Chomsky on global warming etc
A wide-ranging and though-provoking interview at age 90! – blogs.scientificamerican.com
Barefoot economics
Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman speaks with the acclaimed Chilean economist, Manfred Max-Neef: Could you explain ‘barefoot economics’? Well, it’s a metaphor, but a metaphor that originated in a concrete experience. I worked for about ten years of my life in areas of extreme poverty in the sierras, in the jungle, in urban areas, in different parts of Latin America.
Real wealth looks like…
“Today I’ve got a real treat for you. I’m going to paint you a picture of what real wealth looks like.” I’ve spoken to a lot of amazing people over the 12 years I’ve written the Barefoot Investor column, but the two hours I spent with legendary ABC broadcaster and garden guru Peter Cundall proved to be one of the most thought-provoking discussions of my life.
France Unsubmissive movement
“La “France Insoumise” (Unsubmissive or Unbowed) and it’s chief spokesperson Jean-Luc Mélenchon inspires an emotional response among many on the French left and emerged as a serious contender in the recent presidential run-off. Their movement gives a big nudge to the much-overdue prospect of a return to active participatory democracy.
What’s next for this blog…
The lack of recent new content is due to my retirement, giving me the chance to trek in the French alps, visit Athens and rural France. Between loving the views and getting fit, I have been pondering this blog. Originally designed as a re-think of Marx to show the relevance of his analysis of inequality without his dated political views, it spells out his method in plain language, then talks about how to extend it to include feminist, green and anti-authoritarian perspectives. That emphasis on method is rather dry. I’m thinking…read more
Turkey lurches right
After the political manipulation which shaped Turkey’s recent anti-democratic referendum, feminist artist Ekin Onat explains why she faces exile. Ekin’s project “Objection” at The Pavilion of Humanity during the Venice Biennale exposes political lies and police brutality in her home country. The project started with a tree, and the protests that galvanised all but two of Turkey’s 81 provinces in the spring of 2013. “A tree! Green space!” Nothing more radical than the environment, she says. Peaceful demonstrations against government plans to bulldoze the park to build a shopping mall spiralled; mass revolt led to brutal…read more