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December 12, 2023December 13, 2023

Jim Rogers, Investing Master on Gold

I asked recently what Jim Rogers, the author of such classics as The Investment Biker and Hot Commodities, had to say about Gold. And here it is.

Investing in gold, according to the legendary investor Jim Rogers, isn’t merely a financial move—it’s a testament to understanding the pulse of the global economy and the cyclical nature of markets.

“Gold isn’t just a shiny metal; it’s a beacon of economic insight,” Rogers might emphasize. His approach to gold investing is deeply rooted in history and a profound understanding of market dynamics.

Gold as a Store of Value

Rogers often views gold as a historical store of value, dating back centuries. “Gold has weathered the storms of civilizations,” he’d assert, pointing to its enduring status as a haven asset during times of geopolitical turmoil or economic uncertainty. In his eyes, owning gold isn’t just about profit; it’s a means of preserving wealth across generations.

The Dollar and Gold Relationship

One of Rogers’ fundamental tenets is the inverse relationship between the US dollar and gold. He acknowledges that when the dollar weakens, gold tends to strengthen. “The dollar and gold dance an intricate tango,” he’d remark. For him, this correlation underscores the importance of gold as a hedge against currency devaluation.

The Role of Central Banks

Central banks’ actions significantly influence Rogers’ perspective on gold. He’s been vocal about their impact on the metal’s price through buying and selling, recognizing their position as major players in the gold market. “When central banks sneeze, gold catches a cold,” he might quip, underscoring how their policies can sway gold’s trajectory.

Mining Companies vs. Physical Gold

Rogers might advocate for holding physical gold over investing in gold mining companies. While acknowledging the potential profits in mining stocks during bullish cycles, he often highlights the risks associated with management decisions, operational challenges, and geopolitical uncertainties that impact mining companies. “When investing in miners, you’re not just betting on gold, you’re betting on management,” he’d caution.

A Contrarian View

Rogers’ contrarian nature might also surface in his views on gold. He might advocate for buying gold when sentiment is low and selling when exuberance prevails. “The time to buy is when there’s blood in the streets,” he might quip, emphasizing the importance of taking positions when others are fearful.

Long-Term Perspective

Jim Rogers is known for his long-term investment horizon, and his views on gold align with this philosophy. He might emphasize that gold isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme; rather, it’s a hedge against uncertainty over extended periods. “Think in decades, not days,” he’d advise, highlighting the importance of patience and resilience in gold investing.

Diversification and Gold

For Rogers, gold is a vital component of a diversified portfolio. He wouldn’t advocate going all-in on gold but rather incorporating it as part of a balanced investment strategy. “Diversification is essential in the investment jungle,” he’d opine, advocating for a mix of assets to mitigate risks.

Final Thoughts

In the world of investing, Jim Rogers’ approach to gold is a mosaic of historical perspective, macroeconomic understanding, and a contrarian’s eye for opportunity. To him, gold isn’t just a metal; it’s a reflection of human history, economic cycles, and a prudent safeguard against the unpredictability of financial markets. His words echo a timeless sentiment: “When in doubt, bet on gold.”

Jim is most reknowned for his 1970s Quantum fund management with George Soros and more lately, his move to Singapore. He seems to have a knack for knowing when to buy low and sell high and freely shares his insights via interviews and Books.

December 12, 2023

The Glittering Prospects of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining ETFs

In a world where financial markets sway like a pendulum, investors perennially seek sturdy and reliable assets to safeguard their wealth. Among the constellation of investment options, gold and silver have stood the test of time, revered for their intrinsic value and as a hedge against market volatility. While purchasing physical bullion has been a traditional avenue, an increasingly popular and diversified approach is investing in Gold and Silver Mining Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

Understanding Gold and Silver Mining ETFs

Gold and Silver Mining ETFs encapsulate a basket of companies involved in the exploration, extraction, and production of these precious metals. Investors gain exposure to multiple mining companies through a single investment vehicle, benefiting from the collective performance of the underlying companies within the ETF.

Advantages of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining ETFs

1. Diversification: These ETFs offer exposure to a diversified portfolio of mining companies, mitigating individual company risk. Fluctuations in any one company’s performance have a diluted impact on the overall investment.

2. Liquidity and Accessibility: Buying and selling ETF shares is relatively easy, offering liquidity compared to investing directly in individual mining companies. Investors can trade ETF shares on major exchanges during market hours.

3. Cost-Efficiency: Gold and Silver Mining ETFs generally have lower expenses compared to actively managed funds. They offer a cost-effective way to gain exposure to the precious metals sector.

4. Risk Mitigation: While individual mining companies can face operational, geopolitical, or financial risks, a diversified ETF spreads risk across multiple companies, potentially reducing the impact of adverse events on the investment.

Disadvantages to Consider

1. Volatility: Precious metal prices, and consequently mining ETFs, can be highly volatile. Fluctuations in commodity prices, global economic conditions, and currency movements can impact the fund’s performance.

2. Company-Specific Risks: Despite diversification, if a significant holding within the ETF faces operational issues or regulatory hurdles, it can affect the overall fund performance.

3. Tracking Error: Some ETFs might not perfectly track the performance of the underlying assets due to factors like fees, expenses, and the fund’s methodology.

Safety Aspects of Holding Shares in an ETF

The safety of holding shares in a Gold and Silver Mining ETF is contingent on various factors:

1. Regulatory Oversight: ETFs are regulated investment products, subject to oversight by financial authorities, ensuring a level of investor protection.

2. Asset Custody: ETFs typically employ reputable custodians to safeguard the underlying assets, reducing the risk of mismanagement or fraud.

3. Transparency: Most ETFs regularly disclose their holdings, allowing investors to monitor the composition of the fund and the performance of underlying assets.

4. Market Liquidity: The ability to easily buy and sell ETF shares on the open market provides a level of liquidity, allowing investors to exit positions without significant price impact.

In Conclusion

Investing in Gold and Silver Mining ETFs can offer an avenue for exposure to precious metals without the complexities of owning physical bullion or individual mining stocks. However, like any investment, it’s essential to weigh the advantages against the potential risks and consider personal investment goals and risk tolerance before diving in. While these ETFs can provide diversification and potential for returns, investors should conduct thorough research and consider consulting a financial advisor to make informed investment decisions in line with their financial objectives.

Remember, the glitter of gold and silver in the investment world often comes with its share of fluctuations, and a balanced, well-researched approach can help navigate the highs and lows of this intriguing market.

December 12, 2023

Investing in Cryptocurrencies

Investing in cryptocurrencies through platforms like Binance has emerged as a contemporary alternative to traditional investments like gold. The allure of crypto lies in its decentralized nature, potential for rapid growth, and its position at the forefront of technological innovation.

Binance, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges globally, offers a user-friendly interface and a diverse range of cryptocurrencies for investment. Unlike gold, which has historically been a store of value, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum operate on blockchain technology, providing transparency, security, and potential for significant returns on investment.

One of the key aspects of investing in crypto via Binance is the accessibility it offers. Investors can start with small amounts, enabling broader participation regardless of financial standing. Moreover, the 24/7 market availability allows for flexibility in trading, unlike the limited trading hours of traditional markets.

While gold has been a long-standing hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, cryptocurrencies are increasingly being seen as a hedge against traditional market fluctuations. Some investors view crypto as a means to diversify their portfolios beyond traditional assets like gold, aiming to capture potential high-growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

However, it’s essential to note that investing in cryptocurrencies comes with its own set of risks. The market’s volatility can lead to substantial price fluctuations within short periods, making it a high-risk, high-reward investment. Regulatory changes, security concerns, and market sentiment can also significantly impact crypto prices.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in cryptocurrencies via Binance as an alternative to gold depends on an individual’s risk tolerance, investment goals, and understanding of the market. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research, understand the technology behind cryptocurrencies, and consider seeking advice from financial experts before diving into this dynamic and evolving investment space.

December 10, 2023December 12, 2023

Precious Metals Surge: Unveiling the Dynamics Behind Silver and Gold Rally, and the Impending Rise of Platinum

Introduction:

In recent times, the world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the prices of precious metals, particularly silver and gold. Investors and enthusiasts alike have been closely monitoring the factors contributing to this rally. As we explore the reasons behind the ascent of silver and gold, we will also delve into the potential for platinum to follow suit, given the unique dynamics surrounding its production.

The Silver Lining:

Silver, often referred to as “the poor man’s gold,” has experienced a surge in demand for several reasons. One primary factor is its dual role as both a precious metal and an industrial commodity. The increasing demand for silver in the electronics and solar industries has created a substantial market for this versatile metal. Additionally, the low interest rate environment and inflation concerns have propelled investors to seek refuge in tangible assets like silver.

Gold Glitters Amidst Economic Uncertainty:

Similarly, gold has maintained its status as a safe-haven asset, drawing investors seeking stability during times of economic uncertainty. The ongoing global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have fueled the demand for gold as a store of value. Central banks’ continued monetary stimulus measures and the fear of inflation have further intensified gold’s appeal, driving its price to new heights.

Platinum’s Turn in the Spotlight:

Now, attention is shifting towards platinum as a potential beneficiary of the current market dynamics. Platinum is a crucial metal, widely used in the automotive industry, particularly in catalytic converters. The majority of the world’s platinum supply (over 70%) comes from South Africa and Russia. However, recent developments in South Africa, a major platinum producer, raise concerns about the metal’s future availability.

Power Struggles in South Africa:

South Africa, a key player in the global platinum market, faces challenges in its power supply infrastructure. The country’s electricity grid has been plagued by issues such as load shedding and an aging power infrastructure. Unreliable power supply not only disrupts mining operations but also affects the overall economic activity, potentially impacting platinum production.

Russia’s Role in Platinum Supply:

On the other hand, Russia, another significant contributor to the global platinum supply (around 10%), has maintained a relatively stable production environment. However, geopolitical uncertainties and international relations may impact future supplies. Investors are closely monitoring these geopolitical factors as they consider the potential impact on platinum prices.

Investor Outlook and Conclusion:

As silver and gold continue to shine amid economic uncertainties, platinum emerges as a compelling investment opportunity. The metal’s unique industrial applications, coupled with concerns over the reliability of power supply in South Africa, suggest a potential uptrend in platinum prices.

Investors are advised to stay vigilant and consider diversifying their portfolios to include precious metals like platinum. The evolving dynamics in South Africa and Russia, combined with the global economic landscape, could position platinum as the next metal to garner significant attention in the ever-changing world of commodities.

Handily enough, Bullionvault* also allows investment in Platinum. As does Revolut*.

Both businesses will remit a small portion of their fees to us, but this doesn’t affect the price for you and we do genuinely recommend them for good service and access to corners of the market often off-limits to smaller investors like us.

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

Gold, What is it Good for?

After a year of silence on here (14 months, actually..), let’s get with the times and let chatai have a go at explaining why you should invest in gold :-

“

Gold has several properties that make it useful for a variety of purposes:

Jewelry: Gold is a popular choice for jewelry because it is malleable and ductile, meaning it can be easily shaped and formed into intricate designs.
Investment: Gold has historically been used as a store of value and a hedge against inflation, making it a popular investment option.
Electronics: Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity, making it a valuable component in electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, and televisions.
Dentistry: Gold is also used in dentistry for its non-reactive nature and durability, making it a popular choice for fillings, crowns, and other dental work.
Industrial Applications: Gold is also used in a variety of industrial applications, such as in the production of glass, electronics, and aerospace equipment.

Overall, gold is a versatile and valuable metal with a wide range of applications.”

Now, go and ask OpenAI the same question regarding paper money.

January 27, 2022October 9, 2022

War, What is it Good For?

Absolutely nothing. If you believe the song by Edwin Starr, anyway. I disagree. Eisenhower warned in the 1950s about the military industrial complex in the USA and sadly, time has proved him right, with a gigantic industry going on that relies on conflicts occurring in faraway places. All under the modern excuses of protecting democracy, while, it may be noted, most of the action seems to occur in resource-rich countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, but countries like Zimbabwe are left to collapse.

Take for example, the latest situation in Ukraine. When it comes down to it, it’s a conflict based on what media tells us is happening. Unless we actually have our own feet on the ground, or know someone there who can tell us better, then it may as well all be lies, exactly the same as Orson Welles and his radio dramatisation of War of the Worlds in 1938, that had Americans packing their bags and fleeing for the hills. However that might have saved them is unclear, but I’m wishing I knew someone in Ukraine or Russia border regions who could tell me what the fear level really is.

Initially, stock markets responded by marking down Russian shares, and they have declined markedly, by about 30% since October last year, suggesting the insiders were in the know, as per usual. The USA continued to rise until a couple of weeks ago, since when it has fallen markedly too, along with EU markets. It’s interesting that the UK has not joined in the falls, and it could be that a market containing lots of resource, oil and financial stocks may be resilient in the coming years. Last couple days though, things have changed, with marked rises in Russian stocks especially, but the US beginning to curve upwards again too. The conclusion must be that the insiders know World War 3 isn’t happening quite yet and just perhaps the USA has had a little bit of a bloody nose from a playground scrap against a more established player. In fact, the USA has quietly slunk away, defeated from a few scraps in recent years. They tried to start a coup in Venezuela, the world’s richest nation in oil reserves and failed, suggesting the decline of this cycle of their power is well and truly underway.

So, what do we learn from all this? Wars happen and mostly they are engineered by someone looking to profit in some way. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ukraine agrees a major arms deal with the USA in coming months, to help defend against the Russian “threat” and the military industrial complex continues to profit from human misery and fear. As an outsider, with no hope of knowing when the next conflict incident is planned, My reading of this is : buy Russia, they really have it all, the resources and tons of under-used agricultural land that once supplied the world and just perhaps, buy the UK. People are still convinced Brexit was a bad idea, but the performance of UK stocks and funds suggests they have missed out on ten years of very good rises. Perhaps they missed that Royal Dutch Shell decided the EU is such a bad place to be, they dropped the Dutch after over 100 years and moved their head office to the UK in December 2021. It goes back to thinking before that resource stocks and banks may well be the right places to be for the next ten years. I am in no way saying that it’s going to be a great ten years for people living in the UK. “We are on a train journey, and some of the people on the train at the beginning are not going to be there at the end”, as I was once told by my employer during a meeting where mass redundancy was clearly planned. With coming rises in food prices, living in a country that must import over half it’s food and can easily be blockaded by uncooperative neighbours might not be a picnic. However, resource companies with their HQ there, but most of the earnings coming from elsewhere in the world, may well be a great place to be for your hard-earned savings. Along with…choke…big pharma. Reminds me of another war going on right under our noses that few are even aware of, the war on humanity itself.

January 16, 2022October 9, 2022

When Money Changes

Global financial systems tend to last around fifty years, before dying and being replaced by something new. Normally in both a mix of managed and big bang, if that makes sense. Certainly, this is what happened in the late 1960s, leading to the USA closing the Gold window in 1971 and ending the convertibility of US Dollars to Gold at the fixed price of $35 an ounce. What a significant year 1971 was, for personal reasons too.

How Ironic he interrupted Bonanza to make an announcement about gold…

1980 was also significant, being the year it took $850 to exchange for one ounce of Gold. Yes, a twenty-times increase in nine years, for purchasing something and hiding it under the floorboards for the whole time. Sounds great, doesn’t it? And so it probably was, for those in the know, who had the opportunity to prepare early before the masses panic and pile in.

So, knowing that global financial systems change approximately every fifty years, we should be able to work out another monetary switch took place in 1921. This one wasn’t so clear, but it most certainly did.

Prior to world war one, the world largely operated on a gold standard, where prices were relatively fixed, or even falling with productivity improvements and living standards were rising. La Belle Epoque, as the French called it. A high point of human civilisation, that must have seemed at the time as if it would go on forever. Many in 1914 declared war too impossible to take place, as the world had become so intertwined and living standards had risen so high, only fools would want to destroy such a perfect world. Well, with the benefits of hindsight, perhaps not fools, but most definitely those with darker intentions and few scruples about the natural universal laws.

Naturally, wars are expensive, both in human and financial capital. Governments issued new bonds and demanded patriotism of their citizens, both in sacrificing their lives and investing their funds in pathetic investments that over the long term were guaranteed to dilute their purchasing power. Interestingly, when I first followed financial markets in the 1980s, £100 war loan bonds were still trading in the UK, but with a terrible yield of perhaps, 3% and trading for around £40. Imagine what £100 could buy in 1940, versus what it could buy in 1990. As usual, the deal with government is a one-sided one and in this respect, nothing has changed for the better in one hundred years, but got markedly worse. By 1918, all sides were experiencing inflation (definition : increasing number of currency units chasing same quantity of goods) for the first time in generations and as the war ended, there was a chance that if the economies of the nations returned to anything like pre-war normal and soldiers spent the dormant earnings of the past years, inflation could’ve occurred massively. Also, there was a big question around gold no longer being able to back the number of currency units now in existence. Over the coming years, gold coins were quietly withdrawn from general circulation and replaced with pieces of paper promising the same thing, but now buying much, much less when it came to exchanges. The wisest members of the public surely kept a few gold sovereigns, if they had them, in the drawer for a rainy day. How interesting then, that a serious pandemic – Spanish Flu – came along for and semi-shut down these economies, causing large-scale unemployment and distortions for around two years.

Let’s compare it to now. In 2008, a great financial war began. One where if the natural laws were followed, the banks would’ve collapsed. Instead, they were put on life support at multi-trillion cost to the citizens of those countries affected. The war quietly continued for 11 years, with various actors and players of roles appearing to assuage and distract the public in the style of master magicians, watch what this hand is doing, don’t look at the other hand. It’s largely worked, unfortunately and people have been tricked, while the banks have recapitalised, made billions and are now perhaps good long-term investments for the next ten years, while they unscrupulously build large property portfolios of repossessed properties to be rented back to the dispossessed. In September 2019, the financial world creaked when interest rates on the repo market (short term overnight lending between businesses) spiked and everyone stopped lending to each other. All in one night. It’s very hard to find details on this, since the media completely failed to report it at the time, but the US Federal reserve began pumping billions nightly in to keep that market functioning, before Corona conveniently appeared and shutdown the world, just as Spanish flu did one hundred years ago.

I make no judgement on whether these pandemics are real or not. Only their mirrored effects in creating similar situations in the world. On this basis, they have been near-identical, so now for a prediction – Spanish flu, the mostly appalling misnamed illness of all time, considering the first case was reported in a Kansas military camp, began in 1918 and swept across the world in two years, dying out around 1920. From there, there was economic hardship and a stock market collapse during the period 1921-23, along with gigantic hyperinflation in Germany, which I covered in my book. After that, famously, the stock markets began a dramatic rise, peaking in 1929 and not finding their nadir until 1932. Perhaps the idea of a rhyming, roaring twenties is not yet done? Let’s imagine this scenario – Corona came in 2020 and perhaps ~~Moronic~~ Omicron is the one that dampens it down and things reopen after two years. Then economies readjust over the next few years with a destruction of money in the old system, before the new system is established. One thing is for sure, unless you are an insider, and I am clearly not, we need to retain our wits about us to survive and, just perhaps, prosper. Good luck!

As an aside, it fascinates me that the war ended on 11/11/18. An interesting date in itself. One that cleverly works worldwide, regardless of how you arrange the days and months, a bit like 6/6/44, or 7/7/05 – feel free to look those up if you are requiring historical insight. Few know that the war began on 111118 too. Oh wait no, I hear you say, it began in August 1914, when Archduke Ferdinand was amateurly assasinated by Gavrilov Princip in Belgrade, an assassination attempt so botched the driver had to help it happen. No, it began on 111118, as that was the number plate of the car the Archduke was on. 118 and gematria, you really can’t make this stuff up. Wake up and see the signs.

January 3, 2022October 9, 2022

2022 and Beyond

January 2022. Whoever thought they’d get here without being forced to take the medicine for cerveza sickness, as one finance channel on youtube calls it, to avoid the increasing censorship affecting anyone with a voice outside the official narrative.

Silence here does not mean that there’s been a failure to observe what is going on and where this is all headed. In December, my gestapo train moment came, where the conductor asked to see my papers and I was found wanting, a valid paid-for ticket was no longer enough to use public transport. He went off to call the police, but they never appeared and I sneaked off one stop early to avoid the possible confrontation. Zieg Heil.

Now everyone is well into this coronapas, it’s worth pointing out that the official vaccine manufacturers only promise is that you will not suffer [ coronavirus / covid-19 ] as badly. They DO NOT, yes, DO NOT, promise that it will lessen infection or transmission. A New England Health journal study has recently proven it and if you don’t trust me, you must trust the science of the good folks of Harvard and Yale, right? In fact, some studies even found that some vaccines increase transmission rates – no surprise to me, I often felt I could tell if people near me had just been done and were shedding their viral load on me. In other words, coronapas is worse than useless and gives a false trust. It is of course being pushed for another reason.

If I was to predict where this is likely to go next, and I will, after all this is my currently-uncensored outlet, then here we go…the official narrative is saying Omicron (anagram : moronic) is not as serious in hospitalisation and deaths. In other words, the virus is dying out. However, this was never about a virus, oh no, although the virus concept has been useful in controlling the public into accepting things they would never accept under normal circumstances. This was about the next financial system.

Think about this. Now, everyone, or almost everyone, has a tracking app on their mobile phone. People who never, ever bothered with smartphones before now have to own one to do once-mundane tasks such as visit the barbers or eat in a restaurant and, alongside this, the people themselves are magnetised beings on the internet of things, with every booster increasing their intake of graphene oxide now silting up inside their bodies. We are now incredibly close, if not already there, to that point where people can be tracked to the extent of their body activity. Exactly what patent WO2020060606A1 was about, a cybercurrency earnt by body activity. In this future monetary system, users will earn the credits direct to their coronapas wallet, granted by the omnipresent AI-god, who, being omnipresent can just as easily take away, or block usage of, if the users overindulge in eating meat, put out too much rubbish in the bin or claim to be working when their body activity suggests they sat still and browsed facebook. When that happens, you may regret your eagerness to download the coronapas a few years prior. If you still have a mind capable of regret, that is.

Naturally, millions will die. That’s the plan. It’s quite literally written in stone on the Georgia guidestones, that the world population should be under 500 million. You’ve seen how easy it was to get people into a panic with a virus that TV told them existed, even if their eyes when they went out did not. This next one, whenever it comes, perhaps the Marburg virus, created in a lab in one of the founding illuminati German cities, is planned to be the one where people see the bodies in the streets, blood pouring out of eyes, ebola-style. Or maybe it’ll be the remotely-triggered zombie apocalypse, in the style of Doctor Who or Kingsman. Whatever, people are planned to die.

And best of all, just like Nazi Germany, the people wanted it, they cheered for it and they jeered those who fought against it, ultimately in many cases cheering on their forced sterilisation or removal to the concentration camps. Until it was their turn, anyway. Good fortune.

October 31, 2021October 9, 2022

A Rising Tide

“Some men just want to watch the world burn.” – Alfred Pennyworth, The Dark Knight (Batman)

If I was to construct a plan with the final objective of watching the world burn, I wouldn’t know where to start, but some people clearly do. For, since March 2020, you couldn’t have introduced a better set of policies to achieve this and worse, the majority of people are going along with it without realising the final endgame and the consequences for them and their way of life.

The main thing that triggered this post has been the recent 50% increase in electricity prices here, followed by an email telling me the price of my wood pellets for heating was going up 10%, followed by another email one month later telling me that…the price is going up another 10% due to increasing raw materials, manufacturing and transport costs. You could not get a clearer message that survival is the future name of the game and soon it won’t be worth working, not at the current rates of pay, at least and time will be best spent fighting for the remaining toilet rolls on the supermarket shelves at any price. Welcome back to the 1970s, a time of shortages, conflicts, stagflation, stock market crashes and inflation. Unless things change, expect the same once more for a new generation, only greatly amplified due to globalisation and the loss of local self-reliance. I myself have clear memories of my mother making hotpot using the electric cooker in the allocated 4 hours of rationed electricity time, in the UK and sitting with candles on dark (k)nights. Oh how it was kind of fun as a child and besides, with a TV with only 2 or 3 channels to choose from and no internet, technology was not so missed as it would be today. Can you imagine the freaking out for many, if the mobile phone goes flat and it cannot be recharged?

So, let’s look at some of the ways the world is burning. Advance warning – in some cases, it really is, literally :-

Paying productive people to stay at home and do nothing, rather than contribute, or worse, paying them to do unproductive tasks like PCR testing (possibly, this is destructive, but let’s leave that for another day). All the while, increasing the taxation and debt burden on the shrinking productive sector. For yes, furlough still exists, paying people close to full salaries to stay at home and do nothing, while the better employees get paid the same and are required to actually go to work and carry the load of two people.

Telling businesses to not let in particular customers, or lock down completely and suffer the consequences. You’ve probably seen those consequences on your very own High street, where many businesses have closed down completely? Certainly, even if some did not go bust, many owners seem to have decided it’s a good time to retire. It would have been nice to see more businesses resist, like the hairdressers in Bradford who stayed open throughout and accumulated over £18,000 of illegally-issued fines, which recently got written off. Common Law and Maritime law are worthy of additional study, if we are to survive.

Ordering farmers to burn or destroy crops instead of allowing them to reach the free markets and reduce rising prices. Every food commodity is going up in price, just look at corn and beef, for example.

Emptying reservoirs at a key time. This one is a worldwide occurrence when you start looking, and has left many, such as California farmers, puzzled as to why their fields stand barren and unproductive while water is, quite literally, flushed down the drain.

After years of simply burning excess natural gas into the atmosphere, it’s become the new hot commodity. Perhaps next time someone tells you that you are responsible for the global warming con, you should picture this burning that’s been going on for years. Natural gas prices are now up over five times in just a few months. It could have been eased had the pipeline from Russia had been allowed into Western Europe, but again, interference with perhaps darker motives has played a part. Natural gas isn’t just used for heating homes and generating electricity, it is one of the main components of fertiliser production, so expect this to feed into higher food prices too.

Starving traditional energy production of finance – you must’ve heard the awful ESG stamp on some investing funds, promising not to invest in dirty businesses. Define dirty. I note the influential Blackrock in the USA made promises here. Here’s some financial musing – think of completely avoiding any fund with ESG compliance and buy funds that unashamedly invest in oil, coal and essential resources – the world needs them and will continue to do so for a long, long time. In fact, the IT sector knows this and the cynic within me wonders if the gigantic predicted increases in power consumption forecasted for the next 20-30 years are due to increased IT usage for the mega-servers of the internet of things. The secondary cynic also wonders how well those ESG funds will perform in the coming years, when it comes to the pensions of the masses. I bet the investment bank fees are good though and, for sure, when you collect your meagre pension they will console you by saying you invested to save the planet. Shame you’re starving to death because your pension has been stolen from you, but hey?

The U.K. quite cleverly introduced a new legal grade of petrol in September 2021, with twice as much ethanol in it as before. They also introduced a very clever temporary shortage to clear the garage tanks of the old petrol, so the new grade could be rolled out. Okay, perhaps my cynical brain is in full flow today, but it’s hard not to be with stories like this. How is the ethanol produced? From corn, of course, so this new petrol puts even more pressure on food prices. Worse still, some older cars may end up with damaged engines from this new petrol grade and be fit only for the scrapheap. While getting older cars off the road is often touted as being good for the environment, don’t forget the gigantic manufacturing and transportation costs, or the estimated 500,000 litres of clean water used for every car produced.

By now, you should be aware that you are under attack from all directions and you’re probably wondering what you can do to counter some of this. I have often placed stock upon Zigging while the World Zags. In a time where people are spending more and more time in the virtual, meta world, you could probably not do much better than go out into the woods and hug a tree. After all, when was the last time you experienced a real hug, one with energy and genuine love? I’m not joking either, I personally am making major steps to more frequently let the mobile phone go flat – at the very least it’d be interesting to see what happens if I do once the covid passport is mandatory. Yes, once. Do – talk to people (or trees), read books, write with a pen and paper, meditate and listen to the birds sing. Don’t – watch TV (there’s a reason it’s called TV programming), subscribe to Netflix, read newspapers or drive when you could walk. Feeding the machine with your energy cannot be a good thing. Of course, there are some things I cannot overcome yet, such as working in IT and writing this electronically, but there again, put your supposed carbon footprint into the context of those items above and realise it’s not your fault, or that of the neighbour you are being encouraged to hate.

As a final thought, in reverse Sumerian Gematria, Batman equates to 666…