Friday, June 27, 2025

Energy Destinies – Part 5 Energy Transition – Mystery Destination

An energy transition refers to a major structural shift in energy systems. There have been several such historical transitions – bio-fuels, such as wood, to water and wind energies and then to fossil fuels. In its current usage, it is used to describe the attempt to replace fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption with renewable energy sources.

Medi-Cal’s Fragmented System Can Make Moving a Nightmare

“To me, that’s how insurance works: One insurance ends, the other begins.” LOL no.

The Education System Isn’t Ready for Another Widespread Closure

Can online learning be saved? Lessons from the pandemic school closures.

2:00PM Water Cooler 7/12/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Links 7/12/2023

Book Review: Richard Vague, “The Paradox of Debt”

And why finding reforms to our current economic system is a Sisyphean task. 

Michael Hudson: Colonialism or Sovereignty? How the Global Financial System Traps Countries in Debt

Political economists Radhika Desai, Michael Hudson, and Ann Pettifor discuss how the international financial system traps Global South countries in debt, reinforcing a neocolonial order.

As Nonprofit Hospitals Reap Big Tax Breaks, States Scrutinize Their Required Charity Spending

A state court, citing “eye-popping” executive compensation, strikes down a hospital’s property tax break and strikes fear into the nonprofit hospital industry across the US.

Big Oil’s Radical Proposal: Curtail Consumption, Not Production

Should the public take Big Oil advocating for energy conservation as a serious climate policy, or just a new flavor of greenwashing?

On Taking Walks

Is the flâneur necessarily an urban male?

2:00PM Water Cooler 7/11/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Links 7/11/2023

Is Peru About to Descend Into Another Wave of Political Violence, This Time With US Troops on the Ground?

Peru’s Boluarte government has zero democratic legitimacy, is broadly rejected by the public and under investigation for numerous human rights violations. Now, with roughly 1,000 US troops stationed in the country, it faces a third massive march on Lima.  

Wolf Richter: End of Easy Money: Financial Conditions Loosen Again for Junk-Rated Companies. But Some that Long Teetered Finally Go Over the Bankruptcy Cliff

Tightening is a slow process, and there is still a flood of excess liquidity chasing after yield.

CDC’s HICPAC Prepares to Whack More Patients as Infection Control Experts Gather for August 22 Teleconference on Masks

“We said we’d *control* infection, right?”