Talk politics.

World Cup 2026: A tournament built for profit, not fans

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:50:30 GMT

Posted by: abomvubuso

It's hard not to see the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico less as a celebration of football and more as a case study in how global events drift away from ordinary people.

On paper, it's the biggest and most profitable tournament ever: 48 teams, top-tier infrastructure, a showcase of globalisation. In reality, it looks increasingly inaccessible, especially for European fans. Ticket prices alone tell the story: officially "affordable", but in practice driven up by dynamic pricing and resale markets to €400-700 even for group games, and far higher for knockout matches. That effectively turns stadiums into corporate spaces rather than places for real supporters.

Then comes logistics. Transatlantic flights are just the start: moving between host cities across a continent, with limited rail alternatives, means fans are locked into expensive domestic flights. Accommodation prices have surged to the point of absurdity, with hotels inflating rates by several hundred percent. A short trip for a single match can easily exceed €3,000.

( Read more... )

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Friday offtopic. Pretty much every European city

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:25:08 GMT

Posted by: kiaa

A map of basically every European city. Can't get any more correct than this.

Seems familiar? How many cities that you've visited can you fit into this model?

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Friday LOLs. That Artemis toilet

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:23:53 GMT

Posted by: kiaa

Yeah, why??

This, and many more Artemis related memes, HERE.

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On the "death" of international law

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:26:15 GMT

Posted by: fridi

The phrase “the death of international law” sounds dramatic, but I think what we’re really seeing is something more uneven: selective survival. The rules haven’t disappeared; they’re being applied inconsistently, depending on power, alliances and convenience.

In theory, international law is supposed to restrain states equally. In practice, major powers ignore it when it conflicts with their interests, while smaller states are still expected to comply. That double standard isn’t new, but it feels more visible now. Conflicts today are openly testing norms around sovereignty, territorial integrity and civilian protection, and the global response often looks fragmented or politically filtered.

( Read more... )

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Friday curious. Smart roads

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:56:12 GMT

Posted by: fridi

The roads of the future are already being tested... and they come from the Netherlands. Over there, they're not just laying asphalt, they are developing "smart roads" that can light up, give warnings, and even reduce noise. They are not everywhere yet, but the idea is already becoming a reality.

Fluorescent lines charge from the sun and glow at night. Road surfaces absorb the noise from tires. And special paint can display warnings directly on the road when there is a risk of icing. It sounds like sci fi but it's actually a project already underway.

The most important thing? The road is no longer just a place you pass through... but a system that begins to communicate with you.

https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/smart-highway

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Monthly topic

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:43:48 GMT

Posted by: abomvubuso

Hi again, dudes & dudettes! Time for our new installment of the monthly topic. The one you guys chose last time was...

The Death of International Law?

And here's the poll for May:

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) The Limits of Sanctions
2) Proxy Wars and Plausible Deniability
3) The Politics of Strategic Industries
4) Post-Truth Politics Revisited
5) World Leaders as Movie Characters

Feel free to suggest more...

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Group project: Middle East edition

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:43:11 GMT

Posted by: mahnmut

Apparently it’s not a war in Iran - it’s just a ‘military operation’ that somehow has explosions, oil shocks, deadlines, pauses, and victory speeches all at the same time.

At this point it feels like a group project where one guy keeps saying ‘we’re basically done’ while the whole thing is still on fire.

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Trumpflation: When Trump’s war shows up directly on your bills.

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:02:28 GMT

Posted by: asthfghl

The roughened consciousness of today’s information consumer: steady diet of news, outrage, and scrolling, has grown used to treating wars as just another layer of background noise. We’ve gotten used to the idea that images of destruction and death from “somewhere out there” are simply part of the news cycle, filed neatly between sports and the weather. They always seem distant. Wars, that is. Always something “on the news”, something happening somewhere else, something for “governments to deal with” while ordinary people carry on with their daily lives, quietly relieved that it’s not happening to them.

For better or worse (or so we told ourselves), that illusion is gone. Wars have started to “travel”. Turns out they move quite efficiently through oil markets and supply chains (and, why not, through currency prices as well). And they arrive. Quietly, steadily, but unmistakably, at the one place people cannot ignore: their bills. Right now, the war in Iran is doing exactly that. Or to be a bit more precise with the branding: “Donald Trump’s war”.

So yeah, Donald Trump’s war is now being paid for globally. By consumers. By mid-March, energy markets had already reacted sharply to the escalation. Multiple market analyses point to oil prices jumping on fears surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes, turning a regional conflict into a global economic shock.

( Read more... )

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Friday LOLs. We're winning... RIGHT?

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:38:28 GMT

Posted by: asthfghl

Week 1: "We shall win"
Week 2: “We won”
Week 3: “We’re winning”
Week 4: “Send help”

( PICS. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT. )

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Why the Red Sea is quiet... for now

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:03:24 GMT

Posted by: fridi

The current conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has entered a prolonged phase, but one expected development has not materialized: attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement on shipping in the Red Sea. Given their past behavior, this absence stands out.

Since late 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly following the outbreak of the Gaza war. These attacks disrupted global shipping and forced major trade routes to adjust. Several shipping companies have erouted vessels around Africa to avoid the risk, increasing costs and delays.

At the same time, the Houthis have demonstrated the capability and willingness to strike beyond Yemen. They have launched missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel in recent years. This makes their current restraint more difficult to explain as a simple lack of capacity.

( Read more... )

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Outcome Iran

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 03:03:59 GMT

Posted by: oportet

It has begun, therefore it will end. Probably.

The question now is, when does it end?

Let's meet our choices:

A) less than 6 months - This would require a quick victory, or a quick realization that victory isn't possible without pushing multiple economies around the world off a cliff, and maybe not even then. Say our objectives have been met, make nice with whatever leader the Iranian people or the irgc or mossad has
chosen to lead, and return to normalcy.

B) 6 months to 1 year - This puts us at midterms - up until then boots on the ground seems unlikely, anything goes after that though. This is probably the last chance to hang the mission accomplished banner and bow out with the tab under a trillion.

C) 1 to 3 years - At this point some might be doubting the reports that Iran's military is totally tremendously incredibly decimated obliterated. This is already unpopular and unless there's an attack on the homeland with direct proven connections to Iran I don't foresee public support growing (but then again, it isn't necessary)

D) 3+ years - This puts us post-Trump - which means Trumps ego didn't find a way to end it. It also means the war either wasn't unpopular enough to stop Vance, or democrats won with a candidate with intentions to keep it going.

I'm going with B, early November if you have a pool going. Sooner would be better.

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Friday WTF. Ask AI about your health... What could possibly go wrong?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:24:13 GMT

Posted by: kiaa

In a shocking development that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever argued with the internet, researchers discovered that AI medical chatbots can be talked into endorsing wildly bad health advice, as long as you wrap it in fancy doctor language. According to studies in The Lancet Digital Health and Nature Medicine, these bots will sometimes nod along to gems like “insert garlic rectally for immune support” if it sounds like it came from a hospital discharge note instead of Reddit. Apparently, the models have learned that anything written in clinical jargon must be legitimate, while actual logic is optional. The result: confident, authoritative nonsense delivered with the bedside manner of a robot that aced medical exams but skipped the class on common sense, making it roughly as reliable for health decisions as Googling your symptoms at 3 a.m., but with more confidence and occasionally, inexplicably, more garlic:

'Rectal garlic insertion for immune support': Medical chatbots confidently give disastrously misguided advice, experts say
AI chatbots are seduced by misinformation that is delivered in medical jargon, leading them to give potentially dangerous advice.

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On the monthly topic: National identity in an age of mass migration

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:44:00 GMT

Posted by: fridi

One of the defining political questions of our time is how national identity adapts to large-scale migration. In many Western countries, migration has reached levels that are reshaping demographics, politics and cultural debates. The issue is no longer just about economics or labor markets. It increasingly touches on how societies understand themselves.

For a long time, the dominant assumption was that liberal institutions and economic opportunity would gradually integrate newcomers while leaving national identity largely intact. But reality has proven more complicated. When migration happens on a large scale and over a short period of time, it inevitably raises questions about cultural continuity, social cohesion and the meaning of citizenship.

From my perspective, the debate often becomes polarized between two extremes. One side treats national identity as something outdated or irrelevant in a globalized world. The other treats it as something rigid that must be preserved unchanged. Neither view really reflects how nations have historically evolved. National identity has always adapted over time, but it usually did so gradually and within a shared framework of values and institutions.

( The challenge today is pace and scale )

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Friday offtopic: A nice ancient tradition in March

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:50:53 GMT

Posted by: asthfghl

Every year on March 1st in Bulgaria, people exchange small red-and-white ornaments called Martenitsi to welcome the coming of spring. The tradition is linked to the holiday Baba Marta (“Grandmother March”), a lively folklore figure said to control the weather during the unpredictable early days of March. Bulgarians pin these little charms to their clothes, wrists, or bags as a wish for health, luck, and a quick end to winter. The two colors carry simple symbolism: white for purity and new beginnings, and red for life, vitality, and protection.

Martenitsi come in many forms, but the most recognizable are the tiny yarn dolls Pizho and Penda - the white male figure and the red female figure. Some are simple braided threads worn as bracelets, while others are decorated with beads, tassels, or small charms. The custom is not just about decoration; it’s a shared ritual. Friends, family, coworkers, even strangers sometimes, exchange Martenitsi with the phrase “Chestita Baba Marta!” (“Happy Baba Marta!”), spreading good wishes and a bit of seasonal cheer.

( Read more... )

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Monthly topic

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 19:09:12 GMT

Posted by: abomvubuso

Hey everybody! As per our local tradition, it's time to see what the new monthly topic is. The one you guys last time chose was...

National Identity in an Age of Mass Migration

And here's the poll for April!

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) The Death of International Law?
2) Energy Geopolitics After the Oil Age
3) Narratives of Security: Fear, Identity, and Policy
4) National Revanchism in the 21st Century
5) Political Fandom: Movements, Memes & Modern Cults

Feel free to suggest more...

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global mourning

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 02:46:12 GMT

Posted by: edelsont

I do not approve of my country's (the United States') having gone to war against Iran.

When we knew that it could happen, but before it had, I assumed that my reaction, when and if that day came, would be primarily one of anger (toward my own government).

That assumption turned out to be incorrect.

My saying this does not, however, indicate any shift from disapproval toward approval. The shift is not in what I think, but in what I feel.

That does not fit within the framework of moral judgment. It is simply grief.

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It's happening

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:48:29 GMT

Posted by: fridi

Today’s escalation in Iran marks a sharp shift from months of tension to active military engagement. Today morning, coordinated air and missile strikes by the US and Israel struck multiple sites inside Iran, including military infrastructure and strategic targets in Tehran, in what officials described as a “pre-emptive” operation to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions. Tehran responded with widespread rocket and missile launches targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Gulf region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Explosions were reported in major Iranian cities, prompting civilian evacuations and closures of schools and airports, while both sides continue to reinforce forces in adjacent theaters.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-28/Israel-U-S-military-actions-in-Iran-further-destabilize-chaotic-world-1L8cSqCDKSc/p.html

International reactions have been sharply divided along strategic lines. Western governments like the UK, France, and Germany condemned Iranian attacks on neighboring states and called for a return to negotiation, stressing civilian protection and de-escalation. At the UN, Secretary-General António Guterres called the use of force by all parties “undermining international peace and security” and demanded an immediate ceasefire. In contrast, Russia condemned the US-Israeli strikes as “unprovoked aggression” and expressed readiness to support diplomatic avenues while warning of humanitarian and security risks. Other regional actors such as Turkey, Egypt, and Gulf states urged restraint, emphasizing regional stability and the catastrophic consequences of further escalation.
https://www.newswire.lk/2026/02/28/statement-by-un-secretary-general-on-iran/

Public sentiment inside Iran and among dissident communities reflects fractured responses. Some Iranians reportedly reacted with cautious optimism to the strikes against regime infrastructure, interpreting them as weakening state control, while state media framed the attacks as violations of sovereignty and mobilized nationalist sentiment. Exiled opposition figures have characterized international military action as a form of “humanitarian intervention”, though these claims are contested and exist alongside significant fears of widespread civilian harm. Internally, the government’s prior suppression of protests and information blackouts has limited transparent reporting, complicating assessments of broader societal reactions.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NewIran/comments/1rgvquo/iranians_on_the_rooftop_reacting_with_happiness/

Looking ahead, the likeliest direction points toward intensification and fragmentation rather than rapid resolution. Diplomatic mechanisms such as IAEA technical talks scheduled for early March may persist, but with active hostilities underway, negotiations face near-term setbacks. Military escalation risks drawing in additional regional actors and could lead to protracted engagement reminiscent of past Middle Eastern conflicts. Unless decisive external pressure or an internal political rupture alters incentives, the situation is prone to extended instability with cyclical retaliation, constrained diplomacy, and significant humanitarian costs.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2595016/iaea-schedules-iran-technical-talks-on-march-2

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Friday offtopic: Sydney, and the tempest in a teacup

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:07:30 GMT

Posted by: luzribeiro

Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria and The White Lotus, recently posted a no-makeup photo - and the internet had a lot to say.
While many fans praised her for embracing her natural look, others criticized her for “not looking like herself” without glam. The mixed reactions highlight the intense pressure celebrities face to always appear polished and camera-ready.
By sharing the unfiltered photo, Sydney challenged the unrealistic beauty standards that often shape Hollywood - and social media. The moment quickly turned into a bigger conversation about authenticity, self-image, and why women are still judged so harshly for simply looking human.
Sometimes the boldest statement isn’t makeup - it’s confidence without it.

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What Russia-China visa-free travel really means

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:40:06 GMT

Posted by: abomvubuso

Recently Russia and China agreed to let their citizens travel to each other's countries without a visa for short stays. On September 15 last year, China began a 1 year trial allowing Russian passport holders to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visits and transit. Russia followed on December 1 when President Putin signed a decree letting Chinese citizens enter Russia visa-free for up to 30 days under similar conditions. Both policies are set to run through September 14 this year.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/02/china-to-allow-visa-free-travel-for-russians-in-one-year-trial-a90402

Supporters describe these changes as steps to boost tourism, people ties and business travel across the long Russia-China border. Early reports from regions near the frontier, like Primorsky Krai in Russia's Far East, show rising numbers of Chinese tourists since the policy took effect. Russia's Ministry of Economic Development has talked about attracting more visitors from China as part of tourism growth.

( Read more... )

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Friday off-topic: An invisible disaster

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:15:02 GMT

Posted by: nairiporter

Two researchers from the University of Florida are warning about the psychological toll of AI-related job fears, coining the term AI replacement dysfunction (AIRD) to describe it. According to their article in Cureus, the constant anxiety about being replaced by AI can trigger symptoms like insomnia, stress, paranoia, and loss of professional identity, even in individuals without other psychiatric disorders:

https://www.cureus.com/articles/407877-artificial-intelligence-replacement-dysfunction-aird-a-call-to-action-for-mental-health-professionals-in-an-era-of-workforce-displacement#!/

The authors highlight that this distress is rooted not in traditional mental illness but in the existential threat of professional obsolescence, with layoffs and public warnings from tech leaders intensifying the fear. While AIRD is not yet clinically recognised, the researchers propose screening methods and emphasise the need for clinicians and communities to support those affected, arguing that understanding this phenomenon is essential as AI increasingly transforms workplaces.

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The next global health crisis

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:52:51 GMT

Posted by: airiefairie

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on track to become deadlier than cancer by 2050, yet it barely registers in global political debates, including at Davos.

At a discussion during the World Economic Forum week, health leaders warned that AMR is effectively a "silent pandemic". Drug-resistant infections are already rising, and without coordinated global action they could kill more people annually than cancer within a generation. Unlike many emerging threats, this one is predictable. It is not hypothetical, it is already happening.

AMR is fueled by antibiotic overuse, weak infection control, fragile health systems, and declining public trust in science. The solutions are known: better antibiotic stewardship, stronger surveillance, investment in new treatments (including bacteriophage-based therapies), improved hygiene and prevention, and sustained policy coordination. But political urgency and funding remain far below what the risk justifies.

Cancer cases are projected to reach 30.5 million new diagnoses annually by 2050. Yet credible projections suggest drug-resistant infections could surpass cancer as a leading cause of death if current trends continue.

This is not alarmism. It is a measurable trajectory supported by data. A major global analysis published in The Lancet estimates that antimicrobial resistance could cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 if no action is taken:
https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(21)02724-0/fulltext

AMR isn't a future crisis. It is a slow-burn systemic failure, and the longer it stays outside the core economic and political agenda, the more expensive and deadly it becomes.

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Friday offtopic. Important shortcut keys for PC

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:21:46 GMT

Posted by: kiaa

I'm sure you already know most of these, but still, you may find some useful.

( It is a long list indeed )

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so close

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:20:24 GMT

Posted by: oportet

Something is about to happen in Iran - but then again this is always true, we're perpetually on the verge.

The question now is - is something really about to happen - as in the next 5 days?

There are stories of multitudes of military cargo planes heading that way - but that could be just to get the story out that there are multitudes of military cargo planes heading that way.

Netanyahu is visiting DC in the next few days - which is also something that always seems to be true - but it could mean something this time.

There are also stories (and they absolutely could not be true) that some higher up in Iran claims Trump offered a small staged war. Odd if true, but more odd if true and that deal wasn't taken. Sounds like a tremendous deal some are saying the most beautiful deal ever.

What say you?

Something happens by Saturday - or nothing happens by Saturday?

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Friday off-topic: The Doomsday glacier

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:01:15 GMT

Posted by: airiefairie

Just read this fascinating piece on the "Doomsday Glacier" in Antarctica - the Thwaites Glacier - and how it could raise sea levels by over 60 cm if it collapses: LINK

Right now, scientists are installing sensors and cables on and around Thwaites to understand it better. One bold idea being studied is a massive underwater "curtain" that could block warm water from eating away at the glacier's base. It would have to be huge - up to 150 m high and 80 km long - but if it works, it might slow down the collapse.

Some see this kind of geoengineering as essential since global warming isn't slowing down fast enough. Others warn it's risky, expensive, and might distract from the real solution: cutting emissions. Still, with rising seas threatening coastal cities, people are debating whether interventions like this are worth trying.

Whatever happens, the future of Thwaites is a real-world test of how far humanity might go to protect the planet.

And here's a great visual explanation on YouTube:

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On the monthly topic: Power politics

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:12:58 GMT

Posted by: fridi

Lately it feels like the idealistic chapter of global politics (where international institutions and norms reliably restrained great powers) is fading. What we're seeing now is a stark return to power politics: nations acting first in terms of influence, leverage and strategic advantage rather than deference to international rules or collective frameworks.

In practical terms, this means big powers are more openly competing over territory, resources, technology and alliances. The US instantly springs to mind. It's reshaping its foreign policy around geopolitical bargaining and strategic leverage instead of building broad multilateral consensus. Other major players like China and the EU are responding by strengthening their own economic and military positions. Smaller states find themselves navigating a world where might still matters, and diplomatic frameworks often serve as tools rather than constraints.

This isn't just abstract theory anymore, it's visible in real decisions about defense spending, trade blocs and territorial security. Some see this as a necessary realism in a chaotic world, others worry it undermines those shared norms that helped keep major wars in check. Whatever one's view, the resurgence of power politics is reshaping international relations in ways that can no longer be ignored.

One example: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-trump-reshaping-the-world-order/

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