The World
Globe /
(Oct) Osmo has developed a molecular ‘odor map’ to digitize and transport smell.
(Nov) Lymphatic-venous anastomosis drains abnormal proteins form the brain, and prove to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
(Dec) University of Bristol creates a battery with a 5,000 year lifespan by encasing radioactive carbon-14 in a diamond.
Europe /
(Oct) Russian support from North Korean troops and Iran drones, draws in South Korea and Israel to Ukraine.
(Nov) U.S. & U.K. approve Ukraine’s use of their long-range weapons in Russia, and Putin retaliates with ballistic missiles.
(Nov) Denmark links Chinese vessel ‘Yi Peng 3’ to the sabotage of two underwater information cables in Baltic Sea.
(Dec) Georgian and Romanian elections challenged due to Russian interference, with protests and opposition calling foul.
Asia /
(Oct) Chinese-India relations thaw as Modi-Xi settle border disputes, signaling future economic opportunity.
(Nov) Japan’s discovery of manganese nodules on the sea floor reveals $26B worth of cobalt and nickel.
(Dec) South Korean Opposition targets impeachment, as people challenge President Yoon mis-use of Martial law
(Dec) China releases footage of Generation 6 heavy stealth jet signaling global leadership in military tech.
North America /
(Oct) Cuba’s power grid has failed due fuel supply disruptions from Venezuela and aged oil-fired plant technology.
(Dec) President-Elect Trump looks to inherit a strong American economy surpassing a soft landing, and inflation at 2.7%.
(Dec) Canada’s Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, steps down amid waning trust in Trudeau’s ability to handle Trump.
Central & South America /
(Oct) El Salvador President Bukele dismantles Barrio 18 and MS-13 gang presence with prominent police measures.
(Nov) Milei has revolutionized Argentina by focusing on microeconomics, institutional reform, and cutting out middlemen.
(Nov) Uruguay’s new President Yamandú Orsi from Broad Front Alliance reveals a break in 5 years of conservatism.
Africa & the Middle East /
(Oct) The Sahara Desert has flooded in Morocco, yet previously in the grips of a 40-year drought.
(Nov) Snow fell and landed in Saudi Arabian desert for the first time in recorded history.
(Dec) The Assad regime was toppled by rebels, as Iranian and Russian support waned to hold back the rebels.
Politics & Religion
A Libertarian dream or a Republican nightmare.
Donald Trump’s re-election presents a fascinating chapter in the democratic republic that is America.
Trump enters 2025 with a strong economy left by Biden, inflation at 2.7% and a performing stock market. By winning the popular vote, Trump is given a mandate to roll out campaign promises, and he is supported by a Republican controlled House, Senate, and some may say the Supreme Court.
The platforms and rally messages were clear, but many wonder if some themes were just rhetoric or if they will become formed policy. Based on his previous term Trump did manage to accomplish more than half of his objectives, and without much pushback what can we expect from his next term.
1. Apply 20% tariffs on imports (up to 60% on Chinese imports) to generate Government revenue.
2. Renegotiate the USMCA, ensuring Mexico does not front Chinese goods, and target Mexican cartels.
3. Extend TCJA Tax Cuts and drop corporate taxes to 15%, down from 21%.
4. Undersee peace negotiations in Middle East and Eastern Europe to prevent World War III
5. Placing Executive controls on monetary policy currently managed by Federal Reserve
6. Arrange Deportation of millions(+) of Illegal Migrants, Immigrant Criminals, and Pro-Hamas “radicals”.
7. Re-locate Federal Agencies throughout the U.S. and not to be siloed in Washington, D.C.
8. Close Department of Education returning control to the States, while pushing for ‘universal school choice’
Remove Critical Race Theory, Gender Studies, and Political Content in Schools.
9. Appoint Vivek Ramaswamy to new minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
To address $2T in waste, fraud, abuse and fire unnecessary roles from the largest U.S. employer.
10. Appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge Department of Health and Human Services
Decoupling Big Pharma and Agra’s influence over FDA (e.g. remove carcinogenic dyes from food)
11. End Inflation (although this has been completed) - October 2024 rate is 2.6%
12. World’s Largest Oil Producer (although this has been completed) – in 2024 U.S led with 14B /day
13. Keep the U.S Dollar as the World’s Reserve Currency (although this has been completed)
See BRICS session in Kazan, Russia where U.S. Dollar was used as hard currency by all foreigner’s.
Our Postion
From an investment standpoint, we are bullish on Crypto (1-2 years), bullish on gold (4-8 years), and divest out of the S&P, DOW, and NASDAQ.
Deregulation of the financial system will have medium term impact on stock market and banking institutions, while political oversight of the Fed will drive the U.S. currency evaluation down.
Forecast
Trends and Predictions ‘25
In 2015, Fast Company predicted that by 2025 Solar would dominate the energy sector, Dementia and Type 1 Diabetes will be in decline, and small electric aircraft will taxi people around. Yet missed the introduction of AI and Space Exploration developments with James Webb Space Telescope. Often fortune cookie predictions 10-years in advance are a mix of current R&D expenditures with Sci-Fi fantasy. So, with that in mind, here are our predictions for 2025.
Business & Technology
I. Cross Industry Intersections breeding new innovations and solutions, like Big Pharma manufacturing in Space.
II. AR spatial-computing open the beta-tested Metaverse to Gen-Z, as Social Media giants like X and TikTok sunset.
III. Cybersecurity, another YoY trend, as new Quantum Computing tech threatens personal and corporate information.
IV. AI Robotic tools enter manufacturing space and the personal spaces for the select few.
V. NVIDIA’s $249 Jetson Orin Nano Supernew empowers hobbyists and a million new small business enterprises.
Geopolitcal & Cultural
I. Nationalism-first policy gain traction in all world corners, worker counter-cultural rallies against billionaire elites.
II. Fashion moves too fast for retailers to adapt, style is truly personalized outside ‘fad’ based sub-cultures.
III. GLP-1s retains dominance in weight loss, and regenerative aesthetics use stem cells to redefine cosmetic surgery.
IV. Katt Williams is first ambassador to communicate with complex intelligent life on behalf of the public.
V. Sales of physical media rises as the youth become disenfranchised with subscription services.
As many felt lost in 2024, there is a surveyed optimism leading into 2025, despite the challenges lying ahead in geo-politics and re-organization of trade, technological threats to worker security, and an unpredictable changing of the U.S. guard.
Business
The cracks open light for new leaders
As Brazil struggles, Russia retreats, India second-guesses, China stumbled, and South Africa decays, BRICS has lost its sheen. When the group met in Kazan, Russia they proposed designs for a new hard currency backed by the group, yet in the preparation material to visiting guests they suggested bringing U.S. dollars for trade while in Russia for the event.
If the BRICS moniker arose from a Goldman Sachs investment fund, what upcoming countries could become the next BRICS?
Our team is keen on these five countries to develop in this post-New World Order (MAGVN)
Mexico – despite threats from the Trump organization, they are poised for manufacturing growth to support all of North America.
Argentina – As Javier Miliel swoops in with a strong Libertarian sword, citizens are in a position to grow and succeed in a very fertile and well positioned country to support South America.
Guyana – with Oil riches discovered in the Atlantic, they may become Europe’s energy provider in the next 10 years.
Vietnam – despite government corruption, the business community in Vietnam has poised itself to support the global south’s manufacturing needs – if China can’t meet demand.
Nigeria – with the majority of its population being 15-30 years, and a strong energy sector they are wild card for opportunity across all industries.
Gold – grew 26% in 2024, but not likely to continue at that pace in 2025 as a strong U.S. dollar and slowing of interest rate cuts.
Oil – Despite OPEC+ cuts, Nigeria looks to expand production which may overshadow demand in 2025.
Crypto – Bitcoin hit $107,554 on December 16th, as expectations to a friendly U.S. to the Crypto Market looks set for 2025.
Academia & Theory
‘Them Apples’
Last year, Terrence Howard spoke out about a series of his patents challenging the traditional view of modern geometry and basic arithmetic. Despite his limits to broadening our worldview of algebraic equations, he did help expose limitations in modern Academia’s openness to new ideas. Many look at the University systems as dogmatic, and less in search of the truth and more in search of grant money
Within the fields of Mathematics there still are valid searches for the new, challenges to prove or even disprove 7 recognized conundrums that the scientific advisory board of Clay Mathematics’ Institute have dubbed the the Millennium Prize Problems. The reward to solving one is not just recognition and $1M dollars but opportunity to push humanity forward.
Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture – Proposed in 1965
Algebraic solutions of an abelian variety should result in rational numbers. However, on an elliptic curve over a number field the behaviour acts different within the Hasse–Weil L-function. The goal is to reconcile, if ζ(1) is equal to 0, the results are infinite, and conversely, if ζ(1) is not equal to 0, then a finite number?
Throughout the 20th century, mathematicians were obsessed with 3D topological mapping of objects with algebraic solution sets. As the equations grew into higher dimensions, and the proof asks if we can leverage projective algebraic varieties for generalized insights.
Hodge Conjecture – Proposed in 1950
·
Two mathematicians develop partial differential equations to express the momentum of Newtonian fluids using the conservation of mass. Modeling of viscous flow predictions can lay designs for the weather, ocean currents, air flow around a wing. Yet in a purely mathematical sense, can a proof be set to confirm smooth solutions exist in 3 dimensions.
Navier-Stokes Equation – Proposed 1942-1850
P vs NP (Polynomnial Time v Non-Deterministic Polynomial Time) - Proposed in 1971
Computer scientists struggle to classify programs into simple sets (P) versus complex sets (NP), to best determine computation time to complete a task. Now, if one has the answers to complex problems, like a completed Soduku grid, the speed to validating the problem is quick. Could all complex problems be solved and classified as a P set, or do most problems, programs, and games fall under the NP set?
Riemann Hypothesis – Proposed in 1859
The Reimann Zeta function addresses real numbers greater then 1 that generate a convergent series with a limit. Reimann extends a Cartesian plane to allow for an introduction of imaginary numbers, which create a divergent series. However, the question asks when would the zeta function definitively equal 0?
More specific, prove that the ½ line is the critical line, or even that there is no critical line.
Yang-Mills & The Mass Gap - Proposed in 1975
Grounded in contemporary physics, the theory explores quantum field theory within a vaccuum to build a mass scale for a non-abelian group with various energy states. The challenge is to prove the subnuclear particles, Gluons, exists in a state with a lower mass and cannot be arbitrarily light.
Poincaré Conjecture - Proposed in 1904, and since proved to be solved in 2006
Poincaré asked if three dimensional space retains the properties of simply connectivity found in two dimensional space.
Grigoriy (Grisha) Perelman proved the problem through Hamilton’s theory of Ricci flow that every three manifold (within 3D space) is built without curvature assumptions, using one of eight standardized geometries.
Mathematics, might be the main universal language that bridges people from all nations, or for some could be considered a religion. The route to accessing God.
Masterscape
The Way of Art
The practice is often applied to Shodō書道 (calligraphy) or Sadō 茶道 (tea ceremonies) but applies to almost any practice requiring a skilled hand. The geidō way does not focus on the end product of the art, but studies the etiquette, the ethics, and the path to get there.
To best understand geidō, it helps to root it within the frame of the Japanese culture; the importance of duty in every role, not taking short cuts, and the respect of one’s bow to their community.
From this vantage point, if you are inclined to devote yourself to a craft, or any practice, then here are some guiding principles to help you reach fulfillment.
Stages of Mastery
I. Commit to the Craft (Determination)
At the onset of any new game, activity, or responsibility is expected to be hard. By embracing the difficulties, you will tone your senses and learn your way. The earliest stages can take years to acknowledge the prescribed motions, the Kata, of the art form.
II. Mimicry of a Master in that Craft (Humility)
A student must be humble enough to respect their craft and be introduced to its secrets through the skills of their chosen Iemoto 家元(master). The experience shall challenge the student to forgo ego and open themselves to heartfelt critique of technique.
III. Expression of that Craft (Courage)
As a seasoned expert, identifying themselves with the way of their craft, the motions of technique become mindlessness. In this phase, one can allow themselves to embrace their expression of the craft, and in Japanese tradition this would consider the wabi 侘 (calmness), sabi 寂(simplicity), and Yūgen 幽玄(mysterious or profound grace) of your expression.
“As he caught his footing, his head fell back, and the Milky Way flowed down inside him with a roar.”
Yasunari Kawabata, 雪国 (Snow Country)
Derived from thousands of years of tradition, the appreciation for the creation and experience of art resulted in its own defined way. The path demands as much of the craftsperson’s humility as it does their talent; to become an artisan you must respect the nature of the art.
