TCatLikesReality

#TwitterMigration refusnik. Lives in reality and wants to make it nicer for all. Politics, Corporate Accountability and the danger that is now Social Media/AdTech/Surveillance. And some jokes.

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tcatinreality_at_mastodon.social@momostr.pink

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Last Notes

2024-08-22 08:30:15

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💯
Independent of every other policy, localised solar and wind generation should be deployed everywhere there is a clear view of the sun or access to wind.
Every home
Every industrial building
Every large car park
...and my favourite, every military base and government building.
We don't only need #GreenEnergy , we need to decentralise to avoid price gouging.

2024-08-15 17:49:21

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💯 I left Twitter the day Musk closed the del.
I just don't understand how any ethical people (and journalists in particular) remain on Twitter, giving Musk credibility and content.
We must rebuild our social networks in safer spaces. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.

2024-07-09 11:57:04

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All excellent.
But none have the worldwide, agenda-setting imapct of the NYTimes.

2024-07-09 11:39:51

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True, but at some point we need to stand and fight back.

2024-07-09 11:37:33

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My struggle is allowing the most reputable paper in the country to decline further.

2024-07-09 11:27:04

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I'm struggling with the same. We absolutely need a strong media, and need to pay for it to exist.
But it's really tough with nearly 2 weeks of hysterical speculation/pressure about Biden stepping down.

2024-07-07 10:33:14

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I have some background in IT. IMO, AI is merely the latest tech "bubble", boom then bust.
If they want a few good earning years, then starting over - then go for it. Having a few more ethical people involved might (slightly) help. But if they are looking for a new career, maybe enter IT somewhere else.

2024-07-07 07:46:08

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👏👏👏. I think "robber barons" is exactly the term for today's late stage capitalists.
The most depressing thing about AI is that all this destruction isn't to create more accurate output that lifts society. But rather to produce quicker, plausible sounding output to benefit corporate margins.

2024-07-06 11:50:02

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It is possible, after a period of self-reflection, that the Tories eject the extremists and move back to the centre-right.
Nothing about the Reform vote totals, Truss's selection by the party membership or the obsession about Rwanda indicates (to me) that will happen. But I'd love to see that outcome.

2024-07-06 11:36:10

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Farage's entire existence is to show the Tories a path forward as an extreme rightwing party. 100 second place finishes will be compelling.
We should brace for a Tory II party that is completely unhinged and dangerous as the US Republican party.
(Pro tip: if you think the problem in the US is Trump, not the radical "Christian" right, then do some reading on Project 2025)

2024-07-04 14:27:30

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🎯
Murdoch and Buffet running their massive companies well into their 90s. #Biden leads a team - we know exactly who takes over if he drops out
Trump runs a crime syndicate. If he goes, who knows how the power vacuum shakes out.

2024-07-03 08:10:31

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Yes. The stakes remain the same at this #GeneralElection
#ItsTheToriesOrTheNHS
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/721/540/340/795/742/original/b155de9982199b80.jpg

2024-07-02 07:19:09

Revealed: the massive extent of anti-protest orders ...to protect #FossilFuels
BBC News - 'Slow-walk' protests banned at 1,200 locations
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjeegzv09l3o

2024-06-30 08:17:52

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#Tories are actively trying to break things on their way out the door.
Did you see how the gov sacked trade negotiators ...after calling the election?
#ToriesUnfitToGovern #TacticalVoting
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/29/disbelief-as-us-uk-trade-deals-under-threat-after-britain-axes-negotiators

2024-06-28 10:28:11

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A side effect of there being more information than ever.

2024-06-28 09:49:29

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And who will remind us?
It's not going to be the media... or corporations ... Or the party trying to privatise?

2024-06-28 09:42:09

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Absolutely true that regulatory capture is a key dynamic.
But if democracy can create a corruption-proof, competent regulatory body then it certainly can create a corruption-proof, competent utility and cut out the profit margin.
Money is politics is the rot that undermines good governance.

2024-06-28 08:04:00

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That's #privatisation going exactly to plan
- raise prices as high as "the market will bear"
- cut service and investment to the bone
- drain cash to shareholders and execs
- let the failed enterprise collapse into nationalisation
Then let gov rebuild the finances and repeat.

2024-06-26 09:37:22

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Oh, de-linking tax discussions definitely does do someone a favour... The wealthy.
#TaxTheRich

2024-06-25 08:14:50

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I'm certain the criminal investigation into this £1B PPE waste will hold those responsible accountable and claw back any ill-gotten profits.
(I can dream)

2024-06-24 15:59:17

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My best case is a Democrat trifecta in the US. In 2021-22, we saw how progressive #Biden could be with a cooperative Congress. I expect he'll be more assertive if he gets a second chance.
That will likely spur Starmer and Labour leftwards, to maintain the special relationship.
We won't see the end of capitalism, but likely real progress on climate, workers rights, healthcare, wealth tax and more.

2024-06-24 15:29:50

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Yes!
While removing FPTP is critical, IMO, that is not enough. The book "Against Elections" by Van Reybrouck is very thought provoking and makes a strong case for greater use of sortition and citizen assemblies.
I think his basic premise - that we expect voting to do too much - is spot on.

2024-06-24 12:35:34

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Who benefits is always an important question.
Even the (likely) fall of Tories from power will benefit the right. Kier Starmer has shifted Labour so far, that the right will still get much of what they want. In addition, the entire Overton Window shifts and the left-right debates in the future will be solidly on the right, as defined even a decade ago.

2024-06-24 11:50:58

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After decades of this, a large portion of the public has learned to distrust all politicians. They choose to not vote, or to Chris's original post, flip their vote based on whatever current message catches their eye.
To me, this explains Brexit, Trump and the popularity of "burn it all down" radicals.
I also think this is no accident, and is being cultivated to undermine democracy from within.
2/2

2024-06-24 11:46:36

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I think very few people feel they get "exactly what they want" anywhere in life, so I don't think that's it.
IMO, the nature of partisanship has changed dramatically. Where once parties stood for certain policies, one could accept some policy compromises as part of the democratic process.
But now, there are few policies discussed - mostly headline clickbait. Instead most messaging is about attack and demonization. So, compromise is no longer acceptable.
1/2

2024-06-23 09:48:44

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It's been presented that Starmer ruled it out, but that's not what he said. He dodged. Here's the quote:
“No, that isn’t our plan. It never has been and I have never said that as leader of the Labour party and it’s not in our manifesto.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/keir-starmer-rules-out-rejoining-eu-single-market-but-wants-better-deal/ar-BB1oH33p

2024-06-23 09:18:55

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I don't think Labour has "ruled out" anything. I think they're dodging the topic along with any other topic that might cause controversy.

2024-06-23 09:14:45

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Step one is to stop digging the hole deeper. #Labour need to stop further divergence from the EU and unnecessary conflicts (eg ECHR).
Only then can we start rebuilding ties, at which point the EU will be much more keen to engage.
The UK will never get the deal it had before. But the "European Project" vision will always include Britain.

2024-06-23 08:13:52

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Certainly, that is a problem but very old one. So, what was the solution in the past that allowed significant social housing to be built?

2024-06-22 08:42:44

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The last article I saw on this "work trend" reported on six employees sacked for mouse jiggling ...out of a company with more than 200,000 employees.
It made me wonder if it was a news story, or a paid advert from companies desperate to scare workers back to the office.

2024-06-21 09:30:29

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I call BS.
Sure, #Labour will engage for-profits in the #NHS. But Labour will invest and grow a gov-controlled, free at point of service NHS.
#Tories have actively starved it of funding, drove off staff and proposed moving to a full private insurance model. Sunak's links to US healthcare execs dwarfs all Labour donations combined.
It is chalk and cheese. #ItsTheToriesOrTheNHS

2024-06-21 07:56:11

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Yes, you can #NeverTrustATory especially with the #NHS.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/653/536/102/550/660/original/8cc72098c79e3827.jpg

2024-06-13 15:11:19

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At the GE, we vote for the package. And the Labour pack of MPs is vastly superior to the Tories.
There will be time to restructure the Cabinet later.

2024-06-13 11:38:55

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Perhaps, but more slowly and while investing more and rebuilding services.
That buys time for the public demand to build against privatisation.

2024-06-13 09:38:46

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Time to repost this classic!
#ItsTheToriesOrTheNHS
#SaveOurNHS
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/608/640/717/960/412/original/19f75a78ef8ac876.jpg

2024-05-31 00:15:50

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Interesting point
Perhaps Trump's ability to defy political gravity is entirely sue to the media constantly platform his "I defy gravity" lies without similarly covering the reality

2024-05-10 23:49:39

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Oh FFS
Wanna help moms, Sen Britt, his about child care, health care, head start, school lunches.
Nope, just a pregnancy registration to make sure you carry those babies to term.
🤮

2024-05-07 10:25:57

Now that the IDF has operational control of the main crossing into Gaza, the food, medicines and aid are going to *pour* into the country, right?
Right?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/07/israel-idf-control-rafah-crossing-gaza-palestine-side-hamas-war-latest-update

2024-04-30 15:42:56

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Exactly. I found this visual is the perfect response to those complaining about the Trump - Biden choice.
#VoteBlue2024
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/360/930/779/698/188/original/76d1ec1bd25f8f15.png

2024-04-26 14:33:46

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IMO, the extremist right on the Court only care about the accumulation of power to accomplish their objectives, just like everyone on the right.
In light of that, of course they want POTUS immunity.

2024-04-26 13:14:09

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Only the 9 people in government with complete immunity and lifetime tenure can see the wisdom of giving immunity to the Commander In Chief.
SMH. Navalny is what happens when the leader has immunity.

2024-04-11 19:42:04

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A better headline is
"Monopolist takes dim view of antitrust"

2024-03-29 01:15:45

WTF? Where is the DOJ letting these unconsitutional maps be used?
South Carolina latest state to use congressional map deemed illegal
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/28/south-carolina-redistricting-2024-election/