The Off Topic Topic

[HVC]

Time to devolve power back to the king and start from scratch

[HVC]

Personally I'd argue that we should be able to take action on climate and mitigate, that extreme heat is as dangerous as the cold especially as we improve insulation standards but no-one would consider central heating "optional comfort" and that if we continue to increase renewables generation it shouldn't matter because it's powered by electricity (which we need to generate a lot more of through low carbon means). So it shouldn't be "the" climate policy but I think it has to be part of it as climate changes and Europe experiences more extreme heat.

I agree. And it's so dumb and counter productive. A well insulated house with a good variable speed heat pump (and ERV ) is very energy efficient. Throw in some solar panels for those that can and you're golden.

[Sheilbh]

I don't think this entirely applies to the rest of Europe.

But if you ever read David Kynaston's books on austerity, post-war Britain there's a really interesting strand of opinion that comfort is bad and somehow corrupting. Very often you see it in the letters page to the Guardian where there are people complaining about things like fridges, vacuum cleaners, TVs as all slightly indulgent and "American". They make people's lives too easy and enjoyable.

FWIW I think you can see a similar strand of articles in the Guardian in recent years over the weight-loss drugs where they'll regularly write about the social and health impact of obesity. But until very recently they ran a shed load of negative articles about these drugs (I noticed because a science correspondent in another paper started collating them and noting how weirdly regular they were). And running through a lot of them was basically a sense that you haven't "earned" that weight loss - it should be through exercise, eating healthier etc. I would add that a side effect of that is perhaps that it allows you to associate someone's weight with some virtues (a bit like, to this day, someone not having a TV is a class signifier - I think everyone was won around to fridges and hoovers).

I remember listening to a podcast here during covid and there was a similar conversation about anti-covid measures then with an academic in public health that basically it was almost a problem if we were to rely on a "technological" solution such as a vaccine or treatment, when we could just reorganise society instead and rely on a "social" solution. There are some very, very clever people in the world who I wouldn't trust with a pair of scissors

[viper37]

Georgia Mom's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Parenting Debate 


I keep seeing these kind of stories from the US.  So weird for a man my age.

[HVC]

Georgia Mom's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Parenting Debate


I keep seeing these kind of stories from the US.  So weird for a man my age.

It's what happens when people have fewer kids

[Josquius]

Aye. That's fucked up.

Meanwhile in Australia.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/i-was-shocked-melbourne-mans-unbelievable-find-after-buying-house/m4sksfer8

This guy was clearly in on it with the previous owner.
Or used time travel.
"Oh but honey it was here when we moved in..."

[crazy canuck]

Georgia Mom's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Parenting Debate


I keep seeing these kind of stories from the US.  So weird for a man my age.

Our boys were riding their bikes to the local corner store to buy candy long before they were 10.  The United States has gone crazy.

[Admiral Yi]

I have the suspicion that employees camping out in public bathroom stalls on a phone is becoming more a thing.

[Tamas]

You've finally discovered insulation?

I always found it odd that most of Europe is so far behind in some home efficiency things. Can't really blame being old since Germany is pretty advanced. Sure a bunch of it got blown up, but so did a lot of Europe.

Window screens are still a secret hack.

They like nature so much they want it inside too?

My husband had been worried he "wouldn't be able to see out" right up until he realized it would keep mosquitoes from eating him in the night.

Just seen this I have had to install in some rather convoluted and ugly ways the screens available to purchase which would work with windows opening to the inside.

I remember a recent reddit thread where somebody asked the "why" ok this from Brits, there was a lot of taking offense and explaining it's not needed because there aren't that many bugs and the like.

[Bauer]

Georgia Mom's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Parenting Debate


I keep seeing these kind of stories from the US.  So weird for a man my age.

Our boys were riding their bikes to the local corner store to buy candy long before they were 10.  The United States has gone crazy.

I think that mentality is in Canada too, but as usual the US takes it to the next level.  Growing up I rode my bike everywhere, to the mall, arcade, etc. always outside in the summer.  You just don't see kids outside as much as they used to be anymore.  Although I think screen time is also to blame.

I'm a believer in the idea that kids need to learn to take acceptable risks by having some independence, and the helicopter parenting is to blame for all the anxiety these days.

[Bauer]

You do have warm water in all your flats by now I hope   

I've got good news and bad news for you. Brit's have hot water, but for some reason their hot water tanks in the attic can get contaminated (I still have no idea how, is it open?) so they need separate hot water taps to avoid drinking bad water I assume (hope?) that's only a thing in older houses but I know mixing taps are still exceedingly rare there.

That is odd... I thought the reason developing countries struggle with water quality is the lack of water pressure.  Any gaps in the system give opportunities for contamination which quickly multiplies.  So you'd think the water tank problem would be an easy fix 

[Syt]

Georgia Mom's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Parenting Debate


I keep seeing these kind of stories from the US.  So weird for a man my age.

At the same time complaining that kids these days spend all day indoors in front of screens while they would stay outside without phones on their bikes "till sundown."

[Syt]

Looking for city trips on booking.com.

"Have you considered Milton Keynes or Luton?"

[Josquius]

MK they at least make look half decent.
That best of Luton photo though is awful.
Madness anyway. I guess the only time you come to Britain is business trips +

[Syt]

People go to London a lot, sometimes to Edinburgh. But besides that not really much interest, I suppose.