Global order will not be determined through European conflicts, but by the contest in Asia. Capitalism will not survive unless it becomes more equitable. Containing global warming to 1.5 C will not be possible without widespread and profound emission reductions – now! How the democratic system in Hungary was unpicked, stitch by stitch. How neuro-ergonomic ploys and toys can help us to cope cognitively – another good reason to go for a walk.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Shivshankar Menon, The Fantasy of the Free World
(Foreign Affairs, 4 April 2022)
A must-read to understand why the war in Ukraine will lead to greater fragmentation of the global ‘order’ – not to greater consolidation (as many wrongly assume with the ‘democracies versus autocracies’ hypothesis). The former National Security Adviser to the Indian PM explains why democracies (most notably his – India) won’t unite against Russia. His conclusion: “Far from consolidating “the free world,” the war has underscored its fundamental incoherence. In any case, the future of global order will be decided not by wars in Europe but by the contest in Asia, on which events in Ukraine have limited bearing” (metered paywall that may require prior registration – reads in 7-9 min).
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Bertrand Badré and Yann Coatanlem, Equitable Capitalism or Bust
(Project Syndicate, 7 April 2022)
We concur and the point is well made: if capitalism doesn’t become more equitable, it will implode. An investor and a fintech executive point to the flaws of a system that has grown increasingly incompatible with sustainable development and equality of opportunity. They explain why reforming capitalism requires rethinking social welfare and how public policy can tackle inequality in all its forms. First and foremost, the concept of social returns must guide policymaking (metered paywall – reads in 7-8 min).
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Damian Carrington, It’s over for fossil fuels: IPCC spells out what’s needed to avert climate disaster
(The Guardian, 4 April 2022)
No need to beat around the bush: as the latest IPCC report makes it plain, “It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5C (…) Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.” The implication: it must be over for the biggest culprit: fossil fuels. The good news: “Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviour can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050”, and “protecting and restoring nature can deliver both large-scale cuts in emissions by ending the razing of forests and large-scale removal of CO2” (free access – reads in 6-7 min).
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Zsuzsanna Szelenyi, How Viktor Orbán Built His Illiberal State
(The New Republic, 5 April 2022)
Last Sunday, Fidesz’s (Orban’s party) victory was the culmination of many events that, once upon a time, were considered as ‘unthinkable’. In this article, the Hungarian politician who was once a member of Fidesz explains, in vivid and insightful details, how democracy can be destroyed, step by step. A primer to understand how a fully-fledged democracy can become illiberal and how the system of checks and balances that protect its integrity can be eliminated. (metered paywall reads in 8-10 min).
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Emily Willingham, Help! Brain overload
(AEON, 1 April 2022)
As tasks mount up, our brain’s ability to juggle goes down. However, neuro-ergonomic tactics and tricks (from analogue, digital or organic gadgets) can relieve the cognitive burden. One such idea is to develop the interdependence we have on each other for problem-solving, decision-making, and even memory (community of knowledge). Another is physical activity: it expands the space in our minds. Interfaces with machines and wearables is another. Read on (free access – reads in about 12 min).
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