What I have learned today [2015/6/30]

1. In India, there is a village of wrestlers who work as bouncers. A village of wrestlers...India could have its own WWF. That would be entertaining.

2. Charter plane for frequent commuter for 2000 a month from NYC to Boston. This is what I call aviation innovation. I just hope they still have to fly less because well flying does consume time and energy and produces pollution. Can't wait for virtual reality meetings :D

3. First 3D printed car. 3D printing will bring more customization to cars and also lower cost because we won't have to build massive factories but instead have small shops.

4. Male models get paid way less than female models. Should we start complaining? hmmmm...

5. There are no rivers in Saudi Arabia.



From Floating Forest

What I have learned today [2015/5/25-2015/5/27]

1. In asset bubbles, hold cash, gold, and real assets.

2. With the increase of chipped cards, other types of credit card frauds have increased.  Balloon effect at work :D

3. Productivity may be limited by cost of energy. This makes sense unless there are breakthroughs in making inputs more efficient, the output should be limited as the costs become uneconomic.

4. Finny Kuruvilla invests according to biblical principals. I have not done a due diligence on him but it is good to see that we can invest well following the bible.

5. India is ranked 142 out of 188 countries in the World Banks' "Ease of doing Business" list.

6. Japan's advance in robotics is likely to raise productivity in small-medium firms.

7. Fuld, ex CEO of Lehman, did not care much about risk before the end by not listening to the head of fixed income and risk manager. He cannot blame others. He did mess up by focusing too much on profit rather than risk management.



*From Snapshot Serengeti

What I have learned today [2015/4/30]

1. IPO data has a lot of errors. When combining data sets make sure that the errors do not compound because it will make a mess!

2. Defense companies do not have much fixed cost. It is all variable and part of the pension is paid by the government! wow! Not too enthusiastic in supporting defense companies although they are necessary.

3. BLS is quite independent from the executive branch. I sort of the head that feeling but it is nice to know that it is run by career bureaucrats.

4. Many IPOs are acquired quite soon.

5. India's GDP is 80% consumed by Indians so as long as India grows (which it is), expect to see lot of billion dollar companies :D




*From Penguin Watch