As someone who’s been following this fairly closely since the Syrians started toying with it, and the Ukrainians threw it into hyperdrive… There’s no good counter when drones are cheap to make and can be programmed to run on a flight course:
That assumes you know the drone is coming, mind you. Piston-engine flying wings aren’t silent, but they are generally made of polymers/laminates that are hard to detect via radar. Thermal cameras and acoustic sensors so far are the best early warning systems, but radar is still a huge help.
And then there’s FPV and quadcopters. While a larger munition like Shaheed can be under $10k, even the more advanced FPV/quads with night vision (or even thermal) cameras frequently run under $1,000, up to a few thousand. Air dropped explosives have been fundamental in changing the course of the civil war in Myanmar for the rebels, it’s like having a budget Air Force and spy satellites on call.
Aaaand now they’re exposed, suddenly they’re “victims”
In a statement on X, Pool said if the indictment was true, he was a “victim” and that he and other personalities were “deceived.”
Johnson said in a statement that he is “disturbed by the allegations in today’s indictment, which make clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme.”
Jesus, why are there so many crybullies on the right? “We got caught with our hands in the Russian money bag, but we’re the ones truly being harmed guys!”
At some point to become a consumer your money and/or attention is voluntarily given to A Thing. That’s a choice. But with internet cookbooks, bandcamp, IMDb, CrunchyRoll, etc etc you have the ability to seek out precisely what interests you, with the only burden being discovery. Monoculture died with the internet, you being on Lenny is a testament to that.
Not really understanding where you saw a pro free market argument from what I said - my main point was that people like diverse options, and seek out variety, from within and without.
…then treasure yours and stop importing American culture?
IMO the big thing that America offers culturally is choices that don’t fit in the box of existing cultural norms. There’s no “American Breakfast” or “American Music” in the same way you can visually identify Finnish cinema or spot the commonalities in French cuisine.
And when I travel around Europe I see the influx of other cultures primarily via immigration (Berlin has döner, Britain has curries, Spain/Portugal has Moorish and African influence embedded) but at the same time I also see imported ‘American X’ without that immigration. Europeans have identified things they like that other cultures migrate with, but seemingly actively seeks out the things Americans make.
How popular are hamburgers or Taylor Swift in your area, compared to other Euro offerings like Gorjira or handball? France has a strong arts scene supported by the government, but the Palme d’Or rarely goes to their domestic films.
My British passport, growing up, and living in the UK for decades argues otherwise, but sure thing mate.
New money Russian oligarchs get to rub shoulders with British elites and upper class, but proximity is not acceptance. Private school v public school is still a huge determinant to your life’s path even though Oxbridge offer superior education.
Hunting has never been a part of the general culture yes, but don’t try to tell me there isn’t classist attitudes towards deer stalkers and fox hunters. Press imagery rarely shows the actual attire, but focuses on the “Toffs on horseback” and tweed clad pheasant shooters, versus muck boots and Barbour jackets.
Class permeates British culture unlike any other European society. And it goes beyond the rich:poor divide you’d see in America or say France.
The upper class look down on the working and middle class, viewing any self made money with disdain. Unless you’re a blue blood your money doesn’t really count. Money is not the only factor.
The working class in turn tend to view anyone who tries to climb the ladder as a class traitor or someone who doesn’t know their place. “Crabs in a bucket” if you will. Self made success is sneered at the same as multi-generational inherited (and unearned) wealth.
Class permeates British culture unlike any other European society. And it goes beyond the rich:poor divide you’d see in America or say France.
The upper class look down on the working and middle class, viewing any self made money with disdain. Unless you’re a blue blood your money doesn’t really count. Money is not the only factor.
The working class in turn tend to view anyone who tries to climb the ladder as a class traitor or someone who doesn’t know their place. “Crabs in a bucket” if you will. Self made success is sneered at the same as multi-generational inherited (and unearned) wealth.
As an expat who’s recently visited back, I’m astounded at how UK smokers behave. Not even on a night out either; the chef on break flicking the finished end into the street puddle, folks lighting up right outside shop entrances, or the general lack of awareness towards smoking around children. Socially learned behavior that never gets the same tutting you might a speeding car or queue jumper.
I took a trip abroad years ago and was bewildered to see a guy light up and then pull out a foil-type pouch too. Not only did the butt go into that pouch for later disposal, but all his ash did too. I’ve heard Japan is much the same way, even Americans are far better culturally about sequestering themselves before smoking.
@Milk_Sheikh
@lemm.ee