Tesla
Just finished looking at mainstream news online— an article about what Jeff Bezos does with his money, etc. —and found myself reflecting.
September 11, 2001, was the beginning …. Many people screamed it was all about oil. We saw the downfall of Saddam Huesien and his apparent luxury living. Mainstream media made a point of showing Huesien’s luxurious lifestyle while the people starved, apparently.
It was ironic that we have a computer, yet we cannot do anything about the automobile and the obvious excess pollution it causes.
Tesla was founded in 2003, and its first car, the Model S, was introduced to the public in 2008.
It is 19 years later since 9/11, and I sit looking outside a hotel room, finishing up an article about transportation in San Francisco.
Exxon stock was worth about $40 in September 2001 and today is $75, relatively little growth in 19 years. It would have made just about nothing or less considering inflation.
Walking down the financial district of San Francisco, there is hardly anyone around. What is apparent is the people on electric scooters! I think about the high cost of living in San Francisco compared to most places. I see the banks with the massive real estate they apparently own. The buildings and skyscrapers are an impressive sight in the area where I am staying. We have complained as citizens about the high interest rates banks charge us, but at the same time, the skyscrapers and architecture are impressive. In many ways, the area reminds me of places I have seen in Hong Kong, but without the people.
I walk past a homeless person and am hesitant to take a photo showing so much misery, and it is a common theme. But the average person in the West has problems with the cost of living. Housing is hard to find on a low-income budget. We see the elite making more money than ever, while the Wall Street stock market has also produced impressive growth. But in general, people don’t have extra money. 19 years after 911, we as a culture are still struggling with many of the same issues, and perhaps many of them have only gotten worse for many people.
We have based much of capitalism on the ideas of real estate and transportation. Rockefeller…
The First Republic Bank has a large tower building in the district, while outside it has a sandwich shop. How can a sandwich shop afford this real estate? I'm wondering.
Why is the wealthiest man in the world sailing around the Greek Islands on a super yacht and racing to Mars? His roots are Cuban, and in Cuba, a person makes about $50 a month.
Jan. 2022
