blabyboy

The problem with the Fermi paradox is it's based on such little data as to being meaningless.. if you took a proper scientific approach to it. But it does make for great conversations 🙂

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit." We will continue to wither and die until we regain this general attitude to life.

One part of the solution would be a change in mindset that people are ' on the scrapheap ' when they retire... There are people that are forced out of jobs due to their age when they could be redeployed into other aspects around their original position if they wanted to. Anecdotally, look at how young kids and older people engage with each other in mixed settings might be a start. We throw a lot of experience away as a nation when people hit 65/66/67 ... whatever the next retirement age bump will be.

It's only dystopian if you look at it when compared to another point in time. When you're in that moment, when you've grown and adapted to that existence it is less so. It is a problem that continues to endure because people are losing the ability to accept change and embrace it. "It was always better in my day"

IKR! Wtf are they thinking?? It's almost as if COP was run by, and for the benefit of, politicians... instead of people and scientists.

These are your people @leicsmac https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vy191rgn1o

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg8jkzlj03o Early Friday morning...rise and shine for your next partial eclipse

That's reality mate... Has a habit of not fitting with personal views.

How long did they give to reduce the 13% by though to hit those numbers?. ..and is it really achievable atm given attention is elsewhere.

Wonder if Trump is still using the stock market as his yardstick now that it has sunk way lower than when he took office. ...Bidenomics

Trump now flipflopping on tariffs for Canada and slashed it from 50 to 25%. Reckon Carney has got Trump's number to a tee

Trump has only been using executive orders, nothing going through Congress at all...even though he has the numbers to do it. It's mind boggling, but then I guess that speaks to the Emperor in his psyche and the unwillingness to share power.

Also, just seems that the US is going to start sharing security updates with Ukraine again. Wtf is going on in this world.

Didn't realise this, but the Governor of Ontario can also impose tariffs..and has done on exports to US. Imagine a Mayor in the UK enacting tariffs...

Well if he does, he'll need to explain why Russia sent almost double the amount of drones at the same time and how that's irrelevant.

Markets like certainty. Trump is anything but that, so they're signalling to him to start being more consistent and considered. Trump has the anti-midas touch and anyone who believes the guy is a deal making genius....well I have a bridge to sell you. He's already spinning it as expected and that the markets will need to readjust to his tariff plans.

It is the 'Belt and Road' policy they have successfully deployed in Africa, but with a twist of focusing on what are the important elements of the countries in the area of concentration. Basic Mercantilist approach.

Incel personified

Poland has no plans to send troops into Ukraine but will provide logistics says Tusk. Events dear boy, events.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9208qv1kzo Now...about those moon bases...

I'm not so sure on those timings. This article presents a different outlook both on the military and economic fronts for Russia if they continue. If Ukraine et al can hold them for a year, then it may be that the balance shifts over to Ukraine. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-sustaining-loss-forces-better-than-ukraine-says-iiss-research-centre-2025-02-12/

I think you underestimate Putin. He's been at the tiller for at least 20 years, plenty of time to effect political society in Russia. Yes he does manipulate common viewpoints, but let's not ignore the way he has made sure that political discourse in Russia has been strangled by his grasp. See Navalny as exhibit A. This is not about frothing to fight Russians, but Putin has already demonstrated he is willing to break agreements and has said he is ideologically opposed to Ukraine existing as a valid state its own right. So at what point do you engage him, Ukraine, Poland, Germany...? This guy hankers for the USSR of the 60s and 70s in both stature and geographical size. That's rather discomforting too. We need to put him on the back foot, make him consider his moves, and the only way we do this is with boots on the ground in an official capacity.

Starmer has already said that he sees UK forming part of the "willing" that will defend Ukraine. What is unsaid in those bullet points is what constitutes US backing... Is it military support, or just a verbal agreement from Trump not to start negotiating behind Europe's back, or something in-between?

Starmer said "we are at a crossroads in history," and unveiled the following plans: The UK, France and others have agreed to work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting - this plan will be discussed with the US and together they will take the plan forward During the summit, four points were agreed: To keep military aid flowing into Ukraine, to have Kyiv at the table for any peace talks, for European leaders to to aim to deter any future Russian invasion of Ukraine and a "coalition of the willing" will be formed to defend Ukraine and guarantee peace there Additionally, the UK will be giving Ukraine access to £1.6bn ($2.01bn) to buy new missiles Europe must do the heavy lifting in any peace deal, Starmer said, but the agreement would need US backing Starmer's as bad as Blair for soundbite/not soundbites..

See Bibi has taken the que from Trump on negotiating tactics https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q4w99je78o