Daily Tech News 10 February 2026

Top Story

Get your ass to the Moon. (Ars Technica)

It may be a harsh mistress, but it's a lot closer to the shops.

SpaceX is refocusing on lunar colonies as a short-term goal, and strip-mining the surface and feeding raw materials into railgun launch systems to provide the resources for the company's planned cloud of orbital datacenters and/or inconveniencing pesky bureaucrats on their holidays.

SpaceX didn't mention any such thing, of course, but Eric Berger has read the classics.

Tech News

Intel's Nova Lake platform will support up to 48 PCIe lanes. (Tom's Hardware)

That's 16 PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU for slots and 8 for storage, plus up to 12 PCIe 5.0 and 12 PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset. Given that even an RTX 5090 is barely slowed down by only having 4 lanes of PCIe 5.0 available, that's a pretty healthy number.

And 8 SATA ports and approximately 40 USB ports.

There are five different chipsets planned, though the W980 offers pretty much everything including support for ECC memory... Which is not a chipset function but a CPU one, but something Intel likes to do.
Linux 7.0 is almost here. (Tom's Hardware)

It's one louder.

Canonical hopes to ship it in Ubuntu 26.04 in April, which is cutting it pretty close. But that's a long-term release and perhaps they'd rather have the very latest kernel in a version they will be supporting for a decade.
GitHub fell over. (GitHub Status)

Because reasons.
Nope. (BBC)
The company [Rilla> has become something of a poster child for a fast-paced workplace culture known as 996, also sometimes referred to as hustle culture or grindcore.

In simple terms, it puts a premium on long working hours, typically 9am to 9pm, six days a week (hence "996").

For most of us, that would be gruelling. But according to Will Gao, head of growth at Rilla, its 120 employees simply don't see it that way.
When the "head of growth" says employees don't see it that way, you can take it to the bank that they absolutely do.
"We look for people who are like Olympian athletes, with characteristics of, you know, obsession, infinite ambition.
Galley slaves.
He insists that while the hours are generally long, there's no rigid structure.

"If I'm like, 'Holy cow, I have a super idea I'm working on', then I'll just keep working until 2 or 3am, then I'll just roll in the next day at noon or something", he explains.
Nope.

I have to work weird hours sometimes. Comes with the job.

But I have a rule that when I do need to work late, I don't clock in again for twelve hours, minimum.
You'll need to verify your age on Discord by uploading government-issued photo ID if... You want to see porn. (The Verge) (archive site)

Didn't Discord already get hacked and leak a whole bunch of ID documents?

Why, yes. I do believe it did. (Ars Technica)

Also, who the hell watches porn on Discord? That's what Twitter is for.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Don't you know there are towns going hungry in Antarctica?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Morning all

Posted by: Tuna at February 10, 2026 04:02 AM (lJ0H4)

2 !!

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:02 AM (4nyld)

3 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at February 10, 2026 04:05 AM (Ia/+0)

4 Going to be 71 today in Nashville land. Maybe a little rain. The tree trimming services have been making bank here in my area. That miserable sleet and ice storm we had damaged or destroyed so many trees here.

Posted by: Tuna at February 10, 2026 04:06 AM (lJ0H4)

5 In simple terms, it puts a premium on long working hours, typically 9am to 9pm, six days a week (hence "996").

"Code well, 42, and live."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 04:08 AM (ufSfZ)

6 NYC meet Japan. 996 vs salaryman. Not a good way to die.

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:09 AM (4nyld)

7 MP4,
Don't you retire tomorrow or do I have my dates wrong?

Posted by: Tuna at February 10, 2026 04:10 AM (lJ0H4)

8 Morning, 'rons and 'ronettes. 16 bitter degrees here at Stately Poppins Manor. 1-3 inches (probably more) of "wintry mix" expected tonight. Not something I care for.

What I do care for is that tomorrow is my last day working. I've got the usual 2+ hours of work waiting for me right now, so I will get to that and be back in a while. I would love to clock out early today, but I doubt that will happen.

Talk to you all later.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 04:11 AM (ufSfZ)

9 The moon and then Mars is what the Boring Company is for. And the moon, because it is not in earth's magnetosphere, might be a better launch platform for Mars missions.

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:13 AM (4nyld)

10 Will the people behind Git ever acknowledge it is headed for the bottom of the drain?

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:16 AM (4nyld)

11 "996"? Damn. I though my previous employer was slave-driving at four 12's plus an extra 12 every other week...

At least we got overtime after 40hrs per week.

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 04:17 AM (rdVOm)

12 Rejoinder: And?

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:20 AM (4nyld)

13 Congrats on your upcoming retirement, MP4! Hope you get to leave early after all.

WooHoo!

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 04:26 AM (rdVOm)

14 Before retirement, I worked as many hours as was needed to do a job..Might get called at 2 am and work until noon, simply took the next day off. Or traveled all day and up early to get to the work place and worked all day and then flew home. If I worked in a unionized place this would never happen. That was just the way it was and I didn't bitch. Did get free coffee and treats like donuts and endless brownies and cookies though.

Posted by: Colin at February 10, 2026 04:27 AM (e8qy3)

15 I worked a riverboat casino for a while. 6pm to 6am, 4 days on and 4 days off. Just short of 80 hours one paycheck and then overtime the next. Balanced out nicely. Too bad the management sucked.

Posted by: clarence at February 10, 2026 04:28 AM (4nyld)

16 Phone says 16 degrees, wife calls the deck thermometer at 19. Supposedly getting above freezing todat

Posted by: Skip at February 10, 2026 04:28 AM (Ia/+0)

17 The unions tried again and again, to trick us into a card-check takeover. LOL. F them.

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 04:29 AM (rdVOm)

18 One reason begged off retirement, other than I like to eat, was that night job was supposed to be going on in November but company bailed ouut of it. It was tough to do but pay was very nice.

Posted by: Skip at February 10, 2026 04:41 AM (Ia/+0)

19 Belated BOING in mid-exercise!

Maybe 8r.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 10, 2026 04:46 AM (Hbs7G)

20 Get your ass to the Moon.
-

So... asstronaut?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 10, 2026 04:46 AM (Hbs7G)

21 One reason begged off retirement, other than I like to eat, was that night job was supposed to be going on in November but company bailed ouut of it. It was tough to do but pay was very nice.
Posted by: Skip

I put off retirement for so many years. I should have done it sooner. It certainly would have made taking care of my husband much easier but I found it hard to walk away from the good health insurance and other benefits.

Posted by: Tuna at February 10, 2026 04:47 AM (lJ0H4)

22 "who the hell watches porn on Discord? That's what Twitter is for"

What search terms would you use for this? None of mine work so I'm beginning to doubt it's possible.

Prove me wrong.

Posted by: purely an academic question at February 10, 2026 04:48 AM (F/35S)

23 29 going 40 today, we do need rain here.

Posted by: Accomack at February 10, 2026 04:50 AM (T8bqm)

24 996 is a mainland Chinese thing. It is how Chinese companies connected to the CCP manage to avoid hiring more people.

It goes along with paying very little, hiring only the connected and overqualified, and asking for headshots and body pictures of both women and men.

(For reasons totally unconnected to sexual harassment, of course.)

Posted by: Suburbanbanshee at February 10, 2026 04:53 AM (p2GXS)

25 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 10, 2026 04:54 AM (sAmhv)

26 The Toms Hardware link to the Linux 7 article didn't quite work. The (.com) wasn't there. I added it and just searched for the article. Gaming and pron drives tech. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The article didn't mention pron. But, you know....

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 10, 2026 04:59 AM (sAmhv)

27 >>>Also, who the hell watches porn on Discord? That's what Twitter is for.

There's internet in the porn?

Posted by: Alexandr Solzhenitsyn at February 10, 2026 05:12 AM (dK+Kv)

28 Oops. A space crept in and broke the link. Fixed!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 10, 2026 05:12 AM (BLOW1)

29 "Dinner in the lab." I had a colleague that said "Maybe they can control when I leave work, but control when I arrive."

Posted by: no one of any consequence at February 10, 2026 05:12 AM (qFwJc)

30 "I control when I arrive."

Posted by: no one of any consequence at February 10, 2026 05:17 AM (qFwJc)

31 Catholic Bishops in Cuba discussing the oil sanctions against the country.

https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cuban-bishops-warn
-oil-sanctions-could-deepen-hardship-and-unrest

Because, by talking, men can understand each other. And whenever there is good will, it is possible to find ways to solve conflicts and seek the triumph of truth and goodness, of justice, love and freedom.

Tell me something gentlemen: Where is this peace love and understanding from the government that has been grinding the nation and its people down for decades?

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 05:22 AM (jjoN6)

32 Evening and morning, AoSHQ people who will never submit to being galley slaves! Tiu's Day again, innit?

I would have always resented an employer who wanted me to work more than the standard forty in a week. At the courier company from time to time, they would offer me the opportunity to "pull a double," i.e., to drive another six- to eight-hour delivery or pickup shift after I'd already worn myself to a frazzle with my own route. "OT, man!" "No thanks, man."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:25 AM (wzUl9)

33 We look for people who are like Olympian athletes, with characteristics of, you know, obsession, infinite ambition.

This man speaks words of wisdom that counters that line of thought:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6x6oLEqqZc

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 05:25 AM (jjoN6)

34 Morning Horde. Day 3 of a miserable cold, that said we're flying out today to pick up our new beagle puppy. I hope I can make it through the flight without being quarantined by the airline for trying to cough up a lung. Bad timing on my part to be sick.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at February 10, 2026 05:26 AM (2NHgQ)

35 31 Catholic Bishops in Cuba discussing the oil sanctions against the country.

https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cuban-bishops-warn
-oil-sanctions-could-deepen-hardship-and-unrest

Because, by talking, men can understand each other. And whenever there is good will, it is possible to find ways to solve conflicts and seek the triumph of truth and goodness, of justice, love and freedom.

Tell me something gentlemen: Where is this peace love and understanding from the government that has been grinding the nation and its people down for decades?
Posted by: NR Pax

The answer to that would expose the Bishops hypocricy.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 10, 2026 05:26 AM (sAmhv)

36 Pixy, the home page is having issues loading on Brave on iOS and iPadOS, unless I turn JavaScript off. It works fine in Safari on the same device with JavaScript enabled. Brave on the Mac also doesn't have any issues. The article pages also load completely with JS enabled, once I get the link.

I haven't found the developer console in Brave on the device, so I'm not sure which file or files are causing the issue.

All of the devices are running iOS/ipados 26.2.1 or MacOS 26.2.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at February 10, 2026 05:26 AM (S/Y4j)

37 Doctor and man of fairh near Chicago explains Isaiah 41:13
There is a summary but you can just go to the video at bottom if you have an interest:

https://tinyurl.com/mppzbv53

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 05:28 AM (Nx5jP)

38 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at February 10, 2026 05:28 AM (Cjt/F)

39 Linux 7.0 is almost here

"It's got a 12 on the box"

Posted by: Name that movie at February 10, 2026 05:29 AM (56/oC)

40 I've been working 12 hours shifts for years now. It's about as good a schedule you can have with 12 hours shifts. 3 on-3 off, 4 on-4 off. It comes to an 84 hour in a 2 week pay period. The beltway bandit I work for won't pay that 4 hours(anything over 80), so sometime in that 2 week pay period, I take 4 hours off. Usually coming in late or leaving early. Must appease the accounting weasals!

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 10, 2026 05:29 AM (sAmhv)

41 Mornin' Wolfus!

Yeah, OT pay is for the young 'uns... I was young once, and hungry... LOL.

Boss, can I skip the first 40 regular pay, and just work the time-and-a-half? Hahaha.

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 05:31 AM (rdVOm)

42 Anyway! Congratulations to MP4 on his Retirement Eve.

I put off retirement for so many years. I should have done it sooner. It certainly would have made taking care of my husband much easier but I found it hard to walk away from the good health insurance and other benefits.
Posted by: Tuna at February 10, 2026

***
Kind of the same here, plus I was waiting for the projected monthly payout from my employer-sponsored IRA to reach a certain point. If I had known to take it and roll it all over into another IRA setup, as I have done (thanks, Notsothoreau!), I could have reached that point a lot sooner.

I stuck with work into the Sniffle Scare period because I *thought* I'd lose the IRA if I were fired. Then I actually spoke to them on the phone -- and they told me it was mine no matter how I separated from my job. That gave me the courage to prepare to get fired if my request for exemption from the mandated clot shot was refused.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:31 AM (wzUl9)

43 The answer to that would expose the Bishops hypocricy.
Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come

Or they don't want to be martyred for speaking out. I've tried to get straight answers from the folks that claim the US is responsible for Cuba's misery on why they think that. The US is the only one with sanctions so other countries can do business with them. They could have had a better standard of living if enough help from the outside came in.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 05:31 AM (jjoN6)

44 Must appease the accounting weasals!
Posted by: Puddleglum
-------

Bean-counters über alles. *spit*

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 05:34 AM (rdVOm)

45 Speaking of retirement, I'm still waiting for Fidelity Investments to send me the paperwork for the pension deal that courier company set up for me long ago. I got in touch with them late in Nov.; they said I'd see papers in Jan.; I called late last month and was told they are still "calculating" it, and to call in mid-Feb. if I haven't seen anything.

It's been sitting there since 1987. I hope it's grown a bit into something worthwhile.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:36 AM (wzUl9)

46 Yikes, it's bedtime.

Good night, all!

Posted by: JQ at February 10, 2026 05:37 AM (rdVOm)

47 >>>I would have always resented an employer who wanted me to work more than the standard forty in a week. At the courier company from time to time, they would offer me the opportunity to "pull a double," i.e., to drive another six- to eight-hour delivery or pickup shift after I'd already worn myself to a frazzle with my own route. "OT, man!" "No thanks, man."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

>I watch co-workers commit to 60 hours a week, who then begin losing their minds, and hate me because I call them slaves. They're committed because they've racked up so much debt, they can't survive without the OT.

No thanks is right. It's called quality of life.

These people spend more time with their work peers than their wife and children.

Voluntary slavery is still slavery.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 10, 2026 05:39 AM (xFfhU)

48 As long as you pay me, I will work the required hours to get the job done.

Back in the day, we had to get 18 Avid Online rooms up and running to service a huge project we had won, four of us worked around the clock for two weeks.

But working that way long term, regardless of what you are being paid is a guarantee for burnout, anger and job seeking and loss of talent.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 10, 2026 05:39 AM (XV/Pl)

49 The furry thugs are capering about, waiting for their breakfast. Miss Linda actually lifted Dagny into my cushion-padded lap last evening, and the little Siberian actually stayed for petting for some ten minutes. Plus big Stirling did *not* wake me today by leaping over me in bed and kicking my ribs. This might be a pretty good day.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:41 AM (wzUl9)

50 Good night, JQ.

Upon reflection: If a company is just getting started, long hours are the norm. I saw a Twitter post from a guy starting up his own company basically saying "If you say work/life balance, then you aren't a good fit for this company."

I'll stick to my normal hours and seeing my wife and dogs on a regular basis, thankyouverymuch.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 05:41 AM (jjoN6)

51 @49

>>This might be a pretty good day.

You touched the money, you never touch the money.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 10, 2026 05:42 AM (XV/Pl)

52 No thanks is right. It's called quality of life.

These people spend more time with their work peers than their wife and children.

Voluntary slavery is still slavery.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 10, 2026

***
Not to mention it would have been dangerous for me to drive another six or eight hours. At the end of a shift, especially if it's a hot day (and we did not have A/C in those vans), your "raveled sleeve of care" needs knitting up. I could just imagine myself making a mistake out of weariness, driving in city traffic, and getting in an accident.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:44 AM (wzUl9)

53 Mornin' Horde. Now to catch up with the content and the comments.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 05:45 AM (O7YUW)

54 "It's one louder."

None. None more black.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 05:45 AM (O7YUW)

55 Father and daughter sing a lovely Christian song, " "Only Hope". From Faith Pot site:

https://tinyurl.com/59efz3pt

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 05:45 AM (rZCVI)

56 >>This might be a pretty good day.

You touched the money, you never touch the money.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 10, 2026

***
Most of the time I'm much more likely to say, "This is NOT going to be a good day." Lemme have my little pleasures!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:46 AM (wzUl9)

57 Good morning! Beautiful weather here with highs in the mid 70s and lotsa sunshine. Had to mow the damn lawn yesterday. Gonna start spring landscaping this weekend by cleaning up around the pond and getting a 'dosing' system put in. Then next week, we're gonna start prepping the beds for planting. Unfortunately, nothing goes in until the first week or two of march. Oh, and I still need a couple of tons of stone to finish the landscape for the side of the house and to fill in an area in the back for a storage shed.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 10, 2026 05:46 AM (3Ope8)

58 57 to 60 F. here, high humidity but almost no wind. Good workout conditions, and I skipped yesterday, so I need to go today.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 10, 2026 05:47 AM (wzUl9)

59 Snappy tune this morning from Big Pig. Reminds me of the same vibe/beat from Jame Brown as a preacher in the Blues Brothers:

https://youtu.be/J0TEagjwEbQ

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 05:50 AM (O7YUW)

60 Voluntary slavery is still slavery.

Even though this job is probably the best I've ever had, allows me to work at home and keeps me isolated from other people, I still am glad to lay it all down at age 62. I'm hoping for a good 10-20 years of doing just what I want, but who knows?

As the old saying goes, nobody on their deathbed wishes they'd spent more time at the office.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 05:51 AM (ufSfZ)

61 Yesterday's "God incident." I met a woman at the supermarket and she told me she works in the memory care unit of a senior care center. She usually wears a flower in her hair, and even if they don't recall who she is , many remark on the color of the flower and like it.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 05:51 AM (rZCVI)

62 Also Big Pig gave us "I Can't Break Away" from the Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure soundtrack:

https://youtu.be/GJpuE-ABtCs

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 05:51 AM (O7YUW)

63 @49/Wolfus:

At least Stirling isn't jumping up on the bed and kicking you repeatedly like this cat does to a door:

https://youtu.be/75y-fIrvkow?t=9

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 05:53 AM (O7YUW)

64 Oh, yes, while I was at the market I got some money from the little bank machine at the store. In a moment of abstraction. I wandered out and forgot about it. When I came back to the machine it was still there, so I am grateful for either the honesty or the inattention of the folks there.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 05:55 AM (rZCVI)

65
SpaceX is refocusing on lunar colonies as a short-term goal, and strip-mining the surface and feeding raw materials into railgun launch systems to provide the resources for the company's planned cloud of orbital datacenters and/or inconveniencing pesky bureaucrats on their holidays.

The EU will promptly levy fines for violating EU regulations.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 05:58 AM (tgvbd)

66 I am in awe of what Elon Musk has been able to accomplish, but what I'm reading is that Mars is almost an impossible leap. Muscles atrophy, cosmic rays, no Chinese takeout...

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 05:59 AM (zbs0v)

67 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at February 10, 2026 05:59 AM (AN2gy)

68 66 I am in awe of what Elon Musk has been able to accomplish, but what I'm reading is that Mars is almost an impossible leap. Muscles atrophy, cosmic rays, no Chinese takeout...
Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 05:59 AM (zbs0v)

It's no place to raise your kids.

Posted by: Bernie Taupin at February 10, 2026 06:00 AM (1U+Qc)

69 @39/Name that movie: "It's got a 12 on the box"

TRON: Legacy

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 06:00 AM (O7YUW)

70 >>> What I do care for is that tomorrow is my last day working.

Congratulations, MP4!

Posted by: fluffy at February 10, 2026 06:01 AM (AN2gy)

71
It's no place to raise your kids.
Posted by: Bernie Taupin at February 10, 2026 06:00 AM (1U+Qc)

Junk vehicles littering the landscape.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:01 AM (tgvbd)

72 mornin yall. 40 hours?? Luxury! When I started my first business we would have wept for 80 hours and overtime. As it was, I got paid for the first 20 hours over 100, and we liked it!

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:02 AM (vFG9F)

73 @166

>> but what I'm reading is that Mars is almost an impossible leap. Muscles atrophy, cosmic rays, no Chinese takeout...

There will never be a colony on Mars, at the most, perhaps a couple of astronauts will be sent on a suicide mission but that’s about it.

And probably not even that.

You first have to demonstrate you can get something to the planet, get it to the surface, get it back to orbit, get it back to earth.

Barring seeing that first step, it’s all masturbation.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 10, 2026 06:04 AM (XV/Pl)

74
There will never be a colony on Mars, at the most, perhaps a couple of astronauts will be sent on a suicide mission but that’s about it.

Strange to say, there's no shortage of people willing to make a one-way trip to Mars.

I don't know if it's true, but once I was told the reason that the English colonization of America was a success and the French a failure was that the English knew they would not be returning.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:09 AM (tgvbd)

75 71
It's no place to raise your kids.
Posted by: Bernie Taupin at February 10, 2026 06:00 AM (1U+Qc)

Junk vehicles littering the landscape.
Posted by: Hadrian theision Sim leventh at February 10, 2026 06:

----

Speaking of junk, there's talk about the Kessler syndrome: a catastrophic collision of satellites low earth orbit. That has a domino effect, which damages others satellites, eventually creating so much space junk that we're trapped your earth.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:09 AM (ScJiX)

76 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at February 10, 2026 06:11 AM (2Ez/1)

77 Mars bad, Mars cold. Mars dangerous! No sushi on Mars! Stay away! Stay Away!

Posted by: The Greater Barsoom Council of Jeddaks at February 10, 2026 06:13 AM (1U+Qc)

78 @65/Hadrian the Seventh: "The EU will promptly levy fines for violating EU regulations."

Trying to fine an extra-planetary entity that has giant rail guns it can express its displeasure with definitely ranks as "a bold plan".

The EU will find out, "It's not a war crime the first time."

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 10, 2026 06:14 AM (O7YUW)

79 70 >>> What I do care for is that tomorrow is my last day working.

Congratulations, MP4!
Posted by: fluffy at February 10, 2026 06:01 AM (AN2gy)

---

Congratulations! Free time is nice, but you'll probably want to have a purpose as well.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:16 AM (ScJiX)

80 >>>When I started my first business we would have wept for 80 hours and overtime. As it was, I got paid for the first 20 hours over 100, and we liked it!

Posted by: fd

>Ah. Precisely. Gotta start young. I wish I had someone in my youth to advise me to start my own business. Working for others and corporations for over 40 hours is foolish, unless you're up to your ass in debt.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 10, 2026 06:18 AM (xFfhU)

81 You never know the technology humanity can come up with in the future to make space travel easier.

I'm not convinced, for example, that we won't achieve some kind of anti-gravity tech in the future.

If the rumors of the U.S., and other countries, having recovered alien craft are true, then we may already have the head start once we can figure out an energy source.

With some of these videos that have been released over the past ten years, it's apparent that somebody has this kind of technology, even if it's Russians, Americans, Chinese, or Aliens. Which means it's not only possible, but only a matter of time in finding a breakthrough and producing a vehicle.

Humanity will not survive as a one-planet species.
Eventually something will happen to end Earth's habitability, even if it means waiting several billion years for the Sun to expand and turn the planet into a burnt husk of an iron core.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 06:19 AM (6ydKt)

82 Two murderers escaped from a local jail. One is described as 5-foot-8 inches tall and 150 pounds with untwisted dreads. He has multiple face tattoos, including a dollar sign, a broken heart and the words "Baby Kay."

The sheriff's office has not said how the men escaped or whether they consider them a danger to the public.

I'm sure it will be fine.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:19 AM (vFG9F)

83
Congratulations! Free time is nice, but you'll probably want to have a purpose as well.
Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:16 AM (ScJiX)

Yes, this is important. Have an engaging hobby, volunteer, work around the house, things like that. Keep your mind and body active.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:20 AM (tgvbd)

84
Mary Kay >>>> Baby Kay

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:21 AM (tgvbd)

85 "Gotta start young."

And hungry. I don't know if I could do it again at this age, but I'm not that hungry anymore.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:21 AM (vFG9F)

86 MP4 I don't think it's good to be away from people so much. I will retire in June, but currently also volunteer at a nursing home to do Bible studies and a monthly worship service. The senior center is always having various programs for the Seniors. Perhaps you can find some way to show silent movie clips and talk about them. The older folks would really appreciate that.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 06:21 AM (PFs9e)

87 “ In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.”

Isaiah 16:5

Posted by: Marcus T at February 10, 2026 06:21 AM (pqVDs)

88 MP4, I'm happy to hear that your last day is tomorrow. Hope it helps you.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 06:22 AM (jjoN6)

89 Congratulations! Free time is nice, but you'll probably want to have a purpose as well.
Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:16 AM (ScJiX)

Yes, this is important. Have an engaging hobby, volunteer, work around the house, things like that. Keep your mind and body active.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:20 AM (tgvbd)

Thank you! I have plans - the first is to finish my novel, and then, when the warm weather comes, there are a number of house projects that need to be done, including finishing up the attic into a proper writer's den.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 06:23 AM (ufSfZ)

90
And hungry. I don't know if I could do it again at this age, but I'm not that hungry anymore.
Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:21 AM (vFG9F)

I remember reading something like when you're young you succeed by never delegating anything you can do yourself and when you're older you succeed by never doing anything you can delegate to someone else.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:24 AM (tgvbd)

91 "I don't think it's good to be away from people so much. "

Different strokes. When my retirement is complete you will need a 4wd vehicle just to get to the swamp I will be on the other side of.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:24 AM (vFG9F)

92 When my retirement is complete you will need a 4wd vehicle just to get to the swamp I will be on the other side of.

"A couple of acres and a clear field of fire."

Posted by: NR Pax at February 10, 2026 06:25 AM (jjoN6)

93 Good morning from the NC foothills. 31 degrees and predicted to be sunny and maybe 70 today. I am very excited to see the last of the snow and ice go away. Wishing everyone a great day.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at February 10, 2026 06:25 AM (dAjAs)

94 I found this an interesting article about medieval Augustinian monks and their green thumb miracles . From " Good News Network" site:

https://tinyurl.com/25ujh3an

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 06:25 AM (PFs9e)

95 >> Eventually something will happen to end Earth's habitability

We mammals have maybe 250 million years left before Erf becomes uninhabitable for us. Complex life, 800 million, maybe a billion more years before the Sun's luminosity gets too great. Nothing by prokaryotes for a while after that.

All sorts of things can happen before then. Figure about 20,000 years until the odds of some big extinction or near extinction level event. This includes asteroid impacts, supervolcano eruptions, gamma ray bursts, and all the ELE type things that can happen.

20K years and odds are something big will have happened.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:26 AM (w6EFb)

96 Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:24 AM (vFG9F)

Of course. I do know extreme isolation is not good for some people, especially those who have problems with chronic depression.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 10, 2026 06:27 AM (PFs9e)

97 I had an idea for a Canadian rapper that raps in his native language. Bad Beaver.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:30 AM (vFG9F)

98 Two murderers escaped from a local jail. One is described as 5-foot-8 inches tall and 150 pounds with untwisted dreads. He has multiple face tattoos, including a dollar sign, a broken heart and the words "Baby Kay."

The sheriff's office has not said how the men escaped or whether they consider them a danger to the public.

I'm sure it will be fine.
Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:19 AM (vFG9F)

----

It would be good if they had a sheriff like Grady Judd of Polk County, Florida. He loves catching the bed guys, and bringing justice to them. He also encourages citizens to be gun owners.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:32 AM (hpxA0)

99 People are capable of enjoying long hours. My kids went to a high school that had required classes six days a week. Not all day, every day, they has required sports on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, but classes met all six days. They loved it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 06:32 AM (buPQP)

100 Well, today or tomorrow, we will finally lose the wonderful snow cover we've had for the last few weeks. Temperatures are forecast to rise to 34 today and 35 tomorrow.

The snow has stayed remarkably pristine over the last few weeks, unlike normal when car exhaust and general stuff on the roads would normally have turned the snow various shades of grey or black.

It's been nice.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 06:36 AM (buPQP)

101 20K years and odds are something big will have happened.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:26 AM (w6EFb)

Agreed.

And there's also the possibility of a self-inflicted extinction event because somebody thought it would be fun to play with nukes, or whatever crazy stuff (AI) we invent that can come back to haunt us to death..

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 06:37 AM (6ydKt)

102
All sorts of things can happen before then. Figure about 20,000 years until the odds of some big extinction or near extinction level event. This includes asteroid impacts, supervolcano eruptions, gamma ray bursts, and all the ELE type things that can happen.

Nuclear War!!!! Caused by Trump!!!

Actually, the more I read, the more I'm convinced that the Jonathan Schell/Annie Jacobson scenarios of nuclear omnicide are pure bosh (not that any such war is desirable).

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:37 AM (tgvbd)

103
20K years and odds are something big will have happened.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:26

---

Who knows what discoveries will be made in the future? Wormholes in space? Faster than light travel? This is not just progress from horseback to air travel; this is a new kind of physics

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:38 AM (7sNE7)

104
The snow has stayed remarkably pristine over the last few weeks, unlike normal when car exhaust and general stuff on the roads would normally have turned the snow various shades of grey or black.

Snow
Day 1: Silent, crystalline, pristine beauty
Day 2+: Grey-black frozen muck

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:38 AM (tgvbd)

105 Huh. "Baby Kay" is a nickname for "Kentravious". Cute name for a murderer.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:40 AM (vFG9F)

106 27 degrees, crescent moon

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at February 10, 2026 06:41 AM (Cjt/F)

107 I always said that the end of mankind will come when one nut has the power to destroy the entire planet with a push of a button, or nowadays, a touchscreen.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:42 AM (vFG9F)

108 What some morons refer to as “CIA Barbie”, I refer to as “Swineberger”

Posted by: Fenderbender at February 10, 2026 06:43 AM (1FEc1)

109
When I lived in New Haven lo these many years ago, the city used some kind of reddish sand on the streets after a snow storm. After a couple of days, it looked like the Cat in the Hat had been through town.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:44 AM (tgvbd)

110
I always said that the end of mankind will come when one nut has the power to destroy the entire planet with a push of a button, or nowadays, a touchscreen.
Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:42 AM (vFG9F)

My scenario: cats acquire opposable thumbs.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:44 AM (tgvbd)

111
The snow has stayed remarkably pristine over the last few weeks, unlike normal when car exhaust and general stuff on the roads would normally have turned the snow various shades of grey or black.

Snow
Day 1: Silent, crystalline, pristine beauty
Day 2+: Grey-black frozen muck
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:

----

Day 2+ is when letting the dogs go out in the yard makes a cleanup chore every time they come in. God love them.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:44 AM (AQ5h9)

112 99 People are capable of enjoying long hours. My kids went to a high school that had required classes six days a week. Not all day, every day, they has required sports on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, but classes met all six days. They loved it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 06:32 AM (buPQP)

You have a some very rare kids, Huck.

I'm trying to imagine the laughter and insults I would've received had I told some of my HS classmates we really should to go to school 12 hours a day and 6 days a week.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 06:45 AM (6ydKt)

113 Greetings from the Carolinas. Looks like good weather this week.

Never heard of 996. In the world’s 2nd largest nuclear navy, that schedule was called “holiday routine.”

Ayn Rand was right.

Posted by: Going deep. Out. at February 10, 2026 06:45 AM (zqeQL)

114 it really is, fd. makes a person wonder how he went bad.
maybe his fellow students teased him too much?

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at February 10, 2026 06:46 AM (Cjt/F)

115
There's the notion of the Fermi Filters. How far can a civilization make it before something takes them out -- a series of hurdles. One big one is likely the nuclear filter. Once you figure out enough physics to be able to blow yourself up real good, can you make it past that?

I was listening to Elon on some podcast -- and he was likely smoking a big ol' joint while musing. He said that a decent civilization ought to make it 1 million years. If humanity could pull that off, he'd call it a good run.

If you want to get in that class, you've got to go interplanetary.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:47 AM (w6EFb)

116 Pixy, you choose great music!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 06:47 AM (7ULbr)

117 >>>I always said that the end of mankind will come when one nut has the power to destroy the entire planet with a push of a button, or nowadays, a touchscreen.

Posted by: fd

>Don't be too concerned about any Microsoft products. Worst case, after 25 touchs on the screen, the system hangs and crashes.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 10, 2026 06:49 AM (xFfhU)

118
What search terms would you use for this? None of mine work so I'm beginning to doubt it's possible.
Prove me wrong.
Posted by: purely an academic question

Reddit, if you can ignore the progtarded lefties.

Use search terms you'd expect to be channels at pr0nhub.

Don't ask me how I know.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at February 10, 2026 06:50 AM (QVmho)

119 The location of the goal posts change, but the game remains the same.

Posted by: The Tower of Babel at February 10, 2026 06:50 AM (2Ez/1)

120
Never heard of 996. In the world’s 2nd largest nuclear navy, that schedule was called “holiday routine.”

Ayn Rand was right.
Posted by: Going deep. Out. at February 10, 2026 06:45 AM (zqeQL)

I remember reading about the US Navy in the Pacific during WWII. A couple of 27-year-old Lieutenants JG were described as worn-out and exhausted because they were too old for the job.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 10, 2026 06:51 AM (tgvbd)

121
About 75,000 years ago, there was the Great Toba eruption, the biggest supervolcano to go off in several million years. That nearly wiped out Homo Sapiens -- there's a big genetic bottleneck that's evident from that. That nearly killed us off.

If something like that happened now, it would wipe out civilization.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:51 AM (w6EFb)

122 115
There's the notion of the Fermi Filters. How far can a civilization make it before something takes them out -- a series of hurdles. One big one is likely the nuclear filter. Once you figure out enough physics to be able to blow yourself up real good, can you make it past that?

I was listening to Elon on some podcast -- and he was likely smoking a big ol' joint while musing. He said that a decent civilization ought to make it 1 million years. If humanity could pull that off, he'd call it a good run.

If you want to get in that class, you've got to go interplanetary.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb

------

"Forbidden Planet", highly advanced civilization wipes itself out in one day.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at February 10, 2026 06:52 AM (AQ5h9)

123 Well, first batch of work cleared away. There probably won't be anything else until 9 o'clock.

I already told my supervisor that I wanted out as early as possible. We'll see what happens.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 06:52 AM (ufSfZ)

124 I'm trying to imagine the laughter and insults I would've received had I told some of my HS classmates we really should to go to school 12 hours a day and 6 days a week.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 06:45 AM (6ydKt)
=================
'Spose so. They were reminiscing the other day, one of those rare days when we had all of them here, and their spouses looked like they thought the idea of so much school was crazy.

But (as you might imagine), when you throw teenagers together for so much time, there was lots of socializing.

I think it was the required sports that made it harder for the whole group, as some kids just had zero interest in practice most days and competition against other schools on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 06:52 AM (kgPGi)

125 If something like that happened now, it would wipe out civilization.

"I can't die now! I haven't seen 'The Jolson Story!'"

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 10, 2026 06:53 AM (ufSfZ)

126 >>>About 75,000 years ago, there was the Great Toba eruption, the biggest supervolcano to go off in several million years. That nearly wiped out Homo Sapiens -- there's a big genetic bottleneck that's evident from that. That nearly killed us off.

If something like that happened now, it would wipe out civilization.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb)

>Yellowstone Caldera status: Green. Stable.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 10, 2026 06:54 AM (xFfhU)

127 There's the notion of the Fermi Filters. How far can a civilization make it before something takes them out -- a series of hurdles. One big one is likely the nuclear filter. Once you figure out enough physics to be able to blow yourself up real good, can you make it past that?

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 06:47 AM (w6EFb)
---
There are lots of interesting variations on this theme in science fiction. In the series I'm currently reading ("Inhibitor Trilogy" by Alastair Reynolds), a superior alien intelligence is determined to wipe out all life that achieves interstellar travel to reduce competition in the galaxy.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 10, 2026 06:54 AM (ESVrU)

128 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 10, 2026 06:56 AM (bQ4nt)

129 It will probably be something stupid like cannibalistic nanobots that eat everything including the Earth.

Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:58 AM (vFG9F)

130 Google (well, Alphabet) is flogging a "One Hundred Year Bond" to European investors right now, via underwriters in London. Given how few companies can survive for a hundred years that sounds like "give us your money and we're never giving it back" to me.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 07:00 AM (YXyUj)

131 w00t late

Posted by: m at February 10, 2026 07:00 AM (+YA9H)

132 It will probably be something stupid like cannibalistic nanobots that eat everything including the Earth.
Posted by: fd at February 10, 2026 06:58 AM (vFG9F)
---
*** Greg Bear's "Blood Music" has entered the chat ***

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 10, 2026 07:02 AM (ESVrU)

133 Taiwan has told Washington that its proposal to move 40% of the island’s semiconductor supply chain to the U.S. was “impossible,” Taipei’s top tariff trade negotiator said in an interview.
===================
It turns out, building semiconductor manufacturing takes a lot of time, education, and management skills. Might not be replaceable at all. If China wasn't so threatening, it wouldn't be necessary, but I suppose if it wasn't China it would be something else.

Anyway, TSMC is working on it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 07:05 AM (YXyUj)

134
This a big pivot for Elon. He once recently said the Moon is a distraction, Mars is where its at. And no he comes around to this. I think it was reality setting it. Also, I think some come-to-Jesus moment with Isaacman/NASA/Trump 2.0.

Elon realizes the United States must endure as a going concern. Western Civ cannot fall. We've got to get out space legs on the Moon first, and establish ourselves before the Chicoms do. Chicoms on the Moon before us would be bad.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 07:07 AM (w6EFb)

135 JJS

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 10, 2026 07:07 AM (YXyUj)

136 Yeah, I'm not seeing how any entity, including long-lived ones like governments, could possibly conceive of a 100 Year Bond.

How do you even price a century of uncertainty?

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 07:10 AM (6ydKt)

137 Elon realizes the United States must endure as a going concern. Western Civ cannot fall. We've got to get out space legs on the Moon first, and establish ourselves before the Chicoms do. Chicoms on the Moon before us would be bad.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 10, 2026 07:07 AM (w6EFb)

The article Pixy linked to speculates Elon and SpaceX are worried about how much progress Bezos is making with Blue Origin's plans for the moon/landers, etc.

Seems as good a reason as any.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 10, 2026 07:13 AM (6ydKt)

138 There's pr0n on Twitter?!?
Is that the stuff Ace keeps posting that tells me I have to login because it is "sensitive content"?

Posted by: GWB at February 10, 2026 09:23 AM (b3PBu)

139 It's been sitting there since 1987. I hope it's grown a bit into something worthwhile.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
-----
Don't get your hopes too high.
If it is an actual."pension", it's what's known as a "defined [j]benefit plan. That means that what you get is set in stone at some point, usually your last day working for that company. You get no accumulated interest, etc.
I have one of those, obtained by working past the 10 year vesting period. When I left that company in the early 80s, it was at $372/mo. When I started collecting it at age 65, more than 30 years later, you know how much I got? $372/mo.
Inflation? That's the problem.with defined benefit plans, at least from the retirees POV. For the employer, though, it's a good thing.
Some unions had enough clout to write inflation protection (and then some) into contracted pension plans, which is one of the many reasons why US Steel is a shell of its former self.

Posted by: buddhaha at February 10, 2026 10:07 AM (wTg85)

140 It turns out, building semiconductor manufacturing takes a lot of time, education, and management skills. Might not be replaceable at all.
Posted by: Huck Follywood
------
And we HAD it. And then let Intel, Mot, etc al, piss it away, setting up offshore facilities.
The US thought that we had "soft powered" Russia and China into opponents rather than enemies, so the government didn't do what is obvious the should have done: prohibited moving that IP overseas on national security grounds.
And here we are, asking the Taiwanese for help setting up.what we used to do on our own.

Posted by: buddhaha at February 10, 2026 10:18 AM (wTg85)

141 the problem with space is there's nothing there anyone wants

Mars is even worse because not only is it a hellscape of extremely toxic chlorine compounds wafting around in dust storms, it's also at the bottom of a very expensive gravity well

the Moon has less gravity but a lot of inconvenient moonquakes

so yeah, just throw material into orbit and let the Optimus bots build something nice where people will pay to live

Posted by: TallDave at February 10, 2026 12:00 PM (xZyKE)

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