Overview of the economy January 2022: Nice Graphics!

 Browsing the news and I came across an article entitled, "Infographic: The US economy during Biden’s first year in office" that has a solid description of some factors in the economy that include inflation, unemployment rate, people quitting jobs, job openings (pressured by lack of employee), inflation, consumer confidence, and economy (Very nice graphics. I wish they were shareable for my readers.). I like the graphics because they are telling (I didn't see the writers name. I like to remember them when they are good 🤓.). One thing I kind of saw while looking at the statistics is the relationship between unemployment, inflation, job openings and "I Quit!" rates. If employment is slowing down the economy then it would seem that technology is likely to be a major strategic solution. I do believe we run some risks of employers having a lack of qualified workers and in turn impacting the pace of growth (While technology isn't yet developed to meet the gap.). Under these labor supply pressures this is where wages should rise (hopefully above inflation) and technology should become more common to expand worker productivity (innovation, productivity, and rising wages can go hand in hand.). 

Challenging Hate (Maybe) For Public Unity in Higher Education (An Institutional Challenge)

We are struggling as a nation to silence the voice of hate that have risen over the past few years in a frenzied increase in extremism. In many ways these voices of ethnic and political dissention have been there for some time, just under the surface, but have increasingly bubble up as of late highlighting existing schisms in society. There are times to challenge, there are times to wait before acting and there are times to forgive. Decisions must still be made by leadership of both of our political parties to decide what type of nation we will be going forward (I believe we have made some progress toward unity as of late after the public display of extremist type behaviors at our capital could have caused a much larger issue that would have likely lead to irreparable damage for a long time and snuffed out the opportunities of the next generation. We could have easily bounced from #1 position on the world market to something like #6 as well as impacted all of our international partners in a worst case conflict scenario. You may want to review metrics that try and explain how conflict destroys prosperity in host countries in a World Bank study by Murdock and Sandler 'Civil wars and economic growth: a regional comparison'.). Despite this positive momentum to reclaim our national purpose there are lingering pockets of people and institutions that still may be following values inappropriate/antithetical to our American ideals. It becomes a public service to challenge them to be better versions of themselves for the furthering or our American philosophies and fulfillment of the social contract embodied in our Constitution.. Our national future depends on singularity of vision and purpose! (Something our political leadership should incorporate into their decision making.)

If you have been reading my blog for a while you may be aware that my children and I were targets of a coordinated hate group and at least one associated officer (likely more) for violence, ostracization, incognito stalking, rumor spreading, and corruption. While there appears to be many public complaints against that officer (and seemingly others within the group) they nevertheless were given a free pass to engage in what appears to be highly inappropriate behaviors that risked the safety and well being of others (Its actually a shame that manipulation exposed a bigger group-institution issue but fate lands where it should. 🤷. I guess better me than someone else as these behaviors were dangerous outside the scope of most people.)

Truth can sometimes be subjective so I spot checked my assumptions by enquiring why this group was targeting my children (and me). I received the flat response, "Because you are Muslim" almost as though I should have known better and the question was an annoyance. While I suspected that bigotry was one of the factors to justify aggressive behavior it masked a more pressing issue of group hate that couldn't be ignored for the benefit of the community and other people that don't "fit in" their distorted world. (At least it couldn't be ignored in good moral conscious. Remember, this is a still a free country and people have the right to be treated as valuable members not based in race, religion, ethnicity or other superficial differences.). So the options were little and based in my history, background and personality I decided to challenge (You never really know people until you put them into a tough spot. where values are deeper then the false shadows we show to each other.)

While some of those challenges have been matched and met there are still left over sentiments and passive aggressive behaviors by those who blindly support these inappropriate beliefs (Prior it was officially now its more closet unofficial support. Its a little like rooting for the wrong team but being too embarrassed to admit it to yourself. 😬 See Cost of Embedded Groups). They persist in their perception of control over "their town" as they use their social networks to determine who is allowed to engage (in public and private) and should not be allowed to engage (There is often called by a distorted sense of entitlement. My family's history in the area actually predates many of the other families pressuring for a homogeneous town but it was the "name" and children's race that makes the difference in the evaluation of "local" that includes subjective value over me and my children. By extension, based on the inappropriate usage of slang terms by group members and history of local bullying, they also devalue most of the other minorities in the country as a "mental category" of understanding others in the fish bowl in which they were raised. You can notice from this group the absence of nearly all minorities and that includes those that are locally in abundance such as Native Americans {They don't have a very higher perception of them either.😢. Most of my Native American friends would likely sort of agree with the unmentioned divide.}. Unchallenged these distorted beliefs grow to infect others without the self-development to have their own opinions. Like a disease.). 

One of the tools this group used was public smearing to gain as many supporters of their agenda as they could through their sports and other social networks (No different then the propaganda of other extremist groups that seek to solidify a base of supporters against someone seen as a "threat". What they don't realize if my presence is only a "threat" to someone's ego and they need to work on that to build the self image needed to determine what is their problem and what is someone else's problem. False projections. In more factual terms those that have met me and my kids would say were rather nice. 🤷). That creates a problem when applying for positions within the community where reputational damage has occurred and continues to impact the targets in one way or another (See Transferring Risk). It leaves difficult choices as to how best to ensure that the propaganda of ethnic cleansing campaigns do not continued unchallenged and the institutions are doing what is in the best interest of society (i.e. versus their groups, ideologies, self interest, etc...). 

Let me give you a scenario of applying for an adjunct job within the area and being told by the HR representative I was "more than qualified" and wanted me to start teaching the ASAP ( next semester in a couple of weeks I believe) and abruptly without incident being ghosted (Indicating a lack of professionalism and soiling of institutional purpose). All of the interactions were polite so this behavior is unlikely to be from our interactions alone meaning. Trying to understand the catalyst I contacted the HR hiring representative that reached out to me a few times (followed up on email and when I didn't get a response I called and left a message) but no response. I then followed a natural authority chain upwards by emailing the HR manager (whom appears to be well known in the community and may have some connection back to the propaganda group) and cold shoulder no response. Figuring it may be just an inappropriate HR problem I contacted the president of the school indicating I had a concern. No response! (See how it starts looking like minorities applying are the problem and are quickly stonewalled when they have a question. It makes you wonder how common this problem is and what are the avenues for fixing it if it impacts our institutions of learning? 🤔💁. What are the motivators and why would normal professional expectation of behaviors be abandoned? Then, if done for the wrong reasons how are such people entrusted to make decisions over important functions such as the development of the next generation of workers and leaders?. Lack of transparency, misaligned selection criteria, inappropriate/unprofessionalism, and the importance of higher education all leads to a number of open questions.).

So I'm at a cross roads. What is the right path forward morally?

I can't undo the damage that was done from this hate group and while I'm not that concerned about the adjunct job I still feel that unprofessional behavior should be discouraged and if discriminatory (as an extension of this group and/or as a personal philosophy) there should be a necessary correction to ensure such behaviors don't limit the quality of education for their students or misuse tax payer dollars for private and/or group agendas based in racial, religious, or cultural bias.  

Breaking Down the Percentages:

Thinking through all the actions and interactions and their possible behavioral justifications I came to some temporary explanations. Knowing which is occurring is a challenge with significant grey area in data and information (Some of it requires extrapolating backwards.). Unprofessionalism mixed with context and lack of logical explanation based on experience and performance leaves me (and should leave others) with open questions. I broke down the possibilities based on the information I have at this time (meaning new information changes those percentages and categories. While the specific observations are documentable and appear factual the explanation of those facts is subjective to knowledge and interpretation. It would take an investigation/analysis to pull facts and create the most logical explanation.):

Nothing Wrong: 40% (actually 43%) there is nothing legally wrong or the selection criterial appear to be acceptable. That doesn't mean there was or wasn't inappropriateness but its doesn't constitution a violation as how the law is currently defined. A thumb or two thumbs up. 👍 or👍👍

Mixed Wrong:40% (Actually 39%) my suspicions are partially correct and the selection criteria are inappropriate to the actual position and some of the issue are "managers discretion" not based in actual factual or appropriate measures. Issues reside in the legal grey area (i.e. things like spelling errors that are not applied universally across candidates. Could be bad policy design, personnel issues, or unconscious projected bias. A process review might be helpful in improving the functioning of the school.). A thumbs down. 👍👎

Danger Zone: 20% (Actually 18%) that the things I indicate are possible might be happening actually are happening (I actually don't know and am open to whatever is the reasonable truth.) In this category there would be discriminatory policies and/or choices(based in their social networks, values systems, or political-personal beliefs) that can be supported through documentable evidence (review of hiring practices, demographics, recruitment processes/advertisements, etc...)  That might constitute an intentionally manipulation of posted values (i.e. mission) versus realized values (What might actually be going on.). In a worst case scenario it could mean information is being manipulated to various stakeholders (i.e. EEOC, public, accreditors, students/mission statement, others, etc...) as to what the actual administration's value systems are and how institutional resources are being used "real life" scenarios. It isn't likely to be this bad but in a grotesque situation where such behaviors are found to impact systemically faculty/staff recruitment, student diversity, disciplinary processes, etc... it could be a  little more serious (I don't believe widespread systemic discrimination is occurring but I can't rule it out completely without more information. Its interesting because a memo released by Princeton University in systemic racism/bigotry indicates many of the same things I'm advocating for transparency, diversity & inclusion, access to different scholars, appropriate faculty selection, etc... See Institutional Equity and Diversity) Two thumbs down. 👎👎

Where its Currently At?

Thus at present I'm thinking there is a 43% chance not much is going on and 57% a "look see" might find concerning outcomes that in turn warrant some changes (Remember, this isn't a private institution. This is a public institution, accredited, and using tax payer monies for a publicly posted mission. If it was private, uncredited and/or privately financed it would likely have a lot more choices to select candidates as they wish; I will bet much smaller. At present they are expected to do what is in the best interest of society within our norms and values.)

If it was me and I knew that there is significant room for multiple interpretations of institutional (or individual) behaviors (meaning I wasn't 100% sure significant errors wouldn't be found) I would review my processes, discuss them with someone knowledgeable, and make the appropriate adjustments (That would be what I would do if I was in a leadership role and had only limited training on labor laws. 🤷 ) If I was very very sure everything is being done according to our posted policies and value systems then I would feel confident in my decision and stand by them. At a minimum the concerns, or at least perceptions of inappropriate behaviors, should lead to an understanding of increased transparency and professionalism (Assuming the best interest of the public is at the forefront of their concerns.). As with all things in life choice determines intent and time answers all questions (It should be remembered that observations can be supported by documented incidences but interpretation of those incidences are subject to more data and the interpretation of that data. See Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason.) Some challenges are actually hidden opportunities...but only for a limited time....where adaptation can occur in a more organic fashion. See GDP Human Capital Stock and College Hiring and Global Competitiveness. 

Current State of National Infrastructure R&D (Innovation With New Voices Tempered by Old Wisdom)

 

Infrastructure
Louisville KY

Keeping up with the infrastructure news. One of the reasons why I have been following this for some time is that hard infrastructure mixed with digital/data infrastructure can create new levels of manufacturing performance through heightened innovation and capability development. That of course is not a given so the infrastructure elements must work together in a way that they build value by enhancing each other's capabilities (i.e. elemental infrastructure). One of the ways in which we can more closely see this would be in a growing local cluster; also known as a broad based macro innovation system that moves beyond specific tech development. (i.e. hence a theory of interactive innovative clusters). They are also places where higher volume and value interactions can occur around various national innovative needs (i.e. aerospace, battery production, EV, robotics, military, etc...). 

In the process of understanding that it is beneficial to watch what is changing in infrastructure. I'm also watching what is going on in Michigan and specifically a development Delta County investment clusters model. They are just ideas that may or may not have merit but is supported in part through a wide range of scientific literature (i.e. meaning each of the pieces seems to be supported in part by the other pieces to create a clustered model of interactive performance.)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: This is the big bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passage in 2021 that both Democrats and Republicans supported. It took a minute (slang for a timeframe.) but eventually I think most people got on board. Hard infrastructure when built with the cross benefits of other infrastructure can lead to something called synergy. Its the same thing you might find within a very well managed cluster (i.e. hypothetically) where structures and resources can build with each other to expand their influence through partial cointegration of function. For example harder infrastructure like rails, airports and ports work in conjunction with broadband/data infrastructure and technology to create advanced manufacturing (There are of different cointegrations that can occur but in general its physical with digital/virtual that creates advanced manufacturing. It can also create under the right circumstances lots of start-ups and small businesses.)

If managed well infrastructure (i.e. similar to clusters) can lead to net positives in tax revenue (employment, revenue, lifestyle, education, etc...) as business develop and find greater competitiveness by expanding operations and investing more where they are likely to find higher rates of innovation and manufacturing ROI. Its not possible to really describe some of its complexity in a single post. It might even be possible to determine the general quantitative investment return rate of investments into a solidly designed business environment. (Maybe I should look around and see if someone got anything close in the literature on ROI on synergist infrastructure investments. You can sort of find straight forward advantage of 15% to 45%. See Infrastructure ROI.)

( You may be interested in some related articles. Just read through and let it percolate a little 🤷 Cross Structure Synergy, Economic Hub Synergy, Interactive Economic Hubs, Probability Firm Link, MultiCluster New Industry, Pure Michigan, Delta County Shipping, Supply Chain Value, Regional Lightning Strike,  Data Infrastructure,  Maintain National Economic Superiority, Out Perform China 2033, Economy Needs Fulfillment, Economic-Social Platforms, Streets of Gold 🤓)

January 14th, 2022 White House Fact Sheet: Objectives include 1.) increasing high paying jobs, support manufacturing and adjust supply chains to improve upon the U.S. position in the 21st Century; and, 2.) improve equity and racial justice.  You can obtain a pretty solid run down of where the money is going from the release. The vast majority is going to hard infrastructure where when/if national growth is experienced it will have bigger impact because it applies across the economic structure. The Internet is also getting big push which moves us closer to the digital economy. 

Infrastructure Implementation Task Force: There isn't a great way to say it better than to quote, "To coordinate effective implementation across the government and advance the Administration’s priorities, the Executive Order also establishes a Task Force." We are dealing with a lot of money here and having a way to manage that money makes sense (I'm starting to notice some familiar names.💨). Its important to have seasoned members mixed with newer members in government and leadership. Ideas flow best when the enthusiasm of the new is made practical by the experience of the old.

(What one could consider doing in admin it to take a look at engagement levels of Millennials in government and try and find a blend of different ages, demographics, etc. to help build toward a point in the future. Older people have knowledge but often get stuck in their way of thinking while the young have the enthusiasm but don't have the experience to turn good ideas into practical outcomes. Infrastructure is being built in part to bring back manufacturing in physical goods but also should be thinking about future digital goods. We are entering a new era where the physical goods and digital goods will be blended. It may seem philosophical but that is a natural course of development to enhance physical products with value options).

$824 Million Michigan Incentives to Lure $7 Billion in GM Investments (Other Types of Strategies)

 If your interested in Michigan's economic landscape you should consider reading the article 'GM wins $824 million in incentives from Michigan to lure $7 billion in EV investments' by Chad Livengood (Livengood, 2022) as it provides a nice overview of the event. In this case The Michigan Strategic Fund is using an incentive to partner with the business (There are longer term benefits at play of keeping emerging tech and other associated industries attracted to MI.). It works as a strategy but is a little controversial because some might feel we should not pay companies (In this case I agree for the most part with what they are doing.). An alternative strategy to use in the future is to invest that amount in some infrastructure (and others i.e. training grants, land acquisition, etc... packet.) that will help that company and other companies creating wider benefits. While they may have the same tax rate they also have higher returns from the improvements as they can obtain and ship resources cheaper then their competitors. Likewise, there are other benefits that impact both people and businesses that can use these "build out" adaptable infrastructures (We don't do well in calculating they non direct benefits but they are as or more important than many of the measurements I have seen. There are other value developments that can have an impact on business like active wide and focused marketing to international investors. Looking for other companies along the supply chain to create new technologies and trying to lure them. Directories for people looking for suppliers, etc... etc...etc..... Just a few ideas that we are not limited to a single tax incentive tool. It works...but we might be able to do other stuff as well to make a unique international appeal as a state.)

Livengood, C. (January 25th, 2022). GM wins $824 million in incentives from Michigan to lure $7 billion in EV investments. Auto News. Retrieved January 25th, 2022 from https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/gm-wins-824-million-incentives-michigan-lure-7-billion-ev-investments

The 139' Luxury Liner Ship called America (Pic and Video)

Out sailing and came across a beautiful ship called the America. You may not be a nautical type person and may not know much about ships but they are certainly are a wonder to watch. Our nation was built by such ships that carried people and supplies. I dive in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan sometimes and came across ships that sunk and are deteriorated beyond what they once looked like (You can read about that here). This is what a few of them may have looked like once in their full glory.

Its awesome to see a wooden liner of this caliber. America is a 139' Luxury liner was build Scarano Boat Building (Kind of interesting what they do.) in their Albany shipyard (Yacht Chart Fleet). You can learn a little about America and its charter HERE. 

Enjoy the pic and video

1 NY for Officer Killed and 1 Injured: Gun Controversies Continue!

Another officer was shot and with sadness we can say we haven't yet got a handle on gun violence. I think we are dealing with the availability of certain guns on one side and the right to own guns on the other side. From a domestic disturbance response issue (violence and mental health may be at cause) it is sad to see things turn out this way (Meaning we need change that creates accountability and opportunity for help.). Somewhere and someday we are going to have to find the right balance between protection from gun misuse and the right to bear arms. We are not there yet...but people are certainly discussing it from a wider societal perspective. Either way, until we find a solution  it will continue forward and some will misuse them; maybe always will. :(

Maybe we need to innovate the gun market to create more finger print protection. See an article by Daniel Trotta in Rueter's article 'Exclusive: Smart guns finally arriving in U.S., seeking to shake up firearms market'. However, guns are a controversial issue. I don't know all the arguments involved so I'm just sort of learning to formulate my own opinion (I haven't made up my mind on the idea yet. What I can say is useless death and violent crime damage our society.). What I can say is that I have talked to a lot of people who own guns and I think some of them don't respect its finite nature (The personality and gun are often the primary issues). There are others who are more serious about them and treat them with a level of respect (The type of gun owner I trust.)

Escanaba City Council Meeting January 11th, 2022: "Smart Zones"

Escanaba's townhall was a positive step in the adjustments needed to encourage this small town to be a place where people invest, live and thrive. It was also a productive meeting because it was informative to city council members in terms of how procedures work and why they exist. You will notice that from prior meetings until this meeting there is a higher sense of team cohesion and sense of direction (Go back to the Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning stages and some of the exhibited behaviors of groups. Tuckman's Stages). There will naturally be differences throughout their time in office but if they focus on actionable steps to improve future prospects and how their choices impact the lives of residence they will be accomplish much of what they set out to do.

The good news is they are taking an additional step to increase personal-professional knowledge of how to manage a city and the ability to work together in a way that builds trust with community members (Notice in the presentation the focus on transparency and shared goals.) Newer and younger city council members would likely find it beneficial to be familiarized with official rules, regulations, and laws so they don't step in legal potholes. Sometimes when members enter into public life they may not have all of the experience needed to make difficult decisions in complex environments. This is where organizations like the Michigan Municipal League can be helpful to new administrations where ideas and resources can be shared among municipal members. 

Another step the team could take would be to take a look at personality attributes and area of interests and try and match that with roles and responsibilities. The benefit is that it can create increased engagement and motivation of team members because they already have the natural focus. One would want to of course keep in mind over interest in an area which could make someone blind. Where that might occur you may want multiple people working on that topical area. (See Personality Traits and Team Cohesion , Path-Goal Theory and Higher Performance Path-Goal)

As a side note. The speaker did a great job of connecting the concepts that universities can draw resources and provide an attractive draw for young people to move into the area. They also have the ability to use their intellectual resources to improve their communities and give "real life" experience (...thinking how things connect between different institutions and activities to create net positives community. The more you do that, according the a theory on innovative transactions, the higher the growth rate. It is also possible to also expand the system by new lines of "net positives" that come from efficient use of resources to create ROI in clusters.) That of course relies on the ability to attract and retain diverse faculty from a broad range of backgrounds that can help students prepare bright futures. While Escanaba is a small town nestled in the woods and lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan it has significant potential as an investment draw. (Small Business Online Success and Business Incubators)