A Western imposed world order is being replaced by a system of self-determined multi-alignment. Where will the major financial risks come from in 2023? What is ‘Bioconvergence’ and why it could be the answer to multiple challenges. Can Tesla prove the naysayers wrong? Can we still concentrate in the face of so many tech-driven distractions?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Roger Cohen, Russia’s War Could Make It India’s World
(The New York Times, 31 December 2022)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, compounding the effects of the pandemic, has contributed to the ascent of a giant that defies easy alignment. In the words of the Indian foreign minister, the “Western-imposed ‘world order’ is being replaced by a world of ‘multi-alignment’ where countries will choose their own particular policies and preferences and interests.” This is not confined to India, and could become the decisive force in a changing global system. As Western sanctions against Russia have driven up energy, food and fertilizer costs, causing acute economic difficulties in poorer countries, resentment of the United States and Europe has risen in Asia and Africa (gifted article – reads in 8-10 min).
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Kenneth Rogoff, The Looming Financial Contagion
(Project Syndicate, 2 January 2023)
The combination of very high levels of private and public debt with inflation and the rise of interest rates means that the financial markets will face a huge stress test in 2023. Economists always ponder where the risks might come from. The Harvard professor and former IMF chief economist offers one response: “while banking systems are more robust than they were in 2008, a real-estate slump could severely affect heavily leveraged private-equity firms, producing a systemic crisis” (metered paywall that may require prior registration – reads in 7-8 min).
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Belen Garijo, Does the future of science lie in ‘bioconvergence’?
(World Economic Forum, 6 January 2023)
Take it from the horse’s mouth! Merck’s CEO argues that today’s big challenges (like climate change, chronic disease, and the sustainable supply of food or energy) call for a multi-disciplinary approach to science. In his opinion, ‘bioconvergence’ can bring together experts, processes, and technologies across biotech, software, and engineering, which, in turn, has the potential to transform research, development, manufacturing and supply chains across multiple industries (free access – reads in 5-6 min).
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Patrick George, The vibes are off at Tesla
(The Verge, 29 December 2022)
Tesla is in the middle of a rough moment: layoffs, lawsuits, delays, Twitter chaos, stock in free fall, factory shutdowns. In fact, it has ceased to be the tech company that commanded extreme valuations to fall back to what it’s always been: a car company, like any other. For the first time, Tesla faces real competition. Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and almost every legacy company in between, plus China’s homegrown EV companies, are gunning for would-be Tesla buyers. Will Tesla find ways, again, to silence all its doomsayers? (metered paywall – reads in 8-9 min).
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Elle Hunt, Is modern life ruining our powers of concentration?
(The Guardian, 1 January 2023)
Is the ping of a text stealing our focus or do we just lack willpower? And could mindless scrolling ever be good for our brains? Read on to discover some surprising truths, all based on an interview with gloria Mark, the author of “Attention Span: Finding Focus for a Fulfilling Life”. Simply put, our personal use of technologies affects our ability to pay attention, but the reality is also much more nuanced than it seems (free access – reads in about 10 min).
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