Languages as infrastructure
Knowing a language is rarely a profession in itself, but it often becomes the infrastructure of a profession. A language gives access to: education; documentation; the labour market; clients; a…
Respect or Distance
Family morality sometimes demands that closeness be preserved regardless of what is left of the relationship. But steady contempt sits badly with closeness: if respect is not restored, it is…
Can the Spark Be Calculated?
I tested harmony by algebra. — Alexander Pushkin, “Mozart and Salieri” The figure “94 percent” sounds more convincing than “you may well have something to talk about.” Samantha Joel, Paul…
Where Calculation Ends
Economics is at its strongest where a hidden constraint needs to be found. It asks what is scarce, which information is unevenly distributed, who can refuse, onto whom the cost…
Other people’s lives without expertise
People are remarkably eager to discuss how others should live, spend money, raise children, build relationships and choose clothes. Especially when their own decisions temporarily require no attention. Not every…
Someone else’s scale
Society is happy to measure freedom by the number of deeds done, trips taken, victories won and prohibitions broken. But freedom includes the right to act — and the right…