When people want to describe 2020, they use words like “virus,” “lockdowns,” and “vaccines.” While it’s still too early in the year to characterize 2021, so far “shortages” appears to be the buzzword.  And if analysts are right, it will stay this way.

Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting is never a routine event.  It’s anticipated and observed so carefully that one would think it’s a religious ritual; for some it is.  Tens of thousands attend the meeting and every word spoken is analyzed by millions of investors on Wall Street, on Main Street, and around the world.  As usual, the keynote speaker this year was Warren Buffett, the company’s chairman, market guru, and one of the wealthiest people in the world.  Charlie Munger, who works alongside him, also spoke at the event 

Elon Musk is at it again - warning about the increasing dangers from artificial intelligence (AI).  But this time, he’s ringing the bell longer and hitting it harder. Clearly, he is becoming more concerned about this technology. But what could possibly be so worrisome about a technology that makes products faster, cheaper, and lowers overall costs?  Plenty, as he tells it.

For decades, one of the most popular themes in science fiction has been overpopulation: Because of the skyrocketing number of people shortages of every item abound, even simple things like taking a walk and going shopping have become challenging because of humongous crowds.  These days, this theme has to be re-considered, because populations in countries around the world are declining, and in some they are plunging.