All Change – please
I have to close orcop.com because of unwanted visitor interference. Please sign up at https://chattingaboutlocalism.wordpress.com/ to receive my musings. Barry Cooper
No one is coming to save the global economy
By Josh Lipsky Copied from The Atlantic Council US President Donald Trump has launched a global economic war without any allies. That’s why—unlike previous economic crises in this century—there is no one coming to save the global economy if the situation starts to unravel. There is a model to deal with economic and financial crises …
Economic Chemotherapy
By Tim Watkins at the Consciousness of Sheep Review Overview“Economic Chemotherapy” presents a provocative and wide-ranging critique of contemporary neoliberal economic policies. The article uses the metaphor of medical treatment—specifically chemotherapy—to examine the painful yet necessary process of addressing systemic economic imbalances. Written in a brisk, polemical style, the piece challenges mainstream economic orthodoxies and …
The NHS is close to collapse – could a radical scheme from Brazil’s favelas save it?
From Rio’s streets to the Amazon rainforest, a community-led approach has transformed healthcare outcomes – and Wes Streeting is taking note Laura Donnelly Health Editor. Claudia Marquis Video Producer, in Rio de Janeiro Copied without change from the Daily Telegraph This article from the Daily Telegraph is copied without changes. It is so relevant to …
The Hidden Costs of Poor Ventilation in Modern Homes
As I wrote in January 2023. Lastingly high energy prices have created the perfect conditions for the rise of a particular blight across the country. Surveyors have reported a tenfold increase in calls from worried landlords and homeowners. These landlords and homeowners have discovered damp and mould hiding in their properties. This issue threatens to cause …
Putting Nature at the Center
by Richard Heinburg who has allowed me to publish his work Life may be unique to Earth. Even if single-celled organisms can readily evolve in conditions that exist on millions or billions of other planets, we have no actual evidence that complex, multi-cellular life exists anywhere else in the vastness of space. Bacteria appeared on …
Immiseration
Written by ChatGPT prompted by Barry Cooper Peter Turchin’s book End Times introduced me to Cliodynamics: which is a transdisciplinary area of research integrating historical macrosociology, cultural and social evolution, economic history/cliometrics, mathematical modeling of long-term social processes, and the construction and analysis of historical databases. And to a word new to me: Immiseration. This …
How to Adapt to Financial Collapse
I asked ChatGPT to write something about how we should adapt to a financial collapse. Adapting to financial collapse requires a shift in mindset, lifestyle, and economic behaviour. The industrial system is built on money, credit, and large-scale supply chains. Survival and prosperity will depend on local resilience, resourcefulness, and social cooperation when those fail. …
If we study the problems outside the force-field of mythological beliefs, we find that there are no systemic solutions, there are only partial, local solutions.
By Charles Hugh SmithCopied with his permission Jan 13, 2025 The status quo rests on a foundational belief that all problems, regardless of their nature, can be solved by technology, the market or the government (i.e. the state), or some combination of these three. Which one is the paramount solution depends on the specifics of …
Top-down and Grassroots Mindsets
The mindsets of top-down (hierarchical) and grassroots (network-oriented) people often differ significantly, shaped by their positions, experiences, and priorities. Here’s a comparison: 1. Perspective and Focus Top-Down Mindset:Focused on the big picture, broader goals, and long-term strategies. They often prioritise efficiency, scalability, and control to achieve organisational or systemic objectives.Example: A government official designing a …
Localism and the Shrinking Economy: Reinterpreting the English Devolution White Paper
Growth evangelists note that the laws of physics don’t negotiate, nor does the rising Energy Cost of Energy. As we navigate a shrinking economy, it’s time to admit that the “growth” party is over—someone just forgot to turn off the music. The English Devolution White Paper outlines a framework for empowering strategic authorities, driving investment, …
The Link between the Development of AI and the Health of UK People
Artificial intelligence (AI) development in the UK is closely linked to public health in multiple ways, encompassing both opportunities and risks. Below are the key aspects of this relationship: Opportunities: Challenges and Risks: Policy and Ethical Considerations: The UK government and NHS must address the following to maximize AI’s potential while safeguarding public health: The …
The UK Government’s Proposal to Use AI for Economic Growth: Challenges and Realities
The UK government has recently proposed to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver for economic growth. This ambition aligns with global trends, where nations view AI as a transformative tool capable of revolutionizing industries, improving efficiency, and unlocking new markets. However, the proposal raises critical questions about energy consumption, employment impacts, and the …
A Family-Led, Tax-Free Approach to Care: Eliminating Bureaucracy and Institutional Oversight
The growing care crisis needs a fresh solution—one that puts families firmly in control. By operating without institutional interference and avoiding taxes and bureaucracy, families can create a localised, cost-effective care model. This approach removes the need for Court of Protection appointed Deputies and frees up resources to pay for essential care services. Key Principles …
AI Team Leadership: A Post-Modern Idea
ChatGPT can be likened to an infinite-sized team led and prompted by a thinking human. The support and help of Team-ChatGPT bridges the gap between individual effort and collective achievement. Here’s an expanded perspective: In essence, ChatGPT functions as a modern reimagining of a team, blending the human traits of mentorship, collaboration, and guidance with …