SaltSong

Vimes had once discussed the Ephebian idea of ‘democracy’ with Carrot, and had been rather interested in the idea that everyone had a vote until he found out that while he, Vimes, would have a vote, there was no way in the rules that anyone could prevent Nobby Nobbs from having one as well. Vimes could see the flaw there straight away.

-Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant

He had such a way with words, he did.

Yea. If we counted popular vote, rather than EC, that would not qualify him for president.

I'm not actually sure what happens if no candidate gets a majority.

It's not a good democracy, no. The fact that Trump is not following the rules suggests that it isn't a democracy at all, since we are voting for stick figures, not leaders. But he was elected fair and square, at least until we find evidence otherwise.

And again, "democracy" doesn't mean "good," or "fair" or "virtuous." We are none of those things right now, weather we are a democracy or not.

I'm prepared to argue that fake voting doesn't count.

we count ancient Greece as a democracy, don't we?

Last I checked, democracy didn't mean "fair," it ment that the leaders were voted into power.

I'm not suggesting that America before Trump was a paragon of virtue. But our corrupt leaders and wealthy oligarchs made America powerful to serve their own ends.

Trump is not serving the ends of American oligarchs. He's serving the ends of Russian oligarchs.

I think that if space itself is what is rotating, then speed of light limit does not apply. But if it's everything in the universe orbiting, as it were, a central point, then it would.

But if it is space itself rotating, then that would suggest some objective frame of reference outside the universe. Wouldn't it?

That's a good metric.

I note that you have wisely refrained from asking if a device will make it easier. I do not want any such device at this time, thank you.

Is it unsettling? I'd find out more expected, myself. Everything is data mining me, and selling the information. Way of the world.

I don't like it, but it's not unsettling.

It's not a one-size fits all, that's for sure. But I have no subscriptions to anything, and I wouldn't describe anything I do with "work flow."

it’s absolutely insane to conclude that Russia controls western governments.

Maybe not governments in general, but Trump and his party specifically, doesn't seem too insane.

Don't even have to do crime. You can usually email the author, and they will send you a copy, quite legitimately.

I've done it myself a few times.