Prepping: Just How “Sustainable” Are Things?

The short answer is “Not very sustainable, at all.” Worse?  We lie to ourselves about this whole “sustainability” notion day-in, and day-out.  Don’t even blink an eye about it.  Corporation X-Y-Z says “Yup, we’re “sustainable” and surprise!  No questions asked. That’s because A) most people lie to themselves about how “normal” things are and B) … Read More

The Blue Ox and the Dying Sun Problem

Raise your hand, quick, if you know where the most famous statue of legendary wood-cutter Paul Bunyon and his Blue Ox Babe are located. (Hmmm…no hands going up…) Well, this is one of the reasons why Ham Radio is such a cool hobby during times when the End of the World (EotW) is in sight. … Read More

Immigration: Another 1920’s Rhyme

I’d be willing to bet that most Americans have no clue what the Johnson-Reed Act was.  Passed in 1924, and in 1929 setting an annual immigration quota of 150,000, the act was a continuation of restrictive immigration laws that were enacted before 1900.  As the Office of the Historian at the U.S. State Department site … Read More

Current Research

Too many subjects and not enough time at Old Man Labs.  But, some of it is just damn useful so we will wade through a nicely sized helping this morning. Talking trees, light crown construction,  and free energy are all on the agenda. After the usual headlines, charts and half-caf. More for Subscribers      |||     SUBSCRIBE … Read More

Prepping: Ham Radio – Which Hobby?

One of the joys of being an amateur radio operator is that the hobby is really a whole bunch of hobbies all bound-up under one roof. There is, quite literally, something for everybody.  And no Morse code requirement, so that hurdle doesn’t exist like it did for a bunch of us “oldtimers.” It’s also great … Read More

Jobs Data, Recession Looms

Before we get into the nitus-gritus of the Jobs report from Uncle Fed, a short dissertation on what it all means is in order. The short version?  Normally, when the unemployment rate has hit historically low levels (check), and then begins to rise again (check), when the rate is 1/2 a percentage point higher than … Read More

Job Cuts Up, So Markets (fill in the blank)

We think the market may be nearing an important (3-6 month type) peak, although there’s not investment advice, of course. Reason?  Quarterly job cuts just out this morning, are at the highest level since Q1 of 2015.  Read ’em and weep in the Challenger numbers: “U.S.-based employers announced plans to cut 60,587 jobs from their … Read More

Reconsidering Nostradamus

Was he a “linguistic magician” or a “mystic linguician?” The latter, linguician, not to be confused with the language and music app for Android, of course. What we deal with today is the logical problem of analyzing what to make of Nostradamus’ work, Especially in light of the fine work on point done by long-time … Read More

Prepping: Managing Key Rituals

“My, what an odd title,” you may be thinking. And you’d be right, of course.  But it sounds more business-like than “Success begins in bed…”  Although, that would at least ensure a following of slimy politicians. But, seriously…Think prepping and anti-aging in the same context. One of the great learnings of 70-years is that there … Read More

Bordering on Thoughtless, Durable Goods

I happened to catch a “news commentary” on WOAI out of San Antonio Monday and I was shocked at how the border crisis is being morphed into a “mush-headed economic marvel.” The station news director’s commentary pointed out that if president Trump indeed closes the border in order to deal with the unchecked, illegal immigration, … Read More

Big Real Estate Grabs: China’s 3-Legged Milk Stool

Sure, the new overnight that the trade talks are continuing and that Chinese consumers are holding their own are fueling the rally at the open of the stock market today. But there is a much larger game at play than just coaxing consumers to spend more and more than even trade talks.  What could be … Read More