Nostr notes by Michael Porter

[@cosmos4u](https://scicomm.xyz/@cosmos4u ) So much for “no ...

2026-10-16T17:01:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…jdlh
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[@cosmos4u](https://scicomm.xyz/@cosmos4u )

So much for “no such thing as a green star” 😄

Or am I still okay because technically these are stellar *remnants*?

45 years on, and Apple is still disappointing me with their ...

2026-09-10T20:08:03Z

45 years on, and Apple is still disappointing me with their watches.

Where is the future we were promised?! 😄

#Apple #BYTE

Throw in public transportation, too.

2026-09-01T14:39:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…nj02
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Throw in public transportation, too.

Simple question, is the higher altitude cooling trend a result of ...

2026-08-29T18:48:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…m8zw
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Simple question, is the higher altitude cooling trend a result of the lower altitude warming trend? i.e. More energy is being retained at lower altitudes, and thus not transferred to the higher altitudes?

I have a feeling that's far too simple an explanation…

A short video I put together that shows how well the scientists ...

2026-08-15T21:15:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…8z3s
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A short video I put together that shows how well the scientists at Exxon did back in 1982. The graph from my previous post is shown, then followed by overlays of CO2 data collected from Mauna Kea and temperature data from NOAA. The trend line is by me; I just used a simple polynomial fit in Excel. The temperature plot from NOAA is displaced downwards a bit to align “0” at 1980.

You can see that the predicted trends by Exxon were slightly high, but pretty close to the data we’ve collected since the report was issued.

1982 report
https://www.climatefiles.com/exxonmobil/1982-memo-to-exxon-management-about-co2-greenhouse-effect/

CO2 data
https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/carbon-dioxide-now-more-than-50-higher-than-pre-industrial-levels

Temperature data
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/global/time-series/globe/land_ocean/tavg/1/7/1960-2026

Exxon knew (their scientists did, anyway). An internal report ...

2026-08-15T21:14:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…fmlr
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*Exxon* knew (their scientists did, anyway). An internal report prepared for Exxon management in 1982 predicted the rise in CO2 levels and temperatures that, if anything, slightly overstated the values we see now. Of course, they kept their findings to themselves.

You can view the document at https://www.climatefiles.com/exxonmobil/1982-memo-to-exxon-management-about-co2-greenhouse-effect/

#Climate #ClimateCrisis

Jellyfish will never take down a solar panel, or a wind ...

2026-08-11T21:21:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…26x2
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Jellyfish will never take down a solar panel, or a wind turbine…

Don't be modest, you have a WIkipedia page, too 😊

2026-08-08T14:00:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…j4rg
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Don't be modest, you have a WIkipedia page, too 😊

If it doesn't come with 4K monitor support, I'm not ...

2026-06-15T20:04:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…jh9d
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If it doesn't come with 4K monitor support, I'm not interested.

I see we've entered the WTF?! weather conditions time of year ...

2026-04-17T12:51:01Z

I see we've entered the WTF?! weather conditions time of year in #Ottawa…

Humidex of 25°C on Saturday, probably a wind chill on Monday 🙄 …I have *all* the jackets out.

But who's going to operate the printer for the manager?!

2026-04-17T00:37:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…g7wv
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But who's going to operate the printer for the manager?!

That looks great. Do the students have input into the “I ...

2026-04-08T17:06:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…23gk
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That looks great. Do the students have input into the “I can…" statements, aside from labs or whatever? That is, do you have a way for them to answer that question directly? It would be interesting to compare their perception of “I can calculate molarity” to what you are seeing in assignments.

I always had trouble with ensigmatones scolation too 😄

Love this. Reminds me of the story of how G. I. Taylor used ...

2026-03-03T22:37:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…vuqq
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Love this. Reminds me of the story of how G. I. Taylor used dimensional analysis to determine the energy released by the first atomic bomb:

https://physicsteacher.blog/2022/07/18/using-dimensional-analysis-to-estimate-the-energy-released-by-an-atomic-bomb/

I once had an interesting conversation about inorganic ...

2026-02-23T03:35:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…9lhx
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I once had an interesting conversation about inorganic nomenclature with a colleague. Briefly, I was enthusiastic because I liked to link it to what chemistry was going on (specifically, the rationale for the way ionic substances are named as opposed to molecular substances). He didn't like taking much time at all teaching nomenclature as a subject. He just talked about it whenever it came up in other units and he needed to. We didn't get too analytical, like figuring out how skilled our respective students were at the end of the year, but I thought it was an interesting take.

Once again, confusing “galaxy" and “solar system”. ...

2026-02-10T15:02:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…tyrs
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Once again, confusing “galaxy" and “solar system”. Seems to be a common error - I see it often in SF shows (probably because sitcoms in bars don't mention astronomy that much 😉)

“Enter your email to keep reading for free. This is not a ...

2026-01-31T17:24:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…7e85
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“Enter your email to keep reading for free.
This is not a paywall.”

Yes it is.

Nostr event nevent1qqs27vjrvuu3dndl9czjpy664uzyf5eap8j0dxuulgsuk4gmw38akdczypfvexh6ukmx9kxypek6lxzc33qfxuytsndayd9q2v8763gkmack5ztdqgl

2026-01-18T19:28:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…5pnf
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Gravity decking that still can't prevent you from being flung ...

2026-01-18T19:22:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…pgr7
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Gravity decking that still can't prevent you from being flung about on the bridge? (Oh sorry - I might be thinking of the inertial-partially-dampeners)

While I’m griping, what's with these “cranes” shown in ...

2026-01-18T19:17:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…pkvs
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While I’m griping, what's with these “cranes” shown in the opening credits? The reason a crane is shaped the way it is is because it is mounted on a long, skinny tower, anchored to the ground. If you have antigrav cranes, you don't need the long arm, the counterweight, or the swivel action. You just antigrav the stuff to where you need it.

#StarTrek #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy
#OldManYellsAtWarpCore

Okay, another #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy gripe. There's ...

2026-01-18T19:12:01Z

Okay, another #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy gripe. There's antigrav stuff *everywhere* - in the halls, in the parks, all over the sky. Apparently the technology in the 32nd century is cheap and abundant.

First – Like the transporter, we now have another magical technology that we’ll have break to come up with an excuse as to why *it* can’t solve the problem of the week.

Second - Why are there still boats?

#StarTrek
#OldManYellsAtWarpCore (thanks, My God. It's full of sitars. (npub13l8…3ry2), totally stealing that 😄)

I think it's time the NDP started encouraging Liberal MPs to ...

2026-01-12T21:34:52Z

I think it's time the NDP started encouraging Liberal MPs to cross the floor for them.

#CanPoli

LOL, just heard (on the radio) the local CBC guy suffer an ...

2025-11-20T23:31:53Z

LOL, just heard (on the radio) the local CBC guy suffer an absolute mental train wreck as he was reading a news update – dead air for 4 or 5 seconds. He just let it drop and went with “And here's the weather for tonight!” Beautiful recovery 😄

Happy Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Day to all who celebrate! ...

2025-11-07T14:38:23Z

Happy Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Day to all who celebrate!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)

(and RIP, Tubby)

Corey Hart approves 😄

2025-09-15T03:47:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…6fcg
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Corey Hart approves 😄

Not an isolated incident…. Follow @npub1dgc…cla4 for more ...

2025-09-04T00:06:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…ax8c
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Not an isolated incident…. Follow Prof. Sam Lawler (npub1dgc…cla4) for more 😕

If anyone can bring fibre to Virginia, it’s SpaceX… ...

2025-09-03T23:49:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…vt2r
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If anyone can bring fibre to Virginia, it’s SpaceX…

Hey babe, Google just dropped new pencils ...

2025-08-29T18:02:39Z

Hey babe, Google just dropped new pencils

Nostr event nevent1qqsy57jypzpzcrvxjtu575kjdu832gntxzd9r5rmp5mmcsw5ppsdw0gzypfvexh6ukmx9kxypek6lxzc33qfxuytsndayd9q2v8763gkmack5hzxdcl

2025-08-19T04:01:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…v8ef
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Nostr event nevent1qqsvsgan2fr33ekc2gnqxvw2kwv6qp8u97dy4lcr7nataspmy8fp75szypfvexh6ukmx9kxypek6lxzc33qfxuytsndayd9q2v8763gkmack5wfwrj8

2025-08-19T03:59:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…9hs7
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<rummages through meme folder> ...

2025-08-19T03:58:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…3538
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<rummages through meme folder>

I’m curious how they do this - Expect the employee to take ...

2025-08-11T18:46:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…xt7s
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I’m curious how they do this - Expect the employee to take calls at their personal number? Or use an eSIM for the work number? And - can one phone receive calls for two different numbers without some intervention by the user? (i.e. toggling back and forth in settings)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so happy for you guys 😊 (I hope ...

2025-08-10T15:49:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…al64
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I’m so happy for you guys 😊

(I hope Douglas is letting you sleep!)

Tossing this into the fediverse on the off chance someone is ...

2025-07-20T19:44:48Z

Tossing this into the fediverse on the off chance someone is familiar with the problem and a fix.

My father is on a 2015 iMac (Intel Core i7) running macOS 12 Monterey.

PDFs are not opening properly, in a number of ways. This is the case for both Preview *and* Adobe Acrobat:

- If the app is not running, dragging a PDF over the app icon on the dock does nothing; the app doesn't launch.
- Double-clicking or selecting “Open With" from the contextual menu *will* launch the app and open the first document.
- Any successive documents will *not* open via double-clicking/the contextual menu/dragging to the dock.
- They will, however, be opened if “Open..." is selected from the File menu within the app.

- The same thing does *not* happen with TextEdit files or OpenOffice files - those apps behave normally and open successive files. It's just PDFs in Preview and Adobe Acrobat.

Any ideas? I find it odd that the problem exists over different apps, but not different filetypes. If I get desperate I will wipe and reinstall the system, but I'm hoping someone has a more refined fix before I have to resort to that.

#macOS #Apple #fedihelp

Just got in from the dog walk… The evening walk is definitely ...

2025-07-06T14:27:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…c0d4
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Just got in from the dog walk… The evening walk is definitely going to be a short “maintenance” walk!

You might find some shady spots by the river (either one 😉) - there’s a decent breeze out there, too.

Not sure if it’s heat related, but the fireflies in my neighbourhood were *glorious* last night. One of the houses on my street has a “natural”, pollinator-friendly yard and it was downright glittery. I actually stopped and stared for a while.

That said, I’m going to make use of the A/C + basement today, for sure.

For a while, I remember struggling with this (possibly encouraged ...

2025-06-14T19:02:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…awpe
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For a while, I remember struggling with this (possibly encouraged by wording in a text I was using), calling the red end of a magnet the “North-seeking” pole, or “N-pole” for short. The term “North Pole" was reserved for the geographic location.

I mean, burying a bunch of cars is a good start, I’m just ...

2025-06-12T18:08:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…krtv
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I mean, burying a bunch of cars is a good start, I’m just worried about the implementation

Well, actually… I’m more curious as to why they got Jonny Lee ...

2025-06-11T15:03:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…69zh
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Well, actually…

I’m more curious as to why they got Jonny Lee Miller to hold the card in that pic 😄

So, pants optional, as long as nobody stands up...

2025-06-09T19:43:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…uzqg
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So, pants optional, as long as nobody stands up...

On the plus side, if you're walking around in your underwear, ...

2025-06-09T19:27:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…lktt
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On the plus side, if you're walking around in your underwear, you'll get invited to fewer meetings.

I hadn't noticed, but I'm hiding indoors today. I would ...

2025-06-06T20:02:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…mu5d
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I hadn't noticed, but I'm hiding indoors today. I would assume the components are pretty much the same from year to year.

When the heavy metals in your cigarettes just aren't enough ...

2025-06-06T19:51:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…qq64
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When the heavy metals in your cigarettes *just* aren't enough
https://grist.org/climate/canada-wildfire-smoke-toxic-arsenic/

Fun fact, I used to do a demo in chemistry class where I would try to set a sugar cube on fire. They don't burn well, if at all, by themselves. Then I smeared some cigarette ash on it (generously supplied by the kids in the smoking area, back when the school had one of those 🙄), and it burned just fine. The metal oxides in the ash acted as catalysts for the sugar combustion.

Seconded!! Porter's Law of Fresh Air - Any outdoor activity ...

2025-06-06T19:46:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…ydj2
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Seconded!!

Porter's Law of Fresh Air - Any outdoor activity will invariably be ruined, within 10 minutes, by the guy next door running a poorly-tuned, gas-guzzling smog machine.

I was watching the opening credits for Andor the other day, and ...

2025-05-17T05:26:03Z

I was watching the opening credits for Andor the other day, and the star field caught my eye. Notice anything unusual about this sky from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away? 🤔

#BadStarWarsAstronomy #Astronomy #Stargazing