Edmund Burke on learning’s purpose and reward
This is a short and interesting early piece on “philosophy and learning,” and the benefits of reading widely. It turns out Burke and Marx agreed… Read More »Edmund Burke on learning’s purpose and reward
politics
Aristocracy / Meritocracy; or, Beda Kumis*
Aristocracy originally meant “the rule of the best”, with connotations of virtue and competence. It sounds like a good way to run a society, depending… Read More »Aristocracy / Meritocracy; or, Beda Kumis*
Karl Marx on the power of capitalism and globalisation
David Harvey and Schumpeter both point out Marx’s enormous admiration of the dynamism and power of capitalism, even as he sought to destroy it. This… Read More »Karl Marx on the power of capitalism and globalisation
Harrison Bergeron: Kurt Vonnegut imagines true equality
THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody… Read More »Harrison Bergeron: Kurt Vonnegut imagines true equality
Will and Ariel Durant on Inequality, Redistribution, Revolution and the Nature of Society’s Wealth
On The Inevitability of Inequality Since practical ability differs from person to person, the majority of such abilities, in nearly all societies, is gathered in… Read More »Will and Ariel Durant on Inequality, Redistribution, Revolution and the Nature of Society’s Wealth
Qin Hui on the Illusion of Capitalism, and Socialist Market Economies
I came across this translation of Dilemmas via Marginal Revolution. I enjoyed the insights, pithy irony and slightly mysterious turns of phrase.* Here’s translator David… Read More »Qin Hui on the Illusion of Capitalism, and Socialist Market Economies
David Deutsch on politics, planning and error correction
I think the libertarian movement has first of all a revolutionary political agenda – and even if it’s not revolutionary, even if they say “We… Read More »David Deutsch on politics, planning and error correction
Podcast recommendation: Balaji Srinivasan on the dystopian present and the decentralised future plus plus plus
This long (long!) episode of the Tim Ferriss show is full of thought provoking stuff on all sorts of topics related to technology, cryptocurrency, online… Read More »Podcast recommendation: Balaji Srinivasan on the dystopian present and the decentralised future plus plus plus
Not long ago; or, Little by little (5): Tyler Cowen on progress in living standards since 1900
More links below [Even since 1990] the U.S. standard of living has increased by a factor of five to seven, estimated conservatively, and possibly much… Read More »Not long ago; or, Little by little (5): Tyler Cowen on progress in living standards since 1900
Inauguration: brave enough to be it
The new dawn blooms as we free it.For there is always light,if only we’re brave enough to see it.If only we’re brave enough to be… Read More »Inauguration: brave enough to be it