One billion surveillance cameras will be deployed globally by
2021, according to data compiled by IHS Markit and first
reported by The Wall Street Journal. China’s installed base is
expected to rise to over 560 million cameras by 2021,
representing the largest share of surveillance devices installed
globally, with the US rising to around 85 million cameras. When
taking populations into account, China will continue to have
nearly the same ratio of cameras to citizens as the US.
In 2018, China had 350 million cameras installed for an
estimated one camera for every 4.1 people. That compared to one
for every 4.6 people in the US where 70 million cameras were
installed. Taiwan was third in terms of penetration with one
camera for every 5.5 citizens in 2018, followed by the UK and
Ireland (1 to 6.5) and Singapore (1 to 7.1).
Feb 3, 2020
Winter Weather Words
The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as having
strong winds greater than 35 mph, combined with heavy or blowing
snow to produce "very poor visibility." Visibility needs to be
under a quarter-mile to qualify as a blizzard.
NOR'EASTER
The swirling storms that typically bring heavy snow, rain, and coastal flooding to areas in the Northeast are known as "Nor'easters." The storms moving up the East Coast of the U.S. received their name, because their winds typically blow from the northeast, even though the storm is moving from southeast to northeast. That is because the winds are moving in a counter-clockwise around the area of low pressure.
BOMB CYCLONE
Winter storms that strengthen rapidly, including nor'easters, are dubbed "bomb cyclones." The term “bombogenesis” comes from mid-latitude storms that intensify rapidly, dropping 24 millibars (atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A typical range in millibar change is around 10 to 15 in 24 hours. A bombogenesis storm can be tropical or non-tropical. “The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning.
SLEET
Sleet is known as a combination of a snowflake and water that is frozen, according to forecasters. One of the types of precipitation people commonly describe as "hail" is actually sleet. Sleet is ice pellets or granulates of frozen rain, and occurs when rain falls through air with temperatures below freezing, according to the NWS. While the raindrop is falling, if it goes through above-freezing air, it turns back into liquid-- until it refreezes before hitting the ground.
FREEZING RAIN
Freezing rain is defined as rain that falls and lands on a surface with a temperature that is below freezing, causing it to freeze on contact. The rain that falls and freezes eventually forms a coating of ice or glaze that can make walking or driving extremely difficult. A freeze may or may not be accompanied by a frost, which is the formation of ice crystals that develop when dew gathers in temperatures of at least 32 degrees. A flash freeze occurs when temperatures drop quickly below 32 degrees and cause a rapid freeze.
BLACK ICE
When there is a flash freeze, water on untreated surfaces can form "black ice." If the water present is very thin and on a surface such as black asphalt, it can be difficult to see. It can be extremely dangerous and very slippery.
SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS
The NWS counts snow showers as snow falling with varying intensity over brief periods, possibly accumulating. Snow squalls, however, are more intense snow showers and the most common. Brief, intense weather is typically accompanied by strong, gusty winds and may produce significant accumulations.
WIND CHILL AND ACCUWEATHER REALFEEL
In addition to temperatures on a thermometer, "wind chill" tells us how it feels outside. The NWS defines a wind chill index as the apparent temperature, plus the effect of falling temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind.
"As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at a more accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature," according to the NWS. The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to more quickly cool the object to the current air temperature. The object will not cool below the actual air temperature.
NOR'EASTER
The swirling storms that typically bring heavy snow, rain, and coastal flooding to areas in the Northeast are known as "Nor'easters." The storms moving up the East Coast of the U.S. received their name, because their winds typically blow from the northeast, even though the storm is moving from southeast to northeast. That is because the winds are moving in a counter-clockwise around the area of low pressure.
BOMB CYCLONE
Winter storms that strengthen rapidly, including nor'easters, are dubbed "bomb cyclones." The term “bombogenesis” comes from mid-latitude storms that intensify rapidly, dropping 24 millibars (atmospheric pressure) over a 24-hour span, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A typical range in millibar change is around 10 to 15 in 24 hours. A bombogenesis storm can be tropical or non-tropical. “The term bombogenesis comes from the merging of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning.
SLEET
Sleet is known as a combination of a snowflake and water that is frozen, according to forecasters. One of the types of precipitation people commonly describe as "hail" is actually sleet. Sleet is ice pellets or granulates of frozen rain, and occurs when rain falls through air with temperatures below freezing, according to the NWS. While the raindrop is falling, if it goes through above-freezing air, it turns back into liquid-- until it refreezes before hitting the ground.
FREEZING RAIN
Freezing rain is defined as rain that falls and lands on a surface with a temperature that is below freezing, causing it to freeze on contact. The rain that falls and freezes eventually forms a coating of ice or glaze that can make walking or driving extremely difficult. A freeze may or may not be accompanied by a frost, which is the formation of ice crystals that develop when dew gathers in temperatures of at least 32 degrees. A flash freeze occurs when temperatures drop quickly below 32 degrees and cause a rapid freeze.
BLACK ICE
When there is a flash freeze, water on untreated surfaces can form "black ice." If the water present is very thin and on a surface such as black asphalt, it can be difficult to see. It can be extremely dangerous and very slippery.
SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS
The NWS counts snow showers as snow falling with varying intensity over brief periods, possibly accumulating. Snow squalls, however, are more intense snow showers and the most common. Brief, intense weather is typically accompanied by strong, gusty winds and may produce significant accumulations.
WIND CHILL AND ACCUWEATHER REALFEEL
In addition to temperatures on a thermometer, "wind chill" tells us how it feels outside. The NWS defines a wind chill index as the apparent temperature, plus the effect of falling temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind.
"As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at a more accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature," according to the NWS. The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to more quickly cool the object to the current air temperature. The object will not cool below the actual air temperature.
Jan 24, 2020
Happy Friday
Happiness does not need
rules. It is unfettered by constraint.
I love to be unfettered, especially on a Happy Friday!
I love to be unfettered, especially on a Happy Friday!
Chatelaines, Handbags and Reticules
Handbags originated from the
loose, small bags or pouches people carried around centuries
ago. Clothes did not have pockets at the time and people created
the pouches to keep their money and other items them safe. The
pouches were often attached to a belt worn around the waist.
During the 16th century, women dumped the pouches for small pieces of metal called chatelaines. They hung their keys and sewing materials on the chatelaines, which were worn under their skirts. Women dumped the chatelaines for reticules in the 18th century. The reticules (also called indispensables) were drawstring handbags ; usually made of net, beading or brocade and used in 18th and 19th centuries.
The modern handbag appeared in the early 1900s. The name was coined from the hand held bags men carried around. Fashion designers of the day used the male handbags to create handbags for women. These feminine handbags had fasteners and were separated into compartments to make them more practical. The male handbag soon gave way to the female handbag.
During the 16th century, women dumped the pouches for small pieces of metal called chatelaines. They hung their keys and sewing materials on the chatelaines, which were worn under their skirts. Women dumped the chatelaines for reticules in the 18th century. The reticules (also called indispensables) were drawstring handbags ; usually made of net, beading or brocade and used in 18th and 19th centuries.
The modern handbag appeared in the early 1900s. The name was coined from the hand held bags men carried around. Fashion designers of the day used the male handbags to create handbags for women. These feminine handbags had fasteners and were separated into compartments to make them more practical. The male handbag soon gave way to the female handbag.
Metric Growing
Almost all of the more than 200 countries in the world use the
metric system when describing things like length or mass.
However, there are three countries that stand out: Liberia,
Myanmar (Burma), and the United States.
Soon, that number might be down to two. In 2018, Liberia commerce and industry minister Wilson Tarpeh said the government plans to adopt the metric system in order to promote accountability and transparency in trade.
Soon, that number might be down to two. In 2018, Liberia commerce and industry minister Wilson Tarpeh said the government plans to adopt the metric system in order to promote accountability and transparency in trade.
Exact World Population
As of 2019, the overall human population was
estimated to be more than 7.7 billion people. It had taken all
of human history until around 1800 for world population to reach
one billion, the second billion was achieved in 130 years
(1930), the third billion in 30 years (1960), the fourth billion
in 15 years (1974), and the fifth billion in only 13 years
(1987), six billion in 12 years (1999) and, seven billion in 12
years (2011). As of this morning world population was
7,756,548,011. Incidentally, the growth rate is declining.
To watch the increase in real time, you can see the World Population Clock web site, which shows as babies are born and other people die. You can also see the current populations of different countries, including China (1,436,000,000+), India (1,373,000,000+), and the U.S. (330,000,000+). Watch the numbers and you can see India has faster birth rate than China. LINK
To watch the increase in real time, you can see the World Population Clock web site, which shows as babies are born and other people die. You can also see the current populations of different countries, including China (1,436,000,000+), India (1,373,000,000+), and the U.S. (330,000,000+). Watch the numbers and you can see India has faster birth rate than China. LINK
Panda Facts
All Pandas in all the zoos around the world are owned by China
and loaned to the zoos. Male pandas do a handstand when
urinating, because when they pee on a tree, higher means more
dominance.
US Supreme Court Facts
Recently a presidential contender said he would
appoint Barack Obama to the Supreme Court. Obama is not a lawyer
and has never been a judge, so I looked up qualifications
required.
There are no explicit requirements in the U.S. Constitution for a person to be nominated to become a Supreme Court justice. No age, education, law degree, job experience, or citizenship rules exist.
To date, six justices have been foreign born; the most recent. The youngest associate justice ever appointed was Joseph Story, who was 32 years old when he joined the bench in 1811. Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who served from 1902 to 1932, retired at age 90, making him the oldest person ever to sit on the court. One thing every justice who has served shares in common is that all were lawyers (although not required) prior to joining the court. During the 18th and 19th centuries, before attending law school was standard practice, many future justices got their legal training by studying under a mentor.
James Byrnes, who served on the court from 1941 to 1942, was the last justice who did not attend law school or graduate from high school. He worked as a law clerk and later passed the bar exam. Justices are appointed for life but can be impeached.
Incidentally, during recent years, the court has received some 10,000 annual requests to review cases, but hears only about 80.
There are no explicit requirements in the U.S. Constitution for a person to be nominated to become a Supreme Court justice. No age, education, law degree, job experience, or citizenship rules exist.
To date, six justices have been foreign born; the most recent. The youngest associate justice ever appointed was Joseph Story, who was 32 years old when he joined the bench in 1811. Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who served from 1902 to 1932, retired at age 90, making him the oldest person ever to sit on the court. One thing every justice who has served shares in common is that all were lawyers (although not required) prior to joining the court. During the 18th and 19th centuries, before attending law school was standard practice, many future justices got their legal training by studying under a mentor.
James Byrnes, who served on the court from 1941 to 1942, was the last justice who did not attend law school or graduate from high school. He worked as a law clerk and later passed the bar exam. Justices are appointed for life but can be impeached.
Incidentally, during recent years, the court has received some 10,000 annual requests to review cases, but hears only about 80.
Largest Armies
With more than 2 million personnel, China’s army is the largest.
The second largest is from India with about 1.4 million, the
U.S. army comes in third with about 1.3 million. Russia is
fourth with about 900,000.
Signing 2020
Have
seen this in a number of places and thought I would pass along, in
case you missed it. According to law enforcement, this habit could
put you at major risk of fraud.
When signing and dating legal documents, do not use 20 as the year 2020.
The problem stems from the ease at which the year 20 can be changed to any date from the last two decades. For example 02/01/20 could easily be changed to 02/01/2019, 02/01/2016, etc., giving scammers a chance to defraud you. Of course that was also true of using 19 as it could have been changed to 1991, etc, but that would make the dates changed to much older.
Incidentally, using 02/29/20 would be a bit less of a problem due to the lower number of leap years. Just had to add that tidbit as 2020 is a leap year. Ha.
When signing and dating legal documents, do not use 20 as the year 2020.
The problem stems from the ease at which the year 20 can be changed to any date from the last two decades. For example 02/01/20 could easily be changed to 02/01/2019, 02/01/2016, etc., giving scammers a chance to defraud you. Of course that was also true of using 19 as it could have been changed to 1991, etc, but that would make the dates changed to much older.
Incidentally, using 02/29/20 would be a bit less of a problem due to the lower number of leap years. Just had to add that tidbit as 2020 is a leap year. Ha.
Auld Lang Syne
Most
people do not know any of the lyrics beyond the first stanza and
chorus of this traditional New Year's Eve song 'Auld Lang Syne'.
During 1788 Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote down the
traditional lyrics and added some of his own.
Auld lang syne literally means "old long since," or "long, long ago." The phrase "for auld lang syne" translates to "for old time's sake."
The first line of the song is a question: Should we forget our old friends?
The answer is in the chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo (For old time's sake, my dear)
For auld lang syne (For old time's sake)
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet (We'll take a cup of kindness yet)
For auld lang syne (For old time's sake)
The remainder of the lyrics sound as though they are spoken to an old friend. That unusual verse actually means, "We two have paddled in the stream / From morning sun 'til dinner time." The singer is reminiscing about all the fun he and the friend have had together.
The last verse concludes: And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught (And we'll take a good-will drink, alright) For auld lang syne (For old time's sake).
The tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve came from Scottish immigrants who brought the custom with them when they moved abroad. It is traditional to sing the song just before midnight as a reminder that, even though the New Year is coming and we are about to face new delights and challenges, we should not forget where we came from.
Auld Lang Syne is also sung at social gatherings like weddings or funerals.
Auld lang syne literally means "old long since," or "long, long ago." The phrase "for auld lang syne" translates to "for old time's sake."
The first line of the song is a question: Should we forget our old friends?
The answer is in the chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo (For old time's sake, my dear)
For auld lang syne (For old time's sake)
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet (We'll take a cup of kindness yet)
For auld lang syne (For old time's sake)
The remainder of the lyrics sound as though they are spoken to an old friend. That unusual verse actually means, "We two have paddled in the stream / From morning sun 'til dinner time." The singer is reminiscing about all the fun he and the friend have had together.
The last verse concludes: And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught (And we'll take a good-will drink, alright) For auld lang syne (For old time's sake).
The tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve came from Scottish immigrants who brought the custom with them when they moved abroad. It is traditional to sing the song just before midnight as a reminder that, even though the New Year is coming and we are about to face new delights and challenges, we should not forget where we came from.
Auld Lang Syne is also sung at social gatherings like weddings or funerals.
Old 2020 Predictions
In 1990, The Washington Post reported in a front page story:
"Carbon dioxide is the gas most responsible for predictions that
Earth will warm on average by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit by the
year 2020." It further warned: "The United States, because it
occupies a large continent in higher latitudes, could warm by as
much as 6 degrees Fahrenheit." Thirty years later, 2020 has
finally arrived. The Earth has warmed about 1 degree Fahrenheit
according to NASA. The United States also warmed roughly 1
degree.
- CNN ran a headline in 2003 titled 'World oil and gas 'running out'. The New York Times reported in 1989 that "untapped pools of domestic oil are finite and dwindling," and that "William Stevens, the president of Exxon U.S.A., said ... by the year 2020 there would not be enough domestic oil left 'to keep me interested.'" Both U.S. oil output and U.S. proven oil reserves are dramatically higher now than they were in 1989.
- "It's now estimated that by the year 2020, there will be no glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro," the U.N. Environment Program, told CNN in 2003. In 2001, glaciologist Lonnie Thompson predicted the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania would disappear within the next 20 years.” Today, Kilimanjaro's glaciers are still there, according to a 2019 paper in the Journal Ecology and Evolution that includes photos and another new timetable: "most of glaciers on Kilimanjaro ... will most likely disappear within 25 years."
- Reuters headline in 1997: "Millions will die unless climate policies change." The report said 8 million people would die by 2020, citing a prediction in the Lancet medical journal. “None of these predictions came true, and aren't even close to coming true,” said Roy Spencer, a climatologist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “It's amazing that the public can continue to believe apocalyptic predictions despite a 95 percent decline in weather-related deaths in the last 100 years.”
- CNN ran a headline in 2003 titled 'World oil and gas 'running out'. The New York Times reported in 1989 that "untapped pools of domestic oil are finite and dwindling," and that "William Stevens, the president of Exxon U.S.A., said ... by the year 2020 there would not be enough domestic oil left 'to keep me interested.'" Both U.S. oil output and U.S. proven oil reserves are dramatically higher now than they were in 1989.
- "It's now estimated that by the year 2020, there will be no glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro," the U.N. Environment Program, told CNN in 2003. In 2001, glaciologist Lonnie Thompson predicted the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania would disappear within the next 20 years.” Today, Kilimanjaro's glaciers are still there, according to a 2019 paper in the Journal Ecology and Evolution that includes photos and another new timetable: "most of glaciers on Kilimanjaro ... will most likely disappear within 25 years."
- Reuters headline in 1997: "Millions will die unless climate policies change." The report said 8 million people would die by 2020, citing a prediction in the Lancet medical journal. “None of these predictions came true, and aren't even close to coming true,” said Roy Spencer, a climatologist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “It's amazing that the public can continue to believe apocalyptic predictions despite a 95 percent decline in weather-related deaths in the last 100 years.”
Personal Online Privacy
Beginning New Year’s Day, you may have noticed a small change
to some of the websites you visit: a button or link, probably at
the bottom of the page, for privacy policy and/or reading “Do
Not Sell My Personal Information.” The California Consumer Privacy Act defines
personal information broadly, including, but not limited to
identifiers (name, address, online identifier, IP address, etc),
purchasing history, geolocation, audio/video, biometric data,
inferences made about your personality or psychological trends.
The act also allows Californians to see the sources of that
data, the types of third parties data is shared with, and how it
has been categorized.
It empowers consumers to access the personal data that companies have collected on them, to demand that it be deleted, and to prevent it from being sold to third parties. Since it is a lot more work to create a separate infrastructure just for California residents to opt out of the data collection industry, these requirements will likely transform the internet for most users. Unless you love ads, take advantage and opt out.
It empowers consumers to access the personal data that companies have collected on them, to demand that it be deleted, and to prevent it from being sold to third parties. Since it is a lot more work to create a separate infrastructure just for California residents to opt out of the data collection industry, these requirements will likely transform the internet for most users. Unless you love ads, take advantage and opt out.
New Olympic Events 2020
The summer Olympics and Paralympics Tokyo 2020 will
feature four new sports: karate, skateboarding, sport climbing,
and surfing. Baseball and softball, which had previously been
played in earlier games, will both return. Incidentally,
just like the London Olympics, it will be broadcast in many
places as 8K or 4K. Japan currently has a 4K and a 24hour 8K
station broadcasting daily since December 2018. 8K also
includes 22.2 channel sound.
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