Ning-Jia.com

I often need to remind myself what recession, stagflation, depression, and other economic terms mean, so here’s a 2x2 matrix to clarify them.  The y-axis represents inflation (high to low), and the x-axis represents GDP growth (high to low). Even with negative growth, we face two bad scenarios: stagflation (high inflation, low growth) and recession/depression (low inflation, low growth). Stagflation and economic booms are typically temporary because they’re unstable states. Recessions can persist and deepen into depressions, while economic booms can last if central banks fail to manage overheating (e.g., through interest rate hikes). As a Gen-Yer, I barely experienced the last major recession during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008–2009. While the pandemic caused a significant downturn, I don’t expect a repeat (barring some mad scientist unleashing chaos). The GFC is likely a better case study for understanding recessions. Unless the current trade war and tariffs escalate ...

Today, I opened my Goodreads profile and was shocked to find I had only read two books this year. Yes, this year has been like no other, but still, I pondered why I had read only two books when, in other years, I typically read at least a dozen. LLMs. That's the answer. I haven't read any less; I've just customized my reading habits significantly since subscribing to various LLMs. I no longer dive into Wikipedia for hours, falling down rabbit holes of interconnected topics. I no longer go through book after book on a subject. Instead, I pull up an LLM, write a prompt, and ask question after question. Fascinating. Note: This was proofread by Grok.

I n the annals of management, few stories illustrate the essence of true innovation as vividly as Henry Ford's creation of the assembly line. It was not, as popular myth might suggest, an invention born of a fascination with mechanical efficiency or a desire to revolutionize factory processes for their own sake. Rather, Ford's breakthrough stemmed from a singular, customer-focused vision: to sell millions of automobiles at a price point of $500 each, making personal transportation accessible to the average American worker. This was no abstract engineering pursuit; it was a deliberate strategy to create and satisfy a vast market that did not yet exist. The assembly line emerged as a means to that end—reducing production costs from over $800 per Model T in 1908 to under $300 by 1914, enabling the $500 retail price that unlocked explosive demand. Ford understood a fundamental principle of business: production is not an end in itself but a tool to serve the customer. As I have lon...

Better the Devil you know than the Angel you don't. This brings me back to my gaming days, where we would align ourselves on a 2x2 matrix. You can be Good or Evil, but the other axis is Order and Chaos. The Devil you know is often Orderly Evil. And it's funny that the D&D franchise portrays Devils like lawyers, where they often bind human souls into contracts with plenty of fine print. This plays into the notion that "the Devil's in the details." But one thing is for sure: these evil characters actually are very law-abiding. However, on the other end of the spectrum, you have the Angel you don't know. She's benevolent but emotional, so her decisions are driven by anger, joy, sadness, etc. While we trust that she has the best of intentions, when she gets involved, we don't know which side of her will show—creating lots of chaos in the events when she's there. We all have people in mind for all four quadrants. But if given the scenario, do you pr...

A while ago, I read about avoiding to be “merely clever.” I can’t quite remember where I read it, but it stuck with me for years. Isn’t cleverness admirable? Why would anyone describe someone as “merely clever”? What lies beyond cleverness? I thought deeply and laid out all the synonyms in my limited vocabulary: - cleverness - intelligence - smartness - knowledgeability - wisdom Another term immediately stood out: - being a “smart ass” Which would I prefer to be called—or not to be called? - merely clever? - a smart ass? I’d like to avoid both if possible, but given my current reputation, would people be more likely to say I’m a smart ass or merely clever? Probably a smart ass.. lol I think I can be arrogant and do irritate people with my argumentative style of conversation. But maybe it’s just because I don’t have anyone around me who’s in a position to call me “merely clever.” Wow, what a realisation.. Having just completed another 10-day Vipassana course recently,...

Have you seen this cycle? It’s referenced time and again during hard times, often blaming "weak men" for causing the struggles we face. While there’s truth to that, I believe we’re missing a crucial component: Unity. Unity is the true source of strength for strong men. We need to learn to collaborate, set aside our differences, and work toward a common cause to become truly strong. Throughout history, it’s through working together that we’ve overcome difficulties and hardship. When we’re scattered, not communicating, or even fighting among ourselves, that’s what creates weak men. And that’s when society truly falls apart. Note: This was proofread by Grok AI.

In the soft glow of a restaurant bar last week, amidst the clink of glasses and the murmur of conversation, I stumbled upon a moment of quiet clarity that will linger with me for years. The evening was purposeful: we were hosting our principals from Italy and Japan, a gathering to strengthen bonds and share visions over plates of shared food and rounds of drinks. The venue, a cosy haunt with dark wood and warm lighting, felt alive yet intimate, a place where people could drift between tables, weaving stories and laughter into the night. My team, as always, rose to the occasion, their energy a testament to the culture we’ve built together. But it was a small, unscripted exchange, away from the main stage, that struck the deepest chord. Our sales manager, a steady hand who has guided our team of six for over three years, was at the heart of the evening. Her poise and warmth as she navigated conversations with our guests spoke of a dedication that transcends mere duty. Earlier, she had br...

Death is the ultimate certainty, the one truth no mortal escapes. Yet, across millennia, humanity has met this finality with a defiant roar, crafting stories, philosophies, and myths to wrestle meaning from the void. This defiance against finality—the refusal to accept death as a mere end—is not just a coping mechanism; it is the heartbeat of human imagination, a rebellion that shapes our cultures, drives our quests for purpose, and elevates our existence beyond the ephemeral. From the Elysian Fields of Greek mythology to modern dreams of digital immortality, this impulse reveals a profound truth: to be human is to reject the notion that our story concludes in silence. The Roots of Rebellion The defiance begins with grief, that raw wound left by loss. To grieve is to confront death’s theft—of love, presence, potential—and to refuse its verdict. This instinct pulses through history. Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead, equipping them for the Field of Reeds, believing the soul could n...

Nostalgia is about relevance. People who reminisce about the "good ol' days" are not truly reminiscing about the "good ol' days.". They actually are looking back to an era when they felt relevant in society—when they understood that era's technologies, customs, and society. They have lost that relevance, not through any fault of their own, but because the demographics they connected with are slowly fading away. That's the hard truth. It's sad to witness, but if we ourselves cling to that sense of relevance too far into old age, it will lead only to despair too. A more graceful way to age is to let go of the need for relevance. Embrace a quieter role in society and find contentment with the friends and family who remain by our side. Treasure every moment as a bonus to enjoy with others. It's never too late to do so anyway. Note: this was proofread by Grok AI.  P/s: I wonder how I’d feel reading this in my own old age.

As I started my career, I wanted to be an entrepreneur because it seemed they were doing so much good for the world while earning well by doing what they excelled at. But when I became one, I saw how many were just cheating and lying their way through. I dropped out. As I began consulting, I admired speakers. Standing on stage, getting paid, and sharing cutting-edge technology and ideas—what a life! But when I became a speaker, I noticed how many just recycled the same topics for years with no fresh ideas. I dropped out. As I started writing thought leadership articles, I was in awe of writers. Publishing book after book, researching hundreds of companies, and collaborating with thousands of people to share groundbreaking knowledge in the social sciences. But when I began writing my own book, I saw how many were just publishing for the sake of saying they wrote a book. I dropped out... I don’t even need to talk about titles like "Dato" or "Tan Sri." What I’ve learne...