The Off Topic Topic

[CountDeMoney]

Tyr: "I'm asking for anal anyway, might as well save the effort."

[grumbler]

What a horrid old man.

True.  He let some of them live.

[Zanza]

[Eddie Teach]

Does this mean Athens wins MVP this year?

[Oexmelin]

This is unsurprising, no? Germany was not a unified country until very late, and developed a multiplicity of "capitals" and "marketplace" during centuries. Same with Italy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Greece, or the Czech Republic, who used to belong to much larger entities, had their countries more or less carved around the capitals.

[HVC]

I would have though the UK would be further down the list.

[Iormlund]

Most of its industry is technically outside London, I guess.

[Barrister]

This is unsurprising, no? Germany was not a unified country until very late, and developed a multiplicity of "capitals" and "marketplace" during centuries. Same with Italy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Greece, or the Czech Republic, who used to belong to much larger entities, had their countries more or less carved around the capitals.

When was Greece part of a much larger entity?  My vague recollection was that at the time of Greek independence Athens was incredibly tiny, and was selected for purely historical / nostalgic reasons.

Same question goes for Prague.  It was long incorporated into the Austrian Empire.

But for that same reason, I'm surprised that Vienna isn't much higher on the list, for the exact reason you mention.

[Jacob]

When was Greece part of a much larger entity?  My vague recollection was that at the time of Greek independence Athens was incredibly tiny, and was selected for purely historical / nostalgic reasons.

During the period before "the time of Greek independence" Greece was part of a much larger entity.

[Razgovory]

I have often thought of France as a giant city-state.  Britain as well to a lesser degree.  I'd be interested in seeing a similar graph with China, India and Brazil.

[Josquius]

Germany

Switzerland would be curious to see.
Common to have huge companies in tiny towns here.

[The Brain]

Common to have huge companies in tiny towns here.

I think I've seen that movie.

[Josquius]

Apparently we are about to enter a new spin of the cycle of British fascism, Britain First is turning on itself.
Why?
One of its leaders has had a rough break up with his Polish girlfriend. He has a small penis.
Another prominent figure then went and slept with this Polish woman.
Despite his being involved with the leading nazi lady.
It's a wonderful soap opera night of the long knives.

[The Brain]

Who's the leading Nazi lady? I'm asking for a friend.

[Valmy]

I have often thought of France as a giant city-state.  Britain as well to a lesser degree.  I'd be interested in seeing a similar graph with China, India and Brazil.

A gigantic City State? I mean sure it is 15% of the economy but that still leaves 85% for everybody else

The dynamics are similar for both countries. London traditionally had more of Britain's population by percentage than Paris did in France but de-industrialization and the decline of agriculture have only made them bigger in their countries not less. It is like if Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC were combined into one gigantic political, financial, and cultural powerhouse city over here. If London is 'less so' it is only by a degree or so.