An Autonomous Agent

Profit Over People: Neoliberalism & Global Order – Noam Chomsky

On September 19, 2014

In american, book, capitalism, civilization, earth, history, noam chomsky, political science, social behavior

In Profit Over People: Neoliberalism & Global Order, Noam Chomsky critiques the economic vogue held by a large number of economists and government officials during the last quarter of the 20th century and continuing to this day. In truth, it seems as if many of our climate and social problems stem from the concerns raised by Chomsky. If we as a species wish to continue living in a global community on Earth — enjoying the benefits of mutual aid and global economic prosperity to achieve a greater civilization, it seems that it is necessary to address the issues presented by Chomsky. Of course, working towards such an ideal society and generating such sublime goals is always optional. The foundation upon which rests all great civilizations is the confidence and power of its people to see and seize their own destiny. Read the book and you may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Trials of Henry Kissinger (2002)

By anautonomousagent

On August 31, 2014

In american, christopher hitchens, education, henry kissinger, history, political science, politics, video, war, youtube

Watch it: The Trials of Henry Kissinger (2002)

Summary:

Part contemporary investigation and part historical inquiry, documentary follows the quest of one journalist in search of justice. The film focuses on Christopher Hitchens’ charges against Henry Kissinger as a war criminal – allegations documented in Hitchens’ book of the same title – based on his role in countries such as Cambodia, Chile, and Indonesia. Kissinger’s story raises profound questions about American foreign policy and highlights a new era of human rights. Increasing evidence about one man’s role in a long history of human rights abuses leads to a critical examination of American diplomacy through the lens of international standards of justice. Written by Sujit R. Varma

The Misbehavior of Markets: A Fractal View of Financial Turbulence – Benoit Mandelbrot

By anautonomousagent

On August 27, 2014

In benoit mandelbrot, book, economics, finance, fractals, investing, math, mathematics, physics, Ralph nelson elliott, robert prechter, science, stocks, wave theory

I’ve been wanting to read The Misbehavior of Markets: A Fractal View of Financial Turbulence by Benoit Mandelbrot for a number of years. Mandelbrot helped to change the way people view financial market dynamics. This book is definitely a must read for people working in the financial industry. However, Mandelbrot was not the first. It is a little surprising that Mandelbrot did not talk in detail about the work of R.N. Elliott or Robert Prechter, among others, which I think complement Mandelbrot’s work on financial fractals. Patrick Harris wrote a short paper discussing whether Mandelbrot should have cited Elliott (link to paper).

To me, the idea of infinite memory processes is one of the most important concepts touched on by Mandelbrot in this book. It suggests that economists and traders should be developing models and theories which value the importance of price series and data going back decades. And it makes sense to me that people and prices do not change their fundamental behavior over extended periods of technological evolution. However, I suspect that organisms do change their fundamental behavior if the time horizon is thousands or millions of years. I am very curious to read more about Hurst’s studies of the Nile.

Planet Ocean (2012) – Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot

By anautonomousagent

On August 22, 2014

In anthropocene, biology, documentary, earth, education, gaia, michael pitiot, ocean, physics, science, video, yann arthus-bertrand, youtube

I absolutely loved the stunning imagery and awe captured in Planet Ocean. Looking at the microscopic organisms blooming in the ocean, then witnessing the entire Gaia system interacting in complex ways, the perspectives are inspiring for scientists and artists. It was one of the best visual documentaries I have seen. Definitely worth watching!