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rob…a serious, civil OT is something we ought to strive for now and then. It is early in the day, though.
DIBS;
If I had to place my bets, it would be on that of a bi-polar world: China and the US. Despite the current turmoil, the US still has alot going for it.
I couldn’t agree more with you about the Japanese. In fact, I’ve recently made a major life decision: I’m going to go into a new field after 13 years with a major Japanese company that you all know well, and after almost 28 years in the tech sector. I’ve had it with Japanese management. In fact, working for the Japanese has made me “unemployable” to most other tech firms, as they don’t want someone who specializes in dealing with the frustration of management paralysis.
In making this change, I will probably be taking a huge hit on my income, but I’m willing to do it, and my wife is on board. My spirit is really flagging here, and I can’t see doing this for another 14 years, when I hit 65. It will also be fun to “start again”, in a new field. Same idea as you mentioned above about the Chinese: they are willing to dust themselves off after failure, and start again.
WOW…the wonders of modern medicine!!! 🙂 That discussion of The Invisible Man sounded like it came from MM. 🙂
jeez this is a depressing ot today. :-/ seriously hating on the universe today i am.
*rob*
CalPers was definitely one of the ones who thought they were “masters of the universe.” I think that TIAA/CREF is in better shape here in NY.
Actually, it looks like the AIG mess is getting cleaned up faster that originally anticipated. The bonuses, etc smell of last ditch efforts before it is no longer a functioning entity. A wind down of AIG means a lot of the Credit Default Swaps are closed. All those payments to the associated banks are just that…the wind down of the derivatives. A good thing.
What, I thought you would enjoy this link. (My apologies, but can you please name the book you recommended that was your #1 of all time? I still want to pick it up)
Invisible Man
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_Man
Invisible Man is narrated in the first person by the protagonist, an unnamed African American man who considers himself socially invisible. His character may have been inspired by Ellison’s own life. The narrator may be conscious of his audience, writing as a way to make himself visible to mainstream culture; the book is structured as if it were the narrator’s autobiography although it begins in the middle of his life.
The beginning to the book is going to throw you off but as go along it’s makes sense.
The What (I have to take all these pills???!!!!!)
Someday this war is gonna end…
benson…we had a big discussion yesterday as to how China may or may not be like Japan in that Japan has never come out of their 20 year recession. The conclusion is somewhat relevant to your post. The Chinese are a far more entrepreneurial and capitalistic society than is Japan. it is an incredible “loss of face” to fail in Japan. In China, on the other hand, you pick yourself up and start over. I gave the example of a factory owner who had to shut down and then went and opened a coffee shop.
There’s been a lot of discussion as to which country is going to lead the world out of this recession. Given the level of stimulus spending in China (it is far larger than the US), my money is on China. Additionally, China is spending money on “necessary” infrastructure. Japan, over the past 20 years, spent it on “unnecessary” infrastructure and my bet is that the US is not spending money on “necessary” things. All pork and eramarks are not good pork and earmarks.
Disclosure: This will probably not be my only rant of trhe day. I was up very early this morning and have already had 4 cups of coffee.
I wonder who Madoff’s cell mate is. Anybody know his book & case number???
Madoff is a very connect man who did plenty of favors for people. Before Madoff went to prison he was getting everything straighten out. He will go to a cushy prison on a Army base and that’s it. Everyone who was/is connected to him will walk free because they will call him to the stand and he will say “I did the whole thing”, end of story…
The What
Someday this war is gonna end..
What, I thought you would enjoy this link. (My apologies, but can you please name the book you recommended that was your #1 of all time? I still want to pick it up)
http://failblog.org/