Sunday, 2 February 2025

Saturday, 1 February 2025

[Post 1004] How I Make A Living Creating Customised Poetry For Strangers In Minutes | Money Mind | Poetry


Summary

How do you make a living as a typewriter poet? For Grace, it starts with three words and a piece of paper.

[Post 1003] How China’s Humanoid Robots May Replace Its Shrinking Labour Force


Summary

China already leads the world in industrial robots, accounting for 52% of all new robots installed in 2022. Now, the focus is on humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These robots look and move like humans; and are capable of doing tasks just like us - or even better. 

Why is China betting big on robots? President Xi Jinping wants to boost the economy by focusing on new quality productive forces, which includes robotics, flying electric vehicles and biotech. With China’s shrinking labour force, could robots be the answer for future economic growth?

Friday, 31 January 2025

[Post 1002] Iconic Singapore Movies That Captured & Shaped Our Culture | On the Red Dot | 1-Hour Special


Summary

The Singaporean identity is ever-evolving, reflecting a nation's quest for pride and purpose. Films serve as a lens for self-reflection, sharing stories that define who we are and the society we live in. 

12 Storeys explores loneliness, alienation, and societal pressures within an HDB block, while Mee Pok Man depicts a hawker's unfulfilled love, symbolising the struggles of those overlooked by progress. Money No Enough and I Not Stupid offer humorous yet poignant insights into societal issues, from financial struggles, societal expectations to the education system’s impact on students and families. Ilo Ilo captures the bond between a family and their domestic helper during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. A Yellow Bird delves into loss and tradition, while Sayang Disayang celebrates the connection between a caregiver and her elderly charge. 

These diverse films capture the essence of Singaporean life, providing a deeper understanding of who we are as a nation.

Thursday, 30 January 2025

[Post 1002] How I'm Monetising My Backyard By Building A Granny Flat And Renting It Out | Money Mind | Rental


Summary

Can you make money out of your backyard, by constructing a granny flat? Sydney resident Charles Pillay goes through the sums.

Wednesday, 29 January 2025

[Post 1001] How Calm’s Founders Turned Rejection Into A $2 Billion Business


Summary

Michael Acton Smith and Alex Tew founded Calm, an app that offers mental health resources like guided meditations, sleep stories and mindful movement exercises. Today, the app has a valuation of $2 billion and has been downloaded 150 million times.

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

[Post 999] Nissan Is Fighting To Survive But Its Future Looks Grim


Summary

Nissan’s pending merger talks with its archrival Honda may give be its best shot at surviving. The third largest Japanese automaker by volume is struggling in multiple regions around the world, including the US and China. Cheaper, fresher alternatives are pushing it out of developing markets, while US dealerships day they are plagued with stale product and troubles around service and counterproductive sales incentives. Merging with Honda would create the third largest automaker in the world and give the combined company US market share comparable to Toyota and the Hyundai Motor Group.