Computing
Interest Calculation
Swiss Bob’s favourite place of work – not actually in the main building, we were fortunate to be about 50m away where we couldn’t be seen staggering back from 2-4 hour lunches This is going [more…]
Economics
19th Century
When Popes Took Coke
The rise and fall of coca wine Coca leaves have been used as a stimulant in South America for over a thousand years, especially in the Andes to overcome the fatigue of living and working [more…]
Economics
Fiat Money and Socialism
For some time now I have been mulling over the possible causes of what seems to be an increase in the desire for socialism among the young. For someone of my generation (an early post [more…]
18th Century
Are the aims of nationalism and protectionism the same?
The ideology of “nationalism” is characterised by the unstinting promotion of a particular nation’s interests, possibly regardless of detriment caused to the interests of other nations. Nationalism may therefore be considered a form of patriotism, [more…]
Business
The Gulf Between Rich & Poor
We are well into the protest season. The long run-up to the election period has been characterised by one protest after another – no-deal Brexit, climate change, arms sales, Tommy Robinson, police brutality, capitalism, Trump’s [more…]
Arts
Bacon Baguettes & Round Laces
My old chum Carruthers came to stay last week, he works for a major airline & has seen plenty of the world in the last forty years, as indeed I have myself. We somehow got [more…]
Economics
Understanding economics needs a solid base
Economics is a set of principles that explain how our various needs and wants may be satisfied. The Greek origin of the word “economics” can be roughly, but aptly, translated as “good housekeeping”, and any [more…]
Economics
A buying opportunity in precious metals
After a remarkable run over the past few months, gold and silver now appear to have entered a period of consolidation. Many speculators and short-term focused investors have sold their positions fearing a correction, while [more…]
Authoritarianism
Climate Change Protests
Yet another climate protest against our use of fossil fuels. Spokes-persons berate us over air-waves driven by generated electricity carried by steel pylons cemented into the ground. They sit in a studio with its array [more…]