Coal CEO calls Tesla a “fraud" – Elon Musk fires back a challenge

Robert Murray, President of coal giant Murray Energy Corporation, claimed in a TV interview, “Tesla is a fraud ... he’s gotten $2 billion from the taxpayer ... not made a penny yet in cashflow ...”

Elon Musk tweeted Robert Murray's, “fraud”, charge:

Coal-mining CEO: 'Tesla is a fraud' https://t.co/IpQJAlAo3f via @YahooFinance

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 10, 2016

And then issued a challenge:

Real fraud going on is denial of climate science. As for "subsidies", Tesla gets pennies on dollar vs coal. How about we both go to zero?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 10, 2016

“How about we both go to zero?” – With fossil fuel subsidies running at $10 million per minute world wide,¹ that would be a huge leap forward for the world economy, for the environment, & for humanity.

Renew Economy – Coal CEO calls Tesla a “fraud,” doesn’t mention subsidies for failing coal
https://reneweconomy.com.au/coal-ceo-calls-tesla-fraud-doesnt-mention-subsidies-failing-coal-91514

The Huffington Post – Elon Musk Burns Coal-Mining CEO Who Called Tesla A Fraud
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/elon-musk-robert-murray-fraud_us_57fbf510e4b068ecb5e0f5b2
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¹ Hithchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech, “Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

/ Robert Murray President CEO coal giant Murray Energy Corporation called Tesla Motors fraud CNBC profit subsidies Tesla is a fraud gotten $2 billion taxpayer has not made a penny yet in cash flow subsidies Tesla founder Elon Musk Twitter Tesla pennies subsidies compared with coal industry climate science denial real fraud distortion coal subsidies Tesla $465 million guaranteed loan Department of Energy Tesla paid off in full nine years ahead of schedule earning government American taxpayers millions indirect subsidies Tesla $7,500 tax credits purchaser electric vehicles not Tesla receiving $2 billion American car buyers buy Tesla any other electric vehicle increased demand consumer-facing subsidies subsidies coal industry receives coal tax breaks coal industry benefits billions dollars tax policy loopholes ThinkProgress reported 2012 Treasury Department tax preferences coal save taxpayers $2.6 billion expensing exploration development costs coal companies expense costs locating coal deposits percentage depletion Hard Mineral Fossil Fuels tax code coal companies claim tax deduction cover costs investments mines capital gains treatment coal royalties private owners treated long-term capital gains taxed lower rate coal’s cheap ride rails coal companies benefit directly subsidized transportation America’s railways Association of American Railroads coal 47 percent of tonnage 25 percent of revenue U.S. railroads loans loan guarantees government agencies Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration received numerous tax incentives investments new infrastructure below market leases America’s public lands Murray’s mining operations Northern Appalachia Illinois Basin mines private lands Lila Canyon mine Utah publicly-owned lands takes advantage federal coal leasing process federal coal leasing program tantamount massive subsidy to coal companies buying coal owned American taxpayers well below market value coal-supporting subsidy figures costs borne by taxpayers climate damage local environmental health impacts mining transportation combustion disposal of coal Dr. Paul Epstein Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health Global Environment quantify how harmful coal local impacts alone total economically quantifiable costs $345.3 billion adding 17.8¢/kWh electricity generated from coal quantify externalities borne general public distortion not earning a profit coal industry is going bankrupt enormous subsidies coal companies are failing currently 52 bankrupt coal companies McKinsey and Company study United States coal industry bankrupt $45 billion funds debt employee-related reclamation liabilities billions in subsidies 52 coal companies have gone bankrupt industry as a whole worse than bankrupt owing $45 billion it doesn’t have current debts and liabilities fraud financial situation Murray Energy’s nces, Moody’s finances downgraded investment rating Murray Energy Corporation investment service wrote that the downgrade expectation company’s leverage metrics cash flow generation under stress due problems facing the coal industry government support Murray Energy Corporation receives subsidies special tax treatments company’s cash flow under stress America’s coal plants cause global warming /

20 most bike-friendly cities on the planet

Space occupied by 69 people, 69 people filling a bus, 69 people on bicycles & 60 cars
Credit: Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF)

Cities have a problem with moving people around. Part of that problem is the car. As can be seen in the image above, cars require many times more road space to move the same number of people as is required by other means of transport.

Other problems of cars include:
● resources required for their production
● resources required for their maintenance
● low efficiency – in practice ~20%¹

● low levels of utilization – societies, households & individuals invest large amounts of resources in cars, but they are parked most of the time – when in use they are mainly occupied by just one person – a car weighing 1.5-2 tonnes or more to move a single person weighing, perhaps 80 kilogrammes,² is inefficient

● resources required to provide fuel – including a significant fraction of the $10 million per minute world wide subsidy of fossil fuels³

● emissions are a major source of environmental pollution, & resulting impacts on health & costs

● cars require expensive roads compared with whose required by pedestrians or bikes⁴

● congestion caused by cars means that, in practice, a bike is often quicker, especially if cycle paths are available

● “Studies from Denmark tell us that for every kilometer cycled, society enjoys a net profit of 23 cents, whereas for every kilometer driven by car we suffer a net loss of 16 cents.”⁵

With all of the above in mind, the Copenhagen­ize Design Company’s Index, each year evaluates the most bike-friendly cities in the world. It may surprise that the top ranked city is not in the Netherlands – although the 2nd, 3rd & 8th are:

https://www.wired.com/2015/06/copenhagenize-worlds-most-bike-friendly-cities/
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¹ Wikepedia: “Fuel efficiency”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_efficiency

² BMC Public Health: “The weight of nations: an estimation of adult human biomass”,
“Average body mass globally was 62 kg. North America has the highest average body mass of any continent (80.7 kg).”
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-12-439

³ Hithchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech, “Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

⁴ The Guardian, “For the price of a mile of highway, you too can have a bike-friendly city”, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/28/price-mile-highway-bike-friendly-city

⁵ Wired: “The 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities on the Planet”, https://www.wired.com/2015/06/copenhagenize-worlds-most-bike-friendly-cities/

/ 20 most bike-friendly cities on the planet bicycle bike makes sense in cities rising urbanization our cities need modern mobility solutions moving around on two wheels can offer results investment bicycle infrastructure modern intelligent move research shows social economic environmental health benefits urban cycling studies Denmark every kilometer cycled society enjoys net profit 23 cents every kilometer driven car suffer net loss of 16 cents many cities how much to invest where to invest how welcoming cycling benefits it brings cities governments working toward more bicycle-friendly urban landscape infrastruc­ture planning urban design solutions anthropology design principles solely focusing engineering traditional planning 2015 Index Copenhagen­ize Design Company index most bike-friendly cities world evolves ranked 150 global cities considered cities regional population over 600,000 top 20 Copenha­gen Amsterdam dominate new cities top 20 competi­tion nails South American continent Rio de Janeiro Europe Germany Berlin Munich Hamburg Asia Tokyo Nagoya Montreal 20th North American competition Minneapolis American cities methodology advocacy bike facilities social acceptance general perception cycling safe higher modal percentage residents get around by bike car public transit 50-50 gender split cyclists infrastructure is key Denmark Netherlands century tried tested proven work established best practice protected one-way bike lanes aren’t shared by cars buses pedestrians designing streets limit number speed cars city centers making public spaces safe welcoming everyone drivers Copenha­genize Index 2015 world’s 20 most bicycle-friendly cities Copenhagen Amsterdam Utrecht Strasbourg Eindhoven Malmö Nantes Bordeaux /

Drones are making deliveries now

Credit: Zipline/BBC

Many have announced plans to implement delivery by drone, including Amazon, Domino’s, & Zookal (a textbook company in Sydney, Australia).

First to deliver (literally) is the Rwandan Ministry of Health – for supply of blood to hospitals. Technology is provided by a company called Zipline.

Drones are electric, fixed-wing, with a range of 150km.

Catapult launch improves range by supplying energy to lift the aircraft to altitude, instead of drawing it from the battery.

Similarly, dropping payload by parachute at the delivery end eliminates the energy requirement to regain altitude after a landing, & reduces infrastructure requirements.

Use of drones in Rwanda is an interesting parallel to the way that mobile communication is being used to bypass fixed communication infrastructure in many countries.



Aljazeera:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/rwanda-turns-drones-deliver-vital-blood-supplies-161014095632407.html

BBC:
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37646474

Zipline webpage:
http://flyzipline.com/product/ / Rwanda drones drone deliver vital blood supplies Rwanda launches drone delivery programme transport medical product remote parts country Rwanda launched launch drone delivery network transport vital blood supplies far-flung areas country project unmanned aerial vehicles drones deliver small packages parachute bypassing traffic washed-out roads country dubbed Land of a Thousand Hills introduced Friday Rwanda Rwanda's Muhanga district expand country early 2017 on demand drones make around 150 deliveries blood 21 facilities day Zipline company behind the project health professionals order emergency packages text message deliveries made approximately 30 minutes speaking launch President Paul Kagame use commercial drones transport essential medical products considered milestone Rwanda technology becomes relevant meaningful works for people addresses challenges they face President Kagame launching Zipline medical delivery drone Muhanga drones shaped like fat-bellied miniature plane two-metre wingspan battery-powered range 150km weigh 13kg carry cargo 1.5kg three bags of blood drones launched fired into the air using catapult deliveries biodegradable parachute Rwanda population 11 million people majority live hard-to-reach rural areas economic gains past decade most citizens still poor /

Google Pixel vs. Apple iPhone 7

Pixel is slightly larger & 5 grammes heavier, than iPhone 7, but has a larger screen
Credit: New Atlas

Google's Pixel is arguably better packaged, in that, while it is 6mm taller, 3mm wider & 0.2mm deeper, its 5" screen is 7.6mm larger diagonally than the iPhone’s 4.7" screen. In the phablets, comparison is more direct – both have 5.5" screens, & the Pixel XL is shorter, narrower, same depth, & 20 grammes (10.6%) lighter.

iPhone is IP67 water resistant, while the Pixel squeezes 35% more pixels into each square inch of its AMOLED display, while the iPhone 7 screen is IPS.

Of course, after having read everything above & below, for many, buying decisions will be based on prefernce (or loyalty) to Android or iOS.

New Atlas (formerly Gizmag)
http://newatlas.com/iphone-7-vs-google-pixel-comparison/45862/

Digital Trends
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-pixel-versus-iphone-7/


Phablets – Pixel XL vs iPhone Plus

New Atlas
http://newatlas.com/iphone-7-plus-vs-pixel-xl-comparison/45885/

Macworld UK
http://www.macworld.co.uk/review/iphone/iphone-7-plus-vs-google-pixel-xl-comparison-review-3647510/

Android Central
http://www.androidcentral.com/first-comparison-google-pixel-xl-vs-iphone-7-plus

PC Mag
http://au.pcmag.com/smartphones/44039/feature/google-pixel-xl-vs-iphone-7-plus-premium-phablet-showdown


Benchmarks

http://www.redmondpie.com/google-pixel-pixel-xl-vs-apple-iphone-7-7-plus-benchmarks-comparison/ / Google Pixel XL verses iPhone 7 /

New technology for Apple keyboards

Programmable function keys with programmable key-tops
Credit: Trusted Reviews

Update: the programmable function keys (above) made it into the new MacBook Pro announced at the Apple event in October 2016.

A source, with some claims to credibility, has revealed that Apple will soon release an updated MacBook Pro with programmable function keys, as shown above. Also claimed to be in the works is an Apple Magic Keyboard with programmable keycaps. Apple is in the process of acquiring a startup called Sonder which developed the technology. Check the video:



Boy Genius Report – This video might be our first look at a new Apple device no one even knew was in development
http://bgr.com/2016/10/12/macbook-pro-2016-rumors-magic-keyboard-2/

Trusted Reviews – Is this Apple’s new MacBook keyboard design?
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-new-macbook-keyboard-design-leaked-sonder / Apple new MacBook keyboard design Sonder spokesperson confirmed TrustedReviews Trusted Reviews company recently attend Foxconn Innoconnn demo day Sonder procurement contracts third-party laptop companies integrate technology products Apple spokesperson Sonder discussions Apple’s procurement board Sonder’s laptop module Foxconn International Holdings E Ink Holdings strategic partners Sonder Design Pty. Ltd. assisting discussions Apple comment Foxconn confirmation Sonder’s claims Apple introduce customisable keyboard tipster from China Reddit user posted intimate details new keyboard design rolled out future MacBook laptops poster Foxconninsider chief Apple supplier Foxconn secret Apple designs Tsinghua University campus China user Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn hosted demo day campus Australian start-up Sonder Sonder hit headlines revealing smart keyboard module feature backlit e-ink display shortcut language-swapping users claims executive Foxconn Apple’s Procurement Board Office closing an acquisition Sonder company Foxconn invested DFT design for testing versions new MacBook keyboard module Apple 2018 E Ink Magic Keyboard moderators /r/Apple subreddit verified identity Reddit user confirm information provided post Apple accurate Sonder’s technology quick demonstration technology Sonder keyboard performance design right at your fingertips Sonder website meticulously designed engineered Sonder keyboard final product advanced elegant keyboard transparent keys bespoke display work of art state of the art Apple MacBook Magic Keyboard feature technology Apple plans invest company designs genuine Apple products report healthy degree scepticism MacBook redesign launch later this month rumours Apple plans replace top row function keys MacBook touch-friendly OLED display secondary screen show notifications customisable buttons recent reports asked Apple Sonder comment article response /

Samsung pulls the plug on the Note 7

Fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee has been attributed to a Note 7 charging on the dashboard
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

After the recall of the incendiary Note 7 smartphone, some customers found that the replacements were also prone to burst into flames. In response, Samsung has permanently ceased production & recalled all Note 7s.

Next problem – Note 7s still pose a fire-risk, so how to protect all those involved in the return?

Samsung has created a “Note 7 Return Kit”, which includes a, “Recovery Box”, that's lined with non-flammable ceramic fiber paper – it’s essential to avoid surrounding a Note 7 with fuel for a potential incendiary incident.

Next problem – some people have a bad reaction to the ceramic fiber paper, so protective gloves are included in the kit.

Samsung advises customers to do the usual data back-up, & complete a factory reset to delete personal information before returning Note 7s. Given the history, this is a potentially risky operation – place the phone on a non-flammable surface in a well-ventilated area, & wear eye-protection. Anyone who thinks such precautions are not warranted, check the image at the top of this item.

Compensation is offered to customers, in the form of replacement with S7, S7 Edge (with cash adjustment) or complete refund.

And if you are thinking, “Mine seems OK. I'll see how it goes,” check the image at the top of this item again. They all seem OK, until they start belching fire & smoke.

Ars Technica – Samsung ships flameproof boxes for Note 7 returns
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/10/heres-how-to-return-your-note-7-without-blowing-up-the-mail-service/

ABC – Samsung Galaxy Note 7 production permanently discontinued
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-11/samsung-galaxy-note-7-production-permanently-discontinued/7923988

Samsung:
http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ / Samsung Galaxy Note 7 production permanently discontinued Samsung permanently discontinuing production Galaxy Note 7 smartphones halted global sales devices reports replacement devices catching fire South Korean regulatory filing stop manufacturing Note 7s consumer safety Samsung struggling regain consumer trust recall recalls prompted criticism faulty devices company's handling of the problem global halt sales Note 7 multiple reports exploding batteries major retailers stopped selling phones Samsung recalled devices initial recall identified manufacturing defect batteries battery top-of-the-line smartphone shipping new Note 7 phones safe safer reports replacements catching fire Samsung announcement announce stopping sales devices Monday Tuesday Wednesday South Korean firm comment identified cause of the fires replacement devices officials in Seoul several possibilities including batteries more difficult analyse cause accidents various patterns of the accidents official Korean Agency for Technology and Standards met with Samsung experts company offering exchange Note 7s other products refund them Note 7 could cost Samsung $17 billion analysts Samsung's decision pull Note 7s off the shelves raises fresh doubts about firm's quality control huge financial and reputational costs analysts permanent end Note 7 sales cost Samsung $17 billion tarnish other phone products minds consumers carriers investors wiped nearly $20 billion off Samsung Electronics market value Tuesday local time shares gadget /

Tesla events 17 & 28 October

Tesla product unveiling on the 17th (unexpected by most), followed by Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 9, 2016

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted about a, “product unveiling on the 17th”, recently. Looks like the event promised for the second part of the Model 3 unveil, “later in 2016.” In June, he said this second part of the unveil would be, “the obvious thing.”

Existing solar installations mount solar cells above a conventional roof. Consensus appears to be that, “Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th”, will be a solar roof, in which the roof itself is composed entirely of solar cells.

Inverse – 3 theories about Tesla’s surprise product announcment
https://www.inverse.com/article/21957-new-tesla-product-is-coming

Wired – Tesla to unveil 'unexpected' product next week
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tesla-event-october-17-elon-musk

Electrek – Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces unexpected product unveiling Oct. 17th & Tesla SolarCity event Oct. 28
https://electrek.co/2016/10/09/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-announces-unexpected-product-unveiling-oct-17th-tesla-solar-city-event-oct-28/ / Elon Musk promised new product electric car company Tesla tweeted unexpected product launched company 17 October 17 launching two new products this month new unknown product solar roof battery created Tesla SolarCity Tesla product unveiling Tesla/SolarCity 28th tweet launched could second part Tesla's Model 3 launch March revealed most affordable electric car Model 3 more than 400,000 preorders high-quality electric vehicle range over 215 miles range greater than 215 miles reach 60mph six seconds support Tesla Supercharger network car launched May Elon Musk big event second part car's launch later 2016 Code Conference June Musk second event for the car would unveil "the obvious thing" 28 October 28 Tesla SolarCity reveal solar roof integrated Powerwall 2.0 battery Tesla charger billionaire new energy efficient roof publicly seen first time San Fransisco Bay 28 October 28 roof made entirely solar cells integrate products Musk's electric car company integrated home battery Powerwall 2.0 Tesla charger customise design fit specific housing design new roof sustainable energy sustainable renewable environmental energy /