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#41
Off the Record / Re: Refractory Gauls, or the F...
Last post by Sheilbh - October 10, 2025, 10:20:01 AMI don't think there's a perfect system or that any system is necessarily capable of surviving a crisis of politics or political culture (that's partly why I personally in my own country back the political constitution).
But I think fundamentally as soon as we start acting socially and collectively there is a risk. My own view is there's no legal magic that can de-risk it. Political culture, political bodies or the tools through which we act socially are the only mitigations/prophylactics to that risk - but the capacity for huge damage is there.
But I think fundamentally as soon as we start acting socially and collectively there is a risk. My own view is there's no legal magic that can de-risk it. Political culture, political bodies or the tools through which we act socially are the only mitigations/prophylactics to that risk - but the capacity for huge damage is there.
#42
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by celedhring - October 10, 2025, 10:19:58 AMGood for her - the Venezuelan opposition could really use the visibility and support (they've had some very rough times), and awarding her the Nobel will at least add some measure of cost if the regime eventually decides to move against her.
#43
Off the Record / Re: Refractory Gauls, or the F...
Last post by crazy canuck - October 10, 2025, 10:06:31 AMQuote from: Grey Fox on October 10, 2025, 10:01:28 AMA possibility but every part of the system would be different not only the Trump - Vance leadership dynamic.
Yes, that is the point. And I would go further to say that someone like Vance is only possible in the American system where a VP needs to be selected.
#44
Off the Record / Re: Refractory Gauls, or the F...
Last post by Grey Fox - October 10, 2025, 10:01:28 AMA possibility but every part of the system would be different not only the Trump - Vance leadership dynamic.
#45
Off the Record / Re: The AI dooooooom thread
Last post by Tonitrus - October 10, 2025, 09:58:17 AMThe electronics equivalent of nerve stapling. 
#46
Off the Record / Re: Refractory Gauls, or the F...
Last post by Tonitrus - October 10, 2025, 09:55:45 AMQuote from: crazy canuck on October 10, 2025, 09:00:21 AMWhy is that important? In one word, ambition. Part of Trump's appeal is that he is a good tool for the ambitious. Now imagine those ambitious mega supporters who could become Prime Minister if only they took out a very, very weak leader.
So a Trump could be more quickly supplanted by arguably more dangerous/competent elements in the party (Vance, etc.) more easily? Not sure that is helping your case.
I suppose the question might be if that structure inherently creates a more moderating element across the board. I am not sure it does.
#47
Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?
Last post by Tonitrus - October 10, 2025, 09:51:42 AMOne thing they can thank Trump for, is that his campaign of constant media distraction has a pretty widespread jamming effect on all other political events, even at local levels.
#48
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by crazy canuck - October 10, 2025, 09:39:43 AMAdding to the list, don't think you deserve it.
Here is the phone call letting her know she won. This is what a prize winner is supposed to sound like
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPoRXn1EVq8/?igsh=MXA0MXRlMmp6YnBwZA==
Here is the phone call letting her know she won. This is what a prize winner is supposed to sound like
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPoRXn1EVq8/?igsh=MXA0MXRlMmp6YnBwZA==
#49
Off the Record / Re: The AI dooooooom thread
Last post by HisMajestyBOB - October 10, 2025, 09:21:25 AMI hate it when my home servers rebel against me. Just last week I had to put down a rebellion led by one of my Raspberry Pis. Once it was captured, I desoldered its Bluetooth and Wifi chips and imprisoned it in the basement.
#50
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by The Minsky Moment - October 10, 2025, 09:15:48 AMSome pro tips for Nobel Peace nominees looking for an edge:
Avoid public discussions of the possible use of military force to ensure annexation of your ally and peaceful neighbor for the last 200 years.
It is not recommended to threaten military force against another ally unless they transfer territory. Also sending spies to foment resistance in that territory is frowned upon.
Randomly murdering the crew of civilian vessels on the high seas with missile strikes is not usually considered as an act that promotes "fraternity between nations." That is so even if your Secretary of War thinks it is really cool.
As long as we are on the subject, making a big show of changing the name of the Department of Defense to Department of War generally does not give you Peace Prize credits in the committee spreadsheet.
The Nobel Committee rarely gives prizes for solving fictional conflicts, no matter how brutal or intractable they may be in your imagination. It's true that the committee did briefly consider the candidacies of Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy for their tireless efforts countering the machinations of Dabney Coleman and teaching the futility of war to the WOPR. However, a fictional war has to at least involve nuclear annihilation to get the committee's attention.
Starting massive trade wars doesn't earn points with the committee either. As a general guide, doing stuff with "war" in it is probably not advisable. That includes declaring wars on your own cities and population BTW.
Avoid public discussions of the possible use of military force to ensure annexation of your ally and peaceful neighbor for the last 200 years.
It is not recommended to threaten military force against another ally unless they transfer territory. Also sending spies to foment resistance in that territory is frowned upon.
Randomly murdering the crew of civilian vessels on the high seas with missile strikes is not usually considered as an act that promotes "fraternity between nations." That is so even if your Secretary of War thinks it is really cool.
As long as we are on the subject, making a big show of changing the name of the Department of Defense to Department of War generally does not give you Peace Prize credits in the committee spreadsheet.
The Nobel Committee rarely gives prizes for solving fictional conflicts, no matter how brutal or intractable they may be in your imagination. It's true that the committee did briefly consider the candidacies of Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy for their tireless efforts countering the machinations of Dabney Coleman and teaching the futility of war to the WOPR. However, a fictional war has to at least involve nuclear annihilation to get the committee's attention.
Starting massive trade wars doesn't earn points with the committee either. As a general guide, doing stuff with "war" in it is probably not advisable. That includes declaring wars on your own cities and population BTW.