Month: January 2026

ASFO 2026–01–31

More evidence for my position that NASA should just pause operations during the last week of January and first week of February : a serious mishap to one of their three WB–57 Canberra high–altitude research aircraft. Also, my updated (and hopefully final!) travel plans, and a tiny bit of progress toward the token issue for the 75th anniversary of electric power generation by EBR–I.

Supplementary Show

2026–02–03 Audio from two recently–transferred educational films, The Transuranium Elements with Glenn Seaborg and collaborators, and Understanding Electricity.

Objects In Mirrors Episode 86: “This Stupid World” (2026-01-27)

  • Searows – In Violet
  • Big Thief – Los Angeles
  • Dean Johnson – Death of the Party
  • José González – Against the Dying of the Light
  • Haley Heynderickx & Max García Conover – Fluorescent Light
  • Cécile McLorin Salvant – Take this stone (feat. June McDoom & Kate Davis)
  • Westerman – Spring
  • Mon Rovîa – Running Boy
  • J Mascis – Say It On
  • Faye Webster – I Know You
  • Joy Oladokun – Nothing Comes Easy
  • Paul Dally – Revelator
  • Courtney Barnett – Site Unseen (feat. Waxahatchee)
  • The Walters – Slippin In
  • Mac DeMarco – Holy
  • Aldous Harding – Living the Classics
  • Ray LaMontagne – Such a Simple Thing
  • Samia – As You Are

ASFO 2026–01–24

Weather has disrupted my travel plans, and I spend most of the show talking about how that came about. Unfortunately the result of having to re–plan at short notice is a great deal of distraction and losing my train of thought, so I don’t manage to say much else of value.

Objects In Mirrors Episode 85 (2026-01-20)

  • Khruangbin – Maria También
  • Maribou State – Home
  • Pizzicato Five – Nata Di Marzo
  • Komeda – Rocket Plane (Music On The Moon)
  • St Germain – Sure Thing
  • Erlend Øye – La prima estate
  • Antônio Carlos Jobim – Brazil (A.k.A. Aquarela do Brasil)
  • Goldfrapp – Anymore
  • Keleketla! & Coldcut – International Love Affair
  • Brazilian Girls – Don’t Stop
  • Thievery Corporation – Amerimacka (feat. Notch)
  • Nightmares On Wax – Morse
  • Saint Etienne – Only Love Can Break Your Heart

ASFO 2026–01–17

NOBODY is going to Mars this year, for better or worse. I tell you how I know that. The launch vehicle for the NASA Artemis II mission is on its way to the launchpad, in preparation for a manned circumlunar flight which may launch sometime in the next three months, and a possible landing sometime in the coming years. Colour me unimpressed. Chancellor Merz of Germany admits that the nuclear exit was a mistake — again, colour me unimpressed. And I let you know of my upcoming travels, and my continuing anxiety over the US domestic and international political situations.

Objects In Mirrors Episode 84 (2026-01-13)

  • Deafheaven – Near
  • Grateful Dead – Stella Blue
  • Devendra Banhart – Fireflies
  • Sunday (1994) – Tired Boy
  • Wolf Alice – Midnight Song
  • Cate Le Bon – Always The Same (feat. St. Vincent)
  • Faye Webster – But Not Kiss
  • Esha Tewari – Muse
  • The Marías – No One Noticed
  • Maria Somerville – Garden
  • untitled (halo) – emo is good
  • Jessica Pratt – Wrong Hand
  • Daughter – Youth
  • The Flaming Lips – Waitin’ for a Superman

ASFO 2026–01–10

CRIMES against Peace — Lord Voldemort? — Nietzsche’s Superman as fast–food mascot — a brief discussion of the complicated situation in Venezuela — Putin working hard to get the spotlight back — escalating stupidity in Cowley County, Kansas — “carbon pollution”, literally — colossal stupidity in Japan — further progress, of a sort, with blast.