More from less: the aluminium drinks can
Adding information (in the form of better design and processes) to aluminium cans has seen the weight of metal used drop from 85g to 12.75g… Read More »More from less: the aluminium drinks can
economic development
Malcolm Gladwell on the disadvantages of wealth
He understood money, and he understood money because he felt it had been a thorough education in its value and function back home on the… Read More »Malcolm Gladwell on the disadvantages of wealth
The parent of prosperity
Innovation is the child of freedom and the parent of prosperity. Matt Ridley – How Innovation Works I finished this in audiobook form today. Highly… Read More »The parent of prosperity
Contribution
Skimming a book of biographies of mathematicians I see few originators but many contributors: “She advanced the study of…” “He made many invaluable contributions…” “He… Read More »Contribution
Virginia Postrel on textiles and technology, nature and magic
Here’s a great highlight from a fascinating and very entertaining podcast from a16z: Textiles as Tech, Science, Math, Culture… or Civilization. Recommended. Sonal Chokshi: “We… Read More »Virginia Postrel on textiles and technology, nature and magic
Thucydides on the prosperity that comes with peace
This is Thucydides writing in 432 BC. Apart from the general description of how stability affects the accumulation of wealth he also gives what is… Read More »Thucydides on the prosperity that comes with peace
UK income inequality by ethnicity: data from the ONS
This article in the Guardian summarises a new set of data from the Office of National Statistics. Here’s the key table on income inequality (based… Read More »UK income inequality by ethnicity: data from the ONS
Victor Hugo: two faces of political violence
They wanted an end to oppression, an end to tyranny, an end to strife, work for men, education for children, social goodwill towards women, liberty,… Read More »Victor Hugo: two faces of political violence
Kevin Kelly on the future of progress and prosperity
Here’s a dose of optimism from KK – part of his excellent series of videos on The Future of X. It’s well worth checking out.… Read More »Kevin Kelly on the future of progress and prosperity
What’s reading worth? OECD data on the economic returns to literacy
This OECD data records an average 7.5% increase in a person’s wages (8.8% for non-native speakers) for every one standard deviation increase in literacy proficiency,… Read More »What’s reading worth? OECD data on the economic returns to literacy