Month: February 2026

ASFO 2026–02–28

Congratulations to Électricité de France on reaching 1600 MW of output at Flamanville 3, their first new power reactor in over 20 years, which had an unsurprisingly troubled gestation — condolences to NASA on having to move its Artemis 2 stack back from the pad to the VAB, due to problems with the “interim” cryogenic upper stage (with a brief meditation on just what interim may mean in this context), and having to rush an ISS crew change — more anti–nuclear terrorism, of a sort particularly difficult to understand — a really lovely gift from tob — one thing more convenient than a railroad station hotel — a discussion of my further travel plans — an expression of confidence that my printer woes are at last over, and of gratitude to an angel of mercy who helped make that happen.

ASFO 2026–02–21

Margaret “Tina” Thatcher, FenCon XXI and their Science Guest of Honor, the difficulties of fitting display materials into a very small borrowed car, and my continuing printer woes take up most of the time this week.

Supplementary Show

2026–02–27 (second part) Audio from four new film transfers : Atomic Power Comes of Age, a trailer for an article in the 1965 December Reader’s Digest ; Inside the Atom, an Encyclopædia Brittannica film ; Everyday Radioactivity, an introduction to gamma ray spectroscopy ; and How Much is Enough?, an introduction to the concept of statistical uncertainty in measurements, using radioactive counting rates.

Objects In Mirrors Episode 89: “It’s a hit” (2026-02-17)

  • Richard Hickox & Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra – Benjamin Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34: Variation M. Percussions. Moderato
  • Pablo Heras-Casado & Orchestre De Paris – Igor Stravinsky: Le Sacre du printemps, K. 15, Pt. 2, Le Sacrifice: VI. Danse sacrale (L’Élue)
  • Sō Percussion – Steven Mackey: It Is Time: II. Steel Drums
  • Nexus & Steve Reich and Musicians – Robert Reich: Sextet: 5th Movement
  • Riccardo Chailly, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Jean-Yves Thibaudet & Takashi Harada – Olivier Messiaen: Turangalîla Symphonie: V. Joie de sang des étoiles
  • Mark Yancich, Paul Yancich, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Robert Spano – James Oliverio: Double Timpani Concerto “Dynasty”: I. Impetuous
  • David Corkhill, Evelyn Glennie, Murray Perahia & Sir Georg Solti – Béla Bartók: Sonata For Two Pianos And Percussion: III. Allegro Non Troppo
  • Sō Percussion – Glenn Kotche: Drumkit Quartet No. 54
  • Bruckner Orchester Linz & Dennis Russell Davies – Philip Glass: Symphony No. 11: Movement III
  • Steve Reich & Russ Hartenberger – Steve Reich: Clapping Music (1972)

ASFO 2026–02–14

Canada’s federalized inter–city passenger service, VIA Rail, differs from Amtrak in a couple of interesting ways. One of these is in providing trolley–style food service, rather than a dedicated snack car, at least in the Windsor—Quebec corridor, which is my only experience with it. Another is in having (again, at least in the Windsor—Quebec corridor) usable on–board Internet service. This, however, does not really excuse my annoying my fellow passengers by recording my show at my seat shortly before airtime, even in business class, where other passengers do not hesitate to get on conference calls and that kind of nonsense. Either way, this abbreviated show focuses mostly on my recent travels, and on a very cheering announcement this week of new nuclear power for Ontario.

Objects In Mirrors Episode 87.9: “Throws left, hits right” (2026-02-10)

  • Rosalía, Björk & Yves Tumor – Berghain
  • Skullcrusher – Living
  • Equipment Pointed Ankh – The Shelbyville Codes
  • Cameron Winter – $0
  • Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys – Ambient Heat
  • Jehnny Beth – Out Of My Reach
  • Lucrecia Dalt – no death no danger
  • Charli xcx & John Cale – House
  • Cate Le Bon – Heaven Is No Feeling
  • Caroline Polachek – On The Beach
  • Lido Pimienta – Aún Te Quiero
  • Son Lux, Mitski & David Byrne – This Is a Life
  • Chelsea Wolfe – Tunnel Lights
  • Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
  • Spellling – Haunted Water

ASFO 2026–02–07

The ethics of decarbonization, with aspects that perhaps don’t get enough discussion — the problem of funding scientific and technical research and development, in an international context — the South African peace dividend, the moral problem of the African National Congress, and the stupidity of attempts to sabotage the Koeberg nuclear power plant. And I don’t even get to talking about my new film transfers!

Objects In Mirrors Episode 87: “What?” (2026-02-03)

  • Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Inspiration Information
  • Thundercat – Them Changes
  • Thee Sacred Souls – Overflowing
  • Laufey – Silver Lining
  • Arlo Parks – Eugene
  • Bill Withers – Use Me
  • SZA – Good Days
  • Mark Ronson & RAYE – Suzanne
  • Sharon Van Etten – Feel Good
  • Joesef – The Sun Is Up Forever
  • Michael Kiwanuka – Hero
  • The Budos Band – Raja Haje
  • Father John Misty – Nancy from Now On
  • Al Green – Love and Happiness
  • Foxygen – Shuggie
  • Erykah Badu – On & On