nukeman's recent activity

  1. Comment on Cyclist falls down 130-foot ravine in France, survives three days by drinking wine he had in shopping bag in ~life

    nukeman
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    Only way it could be better is if he had a baguette and cheese as well.

    Only way it could be better is if he had a baguette and cheese as well.

    11 votes

  2. Comment on Grieving family uses AI chatbot to cut hospital bill from $195,000 to $33,000 — US family says Claude highlighted duplicative charges, improper coding, and other violations in ~tech

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Law enforcement (aka the police)

    Law enforcement (aka the police)

    4 votes

  3. Comment on Topic marked for review by admin in ~test

    nukeman
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    Is this Tildes’ first spam post?

    Is this Tildes’ first spam post?

    2 votes

  4. Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society

    nukeman
    (edited )
    Link
    Some not-super-organized thoughts: The question that isn’t often answered is what moderate/centrist voter actually means. They are not 50% or halfway there on each issue or split down the middle....
    • Exemplary

    Some not-super-organized thoughts:

    1. The question that isn’t often answered is what moderate/centrist voter actually means. They are not 50% or halfway there on each issue or split down the middle. Instead, they have highly syncretic (often contradictory) views, are apathetic on many issues, but are firm believers on a couple of pet issues. In my experience, it’s broadly correct they are socially moderate (often with a live-and-let-live or “leave me alone” streak) and fiscally moderate to liberal (frequently with idiosyncratic tendencies, like low taxes but universal Medicare). They don’t like politicians, are skeptical of “the system,” can be persuaded or dissuaded by a highly charismatic candidate, may not vote in every election, and like authenticity; they can sniff out a lab-grown candidate (even if they can’t pick one with genuine beliefs). These factors all make it hard to attract them, but they form a decent portion of the electorate.
    2. Overlapping with (1), white working-class men are a tantalizing electoral demographic for a couple of reasons; (a) they previously formed a major backbone of the Democratic Party, (b) they represent 7-10% of the population, and (c) they are spread out more uniformly than other demos, offering the possibility of winning swing and lean-R states. White working-class voters have a white working-class culture. They aren’t reading Voltaire or Kendi in their spare time.
    3. Polling and messaging are two ends of the same coin. I agree that you can message to swing an issue (cf going from overturning the NC bathroom ban in 2017 to trans issue today for a GOP angle), and the poll chasing isn’t going to magically get you voters back. But issues can be stickier, and more people now are aware of trans issues today versus eight years ago. I think we can partially message our way out on a lot (including on trans issues), but it may only work on certain topics, and when the tone of said messaging is tweaked for “average” middle class sensibilities.
    4. Building off of (3), issue moderation is one that needs be worked carefully. I’ve said before that I don’t think you need to compromise much on trans issues (with the right messaging, I think you could get a median voter to agree to bathroom access and youth transitioning with parental consent. I agree it sucks for kids with non-supportive family, but better than the states with a flat out ban. I think sports might be a bit harder, but in some swing states you could get to a league by league basis). On abortion, safe, legal and rare is a good message that I think still has value, especially if you are running pro-life candidates in the South (and given the size of the old Dems for Life caucus, there’s at least a few seats there at the federal level). On guns, let’s just say I vote for Dems in spite of their positions on guns. This one would need a longer payoff (gun owners really don’t trust Dems on the issue at all), but current gun control proposals seem like old ones with new stuff tackled on, not understanding where the gun community has moved in the last 30 years (many hunters and target shooters have AR-15s now. It isn’t just tacticool weirdos) and not taking the chance to truly modernize things (I also think guns are a gateway issue to the GOP, but I can elaborate on that separately).
    5. Related to (4), you’ll need different candidates for different states. @georgeboff made a good point about Maine and Maine political culture. The increased nationalization of politics makes this harder. If the six-figure consultants can’t figure out a way around that (in terms of emphasizing candidate independence from the party), then fire them. But ultimately, if you want control of the Senate, the House, governorships, and state legislatures, you need to run candidates in every state, at every level, for every position.
    6. Continued from (5), the dearth of political talent and the seniority system Democrats employ has led to stagnation and to a hole that’s very deep. The GOP winner-take-all approach, for all its flaws, allows for younger talent to rise to the top.

    Whew that was a lot. Sorry it turned into a wall.

    33 votes

  5. Comment on California Forever clears first hurdle in Suisun City annexation in ~society

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Their view on “why” is that it’s almost impossible to get anything done in terms of improving/building LA or SF (cf the million dollar bathroom), so it makes more sense to build a new city where...

    Their view on “why” is that it’s almost impossible to get anything done in terms of improving/building LA or SF (cf the million dollar bathroom), so it makes more sense to build a new city where you have pre-reformed zoning and better urban design baked in from the start.

    10 votes

  6. Comment on Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage in ~society

    nukeman
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    My hunch is that a combination of ATC sick-outs (right in time for Thanksgiving!) and folks having no SNAP benefits (again, just in time for Thanksgiving) would end the shutdown. Who caves first...

    My hunch is that a combination of ATC sick-outs (right in time for Thanksgiving!) and folks having no SNAP benefits (again, just in time for Thanksgiving) would end the shutdown. Who caves first is the important question.

    8 votes

  7. Comment on What are creepy, spooky or scary places you've been? in ~talk

  8. Comment on In the early 1990s, Sweden faced one of the worst economic crises in its modern history – the lessons for other countries, especially France, deep in its own budget crisis, are simple, if not easy in ~finance

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    I agree that pension reform in France is unpopular. My point was more focused on welfare reform =/= poor people become poorer. For France, I think the only way to get pension reform is either for...

    I agree that pension reform in France is unpopular. My point was more focused on welfare reform =/= poor people become poorer. For France, I think the only way to get pension reform is either for it to be rammed through, or for the Fifth Republic to collapse and be replaced by a Sixth Republic. Both of those have their own issues though.

    5 votes

  9. Comment on What are creepy, spooky or scary places you've been? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Interesting, works on my end. Gimme a sec and I’ll generate an archive link.

    Interesting, works on my end. Gimme a sec and I’ll generate an archive link.

  10. Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 20 in ~society

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    I was wondering how accurate these things are. Guess that answers my question. I suspect the reason why school districts go for these is a combination of cost and (nominally) being less intrusive...

    I was wondering how accurate these things are. Guess that answers my question. I suspect the reason why school districts go for these is a combination of cost and (nominally) being less intrusive than a conventional magnetometer portal setup. Clearly also less effective, and frankly, likely wouldn’t stop a mass shooting.

    I feel bad for the kid. Hope he can work through this.

    6 votes

  11. Comment on What are creepy, spooky or scary places you've been? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Realized a pic might be appropriate. Took me a bit but the thematic study of the reactors has a pic of the motor room (on minus 40) on page 143. If you’ve got a few hours I highly encourage...

    Realized a pic might be appropriate. Took me a bit but the thematic study of the reactors has a pic of the motor room (on minus 40) on page 143. If you’ve got a few hours I highly encourage reading the report, it’s got a ton of history of the reactors.

    2 votes

  12. Comment on In the early 1990s, Sweden faced one of the worst economic crises in its modern history – the lessons for other countries, especially France, deep in its own budget crisis, are simple, if not easy in ~finance

  13. Comment on What are creepy, spooky or scary places you've been? in ~talk

    nukeman
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    The minus 40 level of one of the old reactors on site. Reinforced concrete, no windows, echoey (no soft surfaces), lots of cobwebs and old equipment, and if the lights go out, you better have a...

    The minus 40 level of one of the old reactors on site. Reinforced concrete, no windows, echoey (no soft surfaces), lots of cobwebs and old equipment, and if the lights go out, you better have a flashlight!

    11 votes

  14. Comment on Jenny Chase 2025 “opinions about solar” thread in ~enviro

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Let me rephrase: in many areas, it’s more expensive to run a heat pump (and definitely resistive heat) from grid electricity than it is to fire a furnace with gas. That said, given their...

    Let me rephrase: in many areas, it’s more expensive to run a heat pump (and definitely resistive heat) from grid electricity than it is to fire a furnace with gas. That said, given their electricity is cheap and fossil fuel-free (I’m assuming pacific or mountain west given the other descriptions), it makes sense to at least look into.

    As for solar, a small grid-tie system with battery back up could make sense, if the focus is on providing backup power during an outage (and not on cheap/free electricity).

    2 votes

  15. Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 20 in ~society

  16. Comment on Jenny Chase 2025 “opinions about solar” thread in ~enviro

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    For this, look at your gas/propane company bill. It should tell you how many cubic feet or btu of gas is being used. From there, there are conversions that can be done to determine what it would...

    To really take advantage I’d need to replace my gas furnace and hot water heater, which is going to happen at some point but they work fine now. Aside from the cost, I have no clue how to figure out the added power usage.

    For this, look at your gas/propane company bill. It should tell you how many cubic feet or btu of gas is being used. From there, there are conversions that can be done to determine what it would be using electricity. Keep in mind electricity is less efficient at creating heat than burning gas, although this can be cancelled out with solar and/or increased gas rates.

    2 votes

  17. Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    I like this one. Truly oddball!

    I like this one. Truly oddball!

    5 votes

  18. Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Ultimately, it’s a freedom of association question. While you could probably prohibit mandatory HOAs, you’d likely run into constitutional (and possibly federal statutory) issues if you tried to...

    Ultimately, it’s a freedom of association question. While you could probably prohibit mandatory HOAs, you’d likely run into constitutional (and possibly federal statutory) issues if you tried to ban them period.

    2 votes

  19. Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    In some cases, they are, just paid for by the HOA. The real reason why HOAs have exploded is that a county government can offload services and taxes onto the HOA, maintaining nominally low taxes...

    In some cases, they are, just paid for by the HOA.

    The real reason why HOAs have exploded is that a county government can offload services and taxes onto the HOA, maintaining nominally low taxes and reduced county costs, without having to deal with municipal formation or annexation.

    13 votes

  20. Comment on What is your 'Subway Take'? in ~talk

    nukeman
    Link Parent
    Nordics, Baltics, Alpine, or Greece?

    Nordics, Baltics, Alpine, or Greece?