WHO AM "I"?

I have been thinking about this question for a while now, and was surprised to come across an interesting webpage on this topic.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-manyworlds/#2.1

As a reflection exercise, I have put forth this section to understand more about me and my thinking process -

1. Who am "I"?

First of, I would like to let everyone who got to read my articles know that whatever I have shared is one perspective, but to support this perspective, I have included extensive assimilation of data from various sources, and have analyzed data from various areas to draw conclusions. In spite of the fact that I have stated this repeatedly in several of the articles, if any of this work or anything that I said had negatively impacted you, please bear with me and please remember the forgetting curve theory.

Coming to the question, who am I, over the years, I was keen to become something or the other, but when I reflected on what I really wanted to become, I realized that whatever that I was keen to become was going to be a by-product of what I really am. This by-product may or may not happen at the end, but who I really am can be retained.

2. Who I really am?

I realized that I am a simple individual who enjoyed leading small and large teams revolving around innovative products, optimizing processes and marketing strategies. I also focus on details looking at data of various types from different angles not limiting to mathematics, science, engineering, business, religion, spirituality, philosophy, psychology, mythology and so on, and use this information to determine nature of problems possible, causes for those problems (if any), and address those problems with solutions, which can be either short-term or long-term or both. I also started understanding that history can help us provide valuable clues, which when applied can reduce the odds of distasteful events happening again in the same or different form. I also liked to observe the real world happenings, and always gave myself time for it.

3. If we are going to rely on history and our forefathers, are n't we supposed to change?

No. Change is inevitable. But, there are certain areas especially, pertaining to family values that can be retained. At the same time, changes are prone to happen. If it does happen, the society either on its own or through appropriate actions should change in order to adapt to these changes. For that matter, both of my parents believed that my sister should qualify herself in the same way as her brothers did, and supported her completely on that front. After completing her PhD, she has been in the corporate world for almost a decade now. Same applies for my wife.

4. What do I mean by reducing differences?

It is as simple as being open-minded to others' views. I am not suggesting that we all should become a homogeneous society. Instead, we are willing to accept our differences.

5. How to solve problems?

It depends on the nature of problems.

For the type of problems that I had shared in my articles here, I have combined top-down approach based on macroeconomics combined with bottom-up approach observing the individuals in the society through religion, spirituality, social science, psychology, philosophy etc first to understand the problem and later to offer solutions. Technological innovation and data played an instrumental role to bridge these two approaches together.

6. What am I saying in all these analyses? Are we going through a spiral doom?

No. But, mistrust, lack of stability, clash of egos and inefficiencies in the global system starting from individuals has created systemic issues across the globe, which needs to be addressed soon.

7. Are we addressing those issues?

I think yes.

8. How do I know?

a. I received a letter (supposedly randomly selected) from secretary of state to verify whether I am meeting the compliance requirements for liability insurance. This process is one of the suggested ones when it comes to quality requirements.

b. I am seeing more consumers in the stores, which hopefully, will equate to increase in consumer demand.

c. I also noticed an elderly woman helping a gen-y learn how to manage finances.

d. I saw a young couple taking the time to look out for others.

e. It also appears that real wages are expected to increase this year.

f. Congress & President also started discussing those problems openly.

and so on

9. Where are we with these changes?

With increase in consumer confidence through stability, & reducing mistrust, we should see liquidity in the marketplace. Moreover, if governmental actions across the globe addresses the wealth gap bringing it down to 75/25 or 80/20 through appropriate policies, we should see sufficient liquidity across the globe.

With this increase in consumer confidence and demand, which along with combating oil price war (between oil companies and Saudi Arabia) should help in the early phases of reenergizing the growth.

The next step in the process would be to address the immigration policies across the globe. Swift action on that front starting from US would help in bringing new consumers who are in the shadows to the forefront, and help in further increasing the consumer demand.

Countries such as China have also accepted structural issues, which forms the first part in confronting the problem. India is also spending on Infrastructure and so on.

10. What would be the next few steps in the process?

Greek debt crisis, Russian sanctions, and Russian-Ukraine crisis

These three areas should be addressed soon.

11. What else could be done to improve the global system?

a. It is important to reconsider whether we will have economic balance with 500 MNEs accounting for 50% of the world trade. If the answer is no, companies should consider spinning off non-strategic units in the coming years. By taking this strategy, we might be able to reduce systemic risk and also increase number of jobs.

b. In US, Congress has hinted on Infrastructure bill. This infrastructure bill can be turned into a public/private partnership. This partnership could include DOTs, Universities, auto companies and heavy engineering companies such as, Boeing, LMT, NOC and so on. In this way, companies such as Boeing can diversify their area of focus in the coming years.

12. Would n't increase in consumer demand along with increase in population create additional environmental issue?

Potentially, yes. Hence, while the above changes are happening, we need to address this issue as well at the same time.

13. What are the steps that can be taken?

Two specific areas to start with:

a. Size of the houses in US have doubled over the last thirty/forty years, but size of the families halved. We need to look in developing energy efficient compact houses meeting family needs.

b. Improving transportation systems of three types namely, local roads, connected interstate networks and connected intrastate networks.

14. What is the next step for me?

Looking into potential new opportunities and to capitalize on this content.