Generally there are free trials or FOSS alternatives for most academic programs because academics are stingey af.

Cursory search showed Spin Works might suit your needs.

What? Right wing conservative facist in fact has a very non-traditional open relationship with a sexual predator...well if I had a nickel...etc etc.

This has got to be Iron Maiden album art right?

I mean, seriously, who is still watching this streaming stuff?

I dunno, just 146.1 million households

When I grew up AoE was put in cornflakes.

It can run at a loss. I believe the real motive here was to deplatform some users, or at least limit the functionality and usefulness of the platform. Twitter's reach was vast, and activists were using its reach to speak out against oppressive Governments (amongst other things). The previous two US elections also demonstrated the power and influence of Social media. Elon can run X at a loss, funded by Saudi (and others) as long as it stays larger than competitors.

As much as we'd like them to be, Mastodon et al are not nearly big enough to compete at the moment, and it will take some time to match the critical mass of X. Thus, as much as users might complain, those that require a loudspeaker platform (journalists, celebrities, politicians, academics) are compelled to still use X lest they themselves become irrelevant.

It's tricky and of course context dependent. It'd be much easier if there was no apparent motive (massive debt, impending arrest, history of fraud etc). I've often thought a holiday to a developing country with porous borders would be your best bet. If you are in a western nation it's quite difficult to disappear within your own borders, and it is hard to survive without an identity. Even then, most western nations will send someone/s to investigate your disappearance or pursue the matter via Interpol etc. Add to this your appearance is likely to raise attention if you are obviously not a local (in my case I am a white AF guy with tattoos who would not melt into the background in India). Further, no matter the money you have you ultimately want some type of identity and passport in case your current situation gets hot. In my scenario I would travel to country A using my legitimate credentials, then disappear (drowning is a good one, cheers Harold). I'd then leg it to the neighbouring country (country B) where I'd attempt to get a new identity using forgeries I'd already organised from another country different to my home. Once I can establish my identity in country B (residency over months/years etc) I'd then move to my final destination and keep my head down.

There's plenty of stories of those who try to restart and get caught (Nick Rossi, John Darwin). Common thread is they don't completely break from their previous life, or they move somewhere too obvious. Another key point is having to deal with some real sketchy people to make all of this happen properly. You'd essentially need to be smuggled across borders and acquire forged documents.

I'd be keen to hear others back-of-napkin plans.

Isn't this the narrative of the cat in Sabrina?

This is the logic publishers apply to libraries when they charge them more for books than general retail price.

Reminds me of the partner of a US intelligence member who hit and killed a man in the UK and saw no repercussions. Vehicular manslaughter is becoming a top 10 US export.

Awesome, I've been running SmartTube on a Sony Android TV for a bit. Works really well, almost seamless. Regular updates appear via the Telegram chat too. SmartTube coupled with YT Pro for phone is a perfect combination.

Yeah, how are Americans meant to shoot and kill the 11 intruders that come into their bedroom at night as they sleep if their AR-15 mag is limited to 10 rounds.

Good to see common sense prevail. Now to lift the ban on belt fed firearms so Americans can really live free (or at least those who aren't brown, black, female, queer, progressive, poor or school children).