Travel

  • Oil Production By Country in 2021

    You could argue that we're in the middle of the first energy crisis of the 21st century.

    While gas prices are finally on the way back down, the recent surge is driving inflation and has consumers thinking much more about where their oil comes from. 

    When I last wrote about oil production, the shocking "secret" was that the largest importer of oil into the U.S. was Canada – and that most of our oil was produced within the U.S. 

    Largest-oil-producers-in-2021-by-countryvia visualcapitalist

    While the U.S. is the largest producer of Oil, OPEC is the largest organization. OPEC accounts for 35% of total production, with Saudi Arabia accounting for a third of OPEC's output. 

    Almost half of the world's oil production comes from The U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Russia. 

    Also, despite being the world's largest oil producer, the U.S. is still a net importer of oil. 

    Supply constraints on oil – as a result of sanctions on Russia – are creating a price increase with skyrocketing demand from mid-pandemic levels. Combine that with OPEC refusing to increase production to meet demand, and you have an energy shortage. 

    The U.S. has already started releasing barrels from its strategic reserves, and we've seen gas prices go down as a result, but it remains to be seen if our efforts will be enough to curb the shortage. 

    What else do you think we should be doing?

  • Taylor Swift’s Carbon Footprint?

    I'm writing this from International Falls, MN (someplace I never thought I'd be … ).  Meanwhile, one of the only less likely things, I can think of, is the article's topic.

    Taylor Swift is known for being vocal about climate issues.  She was also just 'outed' for the 170 flights her private jet took last year.  The news came out after another celebrity was chastised for a 20-minute private jet flight.  Taylor claims that most of those flights weren't hers – and that she rents the plane out.  Knowing other people with private jets, that's believable. 

    There are obviously bigger problems in the world today.  Nonetheless, I'm sharing this info anyways because the chart comparing her carbon footprint to the average person's caught my eye. 

    Ezgif.com-gif-maker (8)via Reddit

    I wonder how that would compare to the carbon footprint of non-celebrity private jet owners or manufacturers. 

     

  • A Few Notes from a Trip to Israel

    My wife and I just got back from Israel.  We were there to see my son Zachary play Rugby for Team USA in an International Tournament.
     
    220724 Rugby Tournament in Israel
     
    I feel like I need a vacation after this trip.  There were so many things to do and see.
     
    Israel is smaller than the smallest state in America … Yet, consider its importance in the modern world (for example, by looking at the density of its holy sites, historical attractions, technological innovations, Nobel Prize winners, hostile borders, and military presence).
     
    It was fascinating how so many religions consider this the Holy Land.  Here is a photo I took of the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem.
     
    220724 Old City of Jerusalem
     
    It’s easy to feel closer to “something” while here.
     
    Almost everything we saw in Israel is a testament to determination, ingenuity, and faith!
     
    With that said, I started to think about how difficult it was to conceive of many of the things they built (considering how difficult it would be to execute or actually build them in the desert, without electricity, etc.). Many of the sites we visited took decades to build … but have lasted for thousands of years.  Examples include the Fortress at Masada, the Wailing Wall, and the Port of Caesaria.  In my mind, I compare these moonshots to many of our current big, hairy, audacious goals (like reading and writing our DNA, autonomous artificial intelligence, or space exploration).
     
    Technologies might change, but human nature has remained surprisingly consistent throughout time.
     
    Onwards!

  • First Photos From the Webb Telescope

    The Hubble Telescope was conceived of in the 1940s, but launched in 1990. It revolutionized our ability to see the complexities of the universe. 

    Now, the Webb Telescope is taking it to the next level. 

    220712092620-04-james-webb-telescope-first-images-0712-carina-nebula-super-169via NASA

    The picture above shows the "Cosmic Cliffs," which is actually the edge of a young Nebula called Carina. 

    Below, is a picture of a cluster of galaxies called Stephan's Quintet. 

    220712092616-03-james-webb-telescope-first-images-0712-stephans-quintet-super-169via NASA

    Not only does this help us see far away systems that we've never seen before, but it also provides detail to the things we have seen.

    First, bring order to chaos …. Then, wisdom comes from making finer distinctions.  With that in mind, I'm excited to see how this drives the future of science. 

    Here's a brief video from Neil Degrasse Tyson on the new telescope. 

     

    via NBC News

  • Are We Alone In The Universe?

    Information Is Beautiful has an interactive data visualization to help you decide if we're alone in the Universe. 

    As usual, for them, it is well done, fun, and informative. 

    For the slightly geeky amongst us, the model lets you adjust the estimate by playing with two equations: the Drake equation and the Seager equation.

    The Drake equation estimates how many detectable extraterrestrial civilizations exist in our galaxy and then in the Universe based on factors like habitable planets, change of life, and then intelligent life, and then the amount of time a civilization sends signals into space. 

    The Seager equation is a modern take on the equation focusing on bio-signatures of life that we can currently detect – for example, the number of observable stars/planets, what % have life, and then % chance of detectable bio-signature gas. 

    6a00e5502e47b28833026bdead6236200c-600wi

    via Information Is Beautiful

    For both equations, Information Is Beautiful lets you look at various default options – but also to play with your own choices to adjust the outcomes. 

    For example, the skeptical default answer for Drake's equation shows 0.0000062 communicating civilizations in our galaxy (which is still 924,000 in the Universe).  The equivalent for Seager's equation shows 0.0009000 planets with detectable life in our "galactic neighborhood" and 135,000,000 planets in our Universe. 

    Even with the "lowest possible" selection chosen, Drake's equation still shows 42 communicating civilizations (Douglas Adams, anyone?) in the Universe.

    6a00e5502e47b288330263e980107a200b-600wi

    via Information Is Beautiful

    One of the most interesting numbers (and potentially significant numbers for me) is the length of time a civilization sends signals into space.  Conservative numbers are 420 years, but optimistic numbers are 10,000+. 

    If any aliens are reading this … don't worry; I won't tell.  But, we will find out if you voted in the last election.

  • Where Are The Aliens?

    This week, there was a U.S. congressional hearing on the existence of UFOs.  While there wasn't any proof of aliens, they did admit to phenomena that they couldn't explain with their current information.

    There are many stories (or theories) about how we have encountered aliens before and just kept them secret.  For example, in 2020, a former senior Israeli military official proclaimed that Aliens from a Galactic Federation have contacted us - and that not only is our government aware of this, but they are working together. 

    In contrast, I have found it more realistic and thought-provoking to consider theories about why we haven't seen aliens until now.

    For example, the Fermi Paradox considers the apparent contradiction between the lack of evidence for extraterrestrial civilizations and the various high probability estimates for their existence. 

    Let's simplify the issues and arguments in the Fermi Paradox.  There are billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy (which is only one of many galaxies).  Each of these stars is similar to our Sun.  Consequently, there must be some probability of some of them having Earth-like planets.  Further, it isn't hard to conceive that some of those planets should be older than ours, and thus some fraction should be more technologically advanced than us.  Even if you assume they're only looking at evolutions of our current technologies – interstellar travel isn't absurd.  Thus, based on the law of really large numbers (both in terms of the number of planets and the length of time we are talking about) … it makes the silence all the more deafening and curious. 

    If you are interested in the topic "Where are all the aliens?"  Stephen Webb (who is a particle physicist) tackles that in his book and in this TED Talk.   

     

    via TED

    In the TED talk, Stephen Webb covers a couple of key factors necessary for communicative space-faring life. 

    1. Habitability and stability of their planet
    2. Building blocks of life 
    3. Technological advancement
    4. Socialness/Communication technologies

    But he also acknowledges the numerous confounding variables, including things like imperialism, war, bioterrorism, fear, moons' effect on climate, etc. 

    Essentially, his thesis is that there are numerous roadblocks to intelligent life – and it's entirely possible we are the only planet that has gotten past those roadblocks. 

    6a00e5502e47b28833026bdeacdf44200c-550wi

    What do you think?

    Here are some other links I liked on this topic.  There is some interesting stuff you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand or enjoy. 

    To Infinity and Beyond!

  • Spring and Rebirth

    For Jews, Friday was the first night of Passover, a family-centric holiday that recounts the biblical story of the Exodus of the ancient Israelites from Egypt into the Promised Land. For me, it's a reminder to appreciate what we have – and how we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. 

    6a00e5502e47b288330263e999fff2200b-600wi

    For Christians, today is Easter – the holiday honoring Jesus's resurrection. 

    The overlap can be seen in DaVinci's Last Supper, a Passover Seder, and Jesus's last meal before his Crucifixion.  

    6a00e5502e47b288330240a454f862200c-600wi

    For Jews, a notable part of the ritual dinner is recounting each of the ten plagues inflicted upon Biblical Egypt and saying, "Never again."

    Last year, I joked that maybe COVID-19 should be added to the list. 

    And, just like the Jews making it through slavery, the plagues, and 40 years wandering through the wilderness and desert before entering the Promised Land … We are finally approaching the promise of life post-COVID.

    Of course, other global events remind us that while the world and our capabilities continue to improve and expand … human nature stays maddeningly the same.

    With the coming of spring, the return to normalcy, and the reminders from the stories of Exodus and Easter - it's a great time to do a mental and physical "spring cleaning". Mine your experiences for the things you want to keep doing (or continue not doing) as things go back to "normal".  

    Hope you celebrated with family, food, and a reverence for all the blessings around you. 

  • Global Happiness Levels in 2022

    Happiness is a complex concept comprised of conditions that highlight positive emotions over negative ones – bolstered by the support of comfort, freedom, wealth, and other things people aspire to experience. 

    Regardless of how hard it is to describe (let alone quantify) … humans strive for happiness.

    Likewise, it is hard to imagine a well-balanced and objective "Happiness Report" because so much of the data required to compile it seems subjective and requires self-reporting. 

    Nonetheless, the World Happiness Report takes an annual look at quantifiable factors (like health, wealth, GDP, and life expectancy) and more intangible factors (like social support, generosity, emotions, and perceptions of local government and businesses).  Click the image below to view the Report.

    OC_GlobalHappiness_Main-1via visualcapitalist

    In their 2021 report, there was a significant focus on the effect of COVID-19 on happiness levels and mental health. Much of that continued into the 2022 report. 

    As you might expect, the pandemic caused a significant increase in negative emotions reported. Specifically, there were substantial increases in reports of worry and sadness across the ninety-five countries surveyed.  The decline in mental health was higher in groups prone to disenfranchisement or other particular challenges – e.g., women, young people, and poorer people. 

    It is remarkable how resilient and stable the scores have been globally considering the amount of uncertainty, stress, and disruption households experienced this past year.

    Ultimately, humans persevered in the face of economic insecurity, anxiety, and challenges to mental and physical health. 

    This year, the average score improved slightly compared to 2021 – though worry and stress have continued to rise. 

    There has been a decrease in overall happiness compared to pre-pandemic scores.  Yet, the relative balance demonstrated in the face of such adversity may point towards the existence of a hedonic treadmill – or a set-point of happiness.

    Regardless of the circumstances, people can focus on what they choose, define what it means to them, and choose their actions.

    I'm still surprised by what people can get used to … and how some people find pockets of joy in even the hardest of times.  Conversely, other people use the same ability to feel profound unhappiness, even when they have seemingly everything. 

    It's an oddly beautiful reminder that happiness comes from within.

    Another bright spot, worth mentioning, has been the massive global upsurge in benevolence. People are supporting others, communities have stepped up, more money is being donated to charity, and more people are volunteering. 

    Onwards!

  • How Many Humans Have Lived?

    Despite news of declining birth rates, the world’s population continues to grow because of advances in science, technology, and medicine.

    We're nearing a global population of eight billion people. 

    There have never been as many people alive as there are now.  But have you ever wondered how many humans have lived on this planet, in total, over the long arc of history?

     

    How-many-humans-have-ever-lived-1via visualcapitalist

    The number takes a lot of estimation, but you end up with approximately 109 billion people over the course of human existence. 

    That means almost 7% of all humans who have ever existed are alive today.  It also means that for every person alive, nearly 14 people are dead.  That number seems small to me as I think about how many generations came before us.

    While this might be somewhat interesting, the more important question is what you will do with the time left in your hourglass?  To learn more about what I think about that, here's an article I wrote on the time value of time and here's an article I wrote on the power of purpose and how healthy mindsets extend your life. 

  • Batteries Not Included

    Mercedes-Benz might have a sense of humor.

    They lent Saturday Night Live a C-Class for a parody TV commercial that makes fun of battery-powered cars.

    The 2-minute video, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, shows a car that runs on AA batteries (which is why the car is called the Mercedes AA Class). 

    Here is the video.

    Screen Shot 2022-04-03 at 5.29.44 PM

    via SNL

    One of the highlighted features, the "Auto-Dump," helps you discharge worn-out batteries … all 9,648 of them.

    The video ends with the disclaimer: "Batteries not included."

    I hope you had a fun April Fool's Day.