M Thomas Apple Author Page

Science fiction, actual science, history, and personal ranting about life, the universe, and everything

Dear Diary – November 3, 1997

March 7, 2024
MThomas

There is nothing quite like the feeling sitting in a busy place produces, when it is quiet. The sense of empty vacancy seems more restrictive than if one were crowded, surrounded by should to shoulder hip-grinders.

There is no vibe. There are no walls of personality off which to bounce your own. How else can one tell one is alive?

What I am still not used to is…

March 6, 2024
MThomas

What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.

“Where are you from?”

I never understood why this question might rankle some people…until I moved to Japan.

I’ve been in Japan since 1999. “Where are you from?” was one of the first questions people asked me at the time, when I was teaching in junior and senior high schools.

No problem, I thought. I’m from Upstate.

“I’m from New York.”

Nods of understanding. “Ohhh, the Big Apple.”

Uh, no. Upstate.

“New York is a state?”

🤦‍♂️

Continue Reading

Asking AI to be more like Spock is only, well…

March 4, 2024
MThomas

For one of the models, asking the AI to start its response with the phrases “Captain’s Log, Stardate [insert date here]:.” yielded the most accurate answers.

“Surprisingly, it appears that the model’s proficiency in mathematical reasoning can be enhanced by the expression of an affinity for Star Trek,” the researchers wrote.

https://qz.com/ai-chatbots-math-study-star-trek-1851301719

Today’s quote

March 2, 2024
MThomas

Show me a completely smooth operation and I’ll show you someone who’s covering mistakes. Real boats rock.

Frank Herbert, Chapterhouse: Dune

Another…uh, milestone, I guess?

March 2, 2024
MThomas

I’m not sure why 1,337 is a magical number, but if my readers are happy, then I’m happy.

Thank you, all! I hope to continue to like your posts as well, and hope I can continue to write more ✍️ 💻 📱

Aristotle had something to say about this…

March 1, 2024
MThomas

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

Every choice closes off one path and opens another…

Today’s quote

February 29, 2024
MThomas

Philosophy is always dangerous because it promotes the creation of new ideas.

Frank Herbert, Heretics of Dune

I’m excited to announce my books Approaching Twi-Night and Adam’s Stepsons will be promoted as part of a special sale on @Smashwords to celebrate 2024 Read an Ebook Week from March 3 – March 9. Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my books and many more! #ebookweek24 #Smashwords

Yet another “super-Earth” – maybe with a sibling?

February 28, 2024
MThomas

So, astronomers need to know both mass and diameter to determine whether a planet is truly similar enough to ours to host some form of Earth-like life. If the planet has a low mass and a large radius, it is likely like a so-called mini-Neptune with a gassy atmosphere and little rock. If it has a higher mass but a smaller radius, it’s probably a rocky planet like ours.

The possibility that TOI-715 b is rocky “would be exciting because that supports it being more of a habitable planet versus some sort of other world,” says Moran.

https://www.astronomy.com/science/recently-discovered-super-earth-might-be-habitable/

TOI-715 orbits a red dwarf star around 137 light years away, so we won’t be getting there any time soon. But after finding this planet last year, astronomers also are trying to confirm the existence of another smaller, closer to Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone (i.e., in an orbit that permits liquid water necessary for life to evolve).

And the name of the possibly new “sibling” planet?

“TIC 271971130.02”

Uh. We gotta come up with cooler names, folks.

For starters, they orbit a dwarf star.

Eat a sun a day…

February 26, 2024
MThomas

Astronomers have discovered what may be the brightest object in the universe, a quasar with a black hole at its heart growing so fast that it swallows the equivalent of a sun a day.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/black-hole-devouring-sun-day-may-universes-brightest-object-rcna139507

Have a nice day!

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