leicsmac

That at worst, The Expanse (where safe water and even oxygen have a price) at best.

And on the same topic, there is the superb Kurzgesagt: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NJUJVSrAcZCkIcGnLoKDQcl0iZZPPPG&si=pAU50HWqntizBpcq

There's a couple of quality videos from the good Professor on this topic, would very much recommend. Needless to say, I agree with his viewpoint pretty much to a T here.

I believed that a while ago. Now I'm not so sure. Reasonable people believe that such systems can last forever, but history shows quite clearly how oppressive regimes can take control in so many places - usually after people have sworn it could never happen. But you could be right. I really hope that you are. For the sake of our species itself.

I honestly think that pretty much anything Trump does short of full on invasion of another country/legislative coup/other completely beyond the pale thing can be spun as a success to enough people, combined with successful voter suppression, to carry almost any election henceforth. Look at the way the current economic woe is being spun, and that is the usual hottest button Issue. And look at how what was functionally a coup attempt on January 6th 2021 is being spun now. That being said, four years, to say nothing of more, is a long time and I hope that I'm wrong.

Relentless, brutal and absolutely thorough.

Rigged directly? Probably not. Through voter suppression, capture of the legal system overseeing the election and skilled use of social media manipulation? That, I believe, is possible. He'll want a legacy, and given he and his ethos really "should" have been a memory after 2021, then I believe underestimating it and the damage it can cause at our extreme peril.

Assuming the next election is free, fair and legit.

The latter, because diminishing resources and increased inequality will feed from that into the former. It's reasonably obvious that higher global pressures, either human or natural caused, can and will result in higher incidents of nationalist warfare and destruction as "tribes" attempt to protect what is "theirs" - be it resources of any kind or vital territory. Any study of geopolitics has to include the above otherwise it misses an utterly critical element imo.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g88y52y8o SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said his Starship rocket will head to Mars by the end of next year, as the company investigates several recent explosions in flight tests. Human landings could begin as early as 2029 if initial missions go well, though "2031 was more likely", he added in a post on his social media platform X. I'll believe it when I see it. It would be nice, but never will the phrase "in spite of, rather than because of" have applied more.

Very thorough from England so far.

The usual suspects, for accusing NASA of politicising the plight of two astronauts. Slander scientists and engineers with more integrity than you'll ever have again, cvnts.

Wainwright still rocking the classic Aussie mullet and tache then.

The global issues are where most people are sleepwalking in the name of lack of foresight either spatially or temporally. Focusing inward just means the UK falls shortly after a few others or last anyway.

Interesting analysis of a reasonably complex TMO decision there.

It's possible, but I guess we'll never be sure either way.

It's just unfortunate that the US are far too busy selling out all the values they (supposedly) had to properly negotiate on this one.

... and Putin is likewise delusional if he thinks the other side will agree to the terms he's put forward too. So I guess now it's up to the diplomats to sort all of that out towards a middle ground as best they can.

On the topic of people who don't agree with him... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmj8ky3rvno The US is expelling South Africa's ambassador to Washington, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying he is "no longer welcome in our great country". In a post on X, Rubio accused Ebrahim Rasool of hating America and President Donald Trump and described him as a "race-baiting politician". It's good to see that the US does care about (allegedly) oppressed populations... they just have to be white, apparently. NB. Interesting that Rubio apparently makes zero distinction between a nation and the elected leader of that nation, as if they are by definition the very embodiment of that nations values. Very North Korean.

And the British that went over the waves to found the thirteen American colonies carried on and so their descendants (as well as, funnily enough, some that would be considered "foreigners" a while back) carry on that proud tradition too. Like you said, a lot of it is not about conserving anything but some values like women and "foreigners" having second or lower tier places in society.

I hope that you're right, but I fear that if you were, they would have recognised this a long time before now. Yes. Because deep down, that's actually what they want.

Realpolitik. Apparently it's "worth it".

He's aiming for executive capture of that and all other federal agencies for that exact reason. Fanatical loyalists to him at the top will allow him to do as he wishes.

On the above, this was posted almost 6 years ago now but is becoming more pertinent than ever. https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20190109-the-perils-of-short-termism-civilisations-greatest-threat

We are living in a time where the advance of tech has made it viable enough for style to surpass substance much more often than not. The truly depressing thing is knowing what that valuing of con artistry and short-termism over competence inevitably leads to. I wish that I didn't.