The 16 young plaintiffs argued that the state’s continuing support of the fossil fuel industry violated their right to a clean and healthful environment.
Climate Politics and Culture Wars
I try not to get dragged into local British politics here: there’s no point in dwelling on private grief. But sometimes local British politics throws up moments that resonate more widely.
I try not to get dragged into local British politics here: there’s no point in dwelling on private grief. But sometimes local British politics throws up moments that resonate more widely.
Elites, Political Disintegration, and ‘Cliodynamics’
In his recent book End Times, Peter Turchin tries to lay out his story about social, political, and economic change for a popular audience.
In his recent book End Times, Peter Turchin tries to lay out his story about social, political, and economic change for a popular audience.
The Long Boom That Wasn’t
In the 90's, "I needed to know about the nascent internet, and to do this you needed to read WIRED magazine. At the time, this was like opening a vein and injecting yourself with Silicon Valley, before it became a vampire."
In the 90’s, “I needed to know about the nascent internet, and to do this you needed to read WIRED magazine. At the time, this was like opening a vein and injecting yourself with Silicon Valley, before it became a vampire.”
Changing Our Deep Narratives
I ordered John Higgs’ 2019 book The Future Starts Here from the library because I wanted to see how he addressed the subject of “the future.”
I ordered John Higgs’ 2019 book The Future Starts Here from the library because I wanted to see how he addressed the subject of “the future.”
The Humans That Make AIs Seem Human
One of the dirty secrets of artificial intelligence and the Large Language Models that sit behind them is that behind the technology there is always a worker.
One of the dirty secrets of artificial intelligence and the Large Language Models that sit behind them is that behind the technology there is always a worker.
Tech Bros Say the Sky Is Falling In
AI’s a noisy area right now, so just to be clear: this statement is not the same thing as the more specific open letter that was signed by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others back in March.
AI’s a noisy area right now, so just to be clear: this statement is not the same thing as the more specific open letter that was signed by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others back in March.
Looking for the Money in the AI Business
I’ve been following the noise since ChatGPT was launched a few months ago, and am struck by the way that it seems to have fired up some of the old tropes about the inevitability of technology that emerged much earlier in the long digital wave.
I’ve been following the noise since ChatGPT was launched a few months ago, and am struck by the way that it seems to have fired up some of the old tropes about the inevitability of technology that emerged much earlier in the long digital wave.
Turning Utility Companies Into Investment Vehicles
One of the current mysteries of British political economy is that our privatised water companies have promised to spend £10 billion to improve our sewage infrastructure, but that we’re all going to pay for it.
One of the current mysteries of British political economy is that our privatised water companies have promised to spend £10 billion to improve our sewage infrastructure, but that we’re all going to pay for it.
Paying for Clean Water: The Thames Water Crisis
It’s worth spending a little bit of time on the two parts of this story—first, the financial shenanigans, and then how to invest in rebuilding the sewage infrastructure.
So it’s worth spending a little bit of time on the two parts of this story—first, the financial shenanigans, and then how to invest in rebuilding the sewage infrastructure.
Why We Choose Narcissists as Leaders
Grandiose narcissists wreck everything they touch, and there is a trail of debris behind them that will take years to clear up.
Grandiose narcissists wreck everything they touch, and there is a trail of debris behind them that will take years to clear up.
Changing Our Deep Narratives
I ordered John Higgs’ 2019 book The Future Starts Here from the library because I wanted to see how he addressed the subject of “the future.”
I ordered John Higgs’ 2019 book The Future Starts Here from the library because I wanted to see how he addressed the subject of “the future.”
From Photography to “Promptography”
“Promptography is done with prompts. Photography is done with light.”
“Promptography is done with prompts. Photography is done with light.”
Looking for the Money in the AI Business
I’ve been following the noise since ChatGPT was launched a few months ago, and am struck by the way that it seems to have fired up some of the old tropes about the inevitability of technology that emerged much earlier in the long digital wave.
I’ve been following the noise since ChatGPT was launched a few months ago, and am struck by the way that it seems to have fired up some of the old tropes about the inevitability of technology that emerged much earlier in the long digital wave.
‘Industrial Wheatscapes Have Many Ghosts’
One of the most interesting things I have been involved in over the last eighteen months or so has been a private discussion group on what might be called, broadly, the ‘more than human’ futures.
One of the most interesting things I have been involved in over the last eighteen months or so has been a private discussion group on what might be called, broadly, the ‘more than human’ futures.
Changing How Businesses Think About Transition
This conflict is partly an argument about the difference between 20th century businesses and 21st century businesses.
This conflict is partly an argument about the difference between 20th century businesses and 21st century businesses.