Is the world becoming worse?
First, the bad news. The world is running out of scarce resources and none will be left for our children. The seas and rivers are polluted, and the air we breathe is toxic.
To be against the UN tax convention
We are against this idea: Under discussion is a new UN tax convention that may permit states to tax economic activity where it actually occurs, rather than allowing multinationals to shift profits to tax havens.
Is woke the way to treat others?
When we were at St Andrews, a group of us used to play word games in the Union Bar. One was Tom Swifties, then called Tom Swiftlies.
So McDonalds is bigger than Rhode Island, is it?
We are, of course, supposed to react in horror to this factoid as presented: These days burger giant McDonald’s – surely the country’s most famous export – contributes as much to America’s GDP as the entire state of Rhode Island.
Why is a booming Net Zero economy a good idea?
It’s possible that a booming Net Zero economy is actually a bad idea in fact: The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security.
Another of those potential climate change solutions
As we’ve noted before it’s technically possible to solve climate change in a manner wholly different from the way it is being attempted. It is possible, as Porsche is showing, to make petrol from air and water.
Rent control again
Rent control is back under consideration in many cities, even though it is one of the most damaging economic policies ever devised.
Investment is an expense - no, really, we insist this is so
‘Tis a pity when headline writers for a major newspaper don’t manage to grasp the most basic issues: Starmer’s cuts are a huge mistake – foreign aid is an investment, not an expense
What’s wrong with Natural England
Natural England is often criticized for being slow, bureaucratic, and inefficient in decision-making, delaying projects related to land management, farming, and development.
Nick Stern told us all not to do this
We do learn things: Giving up two doner kebabs’ worth of meat a week
Are we any happier?
The question is sometimes raised to cast doubt on the value of economic growth.