Unlearn Relearn

James Wolcott | 'Worse than a Fool'

Link: James Wolcott | 'Worse than a Fool'.

A quick comment on an article by James Wolcott (Vanity Fair)
the complete text is available from the link of course.

The article refers mainly to a billionaire called Richard Rainwater who seems to be afraid of what the 'future' may bring.  This man has made billions out of the strategy below, in his own words

"Most people invest and then sit around worrying what the next blowup will be," he says. "I do the opposite. I wait for the blowup, then invest."

he goes on to say

"This, (peak oil), is a nonrecurring event. The 100-year flood in Houston real estate was one, the ability to buy oil and gas really cheap was another, and now there's the opportunity to do something based on a shortage of natural resources. Can you make money? Well, yeah.
One way is to just stay long domestic oil. But there may be something more important than making money. This is the first scenario I've seen where I question the survivability of mankind. I don't want the world to wake up one day and say, "How come some doofus billionaire in Texas made all this money by being aware of this, and why didn't someone tell us?"

This is where i have to jump in and remind him that if, as has been suggested, there is a global economic meltdown does he really believe that sheets of paper, (he's liquid to the tune of 500 Million in cash), will be enough to save him, or any one else for that matter?

The fact that he is spending so much of his time reading and researching suggests to me that instinctively he doesnt.

Im not going to speculate on the may be's of peak oil or any other form of future scenario regarding the global economy all i will say is that resources (listen to Gill Scott Herons B Movie) are scarce and getting scarcer.

Money is not a genuine resource, and is of no real value. At the moment it is exchanged for material goods and services and obviously oils the wheels of global commerce but that is about the strength of it.

I had a conversation with someone a while back and the subject was poverty and wealth. The accepted view is that money is wealth and lack of is understood as poverty. Our discourse held that when you look at it natural RESOURCES is true wealth and lack of, is poverty.

After all, can you eat, breathe or drink dollar bills?

Take Africa for instance, (the subject of our discussion), poor financially but rich in resources. The story told by the propoganda machine suggests that is where poverty is at its most critical. Why is that?....................All i can say is brace yourselves for resource wars.

willthomas.net Death Of The Dollar

Link: willthomas.net � Blog Archive � Death Of The Dollar.

Another great piece of writing from Will Thomas, who (in my opinion) better than anyone else represents the future of news
Of course to some (the knowledge worker/broker) it is the here and now and until the rest of us 'catch the train'  will continue to be utilised to gain leverage in the famed knowledge economy.

I urge you all to take the time to read this piece as it will definately impact our lives. Hold this aperitif........

“Saddam sealed his fate when he decided to switch to the euro in late 2000, and later converted his $10 billion reserve fund at the UN to euros,” William Clark observes in his landmark essay, “The Real Reasons for the Upcoming War With Iraq”—“The reason why the corporate-military-industrial network conglomerate wants a puppet government in Iraq—is so that it will revert back to a dollar standard and stay that way.”

"The assumption by many Americans that the strength of the US dollar rests on their country’s economic output is erroneous, PD Scott continues in his incisive essay, “Oil, Petrodollars, And The Opec Euro Question”. Instead, it’s the $600- to $800 billion “petrodollars” funneled from OPEC every year that is “buying America”—and keeping that insolvent economy afloat"

Make no mistake......we are at the front door of the 'Brave New World' and in the words of Alton (Soul Of Jamaica) Ellis

"Better get ready,
come do rock-steady,
you got to do this new dance,
hope you are ready"

Mental Health 'Strategy'

Thanks to Sepp at Health Supreme for alerting me to this ominous strategy for Europes 'Mental Health Problem'

As far as i can see Its part of the old globalisation strategy to homogonize us into the one size fits all package that is at the heart of 'efficency'

Obviously at first glance theres not too much in there to cause alarm, especially as these days everything is worded to say plenty only to those who speak the language

I have taken this directly from the PDF although i have highlighted what i think is of most interest

The purpose of this Green Paper is to launch a debate with the European institutions, Governments, health professionals, stakeholders in other sectors, civil society including patient organisations, and the research community about the relevance of mental health for the EU, the need for a strategy at EU-level and its possible priorities.

2. MENTAL HEALTH – CENTRAL FOR CITIZENS, SOCIETY AND POLICIES

There is no health without mental health. For citizens, mental health is a resource which enables them to realise their intellectual and emotional potential and to find and fulfil their roles in social, school and working life. For societies, good mental health of citizens contributes to prosperity, solidarity and social justice. In contrast, mental ill health imposes manifold costs, losses and burdens on citizens and societal systems. Mental health, mental ill health and its determinants:

The WHO describes mental health as: “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”

2. Mental ill health includes mental health problems and strain, impaired functioning associated with distress, symptoms, and diagnosable mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression.

The mental condition of people is determined by a multiplicity of factors (annex 1), including biological (e.g., genetics, gender), individual (e.g., personal experiences), family and social (e.g., social support) and economic and environmental (e.g., social status and living conditions).

3. THE SITUATION – MENTAL ILL HEALTH, A GROWING CHALLENGE FOR THE EU

More than 27% of adult Europeans are estimated to experience at least one form of mental ill health during any one year (see annex 2) 3. The most common forms of mental ill health in the EU are anxiety disorders and depression. By the year 2020, depression is expected to be the highest ranking cause of disease in the developed world.

So the solution......wait for it.....drugs....what a surprise.

Just to finalise....this 'green' paper was sponsered by two of the large Pharmaceutical Companies......If you want to dig deeper heres a link

t r u t h o u t - Paul Krugman | The Big Squeeze

Link: t r u t h o u t - Paul Krugman | The Big Squeeze.

for me the most interesting thing about this story is that i was exposed to another view of the Delphi problem by email yesterday. I felt compelled to reply straight away as i believe  it is an indicator of the future that is just on the horizon....as i write its 6am so bear with me...

The point i tried to make to my email correspondent was that production efficency isnt a solution to the social problems that have been designed in to mass production. Its not nearly enough to employ a team of the best lean thinkers and practitioners to redesign an organisation if societys ills are the root cause of many of todays problems.

By this i mean that the 'American Dream' is over and the 'American Nightmare' is about to begin.....plainly speaking MONEY ISNT THE SOLUTION.

Globalisation is relatively new but already it has 'ripped the arse' out of a fair and just society (not suggesting that there ever was one) and replaced it with a new god....and his name is M.O.N.E.Y

"This is nothing new" i hear you cry and no in itself it isnt, money has been the dominant factor in ensuring 'prosperity' for as long as we can remember ....but that was when we (in the west) had it and through it controlled society. Them days are gone and now money is in control and it shows absolutely no compassion at all.

Im not making any predictions but i would like to make clear that the day Money (and by that i mean its ringleader; Corporations) gets no value out of any country, no matter who or where it is, thats the day when that society will be hung out to dry and its citizens left to fight it out among themselves for the ever decreasing 'piece of cheese'

Already we are witnessing the courtship of the East by the players (World bank, Imf)
because that is now where the as yet untapped potential for profit is.

In the case of Delphi for instance why should they pay $27 an hour when the 'competition' can outsource (no local jobs or wealth creation) manufacturing and get a similar PRODUCT and pay a fraction of the cost. Business and money doesnt care about people and community...so if you cant pay your debts or keep up the (middle class) standards you are used to.....so what....

Corporations have already found a new revenue stream because they have almost  bled us, in the so called developed world, dry...as a wealth creating society we, in the west, are all washed up and its now the developing world that is being nurtured for corporate 'picking'

What does all this represent to me?
a future of war-conomics on one hand and  investment in the developing worlds infrastructure on the other leaving (in the middle) a crumbling civilisation to decay and eventual ruin (poverty) don't think that will mean your debt will be forfeit as it wont. I heard not long ago about the rumblings of debtors prisons being reintroduced as it was in Dickens day....no prizes for guessing what country is considering it...the one with the most debt that is peering over the precipice into social chaos. No worries though because security is being stepped up in these places so any civil unrest will be dealt with in the jackboot style.

I dont care whether or not any of this rings true for you because in the words of
60's soul singer Joseph Moore

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink,
you can send a fool to the greatest college but that wont make him think,
the same theory holds true for me and you if after all that ive been through i still cant get to you

Once ive sorted the pod-casting i'll spin the tune for you all on my inaugral broadcast along with various pieces that have helped me to become the person i am.

Finishing todays commentary on one of the lessons that i have learnt in relation to business and how to move forward. Local Jobs Create Local Wealth that is spent in the community ensuring Collective Wealth. Every Pound or Dollar spent outside of your immediate community in the long term brings us all closer to poverty and the ones hoarding most of the wealth are the corporations who have an insatiable appetite and couldnt give a toss what situation you find yourself in

p.s theres allways employment opportunity in the armed forces!! in fact the more wars, the more jobs created 'keeping the peace'

Is "Peak Oil" a fraud?

Link: 321energy :: If hydrocarbons are renewable- then is "Peak Oil" a fraud?.

Interesting piece from the 321energy site concerning 'Peak Oil'

As some of you are aware this is a subject that has caught my attention over the last year after reading a self published book about it.

After my initial reaction into the associated perils,  i dug deeper and came across some opposing info that suggested the Russians had already invented a 'deep drilling' technique that could tap into massive oil reserves.

The piece written by Joel Bainerman mentions the "Modern Russian-Ukrainian Theory of Deep, Abiotic Petroleum Origins." as well as the ideas of Dr Thomas Gold who dismisses peak oil as a myth.

Now that oil has hit $70+ a barrel two questions im asking:

Who stands to benefit most from this current situation?
Who is paying the price for it?

Answers on a postcard.......or if youre really tech'd up use the comments!!

The Third Market

Link: The White Market.

Todays topic is money, aka the mean green, the mumbosa, the folding, the king eddies...the list of names are as long as your arm. on the other hand the amount in general circulation (and i mean personal) is dwindling.

The link above references a visionary solution to the problems that are being faced by many in this age of greed and plenty

I remember the days when cash was king and having rolls of notes was not uncommon. This was before we all bought into home-ownership and now a LARGE percentage of the hard earned goes to the 'First Market' of interest and debt or to companies that actively promote spending more than youve got. Of course no-one is forcing us to spend (at least not yet) but the global economy wouldnt function without consumerism so maybe coerce is a more suitable word (and strategy) to use than force.  What this seems to be leading to is a world where only the giant retail conglomerates will survive and the small, local-identity operations will dissapear from the high street.

Take a look at some interesting research by the new economics foundation

"The decline in neighbourhood shops and services is sounding the death knell for Britain's local economies.

    * Between 1995 and 2000, the UK lost 20 per cent of some of its most vital institutions: corner shops, grocers, high street banks, post offices and pubs, amounting to a cumulative loss of over 30,000 local economic outlets.

    * A further 28,000 outlets stand to be lost by 2005.

    * Overall, on current trends, the number of local outlets will have dropped by nearly a third in the two decades to 2010.

The result is Ghost Town Britain: communities and neighbourhoods in core urban as well as rural areas without easy access to such essential elements of both the economy and the social fabric of the country.

Or another more recent  view from the Guardian (On-line) that details the ideas of Stacy Mitchell who is on a mission to explain the dangers associated with 'Wal Mart Britain' and what is being done in America to try to close theses flood gates.

Seems like to me that the only way to combat this is to buy local, sustainable, honestly priced goods. This will need a new mind set. For the consumer its one where price is not the only factor to consider when making a purchase.

For the producer its one where rediculous markups of 250% have to be rethought and a new price structure established. I have a few ideas on this that will be introduced in my own business over the coming months. Its new, unique and could spark a revolution in how to 'buy'

Keep it locked.......................................

The Black Gold Window

Link: t r u t h o u t - Stirling Newberry | The Black Gold Window.

Great article by Stirling Newberry on the current economic situation in America. I especially like the explaination of the 'dollar glut' situation that has/is arising. I think i can see the writing on the wall........

Lock the majority into spiralling debt through home ownership (check the communist manifesto on this) fix it so that in the early days it looks like you cant go wrong (even though you owe between £200-£400,000) and then let us slip quietly in to the debt economy.

Of course this has been going on for a long time but this time the difference for me is that its the masses that have been sold/bought into the housing market. What has this got to do with black gold?

"You see, oil is cheap compared to what you can do with it. Specifically, you can build houses farther out and speculate on real estate, and you can move production to cheaper areas and ship the goods. The bigger the difference between the price of oil and the profits from moving housing and production, the bigger the gap.

This means that what speculators can do, and will do, rather than invest in a sluggish stock market, is speculate on oil. As long as oil is "cheap" relative to land and labor arbitrage, people will pay it. Good old fashioned pricing power: charge what the traffic will bear. Quite literally in this case. Since Americans can't quickly sell their homes, and because of the jobs drought, can't easily move - and it is still cheaper to make it in China and ship it to the US, the black gold window stays open. There will be sell-offs, but these are temporary respites, not signs of the return of $1 a gallon gasoline"

My advice to you is to focus on reducing your burden of debt because theres a rollercoaster ride on the way that could see the return of Debtors Prisons and economic 'slavery'

Marx & Engels wrote about it over 150 years ago, simply put.....give 'the poor' something to lose and they will be afraid to lose it and as a result are not only forever in your debt but are pacified too.
Oh yeah...and just to make sure flouridate the water as the Germans did to POW's in World War II......keeps them (the people) docile.