publius – // aNONradio //

ONE half–life of radium ago, the Romans were evacuating Britain ; one half–life of uranium ago, the Earth’s crust had not yet cooled and solidified. One half–life of radon from now, I will be giving the second of four “Introduction to Atomic Energy” lectures at the Dallas Makerspace. Meanwhile, the fuel crisis is hitting hard, … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–10–17"

MARGARET Hamilton has died, the NS Savannah is in danger of scrapping, and the President of the United States has been haranguing the General Assembly of the United Nations with threats of annihilation. Can we find something good to talk about? Well, there is some progress in getting nuclear power to the Canadian First Nations … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–10–10"

As a result of my parents’ ill–timed stargazing trip to the Big Bend country (where the skies are overcast), I am not coming to you from West Fork, Arkansas, site of the Shire Post Mint 25th anniversary celebration — although that might be rained out anyway. Instead I am left to talk about preparations for … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–10–03"

GOOD NEWS from Slovakia and India and somewhat heartening news from Italy ; and a consideration of a famous technological “road not taken”, the supersonic airliner. Also, my preparations for Nuclear Science Week activities at the Dallas Makerspace raise the spectre of Schrödinger’s Public Affairs Officer.

FREE PALESTINE with purchase of Jewish Homeland, or, why a recent announcement by Ed Milliband (child of Polish Jewish Communist refugees) may make a significant difference in one of the world’s trouble–spots. I go all the way back to the 10th Century in an attempt to find my point.

TWO DOLLARS and eighty cents may not seem like much, but it has a greater signficance. Also, continuing advances in the price of Diesel fuel lead me to suggest that, while the combination of railway electrification and nuclear electricity is not a blanket solution to the problems of the world at the present day, it … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–09–12"

Bill Nye the Science Guy™ caught in a lie? A Space Academy? A hinge–point in history? Also, progress I have made, reasons why progress is slower than I am happy with, the high cost of nuclear energy conferences and reasons why there is nothing similar to the ISDC, and advice on not getting shot.

Generative AI is not something I intend to devote much time and attention to, but I thought it worth while to consider in the light of an obstacle to electrification and energy transition, which implies asking what we are being offered for the cost. Not much, so far as I can see. Also you will … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–08–22"

The European water crisis continues to expand. While Central Europe is noteworthy for its heavily–populated inland regions, which can see no direct benefit from seawater desalting or seawater–cooled power stations, some of the areas of the continent most heavily affected can and should look to the sea. Also, an interesting look at the “tourist” streetcar … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–08–15"

Falling water levels in the Rhine and Danube systems : do they mean disaster for nuclear power in Europe? No (regardless of what Deutsche Welle might imply), but it’s not good news for thermal power plants of any kind, much less hydropower, and as a result, for European power grids generally. Also, more about my … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–08–08"

JAMAICA is the third–busiest railway station in New York City, and the fourth–busiest in North America (after Toronto Union Station, but ahead of Chicago Union Station) as these things are measured. And yet, if you don’t live in NYC, you probably have never heard of it. After all, it’s in Brooklyn, and virtually all its … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–08–01"

MID–ATLANTIC, on my way from Southampton to New York. Despite heat waves in Northern Europe, the weather is foggy, rainy, and more than a trifle chilly.

Mail call! Quantities of blast in the outgoing mail ; a second medallic art project for this year ; and the Elon–phant in the room.

Back in Texas, after failing to do a show last week with no excuse whatsoever, what do I have to say? There is the potential effect of the New Glenn explosion on the just–announced NASA lunar program ; the inexplicable or at least inexcusable proposal for looser driver–licensing in Germany ; and a little “I … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–06–13"

A very ambitious NASA announcement set back by a very big explosion, the end of “Beyond Petroleum” and other items from the Financial Times, some museums in Britain, my further travels, and other notes of interest.

Blackpool again? My recent visit to a Nuklearia meetup, a degree of comeuppance for Gerhard Schröder, various recent industrial accidents, performance–enhancing drugs in sport, and an answer to a question from SDFer jlamothe about the possibilities of nuclear power for the Yukon Territory.

Recent events in Romania once again lead us to question the notion of “economic efficiency”. Does it really make sense to re–define what we consider good to match the outcome of a theory? Also, further travel plans, and a stab at re–formatting the Man and Atom Briefing Book.

Anything but nuclear strikes again, with a proposal to link Canada and Europe by an undersea electric transmission line. The problem is not that this is a bad idea, per se : it is merely a costly and roundabout way of approaching a problem that we already have a more satisfactory solution for. Also, more … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–05–09"

Blackpool, and why I am not likely to visit Pleasure Beach. This episode recorded ex post facto, because I lost track of time while riding the tram system — the only one in Britain to have been spared. From its northern terminus you can see the Heysham nuclear power stations. Also a “Museum of Water … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–05–02"

Britain! The British Museum, and why I can’t get in even though it’s just outside my window… Also a report on my visit to Thurso, at the northern extremity of Britain ; and (continuing from last week’s Pannonian Ethanol) a brief thought about the perhaps–reasonable justifications for the use of biofuels, as opposed to the … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–04–25"

Anything would be a let–down after last week. This show ended up being mostly about my upcoming travel plans in Britain, and some of the interesting industrial museums there, with a mention of something described as a “Luxury Dreadnought”. Also a discussion of the economics of the Eurail Pass, water damage on printed materials, the … Continue reading "ASFO 2026–04–18"

ARTEMIS II grabbed the imagination of the world, but left us with two thoughts. First, that we somehow have all this to do over again ; and second, it sets before us once more the stark choice of what to do with our scientific–technological mastery over the inanimate world.