I guess it depends on the ones in power. There is a theoretical possibility that the ones in power acts altruistically for the good of the people.

History however has proven totalitarian countries as brutal regimes, before it inevitablably collapses.

One of the reasons it can’t be for the good of the people is that it needs to pay supporters a lot more.

If you are a dictator, you have to constantly bribe your supporters (military, oligarchs etc). If you don’t, they will replace you with another dictator that will. So the system will inherently be corrupt and not to the benefit of the people.

Any actions that benefit the people comes from a fear of riots and revolution. In other words it’s a delicate balancing act.

Things might be different now and in the future due to more advanced surveillance, personalized propaganda, drones and robotics. Different in that it can be more oppressive than previously.

Hugo Boss can help!

Given the choice between living in a authoritarian oligarchy without freedom vs a imperfect european liberal democracy, is not a tough choice for most.

Without knowing a lot about the older historical context here, I would imagine that the people of Russia and Ukraine have been fairly close throughout modern history. They are neighbouring countries with a language that is very similar, and was both a part of the USSR.

To me this attack on Ukraine seems like betraying family and/or friends. Ukraine did nothing besides existing peacefully. Russia decided to take land and citizens from Ukraine by annexing Crimea violently. They have continued killing and destroying Ukraine for years to seize land as their own. I have a tough time imagining Ukrainians in Crimea supporting the killing of their fellow countrymen by their violent neighbour for no good reason.

Since Crimea now is annexed by Russia we can’t trust any polls from there either.

I guess Russia should just give it back to Ukraine, and then they can do a legitimate vote. Russia obviously won’t do that, because they know how that will end.

What is the saying? If you love something, then set it free. If it was meant to be, it will come back to you. Russia should use that tactic with all regions of Ukraine that it is currently occupying. I am suuuure it will work out for Russia 😂

I would like to have the same sound. But increase the volume, duration and lower the frequency drastically.

I want people not only too hear them, but to feel them. When I play my trumpet at night I want to wake my neighbour.

Exactly this

He’s from Venezuela not El Salvador. It is not deportation, this is taking a vulnerable innocent asylum seeker and placing him outside of the law in a inhumane concentration camp. The law can no longer reach him!

This is why its not just a bad prison, recommended read: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/20/human-rights-watch-declaration-prison-conditions-el-salvador-jgg-v-trump-case

This is not financial advice, I am a regular guy, not a professional or someone working with finance. Not licensed etc. If you lose everything by following anything I mention, it’s your responsibility.

I only buy passive and not actively managed funds. This is to keep the costs low. A passive fund costs anywhere from 0.1 to 0.3% each year. This is important, because that cost has to be paid every year of the total sum no matter the performance of the fund (in most cases). So low costs is important.

I usually buy a cheap index that tracks MSCI ACWI which is All Countries World Index.

By tracking it means that it buys and sells stocks to keep the holdings the same as that referance index.

MSCI ACWI is very popular as it tracks the entire world more or less. Including emerging markets.

As a Norwegian there is “Storebrand Alle Markeder” which I buy. For MSCI ACWI

But for Europe there is MSCI Europe Index, where I buy DNB Europe Indeks which tracks that.

So first check your current banks offerings, search for Europe and see what reference index they follow. Check other banks as well and see if they have lower costs for the same reference index.

I just want to mention an additional point just in case you are not aware. You should never time the market or try to be smart. There are exceptionally talented and intelligent people with the best tools in the world that you are trying to beat. You will lose sooner or later, but you might be lucky a few times. I recommend that you read about “The efficient market hypothesis”. I base all my investments on that principle.

Make sure you use tax efficient accounts if there is something like that in your country. So that you can sell and buy stocks without triggering taxes. So that the only time you have to pay taxes is when you take it out of the account.

Also, diversification is important. So make sure to diversify properly. That’s why I buy ACWI most of the time. Also make sure you have a long term view on your investments. You should be able to let the money stay in the market for an absolute minimum of 5 years

I am just a regular guy, and not an expert and not a trader or licensed or anything. I just put my savings in the stock market every month. So take everything with a large scoop of salt. This is not financial advice.

How can I forget? It had scary stories and memorable characters.

The barber that did not care about consent for instance, clearly drawing parallels to real life. That episode is chilling even as an adult.

Not buying US for a while. 60% exposure is already too much.

Buying European until my portfolio is 30% European. Then I will buy global index funds again, preferably a mix that excludes the US. Don’t want more than 20-30% in US stocks. The political risk is too high in my opinion

Its one of many contradictory ways I live my life. I am well aware of many of them, and change them gradually to align myself more with my beliefs. I find that I manage OK, but sometimes wish I was better.

I’ll probably become ovo lacto flexitarian in the future. That was what I managed to be for the longest. And it has 80% of the same effect or more. The rule was that I never bought meat or made food with meat. When I was served meat at family or friends, I would just eat it then. It reduced all the social friction, and made it so much easier. I lasted for a year or two.

Pure vegan is unrealistic short term for me. Maybe I’ll try in the future, or flexitarian vegan instead of ovo lacto flexitarian. Not sure.

I am unfortunately not. It was more meant as a way to say that for instance criminals (yes, even the worst ones) have value. That they deserve to live and have a decent life, no matter what.

That immigrants and asylum seekers should be treated with respect and given the help they need.

But also that animals have value. The way a lot of animals are treated is in no way acceptable.

I have tried being a vegetarian in the past, but have failed every time.

Sorry to disappoint. I wish I was better.

I believe all life have value, no matter what.

I believe in justice and equality.

I believe in the rule if law.

I believe in democracy.

I believe in the freedom of speech.

I believe in religious freedom.

I believe no one should go hungry.

I believe no one should freeze.

I believe no one should die from preventable diseases.

I believe everyone has a right to education.

I believe everyone has a right to healthcare.

I believe everyone has a right to participate in society and the internet.

I believe everyone should contribute if they can, because that is fair.

I believe people should be able to retire.

I believe most people are good, and want to do good.

I believe in cooperation, and working towards a common goal.

I believe that all people should have a minimum set of rights, that are non-negotiable.

I trust my neighbours, my family and strangers.

Based on these values I could be placed anywhere from center-right to far-left in Europe.

In the US I am a filthy commie

I often refer to my wife as my girlfriend. It’s cozy and it’s kinda like a very vanilla form of roleplay. “Remember when we were younger, and just met”-kinda thing.

We need some sort of “immune system” to handle these extremes, deplatforming is kinda like moving the disease to another part of the body where there is no “immune system”. Defederating might create the same effect.

I don’t know how to handle it, but we might need more “normal” average people participating in a compassionate understanding way, with those that have lost their way. Because right now there are plenty of Russian bots that encourage the wildest conspiracies and world views, but also plenty of people with idle time on their hands encouraging it also.

We will meet this challenge more and more as the fediverse grows. At this moment it’s not worth the investment to spread misinformation probably.

Unfortunately, while Element is great, it does not support push to talk or a minimum dB to transmit sound. Which makes it a dealbreaker for gaming with friends, unfortunately.

Yes

Checked if I got the vaccine when I was a child, yesterday. I was vaccinated.

Get your vaccines if you can folks, not everyone can get it. Herd immunity is important for those who can’t or have parents that are stupid (sorry) enough not to let their child get it.

Edit: Clarified that I was vaccinated already.

Haha, this is spot on. I don’t think I have a single photo of me and my best friends together the last 15 years. It’s just something we never do.

I have always found the concept of littering bizzare. And not from a “do what is right” perspective.

“Do you not understand that it will be there basically your entire life, unless someone picks it up!? Every time you walk by, you will see that wrapper you just threw on the ground for months and years. You have pockets!”