The longest Lasting Civilizations

(that we know about)

The Maya civilization existed in Central America and the Yucatán Peninsula since at least 1800 B.C. and flourished for thousands of yearsThe Classic period of Mayan culture lasted from 250 A.D. to around 900 A.D. The civilization consisted of more than 40 cities, each with a population between 5,000 and 50,000. The Maya civilization collapsed between A.D. 800 and 1000The Maya were conquered and destroyed by the Spanish invaders in around 1600 A.D. The Maya civilization was never unified and consisted of numerous small states, each centered on a city ruled by a king. Egypt was taken over by Alexanda circa 325 BC so their documented civilization lasted for less than 2,200 years while the Mayans lasted 3,400 yrs!  The Incas seem to receive much attention but their civilization lasted less than 200 years. While they are credited with much it seems to me that they likely inherited most of the amazing developments from earlier civilizations. 

Aliens (Ancient & Current)

I became a fan of Ancient Aliens almost immediately and I remember buying a DVD of the first season so I could watch all of the episodes several times. However, over time I have become disenchanted. If I here “Ancient Allien Theorists say yes” I will scream. In an effort to create more programming content they have the program has ventured off into any area with little or no evidence and considerable speculation. Big Foot – Aliens, Disasters – Aliens, Cults – Aliens, Geniuses – Aliens, Crystal Skulls – Aliens, The Ark of the Covenant – Aliens, Mysterious mountains – Aliens, Child prodigies – Aliens. I could go on but you get the idea. Recently I found a series that is much better and more informative. The name is called “Unidentified” and is available on Roku and Hulu. It contains interviews with credible individuals who have had alien encounters.

My view is that the subject is clear based on overwhelming evidence that we are being visited by Aliens. There are millions of unexplained sightings and thousands or reported abductions from reliable sources. Are they from other planetary systems, other dimensions or time travelers? Or Venus as in the case of Valient Thor? I have no idea but if you can suspend your belief for a few minutes let’s assume that I am correct. What does this mean?

Then our government surely knows quite a bit more than they are telling us and I think that makes sense. If I had access to advanced technology, would I want my adversaries (and likely my allies) to know it? Of course not. Other countries would take the same view. It’s like an alien cover up war and no country knows what the others have. You might think that if that is true then why hasn’t our technology advanced at a faster rate. While some of our advances might be a result of alien tech it might be much more difficult to reverse engineer than we imagine. Let’s say they are only hundreds of years advanced than we are. Go back two hundred years and ask them to reverse engineer a mobile phone. They would not know where to start. Now imagine a technology that is a thousand years ahead or a million.

Where does that leave Seti? Despite loving the movie “Contact” I’ve always thought that Seti was a crazy project. First, we are trying to communicate with “Intelligent Life” when much more intelligent Alien life is already here. Putting that aside, let’s assume what they are searching for is relatively close by (assume 50 light years). The first signals where transmitted in 1984. There are 10 years remaining before they will be received. Their response, if they have the same technology as us, will come to us in 2084. If they are much more advanced, they may show up sooner in person with good or bad intentions?

Despite my criticism of the Ancient Aliens series there are many episodes that stick to the facts and are worth the watch. Almost all that involve Linda Moulton Howe are good. On in particular that I highly recommend is Season 12, episode 9. Linda is an experienced, serious investigative reporter.

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The Future of Driving Is Here: E-Fuels vs. EVs

The Future of Driving Is Here: E-Fuels vs. EVs

Story by José Bossellini

Internal combustion engines, as we know them, maybe are nearing the end of their reign. While they may not completely disappear within the next five to ten years, their use will likely be limited to specific niches.

The automotive industry is transitioning towards electrification, but there’s another promising technology on the horizon: e-fuels. These synthetic fuels offer a potential alternative to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs).

Porsche, a pioneer in the automotive industry, is actively involved in the development of e-fuels. Karl Dums, responsible for this area at Porsche, recognizes the importance of e-fuels as a way to extend the life of internal combustion engines, particularly for iconic models like the 911.

E-fuels are produced using green hydrogen and carbon dioxide extracted from the air. This process allows for the creation of a synthetic gasoline that can be used in existing internal combustion engines without modifications. E-fuels offer a way to reduce emissions while preserving the driving experience associated with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Source: Porsche US.

While electrification is poised to dominate the automotive landscape, e-fuels provide a valuable option for those who want to continue enjoying the thrill of internal combustion engines. The combination of EVs and e-fuels could ensure a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.

In1963 the price of crude oil was $30, as of 20 Sep 2024 it was $72. The price of gas (in Arkansas) was $.30 per gal in 1963 and on Sep 30th, 2024 it was $3.00. So most of the inflation in the price at the pump is due to refining and transportation. Despite that our inflation adjusted fuel cost is comparable to what it was in 1963. The real issue is that we have failed to consider the actual cost of maintaining roads infrastructure and have not taxed fuel enough. As our roads continue to deteriorate our short-term thinking has come to haunt us.