What I have learned today [2015/6/2]

1. Indian pilots are flying after sitting only 35 minutes in the co-pilot seat. Ok, time to take trains....

2. Young banker kills himself. This is really sad...seeing a young and bright person kill himself. Banking has improve conditions but one must realize that banking and super sadistic hours are not for everyone...

3. Amazon turns its boxes into ads.

4. Companies are filing multiple H1Bs to increase the chance of sponsoring their foreign workers. The US should really reform the work visa because it is really a deadweight loss. They should auction the visas, benefiting all parties.

5. Affordable housing is still difficult in America. However, we should ask whether the money for affordable housing can be better used to help the poor. For instance, would giving the money to subsidize affordable housing be better used if we gave the poor education or transportation vouchers?

6. Flexible shifts is wrecking low wage workers' lives. Firms should not abuse its workers by last minute calls or cancellations. However, given the pressure of competition, I don't see the situation improving. If they try to make the schedule more rigid then firms may replace the workers with automation. I believe that we should all try to help the low wage workers gain new skills.

7. There is lack of women in economics. I strongly believe that we should have more female economists. It would be great if we could expose students to economics at a young age.




*From Snapshot Sergenti

Frozen Dinners, Loneliness, Depression, and Suicide

According to Bloomberg, frozen dinners are becoming more popular in Korea with a rising loner population.

This article is disturbing because loneliness is likely to lead to depression and depression leads to worst outcomes including suicide. According to a Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, 13% of Koreans  suffered from depression. In addition,  Korea (24.7%) had the highest suicide rate among the OECD countries. This statistics are very alarming and must be taken seriously.

So what can we do about this?

First, admit that there is a problem. Koreans view mental illness as taboo and seeking help as a weakness. This has to stop. We live in stressful times and we cannot just ignore the problem until it blows up. So let us first admit that there is a problem.

Second, let us be kinder and nicer to each other. A recent study from Harvard shows that spending money on others increases happiness. So let's be more giving. Also, when you give you realize how much you have and become more thankful.

Third, always be thankful. We are so blessed. I always tell my friends to count their blessings. Yes, it can get stressful because of crappy jobs and crazy people but let us be happy with what we have. Remember that we can always be worse. Just remember how crazy you went when you did not have internet. If you are reading this post that means you have some sort of connection so let us be thankful.

Fourth, exercise. It is no secret that exercise makes you feel better and happier. No need to become the next super hot athlete. Some exercise will do the trick.

Fifth, read the bible and pray. The bible has so much wisdom and it makes us so thankful and blessed. Read the bible and you will experience it yourself. Finally, pray, pray, pray. Prayers are powerful. If you cannot ask others to pray for you ^^

Hope everyone has a blessed day :D