Ryan Minton, 5th from left, at OPEC HQ in Vienna. A unique opportunity for HS students participating in the OPEC simulation 7/19/24ย
Maps to Markets "Mr. Representative, your proposed quota cuts seem...aggressive." The voice echoed across the OPEC boardroom, filled with the curious stares of student delegates from around the world.ย We were high schoolers, thrown into a global energy crisis simulation as part of an intense international competition.
As I defended our strategy, something clicked.ย Behind the numbers were real people, real lives impacted by our decisions.ย And then, another realization: AI could revolutionize how we manage the global economy, predicting disruptions and optimizing resources.ย This was my "aha!" moment.
That simulation, that bronze medal โ third place in a global battle of wits โ was a catalyst.ย It fueled my passion for economics, sparked by those "Made in..." labels that whispered tales of interconnectedness.
My journey from "maps to markets" has been a personal exploration, driven by a desire to understand the intricate dance of geography, economics, international relations, and the transformative power of AI.ย The Observatory of Economic Complexity, my virtual playground, allows me to trace the flow of goods and resources, a constant reminder of our interconnected world.ย This is my path, and I'm just getting started.
Fun Fact:ย Did you know the US imports millions of live "bee-utiful" queen bees every year?
These busy bees are crucial for pollinating our crops โ almonds, apples, blueberries, you name it!ย Without them, our grocery stores would look pretty bare. (The USDA even tracks these bee imports!) It's a humbling thought: my food supply literally depends on these tiny creatures and the global trade that brings them to us.ย It makes me realize just how interconnected we all are.ย Explore the OEC tool and discover more surprising imports that impact our lives in amazing ways!"