The job market, inflation and tariffs

I think it's important for a country not to overspecialize. Specialization introduces efficiencies and increases overall wealth, but it's almost always to the benefit of a few, and more importantly it creates a more brittle society that can't handle changes well, or even at all.

 

Using PVC is kind of crazy. It's harder and more brittle than polystyrene, and it's harder to glue. Epoxies don't stick well to PVC and solvent glues are nastier and don't work as well as with styrene (which is why this person didn't and used superglue). I can see its use in some places - it's super cheap compared to styrene modeling stock. I think it's hard mode in a hobby that is already plenty difficult.

 

I do understand what you're saying, but this would be impressive even with easy plastic to work and glue. He may well be doing it because he wants to show that the process doesn't have to be expensive.

In any case, I'm not cynical enough about it to see the specific choice of material as some kind of flex. Not quite, anyway...

 

I mostly build kits, but I do scratchbuilding too. Here's something I've been working on for a while. It's a 1/700 scale Ishikari-class destroyer-escort, used by the Japanese Self Defense Force in the 1980's and 90's. It's about 5 inches long.



I'll start painting soon, but I have to fix something with the lifeboat launchers.

 

Good numbers. I think the most important employment number that I never see a lot of people talk about is underemployed people. Conservatively the workforce is at 25 percent underemployed, but I've seen numbers at 30%. The fact is if you don't know someone underemployed in 2026 in America's economy I would question how many people you know under the age of 40. I know a girl with a Masters Degree working at Lowes.

 

Canada agrees to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese EVs in return for lower duties on Canadian farm products, in a break with the U.S.

Mark Carney slashes Canada's 100% tariff on Chinese EVs and announces that up to 49,000 Chinese electric cars will be imported into Canada with only a 6.1% tariff.

In return, China has agreed to slash tariffs on canola imports from 84% to 15% by March 1.
.

2012102780740059212 is not a valid tweet id

 

I bet Trump is going to cancel USMCA in response.

 

Rumblings that Peter Navarro wants Canada kicked out of the five eyes because Carney acknowledged China within the new multipolar world and praising XI leadership - more small D energy from the White House

 

Opening our legs, in exchange for the Chinese dropping tariffs on our Canola and seafood. We had no choice due to Trump. (Good job Trump on driving us, your previously faithful neighbor, closer to China).

The good news though is that it's a quotafir Chinese EVs, less than 20% of our total EV market, which isn't huge. It's up to 49,000 cars annually.

 

I'm happy this throws Tesla and that smug Musk under the bus.

Interesting characterization of our attempt to diversify away from an entitled and arrogant nation openly declaring that it wants Canadian economy destroyed and annexation. This smug attitude is exactly why the world can't stand the US.

 

Trump flat out said he want the Canadian auto industry destroyed. Diversification is the only path and we can't afford to wait around to see if the senile pedophile is bluffing

 

I think that's a rather crude misogynic remark you made.

 

I think that may still happen down the line, but we're easing in until we figure out the CUSMA renewal and get past your mid terms.

We're taking steps, but methodically with room to maneuver again.

 

Just a reminder that "smug Musk" is also a Canadian citizen.

 

I don't know nuthin' about nuthin' but if Canadians are even thinking about the midterms, you're doing it wrong. The Democrats could crush the midterms and win the next presidency but eventually the Republicans will win again and it's going to be even more painful for you. You're kicking the can down the road but the road is getting shorter.

 

People toss out nonsense corporate-speak to see if it flies with co-workers

It all started when an X user named Tomie shared what would go on to become a hugely viral post: "I've started saying nonsense phrases at work like 'that's neither cheese nor cheddar' just to see my coworkers nod seriously like they understand."

Daniel Berk added a few of his own:

"Let's not microwave the lasagna on this one."

"We might be polishing the doorknob instead of opening the door."

"This feels like we're alphabetizing water."

"Let's not put racing stripes on a parked car."

"That's a lot of garnish for no entrée."

"We're measuring the shadow, not the object."

https://www.upworthy.com/made-up-business-idioms

 

I swear I've heard the racing stripes on a parked car one in a meeting before

 

No, we're doing it right. The US is too unreliable for us to be thinking that way. The sooner we pivot, the better we'll do down the road.

2012428378901549147 is not a valid tweet id