Chapter 1: The Canal Crisis

Welcome to "No One’s Driving," a column by novelist and tech writer Tim Maughan, aimed at deciphering a world increasingly dominated by chaotic systems and technologies.

As I pen this, an extra browser tab remains open—a constant reminder of the challenges gripping our attention spans. It streams live updates from the Suez Canal, where the colossal Ever Given, weighing 220,000 tons and laden with 10,000 shipping containers, became lodged, obstructing one of the globe's most vital trade routes. Until its unexpected release on Monday, uncertainty loomed. Some forecasts hinted at weeks of excavation, while others believed rising tides could help dislodge the vessel. Regardless, a massive bottleneck ensued, with over 200 ships queued to navigate the canal.

I'm not alone in my fascination with this maritime debacle; it has captivated countless viewers, generating a plethora of memes and jokes that have inundated social media.

Conspiracy theories began to circulate shortly after the Ever Given became stranded. Some QAnon proponents alleged it was part of a covert military operation aimed at rescuing children supposedly smuggled in containers. Meanwhile, a more grounded yet equally popular theory suggested that the ship's erratic course—a crude depiction of male anatomy—was a rebellious act against global capitalism. Though amusing, such notions lose credibility upon reflection, especially considering that such maneuvering is standard practice for vessels awaiting canal entry.

The media frenzy surrounding this incident often overlooks the human aspect of supply chains. The 200 ships in the Suez represent thousands of crew members stranded at sea, many of whom have been away from home for months. These workers may have previously been among the 300,000 mariners affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, facing dwindling supplies and uncertainty once again. As we've discussed previously, international supply chains primarily exploit cheap labor in the global south to deliver artificially low prices to consumers in the global north—this holds true for shipping as well, with most crew members hailing from Asian countries.

Nevertheless, media attention has fixated on the economic ramifications. Approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal, with Lloyd’s List estimating the blockage disrupts around $9 billion worth of goods daily—roughly $400 million per hour. The retail sector and everyday consumers are bound to feel the impact. The pandemic had already stressed supply chains, resulting in rising food prices and shortages of essential goods. The blockage threatens to exacerbate these issues, increasing shipping costs and leaving millions of tons of products stranded near Egypt, including Ikea's 200 containers of merchandise.

However, not everyone faces adversity. The global economy is a complex maze, with intertwined mechanisms that often seem to defy logic, particularly in crises. A select few, lacking morals but rich in capital, frequently find ways to profit from widespread misfortune.

The Suez Canal serves not only container vessels but also large tankers transporting oil, natural gas, and coal. Consequently, oil prices, having recently fallen, are now on the rise. Goldman Sachs encourages traders to invest in oil and energy stocks for significant returns. Ironically, this maritime crisis has allowed the shipping and tanker industry to become profitable again after weeks of losses.

As we gaze at the beleaguered container ship, contemplating the implications for our grocery expenses and jobs, predatory traders and hedge funds revel in their financial gains.

A tweet by Brandy Jensen, which gained nearly 80,000 likes, encapsulates this sentiment: “After years of bitcoin and reddit short selling and credit default swaps, it’s refreshing to hear that global commerce is in peril because a big boat got stuck in a canal.”

Jensen's words resonate because they highlight a shared understanding: the intricate web of capitalism, economics, politics, and supply chains has become a daunting, convoluted mess. Yet, a ship blocking a canal presents a tangible, straightforward issue—a massive object lodged inappropriately, making it easy to identify the cause of the disruption. While moving the ship may require considerable effort and financial loss, the solution seems simple: just relocate that vessel.

But what happens once it’s freed? Will the global community revert to ignoring supply chain complexities?

"Normal" entails systems so intricate that they necessitate algorithmic management while exploiting cheap labor in one part of the globe to provide savings in another—often failing to deliver critical resources during crises. It reflects an internet landscape where trust is scarce, as a few corporations that have grown too large profit from exploiting divisions to bolster advertising technologies. It also describes an economy that has largely evaded the control of elected officials, becoming a chaotic free-for-all where a handful hoard wealth by profiting from layoffs and fossil fuel consumption.

This column aimed to spotlight the risks posed by such complexity, suggesting that collapse is imminent. The Covid-19 pandemic amplified existing fractures, sparking discussions about unions, general strikes, protests, and mutual aid. We began to recognize the issues and glimpse potential solutions. It felt as if we could rally together to not only restore our metaphorical ship but also redirect it toward a more promising destination.

Regrettably, that moment has faded, lost amid the tumult of last year's events. We may have been distracted by police violence, staggering death tolls, or misled into believing the economy was stable while stock prices soared despite widespread unemployment. Either way, collective action appears to have been overshadowed by a desperate individualism, leading us to overlook unethical practices while pursuing dubious financial schemes.

Corporations like Amazon have learned that they can misrepresent working conditions on social media with little consequence, despite journalists’ efforts to counter misinformation. Tech firms employ experts to navigate their self-created complexities, only to dismiss them when their advice becomes inconvenient. Media companies are laying off staff, allegedly for unionizing, while others rush to secure lucrative deals with tech platforms, disregarding their colleagues.

The NFT craze has drawn artists, hit hard by the pandemic's economic fallout, into a speculative frenzy, ultimately benefiting hedge fund managers and crypto enthusiasts at the expense of emerging talent.

If this sounds grim and perplexing, it is. A year later, we find ourselves in a similar free fall, grappling with the enormity of change. Yet, if we unite and strive for a brighter future, we can reclaim that spirit of collective action.

A better world awaits, one where we transcend the complexities that hold us back while embracing those that fortify us. If we join forces, we can not only refloat our metaphorical ship but also recognize that this is merely the beginning.

Chapter 2: The Economic Outlook

This video explores the future of the economy and its interconnections with global events, shedding light on the underlying complexities that shape our world.

Chapter 3: Escaping the Current Paradigm

In this video, experts discuss the implications of global organizations and the urgent need for alternative systems as we navigate the crises facing our world today.