Category Archives: Society

Hidden Unpersuaders: How we mistook the digital giants for all-powerful manipulators

Posted on January 4, 2022 by David Walker

The twin threats of “hidden persuasion” and artificial intelligence have now convinced most of us that Google and its ilk are almost uniquely powerful. These threats are overrated. The digital giants can do less than we fear – and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Economics and public policy, Information, IT and Internet, Media, regulation, Society, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Science and the universe of is: Design and the multiverse of what might be

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Nicholas Gruen

From a recent podcast interview with Tyson Yunkaporta This post began as a comment on David Walker’s post on David Card’s Nobel Prize for his study which showed that at least in the situation he investigated a smallish rise in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Economics and public policy, Philosophy, Science, Social Policy, Society | 3 Comments

Where are the Chinese reforms going?

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Paul Frijters

Let us look at the extraordinary non-covid changes now happening in China. The country has been reforming rapidly the last 20 months and I want to muse about the trajectory these reforms are setting China upon. Many commentators see in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Politics - international, Social Policy, Society | 12 Comments

The Great Covid Panic: now out!

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Paul Frijters

It’s here, the booklet I am sure you have all been waiting for. The one which Gigi Foster and Michael Baker slaved over for 10 months. It is also on Kindle. It is dedicated to all the victims of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargains, Coronavirus crisis, Dance, Death and taxes, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Education, Employment, Ethics, Health, History, Humour, Inequality, Isegoria, IT and Internet, Journalism, Law, Libertarian Musings, Life, Literature, Media, Medical, Parenting, Philosophy, Political theory, Politics - international, Politics - national, Print media, Public and Private Goods, Religion, Review, Science, Social, Social Policy, Society, Sortition and citizens’ juries, Terror, Theatre, Travel, WOW! - Amazing | 7 Comments

On censorship in Australia and elsewhere

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Frijters

What do you do as an Australian parliament when a foreign company censors mainstream media content in Australia, undermining free speech? Do you organise an inquiry to hold those foreign companies to account and to see how you might prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus crisis, Cultural Critique, Democracy, Films and TV, IT and Internet, Journalism, Media, Politics - international, Politics - national, Print media, Society | 12 Comments

Pragmatic utilitarianism?

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Paul Frijters

I have been a utilitarian for about 30 years now and am seen in my academic work as an extreme version of the genre. I did my Phd on the topic. I do not merely say that governments should make … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Dance, Death and taxes, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Ethics, Geeky Musings, History, Humour, Life, Parenting, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Science, Social, Social Policy, Society | 13 Comments

Citizen-jury appointments?

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Paul Frijters

Dear Troppodillians, lend me your critical eye. I ask you to consider the system of citizen-jury appointments I have in mind, and tell me how the vested interests would try to game it, ie why it would not work and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Cultural Critique, Democracy, History, Law, Libertarian Musings, Political theory, Politics - national, Social, Society, Sortition and citizens’ juries, Theatre | 52 Comments