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Showing posts with the label Internet

Modern Capitalism

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Introduction Recently, during a dinner conversation, my father mentioned receiving numerous unsolicited phone calls from banks inviting him to invest. I immediately responded that if the world truly offered free money without any work and risk, it would likely be a scam disguised as an investment opportunity, primarily designed to benefit the salesperson. Historically, banks have been trusted institutions where individuals could safely deposit their savings and earn interest. However, in recent years, many banks have increasingly adopted aggressive marketing tactics. For example, after making significant credit card purchases, I frequently receive offers for high-interest loans to repay the debt over several months (e.g. interest rate as high as 7.99% per annum). These practices suggested that some banks have adopted a predatory lending approach, reminiscent of loan sharks, preying on the financial struggles of consumers. This trend is particularly concerning given the rising cost of l...

The Internet's Evolution

Introduction In the early 1990s, the internet's inception promised a realm of boundless knowledge. In its infancy, slow connections did not deter pioneers eager to explore the web, even though loading a webpage often took several minutes. For these early adopters, the internet was a gateway to a vast amount of information. The Rise of Social Media: Connecting People However, the landscape dramatically changed with the rise of social media platforms like Friendster, Facebook, and Instagram. Our online lives became increasingly dominated by curated feeds of friends' activities and shared content. We firmly believed that the internet had brought people closer together, allowing us to stay in touch like never before. But, the internet transformed from a tool for exploration into a platform for superficial connections and, eventually, an arena for idealized life comparisons. We no longer compare ourselves solely to our neighbors but also to people we had never met. The Algorithm...