My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2025

Since I’ve not truly committed to using artificial intelligence tools from one company, I’ve been attempting to put each of the leading AI tools through their paces. Earlier this week I tested Otter.AI to transcript from an audio recording … and now for Tech Friday this week it’s Google’s Gemini and the “Deep Research” tool — a no cost invitation was extended.

So, since tariffs are in the political and economic news lately, I decided to see just what Gemini Deep Research could “dig up” on the different kinds of trade restrictions, tariffs, taxes and fees are put on exports from the United States and in return what happens to imports from other countries. Interestingly I also asked Gemini to analyze the proposed tariffs that are tossed back in forth in recent days. AKA: A trade war.

Here’s the result in a 17 page report (PDF) and a chart and a snippet from the full document below. What was impressive to me is that the report was researched, compiled and “written” in less than 5 minutes … and included up-to-date information. The world is changing rapidly. 

Perhaps it was the series of requests, but the results were not exactly what I was looking for … maybe I’ll need to refine my requests better next time?

A Comparison of Trade Barriers Between the United States and Key Trading Partners

1. Executive Summary:

The global trade landscape is currently marked by a noticeable increase in protectionist measures, with the United States recently implementing several policies that affect its major trading partners. This report analyzes the tariffs, taxes, and product restrictions currently in place between the United States and Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the countries within the European Union …

LINK to FULL PDF

Category: AI, News, Politics, Technology | 1 Comment
Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, barriers, deep research, gemini, tariffs, taxes, trade, vat tax

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Personal, Photos, TBT, Travel | 0 Comments
Tags: annalyn, beach, ellerie, family, florida, granddaughters, haircut, TBT

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2025

After excellent comments by retired 4-star General Jack Keane the other day, I heard him again this past weekend with Mark Levin.

No matter what your thoughts are on politics or views on foreign affairs, Jack Keane is someone with a lot of knowledge, experience and insight … and his commentary is worth listening to — or perhaps reading along below (testing Otter.ai’s transcription from audio. Below the break). 
 

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Category: AI, Audio, Millitary, News, Politics | 0 Comments
Tags: jack keane, mark levin, otter.ai, russia, transcription, ukraine

Posted By RichC on March 11, 2025

Although it isn’t a surprise to see those who I’ve drawn inspiration from when it come to boats, sailing and the cruising lifestyle, another writer and book author has passed away (January 2025). Don Casey has been an icon in teaching boat owners and sailors for years and his writing have been most appreciated and treasured on my bookshelf. 

He believed that sailors should be capable of maintaining and repairing their boats, not just to save money but to foster a deeper connection with their vessels and the sea.

Don and Olga spent over four decades cruising on “Richard Cory,” a 30-foot Seawind ketch named after a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. The boat became their home as they explored the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and beyond. 

Sailrite posted a great write-up on their blog (snipnet above) and I saved a PDF version just in case the link disappears. For now, we are another wise voice short when it comes to excellent boat maintenance and cruising advice. I’ll continue to treasure his books.

Don Casey is a well-known marine author who has written extensively on sailboat maintenance and repair. He is the author of numerous books, including “Don Casey’s Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual,” which combines six core volumes into a single, dependable resource that answers frequent questions and explains major systems to help keep boats in good condition.

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Category: Books, Obituary, Sailing | 0 Comments
Tags: author, Books, dan casey, Obituary, sailing, sailrite

Posted By RichC on March 10, 2025

Although Fleetwood Mac has been mentioned several times times before on Music Monday, here is “Over My Head” (Christine McVie) remastered in 2017 from one of my favorite albums.

I can’t say Pandora on the Apple Watch is the best way to listen to music (the iPhone is much better), but it does help save my limited phone plan data when walking on the beach. I know, downloading music and listening would make far more sense than streaming over 5G (watch or phone data plan) … but my monthly data is a use it or lose it on the iPhone and unlimited on the watch, so it really doesn’t matter.  
 

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: fleetwood mac, music monday, musicmonday, over my head, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 9, 2025

While on our walk on the beach the other day, we spotted an unusual looking crab (posted a couple crab photos last month and this month too). After a little digging on the Internet, I think this crab appears to be a Florida Rough Box Crab (Calappa gallus) or a closely related species of Box Crab (Calappidae family) … and yes, I used ChatGPT (4.0) to research this from my photo.  

Here are some key details:

Identification & Appearance:

• Shell (Carapace): Dome-shaped, rough, and textured, often with sand or debris clinging to it for camouflage.
• Coloration: Typically reddish-brown, tan, or sandy-colored to blend into the beach environment.
• Claws: Box crabs have disproportionately large claws that they tuck under their bodies, giving them a “boxy” appearance when at rest.
• Legs: Short and sturdy, adapted for burrowing rather than swimming.

Habitat & Range:

• Found in shallow coastal waters, sandy beaches, and seafloors along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida.
• Often buries itself in sand for protection from predators and to ambush prey.
• Commonly found washed up on beaches after storms or rough surf.

Diet & Behavior:

• Primarily scavengers and carnivores, feeding on small mollusks, clams, and other shellfish by cracking their shells with powerful claws.
• Nocturnal behavior—most active at night while hunting or burrowing.
• Their camouflaged shell helps them avoid detection from predators like fish, birds, and larger crabs.

Interesting Facts:

• Sometimes referred to as a Shame-faced Crab due to how it tucks its claws under its body.
• Despite their intimidating look, they are not aggressive toward humans.
• Their natural defense mechanism is burying themselves in sand rather than fighting.

 

Category: Environment, Nature, Photos, Travel | 0 Comments
Tags: atlantic dunes, beach, box crab, crab, delray beach, florida, walk

Posted By RichC on March 8, 2025

This is strictly a future hopeful and something I’ve read Tesla engineers are working on (Graphite Aluminum-Ion Batteries), but I can’t help but get excited about another new battery technology … yes again (see my 2005 post and unfortunately fallout and A123 bankruptcy in 2012). If it is truly going to be in the next Tesla vehicles and can solve the battery degradation, cold weather performance, fast charging problems … all for a lower cost than current lithium-ion batteries, then it is worth the added wait time … and they might even be better than the holy grail — Solid State Batteries. 

Years ago (just spotted the link from 2006), I enjoyed visiting and test driving an early electric car — and the NmG was not ready for primetime (photo right).  Now that many EV vehicles ARE ready and even exceeding what we’re familiar with in ICE vehicles, the real hurdles are:

1. Charging infrastructure,
2. Tme to recharge,
3. Cold weather performance,
4. Lower prices,
5. and the unknown resale value / battery longevity.

EDIT add: Thought these were and interesting automotive statistics.

Category: Automotive, Energy, Science, Tesla | 0 Comments
Tags: batteries, battery, graphite aluminum-ion, solid state, tesla, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 7, 2025

This A.G.Bell Telegraphy patent filing was in a “history” email and decided that the hermit crab info using AI wasn’t really a fulfilling Tech Friday addition. So check out this patent that we still “sort of” use everyday … if cell and smartphones are included.

On March 7, 1876, 29-year-old Alexander Graham Bell receives a patent for his revolutionary new invention: the telephone. 

Category: Cellphone, History, Technology | 0 Comments
Tags: alexander graham bell, History, patent, tech friday, techfriday, telephone

Posted By RichC on March 7, 2025

Brenda and I were debating crabs and shells after seeing a couple crabs on our beach walks and finding a beautifully polished Cowry/Cowrie shell (left).

I suspected that the hermit crab ate the snail forming the shell and used it for protection and “a home.” Of course I was wrong … but didn’t know it until AI sleuthing. Not being satisfied with the “text only” (below) … I fed the results into ElevenLabs for some audio.  

ElevenLabs AI reading Grok AI information – text below break

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Category: AI, Audio, Nature, Personal, Photos | 1 Comment
Tags: ai, crabs, elevenlabs, grok, hermit crab, ocean, shells, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on March 6, 2025

President Donald J. Trump gave a 90 minute Joint Session of Congress speech on Tuesday night and since it went a bit late, I was unable to finish my commentary for TheHustings.News “right-hand” column (a request). Being a bit late, I’m unsure the editor will now find it timely enough to include, but am adding it to MyDesultoryBlog.

I’ve also been corresponding with a couple of other politically interested friends and one of them asked me about my process. I mentioned that I take notes on my iPad that helps me stay on topic. I don’t know if it helps the editor, but I also include my notes when sending to TheHustings.news (below the article).

I don’t always agree with all the commentary that I send … but try to fulfill the editor’s request and present a best case “right-column” support article. I justify this just as if I were a lawyer preparing a defense for a client or as a required assignment in a debate class to argue an assigned point of view.  In my case, it is relatively easy to add commentary that supports a conservative, small government, Republican point of view, but it is not always to do the same for everything President Trump says (but is likely true about all politicians).  

America is Back

On March 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump stood before Congress and the American people to deliver a forceful, unapologetic vision for America’s future. Unwavering in his commitment to economic prosperity, national security, and restoring law and order, the President laid out a blueprint for a stronger and more prosperous nation—despite the predictable and ever-present resistance from the Democratic side of the aisle.

One of the most striking moments of the evening came when President Trump openly addressed the partisan divide that continues to define Washington DC. “Once again, I look at the Democrats in front of me and I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud,” he stated. “I could find a cure to the most devastating disease, announce the greatest economy in history, or bring crime to the lowest levels ever recorded, and these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements. They won’t do it no matter what.” His words resonated with millions of Americans who have witnessed firsthand the political obstruction and unwillingness of his opponents to acknowledge progress.

The speech was not without drama. Representative Al Green (D-TX) was removed from the chamber, a symbol of the deep-seated opposition Trump continues to face. Yet, despite the partisan theatrics, the President pressed forward with his ambitious agenda.

At the heart of Trump’s speech was a robust economic plan designed to put more money back into the pockets of American citizens. He announced sweeping tax cuts for all Americans, emphasizing a pro-worker, pro-business agenda that includes making these tax reductions permanent. Among the key components:

• No taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits.
• Tax-deductible interest on American-made car loans.
• Retroactive expensing for businesses, ensuring companies can reinvest and grow.

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Category: Advice, News, Personal, Politics | 0 Comments
Tags: commentary, congress, joint sessions, speech, thehustings, wikipedia