But here we are, the counties will be established and councils will be elected, and there’s not much to be done about it right now. Except to vote. Because let’s face it, if you live in a representative democracy and you’re handed the right (but not obligation) to vote, it would be arrogant, lazy, and stupid not to vote.
Read MoreOn the universality of UBI
our societies and cultures will have to change when there are fewer jobs available and in general less work for humans to perform. In order to avoid total chaos, new mechanisms are needed for redistributing the ever-increasing amount of wealth and prosperity our machines and algorithms will be producing. UBI could be a part of the puzzle, but I sincerely hope no-one thinks it’s a magic wand that’s going to solve everything. I also believe that the fairness problem needs to be addressed in one way or another, but I’m just not sure yet how.
Read MoreLabour Day thoughts on Automation and the Future of Work
To summarize, for a long time I have been very optimistic about technological innovations and about the future in general. I’ve often even described myself as a tech enthusiast and optimist. While that’s still largely true, I’ve come to share similar worries that Kevin Roose described in his book. Making the societal and political changes needed for enabling us to live good lives in the future will be a monumental challenge. One that I sincerely hope we will succeed in solving, but knowing how incredibly irrational humans occasionally can be, it’s not at all certain that we’ll be able to rise up to the challenge.
Read MoreThe risks are high when you strike nuclear facilities
Whatever the motivation for the Natanz attack was, and however compelling the risk/reward calculation looked, it’s undeniably true that there’s a high risk of disastrous consequences when nuclear facilities are involved.
Read MoreThe EU urgently needs its own chip manufacturing
If the US is feeling stressed about the global chip situation, the EU should be outright panicking. It’s high time that the EU has woken up and attempts to do something for the sake of “digital sovereignty”. Let’s hope the intervention doesn’t come too late, because in matters that are complex and capital intensive, change doesn’t happen overnight.
Read MoreTikTok is probably going to be banned in the US too
Given everything that’s going on between China and the US and the fact that we have an incumbent president who’s becoming increasingly desperate and angry, it’s a safe bet that TikTok’s 26.5m MAUs in the US can soon say goodbye to their favorite social media app.
Read MoreSix months remaining of 2020 – a lot of weird shit can still happen
When Europeans talk about “the crazy year”, many will remember 1848 from history lessons. And indeed it was a turbulent year with new ideas and revolutions spreading across the continent like wildfire. But if the second half of 2020 turns out to be even remotely similar to the first half, it’s possible that 2020 will become our new “global crazy year”. If not in the history books, then at least in the minds of our generation.
Read MoreNow more important than ever: freedom of inquiry and freedom of the press
What we have seen in the U.S. since the new administration took over in January is mind-boggling. It feels like the entire world is trapped in a wicked candid camera show, but nobody knows how to pull the plug.
Read MoreNovember Meditations in Hanko Finland
After the shocking U.S. presidential election result I decided that I need to take a break from all political and economical news flows. No more talking heads. No more analyses. Enough is enough.
Read MoreNIRP. A Disgusting Four-Letter Word
ZIRP and NIRP. Not so long ago they were just economic theories treated with curiosity and disbelief. Now they are reality. The words are acronyms for Zero and Negative Interest Rate Policies. NIRP is the ultimate manifestation of stupidity in the global financial system.
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