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Production Enhanced by Social Media: a Dream of Behavioural Economists

May 23, 2011

Analysis of:Business Agility & Continual Innovation Fueled by Social Media & Co-creation | nl.blog.ninety10group.com

One recent theory claims that the heterogeneous (corporation) culture traits, expectations and cognitive levels between the two players, such as the producers and customers (e.g. banks and mortgage applicants) are the major stumbling block of smooth co-operation and the only source of combined disutilities in the two-player-system. Eventually, the magnitude of an overall economic losses of the system depends on the magnitude of the above heterogeneities between the two players.

Why Was Osama Binladin Safe in Pakistan?: A Nonsensical Question

May 9, 2011

As in Europe in Medieval Ages, so in the Middle East (inclusive of Pakistan and India) now, the nationality comes only poor second after the religious sectarianism. The sectarian split between Sunni and Shia Muslims far overshadows the, generally acknowledged, hostility between Islam and “infidels.” In fact, for a fundamentalist Sunni, a Shia is far more ideological-cum-theological enemy.

Osama Bin-Ladin: A Man Possessed; but Not Only Just by Religion

May 2, 2011

Osama was always touched by the Sunni Moslem radicalism. But his religious drive seemed to me to be subsequent to his belief in his greatness: be it a world- breaking tycoon in his father’s mould, a major Saudi political authority or, as appeared by attrition: a Caliph who managed (and his managerial savvy had always been second to none) to set-up Taliban and Al Qaeda, both politically-religious Moslem armed movements with major influence on the “disenfranchised” Moslem youth worldwide.

Rising College Loans and Future Debt Crisis are Totally Dissociated Events

April 16, 2011

Analysis of:Burden of College Loans on Graduates Grows | www.nytimes.com

The debt crisis is based on simple sociological axiom: “Our living standard should be better than that of next-door Joneses.“ As banking and industrial sectors went under and no jobs in sight, the debt crisis deepened. The college loans then answered the need for more college educated people and as the institutions of higher learning (both public and private non-profit) couldn’t take all the interested (not necessarily all up to it, though) students, the for-profit colleges made for the rest.

ECB Rate Raise: A First Step to Euro Zone Collapse

April 14, 2011

Analysis of:European Central Bank Makes First Rate Hike Since 2008 | www.nytimes.com

In times when actually a lower interest rates are being suggested for Ireland and Greece---forget Portugal which had already taken to the streets to “revolt against austerity measures”; and how far Italy and even France might be lagging behind the similar “revolutions” is an open question---the ECB raises rate to "fight inflation." As inflation is the least problem of EU’s “have not” countries, the question is whether fiscal uniformity is the right medicine to keep the whole block together.

Political Risks in Saudi Arabia

April 9, 2011

Analysis of:.Saudi Arabia's Billion Dollar Question: Can Oil Money Buy Political Stability? | content.spiegel.de

As the “Arab Spring” sputters along, the question concentrates on Saudi Arabia; a politico-religious counterpoise to the main problem, the World should fear coming from the Mideast: Iran. In tribal societies where authority is based on “authority of monarchy combined with a prestige of a religion,” it should be clear that the religion schism---Saudi SUNNI Wahabism vs. Iranian Twelver SHIISM---is the only real strong and destructive force in the region. Everything else pales in comparison.

Renewable Energy: No Way a Reasonable Answer for Short-Term "Tomorrow"

July 23, 2010

Analysis of:Suggested theme in the latest GLC Newsletter ( July 22, 2010) | www.e360.yale.edu

Although true, that there are rising carbon-dioxide levels caused by human activity, Freeman Dyson, FRS, a “scientists’ scientist" (www. noconsensus. org/scientists/freeman_dyson.php) claims that:”…Carbon acts as an ideal fertilizer, promoting flora yields……most of the evolutions of life occurred on a planet substantially warmer than it is now and substantially richer in carbon dioxide..” Hence, any rapidity to push a renewable energy out of its cradle is not warranted by any means.

Could Al Gore be Found Liable Under 18 U.S.C. § 1040?

May 31, 2010

Analysis of:Solomon L.: Virginia Launches Investigation into Climategate's Michael Mann, Financial Post [ FPComment ], | network.nationalpost.com

The A. G. of the Commonwealth of Virginia has launched investigation – under the Virginia Fraud against Taxpayers Act --- into Climatergate’s Michael Mann ( of the “hockey stick” and the “Earth warming” infamy.) A subsequent and logical question looms: Should the former VP Al Gore ( and why he shouldn’t ) be consequently investigated under the Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits Act, i.e. 18 U.S.C. § 1040 ( while 18 U.S.C. § 2331 may apply there as well. )

EU's Problems Will Have Always Been Sociological Rather Than "Macroeconomic"

March 8, 2010

Analysis of:Anatomy of a Euromess | krugman.blogs.nytimes.com

It could be proven ( see Mirek Karasek [1] ) that no socio-economic entity can improve its economic performance when there is a permanent gap in historically-based: legal ( law abiding behaviour, quality of legal framework and law enforcement capability ) cultural, moral, ethical behaviour and cognostic level between the individual parts and/or strata of the given socio-economic entity. In this case, the single currency only makes a bigger mess out of it ( see Paul Krugman [2] ).

Stimulus ( to ) Wind Projects Will Become a Political Suicide For Democrats

March 7, 2010

Analysis of:[USA] Democrats Split on Stimulus Wind Projects | www.governing.com

There are only few things that can politically shake any nation. One of them is paying extra tax for: (a) something that doesn’t improve the people’s wellbeing at all, and (b) something that actually makes the people worse off, both, health-wise and their property values-wise. As these effects, together with higher tax bills for every household, are there for everybody to clearly see it, the combined political effect for any party, contemplating such a policy, equals to a political suicide.

UNSC is only a Political Label and, Hence, Unable to Solve any Conflict

February 18, 2010

Analysis of:Italy, U.S. urge tougher international stance on Iran | balita.ph

As Iran’s oil money bought a lot of potential nukes --- “crudes” for sure but nukes nevertheless, and the supporting technology ( Siemens, ENI, Russian “know-how” etc. ) --- the political situation inside the country has recently dramatically changed. You don't do business in a country whose secret service could detonate one of these “crudes” and then --- to rally the entire Iran population behind the ayatollahs --- “prove” to the nation that the nuke was: Israeli, Pakistani, American etc.

Samsung Buries Ontario Deep into Third-World Abyss

January 24, 2010

Analysis of:[Canada]Samsung Signs $6.6 Billion Deal to Build Wind and Solar Power in Ontario | greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com

Economies of the Third-World are usually defined by “sweat shops” or “branch-plants” operations. The definition has recently been enforced onto the province of Ontario by Samsung’s “Green Deal” as a reminder to all, that the auto-industry “branch-plant” policies of 60’s have just found a worthy successor which -- as opposed to the already known perils of car industry – has, in the long run, all the features of setting the Province on the slide into the socio-economic oblivion.

EU Ban on Seal Products Sale, a New Tool of the Professional Climate Warmongers

January 19, 2010

Analysis of:Canada hopes China will embrace seal products | www.canada.com

Parallel to the climate warmongering, the same team of professional, and very well paid, “Earth-savers” aimed their political cannons at the seal hunt in Canada ( and elsewhere). But, just as their sub-par incompetence in climate-warming issues, their knowledge of basics of the seals hunt is beyond zero level ( though their political savvy is quite on par with the ad of Winston Cigarettes by “Flintstones” ).

High Time the US ( and Obama ) Start Heeding Their Friends’ Political Realities

December 1, 2009

Analysis of:Korea says no to US trade talks | news.bbc.co.uk

The problem of renegotiating of the KORUS FTA has these elements: [1] The US GDP would rise by about 0.1% but the improved presence in South Asia should be a huge boon in years to come. [2] South Korean GDP would rise about 1%, and there would be an influx of U.S. investment and technology. [3] A political backlash in Korea concerning: possible “mad cow disease” from the US beef, and about not protecting domestic rice as the national sentiment inseparable from the country’s identity.

Russian Economy Fourth Quarter 4% Economy Growth: Figment of Imagination

October 24, 2009

Analysis of:Russian Economy May Grow 4% in Fourth Quarter, Klepach Says | www.bloomberg.com

We have these statements from Russia’s officials: [1]“..The economy may show quite strong growth of between 3% and 4% percent in the fourth quarter ( 2009) from the previous three months…”, [2]"We expect the economy to grow by more than 2% in the fourth quarter 2009 …..as long as the price is $70-$80 (pb)…", and [3] “We doubt that Russia’s GDP will grow without a continuing rise in exports..”; while energy, including crude oil and natural gas make 73 percent of Russian exports in 2009.

China Does What Every Sane Government Should be Doing Now, and Wins

August 12, 2009

Analysis of:China's Rebound Gathers Steam | www.forbes.com

The Golden Rule of all, long-lasting, empires in the history, the adage: “ Bread and Circuses” should be the goal of every government – who wants to stay in power -- in the nowadays world. Thus, in the nowadays tupsy-turvy world, governments, should follow the advice, no matter what the macroeconomic gurus, having no idea what’s going on, suggest. Now, China ( perhaps mindful of its ancient heritage ) came to this conclusion and does everything to make its population happy.

OCEANS, CO2 EMISSION AND "OCEAN PROTECTION 101"

July 12, 2009

Analysis of:Copenhagen and the Oceans | www.guardian.co.uk

First of all,  this issue has nothing to do with “global warming” due to CO2 emission.  It is, however, based on similarly “precise” models ( e.g. the Club of Rome doomsday prediction.)  This time, even the premises  ( or inputs ) into the models varied wildly: From”…  25% CO2 emitted to  the atmosphere by human activities since the industrial revolution …” ( see   “Archive for the ‘Ocean Acidification’ Category “, Science Academies Aiming to Raise the Profile of Ocean Acidification,   June 2nd, 2009 ) to “…..about 40% of the extra CO2 entering the atmosphere due to human activity is being absorbed by natural carbon sinks, mostly by the oceans….”(  see  Catherine Brahic, “Climate myths: Human CO2 emissions are too tiny to matter,” New Scientist, 16 May 2007.) Secondly, CO2 is only water-soluble, when pressure is maintained. After pressure drops the CO2 gas will try to escape to air ( e.g.  opening the bottle of a soda water.)  

Tobacco, a Most Disingenous Regressive Tax of Obama Administration

June 3, 2009

Analysis of:Tobacco oversight by FDA on agenda | www.courier-journal.com

Smoking is discretionary. A disproportionate amount of ill-health  due to smoking-caused illness is experienced by some socioeconomic groups. But analysis of  recent US data  found that low-income smokers in the US are now less likely than middle or high-income smokers to quit following price increases, and that among remaining smokers, consumption is likely to fall equally among all income groups. Yet Administration needs a lot of income. Thus, on April Fools' Day, 2009 Congress imposed a  2173% ( yes: 2173%)  tax increase  on pound of tobacco  to protect Big Tobacco, the tax cash cow they love to hate, but can’t live without. The government knows that if enough people ever stop smoking, or figure out how to get their nicotine fixes without going through Big Tobacco, tax receipts, and, hence, administration, takes a dive.

Obama's Recovery Plan; He'd Better Take a Cue From the History of Mankind

January 19, 2009

Analysis of:Obama sketches out recovery plan | money.cnn.com

History teaches us the only workable solution in crisis like this is a massive public works: dams, highways, bridges, and perhaps a new rail road infrastructure. Among the historical examples: Inca’s and ancient Egyptians’ pyramids,  “The Wall of Hunger” in the Roman Empire II ( under the emperor Charles IV  of Bohemia ), The Chinese Wall, Germany’s system of “superhighways” together with huge rearmament of its army in 1931-1938, The US of A finally getting out of depression by starting the same huge rearmament of its forces before the WWII, etc. All were made for unemployed and hungry masses to get work paid from state coffers and, in all cases, it worked like a charm.  Although all these public-paid-for  enterprises were huge, they were perfectly feasible, useful ( for the given purpose) , and, above all, used, and perhaps improved, the tested technology.  These were not the times to build the dream castles. 

EU Presidency's Fallacy: Gas from Russia Is Not "Bilateral" But "Political" Problem

January 9, 2009

Analysis of:EU presidency says gas dispute "bilateral problem | www.reuters.com

The Czechs -- as the current EU head honchos -- seriously mislabeled the Russian stoppage of gas delivery via Ukraine judging from their reaction ( Reuters, Jan 2.) Calling the problem  “..bilateral….( and) the conflict being just between  two private companies..” ” is huge distortion of the facts. Firstly, Russian and Ukrainian gas companies are state monopolies; nothing private about it. Fact that Putin ordered Gazprom to stop all shipments through Ukraine on January 5 should be enough. Secondly, the move is highly politically charged and should be taken as a response to the Polish and Czech governments for letting the radar stations, for US ( and/or NATO )  anti-missile defence, build on Czech and Polish soil. Also, to show the rest of EU -- and, most of all, to the former peoples of USSR who are delighted by the "show of force"-- who is the real boss in Central Europe.  

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