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Education 2 - On Defining Education and the End of Tuition

Aug 1, 2021 · 8 min read · #education

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 · #education

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 · #personal

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 · #economics

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 · #economics

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 · #economics

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 · #economics

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 · #thoughts

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 · #economics

…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.

Addendum to Economics 3 - Firm and Industry Examples

Mar 25, 2021 · 2 min read · #economics

Consolidation and Monopolistic Tendencies - Examples As each Chapter matures, champions emerge to control the dominant share of the market. By defintion, most of these are conglomerates, who have underwent significantly Mergers and Acquisitions, as identified in the Consolidation stage of each industry. Some examples are listed below: Chapter 2: Resource Development Oil Majors: Shell, Exxon, BP, Conoco Philips, Total Chapter 3: Manufacturers Western Industrial Conglomerates: GE, Siemens, ABB Chapter 4: Global Trade Global Freight Forwards: DHL, UPS, Fedex, Nippon Express Chapter 5: Modern Services Advertising: Big 4 - WPP, Omnicon, Publicis, Interpubli Accounting/ Audit: Big 4 - EY, KPMG, PWC, Deloitte Consulting: Mckinsey, Bain, BCG Digital Western: FAANG Chinese: BAT Platform (CURRENTLY UNDERGOING!