Something insignificant is sometimes said to be worth "a pinch of salt." On the other hand, people of impeccable integrity are often called, "the salt of the earth." Salt is now among the most common substances on earth, although once it was rarer and more valuable than gold. Paul Kennedy considers the incredible history, science and mythology of salt.
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Tagged with “economy”
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Salt - Part One
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Tech Weekly: the iPad launch
Join Aleks Krotoski, Jemima Kiss and Charles Arthur as they dig into the implications of the new Apple iPad, released last Friday, and already a huge market success. The machine, which has sold more than 2m units in 60 days, hasn’t yet found its killer app, but Jemima – who has one – and Charles – who doesn’t want one – predict it will transform the technological landscape.
But don’t just take their word for it. Web user interaction expert Jakob Nielsen describes why in an interview with Jack Schofield. He also defines what developers need to know when designing portable touchscreen interfaces.
And the numbers have it too: Apple beat Microsoft for the biggest technology company in the world. Charles tells the story behind the numbers, and explains why, in the future, Apple will remain top gun.
The team also tackles the first real outcome of the controversial Digital Economy Act. Communications regulator Ofcom has published first draft of its proposed code of actions for copyright infringers. The three-strikes system is up for debate in the consultation that lasts until 30 July.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/audio/2010/jun/01/tech-weekly-ipad-launch
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Fear Is the Mind-killer by Jeremy Keith
These opening remarks were delivered at a debate on The Digital Economy Act held in Brighton in April 2010.
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Everything Incorporated
Social critic Douglas Rushkoff is ready to think big in response to the economic crisis still rocking the U.S. and the world. Really big.
Rushkoff thinks we got off track as a society a ways back. About 400 years back.
He’s not against capitalism. But the form we fell into –corporate capitalism – is killing us, he says. Killing values and communities. Turning us into the “brand that is me.” Turning homes into investments and 401k balances into cold barometers of success or failure.
It doesn’t have to be this way, he says.
This hour, On Point: Douglas Rushkoff rethinks our corporatized lives.
From: http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/06/douglas-rushkoffs-life-inc
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Michael Pollan, “Deep Agriculture”
The benefit of a reformed food system, besides better food, better environment and less climate shock, is better health and the savings of trillions of dollars. Four out of five chronic diseases are diet-related. Three quarters of medical spending goes to preventable chronic disease. Pollan says we cannot have a healthy population, without a healthy diet. The news is that we are learning that we cannot have a healthy diet without a healthy agriculture. And right now, farming is sick…
http://blog.longnow.org/2009/05/06/michael-pollan-deep-agriculture/
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What Do I Do With Myself, Now that the Economy Has Collapsed?
They say the tech economy ebbs and flows on a 7 year cycle, and if that’s true, we’re just about over the peak and into the down cycle for companies and employees alike. So what are we to do with ourselves, when it all comes crashing down around us? This panel’s been through a downturn or two and will have some specific recommendations about how to get the most out of it, both personally and professionally.
- Andy Baio Writer/Coder, Waxy.org
- Lane Becker Pres, Get Satisfaction Inc
- Ben Brown Internet Rockstar, XOXCO
- Jane Mount 20x200
- Michael Sippey VP Prod, Six Apart Ltd
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G20: ‘I’m dressed as death, to represent the death of the economy’
Alok Jha speaks to some of the different protesters at the demonstration in London.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/audio/2009/apr/02/g20-protesters
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Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Benoit Mandelbrot on the financial crisis
The infuriating Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the dreadfully-written (but annoyingly correct) Black Swan, gets to say "I told you so.":
As the financial sector shifts, so does the reach of the jolt to economic structures around the world. Economist Nassim Nicholas Taleb and his mentor, mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, speak with Paul Solman about chain reactions and predicting the financial crisis.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec08/psolman_10-21.html
Tagged with nassim nicholas taleb mathematics economy economics
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This American Life: Another Frightening Show About the Economy
Alex Blumberg and NPR’s Adam Davidson—the two guys who reported our Giant Pool of Money episode—are back, in collaboration with the Planet Money podcast. They’ll explain what happened this week, including what regulators could’ve done to prevent this financial crisis from happening in the first place.
Tagged with this american life npr financial crisis economy