Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Thames Water owners pile group with debt Shareholders structured a £500mn cash injection as a loan charging 8% interest ... ... The utility is now under close watch by the government, which is on standby for a temporary nationalisation in case it collapses. It is also seeking approval from Ofwat to be allowed to increase customer bills by around 40 per cent — before inflation — by 2030. https://www.ft.com/content/4b901734-4ca3-4d02-b51c-ce76c74754fa (£££)
So much for shareholder investment. Debt up £3 billion in 18 months if I've read it right. Thames Water supplies a quarter of the population of England.
Same con they've been playing for decades. The 'investment' in infrastructure is charged to the customers and shareholders/bondholders rape the company.
On topic, but from Twitter, so treat with caution:
"Update: Venezuela: Venezuela Defense Minister VP Lopez says his country is against Guyana's imperialism and the military is ready to intervene. Clearly, we are getting closer to a conflict in Latin America."
I am slightly surprised that Guyana could be accused of 'imperialism' ...
Also on-topic, and from a (slightly) better source:
"The United Nations’ top court has warned Venezuela to stop any action that would alter Guyana’s control over a disputed territory, days ahead of a planned referendum over the territory.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday told the Latin American country to “refrain from taking any action which would modify that situation that currently prevails” in the Essequibo region that makes up some two-thirds of Guyana."
And also on-topic, and for a laugh, here are the questions in Sunday's referendum:
"Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
"Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
The photo of this thatchers heaven brings to mind: an Anglo Saxon mead hall of the Northumbrian golden age, a perfect building for a June wedding reception in cloudless sunshine, and the ideal setting for long drinks with little umbrellas in them. Please, no wars. Maybe Leon could report on this little known place sometime?
That's an interesting point: aren't many rural low-tech housing around the world essentially the same design? Round, wooden, mud or mud-brick walls, with strengthening material (e.g. hair), with a peaked wooden roof, with thatched covering.
There are obvious exceptions, e.g. Skara Brae on Orkney, but it seems a rather common example of convergent design evolution. The best shapes for strength, materials and purpose. I wonder if you could place an 1800-era tribesman from PNG in an Iron Age British roundhouse and have them feel at home?
At home yes. But bloody cold I suspect.
Also, the cuisine wouldn't be what they were used to, with rather less long pig.
And also on-topic, and for a laugh, here are the questions in Sunday's referendum:
"Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
"Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"
A nicely unbiased set of questions there...
A war of territorial conquest in South America just seems very anachronistic. I suppose they’ve been looking on as their ally Putin gets away with it in Europe. That’s the trouble with allowing precedents.
And also on-topic, and for a laugh, here are the questions in Sunday's referendum:
"Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
"Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"
A nicely unbiased set of questions there...
A war of territorial conquest in South America just seems very anachronistic. I suppose they’ve been looking on as their ally Putin gets away with it in Europe. That’s the trouble with allowing precedents.
It is a bit obviously 'we need a distraction after years of authoritarian, incompetent, corrupt behaviour'.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Not a lucky general, Humza. It's one damned thing after another. I wonder if he ever compares notes with Rishi.
You can be an unlucky general, as to a degree both are, but when they accidentally shoot off their own kneecaps that is still very much on them. Humza hasn't yet made as much of an attempt as Rishi I'd say.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Puns/plays on words.
If we’re doing Ydoethur (for he’s the prime offender for puns) then the iniquities of Ofsted should be on the list too.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Plenty of further ground to cover, for example:
Knitting patterns The war of the Spanish Succession Heraclius the Elder Sheds Kant's first critique The problem of induction How life began Free will Versions of Monophysitism The war in Sudan Wallace Stevens Eating cats Trolley buses Fly fishing in Mongolia
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Is Die Hard a Xmas film?
No doubt the subject of a weekend thread, but half the public are morons.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
As a child, I was rather shocked when a classmate left, being sent to Boarding School. At the time Boarding School and Borstal were the same in my understanding of the world.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Plenty of further ground to cover, for example:
Knitting patterns The war of the Spanish Succession Heraclius the Elder Sheds Kant's first critique The problem of induction How life began Free will Versions of Monophysitism The war in Sudan Wallace Stevens Eating cats Trolley buses Fly fishing in Mongolia
Social Credit Georgism Cliodynamics Eurocommunism Technofeudalism and neofeudalism Categorising political parties (not left wing or right wing, but types of parties) Periodicity vs gradualism
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
I similarly have visions of Rik Mayall wearing custardy pants in Bottom. And, come to think of it, around the bottom.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
As a child, I was rather shocked when a classmate left, being sent to Boarding School. At the time Boarding School and Borstal were the same in my understanding of the world.
I suppose for some Californians boarding school could evoke sunlit days doing stunts on the half pipe, or gliding down the slopes above Tahoe.
We need to discuss gardening more. Especially winter gardening and winter plants.
This post is in no way influenced by the fact that I have received more spring bulbs to plant, the ground is covered in hard frost, I have an appalling chest cough and am far too weak to use pick axes to make space for said spring bulbs.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
Plenty of further ground to cover, for example:
Knitting patterns The war of the Spanish Succession Heraclius the Elder Sheds Kant's first critique The problem of induction How life began Free will Versions of Monophysitism The war in Sudan Wallace Stevens Eating cats Trolley buses Fly fishing in Mongolia
Social Credit Georgism Cliodynamics Eurocommunism Technofeudalism and neofeudalism Categorising political parties (not left wing or right wing, but types of parties) Periodicity vs gradualism
Summaries of Finnegans Wake Pipe laying as a theme in Albanian poetry The history of tea warming
We need to discuss gardening more. Especially winter gardening and winter plants.
This post is in no way influenced by the fact that I have received more spring bulbs to plant, the ground is covered in hard frost, I have an appalling chest cough and am far too weak to use pick axes to make space for said spring bulbs.
Well, I've just learned for the first time that people do gardening in the winter at all, so someone else will have to do the heavy lifting to get the discussion flowing on that front.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
I similarly have visions of Rik Mayall wearing custardy pants in Bottom. And, come to think of it, around the bottom.
One of the great psychological shocks of adulthood was learning that proper custard is less yellow. And might even have brown dots in it. Proper custard should look pink in powder form and dark yellow in its plasma state.
Anyway, time for the pre-bed 90s dance medley to get me in the mood for sleep, including course insomnia by Faithless but beginning with N-Trance Set You Free.
Joint greatest thunderstorm sound effect in a pop song along with We Walk by REM.
Best actual geographically-correct storm evocation in a pop song though is Sometimes by James.
I honestly don't know why Boris doesn't trumpet his Ukrainian support more, make it the centrepiece of his post premiership career, when the Russians themselves seem to bolster his importance.
Lavrov claimed that initial agreements with Ukraine were reached in late March in Istanbul, following negotiations.
However, the situation changed after Boris Johnson's visit.
New article by one of the best commentators out there imo. (He's British but this is an American magazine hence the spelling).
"Theodore Dalrymple A Specter Haunting Europe The political class’s impotence in the face of so much public anxiety makes fertile soil for extremism.
A specter is haunting Europe, and it is fascism. I don’t mean by this the insulting term that radical students have long hurled at anyone who disagreed with them in the slightest. I mean a brutal, violent mass movement that will not hesitate to intimidate, oppress, and kill in the name of a nation.
Geert Wilders is not a fascist, but if his electoral triumph in the Netherlands (relative, not absolute) does not result in genuinely assuaging the discontents of which his triumph is a symptom, it is not unlikely that at least some of his voters will become so disillusioned with, and frustrated by, normal politics that they will look elsewhere for a solution."
The article appears to be arguing that we have to be a bit fascist to stop more fascist fascists coming along. I am not persuaded.
Alternatively,
2) Stick our fingers in our ears and scream LA-LA-LA 3) Try some rational policies to alleviate actual problems. Like stop denying that a population growing at x% a decade needs x% growth in housing and other facilities. And actually fucking build them.
We should just go full on Fash for the ROFLCOPTER bantz
I do wonder what the Guardian would do if we had an ACTUAL Fascist government in power, rather than this milksop bunch of posho social democrats - presiding over maximum immigration, high tax, high spend, Woke education, etc
Because they have already exhausted their lexicon of Fash-hatred labeling anything the government does, like maybe try and deport one single immigrant, as basically Nazi, what would they say if the government literally deported two million?
This time they’re Nazi, and we mean it!
It’s like when gymnastics judges at the Olympics started awarding perfect tens, there was nowhere further to go, even when a superior performer came along
Indeed Leon. I actually agree with you here. That's the big danger with constant '4th gear in the car park' hyperbolising. Eg it's how I feel about 95% of "freedom of speech!" chuntering. Come the day (god forbid) that free speech in the UK is really under serious threat we'll be hampered in fighting it because people have already gone and shot their bolt.
Free speech in the UK is not just under threat, it's dead, at least in the old sense. David Starkey lost his jobs because he said racist things, Steve Bell lost his job because of an antisemitic cartoon. One woman this week got a documentary cancelled because she sucked a Nazi lollipop (that's not an euphemism). It happens so often I put down the #PBfreespeech hashtag to try to keep track. The only time anybody complains about free speech is if somebody says something anti-trans and people on Twitter says bad things. Other than that it's cancel, cancel, cancel all the way.
Somebody said satire died when Kissinger got the Peace Prize. UK free speech died when somebody was punished for saying something mean about the dead Captain Tom, and nobody (except one guy in the Spectator - Stephen Daisley?) kicked off. We are not the country we pretend to be.
It's a tricky area, there's a balance to strike, and I think we have it about right. There are exceptions, for sure there are, each to be called out and condemned, as indeed I myself sometimes do, but given I think 'under threat' is an exaggeration you can imagine what I think about 'dead'.
I'm not one of those 'one way merchants' you (rightly) complain about btw. I simply do not believe in untrammelled free speech. I think it's a bad thing. If you want my honest opinion I reckon that fulminating about free speech being under mortal threat here in the UK is mainly just virtue-signalling by rather precious 'muscular liberal' types who don't have enough to worry about.
Personslly I don't think it's a tricky area at all. There have long been laws coverng incitement, endangerment and libel/slander. Apart from that (and I believe even some of those are too strict), I don't believe we should have any laws curtailing free speech. I certainly don't believe anyone has the right to be protected from being offended, nor should people be protected from views they might not like..
There have been a number of posters on PB who have held views I find thoroughly offensive - beating up grannies for daring to vote is one that immediately springs to mind - but I would never call for them to be banned or prevented from expressing their opinion. People have the absolute right to be twats and to be seen to be twats.
It's an area which can occasionally get slightly complicated in niche cases, but it is not as complicated as people act like it is.
In any case we should all be much more willing to risk acting like twats ourselves, and accept that others can act like twats.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
As a child, I was rather shocked when a classmate left, being sent to Boarding School. At the time Boarding School and Borstal were the same in my understanding of the world.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
We need to discuss gardening more. Especially winter gardening and winter plants.
This post is in no way influenced by the fact that I have received more spring bulbs to plant, the ground is covered in hard frost, I have an appalling chest cough and am far too weak to use pick axes to make space for said spring bulbs.
Sorry to hear that. I have twelve very healthy winter lettuces in the greenhouse. Our Christmas guests have no inkling of the festive treat awaiting them.
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
As a child, I was rather shocked when a classmate left, being sent to Boarding School. At the time Boarding School and Borstal were the same in my understanding of the world.
I suppose for some Californians boarding school could evoke sunlit days doing stunts on the half pipe, or gliding down the slopes above Tahoe.
My eldest neither went to Grammar or Boarding School, but became a professional snowboarder in Chamonix, Tahoe and was guest celebrity snowboarder at Whistler
We need to discuss gardening more. Especially winter gardening and winter plants.
This post is in no way influenced by the fact that I have received more spring bulbs to plant, the ground is covered in hard frost, I have an appalling chest cough and am far too weak to use pick axes to make space for said spring bulbs.
I'm in same boat. Got a few bulbs to get in and ground top hard this week.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Argentina otoh is about to exploit oodles of shale gas, from what I read …plus a bonanza in lithium mining. What with closing down 16 government departments and dollarization to boot, this is one to contrast and campare with Venezuela
Two SNP politicians allegedly had an affair during lockdown after intimate text messages were reportedly uncovered on a mobile phone.
The secret relationship is said to have carried on during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the SNP forced the rest of the country to stay at home under tough lockdown restrictions.
The devastated spouse of one of the politicians told the Scottish Daily Mail that the clandestine trysts had “wrecked” his marriage. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
It echoed Matt Hancock, the former UK health secretary, whose affair with an aide in the same year resulted in him being forced to quit for breaking Covid rules.
The heartbroken husband also said the betrayal was made even worse after he was warned that he could not make any details public. He said he was left feeling afraid for his own and his family’s safety if he opened up about the alleged affair.
Tryst, like bonk, romp and racy seem to be words only used by prurient journalists.
It doesn't seem all that long ago when murdered bodies were frequently found in places 'often used by courting couples', a term never even in those more euphemistic days used in any other context.
Romp is a classic of the genre. Three-in-a-bed-romp being a particularly regular one. See also sex-pest, Britons, fury at, (police) quiz, fears grow for.
My favourite is that great British euphemism "helping police with their enquiries".
As a child whenever I heard “a man is helping police with their enquiries” I would just think how nice that man must be and why don’t more people help the police with their enquiries. I pictured a Poirot or Miss Marple or preferably Shaggy from Scooby Doo . Naive child I was.
Like the image I had whenever anyone was remanded in custody. Like a 19th century cannibal cauldron picture but with custard.
I similarly have visions of Rik Mayall wearing custardy pants in Bottom. And, come to think of it, around the bottom.
I'm always amused by the term 'custody suite', which I inevitably interpret as 'custardy sweet'.
On the subject of Bottom, I elected to wear a tie to work on Wednesday (not an attempt to be smart, more frustration that without one my collar sits weirdly.) I'm very long sighted, and wear glasses for computing, but in a meeting room with my reading glasses on the main screen is slightly blurred. I was dismayed to find that with suit, tie, glasses and my close-croppes thinning hair, to my blurry eyes I look indiatinguishable from Eddie Hitler.
I've just read through every story I can find linked now on their news website about Gaza, and the word isn't used once
They use "armed Palestinian groups" and "gunmen" to describe the genocidal savages who rampaged through Israel less than two months ago
Eta - they don't even bother with the "UK government designated" shit anymore
Only when it suits them. They used the term only a few weeks in a non Palestinian context. There were also claims they never used to use the term with regard to the IRA but a few minutes search proved this was rubbish.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Sometimes regimes in trouble decide on a foreign invasion to rally the populace. Hopefully, if Guyana gets some support then this could be the end of the Maduro regime.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Guyana should annex ALL the Guianas into one state: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Amapa State (Brazil), plus the eastern provinces of Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar and Delta Amacuro!
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
“I mean, the way I see it, it really doesn’t make sense to embark on *ANY* hard problem work rn that has longer than 1-2 year expected completion horizon.”
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Guyana should annex ALL the Guianas into one state: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Amapa State (Brazil), plus the eastern provinces of Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar and Delta Amacuro!
One of the really sad bits about Venezuela is that Chavez and Co mucked up the extraction structure.
They had some oil that was cheap and easy to get out. They had lots of oil that was hard to extract and refine. The usual plan, in that circumstance was to use the cheap oil to find the investment to work the other fields. This is what previous Venezuelan governments did.
Chavez demanded an a massive reduction in the investment and maximum production from the cheap fields. They ended up injecting water into the fields to push more oil out, faster, IIRC. Which ended up wrecking the geology as well.
When oil professionals wouldn’t go along with this, they got fired. I presume the people mentioned above were in that category.
So they have no cheap production to fund the other fields. No one will invest the money in a country where they’ve expropriated all foreign investments. And even if they get the oil out of the ground, it can only be refined at a small number of refineries - mostly in the US…
So even if the idiots are got rid off, the Venezuelan oil industry is fucked. Which is why they are looking at the neighbours…
Suriname was one half of the greatest trade in history. The British gave it to the Dutch in return for New Amsterdam… which they promptly renamed New York.
Thames Water owners pile group with debt Shareholders structured a £500mn cash injection as a loan charging 8% interest ... ... The utility is now under close watch by the government, which is on standby for a temporary nationalisation in case it collapses. It is also seeking approval from Ofwat to be allowed to increase customer bills by around 40 per cent — before inflation — by 2030. https://www.ft.com/content/4b901734-4ca3-4d02-b51c-ce76c74754fa (£££)
So much for shareholder investment. Debt up £3 billion in 18 months if I've read it right. Thames Water supplies a quarter of the population of England.
Same con they've been playing for decades. The 'investment' in infrastructure is charged to the customers and shareholders/bondholders rape the company.
It’s just a shareholder loan. Subordinated to other debt. Like equity except tax deductible (which irritates) and easier to take out of the company than traditional equity (which I don’t care about)
“MIRI doesn’t do 401(k) matching, because, a spokesperson explains, they believe that AI will be “so disruptive to humanity’s future—for worse or for better—that the notion of traditional retirement planning is moot.””
And also on-topic, and for a laugh, here are the questions in Sunday's referendum:
"Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
"Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"
A nicely unbiased set of questions there...
A war of territorial conquest in South America just seems very anachronistic. I suppose they’ve been looking on as their ally Putin gets away with it in Europe. That’s the trouble with allowing precedents.
It is a bit obviously 'we need a distraction after years of authoritarian, incompetent, corrupt behaviour'.
Suriname was one half of the greatest trade in history. The British gave it to the Dutch in return for New Amsterdam… which they promptly renamed New York.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
It's hilarious.
Mitch - quizzed on consciousness and what is intelligence - starts on about how philosophers in ivory towers are threatened by LLM modelling. He returns time and time again to the idea that as the machine can predict the next word it must be thought of as possibly conscious.
The idea that a country where Test Match Cricket is played might be invaded by Venezuela is just not acceptable. This should be made clear to the Maduro regime.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Oil is a curse for second and third world countries. (Slap on the wrist for using outdated language).
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
Thank you both, Cyclefree and Josias, but hopefully we can get the Post Office scandal and the Guyana crisis out of the way soon, and the site can return to discussing Leon's holidays.
Other recurring topics in the PB canon:
- Brexit - Polls - Trump - Should we bring back Boris - Immigration - FPTP vs PR - Renewable energy and EVs - Woke - Scottish independence - Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning - Cricket - The iniquities of private schools - Public transport vs driving - Trans
The idea that a country where Test Match Cricket is played might be invaded by Venezuela is just not acceptable.
Venezuela does have a cricket team though, they played in the South American Cricket Championship, but they don't seem to be good enough to have their own Wikipedia page
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Oil is a curse for second and third world countries. (Slap on the wrist for using outdated language).
Some call it the Devils Piss.
Other suggest that Israel is proof that the Jews are Gods Chosen People. Because he chose not to give them oil.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
We are assuming that "Leon" is a real human. I have this image of a small box with a blue LED line sine-waving up and down whilst the words "BRACE" appears on the screen...
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
The Q* thing is - for the moment - a distraction. According to various people I've spoken to who are involved. See also the AES192 decryption gossip.
There are other much more interesting developments going on while the wizard sits behind the curtains.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
What a load of sentimental shite
They'll expertly produce that too, as well was what looks like work produced by frail, mortal, creative humans.
The sad thing about the Venezuela/Guyana stuiation is that even if Venezuela were to control Guyana and its oil reserves, it still wouldn't make them any better off or richer either as a country or citizens.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Oil is a curse for second and third world countries. (Slap on the wrist for using outdated language).
Some call it the Devils Piss.
Other suggest that Israel is proof that the Jews are Gods Chosen People. Because he chose not to give them oil.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
We are assuming that "Leon" is a real human. I have this image of a small box with a blue LED line sine-waving up and down whilst the words "BRACE" appears on the screen...
@Leon is super AI with built-in wanderlust module.
Talking of which, why doesn't this General AI/world destroying tech want to get drunk?
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
What a load of sentimental shite
I never said art was for everyone. Just that I'm surprised you are one of the other lot.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
We are assuming that "Leon" is a real human. I have this image of a small box with a blue LED line sine-waving up and down whilst the words "BRACE" appears on the screen...
Picture: A brain in a bottle with a faded label marked in teletype "Leon". Once in a while a faint pulse is detected and recorded. Of passing interest to a jaded researcher who was a child when the last edition of The Spectator was published around 2026.
Just discovered that it's impossible to drive from Panama to Colombia. All attempts at building a road have failed, due to it being one of the rainiest places on the planet.
"Darien Gap is a lethal break in the Pan-American Highway
Darien Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway with a length of 60 miles (96 km) without roads. It makes that overland travel across Central America is pretty much impossible. This gap has been successfully crossed a handful of times -usually by expeditions equipped with off-road vehicles and staffed by special forces types, a near-impenetrable jungle that guerrilla fighters and drug runners call home."
Just discovered that it's impossible to drive from Panama to Colombia. All attempts at building a road have failed, due to it being one of the rainiest places on the planet.
"Darien Gap is a lethal break in the Pan-American Highway
Darien Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway with a length of 60 miles (96 km) without roads. It makes that overland travel across Central America is pretty much impossible. This gap has been successfully crossed a handful of times -usually by expeditions equipped with off-road vehicles and staffed by special forces types, a near-impenetrable jungle that guerrilla fighters and drug runners call home."
I seem to remember that the canal itself was a bit troubled due to climate change, ontop of everything else.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
We are assuming that "Leon" is a real human. I have this image of a small box with a blue LED line sine-waving up and down whilst the words "BRACE" appears on the screen...
@Leon is super AI with built-in wanderlust module.
Talking of which, why doesn't this General AI/world destroying tech want to get drunk?
Discuss.
Maybe Mozart didn't really exist. Instead he was created by an AI robot who also invented a time machine.
Let’s see if in 36 months’ time AI written novels dominate, or even feature in, the UK bestsellers list.
Happy to wager that they won’t.
Musk can’t even get Twix to work - despite the fact that it was working just fine before he bought it.
Perhaps he should concentrate on his own computing problems before claiming robots will in short order put giants of modern English literature like Tom Knox out of business.
Elon Musk: We're less than 3 years from AGI, AI that "writes novels as good as JK Rowling, discovers new physics, invents new technology
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
Nope.
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
“This is it. This is the singularity”
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
Of all people I would have thought you would be one of the first to appreciate the difference between prose generated by AI and prose generated by frail, mortal, imperfect, infinitely creative humans.
We are assuming that "Leon" is a real human. I have this image of a small box with a blue LED line sine-waving up and down whilst the words "BRACE" appears on the screen...
Just discovered that it's impossible to drive from Panama to Colombia. All attempts at building a road have failed, due to it being one of the rainiest places on the planet.
"Darien Gap is a lethal break in the Pan-American Highway
Darien Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway with a length of 60 miles (96 km) without roads. It makes that overland travel across Central America is pretty much impossible. This gap has been successfully crossed a handful of times -usually by expeditions equipped with off-road vehicles and staffed by special forces types, a near-impenetrable jungle that guerrilla fighters and drug runners call home."
Yeah man the Darien Gap - a genuine watershed between continents. Knocks the Bosporus and Straight of Gibraltar into a cocked hat.
Comments
The 'investment' in infrastructure is charged to the customers and shareholders/bondholders rape the company.
"Update: Venezuela: Venezuela Defense Minister VP Lopez says his country is against Guyana's imperialism and the military is ready to intervene. Clearly, we are getting closer to a conflict in Latin America."
https://twitter.com/EndGameWW3/status/1730632826234585411
I am slightly surprised that Guyana could be accused of 'imperialism' ...
Also on-topic, and from a (slightly) better source:
"The United Nations’ top court has warned Venezuela to stop any action that would alter Guyana’s control over a disputed territory, days ahead of a planned referendum over the territory.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday told the Latin American country to “refrain from taking any action which would modify that situation that currently prevails” in the Essequibo region that makes up some two-thirds of Guyana."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/1/uns-top-court-bars-venezuela-from-action-in-guyana-border-dispute
"Do you agree to reject by all means in accordance with the law, the line fraudulently interposed by the 1899 Paris Arbitration Award, which seeks to deprive us of our Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you support the 1966 Geneva Agreement as the only valid legal instrument to reach a practical and satisfactory solution for Venezuela and Guyana regarding the controversy over the territory of Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree with Venezuela's historical position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over Guayana Esequiba?"
"Do you agree to oppose, by all legal means, Guyana's claim to unilaterally dispose of a sea pending delimitation, illegally and in violation of international law?"
"Do you agree with the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state and the development of an accelerated plan for comprehensive care for the current and future population of that territory, which includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and identity card? Venezuela, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and International Law, consequently incorporating said state on the map of Venezuelan territory?"
A nicely unbiased set of questions there...
- Brexit
- Polls
- Trump
- Should we bring back Boris
- Immigration
- FPTP vs PR
- Renewable energy and EVs
- Woke
- Scottish independence
- Ukraine is losing / Ukraine is winning
- Cricket
- The iniquities of private schools
- Public transport vs driving
- Trans
Knitting patterns
The war of the Spanish Succession
Heraclius the Elder
Sheds
Kant's first critique
The problem of induction
How life began
Free will
Versions of Monophysitism
The war in Sudan
Wallace Stevens
Eating cats
Trolley buses
Fly fishing in Mongolia
Mesdames et messieurs, le disc jockey Sash est de retour.
Though we may disagree which half.
Georgism
Cliodynamics
Eurocommunism
Technofeudalism and neofeudalism
Categorising political parties (not left wing or right wing, but types of parties)
Periodicity vs gradualism
We need to discuss gardening more. Especially winter gardening and winter plants.
This post is in no way influenced by the fact that I have received more spring bulbs to plant, the ground is covered in hard frost, I have an appalling chest cough and am far too weak to use pick axes to make space for said spring bulbs.
Pipe laying as a theme in Albanian poetry
The history of tea warming
Anyway, time for the pre-bed 90s dance medley to get me in the mood for sleep, including course insomnia by Faithless but beginning with N-Trance Set You Free.
Joint greatest thunderstorm sound effect in a pop song along with We Walk by REM.
Best actual geographically-correct storm evocation in a pop song though is Sometimes by James.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yDQXCcAJ4aw
Lavrov claimed that initial agreements with Ukraine were reached in late March in Istanbul, following negotiations.
However, the situation changed after Boris Johnson's visit.
"Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came and said, 'let's fight a little more.' NATO and the European Union say that we are obliged to support Ukraine," Lavrov stated.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/lavrov-declares-boris-johnson-is-to-blame-for-ongoing-war/ar-AA1kR9Pe?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=4efdfa6ca54b47658aad060b964afdcb&ei=11 It's an area which can occasionally get slightly complicated in niche cases, but it is not as complicated as people act like it is.
In any case we should all be much more willing to risk acting like twats ourselves, and accept that others can act like twats.
Venezuela already has the largest oil reserves in the world. They should be pretty much on eof the the richest countries on earth per capita. But they cannot exploit any of this wealth. This is because when Chavez came to power and Nationalised all the oil fields, he went much further and banned anyone who had previously worked for any of the privatised oil companies from working in the Oil industry in the country. So they all left. I was actually having dinner with a couple of them who are old friends of mine on Tuesday night in Aberdeen. They are still barred from working in their own country with the result that, at least until the Chevron deal earlier this year, there is simply no knowledge in Venezuela of how to exploit the vast wealth they have beneath their feet.
So whatever happens with Guyana, Venezuela will continue to be tragically poor, corrupt and backward.
Slowly, finally, the pandemic fades into history.
I've just read through every story I can find linked now on their news website about Gaza, and the word isn't used once
They use "armed Palestinian groups" and "gunmen" to describe the genocidal savages who rampaged through Israel less than two months ago
Eta - they don't even bother with the "UK government designated" shit anymore
On the subject of Bottom, I elected to wear a tie to work on Wednesday (not an attempt to be smart, more frustration that without one my collar sits weirdly.) I'm very long sighted, and wear glasses for computing, but in a meeting room with my reading glasses on the main screen is slightly blurred. I was dismayed to find that with suit, tie, glasses and my close-croppes thinning hair, to my blurry eyes I look indiatinguishable from Eddie Hitler.
If this is true - LESS THAN THREE YEARS - then that calls for a proper
BRACE
I am challenged publishing the results, I will think about it more this weekend.
But at the very least wanted to show you the fear that is out there, even in AI mode“
https://x.com/brianroemmele/status/1730678282306371868?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw
Let me know when it can do Kafka or Conrad or Beowulf.
The AI Panic Years are becoming hilarious.
Whatever we do end up getting, whatever it gets called, will be very disruptive.
Beacause it is the only country in South America to have a Test cricket ground.
#OpenAI's new #Q* algorithm is reportedly so powerful "its scaring researchers". Is this beginning of the #Singularity? Mitch Randall discusses OpenAI & the Singularity. FULL INTERVIEW: youtu.be/yW70P3x06e0
#ChatGPT #AI #AGI #artificialintelligence #tech #technology
Enough very well informed people are now ringing the klaxons for us, at the least, to be concerned. Dismissing it like you do as “hilarious” is simply inane
https://x.com/tunguz/status/1730018980889252316?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw
They had some oil that was cheap and easy to get out. They had lots of oil that was hard to extract and refine. The usual plan, in that circumstance was to use the cheap oil to find the investment to work the other fields. This is what previous Venezuelan governments did.
Chavez demanded an a massive reduction in the investment and maximum production from the cheap fields. They ended up injecting water into the fields to push more oil out, faster, IIRC. Which ended up wrecking the geology as well.
When oil professionals wouldn’t go along with this, they got fired. I presume the people mentioned above were in that category.
So they have no cheap production to fund the other fields. No one will invest the money in a country where they’ve expropriated all foreign investments. And even if they get the oil out of the ground, it can only be refined at a small number of refineries - mostly in the US…
So even if the idiots are got rid off, the Venezuelan oil industry is fucked. Which is why they are looking at the neighbours…
Suriname was one half of the greatest trade in history. The British gave it to the Dutch in return for New Amsterdam… which they promptly renamed New York.
https://x.com/shorttimelines/status/1730352007633129876?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw
But great literature it is not, and AI producing copies of it shouldn't worry us overly.
Mitch - quizzed on consciousness and what is intelligence - starts on about how philosophers in ivory towers are threatened by LLM modelling. He returns time and time again to the idea that as the machine can predict the next word it must be thought of as possibly conscious.
I'm not saying AI 'consciousness' might happen.
But this isn't it.
Everyone needs to calm down.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omid_Scobie
Other suggest that Israel is proof that the Jews are Gods Chosen People. Because he chose not to give them oil.
Lost my virginity to a chick from Suriname.
She was lovely in every way.
Hope she's well and happy.
There are other much more interesting developments going on while the wizard sits behind the curtains.
Talking of which, why doesn't this General AI/world destroying tech want to get drunk?
Discuss.
Thought not.
https://www.dangerousroads.org/south-america/colombia/79-darien-gap-colombia.html
"Darien Gap is a lethal break in the Pan-American Highway
Darien Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway with a length of 60 miles (96 km) without roads. It makes that overland travel across Central America is pretty much impossible. This gap has been successfully crossed a handful of times -usually by expeditions equipped with off-road vehicles and staffed by special forces types, a near-impenetrable jungle that guerrilla fighters and drug runners call home."
Happy to wager that they won’t.
Musk can’t even get Twix to work - despite the fact that it was working just fine before he bought it.
Perhaps he should concentrate on his own computing problems before claiming robots will in short order put giants of modern English literature like Tom Knox out of business.
THERE IS ANOTHER SYSTEM. BRACEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok1suEMJFTI