Once you’re exposed to these ideas, they become a bit infectious, and it wasn’t long until I had worked though a large chunk of his library, even if much of the mathematics that sits behind cybernetic thinking is beyond me.
Changing the ‘Toxic’ Discourse on Migration
Research shows that people greatly overestimate the total number of immigrants, think immigrants are culturally and religiously more distant from them, and economically weaker – less educated, more unemployed, and more reliant on and favored by government transfers – than they actually are.
Research shows that people greatly overestimate the total number of immigrants, think immigrants are culturally and religiously more distant from them, and economically weaker – less educated, more unemployed, and more reliant on and favored by government transfers – than they actually are.
Understanding Systems Thinking
All of the images here are courtesy of Gerald Midgley, who generously shared his slides after his talk. AFNZ has also shared a video of the talk online.
All of the images here are courtesy of Gerald Midgley, who generously shared his slides after his talk. AFNZ has also shared a video of the talk online.
The Red May Day and the Green May Day
Different cultures celebrated this in different ways.
Different cultures celebrated this in different ways.
Asking Questions About the Future
The Art of Strategic Conversation. In turn the book is probably the best single explanation of the Shell scenarios method.
The Art of Strategic Conversation. In turn the book is probably the best single explanation of the Shell scenarios method.
Using ‘Literary Futures’ to Open up the Imagination
I’ve been aware of the concept of “literary futures” since I attended a workshop at Lancaster University’s then Institute for Social Futures in early 2020.
I’ve been aware of the concept of “literary futures” since I attended a workshop at Lancaster University’s then Institute for Social Futures in early 2020.
Unravelling the Gender Politics of Young Men [PT 2]
There is some unfinished business from the previous piece on the gendered of young people. ‘Young’ is 18-29.
There is some unfinished business from the previous piece on the gendered of young people. ‘Young’ is 18-29.
Young Men and the Problem With Masculinity (PT 3)
My starting point here is a long article about masculinity in the Washington Post from last year by Christine Emba.
My starting point here is a long article about masculinity in the Washington Post from last year by Christine Emba.
Young Women Are Becoming More Radical. Young Men Aren’t. [PT 1]
The data journalist John Burn-Murdoch is consistently one of the most interesting writers on the Financial Times.
The data journalist John Burn-Murdoch is consistently one of the most interesting writers on the Financial Times.
Building the Democratic Local Economy
The magazine Stir to Action, and the project that sits behind it, has been one of the most effective popularisers in the UK of the idea of community economics and community wealth building.
The magazine Stir to Action, and the project that sits behind it, has been one of the most effective popularisers in the UK of the idea of community economics and community wealth building.
The ‘Vast Uncertainty’ of AI and Jobs
I wrote here, critically, about the recent IMF report on the impact of AI and jobs.
I wrote here, critically, about the recent IMF report on the impact of AI and jobs.
Why Business Futures Isn’t About Managing Uncertainty
Talking about VUCA—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity—is an unhelpful way to think about the future. It creates anxiety and it makes it harder for us to act.
Talking about VUCA—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity—is an unhelpful way to think about the future. It creates anxiety and it makes it harder for us to act.
The IMF’s AI and Jobs Report
There’s a new report out from the International Monetary Fund that says that globally 40% of jobs will be affected by AI.
There’s a new report out from the International Monetary Fund that says that globally 40% of jobs will be affected by AI.
How Davos Works
The people and events described in it spring directly from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actually existing people and events is entirely coincidental.
The people and events described in it spring directly from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actually existing people and events is entirely coincidental.
Planning for Degrowth
There was an article in Nature from late 2022 on degrowth that got some sudden attention over the holidays because economists and tech bros noticed it and turned out on social media to do some hating.
There was an article in Nature from late 2022 on degrowth that got some sudden attention over the holidays because economists and tech bros noticed it and turned out on social media to do some hating.
Busy Doing the Wrong Things
When the Post Office Horizon scandal starts in 1999, with the roll-out of the computer system by Fujitsu to Post Office branches, the Post Office is a division of the Royal Mail, which at that stage was a publicly owned corporation.
When the Post Office Horizon scandal starts in 1999, with the roll-out of the computer system by Fujitsu to Post Office branches, the Post Office is a division of the Royal Mail, which at that stage was a publicly owned corporation.