Nightmares Of The Wealthy?

Socialism and inflation?

If inflation rose 50%, I would lose a lot of money, but many more would lose tens of billions.

That's why inflation is so important to the establishment. Inflation at 10% a year for a lifetime plus socialist policies should wipe out most fortunes, unless the money was invested productively.

But if inflation rises, then food becomes too expensive for the poor? BS. If most people can't buy it, then according to capitalism, the price should fall (demand, supply, price). Did people starve in Argentina when inflation was like 1000%? Probably, but not so many as to make it newsworthy.

Both nightmares are coming soon! Hoping for anything to solve poverty which should not exist if people really were religious, or 'good at heart'.

Are there taxes on wealth? Just income, property, VAT, import, export, but no wealth tax. Wonder why?

People have a lot of wealth in art, collectibles, jewelry, stocks, and such which are not taxed if they do not sell or inherit it (supposedly). It is wealth that could be better put to use for other urgently needed social purposes. 

Some may argue what about artists, artisans, and companies that issue stock? Will they be affected somewhat, excesses sort of reigned in?

Should wealth be taxed in order to have it flow towards other avenues, hopefully socially oriented ones?

If nothing is done, the trend towards assets that aren't taxed will only grow and problems will worsen. There needs to be policies to reverse this trend, but traditional media and establishment may never push for such actions. 

Many rich Korean acquaintances buy stuff (art, collectibles, jewelry, gold, currency) and give it to their offspring without declaring it and other trickery. Certainly goes on elsewhere. 

Kinda seems like sleight of hand on humans. Everyone focusing on getting richer, while something is happening that we should be aware of. 

Another thought. People acquire excessive wealth to be different from, maybe even above, regular people? Wealthy people tend to brag and show off? Will they stand in line with or sit next to a regular person? 

Should poor or even middle class people, cast their votes for the wealthy and their sycophants? Wonder if over 50% of the population will eventually vote to take from the rich and give to the poor?

Musk, Freedom of Speech?

 BS

Does he do business with countries that suppress freedom of speech? Are employees allowed to speak freely at his companies? 

Has Musk ever spoken out for free speech in North Korea, China, Russia, or anywhere, but the US and Twitter?

Pure capitalist. Doesn't even take a cash salary because of income tax. 

The extremely wealthy control media, why not Twitter? I sometimes wonder how many companies the CIA, and South Korea's counterpart, controls.

Just Chill?

Why can't people just chill? Always wanting and doing. Some always badmouthing someone or something.

Seemingly can't sit still and reflect on the past, inner thoughts, what is going on, their self, life's questions... In other words, face oneself.

Is it due to genes, instinct, evolution, or what?

Or is that people know that there something like a God in the silence and are afraid to look?

Probably due to cognitive dissonance and wanting to avoid conflicting thoughts.

hehe.

Love?

A human cultural definition of the effects of hormones related to mating and parenting?

As with everything else, it is a mixture of many things. It is the human cultural definition, description, concept, the ideal, and more.

A mixture of emotions.

Selenium Associated with Longer Telomeres (Longer Living)

According to Medical News Today, telomeres are “protective caps” located on the ends of our chromosomes that affect how quickly cells age and increased selenium intake is related to longer telomere length.

Selenium is also needed for other bodily functions.

Often forget to eat my daily Brazil nut. Probably remember better now. Seems to be over a decade since I started to eat Brazil nuts. 

Exercise and eating small amounts of unprocessed food are also reportedly associated with living longer. 

FYI, more interested in being well than living longer. 

Buy Shares In Pharmaceutical Company Developing Alzheimer's Treatment?

The company's therapeutic is due to start clinical trials. Considered buying shares.

Then, I came across this article in CNN - 42 previously unknown genes discovered for Alzheimer's disease

The potential treatment for Alzheimer's will probably work, but only on some patients, it seems.

Waiting for the stock market to crash again, or go down significantly. Also, need to sell before that happens.

In the meantime, researching what to buy. 

What to do with money? Give it to those in need? Give it to the wealthy?

Why give it to the wealthy? For toys, trinkets, convenience? For what?

Understanding The Brain

More is being revealed about various regions of the brain these days than ever before.

According an article in a publication of American Association for the Advancement of Science, the amygdala is a small structure deep in the brain important for interpreting the social and emotional meaning of sensory input – from recognizing emotion in faces to interpreting fearful images that inform us about potential dangers in our surroundings.

It seems that an overgrowth in the amygdala of babies could be the cause for autism in later life.

Korean Gov't Slashed Gasoline Taxes Months Ago

Taxes account for the majority of the price of gasoline in Korea.

When gas prices rose, the Korean government temporarily cut the tax by around 20%, or so, to decrease the burden on consumers and the economy.

Think about it. Price goes up, more taxes. So, even with a tax cut, tax revenues will not decrease.

Koreans pay a lot for gas. These days, about 2,000 Korean Won per liter ($ 6.30 a gallon). Usually, it is around 1,600 Korean Won per liter. 

I doubt most Koreans recognize that gas prices are really high here.

There are many other countries with high gasoline prices, while there are a couple with ridiculously low prices.

Studio Apartments Still Vacant

Two five-story studio apartment buildings were completed about six months ago. Blocking my view of downtown Seoul.

The one room studios are very small. Bathroom, kitchenette, enough space for a bed, desk.

Advertised as slightly under $2,000 a month with about a $20,000 deposit. ALL of the studio apartments are still empty. 

Tons of commercial buildings with 'for rent' signs, but the rent prices have not come down at all.

Some have been vacant for a couple of years.

These Korean landlords are stubborn. Properties have been vacant for years, but they won't lower rent. 

Probably waiting to see if business picks up after the coronavirus pandemic weakens.

Let's see what happens after two years.

One vacancy was taken up by a cosmetic surgery clinic. Logical, they can certainly afford the rent.

Decades of Sanctions Against North Korea Didn't Work

China and Russia has and will keep supporting and trading with North Korea.

So?

China, Russia, North Korea, and other authoritarian states vs democratic countries?

Looks that way. 

Already cut them off from semiconductors, advanced software, and other technologies.

People in power need to have yearly mental checkups and removed from power if they are not logical, do not keep their word, or lie blatantly

Why do people vote for liars (Trump)? Many seem to be disenfranchised, feed up with the system, and are expressing it by voting for people who appear to be rebellious. 

Conservatives Barely Won Korean Presidential Election

Luckily, the liberal party holds a firm majority in the National Assembly. 

Lost by less than one percent. A lot of people don't believe what most media tell them. LOL.

From what the media was saying, I thought the liberal party candidate would lose by a much larger margin of about 7-8%.

If the liberal party can maintain a majority in the coming elections for the National Assembly, there is no way the conservative party candidate will be able to fulfill many of his promises.

Roles could be reversed now. But the liberal party doesn't block almost all of the opposing party's legislation and policies.

The younger 20-30 age bracket apparently believed what most media fed them. Hopefully, they will get wiser. 

Things are looking up. Almost all of the people above 60 years old are conservative. A small percentage die every year...

Hey, I am over 60.

Media Control In Countries?

North Korea, China, and Russia are well known for control of media.

Lesser known is the control of media in Japan, Korea, and other countries.

Though democratic, most media in many countries are controlled by conservatives or wealthy.

Many are owned outright by the wealthy, or are puppets to wealthy advertisers.

At least we have social media and the internet nowadays. Sort of counteracts the negative aspects of traditional media but has its faults. 

China, Mongols, Japan, North Korea. Throughout history, many have tried to take over Korea, which is just a very small 3-hour drive wide and 5-hour drive long peninsula.

When North Korea (supported by Russia) invaded South Korea (vice-versa in North Korean media and schoolbooks), the US and UN stepped in at the last moment when only the southern port city of Pusan was left. 

Thankfully, a lot of people from all over the world fought in the Korean War. Tragically, too many died. 

The USA, Great Britain, Canada, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Colombia, Ethiopia, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Philippines and Luxembourg sent armed forces to fight in the war. Many other countries sent medical supplies and aid. 

South Korea was extremely fortunate. Russia was boycotting the UN and China did not have any power in the UN. Otherwise, they definitely would have vetoed sending the UN forces to South Korea. 

Koreans say that we succeeded because of hard work and stuff, but I think it is mainly due to the relations and trade we have had with the US (even through trade frictions, mainly due to unfair Korean practices and large trade surpluses for Korea). 

Imagine if we were sanctioned... 

Another perspective. Lots of Christians in South Korea. Lots of Christians in the US. Lots of Christians in the Philippines. Lots of Christians in China, Japan, Indonesia, all over the place. 

Still, Christianity is less prevalent than before.

Donate for Ukraine Yet?

Company started a JustGiving page and is matching contributions, so I donated. 

Have donated monthly to UNHCR for years. Barbaric wars have gone on for ages. 

Imagine a world where everyone helps others, monetarily? 

Charity has steadily grown over the years, yes?

Have an aversion to negative things, even things like "I don't think, isn't it? don't you think? no?"

Avoiding negative things helps to expand mental and imaginary horizons.

Imparts a slightly different mental perspective, which can lead to unexpected thoughts, insights, and will/desires.

"I don't think that..." is nonsensical. It is commonly used to mean "I think that something is not", or "I think that something does not". I can understand a phrase like "you don't know if he did it", but phrases like "I don't think that he is smart." could lead to cognitive dissonance.

Next time, someone says "I don't think that is so", might be just living without any deep meaningful reflection.

Nowadays, punctuation marks are put before the ending quotation mark. Fifty years ago, that was not so. I guess it's a matter of style. 

"If the universe is only 14 billion years old, how can it be 92 billion light years wide?" is the title of a Youtube video. A widely accepted theory is that the universe suddenly expanded much faster than the speed of light at the very beginning and then slowed, but the expansion is continuing.

The universe could be larger than 92 billion light years wide, no one knows.

Recently changed mind about the brain, it could be responsible for consciousness, empathy, and more. 

Still uncertain about why 'good' and 'truth' are associated with mental wellness, wisdom, will/desire, and other things. Still think it has something to do with a dimension, force, metaphysical energy, or cause.

Bought a spin bike with an 18kg flywheel. Fantastic for easing into exercise right after waking up. 

Definitely helps to lose/maintain weight with the least effort when combined with some leg lifts and other exercises. 

Hurt back and got out of shape. Took about three weeks to regain fitness. 

Korean Presidential Election

Signs point to a win by the conservative party candidate in the Korean presidential elections next week. 

Just FYI, most of the presidents from the conservative party have been served jail time or are in jail for corruption. The conservative party changes its name for almost every election. Erasing associations with past scandals, maybe?

Amazing what money can buy these days...

Hoping the signs are wrong. Praying doesn't seem to be very effective. Wish it was.

Lack of National Health Insurance to Blame?

Canada, Korea and other countries that handled the coronavirus pandemic relatively well have national health insurance and, for some reason, much lower medical costs than the US.

Wonder if the uninsured population resent the "establishment" and take unenlightened actions, such as refusing to wear masks and the like? Could be. Could it be statistically proven? 

Will the US ever solve its health insurance problem? Have to find a way to include existing US health insurance companies. Close to impossible? Government buyout or partnership?  

Life saving medical care should be free, if possible?

Climate change? Very pessimistic. Probably more intense weather related disasters coming up? Definitely. 

Metaverses?

Companies are trying to create their own version of a metaverse. 

Shouldn't metaverses be interconnected? Avatars being able to enter all metaverses is definitely better than being able to be used on only one meteaverse? Same with items? What about an open-source metaverse?

Should metaverses be infinite? Why do companies need to make money on metaverses, avatars, and items? Why not let the people make money and run businesses inside a "real" metaverse?

Just things I think about?

Spacetime May Emerge From Something More Fundamental

According to an article in Scientific American: What Is Spacetime Really Made Of?

It could emerge from "entanglement", says the article. I agree that spacetime is an emergent phenomena.

Light, theoretically, doesn't experience "space" or "time". Spacetime seems to emerge from light, in my thinking, in the transitional phase between light and matter. I think I read something to that effect a couple of decades ago.

If Rich People Did Not Hoard Their Wealth, Then No Problem?

 Good starting point.

If the rich lent all their money to the poor, then there would be fewer problems?

Maybe, the money could be used to start non-profits that would pay good wages and educate the poor?

The rich would still "own" the money lent and non-profits but would make less return on their money.

Just thinking...

Inflation Decreases Wealth of The Rich More Than The Poor

In terms of wealth amounts. 

On the other hand, inflation affects the poor due to higher prices for necessities, health and such.

A decade of high inflation should erase most of the wealth held by the rich?

How to protect the poor during inflation? 

Might be good to think about further.

With automation and AI, these things will probably be resolved in 50 or so years, maybe.

Wealth Tax For Those Paying Little Taxes?

A progressive tax for people with over $50m in assets and, let's say, paying under $100,000 a year in income tax? Same for corporations that somehow avoid paying much in taxes.

Maybe starting at 0.1% annually for over $50 million and under $100 million, 0.2% for over $200m, 1.0% of $1 billion, up to a maximum 10% for over $10 billion. Maybe, a little break for those leaving their riches to charity and such.

That money is being hoarded and put into funds, equity, real estate, art, jewelry, cars, and such. Give it to the poor to spend on necessities, health, education? Much more productive?

Use the proceeds to help fund universal basic income?

Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung proposes to start giving $250 a year with the aim of establishing a foundation for a universal basic income system.

With automation and AI, soon there will be very little paid work for humans. No work, no income.

Regions of Brain Responsible for Emotional Response to Sounds and Words

I read that in an article. Dogs have similar regions.

It appears that two regions generate a positive or negative emotion to words or sounds. 

Brain is really complex...

Roger Penrose's Cyclical Universe

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Roger Penrose's model for a cyclical universe is becoming mainstream. Theory explained in article below.

BBC: What Existed Before The Big Bang

Result of Flagging Scams on Craiglist?

 I got this post from a fan.