Who to Blame?

I always say that given long enough to think about it, the US, all of Europe and Israel will come to the conclusion that it is China's fault. Convince me I'm wrong.

China Collapsing?

This could be propaganda, but if there is any truth to it, then the world is going into a serious downturn. The below report says that migrant workers in China are going home early, well before the Chinese New Year as there is no work. These workers are itinerant day workers, they work in places like restaurants and construction sites. They drive the Chinese economy.

Migrant workers come from the rural areas into the cities. Their incomes keep their families back in the villages alive. Their early return is a serious problem as they boost the population in rural areas, and they must be fed. This leaves less food crops to be sold. 

Seeing this, I thought Australia is in serious trouble too as they rely on China buying their mine output. Currently, Australia is desperately promoting itself to try and keep immigrants coming in, bringing their skills and money with them. New Zealanders should think very carefully about whether going to Australia is a good idea because if their economy does collapse, there will be no lifeline for them, and the NZ government will not pay for them to come home.

US Farmers Impacted by Trade War

China has stopped buying soybeans from the US. They now mostly buy from Brazil and Argentina. Then peculiarly, for some reason, the US has just bailed out Argentina after its economy collapsed yet again. Yeah, it doesn't make sense.

Source: NY Times

This is turning out to be massive act of self-harm committed by the Trump administration, but they don't appear capable of admitting they got it badly wrong with these ridiculous tariffs. 

China's Ultra High Speed Trains

Faster than a Boeing 737, China now has Maglev trains under development that travel at 620 mph (997 kph). But their ordinary fast rail network is now 45,000 kms long, with a further 25,000 kms being built. Fast rail is better as trains tend to take the passenger from the centre of cities, to the centre of cities, and they can make several stops along the way. Planes have serious limitations as you have to get to the airport, and get in from the airport and stops along the way are more problematic too.

Maglev has other applications as well. I've long had the idea to use this technology in quarries and mines.