Trump, Musk and the dictates of the heart

The new right-wingers think people have forgotten what dictatorship means. Putin, Trump or Orban differ only in their dictatorial “phases”. Putin is an old hand who imposes his lies on his people with the aggressive undertone of punishment for disobedience. Orban follows the uprising from time to time to see whether the “critical mass” of followers has already been reached. The smaller the counter-protests, the closer he is to becoming a mini-Putin. Trump is a grotesque mixture: a dictator of elbows who still has little idea of political dictatorship. For him, his claim is the result of business acumen, of the old glamor of his name. But that is what Trump knows: the power of simple but well-designed messages. The Milgram experiments from the 1960s in the USA investigated human behavior. Stanley Milgram wanted to find out how unconditional obedience could come about under the Nazi dictatorship. In Milgram's experiments, simple gestures sufficed, such as staring up at the sky, which was joined by more and more passers-by. Or the authoritarian instruction of a man in a white lab coat, during which many test subjects would have (theoretically) given another subject fatal electric shocks. The clear, simple message and the appearance of authoritarianism are Trump's method. His authority is his […]

A fist to free them. The assault on Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has been shot at. He defiantly raises his fist shortly after recovering from the graze on his ear. An image to remember. "Fight!" It is a fight for liberation that he is calling for. They are always liberation fights, because nobody fights for lack of freedom. What does he want Trump's supporters to liberate themselves from?It is not the liberation from violence - on the contrary. It becomes the means in the holy struggle against all the enemies who are (supposedly) violent themselves or will be. The strategy is as old as it is infantile: Resist! Against what is a question that is successively clarified. Little by little, the enemies become clear. It is not about the individual […]

Unveiling the Data Tapestry: Insights and Implications of Retail Data Analytics

selective focus photography of lens
This article has been written by AI. Following the news that New Zealand supermarkets are about to introduce facial recognition on their security cameras, the task was to identify data points available and deduct what the supermarket (i.e. the people behind it) can trace from a person's private life. In the realm of retail, particularly within supermarkets leveraging cameras and facial recognition technologies, an intricate web of data is being woven with every customer interaction. This tapestry of information, when carefully analyzed, provides profound insights into individual lifestyles and behaviors, pushing the boundaries of personalized shopping experiences while simultaneously igniting debates on privacy and ethical considerations. The Nature of Data Harvested Supermarkets, through the integration of advanced surveillance and data […]

Universal Basic Income. Don't be condescending, Mike Hosking

I have tried to follow Mr Hoskins simple logic on why an UBI is not a good idea. One of his arguments is that UBI would be squandering the money on (rich) people who do not need it. However, at the same time he condones the fact that people in need shouldn't get anything either. Logic of reverse conclusion obtrudes. This is a fine example of the ultimatum game where Hosking sees himself unfairly treated. Interestingly is he one of those who might not need an UBI.

The bank always wins

It does not matter how bad the situation is. For many people who rent there may be some tough times ahead. While banks allowing a "mortgage holiday" for home owners, the ongoing of rent payments stays within the power of the landlords. As the cut in mortgage payments may seem to free landlords from the burden of paying back their debts it is indeed just a deferral. The interest and rates have yet to be paid in future. One side to the story are the tenants who won't get a break from paying their share and the other is that landlords will be required to pay up as usual. It's just a matter of when. As the landlord may save […]