I believe self driving cars could be very useful in the future, especially to support mobility impaired people, and...

I believe self driving cars could be very useful in the future, especially to support mobility impaired people, and to prevent drunk driving. But, my optimism presumes that the cars will actually follow rules and be safer than human drivers.

This unilateral decision by Uber to impose upon the city of San Francisco cars incapable of following even basic rules suggests a level of idiocy that could damage the reputation of this technology severely.

"Local advocates noted that the Uber cars have been caught doing four out of the top five causes of collisions or injuries in the city – running red lights, going through stop signs, unsafe turns and failing to yield to pedestrians."

#selfdrivingcars #safety #pedestriansafety #bikesafety #arrogantbastards
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/19/uber-self-driving-cars-bike-lanes-safety-san-francisco?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I'm so proud of Governor Brown for being so passionately pro-science and pro-environment.

I'm so proud of Governor Brown for being so passionately pro-science and pro-environment. California has an excellent record in standing up to do what is right, regardless of Washington's action or inaction, and this fiery speech shows we will continue to lead. #governorbrown #science #environment #california #ourowndamnsatellites
https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/12/this-is-what-the-resistance-sounds-like/510899/

This is a remarkable conservative commentary satire.

This is a remarkable conservative commentary satire. I couldn't resist, because it is about Aliens. There are so many good lines...
#mcsweeneys #aliens
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/unused-audio-commentary-by-dinesh-dsouza-and-ann-coulter-recorded-spring-2003-for-aliens-special-red-state-edition-dvd-part-one

I've heard the first fact often, the second, not at all:

I've heard the first fact often, the second, not at all:

"Proponents of pipeline projects often argue that pipelines are a safer way to transport oil than by rail. And while its true that rail transport leads to more accidents than pipelines — by a margin of two to one, over the period between 2004 and 2012, according to data from the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) — pipeline spills are usually much larger, spilling three times as much crude oil as train accidents over the same period."

#nodapl #safety #accidents
https://thinkprogress.org/north-dakota-pipeline-spills-analysis-744daad63543#.9crldbcwf

Oh yes!

Oh yes!
#earthfromspace
#time
https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/

<3

<3
#freedom #read #johnlewis
https://twitter.com/nbcnightlynews/status/799661509139787776

Babies blowing kisses at me and this helped my view of Americans this week. #progressivesunite

Babies blowing kisses at me and this helped my view of Americans this week. #progressivesunite
#unitedwestand #neverisnow
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38026825

This seems topical!

This seems topical! I'm using the best quote, in case you don't have time to read it all now, though it is worthwhile:

"Above all, [The Authoritarian Personality] was correct in its key argument: that there are personality differences among individuals in the degree to which they prefer clear lines of social authority, strict social norms, and social uniformity as opposed to diversity. It was also correct in arguing that individuals who score high on authoritarianism in this respect tend to be more intolerant of those who are different (e.g., racial, ethnic, or religious minorities) or those [who] appear to deviate from traditional social norms (e.g., LGBT folks). They are also more likely to gravitate toward political figures (e.g., Trump in the present context) who embody intolerance and willingness to attack minorities who are believed to pose some kind of social threat."

#facism #authoritarianism #bias #unconsciousbias #psychology
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/06/how-world-war-ii-scientists-invented-a-data-driven-approach-to-fighting-fascism/

The USA has not mastered elections, despite 200+ years of practice.

The USA has not mastered elections, despite 200+ years of practice.

More specifically, the USA has a tradition of allowing states to allocate resources in a way of it deprives selected communities of complete access to democracy.

#votingrights #election2016
http://www.vox.com/presidential-election/2016/11/6/13542680/there-are-4000-people-in-a-half-mile-voting-line-in-cincinnati-today-this-isn-t-okay?utm_campaign=vox&utm_content=entry&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

City three of three on this wonderful trip: Stockholm!

City three of three on this wonderful trip: Stockholm!! I've been to Stockholm (twice!) before, since I have two WONDERFUL photographer friends who live there, and I was delighted to get to spend time with them again.

I arrived in clear weather, which didn't hold long, so I'm glad I got out and walked my legs off while I had the chance. By the end of my visit, it was SNOWING (!!), and as a native of San Francisco, it was too cold for me to fully function in that weather. I felt so brave just for leaving my friend's flat, only to see that parents were pushing their babies in strollers everywhere as if it was no big deal... Those Swedes are secretly and modestly rugged! :)

This photo set includes some scenes from wonderful museums. (The set is also captioned, as all my Google Photo collections are, so hit the "i" button to see my descriptions.)

#stockholm #sweden
https://goo.gl/photos/28GZrAChTtHUAtsu7

My second city on my proper vacation was Copenhagen (København), Denmark.

My second city on my proper vacation was Copenhagen (København), Denmark. I had a WONDERFUL time there, visiting museums, going for walks along the water, and trying not to spend all of my money on Danish designed items.

Here, I get to show off my love of mineral pigments used to make Danish buildings so festive, and try not to obsess over the minimal, clean lines of posh Danish clothes. (I'm not a clothes horse, but Copenhagen made me fear I could become one.)

Note to self: I'm not accustomed to being blond yet, but being blond in Copenhagen made people assume that I am a (middle aged) Dane (despite not looking Danish at all). I had many moments of incomprehension, because even if I spoke English, they didn't really believe I wasn't capable of speaking Danish. Ooops.

#copenhagen #København #Denmark
https://goo.gl/photos/KNy5V4H7BUk4UwJY9

It had been years since I went on a proper, long vacation, so I have corrected this with a three city European tour...

It had been years since I went on a proper, long vacation, so I have corrected this with a three city European tour to visit dear friends and enjoy northern Europe!

My first of three great cities: Berlin.

#berlin #germany #berlinerweisseiskindofgross
https://goo.gl/photos/vovCE2EvEBAhzGpn8

I heard my first Emergency Alert System broadcast today!

I heard my first Emergency Alert System broadcast today! Southern Santa Clara county may be prone to flash flooding, and there are some specific warnings related to landslides in burned areas from recent wildfires.

This link to alerts.weather.gov leads to current weather alerts for California, which I'll keep handy.

Yes, it is shocking to experience real rain again!

#weather
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ca.php?x=1

Mis Luftchüssiboot isch volle Aal!

Mis Luftchüssiboot isch volle Aal!

#silliness #language #myhovercraftisfullofeels
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hovercraft.htm

I have an obscure interest in the history of pigments, but this article goes into all sorts of interesting...

I have an obscure interest in the history of pigments, but this article goes into all sorts of interesting archaeological directions.
#ochre #archaeology
http://m.nautil.us/issue/40/learning/the-modern-mind-may-be-100000-years-old

I am not the kind of friend who gives mathematical gifts for large birthdays, but I still found this to be an...

I am not the kind of friend who gives mathematical gifts for large birthdays, but I still found this to be an interesting excerpt to read about time travel.
#geekery #timetravel #math
http://m.nautil.us/issue/40/learning/a-nonlinear-history-of-time-travel

Possibly the best Get Out The Vote (GOTV) video yet:

Possibly the best Get Out The Vote (GOTV) video yet:

Robert Downey Jnr offers up a naked Mark Ruffalo to encourage Americans to vote. #election2016 #gotv #vote
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2016/sep/22/robert-downey-jnr-offers-up-a-naked-mark-ruffalo-to-enocurage-americans-to-vote-video?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

On a related theme, if you have been thinking about selling stock images of other people's buildings, currency, ...

On a related theme, if you have been thinking about selling stock images of other people's buildings, currency, flags, fancy jam jars, and so on, this article reminds you that intellectual property comes in many shapes and sizes. #intellectualproperty #photography #stockphotography #copyright
http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/contributor-resources/legal/stock-photo-restrictions/

If you are lucky enough to travel, and also happen to enjoy selling your photographs as stock photos, you should...

If you are lucky enough to travel, and also happen to enjoy selling your photographs as stock photos, you should know that many countries restrict what you can/not photograph for sale.

This article provides a nice overview of restrictions at a few famous landmarks. I wouldn't have guessed that Ayers Rock is on the list!

#photography #copyright #laws
http://www.diyphotography.net/10-famous-landmarks-youre-allowed-photograph-commercial-use/

Here is a nice piece on 'false equivalence' journalism, where any fact requires an opposing statement, no matter how...

Here is a nice piece on 'false equivalence' journalism, where any fact requires an opposing statement, no matter how irrelevant. #ignorance #falseequivalence #media
http://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/09/trump-time-capsule-92-how-the-media-undermine-american-democracy/498461/