Bitcoin is in a bubble. That is obvious to anyone who has even the passing interest in cryptocurrencies. Money is pouring into the currency faster than Noah’s flood. Cyberspace is filled with commentary on every fluctuation and stutter yet the majority of what is said is babble, fill or rubbish. My interest in cryptocurrencies is … Continue reading Bitcoin babble
Diversity of truths
The truth is something that has fascinated me for a long time. I search for it in vain yet it is an elusive creature. The truth is a unicorn, a chimera or an amalgam of everyone’s beliefs. It is a figment of our imagination. I have been convinced for some time that there is no … Continue reading Diversity of truths
Is there no news?
Is it me or is the news becoming dumbed down? The evening news broadcasts used to be sombre and stately affairs that would let you know of the important comings and goings around the world. Now they seem to be little more than tittle tattle and heart-tugging stories. The bulletins have become little more than … Continue reading Is there no news?
Who runs the North East now
In October, Northumbria and Durham universities updated their 2000 report ‘Who Runs the North East Now? Governance and Governing in an English Region’. It looks at the way that the public sector is lead throughout the region and, at times, makes grim reading. It seems that little has changed since the turn of the millennium, … Continue reading Who runs the North East now
Sufferings of the world
‘You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, this is something you are free to do and is in accord with your nature, but perhaps precisely this holding back is the only suffering that you may be able to avoid.’ I have always liked Kafka. His work describes the frustrations of being … Continue reading Sufferings of the world
Poetry collection
I have never really been one for poetry. It is a medium that I have never understood yet I have made a discovery. Right here in my home town is the Northern Poetry Library. It is set in the beautiful Chantry which has stood on the banks of the river Wansbeck since as far back … Continue reading Poetry collection
Social Trust
According to the The Behavioural Insights Team, social trust is one of the most important measures that most people have never heard of. Until a few days ago I was one of them. I first came across the term in the book ‘The Social Animal’ by David Brooks. I would recommend it highly by the … Continue reading Social Trust
Storms of inequality
The storm clouds are gathering once again. This season seems to be one of the worst on record for bad weather in the Atlantic with hurricane Harvey, Irma and soon Jose battering the islands of the Gulf of Mexico and the southern United States. Just so you know, two-thirds of the strongest hurricanes (Class 4 … Continue reading Storms of inequality
Six degrees of database separation
According to Frigyes Karinthy, everyone in the world is separated from everyone else by six degrees of separation. You know some people and they now some other people and they know some others etc. until eventually everyone knows everyone. In my peregrinations of late I am becoming more convinced that this is true, People I … Continue reading Six degrees of database separation
Housing shortage
Housing shortage, what shortage? Every time I turn on the television or follow a news feed there is someone banging on about a housing shortage. It is clearly true to a large extent. There are not enough homes available in the UK for people to buy. This is is reflected in the cost of housing … Continue reading Housing shortage
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 