of markets and men

As some readers of this weblog are aware, I believe that one of the ways that we can understand the prevailing social and economic system under which we live is to consistently read the voice of the social and economic system under which we live. Which is why I have read London's Financial Times for more than 25 years. To read it is to educate yourself, day in and day out, about the realities of our planet.

Yet despite reading the paper for such a long time, it is only in the past 3 months that I have started reading the columns of the FT's investments editor, John Authers. I am very sorry that it took me so long--for Authers' columns are an exemplary explanation of the intracies of contemporary global capitalism. Today's paper in this regard does not disappoint. In talking about the impact of bad weather on investing, this is what Authers has to say:

'The world's markets are driven by a few small tribes of investors working for large institutions, who tend to live close to each other in a few well-defined population centers. This propogates groupthink'.

If only all analysis of contemporary global capitalism was so lucid!

my home town

Although it is far too commonly ridiculed by Canadians that I have met, I feel that I am extremely fortunate to have been raised in Thunder Bay. In a very real sense, Thunder Bay--the people and the place--made me what I am today.

I have just come across a remarkable song by Jordan Burnell of Thunder Bay. It really captures the essence of a lot of what it is about. So here it is.

pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will

Many people find the times that we live in to be profoundly disempowering. Despite the fact that the social and economic system under which we live is, at less than 300 years, relatively new, in human terms, too many people feel that the world is as it is and will never change--even though it needs to!

I have just come across a remarkable BBC/GlobeScan poll, conducted in the summer of last year, which shows that a large number of people around the world thinks that there is a need for fundamental change. Take a look at the chart above. It really is quite remarkable. It suggests that in the United States alone almost 40 million people think the social and economic system has to change. It suggests that in Canada 6 million people think that the social and economic system has to change. Around the world, millions want a different world--one that they think will be a better world.

Who would have thought. There are lots of folk out there that want to see the kinds of changes that you do!

who is the enemy?

If this testimony impressed you, as it does me, learn more by visiting the website of Iraq Veterans Against the War: www.ivaw.org