Category Archives: YouTube

My favorite YouTube channel?

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I’m an amateur when it comes to video production but I’ve created enough of them over the years to have a sense of how much time and effort even a simple video requires. While the overall quality and professionalism of YouTube videos seems to be going up, few rise to the level of Maxinomics. I don’t recall how I happened on the channel but was immediately impressed by the presenter, Phil Andrews. Some background from Claude:

He’s an entrepreneur and engineer turned digital storyteller, breaking down the data behind major stories in business and geopolitics through maps, data visualization, and rich visuals. Continue reading →

Cataract Surgery

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Next week I have the first of two procedures to remove the cataracts that have finally started affecting my vision. It’s a pretty simple “surgery” that takes about 15 minutes (don’t even have to take my shoes off!)

My ophthalmologist has recommended light adjustable lenses (LALs) which will require a series (three?) UV light adjustments a few weeks following the second surgery. More expensive and more visits but the best option for getting back to near 20-20 vision. Continue reading →

Asimov on robots in 1954

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From Isaac Asimov’s 1954 novel, The Caves of Steel

“Every one of us stands the chance of being out of a job.”
Baley said, “Replace us all? Nuts. The trained men to do it with don’t exist.”
“R’s,” said the Commissioner. “They exist.”
“What?
“R. Sammy is just a beginning. He runs errands. Others can patrol the expressways. Damn it, man, I know the Spacers better than you do, and I know what they’re doing. There are R’s that can do your work and mine. We can be declassified. Don’t think differently. And at our age, to hit the labor pool…

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Almost First Class

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Barb’s iPhone put this little video together. Barb and her friend, Lisa, braved the long lines to fly to Europe overnight. These photos were taken (by someone) in the cabin of a JetBlue plane. According to Claude their seats are in JetBlue Mint, their business class product.

“The seats are lie-flat, converting to a roughly 6’8” bed. The privacy dividers between seats are what you’re seeing in both photos — they can be raised or lowered. The suite-style pods have a sliding door for full privacy on some configurations (the “Mint Suite”), though these look like the standard Mint seats without the door. The cabin has that signature blue mood lighting JetBlue uses — pretty distinctive and instantly recognizable.”

“The transatlantic product is notable because JetBlue positioned Mint as a direct competitor to legacy carrier business class at a significantly lower price point when they launched transatlantic routes (JFK to London, Paris, Amsterdam). The menu in photo 2 appears to say “Transatlantic” on it, and mentions what looks like a Charlie Bird partnership for the food program.”

“Practical details: Mint includes a decent amenity kit, good Wi-Fi (JetBlue’s Fly-Fi has a strong reputation), and the food program has been well-reviewed compared to comparable seats on legacy carriers.”

A few days in Amsterdam then on to Paris. Part of our Die Broke strategy.