Hinge Of History Part 5

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The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 made the world all too familiar with catastrophe, and the fall of Afghanistan in 2021 seems to be continuing that trend. So how do we make sense of all this chaos and disaster? Glenn has a conversation with historian and professor Niall Ferguson, whose latest book, “DOOM: The Politics of Catastrophe,” argues that there’s a human element to every catastrophe, from an earthquake to an economic collapse. Niall and Glenn break down some of today’s biggest disasters: why COVID-19 is our “domestic Vietnam,” why we’re already in a cold war with China, the internet and cryptocurrency’s effects on society, and why a massive course correction could soon come in the form of Donald Trump’s return. And Niall gives a historian’s prediction on how future generations will look back on this divisive era.

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Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

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Oct. 20 2021

You may have noticed that times are turbulent and that something very nefarious seems to be afoot. You're not wrong, of course. That's exactly what's happening, and it presents a dangerous time for humanity. The question is why it's happening because the answer to that question informs us significantly on our prospects going forward. On the one hand, and this is correct, a global push for a kind of communo-fascism is underway: a power grab of the grandest proportions in human history. This is consistent with Communist visions stretching back over a century and must be recognized and resisted. On the other hand, it's happening now instead of at some other time. Is that merely because the technological tools to make this attempt finally exist, with digital technology and social media enabling new forms of propaganda and social credit systems for unprecedented social control? Partly, yes, but merely, no. The internet, like its nearest conceptual predecessor, the printing press, has changed everything. Understanding the nature of that change sheds useful light on the world we now inhabit along with how we should address this new threat and what we have to look forward to if (or when) we succeed.

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Have A Nice Day

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Nov 22, 2021

While many of us wait for long-delayed shipments, as retailers and manufacturers can't get cargo ships or truckloads of crucial parts, some companies apply the virtual magic of 3-D printing to save millions of dollars, even as container ships languish off the coast.

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Finally, a Fusion Reaction Has Generated More Energy Than Absorbed by The Fuel

MICHELLE STARR

3 DECEMBER 2021

A major milestone has been breached in the quest for fusion energy.

For the first time, a fusion reaction has achieved a record 1.3 megajoule energy output – and for the first time, exceeding energy absorbed by the fuel used to trigger it.

Although there's still some way to go, the result represents a significant improvement on previous yields: eight times greater than experiments conducted just a few months prior, and 25 times greater than experiments conducted in 2018. It's a huge achievement.

Physicists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will be submitting a paper for peer review.

"This result is a historic step forward for inertial confinement fusion research, opening a fundamentally new regime for exploration and the advancement of our critical national security missions. It is also a testament to the innovation, ingenuity, commitment and grit of this team and the many researchers in this field over the decades who have steadfastly pursued this goal," said Kim Budil, director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

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Virginia family gets keys to Habitat for Humanity's first 3D-printed home in the US

Sara Smart, CNN

Sun December 26, 2021

One Virginia family received the keys to their new 3D-printed home in time for Christmas.

The home is Habitat for Humanity's first 3D-printed home in the nation, according to a Habitat news release.

Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, told CNN it partnered with Alquist, a 3D printing company, earlier this year to begin the process.

The 1,200-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two full baths and was built from concrete.

The technology allowed the home to be built in just 12 hours, which saves about four weeks of construction time for a typical home.

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Feb. 20 2022

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote in October, "our hope is that within the next decade, the metaverse will reach a billion people." But what the heck IS the metaverse? Well, it's complicated, but it will be our new future, so Glenn asks the beginner-level questions: Will we own digital homes? Who will govern the metaverse? How do we protect our rights in the metaverse? Do we need VR goggles? Neuralink? What happens if the metaverse gets into the wrong hands? The answers are both terrifying and thrilling. On this episode of "The Glenn Beck Podcast," Glenn talks to Matthew Ball, co-founder of Ball Metaverse Research Partners and prolific essayist, who focuses on technology, gaming, Disney, crypto, and the future of our world.