Eoin Treacy's view

A link to this week's Big Picture Long-Term video is posted in the Subscriber's Area. 

Movie studios are considering whether to ignore the objections of cinema chains and forge ahead with a plan to offer digital rentals of films mere weeks after they appear in theaters, according to people familiar with the matter.

Some of the biggest proponents, including Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures, are pressing on in talks with Apple Inc. and Comcast Corp. on ways to push ahead with the project even without theater chains, the people said. After months of negotiations, the two sides have been unable to arrive at a mutually beneficial way to create a $30 to $50 premium movie-download product.

The leading Hollywood studios, except for Walt Disney Co., are eager to introduce a new product to make up for declining sales of DVDs and other home entertainment in the age of Netflix. They have discussed sharing a split of the revenue from premium video on demand, or PVOD, with the cinema chains if they give their blessing to the concept. But the exhibitors have sought a long-term commitment of as much as 10 years for that revenue split, which the studios have rejected, the people said.

 

Eoin Treacy's view

Movie theatres are in real danger of being disrupted in the much the same way as big box retail because many people would prefer to watch movies at home, studios would have to wait less time to monetise the movie and it would combat piracy. It seems to be only a matter of time before streaming replaces movie theatres in their current format. 

Hope you are well. And I hope David is recovering well?

Just a quick comment on cryptocurrencies.

I’ve thought about this a lot, and had a small mining setup a few years ago.

There is a kind of real value in them as they take electricity, cooling, tech knowhow, time and equipment to "mine" them. 

All those have a value. And it’s a massive community now.

As bitcoin has evolved, it now costs far more to mine one than 5 years ago due to its formula. The same with other coins.
In bitcoins case, I see them more of an asset in the cryptocurrency class. 

I also think everyone should have a bit of one just to find out how they work as they are definitely here to stay in some form. Plus, I feel they will constantly go up like other assets do, bubble or not. 

More of owning a small amount for fun, not an investment amount though, unless one has time to learn about them more.
Plus, you can legitimately, buy a lot of stuff with them now, so how do you define a currency?

Eoin Treacy's view

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on cryptocurrencies. I am well and with Mrs. Treacy returning from China yesterday familial bliss has been restored. 

This article summarizes neatly the blend of politics and revisionist history present in China today, particularly how the Party is trying to introduce a stylized version of Chinese history and culture in order to paper over the "spiritual vacuum" that resulted from the Revolution. Also interesting is the idea that this could give rise to new economic industries and / or cultural products for export (movies, art, tourism, etc.) Most importantly, it hints at the sweeping power and autonomy that Xi Jinping presently enjoys ... well worth the read. 

Eoin Treacy's view

Thank you for this thought provoking email. An authoritarian regime brooks no questioning of the narrative it crafts to sustain the mantle of legitimacy. If we look around the world today we have ample evidence of history being obviated in service to ideology so what is happening in China is regrettable but unfortunately not unusual.

Trust all’s well with you and your family. Thought you might be interested in the article below as reported on Bloomberg. 

Eoin Treacy's view

Thank you for this article which may be of interest to subscribers. There appears to a be a drumbeat of discontent rising against the products pioneered by Monsanto from a vocal and active environment lobby. The revelation that it unequivocally attempted to bias scientific findings is not positive news not least because of the pall it casts over investor sentiment. 

Thank you for the excellent service and very interesting daily video commentary. Our company, Irelands Eye Knitwear in Dublin operates 15 knitting machines from manufacturer Shima Seiki that you referred to recently. They run 24 hours per day. We are off to Shanghai next month to see latest developments at a large machinery exhibition there. It’s a very interesting time. Many thanks again for an excellent service.

Eoin Treacy's view

Thank you for your kind words and I’m sure the Collective would be enlightened if you have the time to share your impressions from what will be on offer at the Shanghai trade show. 

You have to give it to the Chinese, they are great advocates of the dictum ‘Where there is a will there is a way’

How come my ethnic Chinese supervisors never told me of this method to shift concrete when I managed a mine in Malaysia?

We could have save the company a small fortune. 

 

Eoin Treacy's view

Thank you for this video which is a testament to low-tech ingenuity.

Eoin Treacy's view

The Chart Seminar 2017 

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