Climate change is really very simple – Elon Musk explains

In around 12 minutes



And why it’s important, in just over a minute.



What will you tell your children, or grandchildren in 20 years time?

Didn’t anyone tell you?

Yes they did …

11 record hot months in a row
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/04/11-record-hot-months-in-row.html

At last – a representative debate on climate change (video)
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/10/at-last-representative-debate-on.html

Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

Rockefeller Family Fund divesting from fossil fuels
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/03/rockefeller-family-fund-divesting-from.html

2014 was the hottest year on record
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-was-hottest-year-on-record.html

More record weather events in 2015
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/01/more-record-weather-events-in-2015.html

What if climate change is just a hoax?
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-if-climate-change-is-just-hoax.html

I don't believe in global warming
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-dont-believe-in-global-warming.html / Elon Musk Tesla Solar City SpaceEx SpaceX sustainable transport global warming climate change weather hottest year on record anthropically caused climate change anthropic climate change global warming carbon dioxide CO2 carbon oxide atmosphere green house green-house greenhouse effect scientist scientific consensus political debate climate skeptic climate denier drought el nino el nina heat stress health future generations dehydration drought flood cyclone hurricane burning fossil fuel hydrocarbon energy renewable sustainable green photovoltaic PV solar cell solar energy hydro electricity wind turbine climatologist greenhouse gas /

How to keep hackers from listening to your computer’s microphone

Note tape over Webcam & microphone
Credit: wn.com

You may have read on these pages why disabling your webcam, when it’s not in use, is a good idea. And there’s evidence that FBI Director James Comey thinks so too.

Edward Snowden as well – https://www.wired.com/2014/03/webcams-mics/

As indicated in the image above, Mark Zuckerberg seems to agree, although the evidence doesn’t support the Gizmodo assertion that this makes him, “Paranoid As Fuck”.

Gizmodo
http://gizmodo.com/wow-mark-zuckerberg-is-paranoid-as-fuck-1782370124

Disabling a webcam is simple – if unplugging isn’t an option, the Zuckerberg method is 100% effective.

Preventing audio hacking on a built-in microphone isn’t so easy. Tape over the microphone may muffle the sound, but that’s all. There are other, more effective, options however:

Mac OS
http://www.macworld.com.au/help/how-to-keep-snoops-from-listening-to-your-laptops-microphone-143088/

Windows
http://windows.wonderhowto.com/how-to/everything-you-need-disable-windows-10-0163552/ / how to keep snoops from listening to your laptop’s microphone security infosec information security shot seen round the world Mark Zuckerberg posted Instagram photo Mac laptop visible in the background Zuckerberg had put tape over his laptop’s camera microphone input mic jack virus viral Edward Snowden exposed NSA US National Security Agency data-gathering behaviour Vice program programme HBO how disable audio video inputs smartphone removing them extreme scrutinised tracked hacked Mark Zuckerberg Edward Snowden sanguine OS X vulnerabilities Mac OS Macintosh OS widespread exploitation attackers government agencies insinuate themselves into Macs target prevent potential general principle camera easy to block effectively black it out microphone harder covering may muffle volume Apple Apple’s laptops some sound would bleed through Zuckerberg’s savvy tape may be a reminder made deeper change software hardware most people fear mics being tapped conversation would be listened particular secret random subject of probing realistic potential NSA-scale audio-to-text extraction inevitable decrease in cost computational power criminal syndicates mass snarfed audio scanned for context reading a credit card number aloud discussing confidential business matter technically plausible today scale will eventually become practical microphone active piece of tape isn’t enough what steps can you take security hardware experts graduated path set microphone input to zero graphical user interface open sound system preference pane each device listed in the Input tab Input Volume zero drag all the way to the left prevents gross misuse software otherwise be able use an audio source without you realising input volume could be controlled through this approach security malicious software malware reset input volume bypassing settings pull audio directly from device stage before setting applied simplest and most direct change no other repercussions turn input volume up device whenever you need to unplug USB input devices while you’re not using them extra protection Macs Mac Macintosh support audio input through 3.5mm headphone jack using ear buds headset combo combination comes with an iPhone insert stubby adapter nothing plugged into it doesn’t apply built-in mics nearly all Macs Macintoshs Mac Macintosh prevent malware capable accessing audio drivers switching on audio input monitor microphone use Micro Snitch maker network-activity detector Little Snitch watches audio video input activity system level detects mic becoming active posts OS X notification floats window non-intrusive animation indicating it’s in use lower level than Sound preference pane separately installed software not found on every Mac more likely malware would trigger it Micro Snitch can’t monitor all input couldn’t alert some USB-attached microphones attaching on demand remove the drivers Windows Linux Apple provide easy access hardware drivers install remove modify settings intentional OS X’s friendly face contrasted Windows’ obscurity manage drivers system-provided interface troubleshoot problems Kenn White cryptography expert National Institute of Standands and Technology’s report securing OS X IT professionals disabling microphone input how to do it background detail disable audio system-wide removing a few driver files Terminal app command unsupported low-level changes unusable system make backup first sudo srm -rf System Library Extensions Apple USB Audio System Library Extensions IO Audio Family System Library Extensions disallow all audio input disable audio output system update restore missing drivers disable audio input hardware /

Researchers create glow-in-the-dark cement to light up cities without using electricity

Credit: Studio Roosegaarde/Science Alert

Provides illumination at night without using energy. Able to absorb enough light, even on an overcast day, for up to 12 hours of illumination.

http://bgr.com/2016/06/20/glow-in-the-dark-cement-phosphorescent/ / Starry Night Starry Night sustainable energy renewable energy green energy environmental progress decreasing dependency fossil fuels shift toward electric cars projected several studies dramatic impact gasoline world consumes next few decades wind farms growing more efficient recent breakthroughs double amount power generated solar panels developments technologies utilize utilise phosphorescent materials decrease dependency fossil fuels utilizes glow-in-the-dark materials mixed cement illuminate walkways night researchers Mexico Michoacan University San Nicolás de Hidalgo created new cement mixture walkways roads buildings illuminate themselves manmade energy sources research standard cement mixture phosphorescent materials phosphorescent element absorbs sunlight during the day glows at night illuminating paths pedestrians cyclists automobiles cars researchers special cement absorb sunlight sunny day cloudy day remain lit for up to 12 hours additives scientists prevent formation crystals occur normally production of cement creating material noncrystalline structure similar to glass allows passage of light inside varying proportion additives added during manufacturing cement regulates luminescent intensity color dazzle drivers used on roads special phosphorescent cement manufactured regular cement researchers addition of phosphorescent materials change structure finished product glowing cement used coating material other surfaces standard cement phosphorescent cement ready for commercial applications researchers research studying best way repair cement when it gets damaged /

An elephant never forgets

Tusker Tim – one of the largest elephants in Kenya
Credit: Amboseli Trust for Elephants/Lonely Planet

“An elephant never forgets.”

May or may not be true, but when he was speared recently, Tusker Tim remembered where to go for medical care – the same place he had been treated for a similar injury two years earlier.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2016/07/04/elephant-didnt-forget-aid-needed/#ixzz4DUuVwoC7 / they say elephants never forget Tusker Tim Tusker Tim Tusker Tim speared for a second time stories of attacks on animals in the wild happy ending Kenya‘s Kenya Kenya Kenya biggest and oldest elephants elephants elephants elephant elephant elephant wily old animal knew best course of action head to a camp which had nursed him back to full health before one of his tusks almost touches the ground animal left his attackers behind headed directly site close to Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park 47-year-old bull elephant understood the place where he would get medical aid to treat his wound Conservationist David Bates famed elephant concerned huge bleeding wound in his head small spear protruding from the wound animal hit by a huge rock conservationist Kenyan Wildlife Service Kenyan Wildlife Service Kenyan Wildlife Service KWS Kenyan Wildlife Service KWS Kenyan Wildlife Service KWS spear poisoned spear poisoned spear poisoned African elephant went missing overnight searches search searchers Amboseli Trust for Elephants Big Life Foundation BLF animal spotted by an aerial search team darted allow medical treatment spear poisoned poison under ear area rather than full on wound only scratched the skin swamps in mid-Amboseli first spearing deep wound had become infected needed treatment by Dr. Michael Njoroge head of the Amboseli Veterinary Unit spear was smaller child children might use Amboseli Trust for Elephants elephants attack by poachers kill them sell their tusks on the international black market /

Apple to ditch 3.5mm socket in iPhone 7? – Manufacturers will be offering Lightning earphones & adapters

Lightning earphones
Credit: Mobile Fun

Persistent rumours that Apple will ditch the 3.5mm socket in the iPhone 7 have been supported by manufacturers offering a range of Lightning earphones & adapters.


Lightning to 3.5mm adapter
Credit: Mobile Fun

No solution for charging while using wired headphones so far, although, no problem for Bluetooth headphone users.

More:

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/blog/2016/06/lightning-headphones-adapters-coming-to-mobile-fun/

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136466-5-lightning-headphones-to-buy-when-iphone-ditches-the-3-5mm-jack / iPhone thinner iPhone 7 rumor mill Fast Company design ditch standard 3.5mm headphone jack make phone thinner Japanese website Mac Okatara November Fast Company 9to5 Mac anonymous sources lend extra weight to the claim Apple developing different potential accessories replace ubiquitous 3.5mm EarPods ship iPhone headphones connect via Lightning port spec Apple defined Lightning headphones 2014 charge phone listening to music phone support wireless charging Apple Watch Android Windows phones completely wireless headset Apple Beats acquisition no wire connecting headphones iPhone no wire connecting left and right earbuds together Apple testing replacement headphones solutions market dongle standard headphones dropping headphone jack thinner phone important extra battery space freed up relatively deep headphone jack dumping old technology drive adoption new technology typical Apple behavior ubiquity 3.5mm jack guarantee consumer pushback Internet petition 200,000 people signing Apple dump 3.5 mm jack plug every computer tablet phone buy billions 3.5mm headphones guarantee a painful transition ditching ditch abandon iPhone headphone jack annoys everyone except Apple furore continues Apple doing away with ditch abandon eliminating standard 3.5mm headphone jack plug technology If it ain't broke don't fix it industry changing its products consumers knee-jerk reaction upset about the rumours garment-rending chest-beating these reports last surfaced in January kerfuffle Apple changing charging cable Lightning cord plug socket headphone port industry standard something Apple uses con arguments buy new stuff new headphones new attachment modify old headphones buying a $1000 phone include Lightning-enabled headphones with every phone particularly soulless money grab tighten Apple's control accessory market digital music Nilay Patel these headphones tacitly support DRM digital rights management keeps you from being able to freely move media files between devices get rid of the analogue headphone jack motivation support anything analogue argument anyone making Lightning headphones will require certification from Apple Beats support new standard more control for Apple a bad thing for consumers open standard closed standard leads to confusion and higher costs for consumers add a second Lightning port to the phone Apple wants to make more room inside the phone can't charge your phone have your headphones plugged in at the same time one-port MacBook power port double duty USB-C sound quality can be better over a Lightning port manufacturers headphones lossiness of today's music make the iPhone thinner create more room in the iPhone bigger battery thinner iPhone boost battery official Apple charging case consumers not user-friendly Apple track record weeding out legacy technologies disk drives CD drives old 30-pin charger makes its customers happy Apple's pros cons for Apple change always on their own side Lightning port Lightning port Lightning port Lightning Y-adapter Lightning Y-adapter Lightning Y adapter adapter Bluetooth earbuds headphones microphone /

Tesla Autopilot death – was the driver watching a movie?

Tesla Model S in Autopilot mode
Credit: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg/Getty Images/TechRepublic

As reported on these pages on Saturday 02 July, the first fatal traffic accident involving a Tesla Model S in Autopilot mode occurred recently in Florida.

More information has now come to light:

1. Not quite as recently as was first thought. Turns out the collision occurred on Saturday 07 May 2016.¹

2. Joshua Brown was driver of the Model S.

3. The driver of the truck has claimed that Brown was, “playing Harry Potter on the TV screen” – i.e. had a movie playing – & that the movie, “was still playing when he died & snapped a telephone pole a quarter mile down the road.” Associated Press have indicated that the truck driver claimed to have, “heard the movie but didn’t see it.”¹

4. Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed that there was a portable DVD player in the Tesla.^1,2

5. A man who lives on the property where the car came to rest said when he approached the wreckage, 15 minutes after the crash, he could hear the DVD player.²

6. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper on the scene told the property owner, Robert Van Kavelaar, that a Harry Potter movie was showing on the DVD player.²

7. However another witness, Terence Mulligan, said he arrived at the scene before the first Florida state trooper & found, “There was no movie playing. There was no music. I was at the car. Right at the car.”²

__________

¹ “Tesla driver killed while using autopilot was watching Harry Potter, witness says”, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/01/tesla-driver-killed-autopilot-self-driving-car-harry-potter

² “Tesla crash: DVD player found in car wreckage, amid reports driver was watching Harry Potter”, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-02/tesla-crash-dvd-player-found-in-car-florida-police-say/7562962 / Tesla crash DVD player found car wreckage reports driver watching Harry Potter DVD player found Tesla car autopilot driver killed collision truck May Florida Highway Patrol FHP officials confirm differing reports whether Harry Potter video movie playing portable system DVD player accident FHP Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Kim Montes portable DVD player in the vehicle no camera found mounted on the dash wreckage player was operating at the time of the crash witnesses wreckage 2015 Model S sedan giving differing accounts player showing a movie man who lives on the property where the car came to rest when he approached the wreckage 15 minutes after the crash hear DVD player Florida Highway Patrol FHP trooper on the scene property owner Robert Van Kavelaar Harry Potter movie showing on the DVD player Mr Van Kavelaar another witness Terence Mulligan arrived at the scene before the first Florida state trooper no movie playing no music I was at the car right at the car Mr Mulligan why the car did not stop turning truck victim Joshua Brown watching the road critical for Tesla Motors Inc electric car maker preliminary inquiry federal regulators safety Model S Autopilot system engaged at the time of the crash Autopilot system car keep itself in a lane maintain speed operate for a limited time without driver doing the steering Tesla statement Autopilot by far most advanced driver assistance system on the road does not turn Tesla into autonomous vehicle does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility weeks before officials make a final determination of the cause of the crash first known fatality Model S driver while using Autopilot Florida Highway Patrol FHP's Sergeant Montes Tesla engineer downloaded information black box shared with FHP investigators Florida Highway Patrol FHP Florida Highway Patrol ability download information newer vehicles about how vehicle was being driven before a crash does not have the ability to download information from Tesla's data system Sergeant Montes Officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration alerted by Tesla about the crash NHTSA officials first contacted the FHP Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Montes said lawyer for the truck driver Frank Baressi Model S data recorder been removed before investigators were able to see it victim was identified in police reports obituaries 40-year-old Joshua Brown Tesla enthusiast former Navy SEAL ran a technology company Ohio social media accounts company's website YouTube video account belonging to Joshua Brown recently posted video showing Tesla Model S automatically able avoid truck veered into its lane Mr Weekley top third of the Model S was sheared off rest of it went under the trailer travelled 210 metres on the road 60 more metres off the paved surface before coming to rest Mr Baressi independent owner-operator hauling half-load blueberries 8-wheeler driving made a left turn cross eastbound lanes US Highway 27 Alternate near Williston, Florida Mr Baressi waited allow another car to go by making turn when he first saw the Tesla just cresting the hill I gave it the gas Mr Baressi Tesla left of two eastbound lanes passing lane Tesla struck the white trailer carrying blueberries slow right lane I thought he had a heart attack I don't know why he went over to the slow lane when he had to have seen me Tesla white trailer not easy car's cameras distinguish from the bright Florida afternoon sky crash sunny Saturday afternoon May initial traffic report of the crash /

Tesla Model 3 revelations

Little of substance has been heard from Tesla about the Model 3 since the unveiling. With ~400,000 pre-orders, & a promise to begin delivering them by the end of 2017, Tesla is most likely concentrating on engineering, rather than communication with the public. However, there have recently been a few interesting revelations.

● A matte black Model 3, escorted by two Model S has been sighted, on a California highway, just before, “Exit 20 onto Pageville Road toward Palo Alto”, according to the GPS in the camera car, starting just after the one minute mark.

● Notice the door handles on the Model 3. At the unveiling, cars had 2 different designs. Looks like flush handles, similar to the Model S, will be used in production.

● Design of the power inverter for the Model 3 is completed or substantially completed. Output, “over 300 kW”, with ~25% fewer unique parts, compared to the Model S, is claimed. This bodes well on the performance & price control fronts. Both major targets of the Model 3 programme.

More at EV Annex:
https://evannex.com/blogs/news/tesla-model-3-leaks-spy-shots-and-undercover-video-footage

How to make a video using your phone:

Quality of the video above leaves something to be desired. Cause – it has been substantially reprocessed from this video:



Cameras in phones produce extraordinary results, given the constraints imposed by the need to fit them into tight-jeans-compatible phones, but video quality is compromised in portrait mode.

Clue: when shooting video with your phone, turn it to landscape mode. Most stills too.

More about the effort required to produce the top video, in the comments at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCjcoaBBVpE / Tesla Motors NASDAQ TSLA launched forthcoming Model 3 recent interview CEO Elon Musk Model 3 pre-orders 400,000 Elon Musk tweet Model 3 updates post-launch developments lower-priced electric vehicle streamlining Model 3 production process Elon Musk Tesla planneddesign the car to be easy to make new information on the Model 3 car's performance Electrek leak source very familiar with the Model 3 powertrain program programme confirmed Tesla same engineers worked dual motor inverter architecture Model S develop Model given a blank sheet develop system from the ground up power semiconductor package strategy paid off inverter architecture Model 3 capacity over 300kW comparable Model S RWD system Model S much higher-end bigger vehicle source system geared toward manufacturing ~25% fewer unique parts significantly increase volumetric gravimetric current density Model 3 inverter expected much cheaper dollar per power capacity basis Tesla’s most recent dual motor inverter system Model 3's performance characteristics main drive unit delivering over 300 kW similar dual motor Tesla’s current system delivering ~250kW achieve supercar-like performance similar Model S intriguing leak multiple spy photos matte black Tesla Model 3 revealing shot spartan Model 3 interior Tesla Model 3 include a heads-up display HUD landscape touchscreen Model 3's exterior spy photos undercover video matte black Tesla Model 3 highway road testing shadowed Model S Tesla Golden Ticket drawing Model 3 reservation holders placed pre-order first day randomly selected 12 winners all-expenses paid trip Gigafactory Grand Opening 150,000 people reserved Model 3 opening day chance of winning the trip pre-ordered Tesla Model 3 first day invite lucky winners Gigafactory Golden Ticket latest Tesla Model 3 news /