What is the Barrier Blocking Humans from Becoming a Type One Civilization?

Victor Lake, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan, October 2021)

 

After reading the title you might be thinking to yourself, what the heck is Mountainman talking about? So, a quick back story…the TV show Star Trek (and the movies) had two interesting concepts to teach us, first was the prime directive and the second was their use of Kardashev Scale for describing the technological stage of a civilization.

The Kardashev Scale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale, https://futurism.com/the-kardashev-scale-type-i-ii-iii-iv-v-civilization) is used to determine how much and from what source a civilization uses its energy. For as smart as we humans think we are, our current civilization would only rate as a Type Zero Civilization. Sure, we can split the atom and generate nuclear fission energy, however, we have not proved to be wise in how we use that knowledge now have we?? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLCF7vPanrY) That video will show you where and when the more than 2000-nuclear weapons have been tested or used in war.

To advance to a Type One Civilization we will need to be technologically and ethically mature enough to harvest/harness energy directly from the Sun. In human terms the Sun is an endless supply of energy, well for the next four billion years or so. Yet, the Sun has energy to share. The process to create X-Class solar flares on the surface of the Sun, produces more energy than a billion hydrogen bombs (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/X-class-flares.html). If wee little humans could work together and figure out how to capture that energy without wiping out all life on our planet, then we would be advancing to the big times. Capturing X-Class flares would eliminate the need for using fossil fuels for home heating or generating electricity for lighting our homes and cities.

So, what is holding us back??

First, we are anything but ethical in our pursuits on this planet or in our neighbourhood of the galaxy.

Second, we have a complicated past in regard to supporting thinkers and innovators. Remember Nikola Tesla?? One of many pioneers far ahead of his time and under recognized as the genius he was. Shunned by the wealthy and powerful of the day. What was Tesla’s crime?? The mere suggestion that power could be free, was the beginning of his end. These greedy, power hungry demons in Society felt threatened by just the concept that energy could be free.

Third, there is a reason why humans are kept away from the centre of the galaxy; humans are an innovative, brutal, violent species. Although, other species in the galaxy are likely larger, smarter, or stronger, humans can be very cunning when hunting their foes and unleash sadistic hell on their enemies. This primitive quality is best reserved for total war when you need to unleash the Berserkers.

Finally, if the legend of Atlantis holds true, then they attained the technology of matter/anti-matter. Unfortunately, basic human deficiencies of greed and power sunk the continent below the surface of the sea at the climax of their civil war.

So, watching our current world I am wondering how are we going to achieve a Type 1 Civilization?? We are approaching the apex of our Type Zero existence, and if we do not have a plan in place, we will find ourselves in a worldwide conflict which will conclude with life on Earth being severely retarded. It will be a regression or devolution.

The old method for dealing with this evil would be to physically destroy it, but that path has us repeating this lesson again. We do not have a hundred generations to get back to this level of technology, again.

We need to mature and grow the hell up and find a solution that destroys this evil, so we can level up and enjoy a golden age as a Type One Civilization.

That is all for now.

Until next time…Ponder not only the solutions, but the costs vs benefits.

Mountainman.

Individuals vs community

Discrimination & Prejudice in 2021

 

Emerson Lake (photo by V.A. McMillan 2021)

How divided we have all become, in only 18-months or so. Does this seem natural to you?? Did you think when first asked to curtail your freedom of movement in March 2020 for two-weeks to flatten the curve, that eighteen or so months later you would find yourself at odds with your friends, co-workers, or your very own family?? What the hell has happened here folks??

My gut tells me we are all being played, manipulated, and exploited to the gain of some very shady bastards. No sugar-coating this post.

We have been asked to self-isolate (aka house arrest), we have been asked to forego any social activities, we have been asked to not travel, we have been asked to trust those in charge…and for what?? So, they can manipulate us further??

If this was a real pandemic, we would not need to be bombarded 24/7 with how many cases, or how many injections, or how many tests were taken. In a real pandemic, the death toll speaks louder than words. In a real pandemic you do not need to be convinced it is happening. We are being manipulated, by those we are supposed to trust.

Now, it is getting worse…our trust has been exploited and manipulated. An illness that more than 99% of those who get it recover. Many have had this illness and never knew they had it. And, yet, it is such a dangerous illness that a “vaccination” program is needed to protect us from this illness. A “vaccination” program using an experimental mRNA-based substance that is supposed to reduce the effects if you get the illness. Not protect you from the illness. Not build up your immunity to the illness. Merely, reduce the effects. Further, some folks who are getting injected are suffering more harm than what the original illness potentially causes. This is a perverse wrong at so many levels. WHY would you volunteer to be injected with a substance that is still experimental and does not purport to protect you from an illness that you can naturally survive?? Are you doing this purely out of fear?? Fear is a powerful emotion that can be harnessed and used to coerce your behaviour.

So, now we have this divide between family members, friends, communities, and even countries. On one side, there are folks who genuinely believe that this experimental substance is a good thing, and everyone should be injected with it. On the other hand, there are folks who genuinely believe this substance needs a lot more testing and animal trials before it should be injected into humans. And in the middle are a bunch of scared folks who are inundated with propaganda 24/7 who have their minds made up for them by the mass media.

So, the exploitation of the week is that persons who will not get injected are somehow a danger to society. This narrative is projected to the point that it is now perfectly fine to discriminate and prejudice against persons who refuse to be injected. Those not injected can be refused entry to a restaurant for a sit-down meal. Those not injected can be refused entry to a sporting event or social event. Those not injected can be intimidated to stay away from work without pay. And soon we will learn if those who are not injected can be terminated from their employment.

This use to be Canada. The True North Strong and Free. Now we are Canuckistan, just another third world despot dictatorship. Prejudice and discrimination are encouraged, by the State! Rat out your neighbours. Rat out your friends! RAT OUT YOUR FAMILY!! Hitler, Goering, Himmler would be impressed. Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot are smiling in their graves. How did the “nice” people of Canada get twisted into zealots who admonish their fellow citizens who refuse to disclose their personal medical choices or medical history just so they can travel, eat in a restaurant, or go to a movie.

If the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects an individual’s Right to Belief, the Freedom of movement, and Freedom of employment; how is it that the State can arbitrarily “mandate” a medical procedure that violates all of these items for some Canadians?? If race, creed, colour, sex, mental illness, and gender are protected, how is it possible that, whether a person has had an injection or not is allowed to be public knowledge??

Not only should that not be public knowledge, but it should also be unlawful to even ask the question. Can you ask someone if they have Herpes before they enter a restaurant?? Can you ask someone if they have Chlamydia or Gonorrhea before they enter a football stadium?? Then why the hell do folks think it is acceptable to inquire about whether or not someone has had an injection of an experimental substance to “vaccinate” against an illness that is far from lethal for most folks. Much less demand that those without the injection be subjected to second class citizen status.

 

In our collective past, we had brave souls who went off to battle and died to protect our core values of this nation, which included Freedom. Those same brave souls would be ashamed of what has become of Canada and Canadians. How is it acceptable to discriminate and prejudice against your fellow Canadians because they refuse to disclose their personal medical history to you?? 

Until next time...Stand for something!

Mountainman.

Update 07 October 2022:

Here is a great music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NVnfM_H7TY 

"I Will Not Be Leaving Quietly" by Five Times August 23 July 2021

The Peaceable Kingdom (2021), Phil Gurski's New Book

 

Canmore Skyline (Photo by V.A. McMillan, 2021)

I just received Phil Gurski's new book - The Peaceable Kingdom - A History of Terrorism in Canada from Confederation to the Present (2021). You can get your copy from Phil's website: https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/books/ for $25 plus shipping. Which is a screaming deal!! 

I very much look forward to reading this book in the next few days or couple weeks, as time for allows between work and school commitments. If all goes well, maybe I can reference Phil's book in a school assignment or two...

I have read quite a few articles written by Phil over the years on LinkedIn, and have found his writing style to be easy and enjoyable to read; and his subject knowledge to be excellent. 

I will update this post after I have successfully read Peaceable Kingdom.

Until next time...be on the lookout for excellent books to read!

Mountainman.

Happy 10th Anniversary Mountainman's Mantra!! 25 August 2021

 

Sunrise in Sedgewick (Photo by VA McMillan)

WOW!! Where did that decade go?? Anyone else surprised that Mountainman's Mantra is still here a decade later?? Thank you to all of you who visit, look at the pics, and read the stories. I hope you have enjoyed your time here.

As this epic post was approaching I was going to have this as the 200th post on the 10th anniversary...so, close, this is the 199th post on Mountainman's Mantra!! Life happens and plans must be amended. 

I have no regrets. I have learned a lot since starting this blog and I look forward to learn even more. First big lesson was to ensure to have a header picture. When blog links are posted on other websites the picture shows up as a thumbnail or larger and that helps folks decide to click and look. The other lesson was to post as often as possible, with material that is worth reading or pictures worth seeing or projects worth making. I try to keep this blog free of useless fluff and of course, sometimes I try to challenge myself and the reader by presenting topics or opinions that challenge the status quo. Some days, you just have to exercise your freedom of expression. As readers you also get to exercise your freedom of choice and that may include not reading some of the things I post. I believe in freedom and we should all be allowed to respect the free choices folks make. If we all made the same choices we will lose the diversity that makes up the human race...and that would be too boring.

I will do my best to continue to post thought provoking materials for the next decade...and beyond!!

Until next time...celebrate your milestones!!

Mountainman.

Tahoe Mod: Keyboard Tray Completes Back Seat Work Area

 

This blog post will complete a recent series of posts on modifying the Tahoe for work and adventure. For past posts please click on these links:

Sleep Platform: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html 

Rear Console Project: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-rear-console-project.html

Tablet Mount Project: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/improving-amazon-basic-vehicle-tablet.html

Tool Roll: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/tool-roll-designed-by-satas-co-for.html

Compressor Tote: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/viair-88p-12v-portable-air-compressor.html

Cargo Organizer: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-cargo-organizer-for-my-vehicle.html

So, to complete the working area in the back of the Tahoe, a keyboard tray was needed to allow me to type with the Tablet mounted on the back of the front passenger seat headrest. I wanted a keyboard tray that was easy to adjust and affordable to build. From one of the previous projects, I still had a piece of ¾” plywood that was larger than the Logitech K380 keyboard, so that is where I would start. In designing this tray, I would round the corners and centre the keyboard on the piece of wood. A recess just a bit larger than the keyboard would be routered out. To prevent the keyboard from sliding off the tray. For this task I would have to ask my friend Mark for some help. The recess was made about 3/16” into the tray. Surprisingly the keyboard must be near vertical before it wants to fall out of the tray!! Amazing.

Once the recess was created, I was able to finish the remaining tasks at home. Using my manual brace with a 3/8” spade bit, I drilled the four (4) holes for the supporting cords that would hold the keyboard tray in place.

The tray was finished with Minwax Golden Oak stain and all edges were rounded with a rasp and sandpaper. Once dry the tray was test fitted below the Tablet mount. While these pics were taken with the cords being held in place by tying knots, this has since be upgraded to using cord lock which offer more precise adjustments to keep the keyboard tray at a proper work angle.

The completion of this project makes the Tahoe ready for adventure and work. The new sleeping pad on the sleeping platform works as expected. I will have the opportunity in the next few days to put all the mods through their paces. So far all is working well.

Until next time…Make the solution work for you!!

Mountainman.

Tahoe Mods: Rear Console Project (Designed by SATAS Co)

 

Camping in July (Photo by V.A. McMillan)

Now to follow-up the Tahoe Mod: Sleeping Platform Project (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html), with a look at the area around the rear jump seat. While, the sleep platform was designed to enable sleeping wherever I parked the Tahoe, the jump seat was being designed to be a comfortable work station while on the road away from my home office - whether for work or study purposes.

Let's start with a quick look at the plans:

Rear Console Plans

This initial plan captured many of the ideas and features that I thought would be helpful to work from the back seat. The console wanted to be arm rest height, fill the space between the seat and the sleep platform, hold my beverage, and aid in working with my tablet mounted to the rear of the passenger head rest. 

The space between the vertical supports is just large enough for a small diesel heater unit, which may be added at a future date...or not. The vertical supports are anchored to the floor using "L" brackets screwed to the support and the anchor bolts for the rear seat that was removed. It is stable enough for its intended use.

Rear Console, Just Installed (May 2021)

Shortly after the rear console was installed the next upgrade was to add a beverage holder at the front. This required using a hole-saw on my drill to cut through the top plywood layer and then add a support shelf below. I made the opening large enough to fit many bottled or canned beverages. 

Beverage Holder

The support shelf can also hold my bluetooth speaker, if required.

The next upgrade was to mount my cellphone holder...while I have had the holder for many months, I just recently found a mini ball mount to make the phone mount more useful. The mini ball mount was from Amazon (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B085DJ8Y18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Curious, the price has come up $3 since I purchased this mini ball mount. Even at $13.50 this mount is worth the investment. 

Cellphone, Mount, & Mini Ball Mount

Close Up of Mini Ball Mount

This combo of cellphone mount and mini ball mount allows me to use my phone for video conference calls for school, if needed. The all metal ball mount can be secured in just about any position with tension applied by the single thumb screw, seen on the right side of the mount. One big bonus of this specific mini ball mount was the hot-shoe camera attachment, which screws into the bottom of the mount was used to anchor the mini ball mount to the rear console. No "T" nut and extra screw required!

Rear Console - Ready To Go!

So, now the rear console is ready to go. The head rest tablet mount works well. 

Tablet Mounted

That only leaves a keyboard tray for my wireless keyboard to setup. I have the plywood marked out and ready to finish, I just need to ask a friend for a little assistance with final cuts to round the corners and router out a spot for the keyboard. I will post an update when that has been completed.

Future Keyboard Tray

So, I am pleased with the progress made thus far with the Tahoe Mods. I may make a curtain to separate the front cab area from the rear office/sleeping area at some point in the future. For urban stealth camping a curtain would be prudent to stay unnoticed by persons walking near the vehicle. For camping in the wilderness, this might not be needed. I will keep you posted on any developments.

Until next time...figure out the solution, and then make it happen!!

Mountainman.

Other Tahoe Mods

Sleep Platform:  https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-sleep-platform-designed-by.html 

Cargo Deck:  https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-cargo-organizer-for-my-vehicle.html

Tool Roll:  https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/tool-roll-designed-by-satas-co-for.html

VIAIR Tote Bag:  https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/viair-88p-12v-portable-air-compressor.html

Tablet Mount:  https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/improving-amazon-basic-vehicle-tablet.html

Tahoe Mods: Sleep Platform (Designed by SATAS Co)

 

Well, I am back with a project update. The sleep platform in the Tahoe is working well. Now is the time to share with you what I have been tinkering with. This blog post will be followed shortly by a post detailing the rear console project (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/tahoe-mods-rear-console-project.html).

After last summer's campout near Isola Peak (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/isola-peak-kananaskis-country-alberta.html), I found it necessary to modify the back to enable sleeping in the Tahoe, as a more permanent option. So, the 60 of the 60/40 split rear seat was unbolted and put into storage. This added storage space under the sleep platform and reduce a bit of weight.

Next, the area was measured and the plans were drawn up. 

Sleep Platform Plan

Now, I was planning from the beginning to make the back of the Tahoe a sleep area and an office area. So, these plans for the sleeping platform captured the available space and some design ideas. However, all plans are open to modification as information becomes available. In this case, once at the lumber shop it became obvious that a quarter sheet of 3/4" plywood made the most sense for the available space and my limited build budget. So, no fancy radius to cut on a 30" strip of plywood; this would be a straight 24" wide sleep platform from front to back. Easy. Simple. Clean. 

The first challenge was to keep the platform level with the existing cargo organizer in the back (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-cargo-organizer-for-my-vehicle.html). This was achieved with the use of sturdy hinges bolted to the cargo deck and sleep platform. 

Close Up of the Hinges

Next was how to join the vertical support with the sleep platform. As you may notice in the plan, the thought at that time was to use either another set of hinges or a metal support bracket. In the end, I went with a simple tongue and slot system. This allowed the platform to fold up and out of the way when in transit. 

Slot and Tongue Joint

Now that I have built the platform, if I were to build this again...I would move the slots closer to the driver's seat. The current placement of the vertical support is just in the way of storing my cooler under the platform. If that vertical support was just a few inches to the left...

I tested the sleep platform out earlier this year with just the closed cell camping pads on top of the plywood. It provided plenty of firm support, but no give for comfort. This motivated me to build a open cell foam pad from some scraps of foam and putting them in a fabric cover. Thankfully, I still had some MARPAT Arid camo fabric kicking around.

Soft Sleep Pad

The sleep pad cover had hook & loop flaps at each end, so the cover can be washed from time-to-time.

Close Up

With the addition of the "soft" foam, the sleep platform is now more comfortable to sleep on. Here are a couple of shots with the travel pillows and sleeping bag in place.

Sleep Pad and Pillows

Ready To Use

That's about it for now on the sleep platform. The Tahoe is getting ready for more camping trips. In case you missed some of the previous projects I will add the links below:

Tablet mount: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/improving-amazon-basic-vehicle-tablet.html

Ratchet set tool roll: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/tool-roll-designed-by-satas-co-for.html

Air pump tote: https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/viair-88p-12v-portable-air-compressor.html

Until next time...build what you need!! Then, go camping and use it!!

Mountainman.