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Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 11:12 - Jan 26 by NthQldITFC
I don't know much about economics, but my impression is that has two major, major faults:
1. It's treated as a 'science' - there are elements of science to it, but nothing like the precision or reliable measurability of a proper science, and yet conclusions are drawn and adhered to based on woolliness. It's as much of an art as a science, but economists won't accept that.
2. Old, outdated, irrelevant models are stuck to - almost religiously - in a rapidly changing environment, with the dogma of "That's how things are done". Vested interests, both intellectual and financial. These models are dangerously - highly dangerously - unsuited to the extremely fragile societal and environmental infrastructure we and everything else on Earth depends upon.
How far wide of the mark am I with that? What else?
“How far wide of the mark am I with that? What else?”
Asking the wrong poster there, you’ll just get another AI word salad quoting other unqualified bloggers.
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Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 13:36 - Jan 26 with 699 views
In a sense, the biggest threat to the U.K. is its inability to recognise that the world has changed. It will continue to do so rapidly yet our inept, party-first politicians are in complete denial. They cling to the post-war rules based world defined by the US primarily, but that is dead.
The UN and all that sort of thing is in the dustbin of history yet people still cling to the idea of things like NATO. I’m not sure Trump would ride to the rescue of anything much beyond Mar a Lago so if any country thinks the US will help them if under threat, they need to have a rethink.
Europe needs to face the future. It has the capability technically, creatively and financially. It just needs the will to form those new alliances that actually can reach across the world. That includes the U.K. albeit not with Farage and his c-wombles anywhere near anything.
The demise of America, which is what’ll happen long term, presents opportunity not a threat. It’s current threat in the shape of shtgibbon and friends as I believe benign and temporary.
By comparison, Russia’s threat is neither benign or temporary. Since Putin slithered onto the scene that’s become increasingly obvious. It is malicious, hungry for others’ territory (its leaders, not the poor people) and for a return to its weird perception of history. That it cares so little for the lives of its own people let alone others shows just what a hideous threat they are.
Russia is therefore the greatest threat to the U.K. right now. We don’t have too many years to get our sht together and face the challenge.
1
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 13:40 - Jan 26 with 694 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 00:23 - Jan 22 by Ryorry
My knee-jerk vote went to the USA, but then I searched (googled) for "which country poses the greatest threat by way of nuclear weapons"?, and AI came up with this -
"AI Overview Based on analysis from early 2026, Russia is considered to pose the most immediate and direct nuclear threat to global security and stability. This assessment is driven by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, its rhetoric regarding tactical nuclear weapon use, and its massive, modernized arsenal.
Key Findings on Immediate Nuclear Threats (2026):
RUSSIA Russia holds the largest total inventory of nuclear warheads (over 5,400). It has repeatedly used nuclear intimidation tactics during the war in Ukraine, lowered its nuclear threshold, and deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, creating a high-risk situation. Experts consider it the most likely state to use a nuclear weapon first in a conflict. Expiration of Treaties: The Feb. 5, 2026, expiration of the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia—the last major agreement limiting their strategic arsenals—is expected to trigger a new, unconstrained arms race.
North Korea: North Korea presents a severe, imminent danger to East Asia and the U.S., with a rapidly advancing missile program and enough material for 45-55 nuclear weapons. It has been expanding its capabilities with assistance from Russia.
China: China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, on a trajectory to potentially have as many Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) as Russia or the U.S. by the end of the decade.
The Middle East: A potentially renewed war between Israel and Iran in 2026 represents a major, volatile nuclear risk, as Iran continues to enrich uranium.
(Conclusion): While other nations possess nuclear capabilities, the actions and arsenal size of Russia make it the primary concern for the most immediate nuclear threat in 2026."
Edit: It could be argued though that Putin's Russia is supported by T.rump's USA ...
[Post edited 22 Jan 0:26]
I really would love if TWTD posters would stop subcontracting their thoughts out to generative AI.
2
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 13:45 - Jan 26 with 682 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 10:32 - Jan 26 by CoachRob
Does Russia still exist? I remember several economists stating that Russia would "run out of money" because of Western sanctions and we all know how brilliant economists are at explaining money to people.
I saw poor old Lowers was pumping out the Lionel Robbins nonsense the other day, but some winners of the top prize in economics are starting to come out against mainstream economics. Angus Deaton(not him!) stated,"...today we are in some disarray." Will I get my wish that this nonsense is finally put in the dustbin?
in the face of some stiff competition, your weird economics grudge makes you consistently one of the strangest posters on here. congrats.
And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show
-1
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 14:05 - Jan 26 with 667 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 12:26 - Jan 26 by noggin
Is the answer to all those "Margaret Thatcher"?
Coal maybe, gas and oil the current government . Thatcher was by no means perfect but like now allow the Unions to dictate and just like in the bad old days where to move a dial on a mini meant renegotiating pay and who did what lead to constant strikes and the demise if the British car Industry. Where the Unions even had an agreement with British leyland that security wouldn't check any vehicles leaving their factories for four years. However Thatcher was responsible to a large extent for the lack of Council properties where her "Right to buy" was a godsend to those who wished to get on the housing ladder, but the prevention of allowing councils to replenish their stock was a grave error. Although I have bought my own house I have reservations as to whether it really makes sense as if needing a care home local councils can use the money for that care. Whereas a person renting or even in a council property even though able to afford to buy is not expected to contribute should they spend as they go and not have discernable funds. When I was a kid only professional people owned their homes or those with a business. Most of the rest lived in Council houses.
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Reform UK obviously - because they are supported by Russia, and represent.. on 15:34 - Jan 26 with 625 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 11:12 - Jan 26 by NthQldITFC
I don't know much about economics, but my impression is that has two major, major faults:
1. It's treated as a 'science' - there are elements of science to it, but nothing like the precision or reliable measurability of a proper science, and yet conclusions are drawn and adhered to based on woolliness. It's as much of an art as a science, but economists won't accept that.
2. Old, outdated, irrelevant models are stuck to - almost religiously - in a rapidly changing environment, with the dogma of "That's how things are done". Vested interests, both intellectual and financial. These models are dangerously - highly dangerously - unsuited to the extremely fragile societal and environmental infrastructure we and everything else on Earth depends upon.
How far wide of the mark am I with that? What else?
Can you not make the same arguments about science as well though. How many times have the goalposts been moved by scientists with regards to climate change projections made in the 1980’s/1990’s. And still the estimates of impacts and severity are subject to debate.
Likewise many scientific claims estimates of mortality etc from COVID were miles out. This isn’t an anti-science thing, rather the opposite- because science gets things wrong we don’t stop listening to them or ‘trashing’ their discipline. Doctor’s routinely misdiagnose things - sometimes with fatal results, nobody serious then rejects their knowledge and turns to obscure dogmatic unqualified people in the corners of the internet. Part of the discipline is understanding how things ACTUALLY work, which is what some seem to struggle with.
[Post edited 26 Jan 15:36]
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Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 21:28 - Jan 26 with 553 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 11:12 - Jan 26 by NthQldITFC
I don't know much about economics, but my impression is that has two major, major faults:
1. It's treated as a 'science' - there are elements of science to it, but nothing like the precision or reliable measurability of a proper science, and yet conclusions are drawn and adhered to based on woolliness. It's as much of an art as a science, but economists won't accept that.
2. Old, outdated, irrelevant models are stuck to - almost religiously - in a rapidly changing environment, with the dogma of "That's how things are done". Vested interests, both intellectual and financial. These models are dangerously - highly dangerously - unsuited to the extremely fragile societal and environmental infrastructure we and everything else on Earth depends upon.
How far wide of the mark am I with that? What else?
No economists your say.
"The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” ― Ezra Solomon
"In economics, hope and faith coexist with great scientific pretension and also a deep desire for respectability." ― J K Galbraith
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 15:35 - Jan 26 by SuperKieranMcKenna
Can you not make the same arguments about science as well though. How many times have the goalposts been moved by scientists with regards to climate change projections made in the 1980’s/1990’s. And still the estimates of impacts and severity are subject to debate.
Likewise many scientific claims estimates of mortality etc from COVID were miles out. This isn’t an anti-science thing, rather the opposite- because science gets things wrong we don’t stop listening to them or ‘trashing’ their discipline. Doctor’s routinely misdiagnose things - sometimes with fatal results, nobody serious then rejects their knowledge and turns to obscure dogmatic unqualified people in the corners of the internet. Part of the discipline is understanding how things ACTUALLY work, which is what some seem to struggle with.
[Post edited 26 Jan 15:36]
The thing is with 'proper' science things tighten up as you get more data, improve methods, refine test equipment, tweak theories, test again, calculate error ranges and so on.
Climate change science is a good example of that actually.
With economics, as far as I can make out, people largely pull things out of their arses and try to sell them as diamonds.
Good work by Philogene...... GREAT WORK BY PHILOGENE!!!
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 22:15 - Jan 26 by NthQldITFC
The thing is with 'proper' science things tighten up as you get more data, improve methods, refine test equipment, tweak theories, test again, calculate error ranges and so on.
Climate change science is a good example of that actually.
With economics, as far as I can make out, people largely pull things out of their arses and try to sell them as diamonds.
Thanks for proving my point.
Didn’t have you down as someone so narrow minded.
[Post edited 26 Jan 22:30]
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Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 22:37 - Jan 26 with 504 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 22:50 - Jan 26 by NthQldITFC
You probably have a point there, it was a very lazy comment.
I suppose what pisses me off so much is that we still chase 'growth' and measure and worship 'GDP' as our fkn planet starts to die around us.
That's not just the economists of course, it's all of us, but they're an easy target.
It’s just an economic measure though - economists aren’t deciding public policy, that’s the government. Especially given the UK gov (red or blue) are disingenuous in reporting it (I.e. per capita growth has either stagnated or declined for most of the last decade, and Starmer will wheel out Reeves to trumpet 0.1pc ‘growth’ whilst we all get poorer.
It’s the government who decides to add 1m additional consumers every year because they lack the vision or bravery to tackle long term structural issues. Economists are simply measuring, projecting and monitoring- your ire should be directed at those mediocre MP’s making the decisions.
0
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 01:19 - Jan 27 with 448 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 12:27 - Jan 22 by lowhouseblue
it's things like that that make me think that politics on twtd often has a primarily therapeutic purpose. global events are big, scarey, and individuals are powerless, so constantly banging on about trump in the most extreme terms online is just like one of those rage rooms.
I voted Russia. Sorry to contradict your grand hypothesis. The rest of your post is patronising hogwash. Pretty impressive from an early Trump applogist
3
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 10:50 - Jan 27 with 353 views
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 01:19 - Jan 27 by reusersfreekicks
I voted Russia. Sorry to contradict your grand hypothesis. The rest of your post is patronising hogwash. Pretty impressive from an early Trump applogist
You see, if I was in lowhouse's position (which thankfully I am not) I would feel that there was now no option but to change my user name to 'Patronising_Hogwash'...
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 13:36 - Jan 26 by Churchman
In a sense, the biggest threat to the U.K. is its inability to recognise that the world has changed. It will continue to do so rapidly yet our inept, party-first politicians are in complete denial. They cling to the post-war rules based world defined by the US primarily, but that is dead.
The UN and all that sort of thing is in the dustbin of history yet people still cling to the idea of things like NATO. I’m not sure Trump would ride to the rescue of anything much beyond Mar a Lago so if any country thinks the US will help them if under threat, they need to have a rethink.
Europe needs to face the future. It has the capability technically, creatively and financially. It just needs the will to form those new alliances that actually can reach across the world. That includes the U.K. albeit not with Farage and his c-wombles anywhere near anything.
The demise of America, which is what’ll happen long term, presents opportunity not a threat. It’s current threat in the shape of shtgibbon and friends as I believe benign and temporary.
By comparison, Russia’s threat is neither benign or temporary. Since Putin slithered onto the scene that’s become increasingly obvious. It is malicious, hungry for others’ territory (its leaders, not the poor people) and for a return to its weird perception of history. That it cares so little for the lives of its own people let alone others shows just what a hideous threat they are.
Russia is therefore the greatest threat to the U.K. right now. We don’t have too many years to get our sht together and face the challenge.
Attached is an example of why Europe is so weak and ripe for plucking.
France is essentially putting its own economic self interest first. Even at the expense of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, let alone the rest of Europe. France and the other EU countries do not have anything of the capability of Storm Shadow but politics and Brexit punishment come first. I suspect the same will apply to DragonFire (anti drone lasers coming into service) and the 6th Gen Tempest Typhoon replacement programme, should it happen.
Until countries like France recognise the threat, forget it. Russia can dine on Europe course by course.
1
Who is the greatest threat to the UK right now? on 17:39 - Jan 27 with 267 views
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