Search found 4298 matches

by Xan
Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

Um, yeah, there were some technological imbalances in those examples that tilt the other direction here. But anyway, I wish the Ukrainians and Taiwanese nothing but the best sincerely. I hope they make the very best of bad situations. What is it like to be 100% certain about everything, even when y...
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:06 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

stuper1 wrote:
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:03 pm
You'd think people could understand simple stuff like this, but apparently adding 2 + 2 is hard.

Simple stuff like unbacked claims? "The US knows he isn't like that." Who? How? How do YOU know?

Also, you're welcome to make your points, but please don't resort to personal attacks.
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

By the way, of course as a people we do love Taiwanese people as we love almost anyone (not Russians though or mainland Chinese, both of which are unredeemable ethnicities). Taiwanese isn't an ethnicity. The mainland and Taiwan are the same people, ethnically. I thought the same was basically true ...
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

Not true. Taiwanese are good. Mainland Chinese are bad. I read it in the New York Times, so it has to be true. If you disagree with me, you need to go to a reeducation camp. And to your earlier point, so you are saying that the Ukrainians and the Taiwanese get to decide for America how we spend our...
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:38 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

By the way, of course as a people we do love Taiwanese people as we love almost anyone (not Russians though or mainland Chinese, both of which are unredeemable ethnicities). Taiwanese isn't an ethnicity. The mainland and Taiwan are the same people, ethnically. I thought the same was basically true ...
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:37 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

I can't think of much that would be more patronizing and paternalistic than refusing to help the people of Ukraine or Taiwan or whatever on the basis that we're saving their lives by not helping them. Shouldn't that be up to them? The US military despite its many flaws is a huge net force for good i...
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

stuper1 wrote:
Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:37 pm
And by the way, who won that civil war you mentioned?

Mostly the Communists, but not entirely. Yet.
by Xan
Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:44 pm
Forum: Politics
Topic: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?
Replies: 52
Views: 34990

Re: Is Germany Getting Ready for Another Demagogue?

I feel bad for Taiwan, because they are obviously between a rock and a hard place. I counsel them to be very careful in what they do. China is a lot closer to them geographically than the US is. It won't take many wrong moves before they look a lot like what Ukraine looks like right now, with hundr...
by Xan
Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:34 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Daily "Check In" Thread For Us
Replies: 2251
Views: 1154017

Re: Daily "Check In" Thread For Us

Get well soon, Sir! Here the cases started to increase too. What they say is a common symptom - eyes inflammation. Thanks Vil. Hadn’t heard about the eye inflammation. We are both feeling a little better today. Stay well! Four days later what is the current update for each of you? Someone has been ...
by Xan
Fri Sep 29, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: I Thought Gold Would Fare Better in 2022-23
Replies: 63
Views: 100526

Re: I Thought Gold Would Fare Better in 2022-23

you can for instance program a transaction to either be accepted or rejected subject to other criteria. Bitcoin has smart contracts. In fact each Bitcoin transaction is a series of contracts. Ethereum is also already becoming the accepted 'regulated' (official) network. No need for Ethereum or a bl...
by Xan
Wed Sep 27, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: ARM (chip designer)
Replies: 19
Views: 40681

Re: ARM (chip designer)

With AI I guess that we're on the brink of few powerful CPU's may transition to many low (processing) power CPU's working in harmony. Similar to the human brain. At some point, longevity. Download/backup your memories each night, and if anything bad happens to that brain, recover those memories int...
by Xan
Wed Sep 27, 2023 7:31 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: TLT cracks $90
Replies: 43
Views: 69456

Re: TLT cracks $90

Thoughts? At 16.7% of my PP... Getting close to the 15% rebalance band. I hope it doesn't happen this year but will in 2024. Will have to report my 2023 to FAFSA, so I do not want to sell anything from my brokerage accounts :-[ Regarding FAFSA, make sure your ordinary income qualifies you for finan...
by Xan
Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:39 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Isn't there an Avatar Thread?
Replies: 220
Views: 159145

Re: Isn't there an Avatar Thread?

I can't believe I hadn't heard of King's Quest. I had to google it unfortunately. It looks like this would have been right up my alley, but maybe just a little before my time? It’s possible that Tortoise and Xan and i even played different generations of it. Mine was on a floppy disk, the big thin ...
by Xan
Tue Sep 19, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: PP Mistakes
Replies: 43
Views: 95657

Re: PP Mistakes

THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT have been the most costliest words to bet on in the english language Mathjak, you're fond of saying that, but isn't it pretty clear that the outperformance of US equities over the past century or so has been the weird outlier? Why aren't the people who plan on that outperform...
by Xan
Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:28 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Isn't there an Avatar Thread?
Replies: 220
Views: 159145

Re: Isn't there an Avatar Thread?

Okay dualstow, what's the new avatar? Is that an AI-generated image in the style of King's Quest?
by Xan
Wed Sep 13, 2023 1:34 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Interviews With The Homeless
Replies: 10
Views: 2943

Re: Interviews With The Homeless

dualstow wrote:
Wed Sep 13, 2023 1:21 pm
Yikes. I have heard from a friend about how easy assisted suicide is in Canada and how a lot of people have lost their teenagers to what might’ve been teen angst.

Horrifying!
by Xan
Fri Sep 08, 2023 2:44 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: YouTube Junkie
Replies: 1231
Views: 590740

Re: YouTube Junkie

Tortoise wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:48 pm
Breaking Bad: The Sitcom

Brilliant! Love the meta-reference to Bob Newhart.
by Xan
Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:27 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Physical + Bullionvault + Paxos combo primer
Replies: 19
Views: 6852

Re: Physical + Bullionvault + Paxos combo primer

vnatale wrote:
Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:12 am
Smith1776 wrote:
Thu Sep 07, 2023 10:20 pm
vnatale wrote:
Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:29 pm

For what did you get banned??!!!
For not buying into anti-gold propaganda spouted by a bunch of statists. 😎
I think that this is the MOST political I have EVER witnessed you being in this forum!

Vinny, Smithers is describing the way he appears to the Bogleheads.
by Xan
Wed Sep 06, 2023 8:02 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: The GOLD scream room
Replies: 3689
Views: 1659695

Re: The GOLD scream room

Many people know about the seizure of U.S. citizens’ gold in the 1930’s, but do you know how much the cash compensation was? I think I may have read about it a few times. But I'm guessing it was not much. It was definitely full value, as defined by the definition of the dollar in terms of gold. $28...
by Xan
Mon Sep 04, 2023 2:50 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: What happens to I-bonds if rates plummet again
Replies: 46
Views: 41387

Re: What happens to I-bonds if rates plummet again

Taking time off....yeah, wish I could do more of that. I hadn't been considering assisted living for my mother before, because I know she'll react very badly among other issues, but....it is THE only way to get help when you don't have local family support. I do have a great family, but everyone is...
by Xan
Thu Aug 31, 2023 10:32 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Netflix junkie
Replies: 352
Views: 128282

Re: Netflix junkie

EDIT: I just realized I'm the only person posting in this thread. If the Topic title was amended to (& other) I'd participate. Otherwise I cancelled my Netflix subscription long ago and use Amazon Prime and other means for what Netflix provides. You are hereby granted special dispensation to discus...
by Xan
Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:32 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Michael Saylor: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Money | Lex Fridman Podcast #276
Replies: 9
Views: 3782

Re: Michael Saylor: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Money | Lex Fridman Podcast #276

I'm totally on the same page – Lex Fridman's podcasts are a goldmine of insights! The best part? They're not just quick bites; they're these lengthy, immersive conversations that really let you dig deep into the topics. Well stated! Olandeep is almost certainly a bot. What gives it away? Any first ...
by Xan
Thu Aug 31, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Michael Saylor: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Money | Lex Fridman Podcast #276
Replies: 9
Views: 3782

Re: Michael Saylor: Bitcoin, Inflation, and the Future of Money | Lex Fridman Podcast #276

vnatale wrote:
Thu Aug 31, 2023 11:57 am
Olandeep wrote:
Thu Aug 31, 2023 11:14 am
I'm totally on the same page – Lex Fridman's podcasts are a goldmine of insights! The best part? They're not just quick bites; they're these lengthy, immersive conversations that really let you dig deep into the topics.
Well stated!
Olandeep is almost certainly a bot.
by Xan
Thu Aug 31, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Meme Thread
Replies: 279
Views: 221317

Re: The Meme Thread

Smith1776 wrote:
Thu Aug 31, 2023 9:37 am
From Reddit lol.




images-you-can-smell-v0-2tyz8ijm7flb1.jpg

Yikes... A Bengals fan
by Xan
Wed Aug 30, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: The Bond Dream Room
Replies: 554
Views: 360660

Re: The Bond Dream Room

From the Financial Times, last week, print version: I t was a crisp September day in 2015 when Timothy Young arrived at Houten, an unremarkable Dutch commuter town, determined to col- lect an almost 400-year-old debt. He carried a case containing a fragile piece of goatskin covered in dense writ- i...