2023-04-28
Fwd: head of largest hedge fund says we're on the edge of war and unable to talk to China
After American billionaire Ray Dalio returned from his China trip with grim warnings, policy experts are chiming in on "the scale of the threat" the Communist Chinese Party poses to national security.
Through his LinkedIn profile, Dalio published an article focusing on the "great power conflict" and what's going on with China. He claimed the piece is informed by two recent visits to Beijing where he spent a total of 13 days
"The United States and China are on the brink of war and are beyond the ability to talk," Dalio wrote. "I want to emphasize that by saying that they are on the brink, I don't mean to say that they will necessarily go over the brink. I mean to say that they are very close to crossing red lines that, if crossed, will irrevocably push them over the brink into some type of war that damages these two countries and causes damage to the world order in severe and irrevocable ways—like Russia's invasion of Ukraine did for Russia and the world, just much bigger."
Dalio founded the world's largest hedge fund firm which manages $124 billion, according to Forbes. The billionaire has been criticized for his financial exposure to the Chinese government. In 2021, Dalio equated human rights abuses in China to racism in America, and rhetorically asked whether or not he should still be investing in the United States.
American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Zack Cooper disagreed with Dalio's assessment on "Mornings with Maria" Friday, claiming the billionaire's comments don't line up with information from U.S. officials.
"I just don't think he's right. I actually think that what we've seen, as U.S. officials say recently, including the head of the Indo-Pacific command, that, yes, we have to be worried about a conflict, but that they don't see what's happening in the near term," Cooper said. "There's no reason to think we're on the brink of war right now."
However, other expert analysis has corroborated Dalio's warning of looming conflict, including Atlas Organization founder Gordon Chang who argued war could "very well" break out before 2025.
"When you have China engaging in dangerous intercepts of the U.S. and other militaries in the region, anything can happen. And we have a military that is not prepared to deal with the probable scenarios," Chang previously told host Maria Bartiromo. "General Mike Minahan on that January 27th leaked memo talked about war with China in 2025… Well, it could very well be before that."
Though Cooper further expressed doubt that there's a firm timeline for any U.S.-China conflict, he said Dalio's concerns are likely not about American defenses
"I think what Dalio's probably worried about is that there are going to be restrictions on U.S. investors that are putting money into China, especially into areas that have dual-use implications that could go into high-end computing, that could eventually help the Chinese military," Cooper said.
"And I think there is going to be real restrictions coming out of both the White House and Congress that will affect investors like Dalio.
2023-04-27
2023-04-26
World Chess Championship cutting to the chase
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2h7EnDkL_c&t=1095s
"The match is best of 14 games; a score of at least 7½ would win the world championship. If the score is equal after 14 games, tiebreak games with faster time controls will be played:[36]
A match consisting of 4 rapid games with 25 minutes per side and a 10-second increment starting with move 1 will be played. If a player scores 2½ points or more, he would win the championship.
If the score is equal after the rapid portion, a mini-match of two blitz games will be played, with a time control of 5 minutes per side and a 3-second increment starting with move 1. If a player scores 1½ points or more, he would win the championship. If the blitz mini-match is tied, another mini-match with the same conditions will be played to decide the winner of the championship.
If both blitz mini-matches are tied, a single game with a time control of 3 minutes per side and a 2-second increment starting with move 1 will be played, and the winner would win the championship. A drawing of lots shall decide which player plays with the white pieces. If this game is drawn, another blitz game with reversed colours will be played with the same time control, and the winner would win the championship. This process will be repeated until either player wins a game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2023
One has to wonder if Magnus Carlsen would have made the same mistakes. I doubt it. He tends to be cool under pressure and more consistent overall.
If the match ends in a tie, there is a playoff day this Sunday using rapid time controls. The games are played at 3 PM Kazakhstan time, which is 5 AM Indiana time. I could see myself getting up early to watch the playoff.
"The match is best of 14 games; a score of at least 7½ would win the world championship. If the score is equal after 14 games, tiebreak games with faster time controls will be played:[36]
A match consisting of 4 rapid games with 25 minutes per side and a 10-second increment starting with move 1 will be played. If a player scores 2½ points or more, he would win the championship.
If the score is equal after the rapid portion, a mini-match of two blitz games will be played, with a time control of 5 minutes per side and a 3-second increment starting with move 1. If a player scores 1½ points or more, he would win the championship. If the blitz mini-match is tied, another mini-match with the same conditions will be played to decide the winner of the championship.
If both blitz mini-matches are tied, a single game with a time control of 3 minutes per side and a 2-second increment starting with move 1 will be played, and the winner would win the championship. A drawing of lots shall decide which player plays with the white pieces. If this game is drawn, another blitz game with reversed colours will be played with the same time control, and the winner would win the championship. This process will be repeated until either player wins a game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_2023
2023-04-25
2023-04-23
2023-04-22
2023-04-21
2023-04-20
2023-04-19
2023-04-16
The Effect of Steam When Baking Bread
Interesting. Maybe this is why some bread I've tried is chewy.
It doesn't seem to be an issue with canned biscuits. There is a high sugar content which affects the flavor and texture.
2023-04-15
2023-04-14
2023-04-13
2023-04-12
A case of fatal multi-organ inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination - PMC
"1. Introduction
2.4. Diagnosis
A diagnosis of vaccine-related multiple-organ inflammation was made based on the absence of bacterial or viral infection, lack of a past medical history suggestive of autoimmune disease, no allergic reaction, and no drug exposure other than the vaccine. Myopericarditis is a form of multiple-organ inflammation. Although pneumonia is involved, pneumonia alone is rarely a cause of sudden death, and the presence of erythrocyte-laden macrophages as well as congestive edema of the lungs on histology suggested signs of heart failure
3.1. Death after COVID-19 vaccination:
Vaccine development and its widespread application are key elements in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccine is now used worldwide and has contributed to the containment of the pandemic. However, adverse events caused by vaccines have been a problem. A forensic examination for the evaluation of the association between vaccination and death was conducted in cases of post-vaccination deaths [1], [2], [4]. The majority of these cases were negatively associated with vaccination; however, anaphylaxis, vaccine-induced immunothrombotic thrombocytopenia, myocarditis, and pericarditis have all been listed as having a suspected association with vaccination and vaccination-related death [2], [4]. Murata et al. also reported four cases of death after vaccination, in which the only autopsy findings were organ congestion with no evidence of myocarditis. RNA analysis of the blood showed that neutrophil degranulation and cytokine signaling were upregulated in the control group, which led them to conclude that the deaths were due to cytokine storm
3.2. Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination
Reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination have increased since the report by Albert et al. [6]. The frequency of occurrence of myocarditis and pericarditis has been reported in a US military survey including 23 cases of myocarditis/2,800,000 persons with a mean age of 25 years, all males, and no deaths [7]. A total of 40 U.S. hospitals reported 20 cases/2,000,287 with myocarditis and 37 cases/2,000,287 with pericarditis; both groups showed male predilection, mean age of onset of 36 years for myocarditis and 59 years for pericarditis, and no deaths in either group [8]. The Nordic cohort study reported that myocarditis occurred in 1,077/23,122,522 patients and pericarditis in 1,149/23,122,522 patients; both were more common in young men aged 16–24 years and most commonly occurred after the second vaccination [9]. Thus, post-vaccination myocarditis and pericarditis had incidence rates of 0.0008–0.0047% and 0.0019–0.0050%, respectively. Although usually mild, these conditions can occur; however, severe cases resulting in death are rare. As of September 2022, the number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Japan was approximately 103 million for the second dose and 82 million for the third dose [10]. Based on the above report, at least 800 cases of myocarditis and approximately 1,500 cases of pericarditis occurred after vaccination in Japan. Since the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis is reported to be higher with second dose of the vaccine than with first dose [11], third dose of the vaccine are likely to further increase the frequency of occurrence of the disease.
The mechanism by which the COVID-19 vaccine causes myocarditis and pericarditis is unclear; however, several hypotheses have been proposed. The mRNA vaccine results in modifications to the nucleoside to reduce its antigenicity. In some individuals, mRNA is recognized as an antigen, resulting in the activation of the inflammatory cascades and immune pathways; in such cases, myocarditis occurs as part of a systemic inflammatory response"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10027302/
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are available worldwide. Since their introduction, post-vaccination deaths have been reported, and their association with the vaccine has been forensically examined [1], [2]. Post-vaccination myocarditis and pericarditis have been increasingly reported, with male adolescents reported to have a higher incidence of pericarditis with a good prognosis, while middle-aged and older patients are more likely to have severe myocarditis. In this study, we report an autopsy case of a 14-year-old girl who died unexpectedly 2 days after receiving the third dose of BNT1262b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
2.4. Diagnosis
A diagnosis of vaccine-related multiple-organ inflammation was made based on the absence of bacterial or viral infection, lack of a past medical history suggestive of autoimmune disease, no allergic reaction, and no drug exposure other than the vaccine. Myopericarditis is a form of multiple-organ inflammation. Although pneumonia is involved, pneumonia alone is rarely a cause of sudden death, and the presence of erythrocyte-laden macrophages as well as congestive edema of the lungs on histology suggested signs of heart failure
3.1. Death after COVID-19 vaccination:
Vaccine development and its widespread application are key elements in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccine is now used worldwide and has contributed to the containment of the pandemic. However, adverse events caused by vaccines have been a problem. A forensic examination for the evaluation of the association between vaccination and death was conducted in cases of post-vaccination deaths [1], [2], [4]. The majority of these cases were negatively associated with vaccination; however, anaphylaxis, vaccine-induced immunothrombotic thrombocytopenia, myocarditis, and pericarditis have all been listed as having a suspected association with vaccination and vaccination-related death [2], [4]. Murata et al. also reported four cases of death after vaccination, in which the only autopsy findings were organ congestion with no evidence of myocarditis. RNA analysis of the blood showed that neutrophil degranulation and cytokine signaling were upregulated in the control group, which led them to conclude that the deaths were due to cytokine storm
3.2. Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination
Reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination have increased since the report by Albert et al. [6]. The frequency of occurrence of myocarditis and pericarditis has been reported in a US military survey including 23 cases of myocarditis/2,800,000 persons with a mean age of 25 years, all males, and no deaths [7]. A total of 40 U.S. hospitals reported 20 cases/2,000,287 with myocarditis and 37 cases/2,000,287 with pericarditis; both groups showed male predilection, mean age of onset of 36 years for myocarditis and 59 years for pericarditis, and no deaths in either group [8]. The Nordic cohort study reported that myocarditis occurred in 1,077/23,122,522 patients and pericarditis in 1,149/23,122,522 patients; both were more common in young men aged 16–24 years and most commonly occurred after the second vaccination [9]. Thus, post-vaccination myocarditis and pericarditis had incidence rates of 0.0008–0.0047% and 0.0019–0.0050%, respectively. Although usually mild, these conditions can occur; however, severe cases resulting in death are rare. As of September 2022, the number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Japan was approximately 103 million for the second dose and 82 million for the third dose [10]. Based on the above report, at least 800 cases of myocarditis and approximately 1,500 cases of pericarditis occurred after vaccination in Japan. Since the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis is reported to be higher with second dose of the vaccine than with first dose [11], third dose of the vaccine are likely to further increase the frequency of occurrence of the disease.
The mechanism by which the COVID-19 vaccine causes myocarditis and pericarditis is unclear; however, several hypotheses have been proposed. The mRNA vaccine results in modifications to the nucleoside to reduce its antigenicity. In some individuals, mRNA is recognized as an antigen, resulting in the activation of the inflammatory cascades and immune pathways; in such cases, myocarditis occurs as part of a systemic inflammatory response"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10027302/
The numbers show a fairly low risk of side effects from the vaccine, with death being rare. The vaccine is not without risk, but based on what I have read, the disease is about a thousand times more likely to cause the same problems. In the risk versus benefit analysis, you are better off with the vaccine.
However, the pandemic is almost over. I don't know what will happen if people stop getting vaccinated, but given the small risk from vaccination, many people may choose not to get it.
2023-04-11
2023-04-10
2023-04-05
2023-04-04
Drone video shows tornado damage in Whiteland, Indiana
I drove through Whiteland yesterday and did not see this damage. I was just on Highway 31. I checked out my old house to see if it was still standing, which it was.
The path of the tornado is listed below in the section that says "Near Whiteland ..."
The main east-west road on the map is Whiteland Road which connects to the interstate. I used to drive it all the time, as well as Highway 31.
The path in Russiavile came very close to my sister's house. Her neighbor's house about half a mile away was destroyed.
2023-04-03
What’s in a Mile? The Evolution of Measurement and the Words to Describe It
https://www.wordgenius.com/whats-in-a-mile-the-evolution-of-measurement-and-the-words-to-describe-it/YMItXrwkhgAHtSG4
The second article is also good.
Best wishes,
John Coffey
The second article is also good.
Best wishes,
John Coffey
2023-04-02
WonderCon 2023 Cosplay Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxikNSs8IM
I don't know how I came across this video, but it makes me think that people need to reevaluate their priorites in life. Are we going to be a nation of adult childern who dress up as their favorite fictional characters?
Costume parties go back hundreds of years, and there are times when it is appropriate for people to gather and make merry, but people tend to worship their favorite fictional franchise. When people dress up as superheroes, then it seems a bit much.
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