Thursday, December 26, 2024

BIG Exclusives

BREAKING NEWS … into rational pieces

Oliver Stone thought he was quoting someone else when he wrote, “Hell is the impossibility of reason.” Other writers may have spoken similarly, for the ability to reason is arguably humanity’s greatest gift and hope for co-operation. The words “Intelligence” and “Logic” appear in BIG Media’s logo because they align with the organization’s commitment to deliver articles that are objective and factual. It is the belief of BIG Media ownership that elements of the news...

COVID clarification – a tale of two tales

An article recently published on BIG Media (Assessing the relative lethality of COVID-19: a Canadian case study), presented an analysis of all causes of death in Alberta from 2001 through 2019, and compared the COVID-attributed deaths of 2020 to the overall “deathscape”. At the time I was researching and writing that piece, I noticed an article on the CTV News website addressing a similar theme. This article was based on the same source of...

Renewables Part 3 – assessing the technological capability of wind and solar

A constant theme in this three-part series on renewable energy is that wind and solar electricity generation have a different operating structure compared to the incumbent generation technologies that produce the majority of the world’s electricity. This is particularly the case when compared with hydrocarbon sources oil, natural gas, and coal. The first two stories in the series are linked here: Renewable energy – renewing hope or struggling to cope?; Renewables Part 2: cost and...

Assessing the relative lethality of COVID-19: a Canadian case study

“Everyone dies.” – Elon Musk Although most of us try to delay the inevitable as long as possible, death is a fact of life. Most people do not even like to mention it. In the midst of a pandemic, however, death is a hot topic. Yes, everyone dies, but what is killing us and how has COVID-19 changed the “deathscape”? Causes of death are many and sometimes difficult to pinpoint in individual cases. Data available from the...

Vitamins and supplements – linchpin of optimal health or expensive urine?

Dietary supplements are consumed by humans for many reasons, including performance enhancement, weight loss, filling dietary gaps, treating maladies, or general health maintenance. A majority of North Americans consume dietary supplements at some point in their lives. The vitamin and supplement industry is projected to be worth $306.8 billion globally in 2026.One out of two people in North America report taking supplements regularly (most commonly a daily multivitamin). What oversights exist to ensure we are getting what we...

No doubt about debt – is it time to push panic button?

It’s no secret – North America has got some serious debt issues. The U.S. debt is projected to surpass $23.53 trillion USD, and Canada $1.12 trillion CAD in net general government debt in 2021. Should you be worried? Many mainstream media headlines would have you believe so: Global credit rating agency issues new warning over Canada’s coronavirus spending, debt Your share of Canadian government debt: more than $34,000 Massive deficit to be revealed today begins new era of debt...

Wake up to the alarming A to ZZZZZs on the importance of sleep

There are few things more uncomfortable and debilitating to the human mind and body than sleep deprivation. Our bodies will attempt to shut down even when personal safety is at great risk. Beyond a drowsy, head-on collision with a semi-truck, sleep holds important implications in mental health, physical health, and even a country’s economy and your earning potential. Determinants of health Human health is a complex and dynamic spectrum composed of countless mental and physical elements....

Global oil resources – how much is left and do we have enough?

Modern economies run on fossil fuels – oil, natural gas, and coal. With a wide spectrum of applications – electrical generation, transportation, industrial applications such as making cement and steel, plus heating and cooling buildings – fossil fuels generate more than 80% of the energy we use. Focusing on oil, we refine crude oil to create transportation fuels including gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and maritime fuels. Beyond energy, oil is a critical petrochemical feedstock, producing...

Homemade burger fries competition in price war

While I love my spinach and quinoa salad with a balsamic reduction vinaigrette, there are times when you just crave the salty, fatty deliciousness of a juicy fast-food hamburger. There are all kinds of reasons to occasionally swing by your local drive-through: On the way to soccer practice with hungry kids in the van, a few minutes between meetings, on the road and need something that is not going to slow you down, or...

COVID context – how concerned should we be about dying from this virus?

There seems to be a common belief that young people are selfishly going about their business while the elderly drop like flies during the COVID-19 crisis; that the youth of today do not really care about the virus’s impact on our society. As a 23-year-old Canadian university grad about to do veterinary school in the U.K., I can tell you that I care a lot. And I am frustrated by the steady barrage of sensational...