The book “Dark Side of Modernity”


has been analyzed by several key social theorists who highlight its dual nature and contradictions: Major Theoretical Perspectives Max Weber Era: Early 20th century View: Connected worldly asceticism to both liberating autonomy and ruthless domination[1][4] Key insight: Identified rationalization as both systemic and dangerous Georg Simmel Era: Early 20th century View: Explored the concept of “otherness” in modern society while normalizing the stranger[1][4] Shmuel Eisenstadt Era: Mid-20th century View: Celebrated progress while acknowledging modernity’s capacity for barbarity[1] Talcott Parsons Era: Mid-20th century View: Praised American community while overlooking modernity’s fragmentations[1] Jeffrey Alexander Era: Contemporary View: Argues that modernity’s contradictions should … Continue reading The book “Dark Side of Modernity”

CFO Briefing 2025 Bloomberg


Welcome to CFO Briefing, a newsletter devoted to corporate finance and what leaders need to know. This week, I take a closer look at the key challenges facing finance chiefs in 2025. We also have an interview with America Movil’s Carlos Garcia Moreno, who talks about the rationale for the company’s recent peso bond sales. But first, here’s some other news that caught my eye: The world’s 500 richest people got vastly richer in 2024, hitting a combined $10 trillion in net worth. As the US’s debt balloons, firms that play a vital role in the world’s biggest bond market warn of growing pressures. Zhengzhou has tried … Continue reading CFO Briefing 2025 Bloomberg

Reference architectures can’t be created, they emerge.


https://www.18theses.com/ Government attempts to avoid pain and vendor lock-in upfront will fail in the most drawn-out ways possible. For any interesting class of problem (i.e. non-trivial innovation) it isn’t possible to deductively design a reference architecture. Instead you must build and let the architecture emerge. You maximize the chance of getting it right by having multiple competing companies and programs with interoperability requirements at inception. Government Reference Architectures are the 21st century equivalent of Robert McNamara’s notorious Total Package Procurement (TPP), which produced failures like the F-111 and C-5A. TPP fell into the trap of trying to eliminate uncertainty and … Continue reading Reference architectures can’t be created, they emerge.

Chief executives at major Canadian companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions for growth, according to a recent survey from KPMG International Ltd.


Its annual CEO outlook said 41 per cent of Canadian CEOs are likely to make an acquisition that would significantly impact their operations. Only nine per cent are unlikely to make an acquisition at all. Nine in 10 chief executives of large corporations have a high to moderate desire to acquire when the timeline is broadened to three years, and 40 per cent are mulling major deals. A similar survey of small and midsized businesses (SMBs) said just 34 per cent of them are looking at acquisitions. “As the cost of capital eases, investors and corporates are becoming more confident about … Continue reading Chief executives at major Canadian companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions for growth, according to a recent survey from KPMG International Ltd.

Population shrinkage and the challenge to mitigate impacts on growth


Follow up to the NY Times piece ” Can the Government get people to have more babies?” See link at Population 2050. Population 2050 The previous post describes the political backdrop to the shrinkage in population overtaking the large western economies. Why should countries care about shrinking populations at a time of climate change, increasing risk of nuclear catastrophe and the prospect of artificial intelligence taking over jobs? At a global level, there is no shortage of people. But drastically low birthrates can lead to problems in individual countries. At first glance population in times of fewer jobs, climate change and geopolitical turmoil … Continue reading Population shrinkage and the challenge to mitigate impacts on growth

Hybrid working in global cities: how does London’s return to the office compare? 


#Productivity  #The Future of Work  Hybrid working in global cities: how does London’s return to the office compare? Toronto is behind the rest of world.  Workers in central London continue to return to the office, though not as quickly as in other global competitor cities, raising concerns about future economic growth.  Blog post  published on 3 September 2024  by Rob Johnson Workers in central London continue to return to the office, though not as quickly as in other global competitor cities, raising concerns about future economic growth.  It seems that reports of the death of the office have been greatly exaggerated. This was clear last year, where a Centre for Cities’ … Continue reading Hybrid working in global cities: how does London’s return to the office compare? 


Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you see yourself as a leader? Yes, I consider myself a natural leader because there are no rules no objection,only one agenda to work, engage,learn and be active with a sense of knowledge accept the subordinates suggestions and feedback to take our growth to the next level, accept failure and don’t blame the team, when it comes to success we need to say it is team work. As leader enjoy helping others learn new things, and, as a manager, it’s very satisfying to me to help my team develop their skills. However, … Continue reading

Structural form that offers any position paper approach – from article by Jonathan Alter


The Four Points That Harris’s Speech Needs to Emphasize Aug. 22, 2024 By Jonathan Alter Contributing Opinion Writer, reporting from Chicago The most important part of any convention is the acceptance speech. It wins the highest ratings and usually determines the size of the post-convention bounce in the polls. Donald Trump blew his speech at the Republican convention by rambling interminably. Kamala Harris isn’t likely to do that at the Democratic convention on Thursday. But to win the election she must successfully introduce herself to millions of Americans and stress themes that resonate. Here are four possibilities: Opportunity: Harris will tell her … Continue reading Structural form that offers any position paper approach – from article by Jonathan Alter