The Medium of Media

29 October 2011

The transition from horse and carriage to motorcars killed the market for buggy whips. It’s the classic – probably clichéd – example of how shifts in technology can send industries into decline. The story told in my family is that ostrich feathers went the same way because elaborate, feathered hats didn’t fit into cars as [...]

Read the full article →

#StartSomething

17 October 2011

A few months ago I wrote a post in which I pondered whether democracy was making the credit crunch worse (read it here). The thinking is that politicians are in business to get elected, so they are highly unlikely to implement unpopular policies, even if they are the correct ones. Of course, politicians not only [...]

Read the full article →

My Urban Farm

17 October 2011

We are weeks away from the world reaching a population of 7 billion (31 October, apparently), which adds up to a lot of mouths to feed. The conclusion, by institutional investors who have been snaffling up farmland around the world, is that food security is the ‘next big thing’. So, it’s not enough for them [...]

Read the full article →

Some Tools for Bryce Lawrence

11 October 2011

Bryce Lawrence has dug a pretty deep pit for himself. It’s one thing to be a pariah in South Africa; in a perverse kind of Tri-Nations, he’s managed to achieve that status in Australia and Britain as well! As far as rugby is concerned, he may have limited his employment prospects as a referee. Perhaps [...]

Read the full article →

A Failed Attempt at Revenge

10 October 2011

Given the funereal mood that has descended upon South Africa since our loss to Australia in yesterday’s quarterfinal Rugby World Cup match, it may seem inappropriate to praise an Australian for anything. Actually, in this case it was a Kiwi, in the form of “criminally incompetent” referee Bryce Lawrence, who was the main villain. Lawrence’s [...]

Read the full article →

A Healthy Dose of Rationality

3 October 2011

We humans are not nearly as rational as economists would have us believe. Or, to borrow from behavioural economist Dan Ariely, we are irrational, but in a predictable way. The shopping centre closest to my home, Gardens Centre, has an excellent tenant mix, and is well supported. For as long as I can remember it [...]

Read the full article →

Fantasy vs Reality

7 September 2011

The future of physical book shops is not looking bright. Apart from the fact that many people couldn’t be bothered to read (or, even in developed countries, can’t read), there is the entire digital thing. Books are cheaper and quicker to get in electronic form, and a variety of websites deliver cutting edge references on [...]

Read the full article →

Can the Centre Hold?

12 August 2011

I’ve thought a lot about the spectre of vast youth unemployment all around the world, at a time when low/no economic growth means that they are unlikely to be absorbed into any economy soon. I wrote about the phenomenon here, and have been meaning to follow up with a look at wider implications for our [...]

Read the full article →

The Ultimate “Financial Weapon of Mass Destruction”

11 August 2011

In these uncertain times, you may be tempted to think that the only certainty is elevated feelings of fear, which will have you thinking VIX quicker than the Dow can lose 100 points. So, buying VIX options or futures must be a ‘sure thing’, that can’t-miss road to instant riches? Not so fast. You first [...]

Read the full article →

Bargain Shopping

11 August 2011

It is impossible to make the journey from Hong Kong airport into the city without being exposed to AliBaba.com a number of times. The orange posters, with smiling faces of happy customers/suppliers, are everywhere. The Airport Express train has a perpetually looping clip of customers sharing their delight. They are operating on the assumption – [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →