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Cake day: July 4th, 2023

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  • The Netherlands has extra immunity beyond just the political system by way of a strong social safety net as well. Fascism thrives on poverty and resentment. But keep in mind, the Netherlands is practically the perfect example of social democracy and yet still the far-right is able to find a foothold to power. The Netherlands does a great job treating the symptoms of capitalism, but the foundations can still rot.


  • What country? Virtually every liberal democracy is currently experiencing a far-right resurgence right now, with similar themes of austerity and lower taxes on the rich. Multiparty democracies, especially those with parliamentary systems, have greater immunity, but they’re all suffering from the same disease because they have the same foundational flaws.





  • The comic isn’t ignoring the details or redefining the Forward Party’s rhetoric at all. The message, which I agree with, is that the party’s platform doesn’t promise any fundamental change to the underlying system, but rather is intended to address glaring problems that represent a risk to the longevity of the system.

    It’s a bit like the new deal, which was intended to take the steam out of the US labor movement (and succeeded). The goal, ultimately, is the short-term appeasement of those who have been disillusioned with the current system in order to preserve the greater status quo (capitalism).






  • I’d say we’re as close to that as the Wright Brothers were to figuring out the Apollo moon landing

    So about 66 years then? I personally think we’re very far from creating anything on par with human intelligence, but that isn’t necessary for a lot of terrible things to come from AI tech. Honestly I would be more comfortable with a human-level or greater AI than something lesser still capable of agency.

    If an AI is making decisions with consequences I’d prefer that it could be reasoned with as a peer, or at the least be smart enough to consider its’ own long-term sustainability, which must in some way be linked with that of humanity’s.







  • Kentucky’s state constitution has uniquely strong protections for public school funding, and amendment 2 nullifies all of them in one go.

    Here’s the wording:

    To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?

    IT IS PROPOSED THAT A NEW SECTION BE ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

    The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189​ of this Constitution notwithstanding.

    I genuinely think most KY voters don’t know what notwithstanding means, if they even bother to read that far.