Monday, March 18, 2013

Oddly Relevant Mar-19-2013


It’s “organized chaos” in building DC’s Obamacare exchange: according to the Exchange’s Executive Director Mila Kofman. They have to ensure to sign on enough carriers and plans, do extensive testing to ensure connectivity to the national data hub, conduct calls every 2 weeks, and, of course, set up all the infrastructure by Jan 1 2014 to be open for business. [Note: I could only imagine how busy it’d be for a bigger state. What if the government only serves the stick but fails to serve the carrot? Probably benefit private exchanges that can sell subsidized plans]…Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/03/18/whats-it-like-building-d-c-s-obamacare-exchange-organized-chaos/

Lego to build its 1st factory in Asia: opens in 2017 and only supplies parts to Asia to meet 70-80% of total regional demand. The firm’s sales almost tripled since 2007 and has about 71% profit margin at $1 bn net profit. [Note: A phenomenal company, seriously, why can’t it be public?]…Source: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/56b26c7c-8fdb-11e2-9239-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Nx9rzep9

China’s hidden democratization: the progress is clear, firs the privatization and the transfer of economic power from state to people throughout 1980-1990s, then the enactment of Administrative Litigation Law in 1990, after that the bankruptcy law in 2006 (that took 12 years), now a more relaxed countryside-city boundary. As more and more basic economic rights are offered, these incremental changes will slowly drive the country’s gradual democratization. [Note: Ditto, I think that’s exactly the leaders’ plan]…Source: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-inevitable-reform-of-chinese-political-institutions-by-jun-zhang-and-gary-h--jefferson

Learn-to-code Boot Camp tuition payable upon job offer: 9-week, 90-hours-a-week boot camp; until you get a job, you don’t pay. Typical annual salary goes above $80k. The academy takes 15% of 1st year salary. Admission rate is sub 10% and average applicant age is 28. [Note: I’m really tempted, actually]…Source: http://www.wired.com/business/2013/03/free-learn-to-code-boot-camp/

Andy Kessler speaks of the potential of $1bn challenge: Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals, what of them? Adam wants a real contest with $1bn in the jackpot solving one of these problems, be it a cure to Alzheimers, regenerate spinal cords, or cure obesity—he wants a breakthrough. [Note: Definitely be exciting to read about; think of the brain-power behind all the competitors]…Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323628804578348002211277908.html

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