Unfortunately there may be a desperate push for a labour/reform coalition. But that would absolutely clear the way for the greens

Much, much, much more democracy. Failing that, a touch more authority could go the awful way, or it could offer some resilience against the functional differentiation spiralling us into climate destruction, war and wealth inequality.

Tolkien seems to be an inspiration for some of the worst tech-bro transhumanist oligarchs

Starmer may have unknowingly launched a formidable British left, but he'll be campaigning for Farrage now if only to avoid jail

Such major contradiction might at least turn some people away from worshipping AIs as infallible sources of truth

Wildly optimistic take: British centrism is self-immolating, simultaneously razing its conjoined twin fascism.

We should offer full military support...

to Palestine.

Христос Воскресе!

I've had a few radical dietary changes so can testify that preferences adapt surprisingly fast. And covid showed us that social norms can too, so there is some hope in that.

Ressentiment, death drive, jouissance, with a symbolic leader to sacrifice at the end.

However there are infinite alternative possibilities, and some kind of end to Capitalism is inevitable

IMO there are two important implications within that claim:
1) internal revolution without widespread, immediate personal desperation is near impossible.
2) Capitalism is adept at co-opting resistance movements.

The question is how to syncronise the public imagination. The only way I can see is to subvert a lot more democracy into our politics.

Even from a capitalist perspective, attacking people's health is terrible economics

4 People may adapt to their newfound responsibility and seek better sources of information. We may even permanently work through and transcend some of our more destructive collective quirks.

3 It would perhaps be a bit hostile to immigration (seems pretty deep in the collective psyche), but would be deeply anti war, pro climate and keen to tax extreme wealth.

2 A cybernetic manifesto, adapting in real time. Direct democracy as an antidote to weaponised populism.

1 Imagine a party that occupied seats with token individuals, all committed to representing only the views collected via permanent open referendums.

Also does ebooks and lots of magazines/newspapers

Borrowbox is an awesome app that let's you borrow free audiobooks from the library. It's a bit strange to use but well worth a look

Climate change & immigration

"As the nascent industries in Europe and the US become embroiled in regulatory tangles and face down the wrath of God – or at least of the Republican party – the UK has an opportunity to profit from an industry on the brink of an economic boom."

...social mirroring, foundations of empathy, etc. Evidence shows academia can easily be caught up on later.

Not a silver bullet but I bet there would be a big reduction in violence long term. Also an overhaul of "war on drugs" policy would ease a lot of pressure on many struggling households.

I can't help thinking that, along with SEND/SEMH in schools, long-term things would be improved by focusing on emotional development (rather than political point scoring on literacy) until age 7. So a play based curriculum working on reciprocity, impulse control...

When considering the resilience and cascading benefits of complex systems, this list is the tip of the iceberg

NFTs

If we could pull a lever to achieve genuine democracy in the hegemon all the other levers would fall pretty quick

The U.S. Is Building an Early Warning System to Detect Geoengineering Balloon launches from around the world are part of a new kind of global alarm system: One that can detect if another country tries to dim the sun.

Very interesting article from the NYTimes about scientists on the front lines of monitoring the stratosphere to detect if someone starts geoengineering.

gift link: www.nytimes.com/2024...

4 People don't have the inclination to dig through endless trivia & misinformation & schools are not about to teach meaningful critique of capital. Class consciousness is not happening.

3 Some people are entertained by their curiousity, but most have nothing to gain from it on an individual level.