David Millner

Born Cape Town.
Born in Cape Town. Live in Paris. Mostly retired. Teach a little.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Give credit where credit is due: I purchased a second-hand smartphone from BackMarket. The phone stopped working after a month. BackMarket honoured the guarantee, and the process (of returning etc.) was correct, well-informed, and simple.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

After a shit AirFrance flight, I tried to give some well-thought-out constructive comments via their form, only to find out that (at the end of the protracted process) AirFrance's comment system was down. Grrrrr

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

In Paris 18, UPS couriers always fail to deliver a parcel to a recipient address saying "Customer was not available when UPS attempted delivery." The last few times I was always at home. In fact, this is laziness — it's easier to drop a parcel off at an access point.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

More geopolitics ("I believe"):
▷ China and Russia — difficult times because totalitarian regimes are inherently brittle.
▷ USA — difficult times because of massively partisan politics.

Let's see which problem manifests first.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Interesting package tracking from Amazon: "Expected to arrive today before".
(In fairness, Amazon usually gets this right.)

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Why has China so far not more robustly supported Russia's war? (China too might like a weakened Russia?)

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

China will invade Taiwan not when the timing or geopolitics is optimal, but when their dear leader is having some difficulties at home and needs a distraction, much like why Putin did Ukraine. So the thing to watch for is Chinese internal political instability.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Negotiated solution for Ukraine: give Russia a part of Donbas; give Ukraine Crimea. Then both sides can claim victory. War crimes addressed by Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Visit the Paris Louvre only if you do not mind busy airport-style security queuing — we waited >30' on Monday @±11h — spoils the pleasure of a visit to this fine museum.
(Tour groups get priority over pre-paying day-trippers)

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Coronavirus & Trump: he will blameshift. If spring attenuates spread, and if no resurgence in autumn, Trump claims vindication and wins re-election. If the virus spreads significantly, he will lose. So it's a matter only of cold science (whether warm weather effects propagation)

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

With coronavirus lockdown, in some months you have to do it again with a next wave of infections, and again until there is a vaccination in a year. Why not tough it out with no restrictions and accept that the health system will be overwhelmed for a while — just accept the risk!

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

Paris had a good fire. Nobody got killed. Emergency services did well, reconstruction money from philanthropy — and add future design controversy during rebuilding (the spire was not even gothic). After hype, when Notre-Dame eventually reopens it will be an even bigger attraction

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

When in danger of in doubt, run in circles scream and shout.

[David Millner @MillnerDavid]

In this dull and predictable world, isn't a little insanity rather appealing?