Existential Risk

Interesting site out of Cambridge looking to the future on things that endanger our existance:
The Center for the Study of Existential Risk.

It's a multidisciplinary center that studies, among other things, system risks and network fragility.

Deserted hotel in Columbia

Looks like a great spot.  I wonder why it was shuttered and abandoned.

The LIRR and Penn Station

More information that you know what to do with about the Long Island Railroad and it's terminal at Penn Station: Long Island Rail Road Today has it all.

For example, why do certain trains show up on certain tracks at Penn Station, this article and the below diagram explain and show the Venn Diagram of tracks, tunnels, and power systems.

On the frontiers of biology: plant communications

It's often assumed that plants boring, sedentary, and solitary organisms, but new research (or old research reexamined) changes that.  Plants communicate, the mount defenses against predators;  they seemingly act in concert with one another, though other hypotheses call into question the intentionality of such communication.

Quanta magazine has a recent article titled "The Secret Language of Plants" detailing some new research.

PBS's Nature has a full episode online- What Plants Talk About.

Both provide a fascinating look into a normally overlooked part of our world.

Data rate technology comparrisons

A useful Wikipedia article on various data technologies and their transmission rates, some with year of introduction

Long trek for tea

Not sure if it's worth it, but this looks like one hell of a trip to get a cup of tea

Make a calendar entry for 21 AUG 2017

A total solar eclipse will cover much of North America as shown on this map.  Hopefully the weather will be clear where I am.  Just have to figure out what kind of photo equipment I'll need.