Blogging: Take Two! (Or, How "N" Inspired Me to Get Back on Track)

 It's time for a fresh start, a new beginning, a blogging renaissance! (Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but you get the idea.)

It's been a while since I've consistently posted, and I'm ready to get back in the saddle. My friend "N" deserves some credit for this renewed motivation. About 4 or 5 years ago, I mentioned that I wanted to explore my creative side, and blogging seemed like a good outlet. My day job doesn't allow for many extracurricular activities due to potential conflicts of interest, but writing should be safe territory.

So, consider this my "inauguration post" for a new era of blogging. I'm not entirely sure what direction this blog will take, but I'm excited to explore various topics, share my thoughts and experiences, and hopefully engage in some stimulating conversations with you, my dear readers.

As you may know from my previous posts (which, admittedly, are scattered across several years), I'm interested in a wide range of subjects, including science, technology, history, culture, and the occasional random musing. I'm also fascinated by the intersection of these areas and how they shape our world.

I'm hoping this blog can be a space for reflection, exploration, and connection. I welcome your feedback, suggestions, and even disagreements. Let's learn from each other and make this a vibrant and engaging community.

So, buckle up and join me on this new blogging adventure. I can't promise it will always be profound or groundbreaking, but I can promise it will be authentic and thought-provoking. Let's see where this journey takes us!

The Unseen Enemy: How Science and Greed Are Extending Our Lives

"Man can't fight what he doesn't see." This simple statement captures a profound truth about human progress and our ongoing battle against disease and mortality.

As science advances and research and development expands, we're constantly uncovering new pathogens and harmful substances in our environment. While it may seem like the world is becoming a more dangerous place, the reality is that we're simply becoming more aware of the threats that have always surrounded us.

I recently explored Gapminder's visualization tools (gapminder) to examine life expectancy in the late 1800s. It was a stark reminder of how vulnerable humans once were. Regardless of where they lived, people could expect to die from various causes between the ages of 35 and 40.

However, as the Industrial Revolution progressed and wealth increased (measured by GDP per capita), life expectancy in wealthier nations began to rise dramatically. This trend coincided with advancements in science and technology, driven in large part by capitalist pursuits. The desire for profit and efficiency fueled innovation, leading to improvements in medicine, sanitation, and public health.

So, while greed may have its downsides, it's also been a powerful engine for progress, indirectly contributing to longer and healthier lives. We owe a debt of gratitude to those driven by profit who inadvertently paved the way for medical breakthroughs and a better understanding of the unseen forces that threaten our well-being.

Of course, this doesn't mean we should blindly embrace greed. But it's worth acknowledging the complex interplay between scientific progress, economic incentives, and human well-being. As we continue to explore the world around us and develop new technologies, let's strive to harness the power of innovation for the benefit of all humankind. 

A Blast from the Past: Revisiting a 4-Year-Old Draft

It's fascinating to stumble upon old drafts and realize how much time has passed. This particular post has been sitting in my digital archives for about four years, and I've finally decided to dust it off and share it with the world.

It's a bit like time travel, reading my own thoughts from a different era. It's interesting to see how my perspectives have evolved and what still resonates with me today. I'm curious to hear your thoughts as well. Does this post still hold relevance in our current world? Have our views on science, technology, and progress changed significantly in the past four years?

I believe this post offers a valuable reminder of the importance of innovation and the need to support those who push the boundaries of knowledge. While the specific examples and context may be a few years old, the underlying message remains timeless.

I'm eager to hear your feedback and engage in a discussion about the ideas presented in this "blast from the past." Let's explore together how far we've come and where we're headed in our quest for progress and understanding.

The #Dieselgate Blues: My Love-Hate Relationship with VW

My family owns two Volkswagens: a Jetta Sportwagen TDI and a CC. In the wake of the VW emissions scandal, I'm feeling a mix of emotions, mostly anger and disappointment.

Some of my friends think I'm overreacting. After all, I was so happy with our Sportwagen that we traded in our 2009 model for a brand new 2014 one back in March. But this scandal goes deeper than just a single car; it's about trust, environmental responsibility, and the blatant deception of consumers.

Let me rewind a bit. When I first arrived in America from Europe, I was critical of many things, including American cars. They seemed too big, inefficient, and, frankly, ugly. I was also surprised by the scarcity of diesel cars on the road. Europeans often viewed this as a sign of America lagging behind in automotive technology and environmental concern, as diesel engines were considered more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient.

So, when VW introduced its supposedly "clean diesel" TDI engines to the US market, my wife and I were eager to embrace them. We were willing to pay a premium for both the car and the fuel, driven by our environmental consciousness. In the US, diesel has always been more expensive than gasoline, unlike in Europe. We were genuinely impressed with the performance and fuel economy of our Jetta Sportwagen.

Then came the dieselgate bombshell. Our sense of moral superiority evaporated. The days of smugly challenging Prius owners are over. Now, every time I look at our Jetta, I feel a sense of shame. I imagine myself as a fallen disciple of a deceptive idol, spewing toxic NOx fumes and leaving a trail of coughing pedestrians in my wake. I feel the judgment of others, much like we used to judge Hummer drivers (though their offense was more about fuel consumption than toxicity).

It's no wonder that Japanese automakers struggled for years to develop diesel engines that met US emissions standards. They were baffled by German engineering prowess, unaware of the secret behind VW's success: cheating. This deception has caused VW's stock to plummet, scared off buyers worldwide, and allowed Toyota to reclaim its position as the world's leading automaker. Some critics even predict the demise of diesel technology altogether.

As VW owners, we're left with a difficult choice: sue or not sue? The resale value of our TDI cars has tanked, and a concrete solution to the emissions problem remains elusive. Numerous class action lawsuits are underway, making lawyers the only clear winners in this mess.

I'll keep you updated on the #dieselgate saga and how it unfolds. For now, I'm left with a deep sense of disappointment and a lingering question: Can we ever truly trust car manufacturers again?

Fighting the Fade: Brain Plasticity and the Quest to Stay Sharp

We all age. It's an unavoidable fact of life. Our physical and mental capacities decline, especially if we don't actively maintain them. While physical exercise can help reverse some of the effects of aging on the body, it's becoming increasingly clear that the same applies to our brains.

One of the most exciting medical discoveries in recent years is the concept of brain plasticity. Even in older adults, the brain retains a remarkable ability to change and adapt. This means that with the right kind of training, we can combat age-related cognitive decline and even improve our mental sharpness.

While daily aerobic exercise is crucial for boosting blood flow to the brain, mental activity plays a vital role as well. Lately, I've noticed it's becoming harder to remember things, perform simple calculations, or even visualize routes to familiar places. It's like a mental muscle ache.

This realization has spurred me to take action. I need to be more disciplined about mental exercise, just as I am with physical exercise. But what kind of mental workout is best?

Learning a new language is often touted as an excellent way to challenge the brain. It engages various cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving. Other activities like puzzles, reading, and engaging in stimulating conversations can also contribute to mental fitness.

The key is to keep the brain active and challenged. Just as our bodies need regular physical activity to stay healthy, our brains need mental stimulation to stay sharp. So, whether it's learning a new language, tackling a crossword puzzle, or simply engaging in thoughtful discussions, let's commit to keeping our minds engaged and vibrant as we age.

Food for Thought: Our Complex Relationship with Animals and What We Choose to Eat

Would you eat your pet for dinner? I'm guessing most people would recoil at the thought. But why? This question is designed to challenge our assumptions about what we consider acceptable food.

Many people have pet rabbits, yet rabbit meat is commonly consumed around the world. The same goes for dogs and cats. While they're beloved companions in many cultures, they're also a source of food in others. So, what makes cows and pigs any different? They're often raised in close proximity to humans, providing milk, companionship, and even emotional support. Yet, we slaughter and consume them without a second thought.

Perhaps it's the emotional connection we have with certain animals that makes the difference. Or maybe it's simply cultural conditioning. Whatever the reason, our relationship with animals is complex and often contradictory.

It's easy to buy meat neatly packaged at the grocery store, detached from the reality of the animal it came from. But how many of us would be comfortable killing and butchering an animal ourselves? I suspect many meat-eaters would lose their appetite if confronted with this reality.

Next time you find yourself in a discussion with vegetarians or people from cultures where eating dogs, cats, or even horses is commonplace, try to approach the conversation with an open mind. Our food choices are often deeply ingrained and culturally influenced. What seems "normal" to us might be considered abhorrent to others, and vice versa.

The point isn't to judge or condemn anyone's dietary choices, but to encourage reflection and understanding. By challenging our assumptions and considering different perspectives, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of our relationship with animals and the food we consume.

The #Hungergeddon Diet: How Wealth, Food Choices, and Climate Change Are on a Collision Course

The current trajectory of human behavior is leading us toward climate change. This has been a topic of debate for decades, but the majority of experts now agree: humans are the primary cause. Climate change has far-reaching consequences, impacting food production and availability.  

While the role of fossil fuels and technology in climate change is widely discussed, I want to focus on another crucial aspect: food. As the global population continues to grow and traditional energy sources dwindle, we're facing a potential "oil" crisis in the coming decades. However, an even more pressing concern looms on the horizon: a global food crisis.

We're already experiencing hunger and food insecurity in many parts of the world, but this is largely due to unequal distribution rather than an absolute lack of resources. However, with current agricultural practices and population growth projections, we could face a severe food shortage by 2040, when the population is estimated to reach 8 to 10 billion people.

Some might argue that as long as they belong to the wealthy elite, they'll be insulated from the effects of this crisis. They can afford to pay exorbitant prices for food, even if it means others go hungry. But this ignores the interconnectedness of our world. Widespread hunger leads to desperation, conflict, violence, disease, and mass migration, ultimately impacting everyone, even the privileged few.

This brings me to the central point: wealth and climate change are intertwined in a dangerous way. As societies become wealthier, their food preferences shift toward more resource-intensive options. For example, as incomes rise in developing countries, people tend to consume more beef, which requires significantly more land, water, and feed than pork or chicken.

According to an article in Smithsonian Magazine, producing a kilogram of beef requires ten times more resources than producing a kilogram of pork or chicken. In general, animal-based protein sources are far more resource-intensive than plant-based ones.  

Therefore, the wealthier we become, the more unsustainable our food choices become, pushing us closer to what I call "#Hungergeddon." To mitigate this impending crisis, it's essential that we, as global citizens, shift our diets away from resource-intensive foods like beef and toward more sustainable options like poultry, plant-based proteins, and locally sourced produce.

The choices we make today will determine the future of food security and the well-being of our planet. It's time to embrace a more conscious and sustainable approach to eating, not just for our own health, but for the survival of generations to come.

Ebola Hysteria: A Reality Check in the Midst of Media Mayhem

Dear Scared Citizen,

I understand your anxiety about Ebola crossing the Atlantic. The doomsday scenarios portrayed in movies like 12 Monkeys (a personal favorite, by the way) certainly don't help. And with a remake airing soon on the SyFy channel (remember, "fy" stands for fantasy!), it's easy to get caught up in the hype.

We've been worried about Ebola for a while now. Even North Korea has chimed in, accusing the US of creating the virus. Meanwhile, the epidemic continues to ravage parts of Africa, with the death toll tragically climbing.

As a molecular biologist, I suppose I should be flattered to be considered a potential co-conspirator in this global crisis. But in reality, I'm just as bewildered by the hysteria as everyone else.

The fact that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), located just a mile from my home, has treated Ebola patients understandably raises concerns. People have asked me how I feel about it, and honestly, my delayed response probably reflects my level of worry. Considering that the first patient who slipped through the screening process traveled on two airplanes with over 100 people, touching and interacting with numerous individuals without infecting anyone, I remain relatively calm.

What's truly concerning is that the only people who contracted Ebola in the US were the nurses caring for the infected patient. The very institutions designed to protect public health seem to be the most vulnerable. This reinforces the age-old fear of hospitals: "I'm not going there because I'll get sick."

While we might dismiss such comments in the context of Ebola, consider the flu. It kills tens of thousands of people every year, spreading easily in vulnerable populations. And then there's the anti-vaccination movement... but that's a whole other story.

The point is, while Ebola is a serious disease, the level of fear and panic is disproportionate to the actual risk, especially in developed countries with robust healthcare systems.

¹ Let's focus on supporting healthcare workers, improving protocols, and addressing the root causes of the epidemic in Africa, rather than succumbing to irrational fearmongering.

Back to Blogging (and Why I'm Blaming Xfinity for My Hiatus)

Hello there! It's been over a year since my last post. Shame on me, I know. I got sidetracked, but I'm back and ready to resume my blogging journey.

Symbolically, I'm blaming my absence on Xfinity. (Feel free to skip this next paragraph if you're not interested in the technical details.)

A year ago, I switched from Verizon FIOS to Xfinity, lured by promises of faster internet speeds, no DVR fees, premium channels, and a lower price. Unfortunately, the reality didn't match the hype. The internet speed was far below what was advertised, with frequent fluctuations and even complete blackouts. The Wi-Fi coverage was limited, the DVR interface was clunky, and once the promotional period ended, the price skyrocketed.

So, I'm back with FIOS, and everything is running smoothly again. The Wi-Fi is strong, the DVR fees are reasonable, the internet speed is consistent, and there are no more frustrating fluctuations. Fiber optic cables rule!

But enough about my internet woes. I'm eager to continue blogging and improve my writing skills. I'm always open to feedback and suggestions, so please feel free to leave comments. Let's get this blog rolling again!

The Price of Safety: Why Drug Costs Keep Rising

While attending a seminar on viral clearance for biotech manufacturers, I was struck by a sobering realization: the cost of bringing new drugs to market is steadily increasing. As science advances and our understanding of the world expands, we identify more and more potential threats. This, in turn, leads to stricter regulations and requirements from agencies like the FDA, whose mission is to protect consumers.

The FDA updates its regulations for drug testing and manufacturing every year, adding layers of complexity and cost to the drug development process. Pharmaceutical companies, naturally, have a limit on how much they're willing to invest in research and development. They need to recoup their costs and generate profits, which inevitably leads to higher drug prices.  

This creates a tension between public safety and affordability. While stricter regulations lead to safer drugs, they also contribute to rising costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. This explains, in part, why there's so much public criticism of drug prices.

To illustrate this point, consider the following examples:

• The current cost of characterizing a production cell line used to manufacture recombinant proteins ranges from $55,000 to $100,000.
• A New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA can cost up to $250,000. It is important to note, that this cost, is only the FDA filing fee. The entire cost of bringing a drug to market is much larger than just the FDA filing fee.

These expenses represent just a fraction of the overall costs associated with drug development and regulatory approval. The ever-increasing regulatory burden contributes significantly to the escalating price of pharmaceuticals.  

The paradox here is that the very measures designed to ensure public safety are also driving up the cost of life-saving medications. This reality requires ongoing consideration for finding better methods to produce high quality pharmaceuticals that are still accessable to all.

The R&D Paradox: Why Innovation Suffers in the Pursuit of Efficiency

Any scientists out there? Have you ever dreamed of being a researcher with a capital "R," an inventor with a long list of patents, someone who truly makes a difference in the world? If so, it's time to reignite that passion.

Too often, we get caught up in the daily grind, following pre-defined paths and conforming to established norms. While companies claim to value innovation, the reality is often different. I've witnessed a recurring pattern in many organizations:

1. The Spark: Someone invents something groundbreaking and starts a company. A small team of innovators creates a new product that disrupts the market.
2. Early Success: The product gains traction and generates revenue.
3. Shifting Priorities: As the company grows, the focus shifts from innovation to sales and administration. Inventors, who aren't always the best salespeople, are gradually replaced.
4. The Rise of Managers: Managers, often prioritizing efficiency and cost-cutting over long-term vision, take control.
5. "Efficient" R&D: Experienced, highly educated scientists are replaced with younger, less experienced, and cheaper researchers.
6. Stalled Innovation: Projects become bogged down in complexity, and the rate of innovation slows. Even routine tasks take longer to complete.
7. Seeking External Help: The company, desperate to regain its innovative edge, hires consultants who advise acquiring smaller, more innovative companies.
8. Integration and Stagnation: The acquired companies are integrated, their innovative spirit stifled by the larger organization's bureaucracy.
9. Mergers and Acquisitions: The company, now larger and with a broader product portfolio, becomes an attractive target for even bigger competitors, leading to further mergers and acquisitions.
10. The Illusion of Innovation: The company becomes so large that small fluctuations in innovation hardly matter. Stability is achieved through sheer size, but the ratio of inventions to researchers and resources becomes disappointingly low.

Who pays the price for this cycle of stifled innovation? Ultimately, it's the customers, stockholders, and taxpayers. While this is a generalization, it seems that mediocrity often thrives in this system, while true innovation suffers.

So, what's the solution? We need more R&D, but more importantly, we need R&D that prioritizes creativity, risk-taking, and long-term vision over short-term gains and "efficiency." We need to empower scientists and inventors, not stifle them with bureaucracy and cost-cutting measures. Only then can we unleash the true potential of human ingenuity and create a future where innovation flourishes.

Reflections on a "Socialist Childhood" and the Complexities of Freedom

Despite the generally negative perception of socialist societies, I have surprisingly fond memories of my childhood under communism. Thanks to my parents, I experienced a near-ideal upbringing. I didn't feel the restrictive hand of the regime; I had a comfortable home, plenty of food, toys, and engaging activities. My childhood was filled with family happiness, education, sports, outdoor adventures, and a love for reading, especially science fiction.

Growing up, I often engaged in philosophical discussions about the contrasting ideals of capitalism and communism. At the time, the concept of equality and universal wealth seemed logical and appealing. However, as I matured and witnessed the realities of both systems, my views began to evolve.

The idea that everyone, regardless of talent or effort, should receive equal compensation started to feel flawed. Could such a system truly motivate innovation, scientific breakthroughs, and societal progress? The revolutionary fervor of the early socialist era had faded by the 1960s, though echoes of it lingered during my youth.

I vividly recall the ban on wearing jeans in school. The authorities concocted various health reasons for this restriction (including erectile dysfunction!), but we understood the deeper symbolism. Jeans represented rebellion against the establishment, often accompanied by other symbols like heavy metal music or Jimi Hendrix. It seems silly now, but these small acts of defiance contributed to the eventual fall of the Iron Curtain.

These "symbols" were intertwined with the allure of Western consumer goods: stylish cars, fashionable clothes, and innovative gadgets that promised an easier life. Looking back, it's hard to say whether the desire for freedom or the yearning for material possessions was the stronger motivator. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

Twenty years after the transition to capitalism, many people in former communist countries are experiencing disillusionment. They've realized that while consumer goods are readily available, most are financially out of reach. The initial euphoria of freedom has given way to a sense of loss. People traded social and economic security, a low crime rate, and a sense of societal importance for a system where their influence is limited to voting and paying taxes.

The "aura of importance" has faded, replaced by the mundane realities of daily life. For many, freedom has become synonymous with routine, occasionally punctuated by affordable vacations. While material well-being has arguably improved since 1989, the increased personal responsibility and constant choices have created a new kind of stress and uncertainty.

There have been recent attempts to revive socialist ideals, thankfully unsuccessful. Studies show that while material conditions are better now, it will take more than 20 years to fully appreciate the complexities of freedom and build a new society that balances individual liberties with social responsibility.