The emissions saved from removing a few hundred ACs are negligible. But the message it sends to the millions watching the Olympics is significant. Which, again, is why I am hoping there will be at least some symbolic action against rule-breakers - it will start a conversation about the need to regulate / ban ACs.

First of all, [citation needed]. Second, even if it is, a good message is being sent.

If that is true, the complaint should be against synagogues being exempt, not against churches being asked to pay up.

Wikipedia (Jan 2001, so barely squeaked in)

now they start targeting Christians

By asking religious bodies to pay tax? Why do religious organisations get tax exemptions anyway?

I think they’re trolling. In reality, it could mean they have a justification to attack / sieze any Canadian ships that stray into the Persian Gulf. But that would be a pretty huge provocation, so it’s unlikely.

Apes are Old World monkeys.

Sounds about white.

ACs are not being provided to reduce emissions. Everyone is being asked to accept an equal handicap, so that the world does not become even hotter in the coming years. It’s largely symbolic, I agree, but I suppose kicking out a team that prioritises its medal tally over the climate crisis would send an even stronger signal.

ACs are not being provided to reduce emissions. Most teams seem to be respecting this decision.

science has also shown that environments devoid of pathogens tend to produce people with allergies and autoimmune disorders

It’s actually the other way around, with viral infections being one of many causes of autoimmune diseases.

I think they’re only including mainstream models.

Sure, and I would prevail in a fistfight against Saitama.

It’s to fight the honkai when they start appearing in our universe. (Jokes aside, a company that needs to run a lot of servers would be interested in cheap energy.)

The organisers should just cut their power supply. Or disqualify the team for trying to gain an unfair advantage.

Nuclear proliferation is always bad news.

It’s a gamble. Knowing other countries can kill you personally would dissuade leaders from starting wars. Assuming no one makes a mistake, of course.

Oh definitely. I was just hoping they’d spend those billions on busses, metros and, yes, HSR, instead of on EVs. Still, they’re ahead of most countries as it is.

Investment in public transport would have been better, but it’s not nothing. Hope other countries follow suit.

I can think of four possible reasons:-

• It works on my system - We are shaped by our experiences. To someone who had their life turned around by a religious order (or a religious individual), it would make sense to follow their teachings.

• Opium of the masses - Life is filled with suffering. It is nice to imagine that there is someone looking out for you. An afterlife free of suffering is even better.

• Just following orders - If you want to do something, but don’t think your community will support you, it is easier if you say ‘god told me to do it’. It might also make it easier to justify the action to yourself.

• Church of England - You don’t care much either way, but it’s too much of a hassle to leave. Plus meeting your friends and neighbours every week is fun.

At least you don’t expect them to undergo two training arcs, beat a kaiju in single combat and h*‎ld h*nds with their crush to graduate.