I’ve been horizon scanning for After Capitalism for more than a decade now, albeit a bit sporadic in some years. The book is in the hands of the publisher but I continue to scan and plan to do so after the book launches as well. I capture each signal in a scanning library with 880 at last count. I thought it might be interesting to just check in once in a while (maybe every quarter) and see what the signals are saying.
Drum roll please, my Big 3 After Capitalism scan hits for Q1 2024.
Does universal basic income work? These countries are finding out.
England is the latest in a string of countries to test giving its residents a guaranteed amount of money every month, also known as a universal basic income (UBI). UBI has been proven to reduce poverty, yet few countries have embraced it as policy. Multiple recent studies have shown that UBI can lead to improved health outcomes and increased employment for recipients of UBI.
AH comment: the results of trials continue to be promising.
Hospitals owned by private equity are harming patients, reports find
Private equity firms are increasingly buying hospitals across the US, and when they do, patients suffer, according to two separate reports. Specifically, the equity firms cut corners, slash services, lay off staff, lower quality of care, take on substantial debt, and reduce charity care, leading to lower ratings and more medical errors, the reports collectively find.
AH comment: Private equity, across the board, is kinda scaring the crap out of me.
Master of Arts in Happiness Studies
This fully online accredited MA degree in Happiness Studies, offered in partnership with Centenary University, focuses on educating leaders who are committed to the cultivation of wellbeing in themselves and others, to the fulfillment of society’s potential for both happiness and goodness.
AH comment: I included this because I think it’s a good idea, but also to remind us of hope when so much of the discourse today is gloom, doom, and despair.
An interesting mix. We’ll try it again next quarter – Andy Hines
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