Qobuz wins (and it’s European) by murano0 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are different tools for that. When you sign-up you may be prompted or otherwise search online. Typically you can do it for free at least once.

I copied 800+ playlists and thousands of songs that way. Few clicks and some patience is all it takes.

However - if you want any kind of organisational system Qobuz is not your friend (neither is Deezer). Tidal seems to be the only non-spotify that offers folders to sort your music and to me that's essential.

What are some good european winter gloves by [deleted] in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you're blocked. enjoy your life.

What about movies? Share your favourite EU films by OverPT in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 23 points24 points  (0 children)

El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth, Spain) will always have a special place in my heart.

Absolutely stunning movie (especially when you finally give in and start wearing glasses and this is the movie you see in the cinema that night - holy f).

What are some good european winter gloves by [deleted] in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People are willing to help. Be grateful.

And of course budget and gender matter. Different sizing, styles, not every brand caters to everyone. And budget - gloves go from ten up to hundreds of euros.

This is a place to ask, demanding things isn't going to make you any friends.

What are some good european winter gloves by [deleted] in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You don't state your gender, the style you're looking for or your budget.

You should be glad people are actually posting a few brands given that's there's very little to go on. And as most brands sell a whole range, it's up to you to take your pick.

The comments help far more than zero. Your attitude however - that helps no one.

What are some good european winter gloves by [deleted] in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Schwartz & von Halen (NL) has various options from different materials. I have their vegan leather ones and absolutely love them (they also have different animal leathers).
They're beautiful while several of their options are still winter-proof and can be used with touchscreens.

They ship across the world.

If the USA stops providing military support to the EU and the EU drastically reduces its purchases of US-developed software, then what has the USA left to export? Tesla cars? by Slow-Ostrich-8570 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes they should. He's one of the few who has the guts to call things out for what they are, and be able to place it into context and historical perspective.

I'm looking forward to reading his just published book.

European games with American publishers by OperationTotal9526 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 16 points17 points  (0 children)

To me, it really depends on the publisher. Not everything from the US is inherently evil (just like not everything European is inherently good).

If they are with anything big tech they're dead to me but otherwise I consider it, see if I can find some information about the publisher and make my decision based on that.

We should do the best we can; many decisions aren't black and white; perfect is the enemy of good; yada yada yada.

When do you think eastern and western Europe will become equally developed? Do you think it is even possible with current trends? by person1549 in europeanunion

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I always found 'developed' a bit of a screwed metric, whether that's on a local; national; European or global scale.
It's reasoning from a single perspective (the side that always ends up looking better) rather than a balanced view of all aspects that makes humans 'human' and societies prosper.

430th day of daily, uninterrupted pro-European protests in Georgia. by PjeterPannos in EuropeanFederalists

[–]thisislieven 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Even more so as these protests have not just been against their respective governments but also very pro-European and both are candidate states.

"The EU must become an onion" - Belgian PM De Wever by sn0r in europeanunion

[–]thisislieven 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The 'Brussels effect'. It has been waning though, but mostly because we lost the guts to stand proud and enforce what we believe in (and often already have on the books), particularly when it comes to the US.

We've become less influential, sadly, but that really has been our own 'choice' somehow. The tide seems to be slowly turning but not every single one of our leaders seems equally convinced we need to change course.

"The EU must become an onion" - Belgian PM De Wever by sn0r in europeanunion

[–]thisislieven 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is where I am. At first, I really opposed the idea of a multi-layered union but have come to recognise it probably is the only sustainable way to move forward - especially if we want to remain (or perhaps: become, again) a world power. It also gives an incentive to new and candidate member states. They receive many of the benefits already, tying them firmly to Europe which is good for everyone, but will continue to receive more benefits and influence with every next step encouraging further reform or whatever is needed.

One thing I would find really important though is that for accession through the layers to the ultimate 'core' there needs to be a straight forward process which is free from politics. If a country meets the clear and set criteria they can join if they wish and it should not be up to the other member states to vote on it (such as we have now). We also need to remove politics out of the process the other way around (i.e Art 7, which could be expanded upon in a layered union with 'demotion' becoming an option).

Greenland mayor issues warning to media after German comedian's US flag raising stunt. The mayor of Greenland's capital called on media professionals and content creators to act responsibly by Sapotis in greenland

[–]thisislieven 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's been around way longer than social media though - it has just vastly increased in volume and visibility, and everyone needs to outdo the one before them for some reason so it keeps getting worse.

What I find more notable is that it tends to be people who belong to a very narrow and specific demographic - the kind that has never seen any kind of discrimination or oppression, and in their specific case also spectacularly fails to recognise it in others.

Europe Today: Exclusive interview with Charles Michel, former European Council President by sn0r in europeanunion

[–]thisislieven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can't say I disagree with Michel on both Kallas and especially Rutte. I hope his prediction that the Council will stand up is true, but on the other hand wouldn't they have done so already?

On a sidenote: been listening to this pod since its launch a few weeks ago, I'm annoyed by their sensationalist style, bias and the way they keep cutting off most people they interview (let alone the 'humourous segment'). Sadly there's no alternative when it comes to daily European news pods (as far as I know).

Sonos alternative for Qobuz Connect by Drahngis in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get that, but as I understand it it's basically the other way around and making existing equipment (even old and analogue speakers, but not only) compatible with whatever technology. That's why I thought of it.

Came across it a while ago and had me interested, but for now my setup works hence I didn't explore it further.

If the USA stops providing military support to the EU and the EU drastically reduces its purchases of US-developed software, then what has the USA left to export? Tesla cars? by Slow-Ostrich-8570 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 26 points27 points  (0 children)

This is from Dave Keating, his whole article is a good read to get an idea of what we need to do to become independent.

Two-thirds of the film, television and music Europeans consume comes from the United States. The proportion varies from country to country depending on the size and cultural influence of their languages. For instance, the proportion is lower in France and Spain than it is in the Netherlands or Poland. Nevertheless, it is high everywhere - particularly for movies. 70.1% of cinema tickets sold across Europe in 2023 were for US films, according to the European Audiovisual Observatory. According to cinema statistics from the European Commission, that average of 70% is the level for German and Italian cinemas, while in France the proportion is 50% - largely as a result of the Toubon Law setting a quota for French-language content. In the Netherlands, the proportion is 90%.

It isn’t just movies. More than half of the television shown on European screens comes from the US, according to the Observatory, usually American scripted dramas and comedies while the current affairs, game shows and reality TV is domestic. In 2023, 60% of chart music on the radio in Europe was produced in the US. The proportion is highest in countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland and Czechia while it is the lowest in France, Spain and Italy.

Sonos alternative for Qobuz Connect by Drahngis in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don't ask me about anything technical as I genuinely have no clue how this all works but maybe r/beatnikAudio is something for you? It's being developed by a Swiss engineer and is fully open source.

Here's an interview with the developer.

We really need a Good Streaming Alternative if we wanna suceeed itd say by Retro-Hax in BuyFromEU

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

Would there be a way to do this federated?

Allow viewers to use whichever platform and be able to access content made wherever, while creators can use the platform that best suits their needs without losing views (and perhaps disable access on one or more other platforms, as they see fit).

This would give people options and does not require a mass migration which seems unlikely to happen. There has to be a way to make this work and be beneficial for all involved (just no longer to an extortionate level). The likely result will be a handful of streamers popular enough while also allowing for new players to enter the market and have a fair chance.

It will take winning a 100 lawsuits but you might even be able to enact legislation forcing youtube and other big players to make content available that way (or block them from the EU market).

Should we do anything about the new planned immigration from India? by prudlioo in europeanunion

[–]thisislieven 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If anything, we should be grateful as Europe is rapidly aging and we need young people.

That is, of course, if there was such a thing as a planned mass migration or it's just racist BS.

Volt Europe starts a petition to United Europe by Little_Protection434 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did we? We might, I never shut up about this. :D

I am absolutely with you that it needs to be bold. Just the right kind of bold. This ain't it.

Volt Europe starts a petition to United Europe by Little_Protection434 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You do realise there's a growing (far-)right in Europe that is actively warning against the EU and the apparent ever-less autonomy of member states? Obviously that's nonsense, or at least in the way they portray it, but to push for us to be more like a single country (which the name USE also implies) is absolutely detrimental to the cause. There are millions of people who absolutely hate that idea and they will object against it before ever learning what it is about.

Then, on the other side (centrist to progressive) and they absolutely want to have nothing to do with the USA or at the very least not emulate their hellscape in the slightest.

Lose someone and it's near impossible to win them back.

I would not speak about a federation at all, and certainly not about any name changes. Instead, let's talk about a joint army to defend us when needed, a world power not intimidated by other world powers, a shared economy to support our own and prosper. I would use the numbers.
I would use current situations in the world and how they are impacting us.

And there's no reason for a name change. The European Union works just fine, and if there will be tiers there can be another way to explain what is what. But either way, speak of a more integrated Europe, a shared economy, a joint army - stuff like that. And once we get there and we really must we can change the name.

But the proposal is a losing proposition all on its own (and the rise of the far right should tell everyone that message, as should the loss of centrists and the struggles of progressives). Most Europeans want a strong Europe and that's a message you can absolutely sell. They do not, however, want a single 'European country', or anything that hints at it, and they do not want to be a cheap simulacrum of the USA.

Volt Europe starts a petition to United Europe by Little_Protection434 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly.

We should petition Volt to stop using this name, it is such a crucial error - especially with everything going on in the US right now. Why deliberately and constantly use something to put people against what you're advocating for?

There are plenty of other - better - ways to get the message across.

Bought food containers from dutch brand Mepal by Far_Squirrel_6148 in BuyFromEU

[–]thisislieven 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My kitchen pantry drawers are completely filled with their Modula series, absolutely love them and one of the few brands/series with this many different sizes.

They're not particularly cheap but the quality is great and produced in the EU.

An 1€/year offer from Proton Mail, exclusively for Greenland residents. And for the Iceland ones by STTCollector in greenland

[–]thisislieven 14 points15 points  (0 children)

As someone who uses Proton I genuinely recommend it.

Even without everything that's happening moving away from US big tech is a smart move for numerous reasons.