Meet the guy paid to watch paint dry

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For paint R&D technician Matthew Risbridger, no day is ever quite the same. After clocking in at the laboratory, he’ll look at requests from clients, poring over paint specifications and desired results. Then, like a mad scientist, he’ll start mixing formulas and testing different ingredients, all in pursuit of whatever the client needs. Once that’s done, Risbridger puts paint to paper (or whatever surface is needed), then sits back and watches the paint dry.

Science has driven humanity forward by leaps and bounds. Many things we now take for granted represented major breakthroughs in the past. Take paint, for example. Throughout most of history, folks rarely bothered painting the outside of a building, ship, or whatever else because water would quickly wash it away. Now, paint protects homes, boats, and other properties from the elements, water, rust, and much more.

That’s the power of science. Modern paints consist of a lot more than pigments. They’ll also contain a mix of binders and solvents. Sealants, meanwhile, are used to protect the paint. Yet mixing paint formulas is tricky. Too much of one ingredient or not enough of another, and you’ll end up with a recipe for disaster.

Risbridger spends large chunks of his day watching paint dry, looking for cracks, bubbles, or any other defects to ensure good outcomes. He might also use infrared heaters, wind tunnels, ovens, and various other tools to test the paint under different conditions.

So how long does it take for paint to dry? Some coats might dry in just 15 minutes. Other coats may need well over an hour. Interested in watching paint dry for a living? Go figure — Risbridger stumbled upon the position after finding an ad on a job board. Who knows, maybe your paint-drying dream job is out there, too!

The best and worst options if you owe the IRS

Virginia public bathrooms flush their reputation down the toilet as they are ranked among America’s worst

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A Day Beyond Barbecues: The Deeper Significance of Labor Day.

As the scent of grilling fills the air and families gather around picnics and swimming pools, the celebratory ambiance of Labor Day stands as a stark contrast to its profound and serious origins. While many view this holiday as the unofficial end to summer, its history tells the tale of hardworking individuals striving for fair working conditions.

Now celebrating its 115th year, Labor Day’s genesis can be traced back to a time when the nation was grappling with the challenges of industrialization and the emerging rights of its workers. Far from being a mere nod to summer’s end, Labor Day was the fruit of rigorous efforts by thousands of laborers and their leaders who dared to demand better working conditions and reasonable hours.

The landmark moment in this movement was the mammoth 1882 parade orchestrated by the Knights of Labor in New York City. Over 20,000 impassioned demonstrators took to the streets, their banners proclaiming a simple yet revolutionary demand: “8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, 8 hours for recreation.” This was not just a call for a holiday but a plea for a balanced life in an age of relentless industrialization.

The spark ignited in New York soon spread like wildfire. By 1887, Colorado had distinguished itself by recognizing Labor Day as a state holiday. Fast forward to 1893, and over half of America’s states had jumped on the bandwagon.

This surging wave of support caught the attention of the federal administration. A bill proposing Labor Day as a national holiday found its way to Congress. President Grover Cleveland, perceiving its adoption as a favorable political decision, put pen to paper on June 28, 1894, enshrining Labor Day in the annals of American history. Ironically, though he might have hoped this move would cement his popularity, Cleveland did not secure a subsequent term in office.

While we savor the last traces of summer and enjoy a well-deserved break, let’s pause and reflect on the deep-seated history of Labor Day. Behind the barbecues and festivities lies a tale of struggle, persistence, and the unyielding human spirit’s drive for balance and fairness in the workplace.

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Amid mounting overdoses, geopolitics gets intertwined with the opioid epidemic.

The opioid epidemic in the U.S. took a perilous twist when fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, became a major player. With over two-thirds of the reported 100,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2022 involving this drug, eyes have increasingly turned towards its chief manufacturer: China. As the American government grapples with strategies ranging from sanctions to diplomacy, an urgent international concern emerges from the shadows.

The amount of fentanyl shown is a lethal dose.

The Fentanyl Supply Chain: More Complex than It Appears

At the heart of the issue is the illicit production of fentanyl within China. A synthetic drug crafted in labs and chemical plants, fentanyl’s deadly reach has its roots in China’s extensive chemical industry. While the natural lineage of drugs like heroin can be traced to plants, fentanyl’s origins lie in the factories that have long supplied North America through covert smuggling channels.

China’s 2019 move to ban fentanyl production initially seemed like a step in the right direction, aiming to stem its insidious flow. However, in a display of audacious adaptability, manufacturers responded by shifting to the production of fentanyl analogs. These substitutes, often legal due to their slight chemical variances, mirror fentanyl’s highs and deadly potential. Additionally, precursor chemicals, which serve as building blocks for fentanyl synthesis, continue to flow unabated, allowing drug cartels and other entities to produce the drug independently.

China’s Strategic Enforcement

A country’s stance on international drug regulation isn’t solely a matter of public health. As Vanda Felbab-Brown of the Brookings Institute reported to Congress, China increasingly views its international law enforcement, especially counternarcotics initiatives, as a tool to further its strategic objectives. In a geopolitical chess game, China wields fentanyl production and the resultant American crisis as a potential pawn.

Recent developments add a fresh layer of complexity. Rumors suggest a potential diplomatic arrangement where China would clamp down on fentanyl. But nothing comes without a price. China’s apparent condition? Concessions regarding the ongoing Uyghur crisis in Xinjiang, a situation the U.S. has vehemently denounced as a form of genocide.

Diplomacy in the Midst of Crisis

While both nations have their strategic interests, the stakes are high. Lives hang in the balance, pitted against the delicate dance of international relations. As America confronts its opioid crisis, the intricate web of geopolitics and public health underscores the urgency for a solution that addresses both the immediate threat and the broader global context.

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Humans have long been aware of their own body odor and the desire to combat it. While the battle against sweat has been a constant throughout history, the specific focus on controlling perspiration is a relatively recent development. This journey began unexpectedly in New Jersey during a scorching heat wave, and it revolutionized personal hygiene forever. Today, the anti-perspirant and deodorant market has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Let’s explore the fascinating evolution of anti-perspirants and their impact on society.

The origins of the battle against body odor can be traced back thousands of years when humans relied on infrequent bathing and copious amounts of perfume to mask the scent. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the fight against sweat itself began.

In 1910, Edna Murphey introduced “Odorono,” a liquid solution consisting of aluminum chloride and water. Although it was not the first antiperspirant on the market, earlier attempts had failed due to societal norms and concerns about the supposed health risks of blocking sweat. Initially, Murphey faced disappointment when her sales booth at an Atlantic City exposition failed to attract customers. However, everything changed when a heatwave hit, causing attendees to sweat profusely through their clothes. Suddenly, bottles of Odorono were flying off the shelves.

Recognizing the potential of her product, Murphey sought the expertise of a New York advertising agency. It was there that James Young, a copywriter with a background in Bible sales, devised a groundbreaking marketing strategy. Young positioned “excessive perspiration” as a medical condition embarrassing to women. In 1919, he took it a step further by creating ads that warned women about the social consequences of unaddressed body odor, suggesting it could hinder their marriage prospects and lead to gossip. Although controversial, these advertisements proved effective, leading to a surge in sales.

The Great Depression era marked another turning point for the anti-perspirant industry. Advertisements linked the use of anti-sweat products to employability, prompting men to embrace antiperspirants as well. As societal attitudes shifted, the perception of sweat transformed from a natural bodily function to an undesirable trait that required control.

Fast forward to the present day, and the anti-perspirant and deodorant market is a thriving industry valued at approximately $18 billion. The journey from battling body odor with infrequent baths and perfume to a multi-billion dollar industry dedicated to keeping us dry and fresh has been truly transformative.

The fascinating evolution of anti-perspirants highlights humanity’s enduring desire to combat body odor. From humble beginnings in the early 20th century, the industry has grown exponentially, transforming the way we approach personal hygiene. What started as a remedy for a scorching summer heatwave has become an integral part of our daily routines, instilling confidence and promoting a sense of freshness. As society’s attitudes towards sweat continue to evolve, it is clear that the anti-perspirant industry will remain a prominent force in the realm of personal care.

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A wave of quiet discontent seems to be sweeping across the marriage halls of China, casting an uncertain shadow over its future. Record low marriage rates combined with plunging fertility rates have ignited serious concerns about China’s demographic outlook, painting a stark contrast to the country’s image as the world’s most populous nation.

According to recent statistics, a mere 6.83 million Chinese tied the knot in 2022, down from 7.63 million in 2021 and significantly lower than the peak of about 13 million recorded in 2013. This trend indicates a growing reluctance among the Chinese populace to say “I do,” a shift with potentially far-reaching economic and societal consequences.

A multitude of factors contribute to this marriage aversion, with youth unemployment featuring prominently. China’s youth unemployment rate stands at a startling 20 percent, in sharp contrast to approximately 7.5 percent in the USA. Economic instability might be nudging people towards marrying later in life, if at all. Despite the Chinese government’s efforts to encourage early marriages, their appeals appear to be falling on deaf ears.

Compounding the issue, the decline in marriages parallels a similarly worrying dip in China’s fertility rate. The birth rate now hovers at a mere 1.28, considerably lower than the United States 1.6 and well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children. A rate below the replacement level could precipitate a population decline. While some nations like the United States offset declining birth rates with immigration, China has not shown any inclination to open its borders to permanent immigrants.

The impact of these demographic trends is already becoming evident. China’s population shrank by 850,000 in 2022 from the previous year. Projections by the United Nations suggest a further contraction, with China’s population expected to stand at 1.313 billion by 2050. More alarmingly, the Brookings Institute predicts that by 2100, China’s population could be reduced to 800 million.

This dwindling population presents a pressing concern. A smaller populace equates to fewer consumers, potentially hindering the growth of companies reliant on continuous demand expansion. Should revenues and profits fall due to a declining consumer base, companies could be forced to reduce their workforce, thereby further constraining consumer demand. This contracting demand could pose substantial risks not only for China but for other countries facing similar demographic shifts, including parts of Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

As the echoes at the altar fade in China, it faces a daunting demographic challenge. With a downward spiral in marriage and fertility rates, the ramifications could ripple through its economy, posing tough questions about its future societal structure and economic stability.

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From the waste heaps, an unlikely phoenix is arising: eco-friendly companies are creatively turning trash into treasures, lessening the pressure on our already strained landfills. With innovative waste recovery methods, these companies are spinning waste materials into valuable consumer products.

In various industrial settings such as factories, workshops, and laboratories, unusable materials are now receiving a second lease on life. Techniques include separation, melting, crushing, shredding, or chemical treatment, with outcomes that are surprising, to say the least.

Imagine sitting on outdoor furniture made from discarded writing materials or walking on sports turf created from old tires. There’s a rising trend of transforming used clothes into upholstery for furniture, and organic waste like table scraps is increasingly harnessed to produce biogas. Even old drywall is being repurposed into fertilizer, giving an exciting new perspective to what we often perceive as waste.

Scientific communities globally are striving to discover innovative ways to repurpose waste. For instance, promising research undertaken by the École de technologie supérieure in Montreal and the University of Saskatchewan is exploring the potential of using eggshells to enhance the strength of 3D printing material. Such cutting-edge research projects have the potential to revolutionize the way we view and handle waste.

If you are invested in the future of our planet, supporting these businesses that promote waste recovery is a way to contribute. By choosing their products and services, you’re not only making a sustainable choice but also encouraging the growth of an economy that values resources and respects the environment.

Converting waste into wealth signifies a broader shift in societal attitudes toward resource consumption. As we move forward, the integration of waste recovery initiatives into mainstream business models will be essential in our collective journey toward a sustainable future.

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Hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, is colorless in its gaseous state. However, in energy discourse, it is often associated with different colors, each representing the process of its production. Amid these categories, green hydrogen, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels, is becoming the new frontier in sustainable energy.

Green hydrogen is generated using renewable energy sources like hydroelectricity, wind energy, and biomass, rather than fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, which release massive amounts of carbon dioxide during hydrogen production. For instance, it can be produced via electrolysis, where an electric current passes through water, breaking it into its constituent elements, hydrogen, and oxygen. Alternatively, biomass can be heated to very high temperatures to produce a synthesis gas, which can then be converted into hydrogen.

The potential applications of green hydrogen are creating a significant buzz in various sectors. By replacing fossil fuels, it could play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change by substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It offers exciting possibilities for producing heat and electricity, powering vehicles in the transportation industry, and storing electricity in remote communities.

At present, green hydrogen is still in its nascent stage, mainly due to the high cost of production. However, this has not deterred its use in several industries. Companies across various sectors in the United States and Canada, including electronics, chemical, steel, and transportation, have started integrating green hydrogen into their operations, underlining its potential to drive a sustainable energy future.

Green hydrogen is not just an alternative fuel but a stepping stone toward a new energy paradigm. As technological advancements make green hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective, it will likely play an increasingly prominent role in global energy systems.

The story of green hydrogen is unfolding, and it promises to be an exciting journey toward a more sustainable world. It is no longer a question of if but when green hydrogen will become a mainstay in our quest for cleaner, sustainable energy.

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