Random thoughts:

Finally finished Sean Carroll's "The Big Picture." Tough sledding but so worth it. First part of the book dealt with the current state of physics; the second half tied the underlying physics of the universe to the rise of human consciousness. Amazing work. Nearly as much philosophy as science. Starting to go through it again to solidify my understanding. Wish my brain was young again.

Ryan Lochte: 

"Before he became known as the ultimate symbol of U.S. arrogance, white privilege and the delusion of American exceptionalism, Ryan Lochte seemed like a relatively harmless dudebro who we all forgave for being a douche because he won swim races and has a very symmetrical face. He even seemed to be in on, and playing along with the joke, as much as he was capable of getting it, cameoing as a sex idioton 30 Rock (“I get to play myself…so, it’s not too much acting that I have to do,” he really, no kidding, actually said); reducing TV anchors to tears of laughter over his general confusion about almost everything; trying to copyright a stupid term he didn’t even invent; and being the good-natured butt of parodic skits put on by his own teammates." (Taken from Huffington Post)

Why we insist on making people like this rich and famous is beyond me. (I put the Kardashians in the same category.) What exactly does he contribute to the betterment of our society? Because he swims fast? Seems to me that his contribution to society is overshadowed  by every single nurse (doctor, teacher, scientist) I've ever met.

Louisiana:

"Louisiana is entering recovery mode after devastating flooding killed 13 people and damaged at least 60,000 homes across 20 parishes.

But as Louisana Gov. John Bel Edwards told CNN, that process is "going to take many months." He added that even though this flooding was "unprecedented and historic," many are "just now realizing how significant it was."

The Red Cross said the Louisiana flooding "is likely the worst natural disaster in the United States since 2012's Superstorm Sandy," and response efforts are "expected to cost at least $30 million." (Taken from CT NPR)

Just the beginning of climate change, folks. Add this to the broiling temperatures around the country this summer, the fires in California, the melting of Alaska and its seems obvious that our country and its population are under increasing dire straits.