And then we wonder why the Detroilt automakers are failing.
Just remember we were warned as early as now and sooner.
Headlines in The New York Times of Thursday, April 2, 2009:
China Vies To Be World's Leader In Electric Cars
New Threat To Detroit
Plan Built on Research, Recharging Stations and Incentives
Yes, we'll be driving around in Chinese electric cars next year and the year after that and wondering why.
Just like in the early and mid-1960s with Japanese cars.
We've been warned.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Albatross of Repo Reality
People are destroying their own vehicles in order to collect insurance rather than have the vehicle repossessed.
The Wall Street Journal of March 25, 2009, had an enlightening story on this.
It is also enlightening that the article, with large photo, on page A3 of the WSJ was surrounded by the following:
Form your own conclusions.
The Wall Street Journal of March 25, 2009, had an enlightening story on this.
It is also enlightening that the article, with large photo, on page A3 of the WSJ was surrounded by the following:
- A large ad, without image, from Tiffany & Co.
- A large ad for Only NetJets, the "fractional jet ownership" folks.
- A large ad for David Yurman jewelry (in this case, for an item ranging in price from $950 to $1,950).
- A large ad for Ulysse Nardin watches (prices not shown)
- A news story headlined "Spector Won't Support Union-Backed Bill"
Form your own conclusions.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Albatross of Anonymity
We fight wars by joystick now.
I can see how War by Joystick (good name for a band) saves lives of the joystickers, protects troops on the ground, acquires video intelligence, et cetera ad infinitum. I get that. Surely, if such a tool were adding a vital layer of protection to my own son or daughter, how could I not add an homage to the joystick in my never-ending litany of gratitude? How could I not? The virtues of Predator drones are well documented.
But.
But.
But. A word of infinite consequence.
Starting from B-52 bombers lobbing bombs down below, miles below, to atomic weapons being detonated in the sky at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, humans (I say "humans" because all wartime opponents engage in the most advanced warfare technology they can) have found ways to distance themselves from the consequences of their combat actions. The emotional detachment of launching armaments by video screen surely must differ from, say, hand-to-hand combat.
What's my point? Change the Geneva Conventions to forbid all but the most primitive forms of battle engagement? Of course not.
But.
One wonders what it does to us, all of us, when we are so removed from the visceral consequences of our actions, when death becomes as realistic, or as fanciful and fantastic, as a video game?
Still. Still it must give us pause.
And stillness is what we need more of.
I can see how War by Joystick (good name for a band) saves lives of the joystickers, protects troops on the ground, acquires video intelligence, et cetera ad infinitum. I get that. Surely, if such a tool were adding a vital layer of protection to my own son or daughter, how could I not add an homage to the joystick in my never-ending litany of gratitude? How could I not? The virtues of Predator drones are well documented.
But.
But.
But. A word of infinite consequence.
Starting from B-52 bombers lobbing bombs down below, miles below, to atomic weapons being detonated in the sky at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, humans (I say "humans" because all wartime opponents engage in the most advanced warfare technology they can) have found ways to distance themselves from the consequences of their combat actions. The emotional detachment of launching armaments by video screen surely must differ from, say, hand-to-hand combat.
What's my point? Change the Geneva Conventions to forbid all but the most primitive forms of battle engagement? Of course not.
But.
One wonders what it does to us, all of us, when we are so removed from the visceral consequences of our actions, when death becomes as realistic, or as fanciful and fantastic, as a video game?
Still. Still it must give us pause.
And stillness is what we need more of.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Albatross of Sin
Today I heard a great definition of sin.
Incurvatus in se.
To be turned solely inward on one's self, solipsistically.
Incurvatus in se.
To be turned solely inward on one's self, solipsistically.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
the albatross of desperation
Saw "Slumdog Millionaire."
Tough to take, perhaps a bit contrived, but powerful, powerful, powerful. With heart.
Reminds one that our systemic comfort can often be at the harrowing expense of others, thousands of miles away.
Tough to take, perhaps a bit contrived, but powerful, powerful, powerful. With heart.
Reminds one that our systemic comfort can often be at the harrowing expense of others, thousands of miles away.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Albatross of Deflation
Deflation.
It's a downer, in't?
It weighs one down like an albatross around one's neck, especially if one is an economy.
Deflation.
Who'd have thought?
The price of gas goes below US$2 per gallon, and it scares me.
Oh, I've heard some people exalt over this development, but after all is said and done it's hardly cause for rejoicing. Come to think of it, just ask yourself: Are we better off now than a mere four months ago (when gas was over US$4)?
I think we know the answer.
Who'd have thought?
It's a downer, in't?
It weighs one down like an albatross around one's neck, especially if one is an economy.
Deflation.
Who'd have thought?
The price of gas goes below US$2 per gallon, and it scares me.
Oh, I've heard some people exalt over this development, but after all is said and done it's hardly cause for rejoicing. Come to think of it, just ask yourself: Are we better off now than a mere four months ago (when gas was over US$4)?
I think we know the answer.
Who'd have thought?
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Albatross of Semantics
Commonweal (a three-sentence drama)
[manservant] "Would you like some socialism with your tea, sir?"
[man in smoking jacket, sitting in leather chair, sipping claret] "No, thanks; I like my capitalism straight up, even if it kills me -- as well as the body politic."
"Good night, sir."
[manservant] "Would you like some socialism with your tea, sir?"
[man in smoking jacket, sitting in leather chair, sipping claret] "No, thanks; I like my capitalism straight up, even if it kills me -- as well as the body politic."
"Good night, sir."
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