Potus ???

[Steven P]

1 hour ago, GarethM said:

And what if they don't turn on him ?.

 

And what if America actually begins to prosper again, wellllllllllll ?.

 

And before you wear your pearls out, what I wrote was a question so get off your soapbox before you get a nosebleed.

 

Fairly confident that in the next 3 3/4 years (or 3 1/2 till the next US election) that consumer prices in the US will be higher than they are today... even with the usual "accounting for inflation".. that might have to be another one I come back to and say "I told you so".

 

 

The US business model is make as much money as possible. I think it is fair to say that if an importing direct competitor puts their prices up and without their cheaper price to moderate the market you'd put the prices up to capitalise.

 

Could you in all seriousness - and you are not an idiot Gareth so I usually assume your thought is considered - in all serious could you stand up and be counted to say that after a short period of price increases brought on by tariffs, once US manufacturing and production kicks in US goods will drop again to their starting price (plus inflation).

 

 

 

** Inflation... of course I am assuming normal about 3% inflation and not inflation brought in by price increases caused by tariffs

[Johnsond]

11 hours ago, Steven P said:

Don't encourage him Gareth, this thread is contentious enough at times and trying to keep a relevant and useful discussion going needs some reminding what we are talking about.

 

Might have escaped your notice, I am not President nor have I stood to be president (something to do with Aliens and all that being barred from standing). So an irrelevance.

 

How’s Gareth’s reply encouraging anyone you daft bugger 

Or is that you working the narrative for all it’s worth. 
Lot of global level financial predictions from you on here today SP 🤔be interesting to see from what perspective other than being able to read the news you make them from 😂perhaps a description of what you do might help explain the level of knowledge on all subjects you bring to the forum 🤷‍♂️

Edited 17 hours ago by Johnsond

[GarethM]

25 minutes ago, Steven P said:

Fairly confident that in the next 3 3/4 years (or 3 1/2 till the next US election) that consumer prices in the US will be higher than they are today... even with the usual "accounting for inflation".. that might have to be another one I come back to and say "I told you so".

 

The US business model is make as much money as possible. I think it is fair to say that if an importing direct competitor puts their prices up and without their cheaper price to moderate the market you'd put the prices up to capitalise.

 

Could you in all seriousness - and you are not an idiot Gareth so I usually assume your thought is considered - in all serious could you stand up and be counted to say that after a short period of price increases brought on by tariffs, once US manufacturing and production kicks in US goods will drop again to their starting price (plus inflation).

 

** Inflation... of course I am assuming normal about 3% inflation and not inflation brought in by price increases caused by tariffs

I do actually think he's got a good chance of driving down prices and to a certain degree removing a lot of the dodgy food additives will help make that possible and healthier without the oil derived colours and tongue twister named chemicals.

 

Lower price energy is the key thing that dictates absolutely everything including the cost of manufacturing.

[Big J]

15 minutes ago, GarethM said:

I do actually think he's got a good chance of driving down prices and to a certain degree removing a lot of the dodgy food additives will help make that possible and healthier without the oil derived colours and tongue twister named chemicals.

 

Lower price energy is the key thing that dictates absolutely everything including the cost of manufacturing.

 

Do you have the same dealer as Trump? You smoking the same stuff as POTUS is the only explanation for that kind of willful ignorance.

 

Tarriffs in all circumstances increase the cost of goods. Americans import more than they export because they like cheap stuff and have built their economy on the idea of acquiring more cheap stuff. If the government is applying an import tax on everything that comes in, it's not going to get cheaper. The US has one of the most overvalued currencies and highest cost of living in the world - they aren't going to be able to produce goods that can compete with imports.

China for example - if the importer has a final cost of $100 for a toaster from China, over $30 of that is tax, going directly to the US Treasury, which Trump will give back directly to his cronies, in the form of massive tax cuts for the top 1%.

It's really pretty simple. Trump loves two things. Attention (which he is getting lots of) and money, which he is squeezing every last drop of out of his presidential office.

[Mark J]

23 hours ago, sime42 said:

 

Indeed. Care to elaborate?

 

 

How Algorithms Sway Public Opinion Through Social Media

Social media algorithms are powerful tools that shape public opinion by controlling the visibility and dissemination of content. Their design prioritizes engagement, often amplifying sensational, emotionally charged, or polarizing material. Below are key mechanisms through which algorithms influence public opinion:

1. Amplification of Polarizing Content

• Algorithms prioritize content that generates strong emotional reactions—such as outrage or fear—because such material drives higher engagement. This can escalate political controversies and deepen societal divides13.

• For example, during protests in Lebanon (2023), algorithms amplified sensational posts, spreading misinformation and heightening public tensions1.

2. Creation of Echo Chambers

• Algorithms curate content based on users' past behavior, leading to "filter bubbles" where individuals are exposed primarily to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. This reduces exposure to diverse viewpoints and fosters ideological polarization16.

• Facebook’s algorithm has been criticized for reinforcing ideological bubbles, inadvertently deepening political divides1.

3. Spread of Misinformation

• Political actors exploit algorithms by creating fake accounts and bots to flood social media with manipulated narratives. These bots amplify certain messages, making them appear more popular and credible than they are124.

• A notable example occurred during the 2024 political unrest in Dhaka, where a manipulated video falsely depicting a government official fueled violence and chaos1.

4. Computational Propaganda

• Governments and political parties use algorithms, automation, and big data to conduct organized manipulation campaigns. These campaigns spread disinformation, incite violence, and lower trust in democratic institutions4.

• The Oxford Internet Institute identified such campaigns in over 80 countries, highlighting their global prevalence and impact on democracy14.

5. Manipulation Through Bots

• Social media bots fabricate large volumes of posts, comments, and likes to create the illusion of widespread support or opposition for specific viewpoints. This shapes public opinion subtly but effectively2.

• Bots also manipulate trending topics by strategically using hashtags and keywords to amplify their messages2.

6. Influence on Elections

• Algorithms determine the visibility of political content during elections, influencing which campaign messages reach voters. This can sway electoral outcomes by amplifying biased or misleading narratives7.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

The use of algorithms raises critical questions about balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations:

• Polarization vs Diversity: While algorithms can expose users to opposing views, they often make extremist voices more visible while hiding moderate perspectives3.

• Disinformation: The rapid spread of false information undermines informed public discourse and democratic processes4.

Safeguarding Against Manipulation

To mitigate algorithmic influence:

• Question the credibility of information encountered online.

• Follow diverse news sources for balanced perspectives.

• Engage in discussions with people holding different viewpoints.

• Report false or misleading content to curb misinformation1.
  
  https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-are-algorithms-used-in-swa-R29fiS1eT8GId25DX1Ebig

   

[Johnsond]

2 minutes ago, Mark J said:

Engage in discussions with people holding different viewpoints

Well that’s anyone on here outside the ATL ****************ed 

[sime42]

Thanks for your input Davey, but I think the conversation has reached a higher level now.

 

 

[Mesterh]

3 hours ago, GarethM said:

Everyone knows Guinness is liquidised penguins and the white stuff floats to the top

If I only knew it was protein and alcohol I would have moved to Ireland years ago!

 

[Mark J]

Who are Cambridge Analytica?

Cambridge Analytica was a British political consulting firm founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of SCL Group. The company specialized in using data analytics and psychological profiling to influence voter behavior. It became infamous for its role in the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal, where it improperly harvested the personal data of up to 87 million Facebook users to create targeted political advertisements. This data was used in high-profile campaigns, including Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The company declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in May 2018 following global backlash and investigations into its practices147.

Did Cambridge Analytica Play a Role in Brexit?

The firm's involvement in the Brexit referendum remains controversial:

• Allegations of Involvement: Documents and testimony from whistleblower Brittany Kaiser suggest that Cambridge Analytica worked with Leave.EU and UKIP, analyzing data to assist the pro-Brexit campaign. However, there was no formal contract between the parties, and payments were made indirectly25.

• Denials and Investigations: Both Leave.EU and Cambridge Analytica denied formal collaboration during the referendum. Investigations by the UK Electoral Commission found no definitive evidence of their involvement in Brexit campaigning, though some MPs have called for further scrutiny based on emerging evidence258.

[sime42]

32 minutes ago, GarethM said:

I do actually think he's got a good chance of driving down prices and to a certain degree removing a lot of the dodgy food additives will help make that possible and healthier without the oil derived colours and tongue twister named chemicals.

 

Lower price energy is the key thing that dictates absolutely everything including the cost of manufacturing.

 

Seriously, you think he is going to make American "food" healthier? I dont. They invented most of the crap, driven by the need to make ever more profit from food and agriculture. If anything he'll be trying to sneak even more oil derived compounds into his people's mouths. Drill baby drill and all that. Probably not colourings though, that was last century, there's far more harmful and more importantly profitable additives being used these days.

 

Also, don't forget that Trump is still trying to push their growth hormone laden beef and chlorinated chicken onto our UK plates. Our beef is "weak" don't you know!