Zhang

From “brick” to “see you” (sounds like this.)

Emerging Market Giants, so called “BRIC”, has generated such a buzz until 2008, when the fear and expansion of global recession hit hard on those emerging countries. Each letter of the BRIC represents Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and the Index tracking the BRIC has fallen by almost 70% during 2008. The investors are drowning now because of the loss, even the paper loss, and the question that comes to light is where should investment go?

Well, it is hard to say. The entire global economy has been hit hard by this economic recession, starting from the US financial bubble. However, the money is comparatively safe to flow to “CU” countries, C – China, the major economic driver to the global GDP; U – the US, the economic giant to the world economy. The concept is not new. Some scholars have already mentioned the “G-2” concept after realizing the importance of the two countries’ economy. Distinguished economists across the global, including Nobel Laureates in Economists, have expressed the philosophical backings on this issue. The empirical evidence has to be verified as the time goes by.

Some distinguished economists includes: . . .

To be continued . . .

Economic downturn is hitting hard,

And thus the economic stimulus should be passed.

Within which one thing is important,

It is the accountability and oversight.

Top-to-bottom approach gets too far,

But bottom-up method is too hard;

Sideways is also soft,

While special committee’s life span is to short.

Ho ho ho,

When the criminal investigation is triggered,

It will be too late.

No one likes conventional school curriculum, and neither did Darwin. According to The Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin, Morse Peckham, published by J.M. Dent & Sons, 1909.

“He went to school at Shrewsbury, where he failed to profit from the strict classical curriculum there in force; nor did the regular professional courses at Edinburgh University, where he spent two years studying medicine, succeed in rousing his interest. In 1827 he was entered at Christ’s College, Cambridge, to study for the B. A. degree, preparatory to entering the Church; but while there his friendship with Henslow, the professor of botany, led to his enlarging his general scientific knowledge and finally to hit joining the expedition of the “Beagle” in the capacity of naturalist.”

Darwin is so influential such that even not only it bring the revolution to the science community, but also it sorms the revolution across the globe. Today, I found a more interesting Darwin’s theory in Lehman’s analysis on financial situation. One Lehman’s memo says that “Darwinian Process – Healthy for Progress”*

* Sources: oversight dot house dot gov slash documents dot 20081006141120 dot pdf

It is interesting to follow the financial crisis in the US, especially the banking bailout. At very beginning, it was too big to fail to rescure Bear Stearns. However, the market adjusted itself to anticipate the Lehman rescue. Oh … wait a minute … it is too small to bail. “What’s a big deal … let it fail…” Poor Lehman had to file bankruptcy protection on September 15th. Well, market continued adjust its position and rationality. Just one week later, AIG started to attract more attention due to its propelling massive bailout. Well, it is too big to fail again. Now the question is why the federal government bails some out, and let some fail. Is it just a big-v.s.-small issue? Is it a rational behavior or irrational behavior? Why only 5 days can turn on and off the US federal government just like snap a finger?

… To be continued …

“道德经” the oldest philosophical book in China.

老子的”道” = Roman’s Veritas

老子的”德” = 孔子的”礼” = virtue

All old-version, translated into “the way”, only covered partial meaning. It is sad to know it, but not knowing well.

中国沧桑千年事历历在目, 罗马动荡世纪史闻所未闻.

“资治通鉴” v.s. “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”

There is some interesting moment about Alexander by in Edward Gibbon’s book, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in public domain, at books dot google dot com slash books?id=YrJGPLuSHmoC&printsec=toc&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#

page 165

“Alexander rose early; the first moments of the day were consecrated to private devotion, and his domestic chapel was filled with the images of those heroes who, by improving or reforming human life, had deserved the grateful reverence of posterity. But, as he deemed the service of mankind the most acceptable worship of the gods, the greatest part of his morning hours was employed in his council, where he discussed public affairs, and determined private causes, with a patience and discretion above his years.

“The dryness of business was relieved by the charms of literature; and a portion of time was always set aprt for his favourite studies of poetry, history, and philosophy the works of Virgil and Horace, the republics of Plato and Cicero, formed his taste, enlarged his understanding, and gave him the noblest ideas of man and government.

“The exercises of the body succeeded to those of the mind; and Alexander, who was tall, active, and robust, surpassed most of his equals in the gymnastic arts.

“His table was served with the most frugal simplicity; and, whenever he was at liberty to consult his own inclination, the company consisted of a few select friends, men of learning and virtue, amongst whom Ulpaian was constantly invited.

“The dress of Alexander was plain and modest, his demeanour courteous and affable.”

His failure was due to his too dependence to his mother and his lack of his power in “his” court.