People recreate their own versions of the past to grapple with the chaotic reality around them. These stories form their identities. In this process it’s crucial to match real-world circumstances as accurately as possible.
Storylines: read my newest posts
What It Takes To Be an Empire in a Changing World
Pinky: Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight? Brain: The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world! 1) Wouldn’t it be great if you could start an empire? By that I don’t mean an Elon Musk-style multi-million dollar company with hundreds of thousands of employees, though that would … Continue reading What It Takes To Be an Empire in a Changing World
The Origins of Wealth and Opportunity Gaps, and a Possible Way Out
1) If you grew up in late 1980s and early 1990s like me, you certainly remember ALF—the furry irreverent extraterrestrial featured in the NBC sitcom of the same name. At the beginning of the show, ALF crash-lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family, who lives in the San Fernando Valley and gives … Continue reading The Origins of Wealth and Opportunity Gaps, and a Possible Way Out
Money, Debt, Cycles, and the Historical Reasons for the Upcoming Dollar Erosion
1) Remember Gordon Gekko? Right, the outrageous, unrestrained, insatiable corporate-finance shark from Oliver Stone’s 1987 movie Wall Street. This guy, played by Michael Douglas, was manipulative, greedy and tough, enough so as to get up before sunrise and call up his young would-be partner to remind him that “money never sleeps.” While immoral in his … Continue reading Money, Debt, Cycles, and the Historical Reasons for the Upcoming Dollar Erosion
All You Should Know about the Changing World Order
May you live in interesting times (an allegedly Chinese saying, in fact not Chinese at all) 1) We live in extremely interesting times. The world order around us is changing quickly and profoundly. The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Ukraine crisis are just two most talked-about elements of larger transformations that are taking place on … Continue reading All You Should Know about the Changing World Order
Back to the future? What history tells us about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the world of the coming decades
1) Since the beginning of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, both sides have referred to the enemy’s allegedly fascist nature, striving to frame the opponent’s actions as manifestations of the destructive and ruthless spirit displayed during the Second World War. In many respects, however, the war we are witnessing in … Continue reading Back to the future? What history tells us about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the world of the coming decades
Understanding the Ukrainian crisis: a talk at the UPF Barcelona
For all Spanish speakers: Recently, I've had the honor to participate in a talk about “The Ukraine catastrophe. Russia and the West,” together with the diplomat Eugeni Bregolat, the journalist Rafael Poch, and professor Tamara Djermanovic. During the event at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barclona we discussed the keys to the conflict and the … Continue reading Understanding the Ukrainian crisis: a talk at the UPF Barcelona
What NFTs Teach Us about Humans, Art and Capitalism
NFTs: Culture going digital, or is it? (Pic by Karthik GL) 1) Before I start, let me tell you a quick personal story. Some years ago, when I just finished my PhD project and wasn’t sure where to go next, I decided to try myself as a community manager for a medium-sized company. The offer … Continue reading What NFTs Teach Us about Humans, Art and Capitalism