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#2
Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...
Last post by citizen k - Today at 02:05:02 PMWhat's the land swap going to look like? Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts for Luhansk and Donetsk? 
#4
Off the Record / Re: The China Thread
Last post by citizen k - Today at 01:54:37 PMBBC news
At least 36 people have been killed in a major fire engulfing apartment blocks in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, with 279 people not accounted for
At least 36 people have been killed in a major fire engulfing apartment blocks in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, with 279 people not accounted for
#5
Off the Record / Re: The China Thread
Last post by citizen k - Today at 01:53:00 PMCatastrophic fire in Hong Kong 
#6
Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...
Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:54:03 PMI think it's a problem with more than just Facebook.
#7
Off the Record / Re: The EU thread
Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 12:49:34 PMI think there's different sets of questions for states and for companies - and I think they may point in slightly different directions.
So there are couple of other complications. I think one was made in an Economist piece about the growing combination of terror and anger in Europe about China's economic impact, which is pushing European policymakers away from China. That's not necessarily going to end up back in the US - but as someone who's aware that there's been discussions of Europe as a third pole for at least the last 60 years and it's still not happened I think it will perhaps end up being back with the US, but occasionally making disobliging comments (although not with the current administration). But the point in the article which I thought was interesting is that China already views Europe as basically an American satrapy so already sees America behind Europe and as European policymakers' attitudes harden it is quite possible that China will interpret that as American influence, even if it is something Europeans are concluding themselves. But because of that misinterpretation China may end up pushing Europeans and Americans together in spite of themselves.
The other thing that struck me was the news that I think VW may be looking at manufacturing in China for export which is something unimaginable a few years back. I wonder long-term if the effect of that will basically be to destroy the brand a little if the sense is that Western brands are manufacturing this in China, why not just buy the cheaper Chinese brand. Those long-standing Western companies may literally just become brands in the end.
It's very niche (if a multi-billion dollar industry) but that story made me think of the luxury goods sector where there's lots of Chinese industrial influencers on social media pushing the line that they actually make Hermes bags etc so why not buy direct for a fraction of the price. With subsequent and significant pushback from those companies that they don't manufacture in China and re-emphasising their artisanal practices and European heritage. It was interesting. Especially as I think the markets for both of those are each other. So it's Westerners who can't necessarily afford or don't care so much about the brand identity of the luxury goods firms going to dodgy drop-shipping companies to buy fake Hermes scarves from China, while it's China's new rich who are the huge growth market for legit hand-crafted European luxury goods
So there are couple of other complications. I think one was made in an Economist piece about the growing combination of terror and anger in Europe about China's economic impact, which is pushing European policymakers away from China. That's not necessarily going to end up back in the US - but as someone who's aware that there's been discussions of Europe as a third pole for at least the last 60 years and it's still not happened I think it will perhaps end up being back with the US, but occasionally making disobliging comments (although not with the current administration). But the point in the article which I thought was interesting is that China already views Europe as basically an American satrapy so already sees America behind Europe and as European policymakers' attitudes harden it is quite possible that China will interpret that as American influence, even if it is something Europeans are concluding themselves. But because of that misinterpretation China may end up pushing Europeans and Americans together in spite of themselves.
The other thing that struck me was the news that I think VW may be looking at manufacturing in China for export which is something unimaginable a few years back. I wonder long-term if the effect of that will basically be to destroy the brand a little if the sense is that Western brands are manufacturing this in China, why not just buy the cheaper Chinese brand. Those long-standing Western companies may literally just become brands in the end.
It's very niche (if a multi-billion dollar industry) but that story made me think of the luxury goods sector where there's lots of Chinese industrial influencers on social media pushing the line that they actually make Hermes bags etc so why not buy direct for a fraction of the price. With subsequent and significant pushback from those companies that they don't manufacture in China and re-emphasising their artisanal practices and European heritage. It was interesting. Especially as I think the markets for both of those are each other. So it's Westerners who can't necessarily afford or don't care so much about the brand identity of the luxury goods firms going to dodgy drop-shipping companies to buy fake Hermes scarves from China, while it's China's new rich who are the huge growth market for legit hand-crafted European luxury goods
#8
Off the Record / Re: The AI dooooooom thread
Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 12:46:35 PMRight and I agree that LLMs can do things. I use them to do things. They are good at some things, less good at others, and simply can't do many things at all.
One thing they are not is "general intelligence" and I don't see the path to get there by enhancing LLMs.
One thing they are not is "general intelligence" and I don't see the path to get there by enhancing LLMs.
#9
Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...
Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 12:44:30 PMMaybe stay away from FacebooK?
#10
Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...
Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:36:27 PM
This is basically what Facebook is these days.