Higgenbotham's Dark Age Hovel

[FullMoon]

They've shown UV does good work on plastic. Plus just consider time scale. They'll be gone quickly. Probably faster than these crazy war mongering people.

[Higgenbotham]

“If we have these contaminants in our rainwater they’re getting into our groundwater,” Brahney said. “They’re infiltrating our soils. Every organism is interacting with rainwater.”

Ultimately, what all of this research reveals is that the planet is dirty, even if the filth can be hard to see. These chemicals are in the rain because they’re abundant in the environment — and they’re in the environment because they’re in the rain. And while there’s ongoing research, we don’t yet fully understand how those pollutants impact our bodies and our ecosystems. We just know they’ll be around for a very, very long time.

“To be honest, I cry, because there’s no walking this back,” Brahney said of microplastic pollution. “These particles don’t break down at a time scale that would be relevant. So yeah, we’re not escaping that.”

https://www.vox.com/climate/401600/pfas ... ution-rain

I suspect about 80 years from now there will be a subgroup of humans somewhere that will measure decreasing levels of microplastics in the bodies of their children versus the previous generation. That's about as optimistic as I can get.

[FullMoon]

For me, the more pressing issue is the population drop scenario. If such a sizeable percentage doesn't make it until plastics really are known to be dangerous, that sizeable number includes me and my family. The difficulties we'll face will make just making through dwarf any environmental concerns. I taught English abroad to students who came from pretty bad poverty. They always chose economic growth over environmental concerns because they were afraid of the effects of poverty more than the pollution economic growth brought. As an American, I found it astounding because even back then environmental protection was an important consideration. But not for them. Surviving and trying to rebuild will probably change perspectives quickly.even though we're infested with toxic plastics.

[Higgenbotham]

American workers are stuck in an 'infinite workday,' according to Microsoft report: 'People are feeling very burnt out'

Story by Sophie Caldwell • 9h • 3 min read

If you've ever complained that the modern workday is unending, you may be right.

According to a new report from Microsoft, employees are now experiencing an "infinite workday" of constant emails, meetings and notifications. They check their emails as early as 6 a.m., juggle meetings through the afternoon and then stay online well into the night.

Simply put, "it's a very long day," says Alexia Cambon, senior research director at Microsoft.

Beyond the extended hours, workers are beset with notifications. According to Microsoft's data, employees are interrupted every two minutes by meetings, emails or messages, and receive an average of 117 emails and 153 Teams messages each workday.

As a result, people are feeling overwhelmed: 48% of employees and 52% of leaders reported that work feels "chaotic and fragmented" in Microsoft's Work Trend Index survey, and 80% of global workers said they lack sufficient time and energy to do their work.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers ... 200c&ei=12

[Higgenbotham]

Also, I think that once the numbers of births start to decline, that is the point at which the rate of physical expansion of the civilization also starts to slow down and, therefore, traditional male activities like building infrastructure begin to decline and the civilization enters into a maintenance phase before the inevitable decline. The mix of jobs begins to change and women are able to better do many of the jobs that become prominent during the maintenance and decline phase (like health care and education, which really just serve to milk out the surplus of the civilization before it collapses). This shift in the job mix has the effect of accelerating the decline (further reducing births and the effects that result from the further reduction in births).

Some interesting related details in this recent news article:

The Research Triangle is one of the many places across the US that has doubled down on higher education and health care institutions — often dubbed the “eds and meds” approach — as a way to drive economic growth.

Duke University, which between its university and health system employs some 50,000 people, is the second largest private-sector employer in the state. It’s seeking to slash $350 million in spending to prepare for federal funding cuts, the threat of fewer international students and a potential endowment tax.

The job cuts announced in and around the Research Triangle related to federal funding so far aren’t large enough to throw the region’s economy off course, said Matthew Martin, a regional executive at the Richmond Fed.

The area’s richness in biopharmaceuticals, global health, research “didn’t happen by accident,” San Martin said. “That was the result of decades of consistent investment by the US government in these important areas.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets ... 8e39&ei=13

[Higgenbotham]

For me, the more pressing issue is the population drop scenario. If such a sizeable percentage doesn't make it until plastics really are known to be dangerous, that sizeable number includes me and my family. The difficulties we'll face will make just making through dwarf any environmental concerns. I taught English abroad to students who came from pretty bad poverty. They always chose economic growth over environmental concerns because they were afraid of the effects of poverty more than the pollution economic growth brought. As an American, I found it astounding because even back then environmental protection was an important consideration. But not for them. Surviving and trying to rebuild will probably change perspectives quickly.even though we're infested with toxic plastics.

That reminds me of this post:

HEB is the top grocery chain in Texas by market share. About 15 years ago, the local HEB opened a wellness section and put a manager in charge of it. She didn't seem to have much to do. One day we had a discussion about GMO and after that I thought to ask her something that would give me some insight into current conditions (at that time). I asked her when people get concerned about the issues she was discussing, when do they seek you out and talk to you. I remember her answer clear as a bell: "When they get sick."

How seriously people will take environmental issues will be in proportion to how sick they get from the pollution. With, let's say, 15% of young couples currently experiencing infertility, that would have to increase a lot before people get concerned. First, and I think I heard whispers of this a few weeks ago, there will be talk of increasing funding for ART like IVF.

Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization
The White House
February 18, 2025

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Today, many hopeful couples dream of starting a family, but as many as one in seven are unable to conceive a child. Despite their hopes and efforts, infertility struggles can make conception difficult, turning what should be a joyful experience into an emotional and financial struggle. My Administration recognizes the importance of family formation, and as a Nation, our public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) offers hope to men and women experiencing fertility challenges. Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000. Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.

Therefore, to support American families, it is the policy of my Administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential ... ilization/

When that fails to work or gets too expensive for the majority, then people will get concerned. Same for any other health related problem.

I've speculated that will be around 2045, though, like I said, it's really going out on a limb to try to give a year or level of severity. All I can really say is things will get worse before they get better.

Fourth generation: (born around 2045 plus or minus a few more years) Now really going out on a limb. Transgenerational effects in the mainstream American culture are now so severe that fertility and lifespan are affected to the point that it is evident mainstream culture is no longer viable. In most cases, disorders are so severe as to be irreversible and in many cases untreatable.

Life during the coming dark age will be similar to the last dark age but worse due to environmental damage and pollution.

Certainly, the Microsoft study 2 posts above shows that virtually no American worker has time to thoroughly educate themselves on environmental issues even if they want to.