First, yesterday’s post title–Trying To Do The Impossible–could also apply to my attempts at calculating the impact of changes in Social Security taxes to overall system solvency. That’s what happens when one tries to make back of the napkin calculations; if not literally, then figuratively. I still like my proposal, but can’t swear that my estimate of the effect on Social Security revenue is anywhere near 100% accurate.
Second, we are supposed to close on the sale of our house tomorrow, but as I write this our buyer still does not have final mortgage approval. The loan is in the final approval stage, meaning the file is with the underwriter who can approve it, but who can also delay it by asking for more documentation. This is what happens when the buyer changes lenders 17-18 days before the supposed closing date. You’re supposed to research mortgage companies BEFORE you apply.
I have to admit that I don’t really think it’s likely the transactions will not occur at all, but a delay will be VERY inconvenient because we are not moving ourselves and have already arranged for transfer of utilities and other services based on the original dates. I would like just one thing in our lives to go smoothly from start to finish. Yeah, yeah, I know; keep your eyes on the prize:
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This Why Evolution Is True post is titled, “A “miracle antibiotic” in the offing? New compound works against all multiple-drug-resistant bacterial strains, and also stymies the evolution of bacterial resistance.” Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? (Here is the link to the original study.)
I don’t understand the chemistry. This passage was fascinating, however:
“The discovery was serendipitous. The U.S. Army had a pressing need to charge cell phones while in the field — essential for soldier survival. Because bacteria are miniature power plants, compounds were designed by Bazan’s group to harness bacterial energy as a “microbial” battery. Later the idea arose to re-purpose these compounds as potential antibiotics.
“When asked to determine if the chemical compounds could serve as antibiotics, we thought they would be highly toxic to human cells similar to bleach,” said Mahan, the project lead investigator. ‘Most were toxic — but one was not — and it could kill every bacterial pathogen we tested.'”
According to this article, at least 1.27 million deaths worldwide could be attributed to bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms in 2019 alone. By the way, many scientific discoveries have been serendipitous. The invention/discovery of Teflon was an experiment in refrigerants gone wrong. Of course, the discovery that a mold, later named Penicillin, could kill bacteria was at least partly an accident.
A discovery like this would be far more than a game-changer. It would be revolutionary. Of course, this compound has only been tested in mice, so far. However, this sentence from the WEIT post is very encouraging, “It’s also easy to synthesize using organic chemistry, and can be easily tweaked in its structure just in case some bacteria eventually do develop resistance.”
It is somewhat ironic that a new man-made compound might be the solution to a problem caused by other man-made compounds. Believer in evolution that I am, I have to believe that at least some bacteria will eventually develop resistance to this new drug. Still, this is a very exciting development.
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My friend Ed C recently made another trip to the Savoy Auto Museum in Georgia. I thank him for sending me pics. Here are just a few photos:
I am a big fan of the way these cars look. If I had the time and money, I would seriously consider resto-modding one.
Once again, I will offer my opinion that Scottsdale, Arizona should have a world-class automobile museum. I wish had the funds and the clout to make that happen.
#AMiracleInTheMaking?
#MiracleAntibiotic?
#somanyCARSjustonelife
#disaffectedmusings
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Disaffected Musings 
Your comments about serendipitous discoveries are spot on. Most of the time discoveries are not the “Eureka, I’ve found it” type but more of the “Hmmm, that’s funny, I wonder why that happened” type. Interesting you brought up Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, as it was that drug which helped me out as a child. At age three, in 1950, I contracted Rheumatic fever, a type of staph infection. My father the pharmacist and the doctor used “massive” doses of penicillin to treat the infection. The doses used were much larger than what was considered, at the time, to be effective. As a result of this treatment, the infection was stopped and I did not have any damage to my heart as a result of the infection.
We do differ in the source of the knowledge about the discoveries. Evolution may have its part, but I believe that it is God who teaches us everything. Then it is up to us to use the brain He gave us, along with the wisdom He also gave us to make wise decisions to use that knowledge to benefit ourselves and each other. He does things this way because He loves us all.
Here is a link to the CDC page on rheumatic fever: https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/rheumatic-fever.html
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Thanks, Philip. I could be wrong, of course, but I think most non-scientists have no idea how many important discoveries have just been luck, for lack of a better word.
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Love that Nash-Healey!
Wishing you good luck on your impending move.
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Due to “reasons,” I still haven’t made it to the Savoy Museum. It’s on the list, just had too many other things happen over the last year. Hell, right now I’m still trying to get the planets to align so I can attend Amelia Island in a couple weeks. Too many times life gets in the way of living.
And to top off all the other dealings, I’m having to schedule some doctoring. Hopefully the initial diagnosis is off and the specialists will give me a better prognosis.
Re: Social Security/Medicare. Like you, I don’t NEED that money. My thing is, I have had contributed in my name over 200K so do I just walk away from it? I’m loathe to just do that. Granted, if I kick the bucket tomorrow it’s a moot point, but how to best manage it is still a question while I’m still flipping off the buzzards.
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I fervently wish you good news on the medical front, DDM.
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