PinnedSave the Nukes, Save the ClimateBy: John Shepler From my hometown, I can see the water vapor plumes from the Byron Nuclear Generating Station some 25 miles away. It’s been a familiar sight on the horizon for over 30 years, as nuclear chain reactions in the two units silently crank out power for Chicago and…Nuclear Power6 min read
Apr 22, 2021The Bison Bridge Could Be America’s Newest National ParkA unique mashup of wildlife protection, infrastructure repurposing & recreation looks to span two states. By: John Shepler When does an old bridge designated for replacement morph into a national park? …Conservation4 min read
Oct 11, 2019Power Company is Bankrupt and Power is Off. What Did You Expect?By: John Shepler Millions of Californians scramble to deal with the new reality of life under climate change. The power company is bankrupt and has shut off the electricity in the San Francisco bay area. Was there a massive earthquake? Nuclear attack? Solar flare? Nope. …Wildfires6 min read
Jul 2, 2018Trade War Or Stealth Tax Increase?By: John Shepler Enjoying your slice of the 2018 “Tax Cut and Jobs Act”? Throw all that extra cash in a pile and jump in it now. You won’t be drowning in surplus funds for long. …Politics7 min read
Apr 11, 2018Stop Expecting Mark Zuckerberg To Be Homeland SecurityBy: John Shepler I spent hours watching Mark Zuckerberg take a flogging from 44 United States senators over the shocking revelation that Facebook has been gamed by advertisers and at least one foreign government. Rather than pick up a dagger and join the belated Ides of March proceedings, I think…Cybersecurity6 min read
Feb 16, 2018Why Only Students Can Stop The School ShootingsBy: John Shepler The latest massacre of innocent and unsuspecting youth was meted out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this week. With stone cold efficiency, an alleged former peer of the 3,100 students herded them into the halls with a false fire alarm and cut down…Politics4 min read
Jan 9, 2018Could Net Neutrality Demands Spawn an Internet Multiverse?By: John Shepler The FCC may have soundly rejected the legal constraint of network neutrality, but that’s not the end of the story. In fact, it’s the beginning of the next chapter that will spur a plethora of new Internet access options and, perhaps, a multiverse of Internets as well. …Net Neutrality7 min read
Jan 8, 2018It’s The Real Weather Person’s DayBy: John Shepler Just 3 days after the most watched weather prognostication all year, it’s time to celebrate the real weather forecasters. You know, the people working behind the scenes and in front of the TV cameras to tell us exactly what to expect in the next few hours, days…Weather4 min read
Jan 5, 2018Don’t Miss The Super Blue Blood Moon Events of 2018 & 2019By: John Shepler The big sky show of 2018 occurred on January 31 with the rare event of a Super Blue Blood Moon. The only Super Blood Moon of 2019 occurred on January 20 & 21, with additional supermoons in February and March. …Astronomy4 min read
Nov 30, 2017Net Neutrality: It’s Much More Important Than It Should BeBy: John Shepler The Internet has been my life for the last 20 years or so. Oh, it’s been around longer than that. I only got on when they released it to the public commercially in the mid-90’s. Back then it was all dial-up modems and make-your-own websites. One ad…Net Neutrality5 min read