At Lawrence Livermore: U.S. to Announce Fusion Breakthrough

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at a fusion power breakthrough.

At Lawrence Livermore: U.S. to Announce Fusion Breakthrough

H.L. sent this news from my hometown, Livermore, California: U.S. to announce fusion energy ‘breakthrough’. The article begins:

“The Department of Energy plans to announce Tuesday that scientists have been able for the first time to produce a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain — a major milestone in the decades-long, multibillion-dollar quest to develop a technology that provides unlimited, cheap, clean power.”

There are a few more details in an article published by Forbes. (Thanks to Tracy M., for that link.)

JWR’s Comments: Not quite “Mr. Fusion”, but they’re getting closer…

The consistent yield of reactions, containment, continuity of an ongoing string of reactions, and conversion of that energy into something useful are the next steps. Mastering those steps will be a slow process to reach the stage where they have something that is commercially reliable for generating megawatts of power.

I should mention that back in the mid-1970s, when I was a teenager, I visited the Shiva Laser Fusion Project prototype — at that time, it was just a huge white-painted metal framework, with no lasers yet installed — just some fixtures for alignment tests. As a guest on that Lawrence Lab “Family Day”, I discussed the fusion power research programs with my father, Donald Rawles, who worked in a different group in B Division (now called the Physics Division). In his group, they experimented with the lab’s particle accelerators. And in the late 1970s, his “baby” was the second-generation rotating target neutron source (RTNS-II), at Building 292. An aside: The 48-ton containment door of that building is seen briefly in the movie Tron — and so was the Shiva laser framework. As we walked through the massive Shiva building, my father opined: “It may be 40 or 50 years before these guys get beyond unity, and perhaps 70 years or longer before they make a practical system that can be small and affordable enough for generating utility power.” By “beyond unity”, he of course meant a fusion reaction with more power coming out than power going in. That key milestone was what was just announced.

New California Laws, Starting in 2023

More reasons to move out of The Land of Fruits and Nuts: New California laws in 2023: Minimum wage increase, legal jaywalking and more. Don’t miss the “Firearms” section near the end of the article, which includes this zinger:

“Restraining Orders: AB 2870 strengthens California’s so-called “red flag” law which authorizes a court to issue a restraining order to prohibit a person from purchasing or possessing a firearm if that person poses a danger to themselves or others. The law now allows roommates, dating partners and an individual with a child in common to request a firearm restraining order. Previously, only law enforcement, immediate family members, employers, coworkers, or teachers could make such a request.”

JWR’s Comment: Californians beware… Don’t disagree with a roommate or coworker when talking about politics or religion — or the police may come and confiscate your guns.

How Much Do Off-Grid Solar Systems Cost In 2022?

Forbes asks: How Much Do Off-Grid Solar Systems Cost In 2022?

25 Remote Work Statistics: Facts, Trends, and Projections

From the Zippia career website: 25 Trending Remote Work Statistics [2022]: Facts, Trends, And Projections. Here is an excerpt:

- 26% of U.S. employees work remotely, as of 2022.
- There are expected to be 36.2 million American employees working remotely by 2025.
- 40% of workers believe that they’ve been more productive while working at home during the pandemic, as opposed to the office.
- 16% of U.S. companies are fully remote.
- Remote jobs now make up 15% of work opportunities in the US.

ADL Declares Ukraine’s Azov Battalion No Longer ‘Far-Right’

Over at The Grayzone: The ADL issues statement declaring Ukraine’s Azov Battalion no longer ‘far-right’. JWR’s Comment: [Sarcasm On] “Pay no attention to those swastika tattoos, patches, and pendants. Nothing to see here, move along…” [Sarcasm Off]

New Zealand Bans Cigarette Buys for All Those Born After 2009

Draconian government over-reach: New Zealand Bans Cigarettes for All Those Born After 2009.

Gun Rights Bills Imminent Under Amended Iowa Constitution

From The Des Moines Register: New gun rights bills imminent under amended Iowa Constitution. Here is a quote:

“The Legislature will be will be working under a newly-amended state constitution during the 2023 session. Nearly two-thirds of Iowans, 65.2%, voted to add an amendment that puts the right “to keep and bear arms” into the Iowa Constitution and introduces a higher legal hurdle for any laws that would restrict that right.

The language of the amendment states: “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”

The Unholy Alliance Between Dems, the FBI, Big Tech and the Media

At AFNN: The Unholy Alliance Between Dems, the FBI, Big Tech and the Media has Left America a ‘Democratic Republic’ in Name Only.

More UK Citizens Take Up Prepping

Simon in England sent us this BBC News link about how some of his fellow citizens are taking up prepping, in a very modest way: Cost of living: ‘I want to be prepared for any eventuality’. JWR Asks: [Sarcasm On] So… Where’s your Sterling SMG and your basement full of storage food? [Sarcasm Off]

Five New State Data Privacy Laws Take Effect In 2023

If you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, or Virginia, then take note of this piece published by the ArentFoxSchiif law firm’s website: Are You Ready for 2023? New Privacy Laws To Take Effect Next Year.