Is NIF worthy of The Prize?

 Is the NIF a ignition achievement worthy of a Nobel Prize? I have my own options but didn’t want to bias the question.

Top tier ET colleges for Lab Jobs?

 

DeVry University in Arizona use to offer 3 Electronics Technology Degrees, a BSET, an ASET, and an AAET, which was basically Electronics “Lite”, with minimal math and science requirements. UC/LLNL hired at least one DeVry Arizona college student (that I know of), who had not even completed 1 year of his AAET, which was the Electronics Lite Certificate portion of the AAET degree.

Most UC/LLNL ET new hires at the time either completed a BSET, ASET, or had significant Military ET experience. So why did UC/LLNL hire this DeVry student who had not completed his AAET degree? Because UC/LLNL was HELL-bent on filling “underutilized” job categories. It was DEI on steroids. Because of his “underutilize” status, this individual quickly became a Teflon Politician/manager, nothing bad ever stuck to him.

Oddly, this manager would often speak of the need to hire from top tier ET colleges for Lab jobs. Oh, the hypocrisy of the anointed ones.

The work is just beginning.

 

Giant laser from 'Star Trek' to be tested in fusion breakthrough

https://phys.org/news/2022-12-giant-laser-star-trek-fusion.html

Remember LIFE?

 Was “LIFE” completely defunded in 2012, after NIF failed to reach ignition goals in 2012?

DOE has vacated the Atomic Energy Commission’s 1954 decision In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer

 Secretary Granholm Statement on DOE Order Vacating 1954 Atomic Energy Commission Decision In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer

https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-granholm-statement-doe-order-vacating-1954-atomic-energy-commission-decision

In 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission revoked Dr. Oppenheimer’s security clearance through a flawed process that violated the Commission’s own regulations. As time has passed, more evidence has come to light of the bias and unfairness of the process that Dr. Oppenheimer was subjected to while the evidence of his loyalty and love of country have only been further affirmed. The Atomic Energy Commission even selected Dr. Oppenheimer in 1963 for its prestigious Enrico Fermi Award citing his “scientific and administrative leadership not only in the development of the atomic bomb, but also in establishing the groundwork for the many peaceful applications of atomic energy.”

When Dr. Oppenheimer died in 1967, Senator J. William Fulbright took to the Senate floor and said “Let us remember not only what his special genius did for us; let us also remember what we did to him.” Today we remember how the United States government treated a man who served it with the highest distinction. We remember that political motives have no proper place in matters of personnel security. And we remember that living up to our ideals requires unerring attention to the fair and consistent application of our laws.

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/S1%20Oppenheimer%20Order%2012.12.22%20signed%20by%20S1%2012-16-2022.pdf

Edward Teller, the true story!

 Edward Teller is the father of the hydrogen bomb. From Nature:

https://www.nature.com/articles/news030908-6

This used to be mainly a LLNL blog. Many of us that worker there saw Edward and knew many people who interacted with him at one time. The stories we have are numerous and I invite people to share them here. Unfortunately there has been a thread about Teller that has relied on canned attacks and verbal gymnastics to discount his contributions and label him a villain. I would like to have a discussion that looks at the entire man and measures his impact on science and the nation.

Los Alamos quality of life

 The quality of life in Los Alamos seems to be declining. Too much traffic take forever to get to work whether driving or riding the bus, grocery shelves sometimes empty, prices too high for bad quality products, no housing available,constant blackouts, etc. The lab should be more straightforward with new employees and let them know the town is full.