Category Archives: The world we live in Now

Observations and reflections of sweeping change

The R-word

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Michaela

By Ted Rall The Associated Press’ Paul Wiseman had one of the snappier headlines last week: “The Economic Recovery Turns Two – Feel Better?” “After previous recessions, people in all income groups tended to benefit,” Wiseman wrote. “This time, ordinary … Continue reading →

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When the poor give to the rich

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Michaela

By Susanne Lundin A few days ago, a friend of mine, a medical scientist and physician in a Swedish hospital, received an astounding offer in her email box. In poorly written English, the missive read: “My name is Alex. I am [a] 31 years … Continue reading →

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News of the World

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Michaela

Scotland Yard collected evidence in 2006 indicating that hundreds of celebrities, government officials, soccer stars – anyone whose personal secrets could be tabloid fodder – might have had their phone messages hacked by reporters at the News of the World … Continue reading →

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Excuses

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Michaela

By Paul Krugman If you were shocked by Friday’s job report, if you thought we were doing well and were taken aback by the bad news, you haven’t been paying attention. The fact is, the United States economy has been … Continue reading →

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Cui bono* ?

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Michaela

By Joseph E Stiglitz Just a few years ago, a powerful ideology – the belief in free and unfettered markets – brought the world to the brink of ruin. Even in its hey-day, from the early 1980s until 2007, US-style … Continue reading →

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The ceiling and the abyss

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Michaela

From the Economist GIDEON RACHMAN had a good thumb-sucker in yesterday’s Financial Times arguing that the current political-economic crises in America and Europe are basically two sides of the same crisis. “In Washington they are arguing about a debt ceiling; … Continue reading →

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The end of mass media

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Michaela

From the Economist: A special report on the news industry: The end of mass media THERE IS A great historical irony at the heart of the current transformation of news. The industry is being reshaped by technology—but by undermining the mass … Continue reading →

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Life after Capitalism

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Michaela

By Robert Skidelsky In 1995, I published a book called The World After Communism. Today, I wonder whether there will be a world after capitalism. That question is not prompted by the worst economic slump since the 1930s. Capitalism has always had … Continue reading →

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Enjoy the ride

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Michaela

The most important priority in a time of uncertainty is to learn to become comfortable with uncertainty. ” That is easier said than done” you may say. But truly – what is so difficult about it ? We are living … Continue reading →

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Most revolutions have been about debt

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Michaela

More than 750,000 British public sector workers staged a 24-hour strike Thursday in a stand-off with the government’s plans to reform public sector pensions. The reforms come as the government tries to trim its deficit and would require public workers … Continue reading →

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