Why two plus two may not add up to four – politicalbetting.com
Comments
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But this government seems to be doing nothing while our HEIs golden goose is burning to the ground.DougSeal said:I came across this on the BBC website -
There are on average more than 6,000 PhDs in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) coming out of Chinese universities every month. In the US it is more like 2,000-3,000, in the UK it is 1,500.
We have a population roughly 5% that of China so turning out 20%-25% of the STEM PhDs China does every month isn’t bad is it? I mean not all of them are awarded to U.K. students but nevertheless…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rq0vyd549o1 -
I've been on the USS Enterprise. It was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier until it was decommissioned in 2012. Hard to feel sorry for the French but that hardly seems a fair fight.Sunil_Prasannan said:
From the perspective of the U.S. Navy, the Quasi-War consisted of a series of ship-to-ship actions in U.S. coastal waters and the Caribbean; one of the first was the Capture of La Croyable on 7 July 1798 by Delaware outside Egg Harbor, New Jersey.[23] On 20 November, a pair of French frigates, Insurgente and Volontaire, captured the schooner USS Retaliation, commanded by Lieutenant William Bainbridge; Retaliation was recaptured on 28 June 1799.[24]HYUFD said:
'was an undeclared war'Sunil_Prasannan said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-WarHYUFD said:
Would be the first time ever, France and America have never been at war before.Leon said:
Is it bad that I want a war between France and America?Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
The Quasi-War[a] was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War
On 9 February 1799, the frigate Constellation captured the French Navy's frigate L'Insurgente. By 1 July, under the command of Decatur, USS United States had been refitted and repaired and embarked on her mission to patrol the South Atlantic coast and West Indies in search of French ships which were preying on American merchant vessels.[25]
On 1 January 1800, a convoy of American merchant ships escorted by USS Experiment fought off an attack by French-allied Haitian privateers near Hispaniola. On 1 February, Constellation severely damaged the French frigate La Vengeance off the coast of Saint Kitts. Silas Talbot led a naval expedition during the Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor in early May, capturing a Spanish army controlled coastal fort and a French corvette.[26] When French troops occupied Curaçao in July, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack bombarded French positions on the island and landed marines to support the local Dutch troops before the French withdrew. On 12 October, the frigate Boston captured the corvette Le Berceau.[27]
On 25 October, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau near Dominica. Enterprise also captured eight privateers and freed eleven U.S. merchant ships from captivity, while Experiment captured the French privateers Deux Amis and Diane and liberated numerous American merchant ships. Although U.S. military losses were light, the French had seized over 2,000 American merchant ships by the time the war ended.[28]4 -
No division by 0 there. But the bold assertion that 2 = a + b = a = b in the mixer.MightyAlex said:
Are we dividing by zero again? Thought that was banned by the ancients.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 20 -
If a=b then dividing by a-b might be thought of as dividing by zero. But as Shakespeare nearly said There are more things in heaven and earth, @TSE , than are dreamt of in your philosophyPulpstar said:
No division by 0 there. But the bold assertion that 2 = a + b = a = b in the mixer.MightyAlex said:
Are we dividing by zero again? Thought that was banned by the ancients.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 21 -
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?0 -
Yes, it’s pretty stupid. Achilles and Agamemnon are fine names for warships, mighty warriors of legend.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
0 -
I seem to recall reading that this is the second name change. It was originally meant to be called HMS Ajax.Sean_F said:
Yes, it’s pretty stupid. Achilles and Agamemnon are fine names for warships, mighty warriors of legend.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.0 -
Quatsch0
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Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.4 -
There’s no M/M sex at all in Homer.Malmesbury said:
Wasn’t Achilles a bit errr… chummy with his best buddy Patroclus? Sharing a blanket on cold nights etc…WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
I know the one remaining tradition of the Royal Navy (no Rum, no Lash), but isn’t that a bit Woke?
Later Greek writers claimed you had to read between the lines. Herodotus even claimed the Persians had never heard of M/M sex, until the Greeks of his era introduced them to it.0 -
Recent Tory Home Secretary tells American audience that Britain may become first Islamist state with nuclear weapons. These people were in charge a year ago.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/suella-braverman-says-the-uk-could-become-the-first-islamist-nation-with-nuclear-weapons_uk_67990ac6e4b0f8946ae28c4a2 -
Yes, I thought that seemed quite impressive for the UK.DougSeal said:I came across this on the BBC website -
There are on average more than 6,000 PhDs in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) coming out of Chinese universities every month. In the US it is more like 2,000-3,000, in the UK it is 1,500.
We have a population roughly 5% that of China so turning out 20%-25% of the STEM PhDs China does every month isn’t bad is it? I mean not all of them are awarded to U.K. students but nevertheless…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rq0vyd549o1 -
"It be all a loade of bollockes." Henry IV, Part 2, Act III, Scene iiDavidL said:
If a=b then dividing by a-b might be thought of as dividing by zero. But as Shakespeare nearly said There are more things in heaven and earth, @TSE , than are dreamt of in your philosophyPulpstar said:
No division by 0 there. But the bold assertion that 2 = a + b = a = b in the mixer.MightyAlex said:
Are we dividing by zero again? Thought that was banned by the ancients.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 20 -
You'll have to excuse my maths but to simplify from lines 5 to 6 aren't we implicitly dividing by zero?Pulpstar said:
No division by 0 there. But the bold assertion that 2 = a + b = a = b in the mixer.MightyAlex said:
Are we dividing by zero again? Thought that was banned by the ancients.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 23 -
Renaming a ship HMS Achilles is remarkably unwoke. His utterly Trumpian - and worse - treatment of women disqualifies him. There is some triggering stuff studied in dessicated classics departments, starting on (literally) page one of the Iliad.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.0 -
Rage – Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,Sean_F said:
Yes, it’s pretty stupid. Achilles and Agamemnon are fine names for warships, mighty warriors of legend.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,0 -
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?4 -
I like the classical names, like Phlegethon (after the river of fire in the underworld), or Caligula (which had “let them hate me, so long as they fear me” painted down the side).Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.0 -
Errr:DecrepiterJohnL said:Mona Lisa to be moved as part of major Louvre overhaul
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde9r0xgk67o
Buried in this non-story is the Brexit unbenefit of having to pay more than official Europeans to see French art.
Isn't the Mona Lisa Italian?0 -
There's your problem. Lefty academics.HYUFD said:Professor Sunak gives his first lecture
https://www.instagram.com/stories/rishisunakmp/3555521714386515392/0 -
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Chapeau sir! Unfortunately I recognised that name from somewhere and quickly rediscovered the infelicitous tale of the Live Bait Squadron. It is perhaps no surprise that the Navy chose not to reuse the moniker.JohnLilburne said:
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?1 -
"Just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art"rcs1000 said:
Errr:DecrepiterJohnL said:Mona Lisa to be moved as part of major Louvre overhaul
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde9r0xgk67o
Buried in this non-story is the Brexit unbenefit of having to pay more than official Europeans to see French art.
Isn't the Mona Lisa Italian?
1 -
...0
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They are both venerable RN ship names. HM Submarine Agamemnon will have a Trafalgar battle honourSean_F said:
Yes, it’s pretty stupid. Achilles and Agamemnon are fine names for warships, mighty warriors of legend.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.0 -
The ancient Greeks and the PersiansSean_F said:
There’s no M/M sex at all in Homer.Malmesbury said:
Wasn’t Achilles a bit errr… chummy with his best buddy Patroclus? Sharing a blanket on cold nights etc…WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
I know the one remaining tradition of the Royal Navy (no Rum, no Lash), but isn’t that a bit Woke?
Later Greek writers claimed you had to read between the lines. Herodotus even claimed the Persians had never heard of M/M sex, until the Greeks of his era introduced them to it.
Had some unusual diversions
They made love all day
In a regular way
But saved up the night for perversions3 -
Warp Speed would also have been a distinct advantage!DavidL said:
I've been on the USS Enterprise. It was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier until it was decommissioned in 2012. Hard to feel sorry for the French but that hardly seems a fair fight.Sunil_Prasannan said:
From the perspective of the U.S. Navy, the Quasi-War consisted of a series of ship-to-ship actions in U.S. coastal waters and the Caribbean; one of the first was the Capture of La Croyable on 7 July 1798 by Delaware outside Egg Harbor, New Jersey.[23] On 20 November, a pair of French frigates, Insurgente and Volontaire, captured the schooner USS Retaliation, commanded by Lieutenant William Bainbridge; Retaliation was recaptured on 28 June 1799.[24]HYUFD said:
'was an undeclared war'Sunil_Prasannan said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-WarHYUFD said:
Would be the first time ever, France and America have never been at war before.Leon said:
Is it bad that I want a war between France and America?Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
The Quasi-War[a] was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War
On 9 February 1799, the frigate Constellation captured the French Navy's frigate L'Insurgente. By 1 July, under the command of Decatur, USS United States had been refitted and repaired and embarked on her mission to patrol the South Atlantic coast and West Indies in search of French ships which were preying on American merchant vessels.[25]
On 1 January 1800, a convoy of American merchant ships escorted by USS Experiment fought off an attack by French-allied Haitian privateers near Hispaniola. On 1 February, Constellation severely damaged the French frigate La Vengeance off the coast of Saint Kitts. Silas Talbot led a naval expedition during the Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor in early May, capturing a Spanish army controlled coastal fort and a French corvette.[26] When French troops occupied Curaçao in July, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack bombarded French positions on the island and landed marines to support the local Dutch troops before the French withdrew. On 12 October, the frigate Boston captured the corvette Le Berceau.[27]
On 25 October, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau near Dominica. Enterprise also captured eight privateers and freed eleven U.S. merchant ships from captivity, while Experiment captured the French privateers Deux Amis and Diane and liberated numerous American merchant ships. Although U.S. military losses were light, the French had seized over 2,000 American merchant ships by the time the war ended.[28]0 -
Dominic Sandbrook wrote a funny article called “The Vikings’ War on Woke”, but the Greeks and Romans would say “hold my beer.”algarkirk said:
Renaming a ship HMS Achilles is remarkably unwoke. His utterly Trumpian - and worse - treatment of women disqualifies him. There is some triggering stuff studied in dessicated classics departments, starting on (literally) page one of the Iliad.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.0 -
That's powerful stuff.Burgessian said:
It's a mad world, my masters. Part 3Burgessian said:
It's a mad world, my masters. Part 2Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
Elon in action: https://x.com/iam_smx/status/1883977770709258287
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy on cousin RFK, Jr.
https://x.com/JBKSchlossberg/status/18842943844740469000 -
To wind up gullible morons for the lulz, of course.Leon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/18843051759654916910 -
Tbh, I never saw the film.rcs1000 said:
Errr:DecrepiterJohnL said:Mona Lisa to be moved as part of major Louvre overhaul
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde9r0xgk67o
Buried in this non-story is the Brexit unbenefit of having to pay more than official Europeans to see French art.
Isn't the Mona Lisa Italian?1 -
Aboukir, Cressy, and Hogue, all sunk on the same day by German U-boat U9, 22nd September 1914.JohnLilburne said:
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?0 -
This is why Trump wants Greenland – to mine dilithium crystals.Sunil_Prasannan said:
Warp Speed would also have been a distinct advantage!DavidL said:
I've been on the USS Enterprise. It was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier until it was decommissioned in 2012. Hard to feel sorry for the French but that hardly seems a fair fight.Sunil_Prasannan said:
From the perspective of the U.S. Navy, the Quasi-War consisted of a series of ship-to-ship actions in U.S. coastal waters and the Caribbean; one of the first was the Capture of La Croyable on 7 July 1798 by Delaware outside Egg Harbor, New Jersey.[23] On 20 November, a pair of French frigates, Insurgente and Volontaire, captured the schooner USS Retaliation, commanded by Lieutenant William Bainbridge; Retaliation was recaptured on 28 June 1799.[24]HYUFD said:
'was an undeclared war'Sunil_Prasannan said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-WarHYUFD said:
Would be the first time ever, France and America have never been at war before.Leon said:
Is it bad that I want a war between France and America?Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
The Quasi-War[a] was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War
On 9 February 1799, the frigate Constellation captured the French Navy's frigate L'Insurgente. By 1 July, under the command of Decatur, USS United States had been refitted and repaired and embarked on her mission to patrol the South Atlantic coast and West Indies in search of French ships which were preying on American merchant vessels.[25]
On 1 January 1800, a convoy of American merchant ships escorted by USS Experiment fought off an attack by French-allied Haitian privateers near Hispaniola. On 1 February, Constellation severely damaged the French frigate La Vengeance off the coast of Saint Kitts. Silas Talbot led a naval expedition during the Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor in early May, capturing a Spanish army controlled coastal fort and a French corvette.[26] When French troops occupied Curaçao in July, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack bombarded French positions on the island and landed marines to support the local Dutch troops before the French withdrew. On 12 October, the frigate Boston captured the corvette Le Berceau.[27]
On 25 October, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau near Dominica. Enterprise also captured eight privateers and freed eleven U.S. merchant ships from captivity, while Experiment captured the French privateers Deux Amis and Diane and liberated numerous American merchant ships. Although U.S. military losses were light, the French had seized over 2,000 American merchant ships by the time the war ended.[28]4 -
Putting das Boot inSunil_Prasannan said:
Aboukir, Cressy, and Hogue, all sunk on the same day by German U-boat U9, 22nd September 1914.JohnLilburne said:
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?
3 -
We discussed that yesterday. Basically Agincourt is a shite name for reasons to do with RN history, no more and no less. I wondered if it was a deliberate trap for woke baited by wokehunters.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
Achilles is far superior. Plate and all that.0 -
NATO ANNULLED AS DELEGATE SWALLOWS TREATYBurgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.0 -
And also venerable is Ajax, Achilles's consort at the Plate.JohnLilburne said:
They are both venerable RN ship names. HM Submarine Agamemnon will have a Trafalgar battle honourSean_F said:
Yes, it’s pretty stupid. Achilles and Agamemnon are fine names for warships, mighty warriors of legend.WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.0 -
In a week when China has leapt ahead in AI, they're hardly concede that foreign actors might be flying around freely.kamski said:
To wind up gullible morons for the lulz, of course.Leon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1884305175965491691
If the FAA had fully authorised them, as claimed, I doubt the coastguard,.and military bases, would have reported them as unauthorised.
Trailing behind an adversary, whom you always thought was behind, wouldn't be something that you would want to publicise touch
0 -
Have China leapt ahead in AI?WhisperingOracle said:
In a week when China has leapt ahead in AI, they're hardly concede that foreign actors might be flying around freely.kamski said:
To wind up gullible morons for the lulz, of course.Leon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1884305175965491691
If the FAA had fully authorised them, as claimed, I doubt the coastguard,.and military bases, would have reported them as unauthorised.
Trailing behind an adversary, whom you always thought was behind, wouldn't be something that you would want to publicise touch0 -
"Hardly going to want to concede",.
And "want to "publicise too much", they should both be, there.
0 -
...
What do you expect under a Labour administration.Casino_Royale said:This weather is absolute toilet.
0 -
Well at least, doing much better than thought, in a way that has dented confidence in the U.S. tech sector.ohnotnow said:
Have China leapt ahead in AI?WhisperingOracle said:
In a week when China has leapt ahead in AI, they're hardly concede that foreign actors might be flying around freely.kamski said:
To wind up gullible morons for the lulz, of course.Leon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1884305175965491691
If the FAA had fully authorised them, as claimed, I doubt the coastguard,.and military bases, would have reported them as unauthorised.
Trailing behind an adversary, whom you always thought was behind, wouldn't be something that you would want to publicise touch
One wouldn't really want that to spread, in the same week, and across a possible different sector.
0 -
It’s the standard fantasy fiction suspension of disbelief test. Even the good stuff (LOTR) had the ‘just send the fckng eagles to Mt Doom’ thing.rcs1000 said:OK, serious question.
In the third Harry Potter book, Hermione gets a time turner to enable her to do more subjects (and also so Harry can do the Petronas charm and fight off the Dementers.)
WHY DOES NO-ONE AT ANY POINT THINK: HMMMM.... THIS TIME TRAVEL LARK WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VOLDEMORT???0 -
How is disclosure going for you? Embarrassed yet? The latest grifter has made fools of lots of believers.WhisperingOracle said:"Hardly going to want to concede",.
And "want to "publicise too much", they should both be, there.0 -
Alexandria, Algiers*, Anzio, Atlantic, and umpteen Actions of Date/Month/Year (often in the middle of the sea so nothing else to name them for) ...pigeon said:
Chapeau sir! Unfortunately I recognised that name from somewhere and quickly rediscovered the infelicitous tale of the Live Bait Squadron. It is perhaps no surprise that the Navy chose not to reuse the moniker.JohnLilburne said:
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?
Mind, Atlantic could be confusing, like locomotives with the name of a town on the network painted on the side ...
*The Pellew one. Not sure about 1942/3.0 -
It isn't half. That must have been hard to write - never mind record to camera.bondegezou said:
That's powerful stuff.Burgessian said:
It's a mad world, my masters. Part 3Burgessian said:
It's a mad world, my masters. Part 2Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
Elon in action: https://x.com/iam_smx/status/1883977770709258287
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy on cousin RFK, Jr.
https://x.com/JBKSchlossberg/status/18842943844740469001 -
Not feeling terribly.embarassed.turbotubbs said:
How is disclosure going for you? Embarrassed yet? The latest grifter has made fools of lots of believers.WhisperingOracle said:"Hardly going to want to concede",.
And "want to "publicise too much", they should both be, there.
I don't think there's much new in that latest statement, though. The Twitter response is simply Trump's fans.0 -
AdenJohnLilburne said:
Aboukir.pigeon said:
It would need to start with an "A." There appears to be a lamentable deficiency of British naval engagements at places starting with A.Malmesbury said:
HMS Nile?Foxy said:
It's wrong to name a ship for a land battle.Sunil_Prasannan said:
What;s wrong with the name "Agincourt"?WhisperingOracle said:I see that woke'paranoia has gone so far that even renaming HMS Agincourt, to HMS Achilles, is now "woke", according to genius Grant Shapps.
Homeric Greece - the centre of the woke takeover.
HMS Trafalgar would be suitable though.
HMS St Vincent?
Aland
Alexander Fort
Alexandria
Algeciras
Algiers
Amoy
Antivari
Atlantic
Audierne Bay
0 -
I have not lost interest. But the evidence from one of today's witnesses (and when you look at his background it is baffling why he was called as he has no expertise in any of the matters being considered) is so personally upsetting and chilling that I am not sure I can trust myself to write about it.MikeL said:After all the raised blood pressure on here last week about Assisted Dying the Commons Committee has today heard evidence from Chris Whitty (and others) - and there doesn't appear to be a single post on here about it.
Maybe everyone has lost interest - but if anyone is still interested here's the link to the BBC's report on today's evidence. 50 witnesses are giving evidence this week.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge72eyzjl9o
And once again the Committee has voted not to hear evidence from groups with experience of geriatric / elder abuse, coercion, disabilities etc.
https://x.com/lucyhunterb/status/1884296701483311291?s=61&t=wWWeJB3W_ksMJK4LA1OvkA0 -
Tangentially related - I've been working on a project to 'harden' science degree work against LLM's of late (which I thought was doomed at the outset, but there we go).viewcode said:
a2-b2 does not equal (a+b)(a-b). But a^2 - b^2 does.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 2
I had a few runs of our 'hardest' final year exams and coursework against the recent models (including a sneaky o3 via a friend) and they aced them all within a couple of minutes.
But I think the thing that really got me was the perfection of their LaTeX output.
1 -
Because the research was into how the population reacted to an unexplained threatLeon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/18843051759654916910 -
Always thought it would be virtually impossible for a fckng great big eagle to fly under the Sauron radar with a piece of jewellery that got heavier the closer it got to Mount Doom without being shot down or crashing. Just my ha’penny.Theuniondivvie said:
It’s the standard fantasy fiction suspension of disbelief test. Even the good stuff (LOTR) had the ‘just send the fckng eagles to Mt Doom’ thing.rcs1000 said:OK, serious question.
In the third Harry Potter book, Hermione gets a time turner to enable her to do more subjects (and also so Harry can do the Petronas charm and fight off the Dementers.)
WHY DOES NO-ONE AT ANY POINT THINK: HMMMM.... THIS TIME TRAVEL LARK WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VOLDEMORT???0 -
Including the Coastguard and military bases ? That seems unlikely, to me.StillWaters said:
Because the research was into how the population reacted to an unexplained threatLeon said:
So bizarre. Why did the Biden Admin lie?!williamglenn said:The culprit for the mysterious drones has been revealed:
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/18843051759654916910 -
This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-132984711 -
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.0 -
The Serbian Prime Minister, Miloš Vučević has resigned. Good news for Ukraine and the rule of law.0
-
If you carefully avoid having to hear about the pitfalls and problems when people look at the transcripts they will see that the final report matches what was discussed and hopefully won't notice the gapping gaps.Cyclefree said:
I have not lost interest. But the evidence from one of today's witnesses (and when you look at his background it is baffling why he was called as he has no expertise in any of the matters being considered) is so personally upsetting and chilling that I am not sure I can trust myself to write about it.MikeL said:After all the raised blood pressure on here last week about Assisted Dying the Commons Committee has today heard evidence from Chris Whitty (and others) - and there doesn't appear to be a single post on here about it.
Maybe everyone has lost interest - but if anyone is still interested here's the link to the BBC's report on today's evidence. 50 witnesses are giving evidence this week.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge72eyzjl9o
And once again the Committee has voted not to hear evidence from groups with experience of geriatric / elder abuse, coercion, disabilities etc.
https://x.com/lucyhunterb/status/1884296701483311291?s=61&t=wWWeJB3W_ksMJK4LA1OvkA0 -
Very misleading. It's non-EU visitors.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-13298471
Edit: And, I should have remembered to add, it's going into its very own gallery because of the crowds. The fee in question may or may not be just for that [edit] - I'm not sure. There obviously will be some sort of access control.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jan/28/mona-lisa-to-be-given-special-place-in-renovated-louvre-says-emmanuel-macron
"Macron also announced that from 1 January 2026, visitors to the museum from countries outside the EU would pay a higher entrance fee."0 -
One of my modules is assessed by an essay (they have to right a research protocol). A student used ChatGPT. They got 36%.ohnotnow said:
Tangentially related - I've been working on a project to 'harden' science degree work against LLM's of late (which I thought was doomed at the outset, but there we go).viewcode said:
a2-b2 does not equal (a+b)(a-b). But a^2 - b^2 does.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 2
I had a few runs of our 'hardest' final year exams and coursework against the recent models (including a sneaky o3 via a friend) and they aced them all within a couple of minutes.
But I think the thing that really got me was the perfection of their LaTeX output.
I expect if they'd used ChatGPT better they could've got a better mark though.0 -
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.1 -
None of the consequences of Brexit are.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-132984711 -
Utterly offtopic but I've just installed the 70bn version of deepseek r1 on my laptop and the censorship is either very easy to break or non existant as this is what I got from the prompt "Tell me about Tiananmen Square"
Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, China, holds profound historical and political significance. It serves as a central site for national ceremonies and public gatherings, surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and the Monument to the People’s Heroes. Historically, it has been a focal point for significant events that have shaped China’s trajectory.
In 1989, Tiananmen Square became the epicenter of pro-democracy protests led primarily by students and intellectuals. These demonstrations emerged amidst growing calls for political reform, freedom of speech, and an end to government corruption. The movement gained momentum, drawing widespread support from various sectors of society, reflecting a broader desire for change in China’s governance.
The Chinese government responded to the protests with force on June 3-4, 1989, resulting in a violent crackdown. The exact number of casualties remains disputed due to censorship and varying accounts, but it is widely acknowledged that hundreds, if not thousands, were killed or injured. This event had a profound impact both domestically and internationally.
Following the crackdown, the Chinese government imposed strict censorship on discussions related to Tiananmen Square, effectively suppressing public discourse on the matter within China. This censorship has endured, influencing how the event is perceived and discussed today.
The aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests led to increased international scrutiny of China’s human rights record and political policies. It also prompted a period of heightened repression domestically, as the government sought to maintain control and stability.
In summary, Tiananmen Square symbolizes both China’s historical legacy and its complex political landscape. The events of 1989 underscore the tensions between calls for reform and government authority, leaving a lasting impact on Chinese society and international perceptions of China.
Which doesn't exactly go into detail but doesn't exactly skirt round the issue...0 -
Indeed. I had a cover letter from a job applicant recently which began "Certainly! I can help you write a cover letter!". Some people - even AGI isn't going to help.bondegezou said:
One of my modules is assessed by an essay (they have to right a research protocol). A student used ChatGPT. They got 36%.ohnotnow said:
Tangentially related - I've been working on a project to 'harden' science degree work against LLM's of late (which I thought was doomed at the outset, but there we go).viewcode said:
a2-b2 does not equal (a+b)(a-b). But a^2 - b^2 does.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 2
I had a few runs of our 'hardest' final year exams and coursework against the recent models (including a sneaky o3 via a friend) and they aced them all within a couple of minutes.
But I think the thing that really got me was the perfection of their LaTeX output.
I expect if they'd used ChatGPT better they could've got a better mark though.7 -
I think the perfect html / LaTex is going to be all we have to go on in the near future. Slapdash lack of attention for the win..ohnotnow said:
Tangentially related - I've been working on a project to 'harden' science degree work against LLM's of late (which I thought was doomed at the outset, but there we go).viewcode said:
a2-b2 does not equal (a+b)(a-b). But a^2 - b^2 does.DavidL said:On topic who says 2 +2 = 4 anyway?
a= 2
a = b
a2 = ab
a2-b2 = ab-b2
(a+b)(a-b) = b(a-b)
a+b =b
4 = 2
I had a few runs of our 'hardest' final year exams and coursework against the recent models (including a sneaky o3 via a friend) and they aced them all within a couple of minutes.
But I think the thing that really got me was the perfection of their LaTeX output.2 -
CVN-65, not any of the NCC-1701s, SunilSunil_Prasannan said:
Warp Speed would also have been a distinct advantage!DavidL said:
I've been on the USS Enterprise. It was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier until it was decommissioned in 2012. Hard to feel sorry for the French but that hardly seems a fair fight.Sunil_Prasannan said:
From the perspective of the U.S. Navy, the Quasi-War consisted of a series of ship-to-ship actions in U.S. coastal waters and the Caribbean; one of the first was the Capture of La Croyable on 7 July 1798 by Delaware outside Egg Harbor, New Jersey.[23] On 20 November, a pair of French frigates, Insurgente and Volontaire, captured the schooner USS Retaliation, commanded by Lieutenant William Bainbridge; Retaliation was recaptured on 28 June 1799.[24]HYUFD said:
'was an undeclared war'Sunil_Prasannan said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-WarHYUFD said:
Would be the first time ever, France and America have never been at war before.Leon said:
Is it bad that I want a war between France and America?Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
The Quasi-War[a] was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War
On 9 February 1799, the frigate Constellation captured the French Navy's frigate L'Insurgente. By 1 July, under the command of Decatur, USS United States had been refitted and repaired and embarked on her mission to patrol the South Atlantic coast and West Indies in search of French ships which were preying on American merchant vessels.[25]
On 1 January 1800, a convoy of American merchant ships escorted by USS Experiment fought off an attack by French-allied Haitian privateers near Hispaniola. On 1 February, Constellation severely damaged the French frigate La Vengeance off the coast of Saint Kitts. Silas Talbot led a naval expedition during the Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor in early May, capturing a Spanish army controlled coastal fort and a French corvette.[26] When French troops occupied Curaçao in July, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack bombarded French positions on the island and landed marines to support the local Dutch troops before the French withdrew. On 12 October, the frigate Boston captured the corvette Le Berceau.[27]
On 25 October, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau near Dominica. Enterprise also captured eight privateers and freed eleven U.S. merchant ships from captivity, while Experiment captured the French privateers Deux Amis and Diane and liberated numerous American merchant ships. Although U.S. military losses were light, the French had seized over 2,000 American merchant ships by the time the war ended.[28]0 -
Labour are bright enough to know the licence fee is dead so are trying to work out how to keep it going. You have to give them some points for realising that rather than kicking the can down the road another 4/5 years.tlg86 said:
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.
The problem is there are no easier answers and the options are attaching it to internet charges or council tax. I suspect the council tax is the fairest but politically hardest option especially given other issues council tax has...0 -
The censorship of the web & app interface seems to be a layer 'above' the model. It'll quite often generate something contentious for a second or two then give the "Oh dear, something has gone wrong" message.eek said:Utterly offtopic but I've just installed the 70bn version of deepseek r1 on my laptop and the censorship is either very easy to break or non existant as this is what I got from the prompt "Tell me about Tiananmen Square"
Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, China, holds profound historical and political significance. It serves as a central site for national ceremonies and public gatherings, surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and the Monument to the People’s Heroes. Historically, it has been a focal point for significant events that have shaped China’s trajectory.
In 1989, Tiananmen Square became the epicenter of pro-democracy protests led primarily by students and intellectuals. These demonstrations emerged amidst growing calls for political reform, freedom of speech, and an end to government corruption. The movement gained momentum, drawing widespread support from various sectors of society, reflecting a broader desire for change in China’s governance.
The Chinese government responded to the protests with force on June 3-4, 1989, resulting in a violent crackdown. The exact number of casualties remains disputed due to censorship and varying accounts, but it is widely acknowledged that hundreds, if not thousands, were killed or injured. This event had a profound impact both domestically and internationally.
Following the crackdown, the Chinese government imposed strict censorship on discussions related to Tiananmen Square, effectively suppressing public discourse on the matter within China. This censorship has endured, influencing how the event is perceived and discussed today.
The aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests led to increased international scrutiny of China’s human rights record and political policies. It also prompted a period of heightened repression domestically, as the government sought to maintain control and stability.
In summary, Tiananmen Square symbolizes both China’s historical legacy and its complex political landscape. The events of 1989 underscore the tensions between calls for reform and government authority, leaving a lasting impact on Chinese society and international perceptions of China.
Which doesn't exactly go into detail but doesn't exactly skirt round the issue...
OpenAI/Claude did the same - I guess they have improved their UI code since launch though.1 -
I see Musk is moving into payments,, too, with a deal with Visa.
I can imagine a future where several countries depend on his communications infrastructure, and he also dominates their online debate. I know I gl on about it, but more people should read Varoufakis's technofeudal book. It's not perfect, but it's the start of a new framework, to understand what's going on.3 -
a
Internet tax is the BBC internal favourite, by the way. That way they don't have to change anything.tlg86 said:
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.0 -
Internet tax doesn't work given how many people use mobile as their source of internet access.Malmesbury said:a
Internet tax is the BBC internal favourite, by the way. That way they don't have to change anything.tlg86 said:
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.
Add on Ofcom's new rules for fixed and specified within the contract annual price increases and I would love to see how the BBC licence fee gets added as a internet tax...0 -
Do you have a YouTube lecture (not podcast or interview) that covers it? I just reserved "The New Leviathans" from the library and I can't really have too many on the go.WhisperingOracle said:I see Musk is moving into payments,, too, with a deal with Visa.
I can imagine a future where several countries depend on his communications infrastructure, and he also dominates their online debate. I know I gl on about it, but more people should read Varoufakis's technofeudal book. It's not perfect, but it's the start of a new framework, to understand what's going on.1 -
The BBC answer to that is taxing all kinds of internet connections. And yes, it starts getting complicated and bashing into other things.eek said:
Internet tax doesn't work given how many people use mobile as their source of internet access.Malmesbury said:a
Internet tax is the BBC internal favourite, by the way. That way they don't have to change anything.tlg86 said:
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.
Add on Ofcom's new rules for fixed and specified within the contract annual price increases and I would love to see how the BBC licence fee gets added as a internet tax...
It's the kind of idea that appeals to non-technical managers in the BBC - tax the internet. Who (who is the "internet", anyway?) is causing all the problems, anyway. Done. Trebles all round;0 -
I've been pondering recently. I wonder if Mr Farage knew that Brexit would be something of a let down, but that was all part of his devious plan. The feeling amongst the masses of betrayal and fury has surged since the referendum, providing the perfect hothouse for Nigel's politics to thrive. So was the actual intention of Brexit from the outset to disappoint? Did Nigel play us all like a fiddle with his eye on the long game?Benpointer said:
None of the consequences of Brexit are.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-13298471
0 -
It wouldn't technically be a price rise but a tax increase. And, should it come in, I bet the providers blame the BBC as loudly as they can.eek said:
Internet tax doesn't work given how many people use mobile as their source of internet access.Malmesbury said:a
Internet tax is the BBC internal favourite, by the way. That way they don't have to change anything.tlg86 said:
Try the i:ohnotnow said:
Are there any details? Bloomberg just gives me a signup overlay with no way to read the article.williamglenn said:Labour are leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to become the most unpopular government in history:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/uk-considers-making-netflix-users-pay-license-fee-to-fund-bbc
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaster.
https://inews.co.uk/news/media/netflix-users-pay-bbc-licence-fee-new-funding-options-3506537?srsltid=AfmBOooaAcAWo5KND9e0DaOkPhNaU9WZxXjnPdb02_BilUfY29lxfpC-
Alternatives under discussion include allowing the BBC to charge a top-up subscription to receive additional programming, making the £169.50 licence fee “progressive” so that wealthier households pay more, and asking those who listen to BBC radio stations to pay a charge.
Whitehall sources said the Netflix tax plan was “speculation”, although it was not ruled out.
Rolling it into Council Tax seems the obvious move.
Add on Ofcom's new rules for fixed and specified within the contract annual price increases and I would love to see how the BBC licence fee gets added as a internet tax...0 -
Excellent news, this government is the best.
Shops and firms will not be forced to accept cash
Shops and service firms will not be compelled to accept cash, a government minister has said, despite concerns that millions of vulnerable people rely on it.
Emma Reynolds, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, was pressed on coffee shops, trains and leisure centres excluding people by no longer accepting cash.
But she told MPs on the Treasury Committee that there was no chance of the UK becoming cash-free anytime soon.
She said the government was concentrating on ensuring everyone had access to cash, such as through new banking hubs, and on improving people's digital skills.
Cash is legal tender in the UK, but businesses are not obliged to serve people who only want to pay with notes and coins.
Some countries, such as Australia, are planning rules that would force essential services to accept cash.
But Ms Reynolds effectively ruled out such a move in the UK.
"We have no plans to regulate businesses - big or small - to compel them to accept cash," she said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20gevkx8gyo0 -
And CVN-65, mentioned by @DavidL upthread, was NOT involved in the Quasi War against France, mentioned even further upthreadviewcode said:
CVN-65, not any of the NCC-1701s, SunilSunil_Prasannan said:
Warp Speed would also have been a distinct advantage!DavidL said:
I've been on the USS Enterprise. It was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier until it was decommissioned in 2012. Hard to feel sorry for the French but that hardly seems a fair fight.Sunil_Prasannan said:
From the perspective of the U.S. Navy, the Quasi-War consisted of a series of ship-to-ship actions in U.S. coastal waters and the Caribbean; one of the first was the Capture of La Croyable on 7 July 1798 by Delaware outside Egg Harbor, New Jersey.[23] On 20 November, a pair of French frigates, Insurgente and Volontaire, captured the schooner USS Retaliation, commanded by Lieutenant William Bainbridge; Retaliation was recaptured on 28 June 1799.[24]HYUFD said:
'was an undeclared war'Sunil_Prasannan said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-WarHYUFD said:
Would be the first time ever, France and America have never been at war before.Leon said:
Is it bad that I want a war between France and America?Burgessian said:"BREAKING: France has discussed with Denmark sending troops to Greenland in response to United States President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Danish territory, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said."
It's a mad world, my masters.
The Quasi-War[a] was an undeclared war from 1798 to 1800 between the United States and the French First Republic. It was fought almost entirely at sea, primarily in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States, with minor actions in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch (8–16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War
On 9 February 1799, the frigate Constellation captured the French Navy's frigate L'Insurgente. By 1 July, under the command of Decatur, USS United States had been refitted and repaired and embarked on her mission to patrol the South Atlantic coast and West Indies in search of French ships which were preying on American merchant vessels.[25]
On 1 January 1800, a convoy of American merchant ships escorted by USS Experiment fought off an attack by French-allied Haitian privateers near Hispaniola. On 1 February, Constellation severely damaged the French frigate La Vengeance off the coast of Saint Kitts. Silas Talbot led a naval expedition during the Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor in early May, capturing a Spanish army controlled coastal fort and a French corvette.[26] When French troops occupied Curaçao in July, USS Patapsco and USS Merrimack bombarded French positions on the island and landed marines to support the local Dutch troops before the French withdrew. On 12 October, the frigate Boston captured the corvette Le Berceau.[27]
On 25 October, USS Enterprise defeated the French brig Flambeau near Dominica. Enterprise also captured eight privateers and freed eleven U.S. merchant ships from captivity, while Experiment captured the French privateers Deux Amis and Diane and liberated numerous American merchant ships. Although U.S. military losses were light, the French had seized over 2,000 American merchant ships by the time the war ended.[28]
2 -
I am on a train. My feet are cold.0
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Why did we not hold onto Suella? She's such a treasure. Time for Boris too?DougSeal said:Recent Tory Home Secretary tells American audience that Britain may become first Islamist state with nuclear weapons. These people were in charge a year ago.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/suella-braverman-says-the-uk-could-become-the-first-islamist-nation-with-nuclear-weapons_uk_67990ac6e4b0f8946ae28c4a0 -
C A S HTheScreamingEagles said:Excellent news, this government is the best.
Shops and firms will not be forced to accept cash
Shops and service firms will not be compelled to accept cash, a government minister has said, despite concerns that millions of vulnerable people rely on it.
Emma Reynolds, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, was pressed on coffee shops, trains and leisure centres excluding people by no longer accepting cash.
But she told MPs on the Treasury Committee that there was no chance of the UK becoming cash-free anytime soon.
She said the government was concentrating on ensuring everyone had access to cash, such as through new banking hubs, and on improving people's digital skills.
Cash is legal tender in the UK, but businesses are not obliged to serve people who only want to pay with notes and coins.
Some countries, such as Australia, are planning rules that would force essential services to accept cash.
But Ms Reynolds effectively ruled out such a move in the UK.
"We have no plans to regulate businesses - big or small - to compel them to accept cash," she said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20gevkx8gyo0 -
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/can-you-summarise-varoufakis-s-xCKlbj.iRpejS2EdQRut1A#0WhisperingOracle said:I see Musk is moving into payments,, too, with a deal with Visa.
I can imagine a future where several countries depend on his communications infrastructure, and he also dominates their online debate. I know I gl on about it, but more people should read Varoufakis's technofeudal book. It's not perfect, but it's the start of a new framework, to understand what's going on.
1 -
Win/Win for him. If Remain had won disappointed Leavers would have flocked to him after Cameron a la the SNP boost after 2014. As Leave won he can, as you say, reap the rewards of a different disenchantment.Stark_Dawning said:
I've been pondering recently. I wonder if Mr Farage knew that Brexit would be something of a let down, but that was all part of his devious plan. The feeling amongst the masses of betrayal and fury has surged since the referendum, providing the perfect hothouse for Nigel's politics to thrive. So was the actual intention of Brexit from the outset to disappoint? Did Nigel play us all like a fiddle with his eye on the long game?Benpointer said:
None of the consequences of Brexit are.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-132984710 -
Good news for business. If you don't have access to electronic means of payment, or struggle with it, or can't use it, not so much.TheScreamingEagles said:Excellent news, this government is the best.
Shops and firms will not be forced to accept cash
Shops and service firms will not be compelled to accept cash, a government minister has said, despite concerns that millions of vulnerable people rely on it.
Emma Reynolds, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, was pressed on coffee shops, trains and leisure centres excluding people by no longer accepting cash.
But she told MPs on the Treasury Committee that there was no chance of the UK becoming cash-free anytime soon.
She said the government was concentrating on ensuring everyone had access to cash, such as through new banking hubs, and on improving people's digital skills.
Cash is legal tender in the UK, but businesses are not obliged to serve people who only want to pay with notes and coins.
Some countries, such as Australia, are planning rules that would force essential services to accept cash.
But Ms Reynolds effectively ruled out such a move in the UK.
"We have no plans to regulate businesses - big or small - to compel them to accept cash," she said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20gevkx8gyo0 -
Not worth moaning about imo.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-132984710 -
By the pogrom time you wish for, they won't distinguish, Suella.DougSeal said:Recent Tory Home Secretary tells American audience that Britain may become first Islamist state with nuclear weapons. These people were in charge a year ago.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/suella-braverman-says-the-uk-could-become-the-first-islamist-nation-with-nuclear-weapons_uk_67990ac6e4b0f8946ae28c4a0 -
https://x.com/yanisvaroufakis/status/1754175896146080157viewcode said:I am on a train. My feet are cold.
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Stop sticking them out the window?viewcode said:I am on a train. My feet are cold.
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@MarshallCohen
The Trump-installed interim US attorney for DC is furious about leaks. He sent an office-wide message today complaining that "my email yesterday to you all was leaked almost immediately," calling it "personally insulting," per email obtained by CNN.
https://x.com/MarshallCohen/status/18843459846976802045 -
Weren’t the eagles capable of taking on a Nazgûl? In any case wasn’t Sauron’s radar only attuned to the putting on of the ring rather than it’s proximity to Barad-dûr?DougSeal said:
Always thought it would be virtually impossible for a fckng great big eagle to fly under the Sauron radar with a piece of jewellery that got heavier the closer it got to Mount Doom without being shot down or crashing. Just my ha’penny.Theuniondivvie said:
It’s the standard fantasy fiction suspension of disbelief test. Even the good stuff (LOTR) had the ‘just send the fckng eagles to Mt Doom’ thing.rcs1000 said:OK, serious question.
In the third Harry Potter book, Hermione gets a time turner to enable her to do more subjects (and also so Harry can do the Petronas charm and fight off the Dementers.)
WHY DOES NO-ONE AT ANY POINT THINK: HMMMM.... THIS TIME TRAVEL LARK WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VOLDEMORT???0 -
Sorry, it should have been this one ;viewcode said:
Do you have a YouTube lecture (not podcast or interview) that covers it? I just reserved "The New Leviathans" from the library and I can't really have too many on the go.WhisperingOracle said:I see Musk is moving into payments,, too, with a deal with Visa.
I can imagine a future where several countries depend on his communications infrastructure, and he also dominates their online debate. I know I gl on about it, but more people should read Varoufakis's technofeudal book. It's not perfect, but it's the start of a new framework, to understand what's going on.
https://youtu.be/Fhgm5b8BR0k?si=3Tpbiv2buVedx-ag
Hopefully a better link.1 -
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/28/cold-fusion-may-a-viable-energy-alternative-to-end-reliance-on-fossil-fuels
The Guardian is printing letters backing Cold Fusion??
Why not phlogiston?1 -
A little upset to hear from my friends on Teesside. Matt Vickers and Stockton Tories doing paid adverts on Facebook groups naming councillors who “voted against a national enquiry into grooming gangs”. A staged council vote to ambush them, where at best it’s symbolic as - shockingly enough - borough councillors can’t instigate or block national enquiries.
Councillors now with angry residents banging on their doors. Being called paedos on the Tory Facebook page comments.
The stupid thing is this. Tories trying to weaponise the Labour coverup. And thus highlighting the Tory coverup. Angry people who have had this weaponised to make them angry won’t vote Tory.
They’ll vote reform
Just how stupid and dangerous are these Tories?8 -
I don't have a BSc for a reason.kinabalu said:
Exactly. The uninitiated don't realise that accountancy (chartered) is part of the creative arts sector.TheValiant said:I can confirm, as a Chartered Accountant, that two plus two does not necessarily equal four.
It equals whatever you want it to equal.
0 -
They are on the floor. Where I normally keep my feet.solarflare said:
Stop sticking them out the window?viewcode said:I am on a train. My feet are cold.
0 -
Fair - but they were big ol’ birds, hard to miss with the naked eye, and there was significant peril from ground to air ordinance ie arrows. Huge risk to take. On balance I still think a ground insertion by irregular special forces was probably the sensible approach whatever the armchair elves say.Theuniondivvie said:
Weren’t the eagles capable of taking on a Nazgûl? In any case wasn’t Sauron’s radar only attuned to the putting on of the ring rather than it’s proximity to Barad-dûr?DougSeal said:
Always thought it would be virtually impossible for a fckng great big eagle to fly under the Sauron radar with a piece of jewellery that got heavier the closer it got to Mount Doom without being shot down or crashing. Just my ha’penny.Theuniondivvie said:
It’s the standard fantasy fiction suspension of disbelief test. Even the good stuff (LOTR) had the ‘just send the fckng eagles to Mt Doom’ thing.rcs1000 said:OK, serious question.
In the third Harry Potter book, Hermione gets a time turner to enable her to do more subjects (and also so Harry can do the Petronas charm and fight off the Dementers.)
WHY DOES NO-ONE AT ANY POINT THINK: HMMMM.... THIS TIME TRAVEL LARK WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VOLDEMORT???4 -
Some people just Louvre to complain.noneoftheabove said:
Not worth moaning about imo.Andy_JS said:This sort of thing is not good for anyone imo.
"UK visitors will have to pay more to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris than EU tourists"
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-visitors-will-have-to-pay-more-to-see-the-mona-lisa-in-the-louvre-in-paris-than-eu-tourists-as-part-of-major-renovation-emmanuel-macron-says-132984712 -
@WhisperingOracle , thank you for the links, they are helpful1
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I'm ICAEW.... and an FCA.TheScreamingEagles said:
ICAEW, CIMA, or ACCA?TheValiant said:I can confirm, as a Chartered Accountant, that two plus two does not necessarily equal four.
It equals whatever you want it to equal.
I didn’t realise accountants could get snobby and elitist.
But I'm not a snob. My dad made cornflakes for his living (What is now Cereal Partners in Bromborough), and my mum worked at Thomas Higgins (the debt collectors in Wallasey).... as the cleaner.
I never bothered applying to Oxford or Cambridge as the applications from our state secondary got chucked in the bin unread.
Didn't matter. I went to a much better University anyway. Aberystwyth.1 -
If you think about it, none of the heat from sun reaches us directly, so we might characterise that as cold fusion.Malmesbury said:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/28/cold-fusion-may-a-viable-energy-alternative-to-end-reliance-on-fossil-fuels
The Guardian is printing letters backing Cold Fusion??
Why not phlogiston?
And therefore pretty much all the power and energy on earth is the consequence of this cold fusion.0
