Category: anonradio

ASFO 2023–12–09

Essequibo is another word you may be totally unfamiliar with, but perhaps not for long. In a world where there is allegedly a broad consensus that use of fossil fuels should be decreasing, and where there are realistic alternative for most major applications of those fuels, a war over oil is even more of a disgusting spectacle than it was in the past. Also, a little good news from COP28 in Dubai, and a trifling reflection on just what “AI” is supposed to do.

Editorial cartoon by "Bannerman". Two backpackers stand looking over a smoke-belching factory complex. One asks "what do you think our most powerful renewable resource is?" The other answer "denial".

ASFO 2023–12–02

When you’re in a hole, stop digging ; when you’re facing an environmental crisis, don’t further burden the land! Is Germany following that rule? Does a “global transition to renewable energy” respect it? Can we look for anything from the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Dubai under the presidency of the head of the United Arab Emirates state oil company, that respects it? Also, a report on my disappointing experience in Los Angeles.

Dignitaries assembled with their flags, in front of a background which reads “Tripling Nuclear Energy by 2050, United Arab Emirates, December 2023”
One hopeful sign, perhaps ― it is possible to make out the flag of the Republic of Korea, which supplied the Barakah nuclear power plant, but has a domestic “nuclear phaseout” policy

ASFO 2023–11–18

Loscon 49, here I come! Sample copies of blast will be available, as will convention ribbons ― and Patreon supporters will receive mail from LA according to my usual custom. (I guess I forgot to do that from Winnipeg.) Also, the controversy between Nuklearia and the Umweltbundesamt, and a mention of bad reasoning on the part of opponents of atomic power. (Shocking, I know.) Not the most hard hitting or incisive episode of the year, mostly updates on what is going on with me, and the usual appeal for money so I can keep doing the weird things I do.

Two commemorative philatelic covers, for the set of stamps released 21 May 1981. Each is mounted on a card published by Readers' Digest. One refers to solar astronomy and carries the title "The Great Nuclear Furnace", while the other refers to planetary astronomy and carries the title "Visions of the Universe".

ASFO 2023–11–11

Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, the feast of Saint Martin of Tours ― whatever you call it, this is a day to demand of the members of the United Nations, and especially the Permanent Members of the Security Council, that they honour their solemn obligation, freely entered into, to seek and keep peace in this world. Unfortunately, I spent my time slot driving back from the stamp show (where I bought a bunch of postage), instead of doing a broadcast, so I had to do it later. For your delectation, I have a new film transfer.

Title card from a film, badly faded to pink. Text is "The Magic of the Atom".
Title card for the Handel Films “Magic of the Atom” series