Amid the Brexit chaos, a new, non-crazy voting bloc is welcome https://t.co/g8q6FKTJuK
— Bloomberg Opinion (@bopinion) February 21, 2019
Tag: Brexit
Symbiotic May/Corbyn Relationship
Unusually heard a bit of #PMQs. Striking how symbiotic the May/Corbyn relationship seems – collusion of silence on their imploding parties, neither showing any leadership on Brexit and each one relying on the other’s incompetence to obscure their own.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 20, 2019
Idiocy of Epic Proportions
This man has worked for Honda for 24 years. He or his future is not Project Fear. It is reality. It is his reality. His words are reality: “They haven’t got a clue. They can’t even decide themselves what Brexit means. This is idiocy of epic proportion.”pic.twitter.com/YG0bIAODsV
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) February 18, 2019
This is the reality of your Lexit, Len. And your members are paying for it. Reprehensible. https://t.co/3cB2sOD9WE
— Owen Smith (@OwenSmith_MP) February 19, 2019
Honda, Nissan, Ford, JLR, Schaeffler, Airbus, P&O, AXA, Bupa, Prudential, Barclays, Bank of America, UBS, Credit Suisse, Hitachi, Toshiba, Dyson, Panasonic, Sony, Philips – and that's just in the LAST MONTH. #Brexit
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) February 18, 2019
Verification of Belief-Based Ideas
THREAD WARNING: This thread is entitled "How to outthink a Brexiter". It works equally well in debunking (or perhaps proving) any belief-based ideas. It's based on a logical method for working out the right answer to many problems.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Brexiters have their own "facts", carefully cherry-picked and with plausible'-sounding rationalisations. However, it's all built on sand. I'm going to teach you how to out-argue a brexiter using facts and logic.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
It's called "The Scientific Method", but you don't have to have any scientific background to use it. It's a way of thinking about things to come to the right answer. Just follow the method. A little practice and you’ll be able to win any argument with a brexiter.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
The Enlightenment philosophers like David Hume, Rosseau and Adam Smith used it to understand morality. Yes, there is a logical basis to morality – you don't have to be religious to be moral, and if often helps if you aren't.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Lets start with an example. There's a well-known business book called Good To Great, which identified the characteristics of good companies that became great. A worldwide bestseller, used by business coaches everywhere. Only one problem – it was based on bad statistical analysis.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
The author only looked at winners, not losers. He didn't eliminate the possibility that companies that didn't meet his criteria for greatness had also adopted the same methods. It's called survivor bias, one of many cognitive biases we are prone to. https://t.co/26oBggDbWG
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
One of the very few scientific analysis-based business authors, Clayton Christensen (The Innovators Dilemma, Seeing What's Next) provides a good description of good analysis. Start with a theory, then attempt to DISPROVE it. pic.twitter.com/fvDHtz5TOO
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Here is the scientific method in a flowchart. Start at the top and follow the arrows. If there's more than one arrow leaving a box, that's a test. pic.twitter.com/0eWnPvdRVR
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
I do this with EVERY reason that Brexiters come up with. I assume that their theory is TRUE, then look for evidence to disprove it. What Brexiters do is called "confirmation bias" – they only look for things that prove their contention. It's just poor analysis.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
I look for comparison data across the EU, or across the G7 or world if that's relevant. So I could start with the theory that the EU is a dictatorship, compare it with dictatorships across the world and decide no, there is never a process for leaving a dictatorship by letter.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Definitions are important. First, define your terms. For instance, people have different definitions of "socialist", "liberal" and "centrist". Make sure that you have a good reference for the definition you are using. You don't have to agree on a definition, just be clear on it.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Brexiters believe that the EU is going to federalise. So, lets assume that there is a proposal for federalisation. What has to happen for every member state to vote for federalisation?
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Every state has a veto over changes to sovereignty, including FTA's; the logic of the veto is that if a change was proposed that didn't benefit EVERY member state, those who wouldn't benefit would use their veto.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
So, in order to federalise, every state would have to vote to give up their veto. However, then they couldn't prevent negative things happening, so the states will not vote for it. Therefore, the EU cannot federalise, even if some EU chiefs have proposed it. Theory disproved.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Another Brexiter theory is that the EU has high tariffs that block trade with the rest of the world. Thanks to @Jim_Cornelius for this chart, which proves, using an independent organisation, that the EU's REAL tariffs are the lowest in the world. Again, theory disproved. pic.twitter.com/eNpN3khDFv
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Once a theory is disproved, then we create another theory that explains the facts. Those who want to continue to believe, despite the evidence, are driven deeper and deeper into creating ever-more complex conspiracy theories to justify their beliefs.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Oh, and the 11 "Great" companies in Good To Great? They did much worse than the stock market after the book was published.https://t.co/X9Dw23npP6
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Now, I'm sure many Brexiters will want to try to use the scientific method to prove they are right, and I welcome that. It's how we come to consensus on what is correct, and what isn't. Rational thinking should be the basis of all teaching.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
If you want to find out more about rational thinking and how to avoid the cognitive biases that lead to incorrect decisions, conflict and argument, I recommend https://t.co/fNm7Tc36Oo.
— QuantumChoices #FBPE #ABTV (@tfoale) October 20, 2018
Theresa May: Remaining in the EU in UK’s National Interest
It is our grave misfortune that, at this critical hour for Britain, we are governed by a politician who always – always – puts party before country #LedByDonkeys
(billboard location: central Brussels) pic.twitter.com/7CFRtjJnmf— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) February 20, 2019
As @Theresa_May arrives in Brussels with 37 days till Brexit, we’re here to welcome her with this giant billboard in the Place de Brouckère in the city centre. What do you call a Prime Minister whose only policy is something she thinks is *against* the national interest? pic.twitter.com/QFTHK68Ils
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) February 20, 2019
How Companies Don’t Explain Why They Are Downsizing in the UK
People seem to be unable to understand that companies wishing to sell you things will not call you stupid to your face.
— James Patrick 🐐 (@J_amesp) February 19, 2019
Marketing explainer for Brits:
McDonald’s uses “I’m loving it” and not “We have shit on our touchscreens.”
Honda says “Global Market Pressures” and not “You lot are fucking mental.”
By doing this, you will still buy their things.
— James Patrick 🐐 (@J_amesp) February 19, 2019
Border Buster
'Border buster' legacy highlights opposition to hard border | https://t.co/C4N5rO5Xli #brexit pic.twitter.com/RWsvKSkyTH
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 14, 2019
It Is Time to Build an Alternative
What's happened to the Labour Party is a symptom of the dysfunctional state of British politics – it shows why fundamental change is so badly needed. It is time to build an alternative. My statement on my resignation from the Labour Party. https://t.co/noDp484iwt
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) February 18, 2019
Today I have resigned from the Labour Party. It has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. But I am convinced it is the right one. Letter to my constituents here >>> pic.twitter.com/DOI5iUhsU2
— Luciana Berger (@lucianaberger) February 18, 2019
Seven Members of Parliament from across the country have resigned their membership of the Labour Party and announced that they will sit as a new, Independent Group of MPs in the House of Commons. #ChangePolitics pic.twitter.com/Bd9JZ547Ei
— The Independent Group (@TheIndGroup) February 18, 2019
Dark Money
Britain's electoral laws are utterly broken. And nobody is doing anything about it. Nail on head from @GeorgeMonbiot. Britain is awash with dark money & dark forces pushing the agenda of God knows who. We literally have no idea. https://t.co/oxJKrDZyaH
— Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) February 13, 2019
Britains Negotiation Future
Wait till we get into talks with China and America….. 🇺🇸 🇨🇳 https://t.co/ld2YQxYCg8
— Nina Schick (@NinaDSchick) February 13, 2019
The spinning machine will soon see the coin run out and when it does the trickery will meet Putin, Xi and a Trump with congress chewing on his nuts if he gives an inch. It is truly depressing what the UK has allowed its political machine become in recent years. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/LifayFIQEJ
— Yesser #PeoplesVote Hughes (@WatchPopulistIr) February 13, 2019