Room 101

[Gray]

The maintenance costs for the pipes and power supply have to be covered

They certainly do 👍
And, as part of the promise to scrap standing charges, this would be acknowledged - as they are transferred completely to the unit cost of energy.

The way things stand at present, everyone will be paying less after April. But, thanks to increasing standing charges, those using the least energy will be getting proportionately less of a reduction in their costs (because SC will be increasing while unit cost is falling).

Not only would the necessary change help the poorest, but It could easily be spun as a green initiative - the more energy you use, the (even) more you pay.....the energy users would be covering the infrastructure.....those that are occasionally forced to use nothing, would actually be paying nothing for those periods - rather than 91 pence per day

 

[jjbomber]

They certainly do 👍
And, as part of the promise to scrap standing charges, this would be acknowledged - as they are transferred completely to the unit cost of energy.

The way things stand at present, everyone will be paying less after April. But, thanks to increasing standing charges, those using the least energy will be getting proportionately less of a reduction in their costs (because SC will be increasing while unit cost is falling).

Not only would the necessary change help the poorest, but It could easily be spun as a green initiative - the more energy you use, the (even) more you pay.....the energy users would be covering the infrastructure.....those that are occasionally forced to use nothing, would actually be paying nothing for those periods - rather than 91 pence per day

The old ''punish success and reward failure'' argument. It'll never work.

 

[DougK1]

The old ''punish success and reward failure'' argument. It'll never work.

You have some very strange views, which of course you are entitled to, but they are polar opposite to mine.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The old ''punish success and reward failure'' argument. It'll never work.

I say this with no political axe, but that's the whole basis of the taxation system - I'd argue that for better or worse (and that would be politics, so let's not pick up that baton), it's pretty engrained in life as we know it.

 

[jjbomber]

I say this with no political axe, but that's the whole basis of the taxation system -

It's not taxation, it's a good or service. When we buy a new car, the price isn't based on how much we use it. The price is fixed. A system where the car is free but servicing costs will go up to cover would be nonsense.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

If a graduated income tax system isn't an example of what you are saying will never work, I don't know what is...

 

[Romulus]

Currenty when watching good dramas on TV, often the drama is rudely interrupted by putting on songs which presumably are required to highten the ambience of the moment, often the makers choose a song with a singer who has lets say a little more unusual voice thus attempting to be original but the whole process usually falls flat and is in essence a failed ploy. On the programme 'One Day' the episodes unfortunately were continually interrupted by these awful songs which artistically were not needed; sometimes less is more.....

 

[Gray]

When we buy a new car, the price isn't based on how much we use it. The price is fixed.

Let's use your analogy then.....
If you couldn't afford to - or you decided not to use any fuel for your car, you'd pay nothing.

With a standing charge (that you seem to think is a worthy idea):
"Well Mr Bomber, we can see that you haven't put any fuel in your car for 3 days, sorry you couldn't afford to.
However, the infrastructure has to be paid for - it costs us money to deliver fuel to the forecourts....the fuel was there for you to use. Never mind that you didn't...we want money for the 3 days when you could have been using fuel".

That, I put it to you, would be as much of a nonsense as charging energy customers for NOT using fuel.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Currenty when watching good dramas on TV, often the drama is rudely interrupted by putting on songs which presumably are required to highten the ambience of the moment, often the makers choose a song with a singer who has lets say a little more unusual voice thus attempting to be original but the whole process usually falls flat and is in essence a failed ploy. On the programme 'One Day' the episodes unfortunately were continually interrupted by these awful songs which artistically were not needed; sometimes less is more.....

Absolutely - usually the songs will have been slowed down so they somehow (are supposed to) sound more profound or heartfelt, and often sound as though the singer has some form of impairment of the faculties. I can't help but note when silence is skilfully used...

Would add unsympathetic voiceovers that stampede across credits as soon as a programme has finished - so when you've watched something profound or moving and are letting it set in you have your thoughts trampled on. Crass.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Having had to use the M1 in yesterday's heavy rain, the standards of driving are just dreadful - it's a wonder the roads aren't awash with blood. Raining so heavily that it was borderline as to whether fog lights would have been appropriate, but this doesn't stop people tailgating, lunging from lane to lane and driving with no lights whatever. Surely even a basic sense of self-preservation ought to kick in?

Clearly not...

 

[Al ears]

Having had to use the M1 in yesterday's heavy rain, the standards of driving are just dreadful - it's a wonder the roads aren't awash with blood. Raining so heavily that it was borderline as to whether fog lights would have been appropriate, but this doesn't stop people tailgating, lunging from lane to lane and driving with no lights whatever. Surely even a basic sense of self-preservation ought to kick in?

Clearly not...

Darwinism at play....
Try visiting Wales for other fine examples...., Mind you we are used to a spot of rain.

 

[jjbomber]

Darwinism at play....
Try visiting Wales for other fine examples...., Mind you we are used to a spot of rain.

It's 20mph! Main problem is drivers looking out of the window at the sheep!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The driver who undertook me yesterday and then barged in ahead of me, into a gap that wasn't really there. She tried to do the same thing again a minute or two later. I think not...

 

[Friesiansam]

Failing to indicate properly, or not at all on roundabouts, needs to be a criminal offence.

 

[Gray]

'Celebrity'
I read the 'news' this morning and learned that the Uncle of Kate Middleton is a participant in Celebrity Big Brother......🤬

 

[Gray]

The driver who undertook me yesterday and then barged in ahead of me, into a gap that wasn't really there. She tried to do the same thing again a minute or two later. I think not...

Where are the unmarked police vehicles - needed to see and eradicate the gapfinders and other dangerous drivers - that the rest of us see daily?

 

[Friesiansam]

Where are the unmarked police vehicles - needed to see and eradicate the gapfinders and other dangerous drivers - that the rest of us see daily?

Plod are underfunded and understaffed, just like all the other public services.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

'Celebrity'
I read the 'news' this morning and learned that the Uncle of Kate Middleton is a participant in Celebrity Big Brother......🤬

Celebrity (noun): Someone whose name is worth more than their services.

 

[Gray]

Plod are underfunded and understaffed, just like all the other public services.

...so I keep hearing, yes.

(We all know that fines from idiots would easily fund a special, dedicated task force to really clamp down - and do something useful).

 

[jjbomber]

The driver who undertook me yesterday and then barged in ahead of me, into a gap that wasn't really there. She tried to do the same thing again a minute or two later. I think not...

So why were you in the overtaking lane if you weren't overtaking? You're the one committing an offence!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

So why were you in the overtaking lane if you weren't overtaking? You're the one committing an offence!

There was a truck in front of me. Hence me describing the space in front as a gap that wasn't there. The truck was the one dawdling in the overtaking lane. But hey, feel free to pass judgement without knowing the facts...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Yesterday's ditherers - from the car that pulled into the overtaking lane (fine, as it was turning right at the next roundabout), but then dithered at 25 (it's a 40) thus ensuring that at least two other cars didn't get through at that cycle of the lights. And who then accelerated glacially* to a heady 20 along the next 30, before pulling off at a speed so slow you'd have to assume he thought the car was going to topple over.

Then the gaggles who were in the supermarket dawdling along, randomly changing direction and ambling side by side so no-one could get by. I sometimes wonder whether it's deliberate, because surely no-one is that lacking in self- and spatial awareness.

*I once recall a slow car getting a review which described it as gathering speed in the same way an octogenarian gathers carrots. Was reminded of this...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Companies whose services you consider, and who then bombard you with emails. Looked into holiday insurance yesterday afternoon as there's a fair chance my father-in-law will die this year - turns out that pre-existing conditions are not covered so it's no help to us. Didn't stop Staysure from emailing me yesterday evening and again this morning.

 

[Friesiansam]

Companies whose services you consider, and who then bombard you with emails. Looked into holiday insurance yesterday afternoon as there's a fair chance my father-in-law will die this year - turns out that pre-existing conditions are not covered so it's no help to us. Didn't stop Staysure from emailing me yesterday evening and again this morning.

If I want to look at or check something, without signing-up and not get spammed, I use one of two email addresses I have in false names and which I don't monitor.

 

[Gray]

If I want to look at or check something, without signing-up and not get spammed, I use one of two email addresses I have in false names and which I don't monitor.

I can customise the prefix of my e-mail address when sending.
I regularly do it, tailoring it to the specific company - so I can be in no doubt who has passed it on.

Since 2015 it's happened twice.
When challenged (and threatened with ICO action) one assured me that they never pass addresses on..... they probably don't any more 🤨