What Is A Boltzmann Brain?

Repost


Brian Greene


Further Clarifcation

Ah, just as I thought.
You all just a figment of my imagination.
Good to know :-)


YEAH..KINDA LIKE THAT :-)

Linear vs. Non-Linear Thinking

Repost

I became interested in this because of the Oscar noninated movie "Arrival" (2016).

I've always been a fan of Sci-Fi stories. So too the way these writers get me to thinking.







Aside from the plot the biggie here is the difference with how these aliens think in "non-linear" terms opposed to how we think "linearly". In other words we humans think in sequential pieces along a straight line, but that may not be the only way when it comes to understanding. Taking a closer look I see artificial intelligence developers have been working on this in great detail for some time

This can be best explained by computers having unlimited capacity for multitasking--something we humans are incapable of. Suppose we as a human stood before an object. We would be limited to only one view at a time. A computer on the other hand could be looking all 360 degrees around, over/under and inside all at the same time. While our human minds could understand each individually we'd never be able to comprehend the entire composite make up in one sitting other then metaphorically.

Now apply this to the universe in all it's complexity. Suppose a artificial intelligence could be developed which could take in everything which makes up a galaxy. Light, gravity, it's entire structure including each black hole, sun, planet, radio waves, all there is within along with the scientific formulas controlling them all at the same time. Us humans limited to linear thinking would have to rely on thousands of other minds in an attempt to develop some sort of metaphorical understanding. A view far different from it's actual over all totality.

This is what fascinated me about this movie. What if there were an alien race not limited to such things. A race who could multitask in a non-linear fashion--unfettered by our own limited sequential (straight line) cognitive logic?

In the movie our hero linguist discovers where you start out (in a circle of logic) each will produce a different outcome. However these aliens try to express the entire number of possible outcomes in a single spiral. Fully understanding this creates results entirety different from those assumed prior.

This is the challenge today's AI developers face when trying to create algorithms capable of human understanding as to what has been culled. In other words someday we may be too limited by our abilities to relate to these so-called machines. This leads to the question whether we will play a part in the future of how ever evolving intelligence. expresses itself. Will one day these devices look upon us as lower species then themselves?



The Way I See 'The Creator' (GOD)
He/she/it will occupy/express itself in whatever form there is. Humans may think themselves 'all that and more' but so do monkeys, elephants and ants who led their tribes before we came along. This creator (whatever it may be) is on an ever evolving quest to expand itself. If we're unable to transition beyond our linear measurement of thought at least we can say we contributed towards the next advancement. Every thing and everyone has it's day for a little while in the larger scheme of things. Hopefully he/she/it will look upon us gracefully.

Final Thought
I really appreciate movies/TV and all those who inspire others to think outside the box. H/T to each and every one of them. Keep em' coming.

Playlist Of Seven Music Videos I Came Across

"Person Of Interest" (Repost)

Another series we used to enjoy.

screenrant.com
Why The Show Was Cancelled "Here's why Person of Interest was cancelled after season 5 and what season 6's story could've been about. The action-thriller series was based on the concept of an artificial intelligence called The Machine that could predict murders before they happen."



Show Opening Season 1 (2011)

Knowing today there's facial recognition software, cellphone tracking, trojan virus malware, etc. this program was not as far fetched as some may believe it once was. Who knows what the government (and others) may have at their disposal.

Liberals Are Blah, Blah- Conservatives Are Blah, Blah

Repost From November 23, 2016


Ever notice how conservatives say liberals are blah, blah, blah...?
Ever notice how liberals say conservatives are blah, blah, blah...?


Neither has the right to define the other!It's amusing how conservatives think themselves experts on liberals. Just as it for liberals who seek to define what conservatives believe. Both seem to think they know more about the other guy then the person does him or her self. Generally speaking the world isn't so simple as people being 100% aligned with either ideology on either side.

Over the last few months I've observed on social media, local blogs and in mainstream media far too much pandering given to those who divide us. I'm disappointed this has become the norm. It's should be everyone's responsibility-- including mine-- to reject such divisiveness.

Anyone who participates in journalism or on social media sites (such as this) each bears responsibility in seeking those things which unites us rather then those which further divide us from one and other. There's too much trash talking and not enough people speaking towards our common bonds.

I really truly hope this isn't the nation we've become.-- or have we?

Fake News From Allentown

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* Lehigh County Water Authority announced it's leasing out it's water agreement to Allentown.

* Council is considering a measure to require all of Allentown's automobile drivers to be licensed

* Neuweiler Brewery could become a haunted house attraction this October

* Bon Ton announced Hess's may be coming back to downtown Allentown pending NIZ approval.

* Mayor announces measure to eliminate city council. City council expected to approve.

* Train service to resume. Trains will depart from LVIA for Newark International Airport.

* Parking authority will begin issuing tickets to drivers who expired.

* Riparian buffers to be planted around all the city's storm drains.

* City considering installing toll booths on each of the parking deck levels.

* Fairgrounds sold for a new warehouse location.

* Area warehouse owners announce conversions for indoor farming.

* Just announced. ASD plans to profit from it's own new casino.

* Allentown becomes officially named as NYC's sixth borough.

* Officials considering removing all traffic signals in hopes of cutting down commute times.

* Pennsylvania looking into installing bike lanes on Route 22 and I-78.

* Newly formed organization called "Trails To Rails".

* Fracking soon to begin in 'Trexler Park',

* New 30 year term limits set for mayor of Allentown.

* New newspaper called "The Mourning Call" coming to Allentown.

* Latest restaurant announced it's closing on opening day.

* Newest affordable housing complex called "Tents Along The Lehigh" will announce shortly.

600 Song Samples From 1966 Thru 1969

The following clips were from the height of AM radio days. Unlike today's machined music each were entirely different from the other. No computer generated "beat box" back tracks. Nor pitch correction software used. Plus a whole variety of different instruments and arraignments. Each created their own original distinctive style. Think about this, each video features about 150 hits per year. A once very robust music industry for sure!












So which year was your favorite?

Allentown Where's The Jobs?

Repost


The Way It Once Was
A partial list of significant jobs within the city limits which no longer exist
     A&B & Swift meats
     Western Electric
     Mack Trucks
     Bell Telephone
     Allen Laundry
     Dozens of textile mills
     Several large department stores
     General Electric
     Numerous repair shops (we don't repair things anymore)
     Gas station attendants & repair bays
     Dairy, beer & soda makers
     Home delivery & huckster jobs
     Metal and large machinery repair shops

I'm sure old timers can think of many more. What each had in common was a kid could get out of high school and land one of these jobs without additional education. Most employers provided their own onsite training.

Here's The Pickle We're In
There are tons of people who graduate each year who will have none these same opportunities Few will become rocket scientists, world famous physicians or entertainment superstars. There are all kinds of reasons why these jobs no longer exist. Still the fact remains these kind of job opportunities remain a relic of the past for the average schmuck. The vast majority will be relegated to finding a warehouse, service or burger flipping job being unable to support families. Far more feeling left out in the cold and frustrated from even landing these kind of jobs.

How Do We Fix This?
One thing I can tell ya jobs scraping the ice, bartending and flipping burgers at the arena on event nights a couple of nights a month isn't going to cut it. Neither is being on call to clean hotel rooms and offices. Frankly I wouldn't wait for a political hack to come up with solutions at either the federal, state or local levels. Everything's changed.

If I were graduating high school today here's a few things I might consider* Two years will get someone a ticket in the fields of radiology or nursing
* 6-24 months earns one a ticket to become an EMT or Paramedic
* Cops get paid well requiring minimal education for some departments
* Join the Navy or Air Force (where you're not likely to get your butt shot)
* Plumbing or electrical work
* Apply everywhere for city or park work
* Run unopposed for state office (not silly as it sounds)I'm sure there's plenty more I haven't thought of. What each has in common they require the least investment in both time and money. One thing's for sure, it beats waiting around for some politician's promises. None of them are ever going to bring back manufacturing or the job opportunities of the 60's.

63 Year Old Melissa Etheridge Still Great As Ever

When Melissa Etheridge came home to Leavenworth, Kansas to perform at Topeka Women’s Correctional Facility, she arrived with healing intentions - gifting the residents with a full-production concert. She also took the time to connect with and learn the stories of some of the residents, which inspired her to write the uplifting new song, “Burning Woman.” The creative journey has been filmed for an accompanying Paramount+ documentary “I’m Not Broken”.

"A Burning Woman" (Live From Topeka Correctional Facility) July 2024

Idioms Make Learning English Confusing

Repost


Idioms & ponderisms make it harder for people coming to live here from other countries.Why do we say an alarm is going off when it's actually going on?
Why offer a penny for thoughts when most aren't worth two cents?
Why is a baker's dozen not twelve items?
How is it your nose runs, but your feet smell?
Why a hot water heater. Shouldn't we need a cold water heater?
In sports why do they call 3 points a hat trick when nobody wears them?
If idle hands are the devil's tools what does he use to get things done?
The whole nine yards. Why not ten?
To drink like a fish. Do fish drink?
Why do people play at a recital and recite at a play?
Why does night fall but never break and day break but never fall?
Why does a man get a hernia and a woman a hysterectomy?
Why do they call them apartments when they're all together?
Why is the word abbreviation so long?
If olive oil is made from olives, what do they make baby oil from?
If pro and con are opposites, is congress the opposite of progress?
If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of booth be beeth?
If the teacher taught, why isn't it also true that the preacher praught?
Why does winding up a watch start it, but winding up a project ends it?
Does our head have have hair or hairs on it?
Why call them resturant waiters when we do all the waiting?
A non-stop flight has to stop some time doesn't it?
Why is it called a one night stand if neither were standing?
How does daylight savings time store daylight?
Isn't planning before something much the same as preplanning itslef?
How can airlines preboard passengers before they begin boarding them?
Why do we pull up a chair, isn't it high enough?
Back and forth. Doesn't something have to go forth before it can go back?
Lucked out doesn't mean you ran out of luck. shouldn't it be lucked in?
Saying watch your head is as impossible as trying to bite your teeth
If someone does something behind your back, could they do it in front of it?
How did Roman's do math without a Roman numeral for zero?
Do we fill in a form by filling it out?
Bandages are wound around a wound
A farm can produce produce
Can a dump refuse refuse?
It's bad idea for a soldier to desert in the desert
When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes
A farmer once taught his sow to sow
How come an eggplant has no yolk?
Shouldn't an apple look simular to a pineapple?
Why are boxing rings square?
1 goose. 2 geese. Why aren't 2 moose meese?
If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
How is a slim chance different from a fat chance?
Is a house burning up as it burns down?
What race is the human race?
Why doesn't Buick rhyme with quick?
Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
If nothing ever sticks to Teflon, how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?
Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
Why is it called a TV "set" when you only get one?
Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
Is there another word for thesaurus?
Is there another word for synonym?
If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
Why is a pear called a pear when there is only one?
What do they pack Styrofoam in?
Why does the word monosyllabic contain five syllables?
If you were scared half to death twice, would you be 100% dead?
If you asked a librarian where the books on self help were would they tell you?
If you can't drink and drive, why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?

Foxconn A Con?

Trump-Backed Move to Wisconsin Create Jobs or Catfish the Public?

Governments are really lousy dealmakers.

Ever since NAFTA government has demonstrated time and again why it shouldn't be trying to tweak capitalists adventures. That goes for sport stadiums as well. Those along with all these state and city private investment projects involving taxpayers money. You'd think by now they would have learned. I'm convinced they never will.

Remembering The Late Joe Bonsall From The Oak Ridge Boys

Born in 1948 the 76 year old from Philadelphia passed away on July 9th 2024 from ALS.

Allentown Circa 1828 to 1985

Repost

...and Beyond

"These postcards were from the private collection of the John Stopp family from Allentown, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors pioneered near the Jordan Creek prior to the Revolutionary War, later built civic and commercial buildings in Allentown, and were involved with several of the institutions depicted in the postcards."

Video Courtesy jmackel



"Sheila Evans of the Allentown Symphony Association gives the
history of Symphony Hall and its influence on the surrounding area."

History & Tour by ViaCastTV

A BRIEF TIMELINEMarch 12, 1867- Allentown was officially "incorporated".

July 4, 1828- The first documented performance by the "Allentown Band"

1832- M.S. Young & Co. 724 Hamilton Street (later 740 Hamilton) (Mark Young & Stephen Barber). Stephen died in 1860. The store was huge. It's 5 story building was connected by tunnels and an overhead bridge to it's other buildings at 11,13 & 15 S. 8th Street.

June 1, 1848- Allentown had a population of 3,700 people living in 619 houses (6 per home).Today 118,032 are living in 45,960 houses (2.56 per home)
1847- Appel Jewelry, originally opened on E. Hamilton street. It relocated to the 600 block on Hamilton in 1860. In 1930 Carl W. Appel then became owner after his father passed away. Carl passed away at 94 years old on June 24, 1997.

1850- Henry Leh (an Allentown native). At 20 years old started H. Leh & Co at 626 W. Hamilton St.

1887- Allentown Steam Heat Company (23 S. Hall Street) was founded by Harry C. Trexler (his 1st business venture). It ceased operations in 1968

July 1, 1891- Electric trolley car service began in Allentown on Hamilton Street by the Allentown and Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company.

February 19, 1897- Hess's (9th & Hamilton) founded by Charles and Max Hess. Max died in 1922. Charles ran the store between then and 1932. Max Hess, Jr., from 1932 through 1968.

Oct. 19, 1899- The Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Center Square in Allentown was unveiled

Sept. 17, 1908- The Bandshell in West Park was dedicated (The Allentown Band performed at the dedication)

1910- Zollinger-Harned replaced the hardware store (W.R. Lawfer & Co.) at 605 W. Hamilton St.

November 17, 1913- 8th Street toll bridge opened for traffic (5 cents). The plans for the bridge were started in 1911 by the "Allentown Bridge Company" (formed by the "The Lehigh Valley Transit Company"). In 1906 Harry C. Trexler bought the forerunner to what became the LVT.

1912- Benioff Furs opened. The store was later run by his son, Abraham J. Benioff who at 91 passed away on Nov. 27, 1997. The store at 10th & Hamilton along with it's storage locker at 410 N. 6th Street closed on Friday, Feb 2, 1996.

1914- Harry C. Trexler started "Romper Day"

1897- Harry J. Trexler (lumber dealer), George Ormrod (coal/iron-like in Ormrod, Pa.) and Col. Edward M. Young (hardware) formed the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. On April 23, 1919 Lehigh Portland Cement Company' became reincorporated.

1922- Yoccos (Liberty Grill) founded by Theodore Iacocca (uncle of Lee Iacocca). Currently being run by the 3rd & 4th generation.

1923- Kern's Restaurant (Stooges) founded by Charles and Arlene Kern.

1926 to 1928- The PPL building was built.

1931- The Brass Rail opened it's first stand. It was started by Philip Sorrentino. Later, in 1933 it's location moved to 1137 W. Hamilton Street (since then closed). In 1961 a second store was opened at 3015 Lehigh Street where it is now run by his grandson.

1933-1934- The Allentown post office was built.
Other misc. businesses:The Allentown National Bank
The Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Co.
The Second National Bank
Allentown Boiler Works
Shafer's Popular Book Store
Allentown Brewing Co.
Daufer & Co., 16 South 8th St.
Arbogast & Bastian, 7-23 Hamilton St.
Koch Bros (Clothiers) 7th & Hamilton
The Vulcan Brass Works, 716 N 4th St
Lehigh Knitting Mills, Court and Hall Sts.
Allen Steam Laundry, S 7th St.
Eastern Light
Allen Stamp and Stencil Co., 104-106 N 7th St.
Kramer's Music House, 544 Hamilton St.
Good's Pharmacy, 803 Hamilton St
Dolly Madison (soda/ice cream)
Adelaide Silk Mills
Wolfe Shoe Mfg. Co., Hall and Court Sts.,
McCrory's Five & Ten
Woolworths Five & Ten
A&P Food Store
Mohican Market
Movie Theaters:The Boyd, The Towne, The Jeanette, The Rialto, The Colonial, The Earle, The Capri, The Strand (12 N. 8th circa 1917), Orpheum Theatre (6th St. and Linden St.), Boulevard Drive-In, Westend Drive-In, The Eric

The Rialto Theatre was built from 1918 to 1921.
Fire severely damaged it 1946.
It reopened and remained open till it's closure in 1979.

More Pictures Of The Rialto Can Be Found At
The Library of Congress (July 1985)

A List of mayors of Allentown, Pennsylvania (from 1867 to present)
Cemeteries and Memorial Sites of Politicians in Lehigh County

Lost Opportunity Pete Buttigieg 2020

Pete's Best Debate Moments (Debates 2-6)

Two important thoughts..
If he'd won we wouldn't be in the pickle we are in with Biden today. Also notice how many candidates we had available to choose from last time compared to this past primary season.

Intelligent, articulated and a lot younger in age. All of which making him a hellva lot sharper then either these two losers we're stuck with right now.

2020 candidate Pete Buttigieg

Certainly more well spoken the eithe Biden or Trump

The Late Paul Harvey's July 4th Message

Lest we forget...

July 4, 1974 Broadcast.

Fralinger String Band 4th of July 2015 Glenside PA

LV Environment Bad Now.. You think?

Repost



The good ole' days!

I've been reading the local negative concerns regarding the quality of our parks, air and water. In my mind the glass is much more full then empty.

I certainly am aware with the huge growth in our neighboring suburbs there are environmental concerns that need be addressed. However, let use take a look back into just 62 years or so (over my lifetime) and see if we are less or more environmental sound.

Back when I was growing up, Allentown had a central city coal fired steam heat plant installed which heated many buildings downtown. As far as efficiency, well efficiency wasn't exactly something high on the scale of priorities. In the winter many streets didn't need plowing. The heat emanating from those steam pipes beneath melted a great number of blocks around Hamilton Street.

The way a city heating customer adjusted their heat was by raising or lowering a window. What's a thermostat?

The central steam plant was installed in 1888 and was in use till 1968. It was located at 23 South Hall Street. It was "coal" fired and had no pollution equipment what-so-ever.

Those who were not served by city heat mainly relied on coal. Trains delivering coal from up North would arrive at various coal storage yards throughout the city to unload. From there coal trucks plied the streets delivering coal down the chutes into 1,000's of basement coal bins.

The remaining cinders (coal ash) after the city burnt them were stored to later be spread on city streets in the winter. Just about every homeowner as well saved buckets of coal to put on their sidewalks. Before the snow throwers, shovelers used coal ash to finish the job on driveways.



I grew up on SW 27th street at the foot of S. Mtn. What we had out in front of our house was a dirt road. All of them were over there were at one time. In the winter coal cinders (ash) was used on them.

In the summer the city would come once or twice and spray oil on the roadways to keep the dust down. That's right, good old black petroleum muck with a good dose of used crankcase oil mixed in.


We open burned the trash and the leaves too!

Let's talk about water & sewer. We had a cistern where rainwater from the roof would flow into it from our downspouts. Now we chose to boil all our drinking water and were just fine. The neighbor in back didn't. As a result they wound up with a case of worms and on another occasion boils on their skin. Rather then boil water their solution was bleach. Gallons and gallons monthly they added to their water.

Then there's the sewer side. What sewer? Before septic tanks many of these homes just dug a big hole. In it they would throw rocks and then trench it out at the top as an overflow. You knew when it was full when the overflow trench leached up and emerged from below. Some would call honeydippers to come scoop them out. Others just hand dug a new hole somewhere else on their property. Few had concrete septic tanks.

In some other outlying areas those fortunate enough to live closer to the creeks and streams just ran a waste pipe from their toilets into them. Never mind farmer Joe downstream probably tapped into this same creek for his family's water supply. Still there were others who had wells were not too far down from someone else's septic field.

Oh by the way we too had a coal furnace.

Allentown, just like many other communities used to own the city garbage trucks. Allentown's trucks ended up on Allentown's Basin Street where the city incinerator would then burn the garbage they collected. Many cities around here had them as well. These trucks would back up to a hole in the second floor and dump into the flames below. As a kid, when I looked into the roaring fire below I thought it was hell. Nope, no chimney pollution equipment here either.

Now let's focus on the burgs. Just North of Allentown in areas like Bath, Whitehall, Cementon, etc. we had lots and lots of cement plants. You knew where they were because entire towns were coated in cement dust. Further North Coal dust was the order of the day.

Lest we forget good old New Jersey zinc down in Center Valley or it's smelting operations up in Palmerton. All of the above which either blew in the wind or were washed downstream.

The steel plant in Bethlehem used 100,000's gallons a water a day. Think about the three or four thousand workers that used the toilet facilities etc. Then perhaps one of you local historians out there may be able to find where Bethlehem's Steels' water treatment facility was located.

I say this in jest because I don't think they had one. But one thing I am certain, if you ask anyone who lived in Hellertown down by the old coke plant, the air wasn't sweet!

Also in the burgs at one time we had tons of farms. As a kid we'd swim in a creek in Macungie. It didn't even occur to us just upstream there was a cow pasture until our feet sank in cow poop two feet deep at the bottom. Talk about your nitrogen levels, but the sunnies (fish) just seemed to thrive in it.

Art (my friend) doubted that it was poop. He insisted rather optimistically that it was mud. It took Dave to scoop up a couple of handfuls from the bottom and heave them at us to make us conclude.. yep that's poop alright!

The area also had a number of pig farms as well that sold to the former A&B meats. Things weren't too sweet down wind from the numerous chicken & turkey farms either! Especially in Spring when farmers used to "spread" their fields.

Then there were the many area orchards that were spraying DDT into the air. Thusly the runoff from them into area creeks.


The state highway department for years used "agent orange" to kill the weeds alongside the local highways. Hey who knew!



CONCLUSIONSFortunately for us we had far fewer people then today. If we hadn't made the environmental progress we did, one can only imagine. Because of water lines and sewers, pollution equipment and the de-industrialization we fare much better then just 60 short years ago.

Can we use some more tweaking? Absolutely.

But if today's generation thinks this area was pristine and needs to be restored to what it once was, they are quite misinformed. While all is not perfect, it's certainly not an immediate crises.

Sometimes this valley just needs us old farts around to explain things.