It amazes me how much your productivity can change by the purchase of a new laptop. After several years of touting my Sony Vaio ultra portable as the best thing since sliced bread I had to finally admit it…the machine while small and light is severely underpowered and over burdened. Blame it on the “Vista Capable Logo” or on the massive consumer app focus by Sony that destroyed the performance. My new 15inch Mac Book Pro in comparison is a huge monster, and for a moment I almost regretted and returned it. But then survival instincts of preserving my eyesight and sanity came into play, and I have not looked back. Vmware Fusion system allows me to run a copy of Windows Vista in a window (pun intended), while the Dual Core Intels with 4 GB ram hum away at most things I can throw at them. Battery life is a concern, and I expect to get half the battery life of my Vaio, but these days laptop power charging points are becoming ubiquitous and quite frankly the Vaio was so slow that without the external power connect it was all but useless at normal battery life (laptops decrease performance to increase battery life). So goodbye my good old Sony…hopefully you won't be missed.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Prostitutes, Escorts, Agencies, Hookers - The Horny Politician
The Huffington Post has an incredibly funny satirical article – an advertisement for fractional ownership of mistresses, introducing the concept of NetPets (think NetJets.com). The article does raise a valid point: more and more politicians are being outed as clients to the world’s perhaps oldest profession. This is probably not because there is an increase in politicians seeking sex for money (though many would argue the 21st century is a more lonely one), but due to the fact that it is becoming so much easier to find them out, and subsequently spread the word. Even before PR and crisis management teams can swoop in, the news is out (if you had not noticed yet, sex sells), and can no longer be brushed under the carpet. Thus, the need for discretion is ever more present, and while businesses could cater to this, as public figures with public photographs, the ultimate client name and information is always available to the end service provider. Governments of course have already demonstrated their willingness to cut deals for client information and witness testimony, and for escorts and such to seek out and take such deals -so much for professional integrity.
Unfortunately, for the “horny politician” due to laws which were enacted against organized crime and money laundering, there are extremely few ways left to guarantee the lack of a paper or virtual trail. And as the Emperor’s Club demonstrated, success in this business especially expansion, can have devastating consequences. A quick search of the internet or a look in your local paper will find very public advertisements for this SMB (small and medium business) segment, which quite frankly could be easily followed up and shut down by law enforcement (in those places where it is illegal) should the officers chose to get really serious. Thus the door opens to more ethical and practical debate – Is this a victimless crime at such high levels? Should prostitution be controlled and regulated? What is the definition of informed consent? Don’t the federal government and police have better things to do? Would the same men (and women) seek other less safe or more morally questionable avenues for their desires? What about the handicapped (both physical and social)?
Politicians have not really helped their cause, showing a surprising lack of common sense (just look at ex-governor Spitzer) while indulging in these illegal activities. Basics such as not using public computers and traceable mobile phones, or not using credit cards and bank transfers were not followed, forget about advanced techniques of secure encrypted communication, and rendezvous management. Now that societies are willing to increasingly focus on dampening demand, it will only become more risky for all parties concerned. Women’s groups have certainly played a crucial role in identifying the other victims of the so called victimless crimes, the families and the supporters of these public individuals. However, the argument on the other side goes that better the person pay for entry and exit, rather than try for a more social connection, probably leading to a string of divorced marriages and accompanied drama for all involved. It doesn’t help the cause of anti-prostitution organizations that once their family member is caught, the home victims rarely speak up to voice their personal thoughts. Nothing acts more as deterrent than reminding errant persons the very personal hurt and damage they would cause to their loved ones.
What I find interesting in all this is to see the manner in which this is all evolving. It is a rather rare combination and intersection of everything from society, technology, personal rights, to business. A crime which is not a crime in many parts of the world, a profession that in one circumstance can be high class affair and in one circumstances a despicable act which can know no forgiveness, a profession that employs hundreds of thousands if not millions of workers, a profession which is out in the light and hanging in the shadow at the same time, a profession which has existed since time eternal and shows no sign of ending. There will always be horny politicians; and those willing to address those needs, and there will always be governments and authorities who chose to spend enormous money and resources on the high profile cases, while millions of victims who really need the help and attention get none.
Monday, March 17, 2008
So where is the fiddler?
As Bear’s turns into dust (let the lawsuits begin!), and the financial markets quake and quiver waiting for the next big bank go under, I am inclined to wonder, who is the fiddler? There is always a fiddler, the crazy-eyed fool who fiddled away as everything burned, and everyone is United States is scrambling to say, “Not I!” Certainly Bernanke is doing everything he can to appear to not to be, even GWB declared the US is on top of things and is preparing more unsustainable (yet oddly needed) packages, the central banks are moving afoot, and everyone is screaming terror and foul. Deals are gone, titans have fallen, rivers of green have turned red, egos have been busted, raiders quieted and suddenly Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo looks very good. But then still, where be the fiddler? The CEO of Bear’s who stood by on his pile of cash as behind him a bank run had started certainly may qualify, but not for all and sundry. A friend bet it would be the ECB which stands by and watches like a wise owl which really just needs glasses.
Regardless of the fiddler, the Viking hoard is well known – the sovereign wealth funds – suddenly that Dubai money (Abu Dhabi to be more realistic) looks enchantingly good and squeaky clean.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Those tax heavens…Throwing the baby out with the bath water
The common person does not want to hear the bitter truth – most countries need tax havens. The German authorities are on a tax witch hunt, having acquired through illegal means the documentation and bank information of many of its wealthiest citizens parking their money in Lichtenstein. They have not really stopped to consider the outcome of their actions – the mass exodus of the very rich out of their borders and into the awaiting arms of countries such as Switzerland, Canada and Dubai which provide similar lifestyles with a huge tax discount. The super wealthy inject a huge amount of money into the economy, whether it is goods and services, charitable donations and causes or increase of business activity. Even if you simply consider their daily lifestyle, whether it be shopping, dining, parties, travel, business, fellow wealthy people visiting, etc, they cover a wide range of businesses and end up becoming significant contributors.
This group is also usually immune from economic downturns, keeping businesses solvent when most customers have disappeared. The argument of exodus is not theoretical, for the last five years I have been running into many families who have decided to stay out of Germany for more than six months so as to not be taxed. These numbers will only increase, and Germany who is facing a constant development struggle may find itself missing these people soon. France has already seen a list of high profile people finally packing their bags and leaving, and London is beginning to feel the pinch after it changed its global taxation policy on long-term residents.
Countries like the United States understand the dilemma well, creating loopholes to make sure the wealthy have a way out of paying taxes that become nonsensical after a certain income bracket. The other problem is the erosion of trust for Switzerland and Lichtenstein as the world’s tax havens to general Europe’s detriment. I had already commented on this earlier, and this illegal maneuver (it runs afoul of Lichtenstein’s laws) further compounds this problem. Placing money in a region ends up boosting that region’s general banking and finance system, with the guardians and consultants of the money are more likely to invest in the familiar regional markets. Now all this money would start to move to Asia (read Singapore) and the Middle-East (read Dubai), where people are far more savvy and comfortable with investments in high yielding developing countries which robs Europe of significant investment.
We can only hope that Germany and other countries wake up to these realities, and charter a more prudent course which would benefit them as well as their most successful and prominent residents.
Friday, March 7, 2008
The dog and pony show meets the witch hunt
A lot of people were burned by the sub-prime crisis, losing everything from reputations to the roof above their heads. Families are still biting their nails wondering where they will live as they stand over a mounting load of notices, bills and price inflation. Unable to do anything a couple of politicians decide to do the thing that they do best - start a witch hunt - find someone who looks like a good target - assemble a mob of angry people for a good old fashion stoning. This is what started to happen when E. Stanley O’Neal (Merrill Lynch), Charles O. Prince III (Citigroup) and Angelo R. Mozilo (Countrywide Financial) were dragged in front of the House Committee for Oversight and Investigations. The charge? While their companies lost billions they exited with solid gold parachutes (or in the case of Mozilo was still well compensated). While I am the first to agree that it leaves a bad taste, a contract is a contract, and while I'm sure some shareholders are regretting that CEO contract, they exist to provide for such circumstance. Politicians hauling them up personally instead of finding and correcting the structural problems is just shameful compensation for that loss of control. Instead of wasting time going after a few individuals who are easy targets in order to inflate their own egos and standings, they should spend the needed time taking an economics course, or at least getting their act together to pass a bill that actually helps those in need.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Those politicaly correct people
It always amazes me how politically correct people are willing to be when talking to outsiders, and the sharp contrast to their actual beliefs once you scratch beneath the surface. Whether its business partners, cab drivers, fellow travelers, or people out for a drink in the pub - everyone holds certain controversial beliefs that they either hide or blatantly lie about in order to get by and to not offend. On one hand this does make for a more pleasant society, at least on the surface, but on the other hand hides away alternate perspectives that should be engaged. For example, I have met many Germans who have great anger over what they see as a stifling of their culture by western and eastern influences, and are willing to look everywhere even back to Nazi Germany for solutions out of this. I have met people in San Francisco who are so homophobic it shocks me, and yet publicly associate and are friends with gay people. I have met people who hold deep seated stereotypes about race and faith, but do not disclose of their views to other people at all, even while discussing those very issues. Sometimes I sympathize with the position these fellows find themselves in - expressing such views would get them into a lot of trouble. So instead of working through these views with opposing and contrasting ones, they hide them and discuss them only with like minded people thus fueling these views further and solidifying them. The results of this magnification can be found in any extremist organization, wherein members have fed off each other driving their ideology to frightening proportions. Often the movement for equality and tolerance goes overboard, becoming or taking the shape of the very things they want to eliminate. Political pundits have commented about this with regard to evangelical extremists in America, who once ostracized by the liberal movement, consolidated and fought back fiercely instead of gently integrating into the moderate populations. My solution? Lets get back to idea of real free speech, where everyone including the extremists can come out of the closet with the knowledge that they will find gentle conversation rather than derision. To engage on these terribly important topics you first need to know whom to engage with. Making them hide in the shadows is not helping anyone.
Thank you Senator McCain
"They think they can keep companies from going overseas by making it harder for them to do business here at home”"
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Ohio and Texas - What business want.
I have never been to Texas...and I feel the worse for it. If I were to setup a new business in the United States, Texas would be a state I would simply have to consider. Which brings up to an interesting contrast with Ohio, especially given the NAFTA bashing of the democratic presidential candidates. The problem with free trade agreements, as is with any aspect of globalization and capitalism, is that money and industry goes to where it is welcome and where it can be competitive. The stark fortunes of the two American states bore home this point with Texas adding hundreds of thousands of jobs, and Ohio losing them. Even if NAFTA did not exist, the industry would have still moved out of Ohio a state with an extremely unionized work force, and some of the highest taxes both personal and corporate in America. If cities and states do not make themselves business friendly, business and industry will simply go elsewhere. Attempts by politicians in Ohio to find ways to imprison companies by passing laws, and breaking international accords would just create resentment and those companies instead of going to Mexico would end up going to China simply due to cost considerations. Ohio and other states like it need to wake up and ask what businesses want instead of what they want from businesses. The global economy is not going to stop for Ohio, or anyone else for that matter.
Airport Screening Tips - Getting through security in one piece
- Always wear a jacket or a sport coat: This makes you look more like a business traveler who always get treated better at airports. Further, it allows you to empty all your pockets into the jacket pockets, and just toss the jacket into a screening tray. Do this while waiting in the line, and save everyone time.
- Liquids, gels, etc: Putting these items in a zip locked bag magically remove any hazardous properties. Some airports hand them out free (like in American) and some airports have vending machines (Germany for example) where these can be purchased. In an emergency, toss all of them in a single pocket of your jacket and place them in the tray (not in front of security personnel) - the x-ray machine screener cannot tell if they are in a zip locked bag or not.
- Talk to the screening staff, smile, wave, say hello, they are less likely to think and treat you like a terrorist if you make a small personal connection with them, and have a happy progressive attitude. On a similar note, if you are asked in for special procedures, maintain that positive attitude, you will have to go through it anyway, why antagonize the already tired staff? Remember, they have a good degree of discretion on things, and you do not want to get on their bad side.
- Pack your laptop in an easily accessible place. You know you have to take it out and put it back in multiple times, if not for security, for actual use. If you don’t want to carry a laptop bag (preferable with the zip on the top instead of side), get a stroller bag with a protected laptop pocket in the front.
- Airports now sell prepackaged approved cosmetics packs after security screening which you can take on board. Look out for these packages, or consider buying essentials at your landing point
- Look into security membership programs for frequently traveled locations, such as the biometric program in the UK, the clearfly program in the US or the smart card programs in the UAE. Most will allow you to skip ahead or get preferential treatment for security screening, saving you time and headaches for only a few hundred dollars a year.
Buckling Up and Leaving it On
In my last few flights I have begun to notice a new pattern - frequent flyers seem to be leaving their seat belts on throughout the flight. Much like residents of countries with enforced car seat belt laws, it looks as if frequent travelers are now comfortable with airplane seat belts. Earlier it seemed that it was the most nervous who would keep buckled up, while the most traveled would unbuckle as soon as possible aided by their deep knowledge of flight events and timing. The buckle up over blanket phenomenon (a requirement not ensure you are woken up during turbulence) could a contributor in getting people used to (or simply lazy about) seat belting. Regardless of the cause, the effect should certainly please airlines and the FAA.
Disclaimer: Perception is different from reality.
