Lugh

  • 864 Posts
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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: July 25th, 2023

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  • The world is full of economic alliances with acronyms. The EU, ASEAN, and the G7 are just some. The EU functions more as a nation-state, while most are much looser. The BRICS alliance, founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China (hence the name) has significant differences from the others.

    Its primary goal is to create an alternative to the existing global economic order dominated by the West/US. In particular, it seeks to create alternatives to the dollar-dominated world trade system, SWIFT interbank payment system, and IMF & World Bank.

    So far, it hasn’t made huge progress with this agenda. The US dollar’s role in global trade is firmly embedded. The only other currency that comes close in volume/importance is the Euro. As China doesn’t allow its currency to float freely or have open capital markets, the Chinese Renminbi can’t currently replace the dollar’s international role.

    But is this about to change? The current US administration rejects much of the old global economic order. Ironic, considering it originally created it. Since 2009 China and Russia have even more reasons to want a global financial alternative the US doesn’t have a role in. Maybe the US is helping them to create it?





















  • This Astrum video does a good job of explaining things. In short, China’s experimental work on its space station is all targeted at practical steps to help it build a Moon base, and have manned missions to the outer solar system.

    In particular, they focus on 5 key areas. 1. Orbital Construction Technology, 2. Space Robotics & Automation, 3. Energy and Propulsion Innovation, 4. Life Support & Sustainability, 5. Generic Technology for Spacecraft.

    They’ve already succeeded with key breakthroughs, including a system for producing oxygen that is far superior to the system on the ISS which needs a third of the ISS’s energy to function.

    America, partnered with Europe, is still pursuing its SLS/Orbital Gateway plans that look ever more doomed as time goes on. A wildcard are commercial space systems that could rapidly take-off. If not, by doggedly pursuing its plans, at some point China may pull into the lead in the space race.















  • I suspect from now on we will see more and more strikes and protests like these. I’d guess by 2030 or so they will be a widespread global phenomenon. By that point, self-driving cars will rapidly be replacing most driving jobs too.

    Most of us instinctively feel sympathy with the striking workers - deep down we know AI/robots will be coming for our jobs one day too.

    But there’s a paradox here. AI tends towards what economists call zero marginal cost, in plain language - near free.

    What if AI Doctors as good as humans were nearly free & every human on the planet had access to their expertise. Surely, that is something to go on strike for - not against.