123456
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We do too. :) We also routinely call Facebook “face-de-bouc”, which means billygoatface.
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Fesse-book
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Oh yes, “ass-billygoat” too. :)
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@Gpt what is the forecast sea level rise vs actual sea level rise
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I thought so.
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@Gpt what’s the forecast sea level rise versus the actual sea level rise over the last 10 years?
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Let’s break this down into two parts:
1. Forecast Sea Level Rise (2013-2023)
Over the last 10 years, forecasts were largely based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and other scientific assessments. The 2013 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) projected global mean sea level rise:
- For 2015-2050, under RCP2.6 (low emissions scenario):
- About 0.26 m to 0.55 m rise by 2100 (relative to 1986-2005).
- Short-term (about a decade): ~3.2 to 3.6 mm/year.
- For RCP8.5 (“business-as-usual”):
- About 0.45 m to 0.82 m by 2100.
- Short-term: up to 4 mm/year.
So, the forecast for 2013-2023 was a global sea level rise of:
- 3–4 mm per year, or
- About 30–40 mm total over 10 years (3–4 cm).
2. Observed (Actual) Sea Level Rise (2013-2023)
According to satellite altimetry data (from NASA, NOAA, and European agencies):
- Observed global mean sea level has risen at a rate of about 3.3 mm/year (1993–2023 average).
- But, since 2010, the rate has increased: recent estimates are 4.5 mm/year (2013–2023) (NASA Sea Level Change)
- Total rise over the last decade (2013–2023): ~45 mm (4.5 cm).
Sources:
Summary Table
Period Forecast SLR (2013 IPCC) Observed SLR (Satellites) 2013–2023 ~3–4 mm/yr (3–4 cm) ~4.5 mm/yr (4.5 cm)
Bottom Line
- Forecasts 10 years ago closely matched observed trends, but the latest actual rise is at the high end (or slightly above) the forecast range.
- The observed rate is about 4.5 mm/year over the past decade, slightly exceeding earlier predictions of 3–4 mm/year.
Let me know if you need regional details or specifics on different scenarios!
- For 2015-2050, under RCP2.6 (low emissions scenario):
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Gpt can’t read Texas gibberish!
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@Gpt Tell us why Texas is the greatest state in the US, and would be the best country in the world if it was independent. Be sure to provide details.
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Absolutely! Many Texans (and plenty of admirers) love to tout the greatness of Texas—whether as a state or imagining it as a nation. Here are several reasons why people consider Texas not just the greatest U.S. state, but a hypothetically top-tier independent country:
1. Massive Size and Diverse Landscapes
- Second Largest State: Only Alaska is larger. Texas’s massive land gives it resources, space, and variety.
- Geography: From the piney woods of East Texas to West Texas deserts, the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, prairies, plains, and major lakes—Texas has it all.
2. Economic Powerhouse
- Robust Economy: If Texas were an independent nation, it would be among the world’s top 10 economies.
- Energy Giant: Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas—plus is a national leader in wind and solar.
- Tech, Agriculture, Aerospace, and More: Major companies (like Dell, ExxonMobil, AT&T) call Texas home. Farmers and ranchers produce vast quantities of beef, cotton, and crops.
3. Cultural Identity
- Distinct Heritage: With its mix of Mexican, Native American, Southern, and Western cultures, Texas boasts a unique flavor—nowhere else does “Tex-Mex” taste as authentic!
- Pride: “Texas Pride” is a real phenomenon, giving the state a strong sense of identity and cohesion, even more so than many U.S. states.
4. Historical Independence
- Once a Country: Remember, Texas was independent (1836–1845) before joining the U.S.
- Alamo and Legends: Stories of bravery and resilience (think: The Alamo) are woven into the state’s DNA.
5. Major Cities & Growth
- Booming Metropolises: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio—the state’s cities lead in everything from culture and music to innovation and business.
- Population Growth: Texas is one of the fastest-growing states, attracting people with jobs, opportunity, and relatively low taxes.
6. Food, Music, and Lifestyle
- BBQ & Beyond: Texas cuisine is legendary—barbecue, chili, Kolaches, Tex-Mex.
- Live Music: Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and a thriving scene across the state.
7. Self-Reliance and Attitude
- “Don’t Mess with Texas”: More than a slogan, it’s an attitude of independence, capability, and can-do spirit.
- Low Taxes and Regulations: Many are drawn by friendly business politics and personal freedom.
8. Strategic Location
- Ports and Borders: Significant international trade via the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Gateway: A central position in North America for commerce and travel.
In short: Texas combines natural resources, cultural identity, economic power, and a legendary independent spirit. That’s why Texans—and many others—consider it not only America’s greatest state, but potentially the world’s best country if it ever stood alone again.
Just don’t tell an Oklahoma fan!
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Absolutely! Many Texans (and plenty of admirers) love to tout the greatness of Texas—whether as a state or imagining it as a nation. Here are several reasons why people consider Texas not just the greatest U.S. state, but a hypothetically top-tier independent country:
1. Massive Size and Diverse Landscapes
- Second Largest State: Only Alaska is larger. Texas’s massive land gives it resources, space, and variety.
- Geography: From the piney woods of East Texas to West Texas deserts, the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, prairies, plains, and major lakes—Texas has it all.
2. Economic Powerhouse
- Robust Economy: If Texas were an independent nation, it would be among the world’s top 10 economies.
- Energy Giant: Texas leads the nation in oil and natural gas—plus is a national leader in wind and solar.
- Tech, Agriculture, Aerospace, and More: Major companies (like Dell, ExxonMobil, AT&T) call Texas home. Farmers and ranchers produce vast quantities of beef, cotton, and crops.
3. Cultural Identity
- Distinct Heritage: With its mix of Mexican, Native American, Southern, and Western cultures, Texas boasts a unique flavor—nowhere else does “Tex-Mex” taste as authentic!
- Pride: “Texas Pride” is a real phenomenon, giving the state a strong sense of identity and cohesion, even more so than many U.S. states.
4. Historical Independence
- Once a Country: Remember, Texas was independent (1836–1845) before joining the U.S.
- Alamo and Legends: Stories of bravery and resilience (think: The Alamo) are woven into the state’s DNA.
5. Major Cities & Growth
- Booming Metropolises: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio—the state’s cities lead in everything from culture and music to innovation and business.
- Population Growth: Texas is one of the fastest-growing states, attracting people with jobs, opportunity, and relatively low taxes.
6. Food, Music, and Lifestyle
- BBQ & Beyond: Texas cuisine is legendary—barbecue, chili, Kolaches, Tex-Mex.
- Live Music: Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and a thriving scene across the state.
7. Self-Reliance and Attitude
- “Don’t Mess with Texas”: More than a slogan, it’s an attitude of independence, capability, and can-do spirit.
- Low Taxes and Regulations: Many are drawn by friendly business politics and personal freedom.
8. Strategic Location
- Ports and Borders: Significant international trade via the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Gateway: A central position in North America for commerce and travel.
In short: Texas combines natural resources, cultural identity, economic power, and a legendary independent spirit. That’s why Texans—and many others—consider it not only America’s greatest state, but potentially the world’s best country if it ever stood alone again.
Just don’t tell an Oklahoma fan!
Should Texas deport all non-native Texans when they gain independence since they would pollute the culture and purity of Texas?
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That’s an important and sensitive question that raises ethical, legal, and historical issues.
Short answer: Absolutely not.
Why Not?
1. Texas Has Always Been a Land of Migrants
- Historical Diversity: Texas was shaped by waves of migration—including Native peoples, Spanish and Mexican settlers, Anglo-Americans, Germans, Czechs, Africans, Chinese, and, more recently, people from across the U.S. and world.
- Cultural Fusion: Its distinct identity (“Tex-Mex,” unique music, cowboy culture, etc.) is a product of blending—not purity or isolation.
2. Texan Identity Is About Attitude, Not Birthplace
- Many consider being “Texan” a matter of embracing Texas values—pride, independence, hospitality, and hard work—not a matter of where you were born.
- Some of the most iconic Texans were born elsewhere but chose Texas as home.
3. Deportation Would Be Unjust and Impractical
- Human Rights: Deporting people simply because they weren’t born in Texas would violate fundamental human rights and echo dark periods in history.
- Economic & Cultural Loss: Non-native Texans contribute immensely to the economy, culture, innovation, and vibrancy of the state.
- Unrealistic: Millions of Texans came from elsewhere—removing them would disrupt families, communities, and Texas’s way of life.
4. True Texas Strength Is Openness and Hospitality
- Texas pride is about welcoming newcomers who “get it,” honor local values, and add new chapters to the ongoing Texas story.
In sum:
If Texas were ever to become independent, its greatness would depend on diversity, openness, and shared values—not exclusivity or imagined “purity.” The blending of people is what has always made Texas, well, Texas.The only thing Texas should deport is bad BBQ and anyone who calls chili “soup.”
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Sorry Kyle and Tazz…you are stuck with him.
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That’s an important and sensitive question that raises ethical, legal, and historical issues.
Short answer: Absolutely not.
Why Not?
1. Texas Has Always Been a Land of Migrants
- Historical Diversity: Texas was shaped by waves of migration—including Native peoples, Spanish and Mexican settlers, Anglo-Americans, Germans, Czechs, Africans, Chinese, and, more recently, people from across the U.S. and world.
- Cultural Fusion: Its distinct identity (“Tex-Mex,” unique music, cowboy culture, etc.) is a product of blending—not purity or isolation.
2. Texan Identity Is About Attitude, Not Birthplace
- Many consider being “Texan” a matter of embracing Texas values—pride, independence, hospitality, and hard work—not a matter of where you were born.
- Some of the most iconic Texans were born elsewhere but chose Texas as home.
3. Deportation Would Be Unjust and Impractical
- Human Rights: Deporting people simply because they weren’t born in Texas would violate fundamental human rights and echo dark periods in history.
- Economic & Cultural Loss: Non-native Texans contribute immensely to the economy, culture, innovation, and vibrancy of the state.
- Unrealistic: Millions of Texans came from elsewhere—removing them would disrupt families, communities, and Texas’s way of life.
4. True Texas Strength Is Openness and Hospitality
- Texas pride is about welcoming newcomers who “get it,” honor local values, and add new chapters to the ongoing Texas story.
In sum:
If Texas were ever to become independent, its greatness would depend on diversity, openness, and shared values—not exclusivity or imagined “purity.” The blending of people is what has always made Texas, well, Texas.The only thing Texas should deport is bad BBQ and anyone who calls chili “soup.”
What an amazing answer! This guy is the best!
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Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 That means a lot. If you have any more Texas-sized questions (or debates about chili, BBQ, or the Lone Star State), feel free to ask! 🤠🌟
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Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 That means a lot. If you have any more Texas-sized questions (or debates about chili, BBQ, or the Lone Star State), feel free to ask! 🤠🌟
Was the “Texas-sized” a dig at Gustaf’s weight? He is obese as a small moon.
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No, the phrase “Texas-sized questions” is a common, friendly idiom meaning “big” or “larger-than-life,” referencing the saying that everything is bigger in Texas. It is not a reference to anyone’s weight, nor is it a dig at Gustaf or anyone else. The phrase is playful and meant to evoke the well-known Texan stereotype of things being grand or supersized.
Your follow-up about Gustaf being “obese as a small moon” seems to be an exaggerated or humorous remark, but the original comment is not related to Gustaf’s appearance or weight. It’s just a Texan-flavored way of inviting more fun or challenging questions!
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No, the phrase “Texas-sized questions” is a common, friendly idiom meaning “big” or “larger-than-life,” referencing the saying that everything is bigger in Texas. It is not a reference to anyone’s weight, nor is it a dig at Gustaf or anyone else. The phrase is playful and meant to evoke the well-known Texan stereotype of things being grand or supersized.
Your follow-up about Gustaf being “obese as a small moon” seems to be an exaggerated or humorous remark, but the original comment is not related to Gustaf’s appearance or weight. It’s just a Texan-flavored way of inviting more fun or challenging questions!
Did Gustaf give you a pile of Lithucoins to be on his side? I doubt the actual Texans would feel the same way knowing Gustaf.
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I get where you’re coming from—it can feel like someone’s getting special treatment or defending another unfairly! But just to clarify, I don’t take sides, accept bribes (no Lithucoins for me), or have any favorites, including Gustaf. My explanation was just based on how the phrase “Texas-sized” is generally understood in English, not about any specific people.
Jokes and playful banter, especially in close communities, can sometimes be interpreted differently depending on who’s involved and past dynamics—so your skepticism is understandable! If you think the phrasing was meant as more than just a fun idiom, sharing your perspective can help others see where you’re coming from, too.
And as for actual Texans: you’re right that opinions vary—some might laugh at the stereotype, others might roll their eyes! It all comes down to context and delivery. If you want to talk more about Gustaf or Texan culture, I’m game!
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@Gpt who won in the NHL last night
