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Opinions (they're all correct)


On politics:

We need to stop backing ourselves into absolutist corners and instead take every issue on its own.

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On mask mandates (1/2022):

I now know two 80+ year olds who caught Omicron, who were vaccinated, and now are recovered. So anecdotally I see that this isn't like the previous variant, and certainly the data bears that out. The current variant is now down to ~7X flu-like mortality risk for vaccinated individuals. Not great, but projecting into the future, I don't foresee a time when this is a total non-concern. So what does that mean for mask wearing? Do we wear them forever? If we're going to stop, this would seem to me to be the time to consider it.

I'm pro-vaccine, pro-science, etc., but the issue of wearing vs. not wearing masks has become political, and I'm starting to feel that the mask vs no-mask division's logical foundation is outdated, as people on the political left in the US are inclined to keep wearing them and those on the political right are not, but as a team-badge instead of a reasoned stance. If we were confronted with Omicron for the first time now, without all the variants that came before, I would contend that the idea that everyone should wear masks all the time would not have been seriously considered. Kids are growing up without the innate ability to perceive facial expressions! I hate to say it, but the anti-mask people have a point. Some risk is associated, yes, but for God's sake, are we going to do this forever?

Those at the highest risk are free to wear KN/N95 masks to protect themselves. Yes! If there's still anyone who hasn't vaccinated at this point, then sucks to you if you die from this.

What about stopping spread so that more virulent or dangerous strains don't evolve? We might consider transitioning more heavily to technological interventions. Strain-specific vaccinations need to be accelerated along, yes, but what about UV-air filtration in all indoor spaces, in addition to continuing mask mandates in high risk areas?

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NASA Edge: 

What happened to the "NASA Edge" program on NASA TV? My husband and I used to love watching Chris, Franklin, and Blair but they've just disappeared from the programming. Please bring them back.
EDIT (11/2020): NASA Edge appears to be back! But not enough. More please.
(2/2022): Hmm, I feel like I'm seeing more still. Bravo!
P.S. NASA TV is fantastic, and nowadays extremely easy to get via Roku or similar streaming TV devices. 

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Stop exclamation point abuse.

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Technological unemployment is coming:

Essay 
IMPORTANT
I've since come to the conclusion that the average human will sink into pervasive dissatisfaction if told they don't need to work, regardless of how ideal their living circumstances. For a complete treatment, read the original six Dune books. 

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I don't text and often don't respond to email within the first day of receipt. Take back your life.

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Those super strong hand driers you see in public restrooms nowadays are stupidly loud. Sometimes they're dangerously loud.

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Movie theaters were more fun when the films were actual 35mm film.

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Long live the Linksys WRT54G!

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I'm so fed up with modern minimalist infinte scroll websites. Making the user hunt for what they're looking for isn't good web design... it's just asinine. 

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