Aha, found the scavenged treadmill motor. Now, to figure out how to mount this. I wonder if it's better to have the treadle belt over the flywheel (like a sewing machine, big diameter) instead of where the serpentine belt used to go.... probably will have to drill some belt holes to hold everything together to the wood top. #projects #humanpower #solarpunk

Oooh, treadle powered band saw.

#woodworking #bandsaw

Hmm, this book has a whole section about CONVERTING ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINES TO TREADLE MACHINES. (I guess that's one way to get a zigzag machine which works on a treadle!) #sewing #solarpunk

Oooh, found a book to purchase about converting treadles (and bicycles, etc.) into usable power for all sorts of devices. "The Human Powered Home" by Tamara Dean! #humanpower #treadle #bicycle #biketooter #engineering #solarpunk

New challenge accepted. Estate sale treadle base with no attached top (random top was on it being used for antique display) which was being used decoratively. Now to figure out how to attach this and make it work, mechanically (alignment will be required, I think). Then, will figure out how to use the treadle to drive a salvaged motor from a treadmill to charge a 12V battery. Or, can mate this with the next treadle powered sewing machine that crops up at the right price. #humanpower #projects

#Random question on #mending #sewing... Iron on patch this, and attempt to sew the patch on, or is there a better technique for fixing these kinds of issues? I already iron on matched it from inside twice, but it eventually peels off after enough washing...

(Yes, yes, I know the typical answer I would get here in suburbia is "buy some new pants already")

@mattblaze My best execution of this technique... this was early AM in extremely low light and before I learned about neutral density filters...

Military operation in LA's MacArthur Park (which did not appear to actually involve detaining people, thankfully... looks to be grandstanding and/or deliberate provocation)

ABC7: Troops aid federal immigration agents during raid at MacArthur Park, officials say

"Defense officials told ABC News that 90 armed troops were involved in the operation in support of immigration authorities in Los Angeles. All of the troops involved in the operation were activated members of the California National Guard. The operation included some 17 humvees, four military cargo trucks and two military ambulances."

Bystanders confront federal immigration agents as they descend on MacArthur Park

A federal immigration raid, supported by armed National Guard troops, at MacArthur Park on Monday was confronted by a crowd of bystanders in L.A.

ABC7 Los Angeles (abc7.com)

In more "recycling is just shipping your plastic overseas where it actually doesn't get recycled"

LA Times: Malaysia will stop accepting U.S. plastic waste, creating a dilemma for California

Malaysia no longer takes U.S. plastic waste, creating a dilemma for California

Malaysia emerged as a major destination for U.S. waste after China banned U.S. waste imports in 2018.

Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com)

#plastic #environment #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle

Thousand Oaks Acorn: Federal cuts affect local food banks

"In the first three months of the year, the federal government has canceled more than 400 truckloads of food deliveries to food banks across the state, according to the California Association of Food Banks.

Eight of those canceled loads were set to be delivered to Food Share of Ventura County.

Monica White, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, said the federal cut is the most severe she has witnessed in her decade in the industry..."

#VenturaCounty #food #hunger https://www.toacorn.com/articles/federal-cuts-affect-local-food-banks/

END OF 10

"Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025.

Microsoft wants you to buy a new computer.

But what if you could make your current one fast and secure again?

If you bought your computer after 2010, there's most likely no reason to throw it out. By just installing an up-to-date GNU/Linux operating system you can keep using it for years to come.

Installing an OS may sound difficult, but you don't have to go it alone! With any luck, there are people in your area ready to help!"

https://endof10.org/

#Microsoft #Windows #Windows10 #Windows11 #Linux #FOSS

Okay, not that I don't have too many projects going, let's start on the reupholstery on the Eames clone. #projects #doy #furniture

French university gets 298 applications for 20 spots aimed at US scientists

https://www.dw.com/en/french-program-for-us-scientists-draws-flood-of-applicants/a-72279414?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

#braindrain #science #universities #politics

"The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. At this time, 400 cases have been identified since late January. Forty-one of the patients have been hospitalized. " (3/28/25)

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025

#measlesoutbreak #measles #texas #health

Major tech companies accused of child labour in Congolese cobalt mines

Teboho Mosebo / GICJ

"The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), albeit among the world's poorest, is home to some of the world's most valuable minerals, including cobalt. Large tech businesses need cobalt for electronic products, electric cars, and rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and over 70% of the world's cobalt mining occurs in the DRC. Unfortunately, there is a cost to mining these minerals; child labor, environmental violations, and safety hazards are commonly associated with the process."

Major tech companies accused of child labour in Congolese cobalt mines

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and reinforcement of commitments to the

(www.gicj.org)

NPR: How "modern day slavery" in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara

Watching a documentary on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Didn't realize the strong connection between EV's, rechargeable batteries and near slavery in the Congo.

"...The Guardian has tracked the cobalt supply chain from TFM and other industrial mines through a number of refiners and battery makers to some of the world’s leading electric car manufacturers, including Tesla, VW, Volvo, Renault and Mercedes-Benz ....." (2021)

‘Like slave and master’: DRC miners toil for 30p an hour to fuel electric cars

Congolese workers describe a system of abuse, precarious employment and paltry wages – all to power the green vehicle revolution

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

@mattblaze LOL this last one seems the most relevant https://xkcd.com/538/

LOL apparently some in San Francisco has been modifying these advertisements on bus stops as a protest. Original ad is for an "ai-powered automation tool"

https://pixelfed.social/p/DocPop/806284922178266481

#graffiti #protest

Brown University

Brown advises all international community members to postpone, reconsider travel

"One week before spring break, Brown advised international community members, including visa holders and permanent residents, to postpone international travel in a campus-wide email sent on Sunday.

“Potential changes in travel restrictions and travel bans, visa procedures and processing, re-entry requirements and other travel-related delays may affect travelers’ ability to return to the U.S. as planned,” Executive Vice President for Planning and Policy Russell Carey wrote in the email."

https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/03/brown-advises-all-international-community-members-to-postpone-reconsider-travel

#Politics #USpol #travel #visas #warning