Does AI Know You?

Many people may know about IN THE WEIGHTS already, but if not it's interesting.

If you have an online moniker such as the one you use to leave comments, the site will display a range of AI systems which know you and a very brief summary of what they know, if anything.

The move to nuclear

There is a view, which isn't new, that the Net Zero nonsense here in the UK has always been intended to soften us up for going nuclear. Not very plausible as a conspiracy notion, but quite plausible as a long series of nudges from reality which are finally registering with decision-makers. 

For example -

Great Britain plans 14 mini nuclear power plants for eight million households

Great Britain is to receive a private fleet of new mini nuclear power plants from 2034. SGE SMR UK is planning 14 reactors at three locations for this purpose. The plants are expected to supply a total of 4.2 gigawatts and supply almost eight million households. However, the project can only start once locations, operators, financing and permits have been determined.

Behind the project is SGE from Warsaw. The company belongs to the environment of the Polish entrepreneur Michał Sołowow. GE Vernova Hitachi, Samsung C&T, Laing O'Rourke, Aecon and other partners are also involved. Therefore, it is not a purely state project.

The planned reactors will use BWRX-300 technology. Each unit is expected to produce around 300 megawatts of electrical power. This will create a fleet of 4.2 gigawatts with 14 turbines. However, SGE is focusing on series production so that planning and construction run faster.

The BWRX-300 has already achieved Level 2 of the Generic Design Assessment in the UK. The auditors found no fundamental barriers to safety, security, safeguards or environmental protection. Nevertheless, each specific power plant needs further permits. Location, grid connection and emergency planning also count.

Eco-friendly flats

 

No longer fit for purpose

BBC boss says £180 TV licence fee is no longer fit for purpose

The BBC's new director-general has described the current £180 TV licence fee as "no longer fit for purpose", saying the broadcaster is being held back by a funding model that no longer reflects how people watch television.

Matt Brittin made the comments as he appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as part of its inquiry into the future of the BBC. The former Google executive, who succeeded Tim Davie almost seven weeks ago, said the corporation needed a funding model that matched modern viewing habits while continuing to provide universal and sustainable funding.

On and on it goes, but the phrase "held back" is interesting. Held back from what? Held back from more money presumably, held back by people deciding that BBC quality isn't worth the licence fee.

Yet if the BBC is no longer fit for purpose, then we are bound to ask which purpose Mr Brittin has in mind to ensure BBC survival. We are bound to ask what Mr Brittin has to offer the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in return for survival. That's what must be on the table, however discreetly obscured, human nature tells us it's on the table.

Is impartial reporting and analysis of government policy and activity on the table? Hardly that, to ask the question is to answer it.

Politics - it's just a game

Count Binface given major boost in upcoming clash with Nigel Farage

Defence secretary wishes Count Binface ‘good luck’ in by-election showdown with Farage

Farage vs Count Binface? Parties rule out standing against Nigel in Clacton by-election 'circus'

Count Binface speaks out as he becomes Nigel Farage's sole Clacton by-election challenger

Only Count Binface willing to take on Farage’s ‘fake and pathetic’ by-election

Who is Count Binface? Odds slashed on comedian beating Farage in Clacton

Could Farage lose his seat to Count Binface? By-election descends into farce as everyone except comedy candidate pulls out

Mass sleep deprivation event

Heatwave leaves the UK in grip of a ‘mass sleep deprivation event’

As Britain endures its third heatwave of the summer, up to two thirds of people say they are struggling to sleep during sweltering ‘tropical’ nights.

The latest spell of hot weather could bring highs of up to 35C (95F) by the end of the week and today's temperatures are set to climb above 30C (86F) in southern England.

Amber heat health alerts apply between tomorrow morning and Saturday evening covering all of southern England, East Anglia and the Midlands.

Now a poll by environmental group Greenpeace suggests the country is not only struggling to cope by day but also suffering ‘mass sleep deprivation’ from extremely warm nights.


Ah - it's Greenpeace, enthusiastic promoters of mass reason deprivation events.

Gamble as we say, not as we do

 

Labour to introduce affordability checks for gamblers

Labour is set to forge ahead with financial checks on gambling customers who suffer heavy losses, setting up a clash with bookmakers who oppose the move.

The Gambling Commission is expected to confirm proposals on Tuesday morning to introduce financial risk assessments on online gamblers who lose large sums, including those spending more than £1,000 in a single day.