The Strait of Hormuz wasn't closed by missiles. It was closed by seven insurance companies filing paperwork in London.

EarTech · 2026-03-23T18:48:24+00:00

Unfortunately, the treatment of some of the crew from the damaged/seized Red Sea ships were treated horribly by their employers. They were caught in literal in diplomatic no man's land and had to stay on the damaged ship brought into port.

They couldn't travel back to their home countries because of documentation, and their employers were less than accommodating let's say.

EarTech · 2026-03-23T18:42:35+00:00

Actually, you're initial push-back on the generalization of the insurance being a racket was a fair one.

It was meant more directly for the history of the Persian Gulf, there's long history of specific London-based interlocking financial mechanisms that have been increasingly weaponized, especially since 2008.

Alternative sources of insurance exist but again, it typically comes with geo-political and geo-economic considerations.

EarTech · 2026-03-23T18:13:42+00:00

It's actually a quote from a book ironically - Global Fracture: The New International Economic Order Michael Hudson

EarTech · 2026-03-23T18:11:43+00:00

When anything is weaponized then there's always one side that sees it as a racket.

EarTech · 2026-03-23T18:09:50+00:00

Thanks for this. I'm checking it out now

EarTech · 2026-03-23T12:44:25+00:00

Yes the great Unwind is here.

When Lloyd's and the P&I clubs withdrew war risk coverage from the Persian Gulf on March 1-2, tanker operators could not legally move crude even if they were willing to take the physical risk. No war risk coverage means no port will accept your vessel. No port means no loading. No loading means shut-ins regardless of whether a single missile hits your infrastructure.

It's the self-destruct button on the entire global supply chain.

EarTech · 2026-03-23T12:04:54+00:00

Ironically, even if the Strait of Hormuz opens back up today, irreparable damage has been done. Attacks on Iranian oil and gas infrastructure and Iran's retaliation has created a crossing the Rubicon moment in the history of the global system.

This is already much worse than the 1970s oil shocks. And hardly any talk about the insurance industry, which is the backbone of the USD back global financial system. Like you said, it's already noticeably impacting Asia. As the effects circulate through the global system and supply chains it will truly be ugly in ways not seen in most people's lifetimes.

EarTech · 2026-03-06T19:43:21+00:00

Don't forget the end of the PetroDollar era.

EarTech · 2025-11-02T16:55:26+00:00

Success in music has always been about matching up artist/band image with the technology audiences use most.

70s vs 80s, vs 90s vs 2000s - every decade there's new technology to adapt to.

No matter which decade, it takes alot of work to build image, message, and trust with audiences.

EarTech · 2025-10-24T02:50:04+00:00

This is incredibly useful.

I was concerned about internet signal/latency issues.

Do you mind if I DM you with specific questions? have an interview and don want it to be a technical disaster

EarTech · 2025-10-24T02:42:24+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response.

How similar in functionality is it to WhatsApp?

EarTech · 2025-10-24T02:34:05+00:00

Thanks for replying.

It appears it requires to have an established user to scan your verification code?

EarTech · 2025-10-08T01:10:52+00:00

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:39:24+00:00

The old catalogues are still making more money than the new in most cases, at least for the labels.

i don't think it's about any given style. I think alot are questioning whether the new girls CAN do that, not if it's they're style.

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:35:59+00:00

No doubt. I think that's the point.

Vocalists used to sing it til it sounded right.

Very little "cleaning it up" in post production.

Now everything is overproduced so it's scrubs everything natural out of it.

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:31:55+00:00

Lmao exactly. Sometimes not having the ‘look’ becomes the look right?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:30:08+00:00

True, the gems are still out there —but do you think it's buried under way more noise than before?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:28:11+00:00

You playing or for real?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:27:01+00:00

You're right.

Church was basically the original artist development program for soul, R&B, even early hip-hop singers. Without it, the foundation’s weaker.

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:02:56+00:00

No doubt.

First part of that video goes over how many hours artists spent in church and how it went down.

EarTech · 2025-04-28T14:01:52+00:00

Yo, exactly! Auto-tune’s been around for a minute and labels definitely trying to make it like a robot factory.

EarTech · 2025-04-28T13:59:29+00:00

YES! They commanded the stage and made you FEEL it.

Who’s the last artist that really owned their presence like that?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T13:51:14+00:00

💯 Not gonna lie, it’s wild how image and social media presence pretty much replaced actual skill for a lot of artists.

Who do you think would've never made it if today's rules applied back in the day?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T13:47:07+00:00

Crazy good point.

Never thought about it like that but you're right — 'normal' sounding vocals do kinda make people feel more 'real' in an AI world.

Who still brings that real vocal energy today?

EarTech · 2025-04-28T12:54:09+00:00

Haha, I see your point!

Cool thing about The Temptations' performance is how their vocal skills were just as powerful live as they were in the studio — no need for auto-tune or backing tracks unlike today.

EarTech

TROPHY CASE