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Death by committee falls as heavily on art as on trade
Written by Gavin Chait
"The camel," goes an old joke, "is a horse designed by a committee."
An unhappy outcome of inviting a plurality of opinions is that any final conclusion that seeks to please everyone will irritate most.
Read more: Death by committee falls as heavily on art as on tradeBanning canaries in mineshafts isn't a kindness
Written by Gavin Chait
BP has poured 3.5 million litres of chemical dispersants into the Gulf of Mexico to break down oil released by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon back in April.
Far from being effective, the dispersants have acted to create a caustic emulsion spread over hundreds of kilometres at different depths beneath the surface. The dangers of dispersants shouldn't have come as a surprise.
Read more: Banning canaries in mineshafts isn't a kindnessThe process of services commoditisation is happening faster than that for manufacturing
Written by Gavin Chait
A factory is an expensive thing. Massive machinery is immobile, often custom-built and rooted in place. New technologies or alternative work practices can be impossible to incorporate into existing systems.
When profits start falling and debts pile up the only choice is between closing down or moving the entire factory somewhere cheaper.
Read more: The process of services commoditisation is happening faster than that for manufacturingIn picking on mines Australia's luck may run out
Written by Gavin Chait
Australia is often called “The Lucky Country”. Blessed with abundant minerals, an agreeable climate, sensible politicians and a relatively small and highly-skilled population, they have done rather well out of the world economy. Until now.
On Sunday, 2 May, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that he would be implementing a 40 percent tax on mining company profits in order which, he claims, will raise some $11 billion in two years.
Read more: In picking on mines Australia's luck may run outGreece, Goldman and finding the Greater Fool
Written by Gavin Chait
"If you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker,” says Mike McDermott in the movie, Rounders.
Gamblers are careful to ensure that there is someone less experienced or more gullible at the table than they are so that, when things go pear-shaped, they can unload their most speculative punts on them.
Read more: Greece, Goldman and finding the Greater FoolPage 7 of 54
