Latest thinking

RSA Animate – Crisis of Capitalism

Comment

28 Jun 2010

In this short RSA Animate, radical sociologist David Harvey asks if it is time to look beyond capitalism, towards a new social order that would allow us to live within a system that could be responsible, just and humane. View his full lecture at the RSA. Download a transcript of this video (pdf).

The limits of authenticity

Comment

28 Jun 2010

Ben Yacobi

Human beings keep searching throughout their lives for greater certainty and solace - from place to place, or from one illusion to another, or from one depiction of reality to another, but never arrive at the whole truth. We strive for authenticity in social interactions and various forms of expression. But is human or personal authenticity possible, valuable or even desirable?

Edging towards enlightenment

Comment

25 Jun 2010

We have recently seen some vivid illustrations of how small groups can struggle or succeed to achieve great things. On the one hand the anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation reminded us of the power of the “small platoons” in times time of crisis. On the other, people in pubs and living rooms around the country have groaned and gurned at the England team’s early struggles to remain in the World Cup.

Steering, nudging and thinking

Comment

15 Jun 2010

Matt Grist reviews some models of behaviour change and outlines the findings of new research published by the RSA

Elder care needs to be the ‘new health’

Comment

11 Jun 2010

In 2009, the UK population numbered 62 million: 38 million of working age, 9.2 million between 50 and 65 years, and 11.3 million over current state pension age. The forecast for 2031 is a 58 per cent increase in the number of people aged over 65, but just a 16 per cent increase in those at working age. This creates a huge imbalance between those who are earning and those likely to need care. However, the funding available for elderly care has been shrinking for some time and many local authorities have slashed budgets up to 400 per cent, with some regions reducing sheltered housing provision from £40 to just £11.75 per week.

RSA Animate - The Secret Powers of Time

Comment

24 May 2010

Professor Philip Zimbardo conveys how our individual perspectives of time affect our work, health and well-being. Time influences who we are as a person, how we view relationships and how we act in the world. View the full video of Professor Philip Zimbardo's talk at the RSA.

Dangerous Rhetoric

Comment

10 May 2010

In Plato’s time they would regularly hold competitions between a skilled rhetorician and an experienced doctor to see who could convince a crowd who was the better doctor. Apparently the rhetorician would always win and if we consider the implications of that for the climate change debate it raises some serious concerns.

RSA Animate - Empathic Civilisation

Comment

06 May 2010

Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society. View the full video of Jeremy Rifkin's talk at the RSA. Download a transcript of this video (pdf).

General Election 2010 - what about the issues?

Comment

27 Apr 2010

Ben Lucas

The story of the election so far has been the rise of Clegg and the Liberal Democrats and the consequences this may have on the result.  Change has become the central question – the choice being about who can manage this best and who personifies it the most.  But change for what?  It is striking that policy has received less attention in this than in any previous election.