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What do you mean by “want more immigration”? More tax payers? More potential customers? More cheap workforce? Immigration as a help for unfortunate people in other countries?

To me, for the new deal to override an old deal, the new deal has to be better than the old deal plus the cost of breaking my word. I take at least a bit of pride in my word, so it’s basically “first come, first served. Unless the new thing is incredibly and unexpectedly good”.

Good luck! Try not to get stuck on extreme details; C++ is a very rich language but most people that work with it have pretty rudimentary knowledge, you’d be surprised.

This, try to learn languages from different areas. You don’t really have to become an expert in a domain either, knowing C++, Java and basic software engineering will get you into a lot of places.

There are a lot of companies that don't primarily do web development, maybe look into that if you know or want to learn Java, C++? Telecom, automotive, finance, games, medicine, industry. These companies need a lot of developers and they're typically much nicer to work at. Better paid, much less stress.

"if you lose your job then you're really taken care of" only if you've paid into insurance: to get taken care of you need to pay into both an a-kassa and an inkomstförsäkring. Ie, two insurances. The money you get from the government is usually capped, and capped low (considering all salaries in Sweden).

My source for the tax income: https://taxfoundation.org/top-personal-income-tax-rates-euro... note, it's the marginal tax rate, ie, what a person with a top salary would pay.

Also, remember the ISK accounts. By paying 0.375% on your account assets annually, you don't pay any capital gains tax. This is imo a big enabler for the "common person" to build up capital.

Government spending per GDP in Sweden is 50.6%, Germany is 51.5%, France 59.9%.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/263220/public-spending-r...

Most countries in Europe provide that don’t they? Also, Sweden has the number 8 highest income tax in Europe and has in fact very low taxes on investments (the ISK accounts). “Pretty bad healthcare system honestly”? That’s a big exaggeration… both public and private healthcare has worked great in my experience. Sounds like you have some kind of beef with Scandinavia.

Sweden and Denmark don’t differ in how much “socialist” they are. Also, they’re not socialist countries.

Maybe that’s what it all comes down to if you can’t reference “truth”. People can pick the side that appears to be the lesser evil.

Russia can’t intercept ICBMs. Distance doesn’t matter.

Relevance? Why do you feel a need to pull out such arguments when we have a complete war criminal over in the kremlin?

I’m sorry but people in general aren’t critical thinkers — broadcasting false and misleading communication should be avoided since it’s extremely dangerous. See the storming of the Capitol Building. It’s especially dangerous when that communication is meant to undermine your country and what your country stands for.

So, what are we supposed to do with actual Russian disinformation? Or are you saying it doesn’t exist?

“the us is putting missiles in ukraine” — first time I’m hearing that explanation. Didn’t he invade because Ukraine is “full of nazis”? Or was it due to the “nukes Ukraine was planning to get”? Or to “return Ukraine to Russia”?

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putin-adm...

“Nobody” is a strong word; Sweden is building a nuclear waste storage site. Strongly supported by the local municipality. https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-approve-nuclear-waste...

This is wrong, which even Putin has confessed. It’s all about Putin wanting to create a new Great Russia.

Same for me, a custom configured environment has often become yet one more thing that can break and needs maintenance. I make sure I have basic emacs keybindings but that’s almost it. In my experience, the people that spend most time on customizing the tools have mostly been junior developers. Though if you asked me on productivity tools we’d have an interesting discussion. I guess it’s just a matter of focus.

You can be fast while also writing great code.

> There is so much propaganda in this war it's borderline impossible to get anything but a cloudy view on things.

No, this is incorrect. You can definitely get a pretty good picture. Saying that “you can only get a cloudy view” is a common Russian propaganda tactic aiming to neutralize the target.

The “nukes in Cuba” in this situation are democracy, free speech, LGBT rights and other Western principles. Yes, they are a threat to Putin and his system.

Yes you can, if you take into account the impact of what it is you produce.

Their stated goal for the invasion is to “demilitarize” and “denazify” the whole of Ukraine. Ukraine has a Jewish president.

You cannot have all information, and trying to analyze things too far and “fairly” leads to paralysis by analysis. In software, but also in real life. Russia knows that the West is prone to that, so it’s been used in their propaganda for 50+ years. Interestingly, their propaganda has degraded in quality lately.

Sometimes you have to pick a side. I choose the West and democracy (yes I know it’s very much imperfect). It’s up to you which side you’re on. But remember that inaction in the face of aggression is helping the aggressor, and paralysis by analysis is inaction.

Maybe it sounds harsh, but people around me are talking about going to Ukraine to fight. For our principles and for Ukraine. For democracy.

First off, I don’t care. Ukraine vs Russia is about Ukraine, Europe and Russia. Why should Ukraine suffer for things the US has done? US is only a part of this because they’re the largest member of NATO.

And secondly, the first Iraq war was a just war from US’ side — Iraq invaded a small friendly neighboring country (Kuwait.)

Not just emotions. Lives and democracy. In Ukraine, and extension, Europe.

Yea, the participants have their interests: Russia wants to create a “Russian Empire”, Ukraine wants to survive as a democracy and as a country.

Decide yourself which side you want to help.

  I have no reason to favor either side

Yes you do. A warmongering country with a crazy dictator (that threatens the world with nukes) has vowed to crush a friendly neighboring country, and then proceeded to invade said country. This is definitely black and white and a just cause for Ukraine. You will be hard-pressed to find anything clearer.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_balance

Europe _definitely_ cares for Ukraine directly, but we also care about the larger security situation. A world where Putin invades countries on a whim is objectively bad for all countries (except for Russia _maybe_). Ukraine is protecting Democracy with the lives of their soldiers and brave civilians. I would be honored if Ukraine wants to join the EU after this.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"

Of course they have a chance. Their current strength is about 465k men (and women). Add on top the general mobilization happening now. They're also strongly motivated, which the Russians aren't. Ukraine can definitely do this.

Also, giving up doesn't guarantee people will be safe. Russian occupation forces aren't usually very nice.

Who cares what Biden will say? If Russia does something as drastic as a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, what's next? European basic security is threatened. I don't care whether something will make Biden look good or not.