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Post by Carl on Apr 15, 2018 3:59:39 GMT
Ironic, to the point and as usual enjoyable column by Ricardo Divila about the state of Formula One. Quite bracing intro... Lucio, I normally subscribe to pessimistic views, even a few dystopian ones, these days, but I would venture that the writer's dreadful outlook may arise for the most part from his native Brazil, a country racked and wretched by inequality and corruption on a massive scale. I'm not disputing the last sentence. I nonetheless have reason to be hopeful that our institutions are strong enough to weather the storm and punish the treasonous sociopath he refers to as "one", whose rancid ass should be thrown into prison. Hard. Unfortunately for Brazil, its institutions may not be that strong. www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35810578- Carl (Mary Poppins' lifestyle mentor and bed partner)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 6:23:54 GMT
Current technical regulations run to almost 200 pages. 1963 technical regulations: Were there none because technology was more basic and designers and team owners could be trusted to behave like adults? What were the benefits promised by Gates and Jobs in the computer age? I don't recall insane complication being one. The picture disappeared, Postimage bad service, now restored. Of course, the digital revolution has affected everything, including race car design, their reliability etc and the gains have become of the nano-order, with micro-analysts running the show and micro-jounalists (like Hughes) telling the unsavoury and, frankly, meaningless tale.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 6:32:19 GMT
Lucio, I normally subscribe to pessimistic views, even dystopian ones, these days, but I would venture that the writer's dreadful outlook may arise for the most part from his native Brazil, a country racked and wretched by inequality and political corruption on a massive scale. I'm not disputing the last sentence. I nonetheless have reason to be hopeful that our institutions are strong enough to weather the storm and punish the treasonous sociopath he refers to as one, whose rancid rearend should be thrown into prison. Hard. Unfortunately, institutions in Brazil may not be that strong. www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35810578- Carl (Mary Poppins' lifestyle mentor and bed partner) Carl, I have been fascinated and a student of American history - and American presidents in particular - for as long as I can remember. I am in the middle of the wonderful four-volume biography of LBJ (great president) by Robert Caro, for example. I do hope your institutions are strong enough indeed. Divila actually lives in France and is a real thinker, I don't think he's overly influenced about what is going on in Brazil. At least they have the merit to be transparent and brave enough to tackle institutional corruption up to the highest level. Imagine all that done in Britain!! I can't...
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Post by chrisb on Apr 15, 2018 7:02:31 GMT
Interesting debate chaps, Orwell wasn't an author he was a visionary
Like you Lucio I like history and have studied many countries perceptions of 'truth or right and wrong' and it is quite astonishing to me how little we learn, the main difference is how quickly we learn that.
Microsoft and Apple are appalling, they pay minimal tax and influence if not control most of the world, they and I prefer Apple as it is for me a much more usable commodity that Windows [blxxdy 10] which keeps needing to re-set the wi fi adaptor and drives me to despair, I also really bitterly object to having to rent word every year, but worse of all it makes people lazy and dependant.
I always grimace at English papers accusing others of corruption where we have probably one of the most corrupt systems in the world, Murdoch, Tories and greed, minimal tax, 'forgetfulness of millionaire politicians to declare yet another few millions [it's only a few million, what's the problem?] the quiet privatisation of the welfare system, landlords - but no conflict of interest whilst we privatise the housing sector, etc etc and the other 'lot' are just as bad, giving non-elected institutions more power,
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2018 10:11:11 GMT
I always grimace at English papers accusing others of corruption where we have probably one of the most corrupt systems in the world, Murdoch, Tories and greed, minimal tax, 'forgetfulness of millionaire politicians to declare yet another few millions [it's only a few million, what's the problem?] the quiet privatisation of the welfare system, landlords - but no conflict of interest whilst we privatise the housing sector, etc etc and the other 'lot' are just as bad, giving non-elected institutions more power, The country is run by a handful of people who went to Eton together and studied PPE (!! the top of qualification in the country!!) at Oxford, and live in the past - the edulcorated one their small minds can take. Then again, of course, when things don't go to plan it's EU's fault. Better leave it here.
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Post by chrisb on Apr 15, 2018 19:47:39 GMT
we tend to agree Lucio, although my paternal Grandfather did go to Eton and Sandhurst I am looking at moving to France as I so sick of the greed etc, anyway sorry would love a rant but as you say 'best leave it there'
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 16, 2018 13:17:59 GMT
Interesting views on living in Britain. Six months ago my wife and I were thinking of emigrating to the UK to get away from the greed and corruption in South Africa. We have had a change of president since and on the surface things have improved so our hurry to move has slowed. At 62 any change of a country is a stress and I don't want a frying pan fire scenario so your views are very interesting indeed.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2018 13:42:10 GMT
Rob, leaving beside the corruption, which is always relative and difficult to compare and quantify among different countries and perhaps in fairness here in Britain not at endemic levels as in other countries.
What I would say is why emigrate to Britain to retire, apart shared language and culture?
Hand on my heart, do not make that mistake.
Unless you are a millionaire, can't say of course, in which case Britain can be as good as any other place.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2018 14:11:22 GMT
Rob, I would also point out that perceptions and circumstances are different for different people. My circumstance is that with Brexit looming large and a young son to whom I would like to provide the best possible opportunities in life, at the moment I am, with my wife, considering what is the best course of action. Britain is an expensive place, everything is overpriced, “high maintenance”, and the corresponding quality provided isn’t great, to be kind. Schools in general are not great. Depending which school one attends, it can make a whole difference on life prospects – and this frankly I find it difficult to accept.
I appreciate the British posters may disagree with the above, but it’s my – very short – take after twenty years in the country and with the responsibility to do the right thing for my son.
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 17, 2018 13:19:47 GMT
Many thanks Lucio for your views and comments. Interestingly enough last night I received a phone call from a friend I have known since I was five and who has spent the last 40 plus years in Switzerland. I had asked him about a move to the UK and his views were that even if you have enough money the upheaval in terms of friends, culture etc is very big and one shouldn't underestimate it. I am getting more and more indicators that are causing me to have second thoughts.
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Post by charleselan on Apr 17, 2018 14:34:25 GMT
Many thanks Lucio for your views and comments. Interestingly enough last night I received a phone call from a friend I have known since I was five and who has spent the last 40 plus years in Switzerland. I had asked him about a move to the UK and his views were that even if you have enough money the upheaval in terms of friends, culture etc is very big and one shouldn't underestimate it. I am getting more and more indicators that are causing me to have second thoughts. Rob, It is a big upheaval, and in your case it is a great distance to emigrate from SA to the UK. The one good thing in your favour is The fact that there is a common language which helps enormously when upping sticks to a new country. Lucio makes some very valid comments as does Chris about life in the UK. I moved to France for many reasons, the most compelling being the quality of life in France is vastly superior in my opinion, and the fact that property prices here in France are vastly cheaper than in the UK. UK property prices are an absolute disgrace particularly in rural areas, all thanks to the greedy individuals who live and work in money rich London who decide that a place in the country would be a good idea. That lead to an escalation in house prices out in the country to the extent that locals could no longer afford to buy in their home county etc. I would say that the general cost of living in the UK is less so than in France, where things are very expensive. Also in the Uk one can usually negotiate a price of a product e.g. cars; garden machinery etc, however in France they look at you if your are crazy if you ask for a deal when parting with a sizeable amount of money for a product. Brexit is a subject I will avoid as it is too sore a point for me; I will just say that it has cost me a great deal and will continue to do so. John Charles
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 18, 2018 7:47:27 GMT
Thanks very much for your views Charles. You make some excellent points and the cost of housing in even the cheaper UK counties is double here though other living costs are on a par in total. One of the main concerns is also the volatility of the SA currency and it's propensity to weaken drastically every time politicians opens their mouths unwisely which is a frequent occurance. As my retirement income would be sourced from SA this is a real concern.
More thinking and research needed.
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Post by charleselan on Apr 18, 2018 12:32:59 GMT
Thanks very much for your views Charles. You make some excellent points and the cost of housing in even the cheaper UK counties is double here though other living costs are on a par in total. One of the main concerns is also the volatility of the SA currency and it's propensity to weaken drastically every time politicians opens their mouths unwisely which is a frequent occurance. As my retirement income would be sourced from SA this is a real concern. More thinking and research needed. The exchange rate is aways a good point of reference. I have been hammered twice since moving to France; firstly just after coming here in 2008 there was the "crash" and the GBPound went from 1.40(ish)euros to 1.00GBP to less than 1.10euro for a long period, it even dropped to less than a euro over one Christmas period. It then regained ground to around 1.30euro to 1.00GBP just before the leave the EU vote; and now around 1.12/13euro to 1.00GBP, thank you very much.......... So I can see your point Rob, as my pension is in the UK and I loose every time the pounds drops in value, so not impressed at all.
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Post by Carl on Apr 18, 2018 16:02:27 GMT
This is a fascinating conversation of great importance. We are all living the curse that says "May you live in interesting times"
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2018 9:33:18 GMT
Current Turrini's column.
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