Thinking outside the blue box on recycling
In response to receiving a brown bin, blue box and some green bags, John writes a letter to Cherwell District Council questioning the rationale of recycling paper and calling for more practical environmentalism initiatives.
Saintly lies and the devil that lurks in double talk
Nothing so much undermines public regard for politics and business as the increasingly widespread practice of equivocation. In the light of the spectacle surrounding the Hutton report, this wisdom should be extended beyond the tale of St Athanasius.
Why the future is not quite what it used to be
Business gurus, management consultants and journalists are eager to exaggerate the pace of technological change and ignore lessons of the past. Don’t believe everything they say – 747s and nylon shirts are still around today.
Obliquity
Strange as it may seem, overcoming geographic obstacles, winning decisive battles or meeting global business targets are the type of goals often best achieved when pursued indirectly. This is the idea of Obliquity. Oblique approaches are most effective in difficult terrain, or where outcomes depend on interactions with other people.
When natural resources are a curse
It is in human, rather than natural resources, that the origins of material prosperity are to be found. John describes why natural resources may be a burden rather than a blessing for some developing countries.
Imperial China fell prey to a lack of pluralism
Unravelling one of the great puzzles of economic history - why did economic development take off three centuries ago in North West Europe, not South East China?
When the heat is on the cool places still prosper
The connection between a country’s climate and its wealth can prove elusive.
Why the world is not on Britain’s side
John explores one of the most enduring questions of all Englishmen abroad. Why do foreigners drive on the wrong side of the road?
Global warming? Leave it to human ingenuity
In this article John explains how human ingenuity is the most likely answer to environmental concerns in the future as it has been in the past.
Why those who seek popularity lose their authority
The market truly values advisers it can trust; subsequently the effort to impress may have the opposite results.