I have been trying to put my finger on what Trump and the GOP are doing and their motivations - which all seem to destructive to America.
Read the opinion of George Monbiot in the Guardian (March 5). He describes it as “Vengeful Nihilism “ - it perfectly sums up the MAGA cult.

There have been reams of articles written on the mysterious relationship between Trump and Putin. I am sure there are many hidden agendas linking them.
But does all this really boil down to the dying throes of imperialist white supremacy! Strong influences in both countries!

American science is likely to be gutted and vital work lost unless it’s deemed “ideologically” acceptable.
Share your work now with colleagues in China or Europe - where knowledge is more respected and protected. Maybe then it’s not forever lost to humanity!
Or - look for a job there! 🧪

This is not my specialty; but recently did some background on the relationship between fast food (sugar / salt basically) and mood. It seems to be connected with anger and antisocial behavior.
Anybody with more insight on whether Americas slide into extreme politics is thanks to burgers and coke? 🧪

Is anyone able to track the number of top scientists leaving the US? I know many ethnic Chinese professors, and a few non-Chinese have moved to China - some of them our top mathematicians. Are we going to see a massive brain drain over next few years? Like Russia in the 90’s? 🧪

One of the world’s major laser events - Photonics West - starts in San Francisco this week. Bring your own light sabre!

Why does Trump care about birthright citizenship.
A: He doesn’t!
The EO isn’t designed to stop Birthright citizenship. Trump is throwing down the gauntlet to SCOTUS, where it must be challenged. Will they fold yet again and send the message that the US constitution is now worthless!

Trump doesn’t care about your rights, NRA. If HE feels threatened; it’s goodbye 2A! And good riddance!

Trump headline： “With ‘the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House’ to return, gun-safety groups eye state level actions”。
Well- I think this is going to be interesting….
Because it is far more likely the GOP will regulate guns than Dems; as soon as THEY feel threatened!!

America now needs a national world class online library to replace Google/ Wiki and allow all Americans to live in the same “real”world of facts. Curated by actual librarians. A new Library of Congress. Or are we waiting for China to create the world’s most credible online information systems. 🧪

Just finished the book
“Waves in an impossible sea” by Matt Strassler.
The should be required reading for all fresh physics / science students. Wave particle duality is a notoriously difficult concept. This is one of the best introduction/ informal (non-math) conceptual views that I have seen. 🧪

Winter equinox sunrise over Alisan (阿里山）Taiwan。 (If there are any refugees from X - No that is not a space laser! )

Project 2025 will be introduced to Congress late Jan by Republican senators Liza Lotte and Sen. Blaquis Whyte. Oversight will be by the new “krypto kurrency kommission (kkk)”. Whyte will chair: It will be Whyte’s-only responsibility.

@opnmagazine.bsky.social

Great new trilogy coming out next year
“The lord of the Stings”
- part 1 (2025): “Elon and the felon. Let the looting begin”
- Part 2 (2026): “ Elon and the felon ate our lunch, but left us a DOGE bag
- Part 3 (2027): “The DOGE bag revealed. A stake through America’s heart-land”