On The Fly

In this episode - What Can You Teach Me . . . Have you ever noticed that some people are more skilled at connecting with others and convincing them of their ideas than most? The secret to their success lies in mastering fundamental skills like empathy, communication, and leadership. By revisiting Dale Carnegie's timeless guide, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," we are reminded of the essential techniques to win over even the toughest audiences. Developing these skills will open up opportunities and help you succeed in all areas of your life. For example, recently, while participating in a Zoom sales call with a client regarding the upcoming possibility of Community Solar in California, let’s call him Joe. Joe - was willing to share the video of himself - seated at his office desk with a non-committal frown on his face waiting for the sales pitch. So, instead of pulling up the PowerPoint slide deck with company and program details, we asked him directly, “How do y...

In this episode - Active Noise-Canceling . . . During a recent flight, with a baby wailing, I realized I had forgotten my noise-canceling headphones and wondered how they work. Have you noticed the constant background roar of jet engines during a flight? Probably not if someone was trying to comfort a squalling baby in front or behind you. Anyway, noise reduction headphones, also known as Active Noise-Canceling (ANC) headphones, use advanced technology to reduce or eliminate unwanted ambient sounds. Using hardware and software components to counteract external noise and provide a more immersive listening experience and a quiet environment. Here's a simplified overview of how noise-reduction headphones work: Microphones: ANC headphones are equipped with one or more built-in microphones. These microphones capture the surrounding sounds and convert them into electrical signals. Noise analysis: The electrical signals from the microphones are analyzed by the headphone's internal cir...

In this episode - Curiosity . . . Do your friends consider you to be a curious person? If that's the case, what questions do you generally ask? Are they always practical? Could you explain why? Recently, while reading Walter Isaacson's book on the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, who was undoubtedly one of the most inquisitive minds in history. Leonardo wrote down questions in his notebooks that appeared impossible to answer during his era. One question that caught my attention was: "Describe the tongue of a woodpecker?" So, I asked ChatGPT. Certainly! The tongue of a woodpecker is a fascinating adaptation that enables these birds to capture their prey and navigate their unique feeding habits effectively. The tongue's exact structure and length may vary among woodpecker species, but some general characteristics are common to most woodpecker tongues. Woodpecker tongues are typically long, extending far beyond the length of their beaks. They are thin and possess a special...

In this episode - Fingerstyle Guitar . . . In a previous podcast, we shared our experience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, where we attended a concert by the accomplished fingerstyle guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. Suppose you've never seen Tommy in concert. I promise - you will never look at a guitar the same way again! And believe what you are seeing and hearing is possible. Every inch of his guitar gets plucked or pounded to propel the beat, scratched to imitate symbols, driven with a rhythmic thump, thump, thump to lead with the bass, and magic fingers that tickle the strings to drive pure harmonic tones. So, please don't pass it up when you can see him live. During a local performance by Tommy Emmanuel at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on December 14, 2022, we were introduced to Mike Dawes, an exceptionally talented and creative guitarist renowned for his impressive fingerstyle technique. It was a delightful surprise! Born in England on November 20...

In this episode - Grid Addiction . . . Last week I asked you to walk out your front door and find the electric meter for your home. While you were out there, did you examine the power lines that link you to the electric grid (the grid)? You may live in a neighborhood like ours where all you see are the street light poles - no distribution lines because they're all underground. But one thing is for sure, we all rely on the electricity that connects us to the vast infrastructure called the grid. Let's consider the obvious first; you have a smartphone. You carry a charger and a cord connecting you to power to keep that device functioning. It could be a USB cord these days that plugs into your car's charging port. For all we know, the electricity that charged your phone may have been generated miles from your home. Anyway, you get the picture you're reliant in some way to get power for that device. Without it - there's panic! As I learn more about the challenges and be...

In this episode - The Summer Solstice . . . Ah, the Summer Solstice, a celestial delight; Let me explain, dear listener, with all my might. In the realm of astronomy, it's a significant day, When the sun reaches its highest display . It occurs once a year, in the month of June, When the Earth tilts, oh, what a boon! You see, our planet, it tilts on its axis so, Leaning towards the sun, what a marvelous show. On this special occasion, the Northern Hemisphere, Basks in the glory of daylight so clear . The Summer Solstice brings the longest day, With sunlight extending in a splendid display. Oh, the sun rises early and lingers late, Spreading its golden rays, just wait! The sky awakens with a vivid hue, And paints the world with a vibrant view. The warmth embraces both land and sea, Inviting all creatures to roam and be free. But do not fret dear Southern Hemisphere, For the Winter Solstice brings its cheer. While the North enjoys the sun's loving rays, The South finds beauty i...

In this episode - The Smart Meter . . . Walk out your front door and find the electric meter for your home. Is it digital, or has a dial that rotates (analog)? In 2021, U.S. electric utilities had about 111 million advanced ( smart ) metering infrastructure installations (AMI), equal to about 69% of total electric meters installations. Approximately 88% of all AMI installations belonged to residential customers, while around 69% of the residential electric meters were AMI. So, what is a smart meter? A smart electric meter, or digital meter, is a device that measures and records the consumption of electricity in real time. It is an upgraded version of traditional analog meters used in many households. The primary purpose of a smart electric meter is to provide more accurate and detailed information about energy usage and enable two-way communication between the utility company and the consumer. Let’s explore some key features and hidden benefits of smart meters: Accurate and real-ti...

In this episode - ChatCPT . . .   As children, we learn by asking questions and relying on our parents to answer them. As we mature in our conscience thinking, we begin to explore the existence of a higher being, and through prayer, meditation, or quiet contemplation, we ask much larger philosophical questions. Answers to those questions are synthesized based on experiences accumulated over a lifetime from our education, experiences, and creative thinking. However, today’s world has a cloud-based computer system that can consolidate knowledge and provide answers to just about anything you choose to ask. So, the question is, what do you ask? Like many, I’ve been exploring the power of ChatGPT and some of its practical uses. So, I asked, “What are the three most common questions people ask you?” Chat GPT: "What is the meaning of life?" or similar philosophical inquiries: People often ask deep existential questions, seeking insights into the purpose and meaning of life, the uni...