Champion of better capitalism
Remember Midas? Professor Stuart Russell did In his first BBC Reith Lecture about Artificial Intelligence last week. Midas had asked the gods that everything he touched be turned to gold. So it was, leaving Midas gasping for food or drink. Then there was the sorcerer’s … Continue readingGuilty – of reshaping someone’s mind?
A few weeks ago, after reading ‘English Pastoral’ by James Rebanks, I commented that Today the language of organisations, and of economics, is increasingly naturalistic… I then asked: But does this thinking penetrate our decision-making? Two recent controversies have suggested that it doesn’t. The first … Continue readingMore foxes please
How our understanding of corporate governance is holding us back Corporate governance has for a long time felt remote from the real world of wealth creation? Why? One reason for this sense of unreality, which I discussed last week, is the assumption that companies are … Continue readingWhere’s the pulse?
It started on a high altitude skiing expedition. Scientist and doctor Tim Spector found that he was rapidly losing his sight. The cause turned to be a small stroke. This prompted him to focus his research on the causes of strokes. In particular he began … Continue readingGovernance – my gut instinct
I made a bad decision last week, whilst walking in the Lake District. It was one of those experiences that make one cringe and then ask ‘Will I ever learn?’ I set out to climb a demanding mountain in the Western lakes. I had looked … Continue readingMake the journey your own
This week I am off to Cumbria for some autumnal fell-walking in the Western Lakes. This will take me back over 40 years to a happy year spent as a Personnel Manager (yes that’s what we were called!) in a GEC factory. I vividly remember … Continue readingOur better nature
‘I don’t think the passengers will notice any difference’ said Transport Minister Grant Shapps as he announced that South Eastern Railways would be taken back into state ownership. This must have prompted a simple question in the minds of those passengers. What have we been … Continue readingOn behalf of which people?
Two weeks ago, I argued that ESG is not an investment category. It is an adjective, not a noun. It doesn’t make sense to pretend that there is some common quality attributable to any investment fund that uses the term ESG. ESG is an umbrella … Continue readingStewardship could deliver what ESG cannot. Here’s how
‘The first principle of 21st century economics is to protect the life-supporting systems of the living world. That’s why I stand, with my daughter, with @XRebellionUK and all who rebel for life.’ The first principle of 21st century economics is to protect the life-supporting systems … Continue readingRebellion and the boardroom
Imagine being told that the evidence is now overwhelming that eating more food contributes to longer life. If you are suffering from malnutrition this is of course true. If, on the other hand, you live in comfort and don’t bother to take any exercise, it … Continue readingESG is not a noun: it is an adjective