Economic Trends

Spent some time doing some light research about the trends and patterns in the near future. Found two items worth recording.

The firts one was a book written by Peter Drucker.

Drucker argues, for instance, that the same forces that put paid to Marxism as an ideology and Communism as a social system are making capitalism obsolete as well. In other words, knowledge (not labor, land, or other forms of capital) has become the planet's primary resource. The emergence of so-called ``knowledge workers'' able to put their specialized learning and/or competencies to use, he says, suggests that employees now own ``the means of production.'' Although the author concludes that markets will remain the effective integrators of economic activity, he believes that the implications of the ongoing shift will prove increasingly significant for the management of commercial enterprises and other key institutions. The same holds true for what Drucker designates ``the post-capitalist polity,'' in which transnational, regional, nation-state, even tribal structures compete and coexist. As concerned with prescription as description, the author doesn't shy away from calls to action that could make the unstable new world he envisions more productive and peaceable. He advocates, for example, the encouraging of environments that permit corporations to focus on their core responsibilities via partnerships or alliances, and the nurturing of autonomous nonprofit organizations that will restore the bonds of community as well as deliver grass-roots services. [ 1 ]

Another item covers the topic of labor and the harmonization of wages across economies.

While a bonanza for corporate mercantilists, that "harmonization of labor costs among nations" is, for the simple reason that is wages will continue to drop as prices continue to rise, a disaster for developed countries labor. [ 2 ]

Another worth linking is the topic about intangibles.

This story illustrates one of the transformations our economy is undergoing. Value is no longer created solely or even primarily by the corporate behemoths of the industrial era. People and their ideas are the most significant drivers of wealth creation in today's global economy. The personal computer, the mobile phone, and the Internet have given every individual with access to electricity and a telephone line the ability to create products, services, and markets. While the dot.com bubble may have fueled false hopes about the illusion of easy money, an important underlying trend remains: Traditional measures of success tied to such factors as assets, number of employees, and other standards of size or quantity may, in fact, signal weakness rather than strength. Whether one works for an Internet start-up or a Fortune 500 corporation, today's success depends more on innovation, adaptability, and creative talent than asset base or current revenue stream. As a result, an entirely new way of collecting information and forecasting results is necessary. [ 3 ]

Flash Clone

After spending some time playing with the libswfdec code and Qt canvas items, the idea of abandoning support for SWF dropped like a hammer hitting my head. It was pretty obvious to see it right there I don't need to follow the beaten path. Since I'm totally in a new territory, being in an Open Source world, I might as well venture out and figure how to make a different one, like having a unique format for the files and a new editor just enough to make the user comfortable.

Work

Some of my mates asked why my hours changed. I told them I need this time for myself to figure out what I really want to do. I need this time very badly. Although I am not playing a very important role, I actually like the idea. But there is one question thrown to me when I will resume work full time. This is a very hard question, I like the present situation and enjoying every minute of it.

Scripts

Just figured the latest version of Qt supports ecmascript. Isn't that nice?

Realtor

Had a talk with the realtor yesterday about the on-going development at the back of the house. What she told me was the urban growth boundary was extended and a new project is currently going. She also told me how it would affect the value of the house and recommended I should sell ASAP. Hmmm, if the CMA report is good, I will definitely bite it.

It is just so sad seeing the trees go, I hear a lot chirping birds and hooting owls during the night. Now, they will have to find another place to rest. Goodbye to nature, it is just kind of sad seeing them go.

Anyway, we just talked about the price and the net price. It is very attractive, enought to probably get that 9-door apartment or maybe even get that 39-door complex. That would surely make me a fulltime landlord soon. Moving further, probably settle down on a very small house on a large field.

Delivery Boy

Got a call from HR department they hired somebody else. Man, even a part time delivery boy here is very competitive. It would have been fun meeting people, though. Anyway, I am off to find another part-time job.

Small Biz A

Placed the orders and will be arriving soon. They didn't give any specific dates since production level is currently peaking.

Divorcing Age

My good neighbor cautioned me that I am approaching what they call the divorcing age. The age where most couples separate. Is there such a thing? I thought it was just something related to getting old, though. After hearing some of the characteristics couple go through, I said to myself, hmmm, looks similar. But I still doubt it.