Dear friends, This is not going to be a very Merry Christmas. But if we all do our best to follow the advice that will keep the coronavirus from further spreading, then the chances of a Happy New Year will get much better. It means that the best Christmas gift you can give to the … Sigue leyendo 20, 21,… and keep on counting
Sweden: How much risk is ‘lagom’?
After 12 months and two pandemic waves, there are two drivers that can help to understand what stands behind the “Swedish approach”. These two drivers are maintaining 1) trust in the expert intuitions by reassuring confidence in the strategy being defined and 2) social contract built on two centuries living without war. The Swedish national … Sigue leyendo Sweden: How much risk is ‘lagom’?
The end of the Midas dynasty
Midas was a king who had it all. He considered himself a happy man and believed that the source of his happiness was provided by gold. Nothing would make him happier than to spend his days counting his golden coins, adorning his body with golden objects, and taking the occasional dip into a bath full … Sigue leyendo The end of the Midas dynasty
Through ‘More Local’ to ‘More Europe’
Name one utopic vision that turned reality? A few years ago, with a group of colleagues from LUMES, while working on envisioning future environmental scenarios, we came upon this question. When my turn arrived, I've named the European Union as the most incredible utopic vision ever to become a reality. As an argument, I've reconstructed … Sigue leyendo Through ‘More Local’ to ‘More Europe’
‘Millionaires make money. Billionaires make history.’… too much history
"I'm a millionaire, and millionaires make money. It’s the billionaires who make history”. This quote was attributed to George Soros in a biopic published in Duga, a Serbian magazine that I used to follow back in the '90s. It was the answer Soros allegedly made in his early days of being 'just' a millionaire when … Sigue leyendo ‘Millionaires make money. Billionaires make history.’… too much history
The Planet can afford four more years, but humanity can’t
One day before the US elections, Finland recorded the highest November temperature in history. At the same time, World Economic Forum alerts that 2020 is on course to be the warmest year on record. The time is running out. The colossal surprise from the 2016 US elections has proven the painful reality behind the statement, … Sigue leyendo The Planet can afford four more years, but humanity can’t
The (show)man who would be a king
The news of the great Sean Connery's death reminded me of a scene from the ‘Man who would be king’. In that scene, after being arrested and standing in front of an army commissioner accused of a blackmail attempt, Daniel Dravot (Connery) stands alongside Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine). “There may be no criminal charges … Sigue leyendo The (show)man who would be a king
It’s the Tomorrow, stupid
One irrefutable statement can be applied to today's political, social, and economic choices, and that is: “It’s the Tomorrow, stupid." Set into a mathematical formula form, this could be expressed as Humanity – Tomorrow = No Humanity. Environmental sustainability is what turns the equation positive. It comes from the commitment to assure future generations’ “ability … Sigue leyendo It’s the Tomorrow, stupid
Finding Adam Smith – again
If it weren't for the terrible loss of our loved ones, the Covid19 pandemic would be the first-ever global opportunity to put a value on the statement that human wellbeing increases through consumption. This was one of the fundamental presumptions behind the economic growth models, which, through globalization, turned into a central force behind different … Sigue leyendo Finding Adam Smith – again
Being a president of Usastan is still a ‘great deal’
This fictitious scenario is simply a product of my imagination. But so it was the idea of Donald Trump becoming the US President. Prior to his nomination to the 2016 elections, this idea was simply a narrative material used by talk shows and the Simpsons to entertain their audience. And then it stopped being funny. … Sigue leyendo Being a president of Usastan is still a ‘great deal’
Boris Matijas 