CptBluebear's recent activity
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Comment on France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet – Sweden expects to decide on the next steps for its warplane program by September 2027 in ~society
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Comment on What are your current pain points with Linux? in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentOh I'm under no delusion that Windows "just works". But precisely that long time experience and knowledge makes my PC mine instead of something I need to wrangle. Thank you for the clarification...Oh I'm under no delusion that Windows "just works". But precisely that long time experience and knowledge makes my PC mine instead of something I need to wrangle.
Thank you for the clarification on software packages, it's one of those things that don't feel like I have a good grasp on things.
Do I use sudo apt-get, dnf, pacman? Flatpaks? I know now but it's a bit of a pain when you follow some installation process and it doesn't work because distro reasons.
I'm a relatively quick learner and it has been nice to glean some additional surface level knowledge from tinkering with my Steam Deck, so I'm sure I could figure it out if I intend to take the plunge. Right now though, Windows "just works" ... For what I intend to do with it.
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Comment on France is open to cooperating with Sweden on building a next-generation fighter jet – Sweden expects to decide on the next steps for its warplane program by September 2027 in ~society
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentNothing. You nailed it. The collapse of FCAS was because of what you mentioned: a difference in requirements. Additionally, the disputes over who manufactured what caused an irreconcilable level...Nothing. You nailed it. The collapse of FCAS was because of what you mentioned: a difference in requirements. Additionally, the disputes over who manufactured what caused an irreconcilable level of friction too. If it were just that I'm sure they could've overcome that problem, but since they ultimately wanted a different fighter plane altogether there was no shot it would succeed.
Sweden's Gripen fighter jet is resilient. It's easy to maintain (relatively speaking at least) and needs a crew of only six to maintain, refuel, and arm and can sortie under dire circumstances by allowing it to launch from roads. The design philosophy of the Gripen is to create something that's cheap (again, relatively speaking) and robust with the clear goal to create a multirole fighter that excels in and over Swedish airspace.
France wants more. They want a carrier capable nuclear launch jet with absolute sovereignty over its design. What they want is significantly overspecced for what Sweden needs. A carrier capable fighter jet requires you to have a carrier. Sweden wants theirs to launch from roads.
I don't see this happening without large concessions from France (and to some extent Dassault) or Sweden's new program might run the risk of not happening at all.
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Comment on What are your current pain points with Linux? in ~tech
CptBluebear (edited )LinkFrom someone not using Linux I'd say it's the impenetrable amount of different distros and use cases. PopOS? CachyOS? Bazzite? 5 or maybe 10 years ago nobody spoke about those. Well maybe Arch,...From someone not using Linux I'd say it's the impenetrable amount of different distros and use cases. PopOS? CachyOS? Bazzite? 5 or maybe 10 years ago nobody spoke about those. Well maybe Arch, but I know that because it was practically a meme in days past. Is Mint still a thing? What even is the right starting point? How do I choose and how do I keep up with the trend of changing distros down the line? I call it a trend, but often this happens because of security issues, development is dropped, or otherwise a discontinuation of a certain distro. Inevitably you need a new distro but finding out when, how, or even why requires much more than just getting your Linux toes wet.
It's an ever changing landscape that I don't know how to navigate. Or maybe even want to navigate. I'm getting more and more tired of having to continuously manage my home appliances.
Additionally, the times I have used Linux I ran into issues that required me to scrap the entire OS because fixing it cost more time than just nuking and paving the install happened a few times too many. Of course, that then dovetailed into having to reconfigure everything to my liking.
Then there's the institutional knowledge. Things taken for granted by long time Linux users that make it difficult to learn. Package managers that work on one distro but not another, so the guide I'm using is pointless, ever changing new package managers or driver mishaps and the endeavour becomes a test of patience more than I consider it a useful tool.
I'm still keen on making the jump at some point, but for now a severely stripped down Windows suffices and fits right into my already existing skill set and workflow. If something is broken I know where and how to fix it. Luckily scripts and other tools (or even Enterprise versions) to make Windows function as an OS rather than spyware are easy to get. I don't like the direction Windows is going, but my current install is usable and mostly without annoyances.
Tldr; lots of configuration in an ever changing landscape.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentI was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday so reading back I sound needlessly hostile. Apologies if I came across that way. I'm happy to let the discussion lie where we seem to disagree, but...I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday so reading back I sound needlessly hostile. Apologies if I came across that way.
I'm happy to let the discussion lie where we seem to disagree, but I do think the anecdote of the pandjesprins underscores how we do not have the ability to properly assess what the costs are. His upward price pressure on rent in the capital, as well as opportunity cost for other investors unable to capitalize on a noble name in markets the crown operates in makes for a difficult assessment.
Additionally, like I said, the costs remain mostly a crystal ball assessment of what part of tourism may or may not be part of the recuperation of cost. Clearly the UK crown seems to have done away with their holdings in all but name, that seems to change the calculation and perhaps in favour of the people. I'd be happy to concede this point. After all, I'd want the crown to be beneficial to the people instead of the other way around.
That said, and this is rather key for the Dutch crown that may not apply to other royalty: they do not pay wealth or property taxes. With just their significant holdings of stock in Shell and ABN Amro they have untaxed billions.
Back in 2010 the Dutch Parliament introduced a bill that intended to give insight in the costs of the crown with the clear intention to create transparency. However, what subsequent research found is that the costs of the crown have been obfuscated since the 1970s by moving costs between ministerial departments, with the specific intention to avoid criticism on the crown. So we haven't known anything about the costs until as recent as 2010, and that number is skewed by purposefully ignoring costs pertaining to security, palace upkeep, state visits, and it most certainly does not include any lost tax revenue based on their personal wealth. A report made by the (admittedly heavily biased) premier republican organisation in the country speculates the costs of the Dutch crown are at least triple of the stated yearly budget implies.
I see the Brand report you shared earlier says they include upkeep and security but I can't open the full report. Seems that 404d a while ago. That said, they list the TV series "The Crown" as an income source. Bit tenuous if you ask me but hey at least their count is more thorough than here in the Netherlands.
The Bible may have been scrutinized to an absurd extent, the costs of the crown have not. We simply have no method of accurately calculating lost tax revenue since their private holdings are just that, private. Therefore any official calculation is moot.
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Comment on Donald Trump says he has secured a vast US stake in Venezuelan oil industry in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentSeizing the means of production is only socialism if you're a worker. If you're doing a control economy it's capitalism. I think. Look, the red scare was so effective that the words...Seizing the means of production is only socialism if you're a worker. If you're doing a control economy it's capitalism.
I think.
Look, the red scare was so effective that the words socialism/communism lost all meaning. Very useful if you want to paint every economic policy you don't like with the same brush. The opposite applies too. Call tan suits communist enough so when daddy Trump starts art of the dealing boring economics all over the place it barely registers with his constituents in the boonies.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear Link ParentThanks for clarifying, like I mentioned I'm not fully aware of how that's handled in the UK. To the point of me calling it out in my initial post, I quite frankly do not care whether it's 200...I think you misunderstood the situation; they are already seized, in all but name.
Thanks for clarifying, like I mentioned I'm not fully aware of how that's handled in the UK.
To the point of me calling it out in my initial post, I quite frankly do not care whether it's 200 million, 200 billion, or even 2 quid. My argument isn't about the monetary value. It's that the only defense to criticism of the crown is to pull the "but it's not expensive" card when in reality the problem lies in the fact we're still ruled by the nobility based on birthright. There should not be anyone more equal than another, yet here we are.
That's not to say there isn't a time and place to quantify their benefit to society in an economic sense. In fact, probably a good thing that's kept in check. Especially because it's so difficult to quantify.
One of our princes was nicknamed the "pandjesprins" because he owned a significant portfolio of houses. Bought with his Royal salary, and likely his name as collateral, so he could create a real estate cash crop. I don't know what the economic value is of that particular arrangement with regards to our nation's budget, but it highlights again that he had this opportunity because he was more privileged than a regular citizen.@Promonk called it atavistic, I call it business as usual for European royalty. Their privileged use of a noble name doesn't harken back to the days of yore. It never stopped.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear Link ParentYes I'm aware, which is why I called them grossly overpaid diplomats in my other post. I'm not disputing they have a function. I'm irked by the fact it goes against our ideals of people being...Yes I'm aware, which is why I called them grossly overpaid diplomats in my other post. I'm not disputing they have a function. I'm irked by the fact it goes against our ideals of people being equal. Ruling through birthright is anything but.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear Link ParentI don't think that's much of a stretch when those reports universally call their valuations an estimate. They have no way of actually quantifying the value of tourism because of the crown. There...I mean, there’s a difference between “no one has quantified the impact” and “people have quantified the impact but I refuse to believe them”.
I don't think that's much of a stretch when those reports universally call their valuations an estimate. They have no way of actually quantifying the value of tourism because of the crown. There is quantifying, and there's assuming.
So yeah, like you said. Those estates would generate money if they were seized. I'm not entirely keen on how the UK royals use their estates but the Dutch family happily skirted corona rules to enjoy their private beach property in Greece.
If my constitution tells me everyone is equal except you know, the king and stuff, it all rings a bit hollow.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear Link ParentYou see, I don't believe that tourism number. You cannot tell me that 4-600 million is solely because people visit Buckingham Palace orso. It just doesn't sit right with me. It feels like it's a...You see, I don't believe that tourism number. You cannot tell me that 4-600 million is solely because people visit Buckingham Palace orso. It just doesn't sit right with me. It feels like it's a justification after the fact.
How does that calculation work for estates? Is it just appreciation for being valuable assets?
Not to be trite, but I did see this response coming. I called it out because I find it irrelevant. The inequality that is inherent to a crown and what it represents is the problem.
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Comment on Norway's King Harald dies aged 89 in ~news
CptBluebear Link ParentTheir political power is mostly ceremonial and know if they overstep their heads will roll*. I'm not necessarily happy with my head of state being a king, but as long as they keep their heads down...Their political power is mostly ceremonial and know if they overstep their heads will roll*. I'm not necessarily happy with my head of state being a king, but as long as they keep their heads down and function as a grossly overpaid diplomat I'm not going to actively work against it.
There is always that underbelly feeling of injustice when they casually own multiple estates, receive an eye watering stipend when they turn 18 just because of their name, have multiple vacation homes, and some parts of the family have a stranglehold on housing real estate and are basically slum lords.
In other words, I agree with you. It's an outdated practice that is inequality at its core. After criticizing royalty from the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, you name it, you will always have someone defend them and say they bring in more money than they cost... but so far nobody has been able to quantify this.
I do have a little sympathy for them. The lives of royalty is as far away from normal as can be. That's as far as my sympathy goes. Funnily enough, my wish for them to live a normal live goes hand in hand with abolishing the crown altogether.
*Probably figuratively
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Comment on How to find a new calling in life? in ~life
CptBluebear Link ParentTo respond to your edit: that is how I understood you from the get, which is why I sought to engage you on the topic. Service workers are constantly berated and stripped of the dignity to stand up...To respond to your edit: that is how I understood you from the get, which is why I sought to engage you on the topic. Service workers are constantly berated and stripped of the dignity to stand up for themselves, I've seen it happen myself where cashiers or high schoolers were demeaned and talked down to by adults that really should know better. And this was in the Netherlands where I could talk back to customers without the fear of losing my job looming overhead like the sword of Damocles.
People can right quick show their ugly side when they feel they're above someone.Your compassion is why I wanted to take the sting out of the term "low skill" and talk about how it's used here. @cdb said it very succinctly: Low skill is not the same as low effort.
I would never call an honest service worker's job easy or low effort. -
Comment on Meta agrees to heavy restrictions on teen users in major lawsuit settlement in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentFuuuck me that's a document and a half. I'm interested in the topic but that's a lot to chew on while I'm on the couch relaxing at the end of the day. I'll take your word on it for now. Thanks for...Fuuuck me that's a document and a half. I'm interested in the topic but that's a lot to chew on while I'm on the couch relaxing at the end of the day. I'll take your word on it for now. Thanks for the share though, likely something I'll leaf through in the coming days and see what I can glean.
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Comment on Meta agrees to heavy restrictions on teen users in major lawsuit settlement in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentIt is high so you're right to ask these questions. Without looking it up I want to say that salaries in the US wildly vary from state to state so even a median income doesn't quite show the peaks...It is high so you're right to ask these questions. Without looking it up I want to say that salaries in the US wildly vary from state to state so even a median income doesn't quite show the peaks and valleys of a K-shaped economy.
They did use the word "average" so who knows. I expect the average doesn't match reality in the slightest.
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Comment on Armenia announces historic intention to apply for EU membership in ~society
CptBluebear LinkHaving been there my guesstimate is that they are nowhere near EU membership. They have a long way to go until they meet the minimum requirements for membership. From lingering old style Soviet...Having been there my guesstimate is that they are nowhere near EU membership. They have a long way to go until they meet the minimum requirements for membership. From lingering old style Soviet corruption in every layer, to a downtrodden economy, and a hard block with their long standing territorial disputes.
Geopolitically speaking this is undoubtedly risky, but I'd wager the benefits gained from just the application may weigh up against that. If they actually shore up all the issues down the line, joining up would elevate their country like it has for so many economically challenged countries. It may also spur Georgia towards the EU.
Personally, seeing the success the EU has had in certain countries (Poland being the excellent example on how to benefit from an economic bloc) means I would love to extend this to others too. My country has been a net-payer from day one meaning the benefits are mostly an indirect rising tides lifting all boats kind of deal. Which is fine with me.
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Comment on How to find a new calling in life? in ~life
CptBluebear Link ParentI feel this is more an indictment of US work culture than it is fast food restaurants. It's like supermarket cashiers not being allowed to sit. Nonsensical wage slavery for the sake of a "lean"...I feel this is more an indictment of US work culture than it is fast food restaurants. It's like supermarket cashiers not being allowed to sit. Nonsensical wage slavery for the sake of a "lean" organisation.
On the contrary, fast food restaurants here are almost universally staffed by younger people. I wouldn't say younger folks are better suited for it than someone with some resilience and experience under their belt, I agree on that.
and no I don’t believe everybody could pick up and just do those jobs.
That's not quite what I said, or rather you omitted the word "learn" which is the word that does most of the lifting. To my point of why it's called low skilled: you do not need an education or prior experience to start learning these types of service jobs.
I'll admit the words "low skilled" have some unwanted baggage. They're not intended to indicate workload but rather the barrier to entry. It could do with a revision.. -
Comment on How to find a new calling in life? in ~life
CptBluebear Link ParentI'm not one for talking down on service jobs, I've had a few and they can be taxing on the body and soul killing at the same time. What people mean with "low skilled" is not that you need no...I'm not one for talking down on service jobs, I've had a few and they can be taxing on the body and soul killing at the same time. What people mean with "low skilled" is not that you need no skill, though by gawd I've seen some displays of a lack of skill in these kinds of jobs, it's that most people can pick up and learn to work these jobs without prior experience or education. It's why they're almost universally staffed with teens and students.
Other than that, yeah I totally agree! You learn a lot of (soft) skills in these jobs. If not the customer, your possibly delinquent co-worker can teach you a lot about working with a smattering of different people while also putting you through the physical stress of doing manual labour for a shift and a half.
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Comment on Ali G: Who Iz I? | Official trailer in ~movies
CptBluebear LinkUnless this is generationally funny, which the trailer doesn't indicate, I'm going to let this lie in the past. Ali G was funny when I was 14 and I just don't think it will hit in today's day and...Unless this is generationally funny, which the trailer doesn't indicate, I'm going to let this lie in the past. Ali G was funny when I was 14 and I just don't think it will hit in today's day and age.
I do respect him for giving it a shot. I feel Ali G was his best character as it didn't really disparage any one person (despite its direct inspiration). Bruno can really put to light how people can be homophobic, but the role itself leans too much on stereotypes and tropes. Borat is the same and too one note to carry more films than the first.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentI've been following Bodycam since just after Unrecord blew their cover but I've never made the jump. The september update seems like a good place to start because it's finally starting to look...I've been following Bodycam since just after Unrecord blew their cover but I've never made the jump. The september update seems like a good place to start because it's finally starting to look like a game and less a tech demo. The videos they've been releasing are incredibly impressive though.
The reload animations alone are a mind tricking realism generator.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
CptBluebear Link ParentI always play with bite == instant death. I don't feel like sitting around waiting for the infection to kick in is interesting gameplay. It's over by then already. I can see how certain skills...I always play with bite == instant death. I don't feel like sitting around waiting for the infection to kick in is interesting gameplay. It's over by then already.
I can see how certain skills take forever in multiplayer though. At that point having the speed reader perk may be mandatory ha.
GCAP suffers from similar requirement differences like FCAS if a bit less pronounced, though I'm assuming it'll impact the project to a much lesser extent due to Japan successfully negotiating harsh penalties if one of the parties skirt their responsibilities. I can see it being built eventually but with an anemic UK potentially trying to circumvent funding it may get some painful delays, as well as prove more ruinous to the UK budget than if they would just live up to their responsibilities.
Sweden could potentially bridge that gap. Would they need an expensive long range multirole fighter though? I wonder if the Swedes aren't just looking for an upgraded Gripen: cheap and robust.
Regardless, perhaps not a bad idea.