In Hans Christian Anderson's famous tail, The Emperor's New Clothes, a vain ruler is tricked by a pair or shrewd into walking around naked, in the belief that he was wearing clothes so fine and luxurious that only those with exquisite taste could see them. Today, we are all close to sharing that Emperor's delusions. … Continue reading The Emperor Has No Clothes
It's no secret, Terry Pratchett is my all-time favourite author, and has been since I was an 11-year-old girl-child, told by my English teacher to "go read this book [Lords and Ladies] at the back of the classroom. You're too smart for what I'm about to teach the rest of them." (true story). Although dismissed … Continue reading A Slip of The Keyboard
I'll be honest. I bought this book because of the title. I was bored, stuck in an airport with a delayed flight, killing time in a bookshop and the title called to me from across the store - after all who doesn't like a good conspiracy? Despite its random impulse purchase status, I loved this book. … Continue reading Conspiracy (with a very interesting cast)
"We define ourselves in relative terms, not absolute ones. More stuff, more power, less this or less that. Who's up and who's down?" - Seth Godin Why do talks about equality so often equate to moving the top half of the ladder down towards the lowest common denominator rather than moving the bottom half of … Continue reading It’s all relative
If it feels like somebody is watching you, well, it's because they are. Who is this somebody? Pretty much anybody who wants to, that's who: Skynet Your insurance company and medical aid have already sold you respectively on the "benefits" of letting them track your driving habits, through your cellphone insurance app, and your lifestyle … Continue reading Somebody’s watching you…
One of the most important rapidly advancing trends of our time is that of Universal Basic Income (UBI). The utopian idea behind Universal Basic Income is intoxicating: every human gets a "free" living wage paid to them by the state. The rational behind the idea is similarly palatable; as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more and … Continue reading Universal Basic Income – a Quick Thought
Would you go vegan if you could do so without giving up meat - or dairy? (After all, come on, what is the point of life without a cheese-board and the odd chocolate croissant to look forward to?) Well, you can. The Faux Food industry is trending - and the produce being produced is not just … Continue reading Faux Food
An old one, but a good one nonetheless. Economics made easy, with cows. SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The State takes one and gives it to your neighbour. COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The State takes both and gives you and your neighbour some of the milk. FASCISM: You have two cows. The State takes … Continue reading Ecownomics
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing . It was here first." ~ Mark Twain
Why do we strive for equality? We say we want smaller wage gaps, equal pay, equal rights, equal privilege, equal opportunities. But do you really want to be equal with everyone else? The worldwide median family income is less than $10,000 per annum. That would be 'fair'. But do you want your family to live on … Continue reading On equality
