Comments on: Bare Branches

By: Lost & Found

Lost & Found — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:21:34 +0000

I guess you’ll see China breaking up somehow similar to the USSR. The stronger part of what remains will probably soon start a little war or expand one to cover up the internal problems that won’t go away in order to keep people busy. More or less like the US did with entering WWII.

By: John Smith

John Smith — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:48:23 +0000

That is not to mention the strain that all the sick people will put on the system way before they get to retire. There are almost 400 million smokers in China. On top of that in many cities the air is so polluted that you might as well be smoking. This will lead to a disaster in China. How will China pay for the care of millions of people who will get sick 10 years before retirement. This will shrink the work force much sooner then 2040.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:05:05 +0000

Entropy is increasing in the world economy, or the disorder shall increase exponentially.It is a house of cards.

By: wendy culpepper

wendy culpepper — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:06:15 +0000

Dear Leader Bill:

You are the man. What an essay!

By: DPat

DPat — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:47:30 +0000

With all the debt we owe the Chinese, they might ask for payment in American women. Our government is corrupt enough that they might actually consider it.

By: Scooter

Scooter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:58:34 +0000

Thank you for the historical perspective.

By: Bors

Bors — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:29:53 +0000

“I guess we don’t have to fear China after all.” No you need to fear the idiots that keep pushing and investing in China. It reminds one when the French were investing in Nazi Germany in the 30′s. The Chinese are going to bite back big time.

By: Nels Tong

Nels Tong — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:59:42 +0000

What is the population of China? I think it is around 1.3 billion now, so may be by 2040, the “old” people will be around 397 million. But it depends how do you define “old”. China has loosen the one-child policy for a while and there are other policies to try to fix the aging population problem. It is true this is a very very big problem for the China government and we are not sure it can be fixed or not. But if China can maintain the current rate of growth, suppose the bigger economy gets a better chance to support the aging population.

By: Dave Simley

Dave Simley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 +0000

“And by 2040, 397 billion old people…”

397 billion? You wanna check that number.

By: Payking Duck

Payking Duck — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:11:50 +0000

Damnit Bill. You did it again. Another great essay. I guess we don’t have to fear China afterall. Perhaps China will start importing workers. Have to get those wages up first. Maybe clear some of those ‘bare branches’ out of the way too.