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
Sunday, 9 September 2012
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.
Some thoughts on writing...
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/where-do-sentences-come-from/?ref=global-home
(Use Private setting)
Some interesting ideas on experimenting with writing. Touches on that dichotomy I see when working with kids - teaching them there is value in exploring their thoughts on topics, while at the same time giving little value to min.
(Use Private setting)
Some interesting ideas on experimenting with writing. Touches on that dichotomy I see when working with kids - teaching them there is value in exploring their thoughts on topics, while at the same time giving little value to min.
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