On with the discussion about the Guangdong/HK Tea Houses in Shanghai, with a focus on honest critique and analysis. Firstly, the landscape is fiercely competitive. However, the competition does not translate into commensurate quality but rather inflated prices. This does not align with the typical characteristics of Bertrand competition. A cursory search on Meituan for “Tea Houses” within a 3-kilometer radius yields approximately 30 results, all claiming to offer authentic Guangdong or Hong Kong flavors. Regrettably, it’s fair to say that at least half of these establishments fall far from the mark of excellence. ...

The so-called Tea Houses in Shanghai are such a disgrace. Now, I’m spending more on mediocre food and have no better alternatives in sight. This is how the market fails. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I’m currently quite hooked on Mariah Carey these days. For those not familiar with her, she’s the voice behind “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Mariah skyrocketed to fame in the early ’90s with her self-titled debut album, and her early career was defined by her extraordinary vocal prowess. Her runs, riffs, and live performances during that era set a standard that remains untouched, making it an almost impossible feat for young singers to surpass. ...

It turned out to be a delightful evening, a more meaningful and intellectually stimulating social experience compared to spending time with those unappreciative individuals over a dinner filled with superficial conversations.

I caught some intriguing facts during this morning’s breakfast broadcast, where they featured an episode with Claudia Goldin. One of the topics they covered was related to Goldin’s 2000 research paper, “Orchestrating Impartiality: The Impact of ‘Blind’ Auditions on Female Musicians.” Abstract A change in the audition procedures of symphony orchestras–adoption of “blind” auditions with a “screen” to conceal the candidate’s identity from the jury–provides a test for sex-biased hiring. Using data from actual auditions, in an individual fixed-effects framework, we find that the screen increases the probability a woman will be advanced and hired. Although some of our estimates have large standard errors and there is one persistent effect in the opposite direction, the weight of the evidence suggests that the blind audition procedure fostered impartiality in hiring and increased the proportion women in symphony orchestras. ...

I’ve always been trying to understand Ariana Grande, her music, lyrics, and interviews. Seeking a piece of her philosophy. Yet her artistic choices baffle with inconsistency, lacking a clear cohesive logic. She intentionally obscures, distorts motif, and leaves gaps. I’ve immersed myself in her interviews and music, even the unreleased demos, piecing together her puzzle. Tonight, a new fragment from The Weeknd’s single “Escape from LA” from album After Hours adds to it. ...

just for fun but it turns out to be more than fun. i attended an introductory talk on train scheduling in the neighboring department. Here are some key takeaways

About the 2023 Econ Nobel, how it relates with Barbie, and the controversy about Lisa’s recent dance performance.

I won’t take the bait, but it sucks when ¥8000 slips out of your hands nevertheless. Here’s the story.

I watched Swan Lake tonight – the famous Tchaikovsky ballet, performed by the National Ballet of China. The performance lasted two and a half hours, a bit lengthy, especially with there are kids sitting nearby: left side of me, right side of me, behind me… Regarding my personal preference, I favor the Black Swan significantly more than the White Swan. The Black Swan embodies life and vitality, with her charming smile lighting up the stage, captivating the audience (including the prince), and infusing the performance with energy. In contrast, the White Swan only appears under cold-spectrum light, perpetually wearing a frown (yes, her expressions), and carrying a heavy sense of melancholic sorrow. In my view, these two swans symbolize life and death rather than the conventional notions of pure evil and kindness. They represent different facets of beauty: one epitomizes the enjoyment and ecstasy of life’s celebrations, while the other embodies spirituality and ascension, ultimately leading to the inevitable. ...