Worried though we are by much of it, I can't think of a single thing which compares in any way with what is happening in the States.
From here, democracy in the UK isn't looking so great either. Here, as far as I know, hundreds of ordinary people are not being arrested, and some are spending time in prison for participating in peaceful protests or for things they posted on X or other social media platforms. Charles, your LLMs are (not for the first time) letting you down badly.
The LLMs often seem to lean left. Or perhaps you have been paying too much attention to e.g Vance and co.
My sentiment is more of "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right of me..." I intensely dislike the public faces of both the left and the right in the US. I see that in at least 65 US school districts, among the banned books is The Handmaid's Tale.
Removing books from school libraries isn't the same as banning them. They're still available for anyone who wants them. They may even benefit from the Streisand effect. Your "facetiousness" does nothing but parrot the idiotic, ignorant and dangerous talking points of the people who are driving your country's democracy to its destruction.
My "facetiousness" is based on what I'm hearing from UK citizens.
I'm assuming this is a joke, Charles. If not, do expound.
I was being a bit facetious. However, the US isn't the only Western country with numerous political and social problems. Other countries, including the UK, have their own sets of often overlapping problems.
How the "general welfare" clause's interpretation has changed since the Constitution was written, and the impacts those changes have had on the country. Evolution of "General Welfare" Clause
How the interpretation of the "general welfare" clause has changed since the Constitution was written, and how those changes have impacted the country. Evolution of "General Welfare" Clause
In this interview, an urban warfare expert, who has frequently been in Gaza, describes the current situation as unprecedented. One reason is that, unlike most urban warfare scenarios, where civilians can evacuate combat zones, in Gaza, civilians are compelled to remain in the heart of the fighting. "John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army Major and leading expert on urban warfare, known for his frontline experience, strategic insights, and influential writing on modern combat in cities." War Expert Debunks Gaza Lies - John Spencer
I used to have good handwriting. In my early teens, I read a book on handwriting analysis. I then made a conscious effort to change my handwriting to reflect the characteristics I wished to have as defined by the book. In the process, my handwriting improved. Not so much my character.
It's been so many decades since I've done much handwriting that I now struggle to make my block character writing legible.
This YouTuber seems to be honest and appears to have the chops to evaluate other YouTubers' claims and medical studies. He has several videos on creatine. Physionic
They're a starting point. LLMs are much better, but can still make mistakes or make stuff up. YouTube videos vary from overhyped BS to good sources on what is currently known about a subject.
About a decade ago, I had frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis). First the left, then the right shoulder. I could only sleep about an hour and a half at a time. The pain intensified the longer the shoulder was immobile. Moving my arm would usually reduce the pain enough that I could sleep another hour or so.
Using Dr. Google, I determined that I could pay someone thousands of dollars to cure it in ten to twelve months. Or I could endure it for ten to twelve months, and it would cure itself. Which I did, and it did.
The symptom is a lot of neck and shoulder pain, but the result is that I have been getting only pathetic amounts of sleep...
Creatine might help with both your pain and sleep deprivation. Some health pundits claim almost everyone over 50 should be taking it anyway. "Creatine is primarily known for enhancing muscle performance and recovery by increasing energy availability in cells, particularly in muscles and the brain. Its role in sleep deprivation is less direct but has been explored in some research. Here's a breakdown based on available evidence:" Creatine Benefits for Sleep Deprivation
And then, and continuing to now, intense myalgia.
Taking a Creatine dietary supplement might be helpful. It's been around for a long time and is considered safe for most people. But you may want to check with your doctor first. Look for Creatine Monohydrate in the dietary supplement section of stores. "Emerging evidence suggests that creatine supplementation may benefit individuals experiencing myalgia (muscle pain) after COVID-19, particularly in the context of post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome or long COVID. Here's a summary of the relevant findings:" Creatine Benefits for Post-COVID Myalgia
Well, the one who is best able to whisper sweet nothings in a potential mate's ear is likely to have better mating success...
Here are two articles and a book that make the case for sexual selection pressures having an impact on language development. "The article argues for a hybrid model where early language evolved through natural selection for collaboration, followed by sexual selection for displaying superior intelligence, leading to the development of modern, expressive language. It emphasizes sexual selection’s role in driving the "supercharged" nature of human language compared to other primates." The evolution of language by sexual selection "Miller discusses how language may have evolved as a sexually selected trait to display cognitive abilities and intelligence, serving as a courtship tool. This review article explores the idea that verbal creativity and eloquence signal genetic fitness." Sexual selection for indicators of intelligence "The book argues that many human cognitive traits, including language, evolved through sexual selection as displays of intelligence and creativity to attract mates. Miller posits that language’s complexity and expressiveness serve as fitness indicators in mate choice." The Mating Mind: How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature
On “The Schadenfreude Express”
Worried though we are by much of it, I can't think of a single thing which compares in any way with what is happening in the States.
From here, democracy in the UK isn't looking so great either. Here, as far as I know, hundreds of ordinary people are not being arrested, and some are spending time in prison for participating in peaceful protests or for things they posted on X or other social media platforms.
Charles, your LLMs are (not for the first time) letting you down badly.
The LLMs often seem to lean left.
Or perhaps you have been paying too much attention to e.g Vance and co.
My sentiment is more of "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right of me..." I intensely dislike the public faces of both the left and the right in the US.
I see that in at least 65 US school districts, among the banned books is The Handmaid's Tale.
Removing books from school libraries isn't the same as banning them. They're still available for anyone who wants them. They may even benefit from the Streisand effect.
Your "facetiousness" does nothing but parrot the idiotic, ignorant and dangerous talking points of the people who are driving your country's democracy to its destruction.
My "facetiousness" is based on what I'm hearing from UK citizens.
"
I feel like you are thinking of countries in the neighborhood of Israel...
I was being facetious about the UK's growing Islamic immigrant population.
"
I'm assuming this is a joke, Charles. If not, do expound.
I was being a bit facetious. However, the US isn't the only Western country with numerous political and social problems. Other countries, including the UK, have their own sets of often overlapping problems.
"
If any readers here need some help when you emigrate to England, let me know.
I don't think I want to live in an Islamic country...
On “Giving Away the Store”
An interview with Netanyahu.
Asking Benjamin Netanyahu The Tough Questions
On “David Brooks in Laodicea”
How the "general welfare" clause's interpretation has changed since the Constitution was written, and the impacts those changes have had on the country.
Evolution of "General Welfare" Clause
"
How the interpretation of the "general welfare" clause has changed since the Constitution was written, and how those changes have impacted the country.
Evolution of "General Welfare" Clause
On “Giving Away the Store”
In this interview, an urban warfare expert, who has frequently been in Gaza, describes the current situation as unprecedented. One reason is that, unlike most urban warfare scenarios, where civilians can evacuate combat zones, in Gaza, civilians are compelled to remain in the heart of the fighting.
"John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army Major and leading expert on urban warfare, known for his frontline experience, strategic insights, and influential writing on modern combat in cities."
War Expert Debunks Gaza Lies - John Spencer
On “An open thread”
I used to have good handwriting. In my early teens, I read a book on handwriting analysis. I then made a conscious effort to change my handwriting to reflect the characteristics I wished to have as defined by the book. In the process, my handwriting improved. Not so much my character.
It's been so many decades since I've done much handwriting that I now struggle to make my block character writing legible.
"
This YouTuber seems to be honest and appears to have the chops to evaluate other YouTubers' claims and medical studies. He has several videos on creatine.
Physionic
"
They're a starting point. LLMs are much better, but can still make mistakes or make stuff up. YouTube videos vary from overhyped BS to good sources on what is currently known about a subject.
"
russell and GftNC, you're welcome.
If you search for creatine on YouTube, you'll find dozens of videos on it and how to use it.
"
In April I had decompressive surgery on my neck for degenerative cervical myelopathy.
I think I'm beginning to develop it. :(
"
About a decade ago, I had frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis). First the left, then the right shoulder. I could only sleep about an hour and a half at a time. The pain intensified the longer the shoulder was immobile. Moving my arm would usually reduce the pain enough that I could sleep another hour or so.
Using Dr. Google, I determined that I could pay someone thousands of dollars to cure it in ten to twelve months. Or I could endure it for ten to twelve months, and it would cure itself. Which I did, and it did.
"
Another 3 1/2 years to go.
Other than possibly improving your mood, Creatine isn't likely to help with 3 1/2 more years of Trump.
"
The symptom is a lot of neck and shoulder pain, but the result is that I have been getting only pathetic amounts of sleep...
Creatine might help with both your pain and sleep deprivation. Some health pundits claim almost everyone over 50 should be taking it anyway.
"Creatine is primarily known for enhancing muscle performance and recovery by increasing energy availability in cells, particularly in muscles and the brain. Its role in sleep deprivation is less direct but has been explored in some research. Here's a breakdown based on available evidence:"
Creatine Benefits for Sleep Deprivation
"
And then, and continuing to now, intense myalgia.
Taking a Creatine dietary supplement might be helpful. It's been around for a long time and is considered safe for most people. But you may want to check with your doctor first. Look for Creatine Monohydrate in the dietary supplement section of stores.
"Emerging evidence suggests that creatine supplementation may benefit individuals experiencing myalgia (muscle pain) after COVID-19, particularly in the context of post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome or long COVID. Here's a summary of the relevant findings:"
Creatine Benefits for Post-COVID Myalgia
"
Well, the one who is best able to whisper sweet nothings in a potential mate's ear is likely to have better mating success...
Here are two articles and a book that make the case for sexual selection pressures having an impact on language development.
"The article argues for a hybrid model where early language evolved through natural selection for collaboration, followed by sexual selection for displaying superior intelligence, leading to the development of modern, expressive language. It emphasizes sexual selection’s role in driving the "supercharged" nature of human language compared to other primates."
The evolution of language by sexual selection
"Miller discusses how language may have evolved as a sexually selected trait to display cognitive abilities and intelligence, serving as a courtship tool. This review article explores the idea that verbal creativity and eloquence signal genetic fitness."
Sexual selection for indicators of intelligence
"The book argues that many human cognitive traits, including language, evolved through sexual selection as displays of intelligence and creativity to attract mates. Miller posits that language’s complexity and expressiveness serve as fitness indicators in mate choice."
The Mating Mind: How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature
"
The development of language likely had a significant sexual selection influence.
"
The movie Idiocracy's premise is becoming all to real.
On “Everyone is a hero in their own story”
Here's one that will pull together two of the recent discussions here: metal, and math.
Analysis of Fibonacci Sequence and Golden Ratio in Musical Compositions
On “The law of the letter”
Is this just an English thing?
According to Grok:
Scrambled Words Across Languages
"
Real-time translation and communicating with devices in any language the user chooses could lower the pressure to learn more than one language.
On “Plus ça change…”
Far fewer men self-identify as Neanderthal than the number of women claiming they're married to one...
On “An open thread on July 4th”
I was a sucker for HP calculators and ending up buying five different ones.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.