Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Reminder that carbon offsets have always been a hoax and that the ridiculous billionaire on Silicon Valley was based on Mark Cuban. 

- Tucker Carlson Episode 50 with John Daly

- Why it took Tesla so long to deliver the Cybertruck

- FCC nixes Starlink RDOF appeal. Everyone I've spoken with enjoys their Starlink connection (like Musk says it's much better than nothing). Meanwhile everyone who has Comcast is considered served by the FCC.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Interesting - using Starlink or other satellite services to link to your smartphone in remote areas for cell coverage may be coming soon.

- Morgan Housel on herd mentality and the SVB bank run.

- Chevy to discontinue the Camaro. It's an end of an era.

- Inflammation may be more important than cholesterol in preventing heart attacks. (HT Newmark's Door)

The FCC and "Public Convenience, Interest, or Necessity"

Seven years later [1934], a new Federal Communications Commission took over this role [of granting radio station licenses]. Henceforth, licenses were granted for three years at a time to broadcasters who could persuade the FCC that their station would serve 'public convenience, interest, or necessity,' criteria that were never applied to newspapers. As a consequence, free speech on air was severely circumscribed by both regulators and (because of the importance of advertising as a source of revenue) commercial interests. - Niall Ferguson

Different rules were applied to radio stations than to newspapers and regulation DID impede free speech. The radio model was later applied to TV stations as well. The dawn of the Internet reduced this government and sponsor interference with free speech through the growth of blogs, podcasts, and YouTube (and other platforms) videos. Now big tech, in combination with corporate media, and the government is clawing back the defacto censoring capabilities the FCC for so long has wielded over radio and TV stations.

"Public convenience, interest, or necessity" could be interpreted to mean almost anything. And it has been interpreted as such largely depending on the political leanings of the regulators. 

5G vs the Airline Industry

Interesting look at the FCC vs FAA battle between 5G rollouts and airline safety equipment. Also interesting look at how these government agencies operate (or fail to do so).

Long read but I think you may find it worthwhile.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- VDH on Peak Jacobinism. I think the peak has yet to hit - the real peak will come in August at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.

- Heh Heh - Kanye West drops out of race after Elon Musk offers him position of President of Mars

- Mount Bromo really looks like a gateway to hell

- Interesting look at The Ballad of the Green Berets. Sgt Barry Sadler lived a very interesting life and as an aside The Ballad of the Green Berets would be one of the worst lap dance songs ever.

- Comparing the epidemic curve in Sweden and New York State

- Heh Heh

- FCC approves operation of "Starlink Router" for SpaceX. Interesting to note that the device is apparently "Made in Taiwan" which must make the Chinese really happy.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Cam Newton is an NFL QB without a team. Cam Newton is also a vegan. Do you think those two facts are somehow related? I do... "Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?" - Rumi. A piece of advice I've tried to incorporate into my everyday speech... The FCC will not classify SpaceX's Starlink LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites as "low latency." This will make it tough for Starlink to win any federal broadband funds. This is not necessarily bad news for many reasons... Analysis - true!... Might finally create a non-profit called the Lynch Institute for Thought (LIFT). I would create business cards with me as President and CEO and a Go Fund Me page. All proceeds would go towards books, beer and cigars. Which as we all know are the necessities for proper thought... More good advice, "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis...