The Monday Mix (10/04/2023)
Hi friends,
Another slow week and one that was slower than usual due to Easter. Even though I’m not overly religious, I do appreciate these holidays and find the history of Christianity and religion, in general, fascinating. The Western calendar revolves around the Christian holidays with Christmas and Easter taking prominence. Given this, it’s worth reflecting on whether there would be as many holidays if this were not the case.
In fact, hundreds of years ago, there were regular feasts on days reserved for certain Saints. Events that have long passed into memory. As much as there is a lot wrong with religion, we shouldn’t forget that the idea of the Sabbath and holidays set aside for rest, leisure and family time is an idea we should cherish whether we’re religious or not.
Taiwan’s Semiconductors
A long, but fascinating piece on TSMC, the Taiwanese company that produces a large portion of the world’s semiconductors. It’s amazing just how much this one company features in the global supply chain, and is also a possible reason why China is keen to bring Taiwan under its rule. The author seems to have a passion for the industry, which makes the piece an enjoyable read. If you were unsure how important semiconductors were, then you will absolutely be sure after you’ve read this.
Will Flying Ever Be Green?
Perhaps the one industry that’s the hardest to decarbonise is the aviation industry. The move to electric vehicles are well underway, while high-speed trains are one of the cleanest and most efficient methods of travel. But aeroplanes are a much harder nut to crack. Long-haul flights would require a battery-powered aircraft that could fly 16 hours in some cases on a single charge. I doubt there’s a battery that could do this and power a whole jumbo jet. Aviation might take longer to decarbonise but there are some interesting concepts mentioned here, that could work for short-haul flights.
How To Beat Roulette
I’ve been lucky enough to win at roulette on the occasions I’ve been to a casino. But over the long-term, the odds are stacked against you as the game is pure chance. Yet, this gripping piece reveals that some players had found a method to beat the roulette wheel. So much so, that they grabbed the attention of multiple casino owners and the authorities. While, it’s not Mission Impossible stuff, to figure out how to ‘beat’ roulette as they did is still ingenious.
Book I’m reading - Shutdown by Adam Tooze
Interesting book about how the covid pandemic affected the global economy. It’s weird reading a book about an event that was only three years ago yet feels like a lifetime ago. This is the most recent ‘historical’ book I’ve read and while fascinating it’s disconcerting to read about something that was horrific and so recent.
Quote I’m pondering: – Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. – Marie Curie
That’s all for this week.
Until next time,
Tom