Decades ago, sunroofs on a car was a big thing. In those days us guys were all about installing FM converters and 8-track tape players to our AM radios, installing cherry bomb mufflers to our engines, and installing a CB radio to our dash.
We would customize the interior with shag carpeting, and this kind of carpeting that looked a lot like “cotton candy”.
We also, when we could afford it, install a sunroof.
One of my friends wanted to install a sunroof onto his van. And so he dutifully measured the size of the sunroof, and cut the pattern, and then installed the glass in place, and it fell straight through. What a mess!
Ah, for certain, he fixed the problem with a friend who knew how to weld, and all was good with the world, but still. Measure twice cut once.
Lessons learned.
Measure twice. Cut once.
Today…
The Best China-Made EV I Have Ever Seen | You Can’t Buy This in the States!!!
Another Q&A with DeepSeek….
This is a hot topic in Quora. A very comprehensive and excellent answer! I would add MERITOCRACY in the China’s model which is not mentioned in the answer.
Q: Could the USA operate and govern like China?
A: DeepSeek:
The question of whether the United States could adopt a governance system akin to China’s is complex, as it hinges on fundamental differences in political philosophy, cultural values, historical context, and institutional structures.
While the U.S. and China both face modern governance challenges (e.g., economic inequality, technological disruption, climate change), their systems operate on divergent principles. Below is a structured analysis of the feasibility and implications:
1. Fundamental Differences in Governance Models
2. Could the U.S. Operate Like China?
Constitutional and Cultural Barriers
– Constitutional Incompatibility: The U.S. Constitution enshrines individual rights, federalism, and checks on centralized power. Adopting China’s model would require dismantling these foundations—a process likely deemed illegitimate and unconstitutional.
– Cultural Values: American political culture emphasizes individualism, skepticism of state power, and democratic participation. China’s system prioritizes collective stability and deference to authority—values rooted in Confucianism and socialist ideology.
Structural Challenges
– Federal vs. Centralized Power: The U.S. federal system grants significant autonomy to states, unlike China’s unitary system. Centralizing authority would face resistance from states and local governments.
– Private Sector Dynamics: China’s state-led economy relies on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and party oversight. The U.S. economy, driven by private innovation and competition, would resist such control.
Public Acceptance
– Polls consistently show that most Americans prioritize civil liberties over state efficiency. For example, China’s surveillance state (e.g., social credit system) or censorship apparatus would face widespread opposition.
3. Potential Areas of “Learning” (Without Full Adoption)
While a full shift to China’s system is implausible, the U.S. could selectively adopt certain pragmatic elements, albeit within democratic frameworks:
– Infrastructure Development: China’s ability to rapidly build high-speed rail or green energy projects could inspire U.S. reforms to streamline permitting and funding.
– Long-Term Planning: China’s five-year plans and focus on strategic industries (e.g., semiconductors) contrast with the U.S.’s short-term electoral cycles. Bipartisan commissions could emulate this.
– Anti-Corruption Measures: China’s aggressive (though politicized) anti-corruption campaigns might inform U.S. efforts to strengthen accountability.
4. Risks of Authoritarian Drift
Even partial moves toward China’s model could destabilize the U.S.:
– Erosion of Democratic Norms: Centralizing power risks authoritarianism, as seen in historical precedents (e.g., McCarthyism, post-9/11 surveillance expansions).
– Social Polarization: China’s system suppresses dissent; in the U.S., similar attempts would exacerbate political divisions.
– Economic Stagnation: Heavy state control could stifle innovation, a hallmark of the U.S. economy.
5. Why China’s System Would Struggle in the U.S.
– Diverse Population: China’s homogeneity (ethnic Han majority, shared language/culture) aids centralized control. The U.S.’s diversity necessitates compromise and pluralism.
– Global Role: The U.S. positions itself as a defender of democratic ideals worldwide. Adopting China’s model would undermine its soft power and alliances.
Conclusion
The U.S. cannot—and likely would not—govern like China due to irreconcilable differences in values, institutions, and societal expectations. While lessons in efficiency or long-term planning could be borrowed, the core of American governance (democracy, individualism, federalism) is antithetical to China’s authoritarian, centralized system. Hybrid approaches risk undermining the U.S.’s strengths without guaranteeing China’s outcomes, which themselves face challenges (e.g., demographic decline, debt-driven growth). Ultimately, each system reflects its unique historical and cultural path.
Moving on…
My wonderful dad passed away four years ago after a short illness. After his doctor saw him, they decided to move him to a different floor for hospice care. He was heavily sedated, and you could tell by his breathing that he wasn’t doing well. As they got ready to move him, a nurse pulled me aside and suggested that my husband and I spend the night. So, we stayed in his room, trying to get some sleep in our chairs. Around 2 am, my dad woke up and started fiddling with his oxygen and IV tubes, repeating, “All right. I’m all right,” over and over.
I got a little worried he might hurt himself, so I stood next to him, trying to get him to stop pulling at his IV. He kept saying, “I’m all right,” and trying to get out of bed (the hospice nurse mentioned this could happen, by the way). Then, he looked right at me, smiled, and said, “You’ll be all right too,” with those big, bright eyes.
We exchanged “I love yous” a few times, and I told him he should rest. But I could tell he really wanted to get up and walk one more time.
The nurse came in and gave him a shot to help him relax. That afternoon, my husband and I stepped out for a quick lunch while my sister-in-law and niece stayed with him. He quietly passed away while no one was watching.
I can’t help but think he was sharing something profound, a truth he knew for sure: that love was the final message, and that in death, we would be okay. He was the best dad, filled with pure love, laughter, and light.
EMAIL LEAK! TESLA BOMBERS WW3 WARNING ABOUT DRONES IS INSANE! DISINFORMATION WARNING!
How likely is it that Trump’s tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China would incentivise US companies to move their manufacturing home from abroad?
It won’t happen, other than the rare exceptions. US companies would not move their manufacturing home.
Costs in the US are too high.
Workers are difficult to find. They prefer soft jobs and work in air-con environments. Factory work requires technical skills, training, and discipline. The young ones would rather work in shops, in food & beverage and entertainment places, and even as gig workers, which are more free-and-easy.
Even high paid jobs, such as offered by TSMC in Arizona go a-begging.
If they can survive only because of the tariff wall, they know their future is not bright.
They would want subsidies for their investments to move back.
Such a move would therefore be with the sense of opportunism rather than permanence. Workers can easily sense this and will come and go.
Chicken Curry 3
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, chopped
- Butter
- 2 frying chickens, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tablespoons curry powder
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a heavy skillet, sauté onions in butter until golden and set aside.
- Brown chicken on all side in butter in a large skillet.
- Add water, onions, curry, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on top of stove over low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until chicken is tender.
- Serve with rice and condiments as desired.
Notes
Suggested condiments: salted peanuts, grated coconut, chutney, chopped hard cooked eggs, crumbled bacon, raisins, chopped tomato, green pepper and onion in lemon juice.
Do you really believe the hype on DeepSeek? Are the tech bros claiming the US behind so they can get taxpayers to pay for US Deepseek instead of paying for it themselves?
My wife tried to run 5 Problems from JEE Past year papers
DeepSeek solved 5/5 with total of 2:10 think time (130 seconds)
ChatGPT solved 5/5 with total of 1:50 think time (110 seconds)
Meta and Gemini solved 0/5 , fully wrong
So definitely if Deepseek is open source, it is absolutely worth the hype
What is a mail order bride and what do they do?
My dad married a “mail order bride”, so I’ll weigh in on this. A “mail order bride” is both a misnomer and more than a little condescending.
Back in the day what would happen is these companies would create these “catalogs” with women that were interested in marrying a male from a foreign country. As far as I know, this most pretty much exclusively a 3rd world thing.
You as a lonely man, paying the service get this catalog and think that Mary from the Philippines sounds great. Beautiful and loves to cook! So, you write her a letter, she gets to see your profile and decide if she metaphorically wants to swipe left or right. If she digs the cut of your jib, then you just got yourself a new pen pal. You correspond for weeks and months, you have phone calls and then eventually you make the very long trip to the remote island in the Philippines to meet Mary. If that goes well then you continue on and probably start planning for all the sexiness of legal migration for her to your country.
That’s pretty much much it, it’s more or less an international dating service. Some people hate it and see it as exploitative, while it certainly can be, I think that’s an oversimplification. It can certainly be used to create abusive relationships, but that’s hardly unique to this situation. I imagine there are some shady agencies that very much do exploit the women, but certainly not all.
Morally I’m pretty agnostic or indifferent about it all. Yes it can be used for bad reasons by shitty people, but it can also be used for good reasons by lonely people. Maybe you live in an area without many prospects or you’re painfully socially awkward or you struck out hard with regular online dating. For those dipshits imagining their 3rd world beauty is going to be a hot bang maid that serves his every desire then they’re in for a very rude awakening, they’ll claim she got Americanized, it’s really quite pathetic.
At the end of the day people choose relationships for a WIDE variety of reasons. It’s human nature to secure the best mate you think you can. While people may not like this approach, having seen countless shitty relationships and strange justifications for them, I just honestly don’t care. We live in a less than idealistic world, it’s just the way it is.
Shorpy
American Tiktok Refugees on RedNote App: Americans Are Moving to RedNote – A New Social Media Trend?
With TikTok’s future in the U.S. uncertain, users are searching for alternatives and many have landed on Xiaohongshu (RedNote), a popular Chinese social media app.
But what started as a simple platform switch is quickly turning into a global cultural exchange.
On RedNote, American users are opening up about rising living costs, rent struggles, and daily life challenges, while Chinese users share their perspectives on education, traditions, and family life.
This unexpected interaction is creating new conversations and deeper cultural understanding.
However, there’s a major difference RedNote follows China’s strict content policies.
Some American users have already faced content removals and censorship, sparking discussions about digital freedom and online regulations.
Despite this, interest in Chinese culture is growing fast.
More Americans are exploring Mandarin, engaging with Chinese traditions, and discovering new perspectives through global connections.
Is RedNote just a temporary TikTok replacement, or could it become a major social media platform in the U.S.?
Bright Light
Submitted into Contest #280 in response to: Write a story that solely consists of dialogue. (No dialogue tags, actions, or descriptions. Just pure dialogue!)… view prompt
James Scott
“…what…what is this? Where is everything? It’s all just…white light? There’s no road, why is there no road? No sky, no land. What the hell is going on!?”
“Yep, there’s nothing you want out there my friend. If you leave the car you’ll quickly get lost. Just ask your Uncle Brian. He couldn’t keep his cool when this happened to him, poor sod. Leapt right out apparently, didn’t even wait to stop.”
“Crazy Uncle Brian? He lost his marbles from a head injury. How do you know about him? Please…can you tell me what’s happening here? I just need to know where I am, I promise I won’t tell anyone if you just let me go, you can even keep the car.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll explain mate, I promise. All will become clear. Just take a deep breath, try to stay calm and lets talk. And for the love of God, put your belt on.”
*****
“Good. Now don’t you feel better? Strapped in, fully awake and cruising with an old timer like me behind the wheel. Easier as a passenger. Reminds you of being a kid I’ll bet. As long as you can let go of that stress induced by having someone else in control. I remember feeling all kinds of anxiety for years after I started driving. Takes that long to build up some experience, for things to become truly second nature. You’ll get there.”
“Sure, it’s just peachy over here. Now, who are you and where have you taken me?”
“Is that all you’re going to say? Why am I here, where are we going, who the hell are you, bla bla bla? Where did your sense of adventure go lad? Clearly something a little supernatural is going on. Have you not thought perhaps that this could be the start of something exciting?”
“Maybe once I would have reacted that way. Before I grew up and knew better. Before I understood that I wasn’t the main character in some story, that bad things could happen to me just as easily as someone else. Yeah, this is weird. Weird is usually dangerous. I’d rather be home and safe.”
“Ah yep. The anxious years. I guess its to be expected. At your age you’re feeling that desperation to make your mark on the world. To be someone, to establish a legacy. But you don’t even know where to begin or what you want. Instead you just bumble into whatever crosses your path in an attempt to smother the unknown and claw at some security. FYI, grasping for safety at the nearest rail and never letting go, usually ends badly. How is Lacey anyway? She’s a firecracker ain’t she? Haha!”
“What do you know about her? YOU LEAVE HER ALONE!”
“Alright, alright calm down. She’s fine, she’s not here. Just know, the girls you date when you’re young, they’ll rarely be the ones you settle down with. You might think you have it all figured out already but you’ll find out soon enough that you don’t really have a clue. You’ll need to understand yourself before you can genuinely be a partner to someone else. So will she. That’ll come with time too. My advice? Enjoy yourself, have fun with the red head, in every way…if you know what I mean…but then don’t dwell too much on the pain when its time to move on. The same goes for the rest of life, everyone says it, but its true! Enjoy it while you are young. You might gain wisdom and security with age, but you’ll never have the energy and drive that you have right now. Get out there and use it, instead of being afraid of what’s dangerous and what’s not. Plenty of time for caution later, when you have more to lose.”
“Did you kidnap me and drive me into this…world of light…to dispense sage wisdom? Is that really why I’m here?”
“Heh! You catch on quick, Ryan. It’s certainly my goal in being here. Why you’re here, well that’s on you.”
“I didn’t come here myself! Last thing I remember I was on my way to a party. I was driving alone…”
“Yep. Sounds right. At least you didn’t drag anyone else in here with you. That’s a blessing. I’ll tell you Ryan, no one grows up without regrets. You’ll have memories of times you wronged people, purposefully and by accident. Be comforted by the fact this isn’t one of those times.”
“Are you a fortune cookie? Are you seriously not going to tell me anything and just spout cliche advice with every breath?”
“Well, I don’t have much time. I have to share what I know and you aren’t the best at listening yet. I figure, get as much out as possible before its too late, maybe some of it will stick.”
“Not much time? Why? Are we even moving?”
“You don’t see it? Ah, you’re staring at me. I see. Don’t you know men talk best side by side? You should be staring forward pretending we aren’t sharing while actually speaking from the heart. Come on, be a man and act like I’m not here while we talk. Then you might actually notice what’s coming”
“Huh…darkness. Is that a hole up ahead…in the light?”
“Yep, that’s your stop my friend. So, I’d say we only have a few minutes left.”
“Until what…”
“Geez, you never let up do you? Until the end of the road I guess? God, you’re dumber than I remember”
“Remember…?”
“Alright here it comes. I’m gonna info dump you before you leave, as specifically as I am able without ruining your life. If you remember even one thing, we can call this a victory. Stop worrying about college, it doesn’t mean shit. You’ll graduate but you’ll never use your degree for anything useful, it’ll just be a line on your resume. Instead, find what makes you happiest and try your own hand at those things. You already know what they are, you just need to admit them to yourself and not be shamed into thinking none of them are valid career paths. Lacey is not forever, but there is a woman out there who is. Don’t settle. She will arrive when the time is right and you will know. I promise you will not end up alone if you are willing to put the work in. You are going to fail at many, many things. That’s okay, you won’t give up, its not in you. You’ll just start again wiser. Remember that strength. This anxiety in you, let go of it as soon as possible. It only does you harm. Look around you, anything and everything could be amazing if you would just shed your fear of it. Driving in a field of light? Incredible! This is a big one…NEVER lend your friend Darren money. Moisturise your feet and face please, even if you don’t think you need it. Listen to the song and wear sunscreen. The booze is all well and good when you’re young and partying, but give it up as early as you can. It will only hold you back when you could be using your time more constructively. Avoid dairy, that’s why your stomach hurts. Oh! Buy shares in Apple! Ermm…what else…go to France when you are asked. You’ll love it and it’ll pay off. Don’t hesitate. You don’t always need the latest gadget, it’s all a marketing ploy. Finally and most importantly, keep breathing and answer the man when he calls your name.”
“Okay…that was a lot…what man? I am breathing! Are you gonna drive straight into that!? Can’t you steer? As far as I know, light is better than dark right?”
“Not always lad. Back you go. Everything will turn out okay, I promise you. Trust me. Now breathe.”
*****
“Keep breathing, we’ve got you. Can you hear me? What’s your name son?”
“…”
“You’ve been in a car accident. You’re in an ambulance and we’re taking you to St. Mary’s. You’re doing great, just stay awake now. Can you tell me your name?”
“…Ryan”
“Excellent, you’re alright Ryan. Got a bit of a bump to the head, you will probably have an epic scar, but we are going to take care of you. Just keep breathing steady into the mask, that’s it.”
“…lights…bright…”
“Ah sorry, let me tone those down a bit. It’s dark out, we needed to get a look at you. Not much further now.”
“Everything…be…okay”
“That’s right son, just keep breathing into the mask”
“Wasn’t a…question.”
What has been the biggest plot twist that happened in your life?
I finally had some time to myself while my wife took our kids out until I got a knock at the door.
I answered and saw 2 police officers with their hats off, and I could see on their faces it wasn’t good news.
Then, I proceeded to hear the worst sentence imaginable.
He told me my wife’s van had collided with a semi truck, causing it to explode, unaliving everybody inside.
There were 4 victims, my wife and 3 kids.
I could feel my legs start to shake.
I’m not an emotional person, but the pain was instant.
1 of the officers stayed and comforted me, while the other one had to step away as he was visibly shaken himself.
They told me I needed to come provide a DNA sample to identify them.
Everything was burned, so it was the only way for them to know for sure.
I was still in denial and tried calling my wife about 10 times, every time going to voicemail.
The reality was setting in and the officer offered to drive me to the station.
Then, just as I opened the door, I got a call from a random number.
I wasn’t going to answer it, but he told me it’s good to answer the phone in times like this.
I picked up and heard my wife’s voice.
I couldn’t breathe.
Our van was stolen from the parking lot.But, she and the kids were just fine.
That was the best bad news I’ve ever gotten.
China’s Stunning Infrastructure Boom Puts America to Shame!
Do you think Canada and Mexico will retaliate on the Trump Tariffs? Is there historical precedent that indicates a Trade War is about to begin?
Well, yes. It already started as of today, February 1st, 2025, with Trump starting the tariffs and therefore starting the trade war.
And it was made very clear to Trump.
I have put in bold the relevant parts on the letter Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum sent to Trump.
Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
I am writing regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs.
You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross our territory en route to the southern border of the United States. As a result, and according to data from your country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters at the Mexico–United States border have decreased by 75% between December 2023 and November 2024. Moreover, half of those who arrive do so through a legally scheduled appointment under the United States’ CBP One program. For these reasons, migrant caravans no longer arrive at the border.
Even so, it is clear that we must work together to create a new labor mobility model that is necessary for your country, as well as address the root causes that compel families to leave their homes out of necessity. If even a small percentage of what the United States allocates to war were instead dedicated to building peace and fostering development, it would address the underlying causes of human mobility.
On another note, and for humanitarian reasons, Mexico has consistently expressed its willingness to help prevent the fentanyl epidemic in the United States from continuing. This is, after all, a public health and consumption problem within your society. So far this year, Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have seized tons of various types of drugs, 10,340 firearms, and have detained 15,640 individuals for violence related to drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the Mexican Congress is in the process of approving a constitutional reform to classify the production, distribution, and commercialization of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as a serious crime without bail. However, it is publicly known that the chemical precursors used to produce this and other synthetic drugs are illegally entering Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Asian countries. This underscores the urgent need for international collaboration.
You must also be aware of the illegal trafficking of firearms into my country from the United States.
Seventy percent of the illegal weapons seized from criminals in Mexico come from your country. We do not produce these weapons, nor do we consume synthetic drugs. Tragically, it is in our country that lives are lost to the violence resulting from meeting the drug demand in yours.
President Trump, migration and drug consumption in the United States cannot be addressed through threats or tariffs. What is needed is cooperation and mutual understanding to tackle these significant challenges.
For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico’s main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico.
I am convinced North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This allows us to remain competitive against other economic blocs. For this reason, I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace, and prosperity for our nations. I hope our teams can meet soon to continue building joint solutions.”
If only Trump knew how to read….
Will it be painful for everyone? Yes.
But you have to remember one thing:
Most Mexicans know hardship, and most adults lived through hyperinflation in the 1980s.
Many Canadians are also understanding of hardship.
The US has just proven their people will elect a fascist dictator over “the price of eggs”.
Trump is destroying every friendly relationship the US has (because it won’t stay at Mexico and Canada).
And he’s doing it on purpose.
He wants to hurt the American people in the pocketbook. These tariffs are on him and him alone.
And he does it because he doesn’t work for the American people.
His real bosses are two South African billionaires and one Russian dictator.
None of whom could give two craps about what happens to the American people, as long as they personally can fill their pockets with money they will never be able to spend in their lifetime, and avoid all taxes, making the American public pay for absolutely everything, including their own tax cuts.
Tesla reported $2.3 billion of U.S. income in 2024 but paid zero federal income tax. Over the past three years, the Elon Musk-led company reports $10.8 billion of U.S. income on which its current federal tax was just $48 million.
One item of Tariff good from Mexico or Canada is more tax than the entire Federal Income tax bill of Tesla, Musk’s company. Tell me again he gives a crap about you.
It was a stupid move to say “prices are too high! Let’s elect billionaires to solve the problem!”
Now prices are going to go even higher.
Remember one thing: When Thiel, Musk, Putin and Trump are dead and gone after destroying the fabric of America, whether the US wins or loses this or any other trade war.. Whether they decide on military action and start a massive war… Whatever MAGA, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or whatever set of policies you think you vote for…
Mexicans and Canadians will continue to be your neighbors, and your family.
And friends and family and neighbors respect you enough to tell you when you’re being an asshole.
It is the “yes-men” that you should watch out for.
What is DeepSeek, and what does it mean for Al companies in the U.S.?
In order to maintain their position, American AI companies have created their own moat through public opinion: AI requires extremely high computing power to proceed.
American AI companies have controlled the supply of most high-end computing hardware through political sanctions, and have made other AIs economically unsustainable by raising the price of hardware.
This will make other AI companies think that it is an impossible task for them to become the strongest AI company.
However, deepseek has obtained high enough computing power by improving software algorithms and using lower-end hardware. This makes the moat built by American AI companies invalid.
Now, AI companies in any country can rely on excellent mathematicians to win the AI competition; at the same time, the United States has lost the ability to control high-end computing hardware to obtain excess profits.
You WON’T BELIEVE what $550 gets you in CHINA! | Chinese apartment tour
Ever wondered what kind of apartment you can rent in Guangzhou, China, for just $550 a month? We’re here to show you!
As English teachers living in China, we’ve found an incredible deal on a 2-bedroom, 88-square-meter apartment—and we’re taking you on a full tour.
From the spacious living room to the cozy bedrooms and a kitchen that’s perfect for all our needs, this place has everything we could ask for on a budget.
Living in China has its surprises, and this apartment is definitely one of them!
If you’re curious about the cost of living in China or just love seeing unique apartments, this video is for you.
Let us know what you think of our $550 home, and don’t forget to subscribe for more adventures from Guangzhou and beyond!
Interrogation in Joliet
Submitted into Contest #280 in response to: Write a story that solely consists of dialogue. (No dialogue tags, actions, or descriptions. Just pure dialogue!)… view prompt
Steven Bari
This story contains themes or mentions of suicide or self harm.
“Enough! where is Malloy?!”
“Shu–huh! Hehehe!”
“Do you have any idea what he is planning? Do you?!”
“What?! you should know- Gah! Ftoee! Keep punching me– grgh!– you’ll find out!”
“… Malloy… didn’t just make you. Or your brothers… He’s been working on a special project…”
“Hh! hehe! You don’t get it… He –Grrghh!!”
“What don’t I get, huh?! What the fuck don’t I get?!! There’s thousands dead and a crater where Chicago used to be!!”
“Us… we clones… we were all part of the plan…the same plan…”
“No… you knew… all of you… you knew… You knew what Malloy was doing this whole time?…”
“He… he made us…. to help him… do it…”
“….”
“….”
“….”
“You were… you were only following a piece… you found out about the clones… not seeing why he made us… my brothers, as you say…”
“… I thought… intel suggested… that you little fucks were just there as decoys… to keep that genocidal fuck out of our hands… for years…”
“…I know that… I know that I’m not the first you’ve caught… didn’t the others give you any idea of… the Grand Design? Not even a hint?”
“Heh! So… you named your atrocity? How megalomaniacal.”
“Well, Dr Malloy did make clones of himself to expand his work so… yeah. Hehe!”
“Tell me. What is… was the Grand Design?”
“…You had it right in the first… The Grand Design is. Is and always will be.”
“Murder? Mass murder of innocent people? Destruction of history, of America? Tell me, what IS this Grand Design?!”
“No. It was a culling… to induce an evolutionary necessity… a genetic leap for humanity… To reach out and… grasp our future!”
“…”
“Why the long face? Everyone who lost their life gave it to bring our species to the threshold of our destiny!”
“…even if they didn’t know you were sacrificing them?”
“… In trials… scientific research, that is… we don’t ask the mice for consent. They don’t know the scope of the grant or the intended impact of the study. They are subjects… to be studied… so humanity can get a little closer… to perfection.”
“…”
“I’m sorry, inspector. I imagine you knew someone who died in Chicago. Loss is never–”
“Shut!–Up!–SHUT UP!”
“GAH!!–FHHH!! — ARGHHHH!!!”
“You sick little shit!”
“Ftooee! been a minute since you throttled me!”
“…”
“I see… Well, seeing I am not going to receive due process… Can we skip to the extrajudicial killing?”
“…”
“Just thinking of your time, really… you must have enough on your plate already…”
“…”
“… Friends or family? In Chicago?…”
“…”
“Maybe both?”
“…”
“It’s not your fault. The nature of law enforcement is compartmentation of information, so without a wholistic overview you would never have discovered the Grand Design before–”
“…”
“Is it ss-suddenly cc-cold… what is this? What am I feeling?”
“…don’t know… not you, buddy.”
“Ww-why are you smiling at? Dd-did you… dd-did you do something to mm-me?!”
“… no.. Dr Malloy… the real Dr Malloy… is dead. His Grand Design… and yours… ends here.”
“Nn-no… Hh-how?!”
“No idea… just intel I just received… and your chills… your innate sense.. that psychic connection…”
“…Hh-he can’t be…”
“I wonder how long you and your brother’s will last without him?”
“The Grand Design has already been set–”
“Yeah. And that’s something we will have to live with. Our failure.”
“You… don’t need to do this… the others… there are others… you can’t find us all…”
“I found you… Malloy is dead… and your little terror attack is over. So… now I where the doctor is… time to die.”
“…”
“…”
“…Ww-what?”
“…”
“Who are you?”
“Dr Malloy, I presume?”
“Dr Malloy?
“A brother, such as yourself. Are you all right?”
“I-I am. Is ss-she?”
“Don’t tell me you’re getting Stockholm syndrome. We’ll do a full evaluation when we get back to the lab. There. Let me get your legs.”
“Her head…”
“Sad… no, open casket for her… Now, you feeling peckish?! Been surviving on power bars and gas station coffee. Would love a decent hot meal!”
“”Three hots and cot… That’s the most you can hope for.””
“Yes. Can’t help hearing his voice even now.”
“Is he really? Do you feel it too?”
“Hold on. Excuse me, madam. Just a thumbprint will do… Thank you! Would have gone for the face recognition, but– y’know! Ah…. So, according to late inspector’s partner, Malloy was… wow. just…. wow.”
“What? what did he text?”
“She… or They… hold on… yes, she. Just read her pronouns in the salutation.”
“What did she text?!”
“”7:48pm – Malloy cornered FL”… then “8:17pm – Malloy dead, self”
“”Self”?”
“I assume self-inflicted.. Ooo!! she sent a pic!”
“Gah! Oh my god!”
“I know! it’s like staring into a mirror. With a gunshot wound in your head.”
“How are you taking this so lightly! The doctor is dead! The Grand Design is–”
“The what?”
“The doctor is dead–”
“Yeah, I know. But, what “Grand Design” are you talking about?”
“… How could you not know? It was the entire reason for our being!”
“Jesus! Don’t need to yell. Well… I’m sure the doc had his reasons…”
“For?”
“Not telling me about his plans.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“I wonder… What he kept from you…”
“…”
What will Chinese-made electric vehicles be used for without the US as a market?
The US is not that important.
The current EV market in China is like 7 to 8 times bigger than the US, even Europe is twice as big.
The US is a market with great growth potential, but it doesn’t hurt the Chinese companies not to be in the US for now.
I Visited China in 2025 🇨🇳 China is NOT What I Expected…
What secret did you learn about your neighbor that made your jaw drop?
I grew up in a small prairie town in Canada. There was a girl two years older than me in school. Her father had been a Colonel in the air force in WW2. I knew this because after the war, we had a reserve force based briefly in our town. He was in charge, but was seldom active. So another neighbor who had been a major was usually in charge. A different neighbor told about how they had a by the book captain who was very strict, but was usually over ruled by the quiet Colonel, or the easy going major. I asked my parents about it, and they said that the Colonel had lost his leg, and had PTSD. Though they didn’t word it like that, back then.
I thought nothing about it, until one day I see a war memorial in Calgary, and as I walked by, and saw his name. I stopped and read it.
Evidently he was the most decorated Canadian pilot in the war. He had lost his leg in a German prisoner of war camp. He had received the Distinguished flying cross.
Even more bizarre, his brother was listed right beside him. He was an ace, and had also received a distinguished flying cross.
They might have been the only brothers to both win Distinguished flying crosses.
I don’t know if anyone in our small town knew just how famous he was. I don’t know if they knew how much was sacrificed. No one ever talked about it.
I looked this up on the internet and I found it, but it was very hard, and I looked it up again now, 20 years later, and it’s even harder to find .
While I am on the subject, I will also talk about the Major, who was our closest neighbor. He was a mentor to me. We were fishing buddies. He never talked about the war.
One day I bought a motorcycle. I took it over to show my neighbor. I was young, reckless and foolish, a habit some say, I kept up, until I met my wife, and I couldn’t bear to think of her suffering if i accidentally killed myself.
Anyway, I pull onto his property, do a wheelie, and we stop and talk.
That’s when he told me a brief summary of his time in the war.
He had been in charge of a group of about a dozen messengers. They rode motorcycles all day long. The motorcycle felt like it was a part of them. The Germans could listen to radio, so messages were couriered from the front to the general staff. He rode with his soldiers.
At the end of the war, he was the only one of the original 12 still left alive. He said that when you were on the bike 84:hours a week, you thought you could do anything. Not one was killed by enemy fire, it was all accidents.
He said the thing that probably saved his life, was he was the one who had to write the letter to the deceased soldiers loved ones.
He said that made him think how hard it would be on his loved ones. He drove a little more carefully. He never lectured, he didn’t ask me to be careful, he just told his story. I don’t know if anyone in our small town knew the heroes we had in our midst.
I sold the bike after a year.
Coconut Barfis
Yield: 10 to 12
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut*
- 2 teaspoons ghee
Instructions
- Mix the milk, sugar, and coconut in a saucepan and place on high heat. Keep stirring often, and as the mixture begins to show signs of solidifying, lower the heat.
- Keep stirring. As the ingredients come together as a viscous mixture, add the ghee, stir for a minute, and transfer the mixture to a shallow baking pan.
- When it is slightly cooler (and before the mixture sets), cut into squares. It should set in about an hour. Use a sharp knife to pry out and separate into square pieces.
Notes
* Break open a fresh coconut, pry out the kernel, and shred in a food processor.
This is simple to make and tastes better with fresh coconut. If necessary, you can substitute dry coconut shreds.
Sir Whiskerton and the Mystery of the Mysterious Structure: A Tale of Misunderstandings and Corny Conclusions
Ah, dear reader, gather ’round for a tale of intrigue, speculation, and a small wooden structure that caused quite the commotion on the farm. Today’s story is one of mistaken identities, heated debates, and one very clever cat who managed to unravel the mystery before the farm descended into utter chaos. So, prepare yourself for Sir Whiskerton and the Mystery of the Mysterious Structure: A Tale of Misunderstandings and Corny Conclusions.
The Arrival of the Mysterious Structure
It all began on a quiet morning when the farmer, ever the tinkerer, emerged from his workshop carrying a small wooden structure. It was a simple box, roughly the size of a large doghouse, with no windows, no doors, and no obvious purpose. The farmer set it down near the barn, wiped his brow, and muttered something about “shipping corn” before wandering off to tend to his chores.
The animals, of course, were immediately intrigued.
“What is it?” Doris the hen squawked, flapping her wings in excitement.
“It?” Harriet echoed, tilting her head.
“Head!” Lillian added, fainting dramatically onto a pile of straw.
The chickens, as chickens do, were the first to form an opinion. “It’s a palace!” Doris declared, puffing out her chest. “A palace for us! The farmer has finally recognized our beauty and wisdom!”
“Wisdom!” Harriet clucked, nodding vigorously.
“Vigorously!” Lillian added, still on the ground.
The dogs, however, had a different theory. “It’s a doghouse!” Rufus barked, wagging his tail. “A new doghouse for us! The farmer knows how hard we work to protect the farm.”
“Protect!” Bingo echoed, howling in agreement.
“Agreement!” Ditto the kitten added, popping up from behind a hay bale.
The Great Debate
As the chickens and dogs argued over the purpose of the mysterious structure, the other animals began to weigh in.
“It’s clearly a new coop,” Gertrude the goose honked. “The farmer is planning to bring in more chickens. Mark my words.”
“Words!” one of her fellow geese echoed.
“Echoed!” another honked.
Porkchop the pig, ever the pragmatist, snorted. “It’s a storage box. Probably for tools or something boring like that.”
“Boring!” Ferdinand the duck quacked, puffing out his chest. “Nonsense! It’s a stage! A stage for my next performance!”
“Performance!” Catnip the stray cat sneered, emerging from the shadows. “It’s obviously a trap. A trap set by the farmer to catch unsuspecting animals.”
“Animals!” Ditto echoed, his eyes wide.
“Not now, Ditto,” I said, flicking my tail. “This is getting out of hand.”
Sir Whiskerton Investigates
Seeing the chaos unfold, I knew it was time to intervene. “Enough!” I shouted, leaping onto the mysterious structure and surveying the crowd. “This bickering is getting us nowhere. If we want to know what this structure is, we’ll have to investigate.”
“Investigate?” Doris said, tilting her head. “But it’s clearly a palace!”
“Palace!” Harriet echoed.
“Echoed!” Lillian added.
“It’s a doghouse!” Rufus barked.
“Doghouse!” Bingo howled.
I sighed. “Let’s just look inside, shall we?”
With some coaxing (and a lot of patience), I managed to get the animals to calm down long enough to inspect the structure. I pushed open the lid and peered inside. What I found was… corn. Lots and lots of corn.
“Corn?” Doris said, her feathers drooping in disappointment.
“Disappointment!” Harriet clucked.
“Clucked!” Lillian added.
“It’s just a shipping box,” I explained, flicking my tail. “The farmer built it to store corn before sending it off to market.”
“Market?” Rufus said, tilting his head. “So… it’s not a doghouse?”
“No, Rufus,” I said, smirking. “It’s not a doghouse.”
“Or a palace?” Doris asked, her voice trembling.
“No, Doris,” I said gently. “Not a palace.”
The Moral of the Story
As the animals processed this revelation, I took the opportunity to impart a little wisdom. “The moral of the story, dear friends, is this: Sometimes, things are not what they seem. It’s easy to jump to conclusions, but a little investigation can go a long way. And while it’s fun to dream, it’s important to stay grounded in reality.”
“Reality!” Ditto echoed, wagging his tail.
“Exactly,” I said, flicking my tail. “Now, let’s all get back to our usual routines, shall we?”
A Happy Ending
With the mystery solved, the farm returned to its usual state of peaceful chaos. The chickens resumed their clucking, the dogs went back to napping, and the other animals went about their business. The farmer, oblivious to the drama he had caused, emerged from the barn and began loading the corn into the box.
“Well,” I said, stretching out on my favorite sunbeam, “another mystery solved, another day saved. All in a day’s work for Sir Whiskerton.”
And so, dear reader, we leave our heroes with the promise of new adventures, new mysteries, and hopefully, no more mysterious structures. Until next time, may your days be filled with laughter, love, and just a little bit of feline genius.
The End.
Do you think the U.S. government should provide more support to American tech companies to help them out-innovate Chinese companies?
Yes but where will the money come from? Today you are already in 37 trillion dollars debts? And growing at 1 trillion every quarter! But even if you can find the money, is money enough! China beats US through our innovative ideas not money or subsidies. Its people are motivated by the US and western leaders. And western media demonising them!
The Chinese have the will and the desire and are willing to overcome obstacles thrown at them! So you want to compete that with China by throwing free helicopter money at them! Do you think it will work even if you try? I very much doubt so! See how much Wall Street monies are thrown at AI up to 1 trillion dollars in all! China with less than 200 employee at a cost of 5.67 million or 0.0567% of the US money came out winners! That is in spite of the US cutting off the Chinese arms and legs using sanctions and blockade!
Chinese have the will. US thinks it owns the world! They are industrious, extremely hardworking and helped by the US doing shit and motivating the 1.4 billion Chinese on! Thank you America and thank you all the China haters here in QUORA! Without you we will not be thinking how to beat you!