LOL at Cuckerberg trying to lick Trump’s arse on Rogan.
He blows with the wind, and is so obviously losing market share to X because of the censorship, but people aren’t going to forget that he was the one who rolled over to the administration. Twitter was reborn only because of a change of management, Zuck thinks he can rebirth F***book while he stays in charge.
I agree with the first part: Zuckerberg is clearly trying to lick Trump's ass.
But is there any evidence X is gaining market share?
Certainly in terms of what people are talking about. Breaking news is now all on X.
When was the last time anyone mentioned Meta properties to each other or on the news, apart from everyone roundly mocking Mrs Sussex the other week?
No-one is talking positively on or about any of Zuck’s businesses, although I’m sure he’s happy that his Chinese rival is about to get nixed in the US. I assume part of his arselicking of Trump is to make sure that ban survives the change in administration.
I'm not sure the facts fit that: Instagram advertising revenues are up about 35% you, while Twitter/X is down. Now, some of that is because Twitter has rubbish attribution, but I think it's hard to argue Twitter is thriving.
Twitter seems to be getting better. My ads are no longer crypto scams but see, to be predominantly local restaurants, bakeries, food, hotels etc etc.
Talking of international colleagues, I was talking to Canadians today. They’re all in the “wtf?” zone.
Too right!
I mean how can Canada become the "51st State" when they comprise 10 Provinces and 3 Territories? They'd be the 51st through 63rd States!
I imagine at least 8 of those states, and maybe all of them, would be safe for the Democrats, making a Republican Senate a pipedream (though Alberta and Manitoba might be competitive) and upsetting the balance in the idiotic electoral college.
Not sure Trump has really thought this through.
In fact, of course I'm sure he hasn't.
It's providence. You don't worry about trivialities like short-term partisan advantage. Adding Canada would be historic and its current political alignment wouldn't mean much after joining the union.
I still don't think Trump remotely wants to colonise Canada. But if he does, there is a sort of naivety to the concept. Colonising is (as I have said many times) really a sign of weakness. If you're really powerful, you get whatever you want without planting the flag, garrisoning the territory, and becoming responsible for the welfare of the natives. Canada has no real independence from the States, so why, as Sunil says, give them *more* rights within the American system than they currently have?
Do you think it was a mistake for England to have a union with Scotland?
There's a difference between an Anglo-Caledonian union based on consent and a US-Canada union based on threat.
We're bought and sold for English gold Such a parcel of rogues in a nation
Refers to the collapse of a nations finances due to overarching investment (sic) in overseas expansion. Left the country in such debt, there was little choice but to 'unionise'. Religious politics played a part too. Somethings never change.
Odd fact. Even after 400 years of progress you still can't get through the Darien Gap. There is a 66 mile break in the Pan American highway at this point. We can get to the moon or even Mars, but Darien is beyond us. Such is the foolhardiness of the bankers.
Perhaps Trump needs a new Navigation Act, only US built trains, ships, planes and 18 wheelers to move elk hides or whatever from Canada to US.
On checking I was mildly surprised to see Canada exported $45b plus vehicles to the US in 2023, seems a handy chunk.
The Jones Act (1920) mandates US flagged (also US owned and manned by US Citizens) ships for goods that are moved from one US port to another.
Thanks all for your replies. Cinnamon deteriorated overnight and had to be put down so I have been stood down. This has been a hell of a January for us. The hits just keep coming.
So sorry to hear that
My wife fostered cats when we were younger and at one time we had 14
Each one of our cats deaths was so upsetting but at least they were loved and cherished and gave us so much
Best wishes
Lost one of our dogs the other day. Shaken to death by a neighbour's Staffie in front of us with the owner unable to control it. Our other dog is looking lost without its kennel mate. We'd like to be angry at the lack of thought by the neighbour but you can't let anger define you.
For those that like cats but fear the cost and them dying. Robot pets.
Thanks all for your replies. Cinnamon deteriorated overnight and had to be put down so I have been stood down. This has been a hell of a January for us. The hits just keep coming.
So sorry to hear that
My wife fostered cats when we were younger and at one time we had 14
Each one of our cats deaths was so upsetting but at least they were loved and cherished and gave us so much
Best wishes
Lost one of our dogs the other day. Shaken to death by a neighbour's Staffie in front of us with the owner unable to control it. Our other dog is looking lost without its kennel mate. We'd like to be angry at the lack of thought by the neighbour but you can't let anger define you.
For those that like cats but fear the cost and them dying. Robot pets.
Morning all. We are in full cat crisis mode with my daughter's cat apparently having a tumour on its heart. A night in cat hospital (estimated cost £700!!) and an early pick up means no long lie for dad. Hey ho.
The cost of vets bills is mind bending. An ultrascan cost £200 last night. They obviously have the capital cost of the equipment but that must produce an astonishing profit margin.
Was it always like this or has inflation really taken off in pet land?
I have always found our vet bills reasonable, but it is a small local independent.
The problem is that private equity firms are buying up smaller vets, exploiting the workers and ramping up profits.
Talking of international colleagues, I was talking to Canadians today. They’re all in the “wtf?” zone.
Too right!
I mean how can Canada become the "51st State" when they comprise 10 Provinces and 3 Territories? They'd be the 51st through 63rd States!
I imagine at least 8 of those states, and maybe all of them, would be safe for the Democrats, making a Republican Senate a pipedream (though Alberta and Manitoba might be competitive) and upsetting the balance in the idiotic electoral college.
Not sure Trump has really thought this through.
In fact, of course I'm sure he hasn't.
It's providence. You don't worry about trivialities like short-term partisan advantage. Adding Canada would be historic and its current political alignment wouldn't mean much after joining the union.
I still don't think Trump remotely wants to colonise Canada. But if he does, there is a sort of naivety to the concept. Colonising is (as I have said many times) really a sign of weakness. If you're really powerful, you get whatever you want without planting the flag, garrisoning the territory, and becoming responsible for the welfare of the natives. Canada has no real independence from the States, so why, as Sunil says, give them *more* rights within the American system than they currently have?
Do you think it was a mistake for England to have a union with Scotland?
There's a difference between an Anglo-Caledonian union based on consent and a US-Canada union based on threat.
We're bought and sold for English gold Such a parcel of rogues in a nation
Refers to the collapse of a nations finances due to overarching investment (sic) in overseas expansion. Left the country in such debt, there was little choice but to 'unionise'. Religious politics played a part too. Somethings never change.
Odd fact. Even after 400 years of progress you still can't get through the Darien Gap. There is a 66 mile break in the Pan American highway at this point. We can get to the moon or even Mars, but Darien is beyond us. Such is the foolhardiness of the bankers.
Perhaps Trump needs a new Navigation Act, only US built trains, ships, planes and 18 wheelers to move elk hides or whatever from Canada to US.
On checking I was mildly surprised to see Canada exported $45b plus vehicles to the US in 2023, seems a handy chunk.
The Jones Act (1920) mandates US flagged (also US owned and manned by US Citizens) ships for goods that are moved from one US port to another.
It also mandates USA-flagged ships be built in the USA. I watched a vid which argued that this was a big problem for USA ports wrt turnaround times and efficiency using the World Bank's annual Container Port Performance Index
He talks about the largest container ships not going to the USA (basically it's China ... Suze ,,, Europe), and about the Panama Canal. I'm about 80% convinced.
Comments
NEW THREAD
Quite a change in 12 months.
For those that like cats but fear the cost and them dying. Robot pets.
He talks about the largest container ships not going to the USA (basically it's China ... Suze ,,, Europe), and about the Panama Canal. I'm about 80% convinced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwD7aZcxKvc
I knew about rules around cabotage, the USA not being free trade in practice, and the interesting features around control of ports - including the authorities needing to engage the Mafia in NY in WW in Operation Underworld since they controlled the port.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Underworld#:~:text=Operation Underworld was the United,vital war supplies and equipment.
problems so they are decades behind everyone else in investment in infra.