2025-06

Spikes at moments when China seeks external support: PRC recognition (late 1940s), reform-opening FDI (1980s), post-1989 thaw, WTO bid (2001). Nationalities with most “old friends”: Japan (>100), United States (~50), UK, France, Germany; few in historically allied states like Pakistan or Albania.

Taiwan: China’s Testing Ground for Intelligence Operations

Propaganda pipelines: PRC narratives start on mainland platforms (Weibo), jump to Taiwanese bulletin boards, then local media; some outlets must submit op-eds to Beijing for approval.

Aura Finance: Chasing the Ghost of Mint

88% of U.S. workers feel money anxiety; 40% can’t cover a $400 emergency expense; employers lose an estimated $500 B annually in productivity from money stress. Eight-question “money personality” quiz personalizes tone and action items; 37 % of members take an action within 30 days.

Policymaking Is Not a Science — Yet (Update)

Language is the food for the developing brain.

Helping People Die

Procedure: 90 % choose IV; sequence is midazolam (sedation) → propofol (10× surgical dose) → rocuronium & bupivacaine (stop breathing/heart); death in ~5 min. 2023 data: 4.9 % of all Canadian deaths are via MAID “When would you like to die? Where would you like to die? Who do you want to invite to your death?”

How Can We Get More Virtue and Less ‘Virtue Signaling’?

Research suggests thinking and doing can conflict (deliberators often act more slowly), while interpersonal skill (“charm”/social intelligence) is a separate axis. Experiment with “anonymous good”: it builds internal satisfaction and keeps ego in check.