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     When I first started this blog, I didn't plan for any personal content, but some recent events in my life seem relevant enough to be publishable.

     Over this past summer, I worked in a physical chemistry lab at Tufts University, joining their research in water purification via transition-metal doped titanium dioxide. Expect more posts about this subject, and as water-purification is not a subject which spawns much ethical controversy (at least I like to think so), I'll be publishing normal posts as well.

-Stanley

image: theage.com.au

     A new energy policy is taking effect in Queensland, Australia, lowering overall energy consumption costs, but massively inflating prices for energy services. Effectually, according to director of Country Solar Steve Madson, this policy has no effect on energy bills, and can even lower them, while simultaneously removing all economic incentive for consumers to install new solar systems.

     Madson's suspicion is based in precedent. Prime Minister Tony Abbott described climate change theories as 'crap' in 2009, and earlier this year, Australia became the first developed nation in the world to repeal their carbon tax, despite its effectiveness.

More here

     During the final weeks of Spring term '13-'14, I wrote a research paper for my chemistry class titled 'Chemical Enantioselective Synthesis: The Search for the Other Half.' Certain molecules have a property called chirality, which dictates whether or not the molecule has optical isomers. In essence, two molecules that are exactly the same, but are non-superimposable mirror images of one another, are optical isomers. d- and l- optical isomers (or enantiomers), reflect plane-polarized light in different directions.

     d- and l- enantiomers are crucial in the development of medicine and pharmaceuticals, because enzymes in the human body typically only interact with the d- enantiomer of any given substance. If a substance is administered in a racemic (half d-, half l-) mixture, the l- half of the substance might have undesirable side effects, or might just pass through the human body harmlessly. Therefore, enantioselective synthesis is a crucial process for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture controlled and safe medicines.

     Enantioselective synthesis is complicated, and feasible mechanisms are very difficult to discover. In the paper, I discuss some common synthesis methods, instances of marketed racemic mixtures that went awry, and detail the search for an efficient l-glucose synthesis. Since l-glucose is not absorbed by the body, it can be used as a zero-calorie alternative to d-glucose, the much more common enantiomer, and it has the potential to unlock more secrets of optical isomers.

     Here's the paper, I hope you enjoy it!

Enantiomers and Synthesis of L-Glucose.pdf

image: magpictures.com

     Blackfish, a documentary directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, was released in July 2013, and has recently enjoyed a surge of widespread acknowledgement, approximately one year after the film's initial release. The film focuses on an orca named Tilikum, who is one of the orcas living in Seaworld, and raises questions over the ethicality of keeping captive orcas.

     Despite the controversy, Seaworld has elected to keep its orcas (releasing them after having lived in captivity for so long might not be beneficial to the animals), and VP of Communications Fred Jacobs had responded to the movie in an interview with CNN, calling the film 'inaccurate and misleading.'

     Yesterday, (Aug. 13) Seaworld's stock fell nearly 33 percent after discussion surrounding Blackfish rose again on the internet. In addition, a piece of legislation called the 'Orca Welfare Safety Act' is pending while further studies are conducted, and could further hamper Seaworld's business, which CEO Jim Atchison had previously claimed was unaffected by the film. The question still remains whether this business disaster is truly justice for the orcas at Seaworld, or whether Seaworld really is just the victim of an 'inaccurate and misleading' documentary.

More here

     More information has come out recently regarding Uber's rivalry with hire-car service Lyft. Lyft claims to have evidence that Uber employees, including recruiters, have ordered and cancelled over 5500 rides on Lyft since last October. By linking accounts with large numbers of cancellations to phone numbers, Lyft claims to have unearthed a slew of accounts that in fact belong to just a few people, presumed Uber employees. One such user has been linked with 22 accounts, and is accused of over 1500 cancelled rides between the end of May 2013 and June 2014.

     This isn't the first instance of such tactics from Uber either. Earlier this year, Uber was accused of calling and canceling 300 rides on another competitor's app: Gett. In addition, Lyft drivers have reported frequent hires from Uber employees, who take short and low-profit rides, devoting time to convert them into Uber drivers. These questionable recruitment tactics have proven costly for Uber, as negative attention piles upon them, some customers are vowing to discontinue use of the app until their 'act is cleaned up.'  Only time will tell what, if there are any, the consequences will be.

More here 

image: siliconbeat.com

     Uber and Lyft, two companies responsible for the recent boom in the personal transportation sector, have continually fought for supremacy in the United States' growing on-demand taxi market. While Uber does have a $18.2 billion valuation (26 times higher than Lyft), Lyft CEO Logan Green has been doing his best to surpass Uber in new and creative ways. For example, Lyft has recently fitted its cars with pink mustaches (see image), in an effort to bolster its public image.

     However, it does seem as if Lyft has a long way to go if it wants to catch up to Uber. Uber has already expanded to 70 cities outside the United States (including Hong Kong, where I am from), while Lyft has yet to incorporate its services outside the US.

     Finally, the rivalry between these two companies is just another headache for both of them amongst restless protests from taxi drivers. By not implementing a physical 'fare meter', it seems as if Uber and Lyft have bypassed the regulations for taxi companies, sparking outrage in some communities. While Uber was recently declared legal in London, both companies still face legal challenges in the USA.

More on the rivalry (and a nice infographic) here.

Image: stocks.org

     In response to a planned bid by Sprint/T-Mobile for broadcast TV spectrum, Chairman of the FCC  Tom Wheeler proposed an antitrust plan which would prohibit bidding alliances between the largest mobile carriers in the United States. Wheeler's proposal would encourage competition from smaller carriers, and does not inhibit smaller carriers from forming partnerships with the larger companies: T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon.
     Though the incentive behind the bill is clear and well-meaning, there is some concern that by suppressing cooperation between large companies, which theoretically would be able to provide the best product for consumers, the FCC is favoring competition over quality of service. How this proposal will affect the speculated T-Mobile and Sprint merger will become clear in the future.

Read more here.

     One of the end-of-year projects that has so frustratingly kept me away from this blog was a history paper. Having been given the freedom to do so, I sifted through years of civil rights cases and political trivia to find a topic that I was truly interested in: the Muckrakers. During the Second Industrial Revolution, corporations rose to prominence, exploiting an under-equipped legal system through unethical business practices and humans rights while the American government struggled to keep up with their rapidly industrializing country. The Muckrakers were reform journalists who latched on to these injustices and exposed the corporations through the fourth estate: the press.

     If any of what you have just read interests you, I encourage you to read on.

As the title suggests, I'm recovering from the recent dearth of postings, and will be posting actively again. The end of Upper year (11th grade for 99.9% of you) was a hugely strenuous time for me, filled with time-siphoning end of year projects and examinations. Now that summer has come I look forward to exploring the world of Ethics with you again.

     How does one rank countries by economy? GDP (gross domestic product) springs to mind, but GDP doesn't account for the differences in lifestyle between countries. Food, real estate, luxuries, all these cost and weigh differently in different countries, and a direct comparison of GDPs will not produce a sufficient conclusion.
     So how do economists do it? They use a different unit: PPP (purchasing power parity). PPP is a tool specifically designed to measure the relative values of different currencies around the world, and PPP exchange rates can be used to convert GDPs into a common, comparable value.
     According to new PPP data, China, which was predicted in 2005 to overtake the USA in 2019, will now overtake the United States by the end of the year to become the world's largest economy. This 20% jump in predicted PPP reflects China's immense economic growth, which forecasts predict will continue to outpace the USA.

More Here: The Economist

     'Ethics in business is important.' This was essentially the conclusion drawn from the first Asia Ethics Summit held last year in Hong Kong. Considering the setting, this result is somewhat unsurprising, but the panel has since gone on to elaborate on their decisions, regarding the differences in ethical business between the East and the West. Their elaborations have revealed some interesting insights into ethicality in the Asian marketplace, including risk management and problem assessment.

Read their insights here

Image: nanocarbon.cz

     Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made a leap forward in the race for mass production of graphene, using water, soap, and a blender that reportedly cost €39.95.
     In 2010, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov won a Nobel Prize for their experiments regarding the material, after peeling off thinner and thinner layers of carbon graphite with scotch tape until they produced graphene, a material no more than a few atoms thick. Now, researchers at the materials science center in Dublin have substituted the sticky tape method for a blender, which separates the layers of graphite, and a water-based surfactant which keeps the layers apart.
    Graphene has fascinated the scientific community since its discovery, and now that progress is being made towards the production of the wonder material, a wholly new realm of possibilities is revealing itself. The graphene industry, which is predicted to be worth $100 million by 2018, could potentially revolutionize everything from clean water, to smartphones, to cleanup of nuclear waste.

More Here: Independent

Image: General Mills

     Just a couple of weeks ago, General Mills added a small grey banner to the top of their website notifying visitors of an update to their privacy policy and legal terms, also noting that 'all disputes relating to the purchase or use of any General Mills product or service to be resolved for binding arbitration.' In essence, this removes the rights of customers to dispute cases against General Mills in court, (apart from exceptions in small claims court) should the customer(s) agree to the terms and conditions.
     More specifically, customers must attempt to resolve any dispute through informal negotiations with the company for at least thirty days before choosing to go to small claims court or resolving the dispute through arbitration. In agreeing to the terms, customers also waive their right to litigate any dispute in court and before a jury. But what constitutes an agreement? According to General Mills, a customer 'agrees' to their terms by 'using our websites, joining our sites as a member, joining our online community... or otherwise participating in any other General Mills offering' among other things.
     This broadening of definition is a clear attempt by General Mills to reduce its accountability and protect itself from litigation. While this is not the first time a company has introduced a policy of binding arbitration, the attempts by General Mills to slip these terms past their customers with its questionable definition of acceptance is expected to spark legal issues, particularly over the ambiguity of the policy.
   Though these actions are understandable, they raise questions over the freedom of companies to determine policy. While companies should be free to create their own rules, all companies must follow certain broad guidelines in order to participate in a federally governed marketplace. Courts might see this new policy as an overextension by General Mills, and certain experts have already said that customers must be aware of the terms and conditions for them to be applicable. The outcome of this initial controversy has the potential to redefine business as we know it, and other large companies will be watching the General Mills case intently. Personally, while binding arbitration (if a bit suspect) is not unethical, more effort should be put into notifying customers of this drastic change in policy, and I hope that if any cases are claimed against General Mills in the coming weeks, that they won't be dismissed just because the customer has redeemed a 'box top for education', or 'liked' General Mills' Facebook page.

More Here: New York Times

Image: Insomniac Arts

   



     Following in the footsteps of Germany, Unions in France have passed acts that discourage the use of mobile phones for work after 6pm. The new labor agreements state that employers will not be allowed to pressure employees to work after-hours, and workers themselves will have to resist the temptation to look at work-related content on their devices.

More here: Guardian

Image: seatactaxi.com

     High Frequency Trading has been the source of much debate and confusion, particularly after this heated debate on CNBC between IEX Exchange CEO Brad Katsuyama and BATS Global Markets President William O'Brien.
     For those of us just getting into the action, all the jargon and logistics surrounding HFT can be overwhelming, so Themis Trading LLC has cleverly shown us here how HFT is analogous to a real-world, relatable occurrence: taxicabs at airports. 
     Marketplace.org also has a brief beginners guide to HFT on vimeo, (bear in mind this was uploaded 4 years ago)

Image: Anatoly Kabanets

     In light of protests against furniture retailer Harvey Norman, members of the Australian parliament are looking to make boycotts against companies based on environmental claims illegal. Australia already has laws in place that ban secondary boycotts, but environmental groups are currently exempted from the law.
     In recent years, environmental factors have become a large non-market focus for companies, as greater awareness of industrial impacts on nature have led to harsher inspection in the public eye. Should this law pass, it would relieve some of the pressure on companies such as Harvey Norman to maintain certain environmental standards, and limit the public voice on such matters.
     Then again, the intent of this law does not seem to be to allow companies leeway, but merely to discourage dishonest campaigns, as Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Richard Colbeck claims. In addition to this law, Colbeck says, he supports an addition to Australia's competition laws that would establish guidelines for determining the legitimacy of boycott claims.

More here:
- The Guardian

Will Germany's new laws help reduce worker stress? Image: Shutterstock

     Germany has introduced a new law, stating that employees cannot be punished for failing to respond to messages from managers after working hours. This move is clearly aimed at reducing worker stress, but is this taking away from the companies of Germany?
     Some may argue that employees are part of the company 24/7, not just when they are required to be at their desks. In my opinion, if an employee's contract specifically states work/non-work hours, then this is a non-issue. If a company wants the benefit of calling on its employees at any time, their contract and benefits should be adjusted accordingly. 
     Perhaps this might be a situation best handled by individual companies, tailoring contracts to their specific needs, but this is nevertheless a strong move by the Labor Ministry in an effort to combat worker stress.

Image: TechRadar

     Facebook recently announced its acquisition of Oculus VR, developer of the Oculus Rift virtual reality apparatus, for $2 billion dollars. Oculus Rift made its debut on Kickstarter, advertising itself as 'the first truly immersive virtual reality headset for video games', and raising over $2.4 million from investors, $2 million more than its initial goal. Now, in light of the acquisition by social media giant Facebook, early supporters of Oculus Rift are skeptical that Mark Zuckerburg's intentions for Oculus Rift might deviate from its original intended purposes, and are denouncing the acquisition as a sellout that does not uphold the values of the investors.
     This situation provides a unique insight into the nature of crowdfunded projects, which are growing rapidly in popularity. The investors' position is understandable, as their initial investments were made in support of a gaming company, which has apparently changed its ideals before even debuting on the market. However, this is a very recent development, and Kickstarter explicitly states that project creators keep 100% ownership of their work. In other words, investing in a project on Kickstarter isn't merely an economic contribution, investors must also invest their trust in the project team, who in this case has acknowledged the apparently incompatible nature of the acquisition, and has urged the public to consider the deal more carefully. 
     Posting on the company website, the Oculus VR team claims that they and Facebook are 'culturally aligned with a focus on innovating and hiring the best and the brightest' in an attempt to justify the merger. It seems that only time will tell whether the investors are correct in their suspicions, or if this is a blessing in disguise for the gaming fans.

     Hello world! My name is Stanley Ng, and I am currently a junior in high school. I go to Phillips Academy (Andover, the only worthwhile one), and I am starting this blog to pursue my interest of business, particularly business ethics.
     I first developed my interest in business through my parents, who started their own business not so long after I was born. Today, this business puts food on the table for my family, and my living room is often abuzz with business discussions and debate. Growing up in this environment, I gained insight into the operation of a small business, and this prompted me to think more deeply about the role of companies in our society.
      The ethical side of businesses often takes a backseat to the more market-oriented actions of a company, whether they be economic, scientific, or even social. However, I believe that a company's ethical mindset can tell us more about its inner workings than what goes on at the surface. How is ethicality judged? Is there a relationship between the ethicality of a company and its performance on the market? How does business ethicality differ from social morality? 
     I will be exploring these questions, (as well as many other business-related topics) on this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy what I have to say.