On Thursday this week, I sat through a 2-hour global speech by our CEO.
His goal, apparently, was to set a world record in taking the longest time to say nothing. Many of us wished we'd get fired so the suffering would end.
Whoever talked about the efficiency of capitalism was mistaken.
What a waste of life.
Things that caught my interest this week
I found you some workplace inspiration:
The long-overdue recession appears to be on the way, signaled by increasing layoffs:
This week I published a short text where I speculate why they want us back in the office
I've been frustrated with this for a long time. My employer has requested it, and the reasons they've been giving have been bullshit. Productivity stayed up during the pandemic - or at least I haven't seen any evidence of the contrary. Yet they say that we must come back to nurture our "office culture."
Bullshit.
Then I saw an interview with Arthur Hayes, who predicts a banking crisis triggered by commercial real estate. This got me thinking: what if this is the real reason why they want us back in the office.
I don't know how accurate the idea is, but it is an interesting thought. Many have rightfully pointed out that the logic doesn't apply to companies who lease or rent their office spaces.
However, it does apply to banks.
I'm guessing that they're the ones, combined with governments, that incentivize and push the back-to-office agenda - using main stream media and leveraging companies to comply. This is yet more speculation of course, but there is circumstantial evidence to support it (shared by Reddit user flavius_lacivious):
There's also indications of foreclosures, supporting the problems in real estate (pointed out by Reddit user 111210111213):
In any case, perhaps it’s wise to get your money out of banks with commercial real estate on their balance sheets. Perhaps putting it in gold or banks with government backing.
Not financial advice, of course.
Here's the link to Coin Bureau's interview with Arthur Hayes: https://youtu.be/cwk_l-U-0D4
Here’s a video where the go through the commercial real estate situation: https://youtu.be/SfW5BAch9jQ
Progress made
We shouldn’t have to work more than necessary.
However, we can’t make this argument unless we stipulate what ‘necessary’ means. This week, I published an initial description of some definitions that I think can serve as a rigorous foundation for defining the concept.
It needs peer review - so feel free to criticize:
I had an interview
This week, I met a like-minded individual.
Max Mozes is working on uniting people in the US around a general strike: both organizing it and establishing consensus of demands. He’s also working to improve the consittution.
This is how he describes himself:
I’m a cognitive scientist by education and a senior Microsoft support engineer by trade. Mostly, I’m fed up watching my country fail to meet its obligations to its citizens and the world. I cannot stand idly by and do nothing as I see my future grow dimmer, that’s why I’m doing this and I know it’s going to work. Revolutionary optimism is the very principle my country was founded on and I intend to relight that torch and give us all hope for a brighter future again.
We recorded our discussion - and we’re working on publishing it.
If you want to reach out, his Reddit username is: wandering-naturalist.
Publications this week
Thought of the week
We work to live, we don't live to work.
Stay vigilant - and never ever surrender.
Vive la résistance!
Vive la liberté!
Disclaimer: none of this is financial advice. It’s boring, but needs to be said.
