JohnH: Sweden has just under half our population. It built a conventional submarine, the Gotland, so stealthy the US navy…
Open Thread – Weekend 30 Nov 2024
- Open Thread – Mon 2 Dec 2024
- Put coal in the Coalition energy policy
- Anglicanism blighted, Screwtape delighted
- Open Thread – Weekend 30 Nov 2024
- Open Thread – Thurs 28 Nov 2024
@CitizenFreePress DEMOCRATS HAVE ZERO SELF AWARENESS. Biden announces $1 billion gift to Africa to help the homeless displaced by non-existent…
Matt Taibbi Note on the FBI
Delaware Confiscates $100 Billion of Musk’s Wealth
Why is Dr. Scott Gottlieb so desperate to keep Robert F. Kennedy Jr. out of Trump’s cabinet?
Today climatism, bizarre leftist causes of all sorts and anti-semitism are approved of by almost the entirety of the middle and upper classes. To rebel their children have nowhere else to go but right therefore the right is now cool.
An interesting theory, Crossie. Although I think all extremist movements instigate a corresonding reaction.
So I laughed.
babylonbee.com/news/excited-lobbyists-line-up-outside-capitol-for-early-bird-deals-on-congressmen
and laughed
media.babylonbee.com/articles/6748c81ccc3ce6748c81ccc3cf.jpg
They are literally delusional. They cannot see that the beliefs they have assembled into holy doctrine are wrong and fake.
I read this one earlier:
Where the Dem’s heads are at right now after 2024 (30 Nov)
Some podcast guy sat down with three senior people from Kamala’s campaign to discuss where it went wrong. It’s fascinating. They are like blind men in a maze. Worse even than that: they have no idea at all. The incomprehension is very interesting.
Bribe early. Bribe fast. Bribe often.
Chris Kenny’s analogy is a beauty. “Labor’s renewables plan is driving Australia over a cliff. Chris Bowen told Labor colleague Ged Kearney, we need to keep our foot on the accelerator for renewables. If I remember correctly that is pretty much what Thelma said to Louise!”
While landing on you tube through this forum I saw a video on azerbygan and Amerina.
Armenia wan in the 1990.
Sine 2000 azerbyjan oil and gas reserves have been piped to Europe through Turkey and Israel.
Armanments from Israel and Turkey were suppled to Azerbaijan which muscled up its army and over ran the Armenian enclave.
Armenia had aligned itself with Russia rather than NATO due to the 1990 war.
Russia has been pre occupied with Ukraine to help the Armenians.
Iran fears Azerbijan as 16 mill of its citizen in their border with Azerbijan identify with Azerbijan than with Iran.
Armenia is bordered by Turkey and Azerbijan.
the oil and gas pipeline appear to go through Georgia, Turkey Black Sea , The Med and through Eastern Europe.
thanks everyone for leaving Armenia out.
by the way, what Azerbijan has done for itself with the petro and gas money is an example for the rest of us.
From the “Sunday Times.”
The long wait for a verdict in the case of a Toodyay farm owner’s alleged Aboriginal Heritage Act breach has had a chilling effect on other landholders’ property plans, amid uncertainty about the law.
If the magistrate hands down his reserved decision in February as scheduled, it will have been a year since Tony Maddox stood trial — and in the meantime, he’s been diagnosed with cancer.
The 72-year-old real estate business owner says his doctor is convinced the stress of the court battle, already costing him more than $100,000 in legal fees, has been a key factor in his ill health.
Mr Maddox says the artificial lake he has created has become a wildlife sanctuary – but a local who “made a hell of a mess” of an Aboriginal heritage site got off with a warning.
“And now I’m in Royal Perth Hospital having chemo,” Mr Maddox told The Sunday Times.
“Last two months, I’ve been crook as flaming crook, and the colour all greyed out of my skin.
“I literally haven’t sold a property for the last 12 months.
“It just distresses you. My wife said ‘You’re a different person’.”
Mr Maddox said he has been brought to the end of his tether enduring eight adjournments, with the “complexity” of the case given as the reason for the latest rescheduling.
All this over a mythical “Rainbow Serpent?” A mythical “Rainbow Serpent” in the twenty first century?
James Carville Calls for Complete Audit of Kamala Campaign After ‘Almost Unfathomable’ Damage Done to Dems
College settles antisemitism claims before Trump can make good on accreditation threats
A couple of comments…
God is variously defined by the belief systems mentioned (Buddhism arguably doesn’t even conceive of such a Being).
For Christianity and Judaism, God is not a created material Being.
If the argument were put into the logical syllogistic form it is trying to emulate, it would be fallacious on at least two grounds (illicit treatment of the major premise and undistributed middle).
So, as a formal argument, it’s at best erroneous thinking and at worst meaningless.
Malicious prosecution, bullying and harassment by a marxist state, an assault on property rights.
Apparently, Oz media’ luv of mid-east doesn’t extend to Syria .. no mention .. Assad’s control going down the gurgler as several “rebel” groups battle over various slices of the country this weekend .. Assad & family, apparently, in Russia ..
“plenty wrong” hasn’t indicated which group Oz is supporting so everything still up for grabs …….!
Elon Musk Vs WOKE Britain
Outstanding WIP; many candidates for best meme (the ones on cackles are great) but this resonated:
Trump is going to give US companies a period of grace to onshore or “friendshore” manufacturing.
Would Australians be smart enough to fix our energy and electricity systems, do the actual deregulation that never really happened in the 80s and 90s because the commie corporates convinced everyone that deregulation meant dropping tariffs on the CCP, would Australian companies be intelligent enough to take advantage of a market of 330 million people who speak the same language and look upon us favourably?
Would they hell.
No. They will continue to go cap in hand to Xi asking him to eat all our f*cking lobsters, sell us all the useless “green new energy” crap he wants, while moaning that Trump tariffs will “fuel inflation”.
Morons, idiots and imbeciles.
A TRUE Welcome to Country.
If we had a genuine conservative-principles political party here in Australia, they’d do well to play the clip Makka linked to at 8:21 a.m. (via X) at the beginning of each meeting or gathering, as a Welcome to (OUR) Country.
The content reminds us that this IS our country now, it’s just that the thuggery is not as visible at the moment.
Let us not forget, however, that an unknown percentage of the population was quietly frothing in their pants over scenes like those featured. They endorsed the actions of the The State’s enforcement tentacle because that is what The State does: It is a breeder of resentment, hate, division. If we’re not flailing against each other, the danger is we’ll organise and not just flail against, but actually fight, THEM. These Resenters/Enviers are a significant challenge for any true conservative representation.
The compilation Makka linked to needs to be played on a regular basis to remind us that an authoritarian state is not something we need to fear in the future; it is HERE, NOW, and after the taste of the covidiocy, it still very much lurks, waiting for opportunity.
The other state tentacle, the chameleon media, also poses an existential challenge, but that’s another topic.
For many people who otherwise sat at home and did little, the covidiocy was no more than a mild irritation. Happy to accept their $750 bribes from the grubbermint and spend it on another big-screen TV to watch the ‘anti-waxxers’ be hunted and stunned, they care less now than they did then, about ensuring those responsible are held to account, and ‘reparations’ made.
Even for those of us who were directly affected, the hum-drum drag of daily life bombards us with demands that slowly layer atop the bitterness and resentment (though they very much bubble beneath).
I don’t know how to wrap this up … My thoughts are stuck; blinking …
Bugger it.
The WA Liberals should run hard on this.
Cough.
Time for a cute owl and continuing the Elon space theme, a space cute owl:
President Milei stands in front of the assembled UN in NYC and tears them a new a***hole, carpet bombing with plane loads of truth bombs.
https://x.com/EllaTravelsLove/status/1839540072711901584/video/1
It’s actually silly. It confuses creation with discovery. It also begs the question.
Substitute God for laws of nature. Are we supposed to conclude that the first person to posit something like a law of nature ‘made’ them?
Are we supposed to conclude that the first person to posit something like a law of nature ‘made’ them?
Yes. “Laws of Nature” are human inventions trying to explain what we observe. Nature doesn’t actually care about our explanations and just is.
I would have thought a pilot might have some respect for Newton’s laws of motion.
Chuckle.
Geoff Hinton – Will Digital Intelligence Replace Biological Intelligence? | Vector’s Remarkable 2024
Summary In a keynote address at the Vector Institute’s event, Geoffrey Hinton discusses the implications of artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the potential replacement of biological intelligence with digital intelligence. He shares insights on different computation types, elaborates on the capabilities and limitations of large language models, reflects on the concept of superintelligence and control, and explores the nuances of consciousness and subjective experience in both humans and AI. ### Key Points #### Introduction – Geoffrey Hinton’s background and reputation in AI. – Importance of having strong graduate students for successful research. – Concern about AI’s rapid development and implications for humanity. #### Digital vs. Analog Computation (3:35) – Differentiation between digital and analog computation methods. – Concerns about energy inefficiency in running large language models. – Exploration of using analog neural networks for efficient computation. – Discussion on the potential creation of computational elements from biological neurons. #### Large Language Models and Understanding (14:55) – Argument against the notion that AI operates merely as advanced autocomplete. – Emphasis on the complexity of understanding and contextual reasoning in language models. – Examples demonstrating the ability of these models to solve intricate problems. – Comparison of language models to human memory and the nature of their statistical learning mechanisms. #### Super Intelligence and Control (27:15) – Speculation on what occurs when AI surpasses human intelligence. – Concerns about superintelligence prioritizing control for achieving goals. – Worries about the competitive nature of superintelligent AIs and their potential for manipulating humans. – Evolutionary perspective on AI competing for resources. #### Consciousness and Subjective Experience (34:15) – Debate on whether AI could have consciousness or subjective experience. – Clarification of terms like “subjective experience” and common misconceptions about mental states. – A proposal that AI, specifically multimodal chatbots, can have subjective experience by appropriately interpreting their perceptual inputs. – Challenging the idea of a unique human quality in the context of AI. #### Q&A Session (41:35) – Discussion on the need to balance progress in AI with control measures. – Emphasis on the urgency of establishing beneficial AI systems while preventing misuse. – Concerns about individual autonomy versus collective decision-making in AI systems. – Insights on the purpose of AI in relation to human survival and evolution. This conference is significant for understanding both the potential and the risks of advancing AI technologies, particularly in how we perceive intelligence, memory, and decision-making both in humans and machines.
It is also factually incorrect.
Firstly, we do not know how old the universe is or how it came into existence. For all we know, it might always have existed, as the Epicureans thought.
Secondly, it is impossible to date the “God concept” based on the evidence we have, so the figure of 10,000 years is essentially made up to suit somebody’s pre-existing biases.
‘SICK’ Lawyers Accused of Advising Clients to Frame Men in Family Law Scams
Summary: The video discusses alarming claims regarding the misuse of domestic violence (DV) laws in Australia, particularly how they are being manipulated in family law cases. Men’s rights activist Patina Aunt shares concerns that men are facing unjust treatment in the legal system, with false accusations of domestic violence being used strategically by women (often with the advice of family lawyers) to gain an advantage in custody disputes. This trend, reportedly supported by certain legislative changes and biased law enforcement practices, leads to fathers being alienated from their children and serious implications for their lives. ### Key Points by Section: **Current Situation in 2024:** – There has been no positive change regarding men’s rights; instead, activism against men is escalating. – Coercive control laws are leading to increased unproven domestic violence claims. – Such accusations disproportionately affect fathers, leading to alienation from their children. **Whistleblower Testimonies:** – Two Queensland police officers highlight systematic bias in the enforcement of domestic violence laws favoring women. – Officers feel compelled to act in a sexist manner due to political and legislative pressures. **Case Study:** – A case is recounted where a man unknowingly became subject to a domestic violence order (DVO) based on his wife’s allegations, leaving him without access to his home or children. – The police officer involved believes that the order was strategically used by the woman’s solicitor, emphasizing the severity of the situation for the man. **Police Perspectives:** – Some police officers observe that domestic violence claims are often exaggerated or fabricated to secure better outcomes in family court. – Officers express frustration with a system that seemingly caters to a narrative that only men are perpetrators of domestic violence. **Bias in Legislation:** – New coercive control laws may not effectively represent the realities of both genders in abusive situations. – There are indications of a criminal justice system that pressures officers to prioritize protecting women under almost all circumstances, sometimes overlooking the male victim’s perspective. **Call for System Reforms:** – There are discussions about implementing penalties for lawyers who advise clients to exaggerate or fabricate claims. – Concerns were raised about the legal framework allowing baseless allegations to have severe consequences without due process. **Community Efforts:** – Patina Aunt invites public support for ongoing campaigns to address these injustices and raise awareness. – Efforts to expose these issues continue through her blogs and potential future podcasts to educate and inform the public. **Conclusion:** – The discussion concludes with a reflection on the serious implications of the current situation for men, especially fathers, in Australia. – Patina expresses gratitude for the platform to discuss these matters, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by those attempting to shed light on the injustices in family law and domestic violence allegations.
Finally fhe conservatives are learning to outplay the Left.
The announcement that commercial investigators, not the FBI, would be employed to conduct background checks on nominees was brilliantly played “an organisation that saw fit to delve into Mrs Trump’s underwear drawer may not be seen as appropriate to delve into peoples’ pasts”.
Things are very hectic in Syria. Difficult situation in Aleppo and towards Hama but Russian and Syrian AF is pounding al Qaeda/IS/HTS as they move. Reports in last hour that al-Jolani, head of HTS, was killed in Idlib by Russian airstrikes. Also reports that Syrian Special forces are active in Aleppo and are giving the Salafists many surprises.
I would have thought a pilot might have some respect for Newton’s laws of motion.
Chuckle.
Note they are called Newton’s Laws of Motion. He invented them to explain what he saw and extrapolate to other cases. The Laws are in the human mind which allows us to deal with the physical universe.
BTW, uncanny resemblance between al-Jolani and Zylensky.
Cats may already know of this in Coleworth’s cattle.
How the woke virus and green hoax are actively poisoning Australia’s food chain.
https://x.com/nogulagsagain/status/1862981654589132941
More on the additive being used;
https://x.com/OlimpiaLaih/status/1862425137456271763
“.. may damage male fertility..”
All that testosterone toxicity.
Roger
The signal we’re getting back from the Trumpster is that he’s not a hater and doesn’t hold grudges—at least, not the non-legal kind. It’s a smart strategy, and it seems to be working as he’s winning people over.
In any case, it’s not Trump that Zuckerberg needs to worry about anymore. It’s the folks Trump is placing in key positions. They’ll be doing the heavy lifting without needing any direction from Trump as they’re on the same page. He can afford to sit back and let them handle the dirty work.
One of Trump’s henchmen has already sent a warning shot, making it clear to these clowns that if they try anything shady this time, this administration isn’t going to mess around. They’ll find themselves in a world of trouble. I really hope they take that warning seriously.
Get a load of the signal Trump sent the FBI. None of his nominations are going to be vetted by this agency because it can’t be trusted. What a signal.
Correct.
But it seemed easier and more profitable to point out the basic errors in logic.
We can all use a primer on logic now and then because our minds are so prone to slipping into irrational thought, what in theology is called the noetic effect of (original) sin.
He didn’t invent them, he discovered them.
I have quibbles about ‘laws of nature’ myself but it’s simply silly to think that what they attempt to describe was created by man.
Yes: very messy.
Turkey-Backed Jihadists Eye Hama Next After Capturing Central Aleppo, International Airport (1 Dec)
I have no idea what Erdogan thinks he’s doing, but he’s long wanted the Sunni and Kurdish bits of Syria.
The signal we’re getting back from the Trumpster is that he’s not a hater and doesn’t hold grudges—at least, not the non-legal kind.
Agreed.
I suspect that’s because – his oft-times blustery public persona aside – he knows he is not perfect himself and therefore he’s willing to extend forgiveness to others if they are contrite.
The very opposite of the prog-left politician who lacks insight into his own weaknesses of character but nonetheless regards himself as serving a righteous cause and is thus quick to judge opponents mercilessly.
He didn’t invent them, he discovered them.
?
No, he invented an approximation to nature which was good enough for most cases but, as we now know, fails under some circumstances.
Einstein’s General Relativity encompasses Newton’s Laws.
I’m reading Mike Mc Cullough’s “Quantised Accelerations” which takes a different view. According to him there are many “anomalies” in physics. Some apparent anomalies may be experimental error, which he acknowledges but some are inexplicable by our current “models” aka “The Laws of Nature”.
It’s not just Turkey that has given the attack on Syria a nod and a wink.
I have quibbles about ‘laws of nature’ myself but it’s simply silly to think that what they attempt to describe was created by man.
I didn’t say that. Nature just is. We invent stories to explain what we observe. Note the Laws are named after their inventors who invented an explanation for what they saw which was somewhat useful.
There were other laws in the past that were eventually rejected – see Phlogiston for example or the Geocentric model of the Solar System when improvements in our observational ability led to more useful mental models of Nature’s behaviour.
On the plane back, I was listening to a podcast about, of all things, the complexity of the human ear. Interestingly, the follicles that transmit sound to the human brain aren’t hair follicles at all. Here’s how it works:
There’s nothing particularly new about the explanation above, but what I found astonishing is that these “follicles” can transmit sound with movements as small as the width of a single atom.
Evolution and natural selection alone brought about this level of complexity. Sure.
Today is the First Sunday of Advent
O Come O Come Emmanuel
That’s confusing hypotheses with laws.
There’s no end of hypotheses in science, but few actual laws (to use the accepted term).
I have no idea what Erdogan thinks he’s doing, but he’s long wanted the Sunni and Kurdish bits of Syria.
I reckon you should beware what you wish for. The Assad regime was not the most unblemished of regimes – to put it mildly. But its opponents are hardly an improvement.
And Erdogan? A nasty piece of work, and every bit as anti-West as any jihardist.
Tony Burqa doing taqiyya.
‘National security obligation’: Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defends decision to reject ex-Israel politician Ayelet Shaked (Sky News, 1 Dec)
Son, we know exactly why you denied her a visa and seriously undermining social cohesion is not it.
Mak Siccar @ 8:13 am posts part of Alan Howe’s OZ piece Australia lost this fight on the steps of the Sydney Opera House
Also in that piece is an interesting observation from a genuine expert:
LeGrand then goes on the explain the workings of the National Counter Terrorism Plan:
Easy to apply to sad Gay Grampian Nasties; less so to embedded institutional radicals; much less so to people who genuinely and passionately ‘love death more than life’ and believe that those who insult the prophet must be beheaded.
Captured.
Mathematics is not a human invention, it is not a language that we invented to describe the way things appear to us. The patterns and events that we observe and describe and predict with mathematics exist, independent from our existence, in the realm of creation – from stellar phenomena down to the life of insects and the symmetrical structure of snowflakes. What Pythagoras and Plato speculated about we can now empirically verify.
“Sound vibrations cause the fluid in the inner ear to move. This bends tiny hair cells (cilia) in the cochlea. The movement of the hair cells creates nerve impulses.
I have a personal interest in pursuing the mysteries of the inner ear. Since enduring a bout of Covid a year ago, I have had a persistent abnormailty in the workings of my right ear. Have been to an ENT specialist and had hearing tests which establish no abnormal decline in my hearing.
Nonetheless, I have intermittent change in hearing perception. Recourse (mine, of course!) to medical reports via the internet confirm that abnormalities in auditory perception have been detected post Covid. Speculation is that the virus affects the operation of those hair cells in the cochlea. No idea how, but there it is.
A husband agreed to give his wife their $14million home but she wanted more from the divorce and took him to court… now she’s very much regretting it
By HARRISON CHRISTIAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
Published: 09:48 AEDT, 1 December 2024 | Updated: 10:48 AEDT,
View comments
A Sydney woman’s bid to more than double her assets to $31million in her divorce case has backfired spectacularly, as she must now pay more than $1.4million to her husband.
The pair had been battling over tens of millions in assets, including large properties, luxury cares, shares and art, in the Family Court of Australia.
They initially agreed to split their assets with 53 per cent going to the wife, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The agreement would have seen her walk away with a mortgage-free, $14million home.
However, the wife was not satisfied and she launched an appeal claiming her husband was hiding $17million in shares and had ‘failed in his disclosure obligations to a deplorable extent’.
Had her appeal been successful she could have walked away with about $31million in assets.
Her assumption about her husband’s wealth turned out to be incorrect when a forensic financial report showed that in less than five years, he had lost $10million on the share market.
You’re trading on an ambiguity between the description and what is described which is precisely what I pointed out as being the problem re ‘who created god?’
Science!
3 reasons why kids stick Lego up their nose (TechXplore, 30 Nov)
Um, lady, given the reports of surgeons it isn’t only kids and it isn’t only noses either. Here’s who she is:
The idea of ‘the West’ geopolitically is an illusion. Just do a cui bono and who doesn’t by weakening Assad.
Personally, I do not find scientific arguments for and against the existence to God (such as irreducible complexity) to be very compelling.
Did mathematics exist before the human mind? Did Newton’s Laws exist before he invented them? We know know for sure that Newton’s Laws are not “Laws of Nature” but useful explanations under most circumstances.
Nature just is.
Alan Moran’s latest climate news: basically alarmism is a stew of hypocrisy, grift, pseudo-science and bullshit:
Climate News – December 2024
John Lott continues his good work countering the anti gun propaganda:
we find that RTC laws do not significantly increase total violent crime or any of its components, murder, rape, robbery or assault. We find evidence that RTC laws significantly reduce murder and that constitutional carry laws significantly reduce rape.
Estimating the effect of concealed carry laws on murder: A response to Bondy, et al by Carlisle E. Moody, John R. Lott :: SSRN
And on the treason of biden’s mass importation of illegals:
Real Clear Investigations: Estimated Victimization Cost of Crime by Illegal Aliens is at least $166.5 Billion
A report a few days ago highlighted how the spike protein can remain for a very long time in the brain and surrounding tissues. There might be the occasional leakage resulting in periodic issues. The mystery being why is it there? The bods argued it is another indicator Long Covid is neurologically driven.
Doesn’t have to be the cochlea, there are multiple possible sites causing the problem.
Suskind, a wonder kid of String Theory, very recently stated “we have to start again”. 50 years of calculating and he wants to start again. Witten, the only physicist to receive a Fields Medal, led the String Theory charge. There are many physicists angry that 50 years of purely mathematical approach to physics has been a complete failure.
If mathematics underpins reality then why bother with experiments, just keep calculating? Before we do that, consider the example of String Theory.
Like you, I prefer Einstein’s approach:
“As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.”
I never really understood the significance of the SEC’s racketeering work against various companies and start ups. Explained here at around 6.16 mins. Not only crypto.
Biden weaponized the SEC using de-banking to roll up any opposition and also to coerce corps into going uber DEI and committing to ESG rubbish. (Boeing comes to mind).
We wonder why corp execs and boards are so woke?
Explained here;
https://x.com/BTC_Archive/status/1861854554049909082
Britain already has an ‘Islamophobia law’ – we’re just too scared to admit it
REPORT: Coup Underway in Damascus As Two Major Cities Fall to Islamist Insurgents; Assad and Family Flee
Thank goodness. All the right people think he’s the best one to clean up that vipers’ nest.
Trump names loyalist Kash Patel to serve as FBI director
There’s no end of hypotheses in science, but few actual laws (to use the accepted term).
Newton discovered the laws of the macro world. Einstein the quantum world; and Darwin the living world.
But these laws are incomplete because there are still unexplained things happening. So knowledge of what is happening precedes the discovery of the laws to explain what is happening. Then there is what is ineffable. The ineffable is the realm of God. It is beyond human ken and describing even though we aware of it. This raises the point: is God a superior being who can merely describe superior laws or does that superiority enable him to create those laws.
And all the right people are objecting –
Andrew McCabe Slams Trump’s selection of Kash Patel for FBI Director
Some visual neurons can respond to a single photon. What is stunning about that is that photons don’t impact on neurons directly, it is a rather complicated cascade that begins with the photon changing the structure of a molecule. I’m hazy on all that now.
I have serious reservations about evolution developing such fine resolution but that doesn’t allow me to jump to another explanation. I like Dyson’s idea of some form of computation being embedded in the universe, even moreso when I read about the stunning abilities of single cell organisms to have long term memories(slime molds being prominent examples). I won’t commit to the incredulity error but am also mystified as to why human beings bother to contemplate phenomena when there is no selection advantage in doing so. That might just be a freak factor issue because geniuses are poor breeders.
What might Winston Churchill think of Donald Trump?
Speculation is that the virus affects the operation of those hair cells in the cochlea. No idea how, but there it is.
Hmmm we know seven people who developed vertigo after the jabs, a couple were hospitalised.
Help is here from Hedley:
My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening thru a cosmic vapor of invention.
Get to know Donald Trump’s Cabinet: Who has the president-elect picked so far?
NYC is now home to over 58K ‘criminal’ migrants — including more than 1,000 gang members: ICE
Massachusetts Working Class Dramatically Shifted for Trump, Dems Wondering Why
Thanks John H
‘Landman’ clip goes viral slamming renewable energy: ‘There is nothing clean about this’
Yeah, I read this article earlier based on the same Rogan interview:
FinTech CEOs Expose How Feds Colluded In ‘Debanking’ Schemes After Andreessen ‘Opened The Floodgates’ On Rogan (1 Dec)
Worthwhile to RTWT. I’ve said before that government hates BitCoin, since they cannot control it. Yellen in the article certainly confirms that. It’s interesting that they have been using the same monstering on crypto people that they have been doing to people like Farage, Melania and Trump himself. And many other righties (which is why I keep a stash of cash in case debanking happens to me.)
And why wouldn’t they? When there’s every likelihood that the war will end next month or soon thereafter. Why should they be the last to die?
More and More Ukrainian Soldiers Are Deserting the Frontlines – Catastrophic Numbers Could Be as High as 200,000 Troops AWOL
Edward Snowden has powerful allies in new Trump administration
Entropy November 29, 2024 12:48 am
Reply to Wally Dalí
That’s scary, although I’m bemused at the thought of the steer airlifting him all the way to Brisbane.
@SarahisCensored
Last year, I was investigated for my reporting on the southern border. The FBI didn’t care about investigating my claims; they only wanted my sources. They harassed my family, texted me, called me, and knocked on my door repeatedly.
The FBI wanted me to meet them in a private room behind closed doors without legal help or cell phones/cameras. I told them ‘no’. Thankfully, I had amazing legal representation to protect me and was eventually left alone. But the fact that they only wanted my sources and not the details of the story was a massive red flag. They wanted us quiet. They did not want to protect this nation.
I truly hope that if Kash serves, he investigates situations like this. Journalists should be worked with, not targeted for discovering information.
@seanmdav
Memo to the corrupt Stasi agents currently still employed by the FBI: your options right now are resigning, being fired, or being criminally investigated. Your days of terrorizing this nation are over.
Trump’s statement on the Patel appointment
This is also trading on an ambiguity re laws.
Southport Protesters Get 178 Years In PRISON
That McCabe slime – good to see him messing his pants at the Kash appointment. Hopefully McCabe and that whole nest of snakes at the FBI will be enjoying Federal hospitality soon.
This is the single most important appointment Trump has made and he got it right. Let’s now see where Gaetz lands in this mix. We may (God willing) soon witness the mother of all reckonings.
No wonder Biden’s corrupt Administration is going so hard on starting nuclear conflict in Ukraine. The perfect distraction squirrel.
If people think the West is in a hopeless state, spare a thought about what the world was moving towards and what it looked like in the 1930s.
The US seems to have the ability to move right up to the precipice and then reverse direction.
This piece was written in 2007 about the similarities of the US, Soviet Union, Italy and Germany. Worth reading.
What FDR had in common with the other charismatic collectivists of the 30s
Newton’s Approximations…
Technically Newton’s approximations derive from general relativity and quantum mechanics.
Technically general relativity and quantum mechanics are derived from the Standard Model of cosmology.
The Standard Model of cosmology is currently creaking alarmingly due to the James Webb space telescope data. So stay tuned, things may change. 😀
(Incidentally we still don’t understand gravity, so there’s plenty of work to be done.)
Outback leaders call for help as cheap methylamphetamine takes toll on communities – ABC News
Cheaper than booze or pot.
When people were speculating about the cause of Thorpe’s behavior I had in mind that she went out with a bikie and may have imbibed too much of their favourite product.
A prof told me of an very old trial for druggies. They gave them several hundred dollars and bus ticket out of town. As good as any therapy. A similiar effect was noted with Vietnam vets. Many were addicted to heroin but upon returning most just stopped.
Such a spiritual people demanding that spiritually destitute ones solve their problem. Detox centres will do bugger all. The problem is the tedious and pointless existence of remote communities. Before I die I would love to see a campaign against remote communities.
Cosmology always sucked. McKenna summed it up: Allow me one free miracle and I can explain the universe. Penrose has recently admitted the QM Standard Model is need of revision and has long argued for a cyclic universe. We don’t know and I’m more interested in why we so desperately want to know. It reminds me of a Sufi saying: Thirst is proof of the existence of water.
While others, incredibly, appear to respond selectively to the face of a specific individual.
That might just be a freak factor issue because geniuses are poor breeders.
Trump has a lot of kids.
Outsiders
‘You morons’: TV host slams Liberal Party over their support of the social media ban
The Liberals are dead to me.
The problem is the tedious and pointless existence of remote communities. Before I die I would love to see a campaign against remote communities.
Amen.
Nationals Senator criticises ‘draconian’ social media ban
When boiled down, a change in excitability of a neuron always (?) involves conformation changes…
I presume you are referring to neurons in the visual cortex some synapses distant from the photoreceptor. To my eye, the real miracle is that a single photon is sufficient to discharge a photoreceptor cell. Once that occurs the ordinary miracle of synaptic transmission will do the rest.
New Zealand’s Ban on Candace Owens to Be Tested in CourtThe Free Speech Union says it intends to challenge the ban, claiming that immigration ministers incorrectly interpreted the law
Joe Rogan Experience #2234 – Marc Andreessen
Summary In episode #2234 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan talks with Marc Andreessen, a prominent venture capitalist, about various topics including the post-election political landscape, societal shifts, the influence of technology, government regulations, and shifting values regarding personal agency and individual responsibility. They dig into the impact of governmental decisions on industries like food, social media, and technology. Andreessen expresses optimism about potential positive changes in society, especially regarding health and political realignment, while also reflecting on the worrying trends of censorship and increased government control. ### Key Points #### Introduction – Joe Rogan welcomes Marc Andreessen back to the podcast. – They plan to discuss the postelection landscape and their optimistic feelings following the election. #### Timeline Splits – Andreessen discusses two major timeline splits: one during Trump’s assassination attempt and the other during the recent election. – Speculation about conspiracies and systemic failures regarding events and governance is discussed. #### Media and Governance – There are rapid news cycles and lower public confidence in institutions, leading to a collapse of trust. – The need for transparency and accountability from institutions is emphasized. #### Big Tech and Censorship – Andreessen expresses concerns about collusion between the government and social media companies to suppress information, emphasizing the impact on free speech. – He discusses the implications of tech company censorship and the pressure from government entities. #### Election Spending – Discussion about the significant funding of activist groups and perceived political manipulation. – Concerns about the motives behind government funding towards certain political causes. #### Political Ideology and Dynamics – Andreessen highlights the shift in party dynamics, noting how Republicans now have a broader coalition including various demographic groups. – He predicts a potential civil war within the Democratic party due to its failure to connect with working-class individuals. #### Changing Societal Values – Both Rogan and Andreessen contemplate the dangers of extremism within identity politics. – There is acknowledgment of the growing pushback against radical ideologies, especially concerning women’s rights and the definitions of gender. #### Philanthropy as a Tool – The perception of philanthropy has shifted towards skepticism, with concerns about its manipulation by the wealthy. – Discussions on how this relates to public trust in societal institutions. #### The Impact of AI and Regulation – Concerns about the government interfering with innovation in AI and tech through excessive regulation. – Andreessen warns of “soft totalitarianism” where government oversight stifles personal agency and entrepreneurial spirit. #### Health and Nutrition – Andreessen expresses hope for a cultural shift in health and nutrition, emphasizing personal responsibility and the need to reconsider food systems. – He discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as a potential catalyst for real change in public health policy. #### Conclusion – The conversation leaves listeners feeling hopeful for positive societal changes. – Rogan thanks Andreessen, appreciating his insights into the current political and social landscape. This episode emphasizes the complexities of America’s political, social, and economic landscape, with a focus on the need for reform and accountability in various spheres.
Newton’s Approximations…
True enough statements in a general sense.
But depending on scale, Newton explains motion very precisely, or not really.
Anyone know anything about the suns north/south poles flipping?
https://youtu.be/PnVbT-tpot8
The traitorous Liebor b@stards are relentless. And what’s the bet the Lieborals won’t repeal one sentence of it.
Labor grants ACCC new powers to crack down on digital platforms
John Durie
The federal government will formally back the competition regulator’s request for new powers to regulate digital platforms like Apple, Google and Facebook including service specific codes of conduct.
The changes approved in principle in November last year will be formally announced by assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in a speech Monday night at the McKell Institute entitled “50 years of consumer protection” and enacted next year.
The move follows the government’s landmark bans on under 16s using social media and amid strong US actions including the Department of Justice seeking enforced divestment of Google’s chrome search engine after a US Federal Court found the company guilty of monopoly practices in internet search.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is working on a separate major case against Google which is expected to filed early in the New Year while several class actions against the search engine giant are also being prepared in Australia.
The new rules will cover both consumer enforcement and competition actions.
In a recent interview with the Australian, ACCC chief Gina Cass Gottlieb said the new so called ex ante (before the event) powers were needed because court actions take a long time and are often narrowly focussed when wider remedies were needed.
Under the new powers the ACCC could designate a company requiring it to comply with a specific code of conduct laying down rules of conduct and enforceable dispute resolution.
Craig Kelly has some interesting posts today on Bovaer and Cole’s introducing beef that have been fed this ‘new “safe & effective” unproven drug design to get them to fart less, in the belief that cow farts are causing catastrophic sea level rise.’
This new unapproved animal drug BOVAER is so “safe & effective” that the US Distributor issues the following disclaimer;
https://fda.gov/media/178913/download
“THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY.
“The Company shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Company’s maximum liability shall be limited to the purchase price of the product.”
https://colesgroup.com.au/media-releases/?page=coles-boosts-sustainability-in-beef-production-with-expanded-use-of-supplement
Thanks COLES, but I’ll be giving your supermarket beef a miss.
https://x.com/craigkellyXXX/status/1863064806028362121
Rain and thunder on and off all day today here in the Southern Tablelands.
An old injury has flared, so I am keeping my feet up and binge watching The Jewel in the Crown.
I only saw a couple of episodes when it first came to tv. Was able to purchase it a couple of months ago.
Very sumptuous and lots of old Pathe News clips to add to the intrigue. Another of the Period Pieces which would never be made today, not honestly anyway.
I am enjoying it immensely.
Brisbane primary school teacher reveals shock violence in classroom
A Brisbane primary school teacher has outlined the shock rise of violence in her classrooms … and the even more shocking failure of the people supposed to help her.
A Brisbane primary school teacher has laid bare the shocking reality of life in the classroom, describing how she’s been punched, scratched and watched on as chairs are thrown through windows by children as young as five.
Katherine – who has used a pseudonym and asked us to protect her identity – has been teaching for just a few years but is already considering a career change. She says things are so bad at her school that she’s had to create a safe word for her and her tiny pupils to use when troubled classmates turn aggressive.
“When the kids hear this word they know no matter what we need to leave, I’ve used it 12-15 times this school year,” she said.
“I get them to safety and then wait while a kid is inside destroying my classroom.,”
Katherine said the lack of consequences for violent students has caused her to feel “unsafe and on edge”, with her school discouraging suspensions to meet strict KPIs and to not get a “bad rep in the media”.
Katherine said she would not be surprised if the Department of Education was presented with a class-action lawsuit in coming decades for teachers left traumatised by students.
“I was recently punched in the stomach trying to stop one student from harming another,” Katherine said.
“I’ve seen one kid punch another in the mouth, so hard it knocked some teeth out.
“I have permanent scarring on my body from multiple students continuously scratching me and drawing blood.
“Colleagues have suffered gigantic dark bruising from rocks being thrown on their body and one now has hearing problems from ongoing screeching. She’s gone deaf from the screams being so frequent and high pitched.
Katherine says she feels defeated and admits she was not adequately prepared coming out of university for the realities of teaching.
“At uni I did a student management course and we learnt about placing desks in the best format for collaboration – that was it,” Katherine said.
“It is extremely frustrating that behaviours are barely addressed at all, the guidelines are very grey.”
Katherine said aggressive behaviour was becoming more prevalent, with other students observing the lack of consequences.
She criticised her school’s “behaviour matrix,” which she described as vague and ineffective.
“We are instructed to call the office to have the child removed, but there are times my calls weren’t answered, and I was left dealing with an assault,” Katherine said.
“I don’t know what to do, and my colleagues don’t either,” she said.
Katherine said she didn’t have an answer as to why teachers were reporting higher rates of violence in the classroom.
“It’s hard to put a finger on but I can always tell which children have an addiction to their iPads,” Katherine said.
“I can see when kids are becoming bored every two seconds and becoming dysregulated that can lead to outbursts.”
Katherine said she didn’t believe parents knew the full extent of what was happening in classrooms and what well-behaved children were being exposed to.
“I wish they knew the full scale of what is happening because they would be outraged and changes will only be made if parents complain to the department and their principal,” Katherine said.
“In what other workplace could someone punch you in the face and you’d still have to see them the next day?
“A little person spitting or throwing a chair in your face is still the same spit and chair hitting your face,” she said.
“I love teaching and I want to continue but I’m conscious of my health and the toll teaching takes on my body,” she said.
Hmm – block italic failed and it posted it without using the post button…
Why do sanctions usually?
Leakage.
Because they have so much to be proud of!
Canadian Town Fined and Mayor Sent for Compulsory Education After Failing to Hoist Pride Flag
The Catastrophic Failure of Lockdowns: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya
Australia Day celebrations banned at 200 clubs and pubs
The controversial decision will impact some of Victoria’s most popular pubs, with the move slammed by one Indigenous leader as a “joke”.
Australia Day celebrations have been banned at more than 200 pubs and bars nationwide because owners say the day causes “sadness” and “hurt” for some patrons.
The nation’s second-biggest pubs group, Australian Venue Co, has informed managers there will be no celebrating or acknowledging of the day at their premises in 2025.
The contentious decision will impact some of Victoria’s most popular pubs including The Esplanade Hotel and Prince of Wales in St Kilda, the Duke of Wellington and Garden State Hotel in Melbourne.
An Australian Venue Co spokeswoman said it celebrates “what makes Australia great” in its venues throughout the year.
“Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team,” she said.
The company owns almost 60 venues in Victoria, at least 90 in Queensland, almost 20 in South Australia and 10 in Sydney.
Its ban on Australia Day celebrations is the latest in a string of organisations, including Woolworths, abandoning the national day which was met with fierce backlash.
Indigenous leader Warren Mundine said the nonsense that goes on in these “woke” companies was becoming a joke.
“The real reason is they just hate the country,” Mr Mundine said.
“They hate Australians, they hate Australia, and that’s why they do these things.
“Don’t bother about having a drink in their venues, piss these bastards off.
“Let’s all just go down to the beach, chuck a lamb on the barbie with a few sausages, and get some takeaway from a (venue) that actually cares about this country – not a hater of Australians – and we’ll have a great time.”
Australia Day marks the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26, 1788 and the raising of the Union Jack in Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip.
ALL THE VICTORIAN VENUES AFFECTED
– Anglers Tavern
– Apollo Bay Hotel
– Auburn Hotel
– Ball Court Hotel
– Beer DeLuxe Fed Square
– Birallee Tavern
– BrewDog Pentridge
– College Lawn Hotel
– Criterion Hotel
– Eureka Hotel
– Fairfield Park Boathouse
– Fargo and Co
– Flinders Hotel
– Garden State Hotel
– Golden Gate Hotel
– Harlow
– Holliava
– Hopscotch
– Hotham Hotel
– Imperial Hotel Bourke St
– Imperial South Yarra
– Melbourne Public
– Middle Park Hotel
– Morris House
– Perseverance
– Prahran Hotel
– Prince Alfred Hotel
– Prince of Wales Hotel
– Public House
– Richmond Club Hotel
– River’s Edge Events
– Skinny Dog Hotel
– State of Grace
– Studley Park Boathouse
– Swan Hotel
– Terminus Hotel Abbotsford
– The Bridge Hotel
– The Crafty Squire
– The Duke of Wellington
– The Esplanade Hotel
– The Exchange Hotel
– The Gardiner Hotel
– The Hawthorn Hotel
– The Local
– The Park
– The Posty
– The Provincial
– The Smith
– The Station Hotel
– The Terminus Yarrawonga
– The Victoria Hotel
– The Wharf Hotel
– Trinket
– Village Belle Hotel
– West Beach Pavilion
– Yarra Botanica
– Yarra Valley Grand Hotel
But protesters claim it is a “day of mourning” for Indigenous Australians because it celebrates colonialism and genocide.
A Victorian government spokesman said the decision not to commemorate was a matter for those commercial venues.
“The Victorian government supports Australia Day events that celebrate and encourage reflection, togetherness and inclusion,” he said.
“We also recognise that January 26 means different things to different people.
“On this day, we encourage conversation and reflection on the different meanings of the day for all Victorians.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly rejected calls to change the date.
More than 80 councils nationwide have canned citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
But Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan last year promised that a future Coalition government would force councils to hold them on Australia Day.
Woolworths and Aldi’s decision this year to no longer stock Australia Day merchandise was met with calls to boycott the major supermarket chains.
In the past few years, Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia have also refused to celebrate, and Melbourne’s Australia Day march was banned, leaving ‘Invasion Day’ protesters to take to the streets.
Herald-Sun
It’s not much of a law if Trump broke it already to replace Comey with Wray.
And here’s their email address:
[email protected]
What is it with these odious corporations playing marxist identity politics?
This is going to be a very transactional administration. Politics, as we know it, will be just a side show.
Trump, the tariff man,
Rain and thunder on and off all day today here in the Southern Tablelands.
Yep. Also in the Central Western Tablelands. Managed to shift cattle and destroy what we think is a fire ant nest in between storms.
In the Kazan meeting, they said they’d continue conducting trade amongst themselves using their own currenccies, so as as far as above is concerned, no tariffs. Not sure the above arrests any slide away from USD in international trade.
Well the obvious shot across the bow is towards China.
I’ve been reading MOND articles whenever they appear. It’s all extremely interesting, but why MOND may be correct doesn’t yet seem to have an underlying mathematical and physical foundation.
BoN, McCullochs (sorry I spelled it wrong earlier) theory is not MOND. His theory doesn’t require arbitrary variables. He calls it Quantised Inertia (QI).
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-vs-india-2024-25-1426547/prime-minister-s-xi-vs-indians-tour-match-1446904/full-scorecard
Young Konstas keeping himself large on the selectors radar. If McSweeney fails again, maybe give Konstas some exposure to the Bumrah bum’s rush.
I also see Hazlewood is out of the Adelaide Test with a minor side strain. Word is Scott Boland to come in. FFS, as much as I like Boland and he’s a deserving replacement, he is 35 and not the future.
Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris are back to fitness and playing for WA.
Richardson got a 5 for in his only Test thus far. In Adelaide. Day/night pink ball Test against the Poms two summers back.
Paul Vautin has announced his retirement. Apparently this is a bombshell.
Anyone know what the First Nations called this Continent as a whole?
Three guesses.
Is Your Family Eating This Fertility-Killing Additive?
Insulting your customers seems to be a thing with modern corporate management. Apart from being nasty and stupid, it doesn’t make financial sense. I’m still reluctant to fly with Qantas to the US- may be give Delta a go.
A taxpayer-funded hotel for illegal migrants is owned by the Pakistani government which means NYC taxpayers are effectively paying a foreign government to house illegals in our own country. This is nuts.
https://x.com/JohnLeFevre/status/1862945830325428535
Mathematicians will spend time arguing over whether maths is invented or discovered, with strong arguments on both sides. It is pretty abstract though, you don’t see prime numbers out in the wild.
Assad strikes back: Syrian rebel leader ‘is killed in Russian airstrike’ after his forces seized Aleppo and marched on Damascus threatening dictator’s regime – forcing ISRAEL to plan to go in if situation deteriorates
@ColumbiaBugle
@MikeBenzCyber
@EzraACohen
There is, in many (but not all) human beings a need for belief in an all powerful entity which protects the believer. There is no logical connection between the belief and its truth, but I accept that the phenomenon requires an explanation.
The explanation which is standard among psychologists is that it is a hangover from infancy, when a parent filled this rôle. As you grew older, the supremely powerful entity, which you learnt to call ‘daddy’ or ‘mummy’, shrunk into being a big but not all powerful human being, just like you but bigger. This was less than satisfactory, so you subsequently invented a replacement. Hence gods and goddesses. Deriving comfort from such an invention requires a good deal of self-deception, something some have a talent for.
Watching the goddies here pontificate on mathematics and science, subjects of which they know next to nothing, has its entertainment value, but has a fundamental sadness about it. The intellectual gymnastics needed to maintain the appearance of rationality are diverting but ultimately pathetic.
There is a huge amount of phenomena math can’t model. We cannot predict most things. The 3 body problem is an example of math limits.
The mathematicians are still debating this issue. So long they have been debating this issue! I await the day they reach a conclusion.
@robinmonotti
Up to their old tricks for their same old reasons…
@robinmonotti
DSM, the manufacturer of Bovaer, is an investor in leading lab made fake meat company “Meatable”.
What interest would DSM have in reducing the fertility of real cattle and poisoning them and us by extension through contaminating real dairy and real meat with 3-nitrooxypropanol?
Perhaps trying to benefit from their investment in fake meat company Meatable?
“For Meatable right now, price remains an issue. The company is currently producing [fake] meat at roughly $10,000 per pound, but, unlike its competitors, the company said it is producing whole meat. That’s including the fat and connective tissue that makes meat… well… meat.
Strategic investors like DSM, one of the largest food biotech companies in Europe, should help “
@robinmonotti
“Gates is not the only billionaire looking to fund projects that reduce cows’ methane emissions.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s billionaire founder, donated $9.4million (£7.8m) to a project at Surrey’s Pirbright Institute that aims to reduce the methane produced by cows by means of a vaccination.” Jon Brady
Ian Redpath brown bread.
I am a year or so too young to have seen him play. A right handed Bill Lawry is what I was told.
Then I read that he made 3 tons in his last Test series opening the batting vs. Andy Roberts and Michael Holding 1975/76.
Obviously tough as and the real shit.
A private, dour and posh kind of bloke. He had an antique shop in Shannon Ave, Newtown (Geelong) for yonks.
How USAF Strike Eagles Defended Israel During Iranian Attack
30 medals, including several DFCs, were awarded for taking out drones. Huh?
The mathematicians are still debating this issue. So long they have been debating this issue! I await the day they reach a conclusion.
No, they are not. We know that there are solutions to the 3-body problem, and we also know that in general the functions required cannot be expressed in terms of the so called elementary functions, basically polynomials, trig functions, and a few others. We can get approximate solutions to any desired accuracy.
Poor, precious petals.
If Europeans hadn’t settled here, these people would either never have been born or living a stone age lifestyle.
Australia’s Insane Social Media Ban
DM is an absolutely terrible paper.
I wonder how the events in Syria over the last few days are going to reverberate on Turkey and Erdogan?
Strange than that, historically and geographically, polytheism seems to have been more plentiful than monotheism.
Just saw Jake Fraser-McGurk on the TV saying he would give up $1.6 million contract at Delhi Capitals if the Baggy Green came calling.
Get this punk into the Test squad now.
Apart from new addition McSweeney, Travis Head almost 31 is the youngest player.
Anyone know if Dems have stopped voting in CA?
OK, just checked DecisionDesk and Trump is 2.4M ahead on popular vote, 77.1M v 74.7M.
In 2020, Biden ‘got’ 81.3M v 74.2M. A 10M turnaround.
Strange than that, historically and geographically, polytheism seems to have been more plentiful than monotheism.
Prescientific explanations of events are biased towards purpose rather than natural law. So postulating invisible entities which have designs on what is allowed to happen was inevitable. This ranges from naiads and hamadryads and the odd genius locus to the Hindu and Greek pantheons. Given such a proliferation of invisible powers, having one of them in charge of the others, possibly AhuraMazda, possibly Jehovah, was not a surprising step.
We’ve learnt not to take them seriously. Well, some of us have.
Your ‘just-so’ story doesn’t even account for the move from polytheism to monotheism.
I’d argue that reserve status has been one of the key factors behind the US losing its manufacturing base. To understand this more clearly, try and focus perspectives. Instead of thinking of the US as having a trade deficit, think of of it as having a surplus in the capital account of the balance of payments. In other words, the global demand to hold dollar reserves acts as the pressure on the balance of payments through the trade account. This dynamic ensures that, by definition, for there to be a trade deficit, there must also be a corresponding capital account surplus.
This surplus in the capital account, driven by the global need for US dollars as reserves, forces the US to import more goods and services, while simultaneously discouraging the necessary investment in domestic manufacturing, which produces a marginal ROE. Essentially, the world’s reliance on the dollar as the reserve currency has shifted the economic focus of the US from productive manufacturing to financialization as the result of this dynamic. Where’s the pressure being most felt: it’s through the capital account.
Strange than that, historically and geographically, polytheism seems to have been more plentiful than monotheism.
Polytheism has its attractions. If one God is good, many must be better.
There is a huge amount of phenomena math can’t model. We cannot predict most things. The 3 body problem is an example of math limits.
It’s under control, the chunks have made a series about it:
3 Body Problem (TV Series 2024– ) – IMDb
If one God is good, many must be better.
Apart from the possibility of jurisdictional disputes of course.
So, I have just banged off a growley to my local member over the outrage of Dutton aligning with the Marxists on the repression of free speech dicktat.
So what, everyone is doing that! Except, that I really like my local member who usually adopts an independant response to most politico/social issues.
So, to quote Albanese’s mate Lenin, “what is to be done”.
I composed what I hope was a respectful but forceful note expressing my regret that I am now forced to campaign against him because of Dutton’s treason.
We’ll see how the office kiddies respond, if they bother responding.
But, one of the good things about my local member is that he keeps his staff local. They are dialled in to the electorate, so there will probably be a response.
During Covid, he met with our service club which must have outraged the Chook.
We’ll see.
Are you a god?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyYbF4yhrgE
Tehehehehe runs away…
Your ‘just-so’ story doesn’t even account for the move from polytheism to monotheism.
The priests of Jehovah didn’t assert that Baal did not exist. They claimed Jehovah was more powerful. The claim that Jehovah was the only God and that the others were delusions came later. Notably with Islam.
If everyone was free to populate the universe with unseen entities, the position that my top entity can beat your top entity, boo yah, is human nature. Leading to my entity is real and yours is imaginary in the course of time.
My ‘just-so’ story is but a description of human nature and its intellectual failings. The conviction that gods are all imaginary and beliefs in them are held because they offer some sort of comfort, a spurious sort in the end, is merely a reasonable development. It does require a certain amount of moral courage which is not always available.
Are you a god?
Clearly the writers of Ghostbusters were polytheists.
Of course, the flip side of speculating that religious belief satisfies in the believer a desire for protection, is speculation that an adamant anti- religious belief in the atheist indicates a pathological fear of judgement.
One wonders what the new atheists have been up to that the mere existence of belief in others induces such emotional response, given the impossibility of knowing for sure one way or the other.
Quadrant magazine, December 2024, page 90
In 2004, Playboy magazine placed the AK -47 fourth on its list of Fifty Products that Changed the World. It was ranked as less important than the Apple Mac desktop computer, the Pill and the Sony Betamax video machine, and more important than breast implants, crack cocaine and the Big Mac.
Deuteronomy 4:28. There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
That was from Moses, so very early indeed.
There are many other similar references throughout the OT. They knew these “gods” weren’t real. My personal favourite is Elijah’s mockery of the priests of Baal.
Get a load of this movement in productivity.
Drilling from the office.
I am sitting in a cafe at Table Mountain lookout while Hairy and hardier souls have gone up in the cable car despite winds at the edge of safety. I chickened out. I always go up in these things with my eyes closed anyway. And after the winding bus trip up this far I was also afeared I might still barf my brekkie all over the crowded cable car as my tum is still marginally unsettled. All in all, best to sit here above this once beautiful city of Capetown, so much deteriorated since our last stay here in 1997. Squatter encampments now litter even the CBD, tourist police are needed in the main hotel areas and as in many 3rd world nations many young black men are just hanging about looking for trouble. We drove thru the area we stayed last time, for a university conference, a middle class white area, which is now heavily fortified against property theft. A good life still exists here for some whites, but it has the sense of constant protective custody. The old parks even in ‘good’ areas are full of semi-itinerent blacks. Empty shops, homes and buildings signal the white flight since 1997, and the flailing economy dogged by well-recognised corruption. The Table Mountain and view over the bay are still magnificent and one can imagine, as I do now, Governor Phillip’s First Fleet clinging to this last image of European civilisation in the old Dutch fort that is still standing today before they faced the perils of the roaring forties in that final southern ocean trek to set up their tents in the unknown Botany Bay on the furthest side of the world.
Our nation was founded on one of the world’s most amazing adventure stories, and like so many other settlement efforts, it could have so easily failed. We need to keep January 26th as our true Foundation Day.
From 18 months to 18 days! FMD!
The problem with Father Christmas didn’t involve midnight bonking, it was a matter of which of two hypotheses was less likely: that a supernatural being flew through the sky on a sleigh drawn by reindeer delivering millions of gifts to children, or that my parents were overcome by benevolence one day of the year and had fabricated a very implausible story to avoid admitting it.
It was a close call, but eventually I went for the second.
When wrong, keep doubling down. I reckon he’s gonesky by the end of December.
Just as I initially didn’t understand why Pinker wrote The Blank Slate initially I couldn’t understand why the new atheists were so active. The Blank Slate was written because there was, and possibly still is, the ridiculous notion that we can become anything we so desire if only society allows that. Not that prevalent in Australia but a very strong presence in some humanities departments in the USA. The new atheists were fighting against issues like creationism and the demonization of various groups by religionists. For example, yesterday a movie on SBS, Devil’s Knot, was about 3 teenagers toying with satanism and magic were wrongfully convicted of killing 3 children.
You have it ass about face because most atheists are of the logically can’t be proved practically we are atheists school. They admit to the uncertainty. It is the unwavering conviction of religionists that concerns atheists. The new atheists have achieved success:
I’m currently reading a recent book on paleoanthropology which details genetic linkages to Neandertals, Denisovans, and possibly ghost populations. So what do they mean by “humans in present form” because humans came out of Africa but underwent genetic introgressions.
Insanity. All this piece of shit was hired to do was ensure that policing is functioning properly and to pick up the garbage on scheduled days.
Rawdon Glover, the managing director of Jaguar, said the campaign message had been lost in “a blaze of intolerance”, adding that the carmaker must move away from “traditional automotive stereotypes”.
These deadshits live on another planet.
“traditional automotive stereotypes” wtf?- like cars that are comfortable, stylish and reliable (one hopes)
Why would the private beliefs of Christians “concern” you? Quite literally, they don’t.
Today, you are more likely to be ended by a progressive atheist or the ilk their twisted “morality” let in, than by anyone who professes belief in the Christian God.
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3caa868312c1b4eca329bd2fe8f1a560?s=64&d=identicon&r=g
Eyrie
December 1, 2024 6:00 pm
Anyone know what the First Nations called this Continent as a whole?
Burnt.
Your just-so story continues to fail.
British Parliament Just Legalized the “Murder of Old and Sick People”
the ridiculous notion that we can become anything we so desire if only society allows that.
The primary causal factor is technology. One of the favourites of S-F is pantropic augmentation to allow living on new worlds. The issue is whether this modification/enhancement is merely an adjustment to different environments or an apotheosis.
https://marripedia.org/effects_of_religious_practice_on_crime_rates
I didn’t say it was my concern, my point was that in the USA Christianity was demonizing certain groups. For example, one analysis found that a reason youth are leaving the church was because the pastors were demonizing the alphabetarians, labelling them as servants of the devil. The prosperity gospel is an abomination and thankfully many Christians speak out against it. Nonetheless it is surprisingly prevalent. The funniest one is Creflo A Dollar, still going after decades of crapola.
It isn’t about private beliefs, it is about public programs. I’m not concerned about creationism, I pity the poor sods. Nor do I find the God created us through evolution argument appealing.
The biggest threat today isn’t atheists, it is Muzzies. There is also the issue of post WW2 USA militarism.
Arky – Paste text only. For some reason I can see your unapproved comment – it has seven carried over links, so has gone into moderation because the limit is four.
On no more reasoning than a hunch, i’m gonna guess that RawDog Glover is a bender?
So, you’re concerned that people are leaving an institution that you think propagates beliefs you find ridiculous.
Shouldn’t you be happy?
What’s your problem?
It will start with genetic engineering. De novo mutations at conception, dangerous epigenetic processes, deleterious genes piggybacking hence remaining present even though conferring a negative selection, the inability to fully repair double strand breaks. Animals like the naked mole rat and elephants are providing important clues by demonstrating simply creating more DNA repair relevant genes can be beneficial for all tissues. Crispr has created new potential for modifications. Even the longevity studies are finally bearing fruit, which is the last thing we should eat. Rapamycin shapes up as a promising longevity agent.
The technology is still premature but it will happen. I think it will always be adaptation, not perfection.
WA News
Pretyy stanard Saturday night in Northbridge…
Puhi Clark: Naked man in Northbridge tasered and charged with police assault, disorderly conduct
Jake Dietsch and Lucy MurrayThe West Australian
Sun, 1 December 2024 6:00PM
A naked man in Northbridge was tasered after trying to steal an Uber, assaulting police, and acting disorderly. He faces multiple charges. Credit: supplied
A 23-year-old man has faced court after police were forced to taser him while allegedly on a naked rampage through Northbridge on Saturday night, including allegedly hitting a female police officer and attempting to carjack a vehicle.
Puhi Clark faced Perth Magistrate’s Court on Sunday charged with disorderly behaviour in a public place, obstruct police officers, assault public officer and one count of attempting to steal a motor vehicle.
Vision posted to social media showed a man running naked from police along James Street in Northbridge, about 11.20pm on Saturday in front of dozen of partygoers in the popular nightlife district.
A male and female police officer approached the man, with the man seen in the clip hitting the female officer on the head and face.
She suffered minor injuries.
He then swings for the male officer and a member of the public before strutting down the street with a handcuff attached to one of his arms — sticking out his tongue and taunting shocked onlookers.
Another video shows the man shrieking after being tasered, with police alleging he then tried to steal a parked rideshare vehicle, even though the driver was still inside.
The man can be seen on top of the person inside, clinging at the steering wheel as officers and bystanders attempt to drag him out of the car.
This one’s for Western Australian Cats – the infamous Bassendean Hotel – the dreaded “Bazzo” won’t be commemorating Australia Day.
Forty years since I set foot in the place, but the advice then was that if you went home with one of the “ladies” you met there, wear two condoms…what they probably had, could eat clean through one condom, without pausing for breath..
Spaketh the BeauGan:
Protection isn’t the only reason. There’s also life itself.
The existence of life is explicable by what process?
Are you the sort who is comfortable not knowing how? (i.e. the weak anthropic principle) Or do you have an explanation?
Yes, well.
Not particularly interested in what anyone bearing the handle of Rawdon Glover has to say about anything, in any field of endeavour.
Protection isn’t the only reason. There’s also life itself.
The existence of life is explicable by what process?
There’s a whole literature on the origins of life. Basically, there are competing theories and insufficient data to refute any of them. Since it all happened a few gigayears ago, this isn’t surprising.
Do some reading.
There’s a whole literature on the origins of life. Basically, there are competing theories and insufficient data to refute any of them.
The theory ‘God did it’ is not well regarded by scientists. It is regarded as a giant cop-out. It explains everything, what happens and what doesn’t. Hence it explains nothing.
GreyRanga
December 1, 2024 6:43 am
Good try, but according to my info it’s, Burleigh Heads Rudd Park
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City. Puts them 11 points up which we can only dream of. Just magnifique
One of the favourites of S-F is pantropic augmentation to allow living on new worlds.
Nice story by Roger Zelazny “The Keys to December”. In the collection with the famous “Doors and Lamps” and ” A Rose for Ecclesiates”.