Blog 143. Blaming the consequences of climate

We experience events, not the global situation, but the world seems simpler if we can trace each event to a cause. However, within a complex system, an event cannot be ascribed to a unique “cause.” Birds flock and fish school and the stock market tumbles due to the many interactions among the participating individuals. Continue reading

Blog 138. American Angst Part 6 of 7: Relieving angst in a complex system

The daily TV news sustains the angst in America,* but unlike the repetitive TV news, the situation isn’t hopeless.

The known science of complex systems indicates the route to remedy: alter the rules of interaction among the players. Continue reading

Blog 136. American Angst Part 4 of 7: Sliding into Fascism

America is split many ways: the divide between rich and poor,(1) educated versus uneducated, the elite versus the common person. We’re beset by a self-perpetuating crime and poverty in the bottom economic class because those individuals justifiably feel hopeless.  It’s the middle classes that should be hopeful, Continue reading

Blog 135. American Angst Part 3 of 7: Engineered Inequality

America has greater inequality than any other advanced country.[1]

Among the advanced countries of the world, America has the greatest wealth, but also the greatest inequality in wealth.  The U.S. ranks 27th out of 27 high-income countries in median wealth per adult.  The top 1% took home 22% of all income in 2015. Continue reading

Blog 130. GDP is a faulty measure

Why GDP is a faulty measure of success.

That’s a headline in Time magazine of 2/5/218. Thinking of “success,” I wondered whether Time really sells more magazines by dating them a week later than the actual publication.  If so, another fake fact sells well. Continue reading