I'm curious when I read these articles: does this also mean making a career switch, or maybe attempting to start a career, in programming post 30 (with or without a degree) is incredibly improbable? Does that ring true to people here?

As one of those people, I really hope not. But then I wasn't planning on touching SV with a ten foot pole anyway. I suspect outside the bubble where the culture demands and obsesses over youth, it doesn't matter as much.

I have the same question and unfortunately seems that is true

Sadly this is pretty typical of Falkvinge's pieces.

Continuing your example, the "EU scolds" part of the article would be: the sponsoring Representative makes a blustery press release.

How it all connects back to why and how the Swedish banks were forced by Visa and MC to discriminate against '“questionable products” like horror movies, movies with nudity, or sex toys' isn't particularly clear. Especially since those types of products are as american as apple pie.

Obviously, the drug problem is a serious matter, but there does seem to be something off about this article. Its style, what you mentioned, and the fact that he referred to the Zetas as "Las Zetas" twice.