This is my PB in Noita speedrunning right now. Just felt like posting it here 🙂
Author Archives: smickles
I'm willing to bet I'm a guy.
Without Gravity, Spiders Think Light is Up
How much ya wanna bet people do that too?
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An experiment on the space station had spiders build webs without the guide of gravity, they chose the nearest light source to be up.
The idea of space spiders is comforting to some. Seemingly, this is because it brings familiarity to a very remote place.
This continues space based spider research from 2008 and 2011.
The discovery almost went unnoticed since the affect of the lights was an accidental observation.
Recent research on the ISS also included growing protein crystals.
Back in 1952, study of space spiders had little weights glued onto them.
By Michael Carver
December 13th, 2020 12:50 PM
Featured Image Credit: “File:Nephila-clavipes-1.jpg” by Victor Patel is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5
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ETF Outflow Chatter
Tide goes in, tide goes out… you can’t explain that. :kappa:
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About $7 billion worth of assets were withdrawn from VOO. VOO is Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF.
Since this a large amount of value and this sort of thing is essentially a ‘back room deal’, people are making up reasons why it was done.
Some people point to VOO as the first ETF.
This speculation about the outflow is basically copypasta now.
VOO’s closing trade price was 339.81, at the time of writing.
The fund has seen around $19.5 billion in inflows this year.
By Michael Carver
December 5th 2020 10:28 AM
Featured Image Credit: “Money” by free pictures of money is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Will Americans Spend More this Holiday Season?
“Shop ’til you drop” might not play as well this year…
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While it is common financial advice to not spend beyond your means, surveys claim that people plan on spending less during holidays this year.
However, the same survey finds that they plan to spend about as much on gifts as last year.
Historically, Americans spend over a thousand dollars on debt based purchases during the holiday season.
Holiday spending forecasts predict a lower than average increase in spending, about 1.5%, where the average is 4.1%.
This year, Thanksgiving is on the 26th of November.
Post Thanksgiving holiday shopping is expected to drag on longer than ever this year.
By Michael Carver
November 25th, 2020 5:55 PM
Featured Image Credit: “shopping 2” by wolfgangfoto is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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UK Economy Worst Hit Since 1709
Wasn’t there a Dr. Who episode about that winter?
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Sovereign debt in the UK is now described as being at a peacetime high. The Country’s GDP is projected to continue to decline.
Currently, the GDP is reported as still being upwards of 8% lower than pre-pandemic levels.
In 1709 there was such a cold winter due to sunspot activity that it caused economic depression.
UK treasuries currently have significantly lower yields than US treasuries.
Some are saying the emergency has just begun.
Unemployment is projected to reach 7.5%
By Michael Carver
November 25th, 2020 12:34 PM
Featured Image Credit: “UK Money – Coins” by Images_of_Money is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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State Linked Companies in China are Defaulting
What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China?
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Concerns about fraud and ‘malicious asset transfers’ rise as chinese companies with government ownership default on their debt obligations.
The credit markets of China are tightening up and it is affecting a wide range of things. Chinese regulators are now espousing a “zero tolerance” policy.
Earlier this year Luckin Coffee was delisted because of accounting fraud.
Biden’s pick for national security wants to encourage chinese business despite these issues.
Government involvement in the chinese financial industry prevented Ant Group from going public.
One of the recent defaults was a coal company.
By Michael Carver
November 25th, 2020 10:23 AM
Featured Image Credit: “China – Great Wall” by iNathan is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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UK Considering “Freedom Pass”
Papers, please.
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The former Health Secretary is supporting the idea that you need permission from the state to go outside. Floating the idea that you need to have tested negative for Covid 2 times in a week.
While the details are yet to be rendered, the UK government is hopeful that this could lead to normalcy despite being substantially authoritarian.
This is the sort of thing that police states are criticized for.
There is already movement of people opposing the various Covid related regulations.
The UK government is still considering whether to cancel Christmas or not.
They are unsure about allowing an audience, but sports games are likely to be allowed.
By Michael Carver
November 21st, 2020 2:12 PM
Featured Image Credit: “Your papers please…Do you have your papers” by ATOMIC Hot Links is marked with CC PDM 1.0
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Library to Curbside Only
Please register in advance.
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Citing a significant increase in Covid cases and staff exposure, the Saint Charles City-County Library system will move to curbside only service.
Outreach services and parking lot WiFi internet access will still be offered. However, the Kathryn Linnemann branch is still closed due to flood damage.
This library system has been up and running since 1973.
Curbside service isn’t, however, meant to function like a drive thru. The system asks that you place books on hold in advance and you will be notified when you can come.
Saint Charles County has recently been on about snakes.
In 1988, voters agreed to a 5 cent tax increase, partly, to help fund the library.
By Michael Carver
November 21st, 2020 9:01 AM
Featured Image Credit: “Wall of Books” by benuski is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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New Cafe in St Charles
The city has been looking forward to business proliferating in Frenchtown
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Le Belle Vie is a cafe which got up and running this past September.
They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week long.
Saint Charles has a Frenchtown improvement plan in the works.
While the cafe plans to expand their operation up to the border of the Katy trail, the ongoing Covid pandemic has been hitting small business most of all.
The next Historic Frenchtown Association meeting is on December 17th.
With an eye to the district name, they offer French Dip Sandwiches and French Toast. 🙂
By Michael Carver
November 20th, 2020 11:33 AM
Featured Image Credit: “Frenchtown St. Charles” by pasa47 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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California Governor Orders Curfew
He promises he won’t enforce it, no really
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Starting Saturday, Californians aren’t allowed out of their homes at night so as to combat Covid spread despite strong criticism of the effectiveness of the strategy and the Governors hypocrisy.
CHHS Secretary said it was because of what people might do at night.
Curfews in the US have been criticized as being racist.
Pointing out that this is an overreach of government, state representatives have said it is idiotic and sheriffs have said they won’t enforce it.
The curfew is scheduled to cover Thanksgiving and Hanukkah end shortly before Christmas.
In an effort to exempt homeless people, it seems like it’s not a violation to be out after curfew if you’re alone.
By Michael Carver
November 19th, 2020 6:51 PM
Featured Image Credit: “San Francisco Curfew” by Christopher.Michel is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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