profit

Foreword from Notes to Nowhere

We live in a uniquely perverse time – and solutions to its uniquely- perverse problems will not be found in extra-ordinary solutions such as austerity. Remedies may be found in simply returning to normal. Moreover, living by ordinary ethics within ordinary laws of physics may reclaim the happiness that comes from living within ordinary human nature. By Patrick Noble.

Entrepreneurship – the narrative of destructive creation

Entrepreneurs are often assumed to play a heroic role in the economy, with some shades of tragedy. In a second excerpt from his new book Brian Davey argues that the heroism of entrepreneurs may be somewhat exaggerated, whereas the tragedy is probably downplayed. Co-operative approaches to doing business generally prove to be more compatible with the real world.

Helping to regenerate: overcoming conflicts of interest in property development

The conventional way of financing property development entangles those involved in a web of debt and conflicting business interests. This week we are featuring two articles from Fleeing Vesuvius which describe a new way of organising developments that promises better buildings, more affordable rents and a stake in the outcome for everyone. Chris Cook provides an overview of this new approach and James Pike gives examples of how it could work to rescue building projects hit by the downturn in Ireland.