Mingle, mingle! Thank you to my first dramaturg; A look at Bitcoin, bit-what?; 3/10 US disbelieve climate change-WOW; artsjobs
Hi
Arts - Investing - Personal/Autism.
Mingle. Mingle. Mingle. Creativity clashes. You must know about the mingle - else what have I been doing? In case not - details here. 19 Sep, London.
When a teacher makes galaxies explode. I thank Gideon Lester, my first mentor in Dramaturgy. Galaxies exploded. Teachers seldom discover how they touch their pupils. After I failed to send John Berger any of the letters I have penned him over the years, I thought it was time to do better. Read more here (3 to 5 mins).
A Bit speculative? I take a look at Bitcoin. I share billionaire Howard Marks’ view that it is NOT an investment. It is a currency. It is a money. You can speculate in it and trade in it. But I do not think it has a major place for most people as an investment, just like most people would not have South African Rand as an investment. It does reveal facets of modern money, which we often ignore. Money relies on belief. Money relies on trust. Its value relies on a network of people who accept it as money. It helps that you can exchange if for goods, services and other currencies. It is not backed by gold, goods or tax. Back in time, sea shells were used as money. Read more here (3 mins)
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power and CEOs. “For investors...If your company allows too much power to reside in the hands of the chief executive, do not be surprised if they abuse that power.” A look at an academic paper on earnings manipulations and the authors suggest “that manipulating firms are more likely to have overconfident and powerful CEOs.” A quick read (2 mins).
Shoot at the wind. Disbelieve climate change. Believe clairvoyance and witches. 3/10 Americans disbelieve man-made climate change. This percentage has been stable for 20 years (with a slight rise to almost 4/10 in some years). This discomforts me as it shows virtually no change in opinion over 20 years. People simply don’t often change opinions once formed. This is devastating for progress… Read details here (3 mins). Oh, and 1 out 4 Americans believe in clairvoyance. That’s more clairvoyance-believers than man-made climate change believers. Hmmmm.
Quick hits for job opportunities: Volans (sustainability) are looking for an exec director; Arts: For BAME performing artists there are £500 bursaries available for EU networking from British Council; Gecko Theatre seeking a General Manager (Ipswich); Tiata Fahodzi looking for Exec Director; Arcola Theatre BAMER writer opportunity. Tamasha looking for next generation diverse emerging playwrights. London Theatre Consortium looking for diverse mid-career fellowships. Visual Artists, there’s the Stuart Hall Library Artist residency open. For my healthcare friends, Incyte are looking for a Paris based Medical Director - email me, if you need details.
P.S. Some of you may be on here from the Mingle or Linkedin (or possibly Facebook), if this is not for you just hit unsubscribe below. I’m not offended (much). I’d much rather you spent your time on items that do matter to you, such as… go on make a call to someone you love and tell them (Matt Haig life tip #5), as Parsons Green reminded us Londoners once again. Stay Safe. Thanks for keeping in touch. Ben
Thank you, Gideon
A 20 year old boy steeped in science but with a fascination with theatre arrives at Harvard. The boy knows few to no people. He has directed a few plays, at the level of a student. He has read a fair amount of drama and poetry, considering his academic science studies. The boy knows enough to know he really doesn’t know an awful lot. About anything. Anything at all. Read more here (3 to 5 mins)
Bitcoin. Not An Investment.
If you fancy a gamble, sure why not? But know it for what it is. A speculation. Perhaps like gold, it could have a place as geopolitical hedge, as money/gold has done over history, but I still don’t think that makes it an investment.
It is a currency. It is a money. You can speculate in it and trade in it. But I do not think it has a major place for most people as an investment, just like most people would not have South African Rand as an investment. It does reveal facets of modern money, which we often ignore. Money relies on belief. Money relies on trust. Its value relies on a network of people who accept it as money. Read more here (3 mins)
CEO power corrupts. We all know why companies manipulate their earnings. They do it because they can. Accounting principles necessarily allow some discretion beyond the direct moves that show up in cash terms each quarter. And there are rewards for manipulation — stronger earnings will be greeted by higher share prices... more pay for any executives...
“The Wall Street number was pure. It was somebody else independent of me saying, “Stephen, this is what you need to aim for this quarter.” I would judge my success on the ability to make that number. If we achieved that number, it was an endorsement that we were doing the right things. If we missed that number, then it was a reflection that we hadn’t performed as well as we should have. My goal was just to get to or over that number – and if I did that, I succeeded.” A quick read (2 mins).
Climate opinions vs witch craft. Only 1 in 8 Americans understand that almost all climate scientists have concluded human-caused global warming is happening. 3/10 Americans disbelieve manmade climate change. This has been stable for 20 years. More Americans believe in clairvoyance. Read details here (3 mins)