July 22, 2022
Cowardice is catching, but so is bravery.
– Douglas Murray
THOUGHTS FROM DOUG
The US has led the world in interest rate hikes, which has caused the dollar to rise and commodity prices to fall. As other countries around the world raise interest rates, will it cause the dollar to fall? And if the dollar falls, will that mean commodities prices like oil and gas rise again? Maybe not, if worthwhile demand destruction happens. US gasoline demand is down 10% from 2019.
Most of the one billion people living in the Western world now probably consider Russia and China pariah states. What do the other seven billion people in the world? Mexico’s president obviously thinks little of his relationship with the US. And now Turkey is telling the US to get out of Syria. Do many nations around the world consider us the pariah? If so, why? And should we care?
In the past, the West’s enormous economic advantage gave it geopolitical power, but today Russia and the Middle East can supply energy, while China can supply technology, goods production and capital. The West may still have the moral high ground, but they no longer hold the economic leverage, and they only have 12.5% of the world’s population.
Maybe we need to stop thinking that the 7 billion people who do not live in the Western world appreciate the West’s moral high ground. Our morality doesn’t put food on their tables or gas in their vehicles.
Exactly what do we think is going to compel Russia to leave Ukraine? They don’t seem to mind losing troops. They already have ample energy. China, India and other countries will keep purchasing their oil and gas. They have China for technology and consumer goods. They have wheat to eat. What does Russia need the West for?
Just when some people think we need more renewable energy, we are finding out that both windmills and solar panels lose their productivity in the heat. What!!!!
I had dinner earlier this week with some friends. Two of them are strict vegans, another a vegetarian. Lucky me we got to talk about climate change, mass shootings and abortion. While the one female in our group admonished the fall of Roe v. Wade, her longtime boyfriend suggested that if abortion were legal at the time, he may have never been born. He was adopted as an infant. Made me think…
Some greatness is likely lost in abortion, while some suffering is surely avoided.
THE ECONOMIC VIEW
Jobless claims keep rising
With recession comes unemployment.
Conference Board data points to recession
If it’s not already here.
Philly Fed Index keeps falling
Is the dollar’s rise over?
As other countries increase rates
Can we handle higher interest rates?
After having become addicted to lower.
THE INFLATION BOGEYMAN
Natural resources prices are falling
Copper prices are collapsing
Inflation down, recession up?
CPI doesn’t cover it
For the actual cost of living for rural citizens.
Trucking crisis in the works
Regulation problems in California.
THE LABOR VIEW
Hiring tech tools are failing employers
Time to make it a human process again?
Ford to cut up to 8,000 jobs
It takes fewer people to make EVs.
GM moves some EV making to Mexico
Is your hiring strategy not working?
Here are three reasons that may be.
Self-employment booms
Comparable to the 2008 financial crisis.
MEANWHILE IN EUROPE
ECB raises interest rates
They need a stronger euro.
Europe is headed for recession
But inflation may not recede.
Dutch farmers revolt
Not happy with “green” policies.
THE NEW ENERGY TRANSITION
Europe U-turns on African O&G
But is it good for average Africans?
Venezuelan oil headed to Europe
France signs UAE oil agreement
Values are not as important as energy.
Can coal save Germany?
How’s that green strategy working?
PLAYING WITH FIRE
Software predicts the Ukraine war’s outcome
It’s going to be a grinding stalemate.
The Russia-Ukraine tech battle
Their hackers battle it out.
China is supplying Russia’s military needs
Russia wants India to pay in UAE currency
Russia and Iran ink $40B oil & gas deal
Are two macro global alliances forming?
GLOBAL
The $100T global economy
In a cool pie chart.
Are there thirteen “perfect storms”
Sweeping the world right now?
The dollar doom loop
That could bring down the world.
THE FINANCE WORLD
BlackRock loses $1.7 TRILLION.
Here’s how it happened
M&A has problems
Higher interest rates, lower valuations.
Higher interest rates, lower valuations.
Wall Street layoffs are coming
As business contracts.
Goldman reinstates performance reviews
Generation moonshot
Young investors like high risk.
THE CRYPTO MEME
Crypto wunderkind doubles down
Will a big buy low bet pay off?
Why is Ethereum’s price soaring?
Is it a bargain, or is it something else?
Saving crypto’s Celsius
Requires massive amounts of electricity.
TECHNOLOGY
Here comes the brain implant chip
That will help you think better.
Next generation hearing aids
May manage what you hear.
Amazon’s Ring invades privacy
Is this really a surprise?
THE NEXT NORMAL
More companies move to Texas
Samsung could invest $200B
Is Texas the future of America?
Dinner parties
We should have more of them
Confidence in news is abysmal
So where do we learn what’s up?
THE WAR ON CARBON
Cleaner air contributes to global warming
Talk about unintended consequences!
Is hydrogen really that green?
Maybe not.
Madness
Is the anti-carbon movement destroying us?
THE CHINA SYNDROME
Belt and Road has a worsening problem
As EM countries can’t pay China back.
Pelosi wants to visit Taiwan
China threatens the US if she does.
It looks to be over
Western company success in China, that is.
THE WASHING-TONE
The enemy found within
The road-blocking Joe Manchin.
No BBB, no global tax deal either
We’re trying to pass a chip bill
But does it favor Intel?
The most common paths to president
Private sector CEOs need not even try.
MAKING A BETTER YOU
Key to a healthy heart
May be a good night’s sleep.
How to laugh more
The more you laugh…well…
Do the work
Pretty simple, just get after it.
HOW ABOUT A BREAK
The universe has how many galaxies?
Way more than billions and billions.
Nerf’s Gjallarhorn is Gjigantic!
Christmas in July?
Messing with your perception of time
Some very cool facts.
SONG OF THE WEEK
Yo-Yo Ma does nature
What an ensemble!
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK
Boris Johnson’s last words as prime minister
No wonder he got elected!!!
Nope trailer
Is Jordan Peele the new Hitchcock?
The Gray Man trailer
Netflix wants to create a new action series.
CASTING AROUND THE PODS
Power and politics with Mike Pompeo
The former secretary of state talks geopolitics
What happens abroad matters here in the US.
FROM THE HEADHUNTER’S KITCHEN
Sheet pan pizza
Way more fun than take out.
Tenderloin au poivre
Yum yum yammy!
The 50 best Texas BBQ joints
And I’ll bet they missed some.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Labor Shortage Looks Permanent
July 15, 2022
Follow EU Climate Rules or Else!
July 8, 2022
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