Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
This is very much a media led campaign, they aren't going to let it go, as too many of youner journos are effected by the latest scheme which basically add a big extra tax band which is particularly punishing if you are like lots of younger jouranlists with a platform, on decent money but not amazing money. Reeves response of nothing to see, seems fair to me, I doubt it will hold.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem the loans.
It absolutely would, but the vast numbers now going into HE means nearly everyone has a young family member getting robbed blind by Plan 2 loans, which are as shady as fuck.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
Your position that you will not maintain relations with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who was elected by a parliamentary majority representing the majority of Poles, is simply outrageous. The times when ambassadors dictated to Poles who should hold what office in Poland are over and will never return. We want good relations with the United States, but your representatives will not choose the authorities of the Republic of Poland for us.
I have never been a fan of Włodzimierz Czarzasty, but in this matter, as a Member of Parliament, I stand firmly behind him. Your President first insulted Polish soldiers and then demands support for his dreams of receiving the Nobel Prize. The times when Nero, under threat of punishment, demanded recognition for his musical talents have been regarded as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. From the Polish perspective, Donald Trump’s efforts to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while at the same time hanging a photograph of himself with the greatest criminal of our times—Putin—are similar to Nero’s demands for awards and praise.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
This is very much a media led campaign, they aren't going to let it go, as too many of youner journos are effected by the latest scheme which basically add a big extra tax band which is particularly punishing if you are like lots of younger jouranlists with a platform, on decent money but not amazing money. Reeves response of nothing to see, seems fair to me, I doubt it will hold.
The reason everyone knows about it is probably more to do with Martin Lewis to be honest.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
Your position that you will not maintain relations with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who was elected by a parliamentary majority representing the majority of Poles, is simply outrageous. The times when ambassadors dictated to Poles who should hold what office in Poland are over and will never return. We want good relations with the United States, but your representatives will not choose the authorities of the Republic of Poland for us.
I have never been a fan of Włodzimierz Czarzasty, but in this matter, as a Member of Parliament, I stand firmly behind him. Your President first insulted Polish soldiers and then demands support for his dreams of receiving the Nobel Prize. The times when Nero, under threat of punishment, demanded recognition for his musical talents have been regarded as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. From the Polish perspective, Donald Trump’s efforts to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while at the same time hanging a photograph of himself with the greatest criminal of our times—Putin—are similar to Nero’s demands for awards and praise.
The Ambassador also needs, very urgently, to sort out his spellcheck. And to take some lessons in grammar.
Honestly, the average letter from British Gas is better written and certainly better punctuated than that unhinged drivel.
Remarkable, though, since Poland is (or was) one of the most pro US countries in Europe.
I never imagined I'd say this. But the American ambassador should be made persona non grata and kicked out of Poland by the Polish government. Last tweet should be the end of his barely started term in Warsaw. If we want to be sovereign, this is the time. That's my opinion. https://x.com/SaladinAlDronni/status/2019471044776514032
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem the loans.
It absolutely would, but the vast numbers now going into HE means nearly everyone has a young family member getting robbed blind by Plan 2 loans, which are as shady as fuck.
Oh I do agree with that. I also think we’d be better off going back to the old system of sending fewer to Uni and the state funding it.
But, like with the WASPI women, they put up the least sympathetic people to advocate their cause and, in this case, they never propose a viable solution.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
This is very much a media led campaign, they aren't going to let it go, as too many of youner journos are effected by the latest scheme which basically add a big extra tax band which is particularly punishing if you are like lots of younger jouranlists with a platform, on decent money but not amazing money. Reeves response of nothing to see, seems fair to me, I doubt it will hold.
The reason everyone knows about it is probably more to do with Martin Lewis to be honest.
Its interesting that he used to be very relaxed about it telling people not to worry its just a capped graduate tax, which is no better or worse than the other options.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
This is very much a media led campaign, they aren't going to let it go, as too many of youner journos are effected by the latest scheme which basically add a big extra tax band which is particularly punishing if you are like lots of younger jouranlists with a platform, on decent money but not amazing money. Reeves response of nothing to see, seems fair to me, I doubt it will hold.
The reason everyone knows about it is probably more to do with Martin Lewis to be honest.
Its interesting that he used to be very relaxed about it telling people not to worry its just a capped graduate tax, which is no better or worse than the other options.
Indeed he did. He also used to advise people not to pay it up front too.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
Your position that you will not maintain relations with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who was elected by a parliamentary majority representing the majority of Poles, is simply outrageous. The times when ambassadors dictated to Poles who should hold what office in Poland are over and will never return. We want good relations with the United States, but your representatives will not choose the authorities of the Republic of Poland for us.
I have never been a fan of Włodzimierz Czarzasty, but in this matter, as a Member of Parliament, I stand firmly behind him. Your President first insulted Polish soldiers and then demands support for his dreams of receiving the Nobel Prize. The times when Nero, under threat of punishment, demanded recognition for his musical talents have been regarded as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. From the Polish perspective, Donald Trump’s efforts to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while at the same time hanging a photograph of himself with the greatest criminal of our times—Putin—are similar to Nero’s demands for awards and praise.
The Ambassador also needs, very urgently, to sort out his spellcheck. And to take some lessons in grammar.
Honestly, the average letter from British Gas is better written and certainly better punctuated than that unhinged drivel.
Remarkable, though, since Poland is (or was) one of the most pro US countries in Europe.
I never imagined I'd say this. But the American ambassador should be made persona non grata and kicked out of Poland by the Polish government. Last tweet should be the end of his barely started term in Warsaw. If we want to be sovereign, this is the time. That's my opinion. https://x.com/SaladinAlDronni/status/2019471044776514032
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem the loans.
It absolutely would, but the vast numbers now going into HE means nearly everyone has a young family member getting robbed blind by Plan 2 loans, which are as shady as fuck.
Oh I do agree with that. I also think we’d be better off going back to the old system of sending fewer to Uni and the state funding it.
But, like with the WASPI women, they put up the least sympathetic people to advocate their cause and, in this case, they never propose a viable solution.
As long as I have posted on here I have argued against the current system but also not for the old system. We do need less institutions, some reduction in those going to university, and less nonsense courses / more focus on STEM, but the big change is more of a mix between full time and part time, basically getting away from this idea that basically everybody at 18 going to uni does so via moving away from home to study full time for 3-4 years. Most European countries don't do this.
If you aren't going back to uni vs poly, then the more vocational courses, it is only logical that the vocational ones mix work with study.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem/forgive the loans.
If the loans were made interest free (+ CPI if you insist) I expect many would pay them off early and the government coffers would benefit for a decade at least, and quite possibly do better overall.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem/forgive the loans.
If the loans were made interest free (+ CPI if you insist) I expect many would pay them off early and the government coffers would benefit for a decade at least, and quite possibly do better overall.
What they have done by stealth is turn it into a even more of a graduate tax as the higher your income the higher interest rate you pay. And in doing so again added another cliff edge at ~£50k.
Anyway, my evening's entertainment is watching Bitcoin slowly, but also quite quickly, collapse in real time.
A lot of people are 'worth' a hell of a lot less than they thought they were 4 months ago.
It's a very interesting moment.
I have no direct exposure to crypto, nor would I ever have, but the spillover of BC=0 might be significant. My very long term view is that these are valueless things, but I've been wrong on the very long term so far, and really entirely expect to continue to be wrong.
Crypto as a whole should never be completely valueless - it's great for niche use cases of various forms of illegality.
(Illegality doesn't have to be a bad thing. Even if you are one of the 90% of the population who incorrectly thinks drugs should remain illegal, do you fell the same way about gambling? Evading elite-favouring currency controls? Getting assets out of a despotic regime? Rewarding intelligence assets?)
That doesn't necessarily mean that bitcoin has to have a value, but so much of the crypto universe is tied up with it that it's the best equivalent to gold atm.
I am not saying buy it at anything like these prices... bottom pickers get smelly fingers and all that... but there is a price that I would (highly speculatively) - probably around 10k and averaging down...
Gold has a real value as it is consumed, in not just jewellery but electronics, medicine and much, much more.
Yes it holds value as a "safe" commodity, but that commodity is underpinned by intrinsic value. If people stopped investing in gold today, it would still be consumed and have a value tomorrow.
Crypto has no such intrinsic value. Worse, it has a massive cost of overheads instead.
How much would you price gold at for its industrial etc uses? The intrinsic value is bugger all comparatively. Better than diamonds at least I guess.
Similarly a medium of exchange has intrinsic value and that's why *some* crypto will definitely be of value once this is over - it's just too useful for getting around the tyrannical political elites who want to keep all the cocaine for themselves.
It is of course possible bitcoin itself goes to literally or near as dammit zero (there are theoretical ways it can happen) as it doesn't have the millennia of history of gold and is actually pretty crap as a medium of exchange compared to other coins - but it is the nearest thing to gold that crypto has so far.
None of this is to say you should "invest" in it, but if it drops to below 10k then if the facts haven't changed then I'm absolutely buying some as a punt.
This week, you may have read assertions that Starmer does not like the house guest, pen pal and beneficiary of Jeffrey Epstein he appointed and then sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the US. Cynics may dismiss that as all-too-convenient revisionism but it is all true. For the prime minister, the Labour Party is not a birthright, lifestyle or social network but a utilitarian career choice: much more effective, he told me years ago, than wasting years of one’s life on strategic litigation or suing the police. What offended Starmer most about Jeremy Corbyn was not so much the ideology but the insufficient respect for the sanctity of bureaucratic process, of punctuality and meetings properly chaired.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem the loans.
It absolutely would, but the vast numbers now going into HE means nearly everyone has a young family member getting robbed blind by Plan 2 loans, which are as shady as fuck.
Oh I do agree with that. I also think we’d be better off going back to the old system of sending fewer to Uni and the state funding it.
But, like with the WASPI women, they put up the least sympathetic people to advocate their cause and, in this case, they never propose a viable solution.
One of the solutions proposed on QT was 0% loans - unworkable given present numbers going to HE.
I'm afraid the real answer is to stop funding a section of the crappier institutions, and prioritise funding for occupations we actually need. Unfortunately, no politician wants to tell middle class parents that Josh doesn't need to go to university to study History of Art, or similar.
We could actually go back to things which were trialled and worked e.g. the Repayment of Teacher Loans scheme in the early 00s. It was successful in improving teacher recruitment so NuLabour scrapped it, pinging us into a 20 year teacher recruitment crisis.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
This is very much a media led campaign, they aren't going to let it go, as too many of youner journos are effected by the latest scheme which basically add a big extra tax band which is particularly punishing if you are like lots of younger jouranlists with a platform, on decent money but not amazing money. Reeves response of nothing to see, seems fair to me, I doubt it will hold.
The reason everyone knows about it is probably more to do with Martin Lewis to be honest.
Its interesting that he used to be very relaxed about it telling people not to worry its just a capped graduate tax, which is no better or worse than the other options.
I think his main objection is the way the terms keep being changed.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Starmer is going to be trapped in the worst of both worlds. They can't do a big cover it up as their MPs revolted and they can't do a massive data dump all the docs and take the hit immediately because the plod, while there will be constant leaks and off the record briefings.
Interesting cut through of the student loans issue on QT - entire audience seems against the current position.
I’m sure their view would change if it meant them having to pay more tax to redeem the loans.
It absolutely would, but the vast numbers now going into HE means nearly everyone has a young family member getting robbed blind by Plan 2 loans, which are as shady as fuck.
Oh I do agree with that. I also think we’d be better off going back to the old system of sending fewer to Uni and the state funding it.
But, like with the WASPI women, they put up the least sympathetic people to advocate their cause and, in this case, they never propose a viable solution.
As long as I have posted on here I have argued against the current system but also not for the old system. We do need less institutions, some reduction in those going to university, and less nonsense courses / more focus on STEM, but the big change is more of a mix between full time and part time, basically getting away from this idea that basically everybody at 18 going to uni does so via moving away from home to study full time for 3-4 years. Most European countries don't do this.
If you aren't going back to uni vs poly, then the more vocational courses, it is only logical that the vocational ones mix work with study.
Which is what my apprenticeship was. It was great. A mix of work and study. Worked really well and I ended up'with a decent career from it.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Starmer is going to be trapped in the worst of both worlds. They can't do a big cover it up as their MPs revolted and they can't do a massive data dump all the docs and take the hit immediately because the plod, while there will be constant leaks and off the record briefings.
If Starmer resigned, would the enquiry need to be public?
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
The Epstein Files fallout continues well away from America.
Norway’s economic crime police unit Oekokrim is investigating former prime minister and Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjørn Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption based on information revealed in the latest files drop.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
It's rather come to something when the Prime Minister's last line of defence is "I'm a gullible idiot"
I've just heard that speech from earlier today on R5 Live - he opened with 'I used to be DPP' and moved on to 'I didn't know he was lying'. Desperate stuff.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Apart from the Liz Truss market crash, and the Rwanda scheme being shelved, what difference would it have made had Boris never stepped down as PM?
Reform would never have got 14% at the last GE, Farage would never have returned and LOTO Rishi Sunak would now be 20%+ ahead of Labour in the polls?
No, leadership crises are Shakesperean Tragedies, brought on by the character faults of the individual concerned. If it wasn't Pincher then Johnson would have gone because of some other lie. If Truss hadn't gone because of her KamiKwasi budget it would have been for some other bit of hubristic lunacy. Same goes for Starmer too, if Mandelson doesn't get him some other bit of inexplicable handfistedness will.
The only difference to Shakespeare is that in our hyperactive world it all happens at the speed of TikTok rather than a leisurely 3 hour play, and with less beautiful prose.
It's rather come to something when the Prime Minister's last line of defence is "I'm a gullible idiot"
I've just heard that speech from earlier today on R5 Live - he opened with 'I used to be DPP' and moved on to 'I didn't know he was lying'. Desperate stuff.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
So be it. The UK cringe towards the administration is embarrassing, and IMO unnecessary.
I would be very happy for the UK to create a new Baltic/Nordic/North Sea alliance where together we close off the north as a route out for Russia, a very strong military on land and sea and frankly tell everyone to fuck off. Agree to buy the same kit so everything is interchangeable. The North has theor priorities nailed and we should be part of that.
"The PB Factor: On Political Betting, users often employ a "High Victorian" or "disgruntled colonel" tone. Your phrase fits that aesthetic so perfectly that it feels like it should have been said a thousand times before, even if it hasn't."
A decent game of Rugby to start the tournament. But WTF is it with these sodding ads.
Do I not like them.
I really had no problem with those ads. There were the two agreed 20s per half during the nonsense whilst they were setting scrums that lost nothing from the game apart from the ref talking to some human bison combos. If it means that a channel can pay the money to keep the 6N free to air then it’s the tiniest price to pay.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
Difficulty changes according to the number of miners.
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
Yes, BUT there is an interesting theoretical caveat. The difficulty doesn't change completely dynamically - it changes every something something blocks which currently equates to roughly every two weeks.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
Difficulty changes according to the number of miners.
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
Yes, BUT there is an interesting theoretical caveat. The difficulty doesn't change completely dynamically - it changes every something something blocks which currently equates to roughly every two weeks.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
What are the implications for the world if Bitcoin collapaes?
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
Difficulty changes according to the number of miners.
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
Yes, BUT there is an interesting theoretical caveat. The difficulty doesn't change completely dynamically - it changes every something something blocks which currently equates to roughly every two weeks.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
What are the implications for the world of Bitcoin collapaes.
No one knows.
That's a major part of the problem of all this hype around basically digital tulips.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
I think the energy cost of a mined Bitcoin is currently about $90k.
Which is a criminal waste of energy. The sooner the whole pyramid scheme collapses the better, not least for the planet.
Yes. But with a few exceptions:
(1) The energy is entirely thrown off as heat. If you are mining Bitcoin in a place which needs heating anyway, then it's just like having a space heater. (2) If you have trapped energy -say the grid is at capacity and your wind farm is still generating power, it's just not being taken away- then you might as well use it to 'mine crypto'.
That said, crypto mostly just raises energy prices for normal people and worsens global warming. On the positive side, the increased energy demand (and prices) have jumpstarted solar.
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister — I’m assuming your thoughtful and well-articulated message was sent to me by mistake, because surely you intended it for the Speaker of the Sejm, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, who’s despicable, disrespectful and insulting comments about President Trump @POTUS were so potentially damaging to your government.
Mr. Prime Minister, I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for your lifetime of bold leadership and for your decades of contributions that strengthened the U.S.–Poland relationship. You Sir have truly been a model ally and great friend of the United States.
And I know you agree that insulting and degrading the @realDonaldTrump President of the United States— the greatest friend Poland has ever had in the White House, is the last thing any Polish leader should do.
"The PB Factor: On Political Betting, users often employ a "High Victorian" or "disgruntled colonel" tone. Your phrase fits that aesthetic so perfectly that it feels like it should have been said a thousand times before, even if it hasn't."
How dare you, my tone is always 'slightly peeved smug bureaucrat'.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Interesting question what the correct value is of an asset whose primary use case is money laundering.
It is worth noting that the old 'main use' for Bitcoin - i.e. buying illegal drugs off the dark web - is now almost entirely done with Monero.
Monero, it should also be noted: (1) does not require vast energy to mine (because it was designed around avoiding the issues that plagued BTC), and (2) has much greater throughput too - transactions clear in minutes, not hours.
In other words, if I were to pick one Crypto, it would be Monero, with Ethereum as my number two.
It's rather come to something when the Prime Minister's last line of defence is "I'm a gullible idiot"
I've just heard that speech from earlier today on R5 Live - he opened with 'I used to be DPP' and moved on to 'I didn't know he was lying'. Desperate stuff.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
Difficulty changes according to the number of miners.
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
Yes, BUT there is an interesting theoretical caveat. The difficulty doesn't change completely dynamically - it changes every something something blocks which currently equates to roughly every two weeks.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
What are the implications for the world if Bitcoin collapaes?
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
I think the energy cost of a mined Bitcoin is currently about $90k.
Which is a criminal waste of energy. The sooner the whole pyramid scheme collapses the better, not least for the planet.
Yes. But with a few exceptions:
(1) The energy is entirely thrown off as heat. If you are mining Bitcoin in a place which needs heating anyway, then it's just like having a space heater. (2) If you have trapped energy -say the grid is at capacity and your wind farm is still generating power, it's just not being taken away- then you might as well use it to 'mine crypto'.
That said, crypto mostly just raises energy prices for normal people and worsens global warming. On the positive side, the increased energy demand (and prices) have jumpstarted solar.
Just gonna take exception to "crypto" in this sentence. No modern cryptocurrency uses the energy-wasting system that Bitcoin does. This problem was solved years ago. It's only used still used by Bitcoin because it's users created a primitive religion around Satoshi's proof-of-concept.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
Difficulty changes according to the number of miners.
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
Yes, BUT there is an interesting theoretical caveat. The difficulty doesn't change completely dynamically - it changes every something something blocks which currently equates to roughly every two weeks.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
What are the implications for the world of Bitcoin collapaes.
No one knows.
That's a major part of the problem of all this hype around basically digital tulips.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
Interesting question what the correct value is of an asset whose primary use case is money laundering.
It is worth noting that the old 'main use' for Bitcoin - i.e. buying illegal drugs off the dark web - is now almost entirely done with Monero.
Monero, it should also be noted: (1) does not require vast energy to mine (because it was designed around avoiding the issues that plagued BTC), and (2) has much greater throughput too - transactions clear in minutes, not hours.
In other words, if I were to pick one Crypto, it would be Monero, with Ethereum as my number two.
Note though that it doesn't make a great deal of sense to buy Monero speculatively because there's not a finite supply. Essentially a fixed amount is minted continually. With decreasing global population growth and relatively stable drug consumption (both of these in order of magnitude terms), as well as like you say it already being the standard for dark web usage atm it's hard to see why it should change significantly. This may well make it a nice thing to be a trader of, idk.
Quick market update: As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone. The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond. #markets #crypto #bitcoin
What is the cheapest computing cost of a bitcoin these days?
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
I think the energy cost of a mined Bitcoin is currently about $90k.
Which is a criminal waste of energy. The sooner the whole pyramid scheme collapses the better, not least for the planet.
Yes. But with a few exceptions:
(1) The energy is entirely thrown off as heat. If you are mining Bitcoin in a place which needs heating anyway, then it's just like having a space heater. (2) If you have trapped energy -say the grid is at capacity and your wind farm is still generating power, it's just not being taken away- then you might as well use it to 'mine crypto'.
That said, crypto mostly just raises energy prices for normal people and worsens global warming. On the positive side, the increased energy demand (and prices) have jumpstarted solar.
But there are now very large and growing competing demands for the marginal kWh for other forms of computing.
On the other side of the coin (sorry) there's also illicit/stolen computing time where the costs fall on someone else.
Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like Kemi Badenoch's presser this morning was held in the National Liberal Club. Weird.
It was actually held in one of the function rooms of the Royal Horseguards Hotel. It used to be the Gladstone Library of the NLC until they had to sell it off. Nigel Farage is rather fond of using it. The NLC certainly wouldn't allow them in their own premises.
A good way to hole Starmer below the high tide line if it went ahead?
How many holed below the waterline events does one Prime Minister need to experience before he sinks?
I think he needs to go now.
One interesting snippet from my Chagos research. One example of what happened under the Conservative 14 years in power, exploring and negotiating the inherent problems in the Chagos situation throughout those 14 years, the resettlement of Chagossians had finally been agreed in 2023 in the 11 rounds of top level negotiations the Conservative Party had negotiating this deal, but in January 2024 UK went back on that agreement. This manoeuvre in January 2024 from Cameron is interesting - because Cameron had, what they call in cop shows, “previous” on blocking return of Chagossians.
In a key earlier attempt to keep this dispute out of the international courts, Prime Minister Cameron purchased an independent report if return of Chagossians was feasible and could be done. The report said yes, return of Chagossians is feasible. But the moment Cameron decided in 2016 not to go further with this, is the moment it created certainty of UK being taken into the courts.
Although surrender of sovereignty stands out as most controversial in the deal, the arguments around the of return of Chagossians has played a crucial role over more than half a century, in getting us to where it is today. And on this particular element of it all, I’m not at all convinced it’s all over.
Right, so after some 'research' you now acknowledge that Cameron parked the deal, which is exactly what I said happened - a statement that you were posting infantile rolleyes smilies about earlier.
No. Cameron’s DID NOT PARK THE DEAL. Quite the opposite.
There was never a freeze on negotiating, never a pause on negotiating, there was a slowing of momentum on reaching a deal before General Election, but rounds of negotiating actually carried on right up to the 2024 General Election, 11 rounds under the Conservatives leaving so much of the deal we see today already agreed, so much plan and agreement already in place, the incoming government only needed two further rounds of talks before everything was settled by 3rd Oct 2024.
Apart from issue of resettlement, that had been agreed, but in 2024 Cameron ripped that agreement up. I don’t know if the chapter was simply un-ripped up, or re-negotiated final deal.
The key bit of my argument, an agreement ceding Chagos sovereignty in exchange for a long-term lease of the military base, this was an agreed part of the plan the incoming UK government INHERITED.
Until you prove me wrong, Labour inherited a plan agreed from the 11 rounds of negotiation under the Conservatives, for a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia after ceding sovereignty. What Labour inherited was called Established "Plan A": containing and describing the agreement for a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia while ceding sovereignty.
There was never a freeze on negotiating, never a pause on negotiating, there was a slowing of momentum
Right OK, glad we got that straightened out.
It’s good we are back on the same page. 🙂
Cameron never put a freeze on negotiating, never a pause on negotiating. Cameron presided over rounds of negotiating right up to the 2024 General Election, 11 rounds under the Conservatives in all. Labour inherited a plan agreed from the 11 rounds of negotiation under the Conservatives, for a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia after ceding sovereignty. What Labour inherited was called Established "Plan A": containing and describing the agreement for a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia while ceding sovereignty. It was basically done, two months later it was on Biden’s desk.
Which makes the Conservative Party position now all the more bizarre. When this truth is more widely known, all the Conservatives can say is - we didn’t sign anything! We did not surrender the Chagos!
What was actually going on under Cameron’s time as Foreign Sec, a general election was coming and transferring sovereignty for a lease, and allowing return of Chagossians, was going to be a difficult sell - hence, certainly with the tacit approval of the US and India, carry on negotiating rather than walk away from negotiation table {in eyes of world}, but tactically slow the negotiations down, so it becomes a matter for other side of the election.
In negotiating reality, the deal we have today, or something almost like this, could have been signed by the UK government in 2023. Cameron may have rowed back the agreed bit of plan for resettlement, but he didn’t rip up the planned lease back, he bequeathed it to the next government still in the plan.
You have all the freedom to say you don’t believe a word of this account, because this sounds so outlandish - the Conservative Party certainly don’t explain it like I do for sure. Apart from me, who does?
But if you want to to say - as someone said yesterday - my argument is not coherent, just a collection of tangential to irrelevant facts and suppositions, you have to take that up with my resources, referencing across all them gave me the insight. Here are some links, starting with an actual written statement in Parliament, and finishing with exactly where it’s at today.
Sorry, we're not on the same page, that was sarcasm highlighting your rhetorical contortions - I suppose I should have used a rolleyes smilie.
Most of the sources you've provided are indeed irrelevant, they contain things that I've never disputed.
Where you've come really unstuck is that more or less all of your punchier claims come from a single article by 'Charlie Bealby' (must be an established journalist - he has 42 Twitter followers), whose 'Factual Breakdown' (always a bit of a red flag that you're getting an opinion piece when the word 'factual' begins the headline) seems to be a work of his own imagination.
The "11 rounds of negotiations" piece comes from an unnamed Labour briefing to the London Economic that is totally unverifiable but also calls them 'failed' negotiations' - which doesn't really support your notion that the final deal was a Tory one - it supports my argument that Starmer was prepared to pony up the cash when the Tories, even Cleverly, were not. I think most sensible British people would have liked them to carry on failing.
For this part:
These talks were continued and refined under Lord Cameron’s tenure as Foreign Secretary. The final round of Tory-led negotiations took place just weeks before the 2024 general election. By the time the government changed hands, the framework for ceding sovereignty in exchange for a long-term lease of the military base was already the established “Plan A” for the British state.
Ben doesn't offer any form of back up at all. He links to the October 2024 announcement, presumably expecting (rightly in your case) that most would not enquire further.
Easy to get taken in by a semi professional opinion piece with lots of links and stuff - we have all been there.
Okay. Returning if we may, to your assertion my understanding of 11 rounds of talks between Oct 22 and Spring 24 was because I have been naive enough to be duped by just the one source, an unreliable fantasist, and should rightly feel embarrassed.
I now have some back up support on this from several other sources, that you may, by all means also call these unreliable fantasists, out to dupe and embarrass us, if we should believe what they are telling us
Rounds of negotiation held November 22, January and February 23,
And what better than from Lord Cameron - who apparently froze all this so none of this is happening - himself in 2024 this Negotiation thing still going on throughout 2023 and into 2024 in questions 691, 692, 693 and 694? “You will be aware that negotiations on future sovereignty have been going on between London and Port Louis for just over a year now” “Yes. There is a negotiation ongoing.”
Lucky, dear friend - are you still saying I’m wrong? Or are you saying yes - the Conservatives spent 2 years negotiating the frame work agreement “Plan A” and left it for Labour to sign and own? Why would the Tories do that? It’s that it’s the most hugely unpopular impossible to sell treaty ever, is it?
Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like Kemi Badenoch's presser this morning was held in the National Liberal Club. Weird.
It was actually held in one of the function rooms of the Royal Horseguards Hotel. It used to be the Gladstone Library of the NLC until they had to sell it off. Nigel Farage is rather fond of using it. The NLC certainly wouldn't allow them in their own premises.
On the other side of the coin (sorry) there's also illicit/stolen computing time where the costs fall on someone else.
This was briefly a thing but it's not any more. You can't mine bitcoins with stolen computing time because you need specialized hardware to do anything meaningful, and the other minor proof-of-work coins are pretty much dead (because proof-of-work is fucking stupid).
If the French fought wars like they do this rugby they might actually get somewhere.
I loved being a rugby fan in the south of France. Their fandom is on another level. I got asked about Le Crunch as soon as some people realised that I was English
Tbf, the way they sing La Marseillaise is incredible.
Like any True Brit it Gauls me. The French have the worlds best national anthem.
Russia must be a contender, and Germany too but the old words were better. But GSTK can be rescued. The problem is it is played as a durge. Played slightly faster, it's not a bad tune. Here is a 40-second video with five anthems to the tune of GSTK. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FM-UZh4Dhnw
The other problem with GSTK is the most significant line is buried in the second verse which is hardly ever sung: May he defend our laws / And ever give us cause...
This is our equivalent of the American constitution's We, the people. May he defend our laws – not God's laws or the King's laws, but our laws – the common law and laws past by our representatives in parliament.
Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like Kemi Badenoch's presser this morning was held in the National Liberal Club. Weird.
It was actually held in one of the function rooms of the Royal Horseguards Hotel. It used to be the Gladstone Library of the NLC until they had to sell it off. Nigel Farage is rather fond of using it. The NLC certainly wouldn't allow them in their own premises.
If the French fought wars like they do this rugby they might actually get somewhere.
I loved being a rugby fan in the south of France. Their fandom is on another level. I got asked about Le Crunch as soon as some people realised that I was English
Tbf, the way they sing La Marseillaise is incredible.
Like any True Brit it Gauls me. The French have the worlds best national anthem.
Russia must be a contender, and Germany too but the old words were better. But GSTK can be rescued. The problem is it is played as a durge. Played slightly faster, it's not a bad tune. Here is a 40-second video with five anthems to the tune of GSTK. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FM-UZh4Dhnw
The other problem with GSTK is the most significant line is buried in the second verse which is hardly ever sung: May he defend our laws / And ever give us cause...
This is our equivalent of the American constitution's We, the people. May he defend our laws – not God's laws or the King's laws, but our laws – the common law and laws past by our representatives in parliament.
Ah, the old national anthem discussion. Has to be Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Comments
Find Out Now voting intention:
🟦 Reform UK: 31% (+2)
🟢 Greens: 18% (-1)
🔵 Conservatives: 18% (+1)
🔴 Labour: 16% (-1)
🟠 Lib Dems: 11% (-)
Implied turnout: 55%
Changes from 28th January
[Find Out Now, 4th February, N=2,264]
https://x.com/findoutnowuk/status/2019450794664243292?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
Honestly, the average letter from British Gas is better written and certainly better punctuated than that unhinged drivel.
I never imagined I'd say this.
But the American ambassador should be made persona non grata and kicked out of Poland by the Polish government.
Last tweet should be the end of his barely started term in Warsaw.
If we want to be sovereign, this is the time. That's my opinion.
https://x.com/SaladinAlDronni/status/2019471044776514032
But, like with the WASPI women, they put up the least sympathetic people to advocate their cause and, in this case, they never propose a viable solution.
Do I not like them.
https://x.com/TomRoseIndy/status/2019508942385344784
Should we take all our soldiers and equipment with us?
If you aren't going back to uni vs poly, then the more vocational courses, it is only logical that the vocational ones mix work with study.
EXCL:
British officials braced for the release of Mandelson's messages as ambassador, which they fear could torpedo Starmer's relationship with Trump
One said there is “lots which could be damaging” and “he used to download his thoughts in real time.”
In a memo seen by @POLITICOEurope FCDO permanent secretary Oliver Robbins wrote to all departmental staff Wednesday night to reassure them over the “anxiety” caused by the whole affair.
He asked civil servants approached about communications to refer all requests to his office.
Officials believe the Intelligence and Security Committee will only sift out information that could jeopardise national security, rather than cause embarrassment.
https://x.com/estwebber/status/2019476949266051421?s=20
Similarly a medium of exchange has intrinsic value and that's why *some* crypto will definitely be of value once this is over - it's just too useful for getting around the tyrannical political elites who want to keep all the cocaine for themselves.
It is of course possible bitcoin itself goes to literally or near as dammit zero (there are theoretical ways it can happen) as it doesn't have the millennia of history of gold and is actually pretty crap as a medium of exchange compared to other coins - but it is the nearest thing to gold that crypto has so far.
None of this is to say you should "invest" in it, but if it drops to below 10k then if the facts haven't changed then I'm absolutely buying some as a punt.
It gives an old fart like me a chance to smugly mention the full grant and free university education that I enjoyed back in the 80s.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/720af3a9-dd66-473f-a13f-f57afa1c95fe?shareToken=008743eaf0fdff1c39ab227d3d837f89
I'm afraid the real answer is to stop funding a section of the crappier institutions, and prioritise funding for occupations we actually need. Unfortunately, no politician wants to tell middle class parents that Josh doesn't need to go to university to study History of Art, or similar.
We could actually go back to things which were trialled and worked e.g. the Repayment of Teacher Loans scheme in the early 00s. It was successful in improving teacher recruitment so NuLabour scrapped it, pinging us into a 20 year teacher recruitment crisis.
France are very hot right now, but Ireland are way off the pace. They even look slow.
The UK cringe towards the administration is embarrassing, and IMO unnecessary.
@elerianm
·
1h
Quick market update:
As forced liquidations continue and new margin calls are issued, Bitcoin prices have now plummeted 25% this week alone.
The scale and disorderly nature of the sell-off are spilling to crypto-adjacent assets and also beyond.
#markets #crypto #bitcoin
https://x.com/elerianm/status/2019516744977772768
The Epstein Files fallout continues well away from America.
Norway’s economic crime police unit Oekokrim is investigating former prime minister and Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjørn Jagland on suspicion of aggravated corruption based on information revealed in the latest files drop.
Watch out for Kemi Badenoch
She just keeps getting better" (£)
https://spectator.com/article/watch-out-for-kemi-badenoch/
They appointed an ambassador who doesn't know when to write 'whose'.
What happens if there's no incentive to run any calculations? Zero liquidity and zero value?
It's why even the most esoteric of coins are still mined/verified/etc.
The only difference to Shakespeare is that in our hyperactive world it all happens at the speed of TikTok rather than a leisurely 3 hour play, and with less beautiful prose.
I’m somewhat astonished, and quite pleased, by this
Bitcoin is suffering quite the rout today.
Interesting question what the correct value is of an asset whose primary use case is money laundering.
Which is a criminal waste of energy. The sooner the whole pyramid scheme collapses the better, not least for the planet.
"The PB Factor: On Political Betting, users often employ a "High Victorian" or "disgruntled colonel" tone. Your phrase fits that aesthetic so perfectly that it feels like it should have been said a thousand times before, even if it hasn't."
Even if it hadn't, the by election results were awful and the Partygate report would still have been damning.
So if it really turbo super mega collapsed then you can at least theoretically end up with a situation where all the big miners shutdown and well, then is the end of bitcoin because without them those blocks ain't getting solved for months.
Hard to see that happening but given there's only a few huge miners and they all have precarious financials, it's not impossible, and I would be rather tumescent if this were the case.
As it is, they'll currently be losing money on everything they're minding, in USD terms - but of course can wear this for a fortnight.
Jeez.
Climate change is of course a hoax.
That's a major part of the problem of all this hype around basically digital tulips.
(1) The energy is entirely thrown off as heat. If you are mining Bitcoin in a place which needs heating anyway, then it's just like having a space heater.
(2) If you have trapped energy -say the grid is at capacity and your wind farm is still generating power, it's just not being taken away- then you might as well use it to 'mine crypto'.
That said, crypto mostly just raises energy prices for normal people and worsens global warming. On the positive side, the increased energy demand (and prices) have jumpstarted solar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Rose
And until recently, relatively popular in Poland.
Perhaps he's just discovered Żubrówka.
Monero, it should also be noted: (1) does not require vast energy to mine (because it was designed around avoiding the issues that plagued BTC), and (2) has much greater throughput too - transactions clear in minutes, not hours.
In other words, if I were to pick one Crypto, it would be Monero, with Ethereum as my number two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgffRW1fKDk
Exclusive:
Barclays is first client to cut ties with Epstein-linked lobbying firm Global Counsel
https://bsky.app/profile/pickardje.bsky.social/post/3me5j4ximhc2l
On the other side of the coin (sorry) there's also illicit/stolen computing time where the costs fall on someone else.
I now have some back up support on this from several other sources, that you may, by all means also call these unreliable fantasists, out to dupe and embarrass us, if we should believe what they are telling us
Rounds of negotiation held November 22, January and February 23,
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-03-17/hcws645#:~:text=Braintree-,Statement,agreement in the coming months.
Further rounds of negotiation occurred March, 2 to 3 June 2023 and 31 July to 1 August 2023.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-09-14/hcws1029
in September 2023, additionally at the G20 in Delhi
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-prime-minister-jugnauth-of-mauritius-9-september-2023
And what better than from Lord Cameron - who apparently froze all this so none of this is happening - himself in 2024
this Negotiation thing still going on throughout 2023 and into 2024 in questions 691, 692, 693 and 694?
“You will be aware that negotiations on future sovereignty have been going on between London and Port Louis for just over a year now”
“Yes. There is a negotiation ongoing.”
https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/14047/html/
Lucky, dear friend - are you still saying I’m wrong? Or are you saying yes - the Conservatives spent 2 years negotiating the frame work agreement “Plan A” and left it for Labour to sign and own?
Why would the Tories do that? It’s that it’s the most hugely unpopular impossible to sell treaty ever, is it?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FM-UZh4Dhnw
And here is 30 seconds of Mr Burns in The Simpsons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L683vszJ7Fo
Australia is not bad either, though its words are even more banal than ours. Here is 40 seconds of Matilda in Home and Away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSl6OxAmIyY
The other problem with GSTK is the most significant line is buried in the second verse which is hardly ever sung: May he defend our laws / And ever give us cause...
This is our equivalent of the American constitution's We, the people. May he defend our laws – not God's laws or the King's laws, but our laws – the common law and laws past by our representatives in parliament.
Has to be Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.