This could be an opportunity for decentralized applications such as the Fediverse, which are not so easy to bring into line. But I fear that the apathy of the majority will make it impossible for people to recognize this alternative, even now. They will not take action on their own, even if it only means showing a little initiative and perhaps giving up some convenience. Instead, people will continue to be lulled into complacency and pretend that everything is fine, thereby forming the widely visible majority that serves as an excuse for their individual irresponsibility.

This vicious circle is the most frustrating thing: All this is only possible because the majority allows it to happen.

Hopefully fax machines, but these things seem incapable of dying.

I’m sorry, Dave…

I find it remarkable that headlines like these are always phrased passively, as if it were a natural disaster sweeping across the country without anyone being responsible.

Because Musk made a lot of money being Trump’s henchmen.

That’s a good approach.

I myself don’t see progress as a technical thing, but rather technology as something that could help us overcome our animalistic traits in order to enable us to live together in a good, forward-looking way. I mean, of all the mammals in the world, we are the best at building tools, but I wonder if we are making the most of this or if, despite all our tools, we are ultimately incapable of overcoming our instincts.

I don’t know the answer any more than anyone else. However, your answer, which I share, suggests that despite all our technological achievements, we are not evolving significantly, but remain trapped in our animal nature.

Since technology would presumably make it possible for people to no longer have to fight over water sources, I ask.

That’s true, of course — I completely agree with you. It’s just that, with all the news from the US that I read every day, I’ve unfortunately become quite pessimistic.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things will turn out alright after all.

I don’t think this would poses much of a additional threat, as the US legal system already appears to operate largely arbitrarily.

I think it’s highly likely that Trump will pursue, deport, or detain other genuine political opponents who are US citizens on the basis of their heritage anyway. Therefore, I assume that this will be a thing regardless. The only difference with Musk would be that even the super-rich would no longer be safe - but hey, I’m sure that the courts will continue to make exceptions for people with deep pockets anyway.

War Deutschland bis ca. 2003 nicht Weltmarktführer in Sachen Photovoltaikanlagen? Hmm, was da wohl wieder passiert ist?

In Germany, pretty much all established parties and even Organizations like the churches do this – without taking the opinion of the population into account in the slightest.

I really wonder what leverage Israel has to achieve this. Instead of decisively condemning all the war crimes, violations of international law, cold-blooded murder, and systematic genocide in light of Germany’s past, our politicians even invoke our “historical responsibility” while aiding and abetting these unspeakable crimes. I simply cannot explain how this is possible, even with arguments that would be remotely plausible, especially since the International Criminal Court has long issued arrest warrants against several members of the Israeli government, which are binding in Germany.

It is a declaration of moral bankruptcy that extends across virtually the entire political system and even into civil organizations.

It’s a shame that these cool things are probably too expensive. The Transrapid, a hover train from Germany, unfortunately also failed to catch on, but at least one commercial line was built in China connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport with Longyang Road Station in the city, which is still in operation today.

Do I have to provide this information to Palantir myself, or will the authorities do that for me?

Only fitting for the guy - everything he does is based on a lie.

It was a 5-4 decision. Thomas agreed with the majority, or rather, his vote constituted the necessary majority.

With this decision the Supreme Court overruled the Florida Supreme Court and effectively stopped the recount of votes, resulting in George W. Bush winning Florida’s electoral votes and thus the presidency. Here you can find a summary.

Whether Al Gore would actually have won with the recount is impossible to say with absolute certainty in retrospect, since the votes were not recounted. However, it was a neck-and-neck race, and numerous indicators suggested that Gore would have won - it was considered likely at the time. And that is precisely why it is scandalous imo that the Supreme Court prevented a manual recount, as this would have made it easy to verify the will of the Florida citizens without any disadvantages.

Overall, I think it’s fair to say that many aspects of this election were rather flimsy.

If you’re interested in the somewhat strange events surrounding this election, you can find the complete documentary “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election” here. This documentary is a bit sensationalist in places, but it does highlight some of the rather undemocratic methods that were used.

Hope that’s what you were looking for.

That’s pretty much what a medieval feudal lord would say. I think people like this have exactly this understanding of themselves: they claim a vague, God-given right to rule over their subjects – a crude excuse for their crimes and inhumanity.

“Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”

If you cannot identify this line…

“Obviously, you’re not a golfer.”

Not so fun fact: Even back then, a certain Clarence Thomas was involved in the Supreme Court decision that prevented a recount of votes in Florida (source), which would likely have resulted in Al Gore’s election victory. And: Also even back then, this Supreme Justice was associated with a certain billionaire named Harlan Crow who supported him with various favors - he continues to do so to this day.

Our former military allies have completely lost their minds and are now ruled by a criminal who is endangering not only us but the entire world with his boundless greed, blatant corruption, and psychotic power games.

Instead of doing everything in their power to reduce dependencies and become more independent, our politicians are following this disastrous course out of utter spinelessness.

Furthermore, they are not denouncing crimes against humanity as the population expects, but are even supporting genocide by siding with the perpetrators.