Substack Library
GlossaryHatch Battening
October 7, 2023Note to readers: know an experienced analyst interested in this type of work? Send me their name.
Real Yields & A Synthetic Pension
October 2, 2023My father, who worked his whole life for the US Federal government as a scientist, had something wonderful—a pension. Since I worked for the private sector, I have savings and, if it’s still there, at some point Social Security, but no pension. The US has a pretty primitive pension system, certainly compared to places like Canada and Australia that force people to think long-term via forced savings.
Health Is Wealth
September 29, 2023News flash…Master, Minion just won an award. I can’t reveal what award until later this year, but I am surprised and delighted. So…if you want an enjoyable read that gets into the psychological dimensions of a financial war, a good read awaits.
Barbarians at the Gate
September 25, 2023“Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification is…a natural requirement for realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” – China President Xi.
Pattern Recognition
September 22, 2023“We’re entering an age of acceleration. The models underlying society at every level, which are largely based on a linear model of change, are going to have to be redefined.” Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering, Google.
A Stock, An Index, and a Twinkie
September 18, 2023“Even if parallel lines do meet and I see it myself, I shall see it and say that they’ve met, but I still won’t accept it.” Ivan, The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoyevsky, 1879.
Oil Market Action
September 11, 2023“In the late 1970s, the average American adult male weighed 173 pounds. Now the average American man tips the scale at nearly 200 pounds…’average’ is not necessarily optimal.”
European Bonds
September 7, 2023German bonds look like Japanese and American bonds—vulnerable, though for slightly different reasons.