Imagine where we have a police station that works on behalf of a foreign entity. Silencing prodemocracy U.S. residents on U.S. soil. I'm very happy that we do not allow such systems to persist within our country. I'm sure they would feel the same if we did the same. Any country and any people would not want these systems to exist. So this makes sense to close them down where we find them. 'Two Arrested for Operating Illegal Overseas Police Station of the Chinese Government'
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
CHIPS an IRA Appear to be Helping Return Manufacturing to the U.S.
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Water Powered Crank Example of Renaissance Technology Georg Andreas Böckler, 1661 R&D Increased technology Semi Conductors are root technology |
Semiconductor development is more helpful when matched with complementary initiatives. Let also consider recent changes in infrastructure and see if that ends up in conjunction with technology impacting our growth trajectory. As these semiconductors get up and running there will be some lag time but we should then see positive impact on innovation and technology based patents, products, and revenues.
-Robert Casanova, Director of Industry Statistics and Economic Policy at the Semiconductor Industry Association, stated 52 semiconductor projects have been announced in the U.S. between 2020 when CHIPS Act started until March 2023 with a total of US$210 billion.
Furthermore, we will need to become more productive and creative as a people so technology can match with human capital investment to create development synergy. That is a difficult and contentious issue as people debate what it means to be a universal democracy (i.e. meaning how to maximize engagement, opportunity, and development around shared American principles). Its a murky but important concept.
Reading this informative article 'IRA and CHIPS Act bringing manufacturing back to the US' provides a key analysis of semiconductor investments in the U.S. Key Takeaways:-From the chart 'Sources of FDI in US (US$ million)' it appears that FDI investment has doubled from Canada and Asia (I don't think the chart said but I think this is related to Semiconductors because of the paragraph above or below. I might have missed something.).
-AZ, TX, OH, NY appear to be top destinations for investment.
There are some really good charts and information offered by Senate RPC on semiconductors that discusses how the U.S. started to lose the technology game and this adjustment was helpful in shifting the trajectory 'Key to Economic and National Security'
There is also a review as presented to the President of the U.S. 'Revitalizing the U.S. Semiconductor Ecosystem' Key point (Quoted):
-"$556 billion,7 with U.S. companies accounting for 47 percent of the market; semiconductors are the fourth largest U.S. export; and the industry directly employs nearly 300,000 Americans and indirectly accounts for 1.6 million additional jobs."
It appears that there are drivers to the development of the semi conductor industry. 'The global semiconductor industry is poised for a decade of growth and is projected to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030.' Those include....
-automotive, computation and data storage, and wireless will fuel the growth.
Finally, you may want to consider the Semiconductor Industry Association and their 'Industry Impact' to determine what their perspective might be on the total impact. They have a cool Semi Conductor Map. Kind of looking at MI and the companies that are involved (It is separated by state) MI Semiconductor and about $675 Million.
*Subtransactions can create economic cluster growth to improve the speed of development. A type of protype catalyst for larger manufacturing initiatives. In this case, semiconductors are essential for computing power and that is root that will determine many other things throughout the development chain. Infrastructure, human capital, and technology work together to create leading edge products that help revitalize economic development.
Monday, April 17, 2023
China, U.S. and India Top Growth Spots Next 5 Years
We need new ways of doing things if we hope to master the growth game. I agree with infrastructure (i.e. including energy), innovation (i.e. advanced manufacturing and shorter lag time between invention and manufacturing) and human capital development (Getting everyone involved in the system at their maximum capacity. The growth of creative capital.)
According to the IMF China will lead the growth. China's global gross domestic product expansion will be around 22.6%, India's will be around12.9%, and the US will be around 11.3%.
The U.S. isn't exactly lagging and is in the top 4 but it isn't up to the level of China and India. I understand why as we only recently started being concerned about our long-term prospects and the necessity of maintaining our supply chains and improving our advanced manufacturing.
We will have to see what happens. I think we can grow much faster once we fulfill all of the components and be willing to try some new ideas as they related to cluster development that helps to improve the innovative capacity of areas.
Let us turn the page in our shared story.....
U.S. House Financial Services Committee Publishes Copy of Stablecoin Bill: What is a Stablecoin?
Stay tuned for a hearing on Stable Coin that will be coming up by the 'Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee' (Here is the Stablecoin Draft Bill they created. I think it will be discussed more in that meeting.) You can read a solid article on 'Stablecoin Bill is an ‘Extraordinary Moment For the Future of Dollar,’ Says Circle CEO'. Because of way in which the economy is changing and adjusting these new digital currencies/assets will come out to fill the market gap. Expect some debates and discussions.
The Digital Era is a platform shift over a relatively short time frame (i.e. a Digital Renaissance which the U.S. could capitalize on the shift. These eras are often marked by changes in the way we think and conduct our daily affairs. See the last Renaissance, Science, Technology) That creates a problem in terms of management. Regulation allows the government to have some control over these currencies and ensure they are not being misused or manipulated. Larger central currencies provide higher levels of system management and in turn economic stability (People can argue too little and too much but all in all its necessary for a nation this large.).
Stablecoins are in the process of being regulated. I'm not sure where the name comes from but I suspect that if they are backed by more tangible assets that is related to the term "stable". It means that a stablecoin is eventually convertible for hard assets of some form or another. (That could probably go through another medium like the dollar but each time you make something dependent on something else dependent on something else you create complexity that can't be managed well when economic shocks and issues occur. I like the concept of the gold standard and/or a modified form of a basket of precious commodities as a currency anchor to hedge inflation and/or decline. Many ways to sort of think about it.)
The World Economic System discusses spill over effects of stablecoin and their definition in 'Understanding the macroeconomic impact of cryptocurrency and stablecoin economics' (WEF, para 9, 2023). The following bold sections are bold:
Stablecoin, on the other hand, is a DLT-based cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value relative to another asset. It originated from a demand for a stable monetary unit in distributed ledger applications and is used more frequently for transactions than crypto.
Fiat-backed stablecoins hold 1:1 reserves of fiat currency and the promise of convertibility.
With regulations actively being considered, it is important to prioritise taking action as soon as possible.
- Policymakers should create an international classification framework with nuanced regulations
- Crypto and stablecoins should be included in monetary and financial statistics
- Governments should coordinate with other governments to mitigate regulatory arbitrage and consider economic projections when designing regulations
- Businesses should proactively work in partnership with regulators when designing business Models
Its Important to Improve Our Justice System: Even if its not wanted.
In my humblest of opinions the justice system needs some work in order to better fulfill its stated mission. There are elements that are functioning for the higher purposes of the nation and its people existing along with other aspects that are either not functioning or not functionally well. I can talk about that all day and I could give example upon example but in the end it comes down to who we are as a people and what we hope to achieve.
I see a nation that treats people fairly and knows how to maximize its human capital. Some agree with me on those aspects and some radically oppose. However, there is a significant element in society who feel that the laws should apply to help their specific religion, clan, race, or group and that others should have little to no rights or protections (Because someone feels that way doesn't mean it actually is or should be that way. It only means they feel that way and some of those who feel that way will misuse any system to mitigate those feelings.).
For the most part I cannot tell you why or how those distorted beliefs persist but it appears to be an acceptable part of society reaching into nearly ever corner of the justice system. The grotesque and the good seem to exist in the same time and space. One reaches toward our nation's principles and the other persists as a left over of a darker time and era.
(I have to use the term fellow citizens because even if someone has a different race or religion they are still true Americans endowed with certain rights no matter what those who violate our laws believe or how they act. Nor the wink and nod protections they sometimes get for behaviors that would be considered inappropriate if conducted against members of their own group.)
We could fix this of course but we have not yet done so. We have only started on that path more recently. I have seen the default where anything goes, even putting innocent people in harm's way, as long as certain groups are advantaged by these behaviors. The system for them has become a tool to self-enrich and push distorted values. We may rely on those systems for safety and security but they see them as tools to use against others which can make them appear unsafe and insecure (This is why different communities see different things.)
The good news is that the majority of the system doesn't function that way on an official level so there are occasionally checks and balances that come into play (Enough so that criminals don't feel 100% comfortable but they also feel a little too comfortable with the way laws are often applied). However, because these more appropriate checks and balances are being currently implemented poor, unconstitutional, and often criminal behavior may continue to persist for a decade or so until we realize our diversity is our strength (If used properly in human capital development and/or appreciate it for what it is.).
To me, every system must focus on its essential purpose each and every day. If there are people who misuse those systems, manipulate those systems, adjust the intent of such systems to harm people in their community, and violating the essential purpose of our nation there should be consequences. However, because we are just starting on the path of building integrity into it there will be lots of hiccups (We should never treat hiccups as inconsequential. They are signs of misapplication of justice.)
Someone might ask, "We know that a lot of people in society are saying it but aren't you afraid the consequences of using free speech?" I say, everyone is afraid of retaliation. However, patriotism to me is to correct that which is broken so as to ensure it fulfills our stated national purpose. I'm not always right but I can see the system divergently; good and bad. There is room for change, there is room for muted praise. The macro data coming out in the next few years will likely align more with my perspective from a scientific perspective.
Another might ask, "You do know that typically people like you are going to lose a lot for standing up for justice right?" I might retort. If someone can take it away, it was only on loan. In this life I expect nothing from anyone because I know how selfish people can be. I expect retaliation as a sign of where we currently are. Not that it has any real value and likely more of a foolish perspective but there may be some small solace in not selling our principles where others have so willing given them away.
We know that systems that use our money wisely and with the greatest good in mind will persist and those that don't will be legitimately and rightfully criticized. Fixing the system means we can better catch bad guys/gals, use our resources efficiently, and do so in a manner that helps the nation achieve its stated purpose. We seem to miss out on the practical and scientific aspects of the debate and lean more into the ideological weeds where its intentionally murky (Where loud voices sort of distort the truth).
My political idea of the day? Let us keep what works, let us fix what is broken, let us stay focused on our core purpose as a nation. If that is confusing, then I would encourage our leadership to find other lines of work where problem solving isn't necessary. I fully expect to be a dishwasher for having values, would you like to join me in this new found occupation of integrity? (Maybe maybe not...roll the dice.)
Sunday, April 16, 2023
The Impact of Education on Human Capital and Community Development
Development of people through education is part of the solution in creating a high performing society. That will become increasingly important as we move into the digital world where technology and human capital will determine a great many things about our future economic health. Education, and I'm going to include skilled trades, appears to make broad based improvement in non-market and market aspects of society. Non-market factors could further create the right environment for non-linear societal growth (i.e. meaning new unexplored paths).
Consider this study 'The Impact of Human Capital on Non-Market Outcomes and Feedbacks on Economic Development'. You will notice a few of the things they say happen when we improve education within an area:1. Human capital (and R&D) investment and externalities offset diminishing returns from physical capital (i.e. raises the value of physical labor).
2. There is a lag between increased education and direct/indirect measures in the community.
3. Education reduces disparity gaps.
4. There is a broad impact on a community in the long run. (The study talks about how education impacts structural human capital issues such as pollution, technology i.e. education dissemination through technology, savings rates, growth rates, and political stability. )
What I pick from this is that if we improve education we find broad based enhancement in the economy. Many of these are going to be indirect measures, but overall there is a net positive to society from educational attainment. I suspect that also includes skilled trades and crafts. While the study doesn't say this specifically, I would believe that skilled trades would impact certain areas while broader education will impact other areas. Both appear necessary in one form or another.
Furthermore, we might consider improving education quality versus the longevity of educational process. Let us admit it, education is expensive and is a big commitment. Ensuring it is effective is important. This is why I came up with a measurable competency based system that can used to map learning in school and then compare that to what is needed by industry (and various industry sectors if needed) to ensure everyone is leaning what the market needs (i.e. employability)
*In my transactional cluster theory it is going to be important to have the necessary skills and education within the cluster and that could impact the rest of the local economy in a broad based way.
Marquette Harbor Fishing
Just in case you want some regulations on size and stuff. Familiarizing myself in the event I actually do catch something. DNR 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide
Mostly I fish near home. You can also check out this map on Delta County Fishing. There are more places then that, but that will give you some spots to check out. Walley, Rock Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Sun Fish, etc.
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