James Marinero
Bio
I live on a boat and write as I sail slowly around the world. Follow me for a varied story diet: true stories, humor, tech, AI, travel, geopolitics and more. I also write techno thrillers, with six to my name. More of my stories on Medium
Stories (105/0)
The Art of Revolution
My introduction to Cuban art was a surprise. The first mate and I were in Havana on a flying three-day visit to Havana having left our boat — our home — in Cayo Largo on Cuba’s south coast. We’d arrived there from Grenada via Bonaire and Jamaica, sailing west then north across the Caribbean Sea, 1300 nautical miles. Even in the air terminal art was everywhere to be seen, and during our month there the art turned up in the most unexpected places.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in Wander
It's Cyberwar Jim, But Not As We Know It
First the gas Firstly it was the newly commissioned Nordstream 2 gas pipeline, with ‘maintenance issues’ causing a halt in supplies of Russian natural gas to Europe (and Germany in particular). Then, when the maintenance had been completed (nod nod, wink wink) the Nordstream network pipes were hit by explosions in several places close to the coast of Sweden.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in 01
Going Green is Driving a World Copper Shortage
A personal story kicked this one off This week I renewed the gas piping on my boat and wondered what to do with the old copper pipework. Copper is in big demand, for sure, but I’m not sure that 3 metres of scrap copper is worth much. 1/2 kg in weight? At $3.31 a US pound my copper is worth about $3. Maybe.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in Earth
The Visitors
The boy struggled and kicked with no sound coming out of his mouth. The rope was tight around his neck. Little more than eighteen years old, he hadn’t started shaving, hadn’t properly held a girl, yet he had no more than a few minutes to live. Cyanosis was starting to show in his rapidly bluing lips. His kicks were weakening, his struggle fading.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in Criminal
Refrigeration Sucks 20% of the World's Energy Supply
Huge consumption This is what that august body, the International Institute of Refrigeration said in a 2019 report: The IIR estimates that the total number of refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems in operation worldwide is roughly 5 billion. Global annual sales of such equipment amount to roughly 500 billion USD. Over 15 million people are employed worldwide in the refrigeration sector which consumes about 20% of the overall electricity used worldwide.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in Earth
The Delightful Deserted Queens Gardens of Cuba
The Queens Gardens is a marine reserve located in the Caribbean Sea, off the south coast of Cuba. The reserve was created by Fidel Castro in 1984 to protect the environment and natural resources of this area, but Christopher Columbus, the explorer and navigator, first named it in honour of the Queen of Spain, Isabella I of Castile when he discovered it in 1492.
By James Marineroabout a year ago in Wander