Charlie StrossNov 8, 2024

I'd just like to remind Americans that France is currently on its Fifth Republic since 1789 (with three Empires—with monarchs—interleaved until 1870).

The USA appears to be in the dying days of its Second Republic (time out in 1860-65) but something better will emerge eventually, if we avoid planetary ecosystem collapse in the meantime.

This, too, shall pass.

Show threadWilfried Klaebe
@cstross That's quite a big "if" this time.
Nov 8, 2024 at 11:44amWeb
Show threadKid ManiaNov 8, 2024

@wonka @cstross
It really is a big "if"--

"...if we avoid planetary ecosystem collapse in the meantime..."

😂
Under Trump -- of course -- all worries about climate, climate action or climate change are effectively dead. He's made it clear time and time again.

"...This, too, shall pass...."

As concerns climate, no, no it won't.

Show threadCharlie StrossNov 8, 2024
@clintruin @wonka Trump presides over a decaying superpower with about 5% of the planetary population and a declining share of GDP. He can ignore climate change but climate change won't ignore him. The rest of the world will hopefully learn from his mistakes.
Show threadKid ManiaNov 8, 2024
@cstross @wonka
That word "hopefully" sure is doing a lot of heavy lifting these days, eh?
Show threadCharlie StrossNov 8, 2024
@clintruin @wonka Yes it WILL pass, in the same way that the end Cretaceous extinction event passed within only a few million years. Sucked to be a non-flying dinosaur, though.
Show threadPteryx the Puzzle SecretaryNov 8, 2024

@cstross @clintruin @wonka

Is the extinction of the entire human race, the death of all known sapience, supposed to give us hope?

Show threadKid ManiaNov 8, 2024

@pteryx @cstross @wonka
Meh. We're like cockroaches. It's hard to get rid of us all. As for hope, I dunno what to tell you. How about this reliable stand-by...?

It is what it is.

Show threadSpace HoboNov 8, 2024
@clintruin @wonka @cstross https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9U23uF8RAE ← It is by no means rosy, but it's important to focus on the realities of the global context and not fall into fatalist impotence.
What does a second Trump term mean for climate action?

YouTube
Show threadSteve PopovichNov 8, 2024
@clintruin @wonka @cstross it will pass, but it could pass like a kidney stone...or worse, it may pass only because humanity does.