Random randomness

[Pyperkub]

Grr, turbotax seems to be double counting some income (we did not make that much money, and I ain't paying taxes on that!) and now I need to dig through the damn thing to figure out why.

[Holman]

Grr, turbotax seems to be double counting some income (we did not make that much money, and I ain't paying taxes on that!) and now I need to dig through the damn thing to figure out why.

We had that happen too. It was showing double versions of both of our W2 totals.

We just deleted the duplicates and all was well.

[LordMortis]

You guys are making me nervous. I owed money on my state taxes and for the life of me I don't know why. My income is tiny, as I live off drawing down savings. The state was happy to take my return and my money though. TT just keeps getting more and more expensive and while I appreciate how Fisher Price their UI has become it's not very re-assuring when it comes to it showing laying out the how it get the results, like it used to.

[EvilHomer3k]

My neighbor just bought a hearse. They delivered it on a flatbed yesterday. That's going to be really tough to beat this October.

[hepcat]

SOMEONE'S a fan of Harold and Maude.

[YellowKing]

My neighbor just bought a hearse. They delivered it on a flatbed yesterday. That's going to be really tough to beat this October.

My dad had a hearse with purple flames on the side. He had it decked out with skull door lock knobs, skull gear shift, etc. We had a blast driving around with it around Halloween time. He had a couple of local bands use it in music videos. Most people thought it was cool, but you did have the occasional religious Karen who took offense and cussed him out.

Unfortunately he didn't have the money or desire to keep up the repairs so he got rid of it.

[jztemple2]

Ranked: Real GDP Per Capita Growth by Country (2014-2024)

Measuring economic growth (and related standard of living improvement) is always dogged by inflation worries—that price increases are masking output falls (or stagnation).

For a meaningful comparison, we visualize real GDP per capita growth across a group of peer economies, calculated from data in this OECD database.

The dataset measures every country’s per capita output volumes every year, seasonally-adjusted and indexed to 2007. This removes the influence of prices on productivity growth.



Key Takeaways

Canada saw only 1.1% growth in real GDP per capita between 2014–2024
It’s the worst performer in this dataset of 37 major economies
It's second-worst among the 38 OECD economies, after Luxembourg.

Canadian Conundrum

Canadian economic productivity has nosedived in the last decade. While GDP itself has grown around 17% in real terms, so has its population.

As a result, per capita GDP barely moved between Q3, 2014–2024.

For comparison, real per capita GDP in the G7, EU, and OECD grew 15% over the same period.

Also, What’s Going on With Ireland?

Ireland's GDP is distorted by profit shifting and the heavy influence of intellectual property assets held by multinational corporations headquartered in the country.

Both factors significantly inflate the GDP relative to actual economic activity (consumption, expenditure, production) within Ireland.

As a result, its per capita GDP is also significantly inflated.

[gilraen]

Ireland is the Delaware of Europe?

[jztemple2]

Ireland is the Delaware of Europe?

Yup! From Google Gemini

While the comparison isn't a perfect one-to-one analogy, Ireland is often referred to as the "Delaware of Europe" in the context of corporations, particularly regarding its attractiveness for multinational companies.

Here's why this comparison is made:
• Low Corporate Tax Rates: Similar to Delaware's appeal with certain tax advantages, Ireland has a relatively low corporate tax rate (currently 12.5%), which is attractive to international businesses looking to optimize their tax liabilities.
• Business-Friendly Legal and Regulatory Environment: Like Delaware, which has a well-established and specialized Court of Chancery for corporate law, Ireland is perceived as having a business-friendly legal and regulatory system.
• Attraction for Multinational Corporations: Just as a significant number of major US corporations are incorporated in Delaware, Ireland has become a hub for many large multinational companies that have established their European headquarters or significant operations there.
• Ease of Doing Business: Both jurisdictions are often seen as having relatively straightforward processes for company formation and operation.
• Skilled Workforce: Ireland, like Delaware in its region, boasts a skilled and educated workforce, particularly in areas like technology and finance, further attracting foreign investment.

However, it's crucial to note the differences:
• Taxation is a primary driver for Ireland's appeal, while Delaware's advantages are more rooted in its corporate law and court system.
• Ireland is a sovereign nation within the European Union, subject to EU laws and regulations, whereas Delaware is a state within the US. This means Ireland's tax policies and corporate laws are subject to different levels of international oversight and agreements.
• The EU is actively working to harmonize corporate tax rules across member states, which could potentially impact Ireland's attractiveness in the future.

In conclusion, while the "Delaware of Europe" moniker for Ireland isn't a precise legal or structural comparison, it reflects the country's success in attracting a large number of multinational corporations due to its favorable tax environment and business-friendly policies, similar to how Delaware attracts US companies through its corporate law and court system.

[Pyperkub]

I can't for the life of me figure out why that graph says "Third Quarter" - it doesn't appear to be in the article, and it lists the year/timespan. Weird.

Maybe 2024 third quarter? If so, it's still really weird phrasing.

[Zarathud]

Ireland offered to shelter international intellectual property with a low/zero tax rate if the company opened a local office. It enabled international tax minimization to build its own white-collar workforce.

[AWS260]

I can't for the life of me figure out why that graph says "Third Quarter" - it doesn't appear to be in the article, and it lists the year/timespan. Weird.

Maybe 2024 third quarter? If so, it's still really weird phrasing.

I believe it's comparing Q3 2024 to Q3 2014, probably because Q3 2024 was the most recent quarter for which data are available.

[Smoove_B]

This is kinda blowing my mind:

Earlier this week, while meeting up with some of my friends for a drink, I found myself getting grilled about A Minecraft Movie. I had shared my lukewarm opinions about the film and how, in all honesty, Jack Black's performance waned on me. So my mates all wanted to know who I would've cast in his stead, and I had no clue, not until I saw the news that Matt Berry was originally meant to be Steve, now that would've been gold.

According to Puck, Matt Berry, best known for his role as Laszlo Cravensworth in the vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows, was originally meant to play Steve in A Minecraft Movie. Unfortunately, this didn't end up happening due to scheduling issues. At the time of filming for A Minecraft Movie, Berry was already busy shooting the last season of his vampire series.

Nothing against Jack Black, but I want to live in a universe where Matt Berry was the lead in this movie - if only for the chance there'd be a "Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango" joke buried in there somewhere.

[Smoove_B]

And speaking of movies, this pretty much guarantees I'll never go to a movie theater again:

Blumhouse, the acclaimed production company dedicated to scaring the heck out of moviegoers, is showcasing new tech that will enhance the experience of seeing one of its hit titles.

The company announced on Wednesday that for its second annual Halfway to Halloween Film Festival, it will be screening its 2022 release "M3GAN" with new tech from Meta, which will allow moviegoers to use their phones as a "second screen" in theaters while the movie is playing.

More specifically, the technology, called Movie Mate, will allow those who attend the special screening to interact with a M3GAN chatbot during the movie on their phones. They will also be sent exclusive content like trivia and behind the scenes facts — all in real time while the movie is running.

[gilraen]

A movie theater full of people that paid 20 bucks (give or take) to be chatting with AI and scrolling through trivia on their phones...just wow.

[Blackhawk]

No doubt with the brightness at 100%.

[jztemple2]

A movie theater full of people that paid 20 bucks (give or take) to be chatting with AI and scrolling through trivia on their phones...just wow.

This is why the wife and I only go (and rarely any more) to theaters early on weekday afternoons, traditionally (at least down here) one of the slowest times of the week for theaters.

[Daehawk]

I wish place like theaters would ban phone and use a jammer to block them.

[Blackhawk]

I wish place like theaters would ban phone and use a jammer to block them.

That would be illegal, very illegal. It would prevent emergency calls from getting in or out, and could even affect devices outside of the 'target' area. Like, say, cops parked outside the theater.

[jztemple2]

I wish place like theaters would ban phone and use a jammer to block them.

That would be illegal, very illegal. It would prevent emergency calls from getting in or out, and could even affect devices outside of the 'target' area. Like, say, cops parked outside the theater.

Not to be contrary, but society used to survive without having everyone having a phone on them .

Of course, to avoid affecting the cops at the donut shop next door, the theater could line its walls with copper mesh, creating a Faraday cage environment. Put some warning signs outside the door and I think that would be legal.