ANALYSIS, Global — A lot of people keep telling me they dislike religion because it leads to war.
There are a plethora of voices in the media crying for atheism in the Left, on the other hand the Right, have stated that anyone who doesn’t worship God in the prescribed manner is unpatriotic to their country.

The prosaic reality is that modern wars are about trade, power balances, resources like oil and water, or land for expanding populations.
Further, the reality is, in short, that imbalances create war. Imbalances in resources (and …

ANALYSIS, Global — As I write this US markets are in melt down, the UK is bleeding, and Australian markets have lost 24% of their value.
“Now like before, the financial deals are so complex no-one understands them”
That was me, part of a post predicting the current unraveling a month ago (27/12), I was making a comparison between 1920s and today. Mass Delusions, 2008 downturn

The events appear to be happening event faster than I believed. And now according to numerous reports, in many major markets the Bear is likely among us.
Here’s …

ANALYSIS, Global – Very few people actually understand capitalism, or economics. Even those charged with regulating economic free trade.
But most people understand sport, say European football (or soccer in other countries). And economics at a macro, international level is similar conceptually.
So here’s an easy explanation of the main argument between economics and ‘free trade’; and the practice of regulating markets.

You may think who is ‘right’ about economics and free markets is too complex to understand, but this analogy makes it straightforward.
I know a few politicians who could do …

ANALYSIS, Australia — On 2nd October 2007 I risked the metaphorical laughter of the Gods and used 2thinknow innovation models to make some predictions.
Economic and political predictions for 2008 and beyond. How did I go so far?

Well. Very well. Accurate predictions are difficult, but I have a unique method of identifying and qualitatively predicting trends.
Predictions were made October 2nd, 2007 here. They have not been edited.
Here’s the very interesting results. I am excited!!!

2THINKNOW COMMENT, USA — It’s easy to talk about change.
Obama chants change like a mantra. But what change?

Not all change is clearly good, some is clearly bad.
The current White House changed things in USA, the broader Americas and the world. But it could not be argued to be positive change on any level.
I want change. But positive change.
And I am not convinced Obama knows how to do positive change. It’s difficult.
We need proof of his ideas and policies. Specifics. Like Australia’s Left leader Kevin Rudd gave before the election.
My gut …

ANALYSIS, Global — In many Western countries, as well as elsewhere in the world speeding has become popular.
It gets dangerous when aggressive drivers speed in suburban streets where young children play. It is playing dice with school-children’s lives.
And I have lost count of how many times I have almost been run over in the city. Especially by aggressive taxi drivers.
My aging mother has also been almost hit by 4 wheel drives 3 times in a 6 week period last year crossing at a zebra crossing.
In Melbourne, Australia, aggressive driving is …

COMMENT, Balkans –I hate ignorance.
And bad ideas in nice policy binders.
Kosovo independence for 2 million Kosovars is a bad idea in a nice binder.
There’s only 2 million Kosovars. Balance that against the population of the Balkans, many of whom are not for the independence, as they will be the ones likely dragged into a war.
As Bismarck once said, “Albania, it’s a geographic expression.” (well that’s what he said about Albania, but you get the idea about Kosovo – which is even smaller.)
Families like yours and mine will die in their …

COMMENT, Global — According to De Spiegel, France’s leader, Sarkozy, has made the sad decision to axe the English-Language component of France 24.
“French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced the killing off of the English-language news channel France 24, barely a year after it first hit the airwaves. ”
> De Spiegel: Sarkozy To Axe France 24
This is not how you win others over to your culture. It seems to play into the hands of further cultural homogenization.
The decision to cut France 24, seems a bleak decision for France, and Francophiles globally.

COMMENT, Global — Sometimes ideas matter. And to people all over the world.
How do I know?

Well simply, the most popular ideas 2thinknow tested online in 2007 were also the most intelligent. Not more Paris or Britney.
Readers, I’m proud of your intelligent choices…