Of course he was always a jerk, but I still think of a reality where Elon never went (officially) Nazi and just stuck with his otherwise important companies. Tesla being an important early mover in EVs, especially in such an oil-dependent country, and all the cool stuff SpaceX has been up to.

European governments and the EU definitely don’t care about us, their citizens, but most do see the threat coming from USA these days, thankfully

How is that a “crazy theory”? Information control is not directly tied to capitalism but to any form of regime. The Western model and social media is, of course, strongly tied to capitalism and the desire for economic growth. How does that add to it?

There is no better regime than the West in this regard. Force things on people? You’re gonna risk a revolt or dissent. ‘Subtly’ make people dependent on your product so they’ll voluntarily use it and share everything with you while you ‘subtly’ control the algorithm in your favour? Now that’s perfect. Social media is the ultimate tool of power and governance.

Although North Korea is a very “successful” oppressive regime, largely able to have full control over information both in and out of the country and to greatly limit desertion. I can’t think of a “better” regime in this regard.

Just to be clear though, it’s not a state programme. But fuck Germany’s stance on Israel for sure…

Huh? I’m not even from the UK or a royalist 😂 what is up with your stupid assumptions? Go touch some grass fam

“Never”? This is literally the only comment of mine you’ve ever seen 😂 bro, don’t tell me there’s not pleeenty of criticism of the Catholic church going around. By far the most scorned religious institution in the West.

Now what does this have to do with criticism of a pervasive issue in Japanese culture? Do we have to attach a list of every problematic institution every time criticism is given, or do you just have a weak ass mental? Bring an argument rather than ad hominem and we might actually have something relevant to talk about. Otherwise you’re just a tosser.

Don’t let fear of being “racist” keep you from calling a spade a spade. Japan has a track record when it comes to issues such as these.

Element here all the way!

You misunderstand. Elon is retired from US politics now, obviously, and will return to being a force of good!

What “ethical” car brand do you buy then?

It’s not that I don’t understand your argument, or sympathise with prioritising EU products, it’s just quite a far reach to claim that Switzerland is “not a real country”. I’d choose a Swiss company over a Hungarian one - so EU membership isn’t the only determinant.

The way forward, imo, is full EU integration - also for Switzerland - but even with Trump threatning us too this is too far a reach from happening…

So, I’ll welcome products from any European country that generally cares about data protection, neutrality, and a non-American future.

That adds a bit more context to your stance, although it’s quite narrowminded imo.

Europe is filled with tax havens from Monaco to Andorra to Ireland to the Netherlands to Luxembourg, and British overseas territories. It’s not only a Swiss sport to have unfair tax systems. Other current EU members have traditionally been neutral such as Sweden, Finland (although forced), Austria etc…

Then talking about “taxes to the EU community” and mentioning Germany in a reality where German fiscal policies have dictated those of most everyone else - until they now decide it benefits them to change their own - German policies towards Russian energy, Meloni’s flirtation with dictators and fascism, Spanish friendship with China, and increasing anti-EU and anti-Ukraine sentiment in most countries.

Now tell me why I should have a particularly hard stance on Switzerland? Choosing EU companies first is completely fair, but don’t justify it with some holier-than-thou attitude.

All countries are “made up”… modern Italy was fully unified in 1870 and Germany in 1871.

What is a real European country in your opinion?

Paving the way for Reform next time… The Tories are evil and incompetent… Labour is evil and… well, a bit less incompetent but even more Big Brother… Reform is evil, and probably incompetent. “Probably” being the key word here

People are stupid. Never gonna argue against that

And Russia spent 40 years violently oppressing east Germans - and every one else around them for the past five decades. Essentially Russians are like chihuahuas

Russia had some kind of chance during the wild 90s, before Putin and his fellow chekists retook all control. In some ways the West should’ve had a different approach to Russia during this period of time and in the early 00s. Not that anyone or anything but Russian pride and megalomania, and Putin’s ambitions, are to blame for the current situation. At this point Russia has to be defeated and their overblown self-understanding changed.

Russia was kind of the drunk uncle before Putin’s intensification, filled with vodka drinking bear wrestlers, insane driving, and comrade jokes. This personified especially in Jeltsin’s behaviour

My company is “fully Microsoft”… fuck me

I installed Zorin a couple of months ago and I’ve had no issue playing any game that I’ve wanted or any game already in my Steam library. I was warned that “there might be problems using Linux” but it literally works better than when I had W11