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Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

fortune.com

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Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Especially because it sounds like the Philippines is pushing for a 4 day workweek, but the rest of SEA is asking people to work from home, use less AC, take the stairs…

It's also Vietnam, Thailand, and unofficially Pakistan. The reality is the bigger Asian nations like China, India, SK, and Japan that worked on building resilient alternatives after the 2022-23 ONG shock due to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine aren't as dramatically impacted. The others didn't or were hit by other crises at the same time. For example, in Pakistan's case, their government raised fuel taxes by around 33…

There's currently a gas crisis in India. A country that had a $10 billion investment in an Iranian port to trade oil and gas directly with them, except they decided to become America's bitch and halted the project after American sanctions.

Anyways, everyone's affected - gas cylinder booking requests which usually take a couple of days to fulfill currently have a 30 day period to fulfill in some major cities. Roadside vendors are shutting down temporarily, as are many restaurants.

At least EVs have had a good success rate in adoption, so commuting isn't as much affected. But freight is pretty much fucked.

Again, this is a country that could have gotten a sweetheart deal from Iran, just like China, but apparently decided to become a little bitch.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#72
post #34
post #2

"Asia" didn't roll out anything. Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, and Pakistan rolled out independent measures.

The thing I feel like is really important to remember whenever thinking about the world and demographics is that most people are Asian. As in more people live in Asia then outside of it. Conversely when a headline or something mentions Asia, it is rare they actually mean the majority of the continent or people living there.

It's too broad a term - it covers too many disparate countries and ends up being like using Americas to refer to Canada and the USA or similar.

I read the headline and assumed it was "Japan and China" but it wasn't.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you call it? It's a continent, right?

Calling Eurasia a continent would make more sense. "Asia" doesn't have a really sensical physical boundary. May as well say Mexico is a different continent from the US just because there's a big cultural and ethnic difference across the border.

The term "North America" almost always means US or US and Canada, hardly ever the technically correct "US, Canada, Mexico" except in things like NAFTA.

And "Central America" often means "Mexico and countries south that speak Spanish" even though LATAM might be a bit closer.

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#75
post #72
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The thing I feel like is really important to remember whenever thinking about the world and demographics is that most people are Asian. As in more people live in Asia then outside of it. Conversely when a headline or something mentions Asia, it is rare they actually mean the majority of the continent or people living there.

It's too broad a term - it covers too many disparate countries and ends up being like using Americas to refer to Canada and the USA or similar. I read the headline and assumed it was "Japan and China" but it wasn't.

The equivalent term is "The West."

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#76

It's too bad that countries only consider things like this to address a crisis in fuel costs. Why not enact measures like this to curb the pollution and CO2? I guess it says a lot about what humanity truly values.

[flagged]

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#77
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

and if you're talking to somebody who doesn't care about climate change just substitute "climate change" with "traffic"

In my experience, everybody cares about climate change. A lot of people just don't like the idea of caring about climate change. But ya, probably best to just call it "traffic" then, and they might be more receptive.

Agreed. I care enough about it to sell my car, stop buying stuff I don't need, give up most meat, and live in a small energy efficient house.

However I do know people who really do not care. They may say they care but their actions and voting record show that in fact they don't care (or don't want to make it a real priority). But those same people get very upset when they're stuck in traffic

Re: Asian governments roll out 4-day weeks, WFH to solve fuel crisis caused by war

#79

I've long said that WFH is an easy win climate change solution that costs nothing, is well loved by everyone who participates (except management). Turns out in times like this, it's also an energy security measure.

I'm introverted but very glad I have the option of working from the office and being among fellow staff, we also have a lunchtime exercise club once a week. It's much better for my mental health. In fact, I've added two days working outside of home instead of one because of the benefits. I think 3 days home/2 days office is the sweet spot.

The keywords that you are not saying are "is a sweet spot FOR YOU"

If it is a sweet spot for you fine, I am happy you found it. But DO NOT FORCE all of US who have different sweet spots to meet you at yours.

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