Fatally Conceited

This book is written by an activist, not an empirical observer of reality. It's well researched at times, but the author often gets lost in her own righteousness. It's is somewhat a nice counterbalance to anyone that's gone down the libertarian rabbits hole, but this book doesn't really address the stronger points that Hayek et al raises, simply dismisses them and moves on. The book assumes policy can overtly control the economy from the top down. Hayek describes this as the fatal conceit. An overestimation of ones control over their complex environment.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

making growth uncool again

You would think that after the financial crisis and decades of knowing about environmental pollution and human induced climate change we would change the way we do business. But the story we tell ourselves and each other about what an economy is is still based on the idea of limitless growth which can't be sustained on an inherently finite planet. In these precarious times the world seems to fall back on very simple (political) messages because out of fear our brains revert back to primal survival modes. That's perhaps why I was first opposed to this image of the doughnut but throughout the book have come to embrace it as the simple message and shared image the world needs to replace our old ideas. Kate was educated as an economist herself and admits that the people best fit to be the new world's economists are the ones not formally trained as one. Throughout the book she reveals how the ideas of Maynard Keynes, Adam Smith, Friedman and Stiglitz were used to push nations' agendas for GDP growth in a global financial market economy for which there seemed no alternative. Even though political and economical philosophers back to Aristotle have made a distinction between economics as the production of value in the household and the accumulation of wealth as something different, in capitalist society we have to come to regard the latter as the goal since we don't monetize the first. Kate is aware of the power of evoking mental (visual) frames and in the end talks about the economy as a plane that took of and has been flying ever since but we didn't really think how we would land it. Far from talking doomsday scenarios, she actually makes very concrete proposals to start thinking differently within the means of the planet and actually change the goal of what we're doing. She does not say it in these exact words but we should focus on human nature and happiness (learning skills, being connected, etc) rather than material gain beyond what we need to live well. We should create and economy in which everyone can thrive, us and the planet, regardless of whether the economy grows or not.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Amazing and inspirering

Loved it, and it is very inspirering! strongly recommend it if you feel a bit overwhelmed by the state of the world and can't find comfort I. the traditional economic viewpoints.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

awfull

this book keeps focussing on graphics and images, all the while referring to the 'conpanion booklet'. if I had my hands and eyes available I would be reading a paper book. this is like listening to a comic book. absolutely worthless.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Idealistic, provocative and preachy

Listened to it twice just to really get the hang it. Idealistic, provocative and preachy. Will follow the movement, not yet a fan.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

#gamechanger

I need to re-listen to this book, it's most definitely worth it and there are ever new facets to be discovered.

crucial book for this decade of needed change.

crucial book for this decade of needed change. The explanation of the history of económics explain the addiction of GDP growth and the logic of the economy needed for the next millenium creates a powerful case

not good if you listen while driving

not good if you listen while driving because of the constant reference to its images.

An economic manifesto for the 21st century

Kate raworthths criticism of modern mainstream economics is much needed as it not only bring out the problems we have in the current metrics that are being used but also suggests policies to move forward. based on contemporary research from not only economics, but also social sciences as well as the latest developments in technology, the book presents a new comprehensive model to evaluate economic activities. The book is written in a way that is enjoyable to read and does not need a specific degree to understand as it's based on a ground-up approach where practical solutions to very real and urgent problems are at the forefront. a glimmer of hope and inspiration!

Fresh and fine

Nice and novel thoughts that come in handy while facing the future and current challenges.