Re-Insurance

In my novel, economic and social collapse starts with the re-insurance industry. At some point it can't manage the actuarials, can't financialize the risk of climate chaos. So it is interesting to read this small article in the Times: "Since the beginning of the year, insurance companies have paid out $40 billion to U.S. customers, putting them on track for another record in yearly losses. At every level, the costs of guarding against risk are rising and everyone, from the leaders of large companies to the owners of homes and small businesses, is feeling the squeeze." With this latest hurricane costing billions in Florida, insurers are freaking out: "Florida’s woes reflect a nationwide problem, one that is expected to intensify as climate change unleashes more extreme weather events. The Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group, estimates that property and casualty insurers in the state have had cumulative underwriting losses of more than $1 billion for the last three years." The beginning of the end. If it can't be insured, no one is going to want it.

America's Mayor

The reporter in the NYTimes is repeating this trope that Rudy Guliani "reassured" America after 9/11. What can that possibly mean? Reassured us about what? They want to remember this scumbag grifter as America's spiritual leader in a time of crisis, as Time magazine's "Man of the Year", but why? The popular narrative is one of tragic transformation, from greatness to dirtbag.How sad, blah blah. Expect to see him checking in for re-hab in his minimum security facility, then writing a book about his fall from grace. In other words, America. The totally obvious thing Rudy somehow failed to recognize, is that he and Trump operate in totally fifferent spheres. Just because Trump can say anything, can make any claim no matter how insane, as a comedian he can lie to his heart's content and get nothing but adoration from his fans. Rudy has no shield. When he lies, he is accountable. And he's not funny, I mean the hair dye running down his face, the Four Seasons Landscaping, sure, it's funny, but it's pathetic funny, absurd funny. What's really sad is the total lack of originality. He is the stereotype of corrupt man. If I can make it in NY I can make it anywhere. Good riddance.

Cruisin Through the Catastrophe

A NYTimes opinion piece by Ezra Dyer says Americans, skewing more to the rightwing, are enjoing a post-covid surge in cruise ship vacations. The newest ship being built holds eight thousand people. Depressed yet? The article also mentions the fact Americans are poised to drive a record 3.2 trillion (with a T) cumulative miles this year. These stats tell us a lot. If you were looking to do some diving in the coral reefs on your trip you might demand a refund. From the NYTimes: “It just felt like, ‘Oh my God, we’re in the apocalypse,’” she said. “What’s happening?” With climate change ravaging Florida’s beloved reef, people who’ve devoted their careers to restoring coral in the sea are now racing to get it out of the water, to tanks on land. They’re pushing through feelings of grief and fear over the future to save what genetic material and young corals they can. But in the background, an existential question looms: How can they restore reefs if the ocean is getting too hot for coral to live there?" The smart capitalist doesn't worry about "restoring reefs", they come up with some waterproof paint and re-color the dead coral. Who'll know? You could always cruise up north to view the glaciers calving, before they have totally melted. Special rates apply.