Category: In the News

clogged toilet on space station

In the news today, the toilet on the International Space Station is clogged and broken.  One source said it’s a “fabrication flaw” in the toilet’s compressor units.  NASA said the equipment isn’t providing enough suction on a regular basis.  So in other words, it doesn’t suck enough.  Or I guess you could say it sucks at sucking.  🙂

The news article says “this is no laughing matter”, which is an understatement for those on board the space station because they may have to start using plastic bags.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t laugh at it.  🙂

But what’s not funny is the cost of the toilet.  Granted, it’s a high-tech toilet, because in space there is no gravity, so you need some type of fan-based vacuum system.  But wait ’til you hear the cost — $19 million! And NASA bought this from Russia, because they said it was cheaper than building their own.  Also, this toilet is also like a local municipal treatment center, because it recycles the urine into drinking water.  So it’s definitely high-tech.  But $19 million?!?  I know there’s a lot of smart people at NASA, so surely they could come up with something cheaper.

How stupid can one criminal be?

Are stupid people more likely to be criminals?  Or are criminals more likely to be stupid than smart?  I reckon it’s something like that, because it just seems like most criminals are extremely stupid.  For instance, just this month, a man in Texas either didn’t think his plan through or he is too ignorant to realize how stupid it was.  You be the judge.

Charles Ray Fuller must have been planning one big record company.

The 21-year-old North Texas man was arrested last week for trying to cash a $360 billion check, saying he wanted to start a record business, authorities said.  Tellers at the Fort Worth bank were immediately suspicious — perhaps the 10 zeros on a personal check tipped them off, according to investigators.

Charles Ray FullerHe also was unlawfully carrying a gun and had marijuana with him.

Did he really think he could cash a check for that much money?  Did he realize that no one in the world has that much money or anything close to it?  (A few companies do, but this forged check was from his girlfriend’s mother.)  I think it’s safe to say that very few banks in the world have that much money.  I also think it’s safe to say this guy probably can’t even count to 360 billion.

Is it possible that this man has an I.Q. of 0?

a new robotic suit, plus some enhancements

In the news, a man has created the world’s smallest helicopter.  I’d like one of these.  It sure would be an easy way to get around town!

And while I’m dreaming, I’d like to combine it with this exoskeleton robotic suit that the military has developed.  It multiples your strength and endurance by as many as 20 times.  The microprocessors in this suit can respond in almost real-time, so it actually follows your natural movements.

They both have battery life of about 30 minutes, which isn’t enough for the plans I have.  I’d want to add some type of pulse laser or plasma gun to it, but those really drain the power quickly!  I’m thinking they need to employ some type of mini-fusion reactor (in a bulletproof case, of course).  I’d also want a taser feature, with variable power control from “that tickles” to “that ain’t right”.  I’d also want a rapid-fire launcher that can be equipped with various projectiles such as potatoes or grenades.  And this suit should include a tea-maker.  🙂

What kind of add-ons would you want in a robotic suit?

working less to help the economy

A guy on CNN, Jack Cafferty, has brought up the idea of changing to a four-day workweek here in the U.S., to help deal with rising gas prices.  It’s not an original idea, because the staff here at Buffet o’ Blog have discussed various plans to work less and/or to increase the length of the weekend.  So while it’s not a new idea, it is good to see it finally gaining some traction with the mainstream media.

I’ll volunteer for the four-day workweek, even if it’s just in an experimental stage.  And I volunteer to work from home, too, which would really save on gas prices.

I figure some companies would expect employees to start working 10-hour days to compensate for the extra off-day, but that’s not necessary.  It would be best to leave it like it is except for removing one whole day of work.  Not only would that help the economy and help prevent global warming, it would dramatically improve morale, which would be a huge thing in this time of major corporate layoffs and downsizing.  So companies ought to think about this new strategy.

Actually, I think the four-day workweek would be widely accepted idea among employees (which make up the majority).  So perhaps research is not needed on that.  But if they want to research taking it a step further, like a three-day workweek, I’ll sign up for that.  🙂