Many people jacking up a building - GIF

[Jon]

Those excavators remind me of an invading force. But instead of mustering at the edge of a shared geopolitical border, they're assembling at the edge of our economy. I also think about the various GIFs demonstrating global GDP share. You can see a strong parallel between the rise of nations like China and India, and the videos we watch of industrialization in those parts of the world.

[Toolmaker51]

GDP is a good measure, but it indicates that of a country, not individuals. If GDP was broken down between actual goods versus services, I'm sure the loss of our manufacturers would sour the picture.
Despite political boasting of the sitch-i-ation...How can they overshadow evidence of what were such minor economies. Granted, they generate a tremendous amount of call center and equivalent services, but videos like the excavator parade indicate a mighty industrial presence. They're smart enough to know it takes both to prosper overall.

[ranald]

It is a good indicator however not a measure of per person. Somewhat like AWE (AVE WEEKLY EARNINGS within a country). Ours is quite well done however even though the top 10 percent and bottom 10 percent are not included the AWE is well above the average persons earnings before all the unseen & not measured taxes like GST, fuel taxes & excises that we all pay leaving the average joe much poorer than those on AWE..Even GDP per capita is not a real measure and places loke Monaco is way above ours(AU) and other western countries. Hard to quantify & correlate real life situations.

[Jon]

Training the new guy. Actually another good glimpse into China's industrial boom.

[ranald]

I've known some to takis to work with them! What about an accident. I knew a guy that would strap his toddler to a ride-on mower bonnet then eventually bolted a plastic seat to the bonnet as the kiddie got bored & would escape the tie down.

[Toolmaker51]

Another excellent metaphor for China's industrial boom:

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Just discovered where this herd disguised themselves and descended upon.........
http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/1...137#post100835

[Jon]

Anyone know what's going on here?

[Toolmaker51]

Anyone know what's going on here?

Clear evidence of intense mechanization, plenty of manpower, and the 'all for one' mentality.
Someone lost their contact lenses...

[mklotz]

Picking something valuable and rare, e.g. gold nuggets, diamonds, other gems) from stream of pebbles. The heavy steel boxes hint at the value of whatever they are collecting, as does the watchman on the chair.

The pebbles are all rounded indicating they came from a river or stream (as opposed to coming from an ore crushing mill). River suggests gold nuggets. Or, perhaps, there are precious stones that wash out in some places in Asia.

[PJs]

Agreed about precious stones or metals but what comes to mind is "Watching the rocks roll by"...a place to ponder ones meaning in life.