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131: Singapore 2 - The Future of Singapore (2024 ed.)

Dec 22, 2024 · 6 min read · #government , #current-affairs

I pick up this smattering of notes, on the back of finishing of a macro view of the evolving world order. What next but to write about a place a bit closer to home? A topic that still has a lingering interest, having worked in a government agency and all; and a continuation of where I last left off. Since then, I’ve written fairly broadly, especially around my interests in Universal Frameworks and principled views on seemingly complex or abstract topics.

129: Business 2B - Finance Accounting

Dec 19, 2024 · 2 min read · #business

Generally, I’ve found that accounting is not biblical scriptures, but its principles needs to be aligned. Most accounting practices can be fairly standard, but some that perhaps require more thought (based on past experience) are: Cost of Goods - what goes into it, what doesnt (especially on material and manhours, and on unit costs) R&D Capitalisation - Unclear if capitalising too much is a good thing in the long run.

128: Business 2 - Financial Planning and Budgeting

Dec 19, 2024 · 1 min read · #business

Don’t get me wrong, I’m neither a fan of Financial planning nor accounting, and there isn’t really a reason to do this first aside from the fact that it is the end of the year, and I’d like to follow a similar thought process for my own personal “Budget” in 2025. 1. Set Revenue Guidance and Target (Sales Budget) Sales (preferably grounds up) to review opportunities and pipeline to hit figure Current view is having opportunities, 2.

127: Business Series - Kick Off

Dec 19, 2024 · 2 min read · #business

In 2021, I wrote two series: based on my thoughts around Sustainability and around economics. In 2022, and perhaps a sign of my interest diverting away from thinking about the external world, but into the internal realms, i started to write more about life, human nature, and career. I would certainly say that 2023 was quite heavily oriented around work (and I am somewhat self-impressed that I managed to write 27 posts).

126: Meta 2 - (Finally) Building the Second Brain

Dec 19, 2024 · 5 min read · #meta

As the year draws to a close, and the annual dusk settles, there is a quiet moment (undoubtedly helped by being on leave) to think clearly and clearly think about thinking. I am reminded on this blog’s reason for being, and its Reason for being as well as the ability to improve the learning and synthesis process, as I find myself far too spread out in interests and in the “must-dos”: from an engineering background, to a fascination with socio-economics, geopolitics, and the humanities; and now I teeter on another crest - waiting to fall into the arms of Cyborg form of Athena.

125: On Fear and Death

Nov 11, 2024 · 3 min read · #philosophy

On Fear and Death The sort of post that anyone who thinks too much for their own good, must eventually tolerate and write. It was warm, friendly, if slightly unfamiliar setting; the scent of cheese and red wine, good conversations and banter. Rather Jovial. Up until, someone probed - on what one’s greatest fear could be. Common fears bandied around the table included death (which was later clarified as the awareness of death), insignifiance (or legacy, as I term it), loneliness (which again, was discussed under the context of the solitude and highly individualised experience of one’s own death)

124: Travel 3 - UK, 2024

Nov 10, 2024 · 4 min read · #travel

A travel note from a work trip to London in September 2024 A trip of many firsts: First time being a solo “travelling salesman”, following up with in-person meetings. First time driving in the UK. First time renting a car in a long time. The trip was layered: less of the Ifs and Whens, but rather, the buts. One of repeated crisis and things that could go wrong, but turned out for the better (or minimally and ok)

123: Travel 2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka 2024

Nov 10, 2024 · 2 min read · #travel

Background: booked a surfing camp at Kimasurf, Sri Lanka had recently gotten out of a foreign currency crisis. Decided to document quick travel notes I remember fuel being topped up while car is running, which blew my mind. And the initial expectations on the struggle and crisis were not very apparent. Lights were on, and things were indeed moving. There were numerous signs of the legacy of former development, whether it was related to old British colonial vibes, or international business.

122: On the Porsche Museum

Nov 10, 2024 · 3 min read · #travel

Background - travelled down from Frankfurt to Stuttgart (and then to Munich and Augsburg) on the 25/26th October 2024 as part of a work trip I dropped by the Porsche museum. On a weekend. In between work days. But the visit comes at an interesting time. First, from an external perspective, the glitz and glamour around the autmotive industry in Germany is under siege. Struck by multiple whammies of weakening domestic demand, and the rise in Chinese automotive (cheaper, and better) products, while navigating a long-drawn and immensely costly energy transition.

121: On Command: Reflection on leading as a Captain

Nov 10, 2024 · 5 min read · #career

The year 2024 was one intended to be slightly regressive. Emphasising other aspects beyond the romanticism and suffering of impassioned work. But, life tends to drop hints along the way, and I find myself a little overwhelmed with the ever accumulating “Extra Curricular Activites”. As far as I enjoy the multiplicty of experienes, its more difficult when everything is new. There is only so much, and so little capacity one has within a year to adopt.