Why we posted this: The idea that Africa needs missionaries is surprising to a generation brought up to believe that indigenous cultures are always preferable to “white” interference. But the case is made tellingly in this piece. More »
Themes: Food / Rights / Society. Posted by Richard D North on December 27th, 2008
Why we posted this: Many people failed in the run-up to the current credit crunch and recession. Should journalists share some of the blame? Aren’t they supposed to know what’s going on and tell the rest of us? More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money. Posted by Richard D North on December 13th, 2008
Why we posted this: The BBC has no idea how to be a respectable broadcaster, and not much desire either. How could it? Its biggest fear is that it won’t hit its numbers. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Society. Posted by Richard D North on December 13th, 2008
Why we posted this: The great and the good talk about climate change as though everyone really, really cared. They don’t. And the laggards are not being wholly unreasonable. More »
Themes: Global Warming / Green / Money. Posted by Richard D North on December 3rd, 2008
Why we posted this: It really matters that there’s no point hammering the rich. It doesn’t hurt them and may hurt the poor. More »
Themes: Money / Politics / Society. Posted by Richard D North on November 29th, 2008
Why we posted this: What’s the right response to the financial crisis? Are commentors and politicians speaking their minds or are some spouting conveniently compassionate guff? More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Money / Politics / Rights. Posted by Richard D North on November 25th, 2008
Why we posted this: The media has mostly accepted as reasonable the idea common amongst blacks that until Obama it wasn’t worth voting. This is worth challenging. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Politics / Rights / Truth & Trust. Posted by Richard D North on November 5th, 2008
Why we posted this: The BBC has no idea how to be a respectable broadcaster, and not much desire either. How could it? Its biggest fear is that it won’t hit its numbers. More »
Themes: Interrogating the Media / Media / Society. Posted by Richard D North on October 29th, 2008
Why we posted this: The extraordinary hiatus in the world economy may well produce a mid-Atlantic capitalism. Not as European as the European mainland would like and not as gungho as Wall Street has been promoting. More »
Themes: Money / Society / The Good Corporation. Posted by Richard D North on October 28th, 2008
Why we posted this: We all long for a clear explanation of what has gone wrong in the world’s markets and what might help put it right. As usual, the trick is to avoid simplistic populism. The Economist has managed a readable account which fits the bill. More »
Themes: Media / Money. Posted by Richard D North on October 11th, 2008
