(The less benign among us, express conspiracy theories – or commit cybercrimes, “now more profitable than the drug trade”.)
News blues…
World Emoji Day led me to research computer use worldwide … and that led to fascinating stats and fun facts. |
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- 2 billion computers, including servers, desktops, and laptops
- 5 billion smartphones
- 1 billion tablets (any brand and size, excluding smartphones).
Fun fact: It took more than 200,000 years of human history for the world's population to reach 1 billion, and only 200 years more to reach 7 billion.)
Surprising fun fact: Africa hosts more Internet users than North America: 11.5 percent compared to 7.6 percent for US and Canada combined. Asia has more than 50 percent of the world’s Internet users.
Fun fact: In 2019, the average selling price of personal computers was US$632/ ZAR10,428 to US$733/ ZAR12,0950.
Affordability
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Average salaries in South Africa.
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An FYI on income-related definitions in US (using the current rate of exchange of approximately US$1.00 = ZAR16.50.)
Having lived in California for two thirds of my life I understand how the relative ease of American life can lull one into complacency. One may, for example, disagree or out of sync with The System – mainstream politics, philosophy and worldview (capitalism and exceptionalism, The American Dream, etc.) – yet create a comfortable, materially sufficient life.
Much of what goes on in the urban US is, however, based upon income, and in which region or state one resides.
Income-related terms and definitions:
Lower-middle class: A family earning between $30,000 and $50,000 per year.
Middle-class: A family earning between $50,000 and $100,000 per year.
Upper-middle class: a three-person family with an annual income between $100,000 and $350,000.
“Rich”: earning more than $350,000 per year.
One half, 49.98 percent, of all income in the US is earned by households with an income over $100,000.
Before the pandemic, the US average income was $53,482/year; the annual median personal income, $31,099/year.
Regional location affects material wealth, too. For example, homes in Houston, Texas are more affordable per square foot than homes in San Francisco; one can buy twice as much house in Houston.
In practice, a family of two adults and two children in San Francisco needs to earn $148,440/year, or $12,370/month, to purchase a home and live “comfortably.” (“Comfortably” is a malleable term. I live “comfortably” on a 36-foot houseboat and earn way less $12,370/month.)
The hourly income you need to afford rent around the US.
Food for thought
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Source: World Bank and IMF
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According to data from the World Bank and IMF, Asian countries are expected to make up most of the top 5 countries in the world by size of GDP in 2024, relegating European economic powerhouses to lower ranks.
China's economic growth has been steep since the 1990s, while India and Indonesia have even more recently entered the top 10 of the biggest economies in the world and are expected to reach ranks 3 and 5 by 2024. Japan, an established economy, is expected to cling on to rank 4 in 2024, while Russia will rise to rank 6.
Asia’s burgeoning middle class is one of the reasons for the continental shift in GDP. While China has been the posterchild of market growth in the 21st century so far, the country is expected to tackle an ageing population further down the line, which will put a damper on consumption. Indonesia, together with the Philippines and Malaysia, are expected to grow their labor forces significantly in the years to come, contributing to a rise in average disposable incomes, according to the World Economic Forum.
***
Ready for a change of pace?The Lincoln Project: Where we read excerpts from our favorite book: Mary Trump's Too Much and Never Enough.
Story hour, Episode 1 (1:30 mins)
Story hour, Episode 2 (1:30 mins)
Mary Trump’s tell-all book had sold a staggering 950,000 copies by the end of its first day on sale, publisher Simon & Schuster said Thursday. This includes pre-sales, as well as e-books and audiobooks, is a new record for Simon & Schuster.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I stumbled upon World Emoji Day while seeking offbeat emojis to txt/sms an American friend who loathes emojis.He's a talented photographer so perhaps emojis offend his photographic gifts/ talents?
As a ceramic sculptor, I find emojis “fun” and, more importantly, expressive. Perhaps I’m not talented enough as a sculptor to know any better?
At any rate, locked down in SA while he’s staying-at-home in New Mexico, we’re developing another facet to our friendship: emoji bugging.
I bug him by emphasizing emojis in my txts/sms and he responds in unexpected – usually humorous – ways.
During a pandemic, it’s the little things that make the heart grow fonder.
I talk almost every day to another close American friend, a professorial-type and masterful “mansplainer.”
Mansplaining defined: the explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing. Sarah Cooper demos (3:00 mins)
My friend’s mansplaining is not meant as condescending or patronizing. Indeed, he’s one of the most “feminist” men I know. Moreover, as one of two adored sons in a family that prized and praised intellect, he grew up with regular parental pats on the head for demonstrating his intellectual prowess.
Yet, he does not understand how his over-detailed explanations could be perceived as mansplaining.
Ironically, he’s explained to me how he is not mansplaining.
Then I wised up.
In the past, when he’d talk over me, I’d respond by rolling my eyes, shutting my mouth, and – like a good girl – let him finish what he was saying.
Now, when he talks over me, rather than cramping my innards with stress, griping, or feeling annoyed, I talk… and talk… and talk – right over him.
The challenge? It takes a long time for him to hear me.
I must either repeat what I’m saying (I find that boring) or make up words associated with what I’m saying and blab, blab, blab - until he “hears” me.
It works.
No one feels chastised or diminished.
And I get to finish a sentence.
I recommend it.
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