My guest today is Sebastian Huber, an expert in global trade and luxury goods with a deep focus on the business dynamics of Asia, particularly China. As a lecturer and researcher at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and with a background that includes global roles at luxury brands like Montblanc, he brings a unique perspective on Switzerland's place in the global market.

Expect to learn about the Swiss luxury industry, why Switzerland became a global hub for luxury brands, and how this craftsmanship is maintained. We dive into the unique Switzerland-China free trade agreement, what it's like to trade with China compared to other countries, and the challenges of competing Chinese brands. The conversation also explores how global political factors impact Switzerland and the future of luxury consumption in Asia.

CONTACT SEBASTIAN

• https://www.sebastianhuber.ch/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-huber-consulting/

  
  

  CONTACT MIKE

  https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/

  
  

  TIMESTAMPS

• 02:00 What the West misunderstands about doing business in China.

• 05:57 What defines the Chinese economy and its "overlapping Chinas".

• 11:50 The origin story of Swiss luxury: from musical boxes to watchmaking.

• 21:15 The unique history of Switzerland's free trade agreement with China.

• 37:40 The irrationality of luxury: why heritage matters more than function.

• 41:27 How Switzerland navigates global political tensions and trade wars.

My guest today is Javier Pérez-Ramírez, a full Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich, director of the NCCR Catalysis, and Chair of the Editorial Board of Green Chemistry. He and his team design chemical solutions to solve one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges, plastic waste. His work has been widely recognized with several awards.

Expect to learn about the magnitude of the global plastic waste problem and the significant discrepancy between the plastic we collect and what is actually recycled, The difference between mechanical and chemical recycling, and the technical barriers that have prevented scalable solutions until now. Javier also shares insights on which countries are leading the way, what Switzerland is doing to contribute, and the single most impactful action an individual can take to ensure their plastic waste has the best chance of being recycled.

CONTACT JAVIER PÉREZ-RAMÍREZ

• ETH Zurich Website

• • linkedin.com/in/javier-pérez-ramírez-64614211

  
  

  CONTACT MIKE

  https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/

  
  

  TIMESTAMPS

• 02:00 The magnitude of the plastic waste problem.

• 04:40 The current global rate for plastic recycling and what percentage has ever been recycled.

• 06:15 The discrepancy between the amount of plastic collected and what is actually recycled.

• 10:00 Switzerland's recycling performance and its focus on incineration.

• 12:20 The fundamental difference between mechanical and chemical recycling.

• 17:35 The technical and financial barriers that have blocked chemical recycling until now.

• 25:25 The realistic timeline for chemical recycling to make a significant impact.

• 35:00 New initiatives in Switzerland, including the NCCR Catalysis program.

• 40:30 Advice for individuals: the most impactful action they can take.

Elsbeth Stern is a cognitive psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Teaching-Learning Research at ETH Zurich. We delve into her extensive expertise to gain a deeper understanding of intelligence, its development, and its role in a changing world. The conversation addresses common myths about learning and provides a critical look at modern education.

Expect to learn about what intelligence really is and the influence of both nature and nurture. We discuss the value of taking an IQ test, and whether the idea of being a "math person" or an "art person" is scientifically supported. The conversation also provides Elsbeth's assessment of the current Swiss education system, her vision for an ideal school of the future, and the essential skills children need to develop for an AI-influenced world.

CONTACT ELSBETH

ETHZ_ElsbethStern

CONTACT MIKE

https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/

TRANSCRIPT

https://howitticks.ch/podcast/elsbeth-stern-intelligence-education/

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 Defining intelligence and cognitive flexibility.

• 00:01:06 The value of taking an IQ test.

• 00:07:05 Nature vs. nurture and intelligence.

• 00:13:58 How an average person's intelligence evolves over time.

• 00:24:00 Assessing the Swiss education system.

• 00:38:52 The impact of AI on learning.

• 00:44:06 Critical skills for an AI-influenced world.

• 00:46:58 Intelligence and autism.

•