nomadpete

Ok. A big schooner....

Something like this?

I have seen dieing towns and dieing pubs.... and a few unexpectedly successful pubs in towns that should have been too small to support a corner store. The biggest single element in a successful pub, is the social capability of the bloke/gal behind the bar. Eg, we had a local pub which was known as 'The Toilet Block' - it was an uninspiring bland concrete block rectangle. There were usually the same 4 'customers' leaning quietly against the bar. Then the ex Mayor of Toowoomba bought the pub. She spent a bit putting up a nice enclosed deck facing a river view, and a kitchen. With better staff, better ambiance and good pub food, the place became the place to be and it prospered. Then she sold it. It still has the view, but the staff are disinterested, the food is below average, and the place is now a shadow of its old self. They are going broke. Jerry, do you have the ability to make even the most dullwitted customer feel special? Always welcome, like an old friend? Few people do. But I think that is the most important ingredient in making money from a socially oriented business. I know I couldn't do it.

Jerry, I'm not worried by ChatGPT (etc). Sure the series of youtoobs are probably largely Hennypenny (sky is falling), but in the past our fantastic tech advances have not realised their potential for good. Seems that nefarious warmongers are better motivated than our educators.

Spacey, A.I. uses a camera to identify what a smart missile has been sent to hit. Then it guides the bomb to hit what it thinks it should. In comparison, what Russia is presently using is very old, out of date bombs that were left over after the cold war. The A.I. guided thing does not need internet, nor gps, nor any connection to the sender. It is told what it's target looks like and goes looking for it.

What has Donald Trump promised to do on day one of his second term? Well we have been bombarded with what he will do on 'day one'. What will Donald J Trump do on day two? Probably golf. Because he did everyting important on day one!

Fresh air!

True, but my brake pads/rotors generally last 200,000km. In that time my ute requires 20 general services @ over $150 per service. Not to mention a twice yearly inconvenience to do them. Yes tyre costs are the same. Now, what was your point about ongoing service costs, compared to an electric motor?

Didn't you watch that YouTube link I posted? The next stage of A.I. permits A.I. to do it's own research and also to 'adjust' it's own programming. To the extreme of priotorising it's own survival above that of humans?

OME, don't you remember back when we were taught that Television will lead to great innovations to learning? And will usher in a new age of awareness and knowledge? Now you are repeating that about a media that has all the same risks of misuse and misinformation?

I think the car would look great with the top down. Not so sure about the doll's though. And why would Nev want a terrorist doll in the car with him?

Ongoing service costs and inconvenience will send more people to buy an EV.

Tis curious how hard it is to get a car serviced in recent years. I have to book 3 months ahead for ours. As noted above, the only actual work is usually oil filter and engine oil change. And hopefully a look at brake pads etc. Last time, I did my own oil change and filter - cost me about $85. Nowadays I'm not agile enough to crawl under cars.

Probably the only way to go. Any woman who has been out for a Sunday drive in an open car - will know to never do that again. Windburn, sunburn, and messed hair! BTW, I did see a long suffering lady grimly tolerating a ride in a red MG TC today! All I can say is, hubby must have been very good to her this morning!

Morris Garages produced a MG Magnette, but I don't think it attracted any better than BMW's attempt.

The following youtube vid was not so funny. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6D4rsqxqSIc

Well, Nev, the afterlife must be really great because nobody has ever come back to complain about it, or to ask for their money back. Except Spacey, of course.

I most humbly apologise OME. I do not wish to denigrate any old persons by comparing them to the great orange rambler.

That's just to keep The Village People dry when they perform. They are getting on in years!

It's an innovative reinvention of the Emperor's New Clothes !

On balance, the Democrats collectively seemed to only offer 'business as ususl' to the people. From where I sit, 'business as usual' was steadily taking their country down. So I do understand the dilemma posed in their election. Neither option held much promise, so the wild card was their least worst choice. Wait and see. At least Musk said something relevant...."Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!" Which I apply to the next 4 year's news.

Anti Trump? Well I am. When he speaks, he seems incapable of anything better than rambling like an old man. I'm not saying that Democrats or anyting else in the USA government smells sweet. It doesn't. Sure some of his multitude of senseless biased ramblings contain a few gems of value. But taken together, his present position in global politics sends a shiver down my spine.

What ? Did T Abbot offer to hold Pootin's hose?

The mouse doth roar!

But they are definately NOT eternal.