leicsmac

It's funny how the truth is such a poor selling point when people's denial comes into it so much, isn't it? Of course what that does mean that if the truth doesn't sell, then communication does need to be done in a different way.

Yeah, it's an explanation. But when the bad stuff happens as a result of it, it can't be used as an excuse. I hope it isn't puritanical to point out reasonably obvious negative consequences and look to hold people accountable for them.

World governments response to the problem that will result in events like this happening again and again is likewise shocking (or insufficient, anyway). Short term self-interested thinking on both matters.

I think a Trump victory would guarantee that given the pledges he has made and his actions in his first term and I'd be most interested to hear a reason why it wouldn't be so.

No, it is a matter of as much certainty - more in fact - that increasing global average temperatures will lead to an environment that results in catastrophic consequences, than a rogue nation deciding they can "win" a nuclear war. The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences are rather more predictable than people. But again, the threat you mention is one of the highest order and needs to be focused on too - but the way Trump is looking to negate it will only end badly. Edit: also again, an environment with reduced resources caused by climate change also likewise increases the likelihood of that rogue nation deciding to engage in warfare.

... bigger than continued contribution to an issue that will at least result in the death, suffering and displacement of hundreds of millions of people and at worst... well, much worse? A more immediate problem? I'd agree there. Bigger? Unless that authority decides nuclear war is on the table (and that becomes a bigger chance as climate change diminishes resources anyway), then I don't think so. Agreed that both problems need to be worked simultaneously, but if you address the shorter term one and in doing so neglect the longer term one, catastrophe will still be inevitable.

Energy independence is fine. Doing it in the way Trump specifies is not, and is neglecting our duty not only to the Europeans for the next 40 years, but to all human beings and the biosphere itself for all future time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czj7eex29r3o Rumours, misleading allegations and outright lies about voting and fraud are flooding online spaces in unprecedented numbers in advance of the US election. Hundreds of incidents involving purported voting irregularities are being collected and spread by individuals, as well as both independent and Republican-affiliated groups. A small number of posts are also coming from Democrats. The whirlwind of claims spreading online poses a challenge to election officials who are having to debunk rumours and reassure voters, while preparing to administer election day on Tuesday. In nearly every case, the posts support the Trump campaign’s false claim that the former president won the 2020 election and suggestions that he will potentially be cheated out of victory again on 5 November. ...does the 1st Amendment really cover libelling the democratic process and essentially laying the groundwork for another insurrection attempt?

Goodness, wonder what odds you would have got on India being whitewashed before the series started?

We're trying, mate. Problem is that having (or appearing to have) enough power to make the bastards listen to us is itself dangerous. But we can and will do better. Just need to keep at the persuasion. And quickly, too. And the Sun itself is a garden-variety star on the Main Sequence.

Around 1% of that spend (yearly), inflation-adjusted, got humanity to the Moon within eight years of a promise being made to do it (Apollo Program). Imagine what we could do with 10% of it, or even just 2-3% of it.

Our future should lie out there among the stars, not grubbing in the mud because of our own petty differences.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy9jdpep4ydo Scientists say there has been an alarming lack of progress in saving nature as the UN biodiversity summit, COP 16, draws to a close. The scale of political ambition has not risen to the challenge of reducing the destruction of nature that costs the economy billions, said one leading expert. Rise to this challenge or fail as a species.

"On energy, Trump vows to ramp up oil drilling and fracking in the US to increase energy independence and in turn lower energy prices." It needs to be stated again; if people vote for someone embodying this policy, they vote for allowing the world to burn in the short term for the sake of an easier life in the short term. They should at least have the honesty of purpose to admit that lack of consideration for life out of their sight spatially and temporally.

That being said, the NZers tend to get more than their fair share of spawny last minute affairs against a lot of teams. Didn't Ireland get done by them in the last few twice running?

Giving up a try and then missing a reasonably routine drop goal to win it, poor from England at the end there.

Ha! The corp world can be cutthroat, can't it?

I'd seriously like to do that tbh, just a question of getting my foot in the door at one of those organisations.

Looks like an absolute lovely one for a beginner, that. IMO rather steep price tag for a very first option unless you've got the money to go hard or go home, mind.

Double-edged sword regarding declining vote share of the two bigger parties, as other people have pointed out. I said before the previous election that Reform next time around will either get next to no seats or enough seats to be able to significantly affect policy. The Tory votership are obviously fearing the latter enough that they've brought in their own Reform-lite option in Badenoch.

Hopefully not, I rather like my Smokey Bacon Walkers 6-pack.

Slight polling tilt in favour of Harris over the last 48 hours, but the forecast still has it pretty much exactly 50/50. Betting markets have tightened a bit too. Harvey Two-Face Dent would no doubt approve the fates of millions being decided on essentially the flip of a coin.

Ha, yeah. And with that in mind perhaps I and other people should think back to airline travel before the FAA became an entirely politically neutral overseer with the power necessary to enforce regs. Watch Air Crash Investigation for further information.

Certainly Musk will be wanting a favour or two. TBH spaceflight is one of the few policy areas where Trump wasn't terrible, so him partnering with Musk on further reaching out into that is not unexpected and wouldn't be a bad thing. If the Dems win, keeping Musk onside in terms of that one matter should be something that they look at.

In the case of the first paragraph I hardly think it's an apples to apples comparison, but fair enough on incitement clearly being subjective. On the second part, I mean biodiversity and pollution measures as well as climate change. Trump would dismantle the protections that already exist regarding those and leave "the market" to sort it out, which has shown time and again to only do so when the damage has been done and lives of people and other life have been lost. On climate change itself, China built more renewable energy infrastructure last year than the US has done over all its history. It's easy to look at the Far East with large populations and coal plants but China, at least, are looking at the long game (if only due to self-preservation). A US administration headed by Trump would not, and this requires a unified response. Also, I've never understood the idea that someone else not trying to save the world means you shouldn't try yourself anyway. That only guarantees failure. Stick to international agreements regarding it and continue the work on renewable energy infrastructure currently ongoing - which, yes, is better than Trump (even though more needs to be done). She can hardly do more than pledges and support when she's not actually in charge yet. I can't buy into the fatalism that assumes the death, suffering and displacement of hundreds of millions of people (minimum) is a fait accompli.