ChristerMLB

I’m Norwegian, not British, but we also have a constitutional monarchy. I like it for mostly cynical reasons. They take care of ribbon-cutting and other big ceremonies so the politicians can focus on policy, and they give us a “head of state” that’s statistically less likely to become a dictator than an elected president is.

And all the drama and bullshit is a continuous reminder of what a bad idea it would be to institute genuine monarchy.

He also writes

They need, in particular, a commitment to a constitutional order centered on the power and prerogatives of Congress

which yeah, that makes a lot of sense to me as a European – but as I understand it, congress is not a very popular institution in the US. I’ve been following the aggregators for Trump’s favorability/approval ratings - and while they’re not very high, they are a lot higher than the ones for congress. This is going to be tough to do.

Still possible, but I think it depends on the “good things” you mentioned being very clearly good and noticeable in peoples’ lives.

Also, nice to read a comment from someone who actually read the article

Okay, let’s say he’s an opportunistic neo-nazi… why is he not a Republican?

I dunno man, I think that’s the owner sitting next to the reviewer, and he seems pretty chill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3oO510dyVI

also, please forgive me, but this is by far the best car review I’ve ever watched, and I’ve been wanting an excuse to share it

will this do? https://www.npr.org/2024/07/12/nx-s1-4865955/tianeptine-gas-station-heroin-drug

do note that fresh vegetables can be cheaper than frozen, depending on the season and where you live

This book is useful (and free, but you have to register for a newsletter): https://leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap-2/

As for buying in bulk: as long as you think you’ll use it all before it expires, it’s good.

Also, go to the store as rarely as possible – at least that worked for me. I spend a lot less if I buy groceries once a week than if I do it several times a week.

The thought did cross my mind, yeah. I don’t think it’s quite sufficient evidence to make such a big conclusion, but both of these seem so conspicuous

a laptop that is literally cracked? :l

That makes me think of when TrueCrypt suddenly stopped being developed: https://www.techmonitor.ai/technology/cybersecurity/is-truecrypt-a-victim-of-hacking-4280447?cf-view

Hot take: Progressive congresspeople should focus on ending union-busting, not on increasing minimum wage. The unions can handle minimum wage.

It’s an education model that uses artificial intelligence to teach core subjects while adults in the room serve as “guides,” not teachers.

Alpha Schools, opening this fall in the former GEMS Academy in Lakeshore East, says its AI-driven model can help students learn core academics in just two hours a day, freeing up time for workshops, unique projects and learning various life skills.

This is kind of interesting. Removing the teacher from the classroom is stupid, because teaching is about more than relaying information - but it looks like they’re trying to use AI for that last part, and have these “guides” do the hard part.

This does not inspire confidence, though:

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are known to make mistakes and sometimes fabricate information. But Alpha’s AI tools are different because they do not access the internet or rely on internet-backed search engines, which can produce inaccurate or misleading responses, Alpha Schools spokesperson Anna Davlantes said in an email.

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could you give me some examples of that common usage?

it does involve some judgement against said preachiness, I guess I see that

Given the state of the world, and the anti-elitist sentiment going around, the fact that there aren’t genuinely leftist parties getting 70+ percent of the vote in a lot of countries, is quite amazing.

Part of the reason for that, is the academization of the left. One of the problems that has brought with it, is a nitpicky focus on the correct use of language.

If we are to succeed, the vast majority of leftist will necessarily have to be people without the right university degrees, or who do not hang out in the kinds of circles where they get socialized into acceptable language.

Going all fire and brimstone because someone uses a bad word, often quite innocently, is an effective way to come off as self-righteous and preachy. Acting like that is the most important part of politics, is a good way to come off as superficial.

There’s a reason why conservative strategists grab on to this and amplify it – because they know that this kills the left. The left does not work if it is not broad and populist.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t all try to be considerate or strategic with how we use language - but save the fire and brimstone for the elites and the material issues.

The fact that you believe that there’s a middle ground where the definition isn’t an attack on minorities

What I believe is that this is what the word means to a lot of people. We might want to change that, but not like this - and quite frankly, we have much bigger issues to deal with

Alternatively, as I wrote: in some places, the word “woke” has taken on the role of terms like “social justice warrior” and “political correctness” - i.e. in describing a self-righteous, superficial, performative and preachy kind of style - and he wants to distance himself from that style.

yep, it’s great to have a progressive message, but a progressive message is not an easy-button - you still have to do the hard work of making good art

because you are now playing into the toxic norms that already exist’

how? I don’t get it.

LOL no, “woke” is anything that acknowledges LGBT+ individuals exist

…so the guy who directed a game where you can have a medieval gay romance, does not acknowledge that LGBT+ individuals exist?