Bubbles with a Legacy It may sound strange, but history shows it time and again. Around 1850, a railway mania swept through the financial markets. Investors poured fortunes into railway lines that would never become profitable. Around 1900, the same happened with electricity companies. And at the end of the last century, the internet seemed […]
Technological Revolutions Often Begin with a Mistake Meer lezen »
Summary Technological progress in energy, digitization and automation structurally lowers the marginal costs of production. Yet this increasing abundance does not automatically translate into broader prosperity or existential security. This article argues that the explanation lies in institutional friction: economic institutions were designed for a world of scarcity, while productive technologies are moving toward abundance.
The Economy of Abundance: Technological Progress and Institutional Friction Meer lezen »
Automation is not just technology – it’s a path to liberation By Peter van der Wel We are on the verge of a leap in our economic evolution – not a “quantum leap,” but a fundamental shift in era. The rise of generative AI shows us that not only hands, but also heads can be
Welcome to the Humane Economy Meer lezen »
Imagine this:Mexico, claiming it was simply “taking back its historic lands,” suddenly invades the United States.They occupy large parts of Texas, Arizona, and California.Their army holds firm.They bomb major U.S. cities — Chicago, New York, Miami — causing massive destruction and thousands of civilian deaths.And now they tell the world: “We are only restoring what
What If Mexico Invaded the U.S.? Meer lezen »
The concept of a basic income has recently gained a lot of attention in the Netherlands. There is even an association and a political party established for it. The idea faces resistance primarily because it conflicts with the existing work ethic. Think of statements like, “Those who do not work shall not eat.” Some people
Basic Income in the Netherlands Meer lezen »
Yes, of course I too have been playing with ChatGPT, the new chatbot. And of course I have also followed the reactions to this chatbot with great interest. As expected, these ranged from seriously concerned to extremely enthusiastic. From a plea in one of our Dutch quality newspapers to restrict the use of ChatGPT, “because
My experiences with ChatGPT Meer lezen »
Nearly everyone, over the age of fifty, knows the photo of the Vietnamese girl, Kim Phuc, who, half burnt, is running away after a napalm bombing by the Americans. At the time, this photo was an icon in the protests against the war in Vietnam. What has this image to do with a planetary consciousness?
Towards a planetary consciousness? Meer lezen »
New developments in medical science can keep us alive longer and longer. However, should we want to live longer? Perhaps it is necessary to draw a line somewhere in the (near?) future. A fixed maximum lifespan. Imagine we, as a society, determined the moment of death for everyone at 250 years old (for example). That
Euthanasia for us all? Meer lezen »
Will we remain human when we gradually start to incorporate implant more and more electronic devices in our bodies? Where is the limit? With a built-in pacemaker we still consider ourselves to be humans. However, there are already people walking around with brain implants that improve hearing, sight and even memory. Moreover, they can walk