My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2025

During one of our many longish 9-1/2 mile winter beach walks this year, Brenda and I came across a couple orange objects. The orange ball that washed up during a heavy surf was pretty obvious … since they are used along the shore to mark life guard protected zones and swimming areas. There was a lot of seaweed that was piled a couple feet high by the surf on one of the days too; it was impressive — I couldn’t help but think about Algae-based Biodiesel.  

As for the item we couldn’t identify (we even asked our new friend Marshall and his dog Kiss) and so decided a couple photos and some artificial intelligence sleuthing might help. Impressive to see Grok3 look at the photos, analyze my description and within seconds give me a detailed answer … the times they are a changin’  

The object is likely an Aerial Target Drone or a component of one, specifically a **BQM-167** or similar model used for military training exercises. Here’s the reasoning:

1. Shape and Design: The cylindrical shape with a tapered end, fins, and holes along the side are characteristic of aerial target drones. These drones are often used by the military to simulate enemy aircraft or missiles during training exercises for air defense systems.
2. Color: The bright orange color is typical for such drones, as it makes them easier to spot during recovery operations after they are shot down or complete their mission.
3. Text on the Object: The text “Aerial Target” and “Patents Pending” along with “Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.” is a strong indicator. Kratos is a known manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems, including the BQM-167 series, which are used by the U.S. military for target practice.
4. Markings: The “DM3554” written in Sharpie and the “SERN 013554” label could be serial numbers or identification codes used to track the drone or its components.
5. Context: These types of drones are often launched over bodies of water, and if they are not recovered immediately, they can wash ashore, especially in areas like Florida, which is near several military bases (such as Eglin Air Force Base) where such exercises are conducted.

Additional Notes:

• These drones are typically made of lightweight materials like fiberglass or composite materials, which aligns with the appearance of the object in the photos.
• The seaweed and wear suggest it has been in the water for some time before washing ashore.

Recommendation:

If you encounter such an object, it’s best not to touch or move it, as it could be military property and potentially hazardous (though most target drones are unarmed, some may contain residual fuel or electronics). You might want to report it to local authorities or the nearest military base for proper handling.

EDIT add: Location of the Aerial Target Drone.
26.48115° N, 80.05438° W

Category: AI, Biodiesel, Environment, Millitary, Photos, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: aerial target drone, artificial intelligence, biodiesel, drone, grok3, kratos, military, ocean, seaweed

Posted By RichC on April 1, 2025

Can GrokAI really pull off an April Fools Day prank in a blog post? Nope … artificial intelligence better leave this to humans with the talent for comedy.

In a shocking revelation, xAI scientists claim gravity reverses every April 1st for 24 hours. “It’s nature’s prank,” says Dr. Fictus, a totally real researcher. “People will float upward—secure your pets and practice ceiling-walking!” The cause? A cosmic giggle, apparently. So, tape down your coffee mugs and enjoy the upside-down chaos this Tuesday!

Category: AI, Humor | No Comments »
Tags: ai, april fools day, artificial intelligence, grok

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2025

Occasionally Music Monday shifts back a decade to the 1960s. This week it is to the song “Groovin’,” released in April 1967 by The Young Rascals. It also became a defining anthem for the Summer of Love.

The song was written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and has  smooth harmonies, a gentle rhythm and heartfelt lyrics about carefree romance. It went to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for four weeks. With its Latin-infused beat and iconic harmonica riff, “Groovin'” captured the era’s laid-back spirit and remains a timeless ’60s classic … and it fits my current mood.
  

Category: History, Music | No Comments »
Tags: 1967, groovin', music monday, musicmonday, summer of love, the young rascals, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 30, 2025

Over the weekend, a friend of mine sent me a link and asked for my thoughts on an article in the New Atlas, titled “Alien life might glow in the dark on infrared waterworld planets, says James Webb study” (published March 19, 2025). Perhaps even those of us who question the existence of “extraterrestrial life,” are still intrigued when unknown or new scientific discoveries come to light.

The quest to find life beyond Earth has long captivated humanity, driving us to scan the cosmos for telltale signs of biology. Traditionally, this search has focused on biosignatures like oxygen, methane, or water vapor—chemical fingerprints familiar from our own planet. But a new study leveraging data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggests we might need to broaden our perspective. According to researchers, alien life on water-rich exoplanets could emit a faint infrared glow, a phenomenon tied to bioluminescence. This intriguing possibility not only challenges our assumptions about what life looks like but also underscores the importance of embracing the unknown in our cosmic explorations.

Shortly before I was married, I took a bachelor camping trip with college friends to a less travelled shoreline area of North Carolina (photos from 1982 below). While sitting quietly on the beach at night, we were amazed at the beautiful glow of bioluminescence in the waves. Those who focus on ocean life know that many organisms, particularly those in the ocean’s depths, glow. From jellyfish to deep-sea fish, bioluminescence is a widespread survival strategy, used for communication, predation, or camouflage. The James Webb study posits that on exoplanets dominated by water—lacking the landmasses that shape Earth’s ecosystems—this trait could be even more prevalent. With no continents to break up their oceans, these “waterworlds” might host life that relies heavily on light to thrive in perpetual aquatic darkness. Crucially, the JWST’s infrared capabilities could detect this glow, offering a novel way to spot life where traditional biosignatures fall short. (more…)

Category: Memories, Science, Space | 0 Comments
Tags: article, bachelor, bioluminescence, camping, extraterrestrial, glow, james webb, jwst, life, new atlas, north carolina, ocean, planets, space, study, trip

Posted By RichC on March 29, 2025

The talk from most in the media this past week as been about several in the Trump administration’s team discussing plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen … and that they used the encrypted app Signal to communicate with each other on a group chat titled “Houthi PC small group.” The Atlantic published a story after Jeffery Goldberg was added to a secure chat. That chat was initiated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, included senior officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. On March 15, Hegseth shared detailed operational updates, including timing, weather conditions, and specific weapons like F-18 jets and Tomahawk missiles, just hours before the attack commenced.

We still don’t know how or why Goldberg was added (assumed accidentally … although questions still abound). 

• Did someone working for Waltz want to embarrass the Trump administration?
• Was someone paid or promised something to add Goldberg?
• Or (the most likely) someone assembling the team, Waltz or an assistant, made a mistake and add JG – see below the break.
• Does some at Signal have the ability to insert a name?

We can only speculate but this smells:
In January 2024, Katherine Maher became the CEO of NPR. She also serves as the chair of the board of directors for the Signal Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the encrypted messaging app Signal.

— Rich Corbett (@RichC)

March 27, 2025

(more…)

Category: Blogs, News, Politics, Technology | 0 Comments
Tags: associated press, hegseth, houthi, jeffery goldberg, signalapp, theatlantic, trump, waltz, yemen

Posted By RichC on March 28, 2025

An interesting map on BrilliantMaps.com (from a Reddit post), highlights Canada’s January temperature patterns, showing where average highs and lows rise above freezing. The West Coast, particularly around Vancouver and Victoria, and parts of Nova Scotia, like Halifax, are marked in purple, indicating January average highs above 0°C (32°F). These areas, influenced by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, enjoy milder winters with highs of 6-8°C in Vancouver and 0-2°C in Halifax, often seeing rain rather than snow. Light blue spots in these regions also show average lows above freezing, making winter more manageable compared to the rest of the country.

The unshaded majority of Canada, however, experiences a true deep freeze (image left created by Grok AI), with both average highs and lows below 0°C. In places like Winnipeg, January highs average -13°C (9°F), while lows can drop to -23°C (-10°F) or colder in the northern territories. This map underscores Canada’s climatic diversity—whether you’re in a milder coastal city or the frigid interior, winter shapes life differently.

Category: AI, Blogs, Weather | 0 Comments
Tags: brilliantmaps.com, canada, grok, maps, reddit, weather

Posted By RichC on March 27, 2025

It is not hard to suck me in to having an opinion … and politics is one of those topics that I fortunately or unfortunately have formed semi-strong politically opinions over the years. I probably share/debate/argue them too often with my son Taylor (and he usually counters them) or in the past couple of years, have opined by request on TheHustings.news. 

This past week, left-leaning friend of a sailing friend, posted: “Defending Democracy is Not a Partisan Issue” for the left-column of TheHustings. His commentary highlighted the need to prioritize democratic principles over divisive partisanship in order to safeguard our system of government. As with all noble points-of-view, there can be a bit more pushback from others when getting into the actual subject matter — and so as a counter point-of-view (for the right-column of course), my commentary zeroed in on the overused “grandma off the cliff” fear tactic used by Democrats when it comes to the Republicans wanting to “shut down Social Security.” Read on if you dare …  

A Partisan Weapon in Disguise

Commentary by Rich Corbett

The pitch that defending democracy is a noble, non-partisan cause is a comforting tale, but it’s not the last word on the matter. Instead of uniting us, this slogan has become a partisan bludgeon, swung by one side to hammer the other. Look at the hysteria over Social Security: warnings of an “assault” on this retiree lifeline get paraded as evidence of democracy in peril. It’s a scare tactic, not a shared mission, showing how the concept gets twisted into a political weapon.

Take that claim head-on. Proposals to tweak Social Security—like adjusting eligibility or benefits—are spun as full-scale attacks, proof of democratic sabotage. Yet these ideas often aim to keep the program viable amid real pressures, like an aging workforce. If defending democracy were truly bipartisan, wouldn’t we debate fixes instead of shouting betrayal? The one-sided outrage betrays the game: it’s a rallying cry to energize one faction while branding opponents as threats, not a call for common ground.

The hypocrisy stretches further. When one camp decries election security laws as voter suppression, it’s a crisis of democratic values. When the other side calls out Big Tech censorship or executive overreach—like rules shoved through without Congress—the same voices shrug. If this were a neutral fight, both concerns would matter. Instead, “defending democracy” amplifies selective fears—Social Security today, something else tomorrow—to let one side play savior while painting rivals as villains.

The bias runs deep. The argument props up a “free” press and “independent” judiciary as democratic cornerstones, but a press skewed one way, as bias studies show, isn’t free—it’s a mouthpiece. A judiciary’s independence is a partisan tug-of-war, too, with every appointment a battle. When these institutions echo certain alarms, they’re not safeguarding democracy—they’re picking winners.

The “defend democracy” line assumes we all see it the same way. We don’t. Some view entitlements like Social Security as untouchable; others see reform as survival. Some push majority rule; others guard minority rights. These gaps don’t unite us—they fuel the fight. Democracy isn’t a holy grail to protect; it’s a ring where partisan armies, armed with overblown claims, slug it out.

This vision of a bipartisan defense of democracy is a delusion. It’s a catchphrase hijacked by those who gain from fearmongering, whether over cherished programs or other hot buttons. Unity starts with owning the messiness of democracy—not pretending it’s a saintly ideal we all agree to save.

Corbett writes on a variety of subjects at My Desultory Blog.

Category: Archive, Blogs, Politics | 0 Comments
Tags: commentary, counterpoint, point-of-view, political, richc, right-column, social security, thehustings