Oz

10 years ago today, @jutcltd and I launched Google Transit, which embeds JUTC routes, schedules, and fares directly inside Google Maps. Here's the inside story of how a @UWImona student partnered with the JUTC to do the only such implementation in the Caribbean, and win a National Innovation Award. (Inspired by this decade-old tweet from @Gordonswaby, which I only just saw recently:

@VellusAurelius We're the best 👌

Jamaicans turned "If yuh mind nuh sharp" into "If yuh nuh mind sharp" and it stuck. #Jamaicanism

"If yuh nuh mind sharp" is one of the best Jamaicanisms.

@rn_livi Best drink on the market

Who mek dis? STOP!!!

This reminds me of the old salt mine in Poland that's now used for opera concerts.

@NikhailW @shanksrxx_ Do low-intensity cardio on the other 2 days, and include a rest day in the week as well. But what exactly are your fitness goals? Bigger muscles? A better 5k time? Wanna look good for carnival?

Gym people, I need some advice: I want to join a high-intensity workout class twice a week where they train core, strength, and endurance. What else should I work on during the other 3 days when I don’t go to class??

@taylorburrowes Your dad founded Medical Associates? Small world!

My father was 65 when I was born. Today he would be 112. Here’s what having an “old” father actually gave me. A man who had already lived. Oxford Rhodes Scholar. Captain of his several sports teams. Squadron Leader in the RAF at 26. An OB/GYN who built a 60-bed hospital in Kingston, Jamaica (his home) and delivered thousands of babies. But none of that is what shaped me most. He sang me Old Man River while I fell asleep in his arms every night. Got me up at sunrise to swim Seven Mile Beach where I grew up. Chopped coconuts open for me at breakfast. Taught me to dive, to spear fish, to hold my breath longer than fear. He didn’t do political correctness. He did conviction, honor and discipline. When I disappointed him, he didn’t explode. He spoke sternly and I straightened up. Not out of fear. Out of respect. He was older than most dads. But I never felt shortchanged, I barely noticed. I felt proud to have an older father. I felt protected. Chosen. I felt the gravity of a prolific legacy I still haven’t stopped trying to uphold. He died when I was 24. Long enough to imprint me. Not long enough to thank him properly. If you’re an older man wondering whether it’s too late to build something that lasts… it’s not. A father’s presence echoes far beyond his lifespan. 112 years since he entered the world, 22 since he left, and I still measure myself against his voice. Happy Birthday, Daddy 💛

So everybody decided that today was a gym day...

Every now and then someone comes to me asking if I can advise them around their new startup, in exchange for equity. I always tell them to keep the equity and just ask me whatever and I'll help if I can. I often tell people that I might not be able to tell them what to do, as in some ways, I'm still figuring that out...but I can tell them a lot of what not to do, having navigated this the first time without much guidance and made enough decisions that turned out to be the wrong ones. I'm opening up one 45 minute slot per week on my calendar, starting next week, for the next 6 weeks, specifically for founders *in* the Caribbean. If you're fairly new to to the startup world and you think bouncing something off me might be useful, you can book *one* slot (one so that others get a chance). I'm not charging anything for this, just my way of helping others. Booking Link: cal.com/moniquepowell/…

🇯🇲 THREAD: The MoF announced new revenue measures (aka taxes) in the upcoming 26/27 Budget. There is a fundamental problem with the approach though. In this thread I explain the issue as I see it and I include 16 specific policy proposals to illustrate the solution. 🧵👇

@mcknz02 Nope. Can go beach in peace.

@oswaldasmith Oh that's a good one! No more glasses needed at all?

Lasik

What's happening in the region is that Guyana's GDP and wages have skyrocketed and unemployment has plummeted. We should be so lucky.

Where are the "I hope Jamaica doesn't find oil" idiots now?

Not if u have a sunroof.

@drinkstain Valid strategy. Any activity is better than none. And after a few sessions, you'll get the hang of the machines, and learn new exercises by osmosis 👌.

@VictorClemetson That could be applied to literally all the economic activity that we already do🤷🏾‍♂️

@oswaldasmith We all know where we live and what we would love to see but we also know what will happen if things go unchecked …

So the same people who complain daily on here that the exchange rate is too high, that we're too dependent on tourism and remittances, that the cost of energy is too high, and that good, well-paying jobs aren't available to Jamaican graduates... ....are hoping and praying that we don't find oil. Brain worms.

@VictorClemetson @Withlove_krista Lmao you don't even believe that

@oswaldasmith @Withlove_krista Iraq 🙈

@VictorClemetson What policies would you like to see?

@oswaldasmith We have seen our oil several times - green gold(banana) and red gold(bauxite) etc … and what happen… kind reminder that we were the #1 producer of bauxite/alumina … until we have world class policies in place…

@AkuaWalters Yes. No joke: I'm probably closer to it than you are, in all honesty.

@oswaldasmith Have you been paying attention to what's happening in their society?

@AkuaWalters Very familiar with T&T. Their GDP per Capita is more than twice ours. 72 in Human Development Index, we're at 115. Seems the oil didn't work out too bad for them either.

You've met Trinidad and Tobago, yes? Give it time. The issue with untapped wealth, is the lack of planning and a clear vision for how to use that wealth for the benefit of many/all. I may have brain worms, but it's in service and concern for the collective well-being of every citizen.