The unimportant news thread

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

That's great!  From what I've read, she not only donates huge amounts, but the news/attention of what she's given is creating a bump in donations to the areas.  ❣️

PD

Yes bandwagon effect of good energy.

[Spotted Horses]

I don't know if there has been discussion here of the fires on Maui, but I have not seen it.

The loss of life is of course enormously distressing, but the loss of heritage is unsettling in a different way. I visited Maui about 10 years ago in a prosaic seaside vacation. But we did visit Lahaina and by far the most impressive part of the trip was the enormous Banyan tree in the center of town in front of the former courthouse, converted to a heritage museum. The tree grew to such enormous size because over 150 years residents of Lahaina cultivated it. The fact that the tree suffered severe fire damage and will likely not survive represents a loss of an irreplaceable artifact. And if the historic city is rebuilt, it will essentially be a theme park, rather than a heritage site. A reminder of how ephemeral our civilization can be.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I don't know if there has been discussion here of the fires on Maui, but I have not seen it.

The loss of life is of course enormously distressing, but the loss of heritage is unsettling in a different way. I visited Maui about 10 years ago in a prosaic seaside vacation. But we did visit Lahaina and by far the most impressive part of the trip was the enormous Banyan tree in the center of town in front of the former courthouse, converted to a heritage museum. The tree grew to such enormous size because over 150 years residents of Lahaina cultivated it. The fact that the tree suffered severe fire damage and will likely not survive represents a loss of an irreplaceable artifact. And if the historic city is rebuilt, it will essentially be a theme park, rather than a heritage site. A reminder of how ephemeral our civilization can be.

I've been reading about it regularly in the news.  Shocking to see the damage done to the area, the people, their homes and businesses--to the whole community.  I hope that the tree recovers.

This was disturbing reading:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66507019  Essentially about the "two Hawaiis".

PD

[Spotted Horses]

This was disturbing reading:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66507019  Essentially about the "two Hawaiis".

It is the story of Colonialism, in which indigenous populations are pushed aside.

Much is made of the role of climate change, but in this case another type of human activity is a primary cause. Much of the land in Maui was taken for sugar plantations (with labor brought in from Asia) and these plantations have been abandoned, allowing nonnative species (mostly grasses) to invade the fallow land. This was the fuel for the fire, which was compounded by dry conditions and high winds.

[Karl Henning]

I'll check out Uniglo's clothing

I remember when they opened up in Quincy Market. I have no awareness of their product.

[Karl Henning]

Some personal news: I am meeting with two editors on Friday to discuss the book proposal I sent in.

Good luck!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Lately several news websites, including CNN, have recommended onsen/waffle towels. I like them but I don't want to pay more than $20.


https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/onsen-towel

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/onsen-towel-review/?sh=1a888357759b

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) says it is temporarily banning transgender women from competing in its women's events.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66538328

[Spotted Horses]

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) says it is temporarily banning transgender women from competing in its women's events.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66538328

Why on earth would chess tournaments be divided by gender?

[JBS]

Why on earth would chess tournaments be divided by gender?

According to what I've seen, boys get the attention and money much earlier than girls, so female players have less experience and resources than a male of their own age.
[Important: I can not vouch for the accuracy of that claim.]

So a trans woman who started her chess career as a male would have advantages over her competitors.

[T. D.]

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/18/the-worlds-cheapest-home-is-on-sale-for-one-dollar-in-pontiac-michigan.html

[Pohjolas Daughter]

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/18/the-worlds-cheapest-home-is-on-sale-for-one-dollar-in-pontiac-michigan.html

Well, it looks like they're getting offers for much more than that!  Clever!

Here's one for you that I read the other day.  A guy who lives on Long Island bought some property decades ago in CT (undeveloped) in an area where he used to live.  An old friend calls him up one day to say that the land was being cleared and that there was now a big house on it (valued to be 1.5 million once finished).

https://www.ctinsider.com/columnist/article/house-built-on-fairfield-lot-18261063.php

PD

[T. D.]

Well, it looks like they're getting offers for much more than that!  Clever!

Here's one for you that I read the other day.  A guy who lives on Long Island bought some property decades ago in CT (undeveloped) in an area where he used to live.  An old friend calls him up one day to say that the land was being cleared and that there was now a big house on it (valued to be 1.5 million once finished).

https://www.ctinsider.com/columnist/article/house-built-on-fairfield-lot-18261063.php

PD

Thanks. Wow, that's bizarre.

But to be honest, based on my experience (a) it's not that big a surprise; (b) the blame lies squarely with the local real estate industry (brokers, attorneys, title search agencies).

I work for a municipality (though I recently cut back by half) and occasionally interface with local real estate "professionals", mostly dopes who have no clue and are hoping I'll do their work for them.

Almost all the real estate industry people I deal with are shockingly incompetent. One basic cause is that they collect bloated commissions in exchange for adding minimal value, and are consequently "fat, dumb and happy". Another is that real estate agents, whose commissions are particularly excessive and added value particularly minuscule, become ethically challenged and never encourage due diligence re. any potential commission-generating sale.

By way of contrast, I once passed the "Series 7" exam for securities industry registered representatives. One of the fundamental principles there is "KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER".

The post-Covid real estate bubble has significantly exacerbated the woeful state of affairs.

[Apologies to any real estate agents on the forum.  ]

[Karl Henning]

Thanks, it went well.

They liked my overall project, and want me to deliver an Introduction and two chapters before Summer 2024.

Conquer!

[Todd]

From ICN: During Some of the Hottest Months in History, Millions of App Delivery Drivers Are Feeling the Strain

Around 4 million people in the U.S. work as contractors for app services like DoorDash delivering pizzas, salads and pad thai. Those in areas with extreme heat are taking new measures to keep working through it.


I'd better not see any more surcharges, that's all I have to say.

[T. D.]

https://sports.yahoo.com/baker-mayfield-reportedly-in-legal-battle-with-fathers-company-over-missing-12-million-193157780.html

Cue the jokes about taking too many hits to the head.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

https://sports.yahoo.com/baker-mayfield-reportedly-in-legal-battle-with-fathers-company-over-missing-12-million-193157780.html

Wouldn't he had been given statements by the private equity and venture capital companies and had meetings over the years?  Rather scary that two of the companies are owned by his father and that he and his wife are having to petition in order to get financial reports from six companies to see if his money has been properly invested. 

PD

[T. D.]

Wouldn't he had been given statements by the private equity and venture capital companies and had meetings over the years?  Rather scary that two of the companies are owned by his father and that he and his wife are having to petition in order to get financial reports from six companies to see if his money has been properly invested. 

PD

Not enough information to judge this chronicle of dopiness.

Obvious questions: Why didn't the dude read his monthly statements all these years? What were the historical cash flows / returns? Did he ever meet with managers?

Given the nepotistic connection, one suspects that the father either: a) pocketed the money or b) invested it in some drinking buddy's hare-brained scheme, thereby p***g it away. Crypto also comes to mind. 

I'm not sufficiently interested to look beyond the initial story.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Guardian: Sooner or later, China will go the way of the Soviet Union.


https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/20/china-too-big-soviet-union-collapse-growth

[Todd]

US Home Investor Share Remained High in Early Summer 2023