So where in the idea of capitalism do you see a mechanism that avoids colluding and undermining the sovereignty of people?
From my POV, capitalism is the act of maximising profit/cash flow. This may happen through peaceful agreements, soft power or hard power.
What part of capitalism are you referring to, when you distinguish it from neo-liberalism?
There are many report stating that these promises were made.
Whether Russia made a tactical mistake in codifying these promises... is it relevant? There is clear evidence that NATO promised not to expand. And again, it seems obvious that a NATO expansion would set up a conflict with Russia. So why would you do it?
Here is another good german language article about the situation
Please check the Spiegel article. Also, again, isn't it common sense that if you put troops against a country's border, that country feels threatened?
edited "border"
Sure I can.
We can cite John Maersheimer from 2014
Here is the outline link to the same article.
More recently the german Spiegel published documents demonstrating the promises. Here is an english language Russia Today link, referencing the original german article (you can find the paywalled link there).
But let's be frank, the idea that a NATO expansion to the east will set off a conflict with Russia is just obvious. There were high ranking officials confirming that over the last thirty years (I believe even Genscher).
The argument that states should be able to choose their allies is a little bit absurd since we are not talking about a club that you can vote yourself in if you wish to do so. The NATO has to extend an offer for your country to be able to join it.
Russia and before that the Soviet Union expressed their issue with that and asked NATO not to put troops against their borders. Yet, NATO did.
The sources I link to above are from the most realist IR academic and from a totally mainstream german news outlet.
So what about the eastern expansion of NATO? Do you sigh over this too?
Yes, but there are precedents to this. The situation didn't come out of the blue. Russia surely carries the responsibility for acknowledging the separatist states and escalating the situation with "piece troops".
But NATO surely is responsible for creating the situation at large. The promise was no eastern expansion, yet eastern expansion took place.
The references made to the previous US interventions by Op are highlighting the aggressive nature of the US which created the pretext to the current situation. You cannot wipe those away by saying you are referring to the last 48 hours only.
I know of some of the shady people that were supported by the West and the Ukraine.
Could you shed some more light on the war crimes that Putin refers to? Also could you share the evidence that exists?
Very cool video, thanks for sharing
Fully agree with you here and particularly your longer response above.
VR / AR has some fantastic use cases in industrial work, where experienced workers can overshadow a field person and be enriched by some sort of global database that covers whatever that field person is working on. There are probably other niche tech use cases as well.
As for an entertainment gadget that is widely used, I just don't think it is as immersive as portrayed or will be in the foreseeable future.
I mean, can you imagine the desire, of being able to leave behind your real world, your dirty, exhausting, imperfect real world, where you are weak and ugly and unsuccessful and going to a virtual world where you can experience whatever you want?
All just through a head set? I honestly don't quite buy this (admitting fully that I might be wrong) and really can't relate to the desire you are describing either.
It's not real and won't look / feel real. So maybe there is a one or two hour entertainment to be had, but I can't see this overhyped potential and VR being used "everywhere".
Consider all the video chats we are having since the pandemic at work. What did 80% people do pretty quickly? Turn off their cameras, turn off their mics, while they are browsing the web in the background or doing the dishes, letting the meeting/call pass by. Would any of those go into VR to experience a virtual version of their colleague without being forced? I don't think so.
How can you read the full article?