(time flies) Just released episode #100 of my little podcast for English learners

[Torsten]

I’ve just listened to your podcast episode on GDP and find your thoughts very interesting because they pretty much align with the following.

What is the origin of the GDP metric?

When exactly did the human race declare perpetual annual growth of the GDP their primary goal and the measurement of all achievements? Here is the answer: When British colonizers descended on Ireland, they tasked William Petty with tallying up the country’s land and wealth: an inventory that would be used for the purposes of appropriation and plunder. These accounts are the earliest predecessor to today’s GDP metric.

Why GDP prevents us from thinking

Here is a beautiful quote on ‘growthism’ and how detrimental it is to our ability to think: Growthism is anti-intellectual in the sense that it prevents us from thinking about what we actually want the economy - and our society - to achieve. GDP comes to stand in for thought itself. Most people don’t think any more. They confuse consuming information with thinking and spreading gossip with debate. Our society is driven by the sick notion that infinite growth of the GDP is the core of our very…

The GDP is the driving force behind COVID-19 and future pandemics

Everyone of us who is eager to get back to normal should stop and think again. If we continue peddling the fairytales of infinite economic growth we will create a world in which pandemics, food shortages, chaos, destruction and death is the norm. Our planet is striking back reminding us that human beings are just one of billions of species and we are by no means more sophisticated than others. As a matter of fact, it’s quite possible us human beings are most destructive and detrimental element w…

Why the GDP should no longer be our priority

As I listen to Nicola Sturgeon on TED Talks I’m thinking to myself: What a wise and sophisticated people those Scots are to have selected her as their leader. I’m so looking forward to having similar leadership here in old Germany. What about you?