Lebanon & Ten Fundamental Mega-Trends in the Middle East -- Potential for Multiple Black Swans?
posted by DK Matai on May 10, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Future TV under attack, Beirut
Dear Friends, the international community is waking up to the shock of the "yellow topple" Hezbollah power grab which threatens to change the fundamentals in Lebanon as well as the Levant, and more broadly across the Middle East.
USD 200 Oil Super Spike: What Consequences?
posted by ATCA on May 10, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Global Oil Super Spike
Dear Friends, most analysts laughed when Goldman Sachs predicted that oil would go to USD 100 a barrel more than two years ago. Brent crude is around USD 124 a barrel at present.
Continue reading "USD 200 Oil Super Spike: What Consequences?"
The Second Burma Black Swan -- Nargis -- A Wake up Call for The World? Global Risk Management
posted by ATCA on May 10, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Cyclone Nargis, Burma
Dear Friends, the second grotesque tragedy unfolding in Burma in less than a year post the political turmoil -- with 60,000+ dead and millions left homeless post cyclone Nargis -- is just one of the many examples...
One Universe or Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes?
posted by DK Matai on May 07, 2008 at 02:06 AM
One Universe: Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes
Dear Friends, in response to "Is the World Really Flat?" Vernon Collins from New York has written, "DK, its neither flat nor round nor in a parallel dimension ... its a universe that each individual lives in and plays and exists within..."
Continue reading "One Universe or Multi-Unique & Parallel Universes?"
Is the World Really Flat? Global Fuel, Food and Finance Crises
posted by DK Matai on May 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Dear Friends, it has been a long march since Thomas Friedman declared the world to be flat. This thinking may have its boundary conditions, which are now being tested as the global fuel, food and finance crises loom ever larger.
Continue reading "Is the World Really Flat? Global Fuel, Food and Finance Crises"
The Emerging Golden Triangle of SMEC: Singapore, Middle East and China?
posted by DK Matai on May 02, 2008 at 01:01 AM
and Wealth Management Strategy
The Merlion, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Singapore, Middle East and China (SMEC) are together configuring the emerging Golden Triangle of strategic long term investment & global wealth management ...
Continue reading "The Emerging Golden Triangle of SMEC: Singapore, Middle East and China?"
Fighting Fire with Fire? The Limits to Knowledge in Financial (Re)Engineering
posted by ATCA on May 01, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Prof Joseph Mason, a distinguished ATCA Contributor; Senior Fellow at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania...
Continue reading "Fighting Fire with Fire? The Limits to Knowledge in Financial (Re)Engineering"
The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan)
posted by ATCA on April 30, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Balance-of-Power & Disruptive Transformation
Dear Friends, we are grateful to Bill Emmott, the former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, for his submission to ATCA , "The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan) -- Balance-of-Power and Disruptive Transformation." He writes:
Continue reading "The Rivals -- China, India (and Japan)"
Love: St Francis of Assisi, Zurbarán and Watt
posted by DK Matai on April 28, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Dear Friends, St Francis of Assisi is a huge inspiration in our lives. Contemplate the intensity in this painting, which took four years to complete:
Miniature of Saint Francis in Meditation (1635-9)
by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664)
Continue reading "Love: St Francis of Assisi, Zurbarán and Watt"
21 Dec 2012: Golden Age or End of the World?
posted by DK Matai on April 26, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Dear Friends, when many around the world begin talking about a specific date over and over again as if it were the end of the world, then perhaps it is the dawn of The Golden Age utterly misinterpreted, dilating our attention away from the One!
Mayan Calendar Miniature
Continue reading "21 Dec 2012: Golden Age or End of the World?"
Recipe for Financial (In)Stability?
posted by DK Matai on April 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Recapitalisation has been the resonant word in capital markets this week as investors weigh up the benefits of Royal Bank of Scotland's GBP 12bn rights issue, Europe's largest ever stock offering to all existing shareholders. Banks going through a recapitalisation process are eager to repair their balance sheets.
Continue reading "Recipe for Financial (In)Stability?"
Black Swan: Could the Chinese Anti-West Boycott Over Tibet Backfire?
posted by DK Matai on April 20, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Dear Friends, ordinary Chinese are participating in a popular backlash against Western support for Tibet...
Continue reading "Black Swan: Could the Chinese Anti-West Boycott Over Tibet Backfire?"
Why Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti?
posted by DK Matai on April 18, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti
Dear Friends, it is giving us sleepless nights and increasingly becoming heart rending to note that people are having to eat mud cakes in Haiti - cakes made of margarine, mud & salt - to keep hunger at bay...
Continue reading "Why Mud Cakes and Food Riots in Haiti?"
Enronitis Strikes Again? Off-balance-sheet vehicles under scrutiny; capital adequacy ratios undermined
posted by DK Matai on April 17, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Basel Capital Accord, Switzerland
Dear Friends, remember Enron? Remember the fuss over off-balance-sheet vehicles? Well, we appear to have turned three corners since then, and are back to where we started from! In the latest leg of the Great Unwind...
Food Security: Why has the Global Food Crisis reached Emergency Proportions?
posted by DK Matai on April 14, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Dear Friends, why has the global food crisis reached emergency proportions? Increased demand, bio-fuel policies and markets speculation, all provide some key reasons. It is a tough world getting tougher for the poorest. Starvation and hunger are multiplying for many despite plenty for some...
Continue reading "Food Security: Why has the Global Food Crisis reached Emergency Proportions?"
Olympic Torch: China's Power Projection and India
posted by ATCA on April 10, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Olympic Torch Protest, San Francisco
Dear Friends, it is important to understand the underlying reasons -- and geo-political implications -- for the vehement protests that have taken place in regard to the China Olympic torch relay in Athens, Istanbul, St Petersburg, London, Paris and now San Francisco.
Continue reading "Olympic Torch: China's Power Projection and India"
Coming Out Clean! Wisdom based Global Economy
posted by DK Matai on April 09, 2008 at 09:20 AM
We have a simple vision: To build a Wisdom based Global Economy! In order to build sustainability and longevity, we have to understand collectively the risks and opportunities of modern capitalism. Look what Richard Thomas states (#2) on Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?, "...I doubt there are many on the planet that can fathom or comprehend the changes and transformation that are coming and the speed at which it will occur. The current financial systems are going to be replaced..."
Continue reading "Coming Out Clean! Wisdom based Global Economy"
Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?
posted by DK Matai on April 08, 2008 at 04:50 AM
Dear Friends, it was immensely valuable to participate in the recent Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) summit jointly organised by the OECD and the City of London. The subject of SWFs is increasingly significant and includes several thorny issues...
Continue reading "Sovereign Wealth Funds: Villains to White Knights?"
Humbled with Thanks
posted by DK Matai on April 02, 2008 at 05:34 AM
Dear Friends, we are humbled by this feedback (#16) from Char, in regard to "An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility" so here it is... "...DK's posts mostly seem to be about all the doom and gloom of the world, so I try to stay away. Maybe it's just me???... Plus, as stated in this post, all that economic talk is more than what I want to know as a laywoman, as I assume others might find it not enough, if they are interested."
Continue reading "Humbled with Thanks"
An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility
posted by DK Matai on March 29, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Dear Friends, we rather enjoyed this feedback (#2) from Heather Quinn, in regard to "Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?" so here it is... "DK, oh please can you be more merciful with us? Less verbose and numerical, and more chatty? Because we can get to the depths and details of things just fine, but it's nice to start out slow and easy, and get there after a few steps. As a busy person, I find I resist reading anything long and intense, because my own life is intense enough already..."
Continue reading "An Apology and Invitation with Love and Humility"
Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?
posted by DK Matai on March 27, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Icelandic Krona
Dear Friends, Iceland is described as a Nordic hedge fund masquerading as a country! Like many hedge funds, Iceland is now in trouble. Their central bank was forced to raise interest rates to 15% this week...
Continue reading "Is Iceland the Canary in the Mineshaft?"
Human-Animal Synthetic Organisms
posted by DK Matai on March 24, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Dear Friends, after 10 years of stem cell research, scientists are now facing difficulty with cell therapy from the present human embryonic stem cell experimentation. The next phase involves human-animal combinations via Chimeras, Hybrids and Cybrids.
Continue reading "Human-Animal Synthetic Organisms"
China-Tibet Inflation Black Swan's Global Implication
posted by ATCA on March 20, 2008 at 04:43 AM
Riots in Tibet
"The most dramatic change on the landscape is neither the recent failure of Bear Stearns nor the dramatic action taken by the Fed in response to it. The most important development on the global economic landscape is that the inflation problem in China is now so great that it is giving rise to social unrest on a scale that requires a military response."
Continue reading "China-Tibet Inflation Black Swan's Global Implication"
The Great Unwind near The Speed of Light
posted by DK Matai on March 16, 2008 at 03:22 AM
Having stopped at a traffic light just going red, it suddenly became clear that the Great Unwind is now beginning to take place near the speed of light generating financial hurricanes and twisters of category five with several "New Orleans" equivalents in target range. The near failure of Bear Stearns, one of America's largest investment banks, is the clearest "red alert" signal yet...
Continue reading "The Great Unwind near The Speed of Light"
Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the iceberg?
posted by DK Matai on March 14, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Dear Friends, Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the systemic risk iceberg?
Continue reading "Is the Bear Stearns crisis the tip of the iceberg?"
Virtual Worlds & Second Lives' Asymmetric Threats?
posted by DK Matai on March 05, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Dear Friends, the US government has begun a project -- codenamed Reynard -- to develop ways to spot extremists who are using virtual worlds like Second Life, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty 4 and others.
Continue reading "Virtual Worlds & Second Lives' Asymmetric Threats?"
Genetically Modified/Engineered Organisms & Food
posted by DK Matai on March 03, 2008 at 08:53 AM
The Opportunity and Risk of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEO) & Food
Dear Friends, we are assessing the risk of genetically modified/engineered organisms including food in the coming decades, what are your views?
Continue reading "Genetically Modified/Engineered Organisms & Food"
Denial of Inflation and Impact on Stability
posted by DK Matai on February 26, 2008 at 04:56 AM
Dear Friends, we have in the past highlighted the dual problem of rising inflation, coupled with the slowing of growth, leading to stagflation. Despite a very clear set of data that show a sharp acceleration in inflationary pressures across the world, there is a rampant denial that these pressures are worth worrying about.
Continue reading "Denial of Inflation and Impact on Stability"
CDS -- Next Domino of The Global Credit Crunch?
posted by DK Matai on February 25, 2008 at 02:07 AM
The increasingly large dark cloud looming on the financial markets horizon is the threat of Credit Default Swaps (CDS) derivatives risk, which is likely to dwarf the sub-prime crisis when in full play. The global market for CDSs has rocketed over the past four years as they have been widely utilised by the thinly capitalised off-balance sheet vehicles created and/or utilised by large financial institutions -- banks, insurance and reinsurance groups, hedge and investment funds.
Continue reading "CDS -- Next Domino of The Global Credit Crunch?"
Arctic Commons: Giant Oil Frontier or Catastrophe?
posted by DK Matai on February 21, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Dear Friends, the Arctic sea bed holds billions of barrels of oil and natural gas -- up to 25% of the world's undiscovered reserves according to the US Geological Survey. Oil experts are calling the region the next Saudi Arabia. There is rising access to the trillion dollars in oil and natural gas reserves beneath the semi-frozen sea. Is it right to profit from this bounty...
Continue reading "Arctic Commons: Giant Oil Frontier or Catastrophe?"
Expert Wealth Management Contributions
posted by DK Matai on February 20, 2008 at 03:07 AM
2. Northern Rock Debacle
Dear Friends, we are grateful to receive expert wealth management contributions to the following two Open ATCA Socratic Dialogues:
Continue reading "Expert Wealth Management Contributions"
The Northern Rock Debacle and More to Come?
posted by DK Matai on February 18, 2008 at 12:43 AM
and Free Market Economics
Dear Friends, the UK finance minister, Chancellor Alistair Darling, is due to put forward emergency legislation in Parliament to nationalise Northern Rock, the infamous "non-bank" bank, which became the picture poster victim of the global credit crunch in September 2007. Northern Rock suffered the first run on a British bank in 140 years.
Continue reading "The Northern Rock Debacle and More to Come?"
Shift Happens: Globalisation & The Information Age
posted by DK Matai on February 12, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Dear Friends, this Socratic dialogue opens with a video which can be viewed via the following web page:
Continue reading "Shift Happens: Globalisation & The Information Age"
The Mistake of Biofuels? Rising Food&Fuel Inflation
posted by DK Matai on February 10, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Dear Friends, in the US, the benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months, as scientists have taken a closer look at the global environmental cost of their production. These plant-based fuels were originally billed as better than fossil fuels because the carbon released when they were burned was balanced by the carbon absorbed when the plants grew.
Continue reading "The Mistake of Biofuels? Rising Food&Fuel Inflation"
Water Security -- "Water Wars" in the 21st Century
posted by DK Matai on February 03, 2008 at 01:13 AM
The World Bank has noted, "The wars of the [21st] century will be about water." The argument that environmental degradation will lead to conflict is a well established concern of international studies, and it dominates the literature on environmental security.
Continue reading "Water Security -- "Water Wars" in the 21st Century"
Where are the FBI and SEC Investigations Leading?
posted by DK Matai on January 29, 2008 at 03:59 PM
. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened criminal investigations into 14 companies relating to improper subprime mortgage loans. The probes involve potential violations, including accounting fraud and insider trading.
Continue reading "Where are the FBI and SEC Investigations Leading?"
Understanding the World's Biggest Banking Fraud
posted by DK Matai on January 24, 2008 at 02:20 PM
The French banking giant Société Générale (SocGen) has suffered USD 10 billion of losses, the combination of a world record USD 7 billion fraud on the part of a single rogue futures trader in Paris and USD 3 billion in subprime exposure.
Continue reading "Understanding the World's Biggest Banking Fraud"
Surprise Fed Rate Cut Implications
posted by DK Matai on January 22, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Dear Friends, what are the implications of the US Federal Reserve's rate cut to 3.5%, a surprise 75 basis points reduction?
Continue reading "Surprise Fed Rate Cut Implications"
The Opportunity & Risk of Sovereign Wealth Funds
posted by DK Matai on January 19, 2008 at 01:19 AM
What are the implications of sovereign wealth funds acquiring substantial portions of large Western financial institutions?
Continue reading "The Opportunity & Risk of Sovereign Wealth Funds"
2008: The Inflexion Year with Positive Outcomes!
posted by DK Matai on December 21, 2007 at 01:46 AM
Dear Friends, Season's Greetings! Thank you for your well wishes and support in 2007. We wish to offer the following positive outcomes for 2008 with humility:
Continue reading "2008: The Inflexion Year with Positive Outcomes!"
Bali UNCCC - Fate of our Civilisation in the Balance
posted by DK Matai on December 04, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Bali United Nations Climate Change Conference -- The Fate of our Civilisation hangs in the Balance
Bali UNCCC 2007, Indonesia
Continue reading "Bali UNCCC - Fate of our Civilisation in the Balance"
2008 Risk Strategy
posted by DK Matai on December 01, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Which of the following 21st century asymmetric risks most concern you? Why and in which priority?
Continue reading "2008 Risk Strategy"
Out of Control California Fires: Visible from Space
posted by DK Matai on October 22, 2007 at 09:15 AM
A lull in winds fanning flames offers firefighters some respite as they battle to contain Southern California fires that have killed nine people, caused USD 1 bn in damage and scorched about 180,000 hectares.
Continue reading "Out of Control California Fires: Visible from Space"
Scientific Study of Drugs, Consciousness & Society
posted by DK Matai on October 20, 2007 at 11:55 PM
We are living in a time when large proportions of the population use controlled substances. Forty years of prohibition, costing hundreds of billions, has done nothing to truncate the use of drugs...
Continue reading "Scientific Study of Drugs, Consciousness & Society"
Boost for Countering Climate Chaos: Al Gore Nobel
posted by ATCA on October 12, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Nobel Peace Prize
Post winning an Oscar for his climate chaos film "An Inconvenient Truth," the former US vice-president Al Gore, 59, was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace prize jointly with the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Continue reading "Boost for Countering Climate Chaos: Al Gore Nobel"
Gene Pioneer "Creates" Artificial Life
posted by DK Matai on October 11, 2007 at 01:42 PM
"Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth."
Continue reading "Gene Pioneer "Creates" Artificial Life"
Aurora C: "Transparent Universe", War & Peace
posted by DK Matai on October 06, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Dear Friends, Aurora Carlson's IntentBlog response to Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions based on the "Transparent Universe" and redundancy of war enhancing life-machine hybrids if humanity were to concentrate on finding our inner source is worth noting...! How to change the uni-track "war" mindset of some nation states and their defence establishment? Any ideas? (The back is better, Todd!)
Continue reading "Aurora C: "Transparent Universe", War & Peace"
Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions
posted by DK Matai on October 06, 2007 at 01:38 AM
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) -- the original developer of the Internet in the 1960s -- has hatched plans for insect cyborgs to fly reconnaissance missions.
Continue reading "Insect Cyborgs to Fly Reconnaissance Missions"
Energy Crunch:Overlay of Peak Oil & Peak Uranium
posted by DK Matai on September 24, 2007 at 11:25 AM
The big elephant in the room is "high-growth global capitalism" based on access to cheap energy and money. The global credit crunch has only just begun and the price of oil has broken another record at USD 84 per barrel in New York recently. Cheap oil at an average of USD 25 per barrel is becoming a faint and distant memory. Some recent forecasts of oil prices are in excess of USD 100 in the short term and USD 125 per barrel in the medium term.
Continue reading "Energy Crunch:Overlay of Peak Oil & Peak Uranium"
US Federal Reserve cuts Interest Rates by 50 pips
posted by DK Matai on September 18, 2007 at 04:16 PM
The Federal Reserve -- the US central bank -- has cut the base interest rate by half a percent or 50 basis points (pips), from 5.25% to 4.75%. This is the first time the Fed has cut the funds rate since 2003.
Continue reading "US Federal Reserve cuts Interest Rates by 50 pips"
Breach-of-trust in computing platforms: black swans
posted by DK Matai on September 08, 2007 at 12:18 AM
In response to the query, "The Question of Trust" and the related infrastructure questions, which arise, I am humbled to submit the following contribution to the distinguished IntentBlog community. Please accept sincere apologies for all errors and omissions.
Continue reading "Breach-of-trust in computing platforms: black swans"
The Question of Trust & The Genesis of a Crisis
posted by DK Matai on September 07, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Dear Friends, what is trust? Your views are important and we are listening carefully. Trust may denote a feeling of certainty or faith, that a person or entity will not fail... and what else?
Continue reading "The Question of Trust & The Genesis of a Crisis"
Credit Card Debt Default - The Domino Crisis
posted by DK Matai on September 02, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Now that homeowners are increasingly unable to use the collateral of their homes as an easy to reach hole-in-the-wall, they are likely to dig into the next best alternative they have available, their arsenal of credit cards. Fears are mounting that credit card debt could soon spark a fresh crisis in the global financial system post the sub-prime meltdown.
Continue reading "Credit Card Debt Default - The Domino Crisis"
Central Bankers, Monetary Policy and Moral Hazard
posted by DK Matai on August 31, 2007 at 12:58 AM
The eyes of financial centres across the world are now turning to Jackson Hole in anticipation of a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Benjamin Bernanke. The Federal Reserve has held an end-of-summer symposium for central bankers, officials and academics for the past 31 years, 26 of which have been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Continue reading "Central Bankers, Monetary Policy and Moral Hazard"
Asymmetric Knowledge Risk and Liquidity Crisis
posted by DK Matai on August 24, 2007 at 12:55 PM
In the present global subprime credit crisis, we have entered an era in financial markets when knowledge -- trustworthy information -- becomes much more valuable than money or prevailing monetary conditions. Consider two interrelated questions:
Continue reading "Asymmetric Knowledge Risk and Liquidity Crisis"
Subprime Crisis Spreads: Regions and Sectors
posted by DK Matai on August 21, 2007 at 06:56 AM
US Subprime Crisis causes European Regional Banks to Wobble: Sachsen Landesbank announced that the German association of savings banks was making Euro 17.3 billion (USD 23.3 billion) available to the Saxony state bank to cover an affiliate that was suddenly unable to provide the credit it had pledged.
Continue reading "Subprime Crisis Spreads: Regions and Sectors"
Climate Chaos: Catastrophic Cat 5 Hurricane Dean
posted by DK Matai on August 20, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Continue reading "Climate Chaos: Catastrophic Cat 5 Hurricane Dean"
Convulsions, Japan's Strong Yen & Fed's Rate Cut
posted by DK Matai on August 17, 2007 at 02:36 PM
If last week was a few unwelcome flutters for financial markets, this week has been a series of traumatic downs and ups with convulsions. Major Central banks (except the Bank of England) have continued to pump liquidity into the money markets. Equity markets have been spooked by even the gentlest whisper of untoward news.
Continue reading "Convulsions, Japan's Strong Yen & Fed's Rate Cut"
Public Inquisition of Rating Agencies & Downturn
posted by DK Matai on August 16, 2007 at 09:16 AM
The worsening global credit situation has prompted French President Nicolas Sarkozy, holidaying in the US, to urge the Group of Seven (G7) industrial countries to monitor international financial markets better. In a letter to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, he called for an investigation into the role of rating agencies...
Continue reading "Public Inquisition of Rating Agencies & Downturn"
Markets Crisis: Systemic Risk & Sectoral Meltdown
posted by DK Matai on August 15, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Central bankers, global and regional financial institutions, large hedge funds and investors have been puzzled why prices across a wide spectrum of assets have moved down together over the last seven days or so. They should not be...
Continue reading "Markets Crisis: Systemic Risk & Sectoral Meltdown"
Large Quake Hits Quants & Market Correction
posted by DK Matai on August 14, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Goldman Sachs Group, the biggest US investment bank by market value, is to inject USD 2bn to bail out its Global Equity Opportunities (GEO) hedge fund after the investment bank's computer models failed to predict last week's market turbulence -- leading to losses of about USD 1.4bn, or more than 30 per cent of its value.
Continue reading "Large Quake Hits Quants & Market Correction"
Perfect Storm - Credit Freeze and Distress Selling
posted by DK Matai on August 12, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Now that the credit boom has officially gone bust and the financial markets are in meltdown, it's time to assess what is going wrong, and what has gone really wrong. By any stretch of the imagination...
Continue reading "Perfect Storm - Credit Freeze and Distress Selling"
Financial Markets: Contagion and Systemic Risk?
posted by DK Matai on August 10, 2007 at 02:10 AM
The European Central Bank has injected a record Euro 95 billion, post a major disturbance at BNP Paribas, along with concerted intervention from other central banks including the US Federal Reserve (USD 24 Billion) and the Bank of Japan (Yen 1 Tillion). Are we heading towards much broader contagion from the US sub-prime mortgage lending problems and systemic risk in the global financial system?
Continue reading "Financial Markets: Contagion and Systemic Risk?"
Is the Solo Superpower's Infrastructure Crumbling?
posted by DK Matai on August 02, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Whilst witnessing collapsing bridges (Minneapolis) to exploding streets (New York) the question that one begs to ask is obvious: "Is the Solo Super Power's Infrastructure Crumbling?" It is interesting to note that whilst America's eye has been on countering terrorism post 9/11, China et al have just built theirs.
Continue reading "Is the Solo Superpower's Infrastructure Crumbling?"
BA fines reach USD 550 million for Cartel practices
posted by DK Matai on August 01, 2007 at 11:34 AM
British Airways has been fined GBP 270m (USD 550m) - post admitting collusion in fixing the prices of fuel surcharges - by the US Department of Justice and the UK's Office of Fair Trading. Class actions begin...
Continue reading "BA fines reach USD 550 million for Cartel practices"
Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies C-PET
posted by ATCA on July 16, 2007 at 09:16 AM
We are grateful to Prof Nigel M de S Cameron, based in Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, DC, for "The Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies (C-PET)."
Continue reading "Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies C-PET"
Lord Howell: The Future is The Edge of Now
posted by ATCA on July 09, 2007 at 02:23 AM
We are grateful to The Lord Howell of Guildford, based at The Palace of Westminster, London, for "The Future is The Edge of Now -- Grasping The Internet Revolution links The Rest."
Continue reading "Lord Howell: The Future is The Edge of Now"
The Future of the Global Internet Economy
posted by DK Matai on July 07, 2007 at 01:29 AM
1. Vulnerability to Serious Attack; 2. Privacy and Freedom; 3. Bespoke News; 4. Health Care and Social Networks; 5. Rise of the Sovereign Individual.
Continue reading "The Future of the Global Internet Economy"
Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness & Transition
posted by ATCA on July 04, 2007 at 02:06 PM
We are grateful to John Petersen, based in Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia, for "Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness and Transition."
Continue reading "Solar Storms, Climate, Consciousness & Transition"
Lord Howell: Out of the Energy Labyrinth
posted by ATCA on July 03, 2007 at 08:03 AM
We are grateful to Lord Howell at The Palace of Westminster for "Out of the Energy Labyrinth."
Continue reading "Lord Howell: Out of the Energy Labyrinth"
Black Swans Keynote: Geneva, Switzerland
posted by DK Matai on June 29, 2007 at 05:16 AM
The Low Probability High Impact Black Swan Events keynote delivered at the Global Risk Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, is now available...
Continue reading "Black Swans Keynote: Geneva, Switzerland"
India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation & Humility
posted by ATCA on June 29, 2007 at 04:26 AM
We are grateful to Mehmood Khan, Global Leader, Innovation Process Management, Unilever, based in London, UK, for India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation and Humility.
Continue reading "India Opportunity: Lessons in Innovation & Humility"
Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in Universe
posted by ATCA on June 27, 2007 at 05:18 AM
We are grateful to Richard Thomas Gerber, CEO, Intelegen, based in Michigan, USA, for "Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in The Universe;" Mark Goyder, Founder, & Tony Manwaring, CEO, Tomorrow's Company, based in London, UK, for "Co-creation of Sustainable Frameworks with Humility;" and Aurora Carlson based on the West Coast, Sweden, for "Personal Transformation First."
Continue reading "Illusion of Energy Scarcity & Abundance in Universe"
Sam's New Dad (aka Tiger Woods)
posted by Joe Kelly on June 26, 2007 at 03:17 PM
“My parents always told me they loved me every night, every time we said goodbye. That was just something that I was never afraid to go out there and push myself to the limit. And if I failed, so what?
Continue reading "Sam's New Dad (aka Tiger Woods)"
Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems
posted by ATCA on June 26, 2007 at 01:31 AM
We are grateful to Anouradha Bakshi, Founder Director, Project WHY, based in New Delhi, India, for "Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems."
Continue reading "Changing Ego-Systems to save Eco-Systems"
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart: Legislative Frameworks
posted by ATCA on June 24, 2007 at 11:23 PM
We are grateful to Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, Anglo-American, and Member, Tomorrow's Global Company, Inquiry Team, based in London, UK, for "Need for Legislative Frameworks to Guide Markets."
Continue reading "Sir Mark Moody-Stuart: Legislative Frameworks"
WTO -- Sustainable Global Business and Trust
posted by ATCA on June 24, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Talks in Potsdam, Germany, between the four partners at the centre of the so-called Doha round of world trade negotiations -- the US, EU, India and Brazil -- broke up with sides still far apart on cutting agricultural subsidies and goods tariffs.
Continue reading "WTO -- Sustainable Global Business and Trust"
Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism
posted by ATCA on June 20, 2007 at 01:45 AM
We are grateful to Anouradha Bakshi, based in New Delhi, India, for "Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism and Long Term Environmental Damage."
Continue reading "Where is the Empathy? Short Term Capitalism"
International Inquiry Report: Tomorrow's Global Inc.
posted by ATCA on June 18, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Continue reading "International Inquiry Report: Tomorrow's Global Inc."
Black Swans: Diamonds, Clubs, Spades and Hearts
posted by ATCA on June 16, 2007 at 12:03 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan events, we are grateful to John Elkington based in London, UK, and presently visiting Sao Paulo, Brazil, for "Diamonds, Clubs, Spades & Hearts."
Continue reading "Black Swans: Diamonds, Clubs, Spades and Hearts"
Lesson of Humility in Dealing with Black Swans
posted by ATCA on June 15, 2007 at 07:08 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact and Black Swan events, we are grateful to Dr Thierry Malleret based in Geneva, Switzerland, for "The Lesson of Humility in dealing with Black Swans."
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China Black Swans & Integrating The Black Swan
posted by ATCA on June 14, 2007 at 06:29 AM
In regard to Low Probability High Impact and Black Swan events, we are grateful to Andrew Leung based in London, UK, and frequent visitor to China, for "The China Black Swans" and Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann based in Lausanne, Switzerland, for "Integrating The Black Swan in Corporate Global Trends Analysis."
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Tomorrow’s Global Company: Challenges & Choices
posted by ATCA on June 13, 2007 at 01:02 AM
As the pioneering world-wide network for creating a wisdom based global economy, we are grateful to receive this submission "Tomorrow's Global Company: Challenges and Choices", from Mark Goyder, Founder Director and Tony Manwaring, Chief Executive, Tomorrow's Company.
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*Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events*
posted by DK Matai on June 12, 2007 at 06:17 AM
Dear Friends, the final version of this ATCA think-piece based on major research, put together by myself and the mi2g Intelligence Unit, has now been released. Reviewers of the article include:
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Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events
posted by DK Matai on June 07, 2007 at 06:31 AM
Continue reading "Low Probability High Impact & Black Swan Events"
The digital bending of Estonia on its physical knees
posted by ATCA on June 02, 2007 at 12:13 AM
We are grateful to Roberto Preatoni based in Tallinn, Estonia, and Milan, Italy, for his submission "The digital bending of Estonia on its physical knees -- The Lessons we are NOT going to learn."
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Cyber Warfare: Beyond Estonia-Russia, Rise of China's 5th Dimension Cyber Army for the 21st C
posted by DK Matai on May 30, 2007 at 02:15 PM
The China Juggernaut's Soft Landing; US v China
posted by ATCA on May 28, 2007 at 01:01 AM
We are grateful to our distinguished and long standing ATCA contributors Ashutosh Sheshabalaya from Brussels, European Union, and Bassilly, Belgium, for "The China Juggernaut's Soft Landing"; and Andrew Leung -- en route to Shanghai from London -- for "'Irrational Exuberance' in China's Stock Market, US/China Relations: Rational Economics or Irrational Politics?"
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China: Global Financial Risk -- Key Strategic Issue
posted by ATCA on May 21, 2007 at 04:52 AM
Chinese authorities moved on Friday, 18th May, to take some pressure off their accelerating stock markets, raising benchmark lending and deposit rates, lifting bank reserve ratios and widening the trading band of their currency, the Yuan. This move and further ones, could spark a market correction according to some ATCA sources.
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chandigarh - the next IT hub
posted by Sandeep Sood on April 30, 2007 at 11:07 PM
bcm has been operating out of Chandigarh for over 4 years. It looks like people are starting to catch on (CNN):
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Leung: China's Confucian Harmony with Nature
posted by ATCA on April 29, 2007 at 03:25 PM
We are grateful to Andrew Leung for "China's Confucian Harmony with Nature: Timeless Wisdom and Boundless Opportunities."
Confucius (circa 551-479 BC)
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New York to Break Ground on Second Avenue Subway
posted by Saira Mohan on April 11, 2007 at 09:17 PM
March 28 (Bloomberg) -- New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority will break ground April 12 on the first phase of the $17 billion Second Avenue Subway project, which has been on the drawing board for almost 80 years.
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The Glory of Education: Part III
posted by Saira Mohan on April 01, 2007 at 09:05 AM
This scares me more than Bush...
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HQR: Sir Tim Berners-Lee: The Future of The Web
posted by DK Matai on March 15, 2007 at 01:19 PM
It would be "une grande folie" to assume that we can progress the Holistic Quantum Relativity dialogue without understanding how the human mind works and interacts with others. This is where Computing and Web systems have to come into our thinking alongside Holistics, Philosophy, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity and Spirituality.
Prof Sir Tim Berners-Lee
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Outdated Euro-centric Thinking must focus on Asia
posted by ATCA on March 12, 2007 at 09:49 AM
We are grateful to Lord Howell of Guildford from The Palace of Westminster for "Outdated Euro-centric Thinking needs to focus on Asia and The Real Keys."
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election 2008 - is outsourcing an issue again?
posted by Sandeep Sood on March 08, 2007 at 02:38 PM
On March 7, Bill Gates testified before the US Senate about bringing IT workers into the US:
"We have to welcome the great minds of this world, not drive them out of this country," Gates said.Nice. To be clear, he is discussing the H1-B program, which currently allows 65,000 foreign professionals into the US every year. He went on to say
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Emmott: Rising Yen, Carry Trade & Contagion
posted by ATCA on March 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM
We are grateful to Bill Emmott based in London and Somerset, England, having just returned from a tour of Asia -- China, Japan and India -- for "Rising Yen, Carry Trade & Contagion."
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Andrew Leung: China -- Watch this Space!
posted by ATCA on March 01, 2007 at 03:02 AM
We are grateful to Andrew Leung based in London for "China -- Watch this Space!"
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Turbulence in World Financial Markets & China
posted by ATCA on February 28, 2007 at 02:30 PM
We are grateful to Dr Harald Malmgren based in Washington DC for his submission to ATCA "Complex Turbulence in World Financial Markets and The China Risk."
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How did your stocks do today?
posted by Mallika Chopra on February 27, 2007 at 07:52 PM
Alas, it was not a good day for global stock markets.
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HQR: Quantum Computer, Einstein's Spooky Action
posted by DK Matai on February 25, 2007 at 03:53 PM
D-Wave's Quantum Computing Technology
Within Holistic Quantum Relativity lies the realm of the human mind and the observable universe running like Quantum Computers: this technological synthesis offers the possibility of solving what computer science calls "NP-complete" problems. Last week D-Wave Systems, a privately-held Canadian firm HQ'd near Vancouver, BC, demonstrated what it calls the world's first commercially viable Quantum Computer at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
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bangalore shuts down (again)
posted by Sandeep Sood on February 15, 2007 at 11:20 AM
A strike over water has shut down Bangalore's IT industry for the second time in a month (last month's shutdown was due to religious turmoil).
Of course, the press jumps on a story like this as a sign of "how, despite a thriving tech industry, Bangalore is just not Silicon Valley". If a shutdown is what it takes to reach that epiphany, you deserve a cookie.
Unfortunately for Bangalore, recent targeting by terrorist groups might place the city of baked beans closer to New York in the global imagination.
Bangalore's issues may also speed the inevitable (and ongoing) push of IT companies to other cities in India. As if the gridlock on outer ring road wasn't enough motivation already.
Nova Spivack: The Third-Generation Web -- Web 3.0
posted by ATCA on February 07, 2007 at 07:08 AM
We are grateful to Nova Spivack based in San Francisco for his submission to ATCA, "The Third-Generation Web -- Web 3.0 -- is Coming in 2007" which enables a number of further aspects of D2-Banking.
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Ray Kurzweil: 2007,What are you Optimistic about?
posted by DK Matai on February 06, 2007 at 02:03 AM
We are grateful to the world famous inventor and innovator Ray Kurzweil, based in Massachusetts, USA, for, "Question 2007: What are you optimistic about? Why?" Below is a picture of Ray receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Bill Clinton eight years ago:
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IPCC: Stark warning on Climate issued in Paris
posted by ATCA on February 02, 2007 at 05:15 AM
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) -- which draws together 2,500 scientists from more than 130 countries -- issued its strongest warning on the consequences of global warming in Paris today as it published the most authoritative research on the issue.
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John Elkington: Asymmetrical Solutions in Davos
posted by ATCA on February 02, 2007 at 04:00 AM
We are grateful to John Elkington from London, UK, for "Asymmetrical Solutions in Davos."
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Does Money Make You Mean?
posted by Saira Mohan on January 29, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Sheshabalaya: Third Round of Globalisation is here!
posted by ATCA on January 25, 2007 at 02:44 AM
We are grateful to Ashutosh Sheshabalaya, based in Brussels and Bassilly, Belgium, for "The Third Round of Globalisation is here!" in response to Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann's submission to ATCA, "Beyond Davos: Demise of the Hub-and-Spokes World Economy: The 21st Century Great Global Economy Paradigm Shift."
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Davos: Demise of Hub-and-Spokes World Economy
posted by ATCA on January 24, 2007 at 12:48 AM
The annual mela in Davos, Switzerland, begins today and is being held under the theme "The Shifting Power Equation." However, as Prof Jean-Pierre Lehmann from IMD Lausanne points out, this in fact is the "Demise of the Hub-and-Spokes World Economy" via "The 21st Century Great Global Economy Paradigm Shift."
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The Socratic Question of Making a Good Human Life
posted by ATCA on January 22, 2007 at 11:40 AM
We are grateful to Prof Prabhu Guptara, based in Wolfsberg, Switzerland, for "Transhumanism, Public Engagement and In-depth Scrutiny" and Dr Charles Rubin, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for "The Socratic Question of Making a Good Human Life."
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