Observing the world with an open mind.

Joined May 2018
432 Photos and videos
According to Grok 3 DeepSearch, if the US wanted to displace all of the aluminum that was imported from Canada and make that aluminum in the US instead, using 2024 production figures as a baseline, the electricity required would be the equivalent of 9 Hoover Dams. "Key Points It seems likely that in 2024, Canada exported about 2.7 million metric tons of aluminum to the US, based on trade data. Research suggests that producing this amount required around 133 million GJ of electricity, using North American energy efficiency standards. The evidence leans toward needing about 9 Hoover Dam equivalents to generate this electricity annually in the US, considering typical production rates. Amount of Aluminum Exported In 2024, Canada likely exported approximately 2.7 million metric tons of primary aluminum to the US, according to trade statistics from the Aluminium Association of Canada Canadian Aluminum: What Would Cutting it Cost the U.S.. This figure reflects the significant role Canada plays in supplying the US aluminum market, accounting for over half of US aluminum consumption. Electricity Required for Production To produce 2.7 million metric tons of aluminum, the electricity required is estimated at around 133 million GJ. This calculation uses an energy consumption rate of about 13,680 kWh per ton for North American primary aluminum smelting, as reported by the International Aluminium Institute Primary Aluminium Smelting Power Consumption. This efficiency is partly due to Canada's use of hydroelectric power, which is more energy-efficient compared to other regions. Hoover Dam Equivalents If this aluminum were produced in the US, it would require about 9 Hoover Dam equivalents to generate the necessary electricity annually. The Hoover Dam produces an average of 4.2 billion kWh per year, or about 15.12 million GJ, based on historical data from the Bureau of Reclamation Hoover Dam. Dividing the total electricity need (133 million GJ) by the dam's annual output (15.12 million GJ) results in approximately 8.8, rounding to 9 for simplicity. An unexpected detail is that producing aluminum in the US might require more electricity due to potentially less efficient energy sources, which could increase the number of dams needed, though current estimates suggest 9 is reasonable."
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UHN selected as Canadian site for CAN-PRIME study, a clinical trial involving Neuralink. This follows on from Health Canada's approvalof the launch of Neuralink's first clinical trial in Canada aimed at improving the lives of those with quadriplegia due to ALS or SCI. It is cutting edge innovation like this that has put UHN on the global top 10 hospital list. There is no better place you could make your donations to fund the best in Canada, the best in the world. buff.ly/3B47i1a @uhn @neuralink @elonmusk #uhnited
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When governments rather than markets choose winners, things often go astray.
The start-up of the Northvolt battery cell megafactory in Montreal will be delayed. It was “presented by the Legault government as the most important private industrial project in the history of the province – valued at $7B and financed by Quebec & Ottawa” lapresse.ca/affaires/entrepr…
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This is what Grok 2 has to say about public perceptions in recent months of Deutsche Bahn’s efficiency. Perhaps its performance in Ontario will be better. Recent public perception of Deutsche Bahn's (DB) efficiency by Germans has been largely critical, as reflected in various discussions and sentiments expressed both in traditional media and on social platforms like X: - **Punctuality and Reliability**: There's a widespread sentiment that DB's punctuality has deteriorated. For instance, only 64% of long-distance trains were on time in 2023, which has become a point of frustration and even international embarrassment during events like Euro 2024. This has led to a perception that timetables are now merely "estimated" rather than reliable schedules, indicating a loss of control over the scheduling system. - **Infrastructure and Investment**: There's a consensus that the issues stem from long-term underinvestment in rail infrastructure. Germans see this as a neglect of what was once a symbol of national pride and efficiency. Despite increased government investment recently, the feeling is that it's not enough, or it's not effectively utilized due to bureaucratic inefficiencies or misallocation of funds. - **Public and Political Reaction**: Social media and news outlets have captured the frustration of the public, with some users on platforms like X highlighting frequent delays, technical issues, and the general decline of service quality. Political groups and figures have also seized on this, using DB's troubles as a metaphor for broader governmental or administrative failures. - **Cultural Impact**: The inefficiency of DB has become something of a cultural touchpoint, often discussed with a mix of humor and exasperation. The notion that Germany, known for its engineering and punctuality, can't manage its rail system effectively has led to both internal critique and external mockery. - **Economic and Structural Critique**: There's a discussion around the structural issues within DB, with calls for significant reforms. Critics argue for a need to overhaul DB's complex hybrid model of public ownership with market competition elements, suggesting that this structure contributes to inefficiency. - **Hope for Improvement**: Despite the criticism, there's an underlying hope or expectation for improvement, especially with the government's push towards more sustainable transport solutions. However, there's skepticism about whether increased funding alone, without systemic change, will resolve the deep-seated issues. Overall, the public perception in recent months has been one of disappointment and frustration with Deutsche Bahn, contrasting sharply with the historical reputation of German efficiency. This sentiment is coupled with a call for substantial structural reforms and more effective investments to restore the rail system to its former glory.
Quite excited for Deutsche Bahn and ONxpress to take over GO Transit operations on January 1st, 2025! “German firm taking over GO trains promises increased efficiency” torontosun.com/opinion/colum…
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A simple test for Lyme disease with results in 20 minutes using @ai developed at @UCLA. This looks like a gamechanger.
Using samples from the Lyme Disease Biobank, researchers achieved 95.5% sensitivity detecting Lyme disease and 100% specificity ruling out samples without the disease. READ MORE: A.I. enables a simpler, faster test for Lyme disease lymedisease.org/ai-simpler-f… via @UCLA
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I am finding that #GROK2 is far superior to #Chat_GPT's GPT-4o in picking up material recent information. Access to recent news on @X appears to be of critical importance. Night and day in fact.
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.@doyne_farmer has made #ComplexityEconomics highly approachable for traditional economists and non-economists alike in this brilliant overview of the field. The promise of a new approach to economics that allows complex systems such as macroeconomics, financial markets and international trade to be better understood and predicted using verified and reproducible techniques at a time of dynamic and disruptive change that is challenging people, industries and governments everywhere in the world is a breath of fresh air. If you are a person of means or a foundation looking to support innovative research that could make an enormous impact on the future, you should look at this work carefully. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. @sfiscience
In his book “Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World,” SFI’s @doyne_farmer challenges traditional economic theory, offering an alternative: #ComplexityEconomics. 💡 Farmer argues for a shift from flawed assumptions to a more nuanced understanding of human behavior, drawing from complexity science tools. And while the idea of complexity economics is not new, the book points out that because our access to data, computing power, and knowledge of ourselves has grown, the time for complexity economics has come — and not a moment too soon. santafe.edu/news-center/news… Farmer’s book has already been published in the UK and will be available in the US August 6, 2024.
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The evidence is clear.
Great editorial in today’s Globe: “No economic story can be boiled down to a single factor, but one difference stands out: Australia has dramatically expanded its production of natural gas & the infrastructure for exporting that fuel in liquefied form.” /1 theglobeandmail.com/opinion/…
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Great insights here about Google’s Bard. Well worth a read.
11 May 2023
ChatGPT has now a big problem. Google just updated its free competitor, Bard. Here are 8 things impossible on ChatGPT but that Bard can do (for free):
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Cold. Hard. Reality. Lucid and convincing article on Canadian resource development, geopolitical imperatives and prosperity. By Heather @ExnerPirot, quickly becoming Canada’s leading voice in the field.
Snr Fellow @ExnerPirot writes that #Canada’s sluggishness on resource development "not only inconveniences investors & proponents. It threatens our own prosperity, security & #climate goals." macdonaldlaurier.ca/whether-…
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First example I have seen in which a person hacks powerful #AI with a technique that would be obvious to a human. Will not be the last example.
17 Feb 2023
Man beats machine at Go in human victory over AI on.ft.com/3Z1Wasi
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Most Canadians will be gobsmacked by these revelations. This truly changes the narrative when First Nations are pro-resource development in the face of a federal government that currently for the most part is not.
Delighted to publish this new paper with Martin Ignasiak. We argue Indigenous rights have evolved from being a shield for proponents (consent & support reducing the risk of legal challenge) to being a sword (consent & support limiting the ability of govts to reject projects) /1
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The line between reality and the #Metaverse is blurring. It is only a matter of time before it is invisible. I say 36 months.
This is not real. This was produced in Unreal Engine 5. x.com/CatchUpVG/status/16243…
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Great things are being developed at #Eavor. Basically, #geothermal non-intermittent green energy using advanced drilling technology that is feasible almost anywhere. Watch this company!
Eavor is pleased to announce the successful completion of its next generation geothermal demonstration project, Eavor-Deep™. eavor.com/press-releases/suc… #Eavor #EnergyForEavor #Geothermal #GeothermalEnergy #Innovation #Technology #Renewable #Drilling #EavorDeep #PressRelease
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Heartwarming.
Due to the Covid restrictions in 2021, Australian farmer Ben Jackson couldn’t attend his aunt’s funeral. So he laid grain for his sheep to gather around in the shape of a ♥️ so she could see it from heaven. Love and humanity will never ever be restricted.
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The judge sits upon his oak throne. Beware.
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This is the best bird’s eye view of #GenerativeAI I have seen yet. Sonya Huang has some other great posts. Well worth a look.
Introducing the @sequoia Gen AI Market Map!🌎 We’ve decided to map out this emerging frontier, thanks to all the contributions and feedback we’ve received. This space is moving quickly – this map is a living document, so keep the suggestions coming! Who else should we include?
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#Metaverse Litigation Challenges. Get ready for a whole new world of opportunity and risk. From @BlakesLaw buff.ly/3EXiJqP
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