For example, you speak of technology. I'm typing this from my 8 year old computer which still can keep up with modern software and games. My phone is 5 years old and still works well. My car is from 2012 and still runs well but needed a few parts replaced here and there.
How many gadgets do we need?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on excess buying?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on useless (and dangerous) big pharma drugs?
The supply chain story is being hyped up. For example, when they started the con-vid lockdowns in 2020, there was a toilet paper shortage. This was not due to supply issues but people panic buying. I waited it out for a week or so and was able to get paper. Sometimes, I wonder if they deliberately created the panic in order to pump up the fear of the scam demic.
Obviously we have huge issues, like poverty, lack of housing and crumbling infrastructure. But that's a leadership problem that's been around for decades.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
100% agree with you there Rob. I have often pondered how much of what we call work is not just not essential but ridiculously wasteful. And then I remember how different humans are to animals. Animals are satisfied with the basics of life - a full belly, lying about in the sun, a bit of rumpy pumpy and that's that. Humans, on the other hand, have tons of "wants" and therein lies the problem. But how do you educate humans to get along with less, maybe live a more spiritual life? They'll just call you a commie and get back to wanting more stuff.
I do think something has to snap at some point and maybe then the majority will see a need to change but not until then. Something will force their hand.
We have a twenty four year old banger that's still running fine, but if I lose the keys that's it... there are no replacements.
I hope my new phone lasts five years! The old basic one I had just wouldn't cut it anymore. I guess it depends on your needs too. I look after a couple of people and it always needs to be on and ready to handle long days.
My decent (expensive) PC from 2016 is still going strong but I wouldn't bother upgrading it in any way. I have a cheap laptop as backup and if needed I would get a used PC. I wouldn't spend that much on equipment again.
Big Pharma is my pet peeve. I long for massive reform in that department.
When I replaced a fridge and washing machine recently I actually went for as long as I could without them just to see if I could... that's how weird I am! Anyway, I'm happy that someone somewhere is still making them but, like I said, I usually purchase the most basic models for my needs.
Thanks for pointing this out. We need to be aware of the supply chains that make things in our lives work. I try to buy second hand, even this computer I type on is a remake, for these and other reasons.
Yeah... it's all hunky dory with hand me downs until you run out of spare parts to rip out of compatible old stuff. Eventually things move on and most people too. And they mostly don't bother fixing stuff anymore when a newer better version is available with the click of a mouse. I am a late adopter and I have reluctantly had to play catch up several times due to compatibility issues and the need to function in today's world.
For example, you speak of technology. I'm typing this from my 8 year old computer which still can keep up with modern software and games. My phone is 5 years old and still works well. My car is from 2012 and still runs well but needed a few parts replaced here and there.
How many gadgets do we need?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on excess buying?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on useless (and dangerous) big pharma drugs?
The supply chain story is being hyped up. For example, when they started the con-vid lockdowns in 2020, there was a toilet paper shortage. This was not due to supply issues but people panic buying. I waited it out for a week or so and was able to get paper. Sometimes, I wonder if they deliberately created the panic in order to pump up the fear of the scam demic.
Obviously we have huge issues, like poverty, lack of housing and crumbling infrastructure. But that's a leadership problem that's been around for decades.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
I'm in Spain and the farmers and fishermen have had enough. Most small ops will have to give up at some point unless they can find a survivable niche. Costs and taxes are unsustainable.
When the commercial property crash hits most small business will struggle to hang on. The media blabs about increasing spending on renewables, EVs, train projects, and allowing breakaway regions to become independent and male violence etc etc.
It certainly looks like we'll turn to the new nationalists at some point but I'm not sure there's a lot they can do to turn things around.
I agree that any reserves will go to the national guard to stomp on the useless eaters, round up dissenters and the normies will love it and cheer them on as they did during covid.
A lot of the supply chain is not essential stuff.
For example, you speak of technology. I'm typing this from my 8 year old computer which still can keep up with modern software and games. My phone is 5 years old and still works well. My car is from 2012 and still runs well but needed a few parts replaced here and there.
How many gadgets do we need?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on excess buying?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on useless (and dangerous) big pharma drugs?
The supply chain story is being hyped up. For example, when they started the con-vid lockdowns in 2020, there was a toilet paper shortage. This was not due to supply issues but people panic buying. I waited it out for a week or so and was able to get paper. Sometimes, I wonder if they deliberately created the panic in order to pump up the fear of the scam demic.
Obviously we have huge issues, like poverty, lack of housing and crumbling infrastructure. But that's a leadership problem that's been around for decades.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
-Frank Zappa
100% agree with you there Rob. I have often pondered how much of what we call work is not just not essential but ridiculously wasteful. And then I remember how different humans are to animals. Animals are satisfied with the basics of life - a full belly, lying about in the sun, a bit of rumpy pumpy and that's that. Humans, on the other hand, have tons of "wants" and therein lies the problem. But how do you educate humans to get along with less, maybe live a more spiritual life? They'll just call you a commie and get back to wanting more stuff.
I do think something has to snap at some point and maybe then the majority will see a need to change but not until then. Something will force their hand.
We have a twenty four year old banger that's still running fine, but if I lose the keys that's it... there are no replacements.
I hope my new phone lasts five years! The old basic one I had just wouldn't cut it anymore. I guess it depends on your needs too. I look after a couple of people and it always needs to be on and ready to handle long days.
My decent (expensive) PC from 2016 is still going strong but I wouldn't bother upgrading it in any way. I have a cheap laptop as backup and if needed I would get a used PC. I wouldn't spend that much on equipment again.
Big Pharma is my pet peeve. I long for massive reform in that department.
When I replaced a fridge and washing machine recently I actually went for as long as I could without them just to see if I could... that's how weird I am! Anyway, I'm happy that someone somewhere is still making them but, like I said, I usually purchase the most basic models for my needs.
the supply chain's smokin'...!
one is necessarily addicted to one's own device, by definition...
(welcome to the Hotel California-don't forget your debit card !)
Thanks for pointing this out. We need to be aware of the supply chains that make things in our lives work. I try to buy second hand, even this computer I type on is a remake, for these and other reasons.
Yeah... it's all hunky dory with hand me downs until you run out of spare parts to rip out of compatible old stuff. Eventually things move on and most people too. And they mostly don't bother fixing stuff anymore when a newer better version is available with the click of a mouse. I am a late adopter and I have reluctantly had to play catch up several times due to compatibility issues and the need to function in today's world.
Ya, I have some issues with this computer and think about getting a more up to date rebuild.
For PC I would definitely get a rebuild next time too. Laptops are a struggle with my crappy eyesight and I'm lazy when it comes to glasses.
A lot of the supply chain is not essential stuff.
For example, you speak of technology. I'm typing this from my 8 year old computer which still can keep up with modern software and games. My phone is 5 years old and still works well. My car is from 2012 and still runs well but needed a few parts replaced here and there.
How many gadgets do we need?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on excess buying?
How much of the supply chain is wasted on useless (and dangerous) big pharma drugs?
The supply chain story is being hyped up. For example, when they started the con-vid lockdowns in 2020, there was a toilet paper shortage. This was not due to supply issues but people panic buying. I waited it out for a week or so and was able to get paper. Sometimes, I wonder if they deliberately created the panic in order to pump up the fear of the scam demic.
Obviously we have huge issues, like poverty, lack of housing and crumbling infrastructure. But that's a leadership problem that's been around for decades.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
-Frank Zappa
ever noticed how many comedy clubs have the brick wall as a backdrop...?
;)
And some online alt media pundits too.
Wow! National Covid Guard... that says it all!
I'm in Spain and the farmers and fishermen have had enough. Most small ops will have to give up at some point unless they can find a survivable niche. Costs and taxes are unsustainable.
When the commercial property crash hits most small business will struggle to hang on. The media blabs about increasing spending on renewables, EVs, train projects, and allowing breakaway regions to become independent and male violence etc etc.
It certainly looks like we'll turn to the new nationalists at some point but I'm not sure there's a lot they can do to turn things around.
I agree that any reserves will go to the national guard to stomp on the useless eaters, round up dissenters and the normies will love it and cheer them on as they did during covid.