NORTHERN PLANNER

This skeptical envirnomentalist has an interesting twist on global warming. He argues that we’re  better off promoting free trade or tackling Aids before thinking about climate change.

Four Nobel winning economists asked, "How can you spend $50bn to achieve the most good possible?", the answer was a ‘to-do’ list with climate change at the bottom. For example, spending $27bn in Aids prevention would save more than 28 million lives in six years.   

They’re not saying don’t do anything, just not right now. If you agree is one thing, it’s an argument based on the good of humanity alone, which is maybe a tad arrogant and short sighted, but I like the way he’s not afraid to say the unsayable, I like the way he makes me examine what I think I know.

There’s been some trouble at Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool, where the baboons have been ripping out St George’s flags from the cars of football mad visitors.

Vandals or aesthetes?

The thing about stereotypes is that they’re usually right. Yorkshire Trading Standards have found that measures of beer and spirits usually fall short, proving Northern England’s legendary reputation for meanness.

The shining exception was Leeds, where the problem is over pouring. This isn’t why I live there, honest.

Here’s a useful Top Ten rules for innovators. I particularly like the idea of changing stuff once your happy with it – just in case you find it turns out better. Way too many people fall in love with their first idea.

Went to a wedding last weekend.

Caught up with old friends and for a while we managed to act our age (32ish).

But of course it didn’t last. By the taxi home the booze had worked it’s usual dark magic and we were boys again.

I didn’t feel 18 the next morning though, I felt rubbish. It actually took a few days to recover which reminded me how crap it is getting older. But hold on, is getting old really that bad? Since we’ve got an ever ageing population (and I’m not getting any younger), I’ve decided that it’s time to be a bit optimistic about age. How is getting older good? What’s important? I’ll have a think and post something later. Ideas anyone?

It’s not particularly well designed but I like this poster. I like the way it provokes me and the way George Galloway isn’t afraid to say what he thinks (although I don’t agree with much of it), whatever the outcome.

Paul Colman got me thinking about this with a comment in my ‘I can’t spell’ post. What’s the point of asking the opinion of people who think like you do? Sometimes you need people to disagree with and who disagree with you. It sharpens your thinking, and sometimes teaches you something new. I can’t ever see myself agreeing with George though.

This blogging planner has the best blog name of them all. Along with the name, I’m a wee bit jealous of anyone who’s close enough to London  to make a Russell Davies coffee morning.

Looking at past posts reminds me why I was never cut out for account handling – I can’t spell. Unfortunately for suits, no amount of insightful thinking and quick wit makes up for getting your client’s name wrong in the contact report.

Jose Mourinho relevance at last!

Via Hidden Persuader (you’ll find lots of other stuff there too)