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The Republicans now a 69% betting chance for Senate control – politicalbetting.com

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  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,178

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French [anthem]
    Same.

    We have that bloody dirge God Save The King.

    La Marseillaise Is the only time I envy the French.

    It’s why I sing Ou Est La Papier so loud when La Marseillaise is sung.
    Do you do the whole song - A Frenchman went to the lavatory… A favourite from my rugby playing youth.
  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,706

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    I'm under no illusions the squaddies have always been like that.

    I struggle with General Auckinleck and Ritchie competing to see how hard they can tell David Stirling to fuck off, or a trooper on sentry duty telling Stirling (an officer) to fuck off because he tried to play the class card.

    Just wasn't like that back then.
    Ah, thanks. Not class-conscious enough, then. Definitely need Noel Coward and In Which We Serve for that.
  • Options

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French [anthem]
    Same.

    We have that bloody dirge God Save The King.

    La Marseillaise Is the only time I envy the French.

    It’s why I sing Ou Est La Papier so loud when La Marseillaise is sung.
    Do you do the whole song - A Frenchman went to the lavatory… A favourite from my rugby playing youth.
    I do sing the full version
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,178

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French [anthem]
    Same.

    We have that bloody dirge God Save The King.

    La Marseillaise Is the only time I envy the French.

    It’s why I sing Ou Est La Papier so loud when La Marseillaise is sung.
    Do you do the whole song - A Frenchman went to the lavatory… A favourite from my rugby playing youth.
    I do sing the full version
    Good man.
  • Options
    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,057

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French [anthem]
    Same.

    We have that bloody dirge God Save The King.

    La Marseillaise Is the only time I envy the French.

    It’s why I sing Ou Est La Papier so loud when La Marseillaise is sung.
    Do you do the whole song - A Frenchman went to the lavatory… A favourite from my rugby playing youth.
    I do sing the full version
    And you misgender le papier.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    https://ia801004.us.archive.org/0/items/truenamesvingevernor/True Names - Vinge, Vernor.pdf

    True Names by Vernor Vinge, 1981 so probably the first metaverse fiction.
  • Options
    Jim_MillerJim_Miller Posts: 2,503
    Casino_Royale asked: "What are your predictions nationwide, Jim?"

    So far I haven't sat down to make them, other than to agree with most that the Republicans are likely to capture control of the House.
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,415

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    Peaky Blinders started out with small budget like this.

    Rouge Heroes is drippin. Would benefit from the extra budget in places.
    It's quite an unappealing title for a programme. Opposite to Peaky Blinders, which is quite mysterious and intriguing.
  • Options

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    Peaky Blinders started out with small budget like this.

    Rouge Heroes is drippin. Would benefit from the extra budget in places.
    True, although Rouge Heroes would suggest a slightly different type of show.
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,415

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French [anthem]
    Same.

    We have that bloody dirge God Save The King.

    La Marseillaise Is the only time I envy the French.

    It’s why I sing Ou Est La Papier so loud when La Marseillaise is sung.
    Do you do the whole song - A Frenchman went to the lavatory… A favourite from my rugby playing youth.
    I do sing the full version
    And you misgender le papier.
    He's sticking it to the papierarchy.
  • Options
    WillG said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    Is there any difference between this and SecondLife?
    Or Roblox? Or plenty of other online games and apps.

    There's plenty of online worlds and stuff to get immersed into if you want to, without thinking any of it is a groundbreaking concept or will conquer the world.
  • Options
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    I'm under no illusions the squaddies have always been like that.

    I struggle with General Auckinleck and Ritchie competing to see how hard they can tell David Stirling to fuck off, or a trooper on sentry duty telling Stirling (an officer) to fuck off because he tried to play the class card.

    Just wasn't like that back then.
    Ah, thanks. Not class-conscious enough, then. Definitely need Noel Coward and In Which We Serve for that.
    I'm not trying to make a point on preference or my own view - just don't think it's accurate.

    Things were much more stiff, formal and conformist in the 1940s.
  • Options
    Jim_MillerJim_Miller Posts: 2,503
    On the merits (and demerits) of "direct democracy". One of the things that has fascinated me over the years is the issues on which initiatives and referendums produce different results than votes in legislatures. In the US, one of the most striking example is that majorities of voters almost always prefer civil rights -- everyone treated equally, regardless of race -- over "affirmative action" -- special help for disadvantaged groups.

    That's been true in California and Washington state, neither especially conservative places.

    (The different results can be explained, in some cases, by the greater influence of "intense minorities" on legislatures.)
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
  • Options
    Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 8,844

    WillG said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    Is there any difference between this and SecondLife?
    Or Roblox? Or plenty of other online games and apps.

    There's plenty of online worlds and stuff to get immersed into if you want to, without thinking any of it is a groundbreaking concept or will conquer the world.
    Metaverse will fail for the same reason as facebook is faltering. They are happy to actually makes things worse for users in the pursuit of extra profit. Tumblr did exactly the same. They banned adult posts in the pursuit of advertising dollars assuming their user base would put up with it then were surprised when a lot upped and left.

    Time and again companies fail to be satisfied they are making money and push things to far. The companies that will last long term are those that think about the users before making changes and actively try not to make things worse. The internet as a whole is an example of this as companies pushed ever more intrusive advertising till it got to the point some sites were barely usable.
  • Options
    MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 12,415

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    Peaky Blinders started out with small budget like this.

    Rouge Heroes is drippin. Would benefit from the extra budget in places.
    It's quite an unappealing title for a programme. Opposite to Peaky Blinders, which is quite mysterious and intriguing.
    Action comedy romp. Probably based on more true history than it gives impression of. Is the original book more of a history book than the series.
  • Options
    pingping Posts: 3,731
    edited November 2022
    Just listening to times radio. They have a regular advert for meta which is completely bonkers. They must be paying a lot for this kind of legacy advertising.

    “Did you know that” [… reels off a list of fantasy ideas] “will be possible in the metaverse?”

    No I didn’t know that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know that either, because it’s just a fantasy at this stage…

    And then they cap it off by directing listeners to a lengthy web address that even those with the inclination, almost certainly wouldn’t remember. Are they really expecting listeners to write it down, or rewind the show to catch the full web address?

    You’re one of the worlds biggest marketing companies, FFS. This is basic stuff.

    Reminds me of the AOL adverts back in the day.

    It’s screams that the company is probably gonna fail big time. I think Zuck basically got lucky with Facebook. He saw an opportunity and was in the right place at the right time.

    Of course, he attributed it all to his own genius.

    Now it’s turned into expensive hubris.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
  • Options
    ping said:

    Just listening to times radio. They have a regular advert for meta which is completely bonkers. They must be paying a lot for this kind of legacy advertising.

    “Did you know that” [… reels off a list of fantasy ideas] “will be possible in the metaverse?”

    No I didn’t know that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know that either, because it’s just a fantasy at this stage…

    And then they cap it off by directing listeners to a lengthy web address that even those with the inclination, almost certainly wouldn’t remember. Are they really expecting listeners to write it down, or rewind the show to catch the full web address?

    Reminds me of the AOL adverts back in the day.

    It’s screams that the company is probably gonna fail big time. I think Zuck basically got lucky with Facebook. He saw an opportunity and was in the right place at the right time.

    Of course, he attributed it all to his own genius.

    Now it’s turned into expensive hubris.

    The whole newstatesman mag was wrapped around with a Meta advert this weekend.

    They are throwing money around that's for sure.

    Not sure I remember the NS doing that ever before.
  • Options
    Leon said:

    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    kjh said:

    Leon said:

    Why Twitter is worth $44bn


    “Maybe Hitler got fucked up because his infancy was spent seeing various people in futuristic gear point a gun at him before going “no I can’t do it” and jumping into a portal”

    https://twitter.com/jordbrookes/status/1588193975055310851?s=46&t=fHL7HgqXG7leatvhrzUvAA

    I have to say I am wary of accusing the richest man in the world that he doesn't know what he is doing re making money, but he doesn't appear to re twitter.

    I was also shocked to find out that twitter only had about 7000 employees (now about 3000).
    Assuming $200k average pay - I suspect it’s higher - the layoffs will save about $800m per year. That’s a big dent in the company’s losses (around $1.3bn).

    The unknown is whether the layoffs damage the revenue generating capability of the company
    Well we already know from Musk that ad revenues have taken a sharp hit.

    His approach to engineering - develop quick, test and fail, and fail better - isn't going to work with an established social media business.
    If he's going to try to reinvent it from the ground up, he'd have been far better advised spending half of that $44 bn in setting up a completely new business.

    I think he's made the mistake of thinking that that the 100m plus who follow him on Twitter also agree with him - as opposed to being interested in following what he does.
    What I realised the other day is that you don't have to like Musk to acknowledge that SpaceX is better at throwing stuff into space on the top of rockets, or that Tesla manufacture some of the better electric vehicles.

    Websites like twitter succeed because people choose to use them, and then network effects follow and make it better. If enough people start using a different website or platform, then other people will follow. Then twitter is as dead as something that rhymes with DieFace.

    Twitter is primarily a public relations business and not a technology business. Musk has been terrible at PR - say with the Thai cave rescue petulance - but I'd still buy Starlink from him because the PR doesn't affect its utility.

    Just waiting to see which platform the people I follow on twitter will jump to. Some of them are on Instagram already (which is annoying), but I don't see the OSINT crowd moving there.
    Insta is truly terrible. You can’t put links in the posts. There isn’t an iPad app. It’s absurdly bad. I presume this is because Zuckerberg deliberately crippled it as a potential rival to FB (then along came tik tok and the rest, anyway - so it was self defeating)
    Yes. If I had to choose one social network to survive out of facebook, twitter and instagram, it wouldn't be instagram.
    The lack of an insta iPad app is mystifying in particular. They claim it’s because “there isn’t enough demand” and “it’s a nice idea but we haven’t got the time and people to do it” which is clearly bullshit

    So why? Zuckerberg seems to have an aversion to Apple. Perhaps he once had plans to make his own phones and tablets so this is a lingering legacy of that?
    Because it will make it seriously uncool. I associate ipads with people in their 60s.

    I have a theory that social media cannot support multiple generations: when my parents got fb and messenger, we all shifted to insta. I think some of the insta generation started having kids, and therefore tiktok was born.

    (Spectator article in 3...2...1...)
    I made the point about social media generations about ten minutes before you

    Insta is already uncool compared to TikTok and others. So that explanation doesn’t work. iPads and tablets are not seen as dated or associated with old people that’s absurd. They are used more and more - professionally. Waiters and bar staff use them. Nurses use them. You find them in cool museums - take one and use it as a guide

    iPad sales are now up to 60-80m a year. It’s huge business. Apple make 30 BILLION dollars a year from iPads

    Etc

    No the answer must be something else. Perhaps a weird rivalry with Apple, in Zuck’s head
    Apple is worth as much as Google, Amazon and Meta combined, and Meta is the least of those three.
    Meta has lost a massive amount of value in the last year, and some of that is down to Apple’s ability to block Facebook ad tracking, so it’s not just in Zuck’s ugly noggin.
    Indeed. I wonder if Facebook will be the first huge tech company to fall out of the sky. Eventually one will, eventually they all will. No company is forever

    What do they have or do that is irreplaceable? Facebook is fading, Instagram is still popular but it has deadly rivals, WhatsApp is great but it’s just a messaging service

    Hence Meta. They really need that to work
    Napster/Myspace/Palm/Blackberry
    I meant one of the Big Five

    Meta, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple

    Which will fall first? A few years ago I would have guessed Microsoft but they seem to have upped their game. Now I’d guess Meta
    To thrive a firm in the long term needs to be able to answer the key questions.

    1: What is your competitive advantage?
    2: How difficult will it be for someone else to out compete you?

    Definitely Meta fail that for me. Amazon, Google, MS and Apple all have strong core businesses that will struggle to be displaced. Facebook like Twitter, Insta etc has no irreplaceable core technology behind it and is a glorified social media site whose users can easily go from one site to another.
  • Options
    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Slavery: it gets shit done.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981

    ping said:

    Just listening to times radio. They have a regular advert for meta which is completely bonkers. They must be paying a lot for this kind of legacy advertising.

    “Did you know that” [… reels off a list of fantasy ideas] “will be possible in the metaverse?”

    No I didn’t know that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know that either, because it’s just a fantasy at this stage…

    And then they cap it off by directing listeners to a lengthy web address that even those with the inclination, almost certainly wouldn’t remember. Are they really expecting listeners to write it down, or rewind the show to catch the full web address?

    Reminds me of the AOL adverts back in the day.

    It’s screams that the company is probably gonna fail big time. I think Zuck basically got lucky with Facebook. He saw an opportunity and was in the right place at the right time.

    Of course, he attributed it all to his own genius.

    Now it’s turned into expensive hubris.

    The whole newstatesman mag was wrapped around with a Meta advert this weekend.

    They are throwing money around that's for sure.

    Not sure I remember the NS doing that ever before.
    Like the rest of the internet, it is basically all about extreme pornography.There's virtual experiences people will pay megabucks for, and they don't involve hanging in a bar with your homies.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    :lol:
  • Options

    Carnyx said:

    Just about to watch the final part of SAS Rogue Heroes - thoroughly enjoyable. You can tell it is the Peeky Blinders team when The Damned is the soundtrack to a raid on an airfield!

    Bit too much of a modernist take for me - too many fucks and metal music.
    Too many fucks in an Army context is modern?
    Peaky Blinders started out with small budget like this.

    Rouge Heroes is drippin. Would benefit from the extra budget in places.
    True, although Rouge Heroes would suggest a slightly different type of show.
    Sounds completely Made Up :lol:
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,935
    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Are there wargames covering the Thirty Years War or The Deluge?

    Total extermination would be a requirement, not an option.
  • Options
    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Are there wargames covering the Thirty Years War or The Deluge?

    Total extermination would be a requirement, not an option.
    I worry about how much you enjoy this!
  • Options
    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    What's he going to do?

    Drop a spider onto her shoulder during the night?

    Install a dodgy fireplace at her house that doesn't work?
  • Options
    Ishmael_Z said:

    https://ia801004.us.archive.org/0/items/truenamesvingevernor/True Names - Vinge, Vernor.pdf

    True Names by Vernor Vinge, 1981 so probably the first metaverse fiction.

    A much under rated Sci-Fi author.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    kinabalu said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    The German for me. I lump up whenever I hear it.

    (also agree with the positive consensus on the Welsh one)
    Italy. Brazil. Former east Germany.
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,415
    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    He's going to have to sack him isn't he? Betfair doesn't have a market for Cabinet exits.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    IanB2 said:

    kinabalu said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    The German for me. I lump up whenever I hear it.

    (also agree with the positive consensus on the Welsh one)
    Italy. Brazil. Former east Germany.
    Never heard the Brazilian one. Why don't you like the Italian one?

    (The Italians themselves apparently actually prefer Aida.)
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    ping said:

    Just listening to times radio. They have a regular advert for meta which is completely bonkers. They must be paying a lot for this kind of legacy advertising.

    “Did you know that” [… reels off a list of fantasy ideas] “will be possible in the metaverse?”

    No I didn’t know that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know that either, because it’s just a fantasy at this stage…

    And then they cap it off by directing listeners to a lengthy web address that even those with the inclination, almost certainly wouldn’t remember. Are they really expecting listeners to write it down, or rewind the show to catch the full web address?

    You’re one of the worlds biggest marketing companies, FFS. This is basic stuff.

    Reminds me of the AOL adverts back in the day.

    It’s screams that the company is probably gonna fail big time. I think Zuck basically got lucky with Facebook. He saw an opportunity and was in the right place at the right time.

    Of course, he attributed it all to his own genius.

    Now it’s turned into expensive hubris.

    Well young people now use tiktok and personally i prefer twitter
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836

    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Are there wargames covering the Thirty Years War or The Deluge?

    Total extermination would be a requirement, not an option.
    I worry about how much you enjoy this!
    Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy is on my to-read list. The Deluge, an absolutely ghastly war of extermination fought between Poland, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, the Cossacks, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tartars, from 1648-67, makes the Thirty Years War seem gentlemanly by comparison.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205

    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    He's going to have to sack him isn't he? Betfair doesn't have a market for Cabinet exits.
    How many cabinet ministers have been actually sacked by three different PMs? I'm guessing it's quite a short list.
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,935

    He's going to have to sack him isn't he? Betfair doesn't have a market for Cabinet exits.

    Unless he can't
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    Pagan2 said:

    WillG said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    Is there any difference between this and SecondLife?
    Or Roblox? Or plenty of other online games and apps.

    There's plenty of online worlds and stuff to get immersed into if you want to, without thinking any of it is a groundbreaking concept or will conquer the world.
    Metaverse will fail for the same reason as facebook is faltering. They are happy to actually makes things worse for users in the pursuit of extra profit. Tumblr did exactly the same. They banned adult posts in the pursuit of advertising dollars assuming their user base would put up with it then were surprised when a lot upped and left.

    Time and again companies fail to be satisfied they are making money and push things to far. The companies that will last long term are those that think about the users before making changes and actively try not to make things worse. The internet as a whole is an example of this as companies pushed ever more intrusive advertising till it got to the point some sites were barely usable.
    Why do they do this. Because the stock market demands perpetual earnings growth. The push for perpetual earnings growth massively corrupts society
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    In Top Secret, it ran "East Germany, East Germany/ Land of Sauerkraut and Lederhosen/Don't try to escape/If the electric fences don't get you/The Border Guards Will."
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Us national anthem much better than our national anthem
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    Sunak's judgement of people is up there with liz's judgement of economic policies. His effortless rise and rise seems have been so frictionless that the existence of malign shits has been entirely hidden from him.
  • Options
    kyf_100kyf_100 Posts: 3,945
    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    And the boomer generation watched 6 or more hours of TV a day in their 20s and 30s. I watch about an hour of stuff a week but sometimes play video games. So what?
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    Martin10 said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Us national anthem much better than our national anthem
    Nah. Ours* has a certain solemn grandeur and is easy to sing. The American one is just pompous and silly. Like the Argentine one but with a vaguely logical tune.

    *I am of course Welsh, so by 'ours' I mean British in this context.
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    kinabalu said:

    Gosh, the new leader of the French Far Right is only 27 years old! How can you acquire the emotional maturity and empathy for ordinary people that's needed to lead the Far Right at such a tender age?

    Maybe younger people have more skin in the game so make better leaders
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,584
    WillG said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    Nigelb said:

    On topic, is DeSantis going to claim God has endorsed him over Trump ?

    Trump and DeSantis barrel toward 2024 — but keep their distance in Florida
    https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/05/trump-desantis-barrel-toward-2024-00065247
    … “He can do what he wants, but Trump’s team made DeSantis,” Sabatini said of the governor. “He would have lost [in 2018] by 10, 20, maybe 30 points without Trump’s endorsement.”

    “He definitely owes him. Big time,” he added…

    I sense a trump desantis dream ticket coming
    Shudder

    Also, everyone seems to agree being VP is usually a thankless job, so why would de Santis want it?

    I reckon a lot of Republicans will kowtow and hope that Trump cannot then install one of his kids as a follow up candidate in years to come.
    Trump wouldn't pick DeSantis as he likes someone loyal, attractive and charismatic. The only reason he picked Pence was because he needed a bridge to evangelicals. And he regretted it later.

    DeSantis wouldn't take it as he knows Trump ends up destroying anyone who works for him.
    Tulsi G, then.
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,935
    Ishmael_Z said:

    Sunak's judgement of people is up there with liz's judgement of economic policies. His effortless rise and rise seems have been so frictionless that the existence of malign shits has been entirely hidden from him.

    That's a charitable view.

    The alternative is that he knows Braverman and Williamson are malign shits, and appointed them as intellectual bedfellows...
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    Martin10 said:

    ping said:

    Just listening to times radio. They have a regular advert for meta which is completely bonkers. They must be paying a lot for this kind of legacy advertising.

    “Did you know that” [… reels off a list of fantasy ideas] “will be possible in the metaverse?”

    No I didn’t know that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know that either, because it’s just a fantasy at this stage…

    And then they cap it off by directing listeners to a lengthy web address that even those with the inclination, almost certainly wouldn’t remember. Are they really expecting listeners to write it down, or rewind the show to catch the full web address?

    You’re one of the worlds biggest marketing companies, FFS. This is basic stuff.

    Reminds me of the AOL adverts back in the day.

    It’s screams that the company is probably gonna fail big time. I think Zuck basically got lucky with Facebook. He saw an opportunity and was in the right place at the right time.

    Of course, he attributed it all to his own genius.

    Now it’s turned into expensive hubris.

    Well young people now use tiktok and personally i prefer twitter
    Mastodon seems to be the thing. Open source alternative. Very geeky to sign up to though, you have to find a 3rd party server which will accept you. I have signed up as me and now contemplating cybersquatting handles like @elonmusk in case it takes off.
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,935
    😬 “There's calm at the moment because Rishi hasn’t actually announced anything," one former Tory aide told PoliticsHome heading into the weekend

    📅 "The honeymoon ends on 17 November.”

    https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/rishi-sunak-calm-but-storm-could-await-autumn-statement
  • Options

    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    He's going to have to sack him isn't he? Betfair doesn't have a market for Cabinet exits.
    He probably ought to.

    But there's a lot of strength in the Johnson theory of "if I sack one minister for doing bad stuff, where will it end?"

    Perhaps the only thing Truss did right was to ditch Conor Burns fairly quickly.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    ydoethur said:

    Scott_xP said:

    EXCLUSIVE: Gavin Williamson sent abusive and threatening messages to Wendy Morton about not being invited to the Queen's funeral, warning her: "There is a price for everything"

    Sunak told of complaint about him but appointed him anyway, ex-chairman says https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/you-f-us-all-over-gavin-williamsons-foul-texts-to-chief-whip-in-full-xnqj03kkm

    He's going to have to sack him isn't he? Betfair doesn't have a market for Cabinet exits.
    How many cabinet ministers have been actually sacked by three different PMs? I'm guessing it's quite a short list.
    It's long been speculated Williamson must be skilled in some dark arts and/or have something major on senior figures, since he doesn't seem to bring any departmental competence to the table, nor does he bring ideological backing like, say, Braverman.

    As he is not popular with Members either his continued career is pretty inexplicable, and that the knives are out from the new Chief Whip so openly so soon, means his days have to be numbered. He's already been given a gong, what more can he want?
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142

    rcs1000 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    FPT:

    Leon said:


    I meant one of the Big Five

    Meta, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple

    Which will fall first? A few years ago I would have guessed Microsoft but they seem to have upped their game. Now I’d guess Meta

    You missed out Netflix, which is the one that looks shakiest to me.
    Yes, it used to FAANG:

    Facebook
    Amazon
    Apple
    Netflix
    Google

    But Netflix has cratered, and now MSFT is worth much more than Google.

    Which shows that impermanence is the only permanent thing.
    I think you may be burying Netflix prematurely. Its Q3 numbers this year were miles better than expected and the markets reacted very favourably to them. That is on top of a 23% increase in revenue in 2021. I don't think they will be going anywhere for a long time.
    The FANGS were a cheap money phenomenom...much employee motivation rests on stock options and when they are massively underwater employee retention becomes a problem
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    ydoethur said:

    IanB2 said:

    kinabalu said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    The German for me. I lump up whenever I hear it.

    (also agree with the positive consensus on the Welsh one)
    Italy. Brazil. Former east Germany.
    Never heard the Brazilian one. Why don't you like the Italian one?

    (The Italians themselves apparently actually prefer Aida.)
    Brazil = LOL failed opera

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyyOahYXhUQ&ab_channel=VocalNationalAnthems
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,935
    kle4 said:

    He's already been given a gong, what more can he want?

    He wants to be feared.

    Instead of laughed at
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Scott_xP said:

    😬 “There's calm at the moment because Rishi hasn’t actually announced anything," one former Tory aide told PoliticsHome heading into the weekend

    📅 "The honeymoon ends on 17 November.”

    https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/rishi-sunak-calm-but-storm-could-await-autumn-statement

    True, and its probably when any nascent recovery ends as well, since demanded or not people will obviously not like what is coming, and they're trailing of plans seems to acknowledge that.
  • Options
    LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 15,231
    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    Computer games are an artform like many others. Is reading a book, watching a film, visiting an art gallery a waste of time?

    There are good and bad computer games, just as there are good and bad books, etc. I read Middlemarch and thought it was a damn tedious endeavour. Would have been far more rewarding and edifying playing Total War. On the other hand, currently treading The Peripheral, and it's a better use of my time than playing Angry Birds (again).
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142
    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    I find your premise to be extremely silly, so much so I cannot even be faux offended.

    Are reading books or watching films a complete waste of time? Games have an incredible variety of mechanics and story, and just like any other medium some are designed for adults, some for kids, and some for everyone. The average gamer is now probably well over 30 - people of my generation grew up with consoles.
    Yes but they ate not a time sink like video games
    You might read a book or watch tv for an hour...video games...go online suddenly a whole day has gone
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD1gDSao1eA

    A misunderstood figure from history, probably
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    I find your premise to be extremely silly, so much so I cannot even be faux offended.

    Are reading books or watching films a complete waste of time? Games have an incredible variety of mechanics and story, and just like any other medium some are designed for adults, some for kids, and some for everyone. The average gamer is now probably well over 30 - people of my generation grew up with consoles.
    Yes but they ate not a time sink like video games
    You might read a book or watch tv for an hour...video games...go online suddenly a whole day has gone
    ADHD is treatable, you know?
  • Options
    StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 7,032
    rcs1000 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    FPT:

    Leon said:


    I meant one of the Big Five

    Meta, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple

    Which will fall first? A few years ago I would have guessed Microsoft but they seem to have upped their game. Now I’d guess Meta

    You missed out Netflix, which is the one that looks shakiest to me.
    Yes, it used to FAANG:

    Facebook
    Amazon
    Apple
    Netflix
    Google

    But Netflix has cratered, and now MSFT is worth much more than Google.

    Which shows that impermanence is the only permanent thing.
    Is GE still a member of Dow Jones?
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    I find your premise to be extremely silly, so much so I cannot even be faux offended.

    Are reading books or watching films a complete waste of time? Games have an incredible variety of mechanics and story, and just like any other medium some are designed for adults, some for kids, and some for everyone. The average gamer is now probably well over 30 - people of my generation grew up with consoles.
    Yes but they ate not a time sink like video games
    You might read a book or watch tv for an hour...video games...go online suddenly a whole day has gone
    That's a positive, sometimes. And it depends on the game. Short level based stuff, turn based, mission based, or indeed something very open ended.

    I've not had a really lengthy game session for ages, whereas I read around 4 hours a day (starting today 'Brightness Reef').

    People can read all day, binge watch Netflix or play Fortnite (if the kids are still playing that) all day.

    It's not the medium.
  • Options
    EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    I find your premise to be extremely silly, so much so I cannot even be faux offended.

    Are reading books or watching films a complete waste of time? Games have an incredible variety of mechanics and story, and just like any other medium some are designed for adults, some for kids, and some for everyone. The average gamer is now probably well over 30 - people of my generation grew up with consoles.
    Yes but they ate not a time sink like video games
    You might read a book or watch tv for an hour...video games...go online suddenly a whole day has gone
    Are you familiar with the term "binge watch"?
  • Options
    Martin10Martin10 Posts: 142

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    Computer games are an artform like many others. Is reading a book, watching a film, visiting an art gallery a waste of time?

    There are good and bad computer games, just as there are good and bad books, etc. I read Middlemarch and thought it was a damn tedious endeavour. Would have been far more rewarding and edifying playing Total War. On the other hand, currently treading The Peripheral, and it's a better use of my time than playing Angry Birds (again).
    All im saying is ive tried playing video games but i still think the modern games are too immersive and too much of a time sink
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    IanB2 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD1gDSao1eA

    A misunderstood figure from history, probably
    Very much a believer in tough love.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981

    rcs1000 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    FPT:

    Leon said:


    I meant one of the Big Five

    Meta, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple

    Which will fall first? A few years ago I would have guessed Microsoft but they seem to have upped their game. Now I’d guess Meta

    You missed out Netflix, which is the one that looks shakiest to me.
    Yes, it used to FAANG:

    Facebook
    Amazon
    Apple
    Netflix
    Google

    But Netflix has cratered, and now MSFT is worth much more than Google.

    Which shows that impermanence is the only permanent thing.
    Is GE still a member of Dow Jones?
    Seems not to be

    https://www.cnbc.com/dow-30/
  • Options
    StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 7,032
    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    There’s a really cool company that has repurposed Israeli air force pilot helmets for surgeons

  • Options
    ydoethur said:

    Martin10 said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Us national anthem much better than our national anthem
    Nah. Ours* has a certain solemn grandeur and is easy to sing. The American one is just pompous and silly. Like the Argentine one but with a vaguely logical tune.

    *I am of course Welsh, so by 'ours' I mean British in this context.
    Mournful dirge, you mean.
  • Options
    kinabalukinabalu Posts: 39,187
    Nigelb said:

    WillG said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    Nigelb said:

    On topic, is DeSantis going to claim God has endorsed him over Trump ?

    Trump and DeSantis barrel toward 2024 — but keep their distance in Florida
    https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/05/trump-desantis-barrel-toward-2024-00065247
    … “He can do what he wants, but Trump’s team made DeSantis,” Sabatini said of the governor. “He would have lost [in 2018] by 10, 20, maybe 30 points without Trump’s endorsement.”

    “He definitely owes him. Big time,” he added…

    I sense a trump desantis dream ticket coming
    Shudder

    Also, everyone seems to agree being VP is usually a thankless job, so why would de Santis want it?

    I reckon a lot of Republicans will kowtow and hope that Trump cannot then install one of his kids as a follow up candidate in years to come.
    Trump wouldn't pick DeSantis as he likes someone loyal, attractive and charismatic. The only reason he picked Pence was because he needed a bridge to evangelicals. And he regretted it later.

    DeSantis wouldn't take it as he knows Trump ends up destroying anyone who works for him.
    Tulsi G, then.
    She's a value price imo.
  • Options
    LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 15,231
    Martin10 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    Computer games are an artform like many others. Is reading a book, watching a film, visiting an art gallery a waste of time?

    There are good and bad computer games, just as there are good and bad books, etc. I read Middlemarch and thought it was a damn tedious endeavour. Would have been far more rewarding and edifying playing Total War. On the other hand, currently treading The Peripheral, and it's a better use of my time than playing Angry Birds (again).
    All im saying is ive tried playing video games but i still think the modern games are too immersive and too much of a time sink
    Ever heard of the description "page-turner" for a book? What you're describing is a positive attribute, provided that you enjoy the time you spend playing, or reading, etc.

    If the game is annoying, but you still feel compelled to play it, then you might have a problem.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    ydoethur said:

    IanB2 said:

    kinabalu said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    The German for me. I lump up whenever I hear it.

    (also agree with the positive consensus on the Welsh one)
    Italy. Brazil. Former east Germany.
    Never heard the Brazilian one. Why don't you like the Italian one?

    (The Italians themselves apparently actually prefer Aida.)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxzN4J0RVbc
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Slavery: it gets shit done.
    10000 years of human history cannot be wrong, can it?
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205

    ydoethur said:

    Martin10 said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Us national anthem much better than our national anthem
    Nah. Ours* has a certain solemn grandeur and is easy to sing. The American one is just pompous and silly. Like the Argentine one but with a vaguely logical tune.

    *I am of course Welsh, so by 'ours' I mean British in this context.
    Mournful dirge, you mean.
    Well yes. But the American one doesn't even meet that criteria.
  • Options
    OmniumOmnium Posts: 9,775
    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    WillG said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    Nigelb said:

    On topic, is DeSantis going to claim God has endorsed him over Trump ?

    Trump and DeSantis barrel toward 2024 — but keep their distance in Florida
    https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/05/trump-desantis-barrel-toward-2024-00065247
    … “He can do what he wants, but Trump’s team made DeSantis,” Sabatini said of the governor. “He would have lost [in 2018] by 10, 20, maybe 30 points without Trump’s endorsement.”

    “He definitely owes him. Big time,” he added…

    I sense a trump desantis dream ticket coming
    Shudder

    Also, everyone seems to agree being VP is usually a thankless job, so why would de Santis want it?

    I reckon a lot of Republicans will kowtow and hope that Trump cannot then install one of his kids as a follow up candidate in years to come.
    Trump wouldn't pick DeSantis as he likes someone loyal, attractive and charismatic. The only reason he picked Pence was because he needed a bridge to evangelicals. And he regretted it later.

    DeSantis wouldn't take it as he knows Trump ends up destroying anyone who works for him.
    Tulsi G, then.
    She's a value price imo.
    For what? She's left the Democratic party. Struggling to see where you see any chance at all for her.
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,990
    Martin10 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    Computer games are an artform like many others. Is reading a book, watching a film, visiting an art gallery a waste of time?

    There are good and bad computer games, just as there are good and bad books, etc. I read Middlemarch and thought it was a damn tedious endeavour. Would have been far more rewarding and edifying playing Total War. On the other hand, currently treading The Peripheral, and it's a better use of my time than playing Angry Birds (again).
    All im saying is ive tried playing video games but i still think the modern games are too immersive and too much of a time sink
    I dread to think of the many dozens of hours I spent playing the original version of Elite on a friend's BBC back in 1984/5. It would have been much more, but I had to go around his house to play. Or the hours spent waiting for it to load off tape (during which time we pretended to be astronauts floating around the study).

    Then a few years later when I got my own computer, the hours I 'wasted' getting a spinning 3D cube, initially in Basic then in assembler, just because I wanted to know how Elite did it. Utterly wasted time. ;)

    Or in 1992, when I was at uni and the Archimedes version of Elite was released. Hundreds of hours spent on it (though I often played recorded lecture notes through a Walkman as I played).

    Immersive games do not require great graphics.
  • Options
    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,377
    rcs1000 said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    The Metaverse sounds like a horrible idea. Real dystopian stuff.

    Read Snow Crash - where the name was invented.

    Perhaps someone will listen to Reason….
    The entire book is set in my part of LA.

    I've read it half a dozen times:
    Doesn't hold a candle to Gibson's Sprawl books.
    I've read, and enjoyed Gibson.

    But I'm afraid to say that on this, I disagree with you. Stephenson's characters are better drawn, his worldview a little more engaging.

    Of course, he can't write an ending for toffee (see The Diamond Age for the worst example of this), but I still pickup his books more often than Gibson
    It’s a different style. A different view of the same future. Both very good.

    Some of Gibson’s best is in the short stories.

    But I still pick up The Cryptonomicon….
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    edited November 2022
    Martin10 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    Computer games are an artform like many others. Is reading a book, watching a film, visiting an art gallery a waste of time?

    There are good and bad computer games, just as there are good and bad books, etc. I read Middlemarch and thought it was a damn tedious endeavour. Would have been far more rewarding and edifying playing Total War. On the other hand, currently treading The Peripheral, and it's a better use of my time than playing Angry Birds (again).
    All im saying is ive tried playing video games but i still think the modern games are too immersive and too much of a time sink
    Whatever works for you, that's fine. But there are non immesersive, non time sinky games out there, so you cannot judge the whole lot by the bits you don't like. I'm not a fan of biopics but I don't think all films are pretentious and boring.

    (Anyone see Tolkien? Let's just say the attempt to make a philologist's life interesting failed, even though it included WW1 and a sympathetic origin)
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    edited November 2022
    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Stirring stuff…

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=east+german+national+anthem
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,601
    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    Content is key.

    We already have good purpose made electronic simulators for interventionist procedures, I cannot see that what would be gained by the Metaverse version. Tactile feedback is vital.

    Ditto the historical bit in the advert. Wandering around the Roman Forum is only an educational experience if the context and content is good, otherwise just a bad 3D cartoon.

    They need to get high resolution porn and cat videos to work on it. That is what drives most online innovation.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    Foxy said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    Content is key.

    We already have good purpose made electronic simulators for interventionist procedures, I cannot see that what would be gained by the Metaverse version. Tactile feedback is vital.

    Ditto the historical bit in the advert. Wandering around the Roman Forum is only an educational experience if the context and content is good, otherwise just a bad 3D cartoon.

    They need to get high resolution porn and cat videos to work on it. That is what drives most online innovation.
    It's the synthesis of the two which concerns me.
  • Options
    Sean_F said:

    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Are there wargames covering the Thirty Years War or The Deluge?

    Total extermination would be a requirement, not an option.
    I worry about how much you enjoy this!
    Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy is on my to-read list. The Deluge, an absolutely ghastly war of extermination fought between Poland, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, the Cossacks, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tartars, from 1648-67, makes the Thirty Years War seem gentlemanly by comparison.
    I struggle with it.

    I stopped watching Game of Thrones after the red wedding.
  • Options
    Foxy said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    They need to get high resolution porn and cat videos to work on it. That is what drives most online innovation.
    When I saw this, and then scrolled up, I really didn't expect to see your name.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    IanB2 said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Stirring stuff…

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=east+german+national+anthem
    If you find that stirring, I want to know what you're smoking and where I can get it.
  • Options
    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981

    rcs1000 said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    The Metaverse sounds like a horrible idea. Real dystopian stuff.

    Read Snow Crash - where the name was invented.

    Perhaps someone will listen to Reason….
    The entire book is set in my part of LA.

    I've read it half a dozen times:
    Doesn't hold a candle to Gibson's Sprawl books.
    I've read, and enjoyed Gibson.

    But I'm afraid to say that on this, I disagree with you. Stephenson's characters are better drawn, his worldview a little more engaging.

    Of course, he can't write an ending for toffee (see The Diamond Age for the worst example of this), but I still pickup his books more often than Gibson
    It’s a different style. A different view of the same future. Both very good.

    Some of Gibson’s best is in the short stories.

    But I still pick up The Cryptonomicon….
    Not really. gibson's characters go into cyberspace to compute, not just for the sake of it nor for direct human interaction (except for specific instances like the meeting in Barcelona in Count Zero).
  • Options
    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Martin10 said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Dont you find playing video games a complete waste of time...at one time noone over 21 played video games
    I find your premise to be extremely silly, so much so I cannot even be faux offended.

    Are reading books or watching films a complete waste of time? Games have an incredible variety of mechanics and story, and just like any other medium some are designed for adults, some for kids, and some for everyone. The average gamer is now probably well over 30 - people of my generation grew up with consoles.
    Yes but they ate not a time sink like video games
    You might read a book or watch tv for an hour...video games...go online suddenly a whole day has gone
    That's a positive, sometimes. And it depends on the game. Short level based stuff, turn based, mission based, or indeed something very open ended.

    I've not had a really lengthy game session for ages, whereas I read around 4 hours a day (starting today 'Brightness Reef').

    People can read all day, binge watch Netflix or play Fortnite (if the kids are still playing that) all day.

    It's not the medium.
    I replayed Empire and Napoleon Total War recently, and enjoyed it.

    Also, Civilisation 4 and Civilisation 6. C&C remastered is also good.

    I like RTS or turn based strategy.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    Just crunched some numbers.

    Gas usage October - down 75% from last year.

    Electricity usage - down 50%.

    That's despite the fact I'm now working from home.

    That's all about not needing the heating.

    Still haven't turned it on, for the matter of that. It's just on frost protection.
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836

    Sean_F said:

    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Sean_F said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    So one gets to play Genghis Khan, say? When I capture a city, do I slaughter the people, or do I enslave them instead?

    I've heard a lot of people say wargames typically reward those who go for the most bloodthirsty options.
    I was most disappointed in Thrones of Britannia I only got options to occupy or sack. In Medieval 2 Total War extermination was a permitted option.

    In Civilization games I usually found working masses of citizens to death to build vanity projects was a good way of dealing with the difficult conditions caused by overpopulation.
    Are there wargames covering the Thirty Years War or The Deluge?

    Total extermination would be a requirement, not an option.
    I worry about how much you enjoy this!
    Henryk Sienkiewicz's Trilogy is on my to-read list. The Deluge, an absolutely ghastly war of extermination fought between Poland, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, the Cossacks, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tartars, from 1648-67, makes the Thirty Years War seem gentlemanly by comparison.
    I struggle with it.

    I stopped watching Game of Thrones after the red wedding.
    I'm told it's pretty gruesome. The hero has his girlfriend and her mother kidnapped by a Tartar Prince, who sells the pair into Ottoman slavery. They're never heard of again. He retaliates by blinding the Prince and impaling him, all told from the Prince's point of view.
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,601

    Foxy said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    They need to get high resolution porn and cat videos to work on it. That is what drives most online innovation.
    When I saw this, and then scrolled up, I really didn't expect to see your name.
    Sex kittens and regular kittens. That's where the money is...
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,896

    WillG said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    Is there any difference between this and SecondLife?
    Or Roblox? Or plenty of other online games and apps.

    There's plenty of online worlds and stuff to get immersed into if you want to, without thinking any of it is a groundbreaking concept or will conquer the world.
    In the meantime, it’s all rather amusing to watch Zuck try to justify to the shareholders, the $10bn a year he’s spending on his personal vanity project.
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    AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 19,981
    France/Wales have the best national anthem.

    US, Russia, Germany all good.

    GSTK is absolutely rubbish. Switch it to Jerusalem, which I think is a lovely hymn.
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    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205

    France/Wales have the best national anthem.

    US, Russia, Germany all good.

    GSTK is absolutely rubbish. Switch it to Jerusalem, which I think is a lovely hymn.

    Some people just have no taste.
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    TazTaz Posts: 11,164
    ydoethur said:

    France/Wales have the best national anthem.

    US, Russia, Germany all good.

    GSTK is absolutely rubbish. Switch it to Jerusalem, which I think is a lovely hymn.

    Some people just have no taste.
    The Italian and the Fijian anthems are magnificent.
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    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,926
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    Neither of you have any taste it seems.
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    Ishmael_ZIshmael_Z Posts: 8,981
    George Osborne reborn: he’s back in Downing Street for his second act


    After stints as a newspaper editor and a banker, the former chancellor has returned as an adviser to Jeremy Hunt. He’s said to be happier now — but does he crave one last tilt at the top job?

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/george-osborne-reborn-hes-back-in-downing-street-for-his-second-act-b3zctkhcq

    Who was it who pointed out on October 16 that "Hunt and osborne go back a long way mind, e.g.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/31/george-osborne-bskyb-jeremy-hunt

    ?
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    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,205
    edited November 2022
    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    Neither of you have any taste it seems.
    If you like the US national anthem, you're in no position to criticise others for lack of taste.

    I am genuinely surprised incidentally that one thing the SNP have never done as part of their usually rather inept attempts at nation building is decide on an official national anthem.
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    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,926
    Martin10 said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:


    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    The Welsh anthem remains the best in the world

    I have a secret admiration for the French.
    The French anthem is bouncy and cheering - it’s a top ten - but it’s really hard to sing which is a key failing. The Welsh anthem is considerably more stirring

    I’d put the Welsh first, then Russia, then France third

    Scotland bottom
    Scotland doesn't really have a national anthem. They just play a Corrie's song, and pretend it's the national anthem.

    I'd put the US bottom. The Star Spangled Banner is weak musically, and utter nonsense lyrically.
    I agree in your assessment of the American national anthem, but I have to say I think you're being generous to the Argentinian national anthem by keeping it off the bottom.

    The very very worst ever though surely has to be the old East German national anthem - Auferstanden Aus Ruinen.
    Us national anthem much better than our national anthem
    Not hard as it must be among the very worst loads of old bollox going.
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    sladeslade Posts: 1,932
    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    France/Wales have the best national anthem.

    US, Russia, Germany all good.

    GSTK is absolutely rubbish. Switch it to Jerusalem, which I think is a lovely hymn.

    Some people just have no taste.
    The Italian and the Fijian anthems are magnificent.
    As I have mentioned before on this site I like the Polish National Anthem. Its original version was used by Elgar in a piece called Polonia.
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,896
    edited November 2022
    Foxy said:

    IanB2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    Metaverse will catch on eventually as will 3D cinema and flying cars. Compare Zoom. Sci-fi from the 1950s on is full of videophones, but when they arrived with facetime they turned out to be a bit shit. Then covid and boom. There's no reason to suppose it will catch on before Facebook runs out of money though,, and what will catch on will be a leaner meaner iteration untainted by Facebooks fuddy duddy baggage.

    There was an article on the BBC the other day listing eye-watering amounts of cash being spent 'in the metaverse' (not necessarily the FB one). I don't think I've even met anyone who's met anyone who's used it - so it was kinda suprising.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63488059
    I really dont understand this article....just read it and can't see it is any different from second life which launched 20 years ago....except for the fact the graphics are shittier than second life. Second life is also got all the things it lists....own world currency which you can convert back to rl currency etc...ability to make and sell things. Whoever wrote this seems to think these "metaversi" are conceptually new
    The ideas are things like history lessons including pupils being immersed in historical situations, or surgeons practicing operations in the metaverse before being let loose on real patients. Whether these will become the norm, I don't know, but it's this type of stuff that has got Meta so worked up

    Content is key.

    We already have good purpose made electronic simulators for interventionist procedures, I cannot see that what would be gained by the Metaverse version. Tactile feedback is vital.

    Ditto the historical bit in the advert. Wandering around the Roman Forum is only an educational experience if the context and content is good, otherwise just a bad 3D cartoon.

    They need to get high resolution porn and cat videos to work on it. That is what drives most online innovation.
    Large aircraft and industrial machines have been simulated for several decades, to a level good enough for training and assessment. As you say, it’s the feedback and accuracy of the systems that are important, not the detail of the outside world.

    They’re always getting better though, with advances in computing. Pilots are now allowed to do training course for a new type (to them) of aircraft, entirely in the sim.

    Yes, many technology innovations of the past few decades have been driven by ‘adult content’.
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    EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    rcs1000 said:

    Ishmael_Z said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    The Metaverse sounds like a horrible idea. Real dystopian stuff.

    Read Snow Crash - where the name was invented.

    Perhaps someone will listen to Reason….
    The entire book is set in my part of LA.

    I've read it half a dozen times:
    Doesn't hold a candle to Gibson's Sprawl books.
    I've read, and enjoyed Gibson.

    But I'm afraid to say that on this, I disagree with you. Stephenson's characters are better drawn, his worldview a little more engaging.

    Of course, he can't write an ending for toffee (see The Diamond Age for the worst example of this), but I still pickup his books more often than Gibson
    I enjoyed The Rise and Fall of DODO, in large part because pairing him with Nicole Galland meant we actually got a proper ending for once. And some of his excesses in giving his characters bizarre random skills were tempered, a bit.
This discussion has been closed.