Currently reading "The Alchemy of Air" about the invention of the Haber-Bosch process. One note:

Before synthetic ammonia, demand for fertilizer led to several economic mini-booms. E.g., Peru saw rapid growth due to the sale of guano, a potent fertilizer made up of dried bird droppings.

Re CDU:
- CDU is becoming more open to debt break reform + they might restart TTIP negotiations (this could work, given USMCA under Trump v1)
- CDU could enter into a coalition with the Greens, who are not as opposed to tax cuts and labor reform as the SPD.

People are very doom-y about Germany's economy.

But I think there will be a reversion to the mean:

- The country always reformed when its economy tanked (e.g., Agenda 2010). Reform will happen again.
- The pro-business CDU will soon govern with a strong mandate.