> (And for the record, I'm in the US and would have voted against Brexit. But I AM very much a Euroskeptic with respect to the EU's ability
> to actually get its shit together, economically, politically, and strategically.) ... and that's why we f*ck around with our former allies just a little harder, huh?

The UK should recognize her self-interest in contributing to European defense if she won't be relying on Russian-controlled food supply. Or worse, on US supplies.
The EU is not reliant on any UK contribution and is not begging anyone for forgiveness. The UK decision to leave the EU was a sovereign one, they just need to cope a little harder. And fix their finances, on their way. I see why they would like to tap European defense funds, though.

Classic brexiteer logic. I am pretty the UK is welcome "re-integrate into European strategic discussions" as much as she wants, just don't expect the continent to pay for it.

No, try again.

Historically, Europe has also been the prime source of the entire US of A. Go figure.

Social Media is fostering young people to spend more time on electronic devices with less time for physical activities and in-person social interaction. This elephant has been in the room for the last 30+ years. In Germany, physical fitness of pupils has deteriorated over the last 30 years at catastrophic levels, with obesity among children gaining ground rapidly. If you compare current photographs with old images from public swimming pools you will observe much higher levels of obesity with the current lot. Fat and immobile, but nicely tattoed.

Production cost, possibly?

According to your link, nuclear fission is entirely uncompetitive. I am not saying there are no applications for nuclear sites especially as a base load provider but cost of generation is firmly in the renewable camp now, and has been for quite some time. I see any technology that lowers global CO2 outputs as the way to go.

Maybe we could just try to stay on-topic, for once.

The prospect of AGI combined with the prevalent Silicon Valley elitist philosophy and the current brazenly unethical lot of politicians? I am quite happy to have reached the last quarter of my life.

The only market where AI can generate "value" anywhere close to positive ROI feasibility is the job market. Personally, I am not too optimistic for the next couple of years, quite the contrary.

... as long as the technology is good enough to replace relevant portions of the labour force with automated systems however limited they may be.
That's where the "Return" of ROI will come from and we will feel the pinch soon enough, I am afraid.

since the processing of umlaut characters apparently differs between individuals.

So, the answer to Germany fulfilling her coal-fire reduction goals early is .... "Yes but they are still burning coal!"

Are you being serious? May I ask how old you are?

1. German plants have reached their EOL and have not been maintained to ensure future operability after the 2012 exit decision.
2. The engineers, specialists and technicians are gone for good, into early retirement or other jobs.

Nuclear is dead in Germany. But we have other options, luckily.

Would not suffice. Further, you do not "restart a nuclear reactor" just like that. The engineers were sent into early retirement many years ago and won't come back.
Renewables are not the issue in Germany. The old stakeholders are.