Conversation Starters

Some ideas to think about – whether it’s on technology, finance, society, or culture

TECHNOLOGY Blockchain Turkeys

We know the benefits of blockchain technology, and now it has been applied into the food supply chain starting with turkeys as a pilot project. Using blockchain, some companies are currently exploring the possibilities of authenticating meat produced according to certain European standards that currently rate production and animal welfare/protection as 1-, 2- or 3-stars.

FINANCE Right terms get you a foot in the door

Investments are still being poured aggressively into the startup ambit. Apparently, terms like AI-driven, neural networks, blockchain, machine learning are ‘hot’ terms that get the attention of venture capitalists. If you can squeeze ideas or even terminologies pertaining to these areas into your business model somehow, you might get a shot.

PROPERTY Treasure-laden carpark lots

In Hong Kong, the craze of property accumulation is now centered on carpark lots. This is with sky-high property prices that have driven yield-hungry investors and even common folk to place bets on carpark lots in the land-scarce economy. A whopping nearly 300 per cent rise in the last 12 years makes it in fact a better investment than housing itself. The entire situation has already spiralled out of governmental control and fresh ideas are needed to deal with this. A reset button of sorts is needed desperately.

SOCIETY Top dollar for top AI talent

Looking to get hired and paid obscene amounts of money? The hiring phenomenon at this stage with tech giants remains at top-dollar human capital levels where astronomical pay scales are given to PhDs and those deemed to have the capacity and brains for artificial intelligence. Interestingly enough, because of the cash rich nature of these giants, they are more than happy to stake a bet at acquiring a company just based on its ideas before something is ever built.

NEW IDEAS Mars zero

The Moon is known to be quite bare and not that easy to inhabit. This led to private company Mars One making public announcements in the early part of this decade that it would be a possible firstmover in the colonization of Mars, with a projected 2023 arrival on the planet. To date, it has pushed back its timeline to 2031, and a foreseeable stalling of plans where necessary. They probably need the help of Mr. Elon Musk, and a few hundred times the amount of funding that they currently have. This is just one of those times that a good idea requires top funding to realize first fruits.

CULTURE Crazy Rich Folks – Elitism vs The Elite

The uber-rich are sometimes known to be the hegemonic exploitative class of elites. Up in their ivory towers, jetting around in private Bombardiers, and zipping from one location to another in bullet-proof Bentleys, the image of excess at the expense of others is a difficult one to shake. This has added fuel to the anti-elitism movement that is prevalent. Perhaps more needs to be done to humanize their experience by bringing about stories about how it was for them before their empires were built, their challenges, failures, and eventual breakthroughs that led them to where they are today. There is a difference between elitism and being an elite, and there’s nothing wrong falling into the latter category.