privateersman

Google's the puritans of the web. If you have an association with them then you must live under their strict rules.

That said, I think something has changed. I'm not sure why it is, but they have become more prudish in recent years. Is it a generation thing? A change sent down from their corporate clients? Pressure groups? Perhaps more government influence? All of the above?

This is true. In the US you have a small number of telcos with a strong grip on the industry whereas in many (but not all) EU countries excessive choice reduces the problems.

The thing to understand about net neutrality is it's a transfer of power from business to government. The devil is in the detail. If you look closely at the laws involved there are vague clauses that allow for extra government censorship and control in the future.

In basic terms, net neutrality sort-of makes sense in the US and makes less sense in the EU. It's a poisoned chalice created and pushed by do-gooders.

I can understand your viewpoint having gone through similar and fixed it on my own. If people want to cure their depression and anxiety through self help, my advice is to try adjusting your mindset before thinking about nutrients.

My theory is that having the wrong mindset for long enough sets in motion a process that ends up in physical illness, inflammation and nutrient problems - which make the mental illness worse. So people should try learning mindfulness, stoicism, CBT and giving them at least a few months (with a good diet/exercise) before trying this route.

Nutrient deficiencies can cause all sorts of problems - I read about it extensively when I was ill. At one point I was convinced I might have a magnesium deficiency but when I got a proper test done (not the standard one) it showed high levels of magnesium. So, it's not always the miracle that it appears.

A startup is a new business. It's not anything special.

It looks like you are falling for propaganda. When someone wants to purchase a car or a home, there's such a momentum behind the idea of financing that a customer who uses their own savings is viewed as odd... perhaps even a money launderer, yet it's perfectly normal.

I mention that because there's a similar momentum behind business financing. If you build software for a living, then you can build a new business with no overheads, no ties, no time limits, no favours, no budgets, no business plan and low risk. It's pure freedom to do what you want.

There's lots of different hybrids out there. You can get buses that only use the electric part when moving from a stop. In that case, you get the main advantage of electric (torque) and then combustion takes over for normal running conditions. I think something like that is more sensible.

Maybe a sharp increase in team-building activities. Taking everyone for lazer tag is cheaper than increasing salaries.

That can also be a sign that the founders hate each other and are about to split the operation - one of them is treating the employees as children in the hope that they go with a favourite parent's splinter company. They are probably doing it subconsciously.

I would be interested to see how the output of drug companies change after they are nationalised. Like would they focus on simple solutions that solve problems (rather than expensive solutions that hide problems)? And would they struggle at being yet another public service with a huge budget to be cut. Will their best staff move abroad for better salaries? Stuff like that.

I guess that's why I don't understand the hype.

In many countries Uber is just another taxi brand, one that's licensed by the local authorities. The only thing it has going for it is the app, but all their competitors have apps too. Plus, I've never had to use an app - I just call an automated number, press one digit and a taxi arrives at my door within a few minutes. If I'm using a mobile phone then the operator answers.

I don't understand it personally. They sort-of remind me of how the US brought cable TV to the UK. There was huge investment on infrastructure and an amazing service. The funding ended, service declined but that infrastructure, which was decades ahead of anything else still existed.

Uber is similar, but anyone can set up a taxi service. Their own taxi drivers can even do it. Existing competitors can take over when the discounts disappear. It just doesn't make sense, it's like a pyramid with no foundation.

I think you are placing too much weight on your employment. It's good to have a job, but it shouldn't be your sole focus. Technology can be horrible because conferences and communities glamourise these big technology companies. You are buying into that hype, yet the reality is different.

I suggest maybe looking for work with an interesting business that isn't as well known - one that doesn't have weird, abstract puzzles during the interview process. A place where you can build your confidence, rather than be a cog in a multinational machine.

As for the depression/anxiety. You sound like you are over thinking things. Criticising elements of your life, rather than accepting them. The lack of confidence from your job will be making it worse. Read about mindfulness, it's a collection of techniques that teaches you to look at your surroundings in vivid detail without making judgements, and to just sit down without thoughts running through your head. The depression and anxiety will slowly fade away as you get used to thinking in a standard fashion.

As one of the quotes indicates: "If individuals perceive loneliness as a stressor, their body may be adapting by helping this individual get up and go." The solution is to not allow outside influences to trick you into thinking you are lonely. Once you think you are lonely then it will spiral and spiral in the mind until it gets out of control (a stressor). So, solitude is fine provided you don't buy into the loneliness hype.

TV has evolved with the times too. Reality TV hints that anyone can be famous without hard work, connections or skills. Children's TV conditions kids to think that they are special. It does all sorts of things, it's not as insidious as social media but it's not benign either.

TV, social media, Netflix, gaming, gambling, drinking and other drugs - it's all consumption and escapism. The best option is to minimise those and focus on creating stuff.

Musk for example, is a great entrepreneur but just an average (maybe mediocre?) husband: had two wives, divorced three times from the same, is that even possible?

Modern marriage is hugely risky compared to what it used to be. Someone who marries the same person twice must revel in risk.

CBT is pretty much a scientific interpretation of stoicism. If you want it to work, then you have to be dedicated to that mindset and lifestyle.

It's not a simple bandage over a cut. It's the sort of thing that a parent or religion might teach to a child over years of growing up.

Just pointing out that what people experience from A&E is vastly different from what people experience from the GP system.

This article highlights the best part of the NHS, whereas the GP system is like being caught in limbo. If you are rich enough and plan in advance, it can be avoided by going private, otherwise it can mean months, even years of suffering through long waits.

She had two options: go through the GP-based system where treatment can take anything from days to months, or take the initiative by jumping the line and go to A&E.

Going to A&E is like having your tech support handled by engineers. Going through the GP system is like calling a support line. She got a positive outcome because she went with the option that costs the most.

I'm pointing this out as someone who has gone through both methods. Don't believe the hype that you read about the NHS. It's good to have, but it's not amazing and if everyone went through A&E, the system would probably collapse.

I think it's partly a side effect of modern education techniques (and TV), which conditions people to think that they are special. It's a gulf between educators and employers that results in a shock when reality sets in.

Confidence is good, but thinking that the world revolves around you is bad... unless you are calling the shots.

After thinking about it over the years, I don't think social media is as influential as people think. Look at the UK's past election and referendum to see. A bubble of opinion with a huge disconnect from reality.

All I will say is: stay away from these sorts of services if you value your mental health.

If you somehow manage to damage yourself from taking too much paracetamol then that's the least of your worries - it's probably a sign that you need a carer.

I think this is a symptom that the movie industry is on its way out, in much the same way as has happened to music.

They were flush with cash during the early 2000s thanks to TV and DVD. It was like a golden age with lots of studios producing unusual material.

The problem is the internet has damaged their tiered selling technique, yet their projects are still as expensive and risky.

This may not be a good thing. Always remember that social media is used by industry as a means of carrying out background checks. What's this? One of our job applicants has a poor mental health rating? Let's pick the other one instead.

I am going to replace my laptop this year. I mentioned it in a last gasp hope that it will be an Apple one. I suspect it will be something else though.

It's a pity, but I can't justify spending that sort of money on a professional tool that feels more like it was designed for the consumer market.

I guess the 'problem' is the internet. Without the internet people would be blissfully ignorant of how the media works.

These things have been happening for a long time. Businesses, governments and other entities all have the ability to manipulate the media. I view it as a power struggle that sometimes bubbles up in public.

Oh, and social media is a part of it. Just it's slightly more difficult to control without people noticing.

All I want from a new MBP is to easily replace the: battery, ram and SSD. My current one is several years old and has only lasted this long because those parts could be substituted.

I'm guessing it's a lost cause, their ideas aligned with mine for a short window and then they decided to turn it into a gadget rather than a user serviceable computer.

Look for a small recruitment agency, ideally a sole trader. Make sure they focus on the local market and the technologies you want. The best sales people (which is what recruitment is) work for themselves.

Technology seems to be a black box for journalists, including technology journalists. I'm expecting them to start using words like 'boffin', in addition to 'glitch' to show that they have given up trying. That's the language of tabloids (and outlets that do a tip-of-the-hat to tabloids).

Why not use that transfer as an excuse to delete old email? I try to limit my accounts to hundreds of MBs, despite having far more capacity. Reduce the weight you carry around rather than hire a bigger backpack.

Those objects are collectable, timeless and perfect for what they do. It's not like buying a laptop, which is useless a decade or two later. In my opinion, the older you get the more you appreciate stuff that lasts. Especially if you face hardship at some point and see the world for what it really is.