JillyB

$690 I think I only got that high because I was trying to unlock the one joker that needs $400 in funds

I could see this process being useful for jewelry making. Traditionally, a custom pendant will be made in wax (these days that part can be 3D printed), put in plaster, burned out and then the cast metal is poured in. With this process, you could make your own re-usable metal molds.

Similarly, my mom insisting I hate bananas because I didn't want them one time when I was 4

No wonder cows are so fat

It's derivative of the first username I ever made...for RuneScape when I was in 6th grade.

They are also spending big on domestic arms production. France will be a big winner out of this since they've long valued independent military arms production and the rest of Europe will want to buy French stuff (yes along with American stuff) while they get their arms production up and running. South Korea is also a big arms supplier internationally.

The reduction in US support for NATO is largely part of a pivot to focusing on Taiwan and China. The US military industry would love it if the US focused on both and kept cozy relations with europe. I'm sure they're happy with the whole world increasing defense spending amid rising tensions, but they aren't happy about the US scaring away customers. I hate how involved the US military is globally but acting like Trump is some mastermind of American imperialism is reductive and giving him too much credit. The thought that Europe shouldn't be worried about Russia (the ones currently invading a European country) is bonkers.

That's easy enough for leisure travel but it's harder for business or if you have family in the US.

Same except I supplement with Gmaps. Transit is fantastic if you know your destination but Gmaps is way better at looking around for restaurants for example

This new agreement, with NATO signatories needing to commit 5% of their GDP, feels like a grift for the benefit of U.S. defense contractors. The U.S. cannot be trusted to actually honor their agreements anymore, so why pay more into their alliance? Is Europe really that scared of further Russian aggression?

They're massively investing in European defense industry, not just buying more from the US. They are scared of Russian aggression and they are scared the US will not honor NATO agreements which is why they're committing so hard to defense spending. Also, I believe it's 3.5% for military and 1.5% for infrastructure.

Vaping is how I quit smoking cigarettes. I was also much more addicted to vapes than I ever was to cigarettes, but at least I didn't cough as much. Now I use nicotine pouches. The day all this shit is illegal is going to be a good day for human health.

Fun fact: old Greg now hosts the great British baking show/bake off

Solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, even natural gas would all be independent from international conflicts. Obviously, if your goal is an energy transition, pivoting into fossil fuels is brain dead, but that seems like what we're doing.