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The Perception of Value: Diamonds, Avocados, and Business Class Flights

Value ain’t something things have on their own—it’s about how we see it. It comes from the meaning we give stuff, not just the thing itself.

Think about business class flights. The plane’s going to the same place whether you’re in the fancy seats or squeezed in the back. Both get there at the same time, but one ticket costs way more just because it feels exclusive. Sure, you get a bit more space and better food, but what you’re really buying is that feeling—like you’re important, special, maybe even a bit fancy. Business class sells a story of privilege, and people are happy to pay for it.

Diamonds are just rocks made of carbon, but thanks to clever ads (DeBeers im looking at you…), they now stand for love and forever. No marketing, no sparkle, right?

Same with avocados. They used to be just a weird fruit. Then came some rebranding and now they’re trendy, showing up on every brunch table. Before that? Not so popular.

Here’s the thing: value is all in what we believe. Economy or business class, tap water or bottled, plain carbon or diamonds—it’s the story we buy into. And in business, that story is everything.

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Assisted Dying – Thoughts

The UK’s decision to legalize the righto die has reignited debate over autonomy, ethics, and the state’s role in life-and-death decisions. For libertarians, this policy is both a victory for personal liberty and a cautionary tale about the risks of state overreach. The issue highlights core principles of individual freedom and raises important questions about safeguarding vulnerable populations.

Libertarians often champion the right to die as an extension of personal autonomy. Decisions about life and death, particularly for those suffering from terminal illnesses or unrelievable pain, are deeply personal and should not be dictated by the state. For advocates, this legislation affirms human dignity, allowing individuals to reclaim control over their lives when suffering undermines their quality of life.

The policy also challenges state authority. Libertarians argue that governments should not impose moral or religious values on private decisions. If individuals are free to refuse medical treatment or make other life-altering choices, they should similarly have the right to choose the timing and manner of their death. From this perspective, the UK’s legislation is a significant rollback of state control, signaling respect for individual sovereignty.

However, the policy raises concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. Libertarians are wary of how the state regulates access to assisted dying. While safeguards like independent medical reviews and eligibility criteria aim to prevent coercion, they also grant the government power to determine who qualifies. Critics fear this could lead to bureaucratic overreach, where the right to die expands beyond its original intent or becomes normalized as an expectation rather than a choice.

Another concern is the potential for societal pressure. Vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or disabled, might feel coerced into choosing assisted dying due to systemic issues like healthcare costs or insufficient palliative care. Some libertarians worry this policy could create a “slippery slope” where economic incentives, rather than true autonomy, drive decisions. Additionally, there’s a risk that normalizing assisted dying could devalue life itself. Opponents argue that legalizing this practice might reduce societal investment in improving the quality of life for those in distress. Margaret Thatcher once stated, “Watch your thoughts, for they will become actions. Watch your actions, for they will… shape your character. And your character will determine your destiny.” While not directly addressing the issue of assisted dying, her focus on individual responsibility and moral reflection offers a framework for considering the broader societal implications of such policies.

Libertarians who support this policy stress the need for safeguards to ensure that offering the right to die does not erode efforts to support and care for vulnerable populations. The UK’s decision represents a significant cultural shift, emphasizing individual choice in one of life’s most intimate decisions.

For libertarians, it is both a triumph and a challenge—proof that personal liberty can triumph over state control, but also a reminder of the vigilance required to prevent misuse. As this policy unfolds, its success will depend on balancing autonomy with protections for the vulnerable, ensuring that the right to die remains a deeply personal choice rooted in dignity and freedom.

How would you have voted on Assisted Dying?

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Thank you and goodnight!

We’ll update the state by state analysis later (or when the legal wrangling finishes in a weeks time!).

Thank you for the comments and thanks to Timmy for letting us ramble for 24 hours!

By goodnight what we actually mean is “pub”.

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Trump is 47th – Kamala still hasn’t conceded.

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This doesn’t matter, really, it doesn’t

President Xi has ambitions to challenge the global dominance of the dollar. One way to do that would be to start trading oil and gas in renminbi.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has traded oil entirely in dollars since 1974. But talks about pricing sales to China, Saudi’s largest trading partner, in renminbi have been accelerating.

Given that we’ve got large and liquid FX markets what the oil is priced in doesn’t matter a damn. Takes 10 minutes and 0.01% of thje amount to transfer £ to $ and so on.

Sure, if your currency doesn’t have a liquid market – like those of countries that try to peg the value – then you’ve a problem. But those problems aren’t because4 oil is in $, it’s because you’ve a pegged currency and thus no liquid market.

Free blogs, eh?

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We know what Mark Drayford means here

The UK could break apart unless it is rebuilt as a “solidarity union” where every citizen’s rights to public services and financial security are protected, the first minister of Wales, has warned.

He’s run out of Welsh money to spend in Wales so he’s insisting on having more English money to spend in Wales. Otherwise he’ll take his ball home.

Unsurprising

Single-parent households are among the most exposed to the cost of living crisis, with a savings pot 20 times smaller than the UK average, analysis shows.

The modal UK household has two adult earners in it. Households with only one potential earner will do worse. And?

Aunt Agatha Books: Now Available / Shipping

Its been some time since we announced that we were publishing Aunt Agatha as a booklet. We’ve had COVID, (more) Labour Party and Conservative Party incompetence and Putin.

The books have finally been delivered and will be contacting those who donated to send out their copies as soon as possible.

Those who donated to the project should login to their donation profile (linked above) and should find a request for postal details. We still have 60+ copies available. A simple donation gets you a book.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/continental-telegraph-network

Thanks
Rich, Tim and Team

 

 

 

Numbers and journalists

By the end of an average week, Peaty would have swum around 40 miles — more than 2,500 lengths of a regular 25m swimming pool.

Which Olympian is going to be training in a half sized pool? And since when is that half size regarded as regular?

Reason Not to use PayPal v.56930

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This is once again the big guys weighing down against the unpopular (but nonetheless true) opinion.

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