Tim
@timb37.bsky.social
In many ways, they're mirror images of each other.
September 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In many ways, they're mirror images of each other.
True; but how can we get Putin to listen?
September 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
True; but how can we get Putin to listen?
I recently read that the sovereign wealth funds for the oil producing countries invest heavily in AI, thereby boosting demand (via the energy intensive data centres) for their fossil fuels.
I don't know how true this is, but it would explain some the investor hype for AI.
I don't know how true this is, but it would explain some the investor hype for AI.
September 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I recently read that the sovereign wealth funds for the oil producing countries invest heavily in AI, thereby boosting demand (via the energy intensive data centres) for their fossil fuels.
I don't know how true this is, but it would explain some the investor hype for AI.
I don't know how true this is, but it would explain some the investor hype for AI.
Conversely, I have never been burgled and neither has anyone I know, which obviously means that burglaries don't take place anywhere.
Solipsism at its finest.
Solipsism at its finest.
September 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Conversely, I have never been burgled and neither has anyone I know, which obviously means that burglaries don't take place anywhere.
Solipsism at its finest.
Solipsism at its finest.
True, but I'm not sure it matters much either way.
Any assertions Farage et al make are rarely (and even then only inadvertently) based on dull and whimsical things like 'evidence' and 'expertise'.
Fiction labelled by the uncurious as 'common sense' underpins their lucrative fraud.
Any assertions Farage et al make are rarely (and even then only inadvertently) based on dull and whimsical things like 'evidence' and 'expertise'.
Fiction labelled by the uncurious as 'common sense' underpins their lucrative fraud.
September 5, 2025 at 12:09 PM
True, but I'm not sure it matters much either way.
Any assertions Farage et al make are rarely (and even then only inadvertently) based on dull and whimsical things like 'evidence' and 'expertise'.
Fiction labelled by the uncurious as 'common sense' underpins their lucrative fraud.
Any assertions Farage et al make are rarely (and even then only inadvertently) based on dull and whimsical things like 'evidence' and 'expertise'.
Fiction labelled by the uncurious as 'common sense' underpins their lucrative fraud.
In this regard, I see the UK tax system a bit like the House of Lords: major reform is a 'no-brainer' to outsiders, but insiders hate the idea as they've too much to lose personally.
It needs elected politicians to get a grip, but the electorate never see it as a priority.. and so we tread water..
It needs elected politicians to get a grip, but the electorate never see it as a priority.. and so we tread water..
September 4, 2025 at 12:18 PM
In this regard, I see the UK tax system a bit like the House of Lords: major reform is a 'no-brainer' to outsiders, but insiders hate the idea as they've too much to lose personally.
It needs elected politicians to get a grip, but the electorate never see it as a priority.. and so we tread water..
It needs elected politicians to get a grip, but the electorate never see it as a priority.. and so we tread water..
That's a very reasonable position to take, but it's clearly in tension with a full fat version of Freedom of Movement underpinned by a common language; not necessarily English though!
September 2, 2025 at 7:43 AM
That's a very reasonable position to take, but it's clearly in tension with a full fat version of Freedom of Movement underpinned by a common language; not necessarily English though!
So I would argue that you should buy as few F35Bs as possible (e.g. for SEAD) to supplement a fleet of Gen 4.5 for interdiction and general day-to-day ops. Sadly, the UK has put itself into a bind for carrier ops, with the only option being F35Bs.
August 5, 2025 at 8:52 AM
So I would argue that you should buy as few F35Bs as possible (e.g. for SEAD) to supplement a fleet of Gen 4.5 for interdiction and general day-to-day ops. Sadly, the UK has put itself into a bind for carrier ops, with the only option being F35Bs.
I'm not an expert, but I've read that it's notoriously difficult to compare these procurement numbers as the contract also includes things like spares, training and other support capabilities; BUT it's clear that F35s are more expensive to operate than Gen 4.5.
August 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I'm not an expert, but I've read that it's notoriously difficult to compare these procurement numbers as the contract also includes things like spares, training and other support capabilities; BUT it's clear that F35s are more expensive to operate than Gen 4.5.
But are lower initial costs enough to compensate for the F35s' higher lifetime costs and poorer availability rates?
And you can't ignore the growing worries about the reliability of the USA as an ally.
The F35 is great at SEAD, but you don't need your whole airforce to comprise F35s.
And you can't ignore the growing worries about the reliability of the USA as an ally.
The F35 is great at SEAD, but you don't need your whole airforce to comprise F35s.
August 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
But are lower initial costs enough to compensate for the F35s' higher lifetime costs and poorer availability rates?
And you can't ignore the growing worries about the reliability of the USA as an ally.
The F35 is great at SEAD, but you don't need your whole airforce to comprise F35s.
And you can't ignore the growing worries about the reliability of the USA as an ally.
The F35 is great at SEAD, but you don't need your whole airforce to comprise F35s.
Anyway, thanks for replying Ellie. I agree with your points!
August 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Anyway, thanks for replying Ellie. I agree with your points!
Self-reflection is the missing bit to all this. These desperate and lonely men might then even conclude that they’ve completely misunderstood what a proper romantic relationship should look like and what would bring them happiness. Better to create a wide friendship network and chill out. 🤷♂️
up.to
August 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Self-reflection is the missing bit to all this. These desperate and lonely men might then even conclude that they’ve completely misunderstood what a proper romantic relationship should look like and what would bring them happiness. Better to create a wide friendship network and chill out. 🤷♂️
Yes, I think that’s definitely true of some men. They lazily blame women (feminism!) for their own failings. It’s easier to blame others than self reflect. That said, I imagine that many women have tons of reasons (e.g. family, lifestyle, enough friendships) for not wanting to be in a relationship.
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August 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Yes, I think that’s definitely true of some men. They lazily blame women (feminism!) for their own failings. It’s easier to blame others than self reflect. That said, I imagine that many women have tons of reasons (e.g. family, lifestyle, enough friendships) for not wanting to be in a relationship.
Men should both dump any misogyny AND stop fixating on romantic relationships. Instead, men should learn to do what many women do: have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances (via hobbies and shared interests). Many men's thinking has become too one-dimensional when it comes to relationships.
August 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Men should both dump any misogyny AND stop fixating on romantic relationships. Instead, men should learn to do what many women do: have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances (via hobbies and shared interests). Many men's thinking has become too one-dimensional when it comes to relationships.
Loneliness does sadly seem to be a growing problem in society. I am sure that the anachronistic attitudes & behaviours of some men is at least part of the problem. But surely it's also that these men don't have enough deep (male) friendships full-stop. It's not just about heterosexual relationships.
August 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Loneliness does sadly seem to be a growing problem in society. I am sure that the anachronistic attitudes & behaviours of some men is at least part of the problem. But surely it's also that these men don't have enough deep (male) friendships full-stop. It's not just about heterosexual relationships.
They think most if not all migrants are asylum seekers (actually only asylum seekers are only 80,000 out of 1,000,000) and that Muslims make up 20% of the population (really only 5%).
In truth, they need someone to blame and it’s always easier to punch downwards….
In truth, they need someone to blame and it’s always easier to punch downwards….
July 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
They think most if not all migrants are asylum seekers (actually only asylum seekers are only 80,000 out of 1,000,000) and that Muslims make up 20% of the population (really only 5%).
In truth, they need someone to blame and it’s always easier to punch downwards….
In truth, they need someone to blame and it’s always easier to punch downwards….
Yep, this is a key driver behind the support for Reform: so many have a completely skewed view of our country, particularly when it comes to public spending and population demographics.
And sadly (and frustratingly!) they have NO interest in finding out what the actual situation is.
And sadly (and frustratingly!) they have NO interest in finding out what the actual situation is.
July 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Yep, this is a key driver behind the support for Reform: so many have a completely skewed view of our country, particularly when it comes to public spending and population demographics.
And sadly (and frustratingly!) they have NO interest in finding out what the actual situation is.
And sadly (and frustratingly!) they have NO interest in finding out what the actual situation is.
Agreed, our parliamentary system is real strength in that regard: a PM doesn't have a separate mandate with which to overrule MPs.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the same can be said for Cabinet Government where the PM appears to have an outsized role through Party loyalty and a PM's patronage.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the same can be said for Cabinet Government where the PM appears to have an outsized role through Party loyalty and a PM's patronage.
June 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Agreed, our parliamentary system is real strength in that regard: a PM doesn't have a separate mandate with which to overrule MPs.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the same can be said for Cabinet Government where the PM appears to have an outsized role through Party loyalty and a PM's patronage.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the same can be said for Cabinet Government where the PM appears to have an outsized role through Party loyalty and a PM's patronage.
I’ve done that more times than I care to mention in past years. It got a bit worrying when on the last occasion, it was only from the day before!
Now where was I ….?
Now where was I ….?
June 24, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I’ve done that more times than I care to mention in past years. It got a bit worrying when on the last occasion, it was only from the day before!
Now where was I ….?
Now where was I ….?
I think democracy is more about elite turnover than anything else: it smooths the path between different governing factions (no Civil Wars). But maybe it provides another useful strand of legitimacy; so gives a failing, elected system of government more time to get things back on track?
June 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I think democracy is more about elite turnover than anything else: it smooths the path between different governing factions (no Civil Wars). But maybe it provides another useful strand of legitimacy; so gives a failing, elected system of government more time to get things back on track?
I think you're making a good point, especially about the CCP. Democracy is but one source of political legitimacy but others exist e.g. the delivery of security, fairness and prosperity. In a pre-democratic society, any ruler who failed in these duties would have lost their divine right to rule.
June 24, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I think you're making a good point, especially about the CCP. Democracy is but one source of political legitimacy but others exist e.g. the delivery of security, fairness and prosperity. In a pre-democratic society, any ruler who failed in these duties would have lost their divine right to rule.
Bravo, I’ve saved your comment to enjoy at my leisure. However, while I sense the true profundity of your prose at an emotional level, I fear that trying to read it too closely has just ‘blue screened’ my poor old brain. It has fallen into a recursive loop from which I fear it may never recover! 😂😱
June 21, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Bravo, I’ve saved your comment to enjoy at my leisure. However, while I sense the true profundity of your prose at an emotional level, I fear that trying to read it too closely has just ‘blue screened’ my poor old brain. It has fallen into a recursive loop from which I fear it may never recover! 😂😱
A chronically underrated positive.
Ditto, we don't suffer that much extremes of weather and we don't have much in the way of dangerous wildlife (the human variety has proven to be more than enough for our tastes, thank you very much).
All in all, not a bad hand. Thanks, Mother Nature.
Ditto, we don't suffer that much extremes of weather and we don't have much in the way of dangerous wildlife (the human variety has proven to be more than enough for our tastes, thank you very much).
All in all, not a bad hand. Thanks, Mother Nature.
June 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
A chronically underrated positive.
Ditto, we don't suffer that much extremes of weather and we don't have much in the way of dangerous wildlife (the human variety has proven to be more than enough for our tastes, thank you very much).
All in all, not a bad hand. Thanks, Mother Nature.
Ditto, we don't suffer that much extremes of weather and we don't have much in the way of dangerous wildlife (the human variety has proven to be more than enough for our tastes, thank you very much).
All in all, not a bad hand. Thanks, Mother Nature.
Well, they normally say if you're explaining, you're losing but I sometimes think the joke is just as much about the explanation as the delivery. :)
June 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Well, they normally say if you're explaining, you're losing but I sometimes think the joke is just as much about the explanation as the delivery. :)
On a related point, we'd need to agree to Freedom of Movement again which would annoy the boomers who expected Brexit meant the expulsion of Muslims/Asians. It was obvious before 2016 that the Tories would simply replace Europeans migrants with Asians/Africans but they were blinded by their hatred.
June 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
On a related point, we'd need to agree to Freedom of Movement again which would annoy the boomers who expected Brexit meant the expulsion of Muslims/Asians. It was obvious before 2016 that the Tories would simply replace Europeans migrants with Asians/Africans but they were blinded by their hatred.