Really, at the end of time, power will be so consolidated there will be only one world leader1. And the "greater" good of mankind will be the primary focus of that government. When those days come I don't think the free thinkers will find any happiness in saying "I told you say".
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antichrist
7.15.2010
A timber baron
There's something about trees; and something attractive about being able to touch, taste1, and smell my investment. While thinking about non-traditional investments2 the thought of timber came up. Sure sure, the idea of being a baron hearkens to the good ole days of capitalism during the turn of the century. You know, when a couple rich folks controlled huge population sections of our country. They set living standards, manipulated others actions, and even told them how to spend their free time (at a baron owned attraction naturally!). Not a pleasant experience for most in our country; nor one that should be repeated. Indeed, I think capitalism's best years are still ahead of it. A time when it's true vision of free markets, independent people and ideas, will be more fully realized. It will (as things always seem to) come of necessity and not by active choice.
As for the trees, they represent an investment into raw land. Growing trees for a paperless world! I think there will always be some demand for wood, especially slow growing dense wood. Have you seen those Japanese coffee tables? The earth's old growth forests have long since been logged. It saddens me thinking of all the wasteful practices that have led us to this state of affairs. Still it represents a *possible* investment opportunity. A list of reasons for investing include:
1) Good quality hardwood is expensive
2) Timber is a long-term investment (read risk!)
3) Land is a finite resource and *hopefully* will always be > 0
4) Trees don't need constant attention, so this can be a more passive investment
5) Finally, I want to own some land
The reasons not to invest can be just as numerous. Ongoing costs and liabilities of physical ownership, potential disaster risk (disease, drought, storm, fire, etc), and lack of ROI.
So while I am still on the fence (a wooden fence) about investing or not the broader idea of land ownership does spark more ideas than just timber. Anyone wanna buy some rental houses? Beachfront speculation property? How about farmland? All of these have the potential for being a good investment because they could all yield income without losing their principal value.
1. I won't be eating the leaves or bark, but maple syrup is GOOD!
2. Now I sound like a CFP!
As for the trees, they represent an investment into raw land. Growing trees for a paperless world! I think there will always be some demand for wood, especially slow growing dense wood. Have you seen those Japanese coffee tables? The earth's old growth forests have long since been logged. It saddens me thinking of all the wasteful practices that have led us to this state of affairs. Still it represents a *possible* investment opportunity. A list of reasons for investing include:
1) Good quality hardwood is expensive
2) Timber is a long-term investment (read risk!)
3) Land is a finite resource and *hopefully* will always be > 0
4) Trees don't need constant attention, so this can be a more passive investment
5) Finally, I want to own some land
The reasons not to invest can be just as numerous. Ongoing costs and liabilities of physical ownership, potential disaster risk (disease, drought, storm, fire, etc), and lack of ROI.
So while I am still on the fence (a wooden fence) about investing or not the broader idea of land ownership does spark more ideas than just timber. Anyone wanna buy some rental houses? Beachfront speculation property? How about farmland? All of these have the potential for being a good investment because they could all yield income without losing their principal value.
1. I won't be eating the leaves or bark, but maple syrup is GOOD!
2. Now I sound like a CFP!
7.13.2010
Got change for a euro?
Since my last post on speculating the euro's direction, it has taken a huge down and now up swing. As I mentioned I rode the downward trend and have been sitting on the sidelines since watching it regain its strength. I am not sure what the future holds for the euro, which is why I'm sitting on the sidelines. I'm hesitant to go long, but the market action clearly doesn't leave room to short the currency.
The MSM seems to have moved on, and most of the bad news seems priced in paving the way for the bull market to keep on roaring along. It's kind of an eerie midsummer sleep1. I am not enthusiastic about jumping in to any market at this point. Things can turn on you in a hurry.
1. Don't wake the bear!
The MSM seems to have moved on, and most of the bad news seems priced in paving the way for the bull market to keep on roaring along. It's kind of an eerie midsummer sleep1. I am not enthusiastic about jumping in to any market at this point. Things can turn on you in a hurry.
1. Don't wake the bear!
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