http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/07/26/the-age-of-regression/
Very pointed article discussing shifts in what is normal in current 1st world capitalist societies. And what is considered human or socially normal. Interesting reference to Aldous Huxley to follow up.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Migrants from the Near East 'brought farming to Europe'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11729813
- genetic evidence supports migration from the Middle East brought farming to Europe
ie. farming was not adopted by the indigenous hunter-gatherer population
- see links to other articles at the bottom
- genetic evidence supports migration from the Middle East brought farming to Europe
ie. farming was not adopted by the indigenous hunter-gatherer population
- see links to other articles at the bottom
The World Bank and the Development Delusion
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/09/201292673233720461.html
- a strong, detailed critique of the World Bank's effect on developing economies and of the bank's underlying goals/philosophy/world view.
- a strong, detailed critique of the World Bank's effect on developing economies and of the bank's underlying goals/philosophy/world view.
Making of Europe Unlocked by DNA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22252099
- interesting article looking at the origin of modern European DNA profile
- the idea that the earlier hunter-gatherer population was replaced by a wave of migrants from the Middle East at the beginning of the Neolithic period
- a new idea that a major shift in population also occurred around 4500 years ago that needs to be explored more
- the "Bell Beaker" culture group seems to have played an important role in this late shift (curiously, they are strongly related genetically to the populations in modern Spain and Portugal)
- see links to other articles at bottom
- interesting article looking at the origin of modern European DNA profile
- the idea that the earlier hunter-gatherer population was replaced by a wave of migrants from the Middle East at the beginning of the Neolithic period
- a new idea that a major shift in population also occurred around 4500 years ago that needs to be explored more
- the "Bell Beaker" culture group seems to have played an important role in this late shift (curiously, they are strongly related genetically to the populations in modern Spain and Portugal)
- see links to other articles at bottom
Sunday, 9 September 2012
What is Work Really For?
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/08/work-good-or-bad/?src=recg
An interesting article that looks at consumerism-created need as an economic driver versus needs as conceived by educated, thinking individuals. An economy whose goal is creating profit for the sake of profit (or for the sake of an economic elite) versus an economy whose goal is meeting genuine human needs as conceived by independent, thinking individuals in society. An economy that creates increased leisure time as production becomes more efficient.
Author also argues the need for a liberal education as opposed to education as job training.
To find: How Much is Enough - Robert and Edward Skidelsky
An interesting article that looks at consumerism-created need as an economic driver versus needs as conceived by educated, thinking individuals. An economy whose goal is creating profit for the sake of profit (or for the sake of an economic elite) versus an economy whose goal is meeting genuine human needs as conceived by independent, thinking individuals in society. An economy that creates increased leisure time as production becomes more efficient.
Author also argues the need for a liberal education as opposed to education as job training.
To find: How Much is Enough - Robert and Edward Skidelsky
Monday, 3 September 2012
Henry Ford and Current Economic Situation
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/opinion/henry-ford-when-capitalists-cared.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
A well-written reminder of the views of Henry Ford on paying workers and a healthy economy. Also an interesting comparison with Germany that undercuts the claim that falling wages are a result of globalization - consensual as opposed to confrontational social contract.
A well-written reminder of the views of Henry Ford on paying workers and a healthy economy. Also an interesting comparison with Germany that undercuts the claim that falling wages are a result of globalization - consensual as opposed to confrontational social contract.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Chomsky interview on Israel Palestine
http://www.palestine-studies.org/journals.aspx?id=11394&jid=1&href=fulltext
An interview from c 2010 with Noam Chomsky. Presents some interesting facts in the history of American/Israeli/Zionism perspectives and relations.
Draws a parallel between American's attitude towards the native "savages" resisting progress and Israel's attitude towards Palestinians - basically seen as the same paradigm or relationship.
Here's another good quote: You know, Europe for centuries was the most savage place in the world. The level of savagery was so extraordinary that they developed both the means and the culture to conquer the world. And a large part of the reason for the savagery was the attempt to impose the nation-state, which is extremely unnatural; it breaks up people who have natural connections, it imposes unity on people who are not unified, whether by language or culture or anything else. It takes a lot of violence and brutality to impose a rigid frame on complex, fluid organisms like human societies. Presents two interesting ideas: one, the origins and driving motor of European imperialism; two, his vision of the State and as form of violence.
An interview from c 2010 with Noam Chomsky. Presents some interesting facts in the history of American/Israeli/Zionism perspectives and relations.
Draws a parallel between American's attitude towards the native "savages" resisting progress and Israel's attitude towards Palestinians - basically seen as the same paradigm or relationship.
Here's another good quote: You know, Europe for centuries was the most savage place in the world. The level of savagery was so extraordinary that they developed both the means and the culture to conquer the world. And a large part of the reason for the savagery was the attempt to impose the nation-state, which is extremely unnatural; it breaks up people who have natural connections, it imposes unity on people who are not unified, whether by language or culture or anything else. It takes a lot of violence and brutality to impose a rigid frame on complex, fluid organisms like human societies. Presents two interesting ideas: one, the origins and driving motor of European imperialism; two, his vision of the State and as form of violence.
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