Who is in charge of Planetary Operations?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”― Margaret Mead

Personal Log: Who is in charge of Planetary Operations?

What are we doing to ourselves? From PM2.5 , PFAS's, CO2, Plastics in our rain and air? If there were a Central Planetary Operations Agency, what questions should we ask them? Is climate change real? Are these chemicals and by products harmful to us? Or is this just fake news to force change our economic models (got to throw something in for conspiracy theorists)? Or should we be more blunt? How did you screw up your jobs so bad over the last 100 years not to see the impact on society, human health and the environment? Are plastics in our rain water and air harmful to humans? In this April's heat wave, we hit 32C in the Toronto area, Environment Canada issued something that I have never seen before. A warning that PM 2.5 (particulate matter 2.5) were at higher levels during the heat wave. By the way this stuff can cause heart and respiratory problems. Read This from NY State Government Are our economic industrial and consumer models harming us? The industrial complex is important but what about humans? Are we just to keep breathing and be fortunate to have work?

What about CO2 emissions? Will we ever get that under control? The reality is that if every passenger vehicle in the US and Canada were an EV it would reduce the total CO2 emissions by 7-9%. You might say is that all? This isn't meant as condemnation for the push to EVs. In reality it is a grounding moment for us to understand that there is a bigger problem ahead. And industries are pushing back because they feel the risk, some can never shift to green or clean!

The UN has tried to be that one organization that is responsible for Planetary Operations. But it only recommends as an agency, it does not set out laws. And as long as there is a disinformation game, more colourfully known as "Greenwashing" , used to convince us that we're are not in danger, life will go on. I am not an environmentalist and my career is still all business. However, I wonder if all of these issues are contributing and risks to our health why are we stalling?

Allow me to close off by saying a truly safe world is one where no human, creature nor this planet should be harmed in the making of our future. The following is must read essay in the New York Times the author really lay's out the concerns and questions we should be asking. It's called "Our Way Of Life Is Poisoning Us"

Before The Big Ai Leap

Many technology companies are diving into their coding depths to develop Ai further, so we need to ask ourselves some tough questions. However, first I want to point out that I disagree with the idea of pausing Ai development. As I have stated in a recent newsletter foreign powers will not be pausing and it would be very naive of us to do so.

I've come across people who believe Ai is a techy thing, clearly they are not paying attention. First, the probability for a higher level of sophsiticated criminal activity being unleashed on us is very high! That would be my real first worry. There is a dark world out there and a darker web where they live (read more) and the perpertrators behind all of this don't have a problem with taking from you or exploiting you, or someone you love. We will need Ai to have more effective defenses against cyber attacks (read more). However that's not all. Microsoft has an Ai tool that can mimic your voice (read more), the scary part is that this type of technology can be used to defraud unsuspecting family members and companies (read more).

There is an Big Ai Leap coming, it may be a decade away in some aspects perhaps far less in other areas. Although in the business world it will escalate in ways we have not even thought of and even with consumer interactions. The Big Ai leap will change human economic outcomes and our ability to find work. The risky part is labeling us in categories of work qualifications you may not agree with. Sounds too much like the "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. It is a brave new world. Calling all Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons, please get ready!

Politics: Reassembling of the World

The old guard is at the gate and nervous. The world is being reassembled for the future and the building blocks of one economy are being used to build a new one. It's not much different than when we abandoned horses and buggies. However, I have encountered the old guard at the gate quite often. Fixed in their existing economic models and industries, afraid to let go or even change as the western world begins its shift. Their reluctance or ignorance will hurt the west from being competitive globally and keep us at the mercy of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes who don't want change. They want their wealth and their control. The world will want more of the West's views and directions when we no longer fight for resources that we make redundant. It is far more equitable and efficient than conflict.

Volkswagen Group new battery plant in Canada is becoming a political battleground. (Read More)

#Twitter In a surprising shift removed the Government Funded tag on the CBC and other public broadcasters. Read More

It was Earth Day on Saturday so we asked ChatGPT-4 why politicians dismiss climate change. Here is what it had to say. You can read it on my business site Inception Retail Group Inc. Read More You may also want to listen to this from Reuters Listen to Podcast

Economy- Business - Retailing

Three Retail Threats Okay you've heard enough about Ai, actually it really is the tip of the iceberg and it is a threat, here are three more. The first threat to retailing is tight credit. This is where the rubber hits the road. First many consumers use credit cards and bank overdrafts to balance their household budgets. Second, if there is a tight enough credit squeeze, this will impact small and midsized businesses from buying inventory to executing their strategies. Read More The second threat isn't new, however the speed with which retailers face brand irrelevance will be sudden. Many retailers desperate to stay in business have invested in technology. It's a wise choice since staying visible with consumers is important. However being visible is only part of the whole objective. Being relevant to a growing audience is where business survival thrives. The third threat I have raised once before. Systematically as consumers buy electric cars they will be impressed with how they don't buy gasoline. And then guess what happens? Their focus will increase further on sustainability. It is a significant threat or an opportunity? For those retailers savvy enough to see it as an opportunity they need to find ways to lead and deliver.

More retail News

David's Bridal filed for bankruptcy a second time in five years. Read More . Third time may not be a charm, if there is any kind of recovery it will be weak.

Read how Ai powered robots are changing retail Read More It still is a challenging job market for roles that few want.

lululemon is in talks to sell "Mirror." Read More This shouldn't come as a surprise. It's not that work from home is dead. Getting back to the gym and yoga classes is the thing to do again. It was an interesting idea in a race to be everything to their customers. However not all acquistions and co-branding ideas work!

The hype and reality of Ai in the retail world, read the artilce in Business Insider And an article I wrote for Retail Insider in their magazine The Power and Impact of the Ai retail revolution

Bed Bath & Beyond has filed for bankruptcy. Every brand has a best before date. Read More This brands search for financial rescue is over. Some group may try to salvage its name sake in some format. However it's too big an inventory animal to operate.

So is it a recession or a soft landing? No one knows for sure. However even if you were to look at the stock market for guidance, there is plenty of uncertainty. This CNBC article relays that 50/50 guidance of uncertainty on market direction. Read More

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