Saturday, December 29, 2012

Utopia

So this blog survived the apocalypse. Boo the Mayans!

But we're approaching the end of another year. In the midst of more (economic) uncertainty, I hope 2013 will be a better year for all of us.

The world is pretty much border-less already. At least for money anyway. Goods are still subject to few restrictions and duties, but you can get pretty much anything from anywhere nowadays. Unless you are importing bombs or some radioactive materials.
As the world become borderless, so is the government control over its subject. One who does not like one's government's rules and regulations can simply go somewhere else. Just like FBs Saverin, and a few other billionaires who moved to Singapore, or the French who move to London because of Hollande's tax policy.
The same can be said in economic and monetary sector, the world is so closely connected and linked today that every individual government's policy will eventually affect the other nation, whether they like it or not.

Beneficial policy (at least for the taxpayer) like low tax rates in Ireland and Singapore, attracts talents and corporation. Countries who wants advance their ranks therefore have to compete by issuing even better policy. And this is a good thing for the global citizen.
On the flip side, this global competition have side effects, for instance, with the Fed pumping money into the economy, they have effectively exporting inflation to other countries. Some analyst worried that this will spark currency wars.

I will end my ramblings for now. Two posts in a day is a bit too much, and on Saturday even!

New Year List

I have a few list for 2013. I think the first is my wish list
- a Kindle paper white perhaps
- the legendary Nikkor 70-200 VRII
- a travel trip to Japan / Europe / New Zealand / America
and lastly.. maybe a steady stream of income, or a job.. without which all of the above would be unaffordable (browser spell checker suggest that the word is non-existent.. seriously?!).
But I have learnt that I have been very privileged to live in this life. We have to put our self in perspective, looking at those who is less fortunate, and learn from the history.

I just bought free books (is there such paradox?) from Amazon Kindle store for new year's reading (although I suspect some of the books can go as far as the next new year)

     

Its quite odd that some of the books have actually changed price during this writing, which is just an hour afterwards, so be warned, and grab the free or bargain books while you can (not necessarily the above).

Another list I which passed my mind is of course, the usual goal and resolutions..
but I'm not putting myself on burden this time.. well.. at least not today. I do have TWO days left.