Thread

1. askonomm · 1790329035 · focus · HN ↗

   Any move away from the abusive big tech that exists in USA is a good move in my book. Microsoft just recently made a new patent where they will monitor you via camera and microphone to block your program/game to show you ads, and per ads viewed, you then earn credit to be able to use your program/game. It is absolutely wild to me how a corporation can be so toxic and abusive to its users and still be in business.

   1. llm_nerd · 1790338623 · focus · HN ↗

      > Microsoft just recently made a new patent

      Microsoft has done a lot of super shady things, and they are domiciled in a hyper-corrupt, lawless threat to humanity (one that elects quite possibly the stupidest human alive -- a rapist abomination halfwit clown -- to the highest office), however people do make far too much of the patent thing.

      A lot of firms reward groups and employees that get granted patents. It doesn't actually matter if you're spitballing the most absurd nonsense that no one ever asked for and is nowhere on the product map, someone writes the application and gives it a shot. A patent being granted doesn't mean that a single person ever envisions doing this or asked for it implemented, and honestly the idea that they "invented" this is just how farcical the patent system is.

      In this case the patent is held by Microsoft's "Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC", which is their "patent extortion" racket. So they literally wrote this hoping to catch someone doing something found in a single claim so that they can use the legal system to rob from people.

      1. ericmay · 1790340136 · focus · HN ↗

         [dead]

         1. tosti · 1790347883 · focus · HN ↗

            Well I despise your president too but we can't be one of the smallest countries in the world and be the greater threat to humanity.

            Sincerely, a Dutch guy.

            1. ericmay · 1790349358 · focus · HN ↗

               Why not? You could build nuclear bombs and start using them or threatening to use them and that would be a greater threat to humanity.

               Plus I didn't say you were the greatest threat today, that would be Russia and probably Iran as a clear #2, I said you were historically much worse because of your colonialist past.

               1. microtonal · 1790352253 · focus · HN ↗

                  The US (or Trump) is the bigger threat because it is currently actively destroying the rule-based world order, which introduces exactly the lawlessness, chaotic times that opens the window for Iran and Russia to 'do business'. Plus it is destroying the its alliances, which were part of keeping the equilibrium between power blocks in tact.

                  One can only hope that another power that cares about rules fills the void.

                  1. ericmay · 1790354701 · focus · HN ↗

                     > One can only hope that another power that cares about rules fills the void.

                     There isn't one. You've got the US or nobody at this point, unfortunately.

                     > The US (or Trump) is the bigger threat because it is currently actively destroying the rule-based world order, which introduces exactly the lawlessness, chaotic times that opens the window for Iran and Russia to 'do business'.

                     Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 when Trump wasn't president. Iran attacked Israel and kicked off a new and worse round of fighting in 2023 when Trump was also not president - the war today is just a continuation of that latest round.

                     While he has done some damage to the alliance by being a jackoff he also forced Europe to spend more which was required for defense. Europe also made itself dependent on Russian oil and gas, even recently France un-sanctioned some Russian billionaires and is making some awful decisions too.

                     1. TiredOfLife · 1790356437 · focus · HN ↗

                        Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014.

                        1. ericmay · 1790356849 · focus · HN ↗

                           True, under Obama, but I think that's materially different in size and scope.

                           Why didn't Europe go to war with Russia then or start building military forces to deter another Russian war in Europe once Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014? Russia actually invaded them I believe a long time ago in the 1920s or 1940s under the authoritarian and evil communist regime.

                           1. microtonal · 1790359152 · focus · HN ↗

                              I agree with most things that you have been saying in this thread. But this I agree fully with. Europe should have rearmed in 2014 and this was a big failure of European governments (including Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, who was prime minister of NL back then).

                              I am happy that we are increasing spending and building up our own industry now. But it was far to late and it was fair for US presidents to criticize Europe for it. Note though that this happened as early as Bush and the 2% norm was established under Obama. Mark Rutte just sold the 2% to Trump as Trump's own win (initially during Trump I) to keep the US on board.

                              The current 3.5% is still the same 2%. It's some weasel wording about investing 1.5% in infrastructure that benefits the military as well. But you can put pretty much under that umbrella. It was purely to appease Trump. Though a lot of countries are going above 2% anyway due to the increasing Russian threat.

                              1. ericmay · 1790450402 · focus · HN ↗

                                 I know Trump has caused a lot of divisions but we can continue to try to have productive discussions and I appreciate that you fairly pointed out your agreement here. There are many things we agree with, I believe. For example I believe the US should support Ukraine.

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