So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
For decades, the junk food industry has deliberately engineered foods to be addictive. Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs have helped people break free from this cycle. In response, the industry is now searching for ways to counteract the effects of these medications, aiming to design foods that remain addictive even for those on GLP-1.
Wild but true. Fascinating piece in NYTimes Magazine.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
That may be the defining political feature of our times.
On your first point, it also drives a fluidity and internationalism amongst elites within nations, as they empathise more with their kind elsewhere, and have more career options open to them at that level, worldwide.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my dad. Not wide awake screaming in terror, like his passengers.
And I was trying to get ChatGPT to explain the joke. It seemed to understand that there had been an accident. So I asked
- What caused the accident?
- Ah, I see what you're getting at! The joke doesn't go into the specifics of why the accident happened—it's more about the ironic twist of the dad’s peaceful death versus the terror of his passengers. The humor doesn't rely on the cause of the accident itself, but rather the stark contrast between the peaceful, quiet death of the dad (in his sleep, supposedly) and the chaotic, terrifying experience of his passengers.
Since it’s dark humor, it’s meant to leave some things vague and focus more on the shocking punchline. The joke’s structure relies on making an uncomfortable connection between death, driving, and the unexpected nature of the dad's passing. It’s not meant to be taken literally or too seriously—just a play on the contrast between different ways people can go out.
Does that make sense, or do you want to dive deeper into the logic of the joke?
So it doesn't really get it. It has got a lot better since ChatGPT 3, which completely failed to understand the joke
Did you hear about the potato farmer who won the nobel prize for being outstanding in his field?
ChatGPT 4 manages to explain it: Haha, that’s a classic! It’s a clever pun. The phrase "outstanding in his field" is usually a metaphor for someone excelling in their profession, but in this case, it’s taken literally—because he’s a potato farmer, so he’s literally standing out in a field of potatoes.
The joke is a great example of a play on words, and it’s lighthearted and punny. I like it! Got any more?
I hate how chummy it is.
Better get used to it....I can see lots of companies going the Klarna route and you having to talk to the overly friendly and positive bots for any sort of customer service.
Johnny Cabs in Total Recall have now sprung to mind.
"We hope you enjoyed the ride!" [bursts into flames]
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
They do no know what it is, because we haven't had any for proper growth (per capita) for nearly 20 years, in fat been going backwards.
For decades, the junk food industry has deliberately engineered foods to be addictive. Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs have helped people break free from this cycle. In response, the industry is now searching for ways to counteract the effects of these medications, aiming to design foods that remain addictive even for those on GLP-1.
Wild but true. Fascinating piece in NYTimes Magazine.
I read that. Governments should go after these food companies the way they go after tobacco companies - but harder
Biden showed Labour exactly what happens when you keep saying all the numbers are good folks but the little guys think eggs are still too pricey.
A lesson Labour have forgotten, as it was their own relentless messaging that everything was terrible post ERM-debacle right up to 1997 that allowed them to spring a New Labour dawn on everyone simply by carrying on with what the Tories were doing.
Of course, they've come along in the middle of the "shitshow" phase, rather than the end of it, so it is rather difficult to surprise on the upside right now. Especially if you are broadly incompetent (at least at the "policy-and-politics" end of things).
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
Quite a few on this board, and indeed in the government including CotE, don't know what they are talking about wrt "growth". It is certainly not to do with quarterly or even annual fluctuations in GDP. The conjunctural state of the economy has nothing to do with growth, which is entirely the result of technological progress. And, by the way, it is barely susceptible to active policies of the government: the verb 'to grow' is not transitive in this context. The best the government can do is create a stable and predictable environment for business, get out of the way and hope for the best.
Yes obsessing over monthly or quarterly economic statistics is an imported American habit. It seems to derive from American financial markets which obsessively focus on companies' quarterly earnings figures and apply the same treatment to economic statistics.
We have imported a great many habits from our former colony, some poisonous, such as obsessive identity politics, saying "I was like" when we mean "I said" and thinking that working after a glass of wine at lunch is as evil as driving while plastered with six kids in the car, and some beneficial, such as ... well, I can't think of any, but there are probably some. But this one is definitely harmful.
I am off on a short break, Friday to Monday inclusive
So I expect a quiet few days in the world of politics/news in general
What could possibly go wrong...
OGH’s best holiday, June 2023 which saw in the space of 72 hours or so
1) The report into Partygate released recommending Boris Johnson to receive a massive suspension.
2) Three Tory MPs resigning as MPs because they were denied peerages.
3) Boris Johnson resigning as an MP.
4) Donald Trump getting charged with a federal crime.
5) Nicola Sturgeon getting arrested.
Do we have any further update on Sturgeon?
The whole business, especially the bits with Murrell and Salmond, looks very fishy.
Not yet other than the rozzers saying the scope of the investigation had to be widened beyond the original allegations when they found evidence of other potential crimes.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my dad. Not wide awake screaming in terror, like his passengers.
And I was trying to get ChatGPT to explain the joke. It seemed to understand that there had been an accident. So I asked
- What caused the accident?
- Ah, I see what you're getting at! The joke doesn't go into the specifics of why the accident happened—it's more about the ironic twist of the dad’s peaceful death versus the terror of his passengers. The humor doesn't rely on the cause of the accident itself, but rather the stark contrast between the peaceful, quiet death of the dad (in his sleep, supposedly) and the chaotic, terrifying experience of his passengers.
Since it’s dark humor, it’s meant to leave some things vague and focus more on the shocking punchline. The joke’s structure relies on making an uncomfortable connection between death, driving, and the unexpected nature of the dad's passing. It’s not meant to be taken literally or too seriously—just a play on the contrast between different ways people can go out.
Does that make sense, or do you want to dive deeper into the logic of the joke?
So it doesn't really get it. It has got a lot better since ChatGPT 3, which completely failed to understand the joke
Did you hear about the potato farmer who won the nobel prize for being outstanding in his field?
ChatGPT 4 manages to explain it: Haha, that’s a classic! It’s a clever pun. The phrase "outstanding in his field" is usually a metaphor for someone excelling in their profession, but in this case, it’s taken literally—because he’s a potato farmer, so he’s literally standing out in a field of potatoes.
The joke is a great example of a play on words, and it’s lighthearted and punny. I like it! Got any more?
People who get bad results from the latest bots are nearly always people who do not understand how to prompt
It's not a 'bad result'. It's finding out if it shows much 'understanding' of jokes.
It's 'explanation' of 'Europe who?' 'No I'm not' shows: - It doesn't 'get' jokes that small children can understand - It doesn't 'get' that it doesn't get it - It will anyway produce bullshit, that might sound plausible if you don't know better, rather than saying 'I'm not sure I get it'
Surprised I have to spell out such obvious things to the world's greatest living expert on AI.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
And if you believe that to be a good thing, is entirely consistent with not valuing growth within UK.
It’s a difficult argument to make.
Yet despite what Oxfam would have us believe, rates of absolute poverty have plummeted worldwide, over my lifetime, thanks to current trading arrangements.
When I was born, most people in the world had the living standards of a medieval peasant. In my lifetime, they’ve had the benefit of 600 years of economic development.
Also the world's population has doubled in the last 60-70 years while improving lives. So if you are Indian, Chinese or South East Asian you've never had it so good.
Juxtapose the lives in the West which have improved but we are not satisfied. Is the UK 'broken' or is the West full of grumpy old souls who want to stop the world in order to get off?
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
Industrialisation led to a trickle down in wealth.
Which would you personally prefer: 1. A third Trump term in USA 2. Another pandemic on the scale of COVID?
As you can see, I'm feeling cheery this morning!
Where is 3. Both?
Certainly not independent events. By defunding science and particularly halting information sharing on diseases of concern, Trump has definitely increased the likelihood of the next pandemic being severe.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
You said: No I'm not! ChatGPT said: Haha, that’s a good one! Classic "knock-knock" twist with the punchline that catches you off guard. You really got me with that one!
You said: Can you explain the knock knock joke? ChatGPT said: Of course! The humor in this "knock-knock" joke comes from the play on the expectation of a usual "knock-knock" setup, where the person answering would respond to the name or word that’s given.
Here’s the breakdown:
You: "Knock knock!" Me: "Who's there?" You: "Europe." Me: "Europe who?" You: "No, I’m not! (as in, I'm not Europe, you're saying something unexpected instead of just completing the name or word)** The punchline turns the classic "who’s there?" interaction into a surprise response, where instead of continuing with the word, you cleverly turn it into a question of misunderstanding. It’s like you're playing on the idea that I might have misunderstood your "Europe" as you saying you are Europe.
It’s a funny little twist on the classic formula!
Got any other jokes with that kind of twist?
My current test is "calculate the centroid of the Munros". Copilot almost manages it.
I tend to use mine for coding questions. So far it seems to have managed although it frequently suggest solutions that are fictional
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
Industrialisation led to a trickle down in wealth.
Globalisation led to a trickle out in wealth.
Industrialisation was coupled with globalization right from the start, aka the British Empire. The slave trade created capital and raw materials for industrialisation. Conquests in Asia and Africa created markets for British goods. Capitalism generally creates the trickle up of wealth - the British working class were still living in slums, living off bread and butter and dying in squalor a hundred years or more after the start of the industrial revolution.
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
I asked it for an original joke that I won't have heard before, and it came up with
"Why don’t clouds ever make good comedians?
Because their jokes are always too overcast for anyone to catch!"
I'm not sure if this is original, but I don't think it counts as good.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
That may be the defining political feature of our times.
On your first point, it also drives a fluidity and internationalism amongst elites within nations, as they empathise more with their kind elsewhere, and have more career options open to them at that level, worldwide.
Which would certainly have been a feature of the world pre-1800. Elites did see themselves as having more in common with each other than with their own peasants. It’s how multi-national Realms and empires could function, and how, for example, the directors of the East India Company could socialise so easily with the Indian nobility.
Industrialisation, nationalism, and democracy, all went hand in hand.
I am off on a short break, Friday to Monday inclusive
So I expect a quiet few days in the world of politics/news in general
What could possibly go wrong...
OGH’s best holiday, June 2023 which saw in the space of 72 hours or so
1) The report into Partygate released recommending Boris Johnson to receive a massive suspension.
2) Three Tory MPs resigning as MPs because they were denied peerages.
3) Boris Johnson resigning as an MP.
4) Donald Trump getting charged with a federal crime.
5) Nicola Sturgeon getting arrested.
Do we have any further update on Sturgeon?
The whole business, especially the bits with Murrell and Salmond, looks very fishy.
Not yet other than the rozzers saying the scope of the investigation had to be widened beyond the original allegations when they found evidence of other potential crimes.
Bit out of date. Though there's still a bit of arcane augury and delving around in chicken entrails needed to make the forecast, depending on one's interpretation.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
The various 'hallucinations' are, I think, indication of a Sahara-dry sense of humour
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
Depends how you define “joke”
If you mean “lines intended to be amusing which successfully make you laugh” then Yes, definitely. I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ve also read jokes supposedly made by AI which are definitely funny - but I cannot say if they are pukka
A joke is an algorithm. Everything is an algorithm.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
They do no know what it is, because we haven't had any for proper growth (per capita) for nearly 20 years, in fat been going backwards.
Yet its easy to identify groups that are now better placed economically than they were then.
The 1% and oldies obviously.
But as I've mentioned before there probably never been a better time to be young, working class and male in much of northern England - job opportunities for life, good pay and affordable housing.
So if the country as a whole hasn't prospered but some groups have it means that other groups have gone backwards both in actual and even more so relative terms.
Including I suspect large parts of the younger middle class in southern England.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
And if you believe that to be a good thing, is entirely consistent with not valuing growth within UK.
It’s a difficult argument to make.
Yet despite what Oxfam would have us believe, rates of absolute poverty have plummeted worldwide, over my lifetime, thanks to current trading arrangements.
When I was born, most people in the world had the living standards of a medieval peasant. In my lifetime, they’ve had the benefit of 600 years of economic development.
Also the world's population has doubled in the last 60-70 years while improving lives. So if you are Indian, Chinese or South East Asian you've never had it so good.
Juxtapose the lives in the West which have improved but we are not satisfied. Is the UK 'broken' or is the West full of grumpy old souls who want to stop the world in order to get off?
More of the latter than the former.
The best time to be born, for most people, was yesterday.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Depends how far back you go. The stone age no doubt had terrible housing, but not the rest.
Sam Ashworth-Hayes @SAshworthHayes Of note: the judge declared there was "no evidence" of a "deliberate decision" of government or parliament not to have set up a comparable resettlement scheme for Gaza. Absence of action is apparently not enough!
Is there not an opportunity for the West to offer asylum to them all? Wouldn't that solve the problem for everyone?
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
Depends how you define “joke”
If you mean “lines intended to be amusing which successfully make you laugh” then Yes, definitely. I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ve also read jokes supposedly made by AI which are definitely funny - but I cannot say if they are pukka
A joke is an algorithm. Everything is an algorithm.
"Everything is an algorithm."
Care to explain your thinking behind this statement?
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Depends how far back you go. The stone age no doubt had terrible housing, but not the rest.
I am off on a short break, Friday to Monday inclusive
So I expect a quiet few days in the world of politics/news in general
What could possibly go wrong...
OGH’s best holiday, June 2023 which saw in the space of 72 hours or so
1) The report into Partygate released recommending Boris Johnson to receive a massive suspension.
2) Three Tory MPs resigning as MPs because they were denied peerages.
3) Boris Johnson resigning as an MP.
4) Donald Trump getting charged with a federal crime.
5) Nicola Sturgeon getting arrested.
Do we have any further update on Sturgeon?
The whole business, especially the bits with Murrell and Salmond, looks very fishy.
Not yet other than the rozzers saying the scope of the investigation had to be widened beyond the original allegations when they found evidence of other potential crimes.
Bit out of date. Though there's still a bit of arcane augury and delving around in chicken entrails needed to make the forecast, depending on one's interpretation.
I believe the current calculation is can we string it out to May 2026 without looking fckng ridiculous, though that's related to the even more ridiculous concept of Anas giving a believable impersonation of an FM in waiting till then.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
That may be the defining political feature of our times.
On your first point, it also drives a fluidity and internationalism amongst elites within nations, as they empathise more with their kind elsewhere, and have more career options open to them at that level, worldwide.
Which would certainly have been a feature of the world pre-1800. Elites did see themselves as having more in common with each other than with their own peasants. It’s how multi-national Realms and empires could function, and how, for example, the directors of the East India Company could socialise so easily with the Indian nobility.
Industrialisation, nationalism, and democracy, all went hand in hand.
Good morning, everyone.
Not just then. Knights in medieval Europe were frequently very courteous to one another regardless of nationality.
I am off on a short break, Friday to Monday inclusive
So I expect a quiet few days in the world of politics/news in general
What could possibly go wrong...
OGH’s best holiday, June 2023 which saw in the space of 72 hours or so
1) The report into Partygate released recommending Boris Johnson to receive a massive suspension.
2) Three Tory MPs resigning as MPs because they were denied peerages.
3) Boris Johnson resigning as an MP.
4) Donald Trump getting charged with a federal crime.
5) Nicola Sturgeon getting arrested.
Do we have any further update on Sturgeon?
The whole business, especially the bits with Murrell and Salmond, looks very fishy.
Not yet other than the rozzers saying the scope of the investigation had to be widened beyond the original allegations when they found evidence of other potential crimes.
Bit out of date. Though there's still a bit of arcane augury and delving around in chicken entrails needed to make the forecast, depending on one's interpretation.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Depends how far back you go. The stone age no doubt had terrible housing, but not the rest.
I remember seeing, somewhere (but forget where) an adaptation of The Road to Homo Sapiens/The March of Progress in which there are stages after 'modern man', showing the rural peasant, bent again over an agricultural tool, then the industrial peasant bent over a machine, while there's also branches off going to the erect landed gentry and, later, the mill owning class.
It seems if there’s one way to stamp the tiniest shred of humour out of a joke, it’s to ask ChatGPT to explain it.
I’ve notice that Facebook, always a platform for really terrible writing, has become absolutely infested with AI prose. It’s not improving the quality of the writing.
A joke is always ruined by explaining it. Whether you ask a computer or human
Has AI produced a joke yet? If it’s a good, original one, that might be the first evidence of a ghost in the machine.
Depends how you define “joke”
If you mean “lines intended to be amusing which successfully make you laugh” then Yes, definitely. I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ve also read jokes supposedly made by AI which are definitely funny - but I cannot say if they are pukka
A joke is an algorithm. Everything is an algorithm.
"Everything is an algorithm."
Care to explain your thinking behind this statement?
According to ChatGPT:
"The statement "Everything is an algorithm" can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the context in which it's used, but in general, it suggests that all processes, patterns, or systems—whether natural, human-made, or abstract—can be broken down into a set of rules or steps that govern them.
Here’s a deeper breakdown:
1 In the context of computing and technology: Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems. The phrase might be pointing out that much of the world, from a computational or problem-solving perspective, can be reduced to algorithms. For instance, human decision-making, or even biological processes, could theoretically be seen as a series of "steps" or decisions that follow a logical, algorithmic structure. In computing, everything from the simplest program to complex systems is built on algorithms that perform specific tasks in a predictable sequence.
2 In the context of human behavior: "Everything is an algorithm" might refer to how human actions can also be understood as following patterns or steps—whether it's how we interact with others, make decisions, or navigate through our day-to-day life. From the way we perform a routine task to how we react to certain stimuli, there may be underlying algorithms (often influenced by biology, psychology, or social conditioning) that guide these actions.
3 In the context of the natural world: Natural processes, like the way plants grow, how animals hunt, or even how the weather works, follow certain predictable patterns and rules. These processes can be described algorithmically, with natural "laws" and patterns that repeat in cycles or follow predictable sequences. For example, the process of DNA replication or the way a storm forms could be considered an algorithm in the sense that they follow a series of predictable steps governed by nature's laws.
4 Philosophical angle: Philosophically, it might point to the idea that reality itself could be seen as a grand algorithmic process, where everything from the smallest subatomic particle’s behavior to the formation of galaxies operates according to rules that can be mapped, understood, and replicated—like an algorithm. This viewpoint may align with certain interpretations of the universe, suggesting that at the deepest level, everything is reducible to systems that can be defined by sets of instructions.
In sum, the phrase reflects a perspective that much of life, and the world around us, is governed by patterns, rules, or "algorithms," whether it's the work of the mind, nature, or technology. It often invites deeper contemplation on the idea that systems, behaviors, and even life itself may be reducible to a sequence of steps or rules."
Sam Ashworth-Hayes @SAshworthHayes Of note: the judge declared there was "no evidence" of a "deliberate decision" of government or parliament not to have set up a comparable resettlement scheme for Gaza. Absence of action is apparently not enough!
Is there not an opportunity for the West to offer asylum to them all? Wouldn't that solve the problem for everyone?
Trump wants the land so Trump can take the people as well.
A New Gaza could be recreated along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
It would be interesting to see what they create compared with how the Mormons have done.
Sam Ashworth-Hayes @SAshworthHayes Of note: the judge declared there was "no evidence" of a "deliberate decision" of government or parliament not to have set up a comparable resettlement scheme for Gaza. Absence of action is apparently not enough!
Is there not an opportunity for the West to offer asylum to them all? Wouldn't that solve the problem for everyone?
John Rentoul said on LBC this morning that we need this sort of thing "so the gov't doesn't have untrammeled power". I'll be honest, I'd rather there was a bit of "untrammeled power" rather than this guff.
Ok I just asked the bot on my phone for a new joke and it replied
“I just asked my phone for a new joke, and it replied “sorry Dave I can’t do that”
Which, I submit, is simultaneously funny, meta, dark and clever. And quite unnerving
Edit to add: of course it might have sourced this from somewhere else
Nope
If you Ask Alexa to open the pod bay doors you get the same answer, so it's an unoriginal programmed response
No you’re cueing up Alexa with the pod bay doors thing. This joke emerged during ChatGPT 3o’s chain of thought. It actually rejected it - internally - as not funny enough!
Comparing Alexa to the latest bots is like comparing a lighter to a power station
Interesting that Reform voters want to tax non doms more than Conservative voters, even if less than Labour, LD and Green voters do.
Suggesting that while Reform voters are more socially conservative and anti immigration than Tory voters, they are less economically Thatcherite than Conservative voters too
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Anyone who's read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Speenhamland System in Dorset will have a very jaundiced idea of any one on PB or otherwise who seriously claims that shire society is the ideal condition of society. That is, inevitably, wish fulfilment and in reality if one were born at that time it was much more likely to be a matter of the short straw even if one survived infancy.
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
"The UK’s top project was Blackstone’s £10bn plan to build Europe’s biggest hyperscaler at Blyth, on the Northumberland coast. Data centres are now deemed “critical national infrastructure”, making it easier to bulldoze through planning obstructionism. The campus – Project Wind – will be powered mostly by North Sea wind turbines."
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Depends how far back you go. The stone age no doubt had terrible housing, but not the rest.
I remember seeing, somewhere (but forget where) an adaptation of The Road to Homo Sapiens/The March of Progress in which there are stages after 'modern man', showing the rural peasant, bent again over an agricultural tool, then the industrial peasant bent over a machine, while there's also branches off going to the erect landed gentry and, later, the mill owning class.
People do have fun with these things. I came across this recently ...
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Anyone who's read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Speenhamland System in Dorset will have a very jaundiced idea of any one on PB or otherwise who seriously claims that shire society is the ideal condition of society. That is, inevitably, wish fulfilment and in reality if one were born at that time it was much more likely to be a matter of the short straw even if one survived infancy.
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
"Terror of poverty" is most apt in the stuff I've read from that period, both fiction and non-fiction.
Less important now there is a social welfare safety net.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Anyone who's read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Speenhamland System in Dorset will have a very jaundiced idea of any one on PB or otherwise who seriously claims that shire society is the ideal condition of society. That is, inevitably, wish fulfilment and in reality if one were born at that time it was much more likely to be a matter of the short straw even if one survived infancy.
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
"Terror of poverty" is most apt in the stuff I've read from that period, both fiction and non-fiction.
Less important now there is a social welfare safety net.
Relatedly also terror of illness. Much less illness that could be treated then of course whatever social strata you belonged to, but definitely more get ill then die in the lower classes.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Anyone who's read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Speenhamland System in Dorset will have a very jaundiced idea of any one on PB or otherwise who seriously claims that shire society is the ideal condition of society. That is, inevitably, wish fulfilment and in reality if one were born at that time it was much more likely to be a matter of the short straw even if one survived infancy.
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
Yes, Mrs. Bennett and her daughters face a lifetime of living off Mr. Collins’ condescending charity.
The army and navy provided opportunities for young men, in the Bennett’s’ position. For such young women, the career options were governess, rich lady’s companion, or courtesan.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
‘Why do people who have been told to stop posting on PB about AI keep on posting on PB about AI? Is it because they are really low IQ?’
In Leon’s defence, AI is a big story now, governments are getting tumescent or scared about it and this week was the third global AI conference.
If it’s part of ongoing discussions where plenty of other posters are writing about it then it’s fair and he was a bit of an early discusser (is that even a word?) before it was really mainstream in the news yet alone here.
So surely if it’s in relation to an ongoing g conversation it’s a bit harsh to single him out?
I’m personally not interested, am a Luddite with regards to anything tech based and skim most of the conversations but fair’s fair.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
At least living in a country that more or less works might rub off on him?
‘Why do people who have been told to stop posting on PB about AI keep on posting on PB about AI? Is it because they are really low IQ?’
In Leon’s defence, AI is a big story now, governments are getting tumescent or scared about it and this week was the third global AI conference.
If it’s part of ongoing discussions where plenty of other posters are writing about it then it’s fair and he was a bit of an early discusser (is that even a word?) before it was really mainstream in the news yet alone here.
So surely if it’s in relation to an ongoing g conversation it’s a bit harsh to single him out?
I’m personally not interested, am a Luddite with regards to anything tech based and skim most of the conversations but fair’s fair.
Sadly once Leon starts on AI he doesn’t shut up.
Robert once pointed out at one point out of 100 comments around 40 of them were Leon banging on about AI/sharing AI content such as photos.
Offtopic (is there a topic?) this BBC story on rare daffodils is an interesting little time capsule in that two of the types were named for their wives by their husbands, but using the Mrs [Husband's name] convention (both are from the first half of C20). No doubt seen as very chivalrous at the time (even in the case where the wife developed the daffodil) but - effectively - naming the daffodil for themselves.
I'm also reminded of a former colleague who discovered a new type of marine organism and so had naming rights, but there was a rule/convention not to name it after oneself. She was due to get married and was taking her husband's name, so named it after that. Hopefully the marriage lasted or she at least kept the name!
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
Well exactly, this is what I keep saying. If the government is to have a single defining mission it shouldn't be growth it should be reducing inequality. For two reasons. (i) It's more important. (ii) It's more under their control.
TLDR look at Orban and Erdogan. But it’s worth reading in full.
Trump and Musk seem closer stylistically to Orban, or indeed Fico. Erdogan, arsehole though he is, has a tactical canniness and subtlety those two don’t possess.
For many people “growth” is an abstract term. They do not know what it is, nor why it matters.
And as others point out, one feature of modern globalisation is to close gaps gaps in wealth between nations, while widening them within nations, reversing the trend established by the Industrial Revolution.
That may be the defining political feature of our times.
On your first point, it also drives a fluidity and internationalism amongst elites within nations, as they empathise more with their kind elsewhere, and have more career options open to them at that level, worldwide.
Which would certainly have been a feature of the world pre-1800. Elites did see themselves as having more in common with each other than with their own peasants. It’s how multi-national Realms and empires could function, and how, for example, the directors of the East India Company could socialise so easily with the Indian nobility.
Industrialisation, nationalism, and democracy, all went hand in hand.
Good morning, everyone.
Not just then. Knights in medieval Europe were frequently very courteous to one another regardless of nationality.
French was the common language of literature, and Latin of scholarship. And, tournaments were an excellent opportunity to make friends with foreign knights.
My favourite Monkhouse is probably "Marriage is an investment that pays dividends if you pay interest."
Marriage is three rings, engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering.
I thought you Tories believe in marriage
TSE has voted LD more than Tory recently
Much as I would like to convert @TheScreamingEagles to be a LD I believe he did it to stop a Labour candidate being elected. Didn't you do exactly the same thing eg voted Plaid to stop Labour winning, having run out of Conservative candidates to vote for in a multi member ward?
My favourite Monkhouse is probably "Marriage is an investment that pays dividends if you pay interest."
Marriage is three rings, engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering.
I thought you Tories believe in marriage
TSE has voted LD more than Tory recently
Much as I would like to convert @TheScreamingEagles to be a LD I believe he did it to stop a Labour candidate being elected. Didn't you do exactly the same thing eg voted Plaid to stop Labour winning, having run out of Conservative candidates to vote for in a multi member ward?
It wasn’t just any Labour candidate it was Jared O’Mara!
Growth isn't really felt by the average citizen, or even designed for the average citizen. Sure, Transnational entities that own our food, housing, mortgages, rents, utilities, council services and pretty much everything else will always continue to make money for their shareholders, and make it hand over fist. That growth might trickle down to the lower orders of society in small ways, but the growth is only ever really, truly beneficial for the rich. We just pay for the growth in higher prices- for everything.
My favourite Monkhouse is probably "Marriage is an investment that pays dividends if you pay interest."
Marriage is three rings, engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering.
I thought you Tories believe in marriage
TSE has voted LD more than Tory recently
Much as I would like to convert @TheScreamingEagles to be a LD I believe he did it to stop a Labour candidate being elected. Didn't you do exactly the same thing eg voted Plaid to stop Labour winning, having run out of Conservative candidates to vote for in a multi member ward?
It wasn’t just any Labour candidate it was Jared O’Mara!
His incompetence must have exceeded your wildest expectations.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
Which is another kind of bollocks.
*Some* jobs require onsite presence.
I’d say that it would be impossible to do the job of Deputy Town Centre Manager 100% remotely. Your “product” is the state of the town centre. The only way to really know that is to be physically present, at least part of the time.
The discussion covers a mix of politics, economics, and social commentary:
Cricket & Sports – A user warns against checking the India vs. England score unless you're an India supporter, with frustration over a player’s performance impacting his chances for an England tour. Economic Inequality – A user criticizes economic growth, arguing that it primarily benefits corporations and the wealthy while increasing costs for the general public. Political Strategy – Discussion on tactical voting, where users choose candidates to block others, with references to past elections. Elites & History – A conversation about historical elites cooperating across borders, comparing past and present globalization. Trump & Democracy – Concerns over Trump’s impact on democracy, likening him to authoritarian leaders like Orban and Erdogan. Government Hiring Controversy – Criticism of government officials living abroad while holding key administrative positions in the UK. AI & Forum Discussions – Debate over excessive AI-related posts, with some defending AI discussions as relevant and others finding them tedious. Humor & Offbeat Topics – A mix of lighthearted and niche discussions, including rare daffodils, travel anecdotes, and government inefficiencies. The overall tone varies between serious political analysis, frustration with governance, and casual forum banter.
Well exactly, this is what I keep saying. If the government is to have a single defining mission it shouldn't be growth it should be reducing inequality. For two reasons. (i) It's more important. (ii) It's more under their control.
Generally it’s far harder to reduce inequality in times of stagnation than in times of growth.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
To be fair, the Police have been making progress on that.
Just need to get the ‘work’ bit cracked now.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
My favourite Monkhouse is probably "Marriage is an investment that pays dividends if you pay interest."
Marriage is three rings, engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering.
I thought you Tories believe in marriage
TSE has voted LD more than Tory recently
Much as I would like to convert @TheScreamingEagles to be a LD I believe he did it to stop a Labour candidate being elected. Didn't you do exactly the same thing eg voted Plaid to stop Labour winning, having run out of Conservative candidates to vote for in a multi member ward?
It wasn’t just any Labour candidate it was Jared O’Mara!
His incompetence must have exceeded your wildest expectations.
Yup, I thought Nick Clegg was in trouble and didn’t deserve to be booted, I didn’t vote for him in 2015 because I knew he’d be safe.
O’Mara never expected to be elected and when he did it all came tumbling down for him.
I loved Monkhouse's story of finding his wife tied up on the bed when he returned from a work trip, and saying "We've been learning some saucy tricks!" to which she replies "We've been burgled you stupid bastard".
‘Why do people who have been told to stop posting on PB about AI keep on posting on PB about AI? Is it because they are really low IQ?’
In Leon’s defence, AI is a big story now, governments are getting tumescent or scared about it and this week was the third global AI conference.
If it’s part of ongoing discussions where plenty of other posters are writing about it then it’s fair and he was a bit of an early discusser (is that even a word?) before it was really mainstream in the news yet alone here.
So surely if it’s in relation to an ongoing g conversation it’s a bit harsh to single him out?
I’m personally not interested, am a Luddite with regards to anything tech based and skim most of the conversations but fair’s fair.
Sadly once Leon starts on AI he doesn’t shut up.
Robert once pointed out at one point out of 100 comments around 40 of them were Leon banging on about AI/sharing AI content such as photos.
It becomes very tedious.
Extraneous words there. "Sadly Leon doesn’t shut up", covers it, I think?
1 Having some meaningful sustained economic growth 2 That growth being used to fund a better life for the broad swathe of the population.
Simplifying massively, the USA model does 1 not 2, the European model does 2 not 1. For a loooong time now, the UK model hasn't really done either.
People's cynicism about GDP is understandable- even when it has gone up, it's not at all clear where the money has gone.
Cough*house price inflation*cough.
That's part of it, but there is more.
Pensioners are not relying on GDP growth, they have the Triple lock. They are not the only ones who see only the adverse impacts and not the benefits.
Then too there is the GDP growth from the enshittification of things like vets bills by Private Equity, where the benefits accrue to only a few, and often non-doms too, while the rest of us gets ripped off.
For growth to be seen to be a public good then there has to be public benefit, and very often there is not. Is this really a better country than it was 3 decades ago for all its supposed GDP growth? It's certainly not obviously so.
For decades, the junk food industry has deliberately engineered foods to be addictive. Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs have helped people break free from this cycle. In response, the industry is now searching for ways to counteract the effects of these medications, aiming to design foods that remain addictive even for those on GLP-1.
Wild but true. Fascinating piece in NYTimes Magazine.
This is an area where someone like RFK will make a difference. Shame about the anti-vaxxing bullshit though.
The reason people think that growth does not benefit them is that it is used for services that they take for granted (since they are "free") such as the NHS.
There is a disconnect between growth and the money government has to spend. This is, in part, because large parts of the media, the third sector and indeed the Labour party, persuaded people that the government was not spending enough on the likes of health because they were mean or uncaring, as opposed to the reality that the tax take from our economy is simply insufficient to meet our aspirations.
That's true but not the only reason. Green propaganda has persuaded a significant part of the population that growth isn't worth it because, well, plastic waste and ugly housing and smokey air and stuff. Old people see there's nothing in it for them because they're on fixed incomes. And many of the young think it's all a capitalist ramp anyway.
Only an idiot denies there are some downsides to economic growth. But it takes a much worse idiot to prefer stagnation or recession.
Not to mention that we're continually told that we need more immigrants to get growth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Many people believe that the pre-industrial world was The Shire, rather than a place of backbreaking labour, terrible housing, and a tiny elite living it up, at their expense.
Anyone who's read about the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Speenhamland System in Dorset will have a very jaundiced idea of any one on PB or otherwise who seriously claims that shire society is the ideal condition of society. That is, inevitably, wish fulfilment and in reality if one were born at that time it was much more likely to be a matter of the short straw even if one survived infancy.
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
Yes, Mrs. Bennett and her daughters face a lifetime of living off Mr. Collins’ condescending charity.
The army and navy provided opportunities for young men, in the Bennett’s’ position. For such young women, the career options were governess, rich lady’s companion, or courtesan.
This was a good read - for thoseof us without an academic library the red button still works, you get some free per month.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
To be fair, the Police have been making progress on that.
Just need to get the ‘work’ bit cracked now.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
If you don’t have the systems and methodologies in place, working from home is less efficient.
I work in a bank, where we use Citrix - I can log in from any computer or iPad on the planet and have my fully supported, backed up machine in front of me.
We use Jira, which divides work into traceable chunks, with responsibility for each. Testing is a combination of automation and other people checking the results of the ticket.
We have fully integrated phone/video/desktop sharing.
In short, the tools, technologies and management methods mean that, for us, location is not relevant, 95% of the time.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
To be fair, the Police have been making progress on that.
Just need to get the ‘work’ bit cracked now.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
If you don’t have the systems and methodologies in place, working from home is less efficient.
I work in a bank, where we use Citrix - I can log in from any computer or iPad on the planet and have my fully supported, backed up machine in front of me.
We use Jira, which divides work into traceable chunks, with responsibility for each. Testing is a combination of automation and other people checking the results of the ticket.
We have fully integrated phone/video/desktop sharing.
In short, the tools, technologies and management methods mean that, for us, location is not relevant, 95% of the time.
Exactly. Good management/motivated workforce and the right tech and it works fine.
I worked for a couple of years, early career, in the Civil Service (well, executive agency of). Absolutely in office - we were barred from accessing anything off site. We actually clocked in and out as part of a flexitime scheme - you only had to be present in certain core hours, but there were limits on how far over hours or under hours you could get. We also had targets, but they were easily achievable if you were vaguely competent and there were no real incentives for going beyond them* and so it was common enough to find people reading books at their desks waiting for the required flexi-time to pass. My boss spent a lot of time speccing his Cayenne.
In my present job, there are no core hours. No one tracks my time. But, given I'm research funded, I'll be out of a job if I don't keep delivering projects and winning new funding. No one cares if I can deliver my job in 30 hours a week (I can't!) and chill the rest of the time - and why should they?
*a bonus system, giving say setting the target to an assumed FTE work rate and then giving a bonus of half the pro-rated extra time equivalent of work over target would clearly have made financial sense, rather than paying people to do nothing.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
To be fair, the Police have been making progress on that.
Just need to get the ‘work’ bit cracked now.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
If you don’t have the systems and methodologies in place, working from home is less efficient.
I work in a bank, where we use Citrix - I can log in from any computer or iPad on the planet and have my fully supported, backed up machine in front of me.
We use Jira, which divides work into traceable chunks, with responsibility for each. Testing is a combination of automation and other people checking the results of the ticket.
We have fully integrated phone/video/desktop sharing.
In short, the tools, technologies and management methods mean that, for us, location is not relevant, 95% of the time.
Absolutely, when you factor in things like the unreliability of the trains, the parking premium in city centres it helps things like with staff retention.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
We should do what Trump has done. You work for the government? You work in the office. End of
To be fair, the Police have been making progress on that.
Just need to get the ‘work’ bit cracked now.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
If you don’t have the systems and methodologies in place, working from home is less efficient.
I work in a bank, where we use Citrix - I can log in from any computer or iPad on the planet and have my fully supported, backed up machine in front of me.
We use Jira, which divides work into traceable chunks, with responsibility for each. Testing is a combination of automation and other people checking the results of the ticket.
We have fully integrated phone/video/desktop sharing.
In short, the tools, technologies and management methods mean that, for us, location is not relevant, 95% of the time.
Exactly. Good management/motivated workforce and the right tech and it works fine.
I worked for a couple of years, early career, in the Civil Service (well, executive agency of). Absolutely in office - we were barred from accessing anything off site. We actually clocked in and out as part of a flexitime scheme - you only had to be present in certain core hours, but there were limits on how far over hours or under hours you could get. We also had targets, but they were easily achievable if you were vaguely competent and there were no real incentives for going beyond them* and so it was common enough to find people reading books at their desks waiting for the required flexi-time to pass. My boss spent a lot of time speccing his Cayenne.
In my present job, there are no core hours. No one tracks my time. But, given I'm research funded, I'll be out of a job if I don't keep delivering projects and winning new funding. No one cares if I can deliver my job in 30 hours a week (I can't!) and chill the rest of the time - and why should they?
*a bonus system, giving say setting the target to an assumed FTE work rate and then giving a bonus of half the pro-rated extra time equivalent of work over target would clearly have made financial sense, rather than paying people to do nothing.
I'm long past my sell-by date where paid work is concerned and I struggle to understand how any new entrant learns anything. A lot of my learning came through overhearing colleagues discussing their work problems.
So the governments pick for Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lives full time in Finland.....there is hybrid working and then there is hybrid working. Will he be doing his inspections via Zoom?
That's nothing
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
Comments
For decades, the junk food industry has deliberately engineered foods to be addictive. Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs have helped people break free from this cycle. In response, the industry is now searching for ways to counteract the effects of these medications, aiming to design foods that remain addictive even for those on GLP-1.
Wild but true. Fascinating piece in NYTimes Magazine.
On your first point, it also drives a fluidity and internationalism amongst elites within nations, as they empathise more with their kind elsewhere, and have more career options open to them at that level, worldwide.
1) The report into Partygate was released recommending Boris Johnson to receive a massive suspension.
2) Three Tory MPs resigning as MPs because they were denied peerages.
3) Boris Johnson resigning as an MP.
4) Donald Trump getting charged with a federal crime.
5) Nicola Sturgeon getting arrested.
The ugly face of capitalism, and then some
Of course, they've come along in the middle of the "shitshow" phase, rather than the end of it, so it is rather difficult to surprise on the upside right now. Especially if you are broadly incompetent (at least at the "policy-and-politics" end of things).
The whole business, especially the bits with Murrell and Salmond, looks very fishy.
We have imported a great many habits from our former colony, some poisonous, such as obsessive identity politics, saying "I was like" when we mean "I said" and thinking that working after a glass of wine at lunch is as evil as driving while plastered with six kids in the car, and some beneficial, such as ... well, I can't think of any, but there are probably some. But this one is definitely harmful.
It's 'explanation' of 'Europe who?' 'No I'm not' shows:
- It doesn't 'get' jokes that small children can understand
- It doesn't 'get' that it doesn't get it
- It will anyway produce bullshit, that might sound plausible if you don't know better, rather than saying 'I'm not sure I get it'
Surprised I have to spell out such obvious things to the world's greatest living expert on AI.
Juxtapose the lives in the West which have improved but we are not satisfied. Is the UK 'broken' or is the West full of grumpy old souls who want to stop the world in order to get off?
Globalisation led to a trickle out in wealth.
With many of the places that then get immigrants not seeing, let alone benefitting, from the promised growth.
Capitalism generally creates the trickle up of wealth - the British working class were still living in slums, living off bread and butter and dying in squalor a hundred years or more after the start of the industrial revolution.
"Why don’t clouds ever make good comedians?
Because their jokes are always too overcast for anyone to catch!"
I'm not sure if this is original, but I don't think it counts as good.
Industrialisation, nationalism, and democracy, all went hand in hand.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24816132.operation-branchform-nicola-sturgeon-wont-get-charged-kc-predicts/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24901753.police-scotland-indicate-operation-branchform-investigation-ended/
If you mean “lines intended to be amusing which successfully make you laugh” then Yes, definitely. I’ve experienced that first hand. I’ve also read jokes supposedly made by AI which are definitely funny - but I cannot say if they are pukka
A joke is an algorithm. Everything is an algorithm.
The 1% and oldies obviously.
But as I've mentioned before there probably never been a better time to be young, working class and male in much of northern England - job opportunities for life, good pay and affordable housing.
So if the country as a whole hasn't prospered but some groups have it means that other groups have gone backwards both in actual and even more so relative terms.
Including I suspect large parts of the younger middle class in southern England.
The best time to be born, for most people, was yesterday.
https://x.com/SAshworthHayes/status/1889434565388702078
Sam Ashworth-Hayes
@SAshworthHayes
Of note: the judge declared there was "no evidence" of a "deliberate decision" of government or parliament not to have set up a comparable resettlement scheme for Gaza. Absence of action is apparently not enough!
Is there not an opportunity for the West to offer asylum to them all? Wouldn't that solve the problem for everyone?
Care to explain your thinking behind this statement?
"Look at me! I love my kids! Well, this one, anyway..."
Not just then. Knights in medieval Europe were frequently very courteous to one another regardless of nationality.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/path-american-authoritarianism-trump
TLDR look at Orban and Erdogan.
But it’s worth reading in full.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/23499462.murray-foote-predicts-snp-will-face-no-charges-police-probe/
“I just asked my phone for a new joke, and it replied “sorry Dave I can’t do that”
Which, I submit, is simultaneously funny, meta, dark and clever. And quite unnerving
Edit to add: of course it might have sourced this from somewhere else
"The statement "Everything is an algorithm" can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the context in which it's used, but in general, it suggests that all processes, patterns, or systems—whether natural, human-made, or abstract—can be broken down into a set of rules or steps that govern them.
Here’s a deeper breakdown:
1 In the context of computing and technology: Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems. The phrase might be pointing out that much of the world, from a computational or problem-solving perspective, can be reduced to algorithms. For instance, human decision-making, or even biological processes, could theoretically be seen as a series of "steps" or decisions that follow a logical, algorithmic structure. In computing, everything from the simplest program to complex systems is built on algorithms that perform specific tasks in a predictable sequence.
2 In the context of human behavior: "Everything is an algorithm" might refer to how human actions can also be understood as following patterns or steps—whether it's how we interact with others, make decisions, or navigate through our day-to-day life. From the way we perform a routine task to how we react to certain stimuli, there may be underlying algorithms (often influenced by biology, psychology, or social conditioning) that guide these actions.
3 In the context of the natural world: Natural processes, like the way plants grow, how animals hunt, or even how the weather works, follow certain predictable patterns and rules. These processes can be described algorithmically, with natural "laws" and patterns that repeat in cycles or follow predictable sequences. For example, the process of DNA replication or the way a storm forms could be considered an algorithm in the sense that they follow a series of predictable steps governed by nature's laws.
4 Philosophical angle: Philosophically, it might point to the idea that reality itself could be seen as a grand algorithmic process, where everything from the smallest subatomic particle’s behavior to the formation of galaxies operates according to rules that can be mapped, understood, and replicated—like an algorithm. This viewpoint may align with certain interpretations of the universe, suggesting that at the deepest level, everything is reducible to systems that can be defined by sets of instructions.
In sum, the phrase reflects a perspective that much of life, and the world around us, is governed by patterns, rules, or "algorithms," whether it's the work of the mind, nature, or technology. It often invites deeper contemplation on the idea that systems, behaviors, and even life itself may be reducible to a sequence of steps or rules."
Hope that helps.
A New Gaza could be recreated along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
It would be interesting to see what they create compared with how the Mormons have done.
Sometimes I think the whole world should adopt the French system of on Government-approved names.
And, after that mini-rant, Good Morning everyone.
I'll be honest, I'd rather there was a bit of "untrammeled power" rather than this guff.
If you Ask Alexa to open the pod bay doors you get the same answer, so it's an unoriginal programmed response
Comparing Alexa to the latest bots is like comparing a lighter to a power station
Suggesting that while Reform voters are more socially conservative and anti immigration than Tory voters, they are less economically Thatcherite than Conservative voters too
Mind, Austen didn't have it as nice as some folk might like. There's a savage vein of wish fulfilment and terror of poverty in those novels.
Telegraph
https://tankmuseumshop.org/collections/t-shirts-and-tops/products/evolution-of-man-t-shirt
Less important now there is a social welfare safety net.
‘Why do people who have been told to stop posting on PB about AI keep on posting on PB about AI? Is it because they are really low IQ?’
Test:
Find the inverse of
1 3 5 7 9
11 13 17 19 23
29 31 37 41 43
47 49 51 53 59
61 67 71 73 79
ChatGPT can do it, Deepseek can't. Grok fails, but more elegantly than Deepseek.
I wasn’t having much luck anyway
The army and navy provided opportunities for young men, in the Bennett’s’ position. For such young women, the career options were governess, rich lady’s companion, or courtesan.
OOOOH I could sell that story to the Gazette
The Deputy Town Centre Manager for Windsor, Eton and Ascot resides in Kyrgyzstan.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20250201/281771339880704
We really are being taken for mugs.
If it’s part of ongoing discussions where plenty of other posters are writing about it then it’s fair and he was a bit of an early discusser (is that even a word?) before it was really mainstream in the news yet alone here.
So surely if it’s in relation to an ongoing g conversation it’s a bit harsh to single him out?
I’m personally not interested, am a Luddite with regards to anything tech based and skim most of the conversations but fair’s fair.
Robert once pointed out at one point out of 100 comments around 40 of them were Leon banging on about AI/sharing AI content such as photos.
It becomes very tedious.
I'm also reminded of a former colleague who discovered a new type of marine organism and so had naming rights, but there was a rule/convention not to name it after oneself. She was due to get married and was taking her husband's name, so named it after that. Hopefully the marriage lasted or she at least kept the name!
ETA: As for where daffodils grow, the city walls in York have a pretty stunning display every year, although I like to think our own garden is not too shabby in that regard either.
Passion or Curiosity: They might be genuinely interested in the topic and find it hard to resist discussing it.
***Attention or Validation: Some people post to get attention, provoke reactions, or feel validated by others who engage with their content.***
Miscommunication: They might not be aware of the request to stop or misunderstand the rules.
Defiance or Rebellion: Some folks just don’t like being told what to do and post out of defiance.
Habit or Addiction: Social media can be addictive, and certain topics become habitual talking points.
That growth might trickle down to the lower orders of society in small ways, but the growth is only ever really, truly beneficial for the rich. We just pay for the growth in higher prices- for everything.
And what’s worse is Nohit has failed again which reduces the chances of his touring England.
*Some* jobs require onsite presence.
I’d say that it would be impossible to do the job of Deputy Town Centre Manager 100% remotely. Your “product” is the state of the town centre. The only way to really know that is to be physically present, at least part of the time.
Cricket & Sports – A user warns against checking the India vs. England score unless you're an India supporter, with frustration over a player’s performance impacting his chances for an England tour.
Economic Inequality – A user criticizes economic growth, arguing that it primarily benefits corporations and the wealthy while increasing costs for the general public.
Political Strategy – Discussion on tactical voting, where users choose candidates to block others, with references to past elections.
Elites & History – A conversation about historical elites cooperating across borders, comparing past and present globalization.
Trump & Democracy – Concerns over Trump’s impact on democracy, likening him to authoritarian leaders like Orban and Erdogan.
Government Hiring Controversy – Criticism of government officials living abroad while holding key administrative positions in the UK.
AI & Forum Discussions – Debate over excessive AI-related posts, with some defending AI discussions as relevant and others finding them tedious.
Humor & Offbeat Topics – A mix of lighthearted and niche discussions, including rare daffodils, travel anecdotes, and government inefficiencies.
The overall tone varies between serious political analysis, frustration with governance, and casual forum banter.
I am honestly not sure why some governments and companies have an obsession over office instead of home working. It’s cheaper, more efficient and more versatile. A hybrid insistence of at least two days a week onsite I could understand, but not this ‘five days or the sack’ rubbish.
O’Mara never expected to be elected and when he did it all came tumbling down for him.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42003625
I work in a bank, where we use Citrix - I can log in from any computer or iPad on the planet and have my fully supported, backed up machine in front of me.
We use Jira, which divides work into traceable chunks, with responsibility for each. Testing is a combination of automation and other people checking the results of the ticket.
We have fully integrated phone/video/desktop sharing.
In short, the tools, technologies and management methods mean that, for us, location is not relevant, 95% of the time.
I worked for a couple of years, early career, in the Civil Service (well, executive agency of). Absolutely in office - we were barred from accessing anything off site. We actually clocked in and out as part of a flexitime scheme - you only had to be present in certain core hours, but there were limits on how far over hours or under hours you could get. We also had targets, but they were easily achievable if you were vaguely competent and there were no real incentives for going beyond them* and so it was common enough to find people reading books at their desks waiting for the required flexi-time to pass. My boss spent a lot of time speccing his Cayenne.
In my present job, there are no core hours. No one tracks my time. But, given I'm research funded, I'll be out of a job if I don't keep delivering projects and winning new funding. No one cares if I can deliver my job in 30 hours a week (I can't!) and chill the rest of the time - and why should they?
*a bonus system, giving say setting the target to an assumed FTE work rate and then giving a bonus of half the pro-rated extra time equivalent of work over target would clearly have made financial sense, rather than paying people to do nothing.
It also boosts productivity.
Good morning, everyone.
Labour won't do anything to upset its client vote.