So they’re recycling…good on them…but there I was thinking they may be creating some Apple-PC steam punk mutant for some specialist market…

Nailed on. And that quote, spread it far and wide.

I haven’t used them in a while but Fitness blender has a good selection. You can pick options on their website - cardio/hiit/low impact etc. to find what you need. No over excitable workout leaders, nice and clear, straight forward vids to watch.

They used to be free, but looks like they have a large pay section now, with some free vids still there. They were all previously on YT too so look there as well if you like the style.

But unfortunately abuse creates deep insecurity, which creates a drive for power (control), so I think the OP isn’t far off the mark. Benevolent ruling is largely history washing imo, even if some good acts were carried out. The winner writes the history after all.

But your point is broadly fair - in most cases there is great variety in life. The ruling class, however, consists of less than 0.0001% of the global population so lies outside or the majority (figure made up for illustrstive purposes!).

I was so hoping that was toasty the toaster! Waffles? How about a bagel?

I spend too much time at my pc or driving so get lower back pain. I recently found this workout that’s really good. It’s challenging but really works well! I sometimes have to ease back a little, especially on the last part, but it still helps.

Apologies, I can’t remember how/where to get alternative YT links.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4BOTvaRaDjI&si=4FUa7oy5yxuktPVQ

I think we need to know what the UI looks like before a selection has been made, or what it looks like when the curser is over each option. The ‘interface’ part is lost by a single screen shot.

Two women vying against each other? Regardless of political ideology, the men would create a hellstorm of bullshit beyond anything else. The candidates views and speaches would be drowned out by male commentary galore.

It’d be a gargantuan mess and no-one would really know what was actually going on, decades later even.

Yay misogyny.

Living standards have improved for many, but at the expense of others through exploitation. Like you say, an age old story. We’re just incredibly lucky to catch a period in the history of mankind where the improvements have benefitted more than just the rich/elite.

Success in business (profit) requires exploitation, which requires few or very select morals to reach the very top. Those people you describe sound a perfect fit!

What exactly are you trying to acheive by studying an instrument? Why did you choose to learn beyond hobby level?

Your approach sounds like you see it akin to training in a skill for a job. Spend the time and money on it and at the end you can play as well as 95% of people. But then you got bored/lost direction as you didn’t go so far as to do this as a new career so there was no end goal. Looking at the kind of money you think you need to spend, that sounds like professional level stuff (hint, a 40k piano will not improve your ability! But must be nice to play!)

It is hard, and not for everyone, to practice so much. I really enjoy playing the piano, but can never find the time or energy or drive to spend the time to learn to even a half decent level. Lessons would help me, but I’ve never found myself in a place to go for it. Which I accept. I’ll never play any Franz Liszt!

I don’t get the impression music is enough of a passion for you to get a lot out of ‘studying’ as you said you dont want to work part time to do so. So my advice would be to keep practicing and push yourself to learn new music as much as you enjoy it and maybe have some lessons to keep you on track . Maybe studying will suit you later in life, but not at this time.

You also don’t sound lazy btw! Like i said, it is hard work, especially alongside a job, but doesn’t quite sound like it’s rewarding enough for you.

It’s one more than ten, so yeah, it’s better.