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Bust?
- Saving the Economy, Democracy and Our Sanity
- Narrated by: Nick Biadon
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
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Summary
Has the West gone bust - economically, politically and socially? Or is there another way?
We in the West appear to be at a year zero, with the seeming end of the relative peace and prosperity we took for granted. The pandemic, Putin's invasion of Ukraine, growing tension with China, a rolling back of globalisation, Brexit, the return of inflation and painful interest rates - all these have shattered the illusions of the world as we knew it.
For years our politicians have said they were going for growth and would ensure that those with least would benefit disproportionately from the proceeds of that growth. They've failed. Growth has vanished. The poorest are desperately struggling to heat their homes and to eat.
We are at that point where confidence in our fundamental institutions has been undermined by leaders who have an uncomfortable relationship with the truth and by an economy that has mainly served the richest.
How bad will it get? And how do we simultaneously rebuild prosperity, democracy and social cohesion? Can we have it all, or will we have to make very significant financial sacrifices in the coming years, knowingly and willingly, to restore that national sense of pride and solidarity of purpose?
If the chaos of the last few years mark the end of the old order as we knew it, what will and should follow, to save our prosperity, our democracy and our sanity.
It's time to abandon pessimism and fatalism and look for answers. Bust? doesn't have all of them. But it will start an important debate, about how to allow us all to hope again.
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- Matt Stagg
- 18-03-24
An excellent and impartial view of Britain's malaise and how it is within our control to reverse decline
Both authors provide a brilliant analysis of how the UK has taken its position on the world, misunderstood why it held that position, and given away much advantage through the misunderstanding that it's past success was down to a genetic brilliance. It is not. It was down to a combination of factors which, at that time, gave competitive advantage. These factors no longer hold sway and the authors put forward credible alternatives for us to push for. Read. Reread. Forward to many other people
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- jamie
- 13-01-24
Realistic description of the UKs economic and political situation
It's refreshing to have a book discuss the political and economic realities from a more objective perspective whilst also providing some solutions. More people should remember as it but I am unsure they will. It's not the most gripping read or performance but that's it's charm.
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- splgborrow
- 29-02-24
Excellent book, although depressing.
As an Australian living in London I have never felt so privileged to have dual nationality. good luck UK.
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- Ed Crewe
- 04-02-24
Summary of the current sad state of the UK economy
A reasonable summary of why we are in the mess we are currently with the UK economy.
Marred by a failure to understand either AI, its current main areas of application or a broader concept of true creativity equating to bringing new things into the world - not writing a blog post or singing a song.
Perhaps best summarized by the idea that schools should focus only on the "creative subjects", fine art, drama, music, crafts, writing and cooking! I enjoy pottery and oil painting, but my creativity in them is pitiful compared to the software engineering work I do in my day job.
Robot driven manufacturing and food creation has already replaced most craftsmen and cooks, even without AI. AI tools to create art, music and write plays is already widely available and far in advance creatively - ie above A'Level standard, than that aimed at replacing junior code monkey's ie the non-creative part of software creation. Or as scientific aids. Because engineers have created AI focussed on images and LLMs. To replace graphic designers, film makers, salesmen, support personal, authors, journalists etc. Why should children be taught subjects that technology is replacing for all but the top few percent (ie the famous artists, directors etc), surely they should be taught the creative engineering and science skills that invented AI and may build future industrial advances where the UK so lacks skills?
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