Plug In

 

I'm on my first road trip with an EV. And I'm having flashbacks.

I was born in 1960 so I have seen many 'firsts'. I remember getting a Color TV when that was a big deal. I remember having one of the first radio controlled garage doors when living in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. That was magic. My dad loved new stuff, we called them 'gadgets' back then.

In 1960, one in five American households didn’t have a car. 2025: There were 20.5 million EV cars sold, world-wide. 

Think about all the TV antennas on the rooftops across the USA. We had channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 when I was growing up. And then came Cable TV. And then Satellite TV. And then the Internet. 

The only constant in life is change. 

I learned to drive during the 'Gas Crisis' in the 70s. I watched as President Carter spoke to the nation on TV, as he made the National Speed Limit 55 across the USA. I felt so cheated! Just in time for me get my driver's license, we had gas rationing. I also remember when President Carter placed Solar Panels on the White house. 

And I remember when President Reagan promptly took them down. 

When I drove to and from PURDUE from my home in New Jersey in the 70s gas was around $0.85 a gallon. There was talk that gas might cost more than $1 per gallon one day soon. Many said that would never happen. There were many 'muscle cars' on campus, no one really cared about MPG back then. During my days at PURDUE we had Americans being held hostage in Iran. Now in 2026 our cars and trucks are being held hostage. We really don't seem to learn, do we?

I can charge my EV at home, during off peak hours. It takes around 5 to 7 hours to get a full charge from home. From the road, it takes 10 to 20 minutes to top off to 80% of a charge, which can get me 250 to 350 miles. The app in the car (and in my phone) will find a charger for road trips. My son has an EV so when we visit him in Connecticut I charge up in his driveway. 

Solar (and wind) technology has changed a lot since the 70s. I wonder where we would be as a country if we kept the solar panels on the White House. If we made the alternative energy industry cool. If we changed from 'muscle cars' to electric. The 'gas crisis of the 70s should have been a lesson for all of us, right? 

We were warned. Big money wanted to keep the game the same. And climate change was a hoax, right?

I remember making that college drive from New Jersey to Indiana, and looking at all the land. The open spaces. Farmland, and cornfields. Farms, farms, farms as far as the eye can see. Why not Wind Farms and Solar Farms? 

Dozens of countries operate electrified or battery-electric (EV) trains, with widespread adoption across Europe, Asia, and expanding rapidly in Australia and the Americas. The majority utilize traditional electrified overhead wires or third rails, while others are pioneering battery-electric or hydrogen-powered train technologies for cleaner transit.

Leading countries utilizing electrified (EV) and battery-electric trains include:

Switzerland: Operates a 100% electrified national railway network, featuring heavily utilized electric passenger and freight trains.

The Netherlands: The first country to run its entire national railway on 100% wind-powered electricity.

Japan: Operates one of the world's most extensive electrified networks (roughly 75% electrified), famous for its high-speed electric Shinkansen bullet trains.

India: Aiming for full network electrification, with nearly 90% of its rail routes electrified using heavy electric locomotives for both freight and passenger travel.

China: Boasts the world's largest high-speed rail network and one of the largest overall electrified networks in the world.

Spain: Leads Europe in high-speed rail and is pioneering zero-emission electric and hydrogen-powered high-speed trains.

Australia: Expanding commercial battery-electric freight locomotives, using massive onboard battery banks and regenerative braking to haul heavy mining loads without overhead lines.

My grandchildren will never know a world without EV trains, cars, trucks. Probably EV ships and aircraft, too. Fossil fuels will be like having thousands of horses in the city, pulling wagons and buggies. 

That must have really been something, manure as far as the eye can see on city streets. Here's to hoping that we have sunny (and windy) times ahead. Like the rest of the civilized world. 

Democratizing Education

 

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Thomas Edison invented the first phonograph in 1877, creating the first machine capable of both recording and reproducing sound. He announced the invention on August 12, 1877, and produced the first audio recording, "Mary Had a Little Lamb," using tinfoil wrapped around a rotating cylinder at his Menlo Park, NJ laboratory ( around 15 miles from my home ).

Key details about the 1877 invention

• The Process: Edison's initial phonograph used a stylus to indent sound vibrations onto a tinfoil sheet wrapped around a cylinder.
• Initial Purpose: It was designed to record telephone messages and dictation.
• Inspiration: The invention was born out of his work on telegraphy and an improved telephone transmitter.
• Patent: Although the device was demonstrated in 1877, the patent was filed on December 24, 1877, and issued in early 1878.

And so: Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877 to record and reproduce sound, initially intending it as a business machine to record telephone messages and dictation. While working on telegraph transmitters, Edison discovered a way to emboss sound vibrations onto tin foil, creating the first machine capable of playing back recorded audio. 

Did Thomas Edison invent distance learning?

No, Thomas Edison did not invent distance learning.

Distance learning (also called distance education or correspondence education) refers to structured learning where students and instructors are separated by time and/or distance, often using mail, media, or technology for delivery and feedback. Its origins predate Edison by decades or even centuries.

Key Historical Timeline

• 1728: One of the earliest recorded examples was in Boston, where Caleb Phillips advertised shorthand lessons via mailed correspondence in the Boston Gazette.
• 1840s: Sir Isaac Pitman in Britain is widely credited with the first modern correspondence course. He taught shorthand by mailing transcribed texts on postcards and receiving student work back for correction. This was enabled by cheap, uniform postage (the Penny Post). It included two-way feedback and scaled successfully.
• 1858: The University of London began offering distance learning degrees through its External Programme, making higher education accessible worldwide.

Later developments included U.S. correspondence programs in the late 1800s, radio/TV-based education in the 20th century, and eventually online learning.

The New Jersey Edison Connection

Edison (1847–1931) was largely homeschooled by his mother after a brief, unsuccessful time in formal school (his teacher reportedly called him "addled"). He was a voracious self-learner through reading and experimentation, which some stories romanticize as early "learning at home."

He did engage with educational technology later in life. In 1913, he predicted that motion pictures would transform schools within a decade, saying something like "Our school system will be completely changed." He produced educational films, but this was about using media in (or alongside) education, not inventing remote/distance learning itself.

In short, Edison was a brilliant inventor and self-taught individual whose mother facilitated his early education at home, and he later championed visual media for teaching but distance learning as a concept and practice existed long before him. 

The "founding father" of modern correspondence/distance education is typically Pitman.

Key Broadcasting Milestones

• 1895–1897: Guglielmo Marconi conducted the first successful wireless transmissions (Morse code/dot-dash signals), including the first over open water in 1897. These were not audio broadcasts but point-to-point communication.
• December 24, 1906 (Christmas Eve): Reginald Fessenden (a Canadian inventor) made what is widely regarded as the first radio broadcast of audio - human voice and music. From Brant Rock, Massachusetts, he transmitted violin playing (O Holy Night), a Bible passage, and possibly a phonograph record. Ships at sea (as far as Virginia) picked it up. This is often cited as the birth of voice and music broadcasting. { around 120 years ago }

1919–1920: The start of regular/scheduled broadcasting.

• November 6, 1919: Hanso Idzerda's PCGG station in The Hague, Netherlands, began regular entertainment broadcasts.
• August 20, 1920: 8MK (later WWJ) in Detroit broadcast regularly.
• November 2, 1920: KDKA in Pittsburgh (Westinghouse) broadcast the U.S. presidential election results (Harding vs. Cox). This is frequently called the first commercial radio broadcast or the start of the broadcasting era in the U.S.

2026: The Distance Learning Association via Global Satellite High Speed Internet delivers K-20 Education to every location in the word. And Telemedicine. And Ecommerce. And of course, entertainment. 

Ever watch a TED.com talk? How about a Netflix documentary? Or have you ever attended a class (or a meeting) via Zoom? 

Yeah, I love my job. We are all living, learning, working, playing, teaching, training, coaching, mentoring in the GLOBAL Cloud COMMUNITY. 

Yours and mine. 

How could you possibly know this?

THIS Sunday Blog is about the book/movie Project Hail Mary. If you did not yet see the movie or read the book (or listen to the book) you might want to find an exit now.

In Andy Weir's novel Project Hail Mary (and its film adaptation), Ryland Grace is not a trained astronaut at the start. He's a former molecular biologist who became a middle-school science teacher. He gets pulled into the project because of his unique expertise on astrophage (the alien microbe threatening Earth's sun), based on his earlier controversial academic work about life not necessarily needing water.

Eva Stratt, the no-nonsense director of the international effort, recruits him early on. Over time, as the mission develops, Grace becomes deeply involved in planning and preparation for the Hail Mary spacecraft. He helps design experiments, trains the actual selected crew (the primary science specialist and backup) on the astrophage science they'll need, and participates hands-on in many aspects of the project.

Key reasons he knows the "astronaut training" procedures

Stratt plans for every contingency, including the possibility that something could go wrong with the primary crew. Grace effectively serves as a tertiary (third) backup science specialist all along, even though he has no intention of going on the one-way mission himself.

Because of this, he undergoes a lot of the same rigorous preparation and testing that the astronauts do:

• He participates in simulations.
• He tests equipment (including EVA/spacewalk suits and tools—he even acts as a guinea pig for some of those tests).
• He gets familiar with ship systems, procedures, zero-g operations, and other mission-critical skills under the guise of supporting the team or verifying the science setup.

This isn't full pilot or engineer training from day one, but it's enough exposure that, when the primary and backup science officers die in a lab explosion shortly before launch, Grace is the only person alive with both the deep astrophage knowledge and enough practical familiarity with the hardware and protocols to have a chance at succeeding. Stratt forces him aboard anyway (against his explicit refusal), sedates him, and launches the ship.

In the story's present-day timeline (aboard the ship), Grace wakes from a long coma with amnesia. As his memories return through flashbacks, he pieces together his involvement and applies that accumulated knowledge to operate the spacecraft, perform EVAs, troubleshoot systems, and improvise solutions. His scientific mindset and prior hands-on exposure fill in the gaps. He's not magically an expert pilot, but the preparation he received (plus the ship's automation and his own ingenuity) lets him manage.

The book emphasizes this more explicitly than the movie in some spots: Stratt had been subtly ensuring he was 'as prepared as possible' because she always viewed him as a potential fallback. It's a classic Weir-style "competence through preparation and problem-solving" detail that makes Grace's solo survival plausible without turning him into a superhuman astronaut overnight.

So my wife and I enjoyed the movie. And I downloaded the book on Audible. (I highly recommend you do both). But on the drive home last night we talked about how Ryland Grace knew all of the Astronaut stuff - he was never trained! We could not stop thinking about this 'flaw' in the movie. So, this morning I did the Ryland Grace thing myself: I asked Grok and Gemini and a few of my other AI friends to help me to solve the riddle. 

HERE IS THE POINT...

In the book, they do indeed go into much deeper detail as to how and why Ryland Grace was able to perform all of his Astronaut duties. In the movie, right up to the point he is forced aboard under an induced coma he keeps saying "I'm not an Astronaut! I was never trained! I don't know anything about anything!" A book on Audible with 16 hours of conversation would always have more detail than a 2 1/2 hour long movie, right? Ah so. Mystery solved. 

Happy Ending: Ryland Grace figured it out. As they say over and over again: You are smart. You will figure it out. 

Is there any better example of 'Distance Learning' than Project Hail Mary? Hmmm, maybe. 

Once again, welcome home to the crew of Artemis II. 

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One of these days, Alice.....

 If reading on a smartphone hold phone in landscape mode (sideways) 

Thes iconic line was the catchphrase of Ralph Kramden (played by Jackie Gleason) on the 1950s sitcom The Honeymooners. Usually delivered in a fit of comical frustration, Ralph would shake his fist at his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows), and follow up with his other famous threat: "Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!". 

Quick Facts About the Quote:

The Intent: Despite the aggressive language, the threats were always empty. Alice was never intimidated and usually shut Ralph down with a sarcastic retort or a simple "Ah, shaddap".

The Resolution: Most episodes ended with Ralph realizing his mistakes and telling Alice, "Baby, you're the greatest".

Pop Culture Legacy: The line has been parodied and referenced for decades in shows like The Flintstones (which was heavily inspired by the series), Family Guy, and Futurama. 

Now I was born in 1960. So I grew up during the 'Space Race' and the Apollo missions. My big 'TV Shows' growing up were Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Star Trek, Mission Impossible. John Wayne was the big Movie Star, (1907–1979) an iconic American actor, director, and producer known as the definitive cowboy and war hero of Hollywood's Golden Age. Famous for his distinctive voice, towering presence, and roles in classics like Stagecoach, The Searchers, and True Grit - the latter winning him an Academy Award. John Wayne came to represent American rugged masculinity and conservative patriotism. 

The first interracial kiss on American network television occurred in the Star Trek episode "Plato's Stepchildren," aired on November 22, 1968, between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). The scene was driven by a storyline where telekinetic aliens forced the kiss, rather than it being a voluntary romance. 

Key Details of the Landmark Moment:

Cultural Significance: The kiss occurred just over a year after the US Supreme Court's 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision that deemed laws against interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Production Concerns: NBC executives feared backlash from Southern television stations and originally asked for a version without physical contact, but the actors intentionally ruined the "no-touch" takes.

Reception: Contrary to fears of massive protests, the episode aired without significant public backlash and actually garnered mostly positive fan mail, becoming a celebrated moment in TV history.

I write this Sunday Blog in April of 2026. And we have just welcomed the crew of Artemis II back home to Planet Earth. I just learned that Artemis and Apollo are the divine twins of Greek mythology, the children of Zeus and the Titaness Leto. Their relationship is defined by a deep familial bond, shared interests, and a duality that represents the balance between opposing forces like the sun and the moon. 

Opposing forces. War and Peace. Superstition is the opposite of Science. Good vs. Evil. Freedom vs. Enslavement. 

At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. Less than 34 hours later, Union forces surrendered. Traditionally, this event has been used to mark the beginning of the Civil War.

165 years ago today. 

On February 4, 1861, representatives from six states met in Montgomery, Alabama, and officially established the Confederate States of America. On February 9, Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis was elected president. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri, all slave states, did not join the Confederacy. 

Those four states made a decision that changed the history of our country. And the world.

The Artemis II crew consisted of four astronauts who flew around the Moon: NASA Commander Reid Wiseman, NASA Pilot Victor Glover, NASA Mission Specialist Christina Hammock Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. They are the first crewed mission to return to the Moon's vicinity. Google them. Research their backgrounds. What did they learn growing up? 

I write this Sunday Blog reflecting on everything that I learned, everything that I was taught growing up in the USA. Everything that influenced me from 1960 to 2026. Watching the Vietnam War on TV. Going to John Wayne movies with my Dad. The promise of a future in space, via Star Trek. Very popular TV shows that joked about striking a woman. I grew up in Cedar Grove, NJ just a few miles from Newark riots (July 12th to July 17th 1967). 

For me, someone born in the 60s NASA will always give me hope. Of what is possible. Not just for the USA but for all of us. 

For humanity. 

Find the GOLDEN Easter Eggs

If you are reading on a Smartphone, hold phone sideways (landscape) 

We had our first Family Easter Egg hunt yesterday in Connecticut. 

An Easter egg hunt is a fun, traditional activity (usually for children) where people search for hidden decorated eggs - either real hard-boiled eggs that have been dyed and painted, or plastic eggs filled with candy, small toys, or treats.

How an Easter egg hunt typically works:

Setup: An adult or organizer hides the eggs in a yard, park, house, or designated area. They might place them in easy-to-find spots for younger kids or more challenging locations for older ones.

The hunt: Kids (and sometimes adults) are given baskets or bags and then released to search for and collect as many eggs as possible within a time limit or until all eggs are found.

Rules: Common rules include no pushing, one egg per person at a time, or age-group divisions so younger children aren't outcompeted by older ones.

After the hunt: Everyone gathers to open the eggs, count their haul, and enjoy the goodies inside. Sometimes there are special "golden" or prize eggs that win bigger rewards.

Why it's called an "Easter egg hunt"

It’s tied to the Christian celebration of Easter (commemorating the resurrection of Jesus), but the egg-hunting custom has older pagan roots symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Eggs were decorated and given as gifts long before Christianity adopted the symbol. Today, it's mostly a secular family-friendly spring activity in many countries, especially the United States, even for non-religious families.

All are welcome to hunt for Easter Eggs. 

"Look Up to find the Golden Egg"

Yesterday in Connecticut there were around 25 eggs in total, but there was one very special egg - The Golden Egg. It took a few laps around the yard for the kids the find that one. We had to give hints, reminding them to 'look up' as Easter Eggs might not be only on the ground. Easter Eggs might be hiding in plain sight - anywhere. Above the ground. Above the earth. 

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission in the Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth - the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, atop the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft (named Integrity for this flight) carrying the crew.

Mission Objectives

Artemis II serves as a critical test flight. It demonstrates that the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and associated systems (including life support, navigation, communication, and re-entry) can safely carry humans into deep space. The crew will not land on the Moon; instead, they perform a lunar flyby (a "free-return trajectory"), looping around the far side of the Moon before returning home. This builds on the uncrewed Artemis I test in 2022 and paves the way for future moon landings (starting with Artemis III) and eventual long-term lunar presence (base) on the moon, plus future missions to Mars.

Key activities include:

• Testing Orion's systems with a real crew aboard.
• Conducting maneuvers, such as the translunar injection burn (completed successfully shortly after launch).
• Gathering data on human health and performance in deep space.
• Capturing views and photos of Earth and the Moon (including the far side).

The mission is on track as of this Easter Sunday Blog April 5, 2026, with the crew having left Earth orbit, performed the key burn toward the Moon, and reported positive spirits while observing unique views of Earth and approaching the lunar far side.

Broader Context: The Artemis Program

Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon sustainably - this time including women and international partners. The plan is to establish a lunar base (with the Gateway station), and use it as a stepping stone for Mars exploration. It involves collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency, which provides Orion's service module), Canada, Japan, and others.

As of this morning (April 5, 2026), the mission is progressing well in its early days, with live views and updates available right here from NASA. It's a major milestone in humanity's return to deep space exploration.

This is my first Easter Sunday with my grandsons. Born in 1960 I was 9 when Man first landed on the moon. There have been six manned U.S. moon landings (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) between 1969 and 1972, with 12 astronauts walking on the surface. Over 100 robotic spacecraft from various nations have also visited the moon, with over 25 successful soft landings by robotic probes. 

It's 2026 and we live in the age of AI, drones, telemedicine, self-driving cars, and high-speed GLOBAL satellite Internet reaching everyone, anywhere in the world. I remember the feeling of hope and the excitement of living during the Apollo missions. We all had hopes and visions of a future world that will help everyone living anywhere all with a lifetime of peace. An end to all wars. Education for all, healthcare for all, food for everyone. Quality of Life. Technology being shared and used for all mankind. 

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind" is the historic phrase spoken by Neil Armstrong upon becoming the first human to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. While commonly heard without the "a," Armstrong intended to say "a man," which would differentiate "man" (individual) from "mankind" (humanity). 

I remember watching Star Trek with my Dad in our Cedar Grove, NJ living room in 1966. He loved watching Star Trek as much as he loved TV Westerns. And if my Dad loved something, so did I. My first memory of an Easter Egg hunt was when I was 5 years old. That was 60 years ago. Ah yes, Easter Egg Hunting symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Maybe the Artemis II can be a Golden Egg for all of us. For my three grandsons. And for your grandchildren, too. 

"Everyone: Look Up to find the Golden Eggs for Mankind. Look UP!"

From the Artemis II - Earth from Orion Capsule

Slowly, then all of a sudden

 If on a smartphone, hold your phone in landscape mode (sideways)

So, the first BoontonWorks went LIVE in 2015. I blogged on it a few times over the years. One virtual location, on Main Street BOONTON in the one and only good ol' BOONTON USA. Ho hum. It took ten years to get 100 members. I guess I was the only person who thought a virtual co-working space in BOONTON USA was a good idea. 

And then came Nextdoor.com 

Nextdoor.com is a hyperlocal social networking platform (available as a website and mobile app) that connects verified neighbors within specific neighborhoods. It functions like a private, address-based community hub where people share local information, recommendations, alerts, and more.

Key Features

Neighborhood-specific feeds: Users see posts only from their verified local area (or nearby neighborhoods). Real-time safety alerts, crime reports, and weather updates. Local news from trusted sources and neighbor-reported events.

Recommendations: Ask for or share suggestions on services like plumbers, restaurants, dog walkers, or local favorites.

Marketplace: Buy, sell, or give away items (for sale/free listings) within the community.

Events and groups: Discover or organize community events and join interest-based groups.

Lost/found pets, missing items, and general neighborly help requests.

The platform emphasizes verified addresses — users must provide their real name and address to join, creating a more trusted (though sometimes debated) environment compared to broader social networks.

As of recent data, Nextdoor connects over 100–105 million verified neighbors across roughly 345,000–350,000 neighborhoods in 11 countries (primarily the US, plus places like the UK, Canada, Australia, and several in Europe). It reaches about 1 in 3 U.S. households.

Company Background

Founded: 2008 (launched publicly in 2011) in San Francisco. Public company: Trades as NXDR (Nextdoor Holdings, Inc.). Mission: "To make every neighborhood feel like home" by fostering local connections, belonging, and useful information exchange. It’s free for individuals to join and use. Local businesses can create pages to advertise and connect with customers.

Common Uses

Every day of the week millions of people turn to Nextdoor for practical neighborhood matters: reporting suspicious activity, finding and giving their personal opinions and recommendations. Folks across the USA who are selling garage-sale items, coordinating block parties, or simply staying informed about what’s happening nearby. It can feel like a mix of a community bulletin board, Facebook group, and Craigslist but all hyper-localized.

Note: Experiences vary. Some users love the neighborly connections and timely info, while others mention it can sometimes surface complaints or "nextdoor drama." Like any community platform, content depends on who’s active in your specific area.

Around a year ago I started using Nextdoor.com to find dog sitters. And to hire an electrician and a plumber. And to hire a handyman and a landscaper. I needed to hire a roofer. Normal stuff.

And then I had the idea: what if we use Nextdoor to grow BoontonWorks all across North America - from LA to NYC? Yeah.... what if we use Nextdoor.com to sell, market, promote and GROW BoontonWork.com locations on Main Streets across the USA? There is only one BOONTON in the USA, the same as there is only one LA in California. And yet, there are currently 639 LA FITNESS locations across 25 states. Interesting lesson in branding, right? 

As they say, timing in life is everything. Here we are in 2026 with gas prices going through the roof. Fuel costs for airlines are making travel by air pretty much unaffordable. And what about AI? Everyone in every industry is trying to figure out their AI strategy. We service 174K+ schools across North America via the NYDLA.org and the NADLA.org and 80% of these colleges and universities have some form of AI class that you can take online or on campus. 

Entrepreneurship (and Solopreneurship) is a thing. And GROWING. But being a business owner without PROFITABILITY is not a good thing. We only want GOOD THINGS, right? Profitability = FREEDOM. And profitability is always a choice. Yours. 

Get ready for a new and improved BoontonWorks.com coming to Main Street USA in YOUR town. BUSINESS FITNESS. Sometimes success happens slowly, and then all at once. 

Let's Zoom In on the Final Four Super Bowl Commercials

If you are reading on a smartphone, hold your phone in landscape mode.

My wife and I just got back home from a nice visit with the kids in Connecticut. And our three grandkids. Six Capone Men in total, three of us still in diapers. For the elder (non-diaper wearing) men the conversations (plural) were about work and sports. And sports and work.  

Which (for my two sons and I) are the same thing. 

I spotted a NFL Technology Innovation Hub 'hoodie' on one of my daughters (my son's wife) at breakfast, and that set the conversation for the morning. 

NFL Technology Innovation Hub: Pioneering the future of sports

This ^^^ is a cool article that helps to shed some light on how the NFL services their 400M+ worldwide fans via technology. And then we talked about how MLB Opening Day is 3/25/2026 (8:05 PM) between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees and how Zoom is still an MLB sponsor in 2026. And after all, as the CEO of the Distance Learning Association I'm still www.DrZoom.us (or am I www.MrZoom.us ? I forget.)

MLB and Zoom announced a multi-year, global sponsorship partnership ahead of the 2023 season. In it, Zoom became the Official Unified Communications Platform of MLB and the Presenting Partner of MLB Replay Review, powering innovations like the Zoom Replay Operations Center for greater fan transparency during reviews, integration for events like the MLB Draft, and enhanced communications across the league. Recent evidence shows the partnership remains very active:

Zoom's own customer story page continues to highlight and detail the ongoing collaboration, including the use of Zoom Contact Center, Zoom Events, and AI-enhanced CX tools for MLB's fan support and operations. A YouTube video and related content from Zoom describe MLB "hitting a home run" with Zoom CX, noting sustained benefits like faster fan issue resolution and AI-driven efficiencies.

As of this Sunday's Blog the NYDLA.org | NADLA.org members are deep, deep, DEEP in the middle of March Madness 2026. After all, the DLA services 174K+ schools across North America. All of the NCAA. And one of our largest DLA | NCAA sponsors is Microsoft. 

Microsoft’s Copilot AI was used to simulate every game of the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament, forecasting that 2‑seed Houston would win its first national title by defeating 1‑seed Arizona in the championship at Lucas Oil Stadium, and highlighting a few early‑round upsets. And of course, success in the NCAA tournament leads to amazing careers in the NBA. 

Key points:

USA TODAY Sports used Microsoft Copilot’s chatbot to predict the outcome of each game in the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament bracket.

The AI simulation projected the 2‑seed Houston Cougars as national champions, beating 1‑seed Arizona on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The model indicated that the victory would make coach Kelvin Sampson, age 70, the oldest Division I coach to win a national championship. Copilot forecast three upsets: No. 12 seed High Point over No. 5 Wisconsin, No. 9 seed Saint Louis over No. 8 Georgia, and Houston defeating No. 1 seed Florida in the Elite Eight. 

According to the AI simulation, the Final Four would consist of Houston, Duke, Michigan, and Arizona, with three No. 1 seeds and one No. 2 seed. Only time will tell. 

My one son works for the NFL. My other son works for one of the world's largest, publicly traded insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firms. They have a focus on global services, including commercial insurance, employee benefits, and reinsurance, through an extensive international network. My son is focused on working with high wealth individuals, such as NBA, NFL and MLB players, team owners, and the C-Suite of major corporations. Ah, he also works with pretty much anyone who can afford to buy a ticket for the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA finals or the Final Four. 

Sports. Technology. Business. Never a dull moment at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Gee, I wonder if my three grandsons (or maybe a few granddaughters?) will play for UCONN one day...

We shall crown our March Madness 2026

Vendor CHAMPION on 4/15 with D&H

in Pennsylvania

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