ALL THINGS BIG AND SMALL 2.0

  Color is the language of light. What we perceive as color happens when light hits an object, certain wavelengths are absorbed, and others are reflected or transmitted to our eyes. The retina’s cone cells respond to these wavelengths, and our brains translate that signal into the experience of “red,” “blue,” “green,” and everything in between. This interplay of physics and perception explains why lighting, materials, and context can dramatically change how a color looks—even when its underlying digital value is the same. Colors are omnipresent in our lives and shape our emotions, choices, and memories. Brands anchor identities to precise hues, filmmakers guide mood with color palettes, and user interfaces rely on contrast and harmony for readability and delight. Whether you’re selecting paint for a room, developing a product, or designing a website, thoughtfully choosing and matching colors is both a creative and technical craft. Because color is both measurable and perceptual...

  The JPY has been uncharacteristically volatile. The chart above shows JPY-USD daily Close from Jan 2025. It has been plotted in different colors at different points in time after clustering by K-Means Clustering. The dashed lines are the Support and Resistance levels as calculated by proximity to cluster centers. Note that the width of dashed lines from each other varies. And note that the widest dashed lines lie between 156.13 and 150.13. We shall come back to this point later when we provide the instructions for trading  trading  But first, visualize JPY-USD  recent volatility in the  monthly chart from 2015  below; and see that it is now at the highest level of volatility, as can be seen by the number of peaks and troughs.  How to use the Support and Resistance levels in trades. See the instructions below the chart. The Green arrows means a Buy point and the Red arrows a Sell point.  For each trade, a stop-loss and take-profit level is set to...

  Many Economists see a period of both Inflation as well as Recession for the US economy in the months ahead- two scenarios at opposite ends of the spectrum of possibilities for an economy. This is a situation which they call Stagflation- a stagnant but also inflationary economy.  In this post we explain why, how Stagflation happens and the sequence of events. The flow chart above together with the notes below explains how the US Administration’s trade war tariffs can lead to stagflation:  • The process starts at the top with the implementation of high tariffs (Tariff Policy). • This leads to higher import costs, which in turn causes higher prices for goods—resulting in inflation. • As prices rise, consumers cut back on spending, which reduces corporate earnings. • Lower earnings force companies to lay off workers, increasing unemployment. • The combination of reduced spending and higher unemployment leads to a recession or stagnation. • At the bottom, ...

 TRUMP’S TARIFFS ON CHINA MAY EVEN INCREASE US-CN TRADE DEFICIT The US has always had a big trade deficit with China. The 10-year chart below shows the wide gap between US Exports to China (Blue line)  and US Imports from China (Orange line). The reasons 1. The strong seasonal/cyclical character of US Imports from China which were obtained  by decomposing data into trend, seasonal/cyclical and residual components  (Orange line in chart below) indicates that these are intermediate goods that are the input for US manufacturing and demand and correlates with their inventory cycles. The US cannot do without such inputs for their manufacturing because Chinese goods are much cheap and of high quality. Chart below shows the strong seasonal/cyclical nature of US imports from China (Orange line). US Imports from China show a seasonality strength of 0.37 versus 0.26 for Exports to China.  2. Frankly, Chinese consumers and manufacturers  don’t want US goods...

Data is for 2023 from the CIA Factbook, an interesting website to read https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ Introduction to Fuzzy Logic Fuzzy Logic algorithms are a way of looking at the world, not in black and white but shades of grey with black and white at the extremes (like “Fifty Shades of Grey “ the movie.) Japanese consumer electronic appliances have been using Fuzzy Logic for decades. Examples: • Washing Machines: Japanese washing machines use fuzzy logic to sense the load size, fabric type, and dirtiness of clothes. The machine then adjusts the water level, wash time, and detergent amount for optimal cleaning. • Rice Cookers: Fuzzy logic rice cookers monitor temperature and moisture, adjusting cooking time and heat to produce perfect rice regardless of the amount or type. • Air Conditioners: Fuzzy logic air conditioners sense room temperature, humidity, and even the number of people in the room, then adjust cooling power smoothly for comfort and energy efficiency. • ...

  In the Table above, IR stands for the interest rate of the country as set by Central Bank or Monetary Authority. The Table shows that SGD is not either significantly over or undervalued, and the Governments 'control' of the SGD is just about right. The currency to watch out for is the JPY. Japan's current economy is fragile. With a Debt/GDP ratio of 260%, rising inflation and the impact of Trump's trade tariffs on Jaoanese automobiles and steel yet to be felt, we may see the Yen extend its downard trend.  Add to that, yesterday's Upper House elections in which Ishiba's LDP coalistion performed badly, we may see the conservative, nationalistic and right-wing faction of Japanese politics extend its influence  on foreign and domestic policies and create an environment of insatbility-all to the detriment of the JPY. The SGD/JPY chart below shows that JPY may cross below its 10-year low. Calculating the intrinsic value of a currency is complex because currencies ar...

  Scientific Name and Physical Description Colugos belong to the order Dermoptera and are divided into two species: the Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) and the Philippine colugo (Cynocephalus volans). These arboreal mammals are medium-sized, with a body length of about 35–40 cm (14–16 inches) and a weight of 1–2 kg (2–4 pounds). Their most striking feature is the expansive membrane of skin, known as the patagium, which stretches from their neck to the tips of their fingers, toes, and tail. This web-like structure allows them to glide effortlessly between trees, covering distances of up to 100 meters (328 feet) in a single leap. Colugos have large, forward-facing eyes that provide excellent night vision, as they are primarily nocturnal. Their fur is soft and mottled, providing effective camouflage against tree bark. Despite their resemblance to flying squirrels, colugos are not rodents but belong to their own distinct order. Geographical Range and Habitat Colugos are native to...