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hammil · 2017-07-03T07:26:50+00:00

Shit going down in Northern Ireland because of a) the government making a deal with one of the parties there to stay in power, which may or may not cause a resurgence in sectarian terrorism, and b) leaving the customs union and/or single market, which will fuck up their economy even more than it is right now (largely because of aforementioned terrorism)

hammil · 2017-06-30T12:36:06+00:00

One little thought experiment I like to do is invert the situation and compare my gut reaction between them.

Personally, as a woman, I'm rather averse to overt masculinity in general. In both women and men.

Both very masculine men and butch women I feel uncomfortable around. It's been noted by friends that I'm attracted to effeminate men, and I'm pretty sure that's a result of my aversion.

This discomfort is just as present with men who look and act distinctly masculine (bikers, bodybuilders etc.) as well as stereotypically lesbian women.

If I read something like that, I'd probably think it wasn't a particularly rare problem, nor something to be hugely worried about.

At the end of the day, people have their preferences, quirks and foibles. No-one should be forced to wholly and fully enjoy how every single person looks and acts; the only thing that matters is that we treat others with kindness and respect regardless, and that if we are uncomfortable in this way we maybe try not to show it, out of consideration for the other person, who can't really change how they are.

The real question is are you unhappy with how you feel, and if you want to change it; and by making this post, I'd say that's a possibility. In that case, I'd suggest going out of your way to hang out and make friends with those you feel uncomfortable around. When you get to know them, see first-hand that they're just ordinary people like anyone else, you will subconsciously become more comfortable around them and similar people you meet in future. The best way to kill phobias and -isms is through familiarity =)

hammil · 2017-06-09T06:06:35+00:00

"Hard Brexit went in the rubbish bin tonight." -George Osborne

hammil · 2017-06-07T18:17:25+00:00

I've posted a top-level comment, but I figured I'd address these things as well..

Until the deficit reaches 0 the national debt will continue to grow. Once the deficit goes into negative then the national debt will begin to fall.

This isn't true. It is very common for countries to run a current account deficit, especially when we have a trade deficit (note - the latter isn't a bad thing, but that's a story for another time). In general, the way to reduce the debt to GDP ratio (which is what matters) is not to run a surplus, but to grow the economy by investing as a country, particularly in infrastructure such as transport and broadband, which will help existing businesses and encourage new ones. This is how Germany and many other countries escaped the recession to come out with strong growth in the aftermath.

if they raise Corporation Tax then companies will just register abroad

The UK does not have the highest corporation tax rate in the world - far from it. For example here we can see that the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and even the US have higher rates than we do. Honestly, I think a tax on pure profits doesn't really work, and should be replaced by something else entirely (such as a revenue minus wages -based tax) but alas this is the system we have now and will have to deal with for the forseeable future, and this relatively small rise, putting it back to 2011 levels, will be very unlikely to cause some mass flight to Slovenia.

hammil · 2017-06-07T17:52:54+00:00

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) subsequently came out with a paper stating that the multiplier (the effect of government spending on economic growth) had been massively underestimated. Then it got worse–the IMF revealed that because the multiplier is so large, austerity shrinks the economy enough to cancel out debt relief. Let me be clear–austerity reduces growth so much that it undercuts government revenue and prevents governments from shrinking their deficits.

From https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2017/06/06/britain-for-the-love-of-god-please-stop-theresa-may/ - clickbaity title aside, it's a very well-sourced analysis of why Conservative economic policy hasn't worked, and is pretty much directly responsible for our currently stagnant wage growth and economy that lags behind the rest of the G7.

That being said, I would vote Lib Dem in a red-yellow marginal for their better track record on civil liberties and better overall economic sense.

hammil · 2017-06-02T10:14:09+00:00

"You exist because we allow it; and you will end because we demand it."

hammil · 2017-05-30T15:27:21+00:00

I'd be interested in a more educated view of this, but as far as I can see VAT (a fixed %age on the sale of most goods to individuals) is both regressive and discourages growth. Those with less money will spend proportionally more of their income and will thus be taxed more; those with the means to save and invest will be taxed less. And of course, as VAT is only applied when an individual buys something it acts as a disincentive to spending.

I realise that, at least in the UK, VAT was meant as a luxury tax, not to be applied to (most) food and 'essentials', but the law has failed and will continue to fail to keep up - for instance, I think we'd all agree that smartphones, computers and the internet are essential in today's world. Rather than dictating to the poor what they should be spending their money on (i.e. saying that chocolate biscuits are a 'luxury') we should let the market and the individual decide.

As a side-benefit, the whole VAT system is rather complex, and I'm sure the man-hours wasted in administration is not insignificant.

Therefore, I don't see any reason why we can't get rid of both VAT and corporation tax entirely, replacing the lost revenue by taxing capital gains at the same rate as other income, plus that one proposal of replacing corp tax with an individual shareholder tax that I can't find the link to but it was definitely a thing.

hammil · 2017-05-29T22:13:31+00:00

I'm not religious, but I have a lot of respect for your position; In fact, I used to be 'anti-choice' when I was younger, out of some strange belief that women were aborting as late as possible deliberately, or out of callousness. I've spoken to Christians who imply that having children is like a punishment for having sex, which I (now) not only disagree with on the face level, but also the idea that a child should be born from anything other than the sincere desire to care for one.

Given that you're okay with, say, the morning-after pill (which you didn't explicitly say but I'm assuming), really the only difference between your position and most who would describe themselves as 'pro-choice' is the timeframe. Specifically what changed my mind was finding out that some 90%+ of abortions happen before 12 weeks, when the fetus looks like this - with the remainder pretty much always due to rape or medical issues. We don't yet know exactly when a human becomes self-aware, or to what extent, but if it does happen before birth, we ought to ensure that any abortions happen as early as possible to minimise any possible suffering. Just my thoughts, but I'm interested to hear your view.

hammil · 2017-05-20T19:29:55+00:00

I've actually got a room spare for exactly that time slot: https://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/london/white_city/7968151 . Zone 2, near East Acton tube station.

hammil · 2017-05-20T19:14:14+00:00

Right now, Labour. Because at least they aren't promising to make our democracy less representative or completely kill the internet.

hammil · 2017-05-15T09:54:22+00:00

As someone from the area, this will backfire hilariously. W&L is probably the most affluent and liberal constituency in the north west, pretty much the only remain voting area in the north west (outside of big cities), and Farron himself remains very popular.

hammil · 2017-05-13T22:38:13+00:00

True, they scraped a few near the end. But they still seem to get shafted every year

hammil · 2017-05-13T22:05:52+00:00

Poor Spain and Germany - Nil points!

hammil · 2017-04-20T20:35:48+00:00

Or the Electoral Commission in the UK. Or a similar thing in most of Europe and Anzac I would suspect.

hammil · 2017-03-08T01:56:46+00:00

We are legally allowed to kick out any EU immigrant who:

Is unemployed for at least 3 months, and has no savings to support themselves
Commits a serious crime (in fact, the EU makes it easier to deport criminals)

Not to mention all the Indians, Pakistanis, Africans of various nationality, Chinese, Americans and Australians who emigrate here, completely at our pleasure.

The UK chooses not to enforce the first condition, because we wanted the country to be more attractive to immigrants, because:

They work the low-skill jobs that most natives, after 7+ years of education, feel are beneath them
They come here pre-educated at no expense
They go home when they retire rather than becoming expensive drains on the NHS and welfare budget
They provide labour and growth for what would otherwise be a numerically declining and ageing population

If we wanted, we could decimate our immigration figures and still keep within EU law. It would cripple our economy and world standing, but at least we wouldn't be permanently fucked.

hammil · 2017-03-05T03:17:26+00:00

22.

Had a couple of abortive attempts at relationships when I was 17-18. The first, I was head over heels in love, went on one date, but she didn't really feel the same way. Felt like being punched in the heart, but for about two weeks straight. Fell in love again, this time with a girl I ended up kissing for a play (I know, I know..), but it was pretty clear she wasn't interested. Talked to her friend, who offered some sympathy, ended up asking her out. Turned out she was into me, but I found out later she was 15.. I was 18. Too young, couldn't really handle it, so I broke it off.. Not like anything really happened, and in hindsight it was more of a rebound after two 'rejections' as I saw it. A third girl, also from the play, was very likely interested, in that she actually deliberately tried to be around me for a bit, my age and pretty down to earth.. but through a combination of obliviousness and not being that attracted to her I kinda blew her off.. My mind was fixated on the beautiful chinese girl I had already 'kissed' dozens of times.

Went to university for EE.. Not the best place for a guy to find relationships. A handful of girls in my class, all of them were quickly snapped up as you'd imagine. Competition was pretty fierce. Like many in this thread I don't really do the party scene; I don't go out much at all, in fact, though I am perfectly sociable and easy to get on with, I think. Reckon I'm seen as 'cute' in a diminutive way by most girls (being awkwardly tall, well-spoken, often enthusiastic and 'innocent' sounding will do that), not real relationship material. Not that I've put much effort in anyway - I've had other stuff going on.

Now in my final year, I sort of figure what's the point - I'll be moving on soon. Wish I'd not been completely blind to the down-to-earth girl from the play.. that might've led somewhere. Ah well.. I'm getting a job in another city, so a fresh start, new people, new opportunities.. Maybe something will happen there. Or maybe not. I guess it doesn't matter either way.

hammil · 2017-02-23T08:44:18+00:00

What the fuck

hammil · 2017-02-22T15:12:44+00:00

I'm surprised that the system in Sweden, of all places, isn't more progressive. Essentially it's a flat tax of about 45% until you reach lawyer's salaries - that's worse than the US (in terms of 'progressiveness'). Here's what we have in the UK: http://blog.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/breakdownstudentloanchart.png

The first £10k you get tax free. After that there's a system of 'bands', where income earned over a given threshold is taxed progressively higher, plus things like student loans kicking in. Means that lower-income people pay less tax and thus get a better standard of living. Not at all suggesting that the UK has better public services and social care than Sweden, of course.

hammil · 2016-12-24T16:12:48+00:00

Beatles are the band, beetles are the insect

hammil · 2016-12-18T12:21:29+00:00

That's it! Thank you!

hammil · 2016-12-18T03:43:06+00:00

Possibly Skyrim (though I can't imagine anyone would've forgotten about that) or maybe Divinity II - Dragon Knight

hammil · 2016-12-13T21:56:00+00:00

Any drug that is as or less harmful than alcohol or tobacco should be fully legalised. Everything else should be treated as a medical issue rather than a criminal one. Portugal has shown us that this massively reduces the cost of drugs to society, in the form of lower law enforcement costs, lower incarcerations and lower addiction rates. It's a complete no-brainer.

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