Assisted dying is a little bit like drugs, prostitution, abortion, and gambling.
It's something that it would probably be best if it didn't exist. But given it's going to exist -in one way or another- is it better to have it legal and regulated, or is it better to go down the moral route, and simply ban it?
Right now, like with much 'soft' drugs, we settle for this pseduo decriminalisation - we basically don't enforce the law as far as assisted dying. No one is prosecuted for helping a friend head of to Switzerland for a one way trip to Dignitas. There is a blind eye turned to allowing morphine doses to euthanize those in severe pain and near end of life.
We would be much better being honest: is this something we find acceptable, and we seek to mitigate risks as much as possible? Or is it so morally repugnant that it should be illegal. And if it is illegal, we need to enforce the law.
I am in the former camp. Having seen my mother struggle terribly with dementia, I would never want to go through that. She is unhappier than she has ever been in her life. But she is also way beyond a point where she could make a decision about ending it. I would rather leave life on my own terms than be reduced to the shell she is.
Other people may have different views, of course.
But right now, the reality is that assisted dying is legal for me. Because I have the means to head to Switzerland should I desire it. It is grossly unfair that we allow the well off to make these decisions for themselves, and not those of lesser means.
I fall on your side of the argument too, but I cannot deny that Cyclefree makes powerful counter arguments which it's not easy to rebut. It is a hard problem.
In my own case, I willingly helped my mother look after my father through his last decade of dementia, which took a heavy toll on her and the family. The thought of not doing so would not even have occurred to her - and my father was certainly not someone who would have made the end of life decision that you or I might make.
The only thing that can be says with certainty is that we must respect everyone's own beliefs on this.
@Cyclefree is very articulate. And the problems she describes are very real ones.
But when I read her, I don't get the feeling that there are any safeguards that would satisfy her. Her opposition to any form of legal assisted dying feels absolute.
Assisted dying is a little bit like drugs, prostitution, abortion, and gambling.
It's something that it would probably be best if it didn't exist. But given it's going to exist -in one way or another- is it better to have it legal and regulated, or is it better to go down the moral route, and simply ban it?
Right now, like with much 'soft' drugs, we settle for this pseduo decriminalisation - we basically don't enforce the law as far as assisted dying. No one is prosecuted for helping a friend head of to Switzerland for a one way trip to Dignitas. There is a blind eye turned to allowing morphine doses to euthanize those in severe pain and near end of life.
We would be much better being honest: is this something we find acceptable, and we seek to mitigate risks as much as possible? Or is it so morally repugnant that it should be illegal. And if it is illegal, we need to enforce the law.
I am in the former camp. Having seen my mother struggle terribly with dementia, I would never want to go through that. She is unhappier than she has ever been in her life. But she is also way beyond a point where she could make a decision about ending it. I would rather leave life on my own terms than be reduced to the shell she is.
Other people may have different views, of course.
But right now, the reality is that assisted dying is legal for me. Because I have the means to head to Switzerland should I desire it. It is grossly unfair that we allow the well off to make these decisions for themselves, and not those of lesser means.
I fall on your side of the argument too, but I cannot deny that Cyclefree makes powerful counter arguments which it's not easy to rebut. It is a hard problem.
In my own case, I willingly helped my mother look after my father through his last decade of dementia, which took a heavy toll on her and the family. The thought of not doing so would not even have occurred to her - and my father was certainly not someone who would have made the end of life decision that you or I might make.
The only thing that can be says with certainty is that we must respect everyone's own beliefs on this.
@Cyclefree is very articulate. And the problems she describes are very real ones.
But when I read her, I don't get the feeling that there are any safeguards that would satisfy her. Her opposition to any form of legal assisted dying feels absolute.
My viewpoint is allow others to do to their family as you would do for your dog
What, despatch it when it becomes a pain in the neck or drive into the middle of the countryside and leave it there and head off ?
Irrelevant Degrees Sub Standard Recipients of Degrees Lack of the old "Degree Pathway" many major Companies had.
A Degree used to mean a lot! many still do, but whereas major Companies in all sectors would take someone on to a Degree Pathway ar 22 / 23, now far fewer do.
Too often we see, hear , know of kids who have done a 3-4 year Course with little or no idea of the "end job" or "probability of an "end job offer"
Even back in the late 70's early 80's my sister had a falir for "languages" - she was A / A Star . top grade and got 2 Honours Degrees in French and German. She walked in to a then growing European based business with a major UK base did very well, met and married and had a career change transfering to missionary work in Tanzania, guess what , learnt Swahili and othe African languagues came back and has used those skills since.
The only degree qualifications I was really interested in was History or Geography, where would that have led me, Teaching, did I want to be a teacher, NOPE! The only possible interest that did sort of entice was to combine it with my sporting prowess so that 5 days a week I could be a back up sports teacher playing football / rugby or cricket but that didn't swing it.
WE NEED every degree to have a CLEAR pathway! WE NEED more technical degrees relevant to the jobs market
WE HAVE massive gaps and shortfall in what were considered "blue collar" jobs but which can now be very technical or very much offer a long and seriously good income "the trades"
Blair intrioduced the "degree culture" it was relevant and worthy then IT IS NOT NOW and actually the political Right, on this subject are right to question the system and what it produces!
There can't be pathways as there is nowhere for the path to go. The jobs are disappearing, fast. Look at that incredible stat. Places for uni leavers down by almost half in one year. That's not all Rachel Reeves's fault
I take absolutely no pleasure in this, just in case someone mistakes my tone for glee, or schadenfreude. It is not. My daughters are at Uni (or prepping for it) and
1. I deeply fear for them when they leave. What on earth will they do?
And
2. Who will bother following them? Taking on all that debt, and for what?
They could be one of the last cohorts to do uni as a matter of course
I reckon universities will shrink to 10% of their present size within a decade or so. It is going to be enormously painful in multiple ways
The best and most beautiful unis will survive as posh finishing schools. The average places, outside the top 10, not so much. And this will happen worldwide
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
Kemi is trying to show the Conservatives are a team rather than just a leader with no one backing them up. She increasingly shares the spotlight and mentions her collesgues. This must be to draw a line in the sand with Reform I think
It was refreshing on GMB to see her accept Lewis May have a point and offer to discuss it with him, rather than trot out rehearsed line in order to block him out. I hope she does well. Good to see her sticking to her guns on the two child cap
Lifting the two-child benefit cap is as unfair as it is unaffordable.
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Kemi is trying to show the Conservatives are a team rather than just a leader with no one backing them up. She increasingly shares the spotlight and mentions her collesgues. This must be to draw a line in the sand with Reform I think
It was refreshing on GMB to see her accept Lewis May have a point and offer to discuss it with him, rather than trot out rehearsed line in order to block him out. I hope she does well. Good to see her sticking to her guns on the two child cap
Lifting the two-child benefit cap is as unfair as it is unaffordable.
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Forgive the tuition fee, the maintenance loan, or both?
UK unemployment across the board is now already back up over 5% thanks to a very high minimum wage and higher taxes from this Labour government and automation of admin and data entry jobs but you certainly aren't getting a job as a doctor or lawyer, a teacher or even a senior police officer or nurse without a degree
Confusion reigns as the tariff President flat global tariff President Trump announced at 15% immediately, turns out to be 10% according to US customs notice…
Relief for UK exporters which in theory will not be the biggest hit, after representations made by Business Sec Peter Kyle to his US counterpart…
But the White House briefs US reporters that the 15% will go ahead at some point…
Uk businesses, British chamber of commerce bemoan the “nonstop rollercoaster” say members now diversifying away from US trade, call on Government to engage directly with tariff- sceptical Congress which can veto extension of new tariff (but risks Trump’s ire).
Unprecedented in UK political history I think to have no party polling over 30% but 5 parties polling over 10%, makes a hung parliament very likely and Thursday's by election very open indeed.
Tories and Labour back tied for second and wedged between first placed Reform and the fourth placed Greens
Confusion reigns as the tariff President flat global tariff President Trump announced at 15% immediately, turns out to be 10% according to US customs notice…
Relief for UK exporters which in theory will not be the biggest hit, after representations made by Business Sec Peter Kyle to his US counterpart…
But the White House briefs US reporters that the 15% will go ahead at some point…
Uk businesses, British chamber of commerce bemoan the “nonstop rollercoaster” say members now diversifying away from US trade, call on Government to engage directly with tariff- sceptical Congress which can veto extension of new tariff (but risks Trump’s ire).
At least with Reagan his Alzheimer's made him sleepy and indecisive, so government essentially drifted after 1986. Not a great thing (Iran-Contra, anyone?) but far better than whatever it is Trump has got which is making him manically energetic and continually confused, with highly unfortunate consequences.
Confusion reigns as the tariff President flat global tariff President Trump announced at 15% immediately, turns out to be 10% according to US customs notice…
Relief for UK exporters which in theory will not be the biggest hit, after representations made by Business Sec Peter Kyle to his US counterpart…
But the White House briefs US reporters that the 15% will go ahead at some point…
Uk businesses, British chamber of commerce bemoan the “nonstop rollercoaster” say members now diversifying away from US trade, call on Government to engage directly with tariff- sceptical Congress which can veto extension of new tariff (but risks Trump’s ire).
At least with Reagan his Alzheimer's made him sleepy and indecisive, so government essentially drifted after 1986. Not a great thing (Iran-Contra, anyone?) but far better than whatever it is Trump has got which is making him manically energetic and continually confused.
Reagan did things like wanting to negotiate massive arms limitation treaties (see the Reykjavik summit) . And gave speeches like this, his last as President -
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Forgive the tuition fee, the maintenance loan, or both?
Interesting that Reform are going for the Employment Rights bill. There was always this dissonance between some of their financial backers and the instincts of someone like Farage.
It's one thing going after benefit claimants (something Farage has tiptoed around); quite another going after people actually in work and vulnerable to the gig economy. It might reflect that Reform are now picking up lots of older voters and no longer feel the need to curry favour with 20s/30/40s?
Can't help but conclude that's really good news for Labour though. The bill is immensely popular but hasn't had the kind of publicity they'd want - they could contrive some brutal attack lines based on this.
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Actually, like much of “AI”, graphic design use needs an expert human to direct the AI. Otherwise you get poor quality results.
Confusion reigns as the tariff President flat global tariff President Trump announced at 15% immediately, turns out to be 10% according to US customs notice…
Relief for UK exporters which in theory will not be the biggest hit, after representations made by Business Sec Peter Kyle to his US counterpart…
But the White House briefs US reporters that the 15% will go ahead at some point…
Uk businesses, British chamber of commerce bemoan the “nonstop rollercoaster” say members now diversifying away from US trade, call on Government to engage directly with tariff- sceptical Congress which can veto extension of new tariff (but risks Trump’s ire).
At least with Reagan his Alzheimer's made him sleepy and indecisive, so government essentially drifted after 1986. Not a great thing (Iran-Contra, anyone?) but far better than whatever it is Trump has got which is making him manically energetic and continually confused.
Reagan did things like wanting to negotiate massive arms limitation treaties (see the Reykjavik summit) . And gave speeches like this, his last as President -
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Actually, like much of “AI”, graphic design use needs an expert human to direct the AI. Otherwise you get poor quality results.
Decimated does not mean eliminated as a whole.
I’m sure a person as smart as you will know its roots are from the Romans killing one in ten of a conquered army.
like CAD taking over from hand drawn and traced design, it’s a different skill set and fewer people needed. Already seeing that from LinkedIn and those witless green banners.
Plus, you can do it with a PC in your bedroom now to a high standard.
UK unemployment across the board is now already back up over 5% thanks to a very high minimum wage and higher taxes from this Labour government and automation of admin and data entry jobs but you certainly aren't getting a job as a doctor or lawyer, a teacher or even a senior police officer or nurse without a degree
Surely a good thing. The better educated the population the less chance the Faragists are likely to see office ever. Zia Yusuf is a real piece of work.
SMO Day seems to come round quicker each year. It'll all be over by Christmas.
I see President-for-Life Zelensky wants to move away from conscription to contrakti and wants (удивление!) the EU to pay for it. This makes a lot of sense because the violent ICE like antics of the TCC have become politically toxic.
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
That's to assume that we have a shortage of people getting STEM qualifications, and that STEM roles are AI-proof.
I'm not totally sure that either of those is the case. In my professional life, I don't see many 16 or 18 year olds who really ought to be doing STEM but are out off by the fees. Working culture, prestige and pay are much more important. (Law, finance and medicine pay better.)
On the AI point, my understanding is that AI is good at digesting existing bodies of knowledge to spit out new remixes of old stuff. Given how systematic and stereotyped scientific writing is, I'm pretty confident that it would be pretty easy to train an AI on it. There's probably a lot of easy connections wins out there.
SMO Day seems to come round quicker each year. It'll all be over by Christmas.
I see President-for-Life Zelensky wants to move away from conscription to contrakti and wants (удивление!) the EU to pay for it. This makes a lot of sense because the violent ICE like antics of the TCC have become politically toxic.
On the plus side at least it stops them whining about paying back tuition fees.
Introduced by Labour in 1998...
As a lifelong Labour voter I didn’t like it, but I had to go along with it.
It was a bad idea from the outset not just because it gave cover for the lib Dems and conservatives to introduce the much worse plan 2 tuition fees. Max tuition fee per year up to 2011, £3575, so £20k for a 5 year course, £11k for most students. I don't agree with it, I didn't have to pay, I don't think students since then should have had to pay, but it was feasible to clear. Now the debate is over changes to plan 2 loans to ease the debt burden for well paid graduates in their 50s, being discussed by people who've probably cleared their mortgage by then... FFS
It is time that governments (UK, Wales, Scotland) started to game the system - by subsidising STEM degrees - say 50% discount on student loan payments (providing working in UK)...
I’ve been saying this for a while. Debt forgiveness for degrees for industries we are prioritising. For every year worked in a STEM role, in this case, forgive 5% of the capital and interest to ensure any debt forgiveness doesn’t see the debt grow but at a smaller rate.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
That's to assume that we have a shortage of people getting STEM qualifications, and that STEM roles are AI-proof.
I'm not totally sure that either of those is the case. In my professional life, I don't see many 16 or 18 year olds who really ought to be doing STEM but are out off by the fees. Working culture, prestige and pay are much more important. (Law, finance and medicine pay better.)
On the AI point, my understanding is that AI is good at digesting existing bodies of knowledge to spit out new remixes of old stuff. Given how systematic and stereotyped scientific writing is, I'm pretty confident that it would be pretty easy to train an AI on it. There's probably a lot of easy connections wins out there.
I said for industries we are prioritising. STEM is one such industry. It is seen as a driver of growth. If STEM no longer becomes an industry we prioritise then that can change for new entrants.
Comments
Year 4 of my 3 day special military operation.
The West continues to fee the pinch as predicted, and are very jealous of the amount of warmth we generate from our burning oil refineries.
I remain a master strategist.
And I fear, I genuinely fear, that I will be offered not treatment but suicide to save money because bureaucrats somewhere will have decided that my life is not worth living or saving.
https://vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/comment/5449654/#Comment_5449654
I take absolutely no pleasure in this, just in case someone mistakes my tone for glee, or schadenfreude. It is not. My daughters are at Uni (or prepping for it) and
1. I deeply fear for them when they leave. What on earth will they do?
And
2. Who will bother following them? Taking on all that debt, and for what?
They could be one of the last cohorts to do uni as a matter of course
I reckon universities will shrink to 10% of their present size within a decade or so. It is going to be enormously painful in multiple ways
The best and most beautiful unis will survive as posh finishing schools. The average places, outside the top 10, not so much. And this will happen worldwide
Easiest way to avoid child poverty is not to have any.
People who want to piss about on graphic design for example, an industry to be decimated by AI, nope.
Confusion reigns as the tariff President flat global tariff President Trump announced at 15% immediately, turns out to be 10% according to US customs notice…
Relief for UK exporters which in theory will not be the biggest hit, after representations made by Business Sec Peter Kyle to his US counterpart…
But the White House briefs US reporters that the 15% will go ahead at some point…
Uk businesses, British chamber of commerce bemoan the “nonstop rollercoaster” say members now diversifying away from US trade, call on Government to engage directly with tariff- sceptical Congress which can veto extension of new tariff (but risks Trump’s ire).
🤦🏾
https://x.com/faisalislam/status/2026200995194085507?s=20
Tories and Labour back tied for second and wedged between first placed Reform and the fourth placed Greens
And gave speeches like this, his last as President -
https://youtube.com/shorts/J5upAEZOchM?si=UmX5dCGvIldOgTqo
It's one thing going after benefit claimants (something Farage has tiptoed around); quite another going after people actually in work and vulnerable to the gig economy. It might reflect that Reform are now picking up lots of older voters and no longer feel the need to curry favour with 20s/30/40s?
Can't help but conclude that's really good news for Labour though. The bill is immensely popular but hasn't had the kind of publicity they'd want - they could contrive some brutal attack lines based on this.
Compare that to the arrest of the parents who sent WhatsApp messages a school didn’t like.
One rule for elite trash one for the plebs
https://fb.watch/Ft5rZclOuA/?fs=e
NEW THREaD
I’m sure a person as smart as you will know its roots are from the Romans killing one in ten of a conquered army.
like CAD taking over from hand drawn and traced design, it’s a different skill set and fewer people needed. Already seeing that from LinkedIn and those witless green banners.
Plus, you can do it with a PC in your bedroom now to a high standard.
You’d be good
That point went straight over your head.
I see President-for-Life Zelensky wants to move away from conscription to contrakti and wants (удивление!) the EU to pay for it. This makes a lot of sense because the violent ICE like antics of the TCC have become politically toxic.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-could-have-contract-army-if-europeans-helped-with-funding-zelensky-says/
I'm not totally sure that either of those is the case. In my professional life, I don't see many 16 or 18 year olds who really ought to be doing STEM but are out off by the fees. Working culture, prestige and pay are much more important. (Law, finance and medicine pay better.)
On the AI point, my understanding is that AI is good at digesting existing bodies of knowledge to spit out new remixes of old stuff. Given how systematic and stereotyped scientific writing is, I'm pretty confident that it would be pretty easy to train an AI on it. There's probably a lot of easy connections wins out there.
Max tuition fee per year up to 2011, £3575, so £20k for a 5 year course, £11k for most students. I don't agree with it, I didn't have to pay, I don't think students since then should have had to pay, but it was feasible to clear.
Now the debate is over changes to plan 2 loans to ease the debt burden for well paid graduates in their 50s, being discussed by people who've probably cleared their mortgage by then... FFS