Bank runs & complex systems – Reflections from Sarawak

"There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen" Vladimir Lenin I was visiting relatives in Kuching, Sarawak when the multiple news reports of American bank failures hit the screens and home televisions the world over. The speed and ferocity of the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the subsequent … Continue reading Bank runs & complex systems – Reflections from Sarawak →

Embracing the opportunities of a multipolar world

The Battle of Red Cliffs (赤壁之戰) at the end of the Han Dynasty, ca. AD 208 "The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity" Ancient Chinese proverb The Chinese believe that the above saying accurately … Continue reading Embracing the opportunities of a multipolar world →

Yang Wen-li’s Dilemma – Democracy, Revolutions & thoughts on Financial Markets

In Yoshiki Tanaka's epic science fiction thriller, 'The Legend of the Galactic Heroes', Yang Wen-li is caught between the horns of a difficult dilemma. Staring at the vast open space of stars from his flagship's bridge, the awkward but astute admiral contemplates the never-ending wars between his home planetary system (the democratic Free Planets Alliance) … Continue reading Yang Wen-li’s Dilemma – Democracy, Revolutions & thoughts on Financial Markets →

By winning battles against COVID-19, governments could lose the war

Our world is highly complex. History is filled with examples of how seemingly unrelated events led to unexpected outcomes. The interaction between humans and their physical environment has second and third order effects that aren't easy to understand. This makes the business of forecasting challenging, and the outcomes of various events difficult to model. American … Continue reading By winning battles against COVID-19, governments could lose the war →

Changing your habits is essential to getting the results you want. Here’s how

One of the most enjoyable things you can do on earth is to be in a bamboo garden. The beauty of a bamboo garden enthralls the senses. It isn't just the greenery that is serene, but the mathematical, node-like structure of the plant is aesthetically pleasant to the eyes. The mild rustling of leaves as … Continue reading Changing your habits is essential to getting the results you want. Here’s how →