Rare earth not so rare

This map is almost impossible to see, but all those dots represent deposits of rare earth. Not so rare now, are ya? The NYT had a short article on where these inputs crucial to everything from color televisions to electric vehicles are located around the world. Despite their global prevalence, the Chinese have almost cornered the market essentially because they do not give a F about what the nasty extraction process does to the environment.

UFO Spotted Over Chinese Airport

Statistical analysis of China traffic jam

A few weeks ago, TCD broke the story of the epic traffic jam outside Beijing. Our people on the ground there broke down causes and effects of the situation. The chief takeaway of their groundbreaking analysis is found below.

Worst: 9 day, 62 mile traffic jam near Beijing

I won't lie, this is probably my worst nightmare. (seriously, my other nightmares aren't all that bad). One stretch of highway near Beijing is undergoing what must be the most frustrating traffic porking of all time.

This story is for real, look it up

What's Next?

From the "it was only a matter of time file"...

The International Energy Agency (EIA, no those initials are not backwards just French...so maybe the same thing?) reported yesterday that China had surpassed the United States as the world's largest energy user. China put away 2,252 million tons of oil equivalent last year compared to 2,170 for the US. The oil-equivalent metric represents all forms of energy consumed, including crude oil, nuclear, coal, natural gas and renewable sources such as hydropower.

Given China's population size I suppose it was only a matter of time, but the urgency with which it happened is shocking. Ten years ago, China's energy consumption was half that of the US. Whoa.

If you're looking for an energy category we still lead, fret not there are still a few. According to the same report by the EIA the average American uses five times as much energy annually compared to the average Chinese citizen. We also annihilate an impressive 19 million gallons of crude a day compared to 9.2 million in China. At TCD we definitely do not look forward to the day when China surpasses us in that final statistic because it's the same day we will have to cash out of the blogging biz, call up Branson, and have him take us on his space ship to the next inhabitable planet.

This is Bizarre

China wants to develop a middle class to stem the spread of massive income inequality. China's middle class wants to paint its dogs. I suppose that is better than eating them.

Read all about it.

Operating on the Fringe

While Phil was shredding Mt. Washington this Saturday, Client 9 was cruising Central Park in search of a true Welcome Back to America moment in his hometown. I found it. Or should I say, rediscovered it.



The scene:
New York City's Central Park

The players:
Leading Lady - Midground left. Purple spandex. Pink wristband. FYI, she's on blades. Roller blades.
Main Man - Do I even have to point him out? Center. Black shoes. White Socks. Jorts. White t shirt (that advertised some sketchy Russian Bath House in Coney Island). White floppy hat. Aged 80. Epic, er creepy, dance moves.
Supporting cast - The brunette whose head is blocking the lower half of our Leading Lady's body was a babe.

This anything-goes dance party near Sheep Meadow has been a Saturday ritual since at least my childhood, when I used to blade down to the scene with my sweet wristguards on. Who knows, the throw-down could happen on a Monday to - I am not sure how busy these people are their off days - but either way the sight remains pretty amazing to this day.

The dude in the white, who was probably crushing the d floor way back when too, had one dance move. More of a sequence, really. It would start innocently enough. Arms stretched out in front at a slight angle, hands about waist high, palms open and facing skyward. Bouncing ever so gently on the balls of his feet. Try it with me. As whatever music he heard in his head progressed - because this was not at all in synch with the beats pumping out of the DJ's ample speakers (note: Main Man is not wearing earphones) - the bouncing would build. Soon it was jumping. Are you jumping yet? And when he finally felt it, his arms would move gradually above his head (pictured). Once at their peak, a version of the Dance Floor Tornado more aggressive than any you've ever seen was unleashed on his fellow spankers of the asphalt dance floor.

The opposite of "well received" was the effect on our Leading Lady. See, she was there to do one thing and one thing only: blade dance. Her moves involved excessive usage of what one onlooker described as "jazz hands" and she constantly seemed on the verge of losing control. This was especially an issue when our Main Man went into Tornado move. I, for one, was rooting for a collision. Although it never happened, I have full confidence that the Tornado takes down the Blader everytime.

It's good to be reminded that the fringe exists and is alive and well. America is a melting pot and Central Park on a Saturday might be its center. A trip to China - where everything is about appearance and protocol and sameness - makes you appreciate the fact that Diversity is not an old wooden ship from the Civil War, as Ron Burgundy might lead you to believe, but a crucial element to a strong society. Sure, we got problems, but life ain't that bad people.

Oh, $%&# Canada

I am sure at some point in the not-too-distant future I will look back on this afternoon's gold medal tilt between the US and Canada and appreciate the game for what it was - absolutely epic. But, when your least favorite player on your nation's most bitter hockey rival scores the winner in OT in a game your team should have stolen, it's tough to bask in any existential sporting glory. Although I watched the 100% terrible Closing Ceremonies with amusement, it did little to lessen the blow of this heartbreaking loss. The young US team was a lot of fun to watch and it was fantastic to witness their relentless drive overwhelm some of the world's best goalies in this tournament - Broduer, Kiprusoff, Backtrom, Luongo. And speaking of goalies, the US would have been miles from this game and that overtime if it was not for the incredible Ryan Miller. What an outstanding performance from a classy guy.

Now, rather severe Olympic withdrawal sets in. It's hard to think about life without incessant curling, skiing and hockey. These particular Winter Games saved itself in the end and was really quite fantastic. Except for the hockey result. This one will sting. At this point, March Madness cannot come soon enough.

In other news, I leave tomorrow for China to represent TCD and our country in a campaign to spread Freedom at an Olympic level. If China doesn't close the interwebz while I am there, I will hopefully be able to provide some color on what should be an interesting experience. Until then, even then, and always - Stars and Stripes Forever!

Very cool graphic from today's New York Times (click on it)

Read the full article too: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/weekinreview/15barboza.html?ref=weekinreview