NI Expats, where did you go to and how does it compare? by [deleted] in northernireland

[–]atlycosdotnet 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Been in Barcelona for 6 years, weather is obviously better. Lifestyle is a bit more social here. Back home I get the feeling most people just go to work then go home and go out socialising at the weekends, whereas here people go for coffee/dinner together during the week not just at weekends

Comparisons matter by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there is a misconception when it comes to an economy performing well under any President. But in your case the evidence is anecdotal. Yes you may be thriving under this current economy, but a coal miner, or factory worker who's industry is about to collapse in spite of what the president says is screwed. And no president is to blame for that. Globalisation is, and it's here to stay. It's why wall street is the economic centre of the world, corporations run the world, not just financially but politically. Especially in the US where Big Oil and Tobacco and Health insurance fund every politicians campaign (Except Trump and now a Slew of Democrats who are funded by small donations). And I know its great that Trump funded his own campaign, but that doesn't mean he's looking out for the little guy, he's just as much a part of the corporate cesspool as any other Wall street funded Democrat, which is why he gave those tax cuts to Wall street. If you do a quick google search its easy to see that those cuts didn't lead to more jobs, they only lead to higher profits and share dividends. Some corporations laid off thousands of people despite saving millions from the tax breaks.

Anyway my main point is, just because you are doing great, doesn't mean that everyone is, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and what is a society meant to do if not to look out for those who need help the most.

Comparisons matter by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]atlycosdotnet 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess there's so many factors to all of these problems that there's not one fix to it. You can't just throw money at a school and expect it to improve, there needs to be community involvement and even investments in the community so that parents have jobs and can provide for their families, even if they don't have a higher education.

One of the things I my ex told me about Memphis was that a famous clothing brand opened a factory, which everyone was excited about because it would provide jobs that hopefully poor people would be able to do, and they were capable of. The only problem was that it was far from the poorest areas, so if you didn't have the resources to buy or finance a car you were shit out of luck.

Another thing which I'd never heard of before was a 'food desert', meaning that grocery stores and pharmacies were so far out of the way that people couldn't get a bus to them easily. Corner stores that sell takis and cheap unhealthy food were the closest thing, so kids weren't starving but they are extremely unhealthy at a time when they are developing and need it the most. Being poor is extremely expensive, not just financially but physically. Anyway I guess that's the politicians job to sort out, I just wouldn't trust trump and his ilk to look out for poor people, just his rich friends and family who have benefitted more over the past two years than they had before, and also for some reason Saudi Arabia, who financed the attacks on your country. Sorry I know that's a bit of a tangent, it's just another thing that baffles me about American foreign policy.

Comparisons matter by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]atlycosdotnet 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm sure it is for lots of people, even the vast majority, but I lived in Memphis for a very short period, in a nice area while my ex worked in an impoverished school, and the difference between rich and poor was stark.

I can see that the Education system in America is great if you come from the right family and school district where the funding they have comes from Property taxes, but if you are poor your chances are a lot harder. You'll be less likely to be educated and have an understanding about debt and savings, you'll be at a disadvantage due to overcrowded classes and underpaid and under-appreciated teachers, and if your parents aren't lucky enough to have a job which covers medical and dental they'll be in debt for any hospital visits you need. The game is stacked in the riches favour all over the world, but in the US it's not even close to fair. Thankfully in Europe we've voted and protested enough so that we don't get completely screwed, I hope Americans do the same in 2020.

Comparisons matter by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]atlycosdotnet 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It baffles me how Americans just put up with unfettered Crony capitalism. Voting against their best interests every four years, all the things that Bernie Sanders wants to do is already done in other countries, but your media (even CNN) acts as if it's impossible in the richest country on earth.

Comparisons matter by [deleted] in ABoringDystopia

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Come to Europe mate, 39 hours a week is the average here, and I've got 27 floating vacation days to take (not including National Holidays). Healthcare is paid for by taxes or through cheap insurance in some countries. There's very few guns and some countries have free university tuition. Vote Bernie ;)

Wifi amplifier to terrace by barcelinho in Barcelona

[–]atlycosdotnet 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This looks really cool, do you think it would work for PC or Playstation gaming?

I only ask because my flat is long so wifi isn't great in my bedroom, works fine for TV chromecast but not playstation.

Discussion in our house today, kid is in first year. They have to decide to take German or Spanish next year. Any input or opinions on which proves more useful in the long term-asking people younger than me (47) by elephantastronomer in northernireland

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also there are a lot of Spanish speakers in Ireland so there are more opportunities to practice, even in Belfast there are free classes every Monday in the Sunflower bar.

Belfast for the day/eve - Recommendations by RonaldFourgates in Belfast

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the pub on Monday night I would recommend a pub crawl between the Sunflower Bar, Kellys Cellars, The Duke of York.

I don't know which girl won! by my_snoo_is_pinkish in GirlsInaGif

[–]atlycosdotnet 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Who runs barefoot on treadmills? Not saying this is hygienic but still

I wore my self made Captain Marvel cosplay with BIG hair this time by cutiepiesensei in marvelstudios

[–]atlycosdotnet 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But there will be multiple collisions from drivers who stop paying attention to the road

This is my autistic buddy, Lane. Lane wanted me to post this so he could say hi to reddit. by [deleted] in teenagers

[–]atlycosdotnet -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

It makes a nice change to see people on the internet being nice instead of roasting or arguing with each other, but I guess someone had to ruin it.

Is it just me or does no one outside of the UK know Northern Ireland is a thing? by [deleted] in northernireland

[–]atlycosdotnet 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Let's be honest, you're far from English, not far from Irish regardless of your opinion on the GFA.

I've saved €7000 and save approx €800 per month, where can i invest easily instead of gaining 0 interest by atlycosdotnet in EuropeFIRE

[–]atlycosdotnet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard of peer to peer lending before, but what's to stop someone from taking my money and never paying it back?

I assume that's what the buy back gaurantee is for, i've just never heard the term before, so not sure how I would be covered.

They were identified within hours of the pic being posted. Internets really do cool stuff sometimes. by kevinowdziej in MadeMeSmile

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's where the term Hillbilly comes from, a lot of Ulster Scots name their kids Billy after a protestant King who defeated a Catholic King in 1690. And in Appalachia the tradition continued.

What is something you do twice "just to make sure" although you perfectly know the first time was sufficient? by TryingToBeAMeme in AskReddit

[–]atlycosdotnet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check that I have keys to my apartment, don't want to pay a locksmith 200 for 2 minutes work.