It this Joe Brandt’s time?  Explaining this takes a bit, but since it’s a semi-holiday, read on…. This being Good Friday, the stock and bond markets (US) are closed.  But, that doesn’t mean they aren’t just interesting as all get-out. The reason is the grand historical rhyme continues.  Specifically, one which we track comparing 1929 … Read More

Seems like everyone, especially the big “snooze papers” are all over the Mueller investigation as the Big Story of the day. Got news for you:  It’s not. The bigger problem is sorting out what goes on when the present “virtuous cycle” comes grinding to a halt. OK, what’s a “virtuous cycle” anyway? If you begin … Read More

The mythical power-source from Star Trek is a marvelous metaphor for the long-range investor.  While we may not live to see it, both our middle age and Millennial subscribers may benefit from borrowing some Spock-like thinking processes which we outline this morning. So, as soon as we’re done with a few headlines and breaking news … Read More

No, I don’t talk much about my role in the cyber-insurance world.  But, I have become much more informed than most and I want you to do one simple thing for me: “Stuffing-proof Your Email” Data breaches are happening at an ever-increasing rate.  We (the people I work with) anticipate huge growth in the number … Read More

IN a word:  Maybe. This morning’s economic musing came to me while taking my morning dose of 660 nm near-infrared light.  The “taking of light” – which I first described for Peoplenomics subscribers in 2016 as a potential means of healing a wide spectrum of conditions – is not to be taken (pardoning the pun … Read More

There will, no doubt, be some readers who won’t track. But life is [again/still] about making money and having fun. While holding to a “positive mental attitude.” The reason we do this?  Lingo ‘d rap reveals all: You gotta chase “the bag” You gotta flip “the bag” You gotta tumble “the bag” And don’t fumble … Read More

Are we toping or readying for new highs?  Since I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about judgments lately – and the whole process behind them (whether good or bad), we’re going to make some judgments today about the pending future. First, though, a lot at some key headlines and then we’ll eye the future … Read More

A Short Course on Judgment As investors, and preppers, we are called on, dozens of times per day to make decisions about whether to “hold ‘em or fold ‘em.” Or, in the prepping context, “What’s the next shoe to drop likely to be?” What makes the difference between a successful survivor or investor and a … Read More

First thing out of the hopper today is the import prices report.  The reason we watch this one so closely is that America has become more and most distanced from self-sufficiency. Because so much of our life is “made elsewhere” watching import prices will often times gives you a good sense of what to anticipate … Read More

Aye, roger that.  To the idea that the 71.916 year war/social cycle could actually be an 80-year cycle. So run this past your first cup this morning: U.S. declared itself in 1776.  But a closer date would be 1780.  By then, it was becoming clear that we were on the hard path to independence. Now … Read More

What does Elaine’s mink jacket have to do with government?  The link is subtle, but important. Transactional economics not monetary. Elaine owns the mink. Government owns us all.  Today, we follow the 250-year trend towards “renting your life.”  It’s a movement that has been gaining ground a lot lately.  That’s because absent new tech breakthroughs, … Read More

The short answer is “Not very sustainable, at all.” Worse?  We lie to ourselves about this whole “sustainability” notion day-in, and day-out.  Don’t even blink an eye about it.  Corporation X-Y-Z says “Yup, we’re “sustainable” and surprise!  No questions asked. That’s because A) most people lie to themselves about how “normal” things are and B) … Read More

Raise your hand, quick, if you know where the most famous statue of legendary wood-cutter Paul Bunyon and his Blue Ox Babe are located. (Hmmm…no hands going up…) Well, this is one of the reasons why Ham Radio is such a cool hobby during times when the End of the World (EotW) is in sight. … Read More