Category Archives: The world we live in Now

Observations and reflections of sweeping change

When austerity fails

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Michaela

By Paul Krugman I often complain, with reason, about the state of economic discussion in the United States. And the irresponsibility of certain politicians — like those Republicans claiming that defaulting on U.S. debt would be no big deal — … Continue reading →

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They want to be

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Michaela

By Thomas L Friedman There is a story making the rounds among Lebanese Facebook users about a Syrian democracy activist who was stopped at a Syrian Army checkpoint the other day. He reportedly had a laptop and a thumb drive … Continue reading →

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Change cannot be denied

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Michaela

Moment of Opportunity Transcript President Obama’s vision for reforms across the Middle East and North Africa. If you listen carefully, you hear him speak to his own fellow country (wo)men about change, not just for others, but themselves. Even tough … Continue reading →

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Science and democracy

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Michaela

From revolution to Enlightenment By Dan Hind Scientific enquiry and politics have always been bound together. The birth of a recognisably modern scientific establishment in Britain coincided with the end of absolute monarchy. An oligarchy of landed and learned gentlemen … Continue reading →

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Money, Sex and Power

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Michaela

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the once popular chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was taken off a plane  and arrested for the attack and attempted rape of a chambermaid in a hotel in New York. This incidence left the political and … Continue reading →

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Healthy Business

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Michaela

I just read an article that health insurers (in the US) are making record profits. The reason for  this is due to hefty premiums, but also that many people seem to postpone care, because they cannot afford the co-payments for … Continue reading →

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The mystery of God in a broken world

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Michaela

By Randall C Archibold As a poet, novelist and essayist, Javier Sicilia tapped a deep strain of Catholicism to obsess over “the mystery of God in a broken world,” as he put it two years ago when he was awarded … Continue reading →

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More of the same

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Michaela

by Paul Krugman  The past three years have been a disaster for most Western economies. The United States has mass long-term unemployment for the first time since the 1930s. Meanwhile, Europe’s single currency is coming apart at the seams. How … Continue reading →

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Inequality, crisis and hunger

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Michaela

3 critical articles that explore some very inconvenient truths, relationships and consequences: Global capitalism and 21st century facism The global economic crisis and the attack on immigrant rights are bound together in a web of 21st century fascism. Fighting the … Continue reading →

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Finally – a change of thinking

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Michaela

The International Monetary Fund has realised that a nation’s economic well-being depends on social equality and justice. By Joseph E Stiglitz The annual spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund was notable in marking the Fund’s effort to distance itself … Continue reading →

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