There’s also a “simple english” Wikipedia: simple.wikipedia.org

Dang, in which country are you talking about Liège in elementary school?

Totally agree. But I’m a bit pessimistic that modern fascism and extreme wealth concentration stops at one man. In my view, it’s more of a systemic issue. If he dies, the system that put him in place still thrives.

I agree. “One of the most important day in modern history” though? That’s a bit exceptionalistic IMO.

Now we have elastics and stretchy fabric. I guess it was more difficult to have a firm and comfortable hold with loose fabric.

Sure! Here’s a nice article by Mireille Elchacar, lexicologist and professor at TELUQ university.

The relevant portion:

Le 8 mai 1673, l’Académie française tranche en faveur de l’orthographe savante « qui distingue les gens de Lettres d’avec les Ignorants et les simples femmes ».

My translation:

The 8 of May, 1673, the French Academy decides in favor of a scholarly orthography “which distinguishes literary people from the ignorants and simple women”.

Yikes! That’s the basis of the “etymologic” or rather pseudo-etymologic orthography of French. The French Academy is still the authority for the French language, a remnant of the Ancient Régime. To my knowledge, they haven’t retracted this statement since and to my judgement they still adhere to it by their actions and decisions today.

My views on spelling changed dramatically over time. I am able to spell very well (in French) so I used it for moral superiority.

Then I learned and realized that the French opaque, obtuse spelling system has been openly and admittedly designed for social elitism and discrimination. It’s less about intellect and more about education, i.e., privileges and social class. Mastery of a dumb, nonsensical spelling system is no intellectual feat, it’s a circus act.

English orthography is also dumb and nonsensical, but I guess this is due to the hybrid nature of the language and the lack of an Academy. But it’s also used by elitists for moral superiority, which I find hilarious.

Ooh, whoosh on me. Thanks!

I do it all the time :'( But if it’s an important subject or if someone asks for a serious answer, I’m always frank

E: also, isn’t Machiavellianism “the ends justify the means”; aren’t you thinking of narcissism?

I guess most races don’t finish this close.

In Belgian French it’s 70, and in French² it’s 1000

Oh I am very aware and compassionate towards the dire state of mobility in the US. It’s just that you were dismissive of biking as if it had inherent insurmontable problems, whereas alternatives to cars are viable but have been suppressed politically.

Second point, it is not realistic to bike 3h one way to go to a far away park. But the question would be: does it make sense to go that far for a single day getaway? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have nice spaces in or around cities that people could go for an afternoon, but not expect to have true natural reserves commodified? People should have the right to accessible natural spaces, but the priority of reserves should be the nature, not the people. A massive presence of humans does damage.

Two common strawmen in favor of car dependency.

There are cheap electric bikes out there (at least much cheaper than a car). No need to be an athlete.

Disabled people are among those who suffer the most under car dependency. There should exist public transportation to go to parks for everyone, including disabled people.

Yep, we agree. In Western Europe I was thinking of Portugal and Eastern Europe the Baltics etc.

E: and the current ones are Russia and Belarus

The last dictatorship in Western Europe was 50 years ago. Eastern Europe was between 35 years ago and today.

Good point.

What’s your feeling on that? Happy because less generational wealth or mad because he is against transparency?

Siemens (NX etc) is pretty European though.

Maybe you’ve never seen a male minion yet.