Freedom from that control.

Free will can exist because consciousness is an abstraction created by the brain similar to a virtual reality on a computer, where the laws of physics is what the brain builds upon, consciousness is a function of the brain, ans SELF consciousness is a layer above that, constructed by the functionality of the brain, that far exceed normal physical causality.

There’s a reason we have a feeling of free will, if free will didn’t exist, a sense of it would serve no purpose. So Occam’s razor indicates that we shouldn’t have that sense without also having free will.
We can imagine a future far removed from our current state, fantasy and SciFi books are clear examples of that. How would that be possible without free will?

You don’t need determinism for that. Our brains are absolutely fallible, no need and it doesn’t help to punk yourself over that, with or without determinism.
But just as determinism for you can explain bad things happening, so can nondeterminism. We know statistically how fast radioactive matter decay. But it’s impossible to know for a single atom, it could be within seconds, or it could be in a thousand years. We have no way of telling before it actually happens.
Some things are impossible to predict, and some things just happen by accident. Whether the universe made it happen one way or the other, doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that you have a large degree of free will, and you can choose to cope the way that suits you best.
But your own actions are your responsibility.

They’ve already done that for years. Because it’s low hanging fruit, and most of those countries have strained relationships with USA for good reasons, much like the middle east.

USA has done way too much power-play for control and financial reasons, the Chinese are doing the same now.

but until we have major problems (physical health, homeless, mental health, etc) solved in the US, I don’t give a fuck about our soft power.

Oh boy, I think you are in for an awakening, because losing democratic and humanitarian values in general, will make all of that worse too.
Are you not aware what Nazism does? That’s what you have in USA. If Trump really wanted to solve those problems, he would have the blessings from most countries.

When did you ever see an authoritarian government care about the weakest in their country?

No they don’t, if they did, they wouldn’t escalate threats towards Taiwan. There is much more to be gained from increased cooperation with highly developed democratic countries around the world, but China is fucking up because of nationalistic ideological fanaticism that is very off-putting for democratic countries.

Yes absolutely, China has been going in places where USA doesn’t have a strong standing.
What I’m arguing is that China could go in where USA is actually strong, and create closer relationships.
Except for their behavior lately makes most US allies very cautious towards China with good reason.

The soft power of African countries is limited.

At least they are not fascist authoritarians…
Oh wait?

I bet the Chinese are more than eager to take over all the soft power USA currently enjoy.
Fortunately for USA, the Chinese are too stupid to actually do it, because China wants to be a “respected” (as in feared) superpower, in much the same way Russia does.

Hopefully Trump will be out in 4 years, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he hands the reign to someone as bad or worse, and USA will become an authoritarian dictatorship, under the guise of some kind of national security crisis.

Imagine how rich Musk could become if he controlled USA as Putin controls Russia!

Trump is a malignant narcissist, and I’m pretty sure that’s a requirement to have that opinion.

That’s impossible, because he can’t keep quiet.

I’ve tried to correct that 3 times now, with a couple of hours between, but none of my edits stick, despite I use the save button?!
That and the 6 years should be 4.

But at least it’s somewhat funny. 😜

I’ve tried to correct it and save 3 times now, but my changes don’t show: 🙁

Yes the crowd that will support fascism with their money, do absolutely nothing against it, and then complain why things suck and they’ll never be able to afford to buy a house.

Wow the downvotes are insane here??
Whatever happened with “vote with you wallet”?
Buying a Tesla is as a matter of fact supporting Nazism, which has been clear for a while now. That’s indisputable!
As in literally supporting Nazism! Not just in USA, but also in Europe!

Every steering system that uses a mechanical column, like the Model 3, will eventually develop play

Not true, I own an 18 year Opel Vectra, no issues with play in the steering, and nothing was ever needed to be done to fix it, and no other old cars I’ve driven had it, and I haven’t heard of it as a problem you should to check for before a safety check. The older cheaper worm gear steering racks ALWAYS had it, and it was regulated how much was allowed. but they’ve been obsolete for about 50 years maybe more now.

For a 4 year old car to have it is ridiculous.

There is no way that makes sense. If you have vertical play in the mounting, that vertical play will also have an impact in your movement of the steering wheel. When if for instance you hold the wheel on the side with one hand. any turning movement begins with a vertical movement.

Yeah it’s not like he was this huge humanitarian that suddenly made a gesture that looked a bit like it.

Musk has repeatedly shown sympathies for the extreme right, for instance officially supporting the German Extreme right ultra nationalist AfD.
So when a proven fascist makes a Nazi salute, there is absolutely zero reason to believe it was an accident.

So USA now has official Nazis in their government now!!

Congratulations USA.

which is why they’re arguing to figure out how to interpret it.

Yeah that’s the goto argument for companies literally not meeting regulation, they try to make it into a matter of interpretation if they can.
If you have play in the movement vertically and horizontally, there will at least potentially/occasionally be similar play in the actual steering.
My god it sounds like an embarrassing issue to have IMO. Even the cheapest cars from traditional makers that cost about a third don’t have that issue.

due to his arrogance and inability to grasp engineering detail.

Yeah I just joked with my wife that Musk probably told the engineers to cut the number of parts in the steering from 5 to 3.
Obviously simplified, since it’s way more parts. In general it’s true that fewer parts is better, but Musk is absolutely insane on the idea, to the degree that basic functionality suffers or is even completely removed.

I admit I was actually very impressed with Tesla early on, and the Tesla S, and I cheered for them. They helped make electric cars cool IMO. But I quickly began to notice things that I did not like at all. Like his insane promises on FSD when he discontinued cooperation with a company that actually knew what they were doing. His reaction was to spew bullshit about how Tesla was leading the field.
Also his complete disregard for conditions in the work place, both safety and regarding racism. And his claim that working for him was a “lifestyle” helping to change the world.
That last part was an enormous red flag! That this man is likely an insane megalomaniac.

I really really hope the Nazi salutes will backfire in a big way. But probably not.