Laser technology has taken Benjamin Franklin’s early lightning rod concept to the next level. Experiments conducted on a Swiss mountain have shown that a high-powered laser can influence the trajectory of lightning strikes, potentially leading to the development of laser-based lightning protection systems. This technology could be used to protect sensitive facilities, such as airports and wind farms, from the billions of dollars of damage caused by lightning each year. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
