Category: economics

Ultramodern Singapore

On By Rick McIn economics, food, government, human rights, travelLeave a comment

Clean, efficient, safe. An ideal tourist destination for me after chaotic Indonesia.

Almost everyone speaks English. They are very welcoming of visitors.

Yes, some things are very expensive. But you can have a great time spending very little money.

For example, Shimano Cycling World will rent you a high end road bike for $150. Or you can take one of their mountain bikes for free. Nice.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Drone footage I shot of myself was done in one of the parks dedicated to drone pilots. Singapore thinks of everything. 😀

Changi Airport (always ranked in the world) provides free city tours if you have a layover of enough hours at the right time of day.

Singapore’s diversity of cuisine is touted as a reason to visit the country, due to its combination of convenience, variety, quality, and price.

I find it a very green city.

Singapore is an economic success story. This tiny island nation has the highest PPP-adjusted GDP per capita in the world. 

Singapore ranks highly in key social indicators: education, healthcare, quality of life, personal safety, infrastructure, and housing, with a home-ownership rate of 88 percent. 

Singaporeans enjoy one of the longest life expectancies, fastest Internet connection speeds, lowest infant mortality rates, and lowest levels of corruption in the world.

This is the kind of nation fiscal conservatives should study.

Personally, it’s not democratic enough for me.

The laws too strict. Singapore still has the death penalty.

Male homosexual relations were not decriminalized until 2022.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Apple in China by Patrick McGee

On By Rick McIn Apple, books, economics, education, ethics, government, human rightsLeave a comment

I thought I knew the story of Apple. BUT what I really knew was the story of Steve Jobs.

Looking back in 2025 at what made the company thrive, it was 2 other men.

Market chain guru Tim Cook, of course.

But even more so, Terry Gou, who, in 1974, founded FoxConn in Taiwan.

Incredibly ambitious, by 2012 Foxconn made up approximately 40% of worldwide consumer electronics production.

Just one of his many huge factories in China produces the bulk of Apple’s iPhone line and is sometimes referred to as “iPhone City”.

Needless to say, there are many abused workers in those plants. They don’t last many months on the gruelling production line.

Over the years, Gou and others steadily wooed Tim Cook and Apple to move manufacturing to China.

Today over 90% of Apple products are made in China. A huge risk for the company if authoritarian dictator-for-life Xi decides to invade Taiwan. Or shut down exports.

Attempts to move production to other nations have been mostly experiments. Or motivated by politics, not business.

In the meantime, Chinese engineers — many trained by Apple — are building cheaper, better Chinese phones in China. They no longer need Apple.

It’s a precarious situation.

Apple in China is a 2025 book uniquely looking at the company from the viewpoint of China.

In her May 15, 2025 review for The New York Times, Hannah Beech called Apple in China “smart and comprehensive,” praising Patrick McGee’s clever and chronologically organized timeline of how Apple’s expansion to China manufacturing facilities under then COO Tim Cook created a global success but also an “existential vulnerability” for the United States. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t talk about the future.

SOME DAY robots will do much of the assembly.

Trump declares MARTIAL LAW. “Postpones” Elections.

On By Rick McIn bad news, economics, GOP USA, government, human rights, Islam, things getting worseLeave a comment

An international crisis. Trump uses the excuse to declare martial law in the USA.

He suspends civilian legal processes. Commander in Chief Trump and the U.S. Military are in charge.

It could happen.

The martial law concept in the United States is closely tied with the right of habeas corpus, which is in essence the right to a hearing on lawful imprisonment, or more broadly, the supervision of law enforcement by the judiciary.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday lent some support to calls to suspend habeas corpus as part of the administration’s immigration crackdown after aide Stephen Miller said the White House was considering the idea.

The Hill – May 14, 2025

We know Trump wants to be a Royal like murdering dictator-for-life MBS in Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s first international visit?

To the nation of bin Laden. 15 of the 19 terrorists in 911 were from Saudi Arabia.

Is this really America First? It looks like Trump First.

You know Elon Musk would be 100% supportive of declaring martial law. He’s already openly emulating Hitler who did exactly this in Germany ➙ February 28, 1933, effectively suspended many constitutional rights, creating a state of emergency and giving the Nazis significant control.

Here’s the best discussion on this issue, I’ve seen. Timothy Snyder is an American historian who’s an expert in Tyranny.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari

On By Rick McIn Artificial Intelligence AI, bad news, books, climate change, economics, education, ethics, GOP USA, government, happiness, health & fitness, human rights, internet, things getting worseLeave a comment

Any panel put together to save the world, would certainly include Professor Yuval Noah Harari. 

He’s a BIG thinker. 

Some feel he overstates the risks to mankind. I’d rather we err on the side of caution.

His 2024 book is …

Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

I’m not smart enough to explain his thinking — but here’s a ChatGPT summary of the non-fiction tomb.

Main Focus: Nexus explores the intersection of technology, human evolution, and the future of societies, emphasizing the merging of biological and digital realms.

Technological Convergence: Harari examines how advancements in genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology are changing humanity’s relationship with itself and the world.

Human Enhancement: A central theme is the idea that humans may soon be able to enhance their biological and mental capacities through technology, leading to “post-human” forms of existence.

Ethical Implications: The book raises questions about the ethics of altering human biology, creating artificial life, and the consequences of tampering with the essence of what it means to be human.

Social and Economic Impact: Harari discusses how these technological advancements could lead to social divides, with some individuals or groups gaining access to powerful enhancements while others are left behind.

Surveillance and Control: A significant concern is the potential for increased surveillance and control over individuals’ minds and bodies, both by governments and corporations.

Evolution of Consciousness: Harari reflects on how human consciousness may evolve or change in response to these new technologies, as well as the philosophical questions surrounding free will and identity.

End of Homo Sapiens: The book suggests that humanity might be on the verge of an epochal shift, where Homo sapiens could be replaced by a new, technologically-enhanced species—either through natural evolution or deliberate engineering.

Uncertainty of the Future: Harari emphasizes the unpredictability of the future, acknowledging that the developments discussed could lead to both utopian and dystopian outcomes.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Other booksSapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2011)
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2015)
21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018)

USA is a ‘Flawed Democracy’

On By Rick McIn economics, GOP USA, government, happiness, human rights, things getting worseLeave a comment

The American economy might never have been stronger relative to the rest of the world than in 2024.

BUT more and more of that money is going to the very rich. If that continues, you can project the States will be come some kind of oligarchy. Perhaps even a totalitarian state.

Government power in an oligarchy rests with a small number of people; nobility, fame, wealth, education, or corporate, religious, political, or military control. Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Iran are all oligarchies.

The Economist still ranks the USA as a ‘flawed democracy‘ in their annual Democracy Index. Only 29th on the list of democracies.

The full democracies 2023:

  1. Norway
  2. New Zealand
  3. Iceland
  4. Sweden
  5. Finland
  6. Denmark
  7. Ireland
  8. Switzerland
  9. Netherlands
  10. Taiwan
  11. Luxembourg
  12. Germany
  13. Canada
  14. Australia
  15. Uruguay
  16. Japan
  17. Costa Rica
  18. United Kingdom


I want to live in a full democracy where it’s easiest to get rid of leaders the majority don’t want. As Churchill said: “democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”

The full democracies tend to have a smaller gap between rich and poor.

Russians can’t get rid of Putin. Ali Hosseini Khamenei has been the leader of Iran since 1989. Iranians can’t get rid of him.

Americans should be wondering whether they can get rid of Musk or Trump.

It’s obvious that the top 1% buy American politicians who vote in their interest. This chart is from 2014. Things are much worse in 2024.


At its heart, this is a problem of corruption – caused by money in our political system. 

THE U.S. IS AN OLIGARCHY? THE RESEARCH, EXPLAINED

Thanks Tony.

Future of Desalinization

On By Rick McIn clean water, climate change, economics, food, good news, government, product endorsements, things getting betterLeave a comment

For countries where water is plentiful (Canada) and industries where water is a huge fraction of costs, desalination is probably not viable for industry.

BUT for countries where water is already scarce, or for industries that don’t depend mainly on water, bringing desalinated water is completely plausible. Prices continue to drop.

I recall having a hot shower in Saudi Arabia. Great water pressure. … Wondering where the H2O was coming from.

Desalinization plants hundreds of miles distant.

TOMAS PUEYO posted a deep dive.

Does Desalination Promise a Future of Infinite Water?

My Future Tiny Home

On By Rick McIn economics, product endorsementsLeave a comment

There’s a good chance I’ll — someday — settle down in an inexpensive, minimalist home.

Ideally, it will be easily mobile ➙ like the Jupe. ($25,000)

VERY inexpensive is the CAMZLE tent. There are plenty of competitors for livable tents.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Brainstorming.

Billionaires should PAY more TAXES

On By Rick McIn economics, ethics, GOP USA, governmentLeave a comment

… six people control more wealth than the bottom half of America, and pay an average tax rate of 6%. …

You can argue the number 6% — but American billionaires pay a lower tax rate than YOU.

And that’s stupid.

Professor Galloway argues that it’s a waste of resources to have very few people hoarding so much money:

Hoarders

If I give YOU $100 dollars, you’ll spend it. The economy rolls.

If I give another $100 to a billionaire, it will get locked away in NVIDIA stock. Be less productive.

Billionaires argue that they will GIVE AWAY most of their wealth to worthy charities.

That does help — but Galloway only respects the way it’s being done by two:

  • MacKenzie Scott
  • Melinda French Gates

I CUT my Mobile Phone Bill in Half

On By Rick McIn economics, product complaints, travelLeave a comment

Canada has some of the worst mobile phone service / costs in the world.

And I hate mobile phones at any price.

SOMEHOW I ended up paying Bell Canada $80 / month.

I’d only gone with Bell because they supposedly had the best coverage on one part of Vancouver Island. (It seemed just as crappy as the rest.). AND for their 30 day holiday add-on plans.

Bell dropped the 30 day plans in 2023, alongside the other major carriers.

WhistleOut recommended Public and Freedom Mobile as the best options for Canadians who want combined Canada + USA coverage. My bill went to $36.70 /month. Pay as I go. Cancel anytime.

No surprise ➙ once I switched I got a phone call from Bell offering me something for $40 / month. No USA coverage.

James Patterson’s ‘The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians’

On By Rick McIn books, economicsLeave a comment

Nobody calls James Patterson a great novelist.

BUT he has a lot of books. They’ve sold more than 425 million copies. And he’s helped thousands of people earn a living through the book industry.

Not to mention the dozens of author’s he’s promoted by co-authoring.

James Patterson is one of the good guys.

He calls himself a left-leaning political independent — but is disgusted with his neighbour, 4-time-loser Trump.

His 2024 nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians  takes us inside the lives, and livelihoods, of the everyday heroes surrounding us in the literary trenches: booksellers and librarians.

In a collection of profiles that includes professionals of all types, from school librarians to independent booksellers to big box chain employees, Patterson and his co-author, Matt Eversmann, delve into how these reading gurus inspire young and old every day.

Publisher’s Weekly review – James Patterson’s ‘The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians’

“book joy”

In November 2015, Patterson received the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation.

Patterson has donated millions of dollars in grants and scholarship to various universities, teachers’ colleges, independent bookstores, school libraries, and college students to promote literacy.

In 2013, Patterson took out ads titled “Who Will Save Our Books? Our Bookstores? Our Libraries?” in Publishers Weekly and The New York Times Book Review, which employed the text “If there are no bookstores, no libraries, no serious publishers with passionate, dedicated, idealistic editors, what will happen to our literature? Who will discover and mentor new writers? Who will publish our important books? What will happen if there are no more books like these?”