It’s less noble than reading, since that exercises the mind and lets it wander and fill in details, etc. But I agree with a watered down version of your statement that compares television to something like watching a play, etc. which certainly has value

And also to constantly redesign the icons. I am effectively icon blind at this point due to the constant churn

I once thought it was a nice refresh every 5+ years. Now it feels excessive changing every single year.

“Two wolves and a sheep arguing over what to eat for dinner”

Rules about high levels judges is also interesting in the context of dual citizenship. I am surprised for instance that in the US you can be a federal judge apparently while having dual citizenship. Seems like one should have to commit to one country in order to serve at high levels

Do they prevent people from being cops if they’re too smart in Aus similar to the US?

It's a minimum of academically average, but no worse.

> Applicants must meet minimum academic eligibility and satisfy English language proficiency requirements for entry into the ADAP program. Academic Eligibility

Year 12 HSC (minimum ATAR 50 or equivalent); or other equivalent qualifications such as:

    AQF Certificate III
    Certificate IV
    Diploma
    Advanced Diploma
    Bachelor or higher degree
    vocational experience
    bridging/preparatory courses  (UPPAP)
    para-professional, and
    other post-secondary qualifications

You’d think something would have to give at some point. But as you say the police have very little incentive change since they bear little to no consequence for egregious behavior.

American police have a tendency to use their unions to hold their cities hostage, not to simply lobby for better pay/conditions for their officers.

Part of this is refusing to ever accept accountability for their actions, either individually or collectively.

That’s certainly moving the goal posts, but of course America was founded on the principle of distrust of rulers, for good historical and governance reasons. Trust between citizens is a whole different topic

Should we give up all hope and ambition? Or perhaps there is a middle ground to strike?

As I said in my original comment, you've got to have some internal motivation. It's unhealthy to derive all your motivation from likes or views, and people need to recognize that, as Schopenhauer says, "the safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy".

But hike a bike is no fun, especially if trying not to sweat