hugo.fisher

Comment Threads

• armchairdesigner commented on System D
  Interesting tidbit — I never heard of that origin for 'système d' (which sounds sort of self-evident for a native French speaker, and doesn't exactly beg for an origins-type story). Do you have any reference material for further reading on the topic, by any chance ? The non-bowdlerised version of 'systeme d' (demerde rather than debrouille) is the most-commonly understood, and could be fairly translated as jury rigging, ie make do with whatever's at hand, starting under adverse circumstances. One has to be in it before they get to 'demerde' oneself (literally get yourself out of shit). Debrouille, which means...
• Greg. Tingey commented on System D
  @ 114 The answer to that problem is, of course, to electrify Diss - Ely - Peterboro' - Nottingham, and re-open March-Spalding, for RAIL FREIGHT. It'll all happen, in about 30 years, I reckon .... bjacques @ 119 NO It really is not the point of the "occupy" movement.. Who claim to be "anti-capitalist" and "Anti-corporations" (Which are two entirely separate and different things, incidentally. THEN one sees these ill-educated idots, drinking "strabucks" coffee, and using Mac iBooks. And they are anti-corporation in what way, precisely? And, of course, they are selling copies of stupid wanker "socialist worker" - and...
• Greg. Tingey commented on System D
  Nile @ 128 So, you're saying that Greece is already a 100% systeme-D state? btw ... If no-one pays taxes, how does the military get paid for?...
• Charlie Stross commented on System D
  The Tea Party is clearly better at preparation and organization. Having billionaire backers (the Koch brothers) planning everything doesn't hurt ......
• bjacques commented on System D
  @Greg Tingey 126: Point taken. Actually half a point. The protesters probably don't care about saving the global economy, but the concrete demands that have arisen from the protests would go a long way to saving it. The protests are actually quite focused compared to the usual leftist protests. Like the poor, Shitty White People, aka the SWP (h/t the Clash movie "Rude Boy") will always be with us. In the US, I've seen the same weedy types, the same boring black (or purple!) and white signs. They're tolerated but have no influence and everyone looks down on them. The...