The ’80s Ruled. We Need These Minerals. Even Prisoners Have Rules. There Better Be Some Restrictions. Life Decisions. Ozzy.
- Quote of the Week: You just got to learn to go with the heat, Rico. It’s just like life. You just gotta keep telling yourself, no matter how hot it gets, sooner or later there’s a cool breeze coming in. – Miami Vice character Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) to his partner, Detective Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas).
A take on my hometown: The ’80s in Miami were different in so many ways. The essence of Miami was and still is unprecedented, so full of hope and opportunity with the right balance of life people strive for today. Sure, the ’80s brought Miami lots of drugs, and the people and banks who controlled all that drug money, but Miami presented diverse socioeconomics that may never be equaled. I miss that era in Miami. I miss the Orange Bowl, Monty’s and the Mutiny in Coconut Grove, the Tamiami Trail, La Carreta in Westchester, Zayre, soccer at Coral Estates Park, Venetian Pool, watching my friend Rocky Echevarria (Steven Bauer) act on Que Pasa, USA? and Scarface, Arbetter’s on Bird Road, and of course South Beach, Virginia Key, and Crandon Park. My friend Robbi, who I grew up with in Southwest Miami, adds the following: Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Doral Country Club, parking and watching planes takeoff and land at Miami International Airport, the unforgettable view from the Rusty Pelican, a beverage at Big Daddy’s, Ralph Renick, and of course, Flipper!
It is difficult for a non-Miamian to understand the mecca of neon lights, the pastel suits, and the rebellious rage that made up the thread of Miami back in the 80’s. For a glimpse and feel of what it was like, watch reruns of the show Miami Vice, the Netflix series Griselda, and the documentary Cocaine Cowboys III. Note: the Miami Vice series celebrated its 40th anniversary last week. Yes, the first episode was FORTY years ago.
At the time, I did not realize how lucky I was to have grown up in Miami – but I do now. Is it just me, or were the 80’s brighter and sunnier than the world we live in today? Here is a quick taste of Miami with an incredible theme song from Miami Vice.
- Yttrium. Erbium. Neodymium. Lithium. Recently you have heard President Trump and other government officials discussing these unique rare-earth minerals. There are many more minerals that the United States have deemed ‘critical,” as they are essential to the national interest as they help build batteries, computer chips, and advanced military gear.
The supply chain feeding the U.S. with these rare-earth minerals is vulnerable at best, with archrival China currently dominating the race. According to Mining Technology Today, China accounts for about 70% of global rare earth ore extraction and 90% of rare earth ore processing. There is massive global competition to control the supply chain of rare-earth minerals as they are a key ingredient with powering modern technologies. China controlling the majority of the world’s rare-earth minerals raises a deep concern for the U.S., especially as technology increasingly necessitates higher volumes and more varieties of these minerals.
Here is a well-done video explaining the importance of rare earth minerals:
- Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms after pleading guilty to the murders of four university students in Idaho. After two years of proclaiming his innocence, Kohberger finally pleaded guilty to the four homicides, and by doing so saved himself from the death penalty. His heinous act put him in prison for the rest of his life, a sentence that I hope results in total misery and despair for this very cruel human.
I wonder what the over/under is for how long Kohberger stays alive in prison. Even prisoners have rules, and I highly doubt they want to be in the presence of this maniac. For one, I would be surprised if he lasts past Thanksgiving.
- Over the last two years, I have posted information about artificial intelligence (AI), specifically its use in the fields of education and healthcare. Nobel Prize recipient Geoffrey Hinton points out the virtues of AI, but in his acceptance speech, reveals his deep concern with AI’s use and governance. Here is one glaring concern: Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using digital media, reports that “70% of teens have used AI companions on a regular basis.“
Geoffrey Hinton’s sentence “an existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that are more intelligent than ourselves” is enough to make your skin crawl.
Question of the Week: There was a good response to this week’s Question of the Week: What is your favorite board game? I assumed everyone enjoyed board games? See below 🙂
- Monopoly
- Growing up, board games were a huge part of my life and still is. Always love a game of Yahtzee and Tie One On.
- Great question and playing many board games since childhood…Monopoly was my all time favorite until my number one pick(drum roll) is…Trivial Pursuit.
- Two votes for Scrabble.
- Marbles. It’s a board game I hadn’t played until last year.
- If I see a board game come out, color me out the nearest exit…
- Shots and Ladders.
- I’m a puzzle person. I love putting together puzzles as a family activity.
Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Which life decision you made has been the most impactful? (Career, where you live, to have kids, life partner, etc.)
Pure Talent. Just two weeks after his last performance, legendary heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne passed away last week at the age of seventy-six. I did not like all his music, but some of his songs are legendary, including the mega-hit Crazy Train. His July 5th concert, “Back to the Beginning,” was headlined by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Alice In Chains, along with many others, and raised more than $190 million for several charities. Obviously, Ozzy’s music did not resonate with everyone, but within the scope of heavy metal, he was Pure Talent. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.
Note: Last week, we also lost Hulk Hogan, two-time Grammy award-winner Chuck Mangione, and George Kooymans. Kooymans was a founder of the band Golden Earring. If you are driving your car, and the song Radar Love comes on your radio, you better check your speed because there is a direct correlation with that song and a heavy foot on the accelerator.
These young percussionists gave it their best shot with this performance of Crazy Train. Ozzy’s interaction with the kids after their performance is fantastic. I do not remember music class being this cool when I was in school.