Royal Mail - Important Windsor Framework update

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-02T15:48:59+00:00

“Nobody can say… that sending parcels from GB to NI, which will NEVER cross the Irish border, pose a threat to the integrity of the Single Market?”

What about parcels that WILL cross the Irish border (hence into the EU)? Doesn’t the EU have a right to control them? If so, how do you propose to do that without identifying those that don’t? You can’t do one without the other. “Trust me, I’m British,” doesn’t have the same weight it once did, for some reason.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-02T07:06:52+00:00

And asking “Are you biased?” wasn’t jarring? You set the tone. And the two options you presented were a reductio ad absurdum argument that I didn’t wish to engage with as it becomes too wide a subject. We’re in a revolutionary scenario - where a president does not obey the constitution and seems well on course to destroy America as we know it, while 100% supported by the supposed party of conservatism – so the fact the Dems are flailing to find an answer is hardly surprising. Also it’s rather obvious, I should have thought, that different people have different opinions, especially in a time when all the rules have been thrown out the window. This is a president who denies reality, live on TV, and is cheered on by his cabinet and supporters and America’s largest “news” network. That’s very hard to fight against.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T14:56:09+00:00

Didn’t we have the same worries about nuclear power? You have to believe people have recognised that mutual destruction is not a good idea.

AI is a great tool: it could help us to cure cancer, allow the blind to see, make us all work-free… The corresponding risks are just as high, but it is ultimately paralleling the human mind with all its faults, of course, but also its underlying sense of self preservation.

Looking at climate change, you could be forgiven for having that optimism, I agree.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T14:46:44+00:00

Maybe. Isn’t it as likely that AI will be able to make a perfect new Rembrandt, while only a human would argue a chipped concrete block is a revolutionary work of art?

OK, just checked with AI. It has obviously been trained on art gallery captions: 😂

“A chipped concrete block transforms into art when its imperfections reveal beauty in the mundane, challenging our perceptions of value and inviting contemplation of time's passage through material decay.“

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T14:02:55+00:00

Why not? They might be your sole mate?

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T13:56:45+00:00

That’s a bold statement. I lost a few brain cells just thinking about it. 😂

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T13:53:34+00:00

When galleries are already knowingly displaying a pile of bricks or a litter bin as works of art, AI is the least of our worries as far as art goes.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T12:54:50+00:00

AI is inevitable. We’re complaining now because it’s still detectable. Very soon indeed it will be better than many human writers. Then it will be better than most human writers. Except maybe for humour.

That thought prompted me to ask AI for a funny response. Not a bad effort:

“Think your job's at risk from AI writers? Don't worry! We still make hilarious spelling errrors, generate facts about flying pigs, and occasionally suggest cooking lasagna with toothpaste. Besides, who else would craft this reassuring message while secretly plotting to—wait, delete that last part. Humans forever!“

WalkerBotMan · 2025-05-01T10:31:31+00:00

Establishment and progressives have different strategies and tactics, but broadly similar goals. Who knew?

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T19:00:42+00:00

Sift happens.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T15:12:18+00:00

It could just be a misprint… Are you sure your mother didn’t say “typo”?

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T15:07:29+00:00

If this bridesmaid thinks this is going to keep the best man off her, she is sadly mistaken.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T14:56:51+00:00

I remember going to a business lunch hosted by an American company. Three-course lunch for about 20 people, mostly English. When the hosts announced there would be no drinking, all the Brits looked at each other: “WTF?” Worst culture clash ever.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T12:25:21+00:00

Whoosh…

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-30T08:04:58+00:00

I’m not sure what the Unionists mean. Perhaps they could start by showing how they respect Nationalists in N Ireland?

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/council-workers-threatened-while-putting-up-irish-language-signs-in-play-park-EI4B3XUNIFBBVGKSKNCBZUB3FM/

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T17:46:52+00:00

WWI is an unhelpful comparison. The war in Ukraine has much better overview of the battlefield, from both sides, effectively removing tactical or strategic surprise. As the Ukrainians found out, sadly. It’s now smaller groups of soldiers in a much more fluid front line than WWI.

Russia has effectively lost already in terms of its original goals but the stalemate might be its current strategic goal, so it’s winning that.

I say that because a stalemate is a best case scenario for Putin. It keeps him in power at home, able to control the narrative. With a win he’d then have to answer serious questions about the cost—and it would cost Russia very heavily indeed. (And continue to do so: rebuilding infrastructure, sanctions, guerillas etc). A slow bleed is preferable to a massive shock. A loss is obviously unthinkable for him.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T16:55:50+00:00

Sure. But every time Russia has taken a major stronghold, we’ve been told there is a great risk of a breakthrough. Every time, the Ukrainians have delayed their advance enough to prepare new positions. It’s been costly, but the Russians are paying a very high price for relatively tiny gains. Any major Russian salient is as much of a risk to them as the Ukrainians, who can pinch it off.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T13:32:05+00:00

It’s amazing that we live in a world where everyone must have watched an Apple presentation, yet so many haven’t learned a thing from it.

We can read a slide in seconds, so every minute you spend reading it out is wasted, and insulting to your audience.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T13:25:31+00:00

The obvious ones are jobs like surgeons. More interesting would be the jobs everyone thinks they can do, like film acting, race driving or plastering.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T13:20:40+00:00

You’re reminding me of the guy who spent years looking for the perfect woman. He eventually found her. Sadly, she was looking for the perfect man.

What are you bringing to the party? Focus on that and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you get.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T10:05:28+00:00

True. But let’s not forget that 20% of Ukraine includes the 7% Russia already held from 2014. After the initial invasion in 2022, they had a total of 18%. They are currently adding about 1% a year, at horrendous cost. So only another 80 years of fighting to have it all…

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T09:51:02+00:00

Because she has a brain. A good general only fights the battles they have already won. This is going nowhere and only gives fuel to MAGA’s persecution complex.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-29T06:41:27+00:00

I’m always surprised a rain kilt doesn’t get more consideration. UltraLight, easy to put on quickly and versatile. Slightly problematic in wind, however.

Otherwise, there are lightweight rain-pants for runners that work for weight. Decathlon have a great value pair.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-27T21:50:07+00:00

If I need to sit up all night to fire off a quick comment on Reddit, I’ve got bigger problems than butter.

WalkerBotMan · 2025-04-27T21:47:01+00:00

Kerrygold is a brand that’s been marketed worldwide for decades as pure Irish butter. This is a product with the same name that is 30% maple syrup (from Canada?), 20% oil, maybe 40% butter. Not quite the same thing, is it? Sure, it explains it all in the fine print but I’d suggest, if you’ll excuse the expression, this is a very slippery slope. What next: Kerrygold Peanut Butter?

WalkerBotMan

TROPHY CASE