The first of two posts on the UK Post Office scandal. In Part 1: how it bullied its sub-postmasters, and the worldview that drove the scandal.
Imagining the Future of Food in a Net Zero World
The project report is being launched this week, and so I am able to share the scenarios and some of the methodology here.
The project report is being launched this week, and so I am able to share the scenarios and some of the methodology here.
Images of the Future
I was at a workshop in Cambridge during the summer, called ‘People and Patterns”, hosted by the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.
I was at a workshop in Cambridge during the summer, called ‘People and Patterns”, hosted by the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.
Solving the ‘Gnarly Problems’ of Business
I picked up The Crux (2022) because Richard Rumelt’s previous book, Good Strategy Bad Strategy, is one of the best books out there on strategy.
I picked up The Crux (2022) because Richard Rumelt’s previous book, Good Strategy Bad Strategy, is one of the best books out there on strategy.
Mapping the Actors: Futures and Scenarios
The Influencers are often the most interesting and dynamic actors in the system, as they are the ones trying to make change happen.
The Influencers are often the most interesting and dynamic actors in the system, as they are the ones trying to make change happen.
How to Live Without Growth
A review of Kate Soper’s book ‘Post-Growth Living: For an alternative hedonism’.
A review of Kate Soper’s book ‘Post-Growth Living: For an alternative hedonism’.
Meddling Kids’ Win Landmark Climate Case in the US
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.
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.