How Xi Sacrificed China’s Future in Pursuit of Total Power

Interesting look at the state of China's economy. This article includes China's Zero Covid rules and the uncertainly that is bringing to the mix both economically and also in people's personal lives and outlooks. 

The article also factors in the crackdown on sharing or exporting any chip manufacturing equipment and expertise. China had a decade to catch up on this technology but failed to do it. Now they are really behind the eightball in a technology that is required for China to go from making just iPhone cases instead of iPhone like smartphones. Not to mention how important chip sets are to next generation military technology.

Why Ferrari Needs Formula 1

 

Cool Stuff.

Real or Satire? Getting Harder to Tell

Via

Truth

Quotes for Today

 Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Do I want the present moment to be my friend or enemy? The present moment is inseparable from life, so you are really deciding what kind of relationship you want to have with life." - Eckhart Tolle

"The NCAA's business model would be flatly illegal in almost any other industry in America." - Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

"A year from now, you will wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker

Happy Halloween

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Little old lady got mutilated late last night. Werewolves of London again. Please subscribe, hit the Like button, and share with others. And make sure you enjoy that sandwich today! 

Keep Me in Your Heart

On This Day 20-years Ago

Twenty years ago tonight Warren Zevon went on the Late Show with David Letterman in one of the most poignant moments in TV history.  

Zevon was dying of terminal lung cancer and he sat down with his longtime friend Letterman to discuss life and play some songs. Letterman devoted the entire episode to his friend.

Memento mori. "You're reminded to enjoy every sandwich and every minute playing with the guys, and being with the kids."

I still miss Warren Zevon.

A New Calendar?

This throwaway sentence from the book SPQR got me thinking:

What we call, for example, 63 BCE was for them 'the consulship of Marcus Tullius Cicero and Gaius Antonius Hybrida;' and wine made 'when Optimus was consul' (121 BCE) was a particularly famous vintage.

Is this actually a better measure of time? For example for many 2020 was the year the pandemic started; 2019 could be known as the year American became energy independent once again during the third year of the Trump Presidency, or 2022 could be known as the year the Biden Administration caused uncontrolled inflation.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"I've never been lonely. I like myself. I'm the best form of entertainment I have." - Charles Bukowski

"When trying to identify the smartest person in the room, start by looking for the person talking the least." - Peter Mallouk

"Sex is the great motivator for most complex life on Earth: humans, plants, fungi, even many single-celled organisms. Bacteria, though, don't give a damn. They're incels." - Lex Fridman

"Heard a rival dad is planning to hand out king size candy bars for Halloween so now every trick or treater that comes to my house is getting a full rack of ribs." - Simon Holland

Still Funny

Plizzanet Earth with Snoop Dogg

 

Fo shizzle!

The End of the System of the World

Noah Smith with a very thoughtful analysis on how China came to be the manufacturing hub of the world and how that world is today unravelling. Thought the article was very well done. There were some things I'd disagree with (like how Noah describes China's handling of COVID - in my mind their Zero Covid policy is a disaster for China) but overall very well done.  

Two details from the article caught my eye:

• China has stopped publishing most of its economic statistics. If the numbers were good - do you think China would be hiding them?
• China's stocks are now trading below the value of their assets on paper. And with foreign investment fleeing - my guess is those stocks stay underwater.

I've never liked the term "Chimerica" because I've long thought the Chinese economy was more of a chimera (a mythical beast made up of different parts). Nothing in the article changed my opinion on that.

Two areas of potential trouble that weren't discussed in the article, IMHO, are the facts that China is neither energy nor food independent. The first can be solved by treating Russia as China's gas station (this opens up a number of other geopolitical issues) but the second will be harder to solve and could be something that becomes more and more of an issue for Xi Jinping's government. A hungry people used to having food will become less compliant and internal dissention against Xi's Marxist turn may not go over so well.

Anyway - the article is well worth you time.

Has Starlink Instituted Data Caps?

Reports are floating about that they have.

Network congestion must be more of a problem then being reported. Have heard from a few who have Starlink that the longer they've had the service the slower the speed they see on speed tests. Growing pains or a fatal flaw? 

Starry Night With Real Stars

Very cool! Van Gogh's Starry Night reproduced with actual images of stars from the Hubble Telescope.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your own eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - George Orwell

"A true man hates no one." - Napoleon Bonaparte

"Education isn't something you can finish." - Isaac Asimov

"If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by." - Sun Tzu

Halloween

So True!

Via

James Gunn to Head DC Comics

Interesting move - James Gunn has been named to the top job at DC Comics. He basically becomes the Kevin Feige of the world of Batman and Superman.  

Gunn was able to take characters not many had heard of before, The Guardians of the Galaxy, and turn it into one of Marvels best properties. Wonder if he'll go the reboot route or dig deep into the DC Universe to do stories on lesser known characters like Martian Manhunter or Swamp Thing. Or perhaps a mix of reboot and lesser character by doing a origin story of a character like Lex Luthor. Whatever he does guessing it will be interesting. 

Can't be any worse than what's been done up to this point.

Really Scary Thought For Halloween Weekend

Via

Global Life Expectancy (1950-2021)

A look at global life expectancy over the past 70-years sees life expectancy increase from 46-years to 71-years. Great progress in just 70-years.

Women continue to live longer than men - on average of 5,4 years longer. Which brings to mind the old joke, "Why do husbands die before their wives? Because they want to." The scientific hypothesis is a little different.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Innovation comes from questioning the way things have been done before." - Elon Musk

"You find out the necessity of Liberty as you find out the necessity of air - by not having enough of it, and gasping." - G.K. Chesterton

"The spike protein is probably one of the most toxic proteins the human body has ever seen." - Dr. Paul Marik

"It may seem difficult at first but everything is difficult at first." - Miyamoto Musashi

A Little Star Wars Halloween Humor

Via

Funny Because It's True

BTW - don't think I could name a single Kanye song and don't know what he said to set off this firestorm and don't care but I do find the above to be funny. (Via)

What Xi Jinping's Third Term in Power Means for Investors.

"Once people walk away, the tea becomes cold." - Chinese saying 

When the Motley Fool says the "tea has grown cold" they are talking about China itself.

Xi Jinping has made it clear in word and deed that he intends to return China's economy to its Marxist roots. When the government faces a major financial challenge in the future (and those challenges are coming) - the first assets to be seized "for the common good" will be foreign assets. Think of Venezuela and the foreign oil companies.

This line from the article stood out for me, "Any investment in China absolutely, positively must be in alignment with the interests and goals of the CCP." The line immediately made me think of BlackRock and Ray Dalio. Two of the biggest proponents of Chinese investment in the West. Do you think BlackRock's investment are aligned with the interests and goals of the CCP? Or with those of America?

Why any foreigner or foreign company would invest in China at this point is beyond me.

The Best Argument for School Vouchers or School Choice

If Catholic Schools were a state - they would be the highest rated state in the country when it comes to school test scores. Across the board. Who wouldn't want their child to receive the best education? Fund students - not schools! (Via)

Aeroplume Blimp Experience

 

Very cool! I've long been a fan of blimps. Would love to try this. HT Isegoria

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"This is MAGA country!" - Jussie Smollett

"I have as much authority as the Pope.I just don't have as many people who believe it." - George Carlin

"Do one thing today that makes tomorrow easier. Repeat." - Shane Parrish

"But I will accept any rules you feel necessary for your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them, if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do." - Robert Heinlein

Missouri Executive Order 44

Extermination Order Day:

"...the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."

Missouri Executive Order 44 passed on this day in 1838. The law made it legal to kill Mormons in Missouri. The law was not repealed until 1976.

It blows my mind to think this law was on the books for 138 years!

Another Reason Hockey Players are the Best

Members of the Boston Bruins dress up as Super Mario Brothers characters to visit local childrens' hospitals. Why? Because it makes the kids happy and they're hockey players

China’s Wealthy Activate Escape Plans as Xi Jinping Extends Rule

"Rich citizens fearing high taxes and personal safety move capital out of country and arrange residences overseas."  Never a sign of an economically or politically healthy country.

The US really needs to strengthen our political and military ties to both India and Japan. If China's economy implodes Xi may try a desperate move like trying to invade Taiwan. 

Tesla Semi Ready to Roll

The Tesla Semi has received clearance from the EPA, through their Certificate of Conformity process, to begin delivery of the long awaited Tesla Semi.

PepsiCo is set to become the first Tesla Semi customer with deliveries of the vehicles scheduled for December 1st.

I look forward to seeing the vehicles on the road.

Apple Begins Decoupling from China

Apple moving away from China and is doing more business in Vietnam and India. This is good news but the question has to be asked, why not move some of this manufacturing back to the US? 

The other question I have is if all this manufacturing is being done in mainland China or does this include Taiwan? (Via)

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

You put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking out the door - but before you do please subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the link with others. And if reading that last sentence didn't put a tune in your head - click this. 

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"People who boast about their I.Q. are losers." - Stephen Hawking

"J.K. Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings. It's about how you become a better, stronger, more morally centered human being. The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it's appalling." - Ralph Fiennes

"If you want new ideas, read old books." - Shane Parrish

"Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." - Aldous Huxley

My Understanding of Politics in England As Well

Via

NIL Lawsuit Targets College Sports TV Revenue Dating back to 2016

A lawsuit has been filed against the NCAA, top college sports conferences, and Notre Dame seeking damages from TV money earned by those parties dating back to 2016 (the furthest back allowable). The lawsuit is claiming those parties kept athletes from earning NIL (name, image and likeness) money during that period. There are "more than 7,000 athletes in football, men's basketball or women's basketball who would be entitled to damages" under the lawsuit.

The NCAA doesn't have a good track record in these lawsuits and the damages here could reach into the billions. This is a lawsuit to keep an eye on since it could really change the dynamics of college sports and potentially bankrupt some schools (do you think those schools wisely invested that TV revenue?). 

Expectations and Reality

Interesting post from Morgan Housel about expectations, reality and gratitude.

Reminds me of this quote from Rumi, "Gratitude is the wine of the soul. Go on. Get drunk!" 

Xi’s Power Grab Spurs Historic Market Rout

 "In the first day of trading since Xi Jinping effectively secured ultimate power for life at the CCP 20th National Congress, Chinese stocks have crashed." Stocks had their worst day in Hong Kong since the 2008 financial meltdown and the Chinese yuan is now at a 14-year low. 

"The Chinese stocks bloodbath came despite the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics releasing new data showing China's GDP grew 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2022 (year-on-year)." So basically foreign investment is fleeing the country at the same time the "official" GDP numbers from the CCP say things are fine. 

To paraphrase a popular Hong Kong saying, "Don't trust China's GDP numbers, Xi Jinping is asshole!"

Jack Ma could not be reached for comment.

Taco Tuesday Tip

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Conventional wisdom is often right but seldom profitable." - Aryeh Bourkoff

"First you get the money, then you get the binders, then you get the women." - Mitt "Scarface" Romney

"There are only two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way.'" - C.S. Lewis

 "Always play it forward. And don't keep count." - Naval Ravikant

The Devil's Wheel

 

Strangely mesmerizing. She's a keeper!

Bill Belichick's Success and George Halas

If the New England Patriots beat the Chicago Bears tonight in Foxboro, Bill Belichick will move past George Halas into second place in all-time wins by a head coach with 325. It's certainly fitting that this could happen against Chicago - the place where Halas remains a legend.

Mike Reiss has a nice piece on how Belichick and Halas are more similar than meets the eye.

Meanwhile The Daily Coach looks at the two qualities Belichick possesses that any great leader must have.

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

In the battle of Tom versus Time it looks like Time is finally getting the upper hand. If anything makes you think or smile - please subscribe, hit the Like button, and share with others.

Cool Tips

Who knew? (Via)

Truth

Via

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"If you can't tell what you desperately need, its probably sleep." - Kevin Kelley

"Some of the models suggest... there is a 75% chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during some of the summer months, could completely be ice-free within the next five to seven years," - Al Gore 2009

"Two kinds of fools - those who take religion literally, and those who think it has no value." - Naval Ravikant

"The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie." - Mark Twain

Truth

Reminds me of the Mark Twain quote, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, most of which never happened." (Image via)

Netflix Secret Codes

Who knew? Netflix has secret search codes.

Here's some of the codes.

Here's the rest.

Via

Elon Musk Closes in on Twitter Takeover

Elon Musk's $44 billion takeover of Twitter may be just a week away from closing. However, the stock is only at $50 a share instead of the $54 per share the deal calls for perhaps because of reports the Biden Administration may launch an investigation into the purchase.

How funny would it be if the boobs in Washington gave Musk his ticket out of the deal and left current shareholders holding the bag by saying the deal can't go through for some stupid reason. Remember don't underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up.

Philosophy Explained (with Donuts)

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"With old friends you can put up with some amount of crazy, but no one wants to make new, crazy friends." - Paul Graham

"With Great Pumpkin comes great responsibility." - Linus

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things." - I Corinthians 13:11 

"If your expectations grow faster than your income you'll never be happy with your money." - Morgan Housel

Firefoxes are Real

Who knew? Firefoxes are a very real, rare type of fox.

Shouldn't Laugh at This But...

Via

Jon Gruden's Lawsuit Against the NFL

Unless the NFL has a successful appeal, a judge has ruled that Jon Gruden's lawsuit against the NFL may proceed. This means, "Documents and other information will be requested by Gruden. Depositions of key individuals, such as [Roger] Goodell and Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, will be arranged."

This is the last thing either the NFL or Daniel Snyder need right now. Here's hoping that Gruden follows through on this lawsuit and doesn't settle for the millions the NFL will surely offer to prevent their secret dealings from being revealed to the public.

Posted Without Comment

Of course if I were to comment it would be "Two girls one brat."

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control." - George Orwell

"The world's suffering is a bottomless pit." - Eckhart Tolle

"Man conquers the world by conquering himself." - Zeno

"Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, live happily and tell no one, people ruin beautiful things." - Kahlil Gibran

So True

All Quiet on the Western Front - Trailer

 

The first two versions of this movie were fantastic because they were true to the book and told the story from Paul's point of view only. Here it looks like they will be doing some behind the scenes of what the generals and politicians are doing. Not sure if that's an improvement.

James Webb Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide amazing pictures of deep space. Above is what's called "the Pillars of Creation" but after seeing the JWST version I'd suggest renaming as "the Hand of God."

The Tentacles of the Social Media Octopus

VDH on the Orwellian control of social media by big tech, how propaganda has replaced news and how truth is often labeled as "misinformation." It's not surprising that the terms "fake news" and "media hoax" have become commonplace in the everyday lexicon.

Professor Hanson could easily write a companion piece on how Big Pharma warped the reporting on COVID by being the main sponsor of most news programs.

So Very True

Via

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"'Love your enemies' said Jesus, which of course means 'have no enemies.'" - Eckhart Tolle

"It is vain to do with more what can be done with less." - William of Occam

"Caffeine is one of the few drugs people use to feel normal, alcohol is one of the few drugs people use to seem normal, and cannabis is a drug that makes the normal seem more interesting." - Andrew Huberman

"I tell ya, I don't get a break with nothing. I joined Gamblers Anonymous, they gave me two-to-one I don't make it." - Rodney Dangerfield

So True

Via

Baker Street - BBC Sherlock

 

Saw a band cover Baker Street and realized A) what a great song it is and B) there really should be a video of the song with Sherlock Holmes. And here you go!

Semiconductors: China Is Fucked

Interesting move by the Biden Administration - who just placed new technology restrictions on China in regard to the semiconductor industry. No US firm involved with semiconductors are allowed to continue to do business with China and no US citizen is allowed to work in China on semiconductor related industries.

"For all practical purposes the Chinese semiconductor industry of everything over the Internet of Things level of quality is now dead, and that has a lot more implications than it sounds."

Don't think the threat of stripping a person's citizenship for defying the Executive Order is constitutional but the effects of the Order have been immediate. I can see this effecting the War in Ukraine as the Chinese have become Russia's sole chip supplier for all their higher tech weapons and the Russian arsenal was already depleted. 

We'll have to wait to see how the rest of the repercussions shake out.

Tesla's Next Car

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the automaker's next vehicle platform will exceed Model 3 and Model Y production, will be roughly half the cost of the Model 3 and Model Y but be smaller in size. 

The Model 3 starts at about $47,000 while the Model Y starts at about $67,000. No timetable was given for the new, cheaper vehicle but you'd expect it to be years away as Tesla now has to focus on the rollout of both the Cybertruck and the Tesla Semi. 

The vehicle in the picture is not an official Tesla design but what the new $25,000 Tesla may look like. 

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

I'm in a glass case of emotion so please subscribe (it's FREE), hit the Like button (also FREE), and if the post made you think or smile please share the link with others. You stay classy San Diego. 

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit, but above all to corrupt its citizens." - Leo Tolstoy

"How long, Joe Biden, will you go on abusing our patience?" - Cicero

"In individuals, insanity is rare, but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

"Make up your mind to act decisively and take the consequences. No good is ever done in this world by hesitation." - Thomas Huxley

Don't Do Me Like That - Tom Petty

 

This song was written by Tom Petty back in 1973 back when he was still in Mudcrutch. It was offered by his record label to the J. Geils Band who turned it down. The song ended up being Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers first Top 10 single in 1979 on the Damn the Torpedoes album. 

Today would have been Tom Petty's 72nd birthday. Gone way too soon.

Liquid Death

Liquid Death is an interesting company. They've combined basic elements (water, a can, and good marketing) into a company with $133 million in revenue. 

A twelve pack of 16.9 oz cans retails for about $15. Key word there being "cans" as you can get water in plastic bottles for about a third the price but plastic is so bad for you and the environment - cans are the way to go! At least that's Liquid Death's message. 

You can even sell your soul to the company.

Killer Drones Vie for Supremacy Over Ukraine

A missile would cost Russia $1 million and they can't be produced fast enough while a drone costs just $20,000. No surprise that Russia would turn to killer drones as their new weapon of choice.

The article doesn't come out and say it but I'm sure on the Ukrainian side they are testing out the newest NATO drone defensive technology. Guessing that's playing a big role in 50% of enemy drones being shot down over Ukrainian military targets.

Think We Found the Point Where Inflation Became a Problem

Via

The Purpose of Life is Joy

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"First off, I am 36 years old, I am divorced, and I live in a van down by the river." - Motivational Speaker Matt Foley

"Research is to see what everyone else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

"A genius is the one most like himself." - Thelonious Monk

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Marcus Smart

Don't Say He Didn't Warn Us

Currently Reading

Currently reading SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. SPQR takes its title from a famous Roman catchphrase, Senatus Populus Que Romanus, "the Senate, and People of Rome." The book is about "how Rome grew and sustained its position for so long, not about how it declined and fell." 

The books begins in 63 BCE with the the rebellion of Catiline who wanted to assassinate all Roman elected officials and burn the city to the ground, burning all records of all debts in the process. The book  ends in 232 CE when the emperor Caracalla made every free inhabitant of the Roman Empire a Roman citizen.

Enjoying the book so far and will hope to put a dent into it on the flights home from Las Vegas,  

Posted without Comment

Via

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Most geniuses, especially those who lead others - prosper not by deconstructing intricate complexities, but by exploiting unrecognized simplicities." - Andy Benoit

"She was 12, I was 30." - Joe Biden

"The smarter you get, the slower you read." - Naval Ravikant

"People empty me. I have to get away to refill." - Charles Bukowski

Wise Words Indeed

Via

My Idea of Great Art

Funny Because Its True

Via

Suppressing Good News is Scaring our Kids

Perhaps the biggest impact climate change is actually having in America is the anxiety the fear mongers are creating in our young people. It effects all aspects of their lives.

There's never been a better time to be alive. You just wouldn't know it from the news or from people with agendas. They have no shame and nobody is holding them accountable.

Winston Churchill on a Water Slide - 1934

Churchill going down a waterslide. 

Almost as cool as Napoleon at a water park.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"All of our evil is done in the name of good." - Naval Ravikant

"Read history. It closes the mouth and opens the mind." - Annie Jacobsen

"We have to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us." - Charles Bukowski

"Too much effort to increase our happiness transforms it into misery." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

Find Something Beautiful Today

The Northern Lights in Scandinavia (Photo via). Headline stolen borrowed from Execupundit.

Musk Wants Pentagon to Pick up Tab for Starlink Access in Ukraine

Reportedly it costs SpaceX $20 million a month to maintain the Starlink service that has been so valuable to the people and military pf Ukraine. Musk is tired of that cost being his to bear,

Don't blame him.

Too Funny

Via

Charlie Munger on Reliability

Farnam Street

Black Hole Spews Out Material Years After Shredding Star

Astronomers observe black hole "burping" up stellar remains years after star was consumed. "We've never seen anything like this before."

Must confess that using terms like "burping" and comparing black holes to "messy eaters" doesn't give me the highest confidence on the science involved here.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Through forgiveness, which essentially means recognizing the insubstantiality of the past and allowing the present moment to be as it is, the miracle of transformation happens not only within but without." - Eckhart Tolle

"The healthy wear a crown that only the sick can see." - Proverb

"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." - Bob Marley

"Reality cannot be ignored except at a price; and the longer the ignorance is persisted in, the higher and more terrible becomes the price that must be paid." - Aldous Huxley

Cool Stuff

Cyberpunk crossed with a Thomas Kinkade style created by Stable Diffusion. Here's another example. And another.  

Via

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Being realistic about my chances of winning while gambling in Las Vegas - having a couple new subscribers, some hits on the Like button, and sharing of the link would be a nice consolation to my psyche. Thanks in advance. 

Greetings from Las Vegas

By the time you read this I should have landed (safely and on time I hope) in Sin City.

How Does the Russo-Ukrainian War End?

Interesting analysis on the situation in Ukraine and the possible endgame. Agree with the author that use of even a single nuclear device is unlikely, According to the author, "The war ends when Ukrainian military victories alter Russian political realities, a process which I believe has begun."

"...as the instability created by the war in Ukraine comes home, Russian leaders who wish to gain from that instability, or protect themselves from it, will want their power centers [troops] close to Moscow, And this, of course, would be a very good thing, for Ukraine and for the world."

Sounds plausible. Bit of a long read but I thought it worthwhile.

HT Stephen Landry.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Holdings Since 1994

Interesting animated look at the holdings of Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway since 1994. 

In addition to large investments in public companies like Apple, Wells Fargo, and Coca-Cola Berkshire Hathaway also owns 62 companies outright including well known brands such as GEICO, Dairy Queen, Kraft Heinz, and Duracell. 

So if you want to blame someone for all those stupid GEICO commercials - the buck stops with Warren Buffett.

The Economy is in the Very Best of Hands

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"The more vehemently they condemn it, the less of an argument they actually have." - Naval Ravikant

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." - Edmund Burke

"Learn by trying to understand simple things in terms of other ideas - always honestly and directly." - Richard Feynman

"The only person you're destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Viva Las Vegas

Good Point

Via

Wouldn't Surprise Me

Via

Tom Cruise in Space!

Tom Cruise will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to film scenes for a movie at the Space Station and could become the first civilian to do a spacewalk.

Interesting - perhaps this yet to be named movie can do for the Space Force what Top Gun did for the Navy? 

Voyager Station

 

Set to open in 2027. Is this the next big thing?

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

"Tune out society and its endless and noisy demands." - Naval Ravikant

"Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers." - Voltaire

"The six best doctors in the world are sun, rest, exercise, diet, self-esteem, and friends. Keep them at all stages of your life and enjoy a healthy life." - Charlie Chaplin

"God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could not learn in no other way." - C.S. Lewis

Beastie Boys/Muppets Mashup

Why Would Anyone Want to Live in California at this Point?

Via

Xi's China has Made 3 Foreign Policy Mistakes

Interesting interview with a former top Singapore diplomat who says Xi Jinping's three large missteps are:

1.  "Prematurely abandoning Deng Xiaoping's approach of 'hiding your capabilities and biding your time." Under Xi it seems the mantra is the time is now which has resulted in China today being held in the lowest regard worldwide in my lifetime. The low profile approach was more successful.
2.  The second mistake was beginning to believe their own propaganda that America is in decline. This is similar to the mistake Japan made twice; militarily in the 1940's and economically in the 1990's. 
3. The third misstep was their "no limits" partnership with Russia. No arguing that point. Big misstep.

Retired Singapore Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan doesn't see the tensions between the US and China lessening for decades to come. I would agree with that.

Heh Heh

Alternative captions, "Have you tried a keto diet?" Or "They said the vaccine would have no side effects."

Via