Edwin Philogene

This highlight is a microcosm of why, for the Olympics, it will be complicated to pick between pro NFL players and pro flag football players

The visualization of tsunami after the 9.1 Japan earthquake in 2011 shows how fast it moves. Hits North American shore in 8-10 hours and crosses most of the Pacific Ocean within 24 hours.

Jobs most affected by AI today. Microsoft study.

Quincy Jones, who distinguished himself over the course of a 70-year career in music as an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer, has died. He was 91. Read more about his life and legacy here: bit.ly/4fnvP00

Cigarette sales and lung cancer deaths are the same curve, shifted 25 years.

I am 47 years old and life has taught me a few invaluable lessons. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life doesn’t always wait for your plans to unfold. The older we get, the more we witness - some of it wonderful, some of it heart-wrenching. I’ve experienced quite a bit of the latter of late. These experiences have taught me a critical lesson: the importance of living in the moment. This idea of living for today isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a profound insight into making the most of our time. It’s about recognizing that the future isn’t guaranteed, and that realization can be a bit of a jolt. It’s a reminder to value the present, to soak in the laughter, the company, and even the quiet moments. Making the people around me happy has become a priority. There’s something deeply rewarding about contributing to someone else’s smile. It’s not just about being altruistic; it’s about creating a ripple effect of positivity that, in turn, enriches our own lives. Investing in experiences over things has also shifted my perspective. Whether it’s exploring new places, enjoying live music, or simply spending quality time with family and friends, these moments become part of who we are. They’re the memories that stick, far outweighing the temporary satisfaction of material possessions. And then there’s the aspect of using what we have to contribute to the greater good. It’s about finding ways, big or small, to make a difference. It could be supporting a cause close to our hearts or lending a hand to someone in need. This practice not only brings meaning to our lives but also connects us to a larger purpose. In essence, these lessons have reshaped how I approach life. They remind me to live fully in the now, cherish the people around me, seek out experiences, and use my resources to make a positive impact. It’s a blend of mindfulness, gratitude, and action that, I believe, leads to a truly fulfilling life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Recent events have made clear in the mind of the average American that there is a risk that they could lose money doing something they used to think of as safe -- Being a depositor. We have had a two-tiered system since the GFC where a few large banks have the explicit backing of the taxpayer and the rest have $250k of deposit insurance. This two-tiered system worked until it didn't work. In a world with @Twitter - speed spread of information and smart-phone-enabled bank accounts where withdrawals can be made with the push of a button, no bank is safe from a run unless the depositor has an explicit gov't guarantee that ensures that they always have complete access to the total value of their deposits. Without this guarantee, the non-systemically important banks (non-SIB banks) will likely continue to experience large withdrawals. This problem is compounded by the stock market. Consumers now understand that when a bank stock collapses, it is only a matter of days before the bank fails due to liquidity demands by their depositors. The rewards for being a depositor are minimal compared with the risk of loss from losing access to funds needed to run your business or household. Until this problem is solved, our banking system is at risk. The more time the public is exposed to a period of uncertainty, the more imprinted deposit risk is on the mind of the public. That is why it is critically important that our gov't promptly puts its full faith and credit behind our deposit system. If in fact, your deposit is safe if a bank fails, as in SVB and Signature, then why is it difficult for the gov't to confirm that your deposit is money good when your bank is still operating? We need a temporary systemwide deposit guarantee that will remain in place until our outmoded $250k deposit guarantee program is modernized. Since this new system can't be created over a weekend, we need a stop-gap measure to get us through the next few days and weeks. The alternative is one bank failure after the next. The weakest three have already fallen. The market is already telling you who is number four. This is not the way one maintains confidence in a banking system. Lastly, the more banks that fail, the higher the cost of capital will be for non-SIB banks. This will have a profound long-term impact on the cost of capital for small and medium-sized businesses, a cost that has already increased materially due to the overall rise in rates. It is not helpful to put even more pressure on these critically important drivers of our economy.