You really need to “research” it after already laying blame? Quire apparent your mind is made up.

I’m not going to suggest european/western companies be “better” for a country and continent that has suffered centuries of abuses by those same people, but at the same time it is perfectly sane to question whether or not a military junta, in an area historically also terrorized by those same kinds of “leaders”, won’t just siphon off all the money to foreign bank accounts until they too are killed or run away to another country and live off their gains.

That’s not an argument in favor of either group, it’s saying maybe out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Any of the vapid and shallow trends. From tiktok “challenges” to the Stanley mug craze. All designed to separate the individual from their money and sense.

Nope. Once on a while I might listen to it out of nostalgia’s sake. Otherwise it’s churning through a bunch of garbage on spotify trying to find something decent. My other half otoh is constantly listening to our high school year’s music. It’s all the same, it’s the same top songs from the charts from the same top bands, over and over… I can’t handle the repetition.

That does suck, and I have never been with a union where that isn’t a possibility. That’s one of the downsides whether or not they’re management’s tools. Top leadership tends to take care of itself first.

My union dues are 1.5%.

But, my union:

Makes sure I don’t have to take my work home with me.

Says when it’s ok to be contacted by work at home.

Got us a nice pay raise that more than covers any dues.

Makes sure any training events are monitored, correctly administered and can’t be used to get rid of employees.

Provides additional insurance that make up for shortfalls in employer coverage - particularly disability.

Substance abuse and mental health help so that you can get help and not lose your job.

And plenty more.

All of it worth more to the entire group than any pain from the dues I pay. Love being in a union shop, worth it even with the few downsides.

True, but it booted Win 7 next, so it’s not like I was leaving windows.

Must be just from common perception. There’s a ton of stuff out of China that works great. But it’s like the airline trip where something goes wrong - lost luggage or misconnect that costs you vacation days - that everyone remembers and talks about. Some bad products ruin the perception.

Because compared to America everyone else’s “shit” is 10x better than our “none at all”.

Personally I don’t care for the trend that is RGB EvReyWhERe!!1!1! MoRe!1!1! Especially in what amounts to pretty normal cases. Just a box with a bunch of bolt on lights and fans. Yay?

I far more admire a computer where someone has taken the time to actually invest some customization that took skill. Bending watercool hard tubing around a hand made or modified case. Lights are fine for accent or drama, but not as a misrepresentation of uniqueness or effort.

Hah, yes. This is a good take.

“We will add errors and delete valid information…”

It’s like buying a knighthood from an organization that claims to have rights to grant such things. Even though the title is meaningless.

Mensa is the same.

IOW it’s an organization designed to take your money for a title. They get money, you get a meaningless membership.

Just saw this earlier.

She’s partly right.

The gravy seals are the ultimate keyboard warriors.

The difference between binge drinking and having a glass or pint a day.

Yep. It was a key way to understand other families didn’t work the way yours did.

“Single with 3 roommates at a crap job just moved in” style.

Yup. Go for it, kid. And the best part is you can drag out the rainbow farting moose any time a childhood story is needed to mildly embarrass and laugh with your kid.