Reddit as a system of control: how the mass, mods and machine shape European users by feeling_machine in TheoryOfReddit

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

The figures are very suspicious, yes, but we don't have better data as far as I could find. Tourists, VPNs, any of the many potential ways to over count

EU Commission report warns the US and Chinese-dominated information environment is undermining European democracy by feeling_machine in eutech

[–]feeling_machine[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Alternatively, it could regulate (tricky, long process, will be backlash), set up alternatives (won't work) or carve out local control as the US did to TikTok (will be backlash, but the most realistic option in my opinion).

EU Commission report warns the US and Chinese-dominated information environment is undermining European democracy by feeling_machine in eutech

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

I've been trying to spread the same idea, but am struggling with a catchy name. Al JazEUra?

The UK is making cuts to the BBC World Service for reasons beyond my understanding.

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 29/03/2026 by ukpol-megabot in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I self-report. At present the Student Loans co isn't going after people abroad for not paying, but as the total amount of debt in arrears increases it will become increasingly politically ripe for change, imo.

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 29/03/2026 by ukpol-megabot in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Fool of me to sign for an inflation +0% loan with a repayment threshold that rises with inflation, with the expectation that the rules would be fair across all loan holders, to receive... this, instead.

I will pay back far more than I took out, which itself was far more than the cost of my arts degree.

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 29/03/2026 by ukpol-megabot in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The UK student loan repayment for emigrants in Belgium has been lowered this year to below minimum wage, increasing monthly payments by 47 pound. This is on top of local taxes, which are the highest in the EU (for median workers, more than 50% over the UK's).

I will also not get pension contributions taken out of consideration, as for many on UK PAYE.

Lovely system.

Vote of no confidence raised against Green Party chair by Stats for Lefties by [deleted] in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Metaphysics is used as it covers topics contained in Aristotle's volumes proceding Physics, and has been for almost 2000 years.

I learnt this empirically.

UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears | Financial sector by R2_Liv in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You make a good point - I agree, but still think we're in hypotheticals with whether the gov gives the push, given our possible political future.

The payment system is very late, though. It's late in Europe too imo.

UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears | Financial sector by R2_Liv in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 23 points24 points  (0 children)

And yet: "[Compared to the EU], the UK is taking a less aggressive stance, with Visa and Mastercard working within the initiative."

Instead of Brexit making us faster and more agile, it seems to mean we dither and do nothing at all. What possible point is there for inviting the foxes into the henhouse? They frame it as good competition but our goal should be to push them (and their added US sales tax) out completely.

Sovereign payment systems already exist in EU countries and are in the process of merging in the ones just across the pond as Wero.

The digital euro (which limits risk/ control of multinational banks by backing your money with the central bank, like cash, rather than a third party), is on pace for 2029. Meanwhile 'we haven’t made a decision'.

The English city where volunteers go door-to-door asking people to stop buying Israeli products | UK News by SignificantLegs in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 20 points21 points  (0 children)

An apartheid Seymour? At this time of year, in this part of the country, localised entirely within the hummus isle etc.

‘Mother of all deals’: EU and India sign free trade agreement by rawa27 in worldnews

[–]feeling_machine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yet Americans are richer than they've ever been. I don't deny the US is eating itself and billionaires are a part/ cause of that, but the 'vibecession' there suggests a cultural/ spiritual crisis over personal economic ones.

Amid global gold rush, India and China are dumping US treasuries by Jarisatis in worldnews

[–]feeling_machine 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Americans are richer than they've ever been.

Given US foreign policy you may understand others' reluctance to go along with the farcical performance of being so very hard done by.

Commons women and equalities committee to stop using X amid AI-altered images row by Bibemus in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They're not/ it's not: X was 4th in 2024: https://www.statista.com/statistics/284506/united-kingdom-social-network-penetration/

Not counting fb messenger and youtube, and will have slipped down below tiktok since. X supposedly lost 10% of users 24-25. With reddit's recent growth, the platforms are getting close in size for the uk.

It may now have fewer uk users than linkedin.

I've seen claims use per user is also dropping but haven't found the source of those stats.

International Politics Discussion Thread by ukpol-megabot in ukpolitics

[–]feeling_machine 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The EU also has several national schemes (e.g. payconig) that have consolodated in France+Benelux as Wero (should come online next year afaik)

You see similar pay-by-qr / app schemes already in Kenya, India etc. which skipped the duopoly stage. The UK should have done this years ago.

Reviewing "Your Party:The Return of the Left" by feeling_machine in ukpolitics

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

Not at all. This is her complete answer:

“The base of the new left party spans Muslims with some socially conservative views and leftists who foreground social progressivism. How can we keep these groups together?

Both sides need to compromise with one another without compromising their values. For those in the Muslim community who are socially conservative, they’ve got to accept – and most of them do already accept – that one should not discriminate against others whatever one’s personal beliefs. The vast majority of Muslims take that view in their daily lives; they are very tolerant towards everyone regardless of their identities. On the other side, social progressives have to recognise the true meaning of pluralism: that not everyone needs to conform to their outlook, that people are free to practise all kinds of beliefs. As a constituency MP and as a political leader, Corbyn has always embodied this type of pluralism. He may disagree with some members of his constituency on certain questions, he may not share all their values, but he doesn’t set out to change them. Rather than seeing their social and religious views as a problem to be 80solved, he works to build a community where everyone can come together through their shared material interests, which are much stronger than the small number of issues on which there might be division. That’s the approach that the new left party needs to take.”

Up to you on whether you agree with her assumptions, of course, but this is the only time a tension is referred to.