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Showing posts from June, 2023

Mackinac Bridge Photo and History

 I was driving across the Mackinac Bridge a few weeks ago. I took a nice photo from near the fort. You can read the history in  Mackinac Bridge Authority . Mackinac Bridge Photo Gallery

The U.S. is Growing and China is Slowing (How Long will it Last?)

It looks as though the US economy is poised to grow and the Chinese economy may be facing some problems. There has also been a shift by countries to work more with the U.S. and allies. Upward trajectory in the U.S. and slower growth in the other might be a major reversal of trajectory. What we can say is that the U.S. seems to be picking up speed with manufacturing investments and new infrastructure development while China could possible have experienced some problems with  over capitalization . ( I think China used a more Communist approach of top down management which pushed growth but may not work well in to the next era. This is interesting to see if U.S. innovative push will further encourage longer term upward US growth that could outstrip China's in a few years. I'm thinking about 23/24 as being a type of transition time. One might even wonder if we are entering into a new digital platform homeostasis. There is a prediction of a recession this year so we will have to see

What should you expect when your the target of hate? (The Longer Term Perspective)

George Caleb Bingham, “ The County Election ,” 1854 Hate is a disease in our society and as I reflect on the things people have said and done I have become aware to how embedded some of those distorted values are in our within our social networks; maybe all societies. I can't figure out how someone's race or religion can become the most defining thing in another's life to the point where nothing else much matters. Many nations deal with this disease in different ways and I believe we will likely overcome this issue in the next era of development.  The underlining aggression of certain behaviors are sometimes apparent even though we may be scratching our heads as to how the people who engage in these behaviors seem to believe wholeheartedly without alternative explanations that "those people" are responsible for everything negative in their lives ( Even responsible for things that are not rationally connected or associated. Their choices often don't factor into

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse 1889 (Picture and History)

Mackinac Lighthouse 1889 See in Gallery for Purchase This is a picture taken a week or so ago while driving downstate. History is something that tell us about our past and can often tell us about our future. One might even say human behavior on a macro level is patterned and repeated throughout history.  The difference is that we advance as a people and we can learn from history so as to improve our future. We learn, develop and grow and with luck successful adapt to environmental changes. For example, this is a lighthouse that tells a story of some of the dangerous history of being in the wilderness like this. It also tells a story of economic and commercial activities on the Great Lakes. Old Mackinac Light House park information.

Waterfront Wednesday Louisville 2023 Line Up

A friend and I went down to Waterfront Wednesday to hear some tunes. It was pretty cool. A little hot but not anything over stifling. Food trucks, lawns, music, lots of people walking around. It looked like people were enjoying themselves. That is the way events should be. Its a beautiful city and with lots of friendly people.  2023 Waterfront Wednesday Line Up This would be an example of a green infrastructure that seeks to maximize natural resources. The river front attracts people and can be used to increase growth.  River-city recreational interaction: A classification of urban riverfront parks and walks

A Beach Bum's Backpack (Cool Little Phrases)

 Ok as I move onto my beach bum lifestyle ( with some responsibilities and interest beyond general slumming around and coconut flavored beverages ) I got this super cool backpack to travel. Something I kind of wanted to do a lot more of before I get too old. The cool thing about Beach Bumming is saying phrases like ..... Hakuna Matata  and meaning it! Tons of space and lots of pouches. Something like 50L and you can carry it on. Has a waist belt for more serious hiking. About $80. Not bad.

U.S. Treasury Department Says Investments in U.S. Manufacturing is Market Anomaly (Digital Platform Shift?)

Source: US Treasury They also have a cool emblem. The U.S. Treasure came up with some interesting reports on how the U.S. manufacturing construction has risen. This would be the precursor to actual larger scale manufacturing. On this level with the multiple forms of infrastructure investment and a new sense of focus by our somewhat prior political insanity we may find ourselves maintaining our position on the top of the global economic pack ( Hopefully prior but there are some remnants out there of more political versus practical decisions being made. Sorry, won't go into it now.. ..🙅).  We need innovation, prototypes, and mass manufacturing. This is why I believe that human capital development mixed with rapid innovation systems can create new innovative products that eventually leads to larger scale manufacturing application through intra and extra entrepreneurship. Let us not mention the potential for profit that wets the palate of the most seasoned investment bulls . They in

Escanaba Harbor, Great Lakes Fish Rejuvenation and Perpetual Sustainable Economies

A video of Escanaba Harbor a few weeks ago when I went out fishing. I didn't catch anything and neither did a few others. One guy said he did but that was a few days ago. I think we need to find a way to bring back our fish stocks and improve the health of the Great Lakes. While they look pretty good in my area, I'm pretty sure that protecting the world's largest fresh water natural resources as well as a huge potential protein source (while the world is in desperate need of such fresh protein) would be a good idea. Maybe if we get really good at creating sustainable systems we might be able to raise the ecological health of the Great Lakes, the commercial fishing capacity, and the economy at the same time ( They call that a net positive. Based on total government investment and market investment we have an improving system along with improving economic benefit. We struggle with thinking about that when designing government policies sometimes. Other times we get it right.

U.P. Towns Not Growing as Fast as Wisconsin: Delta County MI May Red Buck the Trend!

Small towns in the U.P. have a lot of potential but there hasn't really been a coordinated effort to ensure they grow. A whole new array of people are out there that want to be digital nomads. According to this article below the Wisconsin side is growing while the U.P. are not. For example, Delta County Michigan is growing and there are reasons why that is the case and why there is a lot of room for improvement. Western Upper Peninsula towns empty out, look to Wisconsin for lessons Why Delta County is Growing as there is likely to be a 2K population Billerud increase that could be retained and maximized. 1. New investment 2. Coordinated effort to improve the community. 3. Marina, docks, recreation, and events.  4. A desire to attract new investments ( No concerted plan I can see that offers packages for investors. This might be where local bank, investor fund, entrepreneurs, state, federal and city government might coordinate some efforts. Personally I think they should attract to

The Stages of Life: For Geniuses

Young Man with a Skull (Vanitas) by Frans Hals (c.1628) You know, I have been told that I'm a highly gifted/genius and my son has been told the same. The issue is that I pretty much figured I didn't know much in my life because I never had the answers. There simply was too many possibilities and I would think something to be true by percentage and most people told me I was wrong ( Of course I think I'm wrong because there is good chance I am .). Somewhere along the line I ended up being more correct typically ( even though I'm wrong a lot ) than the average person.  I never really understood the difference between how I think and how others think throughout my life but somewhere along the line I figured out that many people say things as fact when they are just opinions. They are not always well thought out opinions but said for very social reasons ( something we likely inherited as a species trait to raise our perceived knowledge and intelligence as a survival mechanis

Cats and Coffee:Lucky Cat Cafe 502

The other day I was out with a friend and we saw this Lucky Cat Cafe 502 . The concept is cool. I will likely try it out someday while I'm working.  It's interesting concepts like this that sometimes start trends.

Adaptors of AI: Characteristics of Early Adaptor Organizations

Research vessel could be run by AI. These are remote not AI I think. Innovative nations create patents as innovators and move those to early adaptors who try out and implement products. One can come up with the idea and often others use that information quickly to solve customer problems and make a high return on investment. As we move into the Digital Era we can watch how AI is being used at increasingly more places and industries.  ( Ok, As a side note kind of funny I still think about the ramifications of not having an off switch. So weird were talking about this stuff when I was a kid it was total Sci Fi )  Societies who can maximize innovators and adaptors can build faster than others. Science, innovation and  industry adaptation is the name of the GDP game. We have to think about the right pieces that create rapid innovation ( I'm thinking in more of a systems or cluster form. I.E. Delta County Model )  You can learn about how AI is being applied in the article,  Our early-ad

The written and unwritten rules of nations, organizations and society

Unwritten rules are the undercurrent of an organization. Nations should always seek to maintain the singularity of policy and social unwritten rules. Just like in any organization there are official rules and there are also unwritten rules. One will state clearly what the goals and expected behaviors are while the other is the unwritten rules of how things function in reality.   Read Shifting the Unwritten Rules of Organizational Behavior.   An example might be the official universal law/Constitution as passed artifacts and the unwritten subjective law as applied/lived/realized.  In an organization it could be the policies & procedures as compared to how the work gets done everyday.  We know these official and unofficial rules exist in every organization. The official rules are essential but its the unwritten rules that make the some of the most profound differences.  The article discusses how one might write the unwritten rules (i.e. principles) and then seek to adjust and change

Why I Would Be Unlikely to Make a Good Politician

Stanczyk A little satire goes a long way. Can you sell the unsellable? Ok, this isn't mocking politicians because they have a really difficult job. I can't imagine everyday navigating the political landscape, shifting opinions, constant arguing, and short lived job roles. A new administration comes in and just about everyone from the old gets kicked out and they start over in another role. Thus, its an up and down affair I guess. The other issue I face is divergence because I never see things as all this or all that ( Not never never but you get my point. ). If you asked me a question I have 15 different answers of which I know none of them are true unless I have more information. I just think they are possibilities that get ruled out as more information comes available.  Think of it like a chain of logic. We list all of the options and reasonable explanations. As each piece of information comes in we then break down those logic chains into probabilities. Each one becoming wea

Escanaba City Council Regular Meeting (June 15, 2023): Development Still Continues

  Spinozza I have been watching these meetings for some time and development is occurring and I believe we will begin to see some fruits of labor soon ( We have seen some in terms of development but the interest in the area is growing. We might ponder how or why? See Principles. ). There are good discussions on how to improve the area, make it aesthetically appealing, splash parks and other great things. We also find that the DDA is actively trying to improve the downtown ( I still think a package of state, federal, local grants with special entrepreneurial financing would be helpful. One could consider looking outside the area like Ann Arbor and other hot spots for would be entrepreneurs that can put up $50 K for building improvements and $50 k for business start up funding. Or something like that. ) We do see some positive changes and adjustments going forward. People are thinking, acting, and making things happen.  btw the House of Ludington just opened.  June 15th, 2023 Escanaba C

Corporate Bankruptcies on the Rise as Interest Rates Rise (Avoiding Over Leverage)

Bankruptcies are rising. According to the article there have been 324 bankruptcy filings which is nearing 2022 levels. Much of that has to do with highly leveraged firms with high debt loads. A couple thoughts on avoiding such situations.... Principle: Ensure you have significant liquid assets and cushion in financing ( Probably get a better rate than more risky firms. ). Principle: Make sure growth and resource use is in balance.  Corporate bankruptcies and defaults are surging – here’s why Looking for some reasons as to why that happens I came across a nice explanation. I wanted the explanation to be in non academic language. How do fed rate hikes affect debtors and bankruptcy filings . 

Eating Out and Eating Healthy

 Eating out and eating healthy is not impossible. Sometimes it comes down to choice. As you can tell salads do the trick. Sometimes you make mistakes and you have mushrooms on bread. Enjoy life! Forget the unimportant stuff!

Wagner Group Stands Down and Leader Leaves: A Win for Ukraine

This is an interesting article on the Wagner Group and its turning against Russia. I'm not going into all the claims of the group but its interesting to see how these groups sort of function under infighting. The Ukrainians were given a gift during their counter offensive. Even if the Wagner leader leaves to another country peacefully there will be a natural shift on the battlefield. Perhaps new leadership, infighting, distrust and many other things. This is something the Ukrainians can use for their advantage.  Let us see how it turns out.  Wagner head says group standing down after claims of deal There are mixed reports I guess. The strategic implications could be profound if it plays out in a certain way. 

Manistique Lighthouse: The meaning of change.

 Over the past few years I have seen things that sadden me as to how they function and operate. They are inherently immoral and in many ways supported in inappropriate ways. Lighthouses represent to me change. I'm changing as a person because there are just some things are that are not justified and they indicate a bigger issue that we need to solve as a society. Thr change is a good thing i think. Those who support certain behaviors because they do not understand the greater value of human life and the purpose of our institutions should be somewhat ashamed. They are not and there are some of us who recognize this inability to fix the issues. We must find a better way. We need no second class citizens in our society ( From a sociological level we do have them and most societies do. We should be more universal in our values and approaches. ).  I can accept that wrong is the lay of the land sometimes ( beyond just a mistake or two ) but I do have concerns over how those weaker values

When National Growth and Economic Development is Separate from Human Development

We are in this odd place in our society where we have seen extremism rise and protests occur at a time when our nation must rejuvenate and compete internationally ( They are not gone, they are just more or less in the background and I think these issues will rise again because we haven't addressed them adequately at the root level . i.e. simple things like where complaints go and other tweaks have not been adjusted. Very simple but important things in the long run that create stronger feedback loops and adaptable performance. One could collect those and save lots of time and money into investigations because a running metric can be trusted by the public because it is not managed by those who may have a vested interest in not making such metrics valuable. Its just one solution. Someone could come up with another that is better and I might agree. Ask me tomorrow and if I learn something new I might adjust it ). Often we like to focus on the financial metrics but then ignore the funda

Why Hate Robs Society of Opportunities? A case for broad based development.

Eight portrait heads of Socrates, illustration to Lavater's "Essays on Physiognomy". 1789 We talk a lot in this society about improving our competitiveness and you will hear people discuss economic theories with great painstaking detail. However, they seem to miss some important key underlining aspects of building a great society. We must do more to maximize our human capital and that is increasingly unlikely the more we free pass hate. Those who bring us together do so because they see the greater need to preserve and grow our central core values as guides to a growing societal system. There will be those who will exploit the good of diversity for the bad of self gain. Hate behavior is goal directed. Consider this interesting article in Foreign Affairs  Hate Speech on Social Media: Global Comparisons .  It discusses how hate speech can be somewhat destructive to society and that is more acceptable in some societies than others. However, hate speech also signals societal

Escanaba Lighthouse Boathouse

 Escanaba Light House Boathouse You can check out the gallery HERE . If your in the area there is a little hidden beach there. You can walk down. Its flat rocks in the front and then sand out about 4 feet or so. Its a good place to lap swim. Put your wetsuit on and go!

S&P Global Flash US Composite PMI: US economic upturn slows in June as dependence on services grows (June 23, 2023)

Service seems to increase more and manufacturing declines some. Orders seem to be up and the service industry is hiring. Demand is raising business confidence ( That is important for determining future investments and business behaviors. If they are confident they will act with confidence on the market and make things happen. ), international demand is low, inventories at customers are high, Q2 GDP should be around 2%, labor may have some impact ( Why portable technology improves human capital is beneficial to do more with limited physical head count. Moving workers to top of the value chain and automating lower level functions might help better allocate labor. ) Key findings: Flash US PMI Composite Output Index(1) at 53.0 (May: 54.3). 3-month low. Flash US Services Business Activity Index(2) at 54.1 (May: 54.9). 2-month low. Flash US Manufacturing Output Index(4) at 46.9 (May: 51.0). 5-month low. Flash US Manufacturing PMI(3) at 46.3 (May: 48.4). 6-month low.  Who are PMI by S&P G

Getting Some Golfing in at the Highland Golf Course

This year I bought a golf membership. I planned on fulfilling my half corporate, beach bum, traveler, golfer, outdoor, and generally whatever comes up that day life. It takes a lot of work to try and feel like your not working! 😂 The total price was $475 for the year. A slightly shorter year but we play up to the first major blizzard ( Ok not really but I have seen people playing while its snowing .).  That was a great intro price. I think it has to do with new ownership or manager or something. Anyway, its a very nice course and they take good care of it. I keep telling my kids Your great grandfather golfed on this course. The holes are likely the same so there is some nostalgia in it. ( One likes golf and the other not so much. I tell them if they go play I will pay for it. Trying to ensure they have activities together. Impressively, the one who doesn't care about golf got a used set from his friend's dad to contribute to the mismatch sets they can use. I have a reason why