VbD7
This week, Fervo raised $1.89 billion in its initial public offering, more than what investors had expected even after a surge of interest from Wall Street. The company, whose stock now trades on Nasdaq, sold 70 million shares at $27 each, giving it an initial valuation of roughly $7.7 billion.
Geothermal has support across the political spectrum because it can produce electricity without any planet-warming emissions while operating 24 hours a day, unlike wind and solar projects. The Trump administration has also backed the technology, recently announcing $171 million for field tests.
Fervo drills pairs of wells that extend thousands of feet down into hot, dry granite. Then, using controlled explosives and high-pressure fluids, it creates cracks between the wells. Finally, Fervo injects water into one well so that it moves through those cracks, heats up to more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit and comes out the other well as steam that turns turbines to generate electricity.
Like fracking, but without the chemicals? I see why Trump/oil and gas industry support this.
Founded in 2017, the company expects its Utah power plant, called Cape Station, to start sending power to the grid this year. It will ultimately have the capacity to generate at least 500 megawatts of electricity — power that Fervo has agreed to sell to Google, Southern California Edison and others.
The theoretical potential is enormous. The United States has about 3,800 megawatts of conventional geothermal capacity, mostly in the West. Fervo has leased lands with the potential for more than 40,000 megawatts of capacity, the company said.
Seems like a meaningful amount of generation but it's still more expensive than natural gas.
Geothermal companies need to significantly lower costs of drilling and setting up their plants. In its filing, Fervo said Cape Station would cost approximately $7,000 for each kilowatt of electricity it produced. That would make it cheaper than new nuclear plants but still more than twice as expensive as natural gas plants.
Geothermal executives say those prices will fall quickly, as the industry becomes more efficient at drilling and optimizing wells, similarly to the way oil and gas companies have. That, analysts said, could lower geothermal costs to roughly the same level as natural gas plants in parts of the West over five to 10 years.
I regularly engage in delusional hopium, but this gives me reason to have hope.
If this is cheaper than nuclear and can provide baseload electricity at any time of day, it seems like a good alternative to gas in places where that's expensive, or where the states are taxing gas higher for emissions. If it's only 2x higher than gas, well, maybe it can reach parity soon as the analyists say.
Maybe it will be enough to stop the AI data centers from building more gas plants.
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A start-up aiming to make geothermal energy mainstream goes public
12 votes
Yes it is great challenge. However it must start with trying. Most of the progressive are not trying, they are just complain about Trump on TikTok. The transformation requires more to try. Very first step. Then we will become like NYC with Mamdani.