If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
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@cstross No, I think it would be a very good starting point.
After which maybe clean up politics: you want to play? Fine: ALL your finances are open to public view, and if we find you hiding anything it's straight to jail.
@Cadbury_Moose @cstross We have the public finances law in Poland. The penalty for lying on your report when you're a member of parliament is 6 months to 8 years (though the Sejm needs to agree to lift your immunity first). The result is MPs do report their wealth and it's the source of occasional minor scandals, but no one really cares to the point where it could destroy someone's career. I get the impression people actually expect MPs to be wealthy.
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To run out of billionaires, you need at least 4kms.
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@HighlandLawyer @gnoll110 @cstross
2 m - is that the torso length *after* racking?
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@Uilebheist @cstross Disadvantage- giant rats fighting the seagulls.
Advantage - giant rats fighting the seagulls for the billionaire's remaining eye.
Or testicle.Are there any women on the list?
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@Cadbury_Moose @cstross reminded of Discworld Australia, where they put politicians in jail at the start because it saves time.
@patterfloof @Cadbury_Moose @cstross
Not Roundworld?
Shame. -
@cstross
We can give them two options: recind 99% of your wealth, or be impaled.
That makes it fair, no?1% of a billion is still 10 million by the way, for anyone who thinks we would threaten to make them homeless.
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@HighlandLawyer @gnoll110 @cstross
2 m - is that the torso length *after* racking?
@WellsiteGeo @HighlandLawyer @gnoll110 No, it's just to leave a gap so pedestrians can slip between the row of stakes. Wouldn't want to block the souvenir shop windows!
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Advantage - giant rats fighting the seagulls for the billionaire's remaining eye.
Or testicle.Are there any women on the list?
@WellsiteGeo @feorag @Uilebheist Yes, a minority but a significant one. (There are a small handful we can leave until last, or maybe forget about: the divorced gazillionaire ex's who're trying to give it all away.)
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RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
@cstross
That's just very "effective altruism" put into practice, right? I think they'll approve, it's en vogue there, I've heard. -
RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
@cstross
Draco was comparatively mild, IIRC.
The ape you're aping was the guy who lined the Appian Way thusly, with Spartacus' army. About 80 BCE. And I forget his name.With modern medical attention, how long could we make a crucifixion last, before unconsciousness?
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RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
I've been told that there are more billionaires than chess GMs.
Also there are more panda bears than GMs.
You are more likely to be a panda than a GM.
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@WellsiteGeo @HighlandLawyer @gnoll110 No, it's just to leave a gap so pedestrians can slip between the row of stakes. Wouldn't want to block the souvenir shop windows!
@cstross @HighlandLawyer @gnoll110
You'd need some mechanism to jiggle the weight of the billionaire on their bonds, as people try to get around them as annoying impediments obstructing their progress.
You don't want them to miss the experience. Or the point.Would it be sufficient to stir the leopards in the face-eating Room 101 cage?
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@WellsiteGeo @feorag @Uilebheist Yes, a minority but a significant one. (There are a small handful we can leave until last, or maybe forget about: the divorced gazillionaire ex's who're trying to give it all away.)
Ivanka. "Daddy's girl"
Special treatment for her. -
RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
@cstross relevant thread from
@solar_chase — https://mastodon.green/@solar_chase/117511690007452299 -
@Cadbury_Moose Missing an "l" from public ...
Argh! Moose noticed that when seeing all the notifications... and is somewhat embarrassed as a result. Now corrected.
Many thanks for the "heads up". 3:O)>
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RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
Seems like a good starting point for the negotiations on a #WealthTax.
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To run out of billionaires, you need at least 4kms.
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RE: https://wandering.shop/@cstross/117512568357435117
If you think that's a bit bloodchillingly draconian of me, here, have a reason why:
https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/carbon-emissions-ultra-rich-oxfam-report/
@cstross draconian? Only if you'd suggested crucifying people.
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@WellsiteGeo
Definitely! We can have a 3rd option: Rescind your wealth AND be impaled.
I'm fine with that
@cstross -
Argh! Moose noticed that when seeing all the notifications... and is somewhat embarrassed as a result. Now corrected.
Many thanks for the "heads up". 3:O)>
@Cadbury_Moose It's one of those typos ... 🫢
