complexity

End of the Oilocene – The Gathering Storm

"Properly understood, money acts simply as a ‘claim’ on the output of the energy economy and driving up the aggregate of monetary claims only increases the scope for their elimination in a process of value destruction," warns Tim Clarke. He goes on to argue that Ireland is in a particularly vulnerable financial position, which is likely to lead to severe problems in the near future.

Brexit, fracking and Einstein

"Watch how our politicians demonstrate Einstein's definition of madness - trying over and over again what has already failed - because they cannot grasp that the time is for degrowth - and a lot of sharing - rather than their insane attempts to grow more powerful at the expense of others in a disintegrating world." writes Brian Davey.

King Donald and his Court

Brian Davey argues that Trump's administration is a symptom of a crisis in US democratic institutions and US society, arising from over-complexity. This administration has made clever use of both old and new forms of media to galvanise support. Resistance needs to start on a local level.

Brexit and complexity

Brian Davey draws on the work of Joseph Tainter and cybernetics research to argue that the least risky approach to Brexit is to follow Yanis Varoufakis' advice and go for an interim, off the peg solution.

Ebola and the management of mass psychology: public health or public relations crisis?

In the discussion about Ebola there appears to be a public relations message that we are all expected to accept: that it is far less likely to run out of control in "developed countries" which have healthcare systems. But is this attitude dangerously complacent? By Brian Davey.

Community Energy in Ireland (Part 3)

In the final part of his report, Erik-Jan Van Oosten reminds us that technologies aren’t neutral and that their complexity needs to be taken into account when planning for future energy production.

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