I think this one might skip IPO. I don't think any reasonable finance person would value them anywhere close to what they want. What, exactly, do they own? A brand? Some IP with questionable value (especially relative to rampant competition)? A bunch of contracts that are basically obligations they cannot fulfill? A lot of resentment from the market? A fickle customer base, only 5% of which pay, generally for less than they cost? Their people and potential future income doesn't count.

Trying to figure out what would be the major value relative to a good phone, why purchase/charge/cary another device. And why such a device should be tied to any single back end. Doesn't seem very revolutionary or innovative.

Will the recovered money go to consumers that eventually and indirectly paid the tariffs? I'm speculating not. Just another corporate grab...

What if I'm socially progressive and financially conservative?

Yep. Your personal wealth (reduced by the declining dollar) is all that matters. To hell with law and human values!

I don't think most republicans an Re anti-American, but I agree with the rest. Their democrats are not much better; none of them represent theoretical American values. Like most humans, they put their personal interests above those of all others. They're not in politics to go broke (Gavin Newsom just sent me a text to buy his book). And who knows what dirt the people now actually running the country have on each of them.

But how long before it leaves real reality? Meta gaming platform driven by social? Seriously? In 2026?

Seems like it would be pretty easy to manage an LLM to make false predictions about "AI" replacing white collar jobs.

Is that supposed to be a logical argument, or just an insult? Because it seems to reflect more on the commenter that typed it than the original comment.

I would call that thing actual ecological equilibrium rather than expectations of perpetual economic/financial growth.

I see your point, but I see the issue differently.

In the situations that you mention, people intentionally caused the suffering of others. Especially in the USA today, those in power seem bent on increasing suffering for others.

In the poverty of Southeast Asia, the people are generally good and compassionate; the suffering comes from a lack of opportunity.

There is corruption and wealth disparity, but it is far less significant and overwhelming than what the west produces. Western influences harm these cultures.

In all cases, it is the good masses against the rich and powerful and the governments that they created and manage.

Our species has lost the plot. Excluding the poverty, life is much better outside of western cultures now.

It seems like "AI" causes more problems than it can ever solve.

Do I have to give Google these identifiers to have them removed? Seems like a risk. And no, I didn't even read the summary.

But what would China do with the collected info? I'd be more concerned about someone else hacking self driving systems to turn cars into weapons. China is never going to invade or even attack the USA. USA is only afraid of China economically, and only where interests don't align.