Libb

I'm not surprised at all since I use them every single day, but the pen and paper have yet to be rivaled by anything digital. At the very least, in regards to:

• portability: available in any size one may fancy, only a few grams.
• autonomy: a notebook needs no battery and offers weeks or months worth of storage depending how much you write or sketch (certain models can even be refilled),
• ease of use: put pen(cil) onto paper and write, or sketch + no upgrades, no bugs, no crashes.
• privacy: no tracking, no spying by any corporation. No ads, either.
• low cost: I've yet to find an iPad with its Pencil at the two dollars I spend on my cheap notebook and cheap ballpoint, or pencil.
• Sturdiness: I can (and often) sit on the notebook I store in my jeans back pocket, I often use it under the rain too.
• Low attraction to thieves: I can use it anywhere without risking attracting attention from potential thieves. I can also let my notebook alone in any public places, chances are no one will even consider stealing it: it's just paper. Try doing that with a digital notebook, be it a tablet or a phone ;)
• Versatility: I can write (errands, novels, plan to conquer the world, a poem for my spouse), sketch (bad or good sketches), draw a map, play some games, make paper planes or origami, and even share info with anyone by tearing of a sheet of paper from my notebook (that won't break it) and give it to that person.

Yeah, I think it's kinda obvious I do like my cheap notebook and pen, a lot more than I will ever like that corporate and government spyware that disguises itself as a smartphone and that I'm expected to be using and carrying with me everywhere I go ;)

We don't. Our simple kettle with its whistle is working great, despite its age. And its much nicer to look at than a microwave too ;)

Most European leaders know this, but it will take time. Also, in the meantime, Europe doesn't want to alienate the US too much.

the thing is that 'time' is probably what we have the least of at our disposal. At least, now that the USA told the entire world the EU can go fuck itself (and also now that they told the USA is willing to do what the fuck they consider good for them, anywhere on the planet).

Revitalizing our industries should be our top priority. I mean, here in France we have one remaining large gun factory... So we should not worry about the USA. As far as I'm concerned, if what they are doing to Ukraine is the way they intend to keep their engagements with their 'allies' they can also go fuck themselves.

We also need to get some real leaders, we've more than enough managers... but that's a whole other point.

The things is that the USA made it clear we were on our own already so why keep trying getting any support from them? We won't. It's just us sheepishly not willing to admit that and act accordingly. Which is even more silly knowing we could start immediately and that buy doing so, someone like Trump would probably feel less entitled in doing whatever he wants.

We wish for things to stay like they used to be. not change. Things have changed, and I don't see any turning back even after the angry Orange dude is replaced by another POTUS (if that happens, seeing how things are going over there I'm not that will be as easily as it should).

European countries need to remember what they used to be prior to them relying on the green giant. And they need to do it fast because we don't have much time left—exactly like with climate change but in an even shorter time frame: if shit must happen in Europe, unlike the climate change most dramatic consequences, they won't happen by 'the end of the century' which is so remote most people can't be bothered with it, they will happen in the coming decade or so, which most of us should still be there to experiment live with their own precious life...

edit: clarifications.

No matter what anyone could say for (or against) that book, you as a reader should never feel forced to finish reading a book you started if you don't enjoy it. Your time is too precious.

Books are not perishable goods, you can come back to any book you want in a few weeks, months, or many years. It will still be readable and happy to welcome you. Some of the books I consider my favorites nowadays, aged 50+, are books I could not get into as a teen or as a young adult and that is despite me trying over and over again to read them but then, one day, something happens and that book is suddenly the best thing you have ever read—yep, I'm looking at you, Proust.

Why waste their resources trying to convince anyone to drop the Rafale when the EU itself is doing it itself with brio by not purchasing EU-made weapons (French, or otherwise) and has been doing so for quite some time? It may have been understandable up until, say, around 2016 but the EU keeps doing it even now that here is no hope of getting back to any semblance of reliance on the US as our ally.

We may still be partners, but that is all. And even that should be subject to caution. But nope, let's pretend everything is fine and keep on buying US-made weapons that we don't fully control.

To me, the EU itself seems to be the best agent against EU's own vital interests. But it's probably just me being incredibly naive.

Pareil. J'ai mis le temps à piger ;)

First, I take a breath. More often than not, I will take more than one.

No matter what I'm doing I will always make some room to breathe. At the very least, I will go out for a long walk every single day of the year. Just walk. No distractions, no social noise, no music, no podcast, no nothing but me, my head, and that tiny thing called 'the world outside' ;)

Even better, when whatever it is I'm doing is stressing me out, I will make it multiple times a day because I don't work well when I'm stressed, so it's not a waste of time. And it also helps me stay in shape so it's even less a waste in that regard.

Last but not least, I learned to work less. It's not how hard you work or how tired you end up being that should matter, it's what you have done and much you like it ;)

I would set it back to the early to mid-90s, when I first experienced it...

Am I one of those old fart trying to say it was better in the good old times? Yes, and no.

Back then the Internet was limited, it was hacked together and there was no professionally designed website with pretty animations, security was... not much, there was no mobile web and, as a matter of fact, no 'app' at all since smartphones were not yet a thing. There was not even script languages like Javascript or PHP to develop all those shit... amazing dynamic features we're now surrounded with. So, yeah, it was limited. But...

There also was also no social media, no monetizing, no tracking, no corporate mafia-like CEOs trying to took us hostage or to milk us to death, and hands in hands with their politicians friends, trying their worst at transforming our free societies into some fascist dystopia that if they succeed (and it looks like they could) will make look all the XX century monstrosities mere child-play.

There were already evil corporations and assholes politicians back then, sure, but for the most part the Internet was people, not businesses. And it was not populated by those armies of braindead, tantrum-obsessed and hysterical morons we now consider the normal 'user'.

Trolls were already a thing, obviously, but there were not millions of them waiting to be mobilized through social media like a good army of haters ready to go stampede into oblivion anything nice or daring anyone could be willing to do. It was ok to not be nice, to not be liked, and to take risks.

I mean, it was actual people with their qualities and flaws, people that were willing to share content they were interested in and to discuss it. People that were not expecting to make a fucking cent out of every single fart they would make online. Nor to gain any Likes...

So, yeah it was rougher, so much more limited and a lot less cool. It was also a lot less polite. But it was so much more free and less full of shit.

(end of that old fart rant, promise)

I don't understand why this matters that much

Maybe because some apps will only work on certain phones (say on iOS or Android) and maybe because depending the phone you are using maybe someone could suggested another solution than switch app? ;)

Spend less time online, do less digital activities.

I do more IRL, in-person, activities. Any kind of activity most of us somehow forget we used to do well before Internet and digital was a thing can still be done without the Internet and without a computer of any kind.

In-persons is intimidating but it also helps keep away the armies of online trolls and haters that online thrive to hurt other people. Provided one behaves like a decent human being, it's very rare people IRL will hate on anyone for goofing up or for not agreeing with them. It's ok.

I also do as much as I can the analog way, without anything digital. It helps. Be it to write or sketch, or do stuff with my hands. Heck, even me using a paper agenda instead my phone will regularly trigger surprised/interested questions from people that otherwise would probably never have talked with me to begin with ;)

Now I have automatic backups.

Nodding approvingly ;)

Verre d'eau, suivi d'un café (ou deux).
Thé en journée.