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Category Archives: economics

Austrian Economics Vs. CBDC, ESG, UBI, And Other Newfangled Socioeconomic Gimmicks

Posted on September 10, 2023 by dgr

Do not ignore this.

In other words, the Austrian school is uniquely positioned to point out that UBI-ism would be a singularly destructive form of communism, since classical Soviet-style communism, even though supremely wasteful, was at least committed to diligence rather than idleness. Thus, it unwittingly nourished the spirit of dedication which, when combined with the spirit of defiance, brought about its eventual collapse. However, nothing similar can be said about UBI-ism, which eliminates the spirit of defiance by promoting universal shiftlessness and indolence.

Source: Austrian Economics Vs. CBDC, ESG, UBI, And Other Newfangled Socioeconomic Gimmicks | ZeroHedge

Category: Blog, Business, economics, Politics, Technology, Words | Tags: Absurdity, CBDC

Lavrov Gloats: West Failed To “Ukrainize” G20 As Global South Triumphed

Posted on September 10, 2023 by dgr

Russia hails India as having “truly consolidated G20 members from the Global South.”

The top Russian diplomat explained that this agenda was thwarted largely through the collective efforts of developing nations and the interests of the global south, led especially by India, the host country. Per Reuters:

The Global South’s position in the talks helped prevent the G20 agenda from being overshadowed by Ukraine, he told a press conference. “India has truly consolidated G20 members from the Global South.”

And more via The Moscow Times:

“The text doesn’t mention Russia at all,” Russia’s veteran diplomat said.

“The Indian presidency has really managed to coalesce G20 members from the global south,” he added, suggesting that Russian allies like Brazil, South Africa, India and China had made their voices heard.

Source: Lavrov Gloats: West Failed To “Ukrainize” G20 As Global South Triumphed | ZeroHedge

Category: Analysis, Blog, economics, Politics, Words | Tags: g20 2023, Russia

The brutal truth about Bitcoin | Brookings

Posted on August 12, 2023 by dgr

I’m on the fence. I understand the power of BitCoin but I’m not so sure how long it will last. Too late to get in now withou

As it grew in popularity, Bitcoin became cumbersome, slow, and expensive to use. It takes about 10 minutes to validate most transactions using the cryptocurrency and the transaction fee has been at a median of about $20 this year. Bitcoin’s unstable value has also made it an unviable medium of exchange. It is as though your $10 bill could buy you a beer on one day and a bottle of fine wine on another.

Moreover, it has become clear that Bitcoin does not offer true anonymity. The government’s success in tracking and retrieving part of the Bitcoin ransom paid to the hacking collective DarkSide in the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack has heightened doubts about the security and nontraceability of Bitcoin transactions.

While Bitcoin has failed in its stated objectives, it has become a speculative investment. This is puzzling. It has no intrinsic value and is not backed by anything. Bitcoin devotees will tell you that, like gold, its value comes from its scarcity—Bitcoin’s computer algorithm mandates a fixed cap of 21 million digital coins (nearly 19 millionhave been created so far). But scarcity by itself can hardly be a source of value. Bitcoin investors seem to be relying on the greater fool theory—all you need to profit from an investment is to find someone willing to buy the asset at an even higher price.

Eswar Prasad details the failings and strengths of Bitcoin.

Source: The brutal truth about Bitcoin | Brookings

Category: Business, economics, Words | Tags: bitcoin, ris

Lessons From The Unraveling Of The Roman Empire: Simplification, Localization

Posted on August 1, 2023 by dgr

“The fragmentation, simplification and localization of the post-Imperial era offers us lessons we ignore at our peril. It’s important to view these lessons not just as an academic abstraction but as a guide to your own decisions about what places are most conducive to your security and well-being. Not every locale will do equally well, and the culture of many places may not be a great match for your own values and goals. If you decide to move, sooner is better than later.”

Source: Lessons From The Unraveling Of The Roman Empire: Simplification, Localization | ZeroHedge

Category: Analysis, Blog, economics, History, Politics, Words | Tags: governance, prepare, romans

The Growing Consumer Revolt Against Woke Ideology

Posted on April 26, 2023 by dgr

Do you see what is happening here? We are watching the rise of genuine consumer awareness and hence sovereignty. The public is finally fighting back.

Authored by Jeffrey A. Tucker via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

It’s likely true: No executives at Anheuser-Busch knew what the Bud Light marketing people were planning when they decided to deploy an absurdist and deeply offensive transgender TikTok influencer to sell their beer. But soon after it happened, public disgust became rather obvious. The crisis began, but for weeks, the company was in denial.

A six pack of Bud Light sits on a shelf for sale at a convenience store in New York City on July 26, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Finally, the CEO made a statement that only infuriated people more, simply because it wasn’t an apology or even an honest admission of anything that was happening. It had that sterilized and robotic quality we’ve come to associate with government statements that pretend that all is well when everyone knows it isn’t.

Two weeks ago, the line about Bud Light on the streets was that the consumer protest would run the news cycle and then disappear, that the protests were limited to the “far right” and “conservative activists” but that most consumers don’t care either way. Every story in the mainstream media said the same thing. They further suggested that if you don’t drink Bud Light, you are likely a dupe of dangerous fanatics.

But here we are three weeks later and finally, the company stepped up again to address the growing meltdown. They put both the vice president of marketing and her boss “on leave,” which one supposes is a way of firing them while minimizing the legal liabilities and the sense that the company was facing a real crisis.

“Given the circumstances, Alissa [Heinerscheid] has decided to take a leave of absence which we support,” an Anheuser-Busch spokeswoman wrote in an email to The Wall Street Journal. “Daniel [Blake] has also decided to take a leave of absence.”

I just love that “given the circumstances” line.

Source: The Growing Consumer Revolt Against Woke Ideology | ZeroHedge

Category: Business, economics, History, Politics | Tags: corporate, gender, woke

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