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Education 2 - On Defining Education and the End of Tuition

Aug 1, 2021 · 8 min read

TLDR: I frame Education through a its aim to i) Conform to social requirements (social responsibility), and ii) Living Well (Individual responsibility). Ending tuition intuitively helps minimise domestic inequality - but the issue is far more complicated than it seems. In my last post, I wrote about the western glorification of the Asian education system, and tried to paint a fuller picture on the pros and cons of different systems.

Education 1 - Education Systems

May 19, 2021 · 7 min read

TLDR: Accelerate a diversity of experiences and the self-discovery of passions. Teach a kid curiosity, experimentation with execution, history and human nature. Preamble I am not a teacher. And I never have been - aside from a couple of volunteering stints here and there. But every now and then, I come across two running commentaries that keep popping up on the topic of education. First, is a narrative that lavishes praise on the academics of some Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Singapore.

A Reflection on Moving out in 2021

May 15, 2021 · 7 min read

TLDR: Moving out has allowed me to: Rediscover and taking ownership of my wellbeing and creativity Been an important bulwark against ennui Recognise (more accurately) my finanncial and quality of life needs March 2021, a young man with a metabolic age ten years younger than his actual age (thanks boditrax), finally took action that has been weighing on his mind for years… I, after much deliberation, moved out.

Economics 8 - Critical Uncertainties and Battlegrounds of the Future

Apr 22, 2021 · 1 min read

TLDR; As I ramble on in this indulgent thought experiment, I first want to call out some aspects that I still understand poorly or that remain highly uncertain in the future The Determinants of the future economy (within decades) Through my past role in Strategic Planning, I have come to be very fond of a tool called Scenario Planning - a systematic way to look at how the future might play out.

Economics 7 - Sector Tier List - F***, Marry, Kill

Apr 15, 2021 · 2 min read

TLDR; On a more lighthearted note… Arising from the previous post on the nonsense economy, I prioritise sector importance by what I would do if… I could control the world’s economy. If I were hypothetically able to shape the world to my moral compass…to shape it to what I feel is right. How might I view it? F*** - indulgent, but not necessary….just nice to have. Characterized by Good returns to society, as a want, to live a good life.

Economics 6 - The Rise of the Nonsense Economy

Apr 8, 2021 · 8 min read

TLDR; As marketing becomes the key differentiator in a world where material functionality is commoditised, there is a real risk of pervasive bullshit (I am yet to read aseminal piece on this). Yet, in the pursuit of growth, capital will continue to flow to such areas. This I term, as the rise of the “Nonsense Economy”. It is the new frontier of rent-seeking behaviour, and detrimental to the economy. If you have been following my previous posts, I sum up many observations which culminate into a phenomena we see today.

Economics 5 - The Shift to Intangibility

Apr 1, 2021 · 5 min read

TLDR; There are reasons to believe that the previously described trends may not hold true in the future; The gravity of economic activity is shifting away from tangible products, to intangible services. This shift presents big challenges for modern economies - many of which are yet to be addressed properly. Things are Changing As earlier described, from a cyclical point of view - the world is at an inflection point of great change.

Universal Frameworks: Thinking In Cycles

Mar 29, 2021 · 4 min read

Before I continue on, I wanted to touch on another helpful model to rationalise why we see so many changes, disruptions, etc during these times. Thinking in cycles is a good reminder that what is bad, has been bad before; and what has been good has been good before. History is a powerful teacher and Change is one of the few consistent truths in life. The importance of Thinking in Cycles Here, I reflect on the importance of thinking in cycles as a way of understanding the world in a rather emotive way before I get into the meat.

Economics 4 - So...What's Next?

Mar 26, 2021 · 2 min read

…Which I think is a natural question that follows. Looking at the business cycles and the criteria I had laid out to define what a dominant economic activity looks like - I foresee two new chapters emerging in the short term. Sustainability Quantum If we described quantum as the new “digital”, and sustainability as a necessity, I am fairly certain of these trends. Neither should really be a surprise, though I believe they are still too nascent in my mind to be considered a full chapter at this stage.