Elon Musk’s greatest political advantage may be how difficult he has become to replace. Historian Quinn Slobodian argues that Musk’s political spending serves a larger purpose: deepening dependence on his companies. In Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed, co-written with Ben Tarnoff, he describes a system that promises greater freedom through technology while placing essential servicesContinueContinue reading “Musk’s Endgame”
Author Archives: drrjv
Road Trip to Florida
Day-by-day itinerary DayDatePlan and overnight baseDriving1Sun, Oct 25DC → Chapel Hill. Explore UNC campus and Franklin Street. Chapel Hill4.5–5 hr2Mon, Oct 26Chapel Hill → Savannah. Evening in the historic district. Savannah5.5–6 hr3Tue, Oct 27Savannah: Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, riverfront, optional Tybee Island shorebirds. SavannahLocal4Wed, Oct 28Savannah → Sarasota. Dinner near St. Armands Circle. Sarasota5.5–6.5 hr5Thu, Oct 29Sunrise at CeleryContinueContinue reading “Road Trip to Florida”
Investing for WWIII?
A recent video by Professor Robert Pape suggests we may be headed towards WWIII 😬 The greatest financial danger may not be nuclear war itself. It could be the economic consequences of a prolonged conventional conflict involving the United States, China, Russia, and their allies. These include: A 30% to 60% stock market decline. DisruptionContinueContinue reading “Investing for WWIII?”
Trump’s Top 25 Achievements?
This is an analysis and critique of an article sent to me by a friend: “ICYMI: Trump’s Top 25 Achievements: The List Every Conservative Should Know and Use” by Rod Martin. Rod Martin argues that Donald Trump has achieved more in approximately 18 months than any previous president accomplished in four years. He presents 25ContinueContinue reading “Trump’s Top 25 Achievements?”
Why would I want to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan, often called the “Switzerland of Central Asia”, draws travelers seeking dramatic landscapes, living nomadic traditions, and untamed mountain wilderness. With over 90% of its territory covered by rugged mountains, it is one of the world’s premier destinations for alpine trekking, scenic photography, and cultural immersion. Beyond its wild geography, the country is remarkably welcoming:ContinueContinue reading “Why would I want to visit Kyrgyzstan?”
Let’s Look at iOS Options
Phone Size and Weight Comparison iPhone 18 ProiPhone 18 Pro MaxiPhone Duo closediPhone Duo openHeight5.91 in6.43 in4.64 in4.64 inWidth2.83 in3.07 in3.31 in6.48 inThickness0.34 in0.34 in0.44 in0.21 inWeight7.44 oz / 211 g8.78 oz / 249 g8.96 oz / 254 gsameDisplay6.3″6.9″5.4″7.6″ Screen size is more important than the diagonalUsing Apple’s pixel dimensions and measured rectangular diagonals, theContinueContinue reading “Let’s Look at iOS Options”
DJI Drone Video Techniques
While this article focuses on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, many of the DJI drones have a similar set of capabilities. Here, DJI groups them mainly under QuickShots, MasterShots, FocusTrack, Hyperlapse, and Waypoints. 1. QuickShots: Automatic individual cinematic shotsPick a subject, choose the maneuver, and press Start. QuickShotWhat the drone doesBest useDronieFlies backward and upwardContinueContinue reading “DJI Drone Video Techniques”
Why Do We Exist?
The Nine Realms of Universe that Make You Possible Book by astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi with Nils Johnson-Shelton, published in April 2026. Oluseyi’s central idea is that human existence becomes comprehensible when reality is viewed at several radically different scales. The laws governing quarks, people, stars, galaxies, and the universe appear very different, yet they areContinueContinue reading “Why Do We Exist?”
Critique: Psychedelics align brain activity
Nature 656:936–947, 2026 “Psychedelics can profoundly alter consciousness by reorganizing brain connectivity, producing acute experiences that shape lasting psychological change, Psychedelic dynamics are commonly described as desynchronized or entropically disordered, yet the brain organization underlying self-dissolving and boundary-dissolving experiences that participants often report, and how context shapes that organization, remain unresolved. To address this, weContinueContinue reading “Critique: Psychedelics align brain activity”
ND Filters in Antartica?
Taking a trip to Antartica in a few months with Johan Drone Adventures and did some research with the help of Claude on the need for and use of ND filters. Drone Video For drone video: Get an ND set. Antarctica is exactly where you’ll need them. Smooth-looking video depends on keeping your shutter speed roughlyContinueContinue reading “ND Filters in Antartica?”
