The Bourne Ultimatum

My favorite action hero, Jason Bourne, is back at it, and I stumbled across some live action shots of the filming (via Autoblog). The shots are very cool, and I'm expecting good things from the movie, especially the car chases (as Autoblog concurs). As a friend pointed out though, Bourne always gets away alive and well from the pursuits, but what about the "extras" accidentally caught up in the chase? In the Bourne Supremacy, there must have been fifty to a hundred maimed or killed bystanders as a result of the final automotive showdown, judging by the wrecks that occur. I guess I can only hope no double-super-secret CIA assassins ever get chased around my town.

Infants (might) go to heaven

As explained by Ross Douthat (filling in for Andrew over at The Daily Dish), the Catholic Church is moving away from its teaching on infants being in Limbo (literally) in the afterlife. Previously the thought was that being unbaptized, even if an infant, meant there was no way to enter heaven. This and with hell not being suitable for those who die as infants led to the conjecturing of another place somewhere in between. In contrast, the current Catholic theological state of the art (as I understand it) is that God's grace can likely overcome the infant's unbaptized nature, but we cannot know for sure where anyone (infant or otherwise) is after they die. I find this whole discussion extremely interesting, and in large part I welcome the new teachings. It is true we cannot know for sure where anyone goes after their death, but being a Protestant I differ (from what I understand) with Catholics on the reason. It is only because we cannot know each others' hearts, not because our destination is up in the air. We can know our own heart, and God promises: "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom. 10:9 NIV)

Microcars

I like that GM is getting around to building small cars for the US market. I also like that I can do my best to vote out the two ugly ones. Here is the website with details of what I'm talking about; follow the "Vote for Your Minicar" links to vote for the Beat. In this design I see more than a little of the Chevrolet Rally Concept that was touring the auto shows not too long ago, which is a good thing.

Sales Volume Fun

There are a few articles (Autoblog) tooling around the information superhighway about automotive sales volumes for 2006, broken into individual models. I've always thought it was strange to pick out certain models like that since many companies (that is, the domestics) sell mechanically similar cars under different names (for example the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6). Therefore, I've compiled a list of compact, midsize and large car sales volumes from some of the major manufacturers. I've left out any overt luxury cars, since that's a different story from the mainstream offerings. The data was gathered from the Automotive Information Center for sedans, coupes and wagons. Here you go:

• Toyota
• small (Yaris, Corrolla (incl Matrix), xA, xB, tC) 630730
• midsize (Camry, Prius) 555416
• large (Avalon) 88938
  

• Honda
  
• small (Fit, Civic, Insight) 345294
• midsize (Accord) 354441
• large 0
  

• GM
  
• small (Aveo, Cobalt, Ion, Vibe) 416956
• midsize (Malibu, G6, Aura) 341243
• large (Impala, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, LaCrosse) 503687
  

• Ford
  
• small (Focus) 177006
• midsize (Fusion, Milan, Taurus, Mustang) 519688
• large (Five Hundred, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Montego) 224214
  

In many cases these categories involve one platform for many cars, such as GM's midsize entries, though others clearly combine disparate designs (e.g. Ford, with the Fusion, Taurus and Mustang in the midsize category). However, I've included all the cars sold in the size class to even out the companies' marketing strategies. To that end, I think it's interesting to see GM selling almost as many midsize cars as Honda by using three closely related models. (We'll also see how the Aura does as it gets a full year of sales in 2007, likely adding more to GM's total here.) Moreover, GM clearly owns the large car market with the W-body platform cars (i.e. the ones listed). Some may call these midsize, but they are routinely compared with large cars (Car and Driver). They certainly are a step up in size, if not in price. On the other hand, Toyota clearly wins in the small car category and follows a multi-model strategy similar to GM.

NAIAS

For my annual post on the North American International Auto Show, I've snapped a few photos of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) automobiles. They're included below, along with snappy commentary in (mostly) grammatically correct sentence structures. Enjoy!

First up is my favorite car of the show, the Chevrolet Volt. I'm a nerd, so the advanced drivetrain is right up my alley. Also, I'm impatient, so the ready to be mass-produced quality is music to my ears. This is very similar to the request I made when reports of this car first surfaced a couple months ago. I hope they make it soon.

I was also impressed by the car below, the Mazda Ryuga. The organic flowing shape is modern and yet conveys a classic car look in the fenders. And dig the texturing on the sides. I love it.

Next up is the Acura sports car below, essentially the replacement for the NSX. As Car and Driver have pointed out, a shift has been made to a front engine, GT style people mover (the NSX being mid-engined). Though I like the looks of this concept, nothing is a done deal in that super competitive class, and we'll have to wait to see how this pans out for Acura.


Finally, I have to comment on a car many are hailing as one of the most important cars at the show and a huge positive for GM, the new Chevrolet Malibu. The looks have been roundly praised, with many saying it looks even better in person. I'm here to tell you it doesn't, and I wasn't impressed at all. Maybe all the hype got me too excited, but I thought it was dull looking, especially the somehow Passat-esque rear end treatment. I'll reserve my final judgment until I see them on the road however.

Resurrecting the electric car

In another wave of General Motor's blitzkrieg on the environmental side of the automotive business, a plug-in hybrid is apparently set for debut at the NAIAS. There's no word yet on which brand it will wear, nor what fuel type it will use. I'm with Autoblog on this one though: make it small and fuel efficient to the point of absurdity. Demonstrate it is cost effective for the consumer (lower cost per mile than comparable non-plug-in cars), give it acceptable performance (8 or 9 sec to 60 mph should do the trick) and make the vehicle fully operational even without access to an outlet (easier said than done). With those attributes, they won't be able to make them fast enough, and the rumored sequel "I Know who Killed the Electric Car" won't ever see the light of day.

Quote for the day

"Americans will always do the right thing, after they have exhausted all the alternatives."

-Winston Churchill

(via Sullivan)

Thinking about it, that's not so terrible an insult.

Active euthanasia for disabled newborn children

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in "Great" Britain has advised that active euthanasia for severely disabled newborns be considered, due to the pain and suffering they and their family may have to endure.

I'm in agreement with Simone Aspis, of the British Council of Disabled People: "completely wrong."

One thing I must applaud, however, is the clarity in the whole debate. As in this quote, from John Harris, a a professor of bioethics at Manchester University and member of Britain's Human Genetics Commission:

We can terminate for serious fetal abnormality up to term but cannot kill a newborn. What do people think has happened in the passage down the birth canal to make it OK to kill the fetus at one end of the birth canal but not at the other?

He's in favor of "active euthanasia" by the way. This could be the strongest support I've yet seen for my pro-life views. Even this guy, way on the other side of the debate, knows that partial birth abortion and killing newborns are essentially equivalent.

Sweet!

It's about time the scientists figured out the teleporting thing. I've got my flip open communicator already, now it's time to move on with our Star-Trek lives. I'll need teleportation, a body hugging spandex suit, a Klingon friend and a spaceship with built in Scottish engineer. This whole enterprise (ha ha!) is moving along nicely.

Not to be outdone...

...Honda has also released an updated version of their Fuel Cell Vehicle, the FCX. It's predecessor was one of my favorites from the NAIAS, and the progeny carries the family name well. Only good can come from this competition to have the best fuel cell car.

GM and the lightest element

General Motors is forging ahead with plans for hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles by introducing the experimental Sequel concept, which is a completely functional cross-over type SUV. It looks good and is by far the most advanced and usable fuel cell vehicle I've seen. I'm impressed with both the capability and overall execution of the car; it actually looks (both in pictures and specs) likes something I could and would drive. The major hurdle still in front of this vehicle (and perhaps the only real problem perplexing the engineers for the last few years) is cost. I'm sure the current Sequel would have to sell for the price of a small house in order to turn any profit, so finding cost effective ways to manufacture and sell it at a competitive price will determine its fate. You may wonder about the infrastructure for dispensing hydrogen, and that's a serious problem. The Autoextremist has reported that the "oil companies" estimate the price of equipping every gas station in America with hydrogen capability to be $12 billion. They put this in perspective as only half the price of the Alaska pipeline. With that thought, I'm in agreement with The Autoextremist on this one: "eminently doable."

In another smart move, GM is also pledging to build and lease 100 fuel cell vehicles, based on the Chevy Equinox, to customers in California, New York and Washington, D.C. This is more impressive than their Sequel, being a real world application of their technology rather than a one-off piece of technological art. The only issue I see that they overlooked: I don't live in any of those markets.

Sequel coverage:
Autoblog 1, Autoblog 2, Autoblog 3
Autoextremist

Fuel cell Equinox fleet coverage:
Autoblog
Autoextremist

"We torture."

I'll repeat that, as Mr. Sullivan requests, because it is painfully true. Check out this video posted on The Daily Dish of Matt Lauer asking the President about our "alternative methods of extracting information." It seems to me our President thinks "waterboarding", and other like techniques, are not torture, or at least are "within the law," and should be used on detainees. If this weren't the case I'm confident the President would say so; all Matt gets are clumsy evasions and ridiculous sound bites.

Also, I'll second that call for three cheers for Mr. Lauer. I'm not much of a TV news guy and know little about him, but for today he's my favorite reporter. Keep it up Matt and you might win a convert back to the TV fold.

The tragedy cannot be removed...

...from Steve Irwin's death, but we can remember and appreciate all that he did. A moving veneration: The Thundering Positive Energy of Steve Irwin

The view from CNN

Anyone who thinks about the Iraq war at all should read this piece in the Washington Post. I'm not entirely sold on the current direction of the whole mess, i.e. remaining engaged at the current troop levels, but if the sentiments of the Iraqi leaders in the article are correct, perhaps that is what must be done. As much as I hate the dimbulb "cut and run" label that has been applied to anyone who wants to keep our young men and women alive by getting out, the idea might be correct and perhaps, as the piece points out, the only solution is time. But more time means more dead, and that's not something to be papered over with bravado and hubris. I'm really tired of this mess, and the lame, childish Republican sound bites about the war are starting to get under my skin (I know, just now starting?). And the Democrats, oh the Democrats; the sound bites don't get any better over there. I think I'd gladly vote for anyone who stopped talking to us like we're all twelve years old.

Very very cool

Take at look at this article; apparently Ferrari F1 team members are using their crazy fast pitstop skills to help sick children. Thus from now on I must consider it my duty to buy Ferrari and support this work. Helping these kids is worth any price.

Quote of the day

"You cannot deny this gorgeousness, you can only hope to handle it."

-Get Fuzzy

Tesla!

Thanks to Autoblog's exhaustive coverage (here, here and here), I now have a new car to drool over. The Tesla Roadster is a fully electric supercar (as fast as a Porsche 911 Carrera S to 60 mph), in the spirit of a Lotus Elise, that will sell for approximately $80,000. It goes 250 miles on each charge, recharges fully in less than four hours and looks fantastic. I may not have the 80 grand to lay down on a hedonistic machine like this, but if I did and was so inclined, I can't think of a good reason to buy anything else. For starters, it's right in the running with every other car for this price, and it does all its work silently. To me, that's as cool as the symphony from a Ferrari's pipes. Moreover, there's no reason any sports car of this caliber should travel more than 250 miles from home without being trailered. I'm sorry, but highway miles on a Lamborghini just don't make sense. But most of all, $80,000 for a sports car of the traditional persuasion is, well, boring; been there, done that (metaphorically, of course). It's high time to try something new.

Top 6 percent baby!

Check this out, apparently I'm in the minority of bloggers; I don't primarily preen rhetorically for my electric audience. You could say I'm a bit political (though my contributions are so often lame, I excuse myself from this class). That puts me firmly in the technology and spirituality sections, making up 6 percent of all bloggers. The top 6 percent, of course.

Materazzi

By now everyone knows and has spouted off on how the World Cup ended: Zidane is insane, Italy won but must now face charges of scandal and what exactly did Materazzi say? But what no one has mentioned, and which I guess doesn't make much of a news story, is that Materazzi was the key Italian player in every one of the three major events in the final: he "fouled" a French player to set up Zidane's penalty, he leaped over Vieira to head one into the net and, of course, he managed to get under Zinedine's skin, possibly winning the game for Italy by sidelining the legend just before penalty kicks. To my mind it's crazy that one guy had so much impact on the game in such disparate and unlikely ways.

(Update: Someone else did notice.)

jEdit, force quit and the world's most advanced operating system

Recently I've been looking for a good text editor on OS X (as XCode just didn't seem to cut it), specifically to write numerical simulations in Fortran. Since this isn't one of the mainstream languages for computer programmers, and I like a usable GUI, it was a bit difficult to find a really suitable one. It had to have customizable syntax highlighting, but beyond that I didn't need much. Browsing the ol 'net I found jEdit, a sleek Java based text editor that claimed to work with Fortran and also be customizable. From the beginning it worked great on my Mac (OS 10.3.9), except for one simple but really annoying bug, which I will get to in a minute. jEdit works great with Fortran, is simple but meets my needs, looks and works the same across platforms (since it is Java based) and has numerous plugins. My favorite is jDiff, which graphically compares two files and shows the differences.

The bug, however, still remained. What would happen is this: after using jEdit for awhile, with the Mac OS plugin installed and set to put the jEdit menu bar in the OS X menu bar (as is usual with Mac applications), the menus would cease working, essentially disabling the program (I hear jEdit might work from the command line in this state, but that's still not acceptable behavior). I would have to force quit and relaunch the program, with the potential for losing some work. But, through the magic of the internet I found a solution. It turns out the problem is not jEdit but OS X. The world's most advanced operating system (at least version 10.3.9 with Java 1.4.2) has a bug in Java. Turning off the option to put jEdit menus in the Apple menu bar seems to fix everything, and I'm back in love with jEdit. A simple fix, but to me, a mere engineer with little real programming knowledge, it was a bear to find.