Thursday, March 26, 2020

 

QPORIT XR DAILY NEWS


QPORIT XR DAILY NEWS

QPORIT XRN

EXTENDED REALITY: TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE, WORLD
Quick Previews Of Random Interesting Things in XR News
***

TODAY: 2020-03-27 (FRI MAR 27, 2020)

US

COVID-19 NEWS 

  • A relief bill has passed and been signed.
  • COVID-19 cases in US are now 100,514, doubling in less than 4 days. Deaths are 1,546, doubling even faster, with 2,463 patients in critical condition.
  • Without an effective national lockdown, increasing the doubling period, there will be more than 1,000,000 (Million!) cases by Easter,  20K deaths (and still growing). 
  • This event, if it is not stopped, will be worse than 9/11.
    • With US cases of COVID now over 100,000 and growing exponentially, doubling in less than 4 days, deaths over 1,500 and doubling even faster, here is how the cases and deaths would grow if doubling every four days were to continue.
CASES DEATHS
DAY #
0 27-Mar FRI 100,000 1,500
1 28-Mar SAT
2 29-Mar SUN
3 30-Mar MO
4 31-Mar TUE 200,000 3,000
5 1-Apr WED
6 2-Apr THU
7 3-Apr  FRI
8 4-Apr SAT 400,000 6,000
9 5-Apr SUN
10 6-Apr MO
11 7-Apr TUE
12 8-Apr WED 800,000 12,000
13 9-Apr THU
14 10-Apr  FRI
15 11-Apr SAT
16 12-Apr SUN 1,600,000 24,000  EASTER

***

TODAY: 2020-03-26 (THU MAR 26, 2020)

US

COVID-19 NEWS 


  • A COVID relief bill passed the Senate unanimously!
  • An analysis of COVID data reveals a very, very serious situation:
    • This analysis is based on the mathematics of exponential growth, and charting the daily statistics from here:
    • The US has the largest number of cases in the world: 81,996.
      • Note: "cases" means reported, confirmed cases.
    • This is more cases than China: 81,285.
        • The hopeful news is that, with a rigorous quarantine, China has (at least for now), stopped the exponential growth of infections with a constant (not growing) roughly 40-80 new cases a day now.
    • The REALLY SCARY NEWS is that the number of cases, and deaths, is growing exponentially in the US, doubling twice in about a week.
      • If that continues there will be more than a million cases (and growing) by Easter
      • There have been 1,177 deaths and there are currently 2,112 people in serious or critical condition, as well as tens of thousands of active cases.
      • IF the rate of doubling continues, there could be more than 50 thousand deaths and serious ill people by Easter, and more than a million by the end of April, with the numbers still growing.
      • The numbers of new cases and deaths reported on TV are often described as a "spike". They are not: A spike rises and falls; these numbers reflect the quite steady exponential growth of the actual numbers over the last weeks. The exponential growth of cases, due to continued infection and discovery (finally testing to discover cases that were already there), will almost certainly continue unless testing and separation is national and sufficiently rigorous and complete enough to slow the spread. But it is likely to take at least 2 weeks of every state imposing strict separation before the rate of new cases and deaths will begin to diminish.
      • At the moment, New York, followed by New Jersey, are the states with the most cases.
      • Just because a state does not have many cases now, does not prevent the number from increasing exponentially.
        • New York had just 2,499 cases and 20 deaths 8 days ago. Now there are 37,738 cases (a factor of 15 or almost 4 doublings - 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16) and 385 deaths (a factor of 19, or more than 4 doublings). 
      • That is why the President, and the Governors of states with few cases, should begin to act immediately, to enforce separation, before the numbers rise.


 ***

TODAY: 2020-03-25 (WED MAR 25, 2020)

US

COVID-19 NEWS 


  • A Senate version of the COVID release bill has been tentatively agreed on.
  • The Dow was up again and may be stabilizing.
    • But watch for the big test: when the monthly GDP, corporate quarterly reports and monthly unemployment reports come in.
  • Prince Charles reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Esteemed playwright Terrance McNally died.
  • The official statement (excerpt) from the IOC & Japan:
    • In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.
***
2020-03-24 (TUE MAR 24, 2020)

US

THE DOW STOCK MARKET AVERAGE

  • had one of its best days ever.

***

2020-03-23 (MON MAR 23, 2020)

US

COVID-19 NEWS 



***

2020-03-20 (FRI MAR 20, 2020)

US

COVID-19 NEWS 


  • The Dow stock market average closed down -913 points to 19,174
    • Ending the week lower than the value when Trump took office.
    • On inauguration day in 2017, the Dow was 19,732.
    • The entire stock market run-up of the Trump presidency has now been wiped out.
  • President Trump, at the Press Briefing, responded to a softball question
    •   -- which gave him the opportunity to say something that was both honest, yet encouraging -- 
    • by unleashing a completely disgraceful attack on the media.
  • New York State is going on a complete lockdown, 
    • except for essential services
  • Many companies and organizations are supporting their workers through March 31. 
    • But some plan to stop paying many employees beginning April 1.
    • This could be the beginning of unwinding the short period of full employment,
    • And threatens major unemployment.
      • Emergency financial rescue plans must be carefully targeted to the people and industries that need and can benefit from assistance, so that people do not become poor (and others do not become rich.)
      • Emergency planning must also assure that supply chains, especially for food and basic supplies, stay healthy and maintain essential anti-Covid standards.
      • Emergency planning must also assure that the Internet, the electric grid, the water systems, the sanitation (garbage removal) systems and other essential systems stay healthy and maintain essential anti-Covid standards.

***

2020-03-19 (THU MAR 19, 2020)

TECHNOLOGY

FACEBOOK 


***

2020-03-18 (WED MAR 18, 2020)

FILM THEATER MUSIC ONLINE

CULTURE AND THE ARTS ARE GOING ONLINE 

  • While in-person events are being cancelled, many arts organizations are experimenting with and expanding their programming online.
    • Some organizations are figuring it out for the first time; 
    • others are presenting online videos of productions they'd never have allowed online before; 
    • others are promoting online events they've been doing for a while.
  • Here are some of the major platforms being used:
    • Facebook, YouTube and organization websites are the main targets for streaming archived videos of productions.
    • Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, are places where individuals can contribute content.
    • Facetime and Google Duo are prime places for 1 to 1 interaction, including online lessons.
    • Zoom is being used for organization meetings, as well as a way of creating content with distributed performers.
    • Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and other new and old movie and TV streaming sites are replacing movie theaters.
  • Here are some of the activities that have already started:
***

US

THE DOW STOCK MARKET AVERAGE 

  • is down -1,661 points to 19,577 at 1:09 PM.
  • This is lower than the value when Trump took office.
  • On inauguration day in 2017, the Dow was 19,732.
  • The entire stock market run-up of the Trump presidency has now been wiped out.

***

2020-03-17 (TUE MAR 17, 2020)

TECHNOLOGY

MAGIC LEAP 
***

2020-03-16 (MON MAR 16, 2020)

US

THE STOCK MARKET 

  • was sharply down:
  • DOW:    -2,997 (-13%) to 20,189
  • S&P:        -365 (-12%) to   2,386
  • NASDAQ: -970  (12%) TO   6,905.
***

2020-03-15 (SUN MAR 15, 2020)


WORLD

COVID 19

  • now counts more reported, confirmed cases and more deaths outside of China than in China,
  • according to tracking site:
  • https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
  •  Note that these numbers are "reported" and "confirmed". There may be more or less cases than are reported (probably more) and many more cases of the disease than are confirmed, especially cases without symptoms, and cases in areas with poor testing.
  • Location - total cases - deaths:
  • World -169,232 - 6,494
  • China - 80,849 - 3,199
  • Not-China - 88,383 - 3,295
  • Italy - 24,747 - 1,809
  • S Korea - 8,162 - 75
  • France - 5,423 - 127
  • US - 3,621 - 59
  • Notes:
    • In the US, cases have doubled in 3 days, and deaths in 4 days.
      • Cases in US will increase fast because of ramped up testing.
        • These are not all "new" cases; some are previously unconfirmed cases.
    • France, Italy, and some other countries are also seeing cases and deaths doubling in less than a week.
    • The relatively low number of deaths in S Korea relative to cases may be due to the greater number of less serious cases that are "confirmed". (Or there could be a medical reason.)
    • 13 countries have more than 1,000 confirmed cases.
    • Spain and Germany have large numbers of cases. Iran has a large number of cases and deaths.
    • The number of cases reported in Russia (63) seems very low. There are no cases reported from North Korea.
  • Mathematical /medical note: A quantity which doubles in a week increases by a factor of 1,000 in less than 3 months. China, South Korea and Japan instituted drastic measures to curb the exponential spread of the disease, and the results slowed down the rate at which cases and deaths were doubling.


***
US
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



THE FEDERAL RESERVE


AIRPORTS

  • were unprepared for the influx of Americans returning from Europe, and for the time required to process and check them for possible COVID-19 illness.
  • The result was hours of standing in tightly packed lines for many passengers, possibly increasing the risk of transmission substantially, as well as being awful for anybody suffering through an extra ordeal after completing a transatlantic flight.
  • The administration called for patience; they probably created patients.
  • Abysmal planning and execution.
  • Inexcusable incompetence.
***

 2020-03-14 (SAT MAR 14, 2020)


TECHNOLOGY - WORLD

TODAY IS PI-DAY: 3/14 = MARCH 14 = π-DAY or PI-DAY

  • π = Pi = 3.14159265.... is the ratio of the circumference (C) of a circle to its diameter (D): π = C / D.


Note: interestingly, Pi is an "irrational" number, which means

it cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers: 

There are NO two integers N1 and N2, 

so that Pi is exactly equal to N1/N2.

For example:

 35/11 = 3.181818.....

 or 69/22 = 3.136...

(close, but not quite equal to Pi).


  • π is a Greek letter, and is pronounced "Pi".
  • Pi occurs in many, many places in mathematics and science.
  • Because Pi is so important, and 3.14 is a good approximation, 3/14 = March 14 is celebrated worldwide as Pi-Day.
  • The celebration involves reminding ourselves of the fundamental place in our lives of truth and mathematics and knowledge and science.
  • If we were not currently fighting the spread of COVID-19, there would be meetings around the world with talks, games, and activities related to science, math, truth and knowledge.
    • But we can all, each of us, celebrate ourselves, with books, thinking, and looking online for information, and remembering the importance, the central role of truth.
      • Science and the dissemination of knowledge depends on truth.
Truth sometimes hurts. Lies can kill.

***


2020-03-13 (FRI MAR 13, 2020)



US

PRESIDENT TRUMP

  • declared a National Emergency.

***


NYC


CURRENTLY IN NEW YORK CITY


  • theaters are closed.
  • Schools are still open and the subways and buses are running.


***



2020-03-12 (THU MAR 12, 2020)



US


JOE BIDEN

  • introduced a plan for dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak in the US and around the world.
  • Here is a detailed description of his plan, from his website:
  • https://joebiden.com/covid19/.

BERNIE SANDERS

  • also described a clear and long list of steps that should be taken immediately in a speech today.

***


THE DOW STOCK MARKET AVERAGE

  • fell about −2,353 points (about - 10%) to 21,201. 
  • Worst point drop ever. 
  • Now lower than its 2018 low of 22,445. 
  • Now at levels of Jun 2017.

***




THEATER



BROADWAY THEATERS ARE CLOSED

***


2020-03-11 (WED MAR 11, 2020)



WORLD



THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

***


TECHNOLOGY



E3, 


***



SPORTS




MARCH MADNESS, 


  • the basketball tournament, will go on, but without live spectators
  • It can be watched live-streamed at the link below.
  • Until the games are live, there's an explanation of "March Madness" at this linked site:
  • https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/watch


***


2020-03-10 (TUE MAR 10, 2020)


US

JOE BIDEN

  • did very well in today's primaries.
  • He now leads Sanders by more than 150 pledged delegates.
  • 1991 delegate votes needed for the nomination.
  •   809 - Biden
  •   654 - Sanders
  •   165 - Other candidates
  • (source: AP, at about 11:30 PM)


***


2020-03-09 (MON MAR 09, 2020)



WORLD CINEMA

REVIEW:  "ALICE AND THE MAYOR" with CESAR BEST ACTRESS WINNER ANAIS DEMOUSTIER: 

***


2020-03-08 (SUN MAR 08, 2020)


WORLD CINEMA

MAX VON SYDOW,

  • one of the greatest international actors of our age,
  • the star of many of Ingmar Bergman's most celebrated films (such as The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, and The Virgin Spring) died at the age of 90. 
  • The Seventh Seal is a film set in the time of the black plague, and features Max von Sydow playing chess with the Angel of Death. I've been thinking about this film these last weeks as COVID-19 advances toward a possible pandemic.
  • I interviewed Max von Sydow in the mid 70's. He was charming, friendly, and nothing like the austere characters he usually played; his ambition was to do comedy.
  • RIP

***


2020-03-07 (SAT MAR 07, 2020)


US

GOVERNOR CUOMO OF NY STATE

  • issued a Declaration of Emergency.
  • A Declaration of Emergency allows temporary modification of procedures that would hinder taking action; it includes the following:
  • "...by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, of any agency during a State disaster emergency, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency or if necessary to assist or aid in coping with such disaster, I hereby temporarily suspend or modify, for the period from the date of this Executive Order through April 6, 2020 the following:"
  • Here is the full text of the Executive Order:
  • https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-202-declaring-disaster-emergency-state-new-york

  • Previously...
  • the World Health Organization designated the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern;
  • United States Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation's healthcare community in responding to COVID-19;
  • the Governors of Washington, California, Pennsylvania, and Maryland are among those who have made "Declarations" to make dealing with COVID-19 as efficient as possible.

  • Statistics, according to...
  • https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

  • There are, as of 10:55 GMT, today:
  • Worldwide - 105,936 cases & 3,569 deaths
  • US - 395 cases & 19 deaths

  • some other countries:
  • China - 80,996 cases & 2,764 deaths
  • Italy - 5,833 cases & 233 deaths
  • France - 949 cases & 16 deaths

  • Notes:
  • These are "confirmed!" cases (serious enough to be tested);
  • As testing improves, the number of confirmed cases will rise sharply, but this represents the improvement in testing, not just the rise in actual cases;
  • currently confirmed cases are the most serious; as more cases are tested, it will include less serious cases.
  • The "mortality rate (MR)" depends on the population you are evaluating:
    • serious, confirmed cases, in most countries have an overall MR of about 3.4%;
    • however, the MR among males over 60 with circulation issues who have a case of COVID-19 serious enough  to be tested is very, VERY much higher; the rate among healthy, 20-30 year olds is lower than 3.4%.
    • As less serious cases are "confirmed" with expanded testing, the overall MR will decline: that does not change the deadliness of the disease, only the definition of MR.
  • French and Italian cases seem to be rising rapidly.
  • Worldwide, the number of deaths may be rising at a rate equivalent to doubling about every 30+ days (that's a factor of 1,000 in a year if nothing changes: hopefully, like the flu, the hope is that cases will decrease in the summer, and unlike the flu, the virus will not mutate, so it will be possible to develop an effective vaccine quickly).

***




2020-03-06 (FRI MAR 06, 2020)


US - TECHNOLOGY

SXSW

  • has been cancelled.
  • https://www.sxsw.com/

***


2020-03-05 (THU MAR 05, 2020)


US

ELIZABETH WARREN

  • has ended her Presidential campaign 
  • (according to multiple reports).

***


2020-03-05 (THU MAR 05, 2020)


FILM

RENDEZ-VOUS WITH FRENCH CINEMA

UPDATE!!!
"UniFrance has suspended international travel for Rendez-Vous with French Cinema festival guests due to health concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The festival’s screenings will continue as planned, but unfortunately, most in-person appearances will be canceled."

For more information, please see:

***


2020-03-04 (WED MAR 04, 2020)


US

JOE BIDEN

  • is the big winner on Super-Tuesday.
  • California delegates are not yet allocated, but Sanders seems likely to win most of these.
  • "Pundits" (who a week ago were arguing about whether Biden would pull out after Sander's "win" on Super-Tuesday) should be taken with an overdose of salt when discussing the results of future races.

***


2020-03-03 (TUE MAR 03, 2020)


US - TECHNOLOGY

NASA

  • is now accepting applications for Astronaut Candidates!

  • Note: From the application (yes, really!):
  • LOCATION: Houston, Tx.
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBLE: No.

***



US - FINANCIAL

THE FEDERAL RESERVE

  • lowered the federal-funds rate by 50 basis points (1/2 %).
  • This "emergency rate cut" was motivated by "uncertainty" concerning the economic impact of COVID-19.
  • On Monday, the Dow and other stock averages rose sharply, partly in anticipation of the rate cut.
  • Today, the Dow after initially rising, closed down about 786 points.
  • Wikipedia on "the federal-funds rate":
  • "In the United States, the federal funds rate is the interest rate at which depository institutions (banks and credit unions) lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight on an uncollateralized basis." Link:
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_funds_rate

***


2020-03-02 (MON MAR 02, 2020)


US

AMY KLOBUCHAR

  • suspended her Presidential campaign.
  • Both Klobuchar and Buttegieg endorsed Joe Biden.
  • Tomorrow is "super-Tuesday" when many states will be having primaries.

  • The Democratic Party national convention (DNCC) will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Monday July 13 to July 16, 2020.
  • PRIMARY DATES:
  • 2020-03-02 - "Super Tuesday" - Tue Mar 3, 2020
    • Democratic delegates to be selected, by state:
    • Alabama - 52
    • Arkansas - 6
    • California - 415
    • Colorado - 67
    • Maine - 24
    • Massachusetts - 91
    • Minnesota - 75
    • North Carolina - 110
    • Oklahoma - 37
    • Tennessee - 64
    • Texas - 228
    • Utah - 29
    • Vermont - 16
    • Virginia - 99
  • 2020-04-28 - New York - Tue Apr 28, 2020
  • 2020-06-02 - New Jersey - Tue Jun 2, 2020.

***


TODAY: 2020-03-01 (SUN MAR 01, 2020)


TECHNOLOGY

QUALCOMM

***


US

PETE BUTTIGIEG 

  • suspended his Presidential campaign.



***


2020-02-29 (SAT FEB 29, 2020)


TECHNOLOGY

THE GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE (GDC)

  • has officially postponed their March event. (See 2/27 for companies that had cancelled their participation.)
  •  https://www.gdconf.com/

***


2020-02-28 (FRI FEB 28, 2020)


US

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN 

  • won the South Carolina primary.

***


AN AMERICAN DIED FROM COVID-19; 

  • this is the first American to die from the Coronavirus. 


***


2020-02-28 (FRI FEB 28, 2020)


WORLD & TECHNOLOGY

FREEMAN DYSON, 

  • a brilliant scientist, mathematician, and all-around brilliant person and family man, died today at the age of 96.
  • He was most renowned for uniting the work of Feynman, Schwinger and Tomonaga on quantum electrodynamics (QED), creating a useful theory that would pave the way for quantum chromodynamics and the "standard model" of modern physics.
  • In addition to the fundamental importance of Dyson's work on quantum electrodynamics, his brilliant work in many disparate areas results in his name routinely coming up in discussions of progress in an amazingly diverse number of fields.
  • He worked on nuclear power generation, space travel, invented the "Dyson Sphere" (hypothesizing that an advanced civilization could build a sphere around its star(s) to trap the energy), studied basic questions of stability, was interested in life (real and artificial), investigated number theory, and many other things as well.
  • In assessing new ideas, he was always hopeful but never reckless.
  • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/02/freeman-dyson-12151923-02282020.html

***


2020-02-27 (THU FEB 27, 2020)


TECHNOLOGY

FACEBOOK 

THE GAME DEVELOPER'S CONFERENCE (GDC)

  • is (as of now) still scheduled for March 16, but Microsoft, Epic Games (including Unreal Engine), UNITY, SONY, and others have cancelled plans to attend.
  • UPDATE (2/29): GDC HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

***


2020-02-26 (WED FEB 26, 2020)


TECHNOLOGY

10 BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES

***


2020-02-25 (TUE FEB 25, 2020)


US

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES DEBATE


  • tonight on CBS, starting at 8:00 PM.

  • The candidates debating are: 
    • Former Vice President Joe Biden
    • Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg
    • Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
    • Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
    • Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
    • Businessman Tom Steyer
    • Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
  • Here's my advice to the candidates:
  • EVERYONE:
    • inspire! America
      • in your ability to lead the US -- the entire country -- over the next four years: the next term will feature tremendous opportunities due to the continued EXPONENTIAL growth in power of digital technology (eXtended Reality);
    • inspire confidence in your ability to handle the challenges of the next term:
      • the possibility of pandemics;
      • the possibility of economic decline after 12 years of growth (remember there was an inversion of the yield curve, plus there's the threat of COVID-19, and booms have never lasted indefinitely);
      • the need for infrastructure;
      • the inequitable wealth distribution curve;
      • the need for health care for everyone, especially in view of the possibility of a coming pandemic;
      • the need for equality across race, gender & geography;
      • the need for improved and affordable education everywhere in the US;
      • the threat of climate change;
      • the need to repair our foreign alliances;
    • inspire the base of Democratic and Independent voters
      • on their ability to win
        • the Presidential election
        • the Senate & the House
        • governorships and state governments across the country (especially with a coming census and subsequent reallocation of voting districts!)
    • demand a fair and accurate election, without foreign interference, voter suppression, or anything else that is anti-democratic!
    • attack Trump for trying to cheat in the 2016 election (Mueller Report) and the 2020 election (Impeachment);
    • attack Trump for promiscuous lying;
    • attack Trump for removing safeguards by meddling in the DOJ, the FBI, the State Department and security agencies;
    • attack Trump for deregulation and for giving billiions and billions away from tax revenues, which:
      • skew the wealth to the richest (and perhaps himself);
      • let companies engage in risky behaviors;
      • allow the stock market to rise to risky levels;
      • prevent necessary infrastructure projects to proceed, for lack of funds;
      • disassembled some of the institutions which were created and designed to fight possible pandemics;
    • attack the GOP for its moral failure to support a full and fair Impeachment trial;
    • attack Trump and the GOP for stacking the Judiciary;
    • attack the GOP for failing to pass almost anything except tax relief for millionaires, billionaires, and million-dollar, billion-dollar, and trillion-dollar companies;
    • praise Obama for 
      • reversing the big recession under GOP president Bush, and beginning a long economic boom;
      • establishing a revival of domestic power production, lessening our dependence on Mideast and other oil producers;
      • creating the first major improvement in national health care since Medicare;
    • praise Pelosi and the House for their work on Impeachment, improving the trade deal with Mexico and Canada, and passing numerous bills that the GOP Senate has not worked on.
  • Bloomberg
    • needs to show that he can debate strongly:
      • inspire!
      • defend against challenges;
      • attack other Democratic candidates effectively, but respectfully;
      • attack Trump and the GOP effectively and powerfully;
      • state his own objectives and initiatives and qualifications convincingly.
  • Sanders
    • needs to show that he is a leader of all America;
    • and engaged with all the issues. 
  • Warren 
    • needs to show that she is a leader, not just in economic policies and family areas, but in foreign affairs, in administering a government, and in creating a national spirit.
  • Biden 
    • needs to inspire!
    • needs to be Presidential, not Vice Presidential;
    • needs to take the lead on all things American, and go beyond the need to replace Trump and Trumpism as the one singular reason to nominate him.
  • Klobuchar, Mayor Pete, and Steyer
    • need to be Presidential and show they are leaders in all things Presidential.

***


SOME REMAINING PRIMARY DATES

  • The Democratic Party national convention (DNCC) will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Monday July 13 to July 16, 2020.
  • PRIMARY DATES:
  • 2020-02-29 - South Carolina - Sat Feb 29, 2020
  • 2020-03-02 - "Super Tuesday" - Tue Mar 3, 2020
    • Democratic delegates to be selected, by state:
    • Alabama - 52
    • Arkansas - 6
    • California - 415
    • Colorado - 67
    • Maine - 24
    • Massachusetts - 91
    • Minnesota - 75
    • North Carolina - 110
    • Oklahoma - 37
    • Tennessee - 64
    • Texas - 228
    • Utah - 29
    • Vermont - 16
    • Virginia - 99
  • 2020-04-28 - New York - Tue Apr 28, 2020
  • 2020-06-02 - New Jersey - Tue Jun 2, 2020.

***

2020-02-24 (MON FEB 24, 2020)


US

HARVEY WEINSTEIN

  • was convicted of two counts of serious sexual crimes.
  • He has been detained and will be held at a medical facility.
  • Weinstein becomes the second major entertainment figure convicted of sex crimes, following the conviction of Bill Cosby.
  • Weinstein was acquitted of the two most serious charges. 
  • He still faces a trial in California on additional charges.
  • It is likely the conviction of Weinstein will be appealed.

***

US & THE WORLD

THE US STOCK MARKET

  • fell sharply, the "Dow" declining more than 1,000 points (about 3.5%) at times during the day.
  • The drop follows reports of the CORONAVIRUS (officially named COVID-19) appearing in Italy.
  • Any prolonged continuation and spread of the virus is likely to disrupt transportation, tourism, luxury goods, manufacturing, supply chains for consumer and technical goods, consumer spending, the availability of medical supplies, and many other aspects of business, commerce and life.
  • It will also disrupt the spread of technical knowledge and business communications and marketing, as major technical conferences around the world get cancelled.
  • Key factors in assessing the threat are the rate at which cases multiply, and the ability  -- or failure -- of governments and medical services to prevent clusters of cases from escaping quarantine, and even infecting new countries.



***

2020-02-23 (SUN FEB 23, 2020)



US

BERNIE SANDERS 

  • comes out on top in Nevada.

***

2020-02-22 (SAT FEB 22, 2020)



THEATER

COMMERCIAL THEATER INSTITUTE (CTI) 

  • holds its Three Day Intensive from Friday March 6 thru Sunday March 8.
  • The Three Day Intensive is one of the best introductions to the realities of commercial theater that exists anywhere. 
  • It is not just for producers, it is for anyone interested in understanding current theater.
  • It is also an introduction (and rite of passage!) for anyone thinking about theatrical producing.
  • I've done it twice! and it is terrific!
  • https://www.commercialtheaterinstitute.com/product/three-day-intensive/

***

2020-02-21 (FRI FEB 21, 2020)



THEATER

WEST SIDE STORY 


***

PLAZA SUITE,

  • the classic comedy by Neil Simon
  • comes to New York in a new revival with Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker.
  • Beginning March 13, 2020.
  • Advance word from the pre-Broadway road trip is that it is well done and very funny.
  • https://plazasuitebroadway.com/

***





2020-02-20 (THU FEB 20, 2020)



WHIMSY

(It's not quite a palindrome like Feb 2, 2020:

2020-02-02 or 20200202 or if you prefer 02022020

A palindrome is the same backwards or forwards.)


But I still like today's

20200220

***


THEATER

WEST SIDE STORY 

***


US

THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE'S DEBATE 

  • showed that:
    • SANDERS is a passionate advocate for universal health care and the working class;
    • WARREN is a brilliant expert and advocate for financial reform and families;
    • BUTTIGIEG is an eloquent advocate for sensible policies;
    • BIDEN has a wealth of experience;
    • KLOBUCHAR has broad appeal for moderate voters of any party;
    • BLOOMBERG has an impressive breath of experience and expertise in government and management;
    • EVERYONE on stage believes that Trump ranks somewhere between the worst President in modern times, and the worst President ever.
  • Comment: Several important issues were not seriously raised by the questions posed or the answers given, including:
    • the possible threat to democracy and the rule of law posed by (a) Trump's challenges to the FBI and the intelligence agencies, and (b) his challenge to transparency and truth in government;
    • the desperate need for infrastructure improvements, especially in view of climate changes and changing weather patterns;
    • the issues to be faced in the next Presidential term due to 
      • (a) the challenge posed by the possible end of the financial boom that began with the Obama turnaround after the Bush crash, and has now lasted a very long time for booms; and
      • (b) the challenge, and more exciting, the opportunities enabled by the incredible advances that are likely in the next few years due to the exponentially increasing power of digital technology: the many facets of eXtended Reality (XR): 
  • There is a tremendous opportunity now for the democratic candidates: to erupt beyond the current issues and create an inspiring vision of future possibilities.


***

2020-02-19 (WED FEB 19, 2020)



FILM

EUGENE HERNANDEZ 

  • has been named the Director of the New York Film Festival.

***



US

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG 

  • will be appearing in tonight's Presidential Primary Candidate's Debate for the first time.
  • Hosted by NBC News and MSNBC at 9 PM ET from Nevada.

***

2020-02-18 (TUE FEB 18, 2020)



US

PRESIDENT TRUMP 

  • granted full pardons to seven people, and commuted the sentences of 4 more.
  • Most had been convicted of financial crimes.
  • Some, in addition, had been government officials who used their offices for personal gain.

***



2020-02-17 (MON FEB 17, 2020)


US & HOLIDAY

TODAY IS

PRESIDENTS DAY

A FEDERAL HOLIDAY
CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAYS OF

ABRAHAM LINCOLN & 
GEORGE WASHINGTONx



CELEBRATE 

  • by looking up the US President's, and the history of the Presidency;
  • (for example, check out the biographies by Doris Kearn's Goodwin;)
  • and see the story below (Sun Feb 15), including the three part miniseries on George Washington on the History Channel.
  • WIKIPEDIA : Presidents of the United States:
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_United_States

***



2020-02-16 (SUN FEB 16, 2020)



US & TV

GEORGE WASHINGTON 

  • is the subject of a three part mini-series that begins tonight on The History Channel at 8 PM.
  • The program is executive produced by Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and narrated by Jeff Daniels.
  • George Washington was born on Feb 22, 1732. (On July 4, 1776, he was 44 years old.)
  • Tomorrow is President's Day, celebrating the birth of Washington and of Lincoln (born Feb 12 1809).
  • Here's a story about the show:
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/02/16/kearns-goodwin-george-washington/

***



2020-02-15 (SAT FEB 15, 2020)



WORLD

ANGELA MERKEL

  • in Germany, is having trouble executing her "succession plan".
  • Her first choice as a successor has pulled back.
  • Her party, the Christian Democratic party, is finding difficulty navigating between more liberal parties, and increasing pressure from right and far right parties.

***

2020-02-14 (FRI FEB 14, 2020)



THE UNIVERSE (OF LOVE)

 Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over, and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of the singing of birds is come,

 and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,

and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Song of Solomon: 2: 11-17


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!


***



2020-02-13 (THU FEB 13, 2020)



TECHNOLOGY

JEDI PROJECT UPDATE: IN A SEALED RULING

  • Federal Claims Judge Patricia E. Campbell-Smith has issued a  temporary injunction preventing the project from starting.
  • Microsoft was recently awarded the $10B contract over Amazon.
  • Amazon sued, and is seeking to depose President Trump, Defense Secretary Esper, and former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
  • See below (2020-02-10 - MON FEB 10, 2020) for more!

***


FILM

CESAR AWARDS


***



2020-02-12 (WED FEB 12, 2020)



TECHNOLOGY

NASA

***



2020-02-11 (TUE FEB 11, 2020)



TECHNOLOGY

THE GAME DEVELOPER'S CONFERENCE (GDC) 2020

***

USA

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY

  • was narrowly won by Sanders at 26% with Buttigieg close behind at 24% and Klobuchar next at 20%.  
  • All the rest in single digits.

THE IOWA CAUCUS

  • results appear to have Buttigieg slightly edging out Sanders in the second round following the redistribution of votes, after Sanders won the first round.
  • Klobuchar was third, with others further behind.
  • However the results are subject to recounting.

***


2020-02-10 (MON FEB 10, 2020)



TECHNOLOGY

AMAZON AWS

  • has supplemented their legal action challenging the awarding of the $10B JEDI contract to Microsoft on the grounds that the decision was influenced improperly by actions of President Trump, by seeking depositions from President Trump, Defense Secretary Esper, and former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
  • This pits the richest man in the world (Bezos) against, arguably, the most powerful man in the world (Trump).
  • The charge - that Trump influenced the disposition of government funds to benefit himself personally -- echos the charges in Trump's Impeachment and trial. However, in this case the proceeding should follow explicitly legal procedures rather than the explicitly political procedures of an impeachment.
  • Microsoft reportedly is fighting this suit and the supplementary filing.
  • Comment: While it makes sense for Microsoft to oppose the action on the grounds that they have a better case -- with their extensive and comprehensive software development experience -- to complete the JEDI project successfully (cloud facility is only one part of a development project), they should let the deposition process proceed so they can be clear that they can win the contract on its merits, not on improper political/personal meddling.
  • The current filing is currently sealed, but here is the (redacted) original filing:
  • https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/120919_redacted_aws_complaint.pdf

***


FILM

PARASITE

  • a Korean language film, was the first foreign language film to ever win the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards, which, with that one exceptional exception, went as expected.
  • The rest of the show was pleasant enough, with occasional pairs of comedians as presenters providing the comedy that used to be supplied by a host (missing from the show again this year).
  • My one complaint -- which applies not only to this but most other awards shows as well -- is that there was no clearly visible title to identify the names of presenters, or to identify the actors, films, or source in each segment of a montage sequence.
  • Full results:
  • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/academy-awards-2020.html

***



2020-02-09 (SUN FEB 9, 2020)


MUSIC

THE THURNAUER SCHOOL OF MUSIC's

  • GIFT OF MUSIC GALA BENEFIT, raising scholarship funds,
  • featuring

 guitar virtuoso, multi-Grammy Award winner,

  • SHARON ISBIN
  • and honoring DIANNE FLAGELLO, 
  • long-time director of the pre-college division of 
  • THE MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC will be
  • SUNDAY, FEB 9, 2020 at 4:00 in Hackensack, NJ
  • TICKET and other INFORMATION at:
  • https://wizevents.com/register/landing.php?id=7056
  • The GOM is an annual event that, FOR 30 YEARS!, in addition to raising money for scholarships, provides an invaluable inspiration to Thurnauer music students, as they play with, rehearse with, and meet some of the world's most distinguished musicians. 
  • In addition to Sharon Isbin, other GOM events have featured:
    • Alan Gilbert, Conductor and Music Director of the New York Philharmonic (+ other members of the orchestra)!
    • Joshua Bell, Violin!
    • Steven Isserlis, Cello!
    • Melvin Chen, Professor in the Practice of Piano & Deputy Director of the Yale School of Music, Piano!
    • The Wynton Marsalis Septet, Jazz!
    • Sharon Roffman, Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Violin!
    • Paula Robison, Flute!
    • David Krakauer, Clarinet! 
    • Richard Goode, Piano!
    • The Juilliard String Quartet!
    • and many more!!!
  • https://www.jccotp.org/JCC/Thurnauer_School_of_Music/JCC/Thurnauer/Thurnauer_School_of_Music.aspx

    ***



    2020-02-08 (SAT FEB 8, 2020)



    FILM

    THE ACADEMY AWARDS

    • will be presented tomorrow, Sunday Feb 9, at 8 PM on ABC.
    • There will be no host this year.
    • The biggest question is whether favorite ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, dark horse 1917, or surprise candidate, foreign film, THE PARASITE will win.
    • The other major categories have been pretty consistent in most of the earlier award shows; any difference would be a major upset:
      • Joaquin Phoenix - Actor, for JOKER
      • Renee Zellweger - Actress, for JUDY
      • Brad Pitt - Supporting Actor, for ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
      • Laura Dern - Supporting Actress, for THE MARRIAGE STORY.
    • Here's the whole list of nominees:
    • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/academy-awards-2020.html

    THE***



    2020-02-07(FRI FEB 7, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    THE OCULUS QUEST

    • is currently sold out on the Oculus store. The page actually reads...
    Oculus Quest Logo

    All-In-One VR

    No PC. No wires. No limits.
    Not Available*

    • The current shortage began around the holiday season, but now seems compounded by the coronavirus.
    • Reportedly, the QUEST sold very well while it was available.
    • Meanwhile...
      • New software updates allow QUEST users to connect to a PC to play RIFT titles, and to use hand tracking.

    ***


    FILM

    RENDEZ-VOUS WITH FRENCH CINEMA,

    ***



    2020-02-06 (THU FEB 6, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    THE FCC

    • is one of the most important and hard to follow agencies in the US government.
    • It defines rules and procedures for all kinds of communication services, like broadcasting, broadband, and the internet.
    • It is important because it chooses between companies, industries, and communities in its most significant decisions.
    • It is hard to follow because the issues it deals with are complex technically, politically, legally, and commercially, and its website is seriously opaque.
    • Currently, major issues being decided include:
      • How to increase broadband access in underserved areas
      • How to improve the allocation of the electromagnetic spectrum to be available for 5G, while fairly compensating the companies that now use those frequencies.
    • https://www.fcc.gov/

    ***

    TECHNOLOGY

    BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS



    ***



    2020-02-05 (WED FEB 5, 2020)



    USA

    THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

    • Article I, Section 3, Paragraph 6:
    • The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present
    • On the first Article of Impeachment, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States, Abuse of Power, 45 Democrats, 2 Independents, and One Republican (Mitt Romney) voted Guilty, 52 Republicans voted Not Guilty. 
    • Failing to obtain 2/3 of the vote, the President was not convicted.
    • On the second Article of Impeachment, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States, Obstruction of Congress, 45 Democrats, and 2 Independents voted Guilty, 53 Republicans voted Not Guilty. 
    • Failing to obtain 2/3 of the vote, the President was not convicted.

    ***



    2020-02-04 (TUE FEB 4, 2020)



    USA

    STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

    • is tonight.

    ***

    IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS

    • are delayed due to a failure of the app intended to improve the compilation and release of caucus results.



    ***

    2020-02-03 (MON FEB 3, 2020)



    THEATER

    THE PUBLIC THEATER


    THE PUBLIC THEATER


    ***


    TECHNOLOGY


    Was Google's superbowl ad a little creepy? Should Google know and collect people's intimate feelings throughout their life? It's great as long as it remains confidential and useful; potentially dangerous if hacked, or misused in any way at all.


    ***



    TODAY : 2020-02-02 (SUN FEB 2, 2020)



    FILM

    THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

    • top prizewinning films (Grand Jury Prizes) this year are: 
      • Minari (U.S. Dramatic), 
      • Boys State (U.S. Documentary), 
      • Epicentro (World Cinema Documentary) and 
      • Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness (World Cinema Dramatic).
    • John Cooper is stepping down as Festival Director. The new Festival Director is Tabitha Jackson. 
    • Here are the complete results:
    • https://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/2020-sundance-film-festival-awards-announced



    ***

    SPORTS

    BIG WEEKEND FOR SPORTS!

    KANSAS CITY CHIEFS WIN SUPERBOWL LIV (54) 31-20

    • over the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Jennifer Lopez and Shakira lead an excellent halftime show.

    ***


    AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

    • Young American, Sofia Kenin, becomes the newest tennis star, winning the Women's Final at the Australian Open.
    • Novak Djokovic defeats Dominic Thiem in 5 sets in the Men's Final.

    ***

    WHIMSY

    For the first time in a while we have a special date: 

    2020-02-02 or 20200202 or if you prefer 02022020

    It's a palindrome day, the same backwards or forwards.


    ***


    2020-02-01 (SAT FEB 1, 2020)



    SPORTS

    BIG WEEKEND FOR SPORTS!

    SUPERBOWL LIV (54) SUNDAY (2/2) 6:30 PM EST

    • matches the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs.
    • Jennifer Lopez and Shakira head the halftime show.
    • Lot's of snacks (get them early before the store runs out) lead the menu.
    • Watch on FOX.

    ***

    AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

    • Young American, Sofia Kenin, becomes the newest tennis star, winning the Women's Final at the Australian Open.
    • Novak Djokovic faces Dominic Thiem in the Men's Final.
    • The Men's Final can be watched on ESPN or ESPN+ at 2:30 ET --VERY early morning Sunday (2/2).

    ***

    2020-01-31 (FRI JAN 31, 2020)



    INTERNATIONAL

    BRITAIN

    • has separated from Europe. BrExit is done.

    ***



    2020-01-30 (THU JAN 30, 2020)

    INTERNATIONAL

    CORONAVIRUS

    • was declared a WORLD HEALTH EMERGENCY by the World Health Organization (WHO).
    • UPDATE 1/31/2020: The Dow Jones Industrial average lost well over 650 points on Friday; the decline was ascribed mostly to the potential effects on the economy of the coronavirus.

    ***



    2020-01-29 (WED JAN 29, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    VR WORLD,

    • a new, large (12,000 sq feet; 3 levels), location based gaming site, allowing people to experience VR has opened in New York.
    • https://vrworldnyc.com/

    ***

    SUNDAR PINCHAI ON AI

    • at the World Economic Forum in Davos:


    ***

    2020-01-28 (TUE JAN 28, 2020)



    THE WORLD

    A PEACE PLAN FOR THE ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

    • has been proposed by the White House.
    • The Palestinians did not participate in its development and seem to have so far rejected it.
    • News accounts and analysis in the US have generally suggested it is favorable to Israel; and even more, that it is in part intended to support Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is his next election.
    • Here is the full text of the proposal:
    • https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Peace-to-Prosperity-0120.pdf

    ***



    2020-01-27 (MON JAN 27, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    TIM COOK, FROM APPLE,

    ***

    US

    The FCC
    If you ever receive a scam call, write down the number and file a complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Help Center: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov #FCCtips #ProtectingConsumers


    ***


    WORLD
    Adam Schiff
    On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the six million Jews and other victims of Nazism. We honor their memories by speaking out against anti-Semitism, injustice, and hatred in all forms. Never Again.

    WORLD

    CDC UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS,

    • 5 confirmed cases in US.
    • 110 cases under investigation.
    • No evidence virus is spreading in the uS; cases are isolated.
    • 16 countries have cases.
    • Avoid travel to Hubei province (where cases began in Wuhan).
    • Be careful about travel anywhere in China.
    • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
    • Other sources estimate: about 3000 cases worldwide, 80+ deaths.
    • Side note: The spread of coronavirus is "blamed" for a stock selloff in Europe and the US.

    ***


    2020-01-26 (SUN JAN 26, 2020)



    THEATER & FILM

    THE NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY MAGAZINE (2020-01-26)


    ***



    2020-01-25 (SAT JAN 25, 2020)



    THEATER

    THEATER RESOURCES UNLIMITED (TRU)

    • one of the country's leading organizations dedicating to developing theater professionals has announced an impressive collection of events coming in the next few months, including: 
      • a panel on Festivals: Working Hard to Give Your Show A Chance;
      • a Speeddate --the Art of the Pitch -- for writers and producers, giving writers a chance to practice their pitch to a room full of working, investing producers;
      •  a three part workshop on Writing a Musical That Works
      • with other resources available from their site:
    • https://truonline.org/

    ***



    2020-01-24 (FRI JAN 24, 2020)



    THEATER & FILM

    OPEN SUBMISSIONS TO SCRIPT COMPETITIONS IN THEATER AND FILM

    ***



    2020-01-23 (THU JAN 23, 2020)



    WORLD

    CHINA

    • has responded to the new Coronavirus scare and pandemic threat vigorously by quickly alerting the world, and enabling a quick sequencing of the virus,
    • and by halting transportation to and from -- essentially quarantining -- cities (and even parts of cities) where the illness is prevalent.
    • The US has responded by screening passengers on flights from areas where the virus has been detected. 
    • At least one person has been confirmed with the virus in the US.

    ***



    TODAY: 2020-01-22 (WED JAN 22, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    YAHOO HIJACKED MY SEARCH (?!*??)

    • Google has been my search engine. It works well.
    • Suddenly all my searches were conducted by Yahoo (now belonging to Verizon).
    • Earlier, while I was trying to add my "brand" channel to YouTubeVR, for some reason I seemed to have had to register for some other things first. This seems to have hijacked the search engine.
    • Here's how I fixed it: 
    • By going to the three vertical dots at the top right of Chrome, I scrolled to Settings, then to Search engine, and disabled Yahoo search and the program that was controlling the choice of search. This fixed the problem.
    • I have found Google Search to be the best search. I set this as the default. 
    • There may be other ways that Yahoo (or some other search engine) can hijack the search, but this method is likely to work in many cases.

    ***



    2020-01-21 (TUE JAN 21, 2020)



    USA

    THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF DONALD JOHN TRUMP

    • begins today.

    ***


    VR VIDEO

    QPORIT XR

    ***


    2020-01-20 (MON JAN 20, 2020)



    USA

    Today is a holiday: Martin Luther King Jr Day



    ***

    FILM & TV


    SAG AWARDS (& MORE)

    • The SAG awards were pretty similar to the awards from GG (Golden Globes) and CC (Critics Circle) wherever they overlapped.
    • For the Oscars, now, the only categories in which there is major suspense are Best Picture (Once Upon A Time in Hollywood or Parasite or The Irishman  or 1917) and Best Director (Respectively Quentin Tarantino, Bong Joon-ho, Martin Scorcese, and Sam Mendes)

    • Here are these awards, so far:
    • The Producer's Guild went with 1917.
    • SAG with Parasite (cast)
    • GG with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (comedy  & screenplay) & 1917 (drama & director)
    • CC with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Picture) &
    • 1917 & Parasite (Director - tied!)

    • The SAG Awards went to:
    • Robert De Niro - Lifetime Achievement (Passionate political talk!)
    • “Parasite” - Cast
    • Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker” - Actor in a Film (good talk!), 
    • Renée Zellweger, “Judy” - Actress in a Film, 
    • Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”- Supporting Actor in a Film (funny!), 
    • Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” - Supporting Actress in a Film, 
    • “The Crown” - Ensemble in a TV Drama Series, 
    • Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” - Actor in a TV Drama Series, 
    • Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show” - Actress in a TV Drama Series, , 
    • “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” - Ensemble in a TV Comedy Series, 
    • Tony Shalhoub, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” - Actor in a TV Comedy Series, 
    • Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” - Actress in a TV Comedy Series,, 
    • Sam Rockwell, “Fosse/Verdon” - Actor in a TV Mini-series, 
    • Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” - Actress in a TV Mini-series,. 
    • Presenters & nominees diverse
    • Winners all white, mostly British when possible.

    • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/sag-awards-2020.html
    To see what films and which actors have been celebrated in other awards this year... AND in the last five years, please see:



    2020-01-19 (SUN JAN 19, 2020)



    INTERNATIONAL & TV


    FAREED ZAKARIA 




    ***


    FILM & TV

    SAG AWARDS (& MORE)




    To see what films and which actors have been celebrated in other awards this year... AND in the last five years, please see:

    ***



    2020-01-18 (SAT JAN 18, 2020)



    THEATER


    PUNCHDRUNK




    • the British Theater company that developed the (fantastic!) Sleep No More has developed a resource guide for immersive theater.
    • Immersive theater is a sibling to immersive video.
    • http://www.punchdrunk.org.uk/resources/

    ***



    2020-01-17 (FRI JAN 17, 2020)


    XR CLUB NEWS

     TECHNOLOGY & $$$

    THE $TRILLION CLUB

    • has a new member, as Alphabet/Google, joins Apple and Microsoft with a market capitalization of more than a trillion $$$dollars.


    WORLD

    THE IMPEACHED PRESIDENTS CLUB

    • has a new member, as Donald J Trump joins Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson as the only Presidents to face an impeachment trial.
    • Clinton and Johnson were not convicted.
    • Richard Nixon avoided impeachment by resigning.


    FILM & VIDEO

    THE 2020 MAJOR FILM AND VIDEO AWARDS CLUB

    • will have a new member on Sunday with the SAG Awards.
    • The SAG awards are voted on by actors, and may have a different take from the Golden Globes and Critics Circle awards, which are both critics' rather than performers' choices.
    • Sunday, Jan 19, 2020
    • Red Carpet: TNT 5:30 PM ET
    • Awards Ceremony: TNT & TBS 8:00 ET 



    VIDEO & TECHNOLOGY


    THE STREAMING VIDEO CLUB
    • will have a new member as the plans for NBCU Peacock are announced.
    • Content for Peacock with include both movies and NBC shows.
    • Peacock will have 3 tiers:
      • Free with ads (>7,500 hours of content)
      • Premium $5 with ads (>15,000 hours of contents & sports)
      • Premium $10 with no ads.
    • https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/16/nbc-peacock-price-launch-date-and-shows.html
    • Some features of Peacock will launch on April 15,; more on July 15, 2020
    • Peacock joins other current and future streaming services including...
      • Netflix
      • Apple TV+
      • Disney+
      • Quibi (original, short, phone-targeted content - see below 2020-01-08)
      • HBO Max

    ***



    2020-01-16 (THU JAN 16, 2020)



    TECHNOLOGY

    MULTI-USER AR AND VR WITH AWS SUMERIAN

    ***

    USA

    ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

    • "Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors",
    • have been read at the Senate.
    • The Chief Justice and the Senators have been sworn in for the impeachment trial.
    • In related news, the GAO has released an opinion that the delay of funds for the Ukraine was illegal.

    ***



    2020-01-15 (WED JAN 15, 2020)


    USA

    ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

    • "Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors",
    • are scheduled to be transmitted to the Senate about 5:00 PM EST today.

    ***


    USA & THE WORLD

    A "PHASE ONE" AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND THE USA


    ***



    2020-01-14 (TUE JAN 14, 2020)


    USA

    DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

    • Tonight: The last Democratic debate before the Iowa Caucuses (Feb 3, 2020), at which  49 delegates to the Democratic Convention (July 13-16 2020) will be chosen.  
    • There will be a national total of 4,750 delegates.
    • Participants in the debate are:
      • Former VP Joe Biden
      • Senator Elizabeth Warren
      • Senator Bernie Sanders
      • Senator Amy Klobuchar
      • Mayor Pete Buttegeig
      • Businessman Tom Steyer
    • Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is also competing for the Democratic nomination is not in this debate.

    ***



    2020-01-13 (MON JAN 13, 2020)


    FILM

    ACADEMY AWARDS 2020

    • The nominations for the Academy Awards are similar to those for the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice. BEST in each category is likely to be a reflection of the slightly different sensibilities of the members of these groups. GG voters are foreign critics; CC voters are North American critics; and AA voters are in the film industry, making the films.
    • Joker had the highest number of nominations, 11.
    • The films at the top of the list seem to be:
    • 1917 (10)
    • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (10)
    • Parasite (6)
    • The Irishman (10)
    • Joker (11)
    • Little Women
    • Marriage Story 
    • Missing Link
    • Toy Story 4
    • Here's the list of all the nominees:
    • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/academy-awards-2020.html

    CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS 2020

    • The Critics Choice Awards winners included:

      • Best picture: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,
      • Best Foreign Language Picture: Parasite,
      • Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix,
      • Best Actress: Renee Zellweger
      • Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,
      • Best Director: Bong Joon-ho & Sam Mendes (tie)
    • For all the results, including TV, please see:
    • https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/critics-choice-awards-2020.html

    ***



    2020-01-12 (SUN JAN 12, 2020)


    FILM

    CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS 2020

    ***



    2020-01-11 (SAT JAN 11, 2020)


    THEATER

    THE WOMAN IN BLACK  - A GHOST PLAY IN A PUB

    • is being presented (in a "strictly limited" engagement -- with many dates already sold out) at "the McKittrick Hotel", home of Sleep No More.
    • Everything I've ever attended there has been exceptionally fine.
    • This is the adaptation of Susan Hill's novel by Stephen Mallatratt, directed by Robin Herford, that was a huge success in London. 
    • https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/womaninblack/

    ***



    2020-01-10 (FRI JAN 10, 2020)


    IDEAS

    A NIGHT OF PHILOSOPHY AND IDEAS

    • co-sponsored by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy
    • will be held this year in Brooklyn.
    • Saturday Feb 1, 2020 7 PM to Sunday Feb 2, 2020 7 AM.
    • https://nightofphilosophyandideas.com/

    ***



    2020-01-09 (THU JAN 9, 2020)


    THEATER

    HB STUDIO,

    • one of the oldest, best, and least expensive acting studios in NY (or anywhere else) is starting a new term.
    • HB has classes for everyone from beginner to professional; both a la carte and complete programs; and a wide variety of courses and workshops and performing opportunities.
    • HB Studio is especially friendly as a destination for visiting students from other countries.
    • Among the special offerings this winter are "studio practice" with Mercedes Ruehl, concentration in Ibsen with Austin Pendleton, and courses in acting in Spanish (Actuar en espagnol) and in the Russian language:
    • ACTING IN RUSSIAN: METHOD OF ETUDES
    • ТЕХНИКА АКТЕРА НА РУССКОМ: МЕТОД ЭТЮДОВ
    • Snezhana Chernova - СНЕЖАНА ЧЕРНОВА
    • www.hbstudio.org


      ***



      2020-01-08 (WED JAN 8, 2020)


      TECHNOLOGY

      CES - QUIBI

      • CES - THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW
        • JAN 7-10, 2020

        • https://www.ces.tech/
        • QUIBI (QUIck BItes) is a new content streaming service, created by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman, which aims to bring A-level content from A-level talent to smartphones... by designing the content visually to be optimized for the phone-sized screen, and by cutting the content into bite-sized segments (quick bites), so it can easily be watched on the go, on the phone.
        • It will launch on April 6, and will cost $4.99/mo with ads, or $7.99 without ads.
        • According to the WSJ, QUIBI had already sold $150M worth of ads as of October 21, 2019.
        • By the way, as of today, they have 28 open positions on their site.
        • www.quibi.com

      ***



      2020-01-07 (TUE JAN 7, 2020)


      TECHNOLOGY

      CES

      • CES - THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

      ***

      ELON MUSK

        • SpaceX successfully launched a rocket and returned Stage 1 successfully back to Earth.
        • SpaceX is now the largest operator of Satellites.
        • Tesla successfully delivered cars to Chinese customers from its new Chinese factory.
        • Tesla stocks and valuation reached a new high, with a capitalization of over $84.5B.

        ***


        2020-01-06 (MON JAN 6, 2020)

        TECHNOLOGY

        CES - SAMSUNG

        • CES - THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW
        • Here is the Samsung Keynote - first the full video version, then the highlights with a short synopsis video 
        • https://youtu.be/KL1B_sxgILQ
        • Highlights:
          • Ballie - a ball shaped robot/personal assistant
          • GEMS - a software and AR enhanced exoskeleton
          • Smart kitchen, including an enclosed home growing station
          • 5G & AI applications
          • https://youtu.be/4t66KO0uE7Y

        ***


         FILM & TV

        GOLDEN GLOBES

        • Here are the Feature Films with the most wins at last night's Golden Globes:

        • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - 5 Nominations, 3 wins
          • Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
          • Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Brad Pitt
          • Best Screenplay
        • 1917 - 3 Nominations, 2 wins
          • Best Dramatic Feature
          • Best Director - Sam Mendes
        • Rocketman - 3 Nominations, 2 wins
          • Best Actor - Musical or Comedy - Taron Egerton
          • Best Song - "I'm Gonna Love Me Again"
        • Joker - 4 Nominations, 2 wins
          • Best Actor - Drama - Joaquin Phoenix
          • Best Original Score
        • Missing Link - Best Animated Feature
        • Parasite - Best Foreign Language Film
        • Judy - Best Actress - Renee Zellweger
        • The Farewell - Best Actress, Musical or Comedy - Awkwafina
        • Marriage Story - 6 Nominations - Best Supporting Actress, Laura Dern

        ***


        2020-01-05 (SUN JAN 5, 2020)


        FILM & TV

        GOLDEN GLOBES

        • Tonight, NBC 8-11 PM (EST), hosted by Ricky Gervais.
        • Here are the Feature Films with the most nominations:


        • 6 Marriage Story
          5 The Irishman
          5 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
          4 Joker
          4 The Two Popes
          3 Knives Out
          3 1917
          3 Rocketman
          3 Parasite
          2 Dolemite is my name
          2 Jojo Rabbit
          2 Frozen 2
          2 Lion King
          2 The Farewell
          2 Harriet

        Here is the full list of nominees:

        https://qporit.blogspot.com/2020/01/golden-globes-2020-nbc-jan-5-2020-8-11.html


        ***

        2020-01-03 (FRI JAN 3, 2020)


        WORLD

        Tensions are increasing in the Middle East and around the world, following an Iranian attack on the US Embassy in Iraq, and a US drone strike on an important Iranian General.

        ***


        2020-01-02 (THU JAN 2, 2020)


        USA

        Calendar for 2020!


        JAN 01 WED NEW YEAR'S DAY

        FEB 02 SUN Groundhog Day
        FEB 17 MON PRESIDENT'S DAY

         MAR 08 SUN Daylight Saving Time Starts

         APR 08 WED Passover Seder (eve)
        APR 15 WED TAX DAY

         MAY 10 SUN Mother's Day
        MAY 25 MON MEMORIAL DAY

         JUN 14 SUN Flag Day
        JUN 21 SUN Father's Day

         JUL 03 FRI INDEPENDENCE DAY - OBSERVED
        JUL 04 SAT INDEPENDENCE DAY

         SEP 07 MON LABOR DAY
        SEP 18 FRI Rosh Hashanah (eve)
        SEP 27 SUN Yom Kippur (eve)

         OCT 12 MON COLUMBUS DAY

         NOV 01 SUN Daylight Saving Time Ends
        NOV 03 TUE ELECTION DAY
        NOV 11 WED VETERANS DAY
        NOV 26 THU THANKSGIVING

         DEC 10 THU Hanukkah eve)
        DEC 25 FRI CHRISTMAS DAY
        DEC 31 THU New Year's Eve


        ***


        2020-01-01 (WED JAN 1, 2020)


        HELLO 2020!

        Be good to us! Please!

        We wish everyone on Earth
        A Great New Year!

        MUCH TO COME!

        ***




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          Quick PREVIEWS Of Random Interesting Things

           
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