TYB
MCP was the master control program AI that took over the Tron world in the two movies. It was the evil in the films that they needed to vanquish, to gain back control of their world. In the second movie it kept the main character trapped inside the computer-generated realm.
Both of you anons are on-point. China seems headed for disaster quicker than we are. Most of what they are doing is posturing. I do fear that the Xi regime will need something big to capture his nations' attention and keep the nationalistic streak going.
I hope that something is not an invasion of Taiwan.
Logic says that they will not provoke the US in a run-up to our election, because that would ensure a Trump victory.
I think one is over near Hawaii, but this. Feels like they were tasked to the region to take one of Xi's moves out of play.
Watched a few videos on this yesterday, and here is what I learned:
1) A massive dam built in the 50s had failed in the early 80s. The significance is it was supposed to last 200 years, the government ignored criticisms about its design and construction, and then covered up how many deaths it caused. The correct number of deaths was later said to be 230,000.
2) Company who built the Three Gorges dam was determined to make it the pride of China, using all Chinese companies. They also built a lot of bridges along the Yangtze, some of which failed and needed to be rebuilt.
2) loads of corruption in the payments to contractors, who were hiring subcontractors
3) Mid-way through construction in '99 they had massive flooding and called in some western experts to assess the dam. They concluded the welding of the steel inside the structure was not properly done, but it was too late because the embankments had already been poured. The Chinese govt claimed the report was racist, and continued the project.
4) The dam is apparently made of blocks, not a continuous pour like the Hoover dam.
5) Over the years, the govt. has lowered its strength assessment several times. At first the Three Gorges Dam was described as built to 2,000 year flood standards. Then 1,000. Then 100.
6) Right now the evidence shows visible deformation of the structure, at least by the satellite photos. We should all recognize there could be photo fuckery, but this was what led the Chinese people to wake up and start asking questions.
7) Officials at first denied any deformation. Then admitted to a few millimeters of deformation. Then admitted that there was deformation, but it was within specification for the structure. Now they have added a disclaimer, that it is normal for dams to bulge a bit when they are under stress.
8) the water level is supposedly 6 ft above max currently