Discussion · Bonfire social

Discussion

Yes, the #EU has a lot of regulations.

But remember that thanks to those regulations you can use a single USB-C cable that can charge anything, rather than 10 different connectors and adapters as it was common until 10-15 years ago.

Remember that it’s thanks to those regulations if you no longer have to pay eye watering roaming fees for calls and data when you travel to other EU countries, as it was common until 5-10 years ago.

Remember that it’s thanks to those regulations if big tech has at least some constraints onto what it can do with your data and how much choice you have as a customer.

Remember that it’s thanks to those regulations if you, as a EU citizen, can benefit from the services of any other embassy of any other EU country if stranded abroad.

Those who try to depict the EU as a bureaucratic hell worth dismantling are those who hate the impact that its laws have on their freedom of exploiting markets, exploiting customers or living out of rent money.

Or those who hate the combined economic and political power of a united Europe with a single market because it threatens their national interests, and they’d rather exert their leverage with a bunch of divided and weaker countries instead.

Europe isn’t perfect and a lot can be improved. But those who call for its demise DO NOT talk in your interests.

feld

@feld@friedcheese.us replied · 2 days ago

@fabio

> But remember that thanks to those regulations you can use a single USB-C cable that can charge anything

buddy there's like a dozen different USB-C cables with different capabilities and even devices with USB-C ports that can't be charged with normal USB-C cables+chargers unless it's a dumb USB-A on the other end which guarantees that it only uses 5v and no PD negotiation required

and then there's the devices where it actually matters if you actually plug the USB-C cable in "upside down" or not because not all devices have all the pins on both sides

don't build your enthusiasm up for the EU's over-regulation on a such a silly lie

Fabio Manganiello

@fabio@manganiello.eu replied · 23 hours ago

@feld yes, I’m aware of the different types of USB-C conventions out there. Also when it comes to different current/power requirements.

But I see it from the perspective of someone who believed it to be impossible 10 years ago to even be able to plug the same thing into a laptop, a phone or a headphone.

Even being able to plug the same thing into different laptops was unthinkable. I had a stash of “universal” power cords with at least 15 different barrel connectors, and 5 different addons to adjust for different voltage and current requirements.

And let’s not talk of smaller devices using combinations of mini USB, micro USB, USB-A and other exotic variants (a problem that still affects HDMI btw).

Of course the USB-C standard is still fragmented and confusing, and a lot of work must still be done, but we’re in a state that is light years ahead of where we were a decade ago.

Cameopilot

@Cameopilot@toot.community replied · 2 days ago

@fabio Here in the US, its basically baked in to Republican politicians and business owners to complain about regulations. But what they forget (or ignore) is, most regulations aren't just dreamt up by someone trying to make life difficult. Most are there either to make things work (standards) or a reaction to people/businesses doing bad things (polluting, defrauding, etc). If companies choose community over higher profits, we wouldn't need so many regulations.

Julio J. 🀲

@j3j5@hachyderm.io replied · 2 days ago

@fabio

Insert here meme of

> Man tries to burn EU flag. Flag doesn't burn because of EU regulations on flammable materials.

oatmeal

@oatmeal@kolektiva.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio The “regulation is tyranny” line is U.S. propaganda - it was never about freedom, it’s about the freedom to exploit a captive market without constraint.

Elena Rossini ⁂

@_elena@mastodon.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio beautifully said Fabio, thank you! 🙏

Lenz Grimmer

@lenzgr@mastodon.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio not to forget that I can pay with the same currency in all countries!

Nicks World

@NicksWorld@mastodon.stickbear.me replied · 3 days ago

@MikeFromLFE @fabio The European union is incredibly strict. It's like dealing with a principal at your high school.

Mike 🇬🇧 🇪🇺

@MikeFromLFE@cupoftea.social replied · 3 days ago

@NicksWorld @fabio
I'm not sure that's a good analogy.
The EU is perhaps more like a benevolent uncle who keeps you safe and looks after you from a distance.

Oh how I wish we were still European here in the UK!

Nicks World

@NicksWorld@mastodon.stickbear.me replied · 3 days ago

@MikeFromLFE @fabio All I see from the EU is this company got fined ,and that company got fined and taxes taxes taxes.

Serge 🔻

@xerge@mastodon.nl replied · 3 days ago

@NicksWorld @MikeFromLFE @fabio perhaps it’s wise to enquire why these companies got fined (spoiler: they usually did inexcusable things to consumers like you and me).

Also, the EU collects roughly €0 in taxes annually. It’s all import duties and contributions from EU countries that are a small percentage of GDP (~1%), of which ~93% flows right back to those EU countries.

Nicks World

@NicksWorld@mastodon.stickbear.me replied · 3 days ago

@xerge @MikeFromLFE @fabio Okay, I was wrong about the EU. Got a lesson from google. It's essentially like a club that has rules but allows for independent nations which have their own military, healthcare, and tax structures. Sorry European friends.

Zambunny

@Zambunny@livellosegreto.it replied · 3 days ago

@NicksWorld @xerge @MikeFromLFE @fabio I don't know where you live (US?) but you might want to check where your news outlets stand in political terms. The EU has been attacked for many years now by powers that wish to see European states weak and divided. Case in point, Matteo Salvini being in the Epstein Files as being on Bannon's payroll. This absolute cockwomble of a man was one of the major proponents of Italy leaving the EU, even after the disastrous shitshow that is Brexit.

Mina

@mina@berlin.social replied · 3 days ago

@NicksWorld

It's also so ridiculous when people complain about bureaucracy. Yes there is. No doubt.

But without the EU, you would have 27 national bureaucracies to handle the matters now handled in one single place.

And not necessarily in a better way.

@xerge @MikeFromLFE @fabio

3rdi

@3rdi@mastodon.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio The way I was taught to look at regulations is that they are a careful record of past fuck ups.

Konstantin 🔭

@iamkonstantin@mastodon.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio those regulations also include other perks like:

- Prices you see in the store or online are final (no hidden fees).

- You get European movies and content on Netflix and other platforms

- When you order something, you get info when it will be delivered

- When you buy food, you know it’s safe to eat

- 2 years of free warranty for gadgets and electronics

- Your kid can go to school or get a degree regardless of your financial situation

… and that’s just scratching the surface

Kent Navalesi ☕️

@KentNavalesi@mstdn.social replied · 3 days ago

@fabio

Europeans have no idea what it's like to live in the unregulated hell that is the US.

Sammi

@SamanthaJaneSmith@lgbtqia.space replied · 2 days ago

@KentNavalesi @fabio I agree but Europeans do at least hear more about the US. I have lived in both the US and Europe and I have to say that many USians do not have a clue about the meaning of freedom and democracy. Europe is not perfect but it is a far better place to live than the US.