A bit from the chapter I'm writing: Capitalism plays to what is most insidious in human ‘nature’: competitiveness, acquisitiveness, instant gratification, tribalism. It’s fundamental mandates, the profit motive; economies of scale; the price mechanism; inelasticity of demand… allow this game. The game derives from its character. Capitalism is not programmed for altruism. It is, and … Continue reading Ch 5: Human nature — The hierarchy of needs
Category: Economics
The beguiling sins of Industrial Capitalism
It seems to me that Industrial Capitalism deserves a tome (popular in style and tone) cataloguing its beguiling sins. By Industrial Capitalism I mean that invidious, factory-based, technologically-innovative, profit-driven, labour-exploiting form which grew up in Europe (first in the United Kingdom) and later the USA, out of various Industrial Revolutions. And this catalogue of sins? … Continue reading The beguiling sins of Industrial Capitalism
Gapminder – what a great resource
Many an IDEAS FESTIVAL wants people to think about 'the way we think, eat, move, build, care, communicate and share information'. Gapminder.org is a phenomenally useful site and resource, particularly for Years 9- 12, though with opportunities to be employed even in the upper primary Years. Gapminder's primary focus is on using statistics to explore developmental … Continue reading Gapminder – what a great resource
Inkstained fingers 