I'm a mile outside of DC. Wife used to work in gov. They are desperately (on the quiet) trying to hire back many of the ppl that doge let go most of whom have either moved onto other jobs or feel so burned that they would never return to gov work. Turns out gov is complicated and getting things done timely. Who knew. Trying to jam round pegs through square holes does not work in that field.ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 2:08 pm100% c**tJuiceyJones wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:26 pmIn fairness the word c**t springs to mind whenever i hear his name.
Aside from the fascism (as if that's not enough), the Grok 'nudify' feature that wasn't fussy about age was the final straw. Banned in Europe now but still available in the land of selective freedoms. And then there's the blatant deleting of key govt data, incl scientific, with the DOGE fiasco.
AI bubble
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JuiceyJones
- Posts: 225
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The trouble is neither the US nor China operate under the same framework, and therefore they are both crushing the EU. Several Asian companies are powering ahead as well.ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 2:15 pmThat's because the EU operates under a regulatory framework. Like data centres, the North Virginia has 650 and they're incredibly unpopular because of the environmental impact which the EU would never tolerate. We don't want US levels of 'success' because of what's required to achieve it.
It reminds me of the scene that I saw when I worked in Germany, just after reunification. The gap between the former East Germany and West Germany becomes so large. That's what caused the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
You see how certain economies are powering ahead, and others aren't, and then you realise that while it's not the same as East and West Germany. Eventually, the gap will become too big to bridge without a significant shift.
A lot of these fast-growing economies don't really give a shit about EU regulation. They're happy to exploit it.
There has to be a balance somewhere. Europe is not going to grow with the level of regulation that it has.
The US innovates, China replicates, the EU regulates.
- ShaunWhite
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Counties and economies aren't about 'winning', they're about sustainability, standards of living and the welfare of the people. The US and China are both terrible places to live because of the unregulated development. I'd choose to live in one of these 'loser' counties like Norway or the UK over either of them any day. And I think we're past thinking any form of control or socialism means East German standards, unless you're American and still believe in McCarthyism.
We're unlikely to agree though being on polar opposite sides of the political divide. But that's permissible outside of the likes of 'winners' such as China and increasingly, the US.
We're unlikely to agree though being on polar opposite sides of the political divide. But that's permissible outside of the likes of 'winners' such as China and increasingly, the US.
- ruthlessimon
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Line = up?
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Eventually people get upset that others have more than them. Whether thats in a country or across the world. It seems to be a universal thing, whatever your political preference. It seems to be human nature.ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 6:09 pmCounties and economies aren't about 'winning', they're about sustainability, standards of living and the welfare of the people. The US and China are both terrible places to live because of the unregulated development. I'd choose to live in one of these 'loser' counties like Norway or the UK over either of them any day. And I think we're past thinking any form of control or socialism means East German standards, unless you're American and still believe in McCarthyism.
We're unlikely to agree though being on polar opposite sides of the political divide. But that's permissible outside of the likes of 'winners' such as China and increasingly, the US.
I should add, I actually think the answer is not to necessarily be like one country or one philosophy. You should be looking at all of the things that are available and picking off the best bits of it.
Whereas all too often we seem to end up in this no man's land where absolutely nothing happens and nothing is achieved. We seem to have no direction at the moment.
Whereas all too often we seem to end up in this no man's land where absolutely nothing happens and nothing is achieved. We seem to have no direction at the moment.
- firlandsfarm
- Posts: 3614
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I know what you mean, it also springs to mind with me whenever I hear people criticise very successful people! I often wonder if it's extreme liberalism (the sort of liberalism they want everyone else to pay for) or jealousy.JuiceyJones wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:26 pmIn fairness the word c**t springs to mind whenever i hear his name.
- firlandsfarm
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You left the UK off the list Shaun, say "boo" to a non white person and you are likely to be arrested even if you have been stabbed!ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 6:09 pmWe're unlikely to agree though being on polar opposite sides of the political divide. But that's permissible outside of the likes of 'winners' such as China and increasingly, the US.
Euler wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 8:04 pmEventually people get upset that others have more than them. Whether thats in a country or across the world. It seems to be a universal thing, whatever your political preference. It seems to be human nature.ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 02, 2026 6:09 pmCounties and economies aren't about 'winning', they're about sustainability, standards of living and the welfare of the people. The US and China are both terrible places to live because of the unregulated development. I'd choose to live in one of these 'loser' counties like Norway or the UK over either of them any day. And I think we're past thinking any form of control or socialism means East German standards, unless you're American and still believe in McCarthyism.
We're unlikely to agree though being on polar opposite sides of the political divide. But that's permissible outside of the likes of 'winners' such as China and increasingly, the US.
Isn't the resentment largely justified in such an unequal world? The haves say they deserve every cent while most of the have-nots hardly have a chance no matter what.firlandsfarm wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:51 amI know what you mean, it also springs to mind with me whenever I hear people criticise very successful people! I often wonder if it's extreme liberalism (the sort of liberalism they want everyone else to pay for) or jealousy.JuiceyJones wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:26 pmIn fairness the word c**t springs to mind whenever i hear his name.
The betting markets are like a game, a competition, so you can accept that 1% win there (like winning in sport). But when you're talking about the quality of life around the world it's not a game at all.
Sure, overall standards may be increasing and much is made of the sponging of benefits but you only need to take a walk to the next neighbourhood to see the strains and hardships that poorer people endure. Most winners have a better start in life, a fact that has little to do with human nature.
- ForFolksSake
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... inequality could get a lot worse as a result of AI ?Isn't the resentment largely justified in such an unequal world?
" AI is widely expected to worsen inequality if left unregulated, as the economic benefits and productivity gains are likely to concentrate wealth among tech owners, investors, and highly skilled workers. However, under the right policy conditions, AI could also act as a great equalizer "
- firlandsfarm
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Since the beginning of time the 'best' has always been rewarded more than others. It's simple Darwinism. The best hunter secured the best meat. The best 'farmer' grew the best crops. Some countries have tried absolute equality (normally called communism) but abandoned it when they could not get it to work. Probably because why contribute more than others for the same benefit. Some think we have a benefits culture in the UK but that and more is exactly what a 'communist' culture is. The strong are expected to support the weak ... that works in a micro culture such as a family but is almost impossible to get a country to accept it. Why would someone in Inverness be happy to support someone in Penzance?
Human civilisation is only getting started and if the end isn't nigh then who knows what the positive potential of cultural/societal change might be. History only makes for a convincing argument when you're lucky enough not to be on the losing end. The winners may point to it as proof but to me that's merely a luxury and somewhat of a cop out if basic compassion is worth anything. Sorry if that makes me a commie!firlandsfarm wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2026 10:40 amSince the beginning of time the 'best' has always been rewarded more than others. It's simple Darwinism. The best hunter secured the best meat. The best 'farmer' grew the best crops. Some countries have tried absolute equality (normally called communism) but abandoned it when they could not get it to work. Probably because why contribute more than others for the same benefit. Some think we have a benefits culture in the UK but that and more is exactly what a 'communist' culture is. The strong are expected to support the weak ... that works in a micro culture such as a family but is almost impossible to get a country to accept it. Why would someone in Inverness be happy to support someone in Penzance?
