Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Norwegian Election

Last post by Norgy - Today at 01:06:39 AM

Having visited much of Eastern Europe after the fall of communism, I'd say this: The love of concrete was great.

"Want us to cut some marble?"
"We will go for more concrete, thanks"

#2

Gaming HQ / Re: Victoria 3

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 12:52:22 AM

I don't know how to do that. 

Also not sure what mechanisms to focus on.

One probable contributor is post-release power creep - each successive patch adds stacking bonuses to throughput or construction through bloc mandates, company bonuses, journal entries etc.  So that biases growth up.

Another contributor is that everything is too fast and responsive.  Construction expands too fast, peasants move too fast, qualifications get enhanced too fast, PM's can be switched in an instant. But the alternative is to make the game economy more laggy and less responsive to player input, which at a high level is usually a no no for game design.

#3

Off the Record / Re: The Closing of the America...

Last post by HVC - September 04, 2025, 11:56:03 PM

Again I'm just struck by wondering what the leaders of universities and higher education think they're for?

Making money.

I blame David F. Swensen for this turn in our Universities' priorities.

And football?

Aren't most college football teams cash positive?

#4

Off the Record / Re: The Closing of the America...

Last post by Syt - September 04, 2025, 11:30:47 PM

Again I'm just struck by wondering what the leaders of universities and higher education think they're for?

Making money.

I blame David F. Swensen for this turn in our Universities' priorities.

And football?

#5

Gaming HQ / Re: Victoria 3

Last post by Syt - September 04, 2025, 11:25:49 PM

Sounds like you should start modding this.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Valmy - September 04, 2025, 10:15:49 PM

There's definitely been some similar issues in the US. I remember reading a story in the NYT about a town in Michigan which elected a majority Muslim council and Muslim mayor with the support of progressive activists, who then felt very betrayed when the council voted to ban flying the Pride flag on council buildings.

Well there is always that one town that is the exception.

But as Sav pointed out...the town was over 50%+ immigrants largely from Muslim countries. That is a very specific scenario.

And it doesn't seem like that particular alliance between progressive activists and Islamic conservatives lasted longer than one local election.

But on a national and systematic level all dangerous religions of all sorts are dangerously empowered by conservative policies.

I mean there is the Palestine thing.

Well I am also opposed to killing civilians. Not really a value specific or even particularly characteristic of conservative Islam.

#7

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Zoupa - September 04, 2025, 09:36:05 PM

That tiny ass boat was not making the 1500 km journey to the US. I can't believe they're making that claim.

#8

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by The Minsky Moment - September 04, 2025, 09:15:35 PM

In Trumpland, pronouncing the word "period" to designate the end of a sentence is a tell that the speaker is lying.

Other tells include: using the words "sham" or "hoax", referring to the "radical left", attacking the media, and speaking audibly.

#9

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by The Minsky Moment - September 04, 2025, 09:12:04 PM

I mean it COULD be the boat was filled with Tren de Aragua drug smugglers, but it just as well could be anything else.

From NYT

But some officials at the Defense Department privately expressed concern on Wednesday about the administration's shifting narratives, including where the vessel was headed. Mr. Rubio had said on Tuesday that it was going to Trinidad, while Mr. Trump said the United States. On Wednesday, Mr. Rubio changed his version, saying the drug-laden boat was bound for the United States.

The secretary said in Mexico City that drug cartels and traffickers, including those on the boat, "pose an immediate threat to the United States, period."

Pentagon officials were still working Wednesday on what legal authority they would tell the public was used to back up the extraordinary strike in international waters.

Surprise = 0

#10

Off the Record / Re: Grand unified books thread

Last post by Razgovory - September 04, 2025, 08:30:46 PM

Is Cliodynamics legit?  Reading stuff by Peter Turchin and It's a bit difficult.  It's like if DGuller wrote history.