What has the Uncertainty Principle got to do with Philippines?
I’ll cut to the chase and keep it VERY simple -- either the Philippines shapes up -- or the uncertainty of its future is very certain -- and no slogan on the planet will save Filipinos from the consequences of their delusions.
Given a universe of countries in Oceania and Asia -- an application of the uncertainty principle tells you that “The theoretical momentum distribution derived from the quantum state is supposed to coincide with the hypothetical distribution of outcomes obtained in an infinite series of repetitions of the momentum measurement ” - The graphs in the following section capture a distribution of outcomes in a time series.
A snapshot of the behavior of the various economic particles in the Asia/Oceania universe was captured in 2010. There snapshots of prior periods -- like 2008 and 2009. And there will be future snapshots in 2011, 2012 so on and so forth.
What is the probability that the Philippines will wind up in a different position in the Asia/Oceania universe if it keeps on with its current practices in governance, economics, ethics, culture, education, health, infrastructure?
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
It has been decades since I last sat in my Physics class -- blame it on my natural sciences degree in Biology and coursework in Electrical Engineering and grad school -- and the battery of statistics courses that go with it.
As pointed out in http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qt-uncertainty/
In quantum mechanics a system is supposed to be described by its quantum state, also called its state vector.
Given the state vector, one can derive probability distributions for all the physical quantities pertaining to the system such as its position, momentum, angular momentum, energy, etc.
The operational meaning of these probability distributions is that they correspond to the distribution of the values obtained for these quantities in a long series of repetitions of the measurement. More precisely, one imagines a great number of copies of the system under consideration, all prepared in the same way.
On each copy the momentum, say, is measured. Generally, the outcomes of these measurements differ and a distribution of outcomes is obtained.
The theoretical momentum distribution derived from the quantum state is supposed to coincide with the hypothetical distribution of outcomes obtained in an infinite series of repetitions of the momentum measurement. The same holds, mutatis mutandis, for all the other physical quantities pertaining to the system. Note that no simultaneous measurements of two or more quantities are required in defining the operational meaning of the probability distributions.
Metaphors -- Application of the Heisenberg Principle to the Competitiveness Index
Here’s the framework:
- Universe = Asia/Oceania particles
- Nations/economies = particles/quanta
- Series of Repetitions = Time Series
- Instant of Momentum = Year 2009
- Particle’s Physical Quantities = KPIs/Index (in this case Competitiveness Index)
Each of the following snapshots of these “particles” tell a story -- infinite variations within a band in the distribution curve.
Snapshots of Quantum Particles in the Asia/Oceania Universe
Investments
How will investors invest if they don’t feel protected from undue influence? Like you know -- being forced to go into 60/40 joint ventures -- as mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution -- Article 12.
The only way to get things done in the Philippines is irregular payments and bribes -- from the President down to a janitor in a remote LGU from Aparri to Jolo?
Lack of competition, lesser choices, lesser infrastructure availability -- translates to big bucks for the oligarchs AND higher prices for consumers (NLEX, SLEX fees, Meralco, PLDT, FPIC, Globe Bayantel, VECO, DLPC, MWSS). Kay ganda ng alin? Ng 60/40 provisions that FORCE foreign investors to go into joint ventures INSTEAD of competing against the LOUSY LOCAL oligarchs.
Infrastructure
Roads roads roads… diversion of public funds -- being “public servant” is lucrative business in the Philippines. Do you have any idea how many developers are in cahoots with the Congressmen and Senators? For example, Malita in Davao del Sur -- just ask around who owns the companies that build roads in Malita -- and how these companies are related to the mayor and congressman. Heck you’ll find the same thing in anywhere in the Philippines.
Lots of probes in the Philippines -- but no conviction -- just “cleared” -- remember the WB collusion report? Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro inabswelto ang mga lintyak. 
The World Bank has applied sanctions in many countries in response to findings of corrupt behavior, and so far more than 340 firms have been blacklisted from doing business with Bank-financed projects. Their names are published on the World Bank’s website: -
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Here’s the Philippine response -
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Health and Education
Universal health care? Public education? Dream on Philippines -- HOY GISING!!!
Peace and Order, Ethics, Dispute Settlement
What if the law enforcers by day are also the law breakers by night? What was the complaint filed against Mendoza? What was the complaint of Mendoza against the Ombudsman? How Aquino’s BFF USec Puno and jueteng?
In plain and simple language -- the fastest way to settle disputes in the Philippines is through irregular payments and bribes. The world is watching -- who are we fooling? We have lots of Filipinos who behave with impunity -- Ampatuan, cocaine bearing Congressmen, jueteng -- name it we got it.
Talk about being in the bottom of the barrel when it comes to regulation and ethics and corruption -- WOW PHILIPPINES!!!
*****
Uncertainty relations can be considered as statements about the spreads of the probability distributions of the several physical quantities arising from the same state. 
Given a protectionist economy/particle with an inefficient governance framework -
Where do you think will it wind up in a probability distribution that measures prosperity? Will you predict that it will be on top of the heap? Or will we just say it is unpredictable? Or are we willing to man up line and make a prediction
****
Given the state vector, one can derive probability distributions for all the physical quantities pertaining to the system such as its position, momentum, angular momentum, energy, etc. The operational meaning of these probability distributions is that they correspond to the distribution of the values obtained for these quantities in a long series of repetitions of the measurement. - In the previous graphs -- the physical quantities pertaining to the various “particles/quanta” (aka individual economies/countries/nations) are the KPIs -- and based on these KPIs, the outcome of where the individual economy will be in a probability distribution is quite predictable.
Connect the dots -- it’s VERY simple
- Either the Philippines shapes up -- or the uncertainty of its future is very certain.
I was asked whether “Wow Philippines” or “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” is better. My answer is -- none of the above.
Let’s get our shit together first -- walk before you run, Philippines.
Start with the low hanging fruit.
Related reads:
http://antipinoy.com/a-tale-of-two-countries-korea-and-the-philippines/
http://antipinoy.com/the-myth-of-filipinos-cant-compete-in-a-global-market/
http://antipinoy.com/the-myth-of-walang-mahirap-kung-walang-corrupt/
About the Author
BongV has written 189 stories on this site.
BongV is a supply chain analyst and designer, IT micro-preneur (for now), advocate of globalization and education, and who volunteers his free time raising funds to support poor schools in the Philippines. He is a formerly Division Chief of the Investment Generation and Projects Development Division of the "Invest in Davao"/Davao Investment Promotion Center in 1994-97.
If I were an ordinary Filipino, with a four years of college education; I will never understand what the article is about…
Sure, we want foreign capitals and investors. However, will they come if:
(1) Our country is in Feudal State. With Political Warlords controlling the political outcomes?
(2) There is a serious insurgency problem in the country.
(3) Datuism is alive and well. With the Datus, becoming very wealthy like the Ampatuans in Maguindanao. Monopolizing the Political power. while their constituents live in poverty.
(4) Widespread corruption. I have yet to see a high official jailed for corruption. Erap Estrada went to jail. Mainly, as a way of disposing him; so that Gloria Arroyo, can stay in power. I do not mean that Erap Estrada is innocent; because he is a Jueteng Lord.
Put our country in order first; before, we can invite foreign investors…
[Reply]
Hyden Toro Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
It was the great Professor Albert Einstein of Princeton University in U.S., who formulated the Quantum Physics Theory of Unified States…, in relation to his Theory of Relativity. The convergence of Electromagnetic Forces, gives a time wrap, where time and space are one. So, a material as big as a Battleship; can disappear and reappear. The same materialization and de-materialization of Captain Kirk, in the movie: “Star Trek.” Or, there was an experiment by the U.S Navy in World War II, that made a battleship, disappear, and reappear. It left the crew of the ship insane for life…
I wish I can conduct that experiment to our Politicians. It would be better for our country. If I can make them disappear, and reappear in the “Dragon Triangle”, near us…make them also insane…
[Reply]
Zadkiel Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
the Philidelphia Experiment. There was a movie for it.
now you wish it was the Philippine (Government) Experiment. Anyway we have the NCMH for them.
[Reply]
Hyden Toro Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
You got it…thanks…now, let us find a way to try it on our stupid politicians…if we can find a better result to improve our political system…agree? You can begin rounding them up now, for the experiment…Batasan Pambansa Experiment !
Thanks for the great article
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I remember reading those articles about the Philippines’ response to the WB collusion report. I found it utterly disgusting. “Squatter in the Phillipines”?
I say the WB should demand payment of all of the Philippines’ debts, order a freeze on all international accounts of Filipino government officials in the case of no or partial payment, and refuse all requests of financial assistance from the Philippines in the future. Simply stop doing business with the Philippines and see how the government likes it without any financial assistance.
Although I’m no lawyer or economist to know if any of the above is possible or would have any effect, though. It sounds like the just thing to do.
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Maki_Alam Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I agree. I think it’s pathetic how dependent we are on foreign aid. Tapos kukurakutin lang.
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ChinoF Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
And they even blame foreigners for the problems of the country. As if they can prove that.
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P-Noy takes over PCSO
Something’s brewing in malacanang.
Lutong macao = Lottong malacanang.
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Seeing those graphs Philippines not even going on the lower bottom of the line
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Aegis-Judex Reply:
November 25th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
As far as the world is concerned, you can say this country is the scum of the Earth.
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Yipeee….all those graphs and The Philippines is on top of each one of them!!!! That MUST be a good thing
LOL
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