nigel99

6 hours ago, jakee said:

Indeed, and as well as the deliberately sinister aspects there are also a lot of unintended consequences. 
 

As an example, advertising analytics are apparently very good at figuring out when women are pregnant. Not only can they just grab the keywords from social media announcements, but they can see when people stopped buying pregnancy tests and started buying pre-natal vitamins and searching for cribs and baby clothes. 
Problem is there are far fewer signs when someone miscarries. So vulnerable women and couples in one of the worst times of their lives will continue being bombarded by adverts for baby stuff on every website they visit every time they’re online potentially for months after they’ve lost their baby. 

And you would think that at least one of the billions upon billions of dollars that the likes of Google and Facebook make could go on a sufficiently well staffed team of people who can be contacted manually switch the algorithm off for people who are being actively harmed by it, but I don’t think that’s in the best interests of big business.

Agreed. The unintended consequences are huge and people’s lives have definitely been ruined.

3 hours ago, normiss said:

It's not a skydiving waiver you consent to, pay attention to the details and refuse as desired.

I refuse ALL of the collections, I've also had to block some on the firewall (windows and hardware device on my network)

VPN's are also a great tool for privacy.

Agreed and you are technically savvy. 
My son is averse to smartphones and had a brick phone until this week (he’s 23). Ironically he was pushed into getting a smartphone because he was unable to do security clearance paperwork without one.

I was busy reading the iPhone analytics terms and conditions. it’s amazing how far data collection has come and what we consent to. 

If you consent to providing analytics to improve iPhone everything from audio, camera, gyroscope and accelerometer data is harvested. A specific example is handwashing events are monitored and fed back.

I don’t disagree with it, we have the option to opt out and as a tech person analytics are valuable.

Apple must have a wealth of incredibly interesting data. From toilet and bedroom habits to how frequently you shop and the time and route you take. 

The US and many americans see themselves as the model of democracy.

I am not taking a shot at the US as they have many positive traits, however I don't see the US as a beacon of best practice. I think big business influences US politics to the detriment of its citizens and recent events challenge the true autonomy of the courts. US healthcare sucks.

Australia is pretty good, but we are too much of a nanny state. We also have major human rights issues.

The little I know of Switzerland, I like their systems and example to the world. 

4 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

The system offers the incumbent another shot at the office. The hope is that without reelection on offer after term two they can make hard and unpopular decisions that benefit the nation as a whole. Also, the chance of the party in power staying in power is great. That is vastly different from it being a competence problem.

Interesting perspective that I never considered and makes a lot of sense. It also highlights additional risk of a Trump second term for the same reason.

11 hours ago, lippy said:

The reality is that based on where we’re at today, Biden is the only alternative. Maybe in 7 months, we’ll look at President Elect Trump and wish that there had of been another option, but at this stage in the game, Biden’s our horse. 
 

No doubt that Trump is a threat, but I wouldn’t write Biden off as nothing more than the lesser of evils. He’s done some good thinks like the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPs act, student debt….that are materially improving lives for lots of people. It’s hard to imagine that the trend wouldn’t continue if he gets another 4 years. 

I wouldn't use the lesser of 2 evils to describe Biden. Rather to me it indicates that the dems have a competence problem in the party if someone over 80 is the best they have to offer.

People age and peak, physical and cognitive decline is real not imaginary. It appears that Biden has done a good job, my challenge is "Is he really the best of the dems?"

Trumps age is only irrelevant because there is a laundry list of reasons why he is a walking disaster that far outweigh age being a factor.

1 hour ago, BIGUN said:

Retrospectively as in 40-50 years ago as compared with your analysis of the current. I will vote for neither.

As an outsider it's interesting to see the polarised debate.

I am not sure that I would vote for someone in their 80's. Trump is awful, but I find it hard to believe Biden is the best alternative. 

Overall it is a really sad indictment of the state of US politics. The US have lost all moral authority on democracy and it's going to be interesting to watch.

3 hours ago, wmw999 said:

If laws don’t work because criminals don’t obey them? Or is it really just order, achieved by whatever means possible, the real goal? And if so, order at whose expense?

And why always choose the cure, instead of the preventive, path? What about the adage of “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure?”

Wendy P. 

The last few years I have been studying psychology as part of a career change. 

I did a minor in criminal psychology and I have come away with the strong belief that the prison is totally ineffective and a waste of time. Secondly many laws are based on moral judgments and religious beliefs that frankly I disagree with and often miss the point. 

But punishment makes people feel good and in reality has little to do with deterrence. Jail for the single mom who had an abortion and felt she had no other choice? Good she deserves it and feed her bread and water to really make her see the error of her ways, while I go to church and pat myself on the back and make sure everyone knows what a martyr I am having to foster her kid while she's locked up. 

1 hour ago, Chiquita said:

It was great meeting you :-) I think I'm the lurker you are speaking of, or at least one of them ;-)

 

Yes was great to meet you too!

3 hours ago, billvon said:

They're not.  Heck, the DZ manager is very much a non Trumpie.  But non-Trump supporters now know to not talk about it, to avoid the attacks against them.

I can definitely see that being true. I don't like discussing politics at the dz anyway, that and religion are best discussed in other forums. 

Was just very surprised to see more political discussion in California than rural Georgia. 

5 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

Is that right? You mean at Perris they were all Trump supporters?

I was only there for an afternoon and during that time I only heard pro trump discussions going on at the bomb shelter (group of people for Fresh meat boogie).

Very interesting experience being in the US recently. Down in Georgia there was no political discussion at the dz, however many of the people that I met and am now connected with on FB are overwhelmingly Trump supporters. 

It was completely different at Perris DZ where there was alot of political discussion and I don't recall anyone who was not pro Trump. 

In rural Georgia I saw a single Trump flag on a property and expected to see more.

As an outsider I noticed a few big changes since I was last in the US. Food is considerably more expensive and lots of homeless people, both in Georgia and LA

1 hour ago, wolfriverjoe said:

Unfortunately, they're too stupid to realize that they've been conned.

Too deep into the cult to get out.

I don't think it will change much of the ~25% that are 'hardcore MAGA morons'.

However, a fair amount of those who voted for Nikki Haley said that they wouldn't vote for Trump if he was convicted of a felony.

I disagree. Ironically more sophisticated voters understand that a very wealthy person doesn't necessarily have liquid assets and I suspect they would be more empathetic towards Trump. Whereas Trump base (even Habba his lawyer) don't understand the nuances and think he's got cash in the bank. Those same people do understand how bonds work though and that the money gets given back if he wins.

Regardless it will be interesting to see. I've only seen one Vote Trump flag here in rural Georgia in the last week, I expected a lot more.

20 minutes ago, gowlerk said:

It's a bitch when suddenly you run out of excuses and dodges and you have to pay what you owe. 

It will be very interesting to see if this has any impact on his followers. 

I suspect it will, probably more so than a conviction. A conviction can be explained away by 'a corrupt legal system', whereas a so caller Billionaire unable to secure a bond is harder to spin

The Fitz boogie just ended. Great few days catching up with many long time dz.commers some who still lurk, some active and some who haven't logged in for years. 

2 hours ago, billvon said:

Agree with most of what you said, but 5G also uses millimeter wave in the NR spec.  The frequency bands go as high as 49,000MHz in the n79 band.  (Standard 3G frequencies were 800 and 1900 MHz.)  Agreed on the lower power (on average, not all the time) - and they also use some lower frequencies (600MHz for n71 which is new.)

True, although I don't believe in Aus we have the higher frequency variants. Certainly not the last time I looked. 

Rant time!

Why do people believe utter nonsense from people like Joe Rogan who claim that there are massive conspiracies to hide the truth on various issues? 

First of all if that was really true and the mystical powers that be are able to suppress scientific evidence they could suppress a silly little podcast?

The area that really riles me is the rubbish about 5g and radio frequencies (the particular trigger that set me off today). I'm an RF engineer and spent over 5 years in committees writing EU radio standards and regulations as well as designing equipment. I've also done a minor in microbiology. 

It doesn't make me an expert, it's a complicated issue and we don't know everything yet. But throwing fancy technical terms together as some form of word salad on a podcast seems to carry more weight with some people I know. 

5Ghz and 5th generation are 2 entirely different things, and it would not take more than 2 minutes on google to know that! But of course you heard it on Joe Rogan, so the nuances that 5g actually operates on lower not higher frequencies than 3g and often with lower transmit power from your phone as well is irrelevant. 

3 hours ago, TriGirl said:

To keep on topic: my grand-nephew, age 4, is a HUGE Swifty.  He had a Taylor Swift-themed birthday party, and his mother posted a cute vid of him dancing to Lavender Haze (while also wearing a replica fuzzy lavender coat) during a cinema Eras tour broadcast.  His father, OTOH, was a massive Trump supporter in 2016 (haven't spoken with him about politics lately, but I have no reason to believe he has changed his opinion much, if at all). 

That's funny! 

This is quite interesting from ChatGbt and makes an interesting checklist of how and why it is on the rise.

The national identity aspect is quite an interesting one as the US has for as long as I can remember had a stronger emphasis on how great America is and deference to the flag and anthem than most countries have. It certainly stands out for the number of flags flying at homes for example. Beliefs that it is the beacon of democracy and freedom. I can see how easily that could be exploited. Globalisation as the answer to many of the world's problems has been on the decline for some time now - Brexit in the UK and MAGA both come to mind as prominent examples.

Throw in the shock wave of Covid and the fear and uncertainty that brought along with the unregulated and pervasive influence of social media and you can see how it is taking root.

***

The appeal of fascism in certain contexts can be attributed to a combination of historical, social, and psychological factors:

1. **Economic Hardship**: Fascism often gains popularity during times of economic crisis. It promises a swift and decisive solution to financial instability, which can be attractive to those suffering from unemployment, inflation, and economic uncertainty.

2. **Social Unrest and Inequality**: In periods of social unrest or significant inequality, fascist ideologies can seem appealing due to their promise of order and a return to a 'golden age,' real or imagined. This nostalgia for a more stable or 'purer' past can resonate with people feeling dislocated by rapid social changes.

3. **Fear and Insecurity**: Fascist movements often exploit fears and insecurities, whether related to economic conditions, social changes, or external threats. The promise of strong, decisive leadership can be compelling in such a climate.

4. **Nationalism and Identity Politics**: Fascism often emphasizes extreme nationalism. It appeals to people's pride in their country and can create a sense of belonging and purpose. This can be particularly potent in times of perceived national decline or humiliation.

5. **Simplistic Solutions to Complex Problems**: Fascism tends to offer simple solutions to complex issues, making it appealing to those overwhelmed or frustrated by the intricacies of modern politics and global relations.

6. **Charismatic Leadership**: Fascist movements often revolve around charismatic leaders who are skilled at public speaking and mass persuasion, making the ideology more appealing and accessible to a broad audience.

7. **Scapegoating**: Fascism frequently employs scapegoating, blaming specific groups for broader societal problems. This can unify people against a common enemy, albeit through hatred and bigotry.

8. **Control of Information**: Fascist regimes often exert control over the media and spread propaganda to create a narrative that supports their ideology, suppressing dissenting views.

9. **Disillusionment with Existing Political Systems**: In some cases, fascism gains ground when people become disillusioned with the existing political system, especially if it's seen as corrupt, ineffective, or undemocratic.

10. **Militarism and the Cult of Action**: The glorification of violence and action for its own sake, a common trait in fascist ideology, can appeal to a sense of heroism and the desire for a radical transformation of society.

It's important to note that the popularity of fascism often relies on exploiting existing fears, prejudices, and frustrations in a society. Education, critical thinking, and healthy political discourse are crucial in combating the rise of such ideologies. Understanding history and the outcomes of fascist regimes is also vital in recognizing and resisting the allure of these dangerous ideologies.

54 minutes ago, TriGirl said:

Oh yes, I do know.  Which is why it's so pathetic that actual people (voters) are so easily taken down that path instead of having the critical thinking skills (education) to see a bigger picture.

Maybe I am turning into a grumpy middle aged man, but critical thinking skills seem to be in the decline.

Sky news in Australia is actually more radical than Fox. There reporting is always like this

5 hours ago, ryoder said:

Popular vote:

2016 ===========
Clinton   65,853,625
Trump    62,985,106
--------------------
difference 2,868,519

2020 ===========
Biden     81,283,501
Trump    74,223,975
--------------------
difference 7,059,526

 

It is hard to see how the Trump could get additional votes after Jan 6.

ETA: And in 2020 Trump was the incumbent, which is normally an advantage.

I agree with your logic to some extent. However, since 2020 we have seen quite a big rise in extremism globally. People are strange and if you can radicalise them on one hand and instil fear in the others you can tilt the scales. 

27 minutes ago, lippy said:

I don't fault your logic in forming that opinion, but 10 months is a long time, especially for our goldfish-sized attention spans.  

I've got no doubt that a Trump victory is dishearteningly conceivable, but it's far from a done deal.  

IMO it's simply too early to tell.

Yes it's a long time. But then again I am 12 days away from winning a bet that he wouldn't be jailed - mind you there is still a chance he spends a night in lockup due to a gag order violation. Wouldn't that be a great Christmas present having Trump in  jail for Christmas or New Year?

I got curious and looked up the betting odds on Trump winning the election in 2024 and they lean towards Trump winning.

I think we should start a dropzone betting pool. 

I'm willing to commit and say that I believe Trump is going to win 2024.

To be clear, I don't think he should, he's a terrible person. But I do think his cult like following will carry him across the line. 

8 hours ago, winsor said:

What's the source of outrage?  I've heard a couple of her songs and they're okay, but I'm generally impressed with her.

She appears to have earned a good reputation for treating her fans and staff well, and her work ethic and energy level set a high standard.

The adulation of her young fans does not appear to be toxic, a claim that many stars could not make.

I don't get anyone being 'for' Trump.  A couple of people's take was along the lines of 'yeah, he's an asshole but he actually supports policies with which I agree somewhat more often than his opponents.  This is shy of 100%, and it's tough to tolerate his penchant for blurting out whatever crosses his mind.'

 

I think other people summed up the outrage pretty well. 

I had posted here not in the Blue Skies thread, because of the Trump/Taylor connection reminding me of Andy. I expected a decent amount of political commentary, but wanted to remember a great person with a big heart and I miss the spirited discussions with him about politics and world views. He passed away just before Trump got into office. 

For his last Christmas he had mentioned to someone that all he wanted for Christmas was a young beautiful blond - He got given a Barbie doll!