Some of the acrimony is specific to our modern societies, but some of it has very deep roots in our ‘civilised’ world. [Sent to Pearls & Irritations, but they have been unreceptive to my stuff lately.] There is a ‘civility pledge’ being promoted to our politicians: “In my political life, I pledge to act with… Read More The deeper roots of political acrimony
So-called artificial intelligence systems are unknowable if they are working as intended. Regulation of their behaviour will never be reliable.… Read More Some things are innately impossible: long-range weather forecasting, predicting financial markets, controlling AI
The great crises confronting us threaten both society and the planetary environment. If the Greens want to remain relevant to those causes they need to lift their sights and lift their game.… Read More If not now, when for the Greens?
Currently we are charging blindly into calamity. We need to look fearlessly and forensically into our socio-economic system so we can regain control and save our civilisation.… Read More Why have we not heeded Attenborough’s warnings?
Are we just selfish brutes who need to be civilised into social, moral behaviour? If not, where do our decency and altruism come from? Can we resist the tides of fear and control rolling over us and cultivate more compassionate and peaceable societies? [Published by Pearls & Irritations 10 July 2025] Elon Musk reckons ‘the… Read More Empathy, morality, civilisation, and resisting tyrants
Deregulation basically allowed the financial system to break out of its relatively small, useful role and become a huge parasite, sucking wealth to the already-wealthy and depriving the poor and middle class.… Read More How Ronald Reagan Started the Ruination of the USA
To properly stop the machine we need to look more carefully, to find the off-switch. Only turning the machine’s engine off will finally stop the destruction. Where is the engine, the beating heart of this global materialist-consumerist-industrial civilisation?… Read More Unconstrained competitive markets are the heart of the planetary problem
We are assured our alleged alliance with our great and powerful friend, the United States, is based on shared values. Really? I went to the pictures the other day, to see a doco about Aussie football. It featured a focus on winning, certainly, but by means of teamwork, having fun, having a healthy family life… Read More Shared values?
I expect to resume more frequent commentary, though not on a regular schedule.… Read More Resuming
It is possible to create a much fairer, safer and more durable society than we have at present. The means are available, if we dispense with myths and special interests. It is there for us to do.… Read More A Thrival Budget
