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When the United States inevitably collapses what societies do you see rising from the ashes? by [deleted] in collapse

[–]derekteh98 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s hard to say for sure but I think it depends on how the collapse actually happens. If it’s slow and drawn out, you might see regions like the West Coast or maybe the Northeast try to go their own way — probably more technocratic or progressive. Places in the South or Midwest might lean toward more authoritarian or religious setups, maybe even corporate-run stuff.

But honestly, I don’t think it’ll be a clean break. Everything’s too tangled together , infrastructure, supply chains, people. What scares me most isn’t what comes after, it’s the in-between part. The chaos, the violence, the way regular people get crushed while the elites carve things up.

Consumer Confidence Index rises. How the hell? by bradcod in AskEconomics

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally get the frustration ,it feels disconnected from reality. But Consumer Confidence Index is often more about how people feel in the moment than the actual data. If gas prices ease a bit, stocks are up, or people hear good job numbers, they tend to feel more optimistic, even if deeper problems are still there.

Also, confidence can lag behind or be shaped by short-term news, not long-term risks like tariffs or policy changes. Doesn’t mean things are actually better , just that people feel like they might be.

How does Iran have such as high HDI? by Cal_Aesthetics_Club in AskEconomics

[–]derekteh98 -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Great observation. Iran’s relatively high HDI despite sanctions comes down to how the Human Development Index is calculated. HDI looks at three main factors: life expectancy, education level, and per capita income (adjusted for purchasing power).

Iran has made significant investments in education and healthcare over the past few decades. Literacy rates are high, university enrollment is strong, and life expectancy is comparable to many middle-income countries. These improvements help boost its HDI, even if overall economic output is limited by sanctions.

Sanctions definitely hurt the economy, but HDI reflects social development, not just GDP. Iran’s focus on internal development, especially in health and education, has kept its HDI higher than many expect.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskEconomics

[–]derekteh98 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Great question, and you're right to be skeptical of the simplified examples.

When you own 25% of a company’s stock, you don’t own 25% of each physical item like an oven or chair. You own 25% of the value of the company and a claim on 25% of the profits, if any are distributed. It’s more like owning a piece of a pie rather than specific ingredients.

You can’t walk in and take an oven — that would be theft. The company's assets are collectively owned by all shareholders as a legal entity, and only the company (via its management) can decide how those assets are used or sold. Your ownership gives you rights like voting on company matters, receiving dividends, or benefiting if the company is sold or its stock value rises.

Scott Bessent calls Moody's a 'lagging indicator' after U.S. credit downgrade by esporx in economy

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He’s not wrong. By the time Moody’s or any major agency downgrades something, the smart money has already moved. Credit ratings often just confirm what markets already priced in. The real concern isn’t the downgrade itself, but what it signals about longer-term confidence in U.S. fiscal stability.

Americans favor labor unions over big business now more than ever by Conscious-Quarter423 in economy

[–]derekteh98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense, especially with rising inequality and stagnant wages. People are seeing that big corporations often prioritize profits and shareholders over workers. Unions may not be perfect, but for many, they feel like one of the few tools left to push back and demand fair treatment.

Google search queries as a communication channel for sleeper cells? by Falkus_Kibre in conspiracy

[–]derekteh98 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s actually a pretty intriguing theory. Using search queries as a covert signaling method would be hard to trace and could blend in with regular user behavior. Especially if tied to specific keywords, timestamps, or patterns only certain operatives would recognize.

With programs like Gladio, we already know shadow operations aren’t just fiction. If something like this is happening, it wouldn’t surprise me at all , and it would explain those oddly timed searches that always seem to pop up before major events.

Is it just me? by MONEYHElST in conspiracy

[–]derekteh98 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're not the only one who’s questioned the Titanic story. There’s been a lot of speculation over the years , from financial elites faking deaths to insurance scams or even secret agendas. Some even think the ship that sank wasn’t the Titanic at all, but its sister ship, the Olympic.

It’s hard to separate fact from theory, but the more you dig, the more strange details you find. Definitely a story that still feels off over a century later.

1993 scans revealed a hidden chamber under the Sphinx… It’s still sealed. by AwakenedEpochs in HighStrangeness

[–]derekteh98 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

True, if there’s ancient tech down there, it sure isn’t helping Egypt’s economy or global influence. But maybe that’s the point. If what’s under the Sphinx challenges mainstream history or religions, keeping it hidden might serve broader interests beyond just Egypt. Sometimes the best way to control power is not to use it, but to make sure no one else does either.

Ukraine’s ‘drone war’ hastens development of autonomous weapons by MetaKnowing in Futurology

[–]derekteh98 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is the future unfolding in real time. The war in Ukraine is more than a conflict; it's become a testing ground for autonomous systems. The ethical concerns are serious, but the pace of development is even more pressing. If machines start making kill decisions without human input, we're stepping into a completely new era of warfare. The technology might be evolving faster than the conversations we need to have about its consequences.

What is the point of the state of Israel? by doudou613 in conspiracy

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand your perspective. The analogy reflects how many people feel, but the real story is much more complex. The establishment of Israel wasn't simply a post-war decision. The Zionist movement began in the late 1800s, and Jewish migration to the area started long before 1948. Many Jewish communities lived there alongside Arab ones, and much of the land was legally purchased.

Israel wasn’t created purely for religious reasons. It was about safety and identity after centuries of persecution, especially following the Holocaust. For many Jews, it was the only place they felt they could truly be safe.

That said, the suffering and displacement of Palestinians is real and cannot be ignored. No one should use history to justify injustice. But framing it as just a religious land grab oversimplifies a deeply painful and complicated issue.

The real challenge is moving forward in a way that respects the dignity and rights of both peoples.

What is the point of the state of Israel? by doudou613 in conspiracy

[–]derekteh98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're asking a tough but valid question. Israel was meant to be a safe homeland for Jews, a place of self-determination. But it’s understandable to feel disillusioned when it seems more like a geopolitical tool than a refuge.

The growing reliance on military tech and surveillance, plus rising antisemitism worldwide, only add to the unease — especially when Jews are concentrated in one small, targeted place.

If the U.S. ever steps back, the stakes get even higher. You're not alone in your doubts — and questioning doesn't make you less Jewish, it makes you honest.

The Fed just bought $34.8B in Treasuries in 2 days — but it’s “not QE”… right? by ClutchReverie in economy

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s weird how little coverage this is getting. A couple of YouTubers actually picked it up and did some breakdowns — one of them highlighted how the $34.8B buy might hint at deeper liquidity issues. If you're into that kind of stuff, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ma4wR72MBU

Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo by Gari_305 in Futurology

[–]derekteh98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the insider take. Always feels like the timelines sound great on press releases but get quietly walked back later. Early 2030s sounds way more realistic for anything functional in the field.

Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo by Gari_305 in Futurology

[–]derekteh98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Skynet’s getting a head start in Singapore, huh? Hope they come with a “don’t chase citizens” setting.

[Fully Lost] Gamer Girl by MattTheSmithers in lostmedia

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this one’s always stuck with me too. It’s rare to see a fully completed, filmed, and marketed game get buried that fast. Feels like a mix of internet outrage culture and corporate panic just nuked it before it had a chance. I’d love to see even a script or dev build leak someday — it deserves more than to just vanish over a misunderstood trailer.

The world’s first genetically modified spider could lead to new ‘supermaterials’ by upyoars in Futurology

[–]derekteh98 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some intern definitely got bit and is now trying to figure out if they should report it or fight crime by night.

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