The end of a unipolar world could be the cue for a ‘Concert of Nations’. What are the possible overtures to an overheating economy? Alternative proteins are set to change the score for food production and eating habits. Effective cognitive control equates to the right harmony of pauses, concentration and consistency. A rhythm for happiness could be as simple as getting enough sleep and remembering to say thank you.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It is no longer realistic to aim for the globalization of the Western order and the emergence of a world populated primarily by democracies committed to upholding a liberal, rules-based international system. The unipolar moment is over” (Richard Haas and Charles Kupchan)
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Richard Haas and Charles Kupchan, The New Concert of Powers
(Foreign Affairs, 23 March 2021)
Two influential US academics / think-tankers make a suggestion on how to prevent catastrophe and promote stability in a multipolar world in which the West is losing not only its material dominance but also its ideological sway. Their core idea is the creation of a global concert of major powers (similar in spirit to the 19th century European one, but this time with China, the EU, India, Japan, Russia, and the US). Two characteristics make such a Concert well suited to the emerging global landscape: (1) political inclusivity and (2) procedural informality (no codified rules). This is an intriguing and compelling proposal – “no panacea, but no alternative” as the co-authors state. Expect broad conversations around this idea in the coming months (reads in about 15 min).
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Neil Irwin, How 10 Prominent Economists Think About Overheating
(The New York Times, 24 March 2021)
Ten US economists give their version of what the warning signs of an overheating economy would look like. Some think uncertainty is just too high to formulate a response. Others would start to worry after several years of inflation above 3 per cent or look out for a significant acceleration in inflation (like in the 1970s). Watching for signs that people think that an economic overheating is permanent is also an option. Larry Summers (at the origin of the debate) sees roughly equal odds that everything will turn out fine or that ever-rising inflation will set in and that the Fed will crash the economy to stop that from happening (reads in 7-8 min).
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Alternative proteins will transform food, mitigate climate change and drive profits. Here’s how
(World Economic Forum, 24 March 2021)
A new report asserts that the $290bn alternative protein market is moving from niche to mainstream, leading to a more sustainable food system and drastically reducing carbon emissions. It forecasts that plant-based, microorganism- and animal cell-based alternatives to animal meat, fish, eggs, and dairy will represent more than 10% of global protein consumption in 2035. An additional push from regulators combined with changes in technology (both likely) could increase that amount to 20%+ of the total (reads in 6-7 min).
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David Badre, Tips from neuroscience to keep you focused on hard tasks
(Nature, 15 March 2021)
The author of “On Task” – a book about the neuroscience of cognitive control (how we get things done) shares a few tips on how best to deal with difficult tasks: (1) Create time and space (switching frequently between tasks makes producing quality work harder); (2) Be consistent (it aids memory); (3) Never multitask and minimize distraction (a must: put away e-mail and social media, remove phone notifications); (4) Engage in good problem-solving habits + take breaks and interact with others (reads in 7-8 min).
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