Philosophical Positions

Remote Work, Europe's Economy, and Wine

We live in a Remote Work world now, like it or not. At my companies we love it. It open us up to a talent pool that we simply would never find in my hometown. Fully 80% of my workforce is Remote, both from the US and internationally. It’s a new world though and so I look for resources to help me manage mindset and performance with my remote team.

The Remote Scaling Lifestyle newsletter has been an unlock on how to grow the business while helping your people to craft a life they love. Trevor the author has the best insights, tools, and resources for fellow entrepreneurs. Check him out!

“You are not just a drop in the ocean.

You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

—Rumi

The greater Eurozone economy breaks down like this: Germans make stuff. French consume stuff. English finance stuff. The other countries do little parts of all of that, but nothing as material in concentration. When one of these gets out of whack, watch out … when two of them do, oh man.

Obviously post-Brexit, capital flows from London to the Continent are different. In other words, the English still finance stuff, but it takes longer and costs more. Europe has reacted and priced this in and it’s been good. Now though ….

Germany isn’t making stuff as much. In fact, industrial production has been on a bit of a bumpy ride lately, with the numbers showing a steady decline over the past few years. The chart looks like a rollercoaster, especially around 2020 when the pandemic hit. While there have been a few ups, the overall trend is down, which isn't great news for a country known for its strong manufacturing sector. This slump raises questions about what's going on behind the scenes—is it global market changes, new technologies, or something else entirely?

The ups and downs in Germany's manufacturing might seem like a local issue, but it actually matters a lot to the rest of Europe. Germany is often called the economic powerhouse of the continent, so when its industry struggles, it can cause a ripple effect across European economies. Recently, there's been a slight recovery, but it's still not clear if this is a real comeback or just a temporary blip in a longer downward trend.

So, what does all this mean for Europe and the world? That's the big question. If Germany can't turn things around, it could spell trouble for global trade and economies that rely on German products and technology. It's like watching a soap opera unfold, and we're all left wondering how this story will end. Will Germany bounce back and continue to be Europe's industrial hero, or are we witnessing the beginning of a bigger shift in the global economy?

“Shitty people do shitty things to you because they feel shitty about themselves.”

—Caolite

Get ready for a wine revelation that could transform your tasting experience! Researchers from the UC-Davis (“Wine U"“), have identified a new group of compounds in grapes called "anthocyanin acetates." These compounds are thought to enhance the aroma and deepen the color of red wines, potentially offering a more vibrant and aromatic glass of your favorite vintage .

Traditionally, anthocyanins have been celebrated for their role in giving wines their rich colors. However, these newly discovered acetates might be more stable, ensuring that wines not only maintain their hue longer but also age more gracefully. According to the study, these compounds interact uniquely with other flavor elements, enriching the wine's taste profile in surprising ways .

For wine enthusiasts, this means we might soon see wines with more pronounced and diverse flavors, making your tasting experience even more delightful. This discovery opens the door to a broader spectrum of wines, each offering unique and enhanced sensory experiences. So, next time you're browsing the wine aisle, look out for mentions of these innovative findings—your palate might just thank you! Cheers to the fascinating science that continues to evolve our appreciation of wine .