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Joined 8 months ago
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Cake day: January 29th, 2025

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  • This is a very weird framing of this study. The original study (which is linked in the article) is in German. Those who don’t speak German will find a useful translation provider, I provide the study’s summary literal translation:

    >Young people: EU and democracy are good, but reforms are needed

    • 57% prefer democracy to any other form of government - 39% think that the EU does not function particularly democratically
    • Young Europeans want change - 53% criticize the EU for being too preoccupied with trivialities instead of focusing on the essentials
    • Cost of living, defense against external threats and better conditions for businesses should be priorities for the EU
    • Only 42% think that the EU is one of the three most powerful global political players

    Among others, the study also says (again, a direct translation, I am not paraphrasing):

    48% of young Europeans believe that democracy in their country is under threat, compared to 61% in Germany. Two thirds rate their country’s membership of the EU as positive. At the same time, 53% of young people criticize the fact that the EU is too often concerned with minor issues. Half of 16 to 26-year-olds think the EU is a good idea, but very poorly implemented.

    I don’t say that everything is perfect, but the whole study paints a completely different picture than this article - and especially its headline - appears to suggest.

    [Edit my comments for clarity, translation has not been edited.]


  • This is not about “China vs USA”. The US (or the EU, or any other continent, bloc, and country) has nothing to do with this issue, may it “suck” or not.

    There is a good video documentary. It is from 2021, but still very accurate and worth watching.

    How Tim Cook Surrendered Apple to the Chinese Government – (Invidious link)

    Apple is making billions of dollars integrating into countries with authoritarian regimes. Even if it means helping to cement the power of the ruling elite or enabling egregious abuse of human rights. And there doesn’t seem to be anything Apple wouldn’t do for the sake of growth and expansion. Apple cites compliance with local laws as the reason for giving human rights abuse a go. But the actions of the most valuable company in the world go far beyond compliance with the law.

    (Here is the original YT link to the video.)

    [Edit typo and for clarity.]