The Second Class Citizen....

Second-class citizenship occurs when laws and institutions do not protect everyone equally or equitably. We are discussing the short and long-term consequences of unchecked biased in decision making and institutional outcomes from an economic and social perspective using a philosophical thought experiment. Let us consider what might happen if a small closed network system uses prejudice, corruption, intimidation, or abuse of power to target others while avoiding accountability. Years of wrongdoing went unchecked and whistleblowers discarded and targeted into silence.

The problem is not simply individual bigotry. It becomes a broader social problem when courts, justice officials, or other institutions fail to stop misconduct or correct the harm done to victims (P.S. the vast majority do the right thing and the young should join service to do their part, put an end to codes of silence and squeeze out those circumventing our most sacred laws. Respect those who do good for society. In some views this would be in alignment with oath and duty. In one philosophical line it could further be argued that those who are trying to encourage systems to reach their highest potential are more patriotic, loyal and good conscious contributors to society than those who misuse system and misallocate resources for self or group gain. In a merit based system they have earned their spot. Institutions must serve the needs of the poeple and not visa versa or it goes out of true north alignment. ). Honor what is good and challenge what is wrong is an important path forward. 

The Allegory of the Clan is a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment in which some members of society are openly targeted while courts protect people who are more similar to or within the network of decison makers. Although the majority may be trying to do the right thing, the example highlights a potential serious systemic problem when wrongdoing is allowed to continue without correction (i.e. stopping because your getting caught and not because you have moral conscious.). Even when wrongdoing is well known the process of victim dumping is used over and over.  It is convenient and the checks and balances intentionally weak. It is the preferred path....

Other victims have no voice so we must continue to stand for what our great grandparents were trying to build, a place of fair treatment, freedom, and representation of all people....

Those who swear oaths to uphold these institutions and understand their purpose should recognize the danger of unchecked authority when it is not focused on its mission, purposes, and promises. At a minimum, they should ask whether our institutions are truly serving everyone. If there are people it does not see worthy of also serving therein opens up a concern. As a general rule those who stand for what is right have honor while those who don't encourage darker times.  

That is why checks and balances matter. Laws must apply equally, institutions must be accountable, and victims must have meaningful avenues for justice. Without these protections, people can effectively become second-class citizens. A second class citizen robs society of its best and brightest and therin lies a crime on a whole new level; at least if you are mission focused; and there are no additional influences. It is up to you to decide which ring to kiss. 

*The Allegory of the Clan is for philosphical purposes so take with a grain of salt. It is meant to explore concepts and one can come to any conclusion they so wish. There is no right or wrong answer. 

For discussion purposes what is a second class citizen? These two in a quick search showed up.  The definitions seem only partial.

Second Class Citizen Wikipedia

The Making of a Second Class Citizen

US Labor Market July 2026: Stable, Not a lot of Movement, a Little Boost to Manufacturing

 The U.S. labor market appears to be showing relative stability. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for July 2026 indicates that most major labor market measures remained relatively steady. Hiring was somewhat subdued, worker turnover was moderate, and layoffs remained low. There was also some positive movement in the manufacturing sector, which aligns with other recent data showing improvement in manufacturing.

Overall, this was not a bad report. In fact, it was fairly positive. The results suggest that the labor market remained stable rather than showing signs of significant deterioration. While hiring was not particularly strong, low layoffs and moderate turnover indicate that employers were generally maintaining their workforces. Combined with positive developments in manufacturing, the report provides another indication that the broader economy continues to demonstrate resilience.

U.S. Labor Market Shows Continued Stability but Slower Hiring

• Job openings remained relatively stable, with 7.3 million openings in July 2026, representing a 4.4% job openings rate.
• Hiring remained subdued, with 5.1 million hires and a 3.2% hiring rate. Hiring declined notably in professional and business services by 188,000.
• Worker turnover remained moderate, with 3.1 million quits, suggesting that workers' willingness or ability to voluntarily leave jobs remained relatively limited.
• Layoffs remained contained, at 1.7 million, or a 1.0% rate, indicating that employers were not engaging in widespread reductions in workforce.
• Manufacturing provided a positive signal, as job openings in durable goods manufacturing increased by 76,000. Overall, however, the data suggest a labor market that is stable but gradually becoming less dynamic, with fewer changes occurring through hiring and worker movement.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, September 1). Job openings and labor turnover summary: July 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm

S&P Global’s August 2026 Manufacturing PMI Summary is Optimistic

Looking at S&P Global’s August 2026 Manufacturing PMI summary, the overall picture is fairly optimistic. Manufacturing activity remained solid, with production and new orders continuing to grow. However, output expansion slowed so we will see if the momentum is short or long-lived.

Supply chain issues also continue to affect manufacturers, particularly the cost and availability of materials and other goods needed for production. In response, some companies appear to be purchasing materials in advance and building inventory cushions to protect against potential disruptions.

The positive side is that business confidence remains relatively strong. If that optimism continues, it could eventually translate into increased investment and hiring in the manufacturing sector. For now, though, we will have to wait and see whether these positive trends continue and ultimately translate into stronger employment and sustained manufacturing growth.

S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI® - August 2026

• The headline S&P Global US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index remained unchanged at 53.9 in August 2026, signaling a solid expansion in the US manufacturing economy.

• Production volume and new orders both continued to grow, but output expansion slowed to its weakest rate since February while export sales declined due to tariffs.

• Supply chain delays deepened, with lead times worsening alongside input cost inflation driven by tariffs and ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

• Companies engaged in inventory building of inputs and finished goods to hedge against future price increases and supply disruptions.

• Business optimism reached a three-month high, which drove the fastest rate of job creation recorded in the year 2026 so far.

S&P Global. (2026, September 1). S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI®: Solid improvement in business conditions masks slower demand and output growth as supply issues persist. S&P Global Market Intelligence. https://www.pmi.spglobal.com/Public/Home/PressRelease/bfb270a44c2b4490a0f1adb76b8e8f9f

Business Models and Business Innovation

People who exhibit these types of behaviors tend to approach problems systematically and look for ways to solve them in the marketplace. That is, ultimately, what businesses do: they continually identify inefficiencies, pursue innovation, and operate within markets that they must understand.

This is where frameworks such as game theory and the Nash bargaining framework can be useful. These models help us understand how different players position themselves in relation to products, supply, payoffs, advantages, and competitors. They can help determine whether an outcome is efficient or whether one company is gaining an advantage from a particular situation.

Of course, you can develop your own ideas and approaches without relying on formal frameworks. However, researchers and economists study these models to determine how effectively they explain and predict outcomes. Those insights can then help businesses make better decisions.

In this sense, models provide more formalized ways of organizing and evaluating ideas and concepts. The more models you understand, the greater your ability to select and apply the one that best fits a particular situation. Successful businesses are essentially sequences of choices, and models can help guide those choices.

At the same time, you should not rely so heavily on a model that you abandon good judgment. Models are developed under specific assumptions and within particular parameters. When a real-world situation does not fit those assumptions perfectly, it may be appropriate to consider multiple models, adapt them, or construct a different approach that produces a more optimal outcome.

Business Model Innovation: A Review of the Process-Based Literature

• Business model innovation involves creating or substantially changing how a firm creates, delivers, and captures value in the marketplace.
• The authors reviewed 114 academic papers to organize and clarify the research on business model innovation processes.
• Five major processes were identified: cognition, knowledge shaping, strategizing, value creation, and evolutionary learning.
• Business model innovation is not necessarily a linear process. The authors emphasize that organizations often use experimentation, feedback, adaptation, and interconnected decision-making.
• Effective innovation requires organizations to understand markets, evaluate alternatives, learn from experimentation, and continually adjust their business models as conditions change.

Andreini, D., Bettinelli, C., Foss, N. J., & Mismetti, M. (2022). Business model innovation: A review of the process-based literature. Journal of Management & Governance, 26(4), 1089–1121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-021-09590-w

Rowing As World Class Workout for Endurance (Morning Coffee and a Little Sculling)

 Rowing is a great full-body sport, and I try to do it from time to time because I like to stay active. When I’m in California, I generally try to row two or three times a week. In Michigan, there really isn’t much opportunity to get out on the water and row, but that’s what the erg machine is for. It may not be as scenic, but at least you don’t have to worry about steering.

Rowing is excellent for cardiovascular fitness, and you don’t have to be competitive to enjoy it. There are rowing clubs and teams if you want to take things seriously—I was even on a small team for a while. But eventually you have to decide whether you’re a competitive rower or a recreational rower. I’m firmly in the recreational camp. I row for fitness, for fun, and because I enjoy being on the water. I’m not exactly trying to win the Olympic gold medal before breakfast.

And really, what’s a better way to start your morning? Get up early, watch the sun come up, head down to the water, climb into a shell, and start rowing. It’s cool and quiet for a little while. Nature is waking up, and you get a chance to enjoy it before the rest of the world gets busy.

Maybe a seagull swoops down and lands nearby. You look out across the bay, watch people beginning their day, and think, “This is pretty nice.” Then you remember that you’re exercising, which is even better because it feels like recreation rather than punishment.

And there’s another advantage to rowing early: you get out there before the beach crowd arrives. Once everyone else shows up, you can head home, have your coffee, and feel like you’ve already accomplished something before most people have found their sunglasses.

I’m a certified fitness trainer and yoga instructor, although I do this primarily as a hobby and side activity. If you’d like some virtual help with improving your fitness, send me a message. We can work something out—and I promise I won’t make you row at sunrise unless you actually want to.

Why Rowing Is a World-Class Workout for Endurance and Full-Body Fitness

• Rowing combines cardiovascular exercise with full-body muscular engagement, requiring the legs, core, back, shoulders, and arms to work together during each stroke.
• Research discussed in the article indicates that rowing can improve aerobic capacity (VO₂peak), making it an effective form of endurance training.
• Rowing provides a demanding workout while remaining relatively low impact because the exercise is performed from a seated position rather than through repetitive running or jumping.
• Although rowing develops muscular endurance and work capacity, it should not be considered a replacement for progressive resistance training when the goal is maximal strength or muscle hypertrophy.
• The article also emphasizes the technical and mental aspects of rowing, including rhythm, pacing, coordination, and maintaining movement quality as fatigue develops.

NordicTrack Editorial Team. (2026, January 28). Why world-class athletes choose rowing: The benefits of rowing workouts. NordicTrack. https://www.nordictrack.com/blog/why-world-class-athletes-choose-rowing-the-benefits-of-rowing-workouts

Economic Clusters: From Local Businesses to National Innovation

We talk about economic clusters on this blog from a historical and research perspective, looking at how they can develop vertically and horizontally, both organically and through deliberate planning.

This matters because many small towns and downtowns have declined (i.e. rural economy), while wealth and economic influence have become increasingly concentrated among a smaller group of stakeholders and consolidating businesses. Strong small businesses can strengthen downtowns, retain wealth locally, and build more resilient communities. It is something large companies are going to struggle with.

Clusters may also contribute to national innovation by connecting businesses, talent, institutions, and resources in ways that accelerate economic development. By studying existing research, we can develop models that may eventually be tested—or perhaps emerge naturally. The goal is to explore economics through a broader lens by including elements of philosophy that touch on human and social development.

Ultimately, the goal is to create competitive, connected communities that build on their strengths, preserve their heritage, and create opportunities for local growth. That can have an influence on local wealth and decision making. Economic clusters may be part of that solution, although reasonable people can—and should—disagree.

The U.S. Economy Depends on Thriving Cluster Cities

• Economic clusters concentrate talent, capital, knowledge, and specialized skills, creating well-paying jobs, innovation, and spillover benefits for other industries.
• Traditional U.S. clusters such as Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and New York finance are facing greater competition as high costs, remote work, tax policies, and quality-of-life concerns encourage businesses and workers to relocate.
• Despite these pressures, established clusters remain difficult to replace because their networks, talent pools, financing, and accumulated expertise create strong economic advantages.
• Emerging clusters in places such as Atlanta and Texas are becoming more competitive, demonstrating that industries can develop outside traditional economic centers once they reach a sufficient critical mass.
• A broad shift away from major clusters could reduce innovation, tax revenues, and economic competitiveness, suggesting that maintaining strong cluster ecosystems remains important to the U.S. economy.

Schrager, A. (2026, August 31). The U.S. economy depends on thriving cluster cities. FA Mag. https://www.fa-mag.com/news/the-us-economy-depends-on-thriving-cluster-cities-88288.html?section=40

Why Do Yoga?

Why do yoga? Well, you can go to the gym and pump iron, play sports and discover muscles you didn't know you had, or jump on a treadmill and run until your brain starts negotiating with your legs. One or the other will give out.

But yoga can bring a lot of those things together.

IlIustrative Only
Meant to be a little
funny.

Depending on how you practice, yoga can include strength, cardio, flexibility, balance, endurance, and all those little stabilizer muscles that tend to get ignored until they suddenly decide to complain. You can hold poses longer to build strength, add resistance bands or weights, or turn up the pace and get your heart working.

And the best part? You don't need much equipment. You don't need a fancy gym, a complicated machine, or a membership card that mysteriously keeps charging you every month. You can do yoga almost anywhere. Technically, you don't even need a mat. If you want to get really rustic, find a patch of grass and have at it.

Now, I'm not saying the gym is bad. Quite the opposite. Gyms are great, and there's something motivating about being around other people who are exercising. But a well-designed yoga routine can complement almost any fitness program by improving strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

Yoga and Healthy Aging: Growing Evidence for Mind-Body Health

• The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights yoga as an adaptable mind-body practice that can support physical and mental health across the lifespan.
• Research increasingly suggests that yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety while improving strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, and overall functional fitness.
• Emerging evidence also points to potential benefits for brain health, including memory and cognitive function, as well as improvements in mood and fatigue among some populations.
• One randomized trial found that a 12-week yoga program for people with chronic lower back pain was comparable to physical therapy, with benefits continuing for up to a year.
• WHO emphasizes that yoga's accessibility and adaptability make it particularly relevant to healthy aging, allowing people with different ages, abilities, and mobility levels to participate while supporting independence and quality of life.

Kuruvilla, S. (2026, June 26). Yoga for healthy ageing: Global practice and clinical evidence. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/yoga-for-healthy-ageing-global-practice-and-clinical-evidence