If All Else Perished
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
World Events — Can Europe Confront Putin on Its Own?
The Economists
In light of Donald Trump's perceived disregard for Europe, as highlighted by Friedrich Merz's concerns about the fate of Europe and a UN Security Council resolution where America sided with Russia, European leaders are grappling with the imperative to bolster their defense capabilities and potentially achieve independence from the United States. Experts, including former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, suggest that it could take a decade for Europe to defend itself without American assistance. This endeavor would require significant increases in defense spending, potentially exceeding 4% of GDP, the formation of around 50 new military brigades, and addressing critical gaps in areas such as munitions stockpiles, electronic warfare, and command and control. Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) emphasizes that Europe's air forces lack sufficient munitions and adequate pilot training for high-intensity aerial warfare, while Matthew Savill, also from RUSI, points out that NATO coordination often relies heavily on American staff officers. Moreover, the potential absence of the American nuclear umbrella raises complex questions about nuclear sharing and deterrence, prompting discussions among European powers, particularly regarding the nuclear capabilities of Britain and France, on how to address this new and dark period for the continent. Bruno Tertrais, a leading thinker on nuclear matters, suggests that Putin might take nuclear threats from Paris or London more seriously than those from Washington, marking a return to Cold War-era concerns for Europe.
Tech — Can Nvidia’s Dominance in the Chip Sector Last
Nvidia's position as the leading provider of AI chips is being scrutinized as the adoption of AI computing faces a less straightforward trajectory than initially anticipated. Despite this, Nvidia remains a key enabler in the AI boom, with substantial revenue and a strong order book for its Hopper and upcoming Blackwell chip lines. The company's success hinges on the profitable application of AI by tech giants and the sustained demand for its high-performance chips. Nvidia's Hopper H100 is currently the primary revenue generator, but the Blackwell range promises even greater performance, utilizing advanced technology to enhance AI training capabilities. While competitors like AMD and Intel are striving to gain ground, and companies like DeepSeek are developing more efficient AI models, Nvidia maintains its advantage through continuous innovation, a comprehensive ecosystem including its CUDA programming language, and the ability to offer cluster systems for bulk deployment of its chips. Despite concerns about the sustainability of AI investments and increasing competition, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang maintains that demand remains high, reinforcing the company's central role in the AI revolution.
Economics — Trump’s Fiercest Opponent: The Bond Market
The Economists
Despite President Trump's desire to lower the yield on ten-year Treasury bonds, influenced by his administration's belief that it serves as a benchmark for various economic activities, the bond market presents a significant challenge to his economic agenda. While the administration aims to influence yields through measures like lowering energy prices and streamlining regulation, the bond market is driven by slow-moving variables such as long-run growth and inflation expectations, the economy's productive potential, and the government's fiscal trajectory. The bond market's potential to check Trump's policies is evident in the scaling back of tax-slashing plans due to concerns about exacerbating America's fiscal problems. Furthermore, outlandish ideas like compelling governments to swap shorter-term Treasuries for century bonds would likely face strong resistance from bond vigilantes. Recent signs of economic weakness have contributed to falling yields, highlighting the bond market's role as a formidable force shaping economic outcomes and restraining the Trump administration's agenda.
Relationship — What You Are Getting Wrong About Your “Type”
Verywell Mind
The concept of a "type" in dating goes beyond simple preferences; it's a lens shaped by societal conditioning, personal experiences, upbringing, and even fantasies. While having a type can provide direction in the vast dating pool, it can also become a limiting mold. By rigidly adhering to predefined expectations and checklists, individuals risk missing out on meaningful connections that could lead to genuine happiness and deeper intimacy. The key is to balance having a sense of direction with an openness to unexpected possibilities and connections. To break free from dating ruts and discover one's "true" type, it is suggested that you take on a variety of strategies. These include going on dates with people outside of one's usual preferences, seeking feedback from trusted friends, and reframing dealbreakers. Additionally, it is important to note the importance of self-reflection, mindfulness, and working on attachment styles to cultivate healthier relationship behaviors. Ultimately, the goal is to prioritize how one feels around a potential partner rather than focusing solely on superficial qualities or societal expectations.
Baking — Lemon Cake
Apparently this lemon cake got 713 reviews and they are all 5 stars. I think baking it might be worthy of your time; your taste buds will thank you later.
Song Rec — I Knew It, I Know You (Gracie Abrams)
Quote of the Day
"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger."- Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights