A critical analysis of the US economic decline compared to China's rise, highlighting the shift in global trading partnerships and systemic issues in the American financial system. The author proposes two solutions for maintaining US global dominance: implementing aggressive immigration policies to attract global talent and returning to the gold standard.
Target and Best Buy CEOs warn of imminent price increases due to Trump's new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. Target relies heavily on Mexican produce during winter, while Best Buy sources significantly from both Mexico and China. The tariffs include a 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican imports, plus an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods.
A developer documents their journey of building a custom ergonomic keyboard from scratch, including PCB design, aluminum enclosure machining, and custom keycap creation. The project involved learning hardware design, electronics, and various manufacturing processes, resulting in a successful low-profile keyboard with custom-designed components.
TSMC announced plans to invest over $100 billion in expanding its U.S. chip manufacturing operations, including three new chip plants, two packaging facilities, and an R&D center in Arizona. The significant expansion was announced jointly by TSMC CEO C.C. Wei and President Trump at the White House.
Reports indicate a potential economic slowdown in America coinciding with Trump's presidency, driven by protectionist policies and erratic decision-making. Early analysis suggests that Trump's arrival at the White House may be both causing and correlating with economic weakness, contrasting with his inaugural promise of American prosperity.
Wealth concentration in the US continues to intensify, with the top 10% now owning 87% of stocks and controlling 50% of consumer spending. High-income households have increased their spending by 12% in 2023-2024, while working and middle-class spending declined, highlighting growing economic disparities.
Jet engine development represents one of engineering's toughest challenges, requiring extraordinary performance at low cost while operating near technological limits. Modern engines must achieve high efficiency, reliability, and safety across diverse conditions, with development costs reaching billions and taking decades to yield returns. The complexity and precision required in both design and manufacturing means only a handful of companies worldwide can successfully produce commercial jet engines.
Carlos Slim has terminated collaboration with Elon Musk's Starlink following controversial accusations, redirecting $22 billion investment to Chinese and European companies. The decision came after Musk posted unsubstantiated claims about Slim's alleged criminal connections, resulting in a $7 billion loss for Musk and reduced US commercial presence in Latin America.
Japan's birth rate has reached its lowest point in 125 years, marking a significant demographic milestone. This trend signals a deepening demographic crisis in one of the world's largest economies.
A Y Combinator-backed startup, Optifye.ai, has developed an AI surveillance system that monitors factory workers' movements and productivity through computer vision. The system, created by Duke University students from manufacturing families, allows supervisors to track worker efficiency in real-time and confront underperforming employees directly. The technology raises concerns about worker privacy and workplace conditions, similar to existing surveillance systems in remote work and Amazon warehouses.